Something eerie is going on.

As I am sure many others have done, I checked out what my neighbourhood looks like from above by using the google maps satellite view. Apart from noticing that I need a new roof, I couldn't help but notice that a strange feature seems to be quietly spreading throughout the landscape of suburbia. Is this another phenomenon akin to crop circles? Indeed, could these be the foundational pads for some mysterious infiltration of our world by life-forms unknown? Is this a danger to civilisation as we know it? I have ringed the strange apparitions in red, but I know for a fact that since this picture was taken, two additional 'urban landing pads' have appeared. Firstly, one in my very own back garden about a month ago. Secondly, in our neighbours garden only yesterday! Whatever these things are, they are appearing under our very noses. Who knows where the next one will appear and what their real purpose is. Could there be at this very moment one being manifested in your back garden? Have you looked out of your window this morning... the end could be coming.

It is finished.

Well, the exams are anyway! It's difficult to say how they went – I don't think I will be getting any A's – let's put it like that. Now I am sat at home, finishing the coursework that I never did, keeping the Greek ticking over and enjoying a bit of free reading. I've just started Timothy Keller's Counterfeit Gods. I've only read the introduction, but it seems promising.

I'm also hoping that the Good Agency will be in need of some freelance help... but we'll see :)

Escape from WEST!

The view as I studied
 whilst on my little adventure.

So 9.30am came and I turned over the Greek exam paper. Oh dear. It was as I had feared - full of stuff that I can only describe as Greek. Three brain-watering hours later, I was the last to leave the exam. Some parts of the exam I didn't complete, others I know I got wrong. On the upside - I'm pretty sure I got my name right at the top of the page ;)

I had a bite to eat before packing the rest of my lunch into a rucksack, along with my books for revision. Off I went exploring. I had heard about a nearby beach that sounded interesting... although I never made it. I got side-tracked by a little discrete location that I drove past. I stopped there and did some work, enjoyed the sun and finished my lunch. It was great. But then it got cold and rained (Don't you just love Wales?). So I'm now back at WEST - my great escape over. Time to continue my revision for the Biblical Theology exam tomorrow. Whoppppeeeeeee.

Exams

So it's finally arrived. Exam time. I travelled to Bridgend, Wales by car, hauling a ton of books with me. Had a microwave curry (Tesco's finest, don't you know) and then settled down to revise for my 3 hour Greek exam tomorrow. I then fancied a cup of tea and so nipped downstairs to pop the kettle on. Neglecting to wear any shoes proved to be a significant error. By the time I had entered the kitchen my socks were augmented by a number of new accessories - what's is that sticking to my sock? A piece of cereal? Rogue pea? A new life-form perhaps? Grim. Anyway, have managed to dust off the soles and return to the relative safety of my room. It's not all bad though - did have a nice little chat with a brother called Hue - he is going to be an assistant pastor at a church (somewhere). Good for him, I hope it all goes well for him. Now back to my Greek. Ahhh.

Laziness can be a great motivator

There are a number of things that men feel obliged to fulfil in order to feel as though they are being a Real Man: protecting and providing for their family; being funny and/or respected; to be able to barbecue; being able to operate technology without instructions... and being able to fix things. This last requirement, in particular, can be a cause of some concern, especially among the younger generation. For, gone are the days when men seemed to be born with an intrinsic knowledge of mechanics, house maintenance and general handiness. Instead, not all, but many modern professional men seem more inclined to 'call in the expert', than to get their hands dirty. Unfortunately, I myself, fall into this bracket. Some may see this as laziness, others as a simple consequence of the need to specialise, and so therefore to be accomplished in their field, but hopeless in others.

However, there are a number of factors that can sway even the most 'specialised' of men to dust off his toolkit, role up his sleeves and get stuck in. In my recent case, these were money and washing-up.

It all started when the dishwasher decided that enough was enough and that it had been faithfully washing our dishes for quite long enough and that it was time for a break. This minor rebellion manifested itself in the fact that the dishes no longer came out sparkling and dry, but wet and smeary. The thought of the cost of calling out a repair man plus the cost of parts was too much to bare, and so it was I found myself scouring the internet for answers. After a little investigation it became apparent that the problem was due to the water not being heated, which could be caused by either a faulty heating element or a fault with the PCB (printed circuit board). What also became apparent was that my particular model of dishwasher was prone to suffering from a dry-joint on the PCB where the relay was soldered on. This all sounded a bit too complicated for my liking.

The wiring loom attached to the PCB,
contained within it's plastic case

Now, my dear wife had been baking and the kitchen was a mess and it became apparent that it was my job to clear up. However, I reasoned that if I could fix the dishwasher, my task would be achieved much quicker. And so it was, that out of sheer laziness and a fear of the washing up mountain, I recalled the instructions and set about the rather daunting task of taking apart my dishwasher. This involved a lot of head-scratching, sweating and procrastinating, but upon investigation, the suspected fault was found, the dry-joint re-soldered and the dishwasher reassembled.

Having fixed the dishwasher, it called for a trial run, and so I loaded everything I could lay my hands on into the dishwasher and set it going – hence I have time to sit and right this blog. But did it work? I've just this moment run downstairs and opened the door mid-cycle and... was engulfed by a cloud of steam. So it appears the dishwasher has been recalled from it's brief holiday and is now merrily heating up the water again. And I feel a tremendous sense of satisfaction – I feel like a Real Man. Who said being lazy was all bad?

Greek principal parts.

Sorry about the lack of updates recently; life has been hectic. The exam season is fast approaching and I'm bogged down in second semester Greek. John Kendall, my lecturer in Greek, feels that it would be beneficial for us to learn the principal parts for a good number of Greek verbs. Good stuff, but... to say it's doing my head in would be an understatement. Oh well, it'll all be worth it in the end :)

New life for the humble Shoe Horn

I don't usually have much use for that rather quaint little tool known as a shoe horn. However, the other day I was preaching at a church in London. A good friend was picking me up on his motorbike and brought along all the necessary gear – including a helmet. Unfortunately, I have been blessed with a rather ample set of ears. And so it was, early one Sunday morning, I found myself trying to squeeze my head and it's accompanying appendages into a rather snug helmet. Let me assure you, undertaking a 45 minute journey on the back of a bike with one's ears folded in half is not to be recommended.

When I thought about this I came upon the solution – a shoe horn. Yes, the humble shoe horn could be used to keep one's ears flat and allow the helmet to be slid on neatly and thus avoid the unpleasant problem of ear folding. Although admittedly whizzing about on a super-bike with a shoe horn stuck in your belt doesn't seem to fit with the biker image, it does make for more comfortable riding!