I like these pictures...

I like these pictures, maybe you can use them for a talk like I did. I used both these when illustrating "perseverance" but I guess the first one could also apply to "faith". Even if you don't use them for a talk, they are brilliant pictures, I really like them.

mr bramhall

Saturday night:
The eligable Mr Bramhall
Spectacular Scenery
Ben and Jerrys

Oh n Sarah n Becky, bet you wish you were here!

X Men: The Last Stand

The Last Stand? I don't think so...

What a movie! What a movie! Tons better than the first two, just fantastic.

I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't seen it but this one is a cracker, just brilliant. Wee tip for you - stay until the credits are over, you get a wee insight into what is to come...

I aint going to say much more on it all. I don't want to ruin it, take away from anyone's experience, build it up too much but please just go and see it, what a film.

I also saw trailers for "Superman Returns" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" and both look like they could be good films. I was surprised to see Kevin Spacey as Lex Luther in "Superman Returns" so I'm looking forward to seeing that unfold.

I've not read much more of the Da Vinci Code. As I am a wee bit behind in my Bible readings, I figure thats more important than some lies written by a mere human. So the Bible it is then.

Check out Chris' blog too. We updated his profile and so on tonight so there's a bit more about him on there and a wee picture too. Enjoy!

Chris has a blog!

Ok, so the excitement is in the title.

Just so you can get a bit more of an insight into the world and house in which I live, my housemate Chris (yes, the white/jive speaking/wive-beater wearing/'sup yo' one, not the Mexican one or the who who works in the pub) has a blog. Here is the link and free advert I promised him -
www.mmmdanone.blogspot.com

Please post, just for his sake. I don't know when he'll check it. I don't know who will read it. I don't know who will post (except you guys) as he's not really on the internet except to watch videos on youtube.com. Just give the guy some support. If you can't pay by cheque, just, ehh, post a comment instead.

In other news...
I got a new pair of shorts today. They are a lovely shade of blue and are saltrock. Really nice. It was Chris' birthday present for me for last month. You guys can always get your belated birthday presents in to if you want...if you can't pay by cheque...you can...post a comment...I guess...thanx in advance.

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More like a finger bouffet this time...

I liked that last post of mine so here goes another...

First point - I have just listened to Natasha Bedingfield's album - Unwritten and it's quite good. Chris had it on his laptop so I just put it onto my ipod a few weeks ago but never listened to it. It's good though, check it out.

Second point - It's my day off today and I spent like an hour and a half just sat in Starbucks reading my Bible and the Da Vinci Code (I know, contradiction or what?!) but it was just nice. The only Starbucks close by is in Borders, a bookshop, but it's above the bookshop so you can sit and drink your drink and look down on everyone below, pretty sweet.

Third Point - It's been raining for like 10 days straight now, that sux. I'm not joking, 10 days, not one completely dry. I know, I know, "But that's Britain" and yes it is, but I mean, for crying out loud, winter was drier! That's when it's meant to rain, not when we're almost into summer. Steve McQueen.

Point four - I have just past the bit in the Da Vinci code where it is down right blasphemy and lies. My Mexican housemate Daniel wants to read the book when I'm done with it but I don't know how he's going to get past all my writing and doodling on those pages where it talks crap about Mary Magdalene and how Peter was jealous and Jesus told Mary Magdalene to build His church. But who was the one preaching to thousands on Pentecost? Mary? Nope! Peter's story in Acts rubber stamps his transformation throughout the Gospels from idiot, not-thinking-before-he-speaks, eejit to being used in powerful ways by God, evident at Pentecost. Jesus even told him he'd be a rock upon which His church would be built. Not Mary Magdalene. Sorry Dan, but you're just an eejit. You aint going to topple the church with a made-up fictious story. If the Devil can't defeat Jesus, nor can you sunshine.

So yeah, a wee rant towards the end there as my anger at the Da Vinci Code is clear!

I'm now listening to a song I got off Sarah's computer - Starship - We Built This City. All is well in the world.

Read this (I think there's something in it for all the family) (It's like a boufet, pick and choose what you want, you don't have to have it all)

Ok, I really am just going to ramble and see what happens.

You know what I found really strange when I was in America? When Caleb, Hannah and I went to Starbucks before church to get coffee. Not only that, it was a Starbucks drive-thru! What the!? Crazy! Then we drank it in church. Madness I tell you, madness.

There is a funny British comedian I found on YouTube.com
His name is Tim Vine and I think he is a Christian, don't quote me on that one (right now I see people copying and pasting,"His name is Tim Vine and...he is a Christian") and his stuff is just hilarious! The clip on YouTube is about 6 and a half minutes and it's brilliant! It's just pun, after pun, after pun and all clean! It's superb, please do check him out.

What else...

Ohh aye! I started reading "The Da Vinci Code" on Monday there. I'm quite hooked. It's a good book (don't worry, I have also heard outcry from people that it's a terrible book, but I'm gripped!) and am about 1/3 of the way through already. I think I might be going to see the film on Monday so I want to finish the book before I see the film.

My mum and dad are visiting for a few days at the start of June and then on the 23rd-25th June my sister and mum are visiting as there's a thanksgiving day at Capernwray on 24th for the new dining room so they're staying here and going to Capernwray for the day on Saturday.

Lindsey, Marisa's friend, who is at Bible school now is coming to visit and staying over until the Saturday. It's all go go go!

Oooohhh boy! How can I not mention the fact that the World Cup, the greatest spectical on earth, starts on 9th June. Bring it on! I am torn between a few countries though. Just because I have a South Korean and Ecuadorian shirt, I'm not sure who to support. Yet because of you guys in America, I also want to support the States in the World Cup (yes, that's right, you guys ARE in the FOOTBALL World Cup) (oops, I mean, SOCCER World Cup). Saying that, so are Australia. Go figure.

I like these big, literally random, blogs. What else can I harp on about.

Ohh, I'll make this the last thing. No, wait, second last thing. The Chili's new album is just amazing. Let me highlight some tracks for you - 'Tell me Baby', 'Wet Sand', 'Readymade', 'Hard to Concentrate', '21st Century', 'Hump de Bump','Snow ((Hey Oh))' along with the single, 'Dani California'. Just superb.

Last thing - I bought Family Guy season one and two on DVD the other day. Do I need them? No, not really but they were in the sale.

Ok, really last thing - on www.adifferentdirection.com I found a Christian t-shirt. I know how much you all probably hate them, but this one was frickin awesome! In the style of the Napoleon Dynamite, "Vote for Pedro" t-shirt (I actually bought one from Fred Meyer when I was in America) there was a t-shirt saying, "Jesus Died For Pedro"! Fantastic! Check it out on the website along with Tim Vine on YouTube.
Peace out yo.
(Sorry about the 'peace out' thing, my housemate does it, he thinks he's black and speaks jive. He doesn't. He's white. He does wear vest/wife beaters though. That doesn't make him black though, or help him speak jive. He just wears them. Have you met him? His name is Chris)

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium

It's out!
The Red Hot Chili Peppers new double album 'Stadium Arcadium'. I thought I'd post this today as North America had to wait until today to get it. Us Europeans had it yesterday.

Infact, I had my copy, technically on Saturday. I had preordered it months ago at Sarah's house, with Sarah's account so when I was on the weekend away with our youth people, it arrived at Sarah's house! I know, 2 days early! Insane!
So I got it Sunday night from Sarah and have been listening to it ever since. Two albums is a lot to get through though, 28 songs in total, so I've only listened to each CD once. I've got it on me ipod now so that should help.

One track that stood out for me straight away was on the first CD, which I think, is called 'Mars' but correct me if I'm wrong. The track on the 'Mars' CD is called 'Hump de bump'. It's so funky, I love it! Track 2 on the 'Mars' CD as well is great, 'Snow ((Hey oh))', it's super. I'm impressed. I need to listen to it more though.

Hope you're enjoying the pictures of America, see anyone you know?! Like yourself?...

I've got to run though, I have a talk on Genesis 30 v 25 - 31 v 55 to do for Thursday and it's doing me head in. Any ideas anyone!?

Don't forget about the caption competition below with the fish!

Photos from America

My good friend Caleb and I

Sharon and I thought the shadow was funny!

Sharon and I at Caleb's house

Brittani, Caleb, Kellyn and I at Caleb's house

Dana, Brittani, Kellyn and I at their school

Sylvester and I at the 'Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe'

Dana and I at 'Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe' in Seattle

Brittani and I

Aly and I

This guy was on a big mad bike near Pike's Place market, Seattle

Emm, Kellyn and I in Seattle

This is in response to Jeff's infamous leaning tower of Pisa picture during Tyler's and his travels!

Kellyn and I

Kellyn and I

Photos from America

Myself, Emily, Kellyn and Brittani

Danny, myself, Pamela and Caleb at Danny's house

Pamela and I

Multnomah Falls

This is Josh (Caleb's brother) and I

Photos from America

This is me, at Multnomah Falls, just in case you couldn't tell by the sign

This is myself and Ben Thomas

I had to put this picture of this fish on, I just imagined him saying, "Yeah, seriously...I'm pink with black stripes and I'm in front of a pink wavey plant thing, whoooo" in a real deep, droning, boring voice! I love it! In fact, let's open it up, this is a caption competition. Who can come up with the funniest caption for this fishy picture?

That was America

Well folks, that was America. I was there from 15th-29th April and it was amazing! I had such a fantastic and was sad to leave such good friends behind but I do hope to get out again next year sometime maybe. What a fantastic time I had!

I saw Bellingham, Salem, Portland, the Oregon Coast, Seattle (and all those places around it like Bellevue, Kirkland and so on) and even a wee bit of Vancouver, BC. It was an amazing trip. I saw - Caleb, Danny, Pamela, Kylie, Meredith, Aly, Ben Thomas, Heidi and Marja, Kellyn, Dana, Brittani, Sharon, Dawn, Erin, Janice and Erik. I am sorry if I forgot anybody, I really am.
Among the thousands of people I met for the first time where - Josh, Caleb's brother, Hannah, Caleb's girlfriend, Abbie, Caleb's sister, Rick and Linda, Caleb's parents, Tim, Caleb's housemate, Joe, Kellyn's boyfriend, Kasey, Kara, Kirsten and Kitty, Kylie's 4 sisters, Matt and Jamie, Kylie's parents, Emily, Kellyn's friend and Hannah's family. Again, sorry if I've missed out some people.

I got to eat at Boomer's burgers, Burgermaster, Las Margaritas, Starbucks (does that count?)and Quiznos to name a few. I tried for the first time - Teriyaki, Thai and slurpees to again, name but a few. I enjoyed eating while in the states!

I never realized how beautiful Washington and Oregon where until I saw them first hand. Multnomah falls, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Baker, they were all beautiful. Even the cities of Portland and Seattle where beautiful and attractive in their own way. Down town Portland had it's own style and felt relaxed. It did have a lot of weird statues and art pieces but I got past those soon enough. Seattle, although just one big, mad hill was entertaining, exciting and interesting. It again had a certain relaxed feel to it. I got to see quite a bit of it and was soooo impressed by it.

I want to say thank you to so many people. They have already been thanked but I want to put it on here and thank them again. Whether they drove me somewhere, put me up for a night or two, met me somewhere, planned stuff for me or whatever, I want to thank them.
Thanx to Caleb for having me to stay and for being a fantastic friend. It was great to hang out again and renew a good, old friendship. Thank you.
Thanx to Kellyn for, despite having a ton of work for school and being rather tired most of the weekend was always kind, pleasant and patient with me. She showed me so much of Seattle and her church, what a great tourguide. Once again, it was great to renew a good, old friendship.
Thanx to Kellyn's mum, Bonny, who made amazing cheesecake, washed a hoodie of mine and even gave me a birthday card.
Thanx to Kylie for putting up with me and planning great stuff for us to do. Really was good to see you again and meet all your sisters as well as your mum and dad.
Thanx to Danny and his family for putting Pamela, Caleb and I up for a night while in Portland.
Thanx to Ben Thomas for meeting me and taking me to Multnomah falls and to Multnomah Bible school, was great to see you again.
Thanx to Pamela for buying me a Mexican lunch! Also for talking with me in Peet's coffee and just hanging out, chatting and showing me Portland. Thank you Pamela.
Thanx to Dana and Brittani, it was great to hang out with you guys again and laugh like at Bible school. "I like meat" was something Brittani came out with on the way to Las Margaritas, not sure why, but it made us laugh! Thanx to Dana for showing me Seattle as well and making me laugh, I had forgotten how funny you were!
Thanx to Josh, Caleb's brother for driving me down to Portland to meet Kylie. It was a fun car journey with good chats and laughs.
Thanx to Heidi and Marja for showing us the ghetto that is Tacoma. It had some nice stuff. Honestly, it did. Also, thanx for introducing me to Thai and the fun we had in that restaurant.
Thanx to Josh McNeely for getting me to do the announcements at Overlake, in the High School service last Sunday morning!
Thanx to Sharon for coming all the way down from Kamloops, via Vancouver to see me. It was so great to hang out again, beat the Americans at pool, watch Three Angles and ring Jonny boy on his birthday. Sharon, thank you so much.
Thanx to Caleb again and his family for giving me a birthday meal. I had such a great, relaxing day and then to just go over for dinner and relax was great.
Thanx to Shawn for coming up to Bellingham and taking the time out to do that.
Thanx to Janice and Erik for coming to the airport on Saturday even though I had such little time to see you guys, it was still good to hug you both and talk for a bit.
Thanx finally to Hannah for being so kind and for making almond rocha, it was great on the plane!
Again, sorry to those of you I have left out.

This is a long entry but I hope you enjoy the photos. Thanx for reading and if you have any questions about what else I did and so on, feel free to comment, e-mail or ring. You guys are great :)

Photos from America

Ok, so I can't get the photos to work yet but I'm hoping to get it on my bebo site or on myspace, so I will hopefully post the address to those for you to see pictures

America, yeah!

I'm at Caleb's parents' house right now after having spent time at his house, time in Salem and Portland in Oregon and Seattle. Fun times! I've seen Caleb, Sharon, Pamela, Danny, Meredith, Kylie, Kellyn, Brittani, Aly, Dana and anyone else I've forgotten to write about! I'm having such a good time, I really am.
Photos will follow, don't know when but I will post at some point.

I've got to go now! Food is ready, will post soon!

More Photos!

These are some photos of me brother Andrew and I in Belfast today. These are all in a wee African cafe Andrew introduced me too. Was rather nice actually. In the words of Papa, "no words, no words" for this one

In this one, it looks like I have a holy glow around my head. That's why I like it.

This is the night of Jenni and Stuart's wedding at Capernwray last summer. These people are-
Me on the left, Evonne in the middle, my brother Andrew, my sister Amy and my mum
At the back is Cheryl on the left, Amanda in the middle and Alexis on the right
This is us and allllllllll our cousins - (from left to right) Evie, Luke, me, Frank, Neill, Andrew, Amy and Evan

Is this good enough?

Someone wanted more pictures on my blog so I'm going to do this now. This is (from left to right) me, my sister Amy and my brother Andrew. I think I might post some more.

Also, tonight I played in a football tournament at Mourneview Park in Lurgan, the home ground of Glenavon FC. I played with a few friends and we did really well up against teams who play in local leagues. It was only 5 a side but it was a full sized football pitch, split into 4 so the pitch we played on was long and narrow.

It was actually part of a church's mission week, was great to be a part of someone else's mission week! On the pitch, we performed. We won two games 1-0, won one game 4-0 (I scored a hat-trick, ohh yeah!) and lost two games 1-0. We should have gone through to the semis but due to a mistake, we never got to go through! But ahhhh well! It was about reaching non-Christians, not winning games. It was a nice bonus to score a hat trick and come close to the semis but, hey, lets keep things in the bigger picture of reaching the lost.

These things are fun (ohh yeah, it's good to be home too)

Check out these links-
http://blogthings.com/whichmusiciansharesyourtasteinmusicquiz/
http://blogthings.com/couldyoupasstheuscitizenshiptestquiz/
http://blogthings.com/themuppetpersonalitytest/

Your Hidden Talent

You are both very knowledgeable and creative.You tend to be full of new ideas and potential - big potential.Ideas like yours could change the world, if you build them.As long as you don't stop working on your dreams, you'll get there.

What's" Your Hidden Talent?

Meant to say as well, it's good to be home. As much as these pointless blogthings are entertaining, it's good to be in Norn Iron again. I'm here until Saturday, fly back to Cheadle Hulme, then a week later fly to Vancouver, bring it on!

65% Irish?!

I am 110% Irish, let me tell you that!
I did a quiz and turned out 65% Irish. I think the fact that I don't drink detered me somewhat. Try it out for yourself -
http://blogthings.com/howirishareyouquiz/

Hello Folks

Hello there,
First of all, great news! If you go to www.youtube.com the new Red Hot Chili Peppers video, "Dani California" is on there. It's funny! And what a great song too, can't wait for that album on May 9th

I go home tomorrow until Saturday, I am looking forward to that. My friend rang me last night and asked me if I wanted to play in a footy tournament on Wednesday and of course, I said yes. We're actually playing on the ground of Glenavon who play in the Irish Premier League. Their ground is used for the Northern Ireland U21s when they play! So I'm getting to play there, sweet!

Also, I come to the USA in less than 2 weeks! Yikes!
Just got an e-mail from young Caleb and it looks like I will be in Oregon from Monday 17th to Saturday 22nd. Hope that helps people out, gives people ideas etc.

Just a wee quick update there. I'm getting more regular on this thing. I will hopefully post a bit more once I'm home for a few days and hope to keep you all up to date on buying currency and doing all the things you need to do before going to America, all the exciting things really.

Chaio for now