Friday

Yesterday was a fun day!! Well maybe not fun but interesting.

The morning was spent making an advert for The London Company that hire my talents, which was excellent, I then went to Church to Friday Diner, and had a baked spud for lunch, very tasty. It was so busy again, well done Cath and Aimee.

From there it was over to Coleshill to Cube to help Christian update his studio Mac. He has never updated any software in the 2 years he has had it!!! I did the Mac Opperating System (OSX) software first then Pro Tools, this was a little more complicated that written. The OSX software was 10.3.6 he had bought 10.4.6 and current is 10.4.8 but the Mac isn’t on the internet, so I used the studio pc and the interwebnetty thing to search for the latest update. I then installed this and proved it working. Then onto Pro Tools, from 6.4 to V 7.0 that he bought then download 7.1 and update then down load 7.1.cs10. That took a very good 3+ hours, once done Pro Tools worked but his £5000+ Studio desk didn’t!!! He was a little scared and so was I. 1st thing, turn it off, turn all the hardware off restart everything. Everything working but the desk. The desk talks to the software and the other hardware via Ethernet on the Mac and is very clever and a beautiful piece of kit. The next thing was check the hardware off the Mac,. Nope that looks fine. So being the anorak I am, I log into Google so I have my front page, there is a nerdlink to the Pro Tools Discussion website. I type the desk Control 24 and no Ethernet connection? The first page says try this ....I do and bam working like a dream.

So I go home and Mrs EB and I go to Star City and la Tasca for tea. All in all a enjoyable and busy day.

My favourite sweets

1. Flake

2. Cadburys Dairy Milk

3. Picnic

4. Starbar

5. Old Jamaica Chocolate Bar

Again these are in no particular order and if they where put in my hand I would relish anyone of them.

You will see no Nestle product is there, as I try never to buy or eat Nestle Products due to their baby milk sales in the 3rd world and unfair trading of coffee and cocoa beans, and no Galaxy chocolate as I think it tastes very slimey and awful.

A smile from TV

I saw the Catherine Tate show last night and found some of it very funny the one bit really did make me laugh, I don’t know the characters name, it’s the Am I Bovvered one anyhooo.

Well she is in a burger bar and her boy boyfriend has asked her to go steady or marry her, I am still not sure, but she said yes, and it was a joke…. So you can guess, her friend is being sympathetic and she's all... Am I bovvered? ….

Then she goes:-..... Look at my face..bovvered..NO!!…Do you read with your fingers? Do you listen to Books? Is your Dad David Blunket? Can you walk your dog in Marks and Spencer? I didn’t hear the rest I was laughing to loudly.

Anyhoo to make Ed happy I thought I would do a list of my favourite current TV shows

1. The Bill (ITV)
2. Dr G Medical Examiner (Discovery H&L)
3. Mythbusters (Discovery)
4. American Chopper (Discovery)
5. The Simpsons (SkyOne)
6. The First 48 (Discovery Crime)
7. Everybody Loves Raymond (Paramount Comedy)
8. Torchwood (BBC3/BBC2)
9. King of Queens (Paramount Comedy)
10. FBI Files (Discovery)

Now they are in no relevant order as it depends on the mood I am in.

I have been giving my whole spiritual life a great deal of thought over the last 7+ weeks, well my faith has been rocked and I want to know why? I have never doubted Jesus or God, so why I do feel just so useless and incapable of understanding God and my Bible?

Anyhoo this has got me to thinking seriously about Heaven will I go to Heaven? just what is heaven, is it fluffy clouds and people sitting on them playing harps…I hope not as Chris and Matt would deafen everyone up there…is heaven up there? If not where is it?


A few/quite a few years ago I was at a seminar on Revelation’s where the speaker, I can’t remember his name now, said that Heaven would be here on earth when everything was completed and the final battle had taken place? I don’t know, that was his interpretation on Revelation? My interpretation is, God has already made Heaven, and it is waiting for us, everyone will wake up and be given new bodies on judgement day and we the faithful will be called to Glory, or do we go the moment we are taken from this life? Time is only a concept that we have put on things? God does things in his own time so I don’t know? There will be no suffering only love and worship in Heaven, we will be with our God and loved ones and know them and share that eternal time with them we will meet those that went before us and those that will come after us. I could be completely wrong, I guess there is only way we will know, and by then we won’t care, as we will hopefully with God’s grace be in Heaven or will I?...


It seems kind of daft writing this. It is just bugging me, I have been woken quite a few times by the question what is after this life, are we here then not is heaven real if it is will I go? I guess Satan is trying to undermine my faith and writing it down is helping to confirm my belief in God and strengthening it. Seeing/feeling my life rocked like this, and finding worship virtually impossible at the moment is scary. I have been a Christian for 20 years now, and up until this point I have never questioned the basics, I have taken those for granted. I still do I guess, Christ Lived, Christ Died and Christ rose again. But I have so many questions, but I just don’t know what they all are, or who to ask? I don’t want to seem like an idiot with basic questions on my faith having been a Christian for so many years. I know the basic answers it’s the deep theological answers I am after I think? I think I need to speak to someone I respect as a Christian, but then I don’t want to come across as a complete idiot?

I spoke to a friend who is a adamant Calvinist and I just thought, no that is so wrong! What’s the point of evangelism if you are a Calvinist? He said because you have to tell everyone but only those who are already saved will be saved? So I said if they are already saved they don’t need saving? I really do get myself in a state sometimes. I just can’t believe in pre-destination, more so since the accident.

I am quiet confused as this suggests. I know some answers but I am still confused with things like, I am saved, it says so in the Bible, so if I am saved and I know I am saved, why then am I not certain I am going to Heaven? Because it also says I must lead a good life and do things like be evangelical and Christ like, which makes Heaven conditional? I am just a ordinary bloke who falls every day. I don’t burn with a passion to tell everybody about Christ, I don’t help everyone who needs help who I see, in fact I even avoid some people. I am selfish and materialistic, I like the nice things in life I even enjoy occasionally getting drunk and I love eating even over eating.(that last one’s a real shocker)


I am not expecting answers here, it is just cathartic to write down my thoughts and feelings. I know the answers to my questions will come when I ask the right person/people. I just need to be prayerful to find who the right person is.

So what’s been a happening?

Monday I took Heidi into Birmingham as she had a meeting, so I did a little window shopping (no not for windows) but for jeans, I couldn’t find any I like, then Heidi and I went and did a little shopping, by the time we had finished I was shattered.

Tuesday was a day I did some paper work and did some pricing for some work for Simon in Kenya, in the evening was a curry quiz night, a wonderful evening, Dr Spooner was amazing, I could listen to David talk all night, our team of 3 did the first 7 rounds then David joined us for the last 3 rounds we came 3rd...not bad as the teams that beat us had 6 and 8 in them.

Today I was at hospital getting seen by a consultant Dr Singh, I have to go back again in January. That’s about it really, bit boring but I guess that’s life.

Bonfire Weekend

This weekend was eventful.
I have Reindeer Flu and have been dosed up on cough/flu medication, so I have only had the odd glass of wine or tinny of beer. Though I had a wonderful if not cold time.

Martin and Lou

Lou, Martin, Heidi and Dom

Amy Viv, Steve and Big Al

Jen

Saturday was spent preparing for Sat Evening, a top time with friends here at our house/garden for a fireworkless party, but as our garden is well placed and the decking is up high we got to see hundreds of them for free. The food was well eaten and not much was left, and a good time was had.

Elfie & Cath playing with Sparklers martin was Sparkler Monitor

Having FUN FUN FUN

Dave, Skip, Andi and Phil enjoing a chat

Shelagh enjoying her sparkler

Sunday... was Church, mmmm The morning was excellent it was a Parade service and was about Bible Explorers and was a top service, the evening was Tommy Cannon and Chris Gidney. Tommy Cannon was a famous comedian with Bobby Ball in the 70’s and early 80’s . He and Chris sort of told his story, it could have been excellent with scripting and a little rehearsal, I was there from 4:30 for this purpose? Tommy Cannon got lost with Sat Nav so that didn’t happen. Chris did a little comedy(?) First as a warm up and told the worst jokes(?) Ever finishing with a card with a naff drawing of a black baby that was supposed to be Shirley Bassey??? Would have been great in the 1960’s . Then Cannon came out and started well, and went on to slag off the Church, Vicars and Amy and her nice new cardie? How to win friends and influence people? Amy and music group did a wonderful job and sang a wonderful song to lead us into worship...shame it went downhill after the guests came on.

It's a Firework Pixie

Would you trust this man to set and light Fireworks?

We Did!

Julia enjoying the Fireworks

Then onto Aaron’s for fireworks... a nice end to the evening/weekend watching some fireworks with friends, Aaron and Martin setting them off and us watching to see if they were going to blow us/themselves and the garden up.

Did that "JOKE" and "THAT WORD" really come out of her sweet mouth?

All in all a great weekend, now I need to get some more cough syrup doon me neck.

So it's Friday

Well I still have manflu/reindeer flu Aaron!!!!
Anyhooo feeling a little better with loads of medication. I have made the chilli and collected the sausages for the Chillidogs, Mrs EB has tested the Chilli and said it is good to go. I’ll test it tomorrow afternoon once it has rested.

Apart from that not much has happened apart from having some big cuddles with the cats. Well I thought I would let you see me over my formative years:-

Me aged 8 months old

(the first and only time I have played with a football)

Me aged 18 months

Me aged 8 years

It's Aarons fault

I feel pants today I have Manflu again and it has gone onto my chest so I am hacking like a pneumatic drill and my head hurts, which of course is Aaron's fault, Aaron gave Manflu to me a few weeks ago, and I think it is still down to him. So if anyone else now gets it it's Smithy's fault..

An Ibis on Sanibel Beach

some more Pictures

I am still feeling pretty naff so I thought I would go through some holiday photo's to cheer myself up, here are a few more wildlife photo's taken on our last trip to Florida.

Archiving and Halloween

Well my Blog was getting very long so I have changed some of the settings and all my old postings are now under the archive tag on the right under the months.

Today is a sad day for me, as this time last year Matt and I played each other up so much. One of the first the first things I said too him as he signed on, was that he wouldn't need to wear a mask to cover his face today as it was halloween and he wouldn't be out of place when he walk down the road to pick up his news paper and he may even be given a sweetie for his trick or treat face.

Matt would always come back with something much worse and that was Oct 31st last year a whole day spent trying to out insult each other, I have a picture that Matt did and used as his avitar last year, and here it is, this is how Matt responded to my comments about him at Halloween.

One of the many things that make me tick

Comedy

I really enjoy comedy, from the Black and White’s of Laurel and Hardy and Abbot and Costello to brand new stuff like QI, Greenwing and Extras.

Humour is something I need, my whole persona just needs humour, I need to laugh I have a funny bone that needs tickling. I love to watch old comedy programmes like Morecambe and Wise (possibly the funniest double act ever) The Two Ronnies, Open All Hours, Only Fools…UK Gold’s output really. Paramount Comedy Channel is one of my favourite light entertainment channels as I enjoy some American Comedy like Mad about You (mmmm Helen Hunt) Two and a Half Men, everybody Loves Raymond and King of Queens and Becker.

I was listening to a programme on BBC7 at 4am about Eric and Ernie this morning and it was amazing I could see them doing all their bits even down to the expressions on Eric’s face when he did his asides. I often listen to comedy on Radio and through that I have found some great TV comedy, things like The Mighty Boosh, Goodness Gracious Me, Little Britain all Radio 4 starters and BBC7 playouts. One of Matt and my things where to find new programmes to play to each other, and one of the last programmes I got Matt to listen to was “Old Harry’s Game” written by Andy Hamilton and is on Radio 4 and BBC7 it is an excellent comedy that has now run for about 8 years a programme I have listened to from day one, and one that was new to Matt. It is set in Hell where Andy plays the devil, sounds well dodgy but it isn’t and it is very funny and excellently written and acted.

At the moment Radio Comedy just doesn’t seem as funny anymore, so I am giving it a miss. I can’t enjoy it or get excited about it coming on. I guess I just miss Matt too much. I miss the chat about it with my office partner. I miss the reflection and the laughter. I miss us doing “Who’s on first?”

Some Pictures from The Curry Night

We had a very enjoyable curry last night at Cafe Garden 22 people joined Heidi for a meal in memory of Matt, even Robbie came along and was seen grazing on my Chilli Garlic Nann.

Curry Update

Mmmmmm Curry ohhh mmmm rrrrrrghhhh curry

++++++++++++++++************************************+++++++++++++++++

STOP PRESS

ALL REINDEER INVITED

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So what is happening tonight?, I hear you asking, Well Heidi has now been to see Mo at Cafe Garden and given the all clear for Nut free food. Huzzzah, Jen and Heidi can have a big curry.

Well we are meeting in The Vesey from 8pm for a beer and chat, then we will trundle across the road to the Cafe for a feed at about 9:30 a, seems simple yet very pleasurable.

I look forward to seeing you all this evening

I can smell something very fishy

Day 3 of holiday club, was all about doing things for other people and not being selfish.

Clive and Ed where fishing off the stage I was putting various things in Clives net he was then reeling it in and showing the catch to the kids, things like a toy dog..a Dog Fish!!! He would also have sweetie fish in the net and eat those, Ed would have sweetie fish and throw them out to the kids. Anyhooo after a few fishing things a sword (swordfish) more sweeties . I would put a whole mackerel into his net. Simple, he would go to eat it and say I’m full and I feel a bit sick, I have been greedy.

Well this fish had been bought yesterday and has been about a bit and you could say a little worse for being out in a very warm Church, by the time we got to do this the first time it was a little smelly, by the 2nd time my eyes were watering I really don’t know how Clive actually had it that close to his nose without chucking up over the kids.

I went on a walkabout today and saw the games and crafts, the kids were just full of enthusiasm it was excellent, well tomorrow is the last day which is good and a big shame, I have had such a blast playing all week.

Got your sealegs?

Holiday Club Day 2

What a fantastic day, I loved it! Captain Donald did the Seuss story today..so I popped out to see the younger ones...just wonderful. Tomorrow I will pop out and see the games. I wonder where Polly wil be tomorrow?

Avast ye swabs

The first day of Holiday club

Wow what a day; I just enjoy holiday club so much. Donald, Karen and Colin have put so much work into it then Ed and Clive have added that sparkle.

I just love people watching at Holiday Club, the kids just go into everything with 100% enthusiasm. I am sure I get a million times more out of holiday club than I put into it. I am just so grateful that I am let to go along.

Crikey bet that smarts

Ouch ouch ouch ouch ooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucccccccccccccccccccccccccccchhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Monday Part 2

Well Holiday club is set up, and wow does it look good, HMS Treasure. So much hard work by those behind the scenes, but it has really paid off. It make me proud to be a small part of such a brilliant team.

Right Friday evening Curry

I have provisionally booked Cafe Garden for 9:3pm so if we meet up in the Vesey from about 8pm for a beer and chat and then we can trundle over to the Cafe. If you haven’t said you are coming could you let me know so I can confirm the numbers with Mo.

It's Monday again

Well this was a mixed weekend; Saturday day was quiet duplicating CD’s for Sunday, reading the News, cooking lunch and snoozing. Saturday evening was spent with some old friends we haven’t seen much of recently, fantastic food and a really nice evening.

Sunday I was on sound at Church, my old friend Pete Worth was guest speaker at Church it was really nice to see Pete again and to hear him, it was quite a few years since I last saw Pete but jolly nice it was. We popped out for lunch to the harvester then home for a snooze….always good to get a afternoon snooze in. Sunday evening and Donald did the service at short notice, it was excellent one of the best with some Dr Seuss thrown in for good measure.
Afterwards it was on to the Bishop for our usual chat and beer, Mullins Burger was there week which was good, nice to see him and hear he is enjoying collage, though he has obviously forgotten to take a razor with him!!!

I am guessing there will be about 20 at the curry Friday evening, if you haven’t actually told me you are coming along I need to know PDQ so txt me or email or leave a message here.

Well this week is the start of Holiday club!!!! More on that laters.

Friday night

So last night was an evening of parts:-

Part 1

The Balti; Curley Al and I went to Café Garden for a Balti and chew the fat, it was just a fantastic time of catching up and talking and just being with a friend. Al had a Chilli Chicken Tikka Massala it even smelt hot!! It looked great the sauce tasted nice but I am not going to be having one in the near future. I had Lamb Tikka Balti with a garlic and Chilli Nann. Very tasty and with a tad of heat from the Nann just about right. About 8:15 we said TTFN and I went home just in time to meet Mrs EB back from her trip to London.

Part 2

Bassets Pole; We popped over to the Reindeers Stable to pick up Mrs Freelancenerd and then went to the Pole so Mrs EB could have some tea, Gammon and Pineapple looked and smelt very tasty I had fruit juice Mrs EB and Mrs Freelancenerd had a bottle of Red wine between them, well nearly as Poshbird joined us and she had a small glass. About 10ish Poshbird had a txt to say that some other guys where meeting at the PH.

Part 3

Park House; So we trundled off to the PH and met up with Becks, Martin, Elfie and Jen, again I had a fruit juice (Mr Healthy huh) and the Girls had a bottle of Red, now most pubs have flexi hours the PH at 11:20 on the dot it was get out of here now? I used to really like the PH and have gone off it over the last few years, it is really Smokey and customer service…yeah and how welcoming "You have about 1 min to get out !".

Anyhooo apart from the naffness of the PH staff and smokey atmosphere it was a really good night, Mrs Freelancenerd seemed to be relaxed and was having a nice time, Mrs EB was able to veg out (much needed) and I just enjoyed being out with friends, it was great to see Martin he always makes me laugh as does Dobby the House Elf. That was about it really, a great night spent with friends and Mrs EB, lets hope for lots more great evenings

On that note next Friday will be a Balti night at Café Garden, this is a special night as both Heidi and Jen should be going and having a curry!!! Heidi just needs to double check with Mo at Café Garden about the nut free status and then a Balti for them!! How cool. I have enjoyed some top curries there with Matt and with Chris and it should be a top evening. I could do with a rough Idea of numbers for booking. It will be about 9pm so that those doing yoof work and Aaron doing sex work on the streets can join us. Can you leave a message here, txt me, email or see me at Church or at the Bishop and I’ll get a booking. I'll need to book the table for about 9ish but if you can't get there till later let me know soI can tell Mo, I wouldn't want you to miss a curry!!!

Friday

Mrs EB is back this evening but I am out with Curley Al for a Balti, I know who would of thought me going out for a curry?

There was a Church meeting last night, it was a good meeting the building project is moving along and Cath’s projects are really exciting, She is such a busy bunny. I don't know how Aaron could be so cruel to Cath and post that picture on his blog. I would never have dared to post it, but I am scared of Cath, cuz she is very hard. *sniggers*

Monday will see my proper start for holiday club, I’ll be setting up the sound and stuff like that. The scene screen boards are looking top banana and talking to some of the others involved the excitement is building, I wonder if the kids are as excited?

Apart from a little work coming in from London it is pretty quiet. I am looking forward to spending some time with Mrs EB this weekend and seeing some old friends for tea Saturday night.

(Again click on the photo for a larger version)

Another photo from my wildlife collection, a grey squirrel (no really) hiding in logs at Coombe Abbey Coventry.