Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Moo - more work
Well, it looks like Moo's got more work coming. Hopefully not too much this time, and it's actually good that they (seem to) have won (at least part of) the tender, but she's been working very hard recently, and I want to keep an eye on how much she's doing.Obviously possible trips to Zurich (likely), Sydney (looking fairly probable) and the Middle East (currently conjecture) aren't a _great_ help in this context.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
All loony for Moo
(backposting) Her job is being rather loony. So, chocolate, coffee, alcohol as required.Labels: Moo
Saturday, September 05, 2009
I have a lovely, lovely wife
(backposting) Beset by gout today. Not a good thing, and probably brought on by the cheese, chocolate and red wine last night, so partly my own fault. Jim and Nina were off to a wedding around 1030, and we'd been planning to take the girls and Jim and Nina's kids to a farm or some such, but I really wasn't capable. So Moo took them on her own. 4 of them. Ages: 4, 3, 2, 1. Apparently they behaved very well, but I'm still very much impressed and grateful. I got some more sleep, read through the mortgage extension offer (we're going to have actual, proper radiators installed, to keep the the entire house above freezing all winter this year (hopefully)!) and did some bits and pieces. What a lovely woman Moo is, and I love her very much.Thursday, July 23, 2009
Necking
(backposting) Had a bit of a run-in with my mother-in-law when I lost my temper today. Silly on my part, and mainly because I'm a bit stressed about the new job starting so soon, etc., but it wasn't good.On the other hand, Moo and I went out for a lovely meal, just the two of us. This is an all-too-rare occurrence, but as the new job is definite, and we have (for a chance) got some money in the bank, we decided to take up the offer of some childcare, and headed out. By the time we got back at 2200, everyone was asleep!
One thing that's been fantastic is how supportive my clergy colleagues have been throughout the job process. They've prayed for me while I've been without a job, and they've been very, very accommodating about my needing to change services around as I'm going to be away for 2 Sundays (I'll be leaving home early this Sunday to catch a flight at noon). Many thanks to them for everything.
Ah, yes, and the necking thing? I sent a Twitter and Facebook update saying that I was going to take Moo for a really good neck. My phone decided that this was more likely than "meal" (what sort of guy does it take me for?), so I had to send a second one to retract...
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Wedding anniversary
So, obviously, what with it being our 14th wedding anniversary, I went on a clergy trip to Canterbury. Actually, Moo was at work during the day, and I was back in time to put the girls to bed, so that's what I did. Each year we (the team) go on an away day: just a chance to talk, discuss, and just have social time together. And this year we went to Canterbury. It was my first chance to spend much time with Sally, our new curate, and we had a great time. Lots to discuss, and lots of theological discussion, particularly over lunch and in the car there and back.I don't think I've ever visited the cathedral before, and it's _big_. Lots of beautiful things in there, including a lovely chalice and paten belonging to a C12th archbishop (Hubert Walter), some amazing wall paintings, and some great stained glass. I particularly liked the early glass and the C20th glass (of which I bought a couple of postcards for Jo and Miri). I wandered around mostly on my own, and was struck again by the connection I felt with priests through the ages. Hundreds - thousands - have worshipped there, and having the continuity is very special to me at the moment.
Now that the girls are in bed and asleep, we've enjoyed a shoulder of lamb and some chocolates. And soon it'll be time for the 3rd episode of the latest Torchwood.
I hope to get more sleep tonight than last: I stayed up till around 1200 with some wine, chatting on FB to Gary and Sally, and then Jo woke me up around 0515...
Saturday, May 30, 2009
A beautiful day, in lots of ways
Didn't feel too good to start with, but doing some ironing, and then some serious gardening, helped. In the sun, pulling up nettles and brambles - some time indoors, watching the Cup Final - outside again, doing the nettle and bramble thing - indoors - you get the idea. We barbecued for lunch, then we put the paddling pool out in the garden: all the things that you're supposed to do with kids, but you have to wait a while for them to be old enough to do.
Then the kids went to bed. Early. And we sat outside in the garden, reading the papers, drinking wine, eating crisps and cold, barbecued sausages, chatting and hardly being able to hear ourselves think because of the sound of birdsong. Moo's not annoyed or grumpy in this picture: she's just concentrating on the paper.
We went inside when it got too cold, after a fantastic day. And it's only May.
Labels: family, happiness, Moo
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Mothering Sunday
Moo didn't have as good a Mothering Sunday as I'd have liked. There were cards and a pressie from the girls, but I had to do the 0800 and the 1000, and as Miri had been sick in the night, I didn't expect them to come. And in the afternoon, she spent 3 and a half hours at a dance rehearsal with Jo. She spent some nice time with the girls, though, and we're currently watching The Wire season four.
Also in the news:
Liverpool beat Aston Villa 5-0. This takes us to second in the Premiership behind Man. U., and ahead on goal difference.
Jade Goody died. I preached on this. She wasn't a perfect woman, by a long way, and many people had real issues with her, and fair enough. But she taught us something about facing death with honesty, and about how to make provision for your children. People are now talking about cancer - nasty cancers, in fact - and about baptism. And about how to die. These are all good things. I compared her with Mary, mother of our Lord. I think that's fair.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Moo's birthday
(backposting) So we went out for lunch to the White Hart in Great Yeldham. We had a good meal and I discussed my health whilst browsing wikipedia on my phone, looking for illnesses from which I may be suffering. Now that the gout has started to subside, my most serious complaint is a dangerous and acute form of masculine hypochondria. This debilitating condition could have derailed the important time we spent together on Moo's birthday - special time for her - but luckily she's able to laugh at me. Not just able, it seems, but more than willing to do so. She'll soon learn better if my condition worsens, I can tell you.Labels: birthday, illness, Moo
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Sleeping in
(backposting) It's not that often that we get to sleep in, but I was up and dressed by 1106, which isn't too bad. Not that much later for Moo. We had a lovely meal at The Punchbowl, and then headed up to The Wool Clip, where Moo bought some wool (one lot at my suggestion, as I hope she's going to use it to knit something for me). Then back to the cottage to finish off the 2nd series of The Wire. What a great programme.When we phoned the girls, Miri said "I miss you, too" in response to me. It's lovely when they learn to speak properly.
Labels: family, girls, Moo, television
Friday, February 27, 2009
Holiday
So, I'm up in a cottage in Dent with my lovely wife. I've been watching Ice Age on DVD, the cricket (West Indies-England test match) and random religious broadcasting on Sky, and the news. And Moo's been knitting.And that's it. We've not been looking after the girls. Because Kate and Mac (my parents-in-law) are.
It's the first time that Moo and I have spent a night away together without the girls since Jo was born, now 4 years ago. We know this isn't good, but we're so pleased to be here, and just relaxing and spending easy times with each other. Many thanks to Kate and Mac.
Oh, and I've managed to get this machine online despite not having the relevant documentation, remembering stuff I last had to do around 3 years ago, about which I'm pretty chuffed.
Labels: geekery, girls, holiday, Moo
Friday, February 13, 2009
*Cough*
At Moo's insistence, I went to the doctor today to show her my cough. She seemed to like it enough to want to listen to it via my back, using a stethoscope. It must have impressed her significantly, as she gave me a prize to take away: a week's worth of antibiotics. These will make me loopy for approximately 7 days.Other exciting news today: I asked Moo to marry me 16 years ago. And she said yes. I was down on one knee, on King's College bridge (in Cambridge) with a diamond ring which I'd bought with money I'd borrowed from the college (though I'd not told them why). We weren't feeling desperately romantic, so I gave her a bag (pink) for her new netbook (pink), and she gave me the series 2 and 3 of The Wire, which we've enjoyed watching immensely. We popped out for lunch, and in the evening had sausages, mash and baked beans: a staple stay-at-home treat. And we finished off series 1 of The Wire, which was an excellent way to finish off the evening.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Preaching and nerves
I'm usually a little apprehensive before preaching, and that's as it should be. But I was really very nervous before preaching this afternoon. We had civic Remembrance Sunday service, starting at the war memorial in the town, and then processing up with the uniformed organisations to a service in the church. The different churches in the town were represented, and I'd agreed to preach.I chose to preach the following trajectory:
- as a Christian, I can say that death isn't the end, because Christ died for us;
- that doesn't mean the death is good: the loss of life, more specifically, the loss of lives, saddens God, as it does us. Those who have died would not just have been great musicians, politicians, writers, etc.: the people about whom you hear "their death was such a loss". Most of them would have been bakers, and waiters, and secretaries, and administrators, and fathers, and mothers, and husbands, and lovers and partners;
- we should be ashamed - not just a citizens of our town - but as all humans should be, because things like the situation in the Congo, and Afghanistan and Iraq happen despite Omaha Beach, and the Somme and Passchendaele;
- but today isn't about being ashamed; it's about appreciating the fact that we can be bakers, and waiters, and secretaries, and administrators, and fathers, and mothers, and husbands, and lovers and partners because the people who went before and gaves their lives and health for us did so. We should be proud of them. We have a debt that we cannot fully repay to them, but we can partly repay them by remembering them: with love, and with dignity, and with pride.
Moo brought Jo and Miri to the 1000 service, and Mark and Jen turned up, too. I'd not met her, and she seems good.
Labels: friends, girls, Moo, preaching, services
Saturday, November 01, 2008
A bad decision
I made a bad decision today. CME (Continuing Ministerial Education) day in Chelmsford on Funerals and Bereavement. Jo threw up at 0900. I left, after consulting Moo, at 0940.I got to the meeting at 1025, 5 minutes before I thought it was due to start. I'd had an unhappy drive. When I got there, they were well underway, and I was nearly in tears. I knew from the second I walked into the room that I was in the wrong place, and 15 minutes later, at the first opportunity, I excused myself and headed home.
This was the right thing to do. Things are getting too close to wrong, Moo and I are very tired, and she's been spending too much time looking after the girls while I've been spending too much time doing things which aren't being with her and the girls.
My first ministry is to my family.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Emotional
Two reasons:- we had a confirmation this afternoon, in Halstead church. We had 21 candidates (of whom 4 were baptised in the same service), and 2 people received into the Church of England from another church. I was emotional because it has a lot in common with my ordination service, and that's not that long ago. It brought lots back, and, however, odd it feels, I keep knowing that I'm doing the right thing.
- I missed the girls' bedtime again. Second night in a row, and although Moo was fantastic about it, she shouldn't have to be. It's not so much missing putting the girls to bed, as much as the fact that Moo ends up doing it on her own, and it can be really hard. This made me feel sad.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Supervision, and back to work: and an anniversary
(backposting) Spent most of the morning going through emails and getting pretty much up-to-date again. The afternoon was taken up mainly writing up a report on an audit I've recently done. Or getting most of it done, anyway.I also had a supervision with John. We worked on preparing for the confirmation on Sunday (I'll be the Bishop's Chaplain), then on my first baptism (my first sacrament!) next month. And also about the past two weeks, when I've been without Communion or any other church interaction. This is common for many, and rare for clergy, and it's been an interesting and useful experience. I've found the Daily Offices (morning and evening prayer) very important during this time, and have found it tough. Something I'll be reflecting on.
On another topic, Moo came up to my office around 0930, and mentioned the fact that today is our engagement anniversary. 16 years, we decided. Luckily, she'd forgotten, too. But we managed to get Mel to baby-sit, and arranged to go out for a curry in Clare. It was only around 1715 that we remembered that it wasn't our engagement anniversary (which as we both knew very well is on the 13th Feb., not October). But we went out anyway. We're rubbish.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Old work colleagues
Popped round to Citrix today as I had a meeting in Cambourne. Put a clerical collar on (had one in the glove compartment). Fun and good to see some of the folks from years ago.Moo's back home, we're both knackered.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Finishing stuff off day
I completed a doc on project post mortems, did some work on some mobile stuff we have, some airline-related things, more on hardening, etc.. It's sometimes good to have a day when you finish bits and pieces off, and it was one of those days.And Moo and popped round to the lovely Café Clare for elevenses: which turned into a brunch. We talked about academic things, careers, the kids, and the rest. Just good time with each other.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
A grumpy (start to a) birthday
(backposting) I had a terrible night last night. And when I got up at 0600 or so with Miri, I was a little - no really QUITE - grumpy. And we couldn't go out, even when everyone was up, because of the weather, but most of all because Moo and I visited RSPCA Danaher in Wethersfield at lunch yesterday, and chose two kittens, but were told we couldn't pick them up until today, and that they'd call us (RSPCA Danaher, that is, rather than the kittens). Luckily, we managed not to murder either child (well, it was mainly Jo) before we went to pick up Danny and Zucco. Moo's blog - Blue Cow Moo gives some explanation, but it's generally to do with Grease. And yes, we're aware that "Zucco" is not how the film spells it, but we didn't have a clue when we had to write it down, but tough.Anyway - after lunch, Moo took the girls out for a trip to Freeport/sleep. And I slept for an hour. And after that, everything went a lot better. We spent a lot of time with the cats. They're lovely.
The girls gave me Endless Ocean, a scuba game. It's lovely, but made me a bit sad. Just because it makes me want to dive again.
Oh, oh. I meant to say. Moo went to the optician's yesterday. Her eyesight has got better: she's slightly myopic, but slightly less so than she was before. This is rather weird: until the optician said to her "sometimes you start getting long-sighted as you approach 40". She was scandalised by this, particularly as it was my birthday today, I'm turning 38, and she's 3 and a half years younger than me. Ha! On the slightly dodgy side, her astygmatism (previously slight and probably with correct spelling) is now more severe (and probably with incorrect spelling).
Labels: birthday, danny, Moo, zucco
Friday, August 01, 2008
Girls back home
(backposting) The girls got back this evening, and we got them both back to sleep fairly quickly, which was good. I was a little worried about Buster today, as he's only eaten 1 out of the past 5 meals, and has been dry coughing a little bit. So, I took him to the vet. The one I saw knew Suzy (who died from a heart complaint), and was very understanding about the fact that I'd brought him in. His eyes were a little gummy, and it turns out that he has a bit of a temperature, but at least his heart sounded OK. She said to bring him back tomorrow morning if he didn't seem better tomorrow.Monday, July 14, 2008
Being set apart
First - and briefly - Moo's off to Birmingham for a few days, and had to get up at 0500. So I took Miri into bed when she got up around 1200, and she took nearly an hour to get to sleep. She woke up at 0555, but Jo managed 0710: a real sleep in.Second - and the main point that I wanted to make - is the question of what it is to be set apart. To agree to be set apart, and to accept one's vocation. I'm not pretending that I'm special: in many ways, quite the opposite. It's about accepting the fact that I'm not any different to anyone else. The vocation is partly to a realisation of brokenness and an acceptance of it. And I'm really surprised how different things feel since ordination. I really didn't expect that to be the case, but I'm constantly surprised by how different things feel, and how much I think about what I do, and also how it might appear to other people. But I'm also struggling with the fact that I'm not taking on the full-time ministry, and I didn't think I would.
It's not that it feels wrong not to have done so, but in many ways, it feels like it would have been easier to accept a full-time vocation. That way, I'd know what I was committing to, how my time would be taken up, who I am, and how I would appear. Being out of clerical dress would be a unusual, and being in "mufti" the abnormal. But putting on clerical dress is "special", and the decision to do so says quite a lot, just in itself. And deciding to wear other dress where people might expect me to more "clerical" is a decision, too.
I'll keep thinking, and writing. And praying.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Women bishops: yay! Maybe another 13 years of marriage, too
Rowan Williams said: "I am deeply unhappy with any scheme or any solution to this which ends up, as it were, structurally humiliating women who might be nominated to the episcopate." The General Synod voted "for". This means that we're going to have women bishops in the Church of England. And no "super-bishops", as the BBC puts it. A Code of Practice for people who won't accept this.Given Moo's views on this, this means that there's a decent chance that we'll manage another 13 years of marriage: we were married in King's College Chapel on the 8th July 1995. She's pleased, as am I. Oh - I meant about women bishops, though I think we're both pleased about 13 years of marriage.
This particular entry isn't going very well, but that's mainly because we're watching Series 1 of Peep Show, which I got Moo as a present. And I've been laughing too much.
Labels: church, humour, marriage, Moo, women
Monday, June 30, 2008
Something from Moo
For Moo, much of the woman debate is about preservation of male power and hierarchy (don't forget that "hierarchy" is government by priests...). And I don't disagree. She read this after a long discussion over supper, and so I thought I'd post it: Face to faith from last Saturday, by Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah. It's worth a read:- "Is Anglicanism a form of progressive Christianity - and if so, what are its progressive credentials?"
Labels: christianity, Moo, women
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Being lay
The girls slept in till past 0700. But as Jo was awake for around 2 hours during the night, this isn't so good. But we got up and went for a walk with the dog before church at 1100. Moo looked after Miri (got her to sleep) while I took Jo to Great Yeldham for what may be my last service as a member of the laity. Certainly in a parish church - I think there will be some services on the ordination retreat this coming week. Had to look after Jo for quite a lot of it, but read the Epistle, which I enjoyed very much.Lunch, then a bit of gardening: why does garden machinery hate me so much? The mower all but died, and the strimmer lost an important part as I was using it.
After this debacle, Moo and I took the girls swimming at the Braintree Swimming Centre. We all had a great time, particularly as Miri has decided that she can go down the water slide. She can, but around 20% of the time she bangs her head on the way down...
A little recap: over the past week, the girls have really come on. Jo's coordination has developed significantly, and she now runs beautifully. She also enjoys forward rolls and similar, and we're thinking about finding her gymnastics lessons. Where she gets all this from is beyond us!
Miri, also, has come on astonishingly. On the movement side, she now can both walk and run, and is happy to carry things around all over the place (preferably bags), and to go downstairs forward, on her (well-padded) bottom. But the biggest change has been in her language. Not only are we getting more and more words from her ("Buster", "dog", "shoes", "oh dear", "good girl", "cat", "there" (well, "dere") and "sorry" spring to mind), but she understands enormous amounts of what we say to her. "Would you take the bag to Mummy?" "Would you like some more yoghurt?" "Let's go to your bedroom." All well within her grasp. And she's getting good at letting us know what she wants: her favourite is to point at things, or to pat a chair that she wants to sit on. The most confusing thing is when she's very certain about something: a strongly shaken head means either "definitely no" or "very much yes". I think that Mel's going to notice some big changes.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Rain and fossils
(backposting) I'd like to say that I'm a great fossil hunter, but I've discovered that I'm really not. Charnmouth is supposed to be pretty good for this sort of thing, but I took a while to find anything, and it wasn't very impressive. I'm sure that 2 of the 4 fossils _were_ fossils, though. It rained. Moo got concerned that if I didn't find anything, I'd force everyone to stay on the beach in the rain for ever until I did.We then went to Lyme Regis. Not as posh as Budleigh Salterton, but pleasant, and we had a decent fish meal. The restaurant was astonishingly child-friendly, but the people at the next table were very, very weird. Sounded like an Internet date, with a _very_ dull bloke talking to a poor (?Eastern European) woman about how he didn't really like white wine, but they could have a glass of champagne in the hot tub in the evening if she liked. Oh, and his stomach problems. And how big spinach salads are in the US. And what happened when he visited HP. Et cetera. I wanted to sidle over to the table to her and say: "run, run for your life! We'll keep him occupied. It's not too late to save yourself..." On a side note, when I take Jo to the loo, and we visit the Gents, and I use the urinals, she's started to complain if I don't aim for (and hit) the hole. It doesn't help the concentration.
Despite the forecast (we're back on weather now), the day was pretty good. We wandered round Lyme Regis, and Jo got a braid in her hair, which she's very pleased with.
In the evening, Moo and I went out together (on our own) for dinner for the first time in over a year, we reckon. The last time was before Miri was born. It was lovely, and work was paying (some sales thing we won in Europe a few months ago). We really ought to try it again soon. Nothing romantic afterwards, however, as Miri decided to wake up and take over an hour and a quarter to get back to sleep.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Working agreement
(backposting) I had a meeting with the local SSM (NSM) coordinator and my incumbent, John, this evening. We discussed my working agreement. This is really important, as it's what governs what I do in terms of ministry for the next 3-4 years. Lots of discussion. The main issue is how I fit family (and work, but mainly family) around the ministry commitments. Given the amount of work that both Moo and I are doing at the moment, the fact that Moo's not generally a church-goer and the age of the girls, this is difficult. Hilary (the local SSM coordinator) was very helpful and creative, and we've got some ideas. But it's difficult.Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Moo and work
(backposting) Well, I wish Moo hadn't had to go to work, but she did. I know it was important, but still: she's really not well. Interviewing people, and if they find the right person, then it'll make her life much easier.I had a long meeting with John, my training incumbent elect tonight: till nearly 2230. We got through lots and lots of things that we need to sort out, from how many services I'll be taking, what books and vestments I'll need, how often we'll meet: all those sorts of issues. It's good to have meetings like that: it's actually quite a good way to bond and create a team.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Moo's ill
(backposting) So ill, in fact, that she's agreed to go to the doctor. Seems like her tonsils have a nasty infection: tonsilitis. It's not fun seeing her grimace every time she needs to swallow. Hope she's better soon.Took Jo and Miri to St Andrew's, Colne Engaine, for the team Holy Communion Service, which was good. The girls did pretty well, and it was good to attend a service with Clifford presiding. John and Geoff were there, too, and it was nice to meet Mary, Geoff's wife. We started the service with "Christ is Risen", to which the congregation responds "He is risen indeed: Alleluia!". Miri let rip with a loud shout just after the "Alleluia", clearly in response to it, and got some appreciative laughs from around the assembled throng, which was pretty large.
It's fascinating to note that kids of Jo's age have no concept of race or skin colour: I asked Jo if she'd noticed anything about Clifford (who's originally from the West Indies, and black), and other than agreeing that he was wearing priest's clothes, and was quite old (he's retired, so I guess this is OK), she didn't volunteer anything at all, so I didn't mention it. The longer such continues, the better. There was a Tweenies episode later on that we were watching which brought up people being nasty about people because they looked different, and referenced skin colour, but I don't think she noticed, and I turned it off before she could pick up on it.
Friday, March 28, 2008
SecondLife
Beginning to try to get some ducks in a row to arrange some theologians to help discuss issues around online religion, SecondLife, etc.. I've now got some good ones to try to track down... If you know of good theologians in this area, please let me know!Jo not vomiting anymore, but running a temperature, has a rash, emotional, etc.. No sign of anything with Miri, luckily.
Poor Moo's very tired at the moment: she spends every spare hour at a project in Southend-on-Sea, where they're trying to recruit some management. Hopefully when that's done, things should calm down somewhat.
Labels: Moo, secondlife, theology
Friday, February 08, 2008
Moo's home
She was planning to get home quite late, but is feeling pretty horrid with a flu-y cold, so left her course at lunchtime, which meant she was back in time for the girls' supper. Lovely to see her, even if she's not 100%. At least it means that I can give her lots of TLC.Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Psalm 78
(backposting) Not sure why I mention it particularly, but it's my very favourite psalm, despite being the longest one set for a single morning or evening in the old BCP. We used to sing some great chants to it at both Christ Church and King's, and it's lots of fun. It's set for the evening of the 15th, so I had it for evening prayer tonight. I also did quite a lot of reading about sin - particularly the original type - for the "Christian Belief" module that I'm doing for ERMC at the moment. That and the nature of grace.Today I also met the churchwardens for the church at which I may spend my title post. A good meeting: we got on well, and I think it's important to have the sanity-check of a non-clergy view in these cases.
Girls to bed even quicker tonight, and Moo was back by 2130, so not too bad. Had a really nice long chat as we went to bed about her day away - she's doing a course - and what's going on with the girls. We don't often get the chance, as Miri's requiring attention, but she managed to stay in her own bed until 0400, which is almost a record at the moment.
Labels: church, ERMC, Moo, sin
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Panel session and walk-about
Still in Grenoble, and slept in till 0815 or so, which was lovely. Got up and went to the conference, where I was one of the members of a panel on security. Went well, and I had lots to say (no, really), and was approached by no fewer than 5 journalists afterwards. Something good should come from at least one. The rest of the day wasn't desperately interesting - I even had a short sleep in the afternoon. Also wrote the synopsis for a paper for a conference next month, which seems to have been accepted. After the conference had wrapped up, I headed off into the old town of Grenoble, which was rather pretty with Christmas lights up. Called Kate (my mother-in-law), and had her very confused by talking in French to her. I also found a rather nice Christmas market and bought Moo a Christmas present. Well, that's _one_ down...Tuesday, November 13, 2007
ECC conference
So, I'm here in Toronto, enjoying a conference that Certicom (my employer) runs. And Moo's at home, getting far too little sleep, as Jo and Miri were both unwell last week. I've gone and bought some books for Jo, and spoken to her and Moo twice (and Miri once - apparently she found it hilarious, and just laughed at the phone).So, away from home and "conflicted" is, I believe, the term. It's nearly 2200 local, or 0300 GMT. It's odd being away from home.
I wrote over 3,000 words of a new document today, during the sessions. I'm quite pleased with that.
And I've just phoned down to the front desk and asked if they'd send up a Bible, as there isn't one in the room. Odd conversations of our time.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Theology
(backposting) A conversation between Jo and Moo today:- Jo: Mummy, you know Jesus?
- Moo: Um, yes?
- Jo: He does a lot of flying around now he's dead, doesn't he?
- Moo: Does he?
- Jo: Yes, he's always buzzing around everywhere. Like a fly.
- Moo: I'd ask your dad about that.
- Moo: Um, yes?
I have some work to do.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Migraine
I've never had one, thanks be to God, but Moo gets them from time to time, and today's one of those times. I've sent her to bed, and thankfully she was able to eat some toast before she headed upstairs.Had a fascinating chat with a couple in their late 80s from Long Melford today about their lives. They've lived through some very interesting times in some interesting places, and I learnt more about them than I think they expected me to - they seemed worried that they'd just chatted to me a bit!
Labels: illness, Moo, placement
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Sales training
Really not my favourite thing, by a long chalk, but it's been a useful day, to be honest. Discovering how best to work with the other guys in the team, some strengths, weaknesses, etc. We're going out for supper later on.Moo had a terrible evening with the dog last night, but once he was finally down, things seem to have improved. Jo was very tired again, after her second pre-school session, and apparently her behaviour (which was never bad as such) is already improved in the context of the toddler group she attends on Wednesdays.
As far as I'm aware, Catherine didn't find any more dead bats in her office today.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Essay writing
I'm about 2000 words (excluding quotations, references, etc.) into a 6000 word essay I'm writing on the question "What insights can the Orthodox tradition give us on music as a response to God?" for Helen at ERMC. It's going OK, and I think I'm about at the right point for where I've got to in the examination. I've tackled one hard bit - rather poorly for now, but I hope to improve it - and the really difficult bit is coming next. I'm being helped by listening to Cloudburst and other choral works by Eric Whiteacre. Very uplifting, very stirring, very calming in about equal measure. A must to listen to on a regular basis for me.I'm going to have a quick read over my notes for the next section of the essay before heading down to be with Moo. I hope (and suspect) that having a night to think things over and mull quietly will bring things into more focus.
Timing not great in that I've got a new computer (in bits) arriving tomorrow, and you just _know_ which task will win out...
Labels: ERMC, essay, Moo, music
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Mooism
"Come on, then, let's go Mrs Madam." Jo talking to one of her dolls, who was supposed to be coming "shopping".I've discovered that I'm supposed to be doing my assignments a little earlier than I'd expected - for August, rather than September, but that's OK. I do need to get them going, though.
Miri's been difficult for Moo today - very restless - and I feel a bit guilty that she was very good for the hour that I took her and Buster out for a walk. At least Moo had some non-baby time, though she did have to look after a rather awkward Jo.
Lots of travel coming up. Less time with the family, more time for ERMC work. Hmm.
Labels: ERMC, Jo, miriam, Moo, walk
Sunday, May 13, 2007
In Vegas
Well, just outside, in fact, at the Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort. 10 and a half hour flight, next to some at times rather rowdy Mancs, but not too bad. Watched the OK The Good German, and various bits and bobs, and listened to music on my phone.The hotel's pretty nice, and there's lovely pool area with seating and drinks service, etc., which I've been taking advantage of. I'd assumed that noone else would be here yet, but there are lots of folks already, which is good. First purchases: factor 20 suncream (though I ended up using someone else's factor 30) and a "this is my lucky hat" baseball cap. The wife of one of the senior guys who's already here thought that it said "this is my funky hat", but I misheard her, thinking she said "this is my f*cky hat", so much hilarity all round.
Phoned Moo when I got in, and she's doing well, though tired. No formula - only breastmilk - for a day and a half now, which is brilliant. I'm trying to be encouraging whilst still giving her a let-out clause if she really needs it.
About to go and do some supper soon, then an early bed. I hope to stay up past 1900 local (0300 home), maybe even 2000, but I think that'll be my lot.
Labels: miriam, Moo, travel, work
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Lunch in Clare
Went with Moo and Miriam to a new little cafe in Clare, where we had a lovely lunch. Moo had a bit of a bad time feeding this morning, but we got over it. I also decided that I will be going to Las Vegas for a sales and marketing meeting, assuming that all's well. Moo's happy about it, on the same assumption.Last night, I had a meeting with Holger from ERMC, and Keith (who's my supervisor for the course) to work on the "penultimate report", which goes to my DDO and bishop, and which is central to decisions about my title post - what happens after I'm ordained next year. No surprises, either in the meeting with Keith, or the one later with just Holger.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
London
Visited Infosec Europe 2007 today in Olympia. I was knackered as I'd been up far too much in the night. I also dislike going into London generally, and Olympia's a nightmare to get to from Liverpool Street. And it takes up to an hour and half to get there. Anyway, enough complaining - the show was useful. Made a couple of very useful contacts, got back by 1800. Bought some more baby-feeding things. It's amazing how much stuff you need to have in order to bottle feed. It's pretty much just breasts if you're breastfeeding.Moo seems to be coping pretty well, though it makes her sad whenever she feeds Miriam, which is understandable.
Labels: family, miriam, Moo, work
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Formula
In an attempt to let Moo recover, we're putting Miriam on formula, one day at a time, and getting some special pads to aid healing. We'll see how it goes, but we're very hopeful that we can put her back breastfeeding soon.Friday, April 20, 2007
Yes, mastitis
(backposting) The midwife decided we should go to the nurse practitioner, who took one look and said "mastitis". So, anti-biotics it is. Not that this will help with the cracks, of course. Moo's just in so much pain. It's also really hard on Jo, as Moo really doesn't want her to see what will look like Miriam hurting her mummy when she has a feed, so we're having to keep Jo away for something that should be a great family time. I'm finding it very difficult, too, and although Kate and Mac's heading off today meant that we have a little more time to ourselves, there's more to do, of course.I'm praying, and walking, and going with what I can.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Mastitis?
(backposting) Although Miriam's doing better, Moo's having real problems with the breast-feeding, and she also has horribly cracking problems, if you see what I mean (I don't want to be blocked by the link police...). Every feed causes so much pain that she's in tears. Kate and Mac are helping hugely, but it's really hard for all of us.Oh, and I barbecued tonight, which was great.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Back home with Moo and Miriam
All well, and all home. The paediatric SHO who checked Miriam over before we left wanted a Registrar to check her over as well, but it turned out to be nothing, so we left and got home around 2pm. Jo's been fantastic with Miri (which is how we're shortening Miriam), though she's needing to understand appropriate levels of physicality! She's a little discombobulated, but who wouldn't be, and all in all, we're really happy with her. The next few days are devoted to rest, rest, rest for as many people as possible.
SecondLife
Yesterday, I popped into SecondLife. There, I met my friend Sophianne, and she gave me a fantastic present: a place to call my own. I've been debating whether I want to start renting anywhere in SL : it's a big commitment, particularly as I don't know how much time I can devote to it, and it costs real money, too. Sophianne has gifted me a place of my own in SL, part of a tented community in Koinonia, and has even given me some money to spend. I'm overwhelmed by her generosity. This is a community where land is a basic commodity, and just to be gifted something is very kind. I was also very touched that Arkin has said that when the Anglican cathedral is built, that I should consider it there for me to use whenever I want.This all coincided with Radio 4's Sunday Service, which came from St Pixels. The online is becoming increasingly important to me from a Christian point of view - consider also the Synchrobloggers - and I'm wondering how to make a sensible, manageable commitment to that. SecondLife alone has had over 1.5 million people logging in over the past 60 days, from a community of 5.5 million: it's a very active place, and there are lots of opportunity for mission - in the broadest sense.
Labels: Jo, miriam, Moo, secondlife
Saturday, April 14, 2007
A lovely day
Got up, took Buster for a bit of a walk - he's been struggling with my absence more than Jo - and when I got back, Moo had phoned. She's much better today, and has improved over the course of the day, to the extent that she's hoping to come home tomorrow. Miriam continues to be a star, feeding, weeing and pooing for England - taking out time only to stare blurrily into your eyes and root for milk-bearing nipples (I'm a bit of a disappointment on this score). Jo came in and met her new sister and was excellent, and Kate and Mac were also bowled over.Wednesday, March 28, 2007
God, evolution (part II)
As Jo eats an orange for breakfast:- Jo: what's that?
- Moo: it's a pip. It's a kind of seed.
- Jo: why?
- Me: it's how you grow things. If you want to grow a new thing, you need seeds.
- Jo: why?
- Me: you put it in the ground and give it water and keep it warm, and if you're lucky, it will make a new tree, or flower, or vegetable.
- Jo: why?
- Me: because that's how evolution and God made things
- Me (aside to Moo): well, it worked last time
- Jo: why?
- Moo smirks
- Me (struggling): because there's a bit of the divine in each of us, and we're all products of evolution, aren't we?
- Jo: Amen.
- Moo looks flabbergasted
- Mike (looking smug): it's taking...
- Moo: it's a pip. It's a kind of seed.
Labels: god, Jo, Moo, theology
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Church at Stambourne
Took Jo to Stambourne for Communion, and she was good. She really enjoys church, and is beginning to understand when she should be a bit quieter. None of the churches in the benefice have a Sunday School or equivalent, and it's not fair to expect her to be quieter all the time, but for short periods, like the intercessions, she can manage it. She also enjoys the hymns. After church we played in the playground across the way, and when we got home, I was very pleased to find that Moo had had good sleep.We went to the lovely Bell Inn. I'm now on "being able to drive Moo at any time, in case she goes into labour and has to be taken to the hospital quickly" watch. So one pint only. There's New Orleans jazz at the Bell on the last Sunday of each month, and we'd hoped to catch some of that. We forced Simon, Jo's godfather, to leave his teaching preparation (he works far too much, don't you, Simon) to come, and invited Jason and Joanne and their kids (Ruby, George and the new baby, Kitty) and Vivien, Joanne's mum along too. The kids weren't really up for the jazz, but we had a good time with them.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Family
Moo needs lots of support at the moment. She's short on sleep, very focused on the baby, nesting madly, and finding it difficult to handle Jo. Jo, to be fair, is being a standard toddler, and pushing the boundaries a bit, but Moo's finding that very difficult at the moment. I'm going to try to absorb as much "Jo-time" as possible this weekend, to give Moo time to sleep and do the nesting-type things that she needs to do. This sounds very selfless, but I should point out that many of the nesting-type things that I referred to above involve tidying, so it's not all altruistic...Placement #1
Today I met my supervisor for my first placement: Ian. I'm going to be spending time at Holy Trinity, Long Melford, where Ian's the incumbent, and he came round to meet me and Moo, and to get a feeling for whether things will work. I think he's happy, because he's agreed to go ahead. We'll pick up after Easter, and after my paternity leave's finished.I'm really looking forward to meeting a new community and interacting with it. And to more fellowship, which, as I've mentioned before, is an area which Moo very perspicaciously (yes, I had to check the spelling, but I did have it right!) identified as one which I'm lacking in at the moment. Ian, Moo and I got on very well, and I'm pleased it's going to work out.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Hospital appointment
Off to the hospital. Baby's big (surprise, surprise), so they decided to do a scan. Moo's currently 35 and a half weeks gone. The measurements were:- head measurement - 37 weeks, 4 days
- femur measurement - 37 weeks, 4 days
- abdomen circumference measurement - 40 weeks, 0 days
Back there next week. Currently expecting a C-section sometime in the two weeks after Easter, but we'll see.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Moo's birthday
So, the call at 0730 was cancelled. I discovered at 0727. I could have been happier.Despite this, we had a lovely day. Jo and Mel made a cake. We went to see Buster again, and signed up, basically. As long as we pass the home assessment (and we had Victoria over this afternoon to nail up some fence sections which had suffered with the wind (and we've all had that problem, haven't we?)), it looks like we'll have a rather big Newf with us in a few days. Mad? Yes. But it all seems right.
What else? Jo passed her 2 year assessment with flying colours (can you fail this?): apparently her speech is "exceptional", and a credit to us both. We'd add Mel and Jo, but hey.
Steak and baked tatties for supper.
A couple of pictures below - Moo at Aldeburgh, and Jo at her birthday party. Finally got them transferred to the server.
Oh, and some norty person's been trying to play with Moo's credit card. Bad you.
Labels: dog, Jo, Moo, photo, security
Sunday, March 11, 2007
A great weekend - and a difficult question
Yesterday we had a fantastic day out in Aldeburgh, and today a lovely day, too. Moo's engrossed in baby stuff putting together, baby stuff sorting, baby stuff washing, baby stuff ... You get the idea.In Aldeburgh, we ate at Regatta (terrible site, great restaurant) - very impressed to see that over half of the tables had children at them. The staff were friendly, helpful, and rushed off ther feet. We spent lots of time sitting on the beach, where for me mainly meant being handed stones by Jo, which I had to throw into the sea. I couldn't have been happier.
Today, we got up, did some tidying/hoovering, and then I took Jo to Holy Trinity, Long Melford. Apart from knocking down a portable display of books during the sermon (by a visiting preacher), she behaved very well, and I found that I had enough voice to sing "Guide me, O thou great Redeemer" lustily at the end. Ian, the incumbent, has pretty much agreed to supervise me for a placement, which is a relief and a joy.
Jo fell asleep in the car, so I left her there while Moo and I started our lunch outside - it was that warm today - and she joined us when she woke up. I then took her for a walk in the backpack we have for her, and we had a joyful 50 minutes chatting about pretty much everything, and to some horses we met. A cup of tea, then all three of us went swimming. Home, for a family supper, and then Jo to bed. I wrapped Moo's presents, wrote her cards (one from me (and the bump, codename "Fluffy"), one from Jo), and Moo's just gone up to bed. I'll probably log into SecondLife in a bit.
The difficult question is what to do about the dog we met on Friday. The RSPCA rescue kennel left us a message while we were out swimming asking us to come back if we're still interested. We're trying to work out if we still are. It'll make for a very complicated summer, but if the time is right, the time is right. We've decided to got back to see him again, to see how Jo takes to him in the open, to see how obedient he is, to ask how he is with kennels, and to try to get our heads round the whole thing. We'd like a dog again. Is now the time? Is he the dog? God knows (and I mean that).
Labels: church, dog, Jo, Moo, sea, walk
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
39 weeks
We had a hospital appointment this morning at Colchester, because Mum's tummy is rather big. We were a bit late being seen, but the consultant was very nice, and very unconcerned by Moo's size, given her history. But the plan is now definitely a C-section at 39 weeks. So, we've got a likely date - a week earlier than expected - and we know the method of delivery. That's fine, and it means we can plan a little more. We've got another appointment on the 21st March, and we should get a definite date then. All's well.Monday, February 26, 2007
Magnificat
"He hath showed strength with his arm..." - thank you, Herbert Howells (St Paul's service). Just doing my 10 minutes in front of the (muted) TV. Mary really had some things to say - not that Simeon didn't, of course.I was back at work today, and got lots done, although my voice still isn't entirely sorted. I was supposed to have a supervision with Keith today, but he's not well either, so we've postponed for a while.
Forgot to post yesterday that we had a midwife visit yesterday. Yet another midwife - we've had very little continuity this time, but it doesn't bother us particularly. On her advice, we're off for a check-up at Colchester Hospital on Wednesday. They're not particularly worried, but the deal is that if you're measuring more than 3 weeks off what your expected size is, you're supposed to go and have a check-up. Jo was big, too, but not as big as this one. Moo's 32 weeks now, and measuring 39. No wonder people are asking her how long she'll be at work for - and that she's beginning to get more uncomfortable.
A good friend of mine from school emailed me today to catch up. We've talked a few times over the past couple of years. She suffers from mental illness (there are more people around who do than you might expect), and not all of her family know. She has a supportive husband, though. I'm really pleased that she keeps in touch - she was such a good friend at school, and one of those people it would be a shame to lose touch with.
Labels: friends, Mary, Moo, music, pregnancy
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
More recovery
(backposting) Still with the temperature, but no hallucinations today. Which was nice.Oh - yesterday was Moo and my 14 year engagement anniversary. I gave her some very random books and bits and pieces, including this book, which is hilarious (and not what you may think):
Moo gave me three DVDs
- Scooby-doo - watched this today, and enjoyed it despite myself
- March of the penguins
- Ultraviolet
I'm being very good, and only checking work email once a day. How's about that?
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Still ill
(backposting) Title says it all. Moo's being a real stalwart, particularly as she's not 100%, either.Sunday, January 14, 2007
Recovery
I've got to get well soon. I'm not sleeping at all well, and having to sleep during the day for at least an hour during the day, and it's seriously, seriously deep. Coughing, still.It's been an up and down day. I was a bit miz this morning, having upset Moo last night. Jo's been really hard work, and neither of us has really been feeling great. I had a sleep after we got up, felt guilty about it, took Jo to Long Melford for church, which was OK, but generally involved less liturgy, and more child-minding, than I'd really like. Very welcoming, and a good service, but (as I've mentioned in blogs passim, I believe) this taking a child to church has really opened my eyes to how we can't make assumptions about the extent to which people enter into the liturgy. We went out for lunch at the Bottle Hall pub. Good food, good beer, Jo was a pain. We went back home, but the day ended very well as I took Jo swimming. She loves swimming, and it really cheered me up, too. A good evening, too, and I did the ironing. We're watching the end of the 2nd Green Wing series. It's just genius, and it's got Sally Phillips (of, among other things, the fantastic Smack the Pony, yes, she's gorgeous, though I don't usually go for blondes at all) in it, too.
Spoke to Ian, Rector of Long Melford about the possible ERMC placement, and, feeling brave, gave him not only my contact details, but also the URL of this blog. He'll get the former anyhow, but the latter has some risks attached to it, particularly given Friday's posting. But I decided that honesty's the way forward. Heigh-ho. Ian - if you're reading, hi...
Labels: ERMC, illness, Jo, Moo, sexuality, sleep, swimming
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Back home - just
(backposting) A very good meeting in Zurich, which should lead to some good work. Again, only just got home. Heathrow was pretty much closed, but they still seemed to be flying to London City airport. Well, they would have been if the Swiss (International Air Lines) plane I was on hadn't lost one of its landing lights on the way to take-off, thereby needing it to be taxied back to maintenance, have said landing light replaced, and then take off 30 minutes late. At least it was only 30 minutes.Got home to discover that Jo had gone down easily, but that Moo was still suffering really badly from a nasty cold. As she's pregnant, pretty much the only thing she can take for it is paracetamol, which doesn't help much. I ended up sleeping in the spare room, as I don't have the heart to wake her for snoring, since she's pregnant. I'm a real softy, me.
Labels: flying, home, Jo, meeting, Moo
Monday, December 18, 2006
London
(backposting) A trip to London, worked out better than I thought it would, and I'm becoming resigned to the fact that my boss has decided to send me on sales training. In fact, having bought (at his request) SPIN selling by Neil Rackham, I'm beginning to look forward to it. Now _there's_ a strange thing!Poor Moo's not well, and I'm off Zurich tomorrow.
Labels: illness, London, meeting, Moo
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Not yet
This is Jo's latest, and I'm not sure why it's so affecting. Maybe it's the way she says it, and maybe it's the awareness of time she shows - at the same time as a complete disinterest in our terms of reference (and why should she have an interest in them?). Have you finished your milk? Not yet. Do you want a wee? Not yet. You get the message.This morning, there was a frost, and Jo asked Moo, out of the blue, whether the white stuff was snow. She saw snow last year, but she can't remember it. I talked about it a couple of days ago, but I'd have put it in the "so abstract I'll be surprised if she remembers what it is when we actually see it" category. Children are monstrously amazing. Just beyond the intellect.
I love my daughter, however awkward, manipulative and downright annoying she can be. And she can. But she cuddles me, and we've agreed to talk while I'm in Canada ("Canda") next week.
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