New Wine North Photos on Flickr...
...featuring a unique look behind the scenes and scandalous going ons in the world of sound engineering... ;-)
Boys - I might be persuaded to take any photo off the web for a small fee...
Accident
For those of you who asked, the accident wasn't serious - however, the impact was so strong that it went through the bumper into the back panel, meaning it's all dented and I can't open my boot.
I'm ok though - it wasn't that bad for it to hurt me. The airbag didn't go off, either, thankfully.
The lady involved in the accident has admitted full liability and her insurance has already contacted me. I've been to a garage they stipulated yesterday to get an estimate and as soon as the insurance approves that estimate, the repair can go ahead. I even get a courtesy car. So all's well that ends well!
Preaching...
Ok, so this Sunday I preached for the first time. Colossians 1:9-14 for those of you who are interested in this kind of stuff. I have to say one thing, preaching isn't as nerve wracking as leading. At least you get told when to get up and go and say your bit. If you're leading, you are the one to tell others to get up and go and say their bit.
So I preached. I think it made some kind of sense to 'those out there'. However, about halfway through, I realised that I was in the process of preaching three sermons at once - and was losing the plot fast. Also, I found myself once or twice in the middle of a sentence, without the least idea as to how I started it and what the point was meant to be. But, I got through, and Christians being the kind people they are, I got very flattering comments indeed from the congregation. I must say, the vicar did not have such scruples - which is a Very Good Thing I hasten to add. He agreed with me that the talk was a bit disjointed (re. the three sermons in one) and I was assuming too much knowledge in the congregation.
I personally also think my main problem was that I didn't really know clearly where I was going - next time I'll preach off a mind map, Alyn, you'll be pleased to hear...
All in all, I was quite happy when the service was over - but I did really enjoy it at the same time. Very strange. However, I'm starting to think that all this 'upfront' stuff is a lot more stressful than I realised. Naive? Maybe. I was totally exhausted by the time Sunday evening came round. Then I realised that I was leading staff cell on the Monday morning and cobbled something together, which, actually wasn't too bad after all.
Drove in on Monday, through the rush hour traffic, and ended up with someone driving into the back of my lovely little Corsa... :-(
It's now got a hole (literally) in the bumper - exactly the same place as in May, when someone did the same thing to my mum in that car.
Steve's request
My placement supervisor requested an update on my placement on this blog...so here it is, Steve, just for you ;-)
I started at St Luke's on the 1st of September. This is my 'main' placement for my second year of training (and my only one, I believe), designed to give me insight into proper parish work.
Well what can I say? I love it. I'm loving every minute of it. I'm looking forward to the next day once the present one is over. It's totally me. Which is a relief, seeing that I'll be doing something like this for more or less the rest of my life, God willing. There is so much to it though - not to sound naive, but I don't think some of the implications of being a parish (whatever) priest - vicar - minister - pastor were quite clear before I took on this course of study. Just as well, I think, because if they had been, I wouldn't have done it, I don't think (does this qualify as a quadruple negative?). Basically, the buck stops here. Essentially. And you are the 'enthusiasm catalyst'. If your vision is lacking, the church dies. If you are unclear on your leadership, the church flounders. Pretty heavy stuff.
Enough for now - a few more thoughts in the next few days.
Happy Anniversary to me!
Dear Readers,
ten years ago today I set off for the British Isles in my trusty little blue Corsa, piled high with clothes and books (and an ex boyfriend, but we won't go there...). So happy anniversary to me! :-)
(and possibly commiserations with Britain for having had to put up with me for the last ten years!)
Very Kind of Apple...
I now had my Powerbook G4 for nearly two years and was just thinking the other day that I need a new battery soon, as the old one is starting to go flat at an alarming rate after nearly two years of continual use...well and today, I had an email from Apple:
"
Dear Apple Customer:Apple has determined that certain lithium-ion rechargeable batteries containing cells manufactured by Sony Corporation of Japan pose a safety risk that may result in overheating. The affected batteries were sold worldwide, in systems and separately, from October 2003 to August 2006 inclusive for use with the following computers: 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4, 15-inch PowerBook G4.Apple is voluntarily recalling the affected batteries and has initiated a worldwide exchange programme and will provide you with a new replacement battery, free of charge. This programme is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other international safety authorities. "
Remember the
exploding Dell laptops? Yeah...well at least I'm getting a new battery free of charge! Hoorah! :-)
