don't they teach history in San Francisco anymore

spotted at a Free-Tibet demo when the torch was passing through...

Stuff of life

Who's Irresponsible now?

The Union Unite (disclaimer: I used to belong to this union in of its earlier guises...) is threatening a 48hr strike at the Grangemouth refineries over pensions... The owners Ineos, claim that they will have to shut the plant down for safety reasons and that this will put it out of action for a month. Now I've heard two "experts" give differing views about this proposal, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and accept the stoppage is necessary for safety.

What I won't accept is Ineos claiming that this "risks petrol shortages" and claims that the union would be responsible.

The same "experts" claim that the UK has a 70 day reserve...

So the talk about shortages is just Ineos spouting rubbish in an attempt to portray the union in a bad light...

The thing is, if they aren't lying, and they didn't know about the reserves, then they really shouldn't be in business and the unions claims sound much more believable...

A few rough days...

ok, so I felt pretty rough and sore at the end of the last week... well, over the weekend my hands and feet kept going numb and tingling and I found it hard to concentrate... hope I'm not getting worse... We'll have to see how today goes

Fair Share?

This story is rather telling.

The Swedish town of Södertälje (population 84,00) has taken in more Iraqi refugees than has the whole USA. This despite the fact that Sweden had nothing to do with the invasion of Iraq and its "reconstruction". What happened to the old signs in shops,"all breakages must be paid for?"

This New York Times piece has more about the USA's scandalous behaviour when it comes to Iraqi refugees.

ouch...

Ok,I don't know what I did yesterday, but last night every muscle in my body ached, I had a really bad headache, and felt sick... I haven't felt that bad for a long time... This morning I still feel sore all over- I think someone must have hit me with a baseball bat all over whilst I slept!

Starting to worry? (update)

OK, I'm starting to get worried...

Things are moving ahead and seem to be spinning out of control...

No new viewers for the house- the problem is that while house prices in Scotland are either holding up or still increasing, there aren't many first-time buyers looking for houses as they are struggling to get mortgages... and yes, my flat falls in this category. So I'm getting worried...

Katarina's only got just under two weeks left at work... we're waiting for the removers revised quote, and she's ready to move home.

I'm still waiting for my papers to be sent to me from my last employer's so that I can claim sick/incapacity...

So, flat not sold, money about to stop coming in, things being packed, trying to work out the future... its all rather complicated.

And then I was reminded that I'm supposed to be at a Danish pathfinder camp in a few weeks time- that will be odd. Firstly, I hope to be well enough. Secondly, it will be strange considering all that's happened over the last year!

My health? Up and down. I some good days and some bad ones... I think I know what causes the difference, so I'll try to work on that (except that mean I might need to move...)

So I'm starting to get a bit worried...

(Oh, the article I wrote for the Spectrum blog got a link form the Times Religion correspondent's blog! Also if you're on facebook you'll have seen that I've put some old pictures up. Also I seem to have forgotten to keep you updated about the motorbike racing... oh well, I'm sure you'll survive...)

Update

Well its been a mixture of ups and downs...

On the plus side I'm able to do a little more and I'm feeling up to using the car so I'm getting out and about a bit more.

On the down side, I'm still getting really bad headaches, have no stamina, and a recent session with the physio reminded me that all my muscles have practically withered away. Also my immune system is so low that in the last 6 weeks or so I've had 3 colds that have knocked me back like flue and sent me to bed!

We've almost got the house ready and its on the market... no one has shown an interest yet. Hopefully soon, I need to get out of here.

I still use ... far too much- I've gotten lazy.

My mind's finally started to work- I've written a short introduction to Radical Orthodoxy for the Spectrum site.

I might have finally gotten somewhere with my sick pay. I've finally had my employment terminated on grounds of health. Which means I should get paid notice and should now be able to claim the correct benefit.

I still look wishfully at climbing sites/videos/magazines and wish I was well enough to go climb... especially as it looks like a great winter season and I really used to like grabbing the ice axes and strapping on the crampons...

Anyway, lets hope things keep improving...

Flat for sale...

The flat is now up on ESPC...

so now we just have to wait...

Book Review: Mari Jungstedt's Unseen

I arrived late on the Scandinavian Crime Scene!

My first book was a copy of Henning Mankell's Firewall which I received as a Christmas present over a year ago. Since then i have read some more and recently got the chance to read Mari Jungstedt's first novel set on the Island of Gotland.

First Impressions?

Well I have a problem with the translation. This problem surfaces at several levels. The first is the fact that an “american” english often grates with my “british” english ear. In a couple of places the translator's choice of words leaves a british reader reaching for a dictionary as she chooses rather singular american words when other “bi-lingual” options were available. On another level, her translation is simply unbelievable; “tomorrow was national commemoration day” er, what... that had Katarina choke on her cereal when she read it. Its called National Day. “I'm going to the state liquor store...” OK so the Systembolaget, is state run, but other translators manage to say “the off licence, the alcohol shop, etc”. The third level of translation errors is one which I missed but Katarina (obviously) didn't. These were mistakes translating places (i.e. mistaking an “en” ending for an article, etc.)

The Plot/story?

Whilst it drew me in and I enjoyed it I thought that there were some major problems with the believability of the story in places (spoiler alert). I'm sorry but if I saw pictures of people who had been murdered on TV, who I had been to school with I think I would recognise them and start to put things together a little sooner.

Having said that I thought it was well written and it drew me in. I would definitely read the next book in the series.

WSBK Update: Rounds 3 & 4 Phillip Island

Here are the highlights of round one:


And of round two:


Bayliss won both...

still MotoGP starts soon...

Another one for my old colleagues? Maybe not!

I was reminded of this advert, whilst reading another blog...

WSB results... after opening 2 rounds

As its been avoided by most of the media... here's the standings after the opening two rounds this weekend.
1 Bayliss 38
2 Biaggii 36
3 Nieto 34
4 Xaus 33
5 Corser 25
6 Neukirchner 19
7 Fabrizio 18
8 Checa 15
9 Smrz 13
10 Lanzi 10

Music of the day

I went for a short walk yesterday morning with my ipod (I'd forgotten it was portable- it spends most of its time docked to some speakers!) I ended up sitting on a wall looking out over the dockyard and onto the firth of Forth.

I was lost to my thoughts until they were interrupted by the words to the song I that came on.

I wouldn't describe The Manic Street Preachers as religious in the traditional christian sense (in spite of their name!). Spiritual maybe... (one of their gigs I went to did feel more like worship than some churches I've been too, though!)

However this song just spoke to me, particularly the lines, "With grace we will suffer, With grace we shall recover"

So here is The Manic Street Preachers and There by the Grace of God

“neither a borrower nor a lender be...”

As I’m packing up my things I keep coming across books and videos that aren’t mine and searching for books and DVD’s that I’m sure I had...

If I’ve borrowed anything from you, please drop me a line or call to make sure I’ve put it aside and haven’t packed it.

And if I’ve lent you anything can you please remind me...

By the way has anyone seen my copy of:
Finding Darwin’s God by Kenneth Miller
Mountain Navigation by Peter Cliff (no really!)
or these DVDs:
Layer Cake
National Treasure
Sex & Lucia
The Hunting of the President

This makes me want to cry...

(nicked from ukclimbing.com

Arghhh...

It's not been a good week.

First the physio on monday (more later) and then I cane down with a cold/(fluey)thing for a few days and got confined to bed (yep just like last week...) and then I saw a program about hillwalking in the Lake District yesterday. The weeks been almost too much to bear.

I have walked/climbed(summer and winter)/driven through most of the mountain/hill areas of Scotland. I used to climb 2-3 times a week. I would think nothing of long (12-14) hour days on the hill. And yet now I find a walk around Edinburgh tiring. I used to lug a heavy pack filed with climbing rack, ropes, food etc and not worry about it. I could support my weight on my fingertips as I climbed or pull myself up on a pair of ice axes. And yet U get tired doing 5 reps with 1kg weights with the physio.

So You’ll forgive me for wanting to curl up in a ball and cry after watching a lakeland walk last night.

I have a love hate relationship with climbing websites/books/magazines... I yo-yo between two extremes. I get inspired and say, “I’m going to get better, I’m going to go climb this, I’m going to be a climbing instructor, etc.” And then it just reminds me that It’s been a year since I “climbed” (over a year since I went to a climbing wall and almost a year since I bouldered a bit at the local quarry) and I just want to give up. Everything.

So I’m going to jump in the shower, and then try and walk around the block (and not get blown over- its still almost a gale out there... wimp you’ve been almost blown off the top of Ben Nevis in a winter white out before... argh... you see what I mean) and tell myself that I will get better. I will move and get healthy. I will climb. I will climb. I will climb.

(I just need to start believing it...)

thus far and no further...

Over the last year and a half I’d like to think that I’ve grown to appreciate different aspects of swedish life and culture (both from my UK viewpoint and from the trips we’ve taken there)...

So... I enjoy inglad sil (pickled herring), learnt to eat jam with meat (lingonbery, etc), enjoy crispbread, drink blueberry and rose-hip soup (although I can’t yet take nyponsoppa cold...), I will (under duress) own up to having a pair of “plastic shoes” or croc rip-offs, I enjoy Swedish crime novels (still only in English), (I could go on)...

However, I’m afraid there is a rubicon that I just can’t cross...

Watching the weekend’s Melodifestivalen (song for europe/eurovision song contest trials) I was reminded that I just don’t get swedish europop. (Ok I get their indie and alternative rock scene... just look at some of my old MOTD’s). And I’m afraid that I’ll have to admit to the cardinal sin of not liking ABBA.

There I said it. I’ve admitted it out loud...

Which is why I’m going to post this classic Not the Nine O’Clock News clip of “ABBA”

For all my old colleagues... (sad but true!)

Another one of Jon Birch's excellent Ongoing Adventures of ASBO Jesus

As you try and juggle these roles and your family life, here is a prayer for you:

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, give all ministers your spirit of humility;
Jesus, poor and worn out for souls, give all ministers your spirit of zeal;
Jesus, full of patience and mercy for sinners, give all ministers your spirit of compassion;
Jesus, victim for the sins of the world, give all ministers your spirit of sacrifice;
Jesus, lover of the little and the poor, give all ministers your spirit of charity.
Amen

Music of the day

We had a good day out on Sunday...

We started with sung Eucharist at St. John's Edinburgh in the morning, which was a nice start to the day. This was followed by a short walk into up through the Royal Mile and into Grassmarket where we had coffee at The Lot before having a birthday Lunch (not mine...) at The Petit Paris (excellent, as always- they are also happy to change the dishes to suit dietry requirements-and remarkably good value)

But back to the music...

I noticed that in the Lot, playing away in the background was Semisonic's 1998 album, "Feeling Strangely Fine"... Which took me back a decade to studies, part time work in hotels, and off course the title song...

So here is Semisonic and Closing Time

Law & Faith

Here's a video of an interview with N. T. (Tom) Wright, Bishop of Durham, talking about law, faith, democracy, secularism and fundamentalism, politics and religion. (I know I promised myself not to prop up the Times religious correspondent, but on the plus side, she only asks the questions...)

A (brief) Update

Well here's the news at the moment...

I'v had a mild cold this week (except that at the moment, for me a mild cold almost means being confined to bed!)

However I've had to try to keep going because someone from the agents are coming to see the flat tomorrow so that it can be put on the market...

So I've been trying to finish off some simple (is it ever? especially if you're not well) DIY and clean a bit... well most is done, I'll have a another go tomorrow and I'll have to admit defeat and finish over the weekend.

I've also been trying to get removal costs, etc...

Basically I need a quick sale (possibly selling just below its full value in order to do so- another flat in the block went this way last week, if I get what he got I won't be too disappointed as long as its quick), as I can’t afford to keep paying for it.

So, please, either keep your fingers crossed or say a prayer or two (depending on your preference!)

And then what... well I’m taking it slowly, once I get an idea of any (potential) interest in the flat I’ll know wether I need to move out sooner (to cut down on bills) or can wait till its sold.

And then? Well keep posted, I’m working on that too!

Oh, don’t forget to look at the stuff I have to get rid of!

SO that's me. I think I'll try to finish off here, have a shower and collapse with a book!

what on earth is this?

When I first went for a walk in Falkenberg over a year ago I saw several of these dotted around the park. What were they? Was it a straw holder to feed animals in spring? Was it a place where you could tie your kids up and let them play whilst you left them for a while?

Well no... today on the TV I saw a news story and all of a sudden I shouted out, "that's what they're for!"

See if you can guess! Leave your suggestions in the comments section and I'll let you know who gets it right!

(New Stamps)

Before Christmas I blogged on the Royal Mail's Christmas Stamps... well as a service to my philatalicly interested, dog loving, non UK residing reader(s) (yes you! you know who I'm refering to!) here's the next special issue... "working Dogs"

Dialogue at Davros...

Over at God's Politics Brian McLaren has a reflection on (inter)religious dialogue at the recent Davros World Economic Forum.

Its worth the short read... You can find it here. Please go check it out.

Poor Old Rowan...

I feel sorry for the Archbishop of Canterbury. ++Williams always puts a lot of thought into what he says and his words are well chosen and nuanced...

Sadly that doesn't make for good sound bites.

So it’s not surprising that his latest comments about Sharia law are causing controversy.

If you actually looked at what he said, he was saying that it should be introduced in only certain areas- notably family law and some financial cases.

The funny thing is this... despite all the claims that the courts should not be based on religion, or that the laws shouldn't be varied, etc, etc, what the commentators are forgetting is that in the UK we already have faith based courts which routinely rule on these matters and which are binding in English law. They are called the Beth Din and they serve the UK's orthodox Jewish communities.

If it works for one (smaller) religious community in this country, why not with Sharia? And if the politicians, community leaders and journalists really have a problem with the principle of religious based jurisprudence, surely it’s hypocritical for them not to call for its abolition- or are they just Islamophobic (or worse)?

Got to go...

Sadly, It looks like I’m going to have to sell my flat and move on…

There are a number of items that I’m not able/want to pack up and move so I’m offering them for sale (got to pay the bills somehow before the flat sells...). If you see anything that you like the look of please get in touch. I haven’t put any prices down- just make me an offer and arrange to pick it up (obviously some of the items are ready for immediate collection, others you can reserve and pick up when I move out!).

Also- if you need (or know anyone who needs) short-term temporary accommodation, maybe you’d like to “rent” the flat whilst its on the market… again if you’re interested get in touch for a chat.

I'll update this list here on my blog when an item is gone (and keep an eye on the main page for more information about my plans...

2 bedroom flat in Rosyth!
03 SMART fortwo car
fridge freezer (old but in working order)
2 seat sofa
5 CD/DVD/Video shelf units
coffee table
CD storage unit
3 drawer bedroom dresser
XXXXXTV/DVD combi unitXXXXX
2 DVD players
VCR
Digi box (sony)
4 beach/blue fabric dining chairs
2 plain dinning chairs
double bed & matress
plastic swivel office chair
corner computer desk unit
ironing board
weight bench
electric mixing machine
microwave oven
classic style radio (BUSH)
kettle
toaster
10 cup filter coffee maker
XXXXXwood wheeled kitchen/serving benchXXXXX

various:
plates
bowls
glasses
cups/mugs
pots
cutlery
kitchen utensils
mixing bowls
towels (hand/bath)
bedding (sheets/duvets/pillows/duvet covers/pillowcases)
extension cables
electrical/AV/Scart cables
lamps

Ett Ögonblick

(or just a moment... normal service will be resumed shortly... a few things more important than this blog are taking up time...)

I don't believe it... snow!

So I go to Sweden and all the snow I see is 3 flakes on Sat and some left over flakes I saw from the train on the way to the airport yesterday...

Now I get home, and outside huge flakes are falling, some are even settling!

I don't believe it!

(Bag & Break) Update

So the bag which was promised us on the 23rd arrived on the 26th!

You can see its journey on the map!


View Larger Map

(despite arriving in Copenhagen later on the 22nd, it stayed there until it was flown to Stockholm on the 25th, then onto Halmstad on 26th and couriered from there that evening!)

Anyway we arrived back in the UK last night.

I'll post some photos a little later.

So wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

So this is Christmas...?

So we arrived, and there's no snow (not unexpected)...

but also no suitcase!

So we're in a really festive house with lots of lovely decorations waiting to enjoy Julafton, only we have no clothes, no toiletries, no presents...

BA promised the bag would arrive later and be with us yesterday... its not here, their agents haven't reponded to calls, emails or faxs... so its not going to be a nice Christmas later this afternoon...

On the plus side, my hearing is back (my ears were agony on the two flights- very unusal for me), my throat's getting better...

and it really does look very nice with all the decorations, the tree and the lights...

So to everyone

Gud Jul