Mike's musings

2010-09-04T21:35:00.000+01:00

Link and Malokai

So, it's been some time since my last post, but today we had Malokai playing and worshipping at St Andrew's, Halstead. They were great, and I really enjoyed the music and their witness, too. There were very genuine, played well, and did a great set. Alex, the front man, talked about joy a lot, and that really worked for me. We had a few walk-ins, too, which was exciting, and we hope to have them back. Well done to Victoria for getting them in.

2010-07-30T22:36:00.000+01:00

Priesthood in the Church of England

Just a quick post that I thought might be of interest to some. A friend, currently considering a vocation to the priesthood, recently asked me "what's distinctive about priesthood in the Church of England"? I put together a quick answer:

For me, there are a few threads, but the two most important are:

inclusivity: we've got it wrong so many times, and will continue to get it wrong (as we are now), but deep, deep in the genetic make up of the Church of England is a commitment to inclusivity. A commitment to allowing the more catholic side to get on with the more protestant side started it, and that's in many ways still key, though the "protestant" side is more often referred to as "evangelical" now. I think there's something very broken about the Church of England which is also very divine: to borrow from Gerard Manley Hopkins, "the centre cannot hold": but it always does.
inclusivity: but of a different kind. As an incumbent - or a supporter to an incumbent, whether lay or ordained - there is a requirement, and a legal one at that, to minister to every single person in the parish. There is no choice: you have to minister to them, whether you like it or not. You have the cure of _all_ souls. This is an enormous responsibility, and an enormous privilege. Somehow, every single person - every single soul - in our country has the right to approach the Church, through its ministers (again, whether ordained or lay), and to expect succour. That's amazing to me.

2010-07-29T09:22:00.002+01:00

Going rather well

Well, my last trip to Australia was rather stressful, as things didn't go that well technically. Things are proceeding much, much better this time, which means less stress, and earlier nights. I'm extremely relieved, and feel pretty prepared for our big day on Saturday when we upgrade the Production system.

Tomorrow I get to see my great friend Catherine for the first time in 5 or so years. We've been in touch over the phone, and have lots to talk about. Great fun, I suspect.

Now, if only the weather in Sydney would improve...

2010-07-25T07:02:00.000+01:00

Back in Oz

Well, rather a shorter trip than I'd expected. I was due to fly with Air New Zealand from London Heathrow to Hong Kong to Auckland to Sydney, but as we were disembarking at HKK, I was asked to contact the ground staff. They asked me if I'd be happy to be moved to a direct flight to Sydney - to which I said I would - and so they put me and one other passenger onto a Virgin Airlines flight. Odd, as they're not code-share partners, but as Air New Zealand said that they'd ensure I still get my Star Alliance points, I'm happy.

Flights OK, and I got a bit of sleep. Arrived in Sydney around 0615 this morning, got to the hotel, had breakfast, had a bath, got changed, and then went to church at Christ Church St Laurence again. Enjoyed the service, and had a good chat with a number of people over lunch afterwards at the local pub.

Now desperately trying to stay awake: it's really too early to be heading to bed (only 1600 local). Beer and wine over the meal didn't help!

2010-07-09T21:24:00.001+01:00

Blogging (and marriage)

It's come time to admit to myself that I can't manage to blog on a daily basis. I think I'm more likely to manage to blog from time to time if I admit this to myself. Life has changed recently, and I'm very busy, and hopefully I can find excuses to blog on interesting stuff when (and mainly if) it occurs.

Speaking of which, it was our 15th wedding anniversary yesterday. We'd both forgotten about it, didn't feel like spending ages (or lots of money) on crystal stuff. So we decided to spend as little time, and as little money, as possible on crystal stuff.

The two on the left are from Moo to me. The one on the right is from me. I was going to buy two as symbols of our two-foldness over the past decade and a half, and had them in my trolley, but managed to drop a bottle on one of them at the check-out. Which was just perfect.

2010-06-28T20:18:00.031+01:00

My first ordination - and a first Eucharist

(backposting) Yesterday I attended my first ordination as a priest. I've gone to lots before, including my own, but this was the first time that I was attending and involved in the laying on of hands. Sally, my fellow- (if you will) curate and two other people who I know a little were ordained priest in Stansted Mountfitchet Church. It was a fantastic service, and the choir sang the Hallelujah chorus after the act of ordination. I brilliant day (apart from the football afterwards, obviously.

And then, this evening, was Sally's first Eucharist. We had incense, I sang in the choir (alto, actually), read the Gospel and the whole service was amazing. I had an amazing realisation whilst I watched her during the Prayer of Consecration, she looked so human, and so priestly. She was the Everyman/EveryWoman that each priest should be, and the truth and reality of Christ as human was made so obvious to me. I felt really sad for those who can't accept women's ministry.

I've always been a proponent of women's ministry - don't get me wrong - but this was one of those flashes of realisation that make things appear so right.

When Sally and I processed out to the side-door, we had a bit of a cry on each other. Tears of absolute joy.

2010-06-11T21:19:00.000+01:00

Good work, bad work

So, a fab day in terms of the work for Australia: all the problems seem to be fixed. This means that subject to some testing by the customer on Monday, I'm likely to be heading off to Australia around the 22/23rd July for a couple of weeks. I'm so relieved - it's been really hard work getting this sorted, with lots of dead ends, so thanks to everyone who's helped me.

On the embarrassing side, it looks like I've managed to destroy a Windows 7 installation on my new laptop. I've never managed to destroy a partition by putting Linux on the same machine before. Well, I've told our main IT guy, and we'll see what he says.

2010-06-10T21:06:00.000+01:00

Programming

Actual programming in Java. And it works, and I'm rather proud of it. It's for work, and using a new interface with which I've not played before.

Oh, and Moo and I are watching "The Thick of It": it's just, just genius.

2010-06-09T22:04:00.000+01:00

Cycling and coding

Got some good Java written today: something that I've been thinking about for several months, and started on my trip to Australia the other week. But it's close to working now, and I'm rather pleased with it. Not much to do, hopefully.

And, deciding that I need some exercise, I went for a nice ride over lunchtime. Great to get back on the bike: just headed over to Sible Hedingham to get some money out of the cash machine, and then back via Castle Hedingham, got got the muscles working, and the heart pumping.

2010-06-08T21:59:00.006+01:00

Australia?

Well, it looks like I'll probably be heading back mid- to late- July, and getting back in time for my 40th birthday. Need to finalise a few details, but it's looking good.

2010-06-07T21:59:00.000+01:00

Back to London

(backposting) Haven't been back to the office since I headed off to Australia, and decided to pop in for the day, partly to see my boss.

He really should tell me when he's not going to be in.

I was absolutely on my knees when I got home: I'd slept very badly last night, and over the last week, I was up early to get into the office, it was a busy day, and I always find the travel hard work.

2010-06-06T21:44:00.013+01:00

Church - and home

(backposting) Got to the 0800 at East Leake - it's been too long. Hervé came to lunch, and we had a good discussion about liturgy, theology, the Jesuits and the rest. The girls were shattered, and it was no surprise that when we headed back home, Miri fell asleep within about 10 minutes. On the other hand, the fact that Jo managed to stay awake in Moo's car for the entire journey, and even took a while to get to sleep when we got home.

2010-06-05T21:37:00.000+01:00

Theatre

(backposting) We took the girls to Blunderbus theatre company's "The Dragon's Daughter". The kids loved it, and it was quite fun for the adults, too. I'd heartily recommend the company, who really captured the audience's imagination.

2010-06-04T21:26:00.009+01:00

Holiday

(backposting) So I actually got to take today off as proper holiday. And I have to say that I think that daddies should reclaim paddling pools. Not for just for themselves, but as a shared activity. Lots and lots of splashing with the girls, and much fun was had. The longer I'm a dad, the more I realise that the things I enjoyed as a child, and which I never expected to be doing - or enjoying - again, are brilliant to do as an adult. Partly because they're fun to do anyway, but mainly because they're such fun to do with children. Paddling pools, kites, rock pools: the list grows.

I also got to attend a Roman Catholic mass at which Hervé, whose ordination Kate and I attended in Brussels, presided. I wasn't able to receive Communion, but I enjoyed the service, and he preached well. I'd disagree with some of his theology and doctrine, but he was very good. The only major difference between the service and what I'd normally be celebrating is the lack of a General Confession and Absolution. Interesting.

2010-06-03T21:25:00.000+01:00

Corpus Christi

(backposting) Today was Corpus Christi. I find much of the ceremonial - and devotion - that goes on around this feast very difficult. In fact, it was at a Roman Catholic Corpus Christi service that I first started to understand my Anglican sensibilities. So, I won't be attending any services. But recent conversations and discussions - on this blog, as much as anything else - are helping me to understand a little more about other people's theologies and my own.

2010-06-02T21:11:00.005+01:00

Sunshine

(backposting) A beautiful day today, and I managed to get out with Moo and the girls for a few hours - though I ended up taking a number of calls and when I got back, had lots to do. So, worked a little later, but that's fine.

2010-06-01T21:05:00.011+01:00

Windows embarrassment

(backposting) I've been taking Windows machines and dual-booting them with Linux for something like 10-12 years. I've _never_ ended up not being able to boot back into Windows. Before this time. In fact, I'd be happier not to be using Windows at all, but I do need to have access to it for work. And it's a work laptop, of course. What a pain.

Oh, and here's a video. More embarrassement?

2010-05-31T21:02:00.002+01:00

A quiet day

(backposting) The girls made bread, the adults took turns not looking after them...

2010-05-30T20:54:00.011+01:00

Post haste to the in-laws!

(backposting) Well, we took two cars to Loughborough, as it's unclear whether I'm going to need to head back home at some point over the week. My boss is on holiday next week, and I've checked with him that it's OK to spend the week up at Kate and Macs, working there unless there are infrastructure issues (broadband's not so fast up there). I may even be able to take a day or more off - we'll see how it goes.

For now, let's hope my liver copes.

2010-05-29T20:51:00.006+01:00

Ballet time

(backposting) Great to catch up with Richard and Avrina (currently back from Afghanistan) while the girls did their ballet. I was due to head off to Australia tomorrow, and it's a real joy not to be going. It does mean that I'll have to go back later, but for now, I'm with the kids. And Moo.

2010-05-28T21:53:00.000+01:00

Stop

I decided to stop work at a sensible time today, and managed 1940. This is the best so far for the past 2 weeks (bar my last day in Oz). Barbecue (as the last 3 days), and now watching "The Thick of It". And I'm going to take some leave next week. I really am.

2010-05-27T21:50:00.003+01:00

No, I won't

(backposting) The trip's postponed.

2010-05-26T21:47:00.000+01:00

Will things improve?

(backposting) Not so's you'd notice. Was in London for a meeting, made it back in time to catch part of Jo's school event, and also to present to work's training academy on security (I was well chuffed to be asked).

May not be going back to Australia over the weekend. We'll see.

2010-05-25T21:46:00.000+01:00

What did I do today?

(backposting) Worked too bl**dy hard, is the answer.

2010-05-24T18:58:00.000+01:00

Back to the grindstone

Jo was in with us around 0230, and I moved out to the spare room. She was up till 0500, but luckily she and Moo then slept through till 0745. Jo definitely not well enough for school and again, though she picked up during the day, she was pretty terrible by 1600 or so.

Any hopes of a quiet day were dashed, of course, by the realisation that I've got major work to finish today that didn't get done last week. So - a hard day at the computer(s). Grr.

2010-05-23T18:48:00.005+01:00

And home!

(backposting) An hour late in, then slow on the baggage pick-up, but had a driver home, and got back at almost exactly 1100. Poor Jo wasn't very well, and although she perked up a bit during the afternoon (could the paddling pool have something to do with it?), she was pretty awful again by 1600, to the extent that we rang the out-of-hours doctors' service. They weren't concerned, but the poor thing's running a temperature which we can't get down, and is complaining of very nasty headaches.

Well, both Jo and Miri were very pleased to see me, and (as I expected) demanded presents immediately. They seemed content with the selection, and Miri's cuddly shark, in particular, has gone down very well. Given how Jo's been, it was no surprise that she (and Miri) went straight to sleep, and Moo and I managed to stay awake by watching "The Thick of It" episodes before heading upstairs, shattered, at 2030. Poor Moo had managed about 3-4 hours sleep for the past two nights, so it was touch and go which of us needed it the most. Asleep by 2100!

In case I don't make it clear, always, I'm always very pleased to see Moo (and she me!), but the girls tend to be the headline items!

2010-05-22T18:45:00.002+01:00

Heading home

(backposting) So, a nice, slow getting up, breakfast and packing. Also ripped a few episodes of "The Thick of It" to my netbook to watch on the plane. Everything fitted in the suitcases, and I headed off to the airport around 1200, checked in - gotta love those emergency exit rows.

A long, long day. Sydney to Bangkok, 3 hours in Bangkok - extended to 4 because of a serious thunderstorm, and then on to Heathrow.

2010-05-21T23:28:00.000+01:00

Off home today

Yes, I leave at 1525, and get into Heathrow on Sunday at 0715, and should be home by 1100. Seems like a short trip, but those are local times, and it's more like 26 hours. But who cares? I'll be home.

2010-05-21T09:05:00.000+01:00

Incomplete

I've not managed to complete the work I came out here to do in time. Hopefully I can finish it off on Monday, when I'm at home, but I just don't think I have the information I need, and that's the way it is. The customer was very cool about it, and can see that I've put the hours in over the past 2 weeks. Tomorrow I fly home. On Sunday I see the girls.

Just 2 more sleeps.

2010-05-21T09:00:00.004+01:00

Another late night

(backposting) Another work thing not working. So tired this morning, but had to work late again. 0000 - midnight - almost dead on, this time. If only I'd got to sleep properly before 0145!

At least no expenses this time round - and my boss approved the ones I did yesterday, which is something of a relief. Also, as I knew I was likely to be late, I went out for a nice meal before starting off: possibly the best seafood chowder I've ever tasted, in fact.

2010-05-19T08:58:00.002+01:00

Expenses and lateness

(backposting) Time to put in expenses. Over £4,900 for the month. Which is quite a lot.

And then I had to work late. Finished around 0030, but got the stuff done I needed to. Absolutely shattered.

2010-05-18T08:43:00.002+01:00

Weather

Now, I know I'm English, and therefore my default topic of communication is the meteorological actuality, but still: the weather in Sydney is _very_ poor. Sheets of rain all day - and most of yesterday. I didn't come here for this sort of weather: as evidenced by the fact that I didn't pack any wet weather gear whatsoever. I think I might fix that when I'm over again in a couple of weeks.

But I mean: really!

2010-05-17T11:20:00.002+01:00

Starting to count the days

Well, I guess it's partly because I'm not feeling 100% today, partly because the weather's not great, partly because it was a hard day at work, partly because the novelty's wearing off now, but I'm really beginning to want to get home soon. I'm missing Moo and the girls, I'm very aware that Moo's having to manage all on her own and, well, I'd just like to be home. And I'm a little worried about that ash cloud. Really, really hoping it's gone by the weekend.

2010-05-16T10:57:00.000+01:00

A quiet day

Decided I needed a quiet day, particularly as one of my feet's been giving me a little gyp (sp?) (I have been doing a _lot_ of walking over the past week or so). So, after walking to the church (yes, I know), and having lunch with some of the folks from the service, I caught a taxi back. Bought some knitting needles for someone one the way to the hotel, and then did a bunch of ironing. Had a very nice interruption in that Moo texted me to say that she and the girls were up, so we had a lovely chat via video Skype.

The girls were on good form, and it's lovely to see them as well as just talk to them. Finished the ironing whilst watching some Aussie rules and then both types of rugby, then did some reading and some knitting. I'm a stitch down, which is a pain, but things are good. And I'll be home in a week.

2010-05-15T09:08:00.000+01:00

Variety is the spice of life

What a fantastic day I've had. Woke up late, with less of a hangover than I deserved, which is always a good start, and then did some hand-washing (of clothes, rather than the Pontius Pilate type). Got up slowly, had bath, watched some T20 on the TV.

A quick breakfast, and then off to the absolutely amazing Sydney Aquarium and Sydney Wildlife Centre. You'll see lots of pictures on Flickr photostream. I had a blast, and so wished I'd had the girls with me to share it all with - though being without them did mean that I could linger a bit more with some of the exhibits. I even had my picture taken with a koala, and got to stroke one, too (pity they're endangered: their fur, though short, would make fantastically soft yarn (oooh, whoops: spot the knitting convert)).

Then off to buy a couple of books. I've got a e-cooler ebook which I use a lot, but I don't like taking it in the bath, so decided to get a couple of paper ones. Then wandered down George Street to the Rocks and Circular Quay. I visited a market I'd walked round last week, and was unable to stop myself from buying some astonishingly neat steampunk cufflinks. I also bought a puzzle for my curate colleague, Sally, and a lovely indigenous spice/herb rub for cooking. Just then, the girls phoned, so I had a quick chat with them before heading back to the hotel for a video Skype call with them as they ate breakfast. All in all, a great day. I'm going to go and find a nice Asian restaurant now, and sit and have a lovely supper before heading back for a quiet evening in front of the TV or with a book. Yay for happy days.

2010-05-14T12:26:00.003+01:00

Just listening

Sometimes that's all that being a priest needs to be. I was with some work colleagues tonight, and having told them that I'm a priest, one of them just wanted to talk, and to know that I wasn't going to judge. She's not had good experiences with church before, and a different encounter was what she needed. I'm not suggesting she's about to become "churchy" (her word), but she was grateful to be able to talk about her father, her grandfather, and her brother. Sometimes it's just about listening.

2010-05-13T13:43:00.000+01:00

Staying late - but starting early

Early, because today was Ascension Day, and I wanted to get to a Communion Service. As this was a 0800, and 20+ minutes walk away, that meant getting up and heading off pretty sharpish. It was good to go, and I enjoyed it: I later discovered that there were (excluding the celebrant) 2 priests and a bishop in a congregation of around a dozen!

I got to the office around 0845, and headed off to buy a white shirt (for a charity picture as a reaction against Australia's "loud shirt day" - huh?) and chat to the crazies on Skype. Then back to the office. Until 2145. A long day, but things were working by the time I left, with many thanks to a couple of colleagues who helped things along.

2010-05-12T09:26:00.002+01:00

You know you're working to late when ...

... all the lights in the office go out. The working culture where I am is clearly somewhat different to what I'm used to (not that I'm complaining), but people start to clear off around 1700, and the lights all went off at 1800. I took this as a sign, and headed off, too.

We seem to have a new government at home. Will wait to see how bad it is before hurrying back. ;-)

2010-05-11T11:54:00.000+01:00

Heresy discussions

In these enlightened times, we are able to discuss the heresy of others without burning them at the stake, because we don't actually have to meet them face to apostatic face: we can have discussions on the Internet. The last couple of days have yielded some very thoughtful comments, and I invite you to have a look here, on my Sunday post.

Today's been another productive day at work - more so than I'd expected, in fact, which is rather pleasing. And to top it all off, I've done some hand-washing my hotel bathroom: oh, the excitement. It's astonishing how dirty clothes get, too: though that's probably related to the fact that I wore one set of them over 26 hours of travel. Yeuch.

2010-05-10T11:00:00.003+01:00

And to work

Well, I'm not actually here just to enjoy Sydney and go to church, so I went into the customer's office today to start work on the project I've been flown out for. Everyone seems very pleasant, and the guy I'm working most closely with is particularly nice and strangely competent, which makes a change from some customers.

Managed a Skype video conference with the girls which made me happy and sad at the same time, and then to the gym, where I worked pretty hard. I then obviously deserved a nice sit on Darling Harbour, drinking white wine and eating rather nice barramundi. It's a hard life.

2010-05-09T12:11:00.000+01:00

Going up the 23 candles

I slept for somewhere around 24 hours last night, and felt _considerably_ refreshed. Really very well indeed. I was up and breakfasted in time for the 9am service at Christ Church Saint Laurence. It's about 1 and half kilometres from the hotel, so was a pleasant walk. I'd put my clerical shirt and collar on, as Fr Adrian (with whom I'd been in touch via email) had said to make myself known once I arrived. I did, was made welcome, and was introduced to a member of congregation who chatted while we waited for the service to begin. I'd got confused, and had thought that the 0900 service was a Sung Eucharist, but, instead, it was "Low Mass". This, the fact that everyone called me "Father", and the lady altar dedicated to Our Lady of Walsingham, should have been enough to clue me in that I was in for something higher than I'm used to, but bar the birettas on all the clergy (red pom-pom for the rector, black for the others), it was fairly standard fare from my point of view. During coffee afterwards, I discovered that the next service was with the choir, and as they were singing some rather nice music (a mass setting by Victoria), I thought I'd stay for the 1030, as well.

This was High Mass, and really quite high. Birettas again, of course, lashings of incense, copious genuflection and the gospel canted, which I'd not experienced before. I'd been informed before my arrival that vestments are banned in the Sydney diocese, but apparently it's _chasubles_ that are banned. This means that stoles, dalmatics, birettas and copes are just fine. It was jolly nice, and I went for drinks and lunch with the choir in the pub afterwards. They also invited me to evensong at 1830, which I decided I'd get to if I was still vertical (in danger owing to jetlag, not alcohol consumption, you'll understand), as they were to sing Leighton's Mag. & Nunc Coll. Mag., which I've not heard for ages.

So, back to the hotel via a yarn shop (possum:merino mix is _very_ soft), and then footled and called Moo and the girls. Footled some more, then headed off to Paddy's market. Despite the name, this is a very strongly Chinese market, just opposite Sydney's Chinatown. In fact, the whole area reminded me strongly of Singapore: lots of Chinese people, lots of Chinese being spoken, but signs in English and Chinese, and just a Chinese feel to how shops are laid out. And then to evensong.

I also enjoyed evensong very much (the choir did a good job of the Leighton), and discovered what the clergy and altar party are _supposed_ to do during the singing of the Magnificat. They're supposed to cense things. The altar. The Paschal Candle. Each other (individually), the choir, the people, the lot. Marvellous (if a little distracting from the main event: the music). But I realised, as I looked at the order of service, that it was going to be followed by a Service of Benediction.

It was my first experience of a Service of Benediction, and is likely to be my last. There was too much Marian devotion for me, but worse was the whole reverencing the Host. In a monstrance. And the presiding priest put on a lovely little shawl to do the monstrance bit. Apparently it's called a "Humeral Veil". I didn't even know these things existed. There were 16 candles on the altar, 6 behind it, and the Paschal candle all lit. What an education. Anyway, not my cup of tea, but fair enough if you like heresy, I guess.

However, I did discover a useful piece of information: why you need both a deacon and a sub-deacon. It's so that they can waft around the celebrant holding his cope out like a pair of wings.

I've had a lovely day, met some great people, listened to some fantastic music, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I even bought a book called "Rescuing Sex from the Christians" at the church bookshop. You can't lose with a title like that, can you?

2010-05-08T06:38:00.000+01:00

Sydney

(backposting) Arrived at 0700, and after a rather long trip through immigration, customs and the rest, made it to the rather nice hotel. Quick shave, shower and change, and then out to do some shopping. Needed a variety of necessities, including:

some washing powder for handwashing (cheaper than the hotel laundry service!)
some shoes (I'd not bought any light, informal shoes, but managed to buy two pairs for around £12)
some suncream
a phone (pre-paid: much cheaper than using my UK one over here).

Afterwards, I went for a walk around Sydney. Along Darling Harbour, up to the Observatory Hill park, along the Harbour Bridge and back, around the Rocks and the market. I must have done around 5 miles in total - I wandered back and forth quite a lot - but it was a beautiful, beautiful day, and so sunny. Some pictures on Flickr. A lovely way to spend the day and to shed some of my jetlag.

Later, I came back to the hotel and phoned home. Lovely to speak to Moo and the girls, all of whom seemed to be on fine fettle. Checked email, popped to a pub round the corner for a few pints and food, and then crashed in bed around 1900-1930.

2010-05-07T06:27:00.000+01:00

In planes

(backposting) Today was mainly spent in planes. First on the way to Bangkok, and then on the way to Sydney. I had a 4 and a half stop-over in Bangkok airport, which was pleasant enough, and then boarded the flight to Sydney. 12 hours to Bangkok, 9 and a half to Sydney: quite a long trip. Nor did I manage to sleep for more than a couple of hours on this flight, which was a pain, but there you go.

The election news is far from inspiring.

2010-05-06T06:19:00.003+01:00

Elections are unimportant

(backposting) Well, compared to going away and leaving your family, anyway. We voted, of course, took the girls along and gave them the standard spiel about sufragettes, and how important it is to cast your vote. We also had croissants and Golden Syrup for breakfast, a _huge_ treat on a school day, but only because today's the day I fly to Australia. I took the girls to school, had a bath, and then had to rush my packing in order to be ready for the taxi's arrival at 1045. Although my flight wasn't due to leave before 2130, I decided that saying goodbye to the girls at the beginning of their day, when Jo was going into school, and Miri to her pre-school, would make it easier on all of us, and it worked quite well. Moo was working from home in the morning, so I got to say goodbye to her when the taxi arrived.

The taxi took me to Witham station, whence I journeyed to London, and spent the afternoon at work. In fact, I took 45 minutes out of the day and popped to St Paul's Cathedral, which is just a few minutes from the office. I don't think I'd ever seen Holman Hunt's The Light of the World in the flesh before, and I was moved by a painting which had always struck me as rather twee before. So, I bought a postcard of it to take with me to Australia.

Taxi and train to Heathrow, where I checked in and had a leisurely supper before getting on the Thai Airways flight to Bangkok. Nice cabin crew, and I had a bit of a sleep, though not too much, as I really want to sleep in Australian time, as it were. Kept myself awake by writing some code. Fun.

2010-05-05T21:07:00.000+01:00

SoW

I was not expecting that my day would be taken up with the writing of Statements of Work, but that's how it would work. Luckily I managed to get some other work done, too: which involved actual code. Not much of it: the real fun was working out why there was a problem and what could be done to sort it out.

And tomorrow I'm going away to Australia. I'm going to miss the girls, and Jojo's getting very sad. She really feels emotion now, and misses people. It's going to be very hard.

2010-05-04T20:53:00.000+01:00

Final preparations

For my trip to Oz, of course. These include:

finding out whether the customer will expect a suit (they won't);
getting a wash on and then in the dryer;
arranging transport in the UK;
upgrading my work laptop to 10.04;
getting all the requisite prescriptions and toiletries.

2010-05-03T20:44:00.006+01:00

May Day

(backposting) May Day celebrations in East Leake. After a trip to Loughborough to do exciting garden centre and supermarket shopping (well, not really), we went to the May fair. It was fun, and the girls enjoyed it. Throwing wellies, fire-fighter demonstrations, giant inflatable slide, tombolas, etc., etc.. All good fun, and helped by traditional rain.

And home late, this time without tears for a change - but mainly because the girls are going to see the grandparents again pretty soon.

Rediscovered Laurie Anderson's "O Superman" again tonight: what a genius piece of work.

2010-05-02T20:40:00.005+01:00

Back to the in-laws - and the girls

(backposting) Apparently, the girls were fantastic with Kate and Mac. But by the time we got back, they had decided not to be quite so fantastic. Playing up, tantrums and the rest. But hey. We left the hotel around 1130, after I'd finally managed to draw ahead in the cribbage stakes (4 games to 3, having been behind until I pulled it level at 3-3).

2010-05-01T20:25:00.009+01:00

A romantic day away

(backposting) Yay - for the second time in 5 years, Moo and I are off for a night away on our own without the girls. We went to a Marriott country club place, spent time sleeping, drinking tea, knitting, playing cribbage, having time with just each other, and just generally hanging out. We had a lovely time, and it was time we really needed, particularly because I'm off to Australia on Thursday.

2010-04-30T19:43:00.007+01:00

Off to the in-laws

(backposting) Well, Moo and I have a day away planned. But in order to execute the plan, we need to do something with the girls. Option? Well, my lovely in-laws have stepped up to the plate, so after work, we drove up to Loughborough-way. The girls stayed up for ages, and it would have been nice if they'd been asleep rather more before 2300 than they were. Oh, well.

2010-04-29T21:44:00.000+01:00

Voting

Well, given what I've seen of them, I'll be voting LibDem next Thursday. There's no way I can vote Conservative, on basic idealogical grounds. I'm closest to Labour in terms of policies, but I think they're tired and I don't trust them. Clegg and the LibDems should at least keep them a little more honest, and I think he'd make a real statesman. I can't say that of either of the other two.

2010-04-29T21:41:00.000+01:00

Macca

(backposting) I went to a school reunion bash thing in a club in London (not as posh as it sounds), and who should walk in behind me but Sir Paul McCartney. Well, well. Good to see some old friends, particularly Tal. /me waves.

2010-04-27T21:56:00.000+01:00

Harry Potter

Well, neither us felt like watching TB tonight, so I popped round next door and hired Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I've certainly seen it before, though Moo can't remember if she has. Fun to watch, though. Oh, and I've got another knitting project on the go, which is good.

2010-04-25T19:47:00.000+01:00

Jelly and Jerusalem

What we call jam, Americans tend to call jelly. So there's some sort of link with "Jam and Jerusalem" there, if only a weak one. Last time I preached, I preached on jelly (see entries passim): this time, I preached on Jerusalem, the William Blake poem. Today's Vocation Sunday, and I wanted to combine the issue of St George's day, and its misappropriation by the Far Right (the BNP, mostly), football hooligans, etc.) and vocations. I preached about how all vocations should - and must - be rooted in community, and how we're the Church of England. We have the opportunity to reclaim national identity, and Jerusalem is a very aspirational song: we won't be resting until we've brought Jerusalem - and the Kingdom - to England. I find it a very moving hymn, and we sang it at the end of the sermon to cement the message. It went down well.

A back home for another barbecue (though we ate inside as the weather couldn't make up its mind). Our mate Richard came round with Jo's friend Ellie, and the girls played absolutely brilliantly while the grown-ups chatted. A good day.

2010-04-24T19:31:00.003+01:00

Time alone

(backposting) No, not on my own. With Moo. As of this week, we have regular time scheduled without the kids for the first time in 5 years. It's just an hour and a half while the girls do ballet on a Saturday morning (Miri's joined Jo's class), but it's actual time. We went for tea/coffee and cake, and I rather wasted some of the time by having a haircut, but it's there, and it's regular. Yay!

And afterwards we headed off to Freeport, where they have a bouncy trampoline-bungee thing which we'd promised Jojo she could have a go on if I went to Australia - as she did when I went to the US for 2 weeks last year. It turned out that Miri's now big enough, too, so they both had a lovely time. We headed off to Tesco for a big shop, came home and had a picnic outside in the garden, and then did some basic gardening (including the second lawn mowing of the year).

The evening, however, was BBQ time. We went round to the Plants, where they barbecued for the four of us adults and the four kids. Well, more like for six adults. And the kids hardly ate. So we stuffed ourselves. A good evening with Si and D and the kids.

2010-04-23T20:13:00.003+01:00

And Australia (Fame!)

(backposting) Yes, the flights are booked. Thai Airways, and the Four Points Sheraton, Darling Harbour, for the first trip, at least. Don't have a hotel booked for the second trip yet. I did remember to apply for a visa, luckily.

And we're watching Fame! (the original series, 1982). What a show! What over-acting! What shirts! What leggings! And what I flame I discovered that the 11-12 year old me was holding for the English teacher, Elizabeth Sherwood (played by Carol Mayo Jenkins)!

2010-04-22T21:19:00.000+01:00

And home again!

Wasn't due to leave Cardiff till around 1700, and therefore to be back home pretty late. But managed to finish all the work early, and headed off after lunch, getting back in time for the girls' bedtime, which was a real treat.

Now watching the UK Election Leaders' Debate. Clegg's winning it again, for my money: fascinating.

Note to self: 7.5, then 2, then 6 hours driving on consecutive days isn't so good.

2010-04-21T21:03:00.001+01:00

Caerdydd

(backposting) Or, in English, "Cardiff". Another lovely city, particularly in the sun. If only it were a little warmer. I'm due to spend 2 days here working on some very specific issues for a customer. Had a good day at work, then discovered Brains' The Rev. James. Very pleasant pint. (Or two of them, to be honest). Then to Wagamama for supper, and then to the hotel (Radisson Blu, as in Brussels: pretty nice), and then to sleep.

2010-04-20T20:57:00.000+01:00

Norwich and Somerset

(backposting) Headed off to Norwich around 0700, arrived around 0900. Slooooooooooowwwwwwww around Thetford. I do like Norwich: it reminds me of Bristol, in that it seems to have a soul, there's a community spirit, and a proper accent, too.

A good meeting, anyway, and I headed off around 1430: a good old drive down to my parents in Somerset. Lovely to see them, and Polly (my lovely sis) came round for supper as well. Unluckily her husband, Lee, wasn't very well, so had to stay at home, but it was brill to see Poll (and Mum and Dad, of course). And then to bed.

2010-04-19T20:53:00.003+01:00

No way

(backposting) No, I'm not going to head into London today. Not if I'm heading off to Norwich tomorrow and then Bristol, and Cardiff on Wednesday and Thursday. Luckily my boss is pretty cool about these things.

2010-04-18T21:36:00.000+01:00

A quiet day

Kate and Mac left around coffee time, and we had a lovely day with the girls, playing out in the garden, gardening. I had a bit of a sleep during the afternoon (thanks, Moo!), and barbecued a shoulder of lamb for supper. Some downtime: just what we needed.

2010-04-17T20:41:00.001+01:00

An ordination

(backposting) Slept in, then headed out to a proper continental breakfast: freshly squeezed orange juice, croissant, tea/coffee, convivial surroundings...

And then off to l'Église Saint Jean Berchmans for Hervé-Pierre's ordination to the priesthood. He's a Jesuit with a passionate belief in ecumenism and integration, and I was so honoured when he asked me if I'd read the Gospel in English, after a deacon (diacré) friend of his read it in French. The language was mainly in French, with English explanations, and also bits of the service in German and Flemish: quite the multi-lingual affair. I enjoyed it immensely, I have to say, though there were issues. I'd already known that I wouldn't be able to receive communion or to lay my hand on him as part of the ordination, but it was more difficult than I'd expected. In particular, watching all the other priests - there must have been over over 40 of them - file past, and lay their hand on him, was very, very hard. I don't think I've ever felt more a priest, and I had tears in my eyes and flowing down my face.

All the priests concelebrated, too: holding out their hands, and saying the words of institution, and I couldn't do that either. Nor receive communion. It was hard. But the rest of the service was joyous, it really was, and I'd not have been anywhere else. And Hervé-Pierre was radiant. There was only one thing that I felt that I couldn't join in during the service was the invocation of the Saints during the litany. There was a lot of "priez pour nous", and I just didn't feel happy, theologically, so I just kept my mouth closed during that part: the rest was fine. I'm not theologically convinced by the dedication of the Eucharist to Hervé-Pierre. For me, the suggestion that you can dedicate a Mass / Eucharist / Communion to someone (living or dead) is senseless. But I can understand why, if you took the view that it was sensible, then dedication of this service to the ordinand was touching.

After the service, there was a buffet lunch. I spoke lots of French, which was a real treat. Although far from perfect, my French is good, and I had some interesting chats with some Jesuits - and non-Jesuits. A number of them seemed to have no problem with my ministry or ordination: the best comment was the one of them said he thought that my ordination (as long as it wasn't too "low"!) was more valid that an of those by Bishop Lefebvre! (Note: not sure I mean this one, but can't track the right one down).

We headed off, walked around the centre of Brussels - Kate had never visited the Grande Place before - and then we had a meal, headed caught the Eurostar, a tube, a train, drove back, and got home around 2310. A great day.

2010-04-16T20:12:00.021+01:00

Eurostar

(backposting) Well, I'm very, very glad that we'd booked the Eurostar, rather than flying. Kate (my mother-in-law) and I are off to Brussels for the priesting of a Roman Catholic friend of ours. You should have seen the queues for tickets.

Now, some might say that a trip abroad with your mother-in-law was a recipe for disaster, but we get on pretty well most of the time, and I'd phoned the hotel this morning to ensure that we had (as I'd originally booked) got separate rooms. So, pretty safe. I met her at Liverpool Street station after work, and we headed round the Circle Line to King's Cross St Pancras. Nice glass of Chablis, and then onto Eurostar. A good journey, and we caught a taxi to the Radisson Blu, Brussels. A nice hotel, actually: I'd booked a couple of months ago, and got a rate of just €51 a night per room: excellent, for the quality. They recommended Le Volle Gas, and it was great. We had moules (we both love mussels!) and steack frite (steak and chips): both Belgium specialities. I heartily recommend the restaurant: but do check the price of the wine first...

To bed latish, but good to know that Moo has her dad with her to help look after the girls

2010-04-15T21:51:00.000+01:00

Politics

I'm watching the UK prime ministerial debate, or whatever they're calling it, on TV. Cameron and Brown are painting Clegg as the non-statesman, the newcomer without the history and experience, and he seems to be playing along. I think that it's working for him, though. I'm rather impressed, and I'm feeling more likely to vote for his party than I was before.

2010-04-14T21:38:00.005+01:00

Architectural thinking

(backposting) One of the joys of my job is the opportunity to do some thinking at an architectural level. This isn't just in terms of the systems that we deliver to customers, but also to have some input into the base product that we produce as a company. I've been thinking about a particular technique recently, and had the chance to present it to the CTO and a couple of other people. I got a reply back from the CTO which just said "thinking...", which is about as good as you get. If I've managed to make him think, even if we don't end up going with the particular suggestion that I came up with, then hopefully some good will come of it, and I'm happy. I'm not the sort of person who gets territorial about ideas that I have: if they're not great, I'd like to explore them further. I'm an INTJ, and this is how I work!

On a more ENTJ issue, I was very pleased to hear from my previous employer that they're pushing through a patent application that I came up with. I'm very pleased: again, it's an idea that I had being followed through. Yay.

2010-04-13T21:31:00.009+01:00

Duck tour birthday

(backposting) Today's birthday girl was Miri, who turned 3. And the big treat was to London, where we went on the excellent London Duck Tours. This takes you on a tour around the main sites of London on the roads, followed by taking the vehicle - which is amphibious - onto the Thames for a trip past Lambeth Palace and the Houses of Parliament. Both girls loved it, and Miri even managed despite getting a soaking from a wave while we were on the river.

Neither Moo nor I was feeling very well, but we all had a good day. Now we don't have a 2 year old any more. :-(

2010-04-12T21:32:00.000+01:00

A big little girl - tomorrow

Miri turns 3 tomorrow, little thing. She's very excited (in fact, according to Moo, she had a bit of a melt-down around suppertime because she felt that she should be getting all her presents today). It's going to be strange not having a 2 year old in the house anymore. :-(

2010-04-11T20:47:00.000+01:00

Two mistakes - and a den

The first mistake I made was to forget that the 1000 service that I was taking, and at which I was preaching, was an all ages service, and to assume that I could reuse the "we all have a duty to vote, so make sure you do, even if it's hard to work out who to vote for" sermon I'd given at the 0800. The second was to ask a 5-year old, 30 minutes before the service, what I should preach about. She said "jelly".

So, I gave a sermon about jelly. Well, it was really more about metaphors, and how, although being able to say "God is a bit like jelly" (à la Lionel Blue) is useful, as it is to be able to say that God is like silence, or a roaring wind, or fire, or whatever, it's also dangerous, because we all experience all of these things in different ways, and although for me to say that "God is like a snake" might be positive (I really like snakes), for many others it might be very negative. I've never received a round of applause from an entire congregation before: it was really nice! Lots of people said they enjoyed the service too: I do enjoy running an informal service when appropriate.

We barbecued again (the girls helped me with making beefburgers), and then I cleared "the den" (or "spider city", as Jo had named it): a little place up from the green house, which is safe and (now) clean and clear of spider-webs (if not _entirely_ of spiders). It's a great den, and the the girls are very, very pleased with it.

2010-04-10T20:10:00.001+01:00

An actual temperature

(backposting) Woke up not feeling very well at all. Shaky, achy, and running a bit of a temperature. Sleeping most of the morning really helped: thanks very, very much, darling Moo.

However, got up and was feeling much better, so light gardening duties beckoned. And a barbecue. So, all-in-all, with the shredder, it went well, though I did need to have a bit of a sit-down from time to time. Very nice to get the barbecue going - though the girls seemed in two minds about the chicken to start with.

2010-04-09T22:00:00.000+01:00

Facebook and speaking out

There's someone I've been considering unfriending on Facebook recently, as I find his views very difficult. He's from the US, a Christian, but regularly posts what I'd consider very right-wing views about "big government" and poverty. In the end, I've decided that rather than unfriending him, I should respond to some of his posts. I've tried to do some in a measured way, bringing in a bit of theology, and although he doesn't agree - and others also don't - at least there's dialogue. And I've made another new friend from it, too, which is good.

If in doubt, I'm of the view that one should engage, rather than step back. My challenge is to do so in a loving, respectful, Christian way.

2010-04-08T21:55:00.000+01:00

Springtime

Went for a lovely, lovely walk today. Beetles out, butterflies, sky-larks and the local youth were all out enjoying the sunshine.

2010-04-07T21:35:00.000+01:00

We _are_ off to see the wizard

It looks like the trip to Australia is on. In fact, 2 trips: I said I really couldn't do 6 weeks in one stretch, so I'm doing 2 fortnights, separated by a week or two. It'll be hard to be away, but it's important work for the company, and we've got a compromise that should be OK.

I think the girls will be expecting presents. And fair enough, too. And Moo.

2010-04-06T22:04:00.000+01:00

To Oz, or not to Oz?

That really is the question. We're trying to work out whether it's going to happen or not. And for how long. 6 weeks is too long, but I'm working with a colleague to work out how, and if, it's all going to pan out.

2010-04-05T21:49:00.002+01:00

Staunton Harold, and big dogs

(backposting) We headed off to Staunton Harold to have a look around today, and had a nice time. I bought Kate a nice amber necklace and a silver one for Moo. There were also owls to be admired and we met a lovely St Bernard puppy as well. Afterward, we headed off to Calke Abbey for lunch, but by the time we got there, it was heaving, and there was no way we were going to get any food in decent time, so we headed off again and came across a lovely pub/inn: The Paddock, in Melbourne. Friendly welcome, good food, lovely people, decent prices, and a proper big dog: a Great Dane. The girls were fine with both of them: I'm glad that they've known big dogs. At some point we'll get another one, but it's not time yet.

In the afternoon, we headed off to see Moo's Nanna Jo, who's old, frail and rather confused. But happy, and well-looked after, which is very important.

In the evening, we drove back in the two cars, and got back before it got too late.

2010-04-04T21:36:00.001+01:00

Easter: Christ is risen, Alleluia!

(backposting) I had a bit of a sleep in, and did some knitting. I'd really hoped to get something finished before the service, but didn't quite manage it. Then to church in Halstead. I was presiding: another great service to be taking. One of the things we did was the renewal of baptismal vows in the middle of the service. I decided to move to the crossing in the centre of the congregation, move the acolytes with candles to the ends of the pews, and then to sprinkle the congregation with water from the font (which was filled last night as part of the Easter Eve vigil). This meant that people were facing inwards, and making the vows in the sight of both God and each other.

A good service, with a better turn-out than I'd expected, and then I popped home to change and then hopped in the car and drove the couple of hours or so up to Kate and Mac's, where Moo had gone with the girls yesterday. They were very pleased to see me, as was I, them. A joyous Easter indeed.

2010-04-03T15:08:00.000+01:00

More films, and a visit

(backposting) Sitting in the restaurant yesterday, we noted via Facebook that a friend of ours (of my sort of age *gulp*) was in hospital. A flurry of text messages later, and the reason, it transpired, was that he'd had a heart attack while training for a marathon. Apart from the obvious justification we felt for our general view on the dangers of excessive (read "any") exercise, we were naturally rather concerned. I rang him this morning, and offered to pop round to see him in hospital: he accepted the offer, and I popped round in my clerical collar (aka "access-all-areas costume"). It turns out that it seems to have been a fairly minor one - to the extent that any heart attack is "minor" - and he was in pretty good spirits. We had a very good chat and I lent him a few DVDs.

On leaving, I found myself near Colchester centre, and at a loose end, as Moo had taken the girls off earlier in the morning to her parents, to make sure that they'd get a chance to see their cousins this weekend. I'd already had a sleep after they left, so I decided to go and watch How to Train a Dragon again: this time in 3D. Even better, I have to say, and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Easter Eve vigil in the evening, watched some Blackadder Goes Forth, and headed to bed. Easter Day tomorrow!

2010-04-02T15:03:00.000+01:00

Good Friday - family time

(backposting) I wasn't involved any of the services in the team today, and Moo and I took the opportunity to spend some family time. A number of options presented themselves, but we ended up going to see How to Train a Dragon at the Freeport Cineworld. We decided against the 3D version, because the girls - Miri in particular - really struggle with the glasses, and just take them off, so we went with the standard 2D version.

What a great film! Funny, exciting, good plot, fun characters, and brilliant animation. Something for adults (who came up with the line "breast-hat"?), lots for kids. Just a great time. That's the sort of family film we like to watch. Only really annoying thing was why all the adults had Scottish accents, but none of the kids did (and if you're going with Vikings, why Scottish, anyway?). But great fun, nevertheless.

2010-04-01T21:47:00.000+01:00

Stripping the altars

We had an agape meal this evening in church, followed by the stripping of the altars. It was strange getting into a very different frame of mind - I had a busy day at work, and then did the girls' bedtime - but by the end of the service, I was, as last year, very moved by the ceremony. It was also lovely to have Sally there.

2010-03-31T21:03:00.000+01:00

New stuff

Finished a document that I'm rather proud of today: we'll see how it goes down. I also got more fully involved with the company's Center [sic] of Excellence. There's a balance there between the work that's billable, the pure CoE work and other work that my boss wants to happen, but that's all good.

In London tomorrow, rather than at the cathedral for the blessing of oils, but that's rather how things go when you have a full-time secular job.

2010-03-30T21:59:00.000+01:00

All tired

Got some good work today, though not quite as much as I'd hoped: Jo took a while to get back to sleep, though it wasn't her fault. I'm working on a discussion paper for work which I think should get an interesting response. I wrote one which I'm now editing down: my boss reckoned it was worth focussing it down a bit, and he knows the company better than I do, so I'm taking his advice.

2010-03-29T21:53:00.000+01:00

A child in a red top

Sometimes things touch you. Today, on East Croydon station, there was a child - a girl, somewhere between 13 and 18, I guess - wearing a red hooded top, who was weeping and weeping into a mobile phone. I was struggling with approaching her - along with all the dangers that brings - when she vanished as I turned around. I don't know what the problem was: whether it was something which, tomorrow, will be gone, and healed, or whether it was something with which she'll always be coming to terms, but I had one of those experiences.

I wonder if anyone else saw her. I wonder if I did the right thing. All I can do is pray. For her, and for all who are afflicted by grief tonight.

2010-03-28T21:21:00.000+01:00

Shredding. Frogs

Separate activities, you'll be pleased to hear. We bought a garden shredder today, and I managed to clear lots of old garden waste, as well as cutting back - and shredding - the second buddleia. In between these tasks, I sat and watched somewhere between 25 and 35 frogs who are using our pond as a place to lay their eggs. And, of course, fertilise them. I'd never realised how busy - and loud - they'd be during the middle of the day, but they were really rather active. It was really fascinating, and Moo and the girls also spent lots of time watching them.

We have _lots_ of frog-spawn. I mean lots.

This morning, I went to the 0800 service at Great Yeldham. Keith, our rector, has been a very good friend over the years, and he's retiring in May, so I was pleased to have the opportunity to get to a service that he was taking.

2010-03-27T21:04:00.012Z

Haverhill and Gosfield

(backposting) Haverhill: I went there to pick up some dry-cleaning, but popped into the church there, where I was delighted to run into my good friend Janice, the curate and a Newfy owner. Had a good chat, and then headed off to meet everyone else at Freeport.

On getting back home after lunch, I went to the first hour or so of Geoff's leaving do. He's moving on from being incumbent at Gosfield and Greenstead Green. He's been a wise counsel and friend, and I'll miss him. I think he's going on to fresh challenges which will suit him well.

Tonight was the last of Jo's ballet shows this year, and Moo was planning to watch it from the front, but Mel wasn't feeling great, so Moo managed the dressing room again while Kate and Mac watched from the front. I had to stay at home and look after Miri, so wasn't really available to help out. Luckily, there's a DVD, so Moo can watch at her leisure.

In fact, I went to bed not long after Miri, and was in bed by 0850 (though I comforted myself with the knowledge that the same time will be 0950 tomorrow, as the clocks go forward tonight).

2010-03-26T21:00:00.005Z

Jo's show

(backposting) Jo's show tonight, so I needed to get back in good time, as we weren't expecting Kate and Mac (my parents-in-law) until after Moo was due to take Jo off to Halstead. I managed to get away OK, although, in the end, K & M arrived only 5-10 minutes after me.

Miri was a darling, and went to bed very well, and I had a lovely meal with Kate and Mac. Moo and Jo didn't get back till around 1045, and Jo was completely shattered. She actually fell asleep as she undid her seatbelt: I've never seen anything like it!

2010-03-25T20:54:00.010Z

I've never been to Wellingborough

(backposting) Before today, that is. Was hoping to see my friend Gary, but he wasn't available. It was quite a drive, too, which wasn't much fun, but I had a pretty productive day with a customer. And I'll be back tomorrow, too.

2010-03-24T20:18:00.015Z

Into London again

(backposting) Ooh, so busy. And so into London. A meeting with a customer - in fact, an important presentation, and it went rather well.

I'm enjoying the breadth of work that's happening at the moment, and it sounds like we've got something else coming up soon, hopefully. There's also the question of whether I'm going to be off to Australia or not. And for how long. We'll see.

2010-03-23T20:17:00.000Z

Lucid Beta 1

(backposting) Good old Ubuntu is getting towards Lucid, and today I took beta 1. I've been on the alphas for a while, and they've been going pretty well, so all's good.

2010-03-22T22:06:00.000Z

A bun in the oven

You just can't trust your employees. Mel's only gone and got herself pregnant: I can't think how. Well, I can, but enough. She's known (and we have) for a while, but she had a scan today, and she's found out that she's 11 weeks gone. I'm very, very much looking forward to seeing the pictures.

We're so lucky to have such a good nanny - and friend - and although she absolutely didn't need to, she told us a couple of weeks ago that she was pregnant. We're so pleased, and fully support her. Just wait till she tells the girls tomorrow!

2010-03-21T21:19:00.000Z

Emergency, ice-cream and barbecue

I was due to preach at and celebrate the 0930 Holy Communion at Greenstead Green this morning, and pulled up at the church at 0901, in good time. There were more cars than I would have liked, and as I came past the church noticeboard, I noticed that it was a 0900 start... Ah. Geoff, who'll be leaving soon, kept things going until I was vested, and he took the first part of the service. I then preached, and as I preached, I saw that one of the congregation seemed to be in tears, head in hands. I finished the sermon, and went to check that she was OK. And then called an ambulance: she wasn't in tears, but feeling very faint. Geoff took the rest of the congregation up to the choir, and finished off the service with a few prayers and a blessing, rather than completing the Eucharist. I coordinated with the Emergency First Responder who turned up very quickly, and the ambulance crew, who weren't far behind him. We heard from the crew then that her blood pressure had got very low, but they'd stabilised it, and she was doing better. They then took her to hospital, and hopefully she'll be OK.

So, got home, and the girls had ice-creams while we sat outside in the sunshine. A glorious day, so we headed off and bought some products to clean the barbecue, some meat and some sausages. Barbecue time! We even ate outside, and then gardened afterwards. It's lovely to start back on the garden. I'm hugely into gardening an sich, but I don't mind it, and it's lovely to be able to start using the garden again.

2010-03-20T20:22:00.000Z

Rugby, ballet, rugby

I was a good godfather this morning, and went to Morg's very first rugby tournament, at which he was playing for his school. He played in all four games, and although they didn't win any of them, they were the B team, and all a year or so younger than their opponents. A number of games were lost mainly on speed and size. Anyway, I shouted loudly, and was proud of my godson.

In the afternoon, it was the dress rehearsal (paid, though - for charity) for Jo's ballet show. The extra year since the last one really showed, and she was much more convincing than last time. She was a Tellytubby, a pixie, a Victorian urchin, a pearly queen, did a tap thing, and was part of a "going to Barbados" swimming costume thingy. I had Miri in the audience, and sent Moo texts throughout, some of which she felt able to read out to the other mums and parents backstage.

And now we're watching the rugby. England are 7-9 down to France at the moment.

2010-03-19T21:24:00.000Z

Sport Relief

Just give.

2010-03-18T07:12:00.005Z

"Toddler" and "Vomit"

(backposting) These are never two words that you want to associating with each other of a morning. Unluckily... Poor Miri. Anyway, it seems to have helped a lot - as did the 2 hour sleep she had in the morning.

I headed into London in the morning, and had a very productive day. A couple of things came up which I thought were going to be a nightmare, but both of them turned out OK. And I was able to help a number of other people with issues, too, which is always rather pleasing.

2010-03-17T21:34:00.001Z

Chickenpox - everywhere

Poor Miri; she's really suffering. As of this afternoon, she's got spots in her mouth and throat, too. I don't really expect her to last the night - by which I mean sleep through, of course! - but that's fine. If she's poorly, she can sleep with one of us.

2010-03-16T21:29:00.004Z

Walk

(backposting) Well, it was a lovely day, and I needed to do some deep thinking, so I went for a walk. The birds, at least, think that spring has sprung. Oh, and the walk worked, too: I had several very good ideas, I think. I do love my job.

2010-03-15T21:41:00.000Z

Chickenpox

Well, it's probably been coming for a while: Miri has chickenpox. It does explain her being off colour recently.

Oh, and this morning, the girls were awake a bit early, but stayed in their room. And when I went in, I found Jo reading to Miri. And she was reading a proper book, on her own, for the first time. What we've been calling a "chapter book": one of these. Not great literature, but well done her.

2010-03-14T21:19:00.012Z

Mothering Sunday

(backposting) A mug each from the girls, some flowers from Jo (via her pre-school), some other bits and pieces. And I got my Mum a leather cover for her new netbook. I went with Mum and Dad and the girls to church, and I'd like to say that Moo had a quiet time at home, but she used the new hoover (well, Dyson) we bought at Freeport yesterday, did some cleaning and put the food on.

Lovely lamb shoulder for lunch, but Miri completely lost it, and wouldn't eat a bit. Jo was a star, and lovely big sister, looking after Miri and calming her down while the rest of us finished our food.

In the afternoon, Moo took Jo to her ballet rehearsal, and my parents headed off home. Miri and I went out in the garden, where she played, and I did some cutting down of brambles and buddleia. Then in (when it started raining), some puzzles, books and TV. Got the girls to bed well, and I went upstairs for a bath at 2040: needed an early night.

2010-03-13T21:08:00.013Z

Haircut - and a lovely meal

(backposting) You don't want to know about my haircut, do you? Well, I had one, anyway, so there.

In the evening, Moo and I went out for a lovely meal at Scutchers. Wine-wise, we had a lovely Pouilly Fumé and a beautiful Fleurie (Domanie de Madone). I also had an interesting "black muscat": a red dessert wine - though it tasted like a standard white wine, with a little extra something. It was great to have some unbounded time with Moo, just to chat and enjoy each other's company, with some good food and wine. Usually we only have a little time over lunch or coffee, and we need to be back to look after the girls, but as my parents were looking after them, we had as much time as we needed.

2010-03-12T22:35:00.000Z

Birthday and Chicken pie

Thanks to Rick Stein, Delia and Good Housekeeping, I came up with a chicken and asparagus pie this evening (yes, I used bought puff pastry). I was lovely, and we ate it all up between us. My parents are here for the weekend, so there were more people to share it with.

It's also Moo's 36th birthday today. I got her presents from the girls ("A Brief Encounter" and the Paolo Nutini album - which I'd confused with another artist), and I gave her a Wii game that we can play with the girls. Mel had made her a set of blueberry muffins instead of a cake, as per instructions, and my parents gave her a set of knitting books that she seems very happy with. I've been working very hard today, but we went out for lunch, and I hope she had a good birthday. I'm taking her out for a nice meal tomorrow night, as my parents will be baby-sitting. Where to go...?

2010-03-12T22:31:00.001Z

Actual illness

(backposting) All right, so Jo was properly ill today, poor thing. Real throwing up. So she had a day at home, and Mel managed Miri. On a couple of occasions I came and worked downstairs with a very quiet and compliant Jo, so Mel could deliver/collect Miri from pre-school.

Sounds like Moo needed restraining in a meeting this afternoon. Sometimes I wish I could there. Other times I come to my senses and am glad I'm not.

2010-03-09T22:26:00.000Z

Jo's 2nd parents' evening

And this time, we took her with us. She's a bright kid, and has the same problem that I had: once she's mastered something, she's not that interested in following it through. So doing things like practising her writing is an issue. We'll get there.

On a different note, I now seem to have completed my move from ENTJ to INTJ. When I first took a Myers-Briggs test (or style test), I was firmly E-, a few years ago I moved to being borderline E-/I-, and now I'm I-. I think that's good for me, I have to say.