So many things to say, so little time. I’ve been working quite hard lately, hence lack of anything approaching blog activity, nor socialising or anything like that. The deal is now done and I have vowed to return to normality for a while. In the meantime, here are some random, some not so random, things that have been occupying me.
The financial system
Not in meltdown, just a little jumpy. The [insert expletives here] who messed with my employers’ share price last week – and put the jobs, dreams and pension plans of 1000s at risk – are, in a spirit of Christian forgiveness, erm, forgiven. But don’t do it again, you naughty boys/girls.
Things are curious in my line of business at the moment. I didn’t have to go through the early-90s recession that my Dad did, but this is all a bit different. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with the UK economy, its just slowing down a little bit.
I went to Spain
Played golf. Went to Gibraltar. Saw Africa. Drank wine. Drank beer. Ate the most amazing lamb dish. Took lots of photos.
Realised I will never be good at golf.
The Mixu revolution
So, Hibs are suddenly good again. This is a very pleasant turnout of events.
To be fair, we haven’t played particularly sensationally in the last 2 and bit months. We are just looking a lot more solid than we were under the now-much-maligned John Collins. Some key players – Hogg, Jones, Maka, Fletcher – have found a bit of form and confidence, and we don’t look like we’re going to lose unluckily time and again. Top 6 is a certainty and 3rd place is more than a pipedream, but a real possibility.
Keeping this team together, of course, is easier said than done. However, one is allowed a little bit of optimism in the words of imminent Scotland debutant Steven Fletcher so you never know.
Toys
I bought a new guitar. It’s very pretty.
And worthy of a post all of its own in the coming days.
Stupidity
Further to my previous posting, I have made up for not doing the charity run thing in May by volunteering for the Cairngorm Mountain Bike Challenge. This is a corporate-led thing, with the need to cycle up to 100km in one day. Its in September, so theoretically I have the time to train and get fit/lose weight.
The really stupid thing is that I managed to talk myself into this while in the pub last week. In front of my Head of Dept. Who’d just bought me three G&Ts, which I’d drunk on an empty stomach.
Yes, I am stupid.
Hodilays
I’m going to fly on one of these:
I’ve finally booked my flights to Australia for November. Leaving London on the morning of the 1st, arriving in Melbourne on the evening of the 2nd. Back from Brisbane late on the 27th, landing in London in the afternoon of the 28th. Inbetween, a lot of Australia to see.
Having booked on Singapore Airlines, the thought suddenly occurred to me earlier that I might end up on the new A380 double-decker super jumbo plane thing. A quick potter around their website confirmed that yes, I’ll be on this. That’s quite exciting.
Generally, I’m quite excited anyway, but that’s the creme-de-la-creme.
In a restored world
Things I’ve been pondering God-Jesus-Church-wise:
Am I engaged with Church/community?
What is this emerging church stuff about?
When I worship, am I just playing music I enjoy?
How do I get a deeper relationship with God when almost everything I’ve tried – bible notes, prayer guides, all the “cool” books – has left me feeling unsatisfied?
