Parents

Don't you just love them?

Pixey and Mission Team leader where feeding our cats whilst we were away. My Dad also had a set of our house keys....when we arrive back I find this picture that my dad had placed in our kitchen for Pixey and Mission Team leader to see!!!

I can't even remember when it was taken I was thin then so its over 10 years ago I am guessing close to 20 years ago?

Then I get in my car and in the glove compartment is this photo taken just after Mrs EB and I got married I guess. (mullets where in then!!!)

Thanks Daddy

Elvis explained

Whilst on my "vacation" (see I have gone all American) I have read Rob Bell's - Velvet Elvis repainting the Christian faith.

What an amazing book, it takes you back to the ABC af faith and helps you to start again. I have been so encouraged by this book. I have been really finding my understanding of my basic faith very stilted since September 10th.

Rob's book is so much like the Nooma videos, he writes as he speaks and he doesn't bombard you with data and verse he just explains in a caring and understanding way. Very much like Church Team leader. I feel I am ready to start to grow again as a follower of the Living God. Thanks to some very caring friends and a good book. If anyone would like to borrow this amazing book just ask, but be prepared to have your brain blown open....well it did for me with some basic theology explained very simply to a dafty.

Guess the weight!!!

So at our hotel in Vegas "The Excalibur" was a first floor with various food stuffs and entertainment offerings, the buffet!!!! Had 4 long serving areas which were about as long as it is as far as the Chinese in Boldmere to The Vesey!!!! Plus it had other food station areas as well!!!

Anyhoo aside from all this food were Bars and various activities, one was a guess your age, Mrs EB and I were sure I could win this one!!! We paid our $2 and he looked at me and said 42!!! Where the heck did he get that info!!!!!

Las Vegas is one place I did enjoy and we both has a top time there, I am sure we will bore everyone to death with our stories...

Today after a very hectic day at Knotts Berry Farm, plenty to say about that place!!! and our drive to L.A. We are just taking it easy, what a shame these little guys can't do the same.

Whist eating breakfast on our balcony this morning a hummingbird was out collecting cobwebs for her nest!!! how wonderful......

Viva Las Vegas

Week 1 Las Vegas, well how to describe Las Vegas? Loud, brash, in your face, big..in fact it’s bloody huge!!!! But it is also great fun and very friendly. We have had an amazing time, I am sure Mrs EB will blog her own views on Vegas, so these are just how I found it.

Vegas is very deceptive, a hotel that is just up the road, looks just up the road can be a mile away!!!! I know that sounds stupid, but Hotels in Vegas are very big, so look close by!!! I will blog some pictures when I get back to show what I mean. SO we got very sore feet and legs.

We saw "Love" by Cirque du Soliel, I don’t think I have ever seen anything as good or amazing in my life!!! (sitting on the balcony of our villa in Palm Springs(actually Palm Dessert) a humming Bird just flew up and started getting nectar from a tree by my ear!!!!that is a very close 2nd) afterwards we had a beer in the Revolution Bar a Beatles inspired bar which was also just fantastic.

Another trip we took was a helicopter ride over the Hoover Dam to the Grand Canyon, then down into the Canyon, then onto a Cowboy Ranch for a BBQ lunch. The Helicopter ride was brill, the Hoover Dam and Lake mead just mind blowing a 150 mile man made lake!!!! The Grand Canyon shows you the majesty of God in no uncertain terms, the Cowboy thing naaaa totally naff though the BBQ Chicken was very tasty.

Mrs EB was very lucky one morning; we popped to the Old Town of Vegas, the bit in all the old movies and she played a fruit machine and won $50 which was very nice and paid for dinner!!! Mmmm the food in Vegas is big and very tasty.

Anyway I am not here to Blog but enjoy myself with the amazing views we have and the peace and quiet, which after a week of bells and ching ching ching and screams and whoops is so needed.

So long, farewell, Auf wiedersehen, adieu,

Wooohoooo well time has raced by and we go on our holidays tomorrow!!! I don’t know about Mrs EB but I am very excited about our trip. I don’t think I will be blogging from Vegas or Palm Springs so I will do some big blogs when we get back.

Our Hotel, how cool, I will of course be playing King Arthur...........

This years Cherry Blossom

This is for Mrs FLN and the rest of Freelance Nerds family, this is this years Cherry Tree Blossom, It is a good week early this year, though it isn't in full blossom yet after today’s glorious sunshine it will not be long, which is nice that I get to see it. If it does reach full bloom I will post another picture.

Easter

This has been a nice Easter, we have spent time with Mrs EB's Brother, we have seen lots of friends, we have been to church a few times. Mrs EB lead Worship Sunday evening with a new set up. (muzo's on the platform)

We have been feeding 2 friends Cats, and I have the scars to prove that one is getting her daily tablet good old Esme!!! The other cat, Jessica, just looks at me with a total air of "What are you looking at? errmm if you have done what you came to do, get lost" These two friends feed our Cats when we are away. Our two cats are such tarts, they will be at the door waiting for them with bellies ready to be tickled and loads of purrrs and lots of meows to tell them how grateful of the company and food they are.

It has been an excellent time, especially as I can now have a cup of tea (I am sure lent is getting longer), thanks Teapot for the Al Fayed tea.

As I look out of my Studio window this morning, my Cherry tree is coming into blossom, this is a sharp reminder of my friend Matt. It seems to be coming into blossom a week early this year. Matt once told me he loved Cherry Blossom as it was always in Blossom on his Birthday, so on his Birthday a few years ago I took this photo and sent it to him. He was thrilled with it. So I thought I would share it with you. I will not be here this year for Matt's birthday, but I will raise a large glass of something tasty to Matt and Heidi, Stephen, Viv, Al and the family Ooop North.

Here is a poem off Media Chaplains blog today

Time is . . .

Too slow for those who wait,

Too swift for those who fear,

Too long for those who grieve,

Too short for those who rejoice,

But for those who love,

Time is eternity.

Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933)

A Joke from Spain and a Joke from Walmley

A Family friend from Spain sent this today, she sends a few things a month this is one of the first that I have been able to actually post or pass on.

My husband, being unhappy with my mood swings, bought me a mood ring the other day so he would be able to monitor my moods. We've discovered that when I'm in a good mood, it turns green. When I'm in a bad mood, it leaves a big bleedin' red mark on his forehead. Maybe next time he'll buy me a diamond.

This is from a mate Dave

A woman went to the doctor's office, where she was seen by a young, new doctor. After about 4 minutes in the examination room, the doctor told her she was pregnant. She burst out, screaming as she ran down the hall. An older doctor stopped her and asked what the problem was, and she told him her story. After listening, he had her sit down and relax in another room. The doctor marched down the hallway to the back where the first doctor was and demanded, " What's the matter with you? Mrs. Terry is 59 years old, she has four grown children and seven grandchildren, and you told her she was pregnant?" The new doctor continued to write on his clipboard and without looking up said, "Does she still have the hiccups?"

A couple of little Jokes from Ronnie

Elderly couple, Margaret and Bert, are in California. Bert always wanted a pair of authentic cowboy boots, so, seeing some on sale, he buys them and wears them home, walking proudly.

He walks into the house and says to his wife, "Notice anything different about me?"

Margaret looks him over, "Nope".

Frustrated, Bert storms off into the bathroom, undresses, and walks back into the room completely naked except for the boots. Again he asks, a little louder this time, "Notice anything different NOW?"

Margaret looks up and says, "Bert, what's different? It's hanging down today, it was hanging down yesterday, it'll be hanging down again tomorrow."

"Furious, Bert yells, "AND DO YOU KNOW WHY IT'S HANGING DOWN, MARGARET?"

"No, she replies.

Bert yells, "IT'S HANGING DOWN, BECAUSE IT'S LOOKING AT MY NEW BOOTS!!!!"

Margaret replies... "Shoulda bought a hat, Bert. Shoulda bought a Hat!"

And another joke

This is something to think about when negative people are doing their best to rain on your parade. So remember this story the next time you run into someone who knows nothing, cares less and tries to make your life miserable.

A woman was at her hairdresser's getting her hair styled for a trip to Rome with her husband. She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who responded: "Rome? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded and dirty! You're crazy to go to Rome. So, how are you getting there?"

"We're taking Continental," was the reply. "We got a great rate!"

"Continental?" exclaimed the hairdresser. "That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always late. So, where are you staying in Rome?"

"We'll be at this exclusive little place over on Rome's Tiber River called Teste."

"Don't go any further. I know that place. Everybody thinks its gonna be something special and exclusive, but it's really a dump, the worst hotel in the city! The rooms are small, the service is surly, and they're overpriced. So, whatcha' doing when you get there?"

"We're going to go to see the Vatican and we hope to see the Pope."

"That's rich," laughed the hairdresser. "You and a million other people trying to see him. He'll look the size of an ant. Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it."

A month later, the woman again came in for a hairdo The hairdresser asked her about her trip to Rome.

"It was wonderful," explained the woman, "not only were we on time in one of Continental's brand new planes, but it was overbooked, and they bumped us up to first class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old steward who waited on me hand and foot. And the hotel was great! They'd just finished a $5 million remodeling job, and now it's a jewel, the finest hotel in the city . They, too, were overbooked, so they apologized and gave us their owner's suite at no extra charge!"

"Well," muttered the hairdresser, "that's all well and good, but I know you didn't get to see the Pope."

"Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we toured the Vatican, a SwissGuard tapped me on the shoulder, and explained that the Pope likes to meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as to step into his private room and wait, the Pope would personally greet me. Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down and he spoke a few words to me."

"Oh, really! What'd he say?"

He said, "Where'd you get the flamin awful hairdo?"

Busy Bunny

This past week has been quite a busy, Mrs EB’s brother is with us and I have been taking him out and about. I have also been at parents a lot in the early part of the week sorting out stuff for last Wednesdays evening. Wednesday evening was a Charity night organised my parents for Macmillan Cancer relief Nurses at Regal Court. It was a top night, Mrs EB sung and it was excellent, Timelord and Teapot came along and I believe had a good night out, I enjoyed the evening though by home time I had had a beer too many.
I have also been sorting out two friends cats 1 of which needs a tablet each day, but she is not a very social cat, not the easiest job, but she is worth it. I would like to know where she learned that sort of language though?

The 2nd part of the week was spent doing a lot of driving about and eating and drinking and being at church. I am going to be busy again over the next few days, so I may not get many Blogs in before we are off on our little trip.

Uh huuuh Elvis has left the building

I have been blessed to see a few Rob Bell videos, Mission Team leader ran a series on Wednesday evenings called "Reaching Your Potential" and before each one of these she played a Nooma Video I got so much from these videos. Anyhooo the other week one was used in a Sunday Service and I thought Rob Bell really knows how to get a message across. He is very much like Team Leader in the way he gets it across. So I decided to buy Rob Bell's book, Velvet Elvis - Repainting The Christian Faith. I have just started to read it and it is an excellent read, it is written in the same style as Rob talks.

I did buy it as a holiday read, but I had a sneaky peak and I am drawn in, it takes you back to basics in the Christian Faith, and to be honest I need that. I really do thank God for the Team Leaders at Church and the Rob Bells, they do make learning about God a pleasure and a joy, the Joy of the Lord is a wonderful thing.

The Doctors assistant

Martha Jones....(Freema Agyeman) here is The Doctors new assistant, and very nice she is too. I look forward to seeing her in the coming weeks....Oh yes.... Drat and double drat, we are away for a few of the Doctors episodes I wonder if anyone with a DVDR would record them for MrsEB and myself please?

A Picture

During Sunday evenings service I believe I was spoken to by God, I was challenged by a picture and some words. I have slept on this and I feel I would share them.

I had a picture of an anvil with a heavy chain on it, a small hammer was hitting it but only a few sparks would fly off it. Then I heard the words “you must all do it together”. A larger hammer hit the chains and it was marked, the hammer kept striking the chain and it was weakening. I again heard “you must all work together”, then when the chain was struck by a very heavy hammer it gave way and separated.

I know this may sound a bit lame but I feel God was saying to me, as a people of God we should unify behind things like Fair Trade, if we all did it, then the Tesco and ASDA’s would start paying fair prices to its suppliers.

Snaps

When we arrived home yesterday afternoon a squirrel was in the middle of his/her upside down lunch. I had forgotten to put some nuts out for the squirrels so she had decided that the bluetits was fair game. I just popped in to the Kitchen and one of the robins was eating the sunflower hearts. I was only quick enough to get a snap off before she flew off. It isn't sharp or that good as it is through glass. I am getting them used to feeding very close to the kitchen window, I am hoping I will soon be able to be outside when they feed. Then I will be able to get a picture or two.

April Fools Day

Today is April 1st April fools day. The day or morning of practical jokes, News papers, radio and TV stations usually go for it. I myself don’t really bother, I enjoy a joke anytime of the year. I don't take anything seriously on April 1st which can be a shame...but once bitten twice shy, and growing up in a house of 7 I was bitten more than once on April Fools Day.

2000 years ago Thomas thought it was joke that Christ had risen on the Third Day, he was the fool that day, when Christ said, put your hands in my side Thomas, feel where the nails punctured my hands...

Google April Fool 1

Google April Fool 2

The Doctor will be in the House at 7pm

Huzzzaahhh yes!!! The Timelord will be on our TV's again this evening at 7pm. I have been a fan of The Doctor since my early childhood.

Jon Pertwee as the Dandy Doctor (with assistant Jo Grant) was a favourite followed by

Tom Bakers Jelly Baby eating Doctor with Sarah Jane (ohh yes Timelord...Jelly Baby cakes? mmmm)
I was so thrilled when Russell T Davies brought back Doctor Who and Christopher Eccelstone was an excellent choice and I loved his manic eyes and eccentric way. David Tennant had me worried when it was announced he would be taking over the TARDIS...how daft of me, he is tops. So please, no calls between 7 and 8pm Saturdays.

A light read

A lighter posting today...phewwwww.

I am a Harry Potter fan, my Mum bought me a boxed set of the first 4 books for Christmas a few years ago when I was quite ill in bed for a long time, I started to read them and was hooked. I have read them all, some more than once, the first 4 are the Children's editions the next ones I have bought the adult editions, no it is not just the cover!!! on July 21st is the last book in the series, already spoilers are being written? why? I don't want spoilers, I want to be taken away to witches wizards, good over evil and Hogwarts and Harry, Ron and Hermione. I have been asked why did I read these evil books (someone from my Church actually said that) I said because I enjoy them, I know that they are just fiction and I am well aware of what lies down that road. I was once involved in some very dark things before I was saved. That isn't for today as I want to keep things light.

The books so far have been very well written and a totally absorbing read that has kept me enthralled from book 1. I enjoy fiction books, I also enjoy horror books, I have the latest James Herbert book to read on Holiday plus I have ordered Rob Bell's Velvet Elvis on Amazon for £4, so I will have a "Good Christian Book" as well.

So what is your favourite book?

Who is your favourite Author?

Arachnophobia

In August 2005 I blogged about how I really do not like spiders, FLN jeered at me and said that there is nothing to be scared of! They eat flies which was good enough for him. (that post still makes me laugh)
Rationally; no there isn’t anything to be scared of, I am much bigger and I can stand on them and squidge them, but I suffer from Arachnophobia, and I mean I really do have a fear of spiders, not just a quick scream, I lock up with fear, I cannot move I find it hard to breathe. As I am writing this blog I am shaking and have goose bumps and a sense that I have one on me. I have just spoken to Mrs FLN and she was being chased by a Bumble Bee out of her bathroom. Then I spoke to Mishkid Debs in Brazil and she was saying that the Bugs and stuff are really going for it there since the rains. Also there is always a big spider in loo.

When the mission was announced to Brazil for last year, I was interested and thought of going and El Pasto sent me a letter saying how concerned he was that I was even thinking of going to Trapia as he knew of my fear, I was very glad he wrote that letter and we had a great chat about my fear.
My fear of spiders goes back to when I was a young boy, I have an older brother who’s idea of fun when I was very young was to torture me in various ways, one of them was with spiders. Catching them and chasing me with them, putting them on me and that sort of thing. I doubt I will ever get over that fear. As I have got older it seems to get more and more irrational even seeing spiders on TV sends me into quivering idiot, ask Mrs EB about the time we watched the film Arachnophobia. So why have I used pictures of Tarantulas? Well I am hoping that if I keep looking at them that one day I will get used to seeing them.

When a friends kids were tiny we took them to Twycross Zoo, the one lad Sam wanted to see the tarantulas, we couldn't find them. So we went and asked, they said that part was closed for a refit, but if we popped over to this prefab hut we could ask to see one there. So off we went, and asked, this lady brought out Lucrecia a Mexican red kneed thing. Sam looked on, then the lady said would you like to stroke her? Sam was scared and wouldn't, so I said if I put my hand next to her you can rest your hand on mine then you can stroke her. He did that and enjoyed it. I really don’t know why I did it and I was shaking for hours afterwards. I guess I didn't want my fear to rub off on him.

Up to 27 Million people are slaves today!!!

It is 200 years since Britain made a law to abolish slavery, there is a new movie about it “Amazing Grace” and the story of William Wilberforce. So why is that today more people are in forced slavery than there was 200 years ago? Young Girls and Boys forced in to Prostitution and other vile parts of the sex industry. Young Girls forced into domestic work for just bed and board, if that is what it’s called.

Listening to a programme on the world service, so it isn’t a fully unbiased piece of programming, but it was very good, young children in Africa, Asia and the Filipinas are often sold by parents as they cannot afford to feed, clothe and school all of their children. The sale usually goes along the lines of, a man or woman goes to a village saying they are representing a company of some sort that has been offered work in America or Europe and if they have a child they can get them work as a domestic in a big house with good pay, enough pay for the child to send plenty of money home. Now comes the really nasty bit, they have to borrow the money off these evil people to pay for the flight, they cannot afford this so they are now in debt to these people, the child has to work off the debt, but that will never happen, so they will end up giving another child to them, then another....

These Children are rarely seen again, once out of the village they are quickly sold on, sometime as many 10 times before ending in up a brothel in Europe or America. Only just before Christmas some Brothels in the Centre of Birmingham were raided and young Pilipino Girls were set free, set free to what? I don’t know.

I wish I had an answer to how to stop this evil trade in people. Each person made in the Likeness of God, each person so precious and beautiful that he gave his only son to die for them.

Here are a few statistics I found on Save the Children’s website.

On the 200th anniversary of the Slave Trade Act, a new report by Save the Children reveals millions of children are still living as child slaves.

The report exposes the eight most prevalent forms of child exploitation where children are found in slavery-like conditions, forced to work long hours for little or nothing in return and often subject to extreme harm, violence and rape.

Child trafficking
1.2 million children and babies are trafficked every year, including into Western Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean, and the number is increasing.

Gangs involved in child and people trafficking make an estimated profit of US$ 32 billion per year.

Child prostitution
At any one time across the world, around 1.8 million children are being abused through prostitution, child pornography and sex tourism.

In the UK there are 5,000 child prostitutes. 75% of them are girls.

Bonded child labour
Millions of children are forced to work away their childhood in horrific conditions to pay off debt, or simply the interest on it.

In India alone, estimates suggest up to 15 million children could be enslaved by somebody else's debt, many involved in illegal, hazardous and dangerous work.

Forced work in mines
One million children are risking their lives in mines and quarries in more than 50 African, Asian and South American countries.

In the Sahel region of Africa, 200,000 children are working in gold and mineral mines.

Forced agricultural labour
132 million children under 15 work in agriculture, many unable to escape and exposed to pesticides, heavy machinery and dangerous tools.

In Kazakhstan, children work in cotton and tobacco fields and factories for up to 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

Child soldiers*
300,000 children under 15 are involved with fighting forces, including government armies. Boys and girls in at least 13 countries are actively being recruited as child soldiers or as army 'wives'.

Around 11,000 children in Democratic Republic of Congo are currently being held by fighting groups.

Forced child marriage
Child marriage is one of the most widespread - yet hidden - forms of slavery. Girls as young as four are forced to live with their husbands, and are often kept trapped indoors.

Girls under 15 are five times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth than women over 20. In Afghanistan more than half of all girls are married before they are 16.

Domestic slavery
Millions of children across the world, some as young as six, are forced to work up to 15 hour days as domestic workers. Many are beaten, starved and sexually abused.

There are 200,000 child domestic workers in Kenya, 550,000 in Brazil and 264,000 in Pakistan.

Jasmine Whitbread, CEO Save the Children:

"Child slavery is not a historical phenomenon - it is a stark reality for millions of children in both poor and rich countries. These children are treated like commodities; they can be lent or sold to other owners without warning, and live under crushing conditions of humiliation and abuse. Governments everywhere - including the UK - are not doing enough to respond to the plight of children trapped in this inhumane situation. World leaders and international donors must act as a matter of urgency to address child slavery and put in place the laws and resources needed to eradicate these terrible practices."

Save the Children is calling on all governments to:

address and ensure the eradication of child slavery through their own policies on global poverty reduction.
invest sufficient money and resources to protect children associated with slavery.
implement international standards on the worst forms of child labour where children in slavery are found.
put in place protection programmes, including recovery and rehabilitation, to offer emergency and long-term support to all children trapped in slavery-like conditions.
ensure education is offered in ways that support the removal of children involved in the worst forms of child labour; for example, that it is accessible, flexible and affordable.

Save the Children is calling on the public to:

lobby their MPs to make the elimination of child slavery a priority.
support fair trade initiatives that protect the rights of child laborers.

I know on Sunday that both services are about the 200th aniversary of Slavery. I am sure team Leader will gives us plenty to think about.

Sound Balancing and Audio Mixing...whats the difference?

Crikey 3 posts in 1 day!!!!

I do two sorts of audio jobs!!! I am a sound recorder and audio mixer by profession and I also sound balance at live events like Church and for bands and conferences. what’s the difference between the two I hear you ask?

Here goes...Sound Balancing; is fly by the seat of your pants audio mixing, you get 1 shot at it, and then its a done job. It is very stressful at an event like Saturday Night. You try to blend all the sounds, say a Piano, Bass Guitar, Drums, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonies, and Vocals, so it all sounds sweet. This is made slightly harder at Church at the moment as the desk keeps making an awful intermitant noise like it is farting electric. Its a low hum that isn't caused by an earth loop, it is more like something is shorting out. It's very annoying and I want to smack it hard. The pictures are of the desk at Church.

Sound Recording; is a little more critical in the fact that you need to get the right sound on "tape" (usually Hard Disk now), once you have that you can take as long as you like actually mixing it. Audio Mixing; is a subjective art as it is what sounds right to the person mixing at the time of mixing. Everyone will mix something in their own way and their own feel and leave their stamp on that piece of audio. I am in the last throws of mixing Mullins Burgers Album, I just need to record Mrs EB on a little bit of vocals on 1 track and it is all done. I asked my good friend Skip to help with the mixing of the tracks, I had them all up to a final mix and I was very happy with the sound, but as I had recorded them, edited them, then mixed them I thought another pair of ears would help.

So in a few weeks if a young drummer comes up to you and asks for a a few quid in exchange for a 6 track CD please do part with the money and enjoy the music, all the money raised will go to his college funds. Mrs EB, Amy and Amiability, Skipster Ian, Mullins Burger and his friend Matt are all on it....oh and I am not singing on it, so your ears will be safe ;-)