Man that was a long week!

Although since summer, time has been flying (in general), the last week seriously dragged - perhaps it's the long dark days, perhaps it's being out every night since Thursday straight from work (can't be good leaving for work somewhere between 7am and 9.30am, and not getting back home until gone 10:30pm can it?!). Tuesday I had my PC technician hat on, and gave Si a lift with sorting with computer out. Didn't take too long so we got a chinese take away and then went to the pic's to see Lords of War and although this review aint the best - we thought it was an excellant film!

Wednesday, was the Martyn Joseph gig in Sale - have seen him loads of times - can't understand why he's not made it big really - an amazing lyricist!

Last night was an Altaer Night described as " A time of creative exploration into the Divine: expect the unexpected!" - had a great God time.

Then tonight was band no2 practice - Encore. Had the slightly strange experience of starting on trombone, then played keyboards (Livin on a Prayer-Bon Jovi!), sang (Somethin Stupid a la Robbie), then ended up on drums ... and before you ask ... no I'm not a drummer - well not a very good one :)

Gonna put the washing on in a bit, then go to bed - and lie in!

Before I leave you, here are a couple of photo's I took this week. We had a quiz night at Church tonight - and I was asked to take some pics of buildings etc in Manchester from weird angles - these are some from normal angles!

Enjoy...

East Is East

Just back from a night out at the theatre ... been to see East is East at the Bolton Octagon Theatre. One of my mates - John Afzal - is in the cast playing Saleem (he's the one with his tongue out!)

A great story, very funny, contains some rather violent and 'colourful' scenes ... but it's very real.

They're in Bolton for another couple of weeks, before continuing their national tour... I'll hopefullt get to see it again sometime soon...

and No ... I have no pland to give up my day job to become a theatre critic!

2 in 3 days....

If you can spare a moment, check out the site and tunes and of some friends of mine ...

Doug Walker

Jayne Lewis

OneDegree

they're all destined for great things ...

PS happy birthday Caz!

Has it really been a month!?!?!?!?

Wow where did that month go????? It's now November 3rd - happy birthday Ms Lewis ;-) - it's nearly Christmas - yay...

Well it's been a month of ups and downs, there've been times of joy, frustration, despair, loneliness, confusion, and ecstasy...

Well what's happened in a month ??? I saw onehundredhours gig - caught up with my twin - my old mucker Bruce - which is always a blast. The hours brought a slice of good old American rock'n'roll to Manchester, with a side serving of heaven for good measure :)

Also saw my mates from OneDegree gig in Manchester - they're just waiting to be signed :):):)

Did a bit of stewarding for the Message at the Manchester Apollo for Luv Esther - which was a blast ...

Sunday was the dedication of a good friends baby - Abigail Newton was given back to God - I got invited to play piano for the service. It's always fun playing songs that you don't know - think I got away with it though! Then I went off to another gig in Cheadle and saw Dweeb (fab name for a band - the guys are totally nuts!!!!!!!!!), DJ Andy Hunter, and rounded off by the amazing Steve. Just had a quick look at Andy Hunter's site and spotted this which I thought I'd share with you...

Grace.

Grace suggests the sublime spontaneity of the divine which no theory or category could ever capture.
Grace has its own elegance.
It is above the mechanics of agenda or operation.
No one can set limits to the flow of grace.
Its presence and force remain immeasurable and unpredictable. Grace also suggests how fluent and seamless the divine presence is.


There are no compartments, corners or breakages imaginable in the flow of grace.
Grace is the permanent climate of divine kindness.
This climate of kindness nurtures the score landscape of the human heart and urges torn ground to heal and become fecund.
Grace is the perennial infusion of spring-time into the winter of bleakness.


John O'’Donohue
'Divine Beauty: The Invisible Embrace”'

Well yesterday was an adventure and a half! Caught a 7.25 flight from Manchester to Heathrow with my 'stewarding mentor' Mike Chesterton. Then tubed it across London to Westminster to steward a Trade Justice event where approx 10,000 people congregated to lobby their MP's on the issue of trade Justice. Was an amazing - trouble free - day! London is a beautiful place and I can't wait to go back again...as long as it doesn't rain like it did in the afternoon! Now coming from Manchester I know what rain looks like! But London's rain seemed heavier and wetter - by the time my shift was over my trousers were saturated. This regrettable meant I had to go shopping for some dry jeans. I found this cool shop near Victoria station and got some nice jeans for a tenner - bargain!! I couldn't be doing with siiting round in wet trousers - especially as the flight home wasn't til 8.30pm. All in all it was a good day.

Was flagging by about 11 this morning - and the eyelids are starting to go now.

Will love you and leave, and until next time I'll leave you with this thought "thoughtthoughtthoughtthoughtthoughtthoughtthoughtthought".