Not the fish.. the other thing....

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 08 May 2005 20:21:28

So I couldn't make it to youth group this friday.. Not that I was too busy, just unable to stand up due to a weird vertigo type thing where I felt really dizzy and unwell... This is becoming a habit now, with me having been ill twice in the past year and having had one week off so that I could go to an arts meet which didn't really work out for me (in terms of spiritual growth). Have subsequently found out that the next arts meet (Guildford one anyhow) is next friday but for the moment I think I will pour my energies on that night into the youthgroup, providing I'm standing that is.

Am feeling mostly better now, but a little fuzzy headed. Getting there anyhow.

Anyway in my absence we phoned around to get another leader in at short notice and Karen, bless her, agreed to come in and help. This sparked a conversation that was relayed to me and had me grumping about not being there to see it, although if I had been there I wouldn't have seen it in the first place so go figure. Anyhow it went something like this:

Karen to wifey: could you come up here (Karen was on the stage looking after the singstar room)?
Wifey: (anticipating something maybe more serious that what was about to happen) whats up?
Karen: could you clarify whether the word they want to use is a swearword and if so, banned according to our rules...

((I may be adding words here to give a sense of history and scale. Bear with me)).

Wifey: Go for it. What is it?
Karen: well.. Um.. It's... ah...
Wifey: do you want to spell it?
Karen: (blushing slightly) well.. It's c.. r...a..p...
Kid 1 in background listening intently: what, Carp? we're not allowed to say carp?
Kid 2 in background listening intently: Not carp! Crap! Oh, sorry is that banned or not?
Wifey: (trying not to laugh too much) I can confirm that any fish based word is allowable.
Kid 2 in background listening intently, and showing a flair for comic talent that I was previously unaware of: so does that mean we can say 'oh crab'?
Wifey: (now laughing) if you can't contain yourself then by all means say 'oh crab'.

How much did I miss that? Lots I can tell you.

In other news: started the day off well, spoke to the church about the teenagerswho worked on the Ready 4 Action weekend and we all got a large round of applause which was lovely to see the kids recieve. Day ended pretty badly with Stephen going off on one which led all of us to go off on one in various places. Could have been calmer or more pleasant. Prayed when we ate which did leave us with a better sense of peace rather than anger, but has still been a tricky night...

In different news last years book: Dr Sylver and the Library of Everything had a number of chapter headings and clues that pointed to my love and respect of Larry Norman. This time there are some clues in there still (one of the teachers ahem may have a name that rings a bell, but no, it's not Mr Phydeaux) but book two seems to be pointing in a new direction, unplanned but there you go that's me all over isn't it? Working hard, hoping to make November for book 2, distractions abound (a job would be, if not nice - I've almost given up on getting anything nice now- helpful) but the words have been flowing the past week.. One problem, or at least pause for thought, that I have is that.. Hmm.. well book 2 is a little like book 1 but with the volume turned up to 11 if you get my drift. Charlotte's sadness of book 1 is mirrord by the sadness of another character - who we've met - in book 2, but the sadness is magnified and a little more intense. Shan't say what Mushy is up to but again, it's more than before. Most thought posingly for me is the fact that one of my favourite reviews (the Christian Herald yay, topped only by a girl reading the book and saying 'it's f***ing brilliant') said that the book was existential, but with first class earthy characterisation... The thing is book two is like that with penquins on and book three.... well, we'll get there, but each ratchets up the confusion for all to take part in... Don't know why it keeps coming back to me, I just don't want to confuse people (see youthwork retort below) and I'm aware that things get very confusing for Jamie and friends in the next two books...

Anyhow, as ever I do hope you enjoy them when we get there.

Currently listening to: U2: Best of whatever whatever. Currently playing: Little bit of Wario Ware, but didn't beat any of my existing high scores.Current 24 guess: Cloe will smile, once.... I know I know.. Unexpected but it's exactly those sort of twists we've come to expect :~)