Categories: uncategorized
Date: 06 September 2005 00:00:28
I thought what I would do is just go through things that I did and briefly state what I remember about it a week later. Apologies if you're looking for real depth and insight.
Friday
Wandered around newly laid out site - first impressions were positive, but I would wait to see how it worked through the weekend before deciding fully.
Queued for shower ticket - it takes a while but is definitely worth it.
Met a few ship people for a short time at the bar.
Taize - they had a lot less Taize on this year so I was really glad I managed to go to this first session - a beautiful way to start the festival proper.
Saturday
John Bell, God's funny bone - I was a bit late but what I heard I really enjoyed, and it had been a while since I had listened to John Bell so that was good too.
James Jones, preparing the ground - talking about the environment and whether this issue gets a mention in the Bible, it was really interesting and I felt I learned quite a lot. In fact it was so good I also went to...
James Jones, digging the soil - mostly follow-up but I think it was pretty comprehensible on its own too. Again excellent.
The second James Jones was preceeded by me sitting in the sun during a very popular discussion on 'The post evangelical' but I couldn't really hear before the sound went so after it packed up it was impossible. I did the Guardian Sudoku during this time.
After that it was the fabulous Wibmeet, but I think pictures that Dave is doing as I type will do more justice to it than I could.
Sunday
Shower - hurrah
Late for service and left early - it wasn't something I felt comfortable with, and while I could have stayed I'm glad I didn't.
Karen Armstrong, The battle for God: Fundamentalism in Judaism, Islam and Christianity - I am so glad I went to this, I found it really interesting, informative and generally very useful. It gave me a view and understanding I often lack in my very protected world.
I blog therefore I am - the panel which included Dave, how could I not have loved it? I was very glad it didn't get too deep though, I could relate to what was being said completely but was also aware that it could go way above my head in an instant.
Steve Tomkins, Speed Christianity - absolutely brilliant, funny and outrageous. I suspect if a lot of people had said the things Steve said they wouldn't have got away with it. Steve can because he does it so well.
The Proclaimers - good, lots of very familiar songs which were great, bit too crowded and hard to concentrate because of that.
Juliet Turner - seats! which was nice (gosh I am getting old) I really enjoyed this but felt quite sleepy as it was at the end of a long day.
Monday
Roy Jenkins, when the news leaves you speechless - I was a bit late (anyone seeing a pattern here?) and perhaps the intro would have helped me make a bit more sense of it, but basically about his experiences with Radio and difficult things to respond to. Interesting.
Tried to listen to Viola play in the performance cafe but failed as she wasn't playing there for 'Classical Brunch' instead listened to some not very classical electric violins etc - Chi2 I think.
Matthew Bishop, Why globalisation is a good thing - one that I am really pleased I went to, it was a very different point of view to what we constantly hear (well the only one I hear anyway), he expressed himself really well, was clearly compassionate of the needs of the farmers etc and clearly knew his stuff. Very thought provoking.
Andrew Jones (tall skinny kiwi), spirituality of blogging - a look at some of the ways people blog and the thinking behind it. Probably a bit beyond me, though I could relate to some of it.
A visit to the organic beer tent - fantastic place.
Duke Special - a great performance of rather strange music.
And that was basically it. I felt like it petered out this year rather than going with a bang, so Monday evening felt like a bit of a let down really. Perhaps it's so we don't mind leaving?
And there we have it - Greenbelt 2005