Tinned Spam

New Blog

2007-11-17T11:53:00.000Z

For my reviews and opinions from me, but less journal-ising, see my new blog:

Legoque Scribo

I apologise for the pretentious title.

See you there?

Goodbye...

2007-11-11T18:25:00.000Z

I'm wrapping this up I am afraid, when I get round to it I will pull all the posts and save them for "prosperity" on my hard disk.

Then I'll delete it all.

It's just time.

However, I am going to start a new blog, one which is geared, from the start, to a single concept. Less of a journal, and more a place to vent my opinions. Specifically my opinions on History, Faith, and Politics. It will also be a place for me to review books I have read. Starting with a book by Eamon Duffy I read this weekend.

It was fun writing this. But I have very much run out of steam. It seemed to fit in well with a stretch of my life, and less well now. I am aware that a lot of what I wrote was also quite dull, and realising this put me off writing more.

So Goodbye.

An anachronistic gender bending idyll

2007-08-05T21:17:00.000Z

I'm still in Edinburgh, which is brilliant. The period I was looking forward to, the fringe, is just hotting up. It actually started today, and I have already decided, it sucks. Edinburgh is already sooo busy, and I don't really have the money to take advantage of it all. I have been here for two months and I already feel like a disgruntled elderly resident. What is going to be really good, is the Book Festival.

I am middle aged beyond my years. Oh well, I'm engaged, so I never need to pretend to be young and exciting ever again.

Talking of Natasha, the best thing about being here is of course, being with her. We have settled into a frighteningly domestic regime. I am a housewife from the '50s, she earns the money, I do the shopping and cooking and stuff, and greet her at the door with a fresh ribbon in my hair. I love it, I would be quite happy to be a '50s housewife. The only thing I could hope for is a bit more personal space. If when we live together we have the most tiny of places, or even if I moved into a room permanently, at least I wouldn't be living out of a suitcase.

Our anachronistic gender bending idyll is threatened however, as is my louche reputation, by the encroachment of 'gainful' employment. At the very least I should have a bit more on my CV by the end of the summer. It is also helpful that I will not be running out of money, even if I have not been able to save, which was my original intention. I got work with a company that did traffic surveys and the like, long days, very boring, and very difficult for me and Natasha, (I had to wake her up at silly o'Clock in the morning, she had to come home knackered and sort me something to eat when I got back) nonetheless, the money was good. Unfortunately the work dropped off, and my attempts to get back in touch with them failed. Oh well, it frees me up to piss around in a cafe! A friend of Natasha's is running a place, profits to be divided by man hours. I'm doing my first shift tomorrow, we shall see how it goes. It could go brilliantly, the location is good, near a couple of decent venues, plus there are people around generally who might be dropping in for the odd cup of coffee. I am technically a volunteer, so there is no guarantee that I will get even minimum wage pay. Here's to hoping.

Is Edinburgh a useful term for the study of Medieval Europe?

2007-05-30T20:56:00.000Z

Well, I am blogging from a bed of purple, Auld Reekie.

I arrived in Edinburgh on Monday, I have, in fact, completed my degree. Its all finished. Come the third of July I will be a "Bachelor", there is something pretty cool about that, after three years, I'm done.

I had two exams, for my two units. I think I did OK in both. The latter I had a bit of fun with, it invited me to discuss the use of the terms "Masculinity" and "Homosexuality". I set up two positions, firstly the unspoken assumption that they are useful terms, then the criticism, the position that seeks to reject the terms completely. I spent most of my time redeeming the terms.

Masculinity is too simple by itself, but there are medieval masculinities, I reject the three gender model, it does not account for the divisions between nuns and monks that develop in the 12th century, or the gender anxiety felt by monks. The man vs non-man model is more subtle than it sounds, but a more useful model is that of a continuum. Fighting man, leading into praying man, alongside working man. Most men fit somewhere between the models. Praying men are more similar too praying women than they are too other formulations of the feminine.

Homosexuality I do have to reject, homosex occurs (look up Peter Damian), homolove occurs (look up Anselm of Bec), they are not necessarily linked. If a monk is celibate, and all sex is forbidden, then there is no reason to get all het up about homolove. Interestingly similar reasonings separating homosex (levitical condemnations) and homolove (David and Jonathan), can be applied to the bible.

So, having done that, I am in Edinburgh, in the real world. I am not qualified to comment on gender/sexuality identifications after the Herrenfrage (see Jo Ann McNamara). I would love to say wonderful things about sunny Edinburgh, I haven't seen it yet this trip. Rainy Edinburgh is pretty nice though. I am having a wonderful time. Natasha is working at the mo, I am split between being a househusband, and job hunting. I'm going to be up in Edinburgh for the whole summer. Eventually me and Natasha will both be working; we'll be living like real people. That is pretty scary. The whole summer is a kind of trial run. So far it is going pretty well, watch this space.

Vote 2007 - The Aftermath

2007-05-04T09:58:00.000Z

So the headlines are:

Labour: Not as thrashed as expected.

Conservatives: Not as successful as expected, but decent gains.

Lib Dems: Not able to make any progress, disappointing losses and high level gains.

Scotland: Got cold feet and hasn't totally embraced the SNP.

Wales: Moderate push against Labour.

All a bit dull to be honest, those are a precis of the headlines that have been scrolling across News 24 etc. In reality of course things aren't that simple.

Labour HAVE had an awkward election, if it were a general it would have been a '92. They have been under attack on all sides, and although they weathered it, they are still at a comically low base.

The Conservative story is pretty fair as far as I can see. They are STILL incapable of gaining support in proper urban areas. The LibDems are taking the voters who might be natural tory supporters. (Successful yuppie types in Manchester for instance). The woman on TV last night seemed to think that taking the sub-urbs was some kind of first step to storming the inner city. But leafy sub-urbs are natural tory ground, they should be able to assume those kinds of seats. And this isn't a military coup, David Cameron isn't holding his troops in leafy Trafford ready to storm such deprived naturally untory inner city slums as Didsbury...

The Lib Dems, on the face of it, have disappointed. A few councils have fallen, and Gordon is a humiliating loss, which can't help them when they have to bargain around the Scottish parliament. The official line appears to be that 2003 (when these seats were last up) was a high water mark, and they have done well to hold steady. The good news is that they have taken control of a handful of councils, and as I write are (just) in a net gain.

Scotland has been as close as it was always going to be, a combination of a very negative labour campaign, and some very negative headlines, seemed to have scared a lot of votes back to labour. On the other hand: The swing to the SNP has been pretty impressive, and again I have to mention Gordon, a reminder that Salmond is pretty popular personally.

Wales is the place that has given Labour the biggest thumbs down, by my count the seats are tied between Labour and The Rest on 26 each. the news has been making a major fuss about Nye Bevan, and Neil Kinnock.

Manchester has seen a modest Lib-Dem advance, last I heard Bradford is looking alright as well. I'll not be troubling the Jewel of the North with my maiden speech as councillor any time soon though.

Vote 2007 - BNP

2007-05-03T12:31:00.000Z

A message from Marcus Brigstock to those who are considering voting for the BNP.

"Go home and watch Trisha, democracy has nothing to offer you"

They are racist, if they are standing in your ward it is doubly important that you vote.

That is all.

Vote 2007 - Polls are Open!

2007-05-03T12:30:00.000Z

Ok Poll day today. How I wish I could vote in Scotland. (a mix of LibDem and SNP if I could)

As it is I have voted, Lib Dem (although I was tempted to vote Justine - ahh for STV).

Scotland is more interesting so I'll look to them first:

It looks like Labour scare tactics have worked, the SNP lead has done a last minute '1992' collapse. So it looks like a very close tie, with the Lib Dems as king-makers.

The Lib Dems will be in an awkward position if Labour do suffer enough to be almost tied with the SNP, especially if the Lib Dems get a lower vote themselves. It could easily appear that they are proping up labour despite a swing against both of them.

It is also possible that the Greens will have to join a coalition (especially if the tories do any better than expected, or the Lib Dems any worse). Will that change things at all?

I would want a LibDem SNP coalition - if the SNP can drop the independence referendum. Which would be in their interest given they would lose it. The SNP will try and engineer clashes with Westminster in order to gain support for independence. Not Good. I hope the Lib Dems can restrain them.

If Labour are out in front then a Lib-Lab coalition would be my second preference. I would hope the Lib Dems would set out a strong raft of big policies to push through.

No-one appears to be suggesting a minority government (by the largest party). it could be chaotic, or, it could just work. An SNP minority would work well for the LibDems who could vote against the referendum, but vote through the policies (many) which they share with the SNP.

In Manchester I am hoping for some modest gains.

I fully expect to become Bradford's brand new, youngest, councilor...

Vote 2007

2007-04-11T22:02:00.000Z

Maybe I will be repeating my epic coverage which you will remember from the General Election. Maybe not. (it all depends what is going on thursday evening)

I am looking forward to finding out what happens in Bradford, Manchester and, indeed, Scotland. Especially exciting to a LIbDem is the use of Preferential voting in Scottish Council Seats. I have a special interest in this particular election as I am standing as the Liberal Democrat Candidate in Toller ward, Bradford.

The Ward is currently held by two Labour and one Conservative, I am standing against the Labour incumbent. The seat is actually a weird one (thus the 2:1 split, and this is not unusual at all for the seat.

I am interested in the Scottish elections because I hope to make that cold country my home one of these days. I don't like the idea of Independence, but... PR, Lib Dems in government, Eurozone entry?? Put it like that and it sounds pretty good to me. It has been pointed out to me, by those better informed and more attractive than I, that the SNP's policies are the same as the Lib Dems. I am genuinely annoyed with them for there stance on coaltion with the SNP. Even if they disagree with the referendum I think they should be open to supporting it (and campaigning for a No) if it wins them reforms which are good for Scotland. Bottom line, if the Scottish want independence, they should probably have it, even if they are wrong to want it. That should clearly be the Liberal line.

Manchester is nothing like as interesting as Bradford in objective terms. But I am just as interested for personal reasons. I make no predictions for either council. I say only that the yellows might push forward a bit in both seats, if they are lucky. Both parties deserve it.

That has set my stall out, watch this space...

----

The T&A reportage about the council candidatures can be found here. There is a list of candidates at the bottom. The T&A website is, well, the website of a local paper, but it is improving all the time.

I will be keeping an eye on this area of the Guardian website, and these fora.

Hail Mary, full of wossname.

2007-03-28T09:31:00.001Z

Another quick blog before I go to Liverpool, (later today, and I am going to Bradford on Saturday).

I have had to cart quite a lot of stuff to the library today, I had about nine books I wanted to return, plus a sleeping bag that I am lending out for someone who is hiking to Lindisfarne from Carlisle. (I also meant to bring Barbara Butlers book about the St. Cuthbert Way, but totally forgot). I am rid of the books, and am dumping the sleeping back at the chaplaincy, allowing me to re-arrange my bags and leave straight away.

Last Sunday I attended Mass at Avila House, which was an interesting experience. It is a testament to the massive impact of methodism/18th century evangelicalism that in a catholic chaplaincy the three hymns included Wesley and Watts. Metho's rule. I was vaguely familiar with everything, although I was unable to keep up with the Hail Mary beyond "Hail Mary full of Grace...", nor can I recite the creed. (maybe if I had known which creed, and had a chance to think about it). As a result there were times that I thought that they might have benefitted from a printed service sheet. (Of course for Love Divine all Love Excelling I probably didn't need the hymn book provided - ho hum).

The only real theological problems I had were, inevitably the Real Presence. So I wouldn't have received even if I could, it was nice to receive a blessing though. And ummm, hmmm. That is about it.

Of course Marian devotion is not in my tradition, I don't feel the need for her too pray for me now or at the hour of my death. But much of the Hail Mary is entirely biblical. The idea of dedicating a mass to anyone is also alien, and of course the references to the dead went right over my head. The thing is, I didn't really find myself reacting against these. The more I study Christianity the more I can see how such ideas originated out of genuine theology, and real pastoral need. Even today they clearly speak to people. I can't say that they are wrong as such, only that they mean nothing to me. The only thing that threw me was the sacramental nature of the mass.

Gathering

2007-03-21T16:46:00.000Z

Perhaps I had better avoid blogging about cricket for now, maybe I'll try again after sunday.

Thesis is going quite well now I have prioritised it, I've got some good wordage for the historiographical section, and I am working on the write up of my own investigation. The most interesting bit will be the application of the latter to the former.

I spent the weekend in Birmingham - Newman House, at a very pleasant SCM Gathering, it was a little under populated (normal for spring apparently) but that kind of worked out because we had a lot of business to get through, and the people who came were mainly hardcore SCM. I was paying a lot of attention to the two workshops I went too, Movement editorial, and Marketing the Movement. I am now writing papers on them both. The former a Discussion paper, the latter just writing up what the feeling of the session was. There are disadvantages to doing this, but It is the best way of getting things across without delaying the GC meeting, which was plenty long enough.

GC was quite pleasant though, productive if nothing else, lots of exciting things are happening in the movement, I hope I can hang around to see them come to fruition. I get the feeling that there is the potential for something real exciting to happen, for us to reach a tipping point and start bringing together all the brothers and sisters in Christ who need each others support to realise their faith in a complicated world.

I also invented a new description for my politics. When I say that I am a Liberal people assume too much. I hung on to Liberal Capitalist for a while, but it isn't much better, most people interpret that as 'half arsed capitalist', also Liberal has religious connotations I am not happy with, because it is used so poorly byboth self identifiers - and by those who sling it as an insult. From now on I am going to be a Radical Capitalist. I am still a Liberal really, and it is Liberalism that fuels my political philosophy; but I want to reclaim radicalism for the center. Religious position is harder to describe. I'm a Methodist, I am Liberal, but don't want to define myself as either. I'd like to think of my Churchmanship as 'Free', and maybe my theology as 'Radical', but I am not so sure what I mean by Radical in relationship to my theology. I'll get back to you all.....

A Very Good Year

2007-03-15T17:51:00.001Z

Well, I'm blogging again anyway: and all being well this should be appearing on FaceSpace as well. Excellent.

Obviously the main news is my Anniversary. Or more properly mine and Natasha's. Had I pulled my finger out this should have been, at the very least, our sixteenth month. But sadly I wasted five months at the beginning of our relationship. It has been, Some Year. I would never have imagined that I would be engaged, (we have set the date by the way: 13th June, 2009). Obviously I love Natasha, and can't wait for us to get married, even more pressing is that I cannot wait for us to be together, which will not be for another year unfortunately. In the short term I can look forward to spending a week with her over Easter, and the plan for the summer is to spend it in Edinburgh and work there.

In other News I have finally got time to concentrate primarily on my "Thesis in History": "Why did the Venerable Bede compose a second Prose Life of St. Cuthbert?". Which is a good job because the deadline is fast approaching. I feel like I have been fairly unproductive until now, fortunately that is not entirely true, I have just been doing all the note making and preparation which is far more important than the actual typing up, but which doesn't look very impressive.

Finally I have to comment on: The World Cup! As I right, Sri Lanka have posted 321, which I sincerely doubt Bermuda will cap, my bet is for them to be all out for half that total. Zimbabwe has a more achievable target of a little over 170. Ireland have been rained of at 170-6,(just returning as I write) after 43 overs. Jeremy Bray has performed spectacularly, I am not sure if he will get the 13 runs required for a century. He has a decent chance of it. Zimbabwe are poor, but Ireland are useless as a bowling side. So it should be interesting, I am sorry that I am going to miss Zimbabwe's innings.

Engagement

2006-11-23T13:19:00.000Z

Owen Griffiths, of Bradford and Manchester, and Natasha Wood, of Liverpool and Edinburgh,

Would like to share with you the good news of their Engagement, with the intention to marry in 2009.

It is true, I proposed to Natasha on the sixth of this month, and couldn't be happier.

(I just thought it was remiss not to have mentioned this)

Back

2006-10-30T16:25:00.001Z

I'm back, and I'm determined to carry on blogging, my aim is to do so weekly. It has been a very long time, essentially I have been busy. Very busy. Because I have been away for so long, I will offer a few excuses in the form of a review of that which has been busying me:

This Semester is fun so far, I've got a lot of work to do, but have so far not been madly overworked. (although I doubt I could keep up like I have been going for the last couple of weeks).

I am, of course, most interested by the work on the anglo-saxons, my thesis is going to be about St. Cuthbert. I am currently trying to exhaust the secondary literature before entering into an in depth study of his lives, which will form the basis of my essay. My primary thesis is that I can learn something important about the thinking of The Venerable Bede from the alterations he makes in his plagiarisation of the Anonymous Vita Cuthberti. In clarification I would say I am far more interested in Bede than I am in St. Cuthbert. The module that that is connected to is the Pagans, Priests and Power module, designed by my supervisor Nick Higham, it's being taken by Martin Ryan who led the unit on The Origins of English, which I blogged about once upon a time.

The other big strand of my life has got to be Natasha, who else? It's still pretty difficult being this far away from her, the worst part is the sheer relentlessness of it; we will be doing this on and of, long distance thing for the conceivable future. Not nice. On the other hand I do manage to keep in touch constantly, and will be able to see her this week coming.

Make Trade Fair is moving nicely, it takes up a lot of time, but not as much as it might if I didn't have a co-chair and a committee of active experienced members who can take on the bulk of the actual work.

The Student Christian Movement both nationally and locally takes up some time as well. I enjoy it, but the national side does involve regular jaunts here and there, for instance the gathering in glasgow, the away weekend which is in Edinburgh, and a visit to the SCM offices in Birmingham for Jo's appraisal. I had to get ahead some way before the Edinmburgh visit, and will have to do the same before the Gathering.

Thats a rough review for now, there is other stuff going on, but thats the main stuff

Summer Summer Summer

2006-08-14T14:11:00.000Z

I have been very bad at updating this I see, nothing at all for this month, and not much more for July. It has been a little hard, and I have been more than a little busy. Amongst other things I have been flitting between Liverpool, Manchester and Bradford (a true citizen of Coast 2 Coast, Will Alsop would be proud of me). I also got as far as Whitby, which was very pleasant. Natasha, my father, my sister and I stayed in a cottage on Henrietta Street, we were joined variously by the Swithenbanks and the Spencers. I am looking forward to seeing Natasha again this week, in Liverpool again, as my last trip was cut short. Then she can come to Eston Street.

Having Natasha visait Eston Street shall be interesting, I will have to do a temporary fix on the curtains today. It wouldn’t do to have the whole street gawping in at us. I have been slowly cleaning and improving my place. Dad came up with me this weekend and gave me a few suggestions for my room, which work quite well, it could be such a nice room, but so hard to efficiently lay out, especially with lots of furniture.

I am also looking forward to popping to Mytholmroyd to see pretty much everyone at Ben’s birthday doings.

This shall have to do for now, there are a few things I need to do this afternoon, who knows, it may not be long before I next get to post here.

No. 1, Eston Street

2006-07-15T10:22:00.000Z

As my first period of stay in Eston street draws to a close, (as I write this, It will almost certainly be posted from Bradford) I can reflect with satisfaction on the general state of my room. I have made a good approximation of having moved in proper. There are a few things about this room that need tweaking, and I have yet to erect a Hanging rail (all my clothes are in a pile in my wardrobe). By the time I return everyone should be at least partly moved in, and we will be able to make another go at perfecting the communal areas.

It is quite weird living in a house now, especially with a group of friends. There will be a bit of adjusting as we all get used to living with each other

---

The above was written, as it says, from Eston Street, a week ago last thursday I met Natasha at Victoria Station and we got a train to Bradford, as far as i can tell she had a jolly time, we only really met up with the Mob here once, and that was by accident at Café Bleu (I should have known it would happen) she hung around till wednesday when she went back after lunch, since then I have mooched around, doing not a lot (and enjoying it, but not as much as I enjoyed doing not a lot with Natasha).

Nu House!

2006-07-03T10:27:00.000Z

A message from the John Rylands University Library, I am moved into 1 Eston Street. (And need to think of a cool name for the house...) The move was made much easier by both Huw and Dawn (and my couslings) who looked after me admirably. The toughest bit was lugging all my worldly posessions down four flights of stairs, swearing through gritted teeth at Schindler's Lifts (Yes that is apparently the name of the company). After that everything was easy - even moving a two meter long dresser out of my room and into the living room via a very crampt hall. Yesterday we had our first guest: Evan popped round for beer and Killer Bunny's. The house is nice but in a bit of a state; (there is a reason why it is such a cheap rent). Very shoprtly I will meet Andrew and go into town to buy stuff for it. (including some things we expect to be reimbursed for.)

The street we are on seems lovely; there is an excellent matriarch we chatted to on our way out this morning, telling us about the kids on the street, and warning us to keep the place well locked up. It is good to know there are people like that around, apparently the kids get on well with most of the students, so we will have to introduce ourselves.

Moving

2006-06-30T07:53:00.000Z

Ohmigodohmigodohmigodohmigod...

I am moving out today after 1600 hrs, I am, so far, woefully underpacked. I have just packed a crate of books, I am going to have a shower and pack a box, with some kitchen stuff and some lighter stuff aswell, then breakfast, and some more packing.

R.I.P. Home Truths

2006-06-24T12:06:00.000Z

How very momentous, the very last Home Truths, as presented by David Stafford, but, of course, the last words, the culmination of a montage of sign offs, were John Peels. The end montage also included the song Teenage Kicks, its like John Peel has died all over again.

A shame to loose the institution, and it was odd that they kept it going for a while. It will be replaced by something with Giles Brandreth, and then an old programme called Sentimental Journeys will be resurrected. I just hope they fill a similar niche.

In other news I am back in Manchester - and will remain here until I am moved into Eston Street. Goodness knows when that will be. The O.M. drove me up and we met up with my Uncle and family. We ate out in Felicini's in Didsbury. Okay - but not spectacular food. Mine and my dads were best - everyone elses food was a bit unrestrained.

Another week flashed by...

2006-06-17T23:42:00.000Z

Well I have been so very very busy, I apologise for not getting back to folk sooner.

The big news, on one level, is that I attended a very pleasant SCM summer gathering. At this Gathering I was duely elected onto the General Council of that Movement, with a portfolio for education.

Following that I had Natasha over, which was truly fantastic, a full five days, we did things, we didn't do things. It was so hard to go our separate ways. We even did couply things, including dinner at J and E's followed by a board game; how couply is that!

I am now back on the right side of the Pennines, probably for a week, have no plans, will inform y'all what I am up to when I have done it.

Why is the rum gone?

2006-06-07T16:38:00.000Z

If this derails into incomprehensibibibilibibibity then blame the rum.

The summer is begun, I have just finished my exam. I had an ice-cream to celebrate, and am now rumming it, with excellent 'Utkins' FT stuff I have had for ages. It comes highly recommended, its a white rum, which I would normally avoid, but it actually tastes very nice.

My exam went quite well, considering that, as of this morning, I didn't really think I had prepared for it well enough. The prep I did was very suited tot he questions I answered. One on the English Reformations, one on the Counter/Catholic Reformations. I even snuck in my favourite phrase: "...the dichotomy is, in fact, anachronistic", history students, try it, you'll be amazed at what it can do. I also mentioned a million and one historians, which should count for something.

I have been having a nice time since I last posted, I went to Bradford, saw the OM, Charlotte, the pub, Mary, and even Sammy. I am looking forward to seeing my Josephiné* tomorrow.

I am not going to waste any more time at the machine on a day like this, I will make some tea, and then if it is still warm enough, pop out with a book - before I have to go to the chaplaincy.

*By which I, of course, mean Natasha, I'm sure you realised that already, but last time I said that I got a funny look.

The Da Vinci Mass

2006-05-30T22:17:00.000Z

Well Well Well.

I have just gotten back from the cathedral at which I attended The Da Vinci Mass (check out the cool poster). The following will be copied out onto theShip Of Fools Da Vinci Board. If anyone is reading this on Manchester Blogbound who went please tell me what you think, I would be very interested to know.

A very interesting evening. I take some inspiration from the Mystery Worshippers here, but I'm not claiming to do the same job.

I arrived just before 2000 hrs at Manchester Cathedral to find a very busy area of seating arranged around the screen bitty, hiding this rather gorgeous piece of liturgical decoration was a large projection screen with a communion table, two large candles, and some red swags. Quite tasteful in my opinion. The cathedral is a very pleasant and intimate, made the more so by a fine fug originating from a chap with a dangly smoke thing.

The evening was a bit schizophrenic, I wasn't really sure what to expect, I doubt anyone else was, and I am not entirely convinced the people running it knew what it was. It took three parts though: an engagement with some of the issues of the Da Vinci Code, clearing up a few myths etc; some reflections lead by some canon or other. (I'm useless at names and can't seem to find him on the diocese's who's who, he is second from the right on the poster though); and a mass lead by the same. These were divided by some pieces of music sung and flagged as periods in which to think. The music was modern and included a lovely rendition of the Fugee's "Killing me softly".

The first part was simplistic but effective. It dismissed the poor history relating to the gnostic gospels and the Council of Nicea, but on the other hand it rather glossed over the major debate other the place of women in the New Testament, the conclusions were sound, and I agreed with the argument - but I thought it intellectually dishonest to pretend it was the only opinion on the gospels. The two people (one minister and historian, one token woman) being 'interviewed' on this got the first of many rounds of applause, I didn't join in because I was thinking of it as a service, not a concert.

The reflections embraced The Da Vinci Code as an opportunity for dialogue, it's ideas were twofold. One that Jesus couldn't have married Mary M, because he loves everyone too much to have been able to enter into an honest marriage with just woman, even if had wanted to. (like he would have been cheating on her because he loved every other woman ever just as much) It was a good way of getting a message of Christ's love across, using the love between husband and wife/ father and child, as an analogy for the absolute love that Jesus has for everyone. The second point was that christ had a lot of femininity in him, referring to his love and compassion again, but also comparing the crucifixion with the pain of childbirth. The point was made that this was the 'opposite of a stillbirth' because in giving life and rebirth to everyone christ was dieing. All in all a good message to give to people who may have been of uncertain faith, or unfamiliar with the church.

The Mass was the culmination of all this. This is what caused me pause, the liturgy was pretty much scrapped to the bare bones (and only some of those). It was an excellent piece of drama (something the church has always been good at) with an emphasis on all being welcome, regardless of how much faith they had. Also equating the Blood of Christ with the Bloodline and the 'Sang Real'. This was done very effectively (despite some rather naff messing around with a red cloth on the approach to the altar - so we could 'walk along the bloodline to Jesus'). All that remained of the liturgy I recognise was the story of "How on the very night he was betrayed..." which was explained and altered a bit in its telling. It was quite impressive watching everyone spontaneously get up and head for the front in a big mob, all clamouring to get at Jesus, did my heart good.

All in all the event was very good, it was probably more suited to the lapsed, or uninitiated than to the hardened christian. I still got a lot out of it though. Even having not read the book I thought its themes were very effectively addressed and used. The simplification and use of TDVC added rather than took away from the Mass. It gave a way in to the Mass, and a way of understanding it, which, as a one off, was very effective.

Exams, Ceilidh, Play and Prayer

2006-05-28T17:06:00.000Z

Today has been very pleasant, but first this week gone. I feel dutybound to mention that the Exam went very much as well as could be expected, the questions were an absolute gift. That evening I celebrated by visiting a Ceilidh, I went with Clare, Ali and Rachel, a large number of christians were present, from both the CU and the Catholic chaplaincies, so quite a handful that I knew.

Also as mentioned last time around I spent some time with Natasha, the play was absolutely excellent, its lead reminded me at times of Penelope Keith playing Margot in The Good Life. It was a play that has somewhat disappeared off the radar which is a great shame, the ending was predictable, but done unpredictably. The ending also echoed elements of mine and Tasha's relationship, so there were a smattering of knowing hand-squeezes and glances.

Today I 'prayed' in church, that is to say I intercessed and helped distribute the elements. I wrote the prayer this morning and it went something like this:

Faithfull and Loving God,
We see your world; it is battered broken and polluted.
We see your children; they are lost, afraid and stressed, they are sick, poor and grieved.

So, we pray for your world and your children:
We pray for healing, for the world and for the sick;
We pray for wisdom, for out leaders both temporal and spiritual;
We pray for guidence, for the lost;
We pray for strength and courage, for the afraid, stressed and in pain;
We pray for comfort, for all who grieve and all who are desperate.

So, we pray for ourselves:
We pray that we may have all these gifts and others,
That we might use them to glorify you, and to work for a difference.

Finally, we pray for those known to us in their need,
Some we pray for silently, others we name:

Faithful and Loving God, to all your children and in all things,
Thy will be done.

Amen.

The hardest thing when praying up front is resisting the urge to rattle through and sit down again. One must remember that ones chief rôle is in providing a space for others to pray, as such one must leave significant gaps between ones words (I picked up the trick of breathing an Amen or two between lines from Terry).

After church I lunched with Jenny, Evan and Clare. On the way home I popped into the Whitworth, it has been reshuffled quite a bit, one of the exhibitions was unlabelled but nonetheless very interesting. The main exhibition is on Egyption dress, (lots of robes falling apart).

They also had an absolutely amazing performance which was a lovely surprise and about which I wanted to say much more but my computer has beeped to call me to church.

I am blogging because...

2006-05-23T19:20:00.000Z

...I have an exam tomorrow and should be revising...

This blog is a very odd one to maintain, I just ramble out a few things that have happened/are happening in my life. It's ridiculous because I blog most when I have the least on. When I have the most to say I have no time to say it. Everynow and again I look back at older blogs, it interests me no end. I get the impression of rambling, but also glimmers of what is important to me and when.

So why don't I cut to the chase. What is going through my head right now???

Exams: These are the most pressing concern I have, one tomorrow, one on the seventh of June. I have worked for the one tomorrow and should do OK.

Natasha, I'm seeing her again on friday, we are going to the theatre in Liverpool to see this play. I am very excited about introducing her too people at the cocktail party in June, because I have to commute to see her it is like she is part of a different life. I enjoy taking the opportunity to introduce her to people in this life.

The Summer: So many pulls; Natasha, in Liverpool; my Friends, in Manchester; my family, in Bradford. Goodness knows how I can get a job.

Dostoyevsky: I am reading The Idiot it promises to be very good, but not as good as Crime and Punishment or Poor People.

Christianity: Well, I spend a lot of time here and here. I have also been contributing to a discussion on Comment is Free here. I go to a bible study, two services and MSCM each week, I'm hoping to go to a few extras over the next few weeks if I get a chance.
Thats a good start for the top 5 interests right now of the top of my head. Things like my thesis and Make Trade Fair have been pushed into next week by my exams.

I should still be revising...

Ill, becoming Good

2006-05-18T08:11:00.000Z

I awake a little more sluggishly than usual this morning, being less than completely recovered from a nasty cold I developed on friday. My body has been trying to steal extra sleep from me in order to help me recover. I have not been ameanable.

I couldn't get an early night on Saturday, I was in Bradford and went to South Square for the reception following the civil partnership of two female friends of mine/my father. It was quite jolly, and I got to chat with many people. Unfortunatly it did me no favours, my cold had affected my hearing, so as well as drinking I was talking VERY LOUDLY. Not good for a weakened throat. Which was punished even more in church the next morning.

Sunday I got to rest a little watching a film with my mother and sister, I was back in time for Doctor Who (most excelent cybermen) and an early night. Monday I travelled.

Tuesday and Wednesday formed a highlight. I had the pleasure of Natasha's company. We had lunch at either end, and saw a film inbetween. It feels a bit weird being seperated again. The relationship continues odd, but wonderful. Goodness knows when I got to sleep on tuesday night, I do know I was woken at 0515 hrs on wednesday morning.

'The bowler is Holding, the batsman's Willey'

2006-05-11T17:36:00.000Z

We hates the ECB and Sky we does we hatesesess them, They tooks away our free to air cricket they dids, nasty little thieveseses.

But never mind. Radio 5 Live and Guardian Unlimited to the rescue. (Plus the TV in the Union Bar)

As well as the first day of the cricket (which is going very resepectfully indeed) today was the last seminar of the year, I went to the library and the union with Shelley afterwards - to discuss revision style stuff. I was going to suggest the pub - I assure you I did not suggest revising.

I have only just come in and must now leave but before I go news that I am in Bradford for the weekend from Saturday - and am in Didsbury tomorrow evening.