Supermarket Queue

Found myself stood in a queue this evening earwigging the couple in front who proposed that the solution to the Middle East situation was to drop H-Bombs on Iran. Sounded well thought through (???!!!??). Found myself wanting to kick him in the back of the legs…

As I stood there I was thinking about how someone like this would ever respond to the Christian message… how would I respond to that view on the world if it was expressed to me. How I might try to show the Jesus way of loving your enemies…

Finally got to the end of the queue and had a great chat with Liam the checkout chap. He’s got some faith in something… and is always willing to chat about it loudly…

PCC tonight. Going to download a game onto my phone and pretend to take notes (only kidding).

Weekend in Cardiff

Just had a great time away in Cardiff with my lovely wife… Went to a fantastic Italian restaurant last night – I do love food far too much. Spent lots of time reading and far too much time in Marks and Spencers. Had a lovely lunch with Katie B – great to see you again! Made me realise that I don’t miss being a student though.

A Monster Truck rally was taking place at the Millenium Stadium (dead opposite our hotel) which was all fine until the muppets who had been to see it wanted to let the rest of the city know by using air horns at 2am. Nell thought it was funny. I disagreed.

Please let this NOT be true

Will Bush really bomb Iran?

I have no qualifications in politics, economics, warfare, or anything else. However, even I can work out that bombing Iran is a bad idea.

Dear George. Don’t. Do. It.

Fishing at Christchurch

Had a fantastic time last week away fishing on my annual pilgrimage to Christchurch in Dorset to fish the Hampshire Avon for Barbel. This year I booked a days guiding with a guy called Ray Walton who is a mega expert when it comes to this river and these fish.

Now for the uneducated pagans who think fishing is boring and pointless I’ve made a link for you here to check out – I’m boring and need help

Anyway, back to last week… got up stupid early on the Weds to head down to Christchurch with my friend Rich. We arrived at about 630am and had some breakfast. Ray was a bit late so I managed to catch a pike while I was waiting… anyway after he arrived we started out. We were fishing on the Royalty fishery on the Hampshire Avon. Ray was teaching me a method of fishing called “Rolling” – basically involves using simple rig with plastersine for weight and a large hook with a lump of Spam on it. You let this bait bounce through the swim and the idea is that the Barbel will grab the meat on the way down through. Its a very active method of fishing and means that you can fish large parts of the river over the day. Ray was fantastic – showing me swims to fish, likely areas where Barbel would be, and how to perfect this method.

On the first day I had one proper bite (that I missed) and saw a few fish come for the bait without taking it… got really close with a large Barbel that was just going over my bait when a little eel came out from underneath some weed and dragged the Spam away. I muttered a rude word at that point.

Anyway, Ray leant me his kit for the next 2 days and even came back out with me for a bit on the Friday morning… I have to say that it was 3 of the most enjoyable days fishing that I’ve had, even if I caught nothing on the method.

Also, our house is finally dry… rebuilding is going to start soon. Just got to choose carpets and a kitchen!

Phone a friend

I spoke to Chris Tarrant today… helped someone win some money. Had a good day in all… considering I’m a new number today as well. Going fishing for the next few days – v excited!!

The most important question that you can ever ask

How is your soul today?

Vegemite

Addicted. On toast. Much better than Marmite.

Murphy’s Law

I am a big fan of James Nesbitt – I think he’s a great actor. I’ve also on the whole enjoyed watching Murphy’s Law over the past few years when its been on. So when I settled down to watch it this week I was looking forward to a gritty dark (fairly predictable but engaging) drama. I was not let down. However, this wasn’t easy viewing and I had to fast forward a couple of bits…

(Spoilers here!) The story basically involves Tom Murphy (Nesbitt) as the cover officer for 2 undercover police officers who are looking to deal with criminals in the travelling community. Both officers go missing and Murphy dives in to find them. One of them turns up dead. During this time a people smuggling scam is uncovered and this turns out to include forced prostitution, rape and child pornography. Murphy gets in deep and involved in this part of the criminal underworld – seeing first hand the squalid conditions and horrendous stuff that these girls have to go through. Kim (the female police undercover officer) has been kidnapped and forced into this vile sex trade. What follows is harrowing and disturbing (thankfully not too graphic on screen) and results in her breakdown and suicide.

What really hit me about this was that even though this was TV and there to entertain, it made me really think about the fact that this is the life that many young girls (and others) are forced into. I have an awful feeling that the reality of this trade is far worse than Murphy’s Law even comes close to. I felt really uncomfortable. I feel angry. I want to do something.

www.stopthetraffik.org

Good place to start

River Teme

Fished the River Teme at Lindridge yesterday for the first time in about 10 years. Found one of the most beautiful spots I’ve ever fished. Caught my first Barbel of the year – 5lb 8oz. Rained all day and now I’ve got a sore throat. Don’t care though. It was worth it.

XCITE weekend away

  Over the last weekend 40 of us from XCITE went down to St Georges House in North Devon for our annual XCITE weekend away. It was a fantastic time away… I managed to get surfing both morning and afternoon on the Saturday (thanks to the other leaders who let me!). I have finally come to the conclusion that I am the worlds worst surfer. However, I really enjoy falling off so I never fail to have fun!

Highlights of the weekend include a couple of teens becoming Christians, lots of great conversations and relationships built, surfing, the food (thanks Lou), the speakers (not me – well done Kev and Sophie) and just being away. I have now done 7 weekends away with teenagers since being a youth worker and they are always a massive highlight. It’s also great to see how they’ve grown in faith over the last year…