Well, that’s 2011 nearly over. While perhaps a little early for a comprehensive review, it’s certainly been an event filled year. In fact, I’ve struggled to fit the whole year into just 200 photos for the album, although that may me more a reflection of the fact I’m generally taking more photos these days (thanks to my 365). At dinner last night, we were thinking back over some of the high and low points of the year, and in some cases the same event was both a high and a low! The thing that perhaps springs most readily to mind […]

One of the most inspiring books I’ve ever read is Contemplative Youth Ministry: Practicing the Presence of Jesus with Young People (link is to Amazon). In fact, I think it should be compulsary reading for all Christians! While heavily focussed on Youth Ministry (dur!), it’s actually packed full of important principles to do with slowing down, contemplating and reflecting on things more, and moving away from being anxiety driven, and it applies across the board. One point that has particularly stuck with me is the way that, at times, ministry is turned on its head. In particular, the point is […]

I’ve been thinking a bit about what I wrote last time, and how emotions can’t be trusted. The chief spark for that post was when someone in a film says I’ve never felt this way before, and how I might argue that this is not necessarily a good thing! However as I’ve reflected upon it, I realise that there are occasions when emotions do trump logic and reason. Love is (also) an emotion, and I would never have married my wife if I hadn’t felt that I was in love with her (as well as choosing to love her). When […]

Emotions are lent surprising weight, aren’t they? What we feel at any given point in time we perceive as reality. This is surprising because we know, intellectually, how quickly emotions change, and how we can rapidly switch to an ‘opposite’ emotion as events or facts come to light. I think this is part of the problem when it comes to sin, and particularly sins of (emotional) gratification. Let’s say I have a particular weakness for smarties (work with me here). I eat more of them then I should, and I eat them when I’m feeling down and want to perk […]

While I’m not mad about the whole “x sleeps” thing that seems to have taken hold, inevitably at this time of year thoughts turn to Advent and Christmas (and it’s only 36 sleeps to that great celebration). However, I still have 41 days to try and achieve my ambitions for 2011. One is now basically impossible (climbing), others are well and truly in the bag. A few more have a final little sprint.. But enough waffle, here are the scores! Climbing. Failed. 5/20 times this year. Actually quite disappointed by this – I thought this would be year I get […]

Wow – I’m halfway through my 365/6 project. Yesterday was my 183rd photo, dedicated to Space Dog in his capsule: I have to say it has been an absolute pleasure. None of these photos have been a chore. There have been varying degrees of effort put in for sure, and large variation in quality, but I have enjoyed even single one. In fact, I don’t think I’m going to stop on the 8th May 2012!

There’s a pair of Red Kites who cruise around over Harrogate fairly regularly. They are complete teases though, because they never circle for long enough for me to get my camera and long lens. I am determined to get a decent photo, but have so far been thwarted. Out on a walk this afternoon came the closest yet, but sadly only had my 50mm lens on, so the results are fairly hopeless. Still, here’s what I managed, with a cropped version too.

I don’t normally post jokes that I’ve come across on the Internet and e-mail, but this one tickled me. There was an engineer, manager and programmer driving down a steep mountain road. The brakes failed and the car careened down the road out of control. Half way down the driver managed to stop the car by running it against the embankment narrowing avoiding going over a cliff. They all got out, shaken by their narrow escape from death, but otherwise unharmed. The manager said To fix this problem we need to organize a committee, have meetings, and through a process […]

I’ve been really struck by Playing for Change. Obviously I love the music, and the use of technology is extraordinary. As a complete distraction, it slightly reminds me of Dan Rider’s awesome Dr Who theme on YouTube. Anyway, back to the point – here’s a song that’s been recorded over 4 years (or something) and 3 continents, with something like 35 street musicians – who have never met one another. It’s a single tune woven together over time and space (oo there’s Dr Who again) in a coherent whole, and only the final contributer gets to hear how their contribution […]

Heard half an interview with someone on Radio 4, who was talking about a Producer called Mark Johnson who was walking down the street in Santa Monica, and heard a busker playing Stand by me, which launched a global project recording street musicians all around the world playing said song. It sounded interesting – I love that song – and the mental image it conjured was of lots of diffent interpretations of the song around the world. So “this is what Stand By Me sounds like in Russia” (or whatever) kind of thing. So I googled, and it turns out […]