Silence...

Because I'm not entirely sure what to say...

A few weeks ago was the first anniversary of a friend's death. I was actually in Mumbai on the actual anniversary. That struck me as being significant as he was the one who first introduced me to India, first took me there and Mumbai was the last place I had seen him in India.

It seems strange to think it's been a year, there are still times when I forget that he has gone. The other day I noticed in my mobile phone that I still have his telephone number there under his name. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like for his wife and daughter but I am honoured to be a part of their lives.

Talk has begun again of recording some of his songs, people seem to be looking to me about it. I feel spectacularly unqualified to do such a thing. To butcher a phrase I'm not worthy to re-string his guitar let alone record his songs. And yet my dear friend was always encouraging me, inspiring me, helping me, even when I butchered his songs. One of my fondest memories was when I was strumming a song by Coldplay and he said to me, "is that one of yours?", to which I replied "no" and he said "well it sounds like you". I loved the way it came out as a compliment, multi million selling Coldplay sounds like DT as opposed to DT sound's like Coldplay. But that was Peter, the perfect teacher. As regards recording, I don't really know what to do... I talk lots, do very little and thus achieve not a lot. And in this case I am scared to do something because if it turns out to be crap I am not sure I could live with that...

Thirty Things Before I'm Thirty

It occured to me that many people have a list of things they want to do before a certain point in their lives. Such as "thirty things to do before I turn thirty". I never made one of those, but on the eve of turning thirty I thought I'd come up with a list of thirty things I have done which I am pleased with, amused by or proud of etc. So in no particular order;

1) Begun to learn to drive (yes I had my first lesson age 29 and 364 days!)
2) Been to India.
3) Was bestman, performed the music and compere at my sister's wedding.
4) Wore a bridesmaid's dress (emerald green).
5) Had a haircut (and raised nearly £2000 for charity).
6) Started writing a novel (nearly a 1/3 of the way through).
7) Convinced my bro that he should play footie (Marsh Rangers the curent benefactors of this!)
8) Gave a speech at my parent's 25th wedding anniversary celebration.
9) Stood on the edge of the Grand Canyon.
10) Started dating the most wonderful girl in the world.
11) Had a permanent job for more than a year (4 years and counting!).
12) Moved out of my parent's house.
13) Seen Arsenal beat Spurs/Liverpool/Man Utd at Highbury/Emirates.
14) Was at Denis Bergkamp's debut and when he scored his first goal for Arsenal.
15) Performed infront of 300 people.
16) Performed in front of 1 person.
17) Written songs which have meant things to other people.
18) Scored 8 goals in 6 aside football having not played footie for a month (ok I'm beginning to realise that it's quite difficult to think of 30 things on the fly!).
19) Led worship in an Anglican church and been invited back again.
20) Started writing a blog.
21) Not killed myself or anyone else.
22) Sang/recorded with my favourite band (Delirious - Glo).
23) Worn a lime green suit jacket.
24) Mentored someone.
25) Eaten a lot of chocolate and not got excessively fat.
26) Got housetrained (thanks to my parents good upbringing).
27) Got a degree (2:1)
28) Shaved my head and grown a fu manchu moustache.
29) Flown first class and stayed in a 5 star hotel.
30) Known God for 27 years (I'm not proud just unbelievably greatful for his goodness to me).