laura whispering... "timshel"

My dear friend Laura has started a new blog :: Timshel :: and I'd love it if you'd nip over, check it out, and place it somewhere special in your bookmarks and/or RSS reader of choice (I use Google Reader on my MBP & Reeder on my iPhones btw).

She recently graduated and has moved back to Peterhead to be with her folks. This blog marks the next leg in her journey.

I will miss our blethers in Starbucks.

Give her your support.

Tx

John and Marta...

Another online friend becomes an offline friend! It was awesome to spend the afternoon with John and Marta... taking about anything and more specific somethings. Thanks guys for your company... it was a real pleasure to take some time out for a blether.

Picture posted with LifeCast... comments added later.

Thank You!! (36/365)

Thank You!! (36/365), originally uploaded by Headphonaught.

I got an invite to a wedding today.

It is so sweet. I am touched.

It reads...

In the City of Memphis
just blocks from the
Mississippi River

Kerry Elizabeth Crawford
and
Matthew Brant Trisler

will pledge commitment to one another
before the people who have filled their lives
with happiness, love and laughter.

It touches me so much that Olly and I have been included in the list of people who have filled the lives of Kerry and Matthew with happiness, love and laughter.

Its kind of crazy but yet "so now" to consider I met Matthew and Kerry when I asked to use a Flickr pic of Matthew's (a Playmobile Nativity Scene) for a flyer. We connected and just clicked... watching each other's lives happen through Facebook, blogs and of course Twitter. I remember the worry when, in near real time, I watched my twitter feed helpless for news of Matthew's wellbeing after he crashed his car on the long road to see Kerry. He was alright and twitter jumped leaps and bounds in my estimation of a brilliant "thing" on the net.

Both Olly and I are blessed to count Matthew and Kerry friends... albeit... we've never met... yet.

This is the point where the "however" kicks in. We'd love to go... I'd even go on my own if I could... but, the way things are, we can't afford the flights to Memphis from Glasgow.

I know that we will meet with Kerry and Matthew sometime soon. Now just isn't the right time for us.

That is unless someone knows a millionaire philathropist... someone with excess Air Miles... or a film crew looking for a sweet "web2.0" story and are willing to pay expenses???

I am so happy that we have received this invite... and gutted we can't go.

Sorry guys.... Tx

Bridging the gap...

This is my 2,500th post on the ol' nanolog... a hefty achievement, if I do say so myself.

Since Monday, 12th September 2005 I have sought to discuss the things I dig... be it matters of faith or the latest tunes I am listening to... places and spaces I have been... things that have inspired and informed and encouraged me... and I now get approximately 100 or so readers on a daily basis. Unfortunately I can't post as frenetically as I have in the past... but I am always working on bringing new ideas and an overall quality experience to the party.

I don't get anything for doing this... I think I have received one CD to review (Priestess back in June 2006) and yet I am far better off for doing it. I have built so many relationships through this blog (and other channels... like Twitter) that more than justify my time commitment.

So anyway... what's with the title to this post?

We are all called to bridge the gap... this blog is one way I try to bridge the gap... to make connections... to join up the "us" with the "them" to make a larger "us".

We are called to seek out purposeful / meaningful inclusivity... to heal rifts and take the first step... make the first move... to hold out our hands and reach... reach... reach out... in reconciliation and humility.

We are all unique. We all have passions... interests... obsessions... that can and do connect us with people. Use them.

Sometimes crossing bridges is a risky thing to do. Trust me... the bridge above is a very scary place late at night. It is only properly lit at the side the picture is taken from... the side you are looking to is pretty dark.

Thing is... in the time I have been writing this blog... I've been on a personal journey. One of faith and purpose. I have come to realise the simple fact that God is out there... over the bridge... in this big bad "world"... and we just need to get over the bridge, identify where He is at work and offer to help out. There is no point in asking God to bless what you want to do... if it is not in alignment with His mission... with His plans. What we need to do is simply and humbly acknowledge where He is at work and join in... roll up our sleaves... get stuck in.

We can't do this from the comfort of our "side"... we need to leave our space and cross the bridge... move on out and over. That's the whole deal with incarnation. God cross the bridge. So should we.

I am grateful for all the opportunities that have been presented to me through this ol' nanolog. I hope & pray that this space online can continue to grow as a place of inclusion and love.

Thank you to everyone who has journeyed with me. My life has changed for the better because of you all!

Here's to the next 2,500 posts.

Picture posted with LifeCast... thoughts added later... by hand... from my fingers to my MacBook to the 'tinterweb.

Hey everyone... Trucker Frank is now on Twitter!

Trucker Frank the hero from something beautiful no.19 and no.20 is now on twitter... add him as a friend... and while your at it... check out his videos on youtube too.

Picture posted with LifeCast... words came later.

Caption Time...

I typed too many characters into hellotxt... so in keeping with Adam's comment... let's have a caption competition.

What did I miss?

Picture posted with LifeCast... text updated later.

The Ballad of El Goodo

Years ago, my heart was set to live, oh
But I've been trying hard against unbelievable odds
It gets so hard at times like now to hold on
My guns they're waiting to be stuck by
At my side is God

And there ain't no one gonna turn me round
Ain't no one gonna turn me round

Theres people around who tell you that they know
The places where they send you, and its easy to go
They'll zip you up and dress you down
Stand you in a row
But you know you don't have to
You can just say no

And there ain't no one gonna turn me round
Ain't no one gonna turn me round
Ain't no one gonna turn me round
Ain't no one gonna turn me round

I've been built up and trusted
Broke down and busted
But they'll get theirs and we'll get ours
Just if we can
Just, ah, hold on
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on

Years ago my heart was set to live, oh
But I've been trying hard against strong odds
It gets so hard at times like now to hold on
Well, I'll fall if I don't fight
And at my side is God

Ain't no one gonna turn me round
Ain't no one gonna turn me round
Ain't no one gonna turn me round
Ain't no one gonna turn me round
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on

[alternate lines of last verse:]
Years ago I was all set to go
And I've been trying hard against long odds
It gets so hard at times like this to even hang around
I can either stand or fall
And I believe I'm gonna stand tall

Big Star - The Ballad of El Goodo

This song is dedicated to everyone who is trying hard against strong odds... in whatever it is you do. Keep God at your side and hold on... you are not alone!

My sincere thanks to Matthew and Kerry... who will be together soon... and to Olly for all her love and encouragement. Hold on!

Following Jesus is more like a wild Disney ride...

Modern church is so far removed from what's seen in the early Church: we don't sit around waiting in anticipation for God to show up, we don't go on exploits and put our lives at risk. Following Jesus is more like a wild Disney ride-- but still we refuse to get on the ride 'cos the line is too long, and Michael W. Smith is playing at the CCM Night of Joy Disney Concert Hall just down the road.

Free Donuts

Roy's on fire. Thanks for this, buddy!

Putting a face to a name

RobGT :: blogger :: Tweeter :: Facebook friend :: popped in for some food on his way from his home in Coventry to see family/ friends and get some work done in Aberdeen. It was fantastic to put a face to a name and have a good blether on stuff we have in common >> tech >> faith >> life in general.

Big thanks to Olly for making some cracking fish and chips... and some sweet apple crumble!

Good times!

I'm back

You've probably realised by now that I'm back blogging. I was profoundly shocked and deeply humbled by the support expressed with emails, texts and phonecalls as a result of my recent post :: mea maxima culpa :: I don't want to embarrass anyone... you know who you are! You will never fully know how powerful your words of support were [are] to me.

For some reason the content on this blog... the ol' nanolog... resonates with some people and this is something I greatly appreciate. I am just a theological simpleton... a follower of God in the way of Jesus who loves his wife and kids and wants to make a difference... in this life.

I talk about the dull... the ordinary... the everyday... the obscure... the fantastic... because I see beauty in everything. I appreciate good design... great tunes and the kind of experiences that shape a person's worldview... and just want to share these thoughts.

I make mistakes... we all do... but I have always believed in the God of the second chance and have found real mileage in the saying attributed with Confucius ::

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

I may fall... but I will rise again! I am grateful for the opportunities that blogging brings and will never seek to abuse them.

I do so now... and I do it in the strength of my Lord... in the strength of my wife and kids... in the strength of all the people who have my back (you know who you are).

I'm not sure what the future will bring... I don't know about ((deep)) or S*N*A*C... but I do know I do not stand alone... and for that I am more grateful than you would ever know.

I know a covergirl!!!

I am privileged to know a number of talented people... but, until today, I didn't know a covergirl >> not that I was actively looking to meet one or anything (honest, Olly!).

Jokes aside... kudos to Laura (friend, gatheree and member of the ol' nanolog community) for getting on the front cover of her local free paper. Her trip to Africa was an important step for her and she deserves the coverage on behalf of all those who went.

This is Salt and Light!!! This is "moving into the neighbourhood". Well done!

Read her post [here]

Introducing "Everything Must Change"

...The couple hundred thousand people who have read my previous books seem to find in them some hope and resonance with things they've already been thinking and feeling, including a suspicion that the religious status quo is broken and a desire to translate their faith into a way of life that makes a positive difference in the world. They share my belief that the versions of Christianity we inherited are largely flattened, watered down, tamed... offering us a ticket to heaven after death, but not challenging us to address the issues that threaten life on earth. Together we've begun to seek a fresh understanding of what Christianity is for, what a church can be and do, and most exciting, we're finding out that a lot of what we need most is already hidden in a trunk in our attic.

Brian D. McLaren >> Everything Must Change p3.

I am one of the couple hundred thousand people who find hope and resonance with Brian's writing... and am pleased that I am not alone... but also that his latest book will be our first book to take on our bookclub journey.

Let me know if you want to participate... afterall, this thing is exclusively for everyone!

Headphonaught's Bookclub (part 2)

Thanks to everyone who has shown an interesting in getting involved... especially JD over in Texas and Dan in Glenrothes for their encouragement and support!

OK... so this is where we are going with this >>

1) I have set up an "invite-only" Facebook group > the admins (JD, Dan & myself) will invite people who have expressed an interest in being part of this journey. Facebook gives us the tools to do this >> invites / discussion posting etc >> and encourages community - you have to be a member of Facebook and your identity is known to the group (no nicknames etc). This will make us more honest and accountable >> key prerequisites for an egalitarian community.

2) We are considering a number of books... but a couple of front runners are THE TIPPING POINT [Malcolm Gladwell] and/or EVERYTHING MUST CHANGE [Brian D. McLaren]. We can run multiple discussions, if desired... this can be as linear or non-linear as we want it to be.

3) One thing I am interesting in... as well... is meeting up with folks in Glasgow for f2f conversations. Ally & Jay have expressed an interest in this too. I would encourage you to look at this option in addition to online.

4) Using Facebook will, I hope, allow us to get know each other a bit better. Hooking up and conducting one on one conversations is encouraged.

I hope this makes sense... I don't want to exclude folks not on Facebook... but the tool is the best one we have. If anything, you now have a legit reason for joining up.

I you want to join up... leave a comment, drop me a note or hook up with me, Dan or JD on Facebook.

Books I read in 2007 + Headphonaught's Bookclub

JD tagged me to find out how many books I read in 2007. Unfortunately, I never managed to read any of the books shown above. That's one of my problems... I consume books... pick them up with noble intentions... and then they sit on my book shelf.

Anyway... I did manage to read the following:

1. Angels and Demons > Dan Brown
2. Flowers for Algernon > Daniel Keyes
3. 15 ways to a more effective prayer life > Selwyn Hughes
4. A flame in my heart (St Aidan for today) > David Adam
5. Digital Fortress > Dan Brown
6. Dark Saber > Kevin Anderson
7. Sex God > Rob Bell
8. Walk On (The U2 story) > Steve Stockman
9. A Generous Orthodoxy > Brian D. McLaren
10. The Secret Message of Jesus > Brian D. McLaren

I also started the following... but haven't finished them yet:

1. The Emerging Church (Vintage Church for New Generations) > Dan Kimball
2. What's So Amazing About Grace > Philip Yancey
3. No Logo > Naomi Klein
4. Snow Crash > Neal Stephenson
5. We Can Build You > Philip K. Dick
6. The Silmarillion > JRR Tolkien
7. The Imitation of Christ > Thomas A Kempis

I want to finish them... at some point this year.

To this end... I would like to ask for some help from the Nanolog Community > my pal RobGT suggested that I create some form of virtual book club for anyone interested in reading and discussing some books together.

I have created an invite-only google group for this purpose and I need some pals to help me get it off the ground. You can help in the following ways:

1. Ask for an invite > I'm keeping it invite-only until its a proven concept. Send me an email or leave a comment with your email and I'll hook you up.
2. Suggest some books > I'm thinking of tackling between 6 and 10... along the lines of 1 a month. They don't have to be just Christian books... but they have to be culturally important books > think Velvet Elvis or No Logo for an idea.
3. Get involved > I'm looking for some honest commitment and a fair pinch of common-or-garden enthusiasm - we will be journeying together... examining some meaningful material... I need people who are will to read and participate... not spectate from the sidelines.
   
4. Help out > I want to journey with you... not lead > I need to feed as much as I want to encourage you all to get fed. I don't want to be the only facilitator.
   

If you are up for it... let me know and we'll get kicked off soon.

Pernell

Today is a sad day for me... My pal Pernell is taking a break from blogging. I'm really bummed out by this > but then I am being totally selfish. Pernell's been through the mill of late and I fully understand his losing interest.

So anyway... love you P > keep up the good work and keep in touch!

Subversive Blogger Award

My pal Jake Bouma in Des Moines has awarded me with a Subversive Blogger Award :: A concept he has started as a means of thanking/acknowledging blogs that you read/feed from...

Today I would like to officially announce a brand-spanking-new blog meme called the Subversive Blogger Awards../

Subversive bloggers are unsatisfied with the status quo, whether in church, politics, economics or any other power-laden institution, and they are searching for (and blogging about) what is new (or a "return to") - even though it may be labeled as sacrilege, dangerous, or subversive.

He tagged me along with some four other bloggers who deserve way more credit than my inane ramblings...

• Pomomusings by Adam Walker Cleaveland
• Mattopia by Matt Cleaver
• iamjoshbrown by Josh Brown
• soupablog by Paul Soupiset

Anyway... I would like to tag the following bloggers. In doing so I want to recognise the importance of their work in my life... and encourage them to keep on going. They make me think... challenge me... encourage me... inspire me... and comfort me... and I just want to say "ta" for that:

1. Pernell Goodyear > Truly inspirational bloke and Elton John fan.
2. Johnny Laird > Another chap I am honoured to know... whose honesty is a daily encouragement.
3. JD Blundell > I don't get the politics posts (He is American) but I get his enthusiasm... big time... and love the whole "Orange Noise Radio" thing.
   
4. Matt Wilson > For keeping it real and getting his sleeves rolled up in Manchester and beyond.
5. Royzoner > For truly off-the-wall visuals and being an all-round good egg.

I probably could have made it 10 or more... and don't really want to offend anyone... Andy W, Laura B, Dan R, Chris H, Lloyd K, Adam H, Adele S, Ian McK, Brodie McG, Stewart C, Matt L, > you all inspire me too!

The rules of participation are pretty straightforward:

1. If you are tagged, write a post with links to five subversive blogs
2. Link back to this post so people can easily find the origin of the meme
3. Optional: Proudly display the "Subversive Blogger Award" somewhere on your blog (images below) with a link to the post that you wrote

That's all there is to it. Keep in mind that this award is meant as an encouragement to bloggers to keep doing what they're already doing - being subversive (however you interpret it). May we never forget that Jesus (and His message) was the original and ultimate subversive.

Take the image from the top of this post [courtesy of Josh Brown and Red Cowboy Designs] Download it but... please... upload it to your own server (Jake has another design on his blog).

Thanks Jake!

Technorati Tags: subversive blogger award

Mo' Tag

My fav Texan... JD tagged me with a pop quiz he had on MySpace.

How old are you?

32 and 11 months

What did you do last night?

Watched the Big Brother eviction with Olly. Eat loads of cheese and had a bizarre dream about Halley Berry that I don't remember other than I woke up and said her name... to Olly (oooops!!!)

What did you do today?

Traveled home to the 'Well from Fort William. Stopped off at Oban and found a lovely teaset in a charity shop.

Current clothing?

DC "Uno" shoes / baggy jeans from ASDA / Can't Skate Tee / Calvins

Current mood?

Happy

Do you miss anyone?

I always miss my Uncle Robert... and the Soos who is no longer a friend.

Last book you read?

Sad to say... Digital Fortress by Dan Brown

Do you love with all you have?

I hope so

Is anything making you mad?

Yeah... there is some stupid dance TV show on at the mo'

Do you have pets?

Yes... Pippin the Cairn Terrier / George the Hamster / 3 budgies - Gandalf, Itchy & Sherbert / Heidi & Woody the Gerbils

Last person of the opposite sex you hugged?

My sister - Janey

Last person of the same sex you hugged?

My bro - Roscoe

What was the last thing you bought?

A cool tea-set from a charity shop

Something you need to do?

finish what I'm doing and go get food

Next place you will go?

Back to Venice, Italy; or NYC

Last person you kissed?

Olly

Next road trip you will take?

Up to Dunblane... for Camp

Do you have a boyfriend/ girlfriend?

I have a wife

When was the last time you danced?

I danced a cheeky wee Gay Gordons with Olly at Claire's birthday the other week

Have you ever been pulled over? By the cops?

Nope

Is there anything you want to do?

Make ((deep)) happen... and my wee web2.0 thing

Is there anything you are looking forward to?

Seeing the new Harry Potter film tomorrow

What time do you usually go to bed?

Usually between 2300 and 0200hrs

What time do you wake up?

0700 on weekdays and whenever the we'ans bounce on the bed at the weekend

Do you love anyone?

I love everyone... but am especially fond of my life and we'ans

Who was the last person to say hi to you?

Janey

Do you want kids?

Too late... glad I have them

How many do you want?

2... or as many as Olly wants

Boys names?

I have 2 girls... but if we had had a boy... he'd be called Liam

Girls names?

Dayna & Miriam

What was the last thing you ate?

Fajitas... thanks Roscoe

Do you diet?

No... should

Can you tumble?

Only out of bed

What is in your room?

Some sweet stuff... Olly is a fab interior designer

How big is your closet?

Big enough for my 40+ pairs of sneakers

Do you share a room?

Yes... with Olly and Pippin

What is your favorite color?

Green and orange... oh and colour is spelled with a "U"

Do you have a big family?

Not as big as Olly

When was the last time you showered?

This morning

Who did you last call?

Janey

What was the last thing that made you laugh?

Reminiscing about our holiday

What was the last weird conversation you had?

Everyday

Do you own a laptop?

Yes... G4 iBook

Does anything hurt?

Nope

Could you see yourself marrying a doctor?

Not unless Olly decides to become one

Do you eat candy?

darn tootin'

Have you ever been kicked out of a bar?

Not for a long time

Do you like someone?

everyone

Is tom on your top 8?

who?

Why is your top person your top 1?

eh?

I tag LL, Chris, Al, Johnny and my life

Meeting the Lairds

Meeting Johnny, Janet, Mia and Noah; was the highlight of the weekend for me. I had two purely selfish reasons for traveling to Croydon :: spending time with Olly and meeting the Lairds.

Johnny has been an avid commentator and member of the Nanolog Community for over a year now... I think we connected last year over something to do with Roots. He is a committed Salvationist and more importantly a dedicate Jesus follower... and is someone I have wanted to meet up with for a while now.

Meeting Janet and their children - Mia and Noah - was a real privilege too. They felt like long lost family and we had a wonderful conversation over a great soya mince lasagna and salad after the Festival.

Highlights of this conversation included finding out more about their community in Oxted and their dreams for incarnational living with their friends and neighbours there. Finding more about how they met... and their family over in the USofA.

Their house... in a wee town outside Croydon... is set in a picturesque space. It felt like the quintessential Naked Chef-style contemporary English farm house with the huge kitchen come dinning room with a range cooker and a large, sturdy table. Getting there was amazing... you left the busyness of Croydon and drove through tree-covered lanes into the country... passed the Surrey Hills. Lovely.

After the late dinner... we adjourned into the living room and talked some more... especially about the similarities between Johnny and I. Here's an example:

Johnny is the only other person I know who owns The Fire This Time by Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy :: an amazing album by an amazing Jazz trumpeter and his all brass band... that explores jazz's links to other forms of popular music. Their version of MJ's Black or White enticed me to check them out live at the Queen's Hall in Edinburgh with my beautiful Princess about 15 years ago.

Johnny is the only person I know who, not only, has Lester's CDs but has seen him live in concert.

We share so much music in common... love for Asian electronica (Talvin Singh & Outcaste), classic rock (Santana + The Beatles), chilled downbeat (Cafe Del Mar vol 3), gospel (Rita Springer), drum and bass (Goldie), celtic (Iona), and soul (Marvin Gaye + Stevie Wonder)... to name but a few.

It was great to chill into the wee small hours listening to Lester Bowie and Anokha - Sounds of The Asian Underground and talking about God and living intentionally incarnational and missional lives in the rat race that today has become. He is on a similar journey... seeking meaning from the whole of life and not just his family or the busyness of Corps life... seeking to move his church forward with the help of a very progressive Major... seeking new ideas for new expressions in his area. Could have talked for longer but my body gave up at 0240hrs.



Later on... we spent breakfast with the family... and returned back for a fab lunch of roast chicken and veg. Unfortunately Janet took a migraine... which meant she was in her bed in the afternoon (hope you are feeling better)



It was great to relax with great people and just share. Really uplifting for me... made the trip extra special!

Thanks to Johnny, Janet, Mia and Noah; for welcoming Olly and I into their home... making us feel welcome and like family and for the good times that ensued. Here's to the start of a beautiful friendship.

Technorati Tags: johnny laird, nanolog

A lurker finally said hello

A lurker finally said hello... Everyone... big welcome to Stewart who blogs over at Scream Without Raising Your Voice. He left a comment on the Streets of Philadelphia post... and we've kind of connected. He lives near me in Hamilton, Scotland; and works for the United Reformed Church in Scotland.

So hey Stewart... welcome to the ol' nanolog... kick off your shoes and make yourself at home. Let's grab that coffee soon?!?

If you are a longtime lurker and want to say hello then leave a wee comment. About 100 folk read the nanolog most days... I know a lot of you and welcome your presence in my life... but there must be some folk who never say hello... voyeurs into my sad existence... well, now is the time... grab the opportunity and lurk no more.

Olly's revamped blog

From Screendumps

Olly has revamped her blog :: check it out and give her some encouragement by leaving a comment or linking to her space.

Technorati Tags: blogs