Life, Science Fiction, Pantos and Soap Operas

We had a problem with our fancy photocopier in work. And like in so many large organisations, what should have been a simple process of replacing a waste toner cartridge turned into a bit of a pantomime. I made several phone calls before I received one from the support people. A Douglas Adams called me. This amused me somewhat bearing in mind this guy shared a name with the famous writer of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'. But this guy talked toner.

And so the process progressed in a manner not dissimilar to a scene from the previously mentioned book. First they said they didn't do it. Then the people they did say did it, well, didn't. Then the first people I called had to be contacted by another person to confirm they did do the thing that they should have done in the first place.....and so on.

In the end I spoke to Mark Fowler. He got it sorted and at the end of the call I paused and waited. What for? Well, a dramatic statement, a roll of a drum, and some tacky music....

You get some days like that.

Picture This

My brother is the 'arty' one in the family. If you remember he created a mind bending picture for my Christmas present last year.

Well, while transferring some other images that I took with his camera I had the pleasant surprise of realising I had accidentally downloaded some of pictures he had taken of his own work. I think they are great and just wanted to share a few with you so here they are.

Liasmon Chocolate Fountain Lights

I hate to disappoint all you diet conscious out there. My title doesn't refer to a new lo-cal chocolate fountain but rather the funky light-up base my sisters have for their machine. Doesn't it look pretty! You can basically choose what colour you want depending on your wedding colours or decor of whatever room your event is in. The chocolate still has to be brown.

Visit www.liasmon.co.uk for more details.

Jesus Says GO! In Dublin

A week ago today the 'Jesus Says GO!' road show made it to Dublin. The recently renovated Grosvenor Road Baptist Church was the venue, encouraging young people in Christian Mission was the aim.

'A Baptist Church in Dubin?!' a confused Irishman asked us. He was what could be described as a little merry during our conversation in Dominos later that night. Clearly celebrating the 1-0 defeat of Wales he was rather bemused in talking to the Baptist boys from the North and another gent who claimed to be French at the time but if you ask me could sing 'Land of my Fathers' with the best of them.

The craic was great. The pizza was delicious.

Markethill

Last weekend I had the privilege of once again play in Allan Ellingsgaards band in a little place called Markethill. We all had a good night and though the crowd was small in number they were big in hospitality and generosity. Allan sold a stack of CDs which was also great!

The guys (minus me) will be playing in Ballymena Baptist (aka Hill St Baptist but not in Hill St at the moment as they are rebuilding!) on 4th April. So you catch enjoy the music by getting along to that and enjoy it even more by buying a cd to listen to at home! Great gift for Easter too!

Petition

This kind of thing gets my goat. Thing is, someday someone is going to make it illegal for me to get my goat. They'll say things like 'you can't have a goat, because you discriminated against a sheep!'. And I'll say something like 'but I wanted, no, I needed a goat and besides it is my back garden I want a goat in it - not a sheep'. Of course, I don't actually have a goat, but if I did I would go and get it right now and no on can stop me.......sorry, back to the issue...

Click here to sign a petition in an attempt to help Christian Union's control who may come into leadership of them. While the goat business above is a load of nonsensical ramblings there is a serious issue at stake here. A Christian Union should be exactly what is claims to be - a union of Christians. Therefore the union cannot have anyone in it, and certainly not leading it who is not united by the fact that they are Christians. A diversion from that will make it neither Christian nor a union!

Maybe the issue is that we have diluted the very meaning of what it is to be a Christian but that is a another debate entirely.

FYI, you have to be a UK resident to vote in the petition and you can only sign once - a bit like an election.

Jesus Says GO! Living the dream?

You may have seen the trailer, but this is the first of the videos that Matt and I put together for the actual event. If you call back in a couple of weeks, you can see the second instalment. Of course, if you make it the event in Dublin or Belfast you can see the sequels before then!

Allan Ellingsgaard

I made a brief mention of him below but thought I should dedicate at least one stand alone blog to the guy! You can link to his site here to listen to some of the tracks from his album 'Coming Home'.



It has been my privilege to help out playing keyboard in his backing band recently. Our next gig is in Markethill, Armagh on Friday 23rd March, so if you can make it why not come along for a listen. If you want more details, let me know.

Jesus Says GO!

Hi, I haven't blogged in some time. That has been mostly due to having a relatively dull existance for the past wee while. But the movie trailer relates to something great that I have been involved with of late.

Catch the road show! You can still get to it at Grosvenor Road, Dublin or Newtownbreda Baptist, Belfast over the coming weeks. We were in Magherafelt last night and it was great!

Not only will you hear some encouraging and challenging stuff but you will also have the opportunity to hear Allan Elingsgaard play and sing. He is brilliant! You should buy his album. If you want one, let me know.