drbexl searches the 'net

If I Were a Teacher....

2011-03-09T12:08:00.001Z

I love this... "if..."

Ha... and why only one subject.... I teach history, media studies and digital living/literacy... at Universities of Winchester and Durham!

Look out for http://bigbible.org.uk 'The Big Read 2011' starting today!

Testing Moving to WordPress

2009-10-27T00:40:00.003Z

Have been thinking for a while, am getting to know WordPress pretty well, and want to move this content, and the content from http://www.bex-lewis.co.uk/ across to: http://bexlewis.wordpress.com/, and then combine them as self-hosted under bex-lewis.co.uk. We'll see!

Testing Embedding from "Break"

2009-10-21T21:23:00.001+01:00

Trampoline Master Shows Off - Watch more Funny Videos
Looks like it's going to work! About to post this as a delayed post on Super Fun Days Out: check out our Adrenablog!

Speak: Corporate Abuse

2009-10-16T12:25:00.002+01:00

I've just signed a card for Jack Straw, produced by Speak, a network of students and young adults who pray and campaign about issues of global injustice. I signed up to something at Greenbelt, received some cards yesterday - I'll take them and put them in the Chapel on campus.

The World's Deepest Bin

2009-10-14T20:09:00.002+01:00

I did think that these 'viral' adverts (the piano stairs one is doing exceptionally well on Facebook - I've seen it several times today!) were from a car company - they were so smooth and polished - and yes, there we are Volkswagen, doing some social action work - and having fun whilst at it. I heartily approve of this!
So Far:

The Piano Stairs (2,254,386 views)
The World's Deepest Bin (as above) (317,461 views)
Empty Bottle Arcade (coming soon) (90,566 views)
The Volkswagen site, shortly to be taking uploads...

Operation Christmas Child

2009-10-05T09:24:00.002+01:00

OK, so I'm very organised this year. Last week I was reminded about Operation Christmas Child, which I always used to to do, but what with being here there and everywhere for the last 2-3 years, haven't done. It's a really nice scheme, and quite a lot of fun - as buying presents for kids always is

The Scheme

You fill a shoe-box with presents for a child from Africa, Eastern Europe or Central Asia (you don't get to choose where the present goes, but do get to choose whether it's for a boy/girl, and what age-group they are in.

Instructions for how to pack the box
What can be included
Donate to cover transportation costs (and a video of some VERY excited children!)

It is possible that your box may be re-organised for more equitable distribution, especially if unsuitable items are included in a box, so please included appropriate items and wrap them nicely!

Portwiture

2009-10-04T00:10:00.003+01:00

I talked about Portwiture on my Digital Fingerprint blog, and in writing about it for Super Fun Days Out Adrenablog, thought I'd check again to see what I'd been tweeting about - and just thought this was so colourful that I'd put it up! Not sure what the Coke bottles are about - don't like the stuff - even when it's "good for you"!

P.S. In case you're wondering, I chose pair 4: as my specs, should be ready by 17th October!

Black Eyed Peas: I Gotta Feeling (LIPDUB Video)

2009-10-03T11:09:00.002+01:00

Students at the University of Montreal prepared for a month for this dubbed version of the Black Eyed Peas 'I Gotta Feeling', had 2 rehearsals, 2 takes, and above is the 2nd take, done ALL the way through! CNN even picked it up!

Brazil Candidate Video(s)

2009-10-03T00:39:00.003+01:00

To celebrate peace, culture, friendship, etc....
That tune...

Rio to Host 2016 Olympics

2009-10-02T18:32:00.005+01:00

I've visited Rio de Janeiro a couple of times, first in 1994, and again in 2008 (I have family there - and thanks to Facebook and other social media, we're now able to keep in touch!). As I was aiming to visit again in less time than 14 years, what about 7 years... just in time for the Olympics (always wanted to see the Olympics - maybe I'll have enough money to pay for a ticket by then!).

I only hope that Brazil can truly afford to host the Olympics - it appears to have been problematic (financially) for recent countries hosting it (including London) ... and in Brazil it's a well-quoted "fact" that 95% of the wealth is owned by 5% of the people... and of course vice versa. Brazil has enough poverty problems without this adding another layer, so I really hope that this boosts Brazil's economy (and it is encouraging that the Real introduced as currency in 1994, was still going in 2008, and not looking close to collapse!)

Twazzup

2009-10-02T14:59:00.003+01:00

Interesting tool for identifying who you interact with most (recently) on Twitter:Twazzup.

Camilla Kerslake

2009-10-01T08:30:00.000+01:00

I just had to post about this video, it's so beautiful! Yes, I have met Camilla, yes I do know her Mum, but I wouldn't be so enthusiastically posting about this if I didn't like the music!
I'll be posting on Digital Fingerprint about her use of social media later this week!

Does God Exist?

2009-09-30T20:28:00.003+01:00

Interesting video, purporting to be the story of Albert Einstein (say some), asking "Does God Exist?" Hosted on Facebook.

P.S. If you're wondering what's happening on the specs, I can't find my new prescription right now, and haven't had time to take it further. I will!

3 More Specs

2009-09-26T19:45:00.006+01:00

OK, I've had my sight test, and yes, my prescription is worse... -1.50 in each eye, so still not too strong! I stuck with my plan to allow myself a limited amount of time to think about it (so preferably this week), rather than exploring EVERY option, and there's a couple in here that both the lady in the shop (and yes, she laughed at me in quite a few others) loved, and then a friend who was in Tesco, had a look, and thought they were good choices... so, further thoughts?!

14)

15)

16)

These specs are on 2 for 1, so could have 2 Tesco pairs... or find 2 Specsavers. I tried Vision Express the other day, and whoever the optical assistant was, just slouched against the counter wondering aloud if he could go home, and even though I was trying them on for about 10 minutes, no one came up to ask if I wanted any help!!

And he, he, found online ordering - was thinking I didn't have any pics of me without glasses...

The online world, you have to love it...

New Specs?

2009-09-26T14:33:00.015+01:00

OK, I'm having my eyes tested this afternoon. Since I got my last pair of specs (in 2004 or 2005!) my prescription has changed, but I've been waiting to know that I had enough money to buy some! So far I've only tried Specsavers and Tesco (who are giving away free sight-tests in their new branch in Winchester), and picked out the following, but I'm not sure any of them are quite right (and one of the other customers when I put my own on, said "ooo, they're nice"...!!) - all do strange things to my face :-) Most stores are currently doing 2-4-1, but I really just want 1 pair, with a free upgrade to photochromatic - anyone know who might be doing that at the moment?

Which do you think are getting closest - which the worst - and excuse the expression on my face!

Specsavers

3)
4)

Tesco

10)

11)

12)

13)

P.S. This is my current pair:

Bex: Crazy Timetable

2009-09-22T09:51:00.008+01:00

2009 So Far

This year has been amazing so far. I returned from Oak Hall in November, just as the credit crunch hit, really unsure where/whether I'd be able to get work, but returned to Winchester, as I knew I had a good reputation there, and was sure I could pick up a few bits! Friends put me up in their spare room whilst I applied for work, but after about 3 months, I had enough bits and pieces coming in to rent a room closer to the University of Winchester, where I was picking up most of my work, with every small project leading to another one... and at one point having to turn down work!

Summer
In May, I wasn't sure how I was going to get through the summer, as teaching was coming to an end, but I picked up a couple of summer projects, went to France with Oak Hall, and in fact haven't completed my own studies this summer, and teaching commences again next week! I then started conversations with a few others, and look what's happening now...

2009-2010 Timetable

Semester 1

I have quite a full timetable:

Monday 3-6: Introduction to Media Studies
Tuesday 9-12: 20th Century British History
Wednesday 11-12: Landmark (The Internet as a Landmark in History)
Wednesday 1-4: STUDYING the PGCLTHE
Thursday: 7.5 hours "Blended Learning Research Fellowship"
5 Final Year Project Students for Media Studies
Media Studies Website
SkillsNet Website (we're applying for further funding for this, so not confirmed)

To also fit in:

Monday Evening: Housegroup
Tuesday afternoon: My time
Super Fun Days Out Adrenablog; Twitter feed and Delicious.
North Winchester Community Church website/Gathering website.
Sunday: North Winchester Community Church/Christ Church
Syzygy Website
Adding French content to ARCA website.
Completing Learning Website
FRIENDS, FAMILY, SOCIAL and GYM time!

Christmas

Cooking at Lauterbrunnen for Christmas Week (may be JA2 instead?)
New Year, who knows yet...
Book Proposal (Thesis to Book), Complete VD poster article.

Semester 2

I have an extremely full timetable:

Monday 3-5: Introduction to Media Studies
Wednesday 9-12: Dreams and Nightmares
Thursday 9-11: Film History
Thursday 2-5: Creating and Consuming History
Friday 9-11: Researching Media Studies
2 hours for 6 weeks: Reflecting
History Independent Study Module, Dissertation/Second Marking
Tuesday or Friday: 7.5 hours "Blended Learning Research Fellowship"
5 Final Year Project Students for Media Studies
Media Studies Website
SkillsNet Website (continuing?)

To also fit in:

Monday Evening: Housegroup
Tuesday or Friday afternoon: My time
Super Fun Days Out Adrenablog; Twitter feed and Delicious.
North Winchester Community Church website/Gathering website.
Sunday: North Winchester Community Church/Christ Church
Working on Digital Fingerprint as a business model.
FRIENDS, FAMILY, SOCIAL and GYM time!

Easter

Cooking at Engelberg, I've not confirmed yet... I need to find some time to chill out!

Summer

The summer is yet some time away, and the Blended Learning is permanent, so I guess if I'm sensible with my money... Although waiting for the dates of Oak Hall in Israel, and may go there next summer... I know it's quite tiring, but invigorating in other ways.

So if you're wondering why I go quiet for long periods of time, this may kind of explain it, as there's usually approximately 3 hours of preparation for each hour of teaching... and then the marking, well, we try not to think about the marking (e.g. Intro to Media, around 40 students, 2 assignments, about 1/2 hour + per assignment)! Some weeks there's tutorials, and some courses run alternate weeks rather than all term, so manageable - with a few late nights, I suspect!

New Email?

2009-09-15T19:32:00.003+01:00

I signed up with Freenetname back in the mists of time, and have stuck with it since that time. I am having a few problems, and am looking for recommendations to change:

It provided a free domain name (http://www.bex-lewis.co.uk), 100MB of storage space, and an associated POP3 email account for £20 per year, which I still think is a good deal.
The account was originally on dial-up, but I've not had to use that for a long-time, using wi-fi anywhere I can access it (or 3G on my phone if not!)
I want to retain my domain name and email address (downloadable into Outlook), but will be transferring my website onto WordPress.org, so will be looking for an easy to use host which allows that (and then I will integrate this blog into it).
I have never been able to send emails using the POP3 account on my iPhone (or through my workplace wi-fi, but that is never going to happen), although I can receive in both places, and this is becoming a problem.

I already have a g-mail account, but I like having the email under my domain name. I play with social media more than I know about lots of technical stuff, although I have a reputation as a bit of a geek girl! Let me know: bex at bex-lewis.co.uk

Toilet-Twinning

2009-09-09T09:09:00.003+01:00

Check out "ToiletTwinning.org"

For just £60 you can twin your toilet at home, work or school with a latrine in Burundi. Your smallest room will be twinned exclusively with your own individual latrine in the remote Giharo Commune of Rutana Province. Only your toilet will be twinned with that particular latrine.You can even locate your twin deep in the African bush via Google Earth!

A suggestion: From We Are What We Do. Put a money pot on top of your toilet, and spend a penny every time you spend a penny!

For fun: check out the "toilet-shaped house"

Idea picked up from talk from Greenbelt 2009 by Euginie Harvey.

Music sounded better on record

2009-09-08T22:46:00.001+01:00

It was "I am the one and only" by Chesney Hawkes, I think!

Just got rid of my car with the cassette player - still have a few cassettes, but nothing to play them on... should just throw them away (have already converted them to MP3!)

What was the first format you played music on?

Post your own answer on Plinky!

Hannah J Image Consultancy: Events For Your Diary

2009-09-08T22:28:00.005+01:00

A series of events hosted by Hannah J Image Consultancy designed for fun loving fashionistas to polish up their fashion saavy in a relaxed social environment.

Dates for your diary:

1st October @ 6pm A/W 09/10 Trends

Preparing you and your wardrobe for winter - as well as covering key trends, we will highlight chic investment buys and smart ways to update your wardrobe.

12th November @ 6pm Beautifully Made-Up

Discover how to make the most of you by spending an evening with our team of professionally trained dermatologists/make-up artists who will share their tricks of the trade.

3rd December @ 6pm Christmas Party Prep

Ensure you are equipped for the party season by knowing exactly what you want from your perfect party dress by finding out what colours and styles suite you.

Each evening will be held at the Hannah J Image Consultancy studio located just off Brick Lane, drinks/nibbles wil be provided and the cover charge is a chiconomic £10.

Please book with hannah-at-hannah-j.com

drbexl: Highly Influential

2009-09-08T17:22:00.004+01:00

According to Topsy, I'm highly influential on Twitter! Be interesting to see their rationale for that, as my other Twitter feeds are not demonstrating the same accolade! Nice.

Well, I guess I do spend quite some time on Twitter... I get all my news, etc. from there!

ALT-C 2009: In Dreams Begin Responsibility

2009-09-08T15:14:00.004+01:00

Watching ALT-C 2009, streaming live from the University of Manchester, from today through Thursday 10th August 2009. There's also some other sessions being streamed via UStream.

Follow the stream on Twitter. (#altc2009 seems to be the main hashtag, but there are other's noted!).

Beware of the concept of Digital Natives:

Inaugural Gathering, September 2009

2009-09-07T15:23:00.003+01:00

Simply going to cross-reference to the website shortly to be set up!

Greenbelt 2009

2009-09-01T15:23:00.002+01:00

I had a great time at Greenbelt, and it was nice to get away and do something different! I spend quite a lot of time at academic conferences, so I didn't go to a huge number of talks, as I knew I could get most of them (well, I thought all, but the above is awaiting Rob Bell producing his own similar video, so not included) online afterwards, so I wanted to do some practical stuff!
Video Footage
I decided to try out taking some video footage with my camera (Panasonic Lumix 10 x zoom, was great for travelling, but I never used the video footage much!)... apologies if it wobbles, is the wrong way up, etc... it was all a bit experimental!

Ockham's Razor: 1
Ockham's Razor: 2
Ockham's Razor: 3
Ockham's Razor: 4
Royskopp: 1
Royksopp: 2
Royksopp: 3
MediaNet Launch (see the Promo, catch me 2.30 - I sound like a Londoner)
Goth Eucharist
John Bell: Sabbath for Beginners
Michael Ward: Planet Narnia
Athlete: 1
Athlete: 2

Art SessionsNext year I plan to return and do a whole load more of this!

This year, I was one of around 300+ people to download the Greenbelt Festival iPhone app. This was great whilst my phone was charged, but every time it went down I didn't know what was going on. Greenbelt do have a charging station (charged for!), and occasionally I found plug points, and generally found it pretty helpful, but next year I'd like to have a wind up charger - suggestions?!

Order your tickets by 30th November to get 20% discount!

Other Blogs:

Feel free to add more to the comment feed - Facebook groups, blogs, any which way the community is growing!

A New Gift: Venereal Disease

2009-08-25T22:08:00.002+01:00

OK, I know the Keep Calm and Carry On poster is a hit, but really, WHY would you want to wear this on your t-shirts! I'm giving a conference paper on health propaganda next week, most likely Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases, but VD was also another area that I researched (not personally, I hasten to add), and this is what came up when I searched for "Venereal Disease": http://www.zazzle.co.uk/venereal+disease+gifts?pg=4

My first plane trip, from Heathrow, London to Sao Paulo, Brazil

2009-08-23T18:06:00.001+01:00

Air France, what a great airline...

I was excited all the way up until getting on the plane... I'd been planning the trip for nearly a year, as part of my "Gap Year" - I'd never flown before, and as it was Air France, it stopped in Paris, so my Mum came with me for that bit. The short flight was fine - hadn't seen enough stuff on TV etc to be too worried about crashing, etc., so it was just another new experience (yes, I like those) to savour... First landing was fine too!

Said goodbye to my Mum, I think finally realising that I was going to a strange country for 5 months and didn't really know what was going to happen! If I was on the same flight now (the long one), I'd probably kick up a whole lot more. The films didn't seem to work - so we watched that little plane move across the screen veeeeeeeeeeery slowly, and when the meals came round, looked like someone had been sick in it... but that actually did all tie in with what people had said about airline food! We flew into Rio for refuelling and to get rid of some passengers, at which point someone drove into one of the propellors/engines - but gave me a chance to talk to a Brazilian couple who tried to teach me some Portuguese and then invited me to stay in the Pantanal - which I did about 4 months later...

Be open to those new experiences!

I'm Back, I'm Back, I'm Back

2009-08-13T17:37:00.003+01:00

I'm back from France (via Spain... long story), but I'm not unpacked, cleared up, or opened post yet, but I have faffed around on the internet for a considerable time... partly after 3 weeks without it, there's a lot built up - and I still haven't finished it all!

However, see: Digital Fingerprint on Facebook.

Loire Valley Tomorrow

2009-07-22T21:03:00.003+01:00

Dear all

I hope that you have a great couple of weeks. I will be wearing my "Keep Calm and Carry On T-Shirt", and "Keep Calm and Carry On Apron" whilst I cook for 82 people on a campsite in the Loire Valley with Oak Hall, and as I then bike-sit, and drive down to Provence on the wrong side of the road, before coming back to get back on track with my projects.

Looking forward to taking up my 0.4 post as a Lecturer in History at the University of Winchester on my return, along with a number of projects to finish! And I suspect I may have a blog entry or two to do.. I've set a number up on my other blog: ww2poster!

Bex

Damaris Culturewatch: My Sister's Keeper (review)

2009-07-22T15:37:00.003+01:00

In My Sister’s Keeper, Kate Fitzgerald (Sofia Vassilieva) is diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia when she is two years old, and the prognosis is not positive. Her parents, Sara (Cameron Diaz) and Brian (Jason Patric), and her brother Jesse (Evan Ellingson) are not genetic matches. Sara, at least, will do anything to save Kate, and Dr Wayne (Jeffrey Markle) suggests, off the record, that producing another child in a test-tube would provide a perfectly matched donor. Anna (Abigail Breslin) is the result. The initial expectation is that only the blood from the umbilical cord will be used, but by the time Anna is 11, she’s undergone a number of medical procedures, including bone marrow transplants, and the latest call is for a kidney.

Read the rest of this article (be aware, it contains plot spoilers), which I wrote.

Bex is totally addicted

2009-07-21T17:15:00.003+01:00

"Bex is totally addicted: she can’t resist a sale sign, can’t ignore a new pair of Prada shoes and can convince herself that she ‘needs’ it all. Shopping to Bex is better than falling in love:

‘You know that thing when you see someone cute and he smiles, and your heart kinda goes like warm butter sliding down hot toast? Well, that’s what it’s like when I see a store, only its better’.

Bex is a shopaholic. She sees shopping as infinitely satisfying, unlike men: ‘You see, a man will never love you or treat you as well as a store. If a man doesn’t fit you can’t exchange him seven days later for a gorgeous cashmere sweater."

Woah, thought somewas was defaming me, but no, it's Becca Cockram's review of 'Confessions of a Shopaholic'. I think my friend Kate would say that I'm capable of convincing myself that I "need" what I buy, but after having to hoik a load of stuff around whilst travelling, I'd rather have less "stuff" and have more fun!

Brian Draper: Spiritual Intelligence: Book Launch Speech

2009-07-20T20:43:00.002+01:00

Feels like a conspiracy here tonight.

"A small crowd gathering in an old bookshop, gathering around an idea, spilling onto the streets, albeit in genteel, Winchester fashion, quietly determined, perhaps, to connect, and to make a difference.

Quietly determined to whisper conspiratorially that there must be more to life than slavishly serving money or massaging ego;

Quietly determined to stop sleep-walking through life, and start waking up to the moments of clarity, to the gifts of epiphany, to the glimpses of magic we are all presented with every day, if we did but realise them.

Quietly resolved, perhaps, to try living as if less really is more.

As if you’ve got to lose yourself to find yourself.

As if you’ve got to die, somehow, in order to truly live."

Read more

Tango in the Aisles

2009-07-19T19:32:00.002+01:00

I've just enjoyed watching this video on Sadler's Wells Global Dance Contest, as a couple of my friends (Karen & Vicky) are in it. I think it's a well thought out piece, and much better to see on video, than the various Facebook stills I'd seen! Clever!

It's hard to apologize when I know I'm wrong

2009-07-18T17:02:00.001+01:00

In many ways it's easy to apologise when I know I'm wrong, because then at least I do know why I'm apologising, but many times, it takes a while to work up to saying I'm sorry!! It depends on how badly I think I'm wrong, and how badly I think I might have hurt someone else's feelings in the process..

"Calm Down and Carry On" campaign for @drbexl

2009-07-17T15:38:00.004+01:00

Ha ha, bit of crowd-sourcing continuing (without success yet, but it's got to happen sometime right!), using Paul Windo's idea of #freedrbexl, started by @emptybelly, with @Ulfilas coming up with the most appropriate slogan!

[17th July] It worked, I'm back on Twitter @drbexl!

Dr Bex Lewis, awaiting resurrection... of @drbexl on Twitter!

2009-07-17T13:51:00.002+01:00

Still awaiting the un-suspension of my @drbexl account. Still can't work out why it could possibly have been suspended, aside from the fact that I tweeted roughly every minute for certain sections of the conference! Got the conference guys starting a campaign - well, you never know!!

Check out #freedrbexl!

Christianity in the Digital Space

2009-07-15T16:01:00.005+01:00

http://digitalsymp.blogspot.com/; Churches' Media Council; CODEC

http://twitterfall.com/?trend=%23digisymp!%23153548

http://cmc-newmedia.ning.com/

http://www.youtube.com/user/digitalsymp

DRAGONS! I'll be back with more!

16/7/9

My Twitter account @drbexl has been suspended due to "suspicious activity" - would that be the 1-per-5-mins tweets going on from my account? We'll see, currently 6pm, so been down for around 24 hours, I am feeling rather bereft of part of my identity!!
Mark Howe gives a great summary of the conference, ready to LOL?

22/7/9

My Twitter account came back up after about 50 hours downtime! Meantime, if I've missed your blog off the list, please feel free to comment it!

Winchester Festival 2009

2009-07-12T14:41:00.004+01:00

Yesterday, I took a little wander into town to check out the Contemporary Art, Craft and Design Fair (finishes today 6pm), which runs as a part of the Winchester Festival. I find it difficult to find belts that I like, that fit, and that I'm not allergic to (and that I can afford), and I was happy to find the one above from Beaubags. Some great stuff on display in the tent, but you know, not much of a budget at the moment for such things!

Fail Blog

2009-07-11T22:39:00.003+01:00

Great blog to follow, fail blog collects together a number of pictures and videos which demonstrate "#fails" (a common term since social media has taken over!). Checkout failblog.

Trip Advisor: "Cities I've Visited"

2009-07-11T19:23:00.003+01:00

View my profile (There's an error message keeps apprearing on this post, but this link seems to work fine for me!)

San Sharma @ Scanner Central

2009-07-09T15:03:00.007+01:00

Last night I went to my first Scanner Central event. I've been meaning to go for quite some time... although as I said to John Williams when he asked me how I'd heard of them, I can't remember any more, but it was something to do with reading Barbara Sher 's book and then finding that John had been on one of her holidays abroad, and had since set up something in London! It's a bit of a trek from Winchester (about 1.5 hours each way), so I may not be able to go every month, but it's great to meet other people who change interests so often, and John wants to encourage people to work together to get some of those ideas into production, rather than giving up as soon as you're bored with it! I guess I'm more of a longer-term scanner, as I DO have lots of short-term interests, but also have some long term ones, centred around learning, academia, learning, contemporary contemporary Christianity, and wartime posters!

San Sharma gave a really interesting talk (apparently only his second time of public speaking: wouldn't have known if he hadn't said!), most of which was familiar to me, but it's always great to see that I'm on the same wavelength as others, and there's always a couple of things you come across that you go "ah ha" to! Most of the tools are listed from San's presentation (see below), but gave some interesting context for social media also!

Any business not in social media is not likely to survive for long in the modern world.
Social media allows you to express different parts of yourself, as you talk you find a theme/style that you like and others who like it. So you connect with others with whom you have things in common.
Social media - offers accessible publishing tools for everybody, for many to many dialogues.
It has changed the fundamental nature of news media, from institutions to the media, the masses decide what's hot (see how quickly the news about Michael Jackson's death got out)
It's now about how good you are, not who you know, or who you work for.
Twitter is rather like a city, where you overhear random conversations. A lot of the conversation is random, but this is similar to real-life where chit-chat hold human groups together. No one cares what you had for breakfast except you, but you'll tell others anyway (we're talking offline, as much as online!)
Social media is just another tool, you can write a novel with a biro, typewriter, computer, blog... all different tools, although changes the writing/reading experience somewhat.
Social media offers an opportunity to build meaningful relationships, and follow industry news (whether you're pulling it down or pushing it up)
Twitter: Should it change it's question from "What are you doing?" to change the kind of responses that it gets?!
Mass media offers a mass experience for events, for example, for the final of the Apprentice, felt a bit like was watching it with the rest of the nation in the front room, following Twitter feeds!

More Information:

See San Sharma's presentation here (6MB, PDF) (picture)
I have been using Vistaprint, but love the Minicards that Moo uses (San does some work for Moo, and a number of Scanners had the cards)
Handy tools: Knowem; DandyID

Other Presentations

Brian Draper @ CCW: Sunday 5th July (Report)

2009-07-07T00:41:00.002+01:00

On Sunday 5th July, Brian Draper had a busy day at Christ Church Winchester, speaking at 3 of the services!

Brian used the passage Matthew 7:13-29 as the basis for the evening, in which he was explaining the 4-step plan that he's developed with regards to Spiritual Intelligence.

In life there are no easy short-cuts or "quick-buys", and we need to clarify the life/faith connection. Spiritual Intelligence was designed as a "giveaway book", and one that would likely be purchased at airports.
God wants to challange you, and breathe grace/comfort into you.

What is intelligence?

Our understanding of intelligence is no longer just judging people by how clever they are through IQ quizzes, etc., but we now have emotional intelligence, and the idea of spiritual intelligence is also gaining momentum.

What is coaching?

Coaching is all about embracing ourselves as part of a bigger picture. Whether we're dealing with a business or with people, we want to become part of the solution, rather than being part of the problem.

Would you like your life to have significance?

How effectively are you using your innate spiritual intelligence now? What part would you like to play in your local/global world? What will you do with your "one wild and precious life"?

How do you define success?

We need to re-evaluate the nature of success by what we celebrate, as what we define as success tends to identify our priorities. We need to say enough is enough and love those in our communities becasue of our differences. We're all unique and have different things to contribute [how boring would it be otherwise?]. God has set eternity in our hearts and won't let us rest or settle into mediocrity.

The Road of Life

On Finding "the road", we need to live life in all its fullness. Often in Christianity the life now is not seen as important as heaven, but God created us for a purpose and to enjoy our life on earth, so we need to appreciate NOW. The challenge is to become more fully aware, observant and ready, nurture those seeds of awakening into life.

Staying Alive!

When do you come most fully alive? To whom? To what are you giving your life? What is the higher cause you serve? Christianity is a description not a prescription, it's a journey of faith. What is the context of spiritual transformation in your own life? Malcolm Gladwell describes in The Tipping Point that if the context is right for transformation only need a 1degree change at a time for true change. Think about snowflakes, each tiny flake is like nothing, but as they settle, everything changes.

So how are you living?

Are we living hurried, stressed lives, against a constant background of noise? We need to get to a place where we can expect the unexpected, where radical change can be expected. (You can gain an idea of how Brian has been living recently)

The Four Stage Iconic Journey of Spiritual Development

A brief summary of the four icons.

Alarm Clock

Every day offers the chance for (spiritual) awakenings, if only we noticed them! Are you awake to what is unfolding around you?

We need contemplative times, otherwise we rush around building a false ID of ourselves using our ego-driven minds, which drags us back to the past, or forward to the future, never enjoying the moment!

What can give us those small seeds of awakening?

Conversations
Art
Scenery
Smells

Eye

"Leisure" by William Henry Davies.

Once you awaken to something, you begin to see the world/your place in it changing. How is your life different? What do you look for in life? The scales can fall from your eyes fast or slowly! What do your friends and family see that is different about you?

Your eyes are your windows on life. If you are squinting, you won't let the light in and your life will be dark, if your eyes are wide open, you allow it all in!

U2: "Walk On" (interesting words that Bono chose for 64forsuu).

With some music in the background, we considered this image for a couple of minutes - each of us will something different - and this is how it is in the world, we all picture the world differently. What we see/believe affects how we act.

Paint Palette
How do we respond uniquely/creatively to the world? We need to glimpse our potential as children of God! We need to lead a charge as we're in a battle for life (and it's hard to lead the battle if you think you look stupid on a horse). As Gandhi said [and one of my favourite quotes]: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world".

Pass It On

Jamie Oliver offers a contagion of cooking - he's passing it on. Why don't we do the same with our faith, and the benefits that we receive from them?! We're not teaching or telling others how to live, but allow those around you to benefit from the fruits of your own life.

The "fruits of the spirit" - you can't put a price on that kind of benefit! We need to begin to live a life less ordinary, offering a contagion of HOPE, and of the infinite potential in life [so many people are strangled by fear, and never live up to their potential]. We can be more fully human!

For the soul to flourise, we need to shake off the idea that we are passive partakers in this world, we can shape our own lives and those of the whole world.

We have an opportunity for a new culture created by those prepared to risk/try. Fear causes a hold on the old ways, which are ineffective!

Read more in Spiritual Intelligence, see information from the book launch (I'm looking forward to seeing Brian's speech once he gets it on his website.

This report should have come before Winchester Web Scene, but never mind!

Winchester Web Scene

2009-07-06T23:41:00.002+01:00

Proof positive I was there tonight (and I know, I have a bit of a backlog of other blog material on this blog). My other blog has gone crazy today after that New York Times article yesterday, and yes, I am behind on my tasks for today (and yes it's nearly tomorrow)! See more about the Winchester Web Scene, formed in November 2008, growing monthly I do believe - not a networking business-card exchange kind of evening, but a chat with people who have shared interests - some coders, some developers, some content writers, some social media types...

Tribute to Michael Jackson (Comedy-Style)

2009-07-05T22:29:00.001+01:00

This (by the Scottish Falseto Sock Puppets) deserves a wider audience than 1,212 views! Thanks to Prof. Liz Stuart for bringing it to our attention!

Dr Bex Lewis quoted in the New York Times

2009-07-03T23:26:00.002+01:00

Not that I'm excited by this or anything! Read more on my WordPress blog relating to the Keep Calm and Carry On posters etc.!

Digital Fingerprint

2009-07-03T00:58:00.003+01:00

Since 1997, I have had "mydesigna" as a catch-all for the websites that I've designed. As I move more and more into social media, I have set up a new Wordpress site, which will become the new, up-to-date site, far more appropriate! I'm faffing around with Blue Host, and hopefully will learn how to upload my own CSS/use my own domain name, then I'm all set to help other people with the same! I've just had a fun day helping Deborah Kerslake of Serenergise gain an understanding of some of the possibilities for social media, I think the one she's most looking forward to using is Twitter! As a result of teaching Debs about fan pages, I have also set up one of my own for Digital Fingerprint!

Scanner? For Sure!

2009-07-02T20:55:00.004+01:00

I love this from Barbara Sher: "you wouldn't ask a bird to pull a plough. It's not cos it's an inferior bird, a naughty bird or a lazy bird. It's just cos it does other stuff and there are animals who do that... it's their thing, they know how to pull a plough. And there are people who do the things you don't like to do, and they like to do them, and they'll do them better than you'll ever do them on your best day because they get a kick out of it!"

Barbara Sher

First came across Barbara Sher in 2007, when I was trying to decide what I SHOULD do "for the rest of my life", not sure that's for me, and coming to terms with the fact that I can do many things, and that my passion for doing them means that I'll do them well, but there reaches a point where I'm done! I have noted, however, that my interests circulate around learning/research, teaching/academia (post-compulsory), communication, community creation (online, including new media or offline) and contemporary Christianity!

Scanners Night, 8th July

Looking forward to going to a Scanner's Night in London next Wednesday (organised by John Williams), with San Sharma, a Social Media Consultant.

A real Super Fun Day Out!

2009-07-02T10:17:00.003+01:00

Whilst checking out social marketing material for Super Fun Days Out, I came across this YouTube video... this has to be one of the best things I've seen in ages! Guess it's using the Wallace & Gromit stop-motion technique... I hate to think how long it took these guys to set this up, but I am LOVING it!

Brian Draper @ CCW: Sunday 5th July

2009-06-29T00:20:00.001+01:00

Brian Draper @ CCW

If you missed Brian Draper's book launch (the unofficial one at J John, or the official one at P&G Wells), he will be speaking at Christ Church Winchester on Sunday 5th July (I believe the 9.30, 11.15 and 6.30pm services!)

Read more from the book launch!

Week 10: Live By Priorities

2009-06-26T17:36:00.005+01:00

Linvoy Primus and Israel Oyelumade with me in Winchester Cathedral at the end of the series.

The Main Thing

J John started right in with the worm/talking parrot joke, to remind us to "Remember that the main thing is to ensure that the main thing is the main thing!"

9 Weeks Gone
The video spun us through the previous 9 weeks, with Week 1 reminding us not to covet "most people want just a bit more than they already have", and questioning, what's the Number 1 for you now - food, drink, sport... or God?

Israel Oyelumade

We saw a brief extract from The Winchester Passion, in which Israel Oyelumade played Jesus, before Claire Carson interviewed him. What did he truly remember from playing Jesus in the Passion?

The size of the audience - it was HUGE!
How to make the message relevant?
How to get under the skin of this man, Jesus? As an actor one tries to understand the heartbeat of the character you're playing, as a Christian, God had already been working on Israel's heartbeat!

As an actor, the profession is all about "self", but when he met David Oyelowo, here he met a man full of self-assurance, and not from the labels he was wearing, but from ensuring that others were OK, which came from somewhere! Israel was asked by 3 people in a week to Holy Trinity Brompton, told "God wants you for himself", but ignored this invitation until he re-met David at the Royal Shakespeare Company, when he decided "me and God are for keeps"! His priorities shifted, re-centering on God daily. Instead of looking at himself, he started looking at who around could be helped - and is always happiest when talking about eternal priorities!

J John: Is God Your No. 1?

Tonight, we're looking at Exodus 20:3: have no other God's before me!

God is God and He's Not Applying for the Job...

he's not going to play second fiddle to anyone or anything!

Here comes the analogy....

Your life is like a car.... so is Jesus:

Nowhere near your car?
In the car, but locked in the boot for Sundays, where you stuff him back in for the rest of the week, in case he upsets your ordinary life?
In the car, but a back-seat passenger who you don't pay much attention to?
In the car, but a front-seat passenger, so he's a bit more in your vision, but still...
Or is he the driver in your car....

More importantly, if he is driving your car, are you a backseat driver?

As Jesus drives down the "road of forgiveness" are you complaining that you don't want to go this way?
As Jesus points the way at a fork in the road, are you complaining "where are you going?"

Knowing that God is First: What are the indicators?

How do we know that God is first in our lives. Here's a useful acronym which we'll expand on...

Finances
Interests
Relationships
Schedules
Troubles

God is always around, but we're often so pre-occupied by other things we don't see him.

Is he first in your FINANCES?

If you have a bag of 10 doughnuts, do you need all 10 doughnuts, or can you give some of it away?! You can't take it with you when you die, so invest in sending some on ahead - invest in others!!

Is he first in your INTERESTS?

What occupies/pre-occupies you daily? You CAN be interested in other things, as there is sacred-ness in the world (God created it after all!)

Why is a football supporter known as a "fan"?
Why is a Christian known as a "fanatic"? Take it as a compliment!

Is knowing God the heartbeat of your life?

Is he first in your RELATIONSHIPS?

We need to embrace the qualities of Jesus in each other. J John referred to "My Shack, Your Shed and a Bungalow" (at least I think that's what he said!) in reference to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who would rather be thrown into a furnace than worship a false god, a real challenge to us when we are called (daily!) to compromise!

The challenge is to obey God, regardless of what other people may think of you, and the consequences. Begins by stepping outside of your comfort zone...

Is God first in your SCHEDULE?

God knows that we have other responsibilities - are you conscious of God in that, rather than praying to Him as a last resort?! We should be constantly aware, tuning in, irrespective of what you are doing and where you are going!

Do you start your day with God. IF he is alive, and if he is the creator of the world - would you not WANT to know him... even athiest professors said yes when asked this question! ("The more intelligent people are, the more stupid they are"!!)

Is God first in your TROUBLES?

There's 2 kinds of troubles:

Minor suffering, that's what you suffer from!
Major suffering, that's what I suffer from!

When we are troubled, who do we turn to? When it's dark, that's when you can see the stars! We all go through seasons of life, when it's dark, we then see the morning star = Jesus.

How did you answer that, is God FIRST?

The answers to these questions indicate the kind of relationship you have with God - is he in the driving seat, and are you still a backseat driver?

A House Visit?

If Jesus came to spend a day or so at your house, how would you feel?

Would your welcome be sincere?
Would you hide some of the magazines you'd been reading and put a Bible there?
Would you bury some things in the deepest darkest cupboard, or is it all there for Him to see?

These are the things on which you mind and spirit feed. If Jesus is already in there, he already knows [and he already loves you as you are!]

ALL

We are called to LOVE God with ALL our heart, soul and mind... we are looking to see EVERYTHING from his viewpoint: thought, word, deed, business, pleasure, friendships, career, home, etc... He should be in all of them, not a compartmentalised "Sunday God".

Choice?

In choosing Christ, you are always making a choice which excludes all others. By turning away from other gods [in whatever form they come] you can actually HAVE GOD!

Who is Jesus to You?

Nothing
Something
Everything

William Booth

General William Booth was the founder of the Salvation Army. Toward the end of his career, he was interviewed by the press. As he looked back over his lifetime, this is what he said: "God had all there was of me. There have been others who had greater plans and greater opportunities than I; but from the day I had a vision of what God could do, I made up my mind that God would have all there was of William Booth." Thanks

Amazing Grace

Every week we've been finishing with my favourite hymn Amazing Grace!

Want to Know More?

All the partner churches would be pleased to hear from you, and J John is back in Winchester for a one-off event on 17th September as part of a national tour.

Digital Ethnography: Wow!

2009-06-24T12:49:00.001+01:00

Wow, this is really interesting!

Cricket: 20-20 at the Hampshire Rose Bowl

2009-06-23T23:45:00.004+01:00

I've never been to a cricket match before, although I played once at school (I scored a six, got one run, and was then out!), read the full match report. Hampshire Hawks, 183; Middlesex Panthers 155! Woo... (and we had a very nice picnic!)

Wonder where the ball went?!

Brian Draper: Spiritual Intelligence: Book Launch

2009-06-20T14:57:00.006+01:00

Sir John Whitmore endorses Brian Draper's new book "Spiritual Intelligence", launched at P&G Wells last night. Great speeches by both, great event, well hosted, well-attended (we were spilling out onto the streets).

Read more about Brian on Echosounder
Follow Brian Draper on Twitter: @echosounda
Read a sample (PDF) chapter at Lion Hudson
[edit 20th July] Launch Speech

Back Cover Info:

According to the author, Danah Zohar, we live in a 'spiritually dumb' culture - alienated from each other, too busy to take time to reflect, and trying desperately to juggle the myriad pulls and pushes of life without cracking up. How can we find meaning within the madness, hope within the hopelessness, reconciliation within ourselves and with our neighbour? In this book, Brian Draper asks how ordinary people, whether religious or not, can live on a daily basis with increasing wholeness and well-being - by using their spiritual intelligence.

First, we must 'awaken' to new possibilies so we can 'see the world afresh'. Next, we 'live the change', before we can finally 'pass it on'. Brian Draper's unique 'iconic' journey of transformation - through four stages, and four levels of depth will help you to find yourself with a whole, new way of being.

Endorsements: Douglas Coupland, Oliver James, The Bookseller, J.John, Sir John Whitmore, Dr Mark Stibbe, Peter S. Heslam.

Chris Moyles Talks Up Church

2009-06-18T16:01:00.001+01:00

There's been several mentions of Chris Moyle's show the other day, where he was absolutely amazed to see people ENJOYING being Christians - clearly been going to the wrong churches!

Week 9: Know God

2009-06-17T22:36:00.006+01:00

Do Christians Think?

"I can't believe in anything I can't understand" says one student to J John. On discovering that he studied agriculture, J John asked: "So, explain to me, how a black cow eats green grass and produces white milk"...

Many people think that Christians don't think because we don't think the way they expect us to think... [but we truly question what we believe, what's the point in believing in something if it won't stand up to scrutiny? Not that I have all the answers.. daily questions, and just being open to the possibilities]

Video

Who's your hero?

Why do we need heroes?

What would God look like to you?

Personal image (heavily marketed) makes or breaks "idols"

Yes, this week is a focus on Exodus 20: 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

Interview with Sam Blakey

Sam has been looking after the Press & Publicity for Just10, and often has letters published in The Times and local newspapers.

Sam had an understanding of God as a child, but once she got to university, she created a new life where she actively ignored God. Attending the funeral of a close friend at Christ Church she could feel God's hope and present, and over the next 24 hours decided to just "trust God and go with it".

Sam used the word 'amazing' quite a lot, which as she said, is what you tend to do when God is in your life. A year after she became a Christian, her husband, having watched The Passion of the Christ attended an Alpha course, and mid-way through, became a Christian.

Earlier this year, Sam's son was assualted in an unprovoked attack. Sam was so angry about this that she set out on a "journey of vengeance", and then realised (especially with the example of her son who was demonstrating forgiveness) that this was not how she, with God in her life, wanted to behave, and decided to forgive, at which she felt a burden lift.

Launches
The song "The Faltering Child" (re making choices), beautifully sung, written by Chris, head pianist! Brian Draper's book Spiritual Intelligence was launched, officially released this Friday... J John said the manuscript arrived on a day when he didn't really have time, started with a quick look, then read the whole thing in one sitting! [There was certainly a long queue for signed copies of the book at the end of the evening, I suspect Brian may have run out of copies!] The idea was created by Danah Zohar in Re-Wiring the Corporate Brain, and Brian wanted to build upon that with ideas from Ecclesiastes.

Back to J John
"If I had a photo of another woman in my wallet, should my wife just say, oh, that's OK, or should she be angry and demand to know who it is... if I was turning to that woman for advice, would my wife believe me when I said "I love you". "No, I would expect her to be hurt/angry - she has every right to demand that I keep myself for her. I want to, I love her, I made vows to her."

How does this relate to "no idols"
Idolatry = adultery to God, it's unfaithfulness, we have prostituted ourselves by bowing to idols.

We have a jealous God, he doesn't share his affection!

Capture God?
A child asked whether God was in the house (yes), in the kitchen (yes), in the marmalade jar (yes), and then clapped the lid on and said "Got Him". If we think we've "Got Him" in our hands, then we've lost touch with him... God can't easily be captured.

We can't chisel, paint or any other sensory form... all will depict Him as less than He truly is.

Some argue that such things are aids to worship, but such aids tend to become the objects of worship themselves.

So what is idolatry?

Any value, activity or idea that you place above God. In the modern world we are focused upon such things as physical beauty, sex, power, etc.

We should be reminded, as the Greeks were "Do not make of yourself an idol", when it was all about perfection of the human form... we now have Barbie and Ken (and Barbie's proportions are impossible for a woman to achieve!).

Every morning, some people "bow down" to peer at the weight on their scales... which determines what we will feel like today! (If so, he recommends Deborah Lovell: Lives in the Balance), and quoted a poem she'd written (see something similar).

YES, it is right to care for our God-given bodies through cleanliness, good nutrition and exercise, but don't idolise one of those (which tends to lead to anorexia or plastic surgery).

Superstitions
Superstitions are a form of idolatry, usually coming from habits (e.g. not walking under a ladder [although I always think that's more about a paint pot not landing on my head!]) or a belief in protection. Phrases such as "Touch Wood" (and removing 13th floor from hotels and 13th row from airplanes) acknowledge that there are other powers at work.

In the morning, many people check their "Horror-scopes", explicitly spoken out against by God in Deuteronomy 18:9-12.

Freemasonry
J John appears to know a lot about the Freemasons... the Church of England Synod did a study into whether Freemasonry was compatible with Christianity - with an answer of a resounding NO!

Freemasonry is characterised by deception, and lower level members don't really know what is going until they reach at least Level 4.
It is often seen as a charitable organisation, good for networking, job opportunities, social status, etc., therefore often seen as harmless.
Freemasons meet in Lodges which contain temples, where they kneel at at altar, swear oaths to sacred laws, and at the 4th level, start to worship specific Gods.
Curses are prolific, and level 4 and above pledge lifelong silence BEFORE hearing material... and curse themselves to death if they reveal secrets.
At the 30th level, Freemasons declare that Lucifer is God (i.e. the Devil, the complete antithesis of God!)

Cultural Climate

Our current culture emphasises "whatever works for you". However, if you don't know what you stand for, you'll fall for anything!

Best Description of God?
Jesus himself, who came to make God visible, made in God's image (as are we).

If we're listening to the radio, there are different frequencies assigned, and we need to tune into God's frequency. Images of the world are bankrupt, and if you focus on them you'll end up deceived and disappointed!

God Offers Us Forgiveness
Before Jesus, John the Baptist was a great preacher (and if you think that J John is aggressive, you should have heard him... calling people snakes and vipers!).

J John gave a great illustration of where John the Baptist could have taken a management approach to baptising people.... lining people up, asking them "Name, worst sin", writing that on a sticker, slapping it on their chest, and then John would know what to free/baptise them from/for! As each person lines up, we got through the ten commandments, and there's Jesus "none", but then takes everyone else's stickers, and then is ready to be baptised in freedom from all those sins [which I assume will wash away in the water, if the stickers I have are anything to go by, and seems to complete the analogy!]. Jesus wants to liberate us from all that weighs us down!

Know me --> Know the Truth --> the Truth shall set you free.

We know Jesus embodies the truth, so we will not be disappointed!

What shape is your God?
The only image on your heart/mind shoudl be Jesus, replacing the focus on all those other things.

All those things that God says have nothing to do with we go and see in museums, or use as art decorations. J John asks that last week if we have statues of Buddhas, ouija boards, etc. that we place them in the Amnesty Bins [I don't believe that I do!]

Note, whenever you visit a castle and see the throne room, thrones are always for ONE, there's no throne pews! So, have Jesus on the throne of your life, as, as J John only has space for one woman in his wallet, he only has room for one God in his life.

Just 10

Just 1!! Just one more week of Just10 left, which will be on "Living by Priorities", and then check partner churches for follow-up courses. All these commandments have serious messages, but these last few are the REALLY SERIOUS ones!

Press-Packer: Open Farm Sunday

2009-06-17T21:58:00.004+01:00

LEAF: 'Linking The Environment And Farming'
LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) was set up in 1991. At that time, the gap between consumers and farmers was getting wider and the need to meet and understand both sides of the debate was essential. For the first time a group of farmers, environmentalists, food and agricultural organisations, consumers, government and academics got together to do something positive for the farming industry.

They were motivated by a common concern for the future of farming and keen to develop a system of farming which was realistic and achievable for the majority of farmers. Based on work in Germany that had been carried out since 1986, LEAF was established to develop and promote Integrated Farm Management.

Open Farm Sunday (Next Date: 13th June 2010)
Open Farm Sunday is a fantastic opportunity for everyone, young and old to enjoy the living, vibrant countryside. Take time to listen to the birds, soak up the scenery, experience the smells of the farmyard and really get in touch with the land that feeds us. Discover at first hand what it means to be a farmer and taste the produce. So come and feed your senses on Open Farm Sunday.

Each event will be unique with its own activities - based around the host farm’s own individual story. Activities during the day may include a farm walk, nature trail, tractor & trailer rides, pond dipping, activities for kids, mini farmers market or picnics.

Read more (including my niece's Press Pack report)

Week 8: Take God Seriously

2009-06-17T18:17:00.005+01:00

What does your name mean?

It's your identity!

What do people think of when they say your name?

Names are often trademarked, and there are laws regarding defamation, where it's illegal to attack someone's reputation.

How would you like to be remembered?

Will Lunn-Rockliffe

David Williams had a great interview with Will, who is a bit of an adventurer - he doesn't sit around thinking about things, he does them!

God meets us where we're at, but sometimes we need to be taken away from our culture/comfort zone to meet God in a new way (as Will did), and it's great to listen to other's stories and see where God is in their live.

EVERY DAY (i.e. a daily battle): it's important to wake up and make sense of life!

Back to J John

Knowing someone by name is the first step to knowing a person - if you remember their name, it shows you care, and people can be hurt if you forget [and I truly know how much difference it makes to students to be known by name, and how frustrated I get when the timetable is so tight it's difficult to know everyone... although after travelling, I have reached a point where I will ask people several times, and say I don't mind how many times you ask me].

Names have associations with them - e.g. what do you think of when the names Adolf Hitler or Mother Theresa come up?

God in Biblical Times

The Israelites believed that the name of God was so sacred that they threw away the quill each time they wrote God [wow, how many computers would I get through if I did that?]

Reputation in our Culture

We're always very concerned about the reputation for our name.

Football clubs tend to disassociate themselves from football hooligans, saying that they can't be genuine fans if they cause damage, but along for the ride/rumpus!

Think how schools emphasise good behaviour when on school trips, so as not to bring the name of the school into disrepute.

Are we serious about God?

If we are, then think about how we mis-use his name, we:

Use it to insult
In the dictionary, Jesus is 1) An exclamation of surprise 2) The founder of Christianity
When swearing, we are treating something sacred with abuse
The media uses Goddamit, Jesus Christ, etc, but says that they are merely reflecting society
Film Classification: PG) Blasphemy 15) Sexual Swear Words
Don't de-sensitise the name of God - why do we say "Jesus" and not "Buddha"?
Why are we blaming God for something he didn't cause? If something good happens we tend to say, "aren't I lucky?" , but if something bad happens we say "Why did God allow this?"
Talking about coincidences (the flying kitten): are these God's way of remaining anonymous?
Use it to exult/indulge ourselves
How often do we feel that we are doing God a favour?
What motivates non-Christian parents to have their child baptised, when most are making promises that they have absolutely no intention of keeping?
What about Christmas Christians, who take communication: 1 Corinthians 11:27? God hates hypocrisy, so do it because you believe in the death/resurrection of Jesus, otherwise don't bother!
Use to intimidate
How often to Christians 'Play the God Card'? This was used to sanction the Crusades, slavery, wars, football, etc. as well as much smalled ways.
Believe that God speaks to us as individuals, but don't misuse the "God told me" [Heard about a few guys doing that: "God has chosen you for my wife"... yeah right has been the general reaction!]
Beware of "spiritual forgery". Don't twist the Bible to fit your own ideas, ideals and lifestyle!

So what's can we do positively in using God's name?

I need to be selective with my words
Watch slang - which is often a shorthand for swearing (e.g. Damn, is a shorthand for Damnation: condemning someone to an evil fate)
By Golly, Gosh, For crying out loud, all refer back to God/Jesus
Often we say we don't mean anything like that, but God's name is a holy name, and shouldn't "not mean anything".
We are bombarded with profanity on all sides, and unintentionally it becomes a part of our vocabulary!
If we become too compromising it may not bother us, but it bothers God. In the Bible, misusing God's name was worthy of the death penalty.
Make a decision not to use God's name irreverantly and ask colleagues to desist.
I need to be sincere in my actions
Ensure our life matches what we say we believe: Ensure your walk is consistent with your talk.
Many people attend church only when they are hatched, matched and despatched, and with that, the first time you're carried in, the last carried out, so only once by choice!

Whose name do we use so glibly?
God can

Cleanse our souls, heal our deepest hurts (putting hands out, palms up, is a sign of vulnerability and that we are prepared to receive healing)
Restore humanity/dignity
Saviour = name of power, some people are healed in God's name, and delivered from evil spirits.
Jesus spent 3 years discussing who, where, why, how, etc... and told many parables, at least one of which will connect with where we are NOW!

God Is...

So many different things, so that he appeals to all of us, e.g.

Teacher: Educators
The Way: Traffic Wardens
The Truth: Politicians
The Vine: Horticulturalists, etc

Why Christianity?

Why not? Essentially J John is presenting God's challenge - you've now reached a fork in the road, where you can go on of two ways. Assuming that there's 2 men at that crossroads, which would you ask, the one who is dead, or the one who has been brought back to life and is more able to give you answers!

You can be very sincere in your beliefs, but very sincerely wrong!

That Wedding Invitation

Last week J John talked about a wedding invitation... God/Jesus are offering a conditional promise - to rescue YOU if "you believe in my name".

It's not just to know about him, but to know HIM... and like pianos, we need frequent tuning!

Just 10: 2 weeks left:

Tonight: Know God

Next Week: Live by Priorities

Various local churches are also planning follow-up activities, so please contact the various churches for more information, or check the Just10 website, for information on churches near you.

Churches' Media Council, 2009 (continued)

2009-06-17T18:16:00.006+01:00

The whole conference was structured around 2 questions:

What impact does the media have upon society?
What impact do people of faith have on the media?

Day 1

Opening Video Address: Right Hon Tony Blair

Tony Blair provided a video address to open the conference, talking about the impact that the media can have, both negative and positive - it's possible to transmit hatred and reinforce stereotypes. With such a wide reach, it's vital that the media has strong internal (Christian) voices which affect the cultural DNA of such organisations, within the big worldview. We live in a globalised world where the media never stops, and we need to be a part of those debates and interaction, suggesting deeper interaction, rather than the surface stories.

Opening Address: Baroness Scotland

Baroness Scotland spoke, introducing her talk with the idea that the media would present the idea that journalism is a faith-free zone. However, there's at least 100 people at this conference: are we all figments of the imagination?

Other politicians may say that "We don't do God" [Alastair Campbell!], and say it's a matter of personal choice, but Baroness Scotland says that it colours everything she does, and she can't help it colouring her conversations also.

You can read Nick Baines report here.

What is the Media doing to...

Our politics (John Lloyd)

Politicians are necessary, we should value them for their ability to compromise! Extremists are not capable of compromise.
We can do politics quite well in the media, but we tend to cut a lot of it down into personalities/scandals, etc.
Of course there's a lot in the news at the moment about the expenses scandal, but we do elect people (not robots!) and most were using the system with a nod/wink as was expected, rather than flagrantly reusing it as such. Now it's a question of how they regain our trust!
What are the media doing to shape public thinking? The media constructs what are the most important things in our world, especially now - when you see how we're connected to it hour-by-hour!

Our media and young people (Pastor Nims Obunge)

The media has created a sense of fear, but the newspapers have noted that if they fill the papers with good news, their sales drop.
We have allowed the media to control us. Does the media fail to show us what truly goes on in urban spaces. Young black people feel labelled!
Social media is great for young people to share ideas.
Nims has low trust himself in th emedia, especially if he does pre-recorded interviews, as they tend towards sensationalism.
Wants the media to report more excellence, empowering people, rather than keep reporting the bad stuff.

God (Professor Mona Siddiqui)

The media, big as it is, is not doing anything to God, but has to the way we talk about Him.
The media industry carries the moral burden of the communications business.
The religious/secular divide is emphasised in the media - differences are emphasised, but all largely share the same concerns.
Often the media see asking SOMEONE from that faith to talk as having "done the job", but we need more intellectual rigour.
Globalisation is a mistake, as there's a tendency to "do more religious stuff", where members make statements on behalf of their own religion, although this may not be agreed by their religion. Inter-religion is fashionable.
The job of theology is not to observe the world, but to change it. Those working within the media can't aim for neutrality/impartiality, but should use that power.
Mona only uses blogs to read about how she's been received by others: "how did you hear me?". Blogs are for conversations, rather than about "spreading the message".

Online/New Media Strand (part 1)
Claire McArthur, in charge of strategy/editorial for the BBC's local websites chaired this panel, run over 2 sessions

Is about monitoring reputations, does one size(site) fit all?
Is the Vatican leading the way in the use of New Media?
Communities can be built across the web. Institutions need to embrace the possibilities to allow faith to grow - don't treat the online world like a Sunday worshipper!
Shane Hipps, Flickering Pixels: The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture
In the digital age we are "a tribe of individuals", maybe "an imagined community" [A phrase first created by Benedict Anderson, as I drew upon in my PhD thesis!]
How has language evolved? We need to sustain more friendships at once (see Robin Dunbar).
Does it create anti-social isolation? Should create an extra support, not replace it!
What are others in church doing? What is this doing to our social world in church (e.g. does Facebook help to deepen those friendships we already have, and reach out to those who may be more shy, getting to know others before joining in person?)? Do we opt out of life because of the online - or (as research seems to be demonstrating) we are watching less TV, and nurturing friendships more online.
How do we turn around the negativity surrounding this debate (it's the horror stories that make the press), and take the opportunities available?
Online, really need to talk about what you're genuinely interested in, becomes obvious pretty quickly if you're not!
Propagation (which is what many churches/Christian organisations have traditionally done) is top-down, whereas social media is very much bottom up. How do you monitor what's online, and if you simply cut off the opportunity to monitor conversations, does it simply turn up somewhere else, where you don't even have the opportunity to respond to it? It's a space for communities to debate!
How do you get the word out? How do you get people excited/contributing?
What about using Facebook ads? They are about 20-40p per click, can follow the click trail, and set a limit!
Claire gave us insights into some research that the BBC had done into the Susan Boyle phenomenon, and who was benefiting from that online (and thus what can be learnt from it). Can see just how fast the phenomenon moved, and notice that YouTube, rather than the official ITV Britain's Got Talent website was picking up most of the traffic!
Can use Hitwise data to search for the terms that people are ACTUALLY using, rather than guessing what they might use. In many ways the Susan Boyle coverage is positive, she was liked, and demonstrates a real interest in what it is to be human, and churches need to make more of that.
Dangers of becoming insular in content, what about the relevance of what you're posting, the danger of becoming an "exclusive club", when the online world is very much about embracing inclusivity.
Don't FEAR LOSING CONTROL, it's already lost!
Next session, going to be more practical discussions on what churches can do to use social media, and bear in mind that it's not just for those who are already converted!

Day 2

Public Service Broadcasting
Torin Douglas
Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) is designed as broadcasting for the public good, rather than commercial gain.
The BBC's remit is to educate, inform and entertain. ITV/Channel 4 also have remits.
Globally, broadsheets and broadcasters are crashing, the death of the South Bank Show is a big signal that PSB is maybe going with it.
The ITV franchise was originally seen as a "licence to print money", and partly in response to this, it was forced to produce PSB, responsibilities which it is now seeking to lose.
Newspapers have lost readers/advertising revenue, and are moving from paper to online.
Affects are felt due both to the digital switchover and the economic crisis.
It's not all gloom: catch-up TV is a great boon for consumers (able to repeatedly view, and in their own time), which makes the licence fee a better value; the creative and digital industries are growing as manufacturing/finance drops; the digital age offers a wider view of PSB! It's still alive and well, but not necessarily where you're expect to find it!
Philip Graf (OfCom)
As global news grows, the desire for information on local life grows. 8/10 want local news and weather, 6/10 want to know about local life/community. Local press has been in long-term decline, especially as advertising has moved from small brands to High Street chains. Small ads have moved online, and ITV news is not expected to continue after 2011. The internet/local TV haven't devised sustainable models.
The BBC have offered their studios to ITV to enable ITV to continue PBS broadcasts, but more is needed. Is more regulation needed. It is clear that the current system is now broken!
Conventional linear broadcasting doesn't provide what's needed, and content has increasingly moved online, but the infrastructure doesn't really support initiatives, and won't unless the ROI demonstrates that it's worth investing.
4G mobiles will drive a whole new range of content. The iPhone is the start of a new generation of phones. 24% of under 25s still listen to radio - strategically important.
A plurality of provision is required to meet needs. Tools exist, we need to find ways of using them
Launching the Church and Media Network (Andrew Graystone/Joel Edwards)
Great to offer encouragement, e.g. sending texts to broadcasters as they step away from the microphone (when insecurity about what have just broadcast hits).
The network is a forum to bring together broadcasting/Christianity, finding fellowship, be sharpened up, have a voice.
What does it mean to be a Christian in public spaces, moving from the defensive to the missional!
A bridge between the Christian community and media institutions, offers opportunities for creative engagement.
The previous organisation met annually, but this doesn't fit how media now works. It now requires an all-year role. Designed to be a lively, accessible, pastoral service to those working in the media.
Intention is to engage widely with Christians to engage with the media better. Offering digital literacy in faith communities is key.
Provides continuity from the previous model, not discarding it!
Online/New Media Strand (part 2)
Discussion 1: Ideas for institutions to embrace social media/let go of control.
Discussion 2: Practical ideas as to how social media can be used.
See a preview of Google Wave, going to be the next big thing likely to transform social media!
Slowly create content, then let others claim credit for it when it becomes successful. If they think they've had a hand in creating it, probably be more enthusiastic!
Try experimenting with blogging, especially if it's a time-bound event (e.g. a church weekend away). Give yourselves permission to fail. Celebrate an event!
Mobile phones offer the option of live streaming, e.g. Qik and 12seconds.
Are a lot of worries about people creating havoc/inappropriate content online, but think how you'd deal with those people in church - sit them down and have a chat. If you shut something down, it's not good. The conversation is simply likely to pop up somewhere else!
Actively engage with quotes (expand), give your church a positive profile, demonstrate public/community engagement.
We think there's a seperate conference in this: See Christianity in the Digital Space, Durham, 13-15 July (I'll be there)
Googling God (Evangelical Alliance)
"This is Christianity": A plan for a website to make it easier for reporteres to report faith well (as with budgets shrinking it's much less likely that newspapers, etc. will have proper faith reporters. New site in the planning to act as a web portal for journalists, a quick reference guide, links to mainstream Christian organisations, and training courses for journalists.
Local churches need to get to know their local journalists as the church doesn't realise its own power. Many journalists are scared of reporting on religion, invite them in to report on your activities.
"IKOS", the idea of an online space where Press Officers for Christian organisations can work together, be well-trained to engage with mainstream media.

Beyond Broadcasting
Nick Booth (Social Capital)
How access to informatio has changed through e.g. Marconi, Berners-Lee
In 2006 the world produced 3 million times the information contained in all books ever written! Supply and demand are no longer scarce! There is clearly a power and a desire to publish.
Is a lot of local volunteer media, which have respectable audiences. It's easy to spread/support local issues, as there are many willing to supply information, offering a patchwork of local storytelling.
Great for collaborative invesigative journalism, as with crowd-sourcing, can say "Help me investigate x". Can identify layers of expertise in active citizens.
Technology - helps to build strong relationships, and is not alienating.
Twitter helps us find people, making us social capital millionaires.
Online world is increasing a trend towards transparency (but what about protecting souces?).
It's a great habit to put half a story up, ask people, what else can you add? Accept that a story is never finished!
Paul Jackson (formerly of EA, Video Games)
Serious technologies are changing the way that people relate.
The "received wisdom" is that those buying video games are young kids who are playing violent games. The average age of those buying games is 28, and under 3% of games released have an 18 certificate. This is important as then we can address issues where they really are, rather than where we presume them to be.
Paul was the man behind FIFA in 1991, which was hugely successful!
World of Warcraft - has 10 million playing. Involves raising demons, etc. Why are Christians not talking about this.
Whizz.com offers flash-based maths. Why are we not building these kind of applications for Christianity. Meet the kids where they really are...
Digital Britain, looking forward to the idea that the internet will be accessible (by rights) as much as clean water is.
What about privacy issues? 200 years ago you lived in a village where everyone knew your business. It's only 150 years ago that anonyminity became the norm. There's now another culture shift and we're returning to the natural condition. Anonymity is dangerous.
Market Research - idea is that we will know what you're thinking when you don't know what you're thinking!
Bliss Radio
Dream is to see this newly hatched radio station providing slots that are usable on secular radio stations (yes, Christian focused).
The young have few or negative values around them. So wants to take the opportunity to explore positive values(fruits of the spirit) through this website.
Expected that the audience will be primarily non-Christian, and in the 16-35 age group (wide spread, real changes in lifestyle, can hit such a wide range?)
Mostly not overtly Christian music, then looking to other organisations (e.g. Salvation Army, Youth for Christ) to help provide content.

Day 3

World Vision
Advocacy is about trying to change the world, opening up a space for political possibilities where a space didn't previously exist.
Now is the best chance for a new world order. The crisis offfers a moment of opportunity to change the financial architecture. Maintain that global view, not insularity.
Christian theology - often starts to make sense from the perspective of the marginalised.
Where is the power located? Institutions? The masses?
It is easy to be "power neutral", accepting the status quo as a given, but with power loaded against the poor - whose side does that put you on?
Who is left as our moral compass? The media? Christians?
In publicity for World Vision, is care taken with the choice of images, respecting the dignity of those depicted. Don't want to objectify the individual. Are we trivialising their dignity as NGOs try to get across serious messages?
The essential value is HOPE (not optimism) and where's there's football there's hope! HOPE needs to act as an adversary to cynicism.
The media says that it simply "reflects society" - who are you kidding? It's not power neutral, it reinforces the status quo. "All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." (Edward Burke). It's impossible to be impartial and objective, as values/judgements are there all the time!
Academy Trainees
See the website produced by the Academy trainees (3 on the web stream, collating information from the video and audio streams) http://angelsanddemonsshow.wordpress.com/
Closing Session (Andrew Graystone)
Edward Stourton was meant to be providing a keynote address, but due to a Tube Strike, had been unable to get his train out of London in time. Due to the wonders of modern technology we had a brief webcast with him!
Andrew Graystone returned to reality TV to bring together the conference, identifying that humiliation has had a place in low culture for years, but that more recent reality TV has producers taking an active role in that humiliation. The sheer numbers, and the power of presenters such as Simon Cowell has taken it to a new level.
What is the power of human impact, on those participating, on those directing, etc. What about ordinary members of the public who have not come along to partake in the show, but simply to observe it? What impact might it have on them when a certain expression makes a point (e.g. the girl's shock at Susan Boyle), what's going to happen to her as her image circulates YouTube? She'd signed up for an evening's entertainment and the producer has used her as an icon of the public's reactions. We don't even know if that image was used in sync!
The average age of a producer on the BBC is 27, what does that producer do for you? With the short-term nature of TV contracts, how does this impact the ethics of production design? We can alter another human beings story by pressing a button, we forget that these are not actors, but real people with real fears.
What about the sacred unity of the human personality? With online churches, there has been the option to be someone else/who you want to be? But what is the impact of these fragmented identities?
How do we live well as a Christian in the digital environment?
The session then broke into talk-circles which produced some of the following outcomes.
You can listen to some of these speakers on the CMC website. See the earlier blog entry for links to a number of Twitterers from the event.

Churches' Media Council, 2009

2009-06-09T18:22:00.005+01:00

Currently at the Churches' Media Council (officially retired last night, to be renamed the Church and Media Network) Conference in Swanwick, Derbyshire. Already over halfway through, and it's really interesting. Haven't got time for a full-blog as need to get back into the swing, but thought I would register my presence here, and can add a blog, or blogs later, as the mood takes!

So far we have already heard from:

The Attourney General, the Rt Hon the Baroness Scotland, QC: Faith in the Public Sphere (see this blog for a good summary)
John Lloyd, Pastor Nims Obunge and Professor Mona Siddiqui: What are the media doing to our... (respectively) politics, young people, God?
Hardeep Singh Kohli: Comedy
Olly Hamilton: Music
Torin Douglas and Philip Graf: "Faith and Values in Digital Britain: PSP RIP?"
Joel Edwards, Andrew Graystone: "Launch of the Church and Media Network"
Paul Jackson, Nick Booth on Beyond Broacasting: What Next?

Plus I've been to Strand events on "Online and New Media" (see photo 1, photo 2) and Fringe Events on "Googling God" and "Bliss Radio", plus chatted with several people and eaten far too much stodge! Special dinner in about 15 minutes! We still have more to come tomorrow...

Twitter at #cmconf

With no official hashtag designed for the conference, and #cmc and #cmc09 already in use by other organisations, have started the hashtag #cmconf, which would be great to use longer-term! I have identified the following Twitterers as being at this conference, mostly by searching for "churches media", but also identifying some face-to-face. Today I've worn my "Keep Calm and Carry On" t-shirt to help identification of me: http://www.twitter.com/drbexl:

royzoner
inspirenews
podnosh
russbravo
annamdrew
nickbaines (see his blog post)
quaysie
RevArun
David_Cifbelief
r_rabbit
radiopatrick
WayneDaybreak
BeckyHartwell
rechord
qpalm (first time back on Twitter for a year - hmm, that link doesn't seem to work!)

Unfinishedchris is also here, but (s)he wants their identity kept a secret!

Week 7: "Catch Your Breath"

2009-06-07T15:25:00.005+01:00

Catch Your Breath/Take Time out to Smell the Roses
The modern day equivalent of "You shall remember and keep the Sabbath day holy" can be "take time out to smell the roses"!

The Entertainer

This week, Gary Grant, who owns "The Entertainer" toy stores across the UK was interviewed about his decision to keep his shops shut on a Sunday (setting aside the Christian aspect, Sunday is an important day for families, felt it was wrong to open), and to not stock certain lines of toys which he didn't feel comfortable selling (depite constant questions from others as to why he wouldn't sell something so long as it made him money). Trusts that God is in charge of how he runs his business. Despite the fact that he lost licences in 7-day malls, other companies who did so have gone bust, but opening 6 days a week, he runs a viable business. Gary says that he was making the decisions that felt right for him, but says this decision may not be the same for everyone - but was a big enough decision to make the news in Australia when his store in Somerset was visited by a reporter from the UK national press, posing as a parent wanting to buy Harry Potter toys.

Gary says: "I'm the boss, I'll sell what I'm happy with as I'm accountable to God, and I need to work with integrity" and emphasised that we can all make a difference, whether we own a business, or are further down the chain!

Back to J John

The original plan that God made is that there would be 6 days for our regular duties, a day to focus on God. As with all the Commandments, this was designed to be a blessing rather than a burden. There is a built-in human need for balance in life, and as the Japanese have demonstrated, this is not working in our modern day society.

The pace of life is literally killing people. If you get burnt out, you'll wake up and discover you're not that bright after all.
When your output exceeds your input, then your upkeep will be your downfall.
If you have too many irons in the fire, you're likely to put the fire out... before you know it, your spark has gone!

The term "Sabbath" derives from the Hebrew shabbat (שבת), "to cease", which was first used in the Biblical account of the seventh day of Creation (Genesis 2:2-3) [Wikipedia]. Does it matter which day is the Sabbath? For historical reasons it has become a Sunday, but it makes sense to have the same day off if possible in order to meet for e.g. corporate worship. We have a responsibility to ask, even though the answer may be no!

Is this commandment optional?

You don't think "oooo, shall I skip adultery this week?" do you, so why the sabbath?

Why is the Sabbath Holy?

A day to rest our bodies.
Rest from your weekly activities and create a day that is distinctive.
Drs say that a lot of illnesses where rest is prescribed is for those where the Sabbath is in arrears. [I've heard this before, but think it's so appropriate]
If you're not taking the day off, you'll not be fit to live with.
The story of the businessman/the fisherman
A day to recharge our emotions.
Told us the story of Chippie the Budgie, who was sucked up by the hoover, rinsed off under the tap, then dried with a hairdryer: Sucked in, washed up, blown over!
How many are tired, tense and troubled?
How many expressions are there like "I feel like resigning from the human race"?
Take some time out to recharge in the quietness (as I did on what I keep saying is my best day out of my RTW trip: Doubtful Sound in New Zealand, where we stood still in complete silence for 5 minutes!). Psalm 23:2. Enjoy nature rather than trying to change it.
A day to be renewed spiritually
We have so little time for God - our lives are so full and yet so empty.
God says: "Be Still and Know That I am God"
Worship renews the spirit as rest renews the body.
Treat Sunday with delight, as God's Holy Day... and in the first part of every day, demonstrate to God that he comes first through daily devotions
We currently "Worshop work, work at play and play at worship".
A son said that he'd watched church on the TV and didn't want to go... his mum said, OK, when we get back, you can watch your lunch on the McDonald's advert, whilst we have a proper roast...

Pearls of Wisdom?

Only as we cease to be restless doing, do we discover what is to be done.
The most important things in life are not THINGS, they are people. If you're too busy for family/close friends, you're too busy. We have less time for meals than we did, don't eat what we should, and don't take time to digest what we eat... it's all grabbed and snatched!
Technology: the phone at mealtimes - ignore it - be the master of the telephone, don't let it master you (J John has a particular bugbear with people constantly checking their mobile phones, and calls for us to focus on the people we're socialising with, rather than checking it every 5 minutes!). Technology promised to make our lives easier, but has instead increased the pace of our work (both speed/volume).

Permission to Rest

This was always something I chose to focus on in an early worship session for Oak Hall holidays. The guests were there on holiday, and it was important that they allowed themselves PERMISSION to rest - as so few of us do - as the Tour Leader I couldn't, but I would get my rest on return. Leisure is such a great stress-reliever. [I know I have a reputation for not being great at resting, but it is something I am working on this year, trying to ensure I have social time, reading time, sleeping time, time to get organised, asking others for help, and taking time to go out and get some fresh air!]

PLAY/WORK: God is equally pleased when each is done to the benefit of the other.

Where is God in all this?

Many in Britain are restless because they're not at rest with their creator. Once we connect with God THE CREATOR we have to take the maker's instructions seriously.

Matthew 11:28.

God's Wedding Invitation
God's offer is like a wedding invitation, it has an RSVP on it, and it has a date by which you must reply otherwise you can't go.

From: God
To: Us in Jesus Christ/Everybody
About: Forgiveness from the past, and new life here today, and hope for the future.

If we were invited to tea with the Queen, we wouldn't be able to help it slipping out, why are we not so before the King of Kings, before whom all those Kings/Queens will bow.

We are heavy-laden because we are a self-sufficient society.

Christianity: A Crutch? Brainwashing

When others have confronted J John that Christianity is simply a crutch that he uses to get himself through life, he admits this truly. We are ALL BROKEN PEOPLE, and if we had a broken leg we'd use a cruth, therefore in life, Christianity is our crutch!

When people accuse him of having been brainwashed, he's pleased to say that his brain has been washed clean (and you don't want to see what was in there before)... and from then onwards it's a journey, letting God into all "rooms of our house", which leads to the "fruits of the spirit".

Final Thoughts
"In a world of hopelessness, the world is like a hospital gown - you're often not as well covered as you think you are." (Church is not a form of insurance, but a living relationship!).

Lieut Knox's Headstone "Follow Me", to which someone added "To follow you, I'm not content, until I know which way you went".

We prepare for so much (e.g. exams/weddings), but not for the one thing that is going to keep us for eternity - Jesus.

Just 3 of Just10 Winchester to go. Next week is "Take God Seriously". [Feel free to comment on these blogs BTW]

Starting Monday off with a little Salsa

2009-06-04T09:07:00.004+01:00

The Weekend

Combination of a career support event at CCW (I have so much work to do on my CV!), and a great meal in the evening at The Forge, Otterbourne for Karen's birthday (good company, good food, good service, good value-for-money) on the Saturday, and a shared event at Wesley Church for Wesley, St Barnabas and NWCC in the morning (including a free lunch, always good), and Christ Church in the evening on the Sunday.

Monday: Salsa y Sol

Monday evening, after working for around 8.5 hours on my web accessibility literature review, I decided I would give Salsa a try. After working out how to get into The Discovery Centre at night, had a really enjoyable evening provided by Max and Silvia of Salsa y Sol. The beginner session was well-paced, with probably around 60+ people there, the photo above is from the inter-mission (lots of free water provided!), and then I decided to give the intermediate session a go (why not!), and managed most of it... must be all that MoJive experience! By 9.30pm, the freestyle hour, I managed the first 2 dances, then headed home to be asleep for 10.30pm! Good day though!!!

Woo hoo!

2009-06-03T12:48:00.003+01:00

I used those precise words when I sent an email to my Mum the other day. My plan on coming back to Winchester was to get enough work to see me through to June... job done, but although I'd had lots of conversations, I didn't have anything concrete for my next stage - enough work to see me through until October. I was then offered 2 pieces of work which, if I'm careful, will at least keep me that long, and there's other conversations in the pipeline!

I think that deserves a big WOO-HOO of celebration!

Blogging for Business: Tony Treacy

2009-06-03T10:53:00.004+01:00

Wired Wessex sponsored an event by Tony Treacy on Blogging for Business on Thursday 28th May. Social Media is exploding and Tony's right there, giving us advice via econsultants.it.

SuperFunDaysOut
In discussions with SuperFunDaysOut about taking over their blogging, Twitter and bookmarking strategies (looking forward to all that adrenaline flowing online!), I thought I'd see if there was more to learn - there always is - but was pleased to note that much of it was familiar, although I need to put more of it into practice!

Inbound/Outbound Marketing
Previously Tony had given a talk on outbound (interruption) versus inbound (permission/opt-in) marketing - with social media falling into the second category, and much the way that business now goes. How it all fits together.

Blogs, SEO, Tools

Blogs are outdoing the web for SEO/traffic, as they are indexed quicker, therefore move up the Google, or Technorati, chain faster.
WordPress is Tony's recommended tool for blogs, with its own analytics software. It's free, strong, professional (around 4,500 themes), and 6000+ plug-ins available. He particularly recommends allinone. As WordPress also functions as a CMS, can have a consistent look to website/blog.
Particularly recommends Ping.Fm, allowing autoupdates of all social media.

Keywords

Keywords are the key to everything, as Google is simply a database, albeit a very sophisticated one! I've forgotten the name of the new tool that Tony mentioned which Google are developing in response to the success of Twitter...

On a website, with organic methods, optimising and tweaking the content, it can take around 6 months to reach the top-spot in Google, but with blogs, it can be possible in 3-4 days!

Time, however, needs to be spent in the early stages to define the keywords - it's not rocket science, but experience demonstrates that it takes around 3 days to develop this.

What do you write about?

Write about what they want to learn about, not what you want to sell (aside from any possible benefits it may have for your viewers), as it's all about a process of relationship-building.

Know Me -> Like Me -> Trust Me -> Buy Me

In the UK studies have shown that visitors access a site 6-7 times before they buy.

What should a post look like?

Internal headings (indicative of content)
At least one graphic
500-800 words (ok, view many of my posts so far as extended reportage, rather than blogs!)
Lists - not too many (e.g. 10 things for x)
1 idea per post, keyword related.
The headline should assume that the reader won't read the article.
Can surprise people with twists on words, etc [although I would add I'd take care not to be nothing to do with the words, as I get REALLY annoyed by that]
No problems with being commercial if it's a personal opinion, clarify as such.
No spelling errors!

A couple of free-ebooks are on his website.

Publishing Schedule

1-2 times per week and stick to it.
With WordPress (and probably others) can set a date to publish
Create keyword content/strategy.

What can you put in a post?

Interviews (including via email)
Video interviews
Guest posts from similar blogs (copy but provide a backlink, this is your CURATORIAL slant - pointing people to the best material)
"Best of" lists
"How do we do it" posts, including screenshots

Can you get someone else to write it?

Yes, plenty can be found on eLance, but no one knows your business as you do, and you're missing out on participating on the conversation.

Tony, however, cited an example of tallshipsraces.org, which he took from a static site, which was targeting the 16-24 age bracket, and turned it into a site which generated great publicity/its own content, including YouTube.

Put an RSS feed on and talk to your market. A number of US blogs are now using blogs as cusomter service. Time consuming but gets results.

Comments

Take comments seriously
Comment back - share an example, etc. (don't just market your product). Tony recommended CommentHut for commenting (along with another product he'd forgotten the name of!), aiming for 10 comments/backlinks per day.
Off thought leadership.
Find out who people are and follow links.
Subscribe to blogs and follow on Twitter
There are pros/cons to monitoring comments, but easy with WordPress

Twitter

Use it as part of your blogging strategy.
Check out the "social media experts", who's following them?
Aim for 95% personal tweets, 5% sales, otherwise likely to be de-followed.
Place Twitter URL on homepage, press releases, business card, email signatures!

Technorati

Technorati is the Google of the blogging world, so get your blog registered there. Find some big bloggers and start to link to their material (so you start to feature in their comments, etc.)

Google Reader

There's a number of RSS feed readers [I use Newsgator], and Tony recommends Google Reader, which I use to follow blogspot blogs.

Tony Treacy

I like Tony's approach, offering advice to allow clients to run their own blogs! He's passionate about what he's doing and you can hear the excitement in his voice as he talks about the explosion of social media and how few companies can survive with a website alone!

Age Groups (Roughly!)

Under 35: Digital Natives
35-55: Digital Immigrants
55-65: Digital Aliens
65 + Silver Surfers (who largely want to PhotoShop their family history then email it!)

AimHigher

Meantime, I'm looking forward to the end of this month when I'll be adapting my WordPress for websites to WordPress for blogs to schoolkids who are engaging with University for the first time, shall think how best to structure the session!

Week 6; Keep the Peace With Your Parents

2009-06-03T09:22:00.004+01:00

Opening Joke

Something along the lines of (same, same, but different!):

Dear Mum

I thought I had better write to you about a couple of problems I'm having at school this term. Last week half of the boarding house burned down. But don't worry too much because I'm now living in a flat in the village. I'm living with Frank the plumber. There's no need to worry, he's very nice, in fact I'm three months pregnant with his baby. We're planning to get married at the end of term.
Love Sarah

Next day, another letter from Sarah......

Dear Mum

I know you will be worrying about yesterday's letter so I thought I should write to you again. Mum the boarding house didn't really burn down last week and I'm not living in a flat in the village. In fact I'm not even pregnant with Frank's baby and we're not getting married at the end of term. Mum, the real problem is that I failed my mid year exams really badly and I just wanted you to see this problem in proper prospective, All my Love,
Sarah.

THAT PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE IS SO IMPORTANT!

Culture

We live in a culture where those who are aged are sidelined, whereas the young are given increasingly more responsibility. Boundaries are unclear, and often (one of the worst things children can) hear is "I'm very disappointed in you".

Karin Ling

Karin was interviewed about her journey of faith, from when she asked Jesus to be her "special friend" aged 5, to deciding as a teenager that she was no longer interest, but her parents indicated that she should attend youth group til the age of 16, so she sat there and scowled. Her parents trusted that God had a bigger plan as Karin became focused/driven on success/money and gained a place at a competitive university, where after 4 weeks, without the distraction of friends, she decided she had to face up to things, and thanks her Mum to love/accept her whatever choices she made, which included leaving University. Having made a recommitment, she now uses her own experience to help others.

J.John: "This is the hardest commandment for me"

"Have you seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding?... Well, it's worse than that in reality!"

"My mum is a travel agent for guilt trips".

If parents expect SO MUCH we feel we can't possibly live up to them - no matter how good we are, there's always room for improvement!

Thoughts on Family Life

Child when asked "My name begins with M, I pick things up": Mother
The father carries a photo where his money used to be.
Teenagers: "Stop asking where they came from and refuse to tell you where they're going."
We encourage the kids to show off, then tell them to "Sit down and shut up".

God's Perspective/4 Principles

The commandment "Honour your father and mother" is a positive focus on the smallest unit in society.

Honour my parents by ACCEPTING them.
Don't tune them out, don't highlight the negatives.
God is not asking us to pretend that are parents are perfect when they're not.
Honour my parents by APPRECIATING them
Appreciate the effort that your parents put in is difficult/costly.
Son presented bill for £1 per job, mother presented bill of £1000s in return, but the final total was "I love you".
Mothers can direct air traffic control, whereas children are expensive but can operate the DVD!
Honour my parents by AFFIRMING them
This is the only commandment which doesn't last a lifetime, a day will come when you can no longer make amends - and no amount of expense at the funeral will be equal to that of a visit whilst their alive.
Honour my parents by NOT ABANDONING them
As parents age, offer support in practical ways.

A Message to Kids: The commandment is not "Humour your mother and father"

"I hate my parents": Sometimes we hate you too...
You may hate it when parents repeat thing,.... if do it first time, we wouldn't have to. Acknowledge that you've heard by saying "I got it".
Play your part in the family, Dad is not 'the old man'
Teenagers are experts on surveys of one: "Everyone else is doing it"
Mark Twain quote
We get parents at so late a stage in their life that it's impossible to change their habits!

A Message for Parents

Think about what example you are setting, more likely to be honoured.
The perfect model for parenting: God - treat our kids as God treats us.

God listens to us
Teenagers often complain that they can say what they like at home as no one's listening anyway!
God understands us
A carpenter works WITH, not AGAINST the grain.
Give your kids roots and wings...
Are we perfect? NO, but God accepts us through grace, treat our kids the same, not as though our standards are automatically the best.
Teachers can teach kids to count, parents can teach their children WHAT COUNTS.
Demonstrate honesty, admit when you've done something wrong.
Do/don't do as you've said, even if it's difficult.
God loves us
Offer affection, affirmation and attention (how often do you just sit and let them set the agenda?)
The average time parents spend talking to their children is 15 MINUTES A WEEK!
It's easier to build children than to mend broken adults.
If you don't live by priorities, you end up living by pressures.
God disciplines his children
"I love you, but sometimes I don't like your beahviour."
Often people tie up the dog at night, but let their children run free.
Discipline offers a structure of safety until the children has enough structure in character to stand up on their own.
Parents discipline best when they exhibit disciplined behaviour of their own.

Rules for Home

Fair
Firm
Fun

Be there!

A challenge for J John
Requirement to assume that forgiveness does not mean forgetting, and it's possible to forgive without dulling the pain (of 51 years of nagging!), but does remove the resentment!

Required to pardon, give up anger, show mercy/compassion.

Forgiveness is about building positive in the present without repeating the past.

God's Family

God gave up his Son so that we could be adopted into God's family. Whatever our experience of family, he will be the perfect Father.

God loves each one of us as though there was only one of us.

As Jesus walked through a crowded street he asked "Who touched me?", which his disciples thought was a crazy question, but Jesus could feel that there was ONE person reaching out to make contact with him. J. John believes that Jesus knew who this person was, but wanted her to articulate it (i.e. the power of prayer). In response, Jesus will stop as he's longing to embrace/adopt you.

Embrace God, the past is past, don't try to saw sawdust, with his help, move forward and become what you CAN BECOME.

Tonight: "Catch Your Breath", see Just10Winchester

#assk64: Trending

2009-05-27T11:37:00.010+01:00

#assk64

Finally, I am "trendy", and was ahead of fashion!

The website "64 words for Aung San Sui Kyi" launched yesterday evening at 9.30pm (GMT), and I was only the second person to Tweet using the hashtag #assk64. Working late on something, I watched it start to take off, particularly once @SarahBrown10, @jimmycarr and @eddieizzard started tweeting about it.

Trending Topic
The image to the left is a screenshot from Twitter in the last 10 minutes, showing that #assk64 is now the third most popular topic on Twitter right now - that's pretty impressive in less than 24 hours! Most are redirecting people to the website although of course there's always a few mis-using it - ignore them!

So Where are most of the Retweets coming from?

The organisation behind this hasn't been slow in asking celebrities to post their "64 words" (although many, like me, have tweeted about it, rather than written their 64 words), and I suspect that @stephenfry (with over half-million followers) has had quite a bit to do with an extra spurt in popularity and the official @64forsuu should be worth following too! @assk64 has dropped off the top trending topics, but still plenty of activity, particularly triggered by Alan Davies this afternoon.

On the Website: George Clooney, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Vaclav Havel, David Beckham, Daniel Craig, and the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown have all written messages of support.

The News: Waiting to see it start to appear, only 1 story in Google at the moment.

Take Action: On the website, on Twitter, or on Facebook!

Update 11th July 2009: Interestingly #assk64 is still circulating on Twitter.

#assk64 : 64 Words for Aung San Suu Kyi

2009-05-27T00:32:00.007+01:00

Aung San Suu Kyi: 64th Birthday Coming Up

As Aung San Suu Kyi approaches her 64th birthday (June 19th 2009), and around 13 years of imprisonment, this site was created to collect hundreds of messages of support before that birthday. Created in only 6 days by Rechord, and launched only a couple of hours ago, the site already has a buzz going on Twitter, largely thanks to @SarahBrown10 (Gordon Brown's wife, he's also posted an entry, but it keeps disappearing thanks to the volume of Tweets!) and @JimmyCarr, and now @eddieizzard! You can read more about ASSK, and her fight against illegal imprisonment.

Add your voice: Website; Twitter Feed (using hashtag #assk64, let's see if we can get it trending!); become a friend on Facebook.

Raaaaaaaaaaaarghhh: "Managing Our Anger" (J John: Week 5)

2009-05-21T00:05:00.006+01:00

Are you angry?
Are you "temperamental": 50% temper; 50% mental?

The opening video demonstrated how violence starts in the heart/mind... with one vegan declaring "I can't even kill an animal, why would I kill someone!" I did wonder if anyone would admit to wanting to murder on camera, although one got close... depending on how far he was pushed/how drunk he was... to which J John added, difficult fights break out amongst those who both think they are right, and neither agrees to back down!

Interview/Sketch

The interview was with Michael Campbell, formerly a boxer, and an activist in the 'troubles' in Northern Ireland, with a great hatred of the English... now the Town Centre Chaplain for Watford, and a member of the Street Angels patrol... crime has dropped by 35% in Watford since this started 3 years ago.

Not a huge fan of the sketches (apologies to those who probably spend much time thinking of the content)... which this week focused on an argument between husband/wife over possession of the TV remote control!

DO NOT MURDER
The sixth commandment is simple... murder is a serious crime which once committed cannot be undone, and appears in many different terminologies (e.g. manslaughter, serial killing, etc.) in the newspapers on a daily basis. The term "Road Rage" made it into the Oxford English Dictionary in 1997, and of course there are associated terms such as 'Air Rage'. 42% of those in the UK workforce noted that they have been yelled at at work, with many reduced to tears.

Is culture to blame?
Violence is pumped into our culture by the megatons... e.g. films such as Die Hard are not constructive models of anger management! We can also break this commandment through passive action - e.g. if we see someone freezing/hungry and do not help them out, we may be letting them freeze/starve to death.

Abortion

J John tackled the tricky subject of abortion: "Abortion is wrong even if it is a right", arguing that the Bible clearly states that life is valuable from the moment of conception. He prayed for those who may still be struggling with grief/guilt/fear over having had an abortion - as 40 million do every year globally.

Does it have to get physical?
It's not just about inflicting physical pain, but actions and attitudes can cause harm, e.g. grudges, resentment and prejudice, etc. Our language is full of venom: e.g. "Drop Dead", and "If looks could kill". J John argues that there is a thin line between violence of feeling and violence of action, and its often with those that we care most about that we get the most angry with/hurt the most.

What Kind of Anger do you Have? (or a mix?)

The Maniac: Do you explode? "Temper is the one thing you can not get rid of by losing"; "People who fly into a rage usually make a bad landing"; "Those who blow a fuse may be in the dark"; "be flexible and you won't get bent out of shape".

The Mute: Do you silently steam, whilst pretending to feel no anger? Those who hold anger tend to bury it alive, and the body feels its effects (e.g. heart attacks, digestive problems, etc.)

The Manipulator: Retailiates with underhand techniques, using sarcasm and hurtful humour.

Principles to Survive

I need to admit my anger (if we don't talk about it, we'll take it out on others; there is justifiable anger - the Bible is full of stories of God/Jesus expressing anger, and we need to seek to do the same - express it non-destructively)
I need to deal with my anger immediately ("You can't shake hands with a clenched fist" "Those who fight fire with fire end up with the ashes". Don't give a piece of your mind (you may not be able to afford to lose it), but seek to be a peacemaker. It takes more inner strength to forgive than retaliate... let God give justice).
I need to understand anger (Anger usually covers a hurt, which covers an expectation, which covers a need... need to uncover these).
I need to stop and think before I speak (If you speak when you're angry, you'll probably make the best speech you wish you'd never made)
I need to ask God to fill me with his Holy Spirit (seek self-control, asking God to influence thoughts, words and actions; society tries to reform people, Jesus can transform)

Don't let your anger get out of control!

Wearing the Cross

Jesus stretched out his arms to embrace us all... God allowed his Son to be murdered for all - including those who have murdered others.

On seeing a girl at the checkout wearing a cross on a chain, J John said "Oh, you're a Christian then", on looking at her surprise, he entered into a conversation, asking if she'd think it was weird if she'd seen someone wearing a pair of earrings with a gas chamber as one earring, and the electric chair as the other... both are symbols of execution. She looked disgusted, but he emphasised that that is what the Cross means - but that Jesus wore it on his back, not around his neck. He asked her to think about what it really meant, she said "it looked nice", and he said "nice was the last thing it was" - it was painful, humiliating, and that was done for us.

Before inviting people forward as usual, J John talked about the Archbishop of Milan, who as a child had been dared by his friends to go into the Confessional and shock the priest. Doing so with relish, the priest directed him outside, to look up to the Crucifix on the building, to shake his fist and say "I don't care". In front of his friends, as he started to do so, he realised what the death of Christ truly meant, and broke down in tears, before transforming his life.

See more on Just10 Winchester, 5 more weeks to go!

A Week Filled with Events

2009-05-20T23:32:00.006+01:00

Palatine Conference

I made it to the afternoon of this conference. With the event sponsored by Palatine, who focus on dance and drama, I wasn't entirely sure where I was going with this conference, but was interested to see that Mike Seignior, with whom I teach on the Design for Digital Media course was heading up a workshop... so I thought, yes, a great chance to see how practice and academia intersect. Interestingly many of the people there came from a practice background and have moved into academia, whereas I come from an academic background, and have started to build up creative practices alongside my academic studies, which then start to inform them! Also an interesting TAPP workshop (which fits with life-coaching interests... see photo), and the overview of what was coming with REF (formerly RAE, so many acronyms!).

Media Studies Mini Conference
It's week 10, the week the First Years for Media Studies have been waiting for - a chance to present their work at a mini-conference. We'd set this up as a real conference, with poster boards, a schedule of presentations, and a coffee-break with proper refreshments! Thought it worked surprisingly well, as many of the students had seemed rather disengaged up til that point! Unlike many conferences, not too much danger of the students running over time...

The Big Sleep Out
(see other blog entry)

Team Training Oak Hall
Made it in time for the 11.30am session: a great chance to catch up with a few familiar faces, meet some new people, find out which trip I'm on (I'll be cooking in the Loire Valley at the end of July), and a reminder of why we truly do this - not for the "free holidays" (that's for sure, we work too hard for that!), but to serve others and give them a chance for rest, refreshment and re-engagement with God.

Andy Melrose Lecture: Jesus, Judas, Jim and John: storykeeping and the world’s shortest story.
Andy Melrose is one half of the partnership behind the Storykeepers, a 1970s series, which continues to be shown, and whose popularity continues to grow around the world. A great lecture, using a mix of modern technologies, and linking Jesus, Judas, Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon in interesting ways (makes me not feel so unusual for being able to make such random connections!). Afterwards was a great chance to meet up with some old faces, talk to a few friendly faces to see if there is potential for more interesting work in any area, and random talks to people who may yet become future connections - noticeably a number of people from Cultural Studies, Creative Writing and Religious Studies in attendance.

Out There Networking Event

This is the pitch which teased us in:

In this talk, Dr Stephen Thomas will explore how recent developments in digital biology are set to have even more profound social impacts on everything from longevity to identity itself. These developments are different in kind to what has gone before, for they are about us, not just our surrounding technologies.

Did you know, for example, that you don't own your own DNA?

How come I have less DNA than an amoeba? What will it mean to be 500 years old? What is 'personalized medicine'? Where will my digital identity begin and end? Is my brain me? Is morality pre-determined? Will there be room left for religion? Is science boring?

Certainly thought provoking, and clearly a number of different interests engaging with his discussions (which come from a pharmacology/genome research perspective), and was pleased to note another scientist who thinks that the world looks so complex that there must be something behind it, and rejects Dawkins arguments!

Conference to Come
Abstract selected for a conference in Wales.

Winchester Cathedral: My Second Home?

2009-05-18T12:07:00.004+01:00

Been spending a lot of time at Winchester Cathedral at the moment... on Friday night, I was there for "The Big Sleep Out" (which I'd probably rename the Big Rough Out as it didn't involve a whole lot of sleep! The photo above is of me looking like the Michelin woman, Charly strapped into her sleeping bag, and Amanda well prepared with plastic sheeting!

The event was officially running on a wet weather plan inside the Cathedral, rather than the Cathedral grounds, and plenty of people took advantage of this, finding the warmest spots, inflating airbeds and campbeds... how many homeless have you seen with those... good old concrete is what we were looking for! I know several who stayed outside ALL night, but although we started outside, it started to rain around 2.30am, so we bolted for the Cathedral... which was very cold, and the floor was very hard (and quite damp still)... but this is similar to what someone who is homeless for real would do, they would find a carpark or some such to camp out in.

Sponsor: Still time on: http://www.justgiving.com/drbexl and a HUGE thanks to all those who have already sponsored me!

Twitter Feed for the Event: http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23bigsleepout

Facebook Photos: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?aid=257311&id=656235160

Easy Virtue

2009-05-15T12:35:00.005+01:00

Easy Virtue
My most recent film review for Damaris Culturewatch covers 'Easy Virtue', based on the Noel Coward play, released in the cinema in November 2008, reviewed once released on DVD last month.

Themes coverered: Masks, honesty, relationships, family, class
See full text: http://www.damaris.org/content/content.php?type=5&id=807

P.S. For those who were wondering about outcome of "Web Development and Digital Marketing Manager" at University of Winchester, I know now that job's not for me (on both their/my part), but has led to other options, so the adventure continues!

J John: Week 4: "Affair Proof Your Marriage"

2009-05-14T17:07:00.006+01:00

The Videos
After reminding us that the 10 Commandments offer a "map not a track", we watched those in London, when questioned "Will an affair revitalise a marriage?" A mix of responses, but the youngest pulled a face of disgust and said "just think of all the diseases you could get" (so those public health campaigns are paying off then?), and another that modern relationships are all about 'use and abuse'. Most modern affairs start on the internet...

Perry & Heather
Perry and Heather met at a church event, and he soon had to inform her that he was a haeomophiliac who had contracted HIV via a blood transfusion. This was in the 1980s, at the height of the fear of AIDS. They told us of their story, of expecting 5 years of marriage, with no children, but have just celebrated their 20th Wedding Anniversary (although Perry has regular stints in hospital, including one 2 weeks ago - and at times plans have been made for his funeral), and have had 2 children through pioneering surgery.

Back to J John
After a beautiful rendition of the 23rd Psalm, J John came bouncing back on giving us the modern perception of the 6th commandment, which we tend to think is "You shall not admit adultery", rather than "You shall not commit adultery" - I think we'd agree there's a subtle difference there! After cracking a few more jokes (man in a fridge, anyone?), he went on to talk about that other joy - contemporary culture - where loving couples are rarely married, but are surrounded by music, laughter and sumptuous surroundings - it's all romantic & exciting, with little recognition of the tough times that come in a committed relationship.

Adultery
Even when forgiven, leaves scars... it hurts and shatters trust.

Love = giving
Adultery = taking.

Marriage was designed by God in the Garden of Eden, where 2 become 1, should never be split.

Is this topic not relevant?
For most of us, having realised how we've #failed in the past 3 commandments, if we're not in a relationship, have we won at this one?! No, because affairs/lust start in the mind:

"Many people have sex on the brain, and that's the worst place to have it".

As a man followed with his eyes a beautiful woman walking past the window, his wife, without even looking up says "Was it worth the trouble you're in now?"

Thoughts -> Words -> Actions - > Habits -> Character

Practical Steps
When the Bible says 'take out your eye' or 'cut off your hand' if they cause you to sin, we're not LITERALLY talking that! If it's what you're looking at, cancel the Playboy subscription or the adult channel... by encouraging fantasy, you're encouraging reality.

If you've had an affair in the past: go for counselling (delicate/painful/needs to be done)
If you're having one now: STOP (that's all... and read Psalm 51)

Rationalising, simply means "Rational Lies".

In the story of the woman caught in adultery, Jesus commanded the woman to "Go and Sin no more"

One for the archeology dept: "Why do archeologists make the best husbands? Because the older she gets, the more interested he is in her" (boom boom)

How to maintain interest over the years:

Respect
Mutual respect: the husband should love the wife as himself.
There's no such thing as a "perfect marriage" as it's the union of 2 imperfect people.
"You can bury a marriage with lots of little digs."
"Don't criticise your wife's judgement: look who she chose to marry"
It's not about how compatible you are, but how you deal with the incompatabilities: may not necessarily see eye-to-eye, but still be able to walk hand-in-hand.
Good communication is key (even for 'conversationally challenged' men). Women speak 35,000 words per day, men 20,000 (so they've run out of words by the time they get home!). [See a refutation of these stats]
Need to TALK and LISTEN, 4 hardest statements to use more of:
I was wrong
I am sorry
I don't know
I need help.
A theatre was packed full of men waiting to hear "How do you get your wife to treat you like a King?".... simple answer: "Treat her like a Queen".
Responsibility
Look to fix the problem NOT the blame: your attitude should be the same as that of Christ
The number one problem in marriage is selfishness, too much concern for rights, rather than duties.
Romance
"If there was more courting in marriage, there'd be less marriages in court."
"Adam should have said to Eve: you're the only girl in the world for me!"
The Bible says "Rejoice in the wife of your youth"
Dating was fun, so marriages should also make time for fun.
The vicar gave a talk on "sex" (marking it as "sailing")
The Man's Guide to Female English (never say what they mean); The Woman's Guide to Male English (it all comes back to sex).
Resolve
A recent marriage, the couple took a small candle each, lit a large candle, then blew out the small candles, signifying that there would be no more "old flames".
J John called for all to value marriage, remaining loyal, proving faithfulness to each other.
Life has all seasons, including its "winter seasons".
"Trying times are not the times to stop trying"
"Treat disasters as incidents, not incidents as disasters."
Arches are made of 2 weaknesses, which lean against each other for strength.

To start: admit that need God and his help, as he created us, marriage, sex, etc.

A Proposal?
Every page of the Bible is a proposal to you... God's present to us was pinned to a Cross, and he doesn't woo us with perfume, but with blood, sweat and tears.

If you wanted to see a past series on DVD, see here.

The Big Sleep Out: Winchester

2009-05-10T13:09:00.006+01:00

Winchester: 15th May 2009

Do you feel inspired to sponsor these people who are CHOOSING to spend a night out in the cold, in the aid of those who feel they have no choice?

I'M NOT ASKING FOR BIG AMOUNTS, BUT IN TUNE WITH THE IDEA THAT SMALL CHANGES ADD UP TO BIG CHANGE(S), AM LOOKING FOR 50 PEOPLE TO SPONSOR ME WITH £2.00 EACH... of course you can pledge more if you wish... I'm just looking to get lots of people involved/raise awareness, etc.! If you'd prefer to give me the money offline, that's fine too...

http://www.justgiving.com/drbexl

Companions: Amanda Henocq Charly Norton, been chatting to Martin Tod on Twitter about it, and also from the University The Sleepy Heads!

About the charity : Winchester Churches Nightshelter
Big Sleep Out: a fundraising event in Winchester Cathedral Close, in aid of Winchester Churches Nightshelter and Trinity Winchester. Both charities are extremely stretched by high demand and need your help; so do their guests, those sleeping rough and the hidden homeless. Please support us.

Winchester Churches Night Shelter offers an essential lifeline to the homeless, providing high quality food and shelter and a secure support network offered to address problems and re-develop life skills. We are the only direct access accommodation for the homeless in Hampshire, and a vital first port-of-call for our guests. Our team of professional support workers and staff is focused on helping guests move into sustainable, long-term accommodation and escape the homelessness cycle for good. Further details: www.wcns.org.uk

Trinity Winchester is a day time drop-in centre that provides services for those experiencing the effects of homelessness, vulnerable housing, problems with substance misuse, mental health issues, poverty, unemployment and social isolation. Further details: www.trinitywinchester.org.uk
Charity Registration No 1080443

[Addition on the day: Please help get my sponsorship up to £100! It's raining, and we either sleep outside, or we sleep in the Cathedral - which will be FREEZING (a hard stone floor)... Every penny counts]

J John, Week 3: "Prosper with a Clean Conscience"

2009-05-08T18:41:00.007+01:00

Do Not Steal

Just 10 Winchester is into it's 3rd week already, and again J John put across an uncompromising message in a humourous way! He's not getting at us, he's joining us in the daily challenge to live according to God's laws within a contemporary living space.

J John opened his challenge that stealing tends to smart small (often in the workplace), but tends to get bigger.

Ron Heather: Bus Driver
The interview this week was with Ron Heather, the bus driver from Southampton who risked losing his job in refusing to drive a bus with the Athiest poster "There's probably no God: Now Stop Worrying and Enjoy Your Life", as he felt it was against his conscience (see what Theos thought). He knew his customers well, many were elderly, he felt this message wasn't appropriate - and he was more worried about upsetting God than upsetting his bosses! The ensuing fuss gave him many opportunities for conversations with his supportive colleagues!

The Yorkshire Sketch
Every week this "elderly couple" from "Yorkshire" find interesting ways to break the commandment... this week the reasoning is that if there was a 2-for-1 offer on last week, but not this week, the shop wouldn't mind if he bought one/pocketed the other!!! Hmmm...

Back to J John
J. John bounced back onto the stage, but opens on a sombre note... many of us have been casualties of theft (J John has had his coat stolen whilst he was preaching in the past!), and financial crime in the UK costs £29 billion per annum (and he wasn't talking about MPs expenses!), with over a million reported burglaries every year. How many of you still have the Gideon New Testament give to you at school? The Gideons give away 20 million Bibles a year, of which they are pleased to say 22,000 are stolen every year!

Define Stealing: "Taking something which belongs to someone else"... and there are so many different ways to describe this in the English language that it's clearly a big problem! God is against dishonesty and demands fairness in everyday work:

Don't cheat/swindle when buying/selling
Avoid false advertising (e.g. "Ideal DIY opportunity" = needs complete overhaul)
Don't quote for unnecessary jobs (if it's going to just need a small part, just quote on that!)

The Inland Revenue estimate that £5000million per annum is lost in undeclared taxes/monies, with many justifying it on the basis that the government "takes too much and wastes what they have", but "if your ship ever comes in, the IR will be there to help unload it!"

Employers/Employees
Employers: Don't cheat your employees; don't take advantage; teach people what is right & fair' don't manipulate.

Employees: Obey, not only when their eye is upon you, but when they are not looking. Why is it that the majority of sick days are on Friday/Monday?!

A large cause of inflation is these (seemingly minor, but mounting) costs, which are then passed onto the consumer.

What is the 8th commandment?

"You shall not steal" not "You shall not steal more than £1 at a time" (or borrow something without any intention of returning it).

What is the biggest item of theft?

TIME: "How little can I do for how much?". J John spent a summer trying to cut grass in slow motion whilst taking endless tea breaks for an employer who kept telling him to "slow down"! I guess this is where there needs to be trust between employer (that the employee will do the work) and the employee (who has to trust that the employer won't take advantage, expecting him/her to work at a high pace all the time if they've managed it once!)

Do for others what you would like them to do for you: how do we apply this to life?

By working
Work leads to profit, talk leads to poverty (not necessarily talking about waged work)
Too many people are keen to move the piano stool when there's a piano to be moved
Most people are keen to avoid hard work and would rather 'pick the lock'
The only place in which success comes before work is in the dictionary.
Don't count the days, make the days count.
By saving
Good planning & hard work lead to prosperity (not that he was peddling the 'prosperity gospel' or at least I hope not!); hasty short cuts lead to poverty (Jesus commended the wise investor).
Each of J John's children were provided with 3 money tins: "Spend" "Save" "Give"
By praying
God loves to give gifts, even more so when we ask him.

Generosity & Guilt
The Earth and everything in it belond to God, we only have it on loan: God loves us into change, he doesn't beat us into change!

What do we do with guilt?

Deny it?
Deflect it?
Drown it? (with drink/drugs/experiences)
NO: Dissolve it in the blood of Jesus.

Tithing
Always a sticky subject, some think the church is only out for our money! Do we cheat God in our offerings? Do we think that God is happy with the occasional 50p that we give him, the Bible clearly states 10% (joyfully given in the expectation that God will provide).

When J John became a Christian aged 17, he decided to take back a couple of books he'd stolen froma book shop. The Director asked him for an explanation and asked if he realised that he could call the Police... and was then surprised when the owner told him he was "free to go"... felt totally liberated!

The Amnesty Bins
Next week, J John is wheeling out the Amnesty Bins. He set a challenge that if we've stolen something we return it to its rightful owners in the coming week... and if that is not possible, then what we stole (or its equivalent value) can be placed in the amnesty bins on the way out (what is given is either thrown as rubbish, returned to original owners if accompanied by an 'anon' note, given to charity shops, or given to homeless shelters - not a single penny taken in admin!). The first time he did this one man placed £102,000 cash in the bins, another week, a man took his shirt off on the way out!

Let's Get Practical: Have you ever:

Made an over-inflated/false insurance claim?
Called in sick when you weren't?
Taken office supplies?
Used expenses for personal use?
Defrauded on your income tax
Left a debt unpaid
Borrowed books without returning
Taken hotel bathrobes (he's always surprised by how many of these he gets!)
Copies of software?
Have you stolen from God?

Have you felt violated by theft?
You need to forgive those who have stolen from you:

Forgive & Forget, not Remember and Regret!

Be Transformed, Not Informed
The purpose of Just 10 is not to listen/be informed, but to subject yourself "to the Lord's searchlight", and reach out for forgiveness, and so be transformed! Will you?

J John says "tell your story".

J John: Hold to the Truth

2009-05-05T23:01:00.005+01:00

In with the Quips

J. John started in fine style again... with a story about someone in a store who'd just said to the customer "we don't have it". The Manager bounces in, assures the customer that it was ordered 2 weeks ago, and when the customer has gone, asks the employee what they wanted.... "Rain"!

Video Clips
An interesting compilation of video clips, asking those in London if they thought it was acceptable to lie... the general consensus appeared to be that it's natural to lie, particularly if it's to protect someone!

Chris Kilby

Formerly a drug-addicted member of a band, Chris Kilby now heads up Life Church in Southampton, and was interviewed by Claire Carson about how honesty, integrity and faith are central to his life now... and nothing has ever made him as happy as God, and is continually asking God to remove anything that is in his way/prevents him geting closer.

Lies Lies Lies

"One Size Fits All"
"We're on our way"

The inventor of the lie-detector said that people basically tell lies... as kids do when they insist they haven't had biscuits (mouth surrounded by crumbs!)

We live in a society of "truth decay".

Do you lie on your Job Application?
As a research project, a job was advertised for electricians who were specialists in 'Sontag Replicators'. They received 179 applications, although there's no such thing...

4 students who didn't turn up for their morning's exam (citing a flat tyre) were surprised to find their teacher so relaxed. She offered them a chance to retake the test. Sitting the 4 of them in corners of the room, she said "Answer me this question...... which tyre was flat?"

Tongue Twisters

The tongue, a small instrument, capable of enormous damage!

The "sermon on the mouth".

Bette Middler famously said "I don't know how much of what I say is true"... it's become so normal in society to lie... in journalism, facts are not checked, etc.

Careless Talk Costs Lives

Gossip Ruins Lives:

"Hearing something you like about someone you don't"
All the detail, no facts
Travels fastest over a sour grapevine

If someone says "I probably shouldn't tell you this", I'd suggest "Don't then!"

The Bible Warns Us Against:

Gossip
Slander (malicious untruths with the intention of doing harm)
Flattery (say to a person's face what you wouldn't say behind their back)

Show more GENUINE appreciation, don't flatter

Steps to Improve

I need to examine my heart (what comes out of the mouth reflects this)
I need to refuse to gossip (listen more, talk less, if you're not willing to sponsor it with your name, don't say it)

Say what you mean, mean what you say, but don't say it mean!

Say it if:

Is it true? Yes!
Will it benefit anybody to say it? Yes!

"Prove to Me God Exists"

Confusing between:

Maths (rational)
Science (hypothetical)
Personal (valid)

God is PERSONAL, to be experienced, not proved. It's like trying to describe a kiss (personal) as an exchange of molecules (rational/scientific)!

The Blackboard

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" - was there ever a bigger untruth?! Names stick "on the blackboard of life". Jesus comes not to rub it in, but to rub it out!

Get to Jesus via "Kings Cross".

Embrace the healing you can get by refusing to believe the lies that others have told you about yourselves... (whether intentional/unintentional)

Better Late Than Never
Before J. John is on stage again tomorrow night, with "Prosper with a Clear Conscience", I wanted to get this belated blog up. Week has been filled with job interview, applications, and some time out!

National Digital Inclusion Conference

2009-04-27T13:04:00.005+01:00

Been watching the live stream from the Digital Inclusion conference in London, picked up that it was on from the Twitter feed. Interesting to listen to BBC and government ministers talking about policies and developments.... they're breaking for workshops, but may catch up with more later. Read more.

How to Demonstrate the Value of Social Media to Your Boss - Free Webinar with Chris Brogan

2009-04-24T17:56:00.003+01:00

Free Webinar

Delayed webinars - such a great tool, and this one was particularly helpful in my interview preparation!

J John: Find True Contentment

2009-04-23T14:30:00.004+01:00

Winchester Just 10 (Wed 22nd April)

J John, famous entertaining Greek, has come to Winchester! Last night was the first in a series of 10 evenings addressing the 10 Commandments from a modern and applicable perspective. Beautiful music, and regular laughter also accompanied the talks, along with a guest spot from Linvoy Primus.

Introducing the Series
The 10 Commandments are not an exam "attempt 5", and this series is a chance to give our lives an MoT... only we can decide if we need a new spark plug or a whole new car! Re-assess the values and principles that underlie all our relationships: life, relationships, community and work.

As the list of commandments is generally framed as 'do not', this series reframes them in a positive way, with positive steps we can make to change our lives, so for this week "Do not Covet" becomes "Find True Contentment".

Memorable Quotes

We're never so perfect as when we're on a CV.
The biggest room is the one for improvement.
Yearnings always exceeed the earnings
There are 3 classes: the haves, the have nots, and the have not paid for what they have.
Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!
We spend money we don't have on things we don't need to impress people we don't like.
In the rat race of life, if you win, you're still a rat.
We lose our health to make money, then spend money to sort out our health.
If you cannot have the best of everything, make the best of what you have.
Money/wealth are not evil, it is the love of money that is the root of all evil.

How do you find contentment?

Be grateful for what you already have, have "an attitude of gratitude".
Recognise the limitations of wealth (those who have money will never have enough)
Focus on people, not possessions. "If we love people, we'll use things, if we love things, we'll use people".
Look beyond what is temporary (70 years is but a blip on the eternal screen)
Be a giver (was often give to charity what we CAN afford, how about giving to someone who can't give back?) "What can we do to live simply that others can simply live?"
Find our security in Jesus Christ. (it doesn't matter how creased/dirty a £20 note is, it's still worth £20, if you're not sure HOW to let Jesus become your life manager, ask him to break the door down).

Next Week

"Hold to the Truth" (See the Just10 Website)

2009-04-21T18:20:00.002+01:00

Facebook Bootcamp for PR

View more presentations from nicole.landguth.

John Lees

2009-04-12T21:04:00.004+01:00

At the One Life show, I purchased John Lees careers cards (I'd missed an event he'd hosted with LICC in Manchester, I do believe) after going to an afternoon Masterclass...

So, there's various stages, but at the end you come out with list of 10 top motivated skills, from which I still need to collate bullet points for my CV, but in brief they are (in no particular order):

Facilitating the Learning of Others (P)
Inspiring Others (P)
Encouraging Others to Communicate (P)
Building Community, breaking down barriers between people (P)
Using humour to communicate or build relationships (P)
Assessing situations or people quickly and accurately (P)
Developing & building on the ideas of others (C)
Making connections, seeing how things fit together (C)
Generating new ideas, challening assumptions (C)
Embracing a Challenge (E)

Wonder why I keep wandering back towards teaching/communications roles?! (P = people focused, C = concepts/ideas, E = entrepreneurial... no sign of T = Things or I = Knowledge).

Random Wanderings Around the Net...

2009-04-11T22:29:00.006+01:00

Barbara Sher

My random wanderings around the web tonight started with an email from Barbara Sher... I picked up her "What do I do if I want to do everything?" before I went travelling, and it was a great revelation (I need to do the activities, although I read the book cover to cover!)... scanners are not diletantes, but exceptionally intelligent with a lively sense of curiosity! Listen to Barbara Sher (geniuspress) talking about ideas she's been working with for over 30 years (or follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/barbarasher):

Scanner Links

John Williams, aka "The Creative Maverick" (first came across in careershifters... yes, this man is a true scanner!) is the obvious man to follow. Inspired after a retreat with Barbara Sher, he set up Scanner Central in London (no, I've not made it there either). For the April event we've apparently just missed Beyond Chocolate (which I remember seeing on the TV at some point, if it's been around for a while).

Other Links

Checked out "Gifted Adults" on Google, see also here, after Sher indicates that many scanners are also gifted adults... I fit quite a lot of the bulleted list, but I'm definitely no introvert! Is that a form of cyberchondria?.
Yesterday I found myself on Martin Seligman's Authentic Happiness pages
In December I went on a course with Chantal Cooke, Nick Williams, Niki Hignett
Tonight I downloaded 'The Imposter Syndrome' article..., I can remember talking about this with one of my PhD supervisors (Professor Joyce Goodman) - it's very common amongst female academics, apparently! (Also on "Changing Course" with Barbara Sher and Barbara Winter... who works with Nick Williams!)
Checked out "Anybody", which looks to challenge the links between culture and body image.
Rechecked Serenergise, where I gained my ICF-Accredited coaching certification.
Rechecked PALS, which I need to see if I can unzip now I have a laptop that works... David Lett and John Evans, who have a vision to get more life-coaching style skills into schools.
Checked out "The School of Life", where you're being asked to rebel against APPLYING for jobs, and to create your own job spec, and see if employers pick up on it. Well, why not?
Read an article on Eric Gill, recommended by @tonywatkins on Twitter.... for whom I'm supposed to be writing an article tonight, instead of which I'm surfing. I'll get there!
This morning I read C.S. Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters" - thought-provoking stuff (see p.46, where Screwtape encourages Wormwood to let the humans think that 'religious' is just another phase to go through...)

I dress to impress in RED, RED, RED

2009-04-11T01:56:00.003+01:00

Red tulips Wrangels 30 april

Well, if it's an interview, clearly it's going to be a nice pinstripe suit, with lots of RED, nice powerful and confident read... all nicely cleaned and pressed. Always looking for the ideal pair of shoes to go with... bit of a heel for confidence, but not so high that you end up walking like you have blisters all over your feet (which is of course quite possible!).

If I'm going out for the night, quite possibly something similar - maybe less pinstripes, but a nice bright red top, or sometimes purple, or bright green (I don't really DO pastels)... anything to brighten up the evening... similar dilemma in the shoes - particularly if there's not a lot of money in the kitty for taxis!

Holiday Walking Thoughts

2009-04-08T15:47:00.004+01:00

It's my holiday week, although I still seem to be spending an incredible amount of time online, but this morning refused to get up until I'd finished reading Teri Hatcher's Burnt Toast and Other Philosophies of Life (yes, I read fast, it's a both a pleasure and an expensive hobby!)... which I found in the charity shop yesterday.

I was intrigued by the idea that the choices you make about eating burnt toast say so much about how you value yourself (or not) [big ideas that interest me are valuing, engagement, expectations, choice, learning!]. She questions whether you try to scrape off the black, smother it with jam to hide the taste, throw it away or eat it "because you're willing to settle for less? Maybe you don't want to be wasteful, but if you go ahead and eat that blackened square of bread, then what you're really saying - to yourself and to the world - is that the piece of bread is worth more than your own satisfaction."

Found the book really interesting, if over-emphatic in its desire to demonstrate that Teri is an ordinary woman... well, I guess she is, but there's certain stories in the press that she's taken the opportunity to squash! Found a lot to empathise with, and some practical ideas for moving forward! Don't be prepared to spend another 10 years eating burnt toast...

Women & Cycling
I went for a beautiful walk in my favourite weather - sunny and breezy - and thought through some of what I'd read in the book, then generally emptied my mind! No chance to cycle as my bike is back in Winchester and I'm currently in Suffolk, but going through Monday's Guardian (finally), and seen a big story which is pushing forward cycling as a new 'fashion' for women... even Top Shop are coming out with a range of cycling accessories! Sustrans has recently launched bikebelles.org.uk, to encourage women on bikes, and Bird on Bikes had it's inaugural event earlier this year. The Guardian has definitely got people talking!

Georgette Heyer: The Historical Holiday Read

2009-04-07T20:51:00.007+01:00

I have loved Georgette Heyer's regency novels since my mum lent me 'Frederica' many years ago (I know most people think I'm only about 25, but I'm considerably older than that!)... that copy of Frederica has long since disintegrated, but no worries, I tracked down another one!!! In fact, with much diligent searching I have tracked down all her regency romances, and most of her other texts excluding the detective novels, which, never being so popular as her regency romances were (at least not since, although they may have been at the time). I could do a bit more research and make this a scholarly entry, but I'm supposed to be on a week's break, hence the Heyer's come out and the brain switches off!! Not managed to get one off the shelf yet, but I will.... and meantime was checking out how far Georgette Heyer appears on the web:

Georgette Heyer.com (long established, passionate about the subject).
Some links I posted to her books.
A book for all reasons
Historical Tapestry
The Georgette Heyer Challenge
Forgotten Authors No. 27: Georgette Heyer (The Independent, 15th March 2009)
and I still want to read Jay Dixon's book, not on Georgette Heyer, but on Mills & Boon, with whom Heyer is often classed (but much classier)

Stephen Fry: Guilty Pleasures (go to around 2:40-3:50)

Go Jenson Button....

2009-04-05T11:58:00.005+01:00

As the National Anthem rings out again, it's another win for Jenson Button! Awesome... watching it on the BBC news site! Until 4-5 years ago I used to avidly follow qualifying, races, follow-up and read F1 magazine, then decided it was just taking up too much of my life, but I still maintain an interest in it. Was great to see Lewis Hamilton's victories last year... although as I was abroad I missed most of it, but maybe this year it'll suck me back in...

ww2poster Blog

2009-04-05T00:21:00.001+01:00

I've added a new, more specialist, blog on WordPress: http://ww2poster.wordpress.com/. I will be back with this one too... but I have lots to say on posters, and with the whole furore over the Keep Calm and Carry On posters, it seems people are interested!

Bill Pertwee: The Warden Says

2009-03-31T16:37:00.004+01:00

I'm currently trying to write my abstract for the "Framing Film" conference at the University of Winchester, and spent a very enjoyable couple of hours this afternoon watching "The Warden Says" introduced by Bill Pertwee (on VHS, how old school.. and now I see they are available on DVD!)... thank goodness such little gems have survived!

I know far more about the posters themselves, but there are a few good examples to use for the abstracts from the 48 mini-films (many only a minute or two, to one mini-film at around 20 minutes!), covering recruitment, careless talk, the blackout, cigarette dangers, careless sneezes cost diseases, food choices, dig for victory, salvage (tin/bones/paper), holiday harvests, save fuel and save water! Many echo the messages used in the posters, whilst others actually feature the posters themselves. That should fit well with the 'call for papers' on "Cinema’s relationship with, and even reliance upon, the other visual arts, whether for subject matter, inter-textual promotion or graphic design, is central to our understanding and appreciation of the medium."

DVD 1: The Warden Says
DVD 2: The Warden Says: II

I could eat nothing but pizza for a year

2009-03-30T18:41:00.002+01:00

Haloumi Cheese, Zaatar & Tomato Pizzas by avlxyz

No need to edit the default title!

Italian: pasta, pizza, gelato all with in many different (and delicious) flavourings... what more could you want! Well, maybe to find the real cuisine rather than whatever I could afford for 2-3 Euro last summer: http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Italy/Veneto/Venice/blog-330501.html

Faber Finds: Mass-Observation

2009-03-30T16:34:00.002+01:00

Mass-Observation
I used the Mass-Observation archives extensively in my PhD research (see www.ww2poster.co.uk), as it has lots of really interesting material from observations (both direct and indirect) plus collated materials from the war years (and since). It was really ahead of its time! Much of the best material is only available by visiting the archives (based at the University of Sussex), but some of their published material is shortly to be published by Faber & Faber in modern editions.

"They offer an extraordinarily vivid glimpse of a time which will soon not be accessible to living memory. Not only that, they provide evidence of how astutely Mass Observation pre-figured many later intellectual and methodological developments in social research especially in oral history and life history research, in feminist and working class history and in the kind of social research which privileges what we sometimes call the 'ordinary person' and the importance of studying everyday life" Professor Dorothy Sheridan, Mass Observation Archive.

I would particularly recommend these wartime finds:

War Begins at Home (1940)
War Factory (1943)

Universities Online

2009-03-30T12:43:00.008+01:00

As part of my research into possibilities for universities to make use of the plethora of social media around, I put out a message on my Twitter feed, and picked up a few new followers working at the overlap of social media/academia, and it's interesting to see what is popping up in this constantly changing field.

YouTube.edu
Last week (Thursday 26th March), YouTube officially launched an independent area of its site (to which Universities need to apply, and at present seems to be US universities only, but where the US leads, the rest of the world follows...) which seperates scholarly content from the more general content available on YouTube. Along with site Academic Earth which also launched last week, offering lectures direct on the World Wide Web...

Scott Stocker, Stanford's director of Web Communications notes: “Particularly in this time when the coverage of higher ed in general is diminishing in the mainstream media, it allows us to tell stories directly in a very effective way to a large audience.” Wall Street Journal Blog

It's an interesting time to be in academia, seeing what possibilities the new technologies offer, but also being aware that they need to offer a return on investment (both time and money), and to most effectively leverage the media available whilst retaining intellectual property.

Social Media MA
Birmingham City University is to offer an MA in Social Media in September 2009, and the Twitter feed has been buzzing with feeds, and the press has quickly picked up on it, publishing online material several hours before it could make it to print.

""Social media" in the context of Internet technologies is itself a relatively new term which broadly correlates to the concept of Web 2.0. "Social media consultancy" as a profession is being shaped by the early proponents of the field.

There is a dichotomy within this nascent industry. On the one hand established businesses are seeking to co-opt the tools of social media and use them for commercial gain; on the other third sector organisations are making use of these tools to build complex and conversational communication strategies for minimal cost.

This MA programme will explore the techniques of social media, consider the development and direction of social media as a creative industry, and will contribute new research and knowledge to the field." Birmingham City University.

University of Glasgow: Student Blogs
An interesting idea: "our student blogs aim to give you an insight into what it's really like to be a student at Glasgow", which they could also do via a search on YouTube! Interesting to think about the dynamic between official/unofficially sanctioned media. My expectation is that prospective students would trust the unofficial (looking) material more!

You have to give away a million dollars. How?

2009-03-29T14:36:00.002+01:00

Oooo - that sounds like fun, and with the exchange rate as it currently is that's worth quite a lot of money, right....

Can I keep some... in which case I'll buy me a house in Winchester, a car that doesn't need to spend so long in a garage, and a non-broken computer/phone/hi-fi, then throw a great big party and catch up with everyone again properly....

Part of me wants to run through the streets then throwing money left, right and centre, but probably I'd help family/friends with some of their mortgages, and divide it amongst the charities I'd like to support when I have a proper income: http://www.bex-lewis.co.uk/e-campaigning/index.htm

My bucket list starts with: Visit Canada

2009-03-27T10:47:00.002Z

Visit Canada
Canada looks a beautiful, friendly country, and all the Canadians I've met (and shared rooms with on my travels) have been lovely! I read all the Anne of Green Gables novels when I was younger, and have always wanted to go and see Prince Edward Island... also want to get the train across to the Rockies, see the bright lights of Toronto, ski in Banff, and just take in the beautiful landscapes... while trying out some daft activities and taking a million photos no doubt, see: http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/drbexl/ for evidence of that!

Publish my PhD as a Book
I will never feel like I've finished my PhD until I see my name on the spine of a book in the bookstores. There's plenty of interesting material in my PhD (see http://www.ww2poster.co.uk), lots of interest in it (see the recent furore over 'Keep Calm and Carry On': http://drbexl.blogspot.com/2009/03/keep-calm-and-carry-on.html). Originally I intended to call my book "It's Up To You" after a poster which takes the Kitchener "Your Country Needs You" as a design inspiration, but now Keep Calm and Carry On seems far more appropriate, as I'm particularly interested in why such images still resonate over 60 years later). At my PhD viva we spent most of the time discussing turning the thesis into a book (would probably take around a year on top of a steady job), and the book proposal is in process... meantime, travelling and job-seeking have rather taken away from that!

Visit Israel
OK, so it's another "visit somewhere", as the remainder may be... I want to take a trip to Israel with http://www.oakhall.co.uk. I know loads of people who've been and they all say the same thing... really tiring, but completely awesome and inspiring (well, that describes pretty much any Oak Hall trip that I've been on!)

See a Formula 1 Race live
I used to follow Formula 1 avidly, watching heats, races, repeats, highlights - you name it, and reading all the magazines. I then realised how much of my life this was taking up and pretty much went cold turkey. However, getting to know Emma @ Manchester we chatted about Formula 1 lots, and I would still like to go to see a live race... not sure where yet. I have stood on the starting grid and podium at Albert Park in Australia, and may watch some of this weekend's... if only to remind me of the time I spent in Australia (and there's somewhere else to go back to!)... I had a day's race car driving experience: http://www.bex-lewis.co.uk/career/big_achievements/drivingexperience.htm, whic was great... bring on the skid-pan racing next!

Run the London or New York Marathon
I've done a couple of 10ks, and would even need to build back up to that length at the moment, but I've always wanted to run the London Marathon (although sometimes I think the New York would suit my traveller mind more). I have actually completed a full-length marathon event: http://www.bex-lewis.co.uk/career/big_achievements/moonwalk.htm, which is maybe almost harder than a daytime marathon, but still, running a marathon beckons...

Keep Calm and Carry On

2009-03-19T12:49:00.007Z

"For many the wartime slogans, such as Dig for Victory, Careless Talk Costs Lives, and Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases, have never been forgotten. Such slogans have been passed on as a part of our common heritage," says Dr Rebecca Lewis, a historian who has made a study of the subject. "Posters that were not published or were withdrawn also make for interesting study, particularly for reasons as to why they were rejected," she adds. "However, there do not seem to be many examples of these, although whether this is because records of unsuccessful designs were not kept or because there were not many was not established."

Simon Edge, 'Sign of the Times', Daily Express, Thursday March 19, 2009, p36

So, a part of my thesis is finally published... my book is still in the planning stages, and the website: http://www.ww2poster.co.uk/ needs a distinct overhaul and I am throwing around ideas for an associated blog, but I'm not there yet [EDIT: See http://ww2poster.wordpress.com/]! In the meantime, I've been quoted in the national press in relation to a story which now I've done a bit of a hunt, appears to have been circulating for some time, re the discovery of the unpublished Second World War posters 'Keep Calm and Carry On' ten years ago by Barter Books, and it's continued surprise success (although with my love of wartime posters I don't find the idea that people love posters surprising, it is surprising that such a generally non-visual design is popular, but the slogan is very strong, and very apt in the present times)!

PhD Findings
My PhD 'The Planning, Design and Reception of British Home Front Propaganda Posters of the Second World War' was awarded (without corrections) in June 2004 by what is now the University of Winchester.

A section from pages 104-5 of my thesis (copy held in the Imperial War Museum, and in the RKE Centre at the University of Winchester):

The poster with a proclamation from the King was to be ‘plastered everywhere in order to drive the contents into everyone’s head’.[1] By August 1939 war was regarded as inevitable, and by 9 August the finished drawings were submitted to Macadam for final approval. Any adaptations to proportions would then be made and the posters printed.[2] By 23 August the proportions to be printed were decided. The percentages were: ‘Freedom is in Peril’ (for remote areas), 12% (figure 22); ‘Keep Calm and Carry on’, 65%; and ‘Your Courage, etc.’, 23% (figure 1).[3] The Treasury had approved costs for a single poster, three designs were produced, exceeding estimates by under £50. “Our Fighting Men Depend on You” for factories, works, docks and harbours, was also printed, for which no allowance had originally been made.[4] By September, ‘Your Courage’ and ‘Freedom is in Peril’ were already being posted throughout the country. ‘Keep Calm and Carry on’ was printed and held in reserve for when the necessity arose, for example, a severe air-raid, although it was never actually displayed. Soon after war was declared, the small poster ‘Don’t Help the Enemy, Careless Talk may give away vital secrets’ (figure 62) was approved by the War Office and was ready to put into production. 58,000 copies had already been distributed by September 17, and 75,000 copies were to be despatched daily from September 26.[5] By the end of September 1939, roughs for further designs had been prepared and approved, including messages from the King and the Queen, designs specifically for factories and docks, and designs specifically for each branch of the armed services: reassurance, not recruiting, posters.[6]

[1] PRO INF 1/10, ‘Functions and Organisation of the Ministry. Memorandum by E.B. Morgan’, early 1939.
[2] PRO INF 1/266, ‘Memo from Vaughan to Macadam’, August 9 1939.
[3] PRO INF 1/226, ‘Letter from Macadam to W.G.V. Vaughan’, August 23 1939. In the same folder, ‘Demand for Printing Slip for HMSO’, August 31 1939, and ‘Poster Campaign: Distribution’, November 1 1940, give details of the exact quantities ordered on August 31 1939, in a variety of sizes and in both broadside and upright versions, and where distributed. PRO INF 1/302, ‘Summary of Activities of Home Publicity Division’, September 28 1939 notes that all sizes were included, from 20ft. by 10ft. down to 15” x 10”.
[4] PRO INF 1/226, ‘Letter from I.S.Macadam, MOI to E.Rowe-Dutton, Treasury’, September 4 1939.
[5] PRO INF 1/6, ‘First Report on the Activities of the Ministry of Information from September 3 to September 17 1939’, September 1939.
[6] PRO INF 1/302, ‘Summary of Activities of Home Publicity Division’, September 28 1939.

I have lots more I could say, and hope to be back with some more considered comments, summarising elements of my PhD, before I get round to the book!

Some Links:

Stories
Simon Edge, 'Sign of the Times', Daily Express, 19th March 2009 (not online)
Jon Henley, 'What Crisis?', The Guardian, 18th March 2009
Jess Cartner-Morley, 'Women of Britain - your designers need you!', 28th February 2009
'Keep Calm and Put Your Poster Up', Guardian Picture Gallery (not the subverted design!)
Jane Fryer, 'Exquisitely understated, utterly inspiring, the wartime poster striking a chord in our credit-crunch times', Daily Mail, 19th March 2009
Stuart Hughes, ''The greatest motivational poster ever?', BBC News, 4 February 2009
'Bookseller discovers rare wartime Keep Calm and Carry On poster', Telegraph, 23 February 2009
I'm trying to identify a story I saw the other week, regarding temporarily taking on less hours to secure a job, as this poster was on the pictured employees desk...
Products
Barter Books: the 'Keep Calm' range (Mary's blog entry on the success of their find, the history (taken from my site))
The competition, obliquely referred to by Barter Books.
Retro to Go: Keep Calm
Keep Calm: Rugs