So tomorrow I am shaving my head for charity.
I'm weirdly apprehensive yet strangly it doesn't feel like it's going to happen, am totally blown away by people's generosity yet pondering how exactly this is going to affect me.
And in a break from the norm I'm going to leave it there as I am actually borderline speechless.
www.justgiving.com/DThairtodaygonetomorrow
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Friday, 23 October 2009
Freedom Of Speech
“I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” (Voltaire)
It always strikes me as odd how people are very happy for free speech until someone they disagree with has an opportunity to speak.
I confess to not knowing the full details behind Nick Griffin being on Question Time and I decided against watching it last night on point of principle that I don't watch the programme normally so if I do now I've cowered to populist opinion; either negative or positive. However, assuming that he is a political figure and this is a politcal programme that has democratically elected representatives on it, then why shouldn't he have the opportunity to speak. Cos last time I checked we the British public voted him in as an MEP. Yes I probably do disagree with most of what he says and stands for (although I don't know because I haven't read the BNP manifesto) but surely if we want freedom of speech we have to accept that some people are going to say things we don't want to hear.
Obviously there are some extenuating circumstances such as are the BNP a legally recognised party at the moment. What is Question Time's function and the rules which govern it (does his appearance break these). All of which might mean that perhaps he shouldn't have been allowed on the tv. But leaving that aside for one moment. How can we have freedom of speech and then not allow people to speak freely.
Some people will say things you don't want to hear. Some people are going to say things that are blatantly wrong (although the discussion about right and wrong will be for another time). Some people will abuse this freedom. Some people will offend your sensibilities. Some people though will open your eyes to things you did not know about. Some people will make a positive impact in this world by the words they say.
If you have a issue with freedom of speech, I suggest you use your vote wisely next summer. Or better yet, on top of that do something about it, such as get involved in politics or law, and actually do something.
And one final thought, this means I also agree with people being allowed to protest against such things. Although I am against violence, so peaceful protests only please.
It always strikes me as odd how people are very happy for free speech until someone they disagree with has an opportunity to speak.
I confess to not knowing the full details behind Nick Griffin being on Question Time and I decided against watching it last night on point of principle that I don't watch the programme normally so if I do now I've cowered to populist opinion; either negative or positive. However, assuming that he is a political figure and this is a politcal programme that has democratically elected representatives on it, then why shouldn't he have the opportunity to speak. Cos last time I checked we the British public voted him in as an MEP. Yes I probably do disagree with most of what he says and stands for (although I don't know because I haven't read the BNP manifesto) but surely if we want freedom of speech we have to accept that some people are going to say things we don't want to hear.
Obviously there are some extenuating circumstances such as are the BNP a legally recognised party at the moment. What is Question Time's function and the rules which govern it (does his appearance break these). All of which might mean that perhaps he shouldn't have been allowed on the tv. But leaving that aside for one moment. How can we have freedom of speech and then not allow people to speak freely.
Some people will say things you don't want to hear. Some people are going to say things that are blatantly wrong (although the discussion about right and wrong will be for another time). Some people will abuse this freedom. Some people will offend your sensibilities. Some people though will open your eyes to things you did not know about. Some people will make a positive impact in this world by the words they say.
If you have a issue with freedom of speech, I suggest you use your vote wisely next summer. Or better yet, on top of that do something about it, such as get involved in politics or law, and actually do something.
And one final thought, this means I also agree with people being allowed to protest against such things. Although I am against violence, so peaceful protests only please.
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Blah Blah Blah
Things that have made me smile, think, sad and the like recently...
My sister telling me that my Dad was intrigued to read some of my novel because my written English wasn't very good back in school.
Train driver announcing that we were being delayed because they were fiddling with the cutting edge technology on the train.
I haven't written a song in a long time...
27k and counting, although I'm struggling with my own laziness, tv and self doubt.
I keep playing football because the team needs me even though I'm injured and my body feels completely battered. Can't decide if I'm an idiot or generous. 10 goals in 7 games is ok, although it doesn't feel like my best (although maybe I'm deluded as to my greatness!).
Last night (and I didn't admit it at the time!) I managed to order a vegetarian burger by mistake, I thought I was eating a black pepper and cheese burger as opposed to a "black pepper and cheese" burger.
Found out that a mate of mine will find out on Monday if his job is at risk, and there's a 1 in 4 chance he'll be made redundant, kinda bought home the fragility of this life.
www.justgiving.com/DThairtodaygonetomorrow - blown away that have raised £455 already!
How it all depends on who the person is as to how it affects you...
My sister telling me that my Dad was intrigued to read some of my novel because my written English wasn't very good back in school.
Train driver announcing that we were being delayed because they were fiddling with the cutting edge technology on the train.
I haven't written a song in a long time...
27k and counting, although I'm struggling with my own laziness, tv and self doubt.
I keep playing football because the team needs me even though I'm injured and my body feels completely battered. Can't decide if I'm an idiot or generous. 10 goals in 7 games is ok, although it doesn't feel like my best (although maybe I'm deluded as to my greatness!).
Last night (and I didn't admit it at the time!) I managed to order a vegetarian burger by mistake, I thought I was eating a black pepper and cheese burger as opposed to a "black pepper and cheese" burger.
Found out that a mate of mine will find out on Monday if his job is at risk, and there's a 1 in 4 chance he'll be made redundant, kinda bought home the fragility of this life.
www.justgiving.com/DThairtodaygonetomorrow - blown away that have raised £455 already!
How it all depends on who the person is as to how it affects you...
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Beaten and Blogless but not Broken
It has been a while since I have blogged. There are a number of reasons for this. I have been lacking in inspiration for things to write (although this usually doesn't stop me from spouting something) coupled with a rather unfortunate personal situation which I shall refrain from elaborating upon because it's not important.
The thing I wanted to highlight is my friends. Through a somewhat difficult period a number of friends who did not know I was struggling said various things to me, spent time with me, and displayed the love of Christ to me, and whether they realised it or not helped me through. All I can say is that I am truely grateful for the friends I have and pray that I in turn am able to be the best friend I can be to them.
My thanks also to Dave who was the one who got the full extent of complaint in person.
As for the situation, it hasn't really gone away but has calmed down and I am learning to leave it in God's hands. Learning to let him be the one to defend my cause as my words, my logical arguments and my wisdom have failed quite spectacularly.
The other thing that has become apparent to me is how much I/we complain and don't really pray about things. We moan about stuff to each other and God but don't actually bother to really bring these things, situations, whatevers to the Lord in real prayer*. Which is really rather stupid really.
*And what I mean by real prayer is telling God about a situation and either asking him into it or asking him for a specific outcome.
The thing I wanted to highlight is my friends. Through a somewhat difficult period a number of friends who did not know I was struggling said various things to me, spent time with me, and displayed the love of Christ to me, and whether they realised it or not helped me through. All I can say is that I am truely grateful for the friends I have and pray that I in turn am able to be the best friend I can be to them.
My thanks also to Dave who was the one who got the full extent of complaint in person.
As for the situation, it hasn't really gone away but has calmed down and I am learning to leave it in God's hands. Learning to let him be the one to defend my cause as my words, my logical arguments and my wisdom have failed quite spectacularly.
The other thing that has become apparent to me is how much I/we complain and don't really pray about things. We moan about stuff to each other and God but don't actually bother to really bring these things, situations, whatevers to the Lord in real prayer*. Which is really rather stupid really.
*And what I mean by real prayer is telling God about a situation and either asking him into it or asking him for a specific outcome.
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Accountability
Was having a discussion with a friend about how hard working yet lazy we can me. The realisation hit me rather forcefully when she said "I'm very hard working when I'm accountable to someone but when I know no-one else is going to know I'm not as bothered"
And that's it isn't it; accountability, I'm not very accountable to myself or rather I don't take being accountable to myself seriously at all.
Now what the reasons are for this I'll leave to another time. But it got me thinking about what is it I want to do, like what are the big things, what are my dreams, or what is it I want to achieve?
Here are the things that immediately spring to mind:
1) Finish writing my novel
2) Record some songs accoustically.
3) Record some church songs.
4) Spend more time with my family/friends
And that's it isn't it; accountability, I'm not very accountable to myself or rather I don't take being accountable to myself seriously at all.
Now what the reasons are for this I'll leave to another time. But it got me thinking about what is it I want to do, like what are the big things, what are my dreams, or what is it I want to achieve?
Here are the things that immediately spring to mind:
1) Finish writing my novel
2) Record some songs accoustically.
3) Record some church songs.
4) Spend more time with my family/friends
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
The Tension Between Lofty Ambition And Realism
While reading a dear friend's blog I was struck by the question, should one aim for mediocrity and succeed or aim for greatness and fail? In many cases the outcome is the same, but the motivation and the journey can be different.
Currently I'm slightly short on sleep so I don't have the wit to expound everything that I want to around this but in my weakness the following things stand out to me. I probably am a complete hypocrite over such things and end up hurting people close to me by making unfair demands on some and not others, by being selfish even when it appears to be generosity. Sadly I have too many examples in my own life where I have settled for mediocrity over aiming for greatness but then demanded perfection from others when I'm not willing aim for it myself.
In Romans 15 it says that we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of those who are weak and not just to please ourselves. Which in the face of striving for perfection can be difficult, but then again in another book (1 Thessalonians 5v11) it says that we should encourage each other or build one another up. Which got me thinking that we are supposed to help each other aim for something bigger and better, that the point is we help each other aim for perfection, greatness, whatever you want to call it.
So yes my thoughts are probably a bit all over the shop, but I think that perhaps I will try aiming for something a bit higher than I'm on at the moment BUT also have more realistic expectations of others and do what I can to help them be the best they can be.
Peace and love
DT
Currently I'm slightly short on sleep so I don't have the wit to expound everything that I want to around this but in my weakness the following things stand out to me. I probably am a complete hypocrite over such things and end up hurting people close to me by making unfair demands on some and not others, by being selfish even when it appears to be generosity. Sadly I have too many examples in my own life where I have settled for mediocrity over aiming for greatness but then demanded perfection from others when I'm not willing aim for it myself.
In Romans 15 it says that we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of those who are weak and not just to please ourselves. Which in the face of striving for perfection can be difficult, but then again in another book (1 Thessalonians 5v11) it says that we should encourage each other or build one another up. Which got me thinking that we are supposed to help each other aim for something bigger and better, that the point is we help each other aim for perfection, greatness, whatever you want to call it.
So yes my thoughts are probably a bit all over the shop, but I think that perhaps I will try aiming for something a bit higher than I'm on at the moment BUT also have more realistic expectations of others and do what I can to help them be the best they can be.
Peace and love
DT
Monday, 5 October 2009
Inspiration? Lacking...
Sitting on my faded red sofa (ok, technically sitting on my landlord's faded red sofa) it occured to me that I'm not very good when I don't feel inspired. Case in point this evening is completely free, I have nothing to do as such. But more than likely now't much is going to happen as I am tired, feel uninspired and I'm rather lazy.
Creative writers, song writers, writer writers etc are fond of saying things like writing is 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration*. Which is fine and well when talking about song writing, I can do that fairly easily and have done so many times. But now that I am trying to write 100,000 words this becomes almost depressing! 5000 inspired words and 95,000 perspired words. Which considering my predisposition towards laziness doesn't fill me with happy thoughts.
However fear not, for it is not all doom and gloom. I have now written over 26k, so that's over a quarter of the story written and more ideas are beginning to come together. There are bits which feel like a proper story now!
And right now I am going to go and shave, have a shower, have a pray and ponder a few things. Hopefully this will put me into a better frame of mind for the rest of the week. And whether I create much more this week we'll wait and see.
* pick your own percentage breakdown!
Creative writers, song writers, writer writers etc are fond of saying things like writing is 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration*. Which is fine and well when talking about song writing, I can do that fairly easily and have done so many times. But now that I am trying to write 100,000 words this becomes almost depressing! 5000 inspired words and 95,000 perspired words. Which considering my predisposition towards laziness doesn't fill me with happy thoughts.
However fear not, for it is not all doom and gloom. I have now written over 26k, so that's over a quarter of the story written and more ideas are beginning to come together. There are bits which feel like a proper story now!
And right now I am going to go and shave, have a shower, have a pray and ponder a few things. Hopefully this will put me into a better frame of mind for the rest of the week. And whether I create much more this week we'll wait and see.
* pick your own percentage breakdown!
Sunday, 4 October 2009
7 Days
So it's been a little while since my last blog, have had a few ideas but sadly not the time to let them ruminate and then spring forth.
Instead we get a few of things that have happened to me over the last week, in no particular order:
Played poker tonight for my friend's birthday, lovely evening, very chilled and fun AND I won! This is quite a monumentus moment, I've never won at poker before...
Visited Dave in his new surroundings on Wednesday, was wonderful, we hung out, he showed me his office, his park, his house, his room, he cooked for me, we watched football in a local pub and it was great.
Have spent the last three weeks working on a very frustrating piece of work, got it completed on Friday, I feel a great sense of relief it's over.
Some more good work news, we finally completed one of the major targets on Monday, we're so in shock it hasn't really sunk in that we've caught up!
Rach text me out of the blue today, that meant a lot to me.
I got my mobile phone back, it seems the antennae had broken, I'm quite happy now, means I can listen to, music on the train with both ears again!
Saw The Invention Of Lying with a "pretty young thing" on Friday night, if I have time I will blog about that, the movie that is! It raises some interesting questions.
Last Sunday we did an amusing version of speed dating at church, without the dating bit of course. Basically we all had to say 3 things that we like doing, twas fascinating what people said. Mine were; sport (playing and watching), being creative (music, writing, design work) and spending time with my friends. 2 out of 3 this week ain't bad.
Had dinner with my parents for the first time in ages on Tuesday, was reminded how amazing they are and how hanging out with them is so very good.
And now I probably should switch off and get some sleep.
Peace and love
DT
Instead we get a few of things that have happened to me over the last week, in no particular order:
Played poker tonight for my friend's birthday, lovely evening, very chilled and fun AND I won! This is quite a monumentus moment, I've never won at poker before...
Visited Dave in his new surroundings on Wednesday, was wonderful, we hung out, he showed me his office, his park, his house, his room, he cooked for me, we watched football in a local pub and it was great.
Have spent the last three weeks working on a very frustrating piece of work, got it completed on Friday, I feel a great sense of relief it's over.
Some more good work news, we finally completed one of the major targets on Monday, we're so in shock it hasn't really sunk in that we've caught up!
Rach text me out of the blue today, that meant a lot to me.
I got my mobile phone back, it seems the antennae had broken, I'm quite happy now, means I can listen to, music on the train with both ears again!
Saw The Invention Of Lying with a "pretty young thing" on Friday night, if I have time I will blog about that, the movie that is! It raises some interesting questions.
Last Sunday we did an amusing version of speed dating at church, without the dating bit of course. Basically we all had to say 3 things that we like doing, twas fascinating what people said. Mine were; sport (playing and watching), being creative (music, writing, design work) and spending time with my friends. 2 out of 3 this week ain't bad.
Had dinner with my parents for the first time in ages on Tuesday, was reminded how amazing they are and how hanging out with them is so very good.
And now I probably should switch off and get some sleep.
Peace and love
DT
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