I always have loved long hair. Possibly because I have none.
In shock.
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
Back at the UN Disaster Risk Reduction gathering
One company in New Zealand invested $6m. It saved 65m people.
I was here two years ago and a lady who heads a Japanese company was speaking about the impact of the earthquakes and tsunamis to the 2500 people of the nations (around 190 of them represented here). Today she speaks proudly to encourage the people to engage at local level, to use your core business to look for solutions and learn from new areas and disasters.
Pretty inspiring being here again especially as the attendees of last time are now on the panels calling out for new champions for such areas as disasters.
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Boys of Steel
So I'm excited.
I can't wait to see the new up and coming Superman film "Man of Steel".
This trailer is absolutely superb and captures everything I love about the character.
The suit has served this family well too:
I can't wait to see the new up and coming Superman film "Man of Steel".
This trailer is absolutely superb and captures everything I love about the character.
The suit has served this family well too:
Saturday, 11 May 2013
80
We celebrated my father in law's 80th birthday today.
Had a marvellous meal in the Carpenter's Arms near Hadlow.
Amazed at how much time had gone by and also how some who were not at the table as they had passed on.
Time. What a thing. Waits for no one and just keeps going. However as a captain of the Enterprise comments:
"Someone once told me that time was a predator that stalked us all our lives...
... but I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment because they'll never come again.
What we leave behind is not as important as how we've lived.
After all ... we're only mortal."
Happy 80th Dad.
Thursday, 9 May 2013
the cinema experience
I've just seen Star Trek: Into Darkness.
I treated myself to see this in the IMAX format.
Wow and WOW!
The film was breathtaking. A non stop thrill. But the experience was phenomenal. An enormous creen on which I had to turn to get from one side to the other. A screen that created a depth lower than my vision. And good heavens the sound was powerful.
A few time I felt my stomach leave me. A few times the sounded penetrated through me. I gasped many times and even shed a tear. What a great experience.
It is this experience that I have always craved when stepping into the cinema. From when I chased with Luke Skywalker on his speeder bike on Endor, the gun rack with Neo and basement fights with Tyler Durden to the vampire brawls with Seth Gecko. The combination of character, thrills and intriguing story telling are my favourite cocktail for cinema.
The experience was certainly complemented by the extras such the glasses, the walk in to the theatre, the short welcome by the staff member exclaiming that the screen is the largest in the country.... even the stewards with their torches at the end of the aisles reminded me of smoked filled screens of a youngster waiting for the ice cream lady to come over.
As the film ended an applause rung round the auditorium. I, too, was grateful for the experience. Thank you.
I treated myself to see this in the IMAX format.
Wow and WOW!
The film was breathtaking. A non stop thrill. But the experience was phenomenal. An enormous creen on which I had to turn to get from one side to the other. A screen that created a depth lower than my vision. And good heavens the sound was powerful.
A few time I felt my stomach leave me. A few times the sounded penetrated through me. I gasped many times and even shed a tear. What a great experience.
It is this experience that I have always craved when stepping into the cinema. From when I chased with Luke Skywalker on his speeder bike on Endor, the gun rack with Neo and basement fights with Tyler Durden to the vampire brawls with Seth Gecko. The combination of character, thrills and intriguing story telling are my favourite cocktail for cinema.
The experience was certainly complemented by the extras such the glasses, the walk in to the theatre, the short welcome by the staff member exclaiming that the screen is the largest in the country.... even the stewards with their torches at the end of the aisles reminded me of smoked filled screens of a youngster waiting for the ice cream lady to come over.
As the film ended an applause rung round the auditorium. I, too, was grateful for the experience. Thank you.
Sunday, 5 May 2013
Friday, 26 April 2013
"Elijah"
I was at a friend's for breakfast today and I was arriving he said one of my sheep has given birth. Could you help me bring the lamb to the barn.
I put on some Wellies, a water proof and a hat and went out in the rain. We walked through the barn where the current lambs were. It was full and we saw a lamb stuck in the fence. My host freed her up and she happily was rejoined with her mother. As we walked around we met the others and a fox had recently come and helped himself to six of the lambs. Security was tough. Sadly one black lamb had died.
We walked over two fields and to a river bank where a ewe was standing and my host approached gently from the side. The mother was hovering over a small black lamb. He signalled me and that was my cue to approach. After handing me a towel I grabbed the lamb. Barely an hour old and wrapped it up.
As we walked the mother and child back the two blessed to one another and I held this amazing newly born lamb with such affection and protective spirit that I only felt when we had our own children.
We dropped them both to the barn and settled them.
Triumphantly we went back to the house to have breakfast. As I left to start my day my friend said we name them all with a name starting with "E"- I'll let you name him. Instinctively I wanted Elijah a name that I've always loved.
Here he is.
I put on some Wellies, a water proof and a hat and went out in the rain. We walked through the barn where the current lambs were. It was full and we saw a lamb stuck in the fence. My host freed her up and she happily was rejoined with her mother. As we walked around we met the others and a fox had recently come and helped himself to six of the lambs. Security was tough. Sadly one black lamb had died.
We walked over two fields and to a river bank where a ewe was standing and my host approached gently from the side. The mother was hovering over a small black lamb. He signalled me and that was my cue to approach. After handing me a towel I grabbed the lamb. Barely an hour old and wrapped it up.
As we walked the mother and child back the two blessed to one another and I held this amazing newly born lamb with such affection and protective spirit that I only felt when we had our own children.
We dropped them both to the barn and settled them.
Triumphantly we went back to the house to have breakfast. As I left to start my day my friend said we name them all with a name starting with "E"- I'll let you name him. Instinctively I wanted Elijah a name that I've always loved.
Here he is.
Friday, 19 April 2013
Ten
Ten years.
TEN yeeeears. Wow!
Ten years ago Angie and I made a public vow. A vow which today we particularly remember, treasure and celebrate. This vow has guided us, carried us, held us, binded us in a bond that simply beyond words can describe. I cannot describe how, why or even what this is. I can describe what has been done like when we first made the decision to drop my salary... Or when we decided to move house, or have children to even smaller matters like choosing the colour of paint in the lounge. The bond however I cannot find words for. The loyalty. The love. The patience. The continual seeing that the best is yet to come. The belief in potential. The sense of companionship. Man... All these things. Wow.
All this from a vow... An act of will.
We sit amazingly where we honeymooned, enjoying a coffee, enjoying the stunning Scottish vistas, looking back with a welling of gratitude for the gift of these ten years.
Happy anniversary.
(http://solanky.blogspot.co.uk/2007/04/4-years.html?q=Anniversary)
TEN yeeeears. Wow!
Ten years ago Angie and I made a public vow. A vow which today we particularly remember, treasure and celebrate. This vow has guided us, carried us, held us, binded us in a bond that simply beyond words can describe. I cannot describe how, why or even what this is. I can describe what has been done like when we first made the decision to drop my salary... Or when we decided to move house, or have children to even smaller matters like choosing the colour of paint in the lounge. The bond however I cannot find words for. The loyalty. The love. The patience. The continual seeing that the best is yet to come. The belief in potential. The sense of companionship. Man... All these things. Wow.
All this from a vow... An act of will.
We sit amazingly where we honeymooned, enjoying a coffee, enjoying the stunning Scottish vistas, looking back with a welling of gratitude for the gift of these ten years.
Happy anniversary.
(http://solanky.blogspot.co.uk/2007/04/4-years.html?q=Anniversary)
Saturday, 13 April 2013
Hanging out
Spending some time in the woods with the Tranters this Easter.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Pepenbury
Friday, 12 April 2013
A nice rainbow on the way home
Broken light. A sign. A Promise. Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain.
Love rainbows. Was awesome to see such a sight on my short walk home.
Love rainbows. Was awesome to see such a sight on my short walk home.
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Monday, 8 April 2013
Good bye eighties
An icon of my decade of growing up died today.
She was the first English Prime Minister. A testimony of a strong female leader.
She was the poster girl for that era.
Margret Thatcher, Conservative Prime Minister of the UK for 11 years during 1979 to 1990, passed away today aged 87.
BBC political writer Nick Robins sums it up well:
"In an era in which politicians are all too often greeted with indifference, it is easy to forget that Britain was once led by a woman who inspired passion - both love and loathing.”
She was decisive and divisive.
I recall how everyday we'd see the update on the Miner's Strike. I saw the people rise up when being taxed to live. I lived with the idea of "me" being popularised. I recall Adrian Mole's headteacher displaying, proudly, his poster of Margret in his office. I recall when they announced the war in the Falklands. The SAS raid at the Iranian Embassy. The bombing in Brighton.
These were the days that I grew up in with Margret Thatcher as our leader.
I can't really say that I was an admirer nor supporter of her.
But today I find myself feeling a sense of loss with the news of her death. A reminder how life, no matter whether its my friend or opponent, is precious. Each of us matter. Each of us carry a unique signature. Today I mourn for Margret Thatcher.
"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr.
She was the first English Prime Minister. A testimony of a strong female leader.
She was the poster girl for that era.
Margret Thatcher, Conservative Prime Minister of the UK for 11 years during 1979 to 1990, passed away today aged 87.
BBC political writer Nick Robins sums it up well:
"In an era in which politicians are all too often greeted with indifference, it is easy to forget that Britain was once led by a woman who inspired passion - both love and loathing.”
She was decisive and divisive.
I recall how everyday we'd see the update on the Miner's Strike. I saw the people rise up when being taxed to live. I lived with the idea of "me" being popularised. I recall Adrian Mole's headteacher displaying, proudly, his poster of Margret in his office. I recall when they announced the war in the Falklands. The SAS raid at the Iranian Embassy. The bombing in Brighton.
These were the days that I grew up in with Margret Thatcher as our leader.
I can't really say that I was an admirer nor supporter of her.
But today I find myself feeling a sense of loss with the news of her death. A reminder how life, no matter whether its my friend or opponent, is precious. Each of us matter. Each of us carry a unique signature. Today I mourn for Margret Thatcher.
"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr.
Sunday, 31 March 2013
At Auntie Christine's
Just had a fab stopover en route to our holiday at Auntie Christine's. Played in the park, had snowball fights, ran around, made paper aeroplanes & Indian boats, fed the birds, hung out with cousins Jack n Eva, fish and chips and a slide show of the old holidays.
Not bad for a stopover. A lovely time indeed.
Not bad for a stopover. A lovely time indeed.
Saturday, 16 March 2013
From Jinja to Sevenoaks
I grew up in Sevenoaks. My friends were all from around the area, I went to school, attended church here.
How I got to be here was something that happened before I was alive.
Recently we were invited to run a Struggle For Survival simulation at our old church where I used to attend. I knew it was down to this church and the welcome that we received that I came to be in Sevenoaks.
My Papa was invited to speak of those days and the exile from one country to another.
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
Mummy and Reuben
I must say we have a dry determined boy in Reuben.
He certainly keeps us on our toes right now... We love him and give thanks for him.
Here's one of those lovely times we have with him.
He certainly keeps us on our toes right now... We love him and give thanks for him.
Here's one of those lovely times we have with him.
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
It's snowing... Again
Last week it was nearly t shirt weather and now this (view from Reuben's window).
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Proof that he's a wriggler
Caught him.
Joshie is a nocturnal wriggler and Caleb and I found him drifting out of bed.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Joshie is a nocturnal wriggler and Caleb and I found him drifting out of bed.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Royal Tunbridge Wells,United Kingdom
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