My Favourite Things

“These are a few of my favourite things…”

From The Sound of Music.

We all have favourite things.  A favourite item of clothing, a favourite book, film, place.  A comfort blanket of sorts…

I discovered a new thing today and I really like it.  I was talking to my wife this evening about Finisterre in the context of an environmentally friendly, surf related, clothing company.  She smiled with a look of wanderlust in her eyes recalling memories of an excerpt of a book she had heard read on Radio 4 some time ago called “The Price Of Water in Finisterre.”  Then she went on to pass comment on the meaning of the word – the idea of “finis” meaning “end” and “terrae” related to earth.  So whilst used on ancient maps to depict “Land’s End”, it could also be interpreted as “the ends of the earth.”  I really like that…

The great commission is to take the truth of our beliefs to the ends of the earth.  To live out our convictions and demonstrate grace, mercy and humility.  To preach the gospel and, if necessary, to use words.

A few of my favourite things? 

Smell:  wood burning on a frosty day.

Word:  Kindle or tinder.

Book: Hey Nostradamus! by Douglas Coupland.

Song: “Freak Scene” by Dinosaur Jr.

Film: “Rushmore” or “The Big Blue”.

Place: a cozy room with good food, close friends, coffee brewing, red wine open and the wee small hours beckoning to talk honestly, to do life together and put the world to rights…

Transatlanticism

“I want you so much closer…”

From “Transatlanticism” by Death Cab For Cutie.

I recently looked at the structure of my daily routine: the amount of time I spend in front of a PC at work; the number of lunch hours spent scoffing sandwiches whilst checking emails; the amount of time in the car with the radio on; the number of evenings spent simply preparing for something else in the diary; the constant pressure of trying to beat the clock; places to be; people to see…Was it any wonder I constantly felt tired?  Was it any wonder that my mind was often elsewhere?  Was it any wonder that God often felt distant?

Of late I’ve tried to take 20 or 30 minutes over lunchtime to find an empty room in the office and to eat my sandwiches and fruit slowly, to read my bible and scribble in my notepad.  A small thing has made a huge difference.  I’ve tried wherever possible to walk or cycle instead of using my car for non-essential car journeys.  Life is so much better with the wind in my hair, my iPod in my ears and a range of smells in my nostrils (cherry blossom and bacon butties were notable moments today).

 Maybe a walk with God can be literal aswell as metaphorical…

These Are Days

“These are the days.
These are days you’ll remember.
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this.
And as you feel it,
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky.
It’s true that you
Are touched by something.
That will grow and bloom in you”.

From “These Are Days” by 10,000 Maniacs.

The little small group collective that gather around our dining table and inhabit our home and hearts have been working through a series looking at the topics of simplicity, love and justice in recent weeks. 

There are some big and small ideas that seem to challenge me to the core weekly.  Some little changes I can make and some bigger ones I am trying to work through. 

It’s good to enjoy food and laughs with friends who are also determined to encourage one another to grapple with things it’s easier to dismiss.  For each of us to become who we are meant to be and to think and live counter-culturally at times.

I seem to be hearing lots about consumerism at the minute.  I always falter with that when the new Howies or SAS catalogues arrive.  Mind you, this little piece made me smile:

“Come rain (and there will be), come shine (here’s hoping).  Even if our knees have knobbles and our calves are like sticks, we’ll be hunting through our wardrobes for our favourite shorts.  Because just a few hours of sunshine is all we need to remember those summers when we were kids.  When the sun shone for longer, the days were endless and our only deadline was tea on the table.  And when we got up in the morning and threw on our shorts and t-shirts, grabbed some toast and our bikes or skateboards and left for the day we knew that one day in the future the sun would be shining and we’d be putting on our shorts and remembering that feeling.

These are the days and they always were.”

Peace.

I’m A Message

“I am the best message out of the rest of them.

Are you all alone?  Are you all alone?”

From “I’m A Message”  by Idlewild.

So, Andy and Hugo from Surfers Against Sewage came to Dunbar on Sunday.  They gave a really good overview of environmental issues affecting recreational water users.  It wasn’t just some dusted down powerpoint slide show, but it was pretty obvious they’d really looked into the stuff that affects us locally.

The numbers may have been small, but a really good discussion ensued afterwards.  Some local concerns about the proximity of our surf spots to a cement works, incinerator, landfill and nuclear power station may all seem obvious, but how often do we talk about it?  Some key areas for action were identified.  Thanks, guys.

You can watch the TV coverage on this little clip.

Little Twig

“Your bicycle makes trouble for us all.
Got no brakes.
You got the shakes.
And little boys, well, they drop their toys
When you fly past..yes they do…”

From “Little Twig” by Neil Halstead.

Read this interesting article in the paper over the weekend.  

This quote caught my attention, “cycling is proven to get safer the more people do it. For instance, a 91% increase in cycle use on London’s main roads between 2001 and 2008 was accompanied by a 33% reduction in cyclist casualties over roughly the same period”.

I also read the following whilst preparing our small group this week, “The massive middle class of the world, numbering some three billion people, travels by bus and bicycle.  Mile for mile, bikes are cheaper than any other vehicle, costing around $100 in most of the Third World and requiring no fuel.  They are also the most efficient form of transportation ever invented and, where not endangered by polluted air and traffic, provide their riders with healthy exercise.”

On yer bike.

Message In A Bottle

“I’ll send an s.o.s. to the world.
I’ll send an s.o.s. to the world.
I hope that someone gets my.
I hope that someone gets my.
I hope that someone gets my
Message in a bottle”.

From “Message In A Bottle” by The Police.

What does the bottle you drink from say about you? 

 Soft drink manufacturers try to sell us an image through their products – from the extreme sports ads of Pepsi Max in years gone by to the fact that we all know 11.30 is Diet Coke time.  Did you know that Scotland is the only place where coke isn’t the best selling soft drink?  I’m kinda proud of that.

Our bottled beers are also heavily branded and advertised as if we are what we drink.  Take that to its natural conclusion and it might look quite messy. 

Whilst we will have different preferences based on taste, do we think about what certain consumption promotes about us or those that produce it?

I discovered recently that 15 billion plastic bottles of water are sold every year.  I am part of that target market too as I often shun fizzy drinks in favour of water.  But, actually, what does that cost in terms of manufacturing bottles, extracting water and recycling the empty bottles? 

Vending machines dispense 3 billion cups per year in the UK alone.  A further 3 billion cups originate from other sources and together these cups use 24,000 tonnes of polystyrene annually.

I have used a mug at work for years rather than disposable cups for that very reason, but I still go through hundreds of plastic cups a year on the premise that they get recycled anyhow.  Even that process has a cost financially and environmentally.

I get tired of political tirades on the state of our nation’s education measured on the three R’s (reading, arithmetic and writing).  It seems we have begun to educate ourselves better in terms of stewardship of the planet and are using another three R’s – reduce, re-use and recycle.  Clearly our spelling is improving too.

So today I am the proud owner of a new aliminium bottle.  It should reduce my use of plastic cups from the water dispenser in the office and my need to buy bottled water when I head out.  It fits on my bike or in my bag.  It’s not revolutionary and, yet, maybe, somehow it is?

Star Wars Theme Tune

“Mm, mmmm.

Mm, mm, mm, mmmm, mmmm.

Mm, mm, mm, mmmm, mmmm.

Mm, mm, mm, mmmm.”

From “The Theme To Star Wars”.

I’ll let the videoclip below do the entertaining this time around.

This was a clip that was produced a little while back to try and tackle the threat of ship to ship oil transfers in the Firth of Forth.  If you want to find out how to be involved in looking after our relatively local environment, then why not come along to a rare Surfers Against Sewage meeting at The Coast Cafe beside Dunbar Railway Station, Station Rd, Dunbar, EH42 1JX 10th May from 6pm.  I think the guys might have a selection of eco-boards that have been created in conjunction with The Eden Project which may be available for a free trial at Belhaven Beach in the afternoon if the surf’s up.

It’s not just for surfers, but for anyone concerned with local green issues.  Given that East Lothian’s largest Co2 producer is on the doorstep of some our local beaches and that the Torness Powerstation aint too far away maybe it’s time to think local?

The Times They Are A Changin’

“As the present now will later be past,
The order is rapidly fadin’.
And the first one now will later be last,
For the times they are a-changin'”.

From “The Times They are A Changin'” by Bob Dylan. 

I have these beautiful snapshot memories of crisp early morning car rides along gritted rural roads with shards of sunshine penetrating the densely planted bare trees either side.  This would give way to the thrill of arriving in other-worldy Scottish ski resorts ready for a day of pushing myself and being rewarded with hot chocolate, chips, aching leg muscles and sore feet.  It seemed we could go there pretty much every weekend between December and April.  24 years on and the Scottish Ski industry is barely viable.

22 years ago a report from the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development produced a document called “Our Common Future”.  It placed environmental issues firmly on the political agenda and aimed to discuss the environment and development as a single issue.

17 years ago the first Earth Summit convened and this was largely built upon “Our Common Future” and the work of the World Commission on Environment and Development.  This lead to the adoption of the Commission on Sustainable Development.

15 years ago I read “Our Common Future” and the outcome of The Earth Summit as part of a module I was studying at University.  It pressed upon me the urgency of the environmental agenda, albeit I found it hard to think of what a 20 or 50 year timeframe could look like.  I also couldn’t really see how it would fit into the career I was studying for other than in personal lifestyle choices.  Back then I thought that amounted to aspiring to buying deodorant from The Body Shop and not using CFC spray cans.

14 years ago I started my first post University job.  I would attend lunchtime Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars which were all firmly focused upon the key building blocks of the profession.  These tended to address mathematical models, market analysis, planning or legislative changes.  This past week alone, I spent 3.5 hours at CPD events focused specifically upon climate change despite my area of work having not altered particularly since 1995.

13 years ago someone in my church posed the question as to why we always looked for Christian equivalents to things rather than, say, joining a Greenpeace march with a banner for our church in order to make a stand and show that we want to be involved in the debate?   I think it was met with mixed responses and some concern of what we would be aligning ourselves with and whether Greenpeace was really something that all of the congregation felt comfortable being associated with.  As we now look to reorganising our congregation around missional expressions, the first suggestion is one such cluster loosely connected around social justice issues.  Surely this will incorporate environmental concerns. 

9 years ago I chose a Land Rover Freelander as a company car.  I loved having a 4×4.  It felt safe to drive in an elevated position.  I felt that it said something about our lifestyle – the ability to chuck snowboards, our bikes or a drum kit in the back.  6 years ago the Government changed the way in which company cars are taxed, essentially with part of the tax burden linked to the Co2 emissions of the car.  My annual take home pay was significantly reduced as the Freelander was a particularly bad offender.  It was enough to change my behaviour, to give up the car and swap it for a surplus company car which looked boring in comparison.  6 years on, I can’t believe I was so ignorant.

9 years ago some would say that Al Gore was elected as President of The United States of America.  George W Bush took residency in the Oval Office.  3 years ago Al Gore released a book and film entitled “An Inconvenient Truth” which has probably been one of the single most powerful resources in educating my generation and the ones above and below mine.  How different might the world have looked if the Florida seat count had been determined differently in 2000?

Last week the UK government declared that no new coal powered power stations would be built unless Carbon Capture and Storage technology is Incorporated.  This basically means collecting carbon emissions, transporting them to sea and burying them in former oil or gas fields where we have already extracted mineral resources and fossil fuels.  In a strange state of play Ministers, Environmentalists and Power Companies seems to have embraced the decision.  Greenpeace, whilst supportive, have raised various concerns about existing plants or the situation should the new technology not work.

6 years from now the first such new power stations may be operational in the UK.  These will be the first new power stations to be constructed in 30 years.  The suggested locations are the Thames Gateway, on the rivers Humber and Tees and in the Firth of Forth. They will have to be capable of burying 25% of the carbon they produce.

16 years from now any of these new power stations must be capable of burying 100% of the carbon they produce.

41 years from now the net UK carbon account for all six Kyoto greenhouse gases is to be at least 80% lower than the 1990 baseline by reference to the Climate Change Act 2008 which aims to enable the UK to become a low-carbon economy and gives ministers powers to introduce the measures necessary to achieve a range of greenhouse gas reduction targets.

The times they are a changin’.

Fitter, Happier

“Fitter, happier, more productive,
comfortable,
not drinking too much,
regular exercise at the gym
(3 days a week),
getting on better with your associate employee contemporaries ,
at ease,
eating well
(no more microwave dinners and saturated fats)”
From “Fitter, Happier” by Radiohead.

In a podcast I listened to recently Rob Bell said he had vowed to ask himself about every journey he was making – could he walk it and, if not, could he cycle it?  He said it has transformed his life.  He saw parts of his city that he’d never noticed before, he found time to contemplate things.  He suggested such an approach would save time that many of us make driving to the gym, being there and driving back and reclaim some of our evenings.  He said “It’s hard to consider the lilies at 70 miles per hour”.  It makes a lot of sense to me.

I’m not there yet, but I find myself increasingly considering whether a drive constitutes a non-essential car journey and can be replaced with a walk or ride.  Cycling to work has left me feeling fitter, more focussed and happier and has simply involved better utilising time I would ordinarily have been sat behind my steering wheel.  Twice this week I’ve caught up with a friend on their cycle into work and we’ve had the chance to have a really good chat whilst riding to work. 

I can enjoy life in the slow lane or I can go like stink with the wind in my hair and a smile on my face. Tonight, for the first time, I rode part of the way home with my four year old.  It was one of those snapshot moments streamed full of sunshine and happiness.

It’s true you see the world differently from a saddle.  If you’ve not seen the clip below, then I trust you’ll enjoy Edinburgh from a different perspective.

Bicycle Race.

“I want to ride my bicycle.
I want to ride my bike.
I want to ride my bicycle.
I want to ride it where I like.”

From “Bicyle Race” by Queen.

After much deliberation I have taken the plunge and bought a new bike for the commute to and from work (and for general fun and fitness).  I found it helpful to search other blogs and chat-room forums and reviews to assist in my decision – together with some very helpful advice from my neighbour.  I thought it might help someone else if I posted a few comments on my choice.

Firstly, I went for a hybrid which is essentially a mountain bike frame with gearing more suited to road use, particularly more teeth on the front chain sprockets.  I wanted something that would bomb down the cycle lane, so was advised against a comfort or cruising bike and I opted for something with 700 wheels which are larger that the traditional 26″ wheels found on most mountain bikes and many hybrids.  Slick tyres also help with speed and effort for a ride that is mainly on tarmac.

I purchased a Giant Escape R1.  It looks great and rides super-fast! 

There were a couple of essential upgrades.  I reluctantly included mudguards.  I always think they instantly make a bike look boring, but I’ve spent the past few months collecting all kinds of crud on my frame, pannier, clothes and shoes.  I got some Giant QR race guards which are practically invisible and will hopefully limit the amount of spray and rubbish I attract.  I had  to get a new pannier rack given the existence of disk brakes compared with my last bike (a trusty companion of 15 years).  The Top Peak rack is really solid and my Altura Night Vision pannier clips on with more more ease than on my previous rack.  

The bike is matt black and looks pretty mean.  It makes up for the fact that my high viz jacket and 1500 candlepower lights render me brighter than a crowd of ravers with glo sticks.  It’s hard to believe that I didn’t get hit in traffic during my student days of wearing black all the time, cycling daily and often having dead batteries in my lights…