Jen came back for a visit. Anna made mulled wine, mince pies, cake and biscuits. LOVELY.Sunday, 30 November 2008
friends from the beginning :-)
Jen came back for a visit. Anna made mulled wine, mince pies, cake and biscuits. LOVELY.
Friday, 28 November 2008
SING.
Boy sits strumming guitar
I can predict the next line
It all rhymes
And is rather like the one who went before
Show me some diversity
The dexterity of your fingers on the strings
does not translate to the words that stumble out your mouth
Sing me a new song
Sing the song of the unheard
Voices drowned out by greedy shouts
of those who come to exploit and steal.
Screams shunned by the world
This is not a game
Monopoly of people’s LIVES
Dealt in knives and lies
Where does the £200 come from at ‘GO’?
Did you ever ask yourself that?
The blood was wiped off the gold as if nothing ever happened and it’ll sit there shining under bright lights of fancy jewellers. 24 carat ring.
Ring. Bound. Binding us together in this
Tragedy
Travesty
Taking place beneath the big blue sky stained black and red by smoke and blood
Heart of Africa
The gun shots drown out the beating beating beating
Beating drums spread the message
“it’s time for change”
Time to end the
Beating beating beating her people down to the ground
The ground that everyone is fighting for.
Where we pay to see the gorillas
The monkeys I mean
Not guerrillas. Not the men
Fighters, guns and camouflage
And a family at home to feed
Just like the next man that he shoots down.
But caught up in this web of greed and intrigue
Only it’s not so intriguing
This is not a film
It’s real and raw
Power and fear
Interplaying on street corners
Driving people from their homes
Flowing like a flood
Of tears and blood
Falling onto this beautiful land.
(response to a conference about the situation in the DRC)
I can predict the next line
It all rhymes
And is rather like the one who went before
Show me some diversity
The dexterity of your fingers on the strings
does not translate to the words that stumble out your mouth
Sing me a new song
Sing the song of the unheard
Voices drowned out by greedy shouts
of those who come to exploit and steal.
Screams shunned by the world
This is not a game
Monopoly of people’s LIVES
Dealt in knives and lies
Where does the £200 come from at ‘GO’?
Did you ever ask yourself that?
The blood was wiped off the gold as if nothing ever happened and it’ll sit there shining under bright lights of fancy jewellers. 24 carat ring.
Ring. Bound. Binding us together in this
Tragedy
Travesty
Taking place beneath the big blue sky stained black and red by smoke and blood
Heart of Africa
The gun shots drown out the beating beating beating
Beating drums spread the message
“it’s time for change”
Time to end the
Beating beating beating her people down to the ground
The ground that everyone is fighting for.
Where we pay to see the gorillas
The monkeys I mean
Not guerrillas. Not the men
Fighters, guns and camouflage
And a family at home to feed
Just like the next man that he shoots down.
But caught up in this web of greed and intrigue
Only it’s not so intriguing
This is not a film
It’s real and raw
Power and fear
Interplaying on street corners
Driving people from their homes
Flowing like a flood
Of tears and blood
Falling onto this beautiful land.
(response to a conference about the situation in the DRC)
not independent
We are dependent beings, and to think otherwise—to make
independence our project, however sincerely—is to live a
lie, to fly in the face of reality.
(Gilbert Meilaender)
independence our project, however sincerely—is to live a
lie, to fly in the face of reality.
(Gilbert Meilaender)
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
current studying music...
frou frou
sigur ros
deadmau5
imogen heap
sinead o'connor
Ibiza Annual 2008
los rebujitos
sixpence non the richer
delerium
mat kearney
fondo flamenco
sigur ros
deadmau5
imogen heap
sinead o'connor
Ibiza Annual 2008
los rebujitos
sixpence non the richer
delerium
mat kearney
fondo flamenco
new job!
after years of waitressing, cleaning, and working with small children, this year i decided it was time for a change with regards to a part time job.
so, yesterday, i began something new. i'm now a 'student ambassador', which sounds very grand, but basically means at the moment showing secondary school students around the university and encouraging them to think about higher education. so... campus tours and workshops with 15/16 year olds. It's been good so far, and nice to be doing a job where the time passes quicker and i feel i am learning as i try to relate to and communicate well to these 'young ones'. and man! they really do seem young! funny how you 'grow up' without really realising it and since you're changing along with all your peers you don't notice the changes. But when leading uniform-clad- boys-who-are-still-shorter-than-me across a campus full of colourful (often taller and beard-y if of male variety!) individuals i really do see the difference. that said, i've already been mistaken twice in two days for one of the pupils! Doh!
and at the same time i know i would not have appreciated someone patronising me when i was in year 10. but that's not so likely because part of me doesn't feel much different to Katrina at 15 years old, or even 9. i guess it will be learning to get the balance of embracing the authority that being older gives me to set the tone or the atmosphere - to make people feel valued and comfortable - while not looking down on anyone.
but seriously its made me realise i'm so glad i'm not at school any more! so relieved i'm somewhere where you can find the space to be yourself, where there's no 'popular crew' and you're not looked down on for doing well/doing badly. woop!
so, yesterday, i began something new. i'm now a 'student ambassador', which sounds very grand, but basically means at the moment showing secondary school students around the university and encouraging them to think about higher education. so... campus tours and workshops with 15/16 year olds. It's been good so far, and nice to be doing a job where the time passes quicker and i feel i am learning as i try to relate to and communicate well to these 'young ones'. and man! they really do seem young! funny how you 'grow up' without really realising it and since you're changing along with all your peers you don't notice the changes. But when leading uniform-clad- boys-who-are-still-shorter-than-me across a campus full of colourful (often taller and beard-y if of male variety!) individuals i really do see the difference. that said, i've already been mistaken twice in two days for one of the pupils! Doh!
and at the same time i know i would not have appreciated someone patronising me when i was in year 10. but that's not so likely because part of me doesn't feel much different to Katrina at 15 years old, or even 9. i guess it will be learning to get the balance of embracing the authority that being older gives me to set the tone or the atmosphere - to make people feel valued and comfortable - while not looking down on anyone.
but seriously its made me realise i'm so glad i'm not at school any more! so relieved i'm somewhere where you can find the space to be yourself, where there's no 'popular crew' and you're not looked down on for doing well/doing badly. woop!
Sunday, 23 November 2008
DISTURB US
Disturb us, Lord,
when
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord,
when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.
Disturb us, Lord,
to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.
We ask You to push back
We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.
attributed - sir francis drake -1577
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Sex God
i was going to say:
"today i found 'Sex God' in the library".
but realised that may be interpreted in a number of incorrect ways.
So:
today I, quite randomly, found a copy of "SEX GOD" by Rob Bell (a book looking at the links between sexuality an spiritualty) in Sussex University Library. OF ALL PLACES!!! very surprised, but pleased, because I'd been wanting to read it and now i have something to read on train journeys this weekend. woop.
"today i found 'Sex God' in the library".
but realised that may be interpreted in a number of incorrect ways.
So:
today I, quite randomly, found a copy of "SEX GOD" by Rob Bell (a book looking at the links between sexuality an spiritualty) in Sussex University Library. OF ALL PLACES!!! very surprised, but pleased, because I'd been wanting to read it and now i have something to read on train journeys this weekend. woop.
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Goodbye IV
Grannie.
That’s ‘Grannie’ spelt with ‘ie’ and not with a ‘y’.
That’s Rosemary and not Elizabeth.
Grandmother, mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend.
Is a tartan skirt, a broach, pearl earrings, lipstick and blusher…
Welcoming us home from school with gingerbread men and nursery tea.
The well spoken English lady.
Then; is Wild White Windswept hair
A navy raincoat
Wellies
And a dog in tow.
OR; is trousers, gloves, on her knees pruning the roses
In the beautiful garden of the pink house.
Is scrambled egg, roast lamb, apricot fluff and gooseberry fool.
A glass of sherry with cheese and biscuits.
The grandfather clock and the framed photos that fill the dining room.
Countless trips to the crab-pool and the ‘proper sea’.
Is the Woman on the Move…
Wobbling through West Wittering on her ancient bicycle,
Breaking speed limits on her car,
Exploring every part of the harbour in the ‘pram’
And flying off to visit friends and family in far flung places around the world.
THEN;
Is sat, watching her grandchildren sing, act, dance and play from their living rooms to a cathedral and everywhere in between.
Cheering us on.
Sat, at the kitchen table listening to our stories - always interested - and welcoming in the neighbours as they walk by.
A FRIEND to so many – never a day without a visit, a party, a letter or a phone call.
Granpa’s pride and joy and best friend.
A ‘Flood’ of laughter and a deep ‘Pond’ of kindness.
Inspirational and strong; loving and greatly loved.
Living life to the full.
A life of which I am so proud to have been a part.
In memory of my Grannie, by Katrina Pike.
(Read at her thanksgiving service, 24th October 2008)
That’s ‘Grannie’ spelt with ‘ie’ and not with a ‘y’.
That’s Rosemary and not Elizabeth.
Grandmother, mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend.
Is a tartan skirt, a broach, pearl earrings, lipstick and blusher…
Welcoming us home from school with gingerbread men and nursery tea.
The well spoken English lady.
Then; is Wild White Windswept hair
A navy raincoat
Wellies
And a dog in tow.
OR; is trousers, gloves, on her knees pruning the roses
In the beautiful garden of the pink house.
Is scrambled egg, roast lamb, apricot fluff and gooseberry fool.
A glass of sherry with cheese and biscuits.
The grandfather clock and the framed photos that fill the dining room.
Countless trips to the crab-pool and the ‘proper sea’.
Is the Woman on the Move…
Wobbling through West Wittering on her ancient bicycle,
Breaking speed limits on her car,
Exploring every part of the harbour in the ‘pram’
And flying off to visit friends and family in far flung places around the world.
THEN;
Is sat, watching her grandchildren sing, act, dance and play from their living rooms to a cathedral and everywhere in between.
Cheering us on.
Sat, at the kitchen table listening to our stories - always interested - and welcoming in the neighbours as they walk by.
A FRIEND to so many – never a day without a visit, a party, a letter or a phone call.
Granpa’s pride and joy and best friend.
A ‘Flood’ of laughter and a deep ‘Pond’ of kindness.
Inspirational and strong; loving and greatly loved.
Living life to the full.
A life of which I am so proud to have been a part.
In memory of my Grannie, by Katrina Pike.
(Read at her thanksgiving service, 24th October 2008)
Saturday, 15 November 2008
a saying from zimbabwe
IF YOU CAN WALK
YOU CAN DANCE
IF YOU CAN TALK
YOU CAN SING
(from a postcard on our mantlepiece)
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Monterroso
Del Decalogo del Augusto Monterroso, escritor guatemalteco...
Primero.
"cuando tengas algo que decir, dilo; cuando no, tambien. Escribe siempre."
Noveno.
"Cree en ti, pero no tanto; duda de ti, pero no tanto. Cuando sientas duda, cree; cuando creas, duda. En esto estriba la unica verdadera sabiduria que puede acompanar a un escritor."
Decimo.
"Trata de decir la cosas de manera que el lector sienta siempre que en el fondo es tanto o mas inteligente que tu. De vez en cuando procura que efectivamente lo sea; pero para lograr eso tendras que ser mas inteligente que el."
Primero.
"cuando tengas algo que decir, dilo; cuando no, tambien. Escribe siempre."
Noveno.
"Cree en ti, pero no tanto; duda de ti, pero no tanto. Cuando sientas duda, cree; cuando creas, duda. En esto estriba la unica verdadera sabiduria que puede acompanar a un escritor."
Decimo.
"Trata de decir la cosas de manera que el lector sienta siempre que en el fondo es tanto o mas inteligente que tu. De vez en cuando procura que efectivamente lo sea; pero para lograr eso tendras que ser mas inteligente que el."
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Bonhoeffer on God
THE TALK OF HUMAN LIMITS
Religious people speak of God when human knowledge (often out of mental laziness) has reached its limits or when human power fails. Actually, it is always the deus ex machina that they trot out, either as the apparent solution to unsolvable problems or as strength in human failure, and thus always in th exploitation of human weakness and human limits. This necessariy holds only until human beings, by their own strength, push the limits a little farther and God as deus ex machina becomes superfluous, The talk of human limits has in general become questionable to me.... It always seems to me that we are only anxious to save room for God. I would like to speak of God not at the limit but in the middle, not in weakness but in strength, not in death and guilt but in life and human goodness. At the limits it seems better to me to remain silent and leave the unsolvable unsolved.
Religious people speak of God when human knowledge (often out of mental laziness) has reached its limits or when human power fails. Actually, it is always the deus ex machina that they trot out, either as the apparent solution to unsolvable problems or as strength in human failure, and thus always in th exploitation of human weakness and human limits. This necessariy holds only until human beings, by their own strength, push the limits a little farther and God as deus ex machina becomes superfluous, The talk of human limits has in general become questionable to me.... It always seems to me that we are only anxious to save room for God. I would like to speak of God not at the limit but in the middle, not in weakness but in strength, not in death and guilt but in life and human goodness. At the limits it seems better to me to remain silent and leave the unsolvable unsolved.
from "i want to live these days with you" (daily devotions by Dietrich Bonhoeffer - Nov 7th)
brighton AND HOVE
from the bike ride with my sister the other weekend... i'd always planned to explore this end of the the city but never made it before. i like it. The first one is an old swimming pool slide, i used to love going on those slides that went out the building and then in again. this picture is quite sad though, like an old memory.
Monday, 10 November 2008
update
time for a post i think, as i sit in my room, listening to some Ibiza choons and relax my aching body after some hardcore breakdance training following straight on from a little "break away" to birmingham. i say that like going away at the weekend is rare. it definitely isn't. i don't know if it's a good thing or not, but anyways i'm making the most of not having TOO much work right now as i suspect come january i'll be tied to my desk.
So, birmingham. total of 7 train, 4 tubes, 2 taxis and some walking in the rain in between. probably about 11 hours of 'transit' altogether. joyous. yes, the cheap-travel-option does have its downsides at times... conclusion: a car would be nice at times.
ANYWAYs, i'd still say it was worth it. First stop: twin's house, who with her friends was about to start a murder mystery party ('murder on the orient express') when i walked in the door after my 'epic' journey so i was greeted by geishas, an american missionary and his indian wife, lady marmalade amongst others. i didn't stay long, swifly walked on down the road to a mutual friend's house who came out to Ibiza this year while i was there. with her, other 'ibiza gals' (here we are!)
and other friends of friends we went to "Drop Beats not Bombs", a peace-promoting rave (!) in the rainbow warehouse. i'm ashamed to say we didn't quite pick up on the "rave" or "warehouse" aspect and so were the only ones in the mile long queue who were not wearing coats, hats, rucksacks, etc... a fact we very much regretted in the freezing wetness! nevermind, after an hour or something we finally got in and got to dance in one (and all) of the 5 different venues... (not before returning the feeling to our feet using the hand-driers in the toilets!)... all stuff i like - some reggae, some drum and bass, some live acts, dubstep (i think...still not sure what that one is!), swing step, etc... so much jumping around with big grin/pouty dancing face... so much so that my phone fell out my pocket and broke. oops... not clever. i didn't even realise, thankfully someone saw and handed it to me.
(glow paint, woop!)
then it was taxi home, toast and nutella and bed at 6am. goooood sleep and a lovely chilled sunday, back in my sister's home where the same 'murder mystery' crew were hanging out, without their masks, dresses and accents! roast chicken and sofas and fairy lights and music and tea and crumpets and newly discovered MC-ing skills of certain persons.... LOVELY. AND, two great friends were also visiting so got to catch up with them. sweet.
now its back to brighton and week 6, can you believe it, already halfway through! life's pretty chilled, which is nice, although maybe a little too much time to think. but its good to be able to spend more time with a more select few doing more select things rather than rush around like a headless chicken. although i still freaked out about having a "free" evening last week, this'll take a while to get used to!
also beginning to think about the future, brought on by gradfairs and the like. its the first time i've let myself do so for a long long time, so set have i been on just FINISHING this whole studying malarky. and i'm not done yet, so i won't get carried away, but its kind of exciting to begin to dream a little.
So, birmingham. total of 7 train, 4 tubes, 2 taxis and some walking in the rain in between. probably about 11 hours of 'transit' altogether. joyous. yes, the cheap-travel-option does have its downsides at times... conclusion: a car would be nice at times.
ANYWAYs, i'd still say it was worth it. First stop: twin's house, who with her friends was about to start a murder mystery party ('murder on the orient express') when i walked in the door after my 'epic' journey so i was greeted by geishas, an american missionary and his indian wife, lady marmalade amongst others. i didn't stay long, swifly walked on down the road to a mutual friend's house who came out to Ibiza this year while i was there. with her, other 'ibiza gals' (here we are!)
and other friends of friends we went to "Drop Beats not Bombs", a peace-promoting rave (!) in the rainbow warehouse. i'm ashamed to say we didn't quite pick up on the "rave" or "warehouse" aspect and so were the only ones in the mile long queue who were not wearing coats, hats, rucksacks, etc... a fact we very much regretted in the freezing wetness! nevermind, after an hour or something we finally got in and got to dance in one (and all) of the 5 different venues... (not before returning the feeling to our feet using the hand-driers in the toilets!)... all stuff i like - some reggae, some drum and bass, some live acts, dubstep (i think...still not sure what that one is!), swing step, etc... so much jumping around with big grin/pouty dancing face... so much so that my phone fell out my pocket and broke. oops... not clever. i didn't even realise, thankfully someone saw and handed it to me. (glow paint, woop!)then it was taxi home, toast and nutella and bed at 6am. goooood sleep and a lovely chilled sunday, back in my sister's home where the same 'murder mystery' crew were hanging out, without their masks, dresses and accents! roast chicken and sofas and fairy lights and music and tea and crumpets and newly discovered MC-ing skills of certain persons.... LOVELY. AND, two great friends were also visiting so got to catch up with them. sweet.
now its back to brighton and week 6, can you believe it, already halfway through! life's pretty chilled, which is nice, although maybe a little too much time to think. but its good to be able to spend more time with a more select few doing more select things rather than rush around like a headless chicken. although i still freaked out about having a "free" evening last week, this'll take a while to get used to!
also beginning to think about the future, brought on by gradfairs and the like. its the first time i've let myself do so for a long long time, so set have i been on just FINISHING this whole studying malarky. and i'm not done yet, so i won't get carried away, but its kind of exciting to begin to dream a little.
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
i'm appreciating...
David Crowder Band's album "A Collision or (3+4=7)"
some good lyrics and a more varied selection of style than that of other Christian artists.
some good lyrics and a more varied selection of style than that of other Christian artists.
Sunday, 2 November 2008
GH75
my friend and best-dancing-companion from Ibiza, Michael, DJ-ed in Brixton last night with 'Gettin Hectic'. we grooved, along with another couple of lovely ibiza/london/clubbing-related-friends and posed with the multitude of umbrellas out on the terrace. nice touch.
the only not so fun thing was getting the train back to Brighton at 4am with many drunk teenagers. (grumpy old me!). but worth it.
going out also made me miss Ibiza, especially going to "shipwrecked"!
inexpressible groans
the burdens we lovingly bear but cannot understand...the inexpressable longings of our hearts for things we cannot comprehend... They are often a groan rather than a song, and a burden rather than a floating feather... difficulties too complicated to put into words and too puzzling to express or fully understand... when your heart hurts and your insides clench... the world is a mess and the tears fall...
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express"
(october 30th 'streams in the desert', me, romans 8:26)
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