Mike's musings

Trip to Anglesey

(Abbey, that is). Although I did worry that if I told my GPS phone thingy to find our way there, we might have been half way through Wales before we realised. Anglesey Abbey is another National Trust property, and we took the girls there today. Had a lovely, lovely time, mainly chasing each other and having our socks and shoes stolen (well, that was mainly me).

Jo really got it today. Not all the time, of course, but mostly. Kind, sharing, polite, thoughtful, listening.

Watched Merlin on BBC1. Good stuff: a romp, without any historical reference at all, as far as I could tell. Who cares?

Labels: children, television

God on Trial

(backposting) At 2100 today, BBC2 showed God on Trial. It was astonishing. The acting, script and cinematography were astounding, and it was extremely moving. I'm still trying to process it, but it's the sort of programme that I'd like to show the girls when they're old enough. That'll be a while. I wept.

I came across a stubble fire today, called the fire brigade and told someone who might know the farmer. It's a while since I saw a stubble fire. They spread quickly, they really do.

We had a "ministers fraternal" meeting today, where the clergy from Halstead - Baptist, CofE, Methodist, Roman Catholic and URC (notice how I sorted them alphabetically?) get together. The Baptist guy didn't make it, which was a pity, but it was good to meet the other clergy. We do a number of services together, and there's a "Churches together in Halstead" group (also including lay people) which meets to arrange other events, etc.. I also called someone from the town of Haubourdin, near Lille, which is near Halstead's twin town, and got them to agree that we might try to have some coordinated prayer events with them during the Week for Christian Unity next January. Did that in French. I was quite chuffed with myself.

Labels: church, ecumenism, god, television

And back home

Got Kate's router sorted nice and early, did some work at her house (the wonders of laptops) and headed home to complete my work day. Pretty tired, but happy to have done my bit.

We've rented Peter's Friends to watch on DVD, which I've not seen for ages, so hopefully I can do some ironing in front of the TV tonight.

Labels: computers, television

Embarrassing Bodies

(backposting) This has been great TV, and it could quite easily have been awful. A bunch of doctors go around talking to real people about embarrassing problems from baldness to acne to erectile dysfunction and beyond. The people were very brave to appear, and were treated with humanity, dignity and humour.

Brave, worthwhile television.

Labels: television

Hospice day 1

(backposting) I've taken two days off work for my placement at St Helena Hospice, today being the first. I spent the whole day at the main site (and the Colchester Day Centre), attending meetings, meeting staff and patients, and discussing it with my supervisor Alan. People were very generous with their time, and it's one of those places where the staff - from volunteers to directors - really believe in the place. I had a very interesting time, and enjoyed myself very much.

Did a little more tidying in preparation for our visitors this weekend (Miri's baptism), and then did lots of ironing in front of Tuesday's episode of Spooks.

Oh - I hate providing IT support. Particularly for Windows. And even more when it's long distance, over the phone. That's one of the downsides of Polly and Lee moving out.

Labels: computing, ERMC, television

Assembly

Did an assembly at Long Melford primary school today, on caring. Started the kids singing anything they wanted, all at the same time ("I don't care what you sing"). That fell apart, as expected. Then got them all to sing "Twinkle, twinkle little star" all together, at whatever speed and volume they wanted. Ditto. Then asked them to listen to each other, and work together. That did it, although I was ready to conduct them and lead it if needs be. They did very well, and it was a clear and obvious message, and went down well. Ian, my supervisor, seemed happy.

More following up of stuff for work, which seems to be going well.

Oh, and Moo's started knitting. We're both sitting in front of the TV watching Spooks.

Labels: ERMC, television, work

Another day, another tooth

(backposting) Yup, Miri's got another one. Might explain the restless night (though not Jo's now-usual appearance in the early hours). Two down, lots to go.

Went to Cambridge today, to buy a book on system hardening: Network Security Hacks, 2nd ed. by Andrew Lockhart. It's good, and is relevant because I'm going to be doing some work with colleagues in Canada on this.

Watched Heroes (yesterday's episode) which we'd recorded. It keeps being good, doesn't it? Just how many twists can _keep_ happening?

Labels: security, sleep, television

Heroes

(backposting) It just keeps getting better, doesn't it? We couldn't face staying up till 2220 (!), so only watched the one episode tonight, recording the other: no spoilers, please. My mate Mark Brown has joined Facebook, so welcome along if you're reading this.

I grabbed a few minutes when I would otherwise have been having a cup of tea yesterday morning, and joined Jo, Miri and Mel (who's also just joined Facebook) at toddler group. It's lovely to see Jo running around, and I'm completely unfazed (sp?) by being the only bloke there. Seems that I get some looks, but I don't care. I noticed yesterday (as I have in similar situations before) that I immediately get lots of attention from other children. This can sometimes be quite disturbing, depending on how they relate to you, but on this occasion it all seemed happy and healthy enough.

Started using the Vulgate for some of my readings for evensong since coming back from the latest ERMC weekend. I'd forgotten how lovely it is, and it appears that I've not got too rusty.

Jo's started recognising "J for Jojo" all over the place, "squiggly snake S's", and the letter "O". She knows that when two "o's" are next to each other as friends, they tend to make an "ooooo" sound, and she goes around finding examples and telling us all about it.

Labels: bible, facebook, Jo, miri, television

Early, early

(backposting) I thought it was bad enough being woken up by the girls at night, but I had to get up at 0415 this morning (0315 UK time) to catch my flight. In fact, I didn't need to get up _that_ early, but I always play these things safe. I was there very early, and we got into the UK on time. I really can't remember what time that was! Got some breakfast at a truck stop, drove home, had a sleep. I was so pleased to get an extra day with Jo, Miri and Moo - always a bonus.

I'm getting close to writing up more of an assignment - I'm at the stage of having far too much to put in: I need to decide where it's going. Hope to have something at least in draft by the end of the weekend.

Moo's nan's parrot died today, so she's upset. Jo's made a card to post.

Watched some West Wing (final series), and then the first episode of Spaced which I bought last week for Moo (we're on a Simon Pegg-fest atm).

Labels: television, travel