Monthly Archive for March, 2008

Delirious? - Indigo2, London

Published
by
Dave
on March 31, 2008
in I've Done Travel
. 1 Comment

Glowing Balls

I was thinkng of calling this post “In the VIP” but, thought better of it.

Saturday night saw a large percentage of Arun Community Church head up to the o2 Arena in London’s docklands in order to witness the final UK gig of current drummer Stew Smith. Rosie and I were no exception we jumped, or in Rosie’s case slowly maneuvered, into the car and set off for London town.

I’ve never been to what was the millennium dome and the approach was really mixed. One minute we were driving through some of the East ends most deprived areas the next, the oppulency of the city; Canary Wharf and the new “trendy” houses that now line the banks of the river Thames in obvious hope that with the dome prices will have risen.

Still, this isn’t the post to discuss social injustices. Once parked we set aboout the trek from car park to dome. I’d read some things about how AEG had redeveloped the dome; I’d imagined something like Disney’s “Downtown Disney” complex. Sadly, I was slightly mistaken. It’s clear that despite it’s opening in June 2007 development is still very much in progress.

Inside the main doors lies a mass of floor space broken up only by some alternative artwork like the balls (that can be seen above) or a huge enlargement of a BMW’s front end. All interesting stuff. After a quick snack at good ol’ Starbucks it was time for the gig. We were on the guest list and plesently surprised to find VIP passes and not just complimentary tickets.

I’ll leave you to visit www.delirious.org.uk for a review of the gig. It’s fair to say that it was an emotional time for all the band with kilts, stockings and a vespa were all present. Yes, you did read correctly…stockings.

It’s perhaps only right that I leave this post here. It was a great night and therefore was memorable for all the right reasons.

AllTheseThingsIveDone.com - Soft Launch

Published
by
Dave
on March 30, 2008
in I've Got An Anncounement and I've Got Thoughts
. 0 Comments

As you have probably realised your feed is now coming up with this odd new domain allthesethingsivedone.com I’ve transferred everything over to this without causing any interference to my readers, and hopefully over time I’ll get some new ones.

The site is split into two areas. The first is here, the blog. Here you’ll find my thoughts and journals. It may be tech related or it may be something deeper. The second is the Media Cast. I hesitate to call it a podcast or vodcast as it’s probably both plus more.

What you may be wondering is why the name. I’d love to give you a really deep, theological reason, but no matter how hard I try I can’t. In truth I was in the bath and “All These Things I’ve Done” by The Killers came into my mine and I thought it was just a really great name for a blog. It was only after I got out that I looked at the lyrics;

Over and out, last call for sin. While everyone’s lost, the battle is won with all these things I’ve done.

So, here it is. I have no plan and no expectations. Let the ride begin.

AllTheseThingsIveDone.com - The MediaCast

Published
by
Dave
on March 28, 2008
in I've Done Technology, I've Got A Fresh Expression and I've Got An Anncounement
. 1 Comment

 MediaCast Image

Hurrah! This site is less than a week old and already I’m pleased to announce the MediaCast is online. To subscribe directly in iTunes click here, while if you’d rather just visit the feed and download things on a casual basis click here.

Up there now you’ll find an interview I did with Delirious? lead singer Martin Smith about porverty, the social injustice bandwagon and CompassionArt. This can be downloaded in either the semi-skimmed iPod (and bandwidth) friendly format, or the glorious full fat 720p HD Apple TV format.

Also up online is a PDF containing the information I gave at Ignite for lent.

Just a few notes about the MediaCast. To view the video files you’ll need either iTunes or QuickTime. To open the PDF files you’ll need either Preview (Mac) or Adobe Reader (Mac/Windows).

Thinking ’bout what we say

Published
by
Dave
on March 24, 2008
in I've Got Thoughts
. 1 Comment

I’ve been thinking a bit about words recently. Our words can encourage someone or they can put someone down. A hundred words can say nothing, the words that aren’t said can say everything.

As a youth leader my words can have some significance. We live in a word where the media define how young people should look and act. All young people have to pick there way through this highly sexualised and image conscious culture.

How can my words do anything? Well I believe it’s all relational. A quick text to someone, or sitting down and just chatting can cheer them up and put things in perspective.

I found it on eBay

Published
by
Dave
on March 17, 2008
in I've Got Thoughts
. 0 Comments

eBay Logo

This isn’t, as you’d expect, me boasting about my latest bargin on eBay. If truth be known I try and stay as far away from the place as possible! No, this is my thoughts on this news story.

For those of you who are too lazy, or time is that precious, to read the original news story let me explain very briefly. A 44-year old ex-pat currently living in Perth, Australia, has decided to put something up for sale on eBay. Nothing unusual on that, except what this man is selling is his life.

Yep, you read that correctly. He’s put his entire life up for sale. His house, car, possessions. They’re all pretty standard but how about this also included are a two week trial at his job and his friends. Whilst responses on his website have generally been positive I find it just a little odd.

BBC Radio 1 picked up the story as part of their “Newsbeat” story, which is how come I heard about it, and provided a little more details. It seems he emigrated to Australia six years ago with his then wife. The relationship failed and they divorced and now he’s desperate to move on.

I accept that relationships do end, even if, as a Christian I don’t necessarily agree with it. And certainly it must be distressing to have a relationship end thousands of miles from your natural support network and where you call “Home”.

We all find our friends annoying at times when they do X or don’t do Y, but even if I were to move away I certainly wouldn’t sell there details off as part of an auction. I believe that people naturally form there own social networks.

I’m sure that everyone will agree we all have bad days at work. And, if you’re Mr. Bobweasel, or occasionally me, that work follows you home after you officially finish. There are times I switch my phone to silent (not even vibrate) put it in it’s case and leave it.

Don’t get me wrong here I’m not to critisize, nor to judge. Just to voice my own opinion. I find some of his ideas a little strange and I’d love to understand them fully, to sit down and talk about it. If you want to find out a little more, or even to bid, head on over to http://www.alife4sale.com.

Thinking

Published
by
Dave
on March 3, 2008
in I've Got Thoughts
. 1 Comment

  Lincoln Cathedral

Sometimes to move forward, you have look back. That’s my thought for the day. Why? Well, I’ve been listening to a lot of old music, especially hymns. The same songs that I took so much pleasure in putting down when I was both younger (in age, and in terms of my faith) I now find peace and comfort in.

These songs are so powerful. They reflect the writers struggles with their own personal faith.

Two of my favourites are “Calvary”, which was written by William R Newell somewhen between 1868 and 1956, and “Take my life and let it be” which was written in 1874 by Frances R. Havergal.

The further I go deeper with God I realise that we can’t forget our forefathers. The pioneers who paved the way for the 21st century Church.

I’ll leave you with the second verse of “Take my life”.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King, Take my lips, and let them be filled from messages from Thee, Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.

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