The New Year

Monday, January 01, 2007

As Death Cab for Cutie put it:

'So this is the new year.
And I don't feel any different.
The clanking of crystal
Explosions off in the distance (in the distance).

So this is the new year
And I have no resolutions
For self assigned penance
For problems with easy solutions.' - The New Year

But it is exciting, when stuff ends its exciting to see what begins and last night despite looking back at a fairly difficult year. I was surrounded by great friends who genuinely care about me and have supported me though the tough times.

So basically thanks you guy's rock! and Matt who wasn't there last night but deserves a award for putting up with me as a housemate over the last 12 months.

Matthew

P.S. I know this is short but collecting big thoughts at the moment and will blog when I have a resolution of what God is doing and my head is thinking - Cryptic.

A Traditional Stressful Christmas

Saturday, December 16, 2006

So who's anticipating a traditional stressful Christmas, just like the first Christmas, yes you read that right. So I have bought very few presents, have school reports to write, a 240 mile round trip to drive and too endure all the family arguments that erupt after the blessed day when we realise it is bad idea to spend too much time together.

But isn't this just how it's meant to be, lets put away the cosy primary school nativity scenes and reflect on the true story, having just travelled for days. Mary heavily pregnant on a donkey Joseph walking alongside they get to their hometown for the compulsory government census. Joseph is your typical guy he wants to provide the best for his girl and is feeling pretty confident that God is in the situation after the angel's promises.

Only to find that he can't blag a room at the best hotel or even the rundown inn, his feeling a bit emasculated, annoyed, frustrated and probably angry, especially when his pride has too accept a stable. He doesn't even want to look at Mary's face as his heard her disappointment all too well already; after all if he had walked more quickly they may have got their quicker.

So the slightly bemused couple settle down for the night with some inquisitive animals who didn't expect to be sharing their quarters. Then low and behold the baby comes. Joseph is being a typical bloke and so tries to help by examining the strength of the manger (he is a carpenter after all!) as Mary struggles on her own to give birth.

Then shepherds come to visit, spending all day with sheep, means they are probably a bit socially inept and difficult to talk too, bringing yet another animal to share the cosy sleeping quarters fantastic. I think I have a good idea of how the conversation between God and I would have been at this point, it bit like 'what are you doing, is this meant to be funny?' Prehaps the shepherds could be seen as the example for trying to get on with extended and/or estranged family members.

Then there is the other side of the long journey, Mary and Joseph have already travelled far. But the wise men, travelled for months on camels. This puts my little planned journey in a comfortable heated car this year in context I suppose; maps and road signs are after all easier to follow than stars. Even last years horrid train journey, which lasted over 8 hrs because every train broke down, seems minor in comparison.

Then there are the presents, now Mary may have known her new born son's (the messiah's) eventual fate, but to be brought Myrrh an embalming lotion was a bit tactless and probably not very exciting, the gold would have been well received I'm sure though.

But throughout all this, stress, disappointment and awkwardness I'm sure their minds and fears were calmed by the ultimate truth of the first Christmas, which is why we endure everything else to celebrate it still.

The presence of God on Earth, Amen.

Life is mundane

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Well it is, I always want to know the answers to what's next until I get them then I wish I didn't know. Because not knowing is generally more exciting. Its the wait, the anticipation that has been exciting at the moment.
Just to clarify if you hadn't worked it out yet I didn't get the job in Bristol, whether I wanted it or not is probably irrelevant, its the fact that whilst I was waiting and stressing it was exciting. If I had got it I would still be excited but very stressed, but the excitement would be the potential of change.
'I like variety' was one of the random answers I gave in the interview but it sums it all up so well. Variety truely is the spice of life, so maybe I should start a new hobby, but I generally like nature or active things and it's dark outside now and when I go to work and when I come home from work.
But to be honest its not just the job, its a culmination of things. I mean Dave has got a job back in Leics and is coming back and I'm happy but not excited. James maybe coming back as well, God is good to me and I hope James does but I'm not excited. I am however excited for James that he has got a girlfriend recentely (change).
New things maybe, my car was new for a few months but now thats starting to become familiar now, but I am still really thankful for it just to clarify.
The excitement of some of the adventure activities I did this summer was awesome. The most exciting was probably the ziplines though the tree tops 2,000 feet up that rocked but it always comes to an end. Even the one that was 1/2 a mile long, but oh how I enjoyed it.
Dancing in the aisles at the Charlatans gig two weeks ago, I was in my element but it ends and you get sent home.
But do we just live for these highlights in live, well no but we do need to make the most of them. Perhaps I should expound this energy into running down the canal till I drop like I used too, or in the poetry I used to write so much.
This life is so real sometimes but seems so reheased at other times. However I need to make the most of it and having a laugh with the kids today in class was probably the days only highlight but its to be treasured. After all I could be shut in an office on my own for weeks on end doing Research ; )