It's the last day in January so time to vote for the best blog picture of the month. The winner will be turned into a desktop wallpaper for you to download. Voting closes Feb 7th 2005!

Good Morning ladels and jellyspoons! It's the end of January and what an unusually long month it seems to have been! It's great to back into the swing of things, youth groups are going, web sites are up and seem to be working relitivly well (and are being kept up to date (ish)) so all in all not too bad a month. Got a busy day off ahead of me - a trip into Exeter to buy the fantastic new Feeder album Pushing The Senses [Limited Edition] [CD + DVD] (yeah - obviously the Limited Edition with DVD - what else!), I've got my HMV voucher from Christmas to spend so I want to use that! Also have some essential TV viewing to catch up on like Smallville from last week and the first two episodes of 24 that were screened last night (as I was at the CTE service I was unable to watch them!). Yeah so a really busy and stressfull day today!

Had a really good day yesterday, began to think about 'Valentines Day' and what I shall do this year! I have already had to employ a couple of people to open my cards and perform DNA checks on them! I can't cope with the sheer volume of cards! It's also the journals first birthday in 19 days so I want to do something for that. It's really come some way since I started, moved from xanga, undergone a couple of major revisions and I thinks looks pretty good and is well intergrated within the site - Hurrah! Anyway have got some e-mails to answer, someone wants to know where I get my pictures and fonts (haven't I told people that before?!) and I want to update bigfattoothbrush. God Bless...

Ever get the feeling that you're the person standing in the middle of two camps and by doing so your alienating yourself? I do hope not!

Busy day ahead! Tonight I have both Yo and Discovery for the first time in 7 weeks or so which is great and I'm really looking forward to it. Going to do some follow up from the Make Poverty History Weekend with Suzie, see how much they remember whether they were challenged and to see if any of them want to buy any of the bands that I have sat on my desk. Also want to get my proposal for the brix typed up this morning ready for the deacons meeting. Have many drafts but I want to create a concise and yet short breifing! Shouldn't take too long! Also need to plan for Sunday School (looking at Matthew 1 the genealogies bit!) which I've put down for today.

Yesterday was a good day, in the morning I managed to get some planning done (and read a bit of the times!). Watched Harry Potter and the Chamber of secrets during lunch and then went to Tesco to get some locusts in honey (which they didn't sell!) and ended up having to use glace cherries cut into pieces to look minging in honey. Luckily I didn't have to eat the stiky mess - I delegated! Anyway should really get started with some of this exciting stuff (plus I want to have a nice shower!). God Bless...

Everyone seems to be ill which is a right pain - I'm now having to do LOTS of work!!

I'm sat in my dressing gown, avec a cup of decaf listening to the pleasant pandemonium that is Relient K's new album Mmhmm. I'm also panicing about the fact that Abi is ill and she was doing the craft and the activity at Supergang tonight! That means that I've got to sort something out today (oh, if you could see the panic behind every key - silly faceless communication system!). I don't really have many ideas either. What kind of craft can you do for Jesus meeting John the baptist!?

Have you ever worried that people are grousing about the egregious errors of your judgment? No, me neither but I felt like using two 'big' words in one sentance (it was quite a thrill)! So while I continue to be unbalanced and go insane, you have a good day and I'll do the same. Jesus told us not to worry - I wonder if he ever had to organise Supergang?! God Bless...

Wednesday... What do you do with a Wednesday?

Wow! I think that I might just be on a roll this morning! Have uploaded the new Brixington Community Church web site. Just got to point the domain name at the web space and then it will be sorted! I've also been listening to the new Feeder album Pushing the Senses online at NME (click here to do the same!). It really is quite awesome - makes me look forward very much to buying my copy on the 31st Jan and even more excited about going to see them in April! Wahoo!

Haven't really updated for a couple of days - have been rather busy! Had Suzie over for the weekend which was really cool (She did some grand youth groups for me and we had a good day on Saturday including a trip to see The Aviator which was a really good, but long, artsy film. It may not be a film I could watch a number of times but I did really enjoy it (and the company of Suzie, Em and David wasn't too bad neither!). The last two days have been spent in bed (I have quite a minging cold), on the computer doing some web site work and expanding my mind (through bible study, prayer, the times and David Attenbourough DVDs!). Have also discovered some cool things online including the latest version of Google's Picasa software (which is amazing and free!), Virgin Radio's online VIP service (with exclusive Sessions station) and the flash version of the Zeitgeist.

Looking at going shopping this afternoon with Ruth and Sue, I also hope to get along to house group tonight (but that'll depend on what time we have dinner - I've got my priorities sorted!). Anyhoo I'm going to get on with things. God Bless...

Ever had that feeling that you should be doing something but can't remember what...

It's Saturday afternoon and I'm sat having a lot of difficulty typring, due the fact that my index finger on my right hand was split open by a tin can yesterday! Well I suppose the plus side is I might be less verbose and get on with what I'm going to say!

Suzie's visit is going really well. The two youth groups last night were both fantastic occassions. It was good to have someone else leading the group - especially when they were talking about poverty and trade justice with such passion - and it was interesting to see the kids reactions to what was happening. They felt how unfair it was, they saw the injustice - they got what was being said by experiencing it in the form of a game. Felt very proud of Suzie as well, she has turned into a most lovely person and her youth work style is admirable (well prepared and very clearly spoken!).

Today have had a chilled day. Bought the Peter Kay Live Collection from Woolworths yesterday (at just £11.99 a bargain!) and watched the second DVD from that with Suzie. It was VERY funny! The bit about dunking biscuits made me cry I must admit! We also went along to the deer leap for some lunch where we were joined by Helen which was very grand (the GIANT steak and ale pie was most pleasing upon the pallete). Then the afternoon was spent watching dvds and sleeping (though Helen trundled off home still not feeling too well). Going to the cinema tonight...we're now going to see the Aviator rather than House of Flying Daggers which is a bit pants but does mean less driving for Suzie and an earlier night. Anyhow enough typing the pain has got to me, God Bless...

Thursday and once again I find myself at the computer keyboard updating my blog...

It's funny how your senses react to different stimulus. When you see someone who has given you lots of happiness you cannot but supress a simle, when you smell bread pudding that's just come out the oven a sweet taste comes into your mouth, when you touch an item of clothing it reminds you of the time you wore it and had a great time! You might wonder why I muse upon such thoughts. The reason is I found a copy of Lower - Sink Or Swim a brilliant 3 track single which I listened to loads when I was younger. A couple of years back I broke the CD and was pretty devestated (it's not often you come across indie gems like this!), ever since I have tried to get a copy - including looking at MSN Music (which I really like by the way!). Today I was in Age Concern charity shop in Exmouth which is closing down and is selling everything off cheap, when I spotted the sleve of it! Hurrah! I was overjoyed and bought it at the costly sum of 20p! I also grabbed three new jackets and another 2 CD's for a total of £1.90. Bargin! Charity shops are one of my favourite things!

So back to the start, the song 'Sink or Swim' carries for me a lot of memories. Upon listening to the CD I was transported back to being a 15 year old in my bedroom back in Loughborough, sticking it on top volume and letting the bassline rip the tiles of the roof! I'd be singing along as loud as I could ("And haven't they told you the news; you're meant to be broken and brusied; and no matter which way you choose; you know you were destined to loose from the start"). Really enjoying it - it's up there with Feeder.

Talking of Feeder, was told by the ever so nice Nick Boyland that I looked like a Feeder fan yesterday. Apparently with the longer curly blond hair and the black moleskin jacket I look 'very indie'. Quite proud of that to be honest - might be the first time in my life I've had an image other than 'fashion hanger on'! Got Supergang this evening that I've been doing some planning for - looking at Jesus as a child going to the temple tonight. Also preparing for Suzie who's coming along tomorrow (isn't that exciting?!), I spoke to her yesterday and she seems to be all organised. It will be nice for the young people to have someone from outside the church coming in to do stuff with them, especially something so relevant as poverty and making it history. She's also doing a Sunday School on the Tsunami disaster which I feel will be really challenging. Anyhoo better get off and get on with some work - also fancy a nice cup of decaf tea and a plain chocolate biscuit! God Bless...

Okay I'll admit it I'm listening to Feeder's Tumble And Fall and yes I did buy both Cd's!

Good morning. For once I do not have by my side a cup of decaf tea as I write - this is due to the fact that the kitchen floor has been mopped and I can't get in there. I am instead havingto do with completing the Su Doku in today's times and listening to the new Feeder single Tumble And Fall which is really quite good! I'm posting later having been into the ICE office to join them for bible reading and prayer (it's sometimes nice to join others rather than doing it on your own all the time). Today's Times crossword is very hard however I do feel some sense of achievement having got 18 down - Relating to Ireland (5). Got some cool stuff happening today - I aim to complete the brix website and at least launch some of the publicity and set a date for the launch party (oooooooh!). Also have Elevate tonight and might even go around and see Abi later - you just never know with me it's all so exciting!

Talking of exciting yesterday was a very cool day. Spent the morning working on the brix (as well as a library, woolworths and Lloyds TSB) and then had some lunch whilst walking to Orcombe point with Helen (the sky looked fantastic!). Went and looked after Abi's kids for a while and watched Spy Kids with them (makes sense of the other two films - some how!) until Abi came back from the prayer room where I went (along with lasagne and a piece of chocolate brownie cheesecake!). Was really nice in the prayer room, did some thinking about the throne of God and how even though he is a king he still picks us up when we are hurting and puts us on his lap and comforts us. Also washed feet, which was quite a humbling thing to do - showed me something of the nature of a servent that I need to become. Lots to think about including 7 down and the polygon. God Bless...

Amazing how much can happen in just one weekend!

Well what an exciting weekend! Have had a really good time and have been thinking about the best way I can tell you about it without it taking all day! Saturday was spent 'doing the dinner party'! In the morning Helen and I went shopping to grab the remaining bits for the dinner party including loads of fresh vegetables and more for the five course meal (see the line up in this post). After some lunch the afternoon was spent preparing food and discovering that the body shop's Stimulating Peppermint Massage Gel was not really suitable for scalp massage (though it was rather nice on feet and for getting rid of the smell of onion!)!

The evening meal went very well up until the point where the vegetables seemed to not be cooking yet they were burning on the top! After closer inspection it turned out that Helen had infact forgotten to turn the Fan Oven on and had instead put the grill on! This was rescued however with the microwave, though a loud shout of 'botheration' must have been heard throughout the whole of Exmouth! The chocolate truffle torte was very good though, so Helen did redeem herself in the end!! It was a really nice meal and a quite lovely occasion. Afterwards Helen and I went down the beach singing hymns which was fantabulous!

Yesterday was also a great day. I woke up late (having been out quite late on the beach the previous night!) but still managed to get to Church on time (horray!). The church is really packed at the moment, which is such a good thing to see - there was even jokes that we'd soon have to ask people to bring their own chair! Sunday School was spent looking at prayer and using the 'First Principle' sheets once again. Lunch was superb and deserves a mention - we had organic beef from one of the Egglestons' friend's farm which was so tender, luscious, and flavorsome! In the afternoon I became very sporty playing tennis with Helen, football with Josh, David and Phill and then another cracking hour of tennis with David (where I was really on fine form!). Then after some tea/desert I watched Midsomer Murders in bed!

WOW! Anyway really have got stuff to do today - like organise the brix (setting up the website and numerous meetings!) and a long stint in the prayer room tonight after doing some babysitting tonight! God Bless...

Sat listening to Feeder's Comfort in Sound. Mmmm like a nice warm comfort blanket!

It's the day of the dinner party and preperations are well and truely underway! Yesterday Helen and I made the chocolate truffle torte and went through the final line up food wise. Just got to sit down and do the shopping list so we make sure that nothing is forgotten at the big Tesco trip later this morning! All in all quite exciting. Will be cooking and preparing most of the afternoon by the looks of it. At the moment still trying to decide whether to wear my posh suit or to stick with smart jacket, s pale blue shirt and smart jeans... oh the dillema's that I face in life!

Yesterday was really good, first thing in the morning I went into the ICE office to see the lovely Jo Friend who I hadn't seen for a while who seemed very happy to see me so that was cool. Joined her and the all-girl team for bible reading and prayer in the office. Also sounded off 'the-brix' to her which was cool. Then went shopping for some bits for the dinner party and to get a copy of the times! Did some work on some websites before the aformentioned cooking and then Discovery youth group (which was totally awesome - I think 15 kids looking through bibles and talking about Jesus and Faith is quite incredible)! Yeah grand day! Anyhoo I'd really better do this shopping list else I'm not going to get anywhere today! God Bless...

I cannot believe that I am up and posting by 7.30am it must be a new personal record!

This morning I have discovered some important information that I feel I should share with you all:

Light brown sugar does not taste the same when put in tea as white raw cane sugar. To be quite honest it tastes really rather minging. It does however reduce the want for tea which could be a good thing (though I do already have decaf) but it could also be a bad thing if I get grumpy (without the compulsory 3 cups each morning!). I have also discovered that you should not use any kind of sugar that claimsa to be better for you because the aftertaste is quite horrific! Just have tea with normal white raw cane sugar - for the sake of the children!

Anyway now I've got that out of my system! Today is the first Discovery of the term which is really rather exciting. We had the first Supergang last night which was really good - around 15 came along and we did some games and looked at the rules for this term. I am really encouraged by the team we have working there and hope to have myself out of a job in that group by February (though the thought of becoming a skivvy and doing the wasking up is one that I find quite horrific!). Also did some shopping for the dinner party tomorrow which I'm now very excitied about! Making the chocolate truffle torte today, everything else will be bought and cooked on the day (then there is no need to worry about storage or anything like that!).

Beginning the series looking at the bible on Sunday in Sunday School (so this week how the bible is like a cookery book, a mirror, a novel, a history book, a love story etc.) which I find very exciting - I always seem to learn stuff being with these kids - and I have even sorted out Suzie's visit (from Christian Aid) including groups, accomadation and food! All in all not doing too bad, apart from this quite horrific cup of tea! Must drink it though and have some breakfast! God Bless...

Still in my dressing gown wondering what I've actually got to do today!

Nine AM on Wednesday morning, 86 e-mails since yesterday morning to read and loads of comments posted on various blogs to reply to - life can't get more exciting! Had a bit of a 'sleep in' this morning after a late night going through basic HTML with the guy who will be upkeeping the life2romania site (now online at www.life2romania.org.uk). Was quite cool to go through basic HTML with someone - hadn't taken anyone through HTML for a while so it was also a reminder for me that not everyone knows the ins and outs of tags and can use a HTML cheatsheet without any guidance!

Important matters to get down to today. Got to finish cleaning up my room (which is not in the tidiest state it's ever been it) and I want to get the basic brix publications done. Really need to meet up with lots of different people to dicuss elements so I also want to sort all of those out with folk. Been sorting out Suzie's visit 21st-23rd when she's coming down to do Christian Aid stuff with our youth groups and church - very exciting! Also been sorting out all the youth group planning for this term and looking at a way of making the site updateable using a single blog ready for when I leave at the end of July.

I'm also going out this evening for dinner, to fix a computer and for housegroup which is a beautifully balanced evening in my oppinion! I haven't been to housegroup for a while but I feel now that I've pulled back from the SWYM stuff it's really important that I have some form of worship and teaching where I'm not leading. It's kind of a continuation of the 'dwelling in God's presence' that I've been talking about over the past couple of days. Anyway I really do need to get going - the times doesn't read itself and the crossword doesn't fill itself in! God Bless...

About to have my third cup of decaf tea this morning! Mmmmmm, decaf tea!

Well it's time to start getting busy and back into the flow of things with Elevate happening tonight which is really rather exciting. Also got work on a couple of websites to get going with; I'm meeting Andy to talk about the 'life2romania' website and I've got a big update to do for elevate.org.uk and brixington.org.uk respectively. Hopefully got a couple of other sites in the pipeline including a couple of personal home pages and a 'special vicar blog' - you'll hear more about that soon I hope. In the meantime though I'm pretty busy - what with theBrix to plan and all that jazz!

Yesterday I went up to the prayer room at Church (twice in fact!), which was really nice. I was really challenged by Psalm 91 and all the stuff that we are promised if we'd just dwell in God's presence. Kind of put me back to this time last year when a guy prayed for me at a conference and told me I needed to spend more time with God rather than running around like a headless chicken trying to please him. Has really given me something to think about...

Plans are also underway for the Dinner Party on Saturday night that I have been involved in organising. Judy is hosting it and has got me and Helen doing all the skivvies work (!) like the cooking - though I shall of course be leaving all the washing up to her. It's a five-course meal: pate on toast; tomato soup; fajita chicken, and roast vegetables; chocolate truffle torte; cheese and biscuits. Helen and I are going shopping later for the ingredients of the aforementioned chocolate truffle torte that has to be made in advance! I have actually grammar and spell checked my work today, which I feel, is rather impressive! Hurrah! Anyhoo that third cup of tea should be ready by now. God Bless...

It's Monday morning and I'm glad! Fitting back into routine is actually very nice!

Well it's tidy up Monday once again after a three week break (I think it's three weeks anyhow) and I'm very excitied to be getting back into routine - strange as that may sound. Church yesterday was quite fantastic, the atmosphere was buzzing and so many people came along we had to get spare chairs out! The Sunday school also rocked - we took some time out to relax and to dwell in God's presence and looked at Psalm 91 taking a couple of verses in small groups and looking at the facts, lessons, questions and actions that we could get from them. The kids' responses were quite incredible and it was a very exiciting time of looking at the bible!

I spent yesterday afternoon chatting with Helen about all sorts of stuff including debating about the validity of sitting down during worship - what do you think? - before returning home to watch The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen with David, which was quite an interesting film in which a group of characters from fiction take on evil. A great premise - perhaps not used in the best way - but still a generally good film and quite fun to watch.

Got a near normal week coming up (minus YO club which has been cancelled till the 28th). Today I've got to go to the bank (horray!), I'm going up to the prayer room and I want to read the Gi diet plan thing that came with the Sunday Times yesterday. All in all very exciting, so I'm going to grab another cup of decaf tea, have a shower and get going! God Bless...

Played tennis this morning, my shoulders feel like boulders (hey that rhymes I could become a lyric writer for busted or McFly!)

Time seems to be flying by today, lunch is fast approaching and I have yet to really get anything done (though I have played two hours of tennis with David). Been chillin a lot and doing some good quality planning, met up with Judy and Abi yesterday to talk about various groups which was really good. Got Elevate, Discovery and Supergang pretty much planned for the rest of the year! Spoke to Katie this morning and found out YO Club wasn't starting until the 28th which was a bit dissapointing - to be honest I just want to get back into the flow of things! Can't be helped though, Geraint is still rather ill which isn't good.

Also been watching some classic Red Dwarf with Josh and David last night. Classic episodes from series 4 including Camille, DNA and Meltdown (the Elvis impersonater is fantastic!). Also been reading some really good books including one Helen has lent me 'Eats, Shoots & Leaves' which is quite fasinating and I think may be a subtle hint that I need to improve my grammer (most probably upon this blog!). Anyhoo, I am now really quite hungry, I'm going to eat and watch an episode of the aformentioned Red Dwarf (I might even venture into Series 5 or watch the Special features. Have a good day. God Bless...

If you ever go on walk with Helen you may want to be careful if she uses the phrase "I don't know where we are but I always find my way back home"...

Wow, I'm back in Exmouth and everything seems to be jollylly smashing! The Egglestons have upgraded to XP, which meant I had to sort out the internet connection for them again last night but we are all online now (hence the ability once again to post). It's nice to back, went to WHSmith and bought the times this morning, have drank copious amounts of decaf tea and am beginning to plan all the stuff I have coming up over the next couple of months.

Had a really great weekend. The wedding was really nice and it twas lovely to able to see and catch up with Grandparents, cousins, other relatives and friends. On Sunday I got a lift from my parents down to Camberley where I was staying with the lovely Helen and family. In the evening we went along to church for a service all about the Tsunami (see http://www.google.com/tsunami_relief.html for ways you can give and help with that situation). On Monday after doing some shopping in town and making a Chocolate truffle torte (OK... so I just crushed the biscuits!). Afterwards Helen suggested going for a walk in the local woods (the map above shows the walk and the numbers upon it corespond to the journey below).

The walk was lovely, the views were amazing, the company was very pleasant! It was at point one on the map when I asked the question "Do you know where we are?". The response "No, I don't know where we are but I always find my way back home" seemed somehow fine as I walked blissfully unaware that we were lost! At point two on the map I made a joke that we were walking around in circles, we laughed and continued! At point three I noticed that we were about to go through the same bog as we had previously gone through an hour or so before. It was at this point where Helen said she wasn't sure where she was. It was starting to get dark and so Helen pointed and being the trusting soul I was I followed.

It was now pitch black, neither of us had a watch or phone and I was carrying only a candle, a box of matches and packet of love hearts! Once the light had nearly totally failed I decided to be authoratitive! We stopped and listened and I felt I could hear a busy road. Unfortunatly some sort of army place was in the way so we had to walk alongside a fence until we came to the road. It was at this point that Helen began to pray very audibly! (somewhere along the lines of "Please God, let one of these cars stop"). We walked along the road waving our arms at every car that came along and eventually one stopped. A young family told us that we were rather close to Bracknell (a long way from out from our starting point in Camerberly). Taking the option of a lift back we eventually got home (it still took 15 minutes driving - I hate to think how long it would have taken for two rather tired walkers). My feet were in agony. So in conclusion ladies and gentlemen - If you ever go on walk with Helen you may want to be careful if she uses the phrase "I don't know where we are but I always find my way back home"... You could end up anywhere! God Bless...

My message this morning comes from my Grandad's laptop in Hemel Hempstead!
Hiya, I'm in Hemel at the moment having spent yesterday at the Wedding of my cousin Amanda to her lovely boyfriend Daniel. It was a really nice service and stuff (Suzie was tearful which was v.funny) and it was really cool to have the whole family group together being rawkus and causing trouble(!). The Guilder's, O'Connels (well one of them - my auntie Carol) and Wades did some fantastic dancing and showed everyone how to party like it was 2005 (which is was so hurrah!). So very cool day yesterday really enjoyed it a lot!

Off to Camberley today, just printing a map off via Mapquest and then I'm going to scrub up and have some breakfast. Anyhow the aformentioned Carol wants to ring her family back in Oz so I'd better go. God Bless...

Happy New Year to all of you. Votes are now in and I can announce the results!
Best Blog Entry
December 20th 2004

Best Blog Picture

(Check out the downloads section where this is now avalible as a download)

Best Blog Quote
"The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone" - George Eliot

Best Blog Friend
Adrian Wood

Best Blog Comment
"A rather ill and bored board game would like to know why she has been edited out of many occasions in your infamous and highly scintillating blog. Do you have a selective memory?! Indeed one is most 'Anonymous' ;o) One might start taking advantage of one's invisibility and go to Budleigh Salterton in the New Year xx" - Anon

Thanks to everyone who voted. There was a total of around 150 votes for the five categories (which I think is quite insane!).

Back to normal posting as soon as possible. I have been ill over the past few days so it's been quite good not blogging as usual (there's only so much excitment one can have stuck indoors with a box of tissues!). The next few days are all very exciting though, today it's the wedding of my cousin Amanda (to Daniel) to which I'm wearing the exciting and jolly expensive new suit. Then I've got a night in Hemel avec my grandparents and other assorted family. Next morning Mother and Father are driving me down to Camberley (Surrey NOT London!) where I shall be staying with Helen and the lovely Cowen family before getting a lift down to Exmouth with them (on the 4th). All jolly exciting really. Have a good new year - I'd like to say that I sucessfully completed last years resoulution to eat no chocolate for a whole year! Hurrah (now where are those chocolate buttons?). God Bless...