Backtracking

Ok, ok, ok. So I was going to end my blog. Well I'm not sure I'm ready to do that just yet. But I think the postings will definately become less frequent.

In the meantime, I took this photo whilst out walking the other day and I just though it really showed how amazing this world is. Fantastic.

And before I finish, I was catching up with current affairs the other day and came across a fact that blew me away in its magnitude.

Apparently President Bush is pushing for improved fuel economy in certain vehicles in the States - 4x4s (SUVs) and People Carriers (Minivans) etc. Now I will say that this is great - any move to reduce fuel consumption is a bonus at the moment. But the article that accompanied this story mentioned just how much of an effect this move for improved fuel efficiency would have. Apparently, by ensuring that these cars will be capable of 23 mpg rather than 21 mpg, some 10 billion gallons of fuel will be saved each year. I'll run that one by you again - 10 billion gallons a year.

That figure blew me away. What is even more staggering is that most European and Japanese cars are capable of at least 32 mpg and above. Just think how much larger that 10 billion figure would be if the President had pushed for that much of a change. But still, all credit for any move to save fuel. Nice...

Merseyfest

Thus it is that I end with a post about Merseyfest. Merseyfest is essentially a Christian mission/community outreach project based in the five boroughs that constitute Merseyside. It has been running for the last week throughout the area.

As such I have been helping out with a project based in my home town of St. Helens. Basically my home church's youth group, along with two groups from Liverpool and Leicester, has been working to clean-up a piece of wasteland in a dilapidated region of the town. And its been a great week. Through things that seem so simple (clearing a path way, painting fences, planting trees, clearing away rubbish) the team have made a major impact on the area.

Plus for my church's youth group it has been a fantastic week of fellowship, helping them to grow together and also introducing them to some really nice people from outside of the town (unless you live in St. Helens you have no idea how great that is for these guys).

It has been a marvellous week. And as a final end to this blog perhaps you could pray for:

The project - that it will have a lasting impact on the community and on peoples hearts.

The kids - that they will be able to continue to grow in their Christian faith and also in their fellowship with each other.

And... That this won't be the only time St. Helens is visited by such an event.

Ok guys. Thats it. The End.

The Sun-Setting...

So here it is. The end of my blog (well not quite - I thought I'd ascribe that honour to my Merseyfest post). And I must admit its been fun delving into the blogging world for the last few months.

But. All good things must end. In my case thats so 'all good things' can begin. By that I mean I can now spend a LONG time blogging and not much time working or praying etc. So its time to put a limit on things.

So dearest reader. Thanks for taking the time to observe my simple observations over the last few months. Its been fun.

Bad Haircut...

Yesterday I went for a haircut. Why? Well my hair was begining to take on 'epic' proportions and was attracting too many 'when are you going to get your hair cut?' comments. One girl at Merseyfest even offered to cut it with a pair of hedge clippers!!

So, inspight of me personnally being a fan of my dishevelled look, I went and had a haircut.

And... I now have the strangest hair-cut ever - well not really. But it is odd. I'm certainly being overly vain about it, but my hair just looks 'wrong'. And I can't work out why.

Theres not much I can do about it now other than wait for my hair to grow. But it does confirm one thing - that I cannot get a good haircut. Some people can and some people can't - I certainly fit the latter group. I don't even blaim the hardresser - I just have 'unfortunate hair' (I think thats something Bill Bryson said).

The Lakes...

Ok. Well I went to the Lake District last week and it was great. Very relaxing and the scenery was fantastic... Don't believe me? Well here is a picture to prove it. Nice.

Cricket

So I want to talk about cricket. It is a wonderful, magnificent game. I know, I know. The usual comments regarding cricket go along the lines of 'It is SO boring'. And yes - there is some truth in that.

But over the last few weeks I've been watching the 'Ashes' test series. For those not in the know the 'Ashes' is a historic competition between Austrailia and England, contested over a series of five day matches. And while that sounds long-winded and slow, it is riveting stuff. Exciting, dramatic, and all very British. I love it. So, so good.

If you are American you can probably find it on ESPN 42: The Redcoat Channel or something. Check it out...

And this man - pictured - makes it all the better. He is Adam Gilchrist, the Aussie wicket-keeper and he is a funny man (though I would imagine unintentionally).

Holiday a coming...

Tomorrow I leave for a week in the Lake District which will be fantastic. It is a time to rest, relax, and just generally chill. I will be able to head into the mountains, wander around the lake, or stroll in the woods. I can go scrambling on rocky outcrops and take photos till i'm blue in the face. A local pub will allow me eat delicious food and enjoy a fine pint of local ale. So in other words it will be a great week, and I am really looking forward to it.
On the other hand I approach it with some trepidation. Why? Well I am massively behind with my Uni work and I need to get it done. This simple, basic and also terrifying fact is resting uneasily on my mind. Furthermore the week will be a lonely one. I am with family but I am the youngest by some 25 years and that shows when you are in an isolated part of the world. However... It will be a good week.

Today has been a quiet one. I had a peaceful morning watching cricket while my parents where out and about. The afternoon included a random trip to Liverpool. In the evening my dad let me drive is car which was COOL. He has a Landrover Freelander (basically a small 4x4, or SUV if you are American) and it is great. So, so fast and so much fun. And I get to drive it to and in the Lakes. I am a happy man at the moment. Oh and I also dismantled a wardrobe. As you do.

Laters...

Musing...

I wrote a HUGE entry here before only to go to post it and - deep breath - it didn't post. Honestly, I reckon it was approaching 1,000 words. But - maybe its best it didn't make it to the published stage.

Anyway, here are a few assorted notes on the various things that I've been thinking about today.

1. Fuel. Petrol in this country has risen to an extortionate amount since I was last home and using my car. Today when I went to fill up it was 89.7p a litre. For our American friends that is about $6 a gallon. Yikes!!!

2. Teaching. I went into my mum's school today to help her get her classroom ready for the forthcoming term. All I was doing really was mundane tasks - sticking name labels on books etc - but it started me thinking about how much of a stressful job teaching is these days. Teachers aren't just teachers - they are mentors, managers, accounts, artists, IT specialists, and particularly in Primary education, are required to be experts in many, many subject areas. They have demands in time, stress and responsibility similar to professions such as Law and Medicine and yet recieve much less pay than lawyers, doctors etc. In short I have the highest respect for teachers, and would have to think very, very, very hard indeed before choosing the profession myself.

3. St Helens. My home town. Its been discussed here before, and I'll start by saying that it has many problems. Its run down, and full of scallies for a start. But the people are so, so friendly - this always take me aback - and my particular part of the town is so nice. The colours of the fields, the fresh air, the feeling of space - such a welcome change from Liverpool.

And, thats it...

R

Proverbs

I've been flicking through the book of Proverbs recently. And I just want to say I love it. Out of all the books in the Bible (which incidently is full of good stuff on every page) I have a real affinity for Proverbs and the book of James. Don't know why but hey. If you get the chance check them both out. Have a quick glance through. Ah go on.

Going home....

So later on today I'm going home to spend some quality time with my parents, enjoy the wonder that is my car and take in the rarity that is 'space'. All three of these are tremendous blessings in that I can go home and enjoy them, and, that they are so close to hand. My housemate Evans pointed this out before and its true. I am lucky.

And boy do I need them. Well maybe not the car - thats an added bonus. But seeing my parents will be nice. Why? Well first of all I really think that I need to go home to 'honour my parents' - to spend some quality time with them. This is something I feel I do not do well at the moment. Secondly its just so different being home - you get 'looked after' in a way that just doesn't happen at uni. Or infact in real life. Getting 'looked after' has obvious irritations - theres nothing like sensing like you've lost your freedom, even if that freedom is doing your own washing - but its something that we get few opportunities to enjoy and those opportunities are slipping away fast as we all get older.

And as for space then man do i need space - space in our house is at a premium right now. Hard to find and even harder to keep. Don't get me wrong. Its been a lot of fun living here over summer so far, but I need some breathing room. And I should be able to get that a plenty at home.

Anyway. I'm going home ladies and gents... Nice.