Thursday, June 21, 2007
How children lost the right to roam in four generations
(via)
Update: Andreas found this article about a school without a playground...
(via)
Update: Andreas found this article about a school without a playground...
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Sverige
Last night I arrived back in Cardiff after just over a week in Sweden. One of the main reasons for the visit was Helena and Christoffer's wedding in Kiviks, which is a small town in Skåne where a lot of cider apples are grown. The wedding was in a small, white chapel, filled with light and situated about 30 metres from the sea.
On Sunday I finally got to hear some tracks from Niklas' new demo (due out soon), and am really impressed. Watch his myspace for more info.
During the week I finally succumbed to a visit to the Kallbadhuset (cold bath house), where you get naked, sit in a sauna, and then jump into the sea. The experience was as strange as anticipated. We Brits just aren't used to being naked and comfortable, and especially not outdoors! Just when you start to relax (while discussing theology or some such) the thought runs through your mind "I'm naked," and inwardly you cringe. Thanks to Andreas and Peter for initiating me.
I also got to visit Packebo, where Sofia comes from, and spend some time with her family. It was so relaxing to get away from the city, to walk in the woods, and to enjoy the hospitality of The Family Carlbert.
I've posted some photos on Flickr (thanks Stina for loaning me your camera)...
Last night I arrived back in Cardiff after just over a week in Sweden. One of the main reasons for the visit was Helena and Christoffer's wedding in Kiviks, which is a small town in Skåne where a lot of cider apples are grown. The wedding was in a small, white chapel, filled with light and situated about 30 metres from the sea.
On Sunday I finally got to hear some tracks from Niklas' new demo (due out soon), and am really impressed. Watch his myspace for more info.
During the week I finally succumbed to a visit to the Kallbadhuset (cold bath house), where you get naked, sit in a sauna, and then jump into the sea. The experience was as strange as anticipated. We Brits just aren't used to being naked and comfortable, and especially not outdoors! Just when you start to relax (while discussing theology or some such) the thought runs through your mind "I'm naked," and inwardly you cringe. Thanks to Andreas and Peter for initiating me.
I also got to visit Packebo, where Sofia comes from, and spend some time with her family. It was so relaxing to get away from the city, to walk in the woods, and to enjoy the hospitality of The Family Carlbert.
I've posted some photos on Flickr (thanks Stina for loaning me your camera)...
Friday, May 18, 2007
The Last Kiss
The Last Kiss is a phase 2 coming of age movie. Phase 1 would be the "I'm coming up to eighteen years old and 'finding myself'." Phase 2 is the 29 year old, married, or almost married crisis of "is my life now one long episode of predictability?"
It could have been terrible (and I'd read elsewhere that it was), but it wasn't. Somehow, about three quarters of the way through, it switches from angsty nihilism to something altogether more hopeful. It becomes a tale of wisdom and long-suffering, of imperfect people living out love, instead of just speaking about it, and of young learning from old. (****)
The Last Kiss is a phase 2 coming of age movie. Phase 1 would be the "I'm coming up to eighteen years old and 'finding myself'." Phase 2 is the 29 year old, married, or almost married crisis of "is my life now one long episode of predictability?"
It could have been terrible (and I'd read elsewhere that it was), but it wasn't. Somehow, about three quarters of the way through, it switches from angsty nihilism to something altogether more hopeful. It becomes a tale of wisdom and long-suffering, of imperfect people living out love, instead of just speaking about it, and of young learning from old. (****)
This week began as one of the busiest in a long time. Being self-employed allows for bouts of unchecked workaholism. Working two jobs, one self employed, can leave you with little time for anything besides work.
There are two kinds of discipline you need when you're working 'for yourself': self motivation; and, self preservation. If you are not diciplined in your rest you will, at best, find yourself exhausted and stressed out, and, at worst, end up hating your work.
There are two kinds of discipline you need when you're working 'for yourself': self motivation; and, self preservation. If you are not diciplined in your rest you will, at best, find yourself exhausted and stressed out, and, at worst, end up hating your work.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
I spent most of today asking myself "what is a vote worth?"
It all began when I woke up and realised that:
a) It was voting day, and
b) That I hadn't received my ballot paper.
I was under the mistaken assumption that a ballot paper is required to vote. At some point during the night I had also dreamed that David Cameron (Conservative) had become Prime Minister. After this nightmare I was more eager than ever to vote, and to do justice to the people who have died in order that I might have the opportunity.
The truth is you can't really put a value on a vote. You can argue as much as you like that there's no point voting, because British parties all believe generally the same thing, or that it is a huge, lumbering mechanism that rarely produces something of value, but when deprived of a vote you soon discover the value of being able to vote against someone you don't want in power.
It all began when I woke up and realised that:
a) It was voting day, and
b) That I hadn't received my ballot paper.
I was under the mistaken assumption that a ballot paper is required to vote. At some point during the night I had also dreamed that David Cameron (Conservative) had become Prime Minister. After this nightmare I was more eager than ever to vote, and to do justice to the people who have died in order that I might have the opportunity.
The truth is you can't really put a value on a vote. You can argue as much as you like that there's no point voting, because British parties all believe generally the same thing, or that it is a huge, lumbering mechanism that rarely produces something of value, but when deprived of a vote you soon discover the value of being able to vote against someone you don't want in power.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Stop the Traffik
Over the past year or so, thanks to some friends of mine who are passionate about seeking justice, I've had my eyes opened to the world of Trafficking. This is effectively todays form of slavery, and it really matters that we don't just let the apathy of our consumer culture stop us from standing against it. Making a difference can be as simple as changing our chocolate buying habits.
Click here to learn more.
Over the past year or so, thanks to some friends of mine who are passionate about seeking justice, I've had my eyes opened to the world of Trafficking. This is effectively todays form of slavery, and it really matters that we don't just let the apathy of our consumer culture stop us from standing against it. Making a difference can be as simple as changing our chocolate buying habits.
Click here to learn more.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Thursday night Andreas showed up for a surprise visit. It was great to see him and amazing that those around me had kept it quiet for so long. It was a chilled Friday around the city centre. We took in some Leonardo Da Vinci at the Museum, Llandaf Cathederal, and caught up over coffee.
On Saturday we drove west to Rhossilli Bay and walked across the hills that overlook the sea. It was a warm day, but up on the hills the wind was strong and sapped our energy. The sea was cold, but we removed shoe and sock for the obligatory paddle. Once back in Cardiff we were brought to our senses by a great British tradition - curry and beer.
It was very nice to share some unexpected time with a great friend.
On Saturday we drove west to Rhossilli Bay and walked across the hills that overlook the sea. It was a warm day, but up on the hills the wind was strong and sapped our energy. The sea was cold, but we removed shoe and sock for the obligatory paddle. Once back in Cardiff we were brought to our senses by a great British tradition - curry and beer.
It was very nice to share some unexpected time with a great friend.
Smoking in public places became illegal today in Wales. From now on going for a pint will not mean damaging your lungs.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Please please me
Reading this article this morning I was reminded of this.
There is a game that we play among fellow human beings which screams simultaneously "I am desperately intelligent, stylish, suave and good looking," and "Please, please, please give me some value." It's a game that we barely remember because it becomes so deeply entwined with who we are. We so badly need others to tell us we are worth something that creating a fictitious self to get it somehow loses its absurdity.
Strangely, we are told by a somewhat marginal stranger, that the way to find rest, the way to "reconcile this battling trinity into a seamless whole" is to escape this unsatisfying game.
"It is said that we are all three different people: the person we think we are (the one we have invented), the person other people think we are (the impression we make) and the person we think other people think we are (the one we fret about). You could say it would be a lifetime's quest to reconcile this battling trinity into a seamless whole." Read more (via)
Reading this article this morning I was reminded of this.
There is a game that we play among fellow human beings which screams simultaneously "I am desperately intelligent, stylish, suave and good looking," and "Please, please, please give me some value." It's a game that we barely remember because it becomes so deeply entwined with who we are. We so badly need others to tell us we are worth something that creating a fictitious self to get it somehow loses its absurdity.
Strangely, we are told by a somewhat marginal stranger, that the way to find rest, the way to "reconcile this battling trinity into a seamless whole" is to escape this unsatisfying game.
Monday, March 19, 2007
White Van Man
This weekend Dave and I took a trip down to Plymouth in a white van. It was fun to see Mr Henson again and to enjoy some Wagamama Yasi Katsu Curry once we were back in Bristol. We watched Identity and I fell asleep just as the plot was coming to a head. When I woke up it waas the end credits and I made Dave explain the entire film.
While I was away from Cardiff, Wales beat England 27-18 in the Rugby (watch it here) transforming my otherwise sport-dispassionate father into a huge fan...
This weekend Dave and I took a trip down to Plymouth in a white van. It was fun to see Mr Henson again and to enjoy some Wagamama Yasi Katsu Curry once we were back in Bristol. We watched Identity and I fell asleep just as the plot was coming to a head. When I woke up it waas the end credits and I made Dave explain the entire film.
While I was away from Cardiff, Wales beat England 27-18 in the Rugby (watch it here) transforming my otherwise sport-dispassionate father into a huge fan...
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Why Britain will not win the Eurovision Song Contest 2007
'Our' entry
In Britain no body keeps track of the Eurovision and its entrants. It fits comfortably in the category of 'crap music,' which, by British standards, means 'worse than X-Factor,' and therefore attracts little attention. The one reason why a few people tune in on the night of the main contest is seasoned radio DJ, and comedy genius, Terry Wogan, who, as UK compare, is paid to make a mockery of the whole thing.
There was one thing that drew the interest of the press this year and that was the involvement of Morrisey, who wanted to write and perform a song at this years event (I'm told that he loves the Eurovision, and cites a past Swedish contest entry as his all time favourite song, despite being clueless as to the words).
Sweden's Entry
In Sweden, on the other hand, Eurovision, or Melodifestivalen as it's known there, is serious business. It's an event that makes headlines and is carefully constructed to extract revenue from the 12% (upwards) of the population who tune in through every week of the preliminary selections.
Not only that, but it attracts 'serious' artists, such as this years' winner The Ark, who have toured with the likes of UK favourites The Darkness. Carola, who has represented Sweden twice (and here in English) at the Eurovision, is one of the most famous people alive in Sweden today.
Swedes have a word for everything, and the style of music at The Contest is no exception. Swedish artists are proud to rise to the challenge of writing a piece of 'slager' for the event.
'Our' entry
In Britain no body keeps track of the Eurovision and its entrants. It fits comfortably in the category of 'crap music,' which, by British standards, means 'worse than X-Factor,' and therefore attracts little attention. The one reason why a few people tune in on the night of the main contest is seasoned radio DJ, and comedy genius, Terry Wogan, who, as UK compare, is paid to make a mockery of the whole thing.
There was one thing that drew the interest of the press this year and that was the involvement of Morrisey, who wanted to write and perform a song at this years event (I'm told that he loves the Eurovision, and cites a past Swedish contest entry as his all time favourite song, despite being clueless as to the words).
Sweden's Entry
In Sweden, on the other hand, Eurovision, or Melodifestivalen as it's known there, is serious business. It's an event that makes headlines and is carefully constructed to extract revenue from the 12% (upwards) of the population who tune in through every week of the preliminary selections.
Not only that, but it attracts 'serious' artists, such as this years' winner The Ark, who have toured with the likes of UK favourites The Darkness. Carola, who has represented Sweden twice (and here in English) at the Eurovision, is one of the most famous people alive in Sweden today.
Swedes have a word for everything, and the style of music at The Contest is no exception. Swedish artists are proud to rise to the challenge of writing a piece of 'slager' for the event.
Friday, March 09, 2007
As I'm sure you've figured out by now I'm back in Cardiff. It's actually been an entire week and I'm just about getting used to it.
Leaving Malmö was as difficult as expected. The last few days were bittersweet, being with great friends, knowing that I'd soon be gone. However there was hope mixed in with it, the hope of growth and adventure.
The Sunday before I left I met up with Andreas for the last of our weekly catchups, and was just about to leave (about 18:00) when the doorbell rang. When Andreas opened the door there was a small collection of people, all of whom I knew, but was surprised to see together. It turned out he had organised a surprise leaving party. It was a great surprise - Thankyou to all concerned!
Designing
One of the things I've been working on recently is the Skapa website. For those of you who won't get much out of the site (it's in Swedish) Skapa is an organisation that exists to explore the overlap between faith and art. This is primarily expressed through an annual event, where these elements are brought together. The theme for this year is Black/White, Life/Death and contrast, and the site design reflects the idea of this contrast. It was a challenge working primarily in black and white (there is a hint of colour in the links), but an enjoyable challenge.
Leaving Malmö was as difficult as expected. The last few days were bittersweet, being with great friends, knowing that I'd soon be gone. However there was hope mixed in with it, the hope of growth and adventure.
The Sunday before I left I met up with Andreas for the last of our weekly catchups, and was just about to leave (about 18:00) when the doorbell rang. When Andreas opened the door there was a small collection of people, all of whom I knew, but was surprised to see together. It turned out he had organised a surprise leaving party. It was a great surprise - Thankyou to all concerned!
Designing
One of the things I've been working on recently is the Skapa website. For those of you who won't get much out of the site (it's in Swedish) Skapa is an organisation that exists to explore the overlap between faith and art. This is primarily expressed through an annual event, where these elements are brought together. The theme for this year is Black/White, Life/Death and contrast, and the site design reflects the idea of this contrast. It was a challenge working primarily in black and white (there is a hint of colour in the links), but an enjoyable challenge.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
So the biggest news of my life right now is that I'm leaving Malmö on March 1st. The plan is to take a course in "Church Planting" (the buzzword for starting communities of faith centred around the life and teachings of Jesus) across the pond, starting in September. Before then I will spend some months in Wales, saving, and enjoying my family.
It's going to be so hard leaving this wonderful place, and even harder to leave the wonderful people I've come to know while I've been here.
It's going to be so hard leaving this wonderful place, and even harder to leave the wonderful people I've come to know while I've been here.
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