Virtual Methodist

It's been a while since I've messed around with a meme... And I said a week or two back that I might give this one a go ... Although for a while I was a little hesitant because, first, it seemed a little self-absorbed, but then I remembered that I write a blog which is full of my opinions, so how much more self-absorbed can I appear; and second, frankly, the whole thing seemed a tad girly - I didn't see any other males engaging with it... but then Creideamh forged the way ahead for others with a Y chromosome... So here goes... I'll fit them in when I have time/can be bothered... If nothing else it will help members of my new congregation see what sort of a basketcase they now have as a pastor...The theory is that on each of 10 days we make the following disclosures:  1:   10 Secrets 2:   9 Loves 3:   8 Fears 4:   7 Wants 5:   6 Places 6:   5 Foods 7:   4 Books 8:   3 Films 9:   2 Songs 10: 1 Picture Now my ...

Today the plan is that I get all my work done by tea time, then we settle down as a family to watch "Nativity" with Martin Freeman... I think it is my wife's attempt to get this particular Grinch geared up for the coming season. So I thought, given that so many of you loved the recent flurry of memes (yes... with the exception of you Mrs. "I'm too busy for that sort of thing, unlike you boys" Holt), that I would set you another one... Your ten favourite Christmas-related movies... Same rules apply... Post 10 and tag 10 people including me so I can keep track of the fun and games... You can post them as a comment here, on facebook or on your own blog... Here's mine... in no particular order except the first one which is unimpeachably the best Christmas movie ever... and if anyone wants to disagree, its pistols at dawn... 1) It's a Wonderful Life - The piece of Frank Capra magic starring James Stewart which was, mystifyingly, a flop on its cinema rele...

OK... This is another recyled meme from a friend over on Facebook, but this one chimes with me because at a certain time of life a not so young man's fancy turns to thoughts of what they would like to do on this planet before they shuffle off this mortal coil. So this is effectively a "bucket list" What do I want to do before kicking that proverbial bucket? Most of mine are to do with travelling... something I didn't do enough of when younger and with fewer responsibilities to/for others. 1) Visits to Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Jordan (Petra) Rome and mainland Greece - largely shaped by my love of ancient history, and particularly Biblical and ancient church history. 2) Visits to India and Sub-saharan Africa : two areas of the world/cultures that I know far too little about. 3) Visits to Grand Canyon and Great Barrier Reef : to appreciate these 2 natural wonders of the world close up. 4) Direct a Shakespeare play again: probably Titus Andronicus with buckets of blood...

Memes are clearly a bit like buses, you don't see one for ages then 2 come along at once (and what a coincidence to be writing about memes the day after refering to the book that, I believe, coined the term ,Uncle Dick's "Selfish Gene"). Anyway, over on FB I recently forwarded a 15 influential authors meme that has provided people across the globe with discussion topics (and has set me on the hunt of a few new authors), and tonight I came across this "First 15" meme on Connexions . The rules are: 1) Turn on your MP3 player or music player on your computer. 2) Go to SHUFFLE songs mode. 3) Write down the first 15 songs that come up–song title and artist–NO editing/cheating, please (no-matter how bizarre or embarrassing the results are). After listing then tag another fifteen people including me (so I can laugh at your results, although I know in advance that 12 out of 15 on Glenn Jordan's list will be Bruce Springsteen songs, while all of Stocki's list...

Came across this meme on Scotteriology . I wasn't actually tagged... Scott Bailey its author wouldn't know me if I bit him... but a number of things about this meme set me thinking. First, I've been doing far too many Facebook "5 of" quizzes recently (I'm weaning myself off), but this involves a bit more thought. Second, the word meme was devised by Richard Dawkins to describe an idea that develops a reproductive life of its own, and given his well know antipathy to religion, I thought that the fact that this meme is about theological books was particularly ironic. The rules to this particular meme were originally that you should name the five books that had the most immediate and lasting influence on how you read the Bible. Note that these need not be your five favorite books, or even the five with which you most strongly agree, but what five books have permanently changed the way you think. After this the idea was to tag five others. But, as appropriate with...

Ben Myers on his Faith and Theology blog has initiated a "One Movie that..." meme... Here is my list, for what it is worth... Draw up your own and pass it on to 5 people to see what they will make of it... 1. Made me laugh: Shrek 2 2. Made me cry: Its a Wonderful Life 3. Loved as a child: The Forbidden Planet 4. Seen more than once: Star Wars (the original) 5. Embarrassed to admit I liked: The Quiet Man 6. Hated: Meet the Fockers 7. Scared me: Jaws (the last time I jumped in a cinema... I just don't go to "horror" films. 8. Bored me: Hoodwinked 9. Made me happy: Singing in the Rain 10. Made me miserable: Presumed Innocent 11. Afraid to see: 3 and Out in case it really was as bad as everyone said. 12. Character fell in love with: Rachel Weisz's character in the Constant Gardner 13. Last movie seen: Iron Man 14. Next movie hope to see: Speed Racer, Prince Caspian or Indy IV (I've got kids) I tag Glenn , Mark , Ross , Gareth , and Jools in anticipation o...