It's very strange how loneliness can creep up on you and then jump you in an instant. I was at home on my own (obviously!) and I was suddenly overcome with a sense of loneliness. Really strange.
I'm not a lonely person by any measure, I have 190+ friends on Facebook, I only got back from Jenn's Monday night, my brother is coming over tonight, youth on Friday is always a good place to feel popular :)
However, last night I just couldn't shake that feeling. It was all started by the fact that the post box, where my post is sporadically placed, is broken. I've fixed it up with tape but just occasionally it falls open spilling all my post all over the floor. I don't understand why but this caused me to feel a bit of a failure. IT'S ONLY A POST BOX!!! I have the last few months, organised and paid for a flat, moved house, got engaged.... I could go on - I have acheived things succesfully. On the scale of failure to success, I definitely fall on the successful side. So why do I seem to allow little things to spoil my enjoyment of what is a nice flat?
Grrrrr stress
PS I woke up this morning feeling fine, it's sunny, I'm alive, and dry. Life could be a lot worse I guess.
Wednesday 29 April 2009
Tuesday 28 April 2009
Weekend away
What a crazy world we live in - spent the weekend in North Wales and had beautiful sunshine and warm weather - while London was drowning in seasonal precipitation. What fun.
Decided last week to have a long weekend - an extra day to chill with my fiance. Was definitely a good decision. Spent a lot of time looking at honeymoon destinations, only to find that the place we wanted to go to required a 9 hour stop over in Nairobi - No, just no.
So after spending a few hours online we now dont have a clue where to go! any suggestions? We currently looking at St. Lucia or Mauritius...
I'm sure there was a lot of interesting things I wanted to say but i cant think of any of them at the moment...
Decided last week to have a long weekend - an extra day to chill with my fiance. Was definitely a good decision. Spent a lot of time looking at honeymoon destinations, only to find that the place we wanted to go to required a 9 hour stop over in Nairobi - No, just no.
So after spending a few hours online we now dont have a clue where to go! any suggestions? We currently looking at St. Lucia or Mauritius...
I'm sure there was a lot of interesting things I wanted to say but i cant think of any of them at the moment...
Friday 24 April 2009
Busy, busy, busy
Why do I always seem to try to do too much in a week?
I have had only 1 night in this week (Tues - cos I wasn't selected for the game)
And tonight before I go and catch my train at 7pm; I need to sort out a load of cardboard boxes to get picked up for youth, wash up and clean the kitchen, pack.
All before 5.45!!! Oh I have to work too :)
Still at least I'm not bored....
I have had only 1 night in this week (Tues - cos I wasn't selected for the game)
And tonight before I go and catch my train at 7pm; I need to sort out a load of cardboard boxes to get picked up for youth, wash up and clean the kitchen, pack.
All before 5.45!!! Oh I have to work too :)
Still at least I'm not bored....
Thursday 23 April 2009
Ideas?
I've been asked to lead one evening at Excite (Friday evening club).
Basically I've got to come up with a pictionary style activity (possibly in teams) with some kind of theme. Then do a short talk at the end of the night on said theme.
So any ideas on what I could do? All ideas will be considered but I can't use them all :-)
Basically I've got to come up with a pictionary style activity (possibly in teams) with some kind of theme. Then do a short talk at the end of the night on said theme.
So any ideas on what I could do? All ideas will be considered but I can't use them all :-)
Tuesday 21 April 2009
Old Technology
I have been attempting to buy a DVD player in the last few days. Not a DVD-RW recorder with built in Hard Drive, not a fancy-pants Blu-ray player with HD, not a VCR/DVD combi. Just a DVD player - that plays DVDs.
And shops "sell" them - well at least the display them on their shelves and in their catalogues. However I have come up against a problem. You'd think buying said DVD players would be easy. You go into a shop, select your choice, head to the till, purchase. But NO. at this point they tell you - "I'm sorry we are out of stock". This has so far happened in two shops with 4 different DVD players. Who is buying all the DVD players? or is it just that shops have rubbish stock control?
James Bond maintains the once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, three times is enemy action.
I assume then that 4 times is some kind of terrorist plot....
And shops "sell" them - well at least the display them on their shelves and in their catalogues. However I have come up against a problem. You'd think buying said DVD players would be easy. You go into a shop, select your choice, head to the till, purchase. But NO. at this point they tell you - "I'm sorry we are out of stock". This has so far happened in two shops with 4 different DVD players. Who is buying all the DVD players? or is it just that shops have rubbish stock control?
James Bond maintains the once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, three times is enemy action.
I assume then that 4 times is some kind of terrorist plot....
Monday 20 April 2009
Neophilia
Why is it that buying new things does actually make you feel happier?
I now have a 26" widescreen digital TV, yay! Most importantly its HD ready (at this point I could start quoting Micheal McIntyre : Go here instead http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LEu-LL8NUA )
But anyway I have also been spending money on CDs and realised how much difference it makes to me to buy a new worship CD. Admittedly it was a Third day album from about 8 years ago but it was new to me, and thats what made the difference.
I guess it brings a new slant on Ps 96:1
It occurs to me that some people in some churches hold on to their traditional hymns and songs like a comfort blanket. And snarl with menace if anyone were to make changes. Surely here is a clear indication that God wishes us to be refreshed and challenged in worship as well as comforted and familiar. On the other hand I don't agree with churches where only the worship leader seems to know any of the songs (sometimes not even they do!), where new songs are the only thing worth singing. There are some amazing old hymns that have slipped out of general conciousness, which is a great shame.
Perhaps the psalmist should have said "Sing a new song (or sing an old song, in a new way) to the Lord"
I now have a 26" widescreen digital TV, yay! Most importantly its HD ready (at this point I could start quoting Micheal McIntyre : Go here instead http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LEu-LL8NUA )
But anyway I have also been spending money on CDs and realised how much difference it makes to me to buy a new worship CD. Admittedly it was a Third day album from about 8 years ago but it was new to me, and thats what made the difference.
I guess it brings a new slant on Ps 96:1
It occurs to me that some people in some churches hold on to their traditional hymns and songs like a comfort blanket. And snarl with menace if anyone were to make changes. Surely here is a clear indication that God wishes us to be refreshed and challenged in worship as well as comforted and familiar. On the other hand I don't agree with churches where only the worship leader seems to know any of the songs (sometimes not even they do!), where new songs are the only thing worth singing. There are some amazing old hymns that have slipped out of general conciousness, which is a great shame.
Perhaps the psalmist should have said "Sing a new song (or sing an old song, in a new way) to the Lord"
Friday 17 April 2009
Creative Block
Why is it that when I first log-in in the mornings I can never think of anything to blog about?
New news: I have a wii fit now. Apparently it thinks i'm some kind of athlete - but then again, it can't see me collapsed on the floor gasping for breath and vowing "never again". Not a great start but it'll get better i guess.
Although I still think an actual jog, outdoors, in the sunshine (for vitamin D) is better for you; I think I could get to like the wii fit.
Speaking of which - I have some odd neighbours. Wednesday this week, those of you who are local to me will remember was the hottest day this year. Beautiful sunshine, warm breeze - the perfect day to get out and about for a jog or something. However my upstairs neighbour decided to jog on her running machine, indoors, possibly with the curtains closed! Why? What benefit does running on a machine have over running on grass or pavement? Also it means that I'm subjected to an hour of thumping noise from above, so I guess I'm biased.
I guess i've written a lot now - maybe i should change the title.......
...naah can't be bothered
New news: I have a wii fit now. Apparently it thinks i'm some kind of athlete - but then again, it can't see me collapsed on the floor gasping for breath and vowing "never again". Not a great start but it'll get better i guess.
Although I still think an actual jog, outdoors, in the sunshine (for vitamin D) is better for you; I think I could get to like the wii fit.
Speaking of which - I have some odd neighbours. Wednesday this week, those of you who are local to me will remember was the hottest day this year. Beautiful sunshine, warm breeze - the perfect day to get out and about for a jog or something. However my upstairs neighbour decided to jog on her running machine, indoors, possibly with the curtains closed! Why? What benefit does running on a machine have over running on grass or pavement? Also it means that I'm subjected to an hour of thumping noise from above, so I guess I'm biased.
I guess i've written a lot now - maybe i should change the title.......
...naah can't be bothered
Wednesday 15 April 2009
135 days to go......
Found a website that told me this - it's not interesting.....
....unless you like numbers.
From and including: Wednesday, 15 April 2009
To, but not including : Friday, 28 August 2009
It is 135 days from the start date to the end date, but not including the end date
Or 4 months, 13 days excluding the end date
Alternative time units
135 days can be converted to one of these units:
11,664,000 seconds
194,400 minutes
3240 hours
19 weeks (rounded down)
Wow only 11millions seconds and I wasted about 240 of them finding that out.....
....unless you like numbers.
From and including: Wednesday, 15 April 2009
To, but not including : Friday, 28 August 2009
It is 135 days from the start date to the end date, but not including the end date
Or 4 months, 13 days excluding the end date
Alternative time units
135 days can be converted to one of these units:
11,664,000 seconds
194,400 minutes
3240 hours
19 weeks (rounded down)
Wow only 11millions seconds and I wasted about 240 of them finding that out.....
The Father-Heart of God
Just started reading this book by Floyd McLung
The first chapter is all about how our parents affect the way we think about God - especially when God is described as a father. So many people in this world recoil at that thought. Their experience of father is not one of constant love, affirmation and care, and so when God is described as a father they seem Him in terms of the earthly, human fathers with all their hurts and failings.
Which makes me sad, and very angry of course. Those that know me well, know i have a bit of a "bee-in-my-bonnet" about the father-son relationship.
Anyway it got me all excited/passionate about the whole thing and reminded me why I am so terrified of becoming one myself - thankfully that'll be a while yet.
Russell Howard talks in his stand-up routine that "I'm not ready to be a dad! I'm still afraid of the dark!" - I know what he means.
The first chapter is all about how our parents affect the way we think about God - especially when God is described as a father. So many people in this world recoil at that thought. Their experience of father is not one of constant love, affirmation and care, and so when God is described as a father they seem Him in terms of the earthly, human fathers with all their hurts and failings.
Which makes me sad, and very angry of course. Those that know me well, know i have a bit of a "bee-in-my-bonnet" about the father-son relationship.
Anyway it got me all excited/passionate about the whole thing and reminded me why I am so terrified of becoming one myself - thankfully that'll be a while yet.
Russell Howard talks in his stand-up routine that "I'm not ready to be a dad! I'm still afraid of the dark!" - I know what he means.
Saturday 11 April 2009
Mmmm Weddings
We have finalised the design of the wedding invites!
So if you were wondering why you had'nt received one yet it's cos as of today they've only just come into existance.....
Now all I need to do is get addresses off people!
gtg - fried breakfast awaits!
So if you were wondering why you had'nt received one yet it's cos as of today they've only just come into existance.....
Now all I need to do is get addresses off people!
gtg - fried breakfast awaits!
Wednesday 8 April 2009
trains, more trains and er... thats it
To summarise my journey I thought I'd post the limerick me and Jenn created whilst I waited for my connection
J: There was a young man left in Wigan
D: Whose frustration with trains was a big 'un
J: His hands were all cold
D: His plans all on hold
J: And was eaten by a very large pigeon
This took us about 20 mins - which was fine as the train was delayed by about 40mins.
Still, I made it eventually.
must go got stuff to do....
J: There was a young man left in Wigan
D: Whose frustration with trains was a big 'un
J: His hands were all cold
D: His plans all on hold
J: And was eaten by a very large pigeon
This took us about 20 mins - which was fine as the train was delayed by about 40mins.
Still, I made it eventually.
must go got stuff to do....
Tuesday 7 April 2009
AAAAARGH!!!!!
Am majorly p*ss*d off with Government statistical agencies.... Grrrrrr!
Just spent the equivalent of two working days checking through a salary survey report at the request of UCEA. Approx 350 queries from about 1500 records - ie a fifth of the whole thing.
Their most common query: This persons salary has gone up - are they still doing the same job?
Yes they are you stupid bunch of red-tape using imbeciles - they're called pay awards. EVERYONE gets them as part of the universities agreement with the unions! That's what JNCHES is for! It's that same across the country! I wouldn't mind as much if the persons salary had moved above the rest of their peers but this was queried for people in the middle of the scale.....
.....grrrrr anyway rant over - I'm off to southport tonight. Will be nice to see Jenn for a few days rather than a few hours as seems the norm at the moment.
Have fun
LP
Just spent the equivalent of two working days checking through a salary survey report at the request of UCEA. Approx 350 queries from about 1500 records - ie a fifth of the whole thing.
Their most common query: This persons salary has gone up - are they still doing the same job?
Yes they are you stupid bunch of red-tape using imbeciles - they're called pay awards. EVERYONE gets them as part of the universities agreement with the unions! That's what JNCHES is for! It's that same across the country! I wouldn't mind as much if the persons salary had moved above the rest of their peers but this was queried for people in the middle of the scale.....
.....grrrrr anyway rant over - I'm off to southport tonight. Will be nice to see Jenn for a few days rather than a few hours as seems the norm at the moment.
Have fun
LP
Friday 3 April 2009
147 days to go....
......till I'm married.
doesn't seem that far away now.
PS have discovered KUBB - are they any good? Was quite liking their song "sun".
Q: Why don't sharks eat clowns? A: Because they taste funny.
That's all for now.
doesn't seem that far away now.
PS have discovered KUBB - are they any good? Was quite liking their song "sun".
Q: Why don't sharks eat clowns? A: Because they taste funny.
That's all for now.
Spotify....
Just joined on the Daves recommendation...
...so far no songs I recognise - which is a good sign i guess, however also no songs I'd really say, "ooh I like this".
As I'm typing all this "REM - sidewinder sleeps tonight" comes on! Excuse me while i rock out for a bit....................................................................................................choon! :-)
Decisions, decisions .... need to buy a TV of a reasonable size. Have decided my parents old TV is too small. But do I get an HD TV? or a plasma? 32"? 64"? how many SCART inputs do i need? can I output sound into my stereo amp?
so many questions, so little patience....
...so far no songs I recognise - which is a good sign i guess, however also no songs I'd really say, "ooh I like this".
As I'm typing all this "REM - sidewinder sleeps tonight" comes on! Excuse me while i rock out for a bit....................................................................................................choon! :-)
Decisions, decisions .... need to buy a TV of a reasonable size. Have decided my parents old TV is too small. But do I get an HD TV? or a plasma? 32"? 64"? how many SCART inputs do i need? can I output sound into my stereo amp?
so many questions, so little patience....
Thursday 2 April 2009
Well waddya know!
England actually managed to make us sweat! That won't have pleased Capello. Although he is quoted as being "very, very happy" - What's Italian for relieved?
At least it was nice to see Gerrard and Rooney playing so well together, albeit intermittently (?) - however I do wonder what will happen when Mr left-footed-able-to-drop-in-behind-gerrard Barry is unavailable.... there is a potential for a large glaring hole which Cashley won't be able to fill.
Still, a 2-1 win and 3 points are definitely useful. England now sit fairly comfortably atop the group by 5 points. It's all looking rather easy at the moment. I'm half expecting to hear that FIFA are going to deduct 6 points or find out that Rooney isn't actually English or something - we can't qualify with a 100% record? Can we?
At least it was nice to see Gerrard and Rooney playing so well together, albeit intermittently (?) - however I do wonder what will happen when Mr left-footed-able-to-drop-in-behind-gerrard Barry is unavailable.... there is a potential for a large glaring hole which Cashley won't be able to fill.
Still, a 2-1 win and 3 points are definitely useful. England now sit fairly comfortably atop the group by 5 points. It's all looking rather easy at the moment. I'm half expecting to hear that FIFA are going to deduct 6 points or find out that Rooney isn't actually English or something - we can't qualify with a 100% record? Can we?
Wednesday 1 April 2009
Stealing Time
I am knackered.
Went into London last night to snatch a glimpse of my fiancee, which was nice although i was so tired that we ended up watching a DVD at Debs while she packed to go away. Woo! Go socialites! Despite all that I didn't get home till 1am. Straight to bed.
I really need an early night. I think I'm living on time stolen from tomorrow at the moment - still an England match should allow me to catch up on lost sleep.
Can't remember the last time an England qualifier seemed so dull. But that's probably a good thing. Fabio Capello has turned England into a dull yet effective team - rather than the exciting but ultimately unsuccessful teams of his predecessors. No more will we have the edge-of-you-seat, will-we-qualify, last-minute desperate games where all seemed to be OK till Englands talent for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory rises again. Now we can look forward to actually meaningless games where we have already qualified and can play the youngsters and give them experience without worrying that we'll lose badly.
My tip of the day: Expect a 0-0 or a 1-0 score - neither team have strikers on form.
Peace to y'all.
LP
Went into London last night to snatch a glimpse of my fiancee, which was nice although i was so tired that we ended up watching a DVD at Debs while she packed to go away. Woo! Go socialites! Despite all that I didn't get home till 1am. Straight to bed.
I really need an early night. I think I'm living on time stolen from tomorrow at the moment - still an England match should allow me to catch up on lost sleep.
Can't remember the last time an England qualifier seemed so dull. But that's probably a good thing. Fabio Capello has turned England into a dull yet effective team - rather than the exciting but ultimately unsuccessful teams of his predecessors. No more will we have the edge-of-you-seat, will-we-qualify, last-minute desperate games where all seemed to be OK till Englands talent for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory rises again. Now we can look forward to actually meaningless games where we have already qualified and can play the youngsters and give them experience without worrying that we'll lose badly.
My tip of the day: Expect a 0-0 or a 1-0 score - neither team have strikers on form.
Peace to y'all.
LP
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