I had a terrible dream last night in which, I got to Cheltenham on the Monday before Greenbelt and someone asked “I presume X is going to be doing Y job again this year?” At which point I realised I had completely forgotten to contact X and we now had no one to cover job Y. Major panic! I won’t say who or which job it was, but if you happened to receive a phone call from me today…
It was another wonderfully sunny day here in the north-west. I would have loved to get out to the Peaks to enjoy it fully, but unfortunately I had a prior engagement in town. A double whammy as I also didn’t get past Kendals without falling prey to the “special gift when you buy 2 Clinique products” temptation... In contrast to such wanton consumerism, I did manage to release another book into the wild. I hope it finds a good home.
The day ended nicely with myself and a friend making the most of some free tickets that had come my way to see a play at the Lyric Theatre at the Lowry. The stunning architecture still gets me every time I visit. Not a bad show either – certainly worth every penny ;-)
.........just been chilling to comic relief ....after a long week long days .....I think they do a fantastic job .....so powerful ........reminded me too about the rolling magazine at greenbelt because I used to get the kids doing such wild games (baked bean trifle) and the next instant talking about feelings,god,relationships,hurts ......and they did it.!!
Such powerful communication on tv. Educational without the boring name tag.
Tommorrow I meet charlie at tate modern who is draging me into a photo shoot ......at least the background will be attractive .........he is doing a major upgrade on my website for when I move on in 2 weeks. Great man. You will see the results ................................... thinking at the mo .......how much can I be honest in a life which is full of confidential bits ........................ then I will get back to rugby league on tv (big relaxer) and out for a curry on sat night with friends ......as you do ........................ doing chapel at the ymca on sunday at 8pm .....the last ......... what do you do/say/ to about 15 residents living at the ymca ..................? ..........most recovering from something ......bit like me really .............see ya
bhp
In these worrying times and after a somewhat sad week (see Pip's blog below) it’s been nice to finish on a more positive note.
It’s a stunningly gorgeous day here – the kind that makes you think that your memories of summer sun weren’t just a figment of you imagination.
The Comic Relief thing is helping as well I guess; everyone is dressed down and chilled out at work (for once).
Popping out at lunchtime I also noticed that the local shop sign that used to read “Just Curtains – for quality wallpaper, fabrics and curtains” has now renamed itself “More than… Just Curtains”.
Which, seems fair enough really.
Pit of my stomach sickened this morning by news of a friend in intensive care, beaten near to death for no obvious reason by a gang of youths whilst out jogging;
Pit of my stomach worried about the future in a clergy meeting discussing the financial bancruptcy of the church and the consequent paring-down of full-time ministers;
Pit of my stomach full of Cumberland sausage and the best Cains beer over a restorative lunch with the same colleagues in the celebrated Brewery Tap;
Pit of my stomach thrilled with anticipation of Greenbelt this afternoon while making plans to take along a friend and colleague for his first-ever GB this year;
Pit of my stomach sated after an evening's great conversation with a good old friend, and play with his two charming little toddlers, catching up after months even though we only live two miles apart;
Pit of my stomach saddened I've not had an invite to a GB30 birthday bash just discovered on email, even though I'll likely have to miss it anyway......
.... it's been a pit-i-ful, pretty full day.
People keep using the 'R' word ......thinking that I am retiring when I am neither retired OR TIRED!! ........and when I leave here I will be starting new work the day after .......doing christian and spiritual development for the national ymca movement (2 days a week) and working for the other days for ymca's,especially with residents in hostels.Doing my favorite - group work-stylie .......so the goodby from here ( www.romfordymca.org ) is 31st March and hello to the new on april fools day hmmmmmmm
pip@pipwilson.com
Just leaked from the eye a little...........just read a few posts on the greenbelt forum from people who attended the funeral today of Ben. He was at a greenbelt week-end recently with a whole group of us........3/4 weeks ago. He committed suicide a few days ago. He left a wife and three small children. They were all on the week-end and regular passionate Greenbelt people. He was also a passionate pacifist and Christian.
The service described took me there and I felt the pure goodness of the man. The beauifulness of that whole little family .......now not so whole. Now incomplete. Now one less pacifist to speak out for light,for peace,for great things ...................... Bruce Cockburn sings:- " ....if we walk towards the light, our shadows fall behind us ...."
Bless Ben. In that light. Bless that little family.........................pip@pipwilson.com
I think I know how the Blue Peter tortoise must have felt…
Back then the passing seasons were marked by the annual rituals; preparing its hibernation box as winter approached and then the grand awakening each spring when it surfaced uncertainly, eyes blinking as its head slowly emerging from under its shell.
So when I find myself suddenly having 3 Greenbelt meetings in 8 days and each night my inbox grows ever fuller with draft site plans, venue arrangements, requests and queries, I guess it means it must be that time of year again!
Not that Greenbelt hibernates over winter – everyone’s been busy plotting and planning and daring to dream it all up again – bigger and better than ever. But now it all starts really kicking in and we need to start knitting those ideas and visions into reality so that it all comes together in time for August.
So apologies to anyone waiting for me to reply to their email – only I’m still a bit startled by the glare of the studio lights…
Anyone got a lettuce leaf?
......missed yesterday as my connection from darling NTL was lost for well more than 24 hours .......I will be back later
bhp
It's not that I'll miss Barry Sheene like I would a friend. I haven't given Sheene a thought in years. But like my Dad (with whom I share this passion), I feel like something significant's dropped out of life.
Used to be a biker, y'see. Never bothered with cars till I was in my late twenties, dull, dangerous, unsightly and unsighted things that they are. Bikes are dangerous too, but mainly to those on them, who are at the mercy of other road users too self-absorbed to notice they're there.
Sheene, as I put it poetically in my blog yesterday, was my inspiration for days of grit and speed, summer Saturdays spent whizzing up the A59 to the Dales or bouncing over the Cat and Fiddle to the Peaks (Liverpool's a fantastic touring centre), wet winter weekdays dodging articulated lorries and potholes fifteen miles along the Dock Road.
Sheene had metal plates in both knees, 28 screws in his legs and a bolt in his left wrist from his two-wheeled exploits. Me, a few scars on my right knee, that's all. I'll bike again one day, if my disposable income reaches second-hand-Ducati proportions. Or if my Dad, still speedin' after all these years, finally gives up on his Jap racer and hands it down to me.
..such wondrous people are these gbers .................all been on,and still are, a journey of faith. So much real workers ......working the faith thing out in their lives .........sorry not much chance to chat but a pint after helps build the body and relationships .......then we all shoot off .........
How is your day?
Mine you say?
well ................felt some pressure today because I had to pick up some head down work that had to be done today. Written stuff. Focus stuff. Vital. So there was no time for e mails and opening the mail and doing other important things ................and no time for people ...................but that is right and wrong. Because in the ymca community, where I have my being, there are people under every footstep,every glance of the eye ....there is eye contact and smiles and warmth .......damn ......will miss all this when I leave three weeks tommorrow ................and the new Bishop of Barking called and said, as we stepped towards the coffee ...........I have been a fan of yours for years,have read your books .................stink,yet another who has come under the influence of 'baked bean trifle' and all the other games which always include allowing God to place a fingerprint on the soul.
The Bishop was interested in how we did 'Christian community' and dug deep.
............better go and have a milk drink to ease the night in because otherwise I will not be sleeping again through excitement ....................good night you special humans .......let me know you exist ........ pip@pipwilson.com
.......some great names as fellow bloggers...... hello dear friend.....we are on a journey now,all the way to the wondrous GREENBELT. I am a bit tired now and ready for zzzzzzzzz. Had a week-end of level 5 communication with a group I have been a member of for 23 years. We come together about 2/3 times a year and just hang out together OTHER than taking turns (we draw names out of a hat) to talk for an hour including questions about our kissing,work,feelings,relationships,joys and stubblings through life. Always I am not ready for it and have so many other things to do. AWAYS it is fantastic in a' touch of heaven' sort of way. When you are that close you breath together. As if joined at the hip. As if we were lovers (which we are in the most beautiful sense). AS if we shared each others pain,wedo. As if all relationships could be like this.They can.
You will not 'get it'. It is strange ......as is the kingdom of God. Excentric someone said of me.(only once honest !) This could be said of the group .........but I don't care !!
So ......I have not told you much ......but it is real. Like meeting with the Queen was. Much more me. BUT ....all are beautiful human persons ....................goodnight .............or goodmorning !! .......................bhp