This is hilarious…

Check out the website – Awkward Family Photos

I have joined the Mac club. This one isn’t mine though although it looks the same.

So far I’ve spent ages getting information across from the old Dell laptop to the Mac. It really took ages.

Today I’ve tried to work hard (and not done too badly) but I’ve spent a lot of time trying to get things sorted out… any advice always well received!!! Twitter is THE best place to get Mac help as everyone on it seems to use one.

It is nice and shiny too…

I forgot to blog about my birthday last week.

I turned 30.

My lovely wife did the most fantastic party for me at a great little venue on Whiteladies Road in Bristol with loads of friends and family. She is amazing!

The party was great – good food, great music, fantastic company and a great time all round.

In answer to the questions I’ve been asked…

- I don’t feel different

- I don’t feel old

- My hair won’t grow back

Back out last Sunday evening on the Lower Severn… arrived as it was getting dark and so got set up and cast out as fast as possible. Set up the Kelly Kettle and got comfy. Felt very positive as I know that a few Barbel had been showing over the weekend and the spot I’d chosen had been fished a couple of times over the weekend with a bit of success.

Anyway… rods were indicating that there were a few fish interested as well so waited expectantly for the first fish. The right hand rod went off about 90mins after I arrived and I quickly landed a good Bream. Not the fish I wanted but welcome none the less. About 45mins later the left hand rod nodded a bit which was enough for me to strike into a fish. Didn’t feel like much, but after a minute or so of slowly bringing the fish in, it suddenly came alive and I realised I had a better fish on this time!

After a good scrap I landed it and realised that this is a good fish…

I realised that I had forgotten my camera so called a friend who also fishes the same stretch who drove out and took some great photos. It weighed in at 11lb 1oz – smashing my previous best of 10lb 4oz and making it the third double figure Barbel from three rivers this year. It’s been a cracking run.

Had another smaller fish of 6lb 12oz later in the session and packed up a happy chap.

Sweet.

Back onto a really great stretch of the Lower Severn just above Tewkesbury… went with the intention of catching Pike and Zander because the conditions weren’t the best for Barbel… arrived a bit later than intended at 515pm after spending time with some lovely Tewkesbury peeps. Got the Pike rod out first with a big dead roach on and then the Barbel rods were sorted. Didn’t have any interest for ages so enjoyed the sunset and spent loads of time trying to get my kelly kettle to boil so I could have a cuppa.

At about 730pm the Pike rod alarm indicated that something had picked up the roach so I picked it up, wound down and struck… into nothing. Which was a good thing as the same time I picked up the Pike rod, the Barbel rod wrenched down and the alarm went into meltdown. I chucked the pike rod to one side and grabbed the Barbel rod. It turned out to be a really nice Barbel. I had forgotten my scales so guessed the fish to be between 7.5-8lbs which is a new best for me on the Lower Severn! Really chuffed. Couple of dodgy pics below.

Just as I was leaving a car drove past me and parked at the bottom of the field. They weren’t fishing. The lights in the car went out and no-one left it.

Hmm.

Didn’t feel I should go and disturb the happy couple really…

Just received this email from Superbadger – this is the difference you can make with it!! Sign up and get badgering.

Two years ago, SuperBadger was born. The mission: to help ordinary people badger politicians, CEOs and other influencers to change the world and tackle global poverty. And what a success it’s been.

In the past two years, through SuperBadger, over 20,000 people have taken on-line action for justice. And even though change takes time, we’ve still had some great successes, including:

- Gordon Brown announced plans to go to Copenhagen for the climate talks
- EON announced they will temporarily withhold the proposal to build the Kingsnorth coal-fired power station
- The British Government re-affirmed that there will be no political contact with the Honduran coup regime
- DFID included all of our key asks into their White Paper on food security
- Thorntons created a Fairtrade chocolate range
- The UK passed a world-class Climate Change Act

So thank you for all your help making SuperBadger become the effective and fun campaigning tool that it is!

… to those who feel hurt that I called you a loser for playing Farmville on Facebook. My lovely wife tells me that it isn’t a nice thing to do.

Anyway…

However please sign up for Superbadger on Facebook and send those emails! To find it either click on the link I posted below or just search for “Superbadger” on Facebook.

Found this from Chuck Swindoll on the “Out of Ur” blog – you can get to it via the Delicious links… anyway thought I’d reproduce it here as it is brilliant.

1) Whatever you do, do more with others and less alone

2) Whenever you do it, emphasize quality not quantity.

3) Wherever you go, do it the same as if you were among those who know you best.

4) Whoever may respond, keep a level head.

5) However long you lead, keep on dripping with gratitude and grace

If you are on Facebook you should be using Superbadger.  Run by Tearfund, it gives an easy way to “badger” different people via email about particular issues. It literally takes a minute to put your name at the bottom of an email and send it. I’ve had responses from government ministers, Tesco, Starbucks and more. It does get through, especially as most of the “badger” requests get done by a thousand or so people.

Imagine if that became 10,000. Or even 100,000. It wouldn’t be that difficult – please can you sign up to it and get others to do the same? If you’re on Twitter then follow Superbadger there as well.

Find the application here – SUPERBADGER

If you don’t do it and you play Farmville instead then you are a loser.

That’s not a joke.

So I’ve messed around with the blog for a while… I’ve changed the theme, colours, pictures and more.

And then simply came back to what it was.

I think that’s often a really good benefit of change. Making yourself try out some new things. Its fine if the old stuff works best.

Bob Jackson (well known CofE chap) makes this stark statement:

“Most churches need to make a choice between having a comfortable death and uncomfortable life”

He cites statistic after statistic showing that churches who won’t change decay and decline. Those that do change grow. I’m now part of a “context” based training group that looks to work out the theology of the classroom in the cut and thrust of the real world. Both churches are great places that long to have an impact on the city of Bristol and do so in very different ways. The leaders in both churches are up for being uncomfortable but alive.

How about in our individual lives… are we willing to “comfortably die” or experience life with all the discomfort and challenge that it brings?

Final quote from Bob Jackson… think it can apply to both our church communities and our own lives:

“We do not advocate change for the sake of change; we see change as the condition for survival”

Out last Thursday afternoon/evening on the Bristol Avon. River was about 6ins higher due to the rain, but I could still spot fish (if they had been there!!).

Fished several spots with very little indication that there were any fish feeding. Dropped back into a nice little swim that I had already fished and within a minute the rod tip slammed round and after a good scrap I got this nice Barbel into the net. Weighed just over 10lbs. Absolute cracker. My second double of the season and first from the Bristol Avon. It was a long and lean fish too so has the potential to put on a good bit of weight. Would love to catch her again in the winter!

Two things though…

I’m entering this photo into the national gurning competition

I need to remember the case for my polaroids next time

Making a few tweaks to the blog in the next few days.

I love change.

I’ve been listening to a really interesting and challenging talk by Patrick Dixon (check out www.globalchange.com on the Delicious links). His title was “Doubling your productivity” or something like it…

He is an exceptional entrepreneur and works with a varied portfolio that includes church leaders, business leaders and politicians around the world. He began the charity ACET which looks to tackle the AIDS crisis internationally.

I’m still processing so much of what he says in his talk but it got me asking several questions… it might seem terribly introspective, but I am the only person that I can change for the better (with God’s help) so I want to give it a go. Below are the 10 questions that I’m thinking through at the moment… which one strikes you as the most important?

1. What roles and responsibilities do I currently have?

2. What gifts/talents/skills/passions do I have?

3. Where and when am I most effective in ministry?

4. Where and when do I come alive?

5. Are there new opportunities to take advantage of?

6. Does anything need to drop?

7. What are the distractions/habits/attitudes that need addressing?

8. How am I serving those who are less advantaged than me?

9. Who are the people that I should be investing in?

10. What do I want to be remembered for in 5 years time?

“If the gospels are any indication, Jesus Christ showed scant regard for modern management wisdom. He was not looking for managers, but for learners and leaders – disciples and apostles.”

I’ve updated my flickr photos to include a few from California – just click on the link to flickr on the sidebar.

“I have been seized by the power of a great affection”

I took a whole load of books on holiday with me… I usually devour lots and so went prepared. This summer I read one book and it took me three weeks (admittedly the “Surviving Disaster” shows on cable were appealing). I read the Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. This is a book that I tried to read on holiday once before – I picked up my friend John’s copy and it fell apart. So I gave up. I’ve recommended this book to others. I’ve even nodded in agreement when others have talked about it.

Well I’ve read it now.

If you want to truly encounter grace…

So should you.

Thanks to my friend Alex for this…

Trip back went fine… watched the Hangover on the plane. A few very funny bits, but generally garbage. Can’t believe all the hype about it. Listened to a bit of Vic Reeves autobiog too – so dull I slept through it. I also slept through the whole of Terminator Salvation.

Hopefully our body clock will be like my watch and adjust almost instantly to UK time.

Not a chance.

Day 18 – We woke up to thick fog on the coast and drove down 50miles to Monterey. We arrived at the aquarium at opening time and got straight on with looking around this famous place – check it out HERE

The tanks were huge and full of fish – all mainly from the bay area. We wandered around for hours looking at all the big displays. My highlight was the “Outer Bay” tank which had a million gallons of water in and held huge tuna, Dorado, Barracuda, Hammerhead sharks, Galapagos Sharks and a single 5ft Great White. We happened to arrive at feeding time… Nell loved the Sea Horses exhibit and the otters. It was the most amazing place. We both love these kind of places so this was out of this world! After we had finished we had a very late lunch at BubbaGumps Shrimp restaurant (think TGI Fridays but cheesier). Then we checked in at our hotel… we had saved the best till last. We are at ”Sanctuary Beach” in Marina just north of Monterey.  It is the best hotel ever!!!!! Our room looks out over the Pacific Ocean (you can hear the waves break) and is amazing… we crashed out this evening and slept VERY well!

Day 19 – We had a great lay in till mid morning and then headed down to Carmel (mayor = Clint Eastwood!!!!). We failed to meet Dirty Harry but had a great time wandering around the shady streets drinking great coffee and explaining to americans that we are from Bristol UK. We grabbed a sandwich and headed south to check out some beaches and coastal views. That evening we went to a local steakhouse for dinner and ate a rack of ribs between us… I’m still full.

Day 20 – Our last full day in California… very sad. Yet another lie in followed by breakfast in bed and then on to Monterey. We planned a trip out to see whales but at the last minute it was cancelled due to high winds… gutted. That was our anniversary treat (9 years on the 2nd Sept!!!). Instead we ate huge ice cream sundaes whilst watching sea otters tormenting the gull population. As a result of the cancellation we were able to make the most of happy hour at the local steak/sushi place and drink a few cocktails. We are gutted to be leaving tomorrow… however tonight on SPIKE TV sees the start of “Surviving Disasters” which I am very excited about. We’ve had the most amazing time and are already planning our return trip when we’ve both sold kidneys…

Back in the UK on Thurs lunchtime to begin our endurance of jetlag and to see our wonderful family and friends… college has already started (whoops) and I need to get jogging again to lose the immense amount of weight that I have probably gained.

Still got a few hours left though…