Saturday, August 02, 2003

... my small, hurt car limped home from the Lake District today without further incident. Its failure limited our holiday a little, but it shall be fixed. I was sustained on this worrying journey by my young nephew. On leaving him at Windermere station to begin his long journey to Sussex, his parting words were "See you at Greenbelt". Four words which never fail to thrill.

Friday, August 01, 2003

1. The number of outstanding emails in my Greenbelt Inbox is the lowest it’s been for a long, long time.
2. Talking to various Greenbelt people on the phone over the last few days (“no we can’t use the Inflatable Church for archery….”). Good, good people.
3. The Onion
4. Heading straight from work to a party tonight – I intend to make the most of the night off. It’s a leaving party for friends moving from Warrington to Manchester (sensible move!), so I guess they’re not going to be too worried about upsetting the neighbours. At any rate I think they’re all invited…as it seems are half the local constabulary…hmmm.
5. Strawbury Duck booked for Sunday night. Trains direct from Manchester Piccadilly – just need to remember it’s a request stop at Entwistle…
6. My mother just phoned to ask if I knew the lyrics to Agadoo as she and her physiotherapist were chatting and couldn’t get beyond the bit about pineapples. I really wonder if it’s ‘physical’ therapy that’s most needed here…
7. Nitin Sawhney’s Human and Kings of Leon's Youth and Young Manhood continue to soundtrack my life...luverly!
8. New BRMC album is due out 19th August and early reviews suggest it’s going to live up to their debut. No surprises what will be playing in the Duty Office through build week. It may have to compete against Sally’s Pan Pipe CD on Front Desk however – honestly these people who’ve just got back from Peru!

We’ve just booked tickets to see Batman round the corner at the deserted Gorton Monastery. The gothic setting should work really well.

It’s part of the Stella Artois Screen Tour, taking classic films to fitting settings. As corporate sponsorship of the arts goes, at least this has some imagination.

So what classic film would suit our favourite festival? National Velvet perhaps ? Or maybe Carry on Camping?

Then again to my mind nothing is more Greenbelt than the Script video. Fond memories of sneaking in the back of the Sticking Late Show and watching Pip try and explain this icon of audio visual media.

It’s got to be down the back of someone’s sofa. Let’s all go home and check tonight eh? No cushion should be left unturned!

Wednesday, July 30, 2003

Well we’re in the home stretch now, less than a month to go.

The email traffic doesn’t show any signs of slowing however - 1,577 since January alone (I’m hoping there’s not a test!) and they’re still coming.

The subject matter varies greatly, with titles including things like Venue Manager’s Training Day, Visual Arts Timings, Holes in the Ground, Technical Spec for Cabaret, Black-out Material, Anyone Need Sofas?, Essential Information to go out with Tickets, Radio Allocations and Noise and Other Stuff.

Of course there’s always the more unfortunately titled, Run Down received from the medic team and the series entitled Feedback on Loop System…

Of course nothing however can surpass the long discussion between the Visual Arts team, Fire Officer, Health and Safety Advisor, Production team, Site Ops and Racecourse entitled simply...Lard. I really couldn’t begin to explain…

What other organisation would give you a mix like that? Gotta love it eh?

I've been asked to fill in one of those Q&A type things for an on-site publication the folk in The Tank have planned. One of the questions asks what I'm expecting for the weekend. I found myself day dreaming... I'm sat in the Tiny Tea Tent as the sun sets over Cleeve Hill, surrounded by the best of friends, hearing the stories of their days...drifting overhead is some wonderful music and the smell of noodles is wafting in from a nearby stand... we're laughing at the latest tale of bizarre happenings and suddenly I feel it...that Greenbelt vibe.

What do you see when you close your eyes and dream of Greenbelt?

I have been too in 'ya face' on this blog so I am going on retreat for a week or more ........ the truth is ......I am in Prague ...... so I will catch your blogs when I get back ........

live in wonder
dive for Pearls
take a deep breath
take at least one
you can do it

bhp

I feel like I am about to go on a big big adventure.
I feel like I am about to experience something of wonder.
With many people.
Myself as one of the players.
Myself as one of the spectators.
Myself playing a part.
Wonder.

I feel that I am a failure in things I desire to do.
Want I want to do just does not happen.
My ideal falls far short.
It is so difficult.
Some I delight in.
Some I feel the big struggle.

The former 'feel' is the Prague Festival.
www.2003.eay.org
The latter is my direct work with people in such great need.
There is no 'www'......... for this ...... just see my blogs.
At this point I pause and unlock the laptop with Gilles Peterson, my favorite DJ, detail for new bloggers, and I have now the joy of listening to Worldwide GP04. .........Jazz fuzzed with dance, hip hop and ....... I will listen to it more...........

Yep. The feeling of being inadequate is there all the time. Ok, I know the work is not easy .......... as the life lived by some of these bhp's IS NOT.

I was asked a question tonight about why I was so committed to 'people'.
I stumbled to answer but ..... out came the experience of mine when I was 15. It was then ........ Then I was trusted in leadership as a 'good for nothing' trouble maker in the 'b stream' and a school failure.
I fumbled the words also when I talked about a later experience, when I was 21, when I became a Christian ..... or started on that road by becoming a certain sort of Christian. That I enthused about, it was the directional kick I was given and decided upon myself.

The trouble is, I could have continued to expound on the experiences which have been so influential on my life. They have been significant ...... and there are more which I yet have to clock.

So both my feelings today which I share ........ both are doing great things in my soul....... I do believe.

So I share just a little of this continuing journey towards wholeness which is the mission.

I read this today which gave me INSPIRATION to .......
"As regards U2, there is joy in the music that allows us to take up the big issues and go through them. There's a sense of wonder in the music, there's a sense of faith and of possibilities" Bono, 2001

Tuesday, July 29, 2003

God put a smile upon your face ................. Coldplay........ not available ........... whatsthisallaboutthen?
bhp

Monday, July 28, 2003

I love the e-mail forum in the lead up to Greenbelt.
Best is after.
This year there will be surprize issues to talk about.
Blessings as well.
Are we open to blessings?

bhp

......... a Groovement

bhp

.......Martin Wroe .......... to be at the festival.

bhp