Hot and Cold...

...or Music, Dance and Prayer.

Well, an exciting weekend all round, so time to blog about it I think. So here goes...

Cold 1

Well, friday night, started with some food in browns, to avoid going home from uni, just to come back to cov. Then, on to Coventry Cathedral. It was freezing! But the London Community Gospel Choir soon got everyone warmed up. Got to chat to some friends in the interval, and get hold of one of their fine CDs too. Grund!

Cold 2

Saturday, once again to Coventry Cathedral, which was once again cold! This time, for my confirmation. A great opportunity for me to state my faith publicly again, and to receive much prayer and blessing. We started with a little explanation of how everything would work, so that when we got to the service itself, we could worry less, and concentrate on god more. Then tea with the bishop, where some of us ended up in a random cake eating competition (I blame the kids for starting that, no adults involved of course (hmm, right)).

Anyway, after this, back to the important stuff. The service was good, and Bishop Colin prayed for each of us in turn, for a greater filling of the holy spirit. At the end of the service we all lighted candles to signify our comming out of darkness and into light. It was very encouraging to see so many people there, both being confirmed (about 180) and supporting (nearly 2000!).

Of course, although this was good and a blessing to me, it is still the small event. The main important event was of course my baptism, which I am thrilled to have done. Now though the important thing is how I continue with my spiritual journey, and my relationship with God, how I can follow Jesus better. For this I have much reading, action and of course prayer to do...

Hot 1

Next day, Sunday, was introduced to the Church at St. Pauls (all those baptised and/or confirmed, or having renewed vows stood up in church during the service for everyone to see, and some video of the confirmation service was shown), and then lovely roast turkey in a yorkshire at the Cask. Then, that evening, the heat of bright lights on the stage, as we (the University of Warwick Symphony Orchestra) began our performance. Great fun, we performed a selection from "The Armed Man" by Karl Jenkins with the chourus, they performed, "The Three Kings" by Dove, and then we played "Symphonic Dances from West Side Story" by Bernstein. After the interval, Tchaikovsky's Fith Symphony (with a really beautiful horn solo, by the first horn).

Hot 2

Finally, rounding off this, with Monday night. My usual Ceroc dancing. This week's intermediate routine started with a couple of nice easyish moves, but the third move, very tough. You either got in knots, and needed long arms not to, or got the crouch bit wrong, but hey, all fun :-). Freestyle, once again exhausting, and hence, hot!

Anyways, until next time, Ciao Ciao, M

Baptism

I was baptised this evening. It was a great oportunity to declare my faith in public, and to accept God's blessings. Also, was really encouraging to hear the testimonies of the other people being baptised or renewing vows. It was grand. The only slight niggle is water up the nose, but I don't really care, because it was so fantastic. Anyway, you can view the photos here. Sorry they're not great yet - there will be some better ones along, but they will have to wait for my uncle to develop them.

A big thankyou to all those who have been praying for me, and to those who got me cards and books. I think that my christian book selection is now about doubled, which is no bad thing. Next up, on saturday, is my confirmation. Baptism is the big important bit, but the confirmation will be good also, and oportunity for more prayer and encouragement, and to meet the bishop of coventry.

Less than 48hrs to go...

Till my baptism. Yay, will be grand!

Sisters, Hucknall, Food, Whiskey

Saw my sister in Hucknall today (The ickle big one, or one that is younger than the other one, but older than me), which was grand. Was up there with parents, and people they know, and people my sis knows.

Anyways, had some lovely food at the Hardwick Inn (Game Casourole in my case), and once again (as we always do when there), sampled some of the whiskey (the place has 200 different ones!). Finally worked out what it is that makes a good (in my opinion very smokey in the throat, but very smooth, not harsh in the front of the mouth) whiskey. It would appear the secret is sherry casks. Bowmore darkest has this, and so do some of the others we tried. Grund!

Medulla

I finally get this - well not completely, but enough to enjoy the entire album. When I first bought the album (probably in the first week of release), I listened, and didn't really like it, then listened again, and got to like a few bits. I hadn't had it on since these couple of plays... until now.

Now Björk albums have often had some challenging or unusual elements before, but you've always been able to get into bits of them straight away, and the whole thing after a couple of plays. With Medulla however, the entire album is based on experimental choral music, and it is all challenging. It goes beyond using choirs (although it uses them lots) and uses throat singers (with a very unusual sound), Björk's voice, and some other guest singers (such as Robert Wyatt), sampled multi-tracked, and generally mashed up. This was very tough listening when I listened to it many months ago (and this even with my, by then, wide taste in music).

So what would happen at about half past 11 last night, but I get a strange urge to listen to it again. Maybe my mind had be processing it secretly in the background all this time, trying to understand it, and finally thought it had an answer. So I put it on, and it is a revelation (musically). Suddenly, I enjoy the rythms, the sound, the experience. I can see beyond saying "it's experimental - not sure I like experimental", and see all the richness in these voices. So now I recommend this album. Buy it, listen to it, put it away, and wait. It will be in your CD player again - one day - and then you will love it!

Baptism

I am going to be baptised on Sunday 20th at 6:30PM in St. Paul's Church, Leamington. Anyone who knows me (or doesn't but is curious about the whole baptism thing) is welcome to come. You can find details of the location here.

Fireworks

Kenilworth fireworks were rather fine tonight. It is amazing how they can keep going for a whole 30 minutes, and be good all the way through. Quite sensitive work, at moments, which louder bangs and bigger lights for the musical climaxes. Good to be with friends too, although we did get split up a bit, so there were a few smaller groups by the end. All good though, was a good night

Also, was very happy to bump into a couple I went to Uni with, and haven't seen in a while. So in case you're reading this, Hi Dan and Ali. I really must make an effort to catch up with old friends more. On that note, I shall bid this blog farewell

Dave's Charity Ceroc Ball

Once again, Dave's Charity (British Heart Foundation) Ceroc Ball was excellent. Music, dancing, chatting, good atmosphere - very fine indeed.

The next one is on the 21st of April 2006, which happens to be the day before my 26th birthday. How handy, I can enjoy the dancing and celebrate my birthday at the same time! Of course, if this is to happen, then some more people I know will have to come, and to do that will involve getting tickets early. Consider yourselves warned in advance

Time for Warmth...

I have a random feeling that everything should be warm now. So I will dreamilly in semi-tired state blog here. If you don't already have it, get your duvet, and wrap it round you. Put on some warm music - happy or sad is ok, but must be warm, rich sounding music. Let things be like that, and maybe chat to people in a warm way. Sorry, this is really random, but hey, what are blogs for!

"Martin Needs"

This isn't my idea, in case someone accuses me of taking credit for something that isn't mine. Interesting list, just follow these instructions to create your own...

1. Go to the google search engine
2. Type in your name and put needs after it. (eg. "John needs") making sure that its in quotes!
3. Post whatever comes up...

My List

Martin needs...

1. big outing for Jets.
2. TO GET DRUNK.
3. Medical Treatment
4. to return to earlier form.
5. to act on this now, before it's too late.
6. Brand X Clarity
7. to fix the bed
8. nothing.
9. his freedom
10. Advertising Advice.

Finally, take a look at the live list.

A few Haiku

Goodbye dear Nikki,
It wasn't to last for long;
Hope your future's bright.

Poetry was your love,
To relieve the strains inside,
And to start anew.

Although slightly mad,
Your presence made office glad,
So now we are sad.

Go on to great things,
It was your leaving remark.
You deserves this too!