NaBloPoMo 8 - Pictures in lieu of words

Eroding sea wall at Netley, posh cakes with Charley, the flowers I
arranged for her, and smokey bonfires with Christelle and Luke.

NaBloPoMo 8 - Pictures in lieu of words

Eroding sea wall at Netley, posh cakes with Charley, the flowers I
arranged for her, and smokey bonfires with Christelle and Luke.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

NaBloPoMo 7 - Music

Today we hurried up to church to be there earlier to help set up. We
had some guests from Prodigal Son Ministries
http://www.prodigalson.org.uk/ coming to speak about their work
providing mentoring to young men leaving a young offenders unit in
Bristol. Through their Friends On the Out mentoring scheme, they
provide the young men a chance to meet up once a week with someone who
can be a listening ear, and help them adjust to live outside, such as
helping with job applications. Without the scheme to chance of someone
re-offending in the 80% range, with it, it falls to around 50%. Still
not ideal, but it certainly seems to make a huge difference to those
who participate.

The service was the All Age Service, so we had a more informal
structure, and better than usual music. I do find good music helps me
connect with God, and I trotted over afterwards to sing Before The
Throne of God Above as Debbie played it on the piano.

(Worship band version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8dlg5yBywo )

(Better Choir version, though sound is lesser quality -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7oR9dqbhAA&feature=related )

(Lovely Version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5GdzZxdLEE&feature=related)

Upsetting amount of penal substitution in this song, much like In
Christ Alone, but the tune is just so beautiful I love to sing it with
simple piano accompaniment. I think the whole band thing in worship
can sometimes detract from the fabulousness of some hymns.

We did a fun song at the start of the service as a call to worship
with parts, the men singing a deep booming "Ohmm" noise, and simple
words overlaid. Something like that is lovely as a gathering hymn,
getting the congregation engaged. A favourite of mine for this is:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fJV01Ik1pM?wmode=transparent]

SO JOYOUS!

What are your favourite gathering hymns, and why?

NaBloPoMo 7 - Music

Today we hurried up to church to be there earlier to help set up. We
had some guests from Prodigal Son Ministries
http://www.prodigalson.org.uk/ coming to speak about their work
providing mentoring to young men leaving a young offenders unit in
Bristol. Through their Friends On the Out mentoring scheme, they
provide the young men a chance to meet up once a week with someone who
can be a listening ear, and help them adjust to live outside, such as
helping with job applications. Without the scheme to chance of someone
re-offending in the 80% range, with it, it falls to around 50%. Still
not ideal, but it certainly seems to make a huge difference to those
who participate.

The service was the All Age Service, so we had a more informal
structure, and better than usual music. I do find good music helps me
connect with God, and I trotted over afterwards to sing Before The
Throne of God Above as Debbie played it on the piano.

(Worship band version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8dlg5yBywo )

(Better Choir version, though sound is lesser quality -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7oR9dqbhAA&feature=related )

(Lovely Version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5GdzZxdLEE&feature=related)

Upsetting amount of penal substitution in this song, much like In
Christ Alone, but the tune is just so beautiful I love to sing it with
simple piano accompaniment. I think the whole band thing in worship
can sometimes detract from the fabulousness of some hymns.

We did a fun song at the start of the service as a call to worship
with parts, the men singing a deep booming "Ohmm" noise, and simple
words overlaid. Something like that is lovely as a gathering hymn,
getting the congregation engaged. A favourite of mine for this is:

SO JOYOUS!

What are your favourite gathering hymns, and why?

NaBloPoMo 6 - Swimming Pools

Just a quick one so as not to break the unbroken supply of posts so far.

Just back from a great afternoon with Charley and Robin in their epic
flat, complete with communal swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam
room. We had some yummy cakes from the local Maison Blanc, and a tasty
dinner in Strada, despite them running our of gas halfway through our
meal. We ended up with 25% off our dinner, and free coffees and
dessert wines.

Not too shabby at all!

Also. What's your favourite joke?

Mine is:

"Why do Marxists drink herbal tea?

Because property is theft!"

That one made me snort with laughter!

NaBloPoMo 6 - Swimming Pools

Just a quick one so as not to break the unbroken supply of posts so far.

Just back from a great afternoon with Charley and Robin in their epic
flat, complete with communal swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam
room. We had some yummy cakes from the local Maison Blanc, and a tasty
dinner in Strada, despite them running our of gas halfway through our
meal. We ended up with 25% off our dinner, and free coffees and
dessert wines.

Not too shabby at all!

Also. What's your favourite joke?

Mine is:

"Why do Marxists drink herbal tea?

Because property is theft!"

That one made me snort with laughter!

NaBloPMo 5 - Just a day.

I hate days like this. Where nothing has happenned yet. Nothing of interest, nothing of note.

Yesterday evening, I worked on the church website until it looked better, then sat with my knitting swishing through my hands. I am not very far away from finishing this item, and then it will be on to the next christmas gift.

I love watching the yarn twist and swish and move into knots that form fabric and eventually things. I am cabling and decreasing. The lovely shapes swoop and dive.

Then Tom and I baked bread, for tonights party. I love kneading bread too, feeling the strands of the ingredients combining in to a silky smooth lump. Our loaf is sitting waiting with chutney to be taken to a bonfire party at Christelle and Luke's this evening. I must rummage in my cupboard to see if I can find something of a drink nature to take with us.

Just outside it sounds like a war zone as a neigbours fireworks display goes off, very close to our house. The streets smell gorgeous, of woodsmoke and gunpowder. I must find a hoodie for this evening too.

Tom is stood in our kitchen, eating neat mint sauce from a jar, watching the radio as he listens. The BBC today has been interesting, what with the lack of news. As someone has pointed out, it's like at Christmas, when there are just pre recorded programmes, full of unusual and lovely things. I remember one Christmas, stealing away at my grandparents to listen to Stephen Fry read Harry Potter. At least I think that is what I remember. With the softness of the spare bed, and some books and knitting, and a bag of pistachios to keep me company.

NaBloPMo 5 - Just a day.

I hate days like this. Where nothing has happenned yet. Nothing of interest, nothing of note.

Yesterday evening, I worked on the church website until it looked better, then sat with my knitting swishing through my hands. I am not very far away from finishing this item, and then it will be on to the next christmas gift.

I love watching the yarn twist and swish and move into knots that form fabric and eventually things. I am cabling and decreasing. The lovely shapes swoop and dive.

Then Tom and I baked bread, for tonights party. I love kneading bread too, feeling the strands of the ingredients combining in to a silky smooth lump. Our loaf is sitting waiting with chutney to be taken to a bonfire party at Christelle and Luke's this evening. I must rummage in my cupboard to see if I can find something of a drink nature to take with us.

Just outside it sounds like a war zone as a neigbours fireworks display goes off, very close to our house. The streets smell gorgeous, of woodsmoke and gunpowder. I must find a hoodie for this evening too.

Tom is stood in our kitchen, eating neat mint sauce from a jar, watching the radio as he listens. The BBC today has been interesting, what with the lack of news. As someone has pointed out, it's like at Christmas, when there are just pre recorded programmes, full of unusual and lovely things. I remember one Christmas, stealing away at my grandparents to listen to Stephen Fry read Harry Potter. At least I think that is what I remember. With the softness of the spare bed, and some books and knitting, and a bag of pistachios to keep me company.

Autumn Southampton

Beautiful.

NaBloPoMo4 - Communication or lack of

I have just finished an awkward phone call with the head flower ladies from church. Apparently I was supposed to take down all the Harvest flowers. However, I have no recollection of anyone telling me this was my job. I went in on a Saturday and watered the things. Grah! If I had been told, I would have been happy to. But no one did.

This is one of the problems with volunteering in general. Because there isn't the pressure of the paying customer, there tends not to be formal lines off communication in place, and so things get missed. And then you get in trouble for something you weren't told to do. For example, I'm on the flower rota, but no one's ever told me what to do on my day, and when I've asked not much is forth coming. Some days I go in and there's watering to do, and other days, there's no flowers, and I don't even know if I'm allowed to do my own arrangement.

Oh well. We keep volunteering because it's the right thing to do, and will keep getting in trouble. In better news, the church website is getting tidier and tider, and I put together some initial logo designs. I will get somewhere eventually. It's just a bit disheartening right now!

Crossover V-Neck Cap Sleeve Velour Dress - Marks & Spencer

via marksandspencer.com

Father christmas, if you're listening...

Posted via email from Alex Tarling

Crossover V-Neck Cap Sleeve Velour Dress??-??Marks & Spencer

via marksandspencer.com

Father christmas, if you're listening...

Autumn Southampton

Beautiful.

NaBloPoMo4 - Communication or lack of

I have just finished an awkward phone call with the head flower ladies from church. Apparently I was supposed to take down all the Harvest flowers. However, I have no recollection of anyone telling me this was my job. I went in on a Saturday and watered the things. Grah! If I had been told, I would have been happy to. But no one did.

This is one of the problems with volunteering in general. Because there isn't the pressure of the paying customer, there tends not to be formal lines off communication in place, and so things get missed. And then you get in trouble for something you weren't told to do. For example, I'm on the flower rota, but no one's ever told me what to do on my day, and when I've asked not much is forth coming. Some days I go in and there's watering to do, and other days, there's no flowers, and I don't even know if I'm allowed to do my own arrangement.

Oh well. We keep volunteering because it's the right thing to do, and will keep getting in trouble. In better news, the church website is getting tidier and tider, and I put together some initial logo designs. I will get somewhere eventually. It's just a bit disheartening right now!

NaBloPoMo 3 - Power, or lack of

I got into work today to find we had no power! Not so good for a web company!

I spent the morning cleaning my keyboard, trying to check my emails before our UPS ran out of back up power and twiddling my thumbs. We were just getting ready to pack up when the power came back on.

Still it did make for a nice quiet morning! Apparently most of the city centre was out, though I've not found out why.

Last night comms meeting went well. The curate and the church warden agreed with Tom and I about the need for better comms in general, and I spent my lunch break today adjusting the layout of the church website. I now just have to find a way to make the content fill the screen. The joys of Joomla:

http://www.bitterneparkparish.com

Any ideas world?

I also tidied up all the content, so I just have to chase everyone up for it, and then I should be good for that part. My other job is to put together a branding document as we really need a simple easy to photocopy branding mark and some branding guidelines. So that's what I'm doing next.

I'm also feelingsmug because one of my recent projects had it's first public outing today, and did really well stats wise. So that's comforting.

I also had a FABULOUS letter from Nicola, which made me smile. Real post is so satisfying and uplifting. If anyone else wants real post just shout!

This evening, I was helping Cat with her marketing of her handmade cards business (http://www.harriscraft.co.uk), she was having trouble with pesky Paypal buttons. If anyone wants handmade stationery, check her out.

And finally, whilst I remember, I must jot down these ideas to come back to later.

Researching women in the early church and comparing to now a la dissertation

The general reformation of church in the period just after the Reformation by all christian groups

Why I'm not sure large corporate worship works anymore

Writing a liturgy of hallowing the ordinary things

 

NaBloPoMo 3 - Power, or lack of

I got into work today to find we had no power! Not so good for a web company!

I spent the morning cleaning my keyboard, trying to check my emails before our UPS ran out of back up power and twiddling my thumbs. We were just getting ready to pack up when the power came back on.

Still it did make for a nice quiet morning! Apparently most of the city centre was out, though I've not found out why.

Last night comms meeting went well. The curate and the church warden agreed with Tom and I about the need for better comms in general, and I spent my lunch break today adjusting the layout of the church website. I now just have to find a way to make the content fill the screen. The joys of Joomla:

http://www.bitterneparkparish.com

Any ideas world?

I also tidied up all the content, so I just have to chase everyone up for it, and then I should be good for that part. My other job is to put together a branding document as we really need a simple easy to photocopy branding mark and some branding guidelines. So that's what I'm doing next.

I'm also feelingsmug because one of my recent projects had it's first public outing today, and did really well stats wise. So that's comforting.

I also had a FABULOUS letter from Nicola, which made me smile. Real post is so satisfying and uplifting. If anyone else wants real post just shout!

This evening, I was helping Cat with her marketing of her handmade cards business (http://www.harriscraft.co.uk), she was having trouble with pesky Paypal buttons. If anyone wants handmade stationery, check her out.

And finally, whilst I remember, I must jot down these ideas to come back to later.

Researching women in the early church and comparing to now a la dissertation

The general reformation of church in the period just after the Reformation by all christian groups

Why I'm not sure large corporate worship works anymore

Writing a liturgy of hallowing the ordinary things

 

Posted via email from Alex Tarling

NaBloPoMo 2 - So this comms malarky

When we finally got into work today after being stuck in traffic for
30 mins on the Avenue, having made excellent time from Towcester, I
was ready to go to bed again.

But no, I soldiered on, and here I am home again.

Which is pleasing. I enjoyed my first walk home in the dark of the
year, all crisp air and twinkling lights. When the clocks go back,
something in my mind clicks, and it feels like party time. One should
be clicking around in lovely round toed high heels, and swishy coats,
scurrying from soiree to soiree. Must organise a few of those!

I have been working away on some projects this evening, and it's very
satisfying to watch code fall into place elegantly. Which also reminds
me, I must finish the Christmas presents I have been making.

Shortly, I will be going off to the Church comms meeting. The editor
of the parish magazine has stood down, and no one wants to take on the
job, and so we need to come up with an alternative. I wonder where it
will lead. I'm quite pleased as it's small church committee, and
therefore something will probably get done. As Tom says, success is
inversely proportional to the size of the committee.

Also pleasing is the large tubs of ice cream in our freezer, made with
the ice cream maker that my Godmother gave us as a wedding present.
Charley gave us a Ben and Jerry's ice cream recipe book for a present
too, and so for the cost of one tub from the shop, I have a huge
tupperware box of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. And no. You can't have
any.

Right I better be off, I'll let you know how we got on tomorrow.

NaBloPoMo 2 - So this comms malarky

When we finally got into work today after being stuck in traffic for
30 mins on the Avenue, having made excellent time from Towcester, I
was ready to go to bed again.

But no, I soldiered on, and here I am home again.

Which is pleasing. I enjoyed my first walk home in the dark of the
year, all crisp air and twinkling lights. When the clocks go back,
something in my mind clicks, and it feels like party time. One should
be clicking around in lovely round toed high heels, and swishy coats,
scurrying from soiree to soiree. Must organise a few of those!

I have been working away on some projects this evening, and it's very
satisfying to watch code fall into place elegantly. Which also reminds
me, I must finish the Christmas presents I have been making.

Shortly, I will be going off to the Church comms meeting. The editor
of the parish magazine has stood down, and no one wants to take on the
job, and so we need to come up with an alternative. I wonder where it
will lead. I'm quite pleased as it's small church committee, and
therefore something will probably get done. As Tom says, success is
inversely proportional to the size of the committee.

Also pleasing is the large tubs of ice cream in our freezer, made with
the ice cream maker that my Godmother gave us as a wedding present.
Charley gave us a Ben and Jerry's ice cream recipe book for a present
too, and so for the cost of one tub from the shop, I have a huge
tupperware box of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. And no. You can't have
any.

Right I better be off, I'll let you know how we got on tomorrow.

Posted via email from Alex Tarling

Loughborough with simon yay!

Pictures

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Alexandra Tarling" <blissfullyeccentric@googlemail.com>
Date: 1 Nov 2010 20:15
Subject: Loughborough with simon yay!
To: "post" <post@posterous.com>

Just waiting for curry!

Loughborough with simon yay!

Pictures

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Alexandra Tarling" <blissfullyeccentric@googlemail.com>
Date: 1 Nov 2010 20:15
Subject: Loughborough with simon yay!
To: "post" <post@posterous.com>

Just waiting for curry!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Alex Tarling