The Green Godess

does the world deserve to be saved?

2007-02-04T08:46:00.000Z

well the UN report published on last friday, telling very real predictions of our impending self destruction, was long over due.

these facts have been well known for a long time, thank god they are finally, in all their totality, out in public. even more importantly, all nations under the UN now have a responsibilty to accept the UN report, believe in the changing climate, and respond. the debate is over.

or is it?

you know i'm just not sure if humanity deserves to be saved? chinas response to the report was clear (and fair): "why should you (the west) stop us modernising, when you have been doing it for years unregulated?" well yes thats right we've got ourselves into trouble, lets focus on the east (takes the pressure off us now) and make it their problem. well who buys all the equipment and goods made in china? we do. one brit emits the same amount of co2 as a chinaman, its just they have a bigger population. Is the problem really china?

india's response was even more interesting, and the crux of the problem i think. the indian high commissioner to the uk said: "the country's without the sun have the money to make new technologies, and the ones with the sun don't. you pay for it, you give us the technology and we'll use it! we are a developing nation, with thousands even without electricity, and we have have to stop developing?" why should they? we have electricity, we have a health care system....they don't. they have the right to develop, the right for basic infrastructures, don't they?

we take from the east, we created an economy that sustains these problems, we drip feed them technology as though its our western ego-centric capitalist right, when really it a human right.

for too long has business has controlled the way this world spins, the way humanity acts towards other humans. a time is coming when money wont matter, a time is coming when humanity will merely be history, remebered for its greed and lack of "human-ness".

this world needs to choose life, not business. make no mistake profit seeking is killing us.

introducing.....

2007-01-07T17:25:00.000Z

Barbara and Margot.

IT's CLIIIIFFFMAAAASSSS!!!!!

2006-12-14T19:51:00.000Z

How to shower...

2006-11-26T11:18:00.000Z

How to shower like a woman:

1. Take off clothes and place them in a sectioned laundry basket according to lights and darks.
2. Walk to the bathrooom wearing a long dressing gown (if you see Husband along the way, cover up any exposed areas)
3. Look at your womanly physique in the mirror. make mental note to do more sit-ups, leg lifts etc.
4. Place bath mat on the floor and get in shower.
5. Use face cloth, arm cloth, leg cloth, long loofah, wide loofah and pumice stone.
6. Wash your hair once with cucumber and ylang ylang shampoo with 43 added vitamins
7. Wash hair again to make sure its clean.
8. Condition hair with grapefruit and comfrey specially enhanced conditioner.
9. Wash face with crushed apricot facial exfoliant for 10 minutes until red.
10. Wash entire body with gingernut and jaffa cake foaming body wash.
11. Shave armpits and legs
12. rinse conditioner off hair
13. turn shower off
14. squeegee water off all surfaces
15. spray mould with tile spray
16.get out of shower.
17. Dry with towel the size of a small country
18.Wrap hair in super absorbent towel.
19. Return to bedroom wearing long dressing gown and towel on head. if you pass your husband ensure all exposed areas are covered.
20. Use body moisturiser, after shaving balm, face moisturiser, eye cream and neck cream.
21. Get dressed.

How to Shower like a man...

1.Take off clothes while sitting on the edge of the bed and leave in pile on floor
2. walk naked to the bathroom. if you see your wife on the way shake willy at her making 'woo woo' sounds.
3. Look at manly physique in the mirror. admire size of willy and scratch your bum.
4. Get in shower.
5. Wash face and armpits using any available shampoo or soap.
6. Blow your nose with your hands and let the water rinse them off.
7. Fart and laugh at how loud it sounds in the shower.
8. spend the majority of time washing privates and surrounding area.
9. Wash bum, leaving pubes on the soap
10. Wash your hair
11. Make a shampoo Mohawk
12. Wee
13. Rinse off and get out of shower.
14. Fail to notice puddle of water because curtain was hanging out the bath the whole time.
15. Admire willy size in mirror again
16. Leave shower curtain open, wet mat on floor, light and fan on.
17. Return to bedroom again. if you pass wife, pull off towel, shake your willy at her and make 'woo woo' sound.
18. Throw wet towel on bed.
19. Get dressed

tommorow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow

2006-11-12T15:13:00.000Z

Me and jon have been thinking about adding to the family lately. first stop will most likely be a little lamb to add to the farmyard (formerly known as a garden), as long as its safe and humane to keep one in the space we have!

But after that we may move on to humans. we've been chatting with friends about the ethics of childbearing, and the dilemmas of it all. having a baby is a big ecological and ethical consideration for us. by having a baby (as in making one of our own via a special cuddle) we are doubling our carbon footprint, and bringing a person into a world that is not always a nice place.

But on the other hand, we could birth a little eco-warrior who leads the way for millions to follow with her wit and wisdom (mothers side) and prophetic legend tendencies (fathers side), oh, and she'd be stunning too.

we've been thinking more and more about adopting. we have friends that foster, and it is heartbreaking to hear stories about these little babies that are so badly treated. and it makes me want to adopt. there are loads of children on the earth already that need parents, is it better to adopt?

but then on the other hand, I physically long to be pregnant and have the whole mess of birth and all that jazz. I dont think having a baby is a bad thing at all, its just what is best for us?

At the moment, we're sold on having a natural child and then adopting, but then are we taking a risk on our first child by bringing in a potentially messed up second child into the family? or would an adopted child benefit from having extra one on one time before our second is born? or maybe its better to bring an adopted child into an already stable environment. see the dilemmas?!

obviously this is an immensley personal decision, and it may just be taken out of our hands (we're not that careful with contraception!) and theres no guarantee I'm not infertile, you never know till you try. But I'm interested to know what other people think. and, obviously, we cant make any big decisions without submitting them to the blogging community!

For the person who has everything...

2006-10-31T09:38:00.000Z

Green knickers!!

its a little company that has literally just started up making fairly traded, organic knickers! go to this site, there are heat responsive knickers that change colour when it gets warm (fart detectors!) and there are some really funny videos about removing stains from your knickers!!

Santa baby...

2006-10-26T21:19:00.000+01:00

well, since coca cola thinks its acceptable to advertise with santa in October + Brum council lights already twinkle (they may well tell us its eid, but I dont remember santa coming down the chimney anywhere in the muslim tradition) I feel it may be time to start my christmas wish list (Jon are you listening?)

This year, I have kind of shocked myself with my own greed. top of the list is:

Yves St Laurent Touche eclat. It covers up your dark under eye circles (much needed at present). for this, the princeley sum of £20.

I also want pretty much everything in the benefit catalogue, but especially:
Benetint (makes your cheeks look pretty) (£22.50)

The reason I am telling you all this is not to drop hints (though gifts are always welcome!) but something I realised.

Several years ago, the thought of spending more than £5 on make-up would have shocked me, but whether it is a larger income, a subscription to instyle, or hardier wrinkles that has caused it, my idea of what is reasonable to spend on products has increased (not that my disposable income has grown to match it!) I cant even fall back on the 'but it's organic/fairtrade/woven by pygmies' lines that ususally pacify my inner tightwad (and husband).

Will there come a day when I dont even blink at spending £100 on creme de la mer? and what does that mean for my soul? Is the lack of pasty flaky skin ethical justification enough?

Sexual Healing

2006-10-20T18:32:00.000+01:00

And So I found myself on a rainy thursday evening standing on Broad street, handing out tracts. Stopping people and asking if they had just a few minutes to talk about something truly life-changing.Braving the conditions for the greater good. At the end of the evening, as we walked away, the group leader said 'perhaps we made a difference to someones night...'

Yes, thats right my friends...I indulged in...evangelism...

Before you all start rejoicing that i've found the right path again, hold your horses.

It was a syphillis campaign being filmed by Midlands today. and we'll be on a BBC 3 documentary - coming soon! There is a big syphillis outbreak in brum just now, hence why the sexual evangelism was taking place!

Just thought I'd share that little experience with you. made me laugh. specially when 'have you ever heard of Jesus?' was replaced by 'have you ever heard about syphillis?' both life changing, but in very different ways....

should old acquaintance be forgot...

2006-09-26T15:33:00.000+01:00

not sure thats spelled right?!?

anyways, is anyone up for new year in brum this year? its mid way between wales and london, and, well, you all lived there, you know the rest.

we have ample floor space and several beds (though the infirm and pregnant get dibs on them).

whaddya reckon?

A little birthday present for Trev...

2006-09-11T22:18:00.000+01:00

Thats right...the hoff is back. with a new single. and an incredibly creepy video.

find it here: http://www.video.google.com/videosearch?q=david+hasslehoff

(I gave up on trying to post a link so you'll have to DIY!

he seems to be loosing the 'all man' vibe and replacing it with 'drunk uncle'. its not a pretty sight.

still, you gotta love the man who brought us kit and slow-mo running.

Promise I'll write a proper blog soon!

Jodie is curently away....

2006-06-25T14:06:00.000+01:00

Please enjoy these messages from our sponsors...

when Hollywood touches earth...

2006-05-27T20:44:00.000+01:00

(Courtesy of Suck My Blog)

This is Summer from the OC meeting some regular sized girls. Scary huh.

little known facts about 'The Hoff'

2006-05-20T10:51:00.000+01:00

1. When the Hoff goes to give blood he rejects the syringe, prefering instead a handgun and a bucket.

2. The game 'doom' originated when Satan borrowed $2 from david and forgot to pay him back.

3. When the Hoff jumps into a body of water he doesnt get wet, the water gets david.

4. When he runs, his legs dont move quicker, the world revolves faster.

5. 98% of human hair originates from the hoff's chest, the remaining 2% comes from his fro.

6. There is no such thing as the theory of evolution, just a list of creatures the hoff allows to live.

7. David penned his first autobiography 'Star Wars' in 1976. it has since been turned into a series of movies under the pen name 'george luchoff'

8. The saying 'Rome wasnt built in a day' is actually untrue. in fact, the Hoff built it during his lunchbreak whilst filming Baywatch

9. The Hoff's tears can cure most of the worlds life-threatening diseases. unfortunately the hoff never cries.

10. in the average living room there are 1,252 items the Hoff could use to kill you, including the room itself.

11. David coined the phrase 'I could eat a horse' after he had eaten every last unicorn in existence.

12. The Hoff invented black. in fact, he invented the entire spectrum of visible light. Except pink. Tom Cruise invented pink.

13. David can set fire to ants with a magnifying glass. At night.

14. David once played russian roulette with a fully loaded handgun and won.

15. The eternal conundrum 'what happens when an unstoppable force meets and immoveable object' was solved when the hoff punched himself in the face.

Scientology for beginners...

2006-05-07T21:43:00.000+01:00

Watch this. its surprisingly accurate!

Music helps the people come together...

2006-04-29T09:57:00.000+01:00

...As a wise prophet once told.

So. you're allowed 10 songs on your ipod for the rest of your life.

What will you choose?

I will have to think for a bit.

Sandy's lesson of the day...

2006-04-17T16:28:00.000+01:00

So we were watching the OC yesterday, well I was, Jon was pretending he hates it but secretly was into it.

anyways, Sandy was trying to get some developers to choose his firm to develop a hospital. he was up against another firm that was trying to swing the deal by wining and dining the developers.

So Sandy was faced with a choice. he could try wining and dining and probably get the deal, though compromising his business ethics, or he could hope that his honesty and integrity as a businessman would win the deal.

I, as I often do, spoke to sandy through the screen, saying, 'You cant change a corrupt business just by being nice. live in the real world Sandy.'

At which point Jon made a fundamental point. if we were all a bit more like sandy, making decisions based on our morals, the face of business would change. it just takes a heavily browed maverick to start the change.

So maybe we should all try to make decisions a little more like Sandy (eyebrows optional).

(persons who write this blog are not responsible for the actual outcome of the episode...)

Happy Easter!!

2006-04-13T21:15:00.001+01:00

Dont worry, its not a factory farmed rabbit, just a regular sleepy house rabbit, wishing you a happy easter!

So now the formalities of the season are over, we have some difficult decisions that we could do with advice on.

Promise we're not copying Kiera, but we are having severely cold feet about the Brighton move.

We calculated that over 3 years renting in Brighton we would excrete (nice word for poo) £25,200 or thereabouts down the drain. Coulpled with the fact that neither of us have jobs and we have no house there yet, we've (well, me really, my husband remains a warrior) got a bit scared.

So, after a lot of head scratching, we have come up with several options:

1. Move to Brighton as planned and pretend that we arent spending that much.
2. Stay in Brum and buy
3.Stay in Brum and rent somewhere cheap so we can save for a deposit
4. move in with parents
5. Squat
6. split up with Jon, get pregnant (by him obviously) and get a council flat, then get back together.

Our favourite option is number 2, we actually quite love some elements of Brum, and we both have steady(ish) jobs there. but the bank, set on kicking 'public sector' workers while the are down, wont give us much in the way of a morgage. So we may have to buy in a rubbish area.

So, obviously we are paralysed from making a decision until we have at least 100 comments...Go.

a message from the president

2006-04-07T21:27:00.000+01:00

Will Ferrell - Bush on Global Warming on Transbuddha

Never seen in the same room together...

2006-04-01T10:56:00.000+01:00

Jon and Rob??

I was watching Jonathan Ross last night and I was struck at how much Ant and Dec are like Rob and Jon. its kind of scary. Then it struck me. I've never seen ant and dec and jon and rob in the same room together...could it be that our friends arent who they seem??????

oxygen - Willy Mason

2006-03-25T13:03:00.000Z

gen - Willy Mason

I wanna be better than oxygen
So you can breathe when you're drowning and weak in the knees
I wanna speak louder than Ritalin
For all the children who think that they've got a disease
I wanna be cooler than t.v.
For all the kids that are wondering what they are going to be
We can be stronger than bombs
If you're singing along and you know that you really believe
We can be richer than industry
As long as we know that there's things that we don't really need
We can speak louder than ignorance
Cause we speak in silence every time our eyes meet.

** On and on, and on it goes
The world it just keeps spinning
Until i'm dizzy, time to breathe
So close my eyes and start again anew.

I wanna see through all the lies of society
To the reality, happiness is at stake
I wanna hold up my head with dignity
Proud of a life where to give means more than to take
I wan't to live beyond the modern mentality
Where paper is all that you're really taught to create
Do you remember the forgotten America?
Justice, equality, freedom to every race?
Just need to get past all the lies and hypocrisy
Make up and hair to the truth behind every face
That look around to all the people you see,
How many of them are happy and free?
I know it sounds like a dream
But it's the only thing that can get me to sleep at night
I know it's hard to believe
But it's easy to see that something here isn't right
I know the future looks dark
But it's there that the kids of today must carry the light

If i'm afraid to catch a dream
I weave your baskets and i'll float them down the river stream
Each one i weave with words i speak to carry love to your relief.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth....

2006-03-19T22:14:00.000Z

... vengeance is mine sayeth Harold Bishop.

For those of you uninformed of such matters, Harold Bishop has, in the last week, tried to strangle Paul Robinson, the man thought to be responsible for the plane crash which killed Harolds family.

It led me to think (a little bit). If someone murdered my family. would I do a harold? or would I be able to be grace-ful and forgive?

and also, is it always appropriate to be non-violent? Are there times when violence is necessary?

see - neighbours is intellectually stimulating.

Parteee time!!!!

2006-03-08T20:44:00.000Z

I've been invited to a fancy dress party!!

Its a work do, so I cant go as anything too ridiculous or obscure, but I have no ideas whatsoever. Except to go as Rainbow Brite. but I think I might be the only one who will know who she is. So ideas please. it needs to be:

a) instantly recognizable

b) not too dumb

c) attractive in a didnt-try-too-hard way.

I will await your suggestions (sensible only please) with baited breath.

Celebrate fairtrade fortnight with a yummy treat!

2006-03-06T18:43:00.000Z

Here is a recipie for yummy praline:

a packet of digestive biscuits (about 400g) mashed up.

200g butter (melted)

3 tbsp syrup

3tbsp fair trade sugar

3 tbsp fair trade cocoa powder

Mix all of this together and press it into a tin. put in the fridge to set.

once its set, chop up 3 fairtrade bananas and lay them over the base, then melt a bar of fairtrade chocolate and drizzle it all over. put it back in the fridge until set then invite friends over and eat (or eat by yourself!)

I have PMT

2006-03-04T13:45:00.000Z

Shut Up! Go AWAY! Why are you going away? come here. I love you. I Hate you! aaaaaggggghhhh!!!! I'm too hot, turn the fire on. NO not like that. You cant do anything!!!BRING ME CHOCOLATE!! I'm so fat. poor me. sniff, sniff. Stop making that breathing sound.Why arent you hugging me? Stop squashing me! BRING ME CHOCOLATE!!!

(does anyone want to live with me now?)

Am I elderly?

2006-02-26T17:50:00.000Z

I'm a bit worried. I have just discovered the joy of Songs of praise.
I love singing hymns. Loud. My favourite is How great Thou Art. I even love it when they let lovely Aled sing a bit. theres a lovely Cliff Richardy quality to the boy, and the whole programme really. In fact I imagine Cliffs life to be a bit like an episode of songs of praise. except with more screaming ladies, and wine.

No word of a lie

2006-02-20T21:13:00.000Z

I got chased through new street station by a dinosaur this morning.

No, really.

Unless somone put waccy baccy in my porridge.

It was one of those moments when you have to question if you really got out of bed and got dressed. One of those moments where parallel universes collide to make one surreal minute.

It was far too early on a monday morning for microsoft to try out a new fancy dress leaflet campaign.

my sis has a blog!

2006-02-19T11:18:00.000Z

go see her at sarahmarah.blogspot.com (not even going to attempt a link this time!)

see pringy dance!!!

2006-02-16T19:59:00.000Z

discovered this fab video of a pring-lookalike dancing. the video to click on is 'a million ways' proper funny! www.okgo.net/video.asp

Brat Camp

2006-02-08T22:15:00.000Z

Just been watching 'Brat Camp' on Channel 4. Basically, 7 severely messed up, unhappy girls get taken into the wilderness in Utah and made to survive away from drugs, families and alcohol, with the hope that they will reform when stripped of their identities.

Got me thinking. Can this kind of thing really work for behaviour change in the long term? Or will it have what many profound writers call the 'spring harvest effect' whereby an intense experience leads to promises of behaviour change but actually, once back in the same environment from which you came, that change doesnt occur to such a dramatic effect.

Also, how much of the blame for behaviour rests with the parents? by demonising the kids there is no explanation of how the children got that way in the first place. although obviously there isnt always such a straightforeward cause and effect, but surely the parents have to accept some of the responsibility and enrol in parents-of-a-brat camp?

Things I like about weekends...

2006-02-05T12:12:00.000Z

That Friday Feeling (now I dont work shifts!)
Lie-ins with my husband
The Guardian On Saturday
Friends on telly at a reasonable hour
Making bread
Jonathan Ross on Radio 2
The Guardian TV paper
Getting our vegetables delivered
Going to the co-op
Baking
Getting dressed up and going out on a saturday night
Going to church (yes, really!)
Seeing Friends
Eating whatever Tom has made at church

Things I hate about weekends:
Saturday afternoon TV
Sunday bedtime

Is my dad secretly Noel Edmunds?

2006-01-28T18:06:00.000Z

My attention has recently been drawn to the new 'game' show on channel 4. deal or no deal is a show fronted by Noel Edmonds (who, without a doubt has a few crossman genes somewhere in his make-up). the basic premise is 12 people with boxes of varying values, and one person choosing which box to open, hoping that their own box is of the highest value...and thats it really. the job of noel edmonds is to pace around like a prowling lion trying to make, what is essentially a not-that-high-tech coin-tossing experiment look like it needs skill and cunning to achieve.

But it is very compulsive viewing, not least for noels conversations with 'the banker' a faceless entity who offers the main player amounts of money to quit the game. Noel acts his way through these conversations like he is conversing with deity, conveying to the audience, almost, that their very lives hang in the balance of the contents of the box. I am amazed by his skill to create tension out of nothing, like an actor screaming at a blue screen which will eventually show a cgi monster.

Or perhaps it is that I am perplexed by the audience lapping up noels 'witty' banter, hanging on his every word, gasping at the skill it requires to guess which box has £250 000, and more so, perplexed that I am one of the audience. A large slice of our television programming has become like panto with cash prizes. At least Big Brother has some elements of social commentary!

Or is it just that it scares me that he looks so much like my dad?

Tea-the drink of champions

2006-01-24T20:07:00.000Z

Thought you all might like to know how to make a perfect brew:
- select a decent tea (fair trade obviously) using 1 teabag per 1-2 people
- boil a kettle of freshly drawn water, but wait a few seconds before pouring as boiling water scalds the leaves and spoils the flavour.
- pour a little of the hot water into the teapot (oh yes, one must use a teapot) and swirl it around to warm the pot.
- Steep the tea for 3-5 minutes according to taste
- Serve with or without milk or lemon, and a lovely homemade victoria sponge.

you are now a domestic Godess, and a jolly decent Englishman too!
For more tea and decency go to: www.teadirect.co.uk

made me laugh

2006-01-21T23:21:00.000Z

Ever seen these two in the same room?

2006-01-19T12:25:00.000Z

Feeding the hungry, giving the poor a roof over their heads, looking after the emotional and spiritual well being of all mankind, rising from the dead?!?!

Is anyone else seeing the dramatic parallells between Susan K and Jesus C? I mean, neighbours has never been one to avoid hammering home a christian message wherever possible - everybody needs good neighbours - I ask you, it's practically plaigerising the bible.

Maybe neighbours is a post modern parable for us all. maybe we should be urging our friends to turn from their wicked Eastenders habits to follow the only way. join me in a pilgrimage to Ramsay Street....

grumble grumble grumble

2006-01-14T13:58:00.000Z

Is there any point in complaining?

I ask this from a point of having recieved complaints from people all day yesterday, about the appaling lack of resources in the NHS, about humans making human errors, about the general state of life. and I answered them all with the same answer 'I'm very sorry, is there anything I can do to help' when of course I was really thinking 'I dont care, please leave me alone I am very busy and important.' and of course, there is nothing I can really do to help, short of reforming the NHS.

So what is the point of complaining? on the very few times I have complained I have always been met with the company policy line. which doesnt make me feel any better. and I'm sure it doesnt highlight the persons day that I complained to either.

one thing I always say is dont complain unless you are willing to do something about it. but is there really any value in having these negative thoughts anyway? we are becoming a nation of complainers and I hate it.

on a totally seperate subject, I have totally been drawn in to celebrity big brother against all of my best intentions. and I have to say that I have totally changed my view of Jodie Marsh. I always thought she was a very bitter hurt mess. and though she is still all these things, she's also really funny, I loved her swimming pool comment about michael barrymore (who I cant stand). I think she's fantastic and its a shame she left the house!

squashed tomatoes and stew

2006-01-07T20:15:00.000Z

Can I have a list of everyones birthdays please. one of my new years resolutions was to remember and acknowlege all of my friends birthdays, so if you want a card (and quite possibly a present depending on the financial situation that month) please tell me when your birthday is.

For those of you that do not already celebrate it, my official birthday is on 1st January so you have missed it (though belated gifts are still valid and appreciated, ben) however, my state birthday is 5th june, so please feel free to join the parade. hoorah for birthdays!

currently vexing me

2006-01-03T21:03:00.000Z

Gillian sodding mckeith. I cant stand the woman. I am all for healthy eating, but she's like hitler!I've just watched a programme where she has banned chocolate, alcohol, smoking (probably not the worst idea) takeaways, salt, fun, flavour and christmas. in favour of alfafa beans, miso soup and nettle tea.

Has life got this sad? do we really care so much about being slim that we rule out everything we enjoy? (I realise I am speaking from a position of jealousy and obesity). I resent this. she's going in my room 101. (if this was on paper you'd see the chocolate stains from my fingers!)

full of turkey

2005-12-28T18:35:00.000Z

Had to go back to work today. boo. I am now clinically obese thanks to all of the food I've eaten over the last few days. I'm worried I'm becoming an american, obsessed as I am with my new ipod. thank God for weight watchers.

hope everyone had good christmasses...easy on the turkey sandwiches.

My meat and two veg

2005-12-17T14:09:00.000Z

Cliff says 'Eat Seasonal
guys!'

'A wise man plants acorns when he knows he will never sit under their shade'

not sure who said that, its in the Howies catalogue (get it if you haven't already here: http://www.howies.co.uk)

What I'm talking about today is leaving a legacy. when you are old and grey and sitting in your rocking chair, what do you want to leave a smile on your face and a nice warm fuzzy feeling in your tummy?

It could be building a good family, but I think thats something everyone wants. I want us to dream bigger. I want to sit in my rocking chair (built by Jon in the house we built together) and think that I changed a generation for the better. Or at least a community. but if I dont start now, time is just going to tick on by.

So its the end of the year and about time to think of some resolutions I can keep (rather than give up work, or tv or eating for another year). This year, we're going to try to eat seasonally. its another little step on the eco-ladder, and one that us, and our children will reap the benefits of. For a start, eating seasonal means eating the best of the produce at the time its meant to be eaten. those wonderful ugly dirty carrots, and muddy chemical free potatoes that taste so good!
It also means lots of soup in the winter! but lots of yummy salads in the summer. and that, I think puts a bit of anticipation on things too. If you cant have something all year round, you enjoy it all the more when it happens!

It also means we cut down on those nasty air pollution fumes that are used to ship our perfect avocadoes, grapes and startfruit over here in the first place. and it means that maybe our farmer will get a little more money and plant some more vegetables, which we then get to enjoy!

It will also mean that our bodies will be healthy and natural (though I will always shave my armpits, I'm not that kind of natural) and that means super-fertile too, so we can have our little farm workers born by the time that we are fully operational in our house built of poo.

and it means that, sitting in our rocking chairs, watching our healthy grandchildren play in the green fields,breathing in the healthy fresh air, we'll be able to look our land and think, well, we made a difference. maybe only a small one, but a difference none the less, and we'll smile a bit. then make a cup of tea.

So whats your dream?
cos its not going to happen by itself.

IT's CLIIIIFFFMAAAASSSS!!!!!

2005-12-08T11:36:00.000Z

And there he is, the Good Lord Cliff, Sir Cliff, Prince Cliff, Santa himself, the first man of Christmas. Christmas can officially start now. and
OH HOW I ADORE CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

I am so excited, and I just cant hide it. its nearly christmas. seventeen days to go no less.

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!

so indulge me, what do you love about christmas?whats your favourite christmas song? whats your favourite christmas carol? food? do your family have any christmas traditions?? I wanna hear them all.

ok, I'll start. every christmas from christmas eve onward has the same tradition. kids karols at trinity, early to bed with our stockings in my sisters room, then we wake up to find a huge stocking full of goodies, with a blower that we use to wake the whole family. once everyone has a cup of tea and grandad has his teeth in, we sing happy birthday to Jesus then open our stockings. then we all have to get dressed and eat breakfast before we are allowed in the lounge. then all the family have to go in the lounge before me and my sis, then we open the door to find mountains of presents (despite every year my parents say 'we couldnt afford much this year so dont get your hopes up'). Then we are only allowed to open one present before church. then after church we open our presents, one for each family member at a time.then dinner, then some kind of film, then we all laugh at my nan falling asleep. ah such joy! and this year I have a husband! this year, I want to drink champagne, and chai tea lattes (the most wonderful christmassy drink I discovered)

And my favourite christmas song? tough one. I think its slade. but then I have to be loyal to cliff, and at the same time I love singing descant to 'oh little town of bethlehem'.

Sorry if anyone hates christmas, but you dont have to read it!

2005-12-03T12:50:00.000Z

How horrendous is this???!!!!

But it opens my post very well. I have been asked to talk at Jons school about HIV and AIDS, although its a sixth form ethics lesson, I thought I would talk about some of the myths and facts, as above. But, having not really done this before I would very much appreciate input and advice and ideas.

so, go to it.

health and wealth

2005-11-25T14:51:00.000Z

Went to see The Constant Gardener last night. For those of you that havent yet, go and see it. right now. sell your pets if you need to, sell your friends if you must.

Its basically about this guy in Africa whose wife dies and he finds out shes been murdered cos shes been trying to uncover a scheme where african people are used to test unliscenced drugs without full consent. if they dont agree to the testing they are denied any medical treatment.

Its a heartbreaker of a film, and one that makes you feel a bit helpless. Its based on a true story, and it is something that goes on with startling regularity in African Countries. It struck me that I use so many drugs on a day to day basis (being a nurse, not a junkie!) and how many of them are made and tested unethically? theres a real dilemma there because in order to give life to one person, it may be taken away from someone else. Is it wrong to Kill 65 people getting a formula right when the drug itself will save millions of lives?

This is a big dilemma. I hate that I have so much privelage because I was born here. Health care comes to us without a second thought. I mean, without wanting to be insensitive, look at George Best. I dont want to take away from the fact that his death is a huge tragedy for his family, and that alcoholism is a terrible disease, but the guy went through two livers, and still continued to abuse his body, and yet he is being remembered as a demi-God. We forget so easily how much of a privalege we have in Britain.

Usually seeing a film like this would make me want to take action. But what action can I take this time? if I boycott the drug companies that has implications for my patients wellbeing and for my own professional well being, but then if I dont do anything nothing will change.

Ideas please!!

Immortal, Invisible...

2005-11-15T16:18:00.000Z

I've been thinking recently, does God change?

What I mean is, I've changed a huge deal in the last year or so, and my view of God and understanding of God has changed with it. But has God changed with that or is he the same forever and always?

I know that the bible says God is unchanging, but then at the same time there are bits in the bible where God seems to change both in Character and decisions.

but those of you who know me well know that I am not keen on using the bible to demonstrate instances of absolute truth.

however, part of me sees Gods creation and how changeable it is, both in the short term (weather, emotions) and in the long term too (changes in the ice caps, the ageing process). If creation is the image of God, perhaps God is changeable too?

My other thought is that creation seems to change in response to something a human does, I.E. Global Warming, or even footprints in the snow. Perhaps God changes in response to how we see him or respond to him? Perhaps God is Charismatic to a Charismatic Christian, Allah to a Muslim, or even absent to an Atheist?

for all you single guys...

2005-11-12T14:19:00.000Z

follow this link for some advice on dating the way Jesus would.
http://www.landoverbaptist.org/news0701/dating.html

weekly musings

2005-11-09T19:34:00.000Z

my thoughts this week have been rather fleeting, christmas, babies, houses, krispy kremes...

walked past the krispy creme (creme or Kreme?) kiosk 6 times so far this week, hoping for the orange light which means free doughnuts. No joy so far...but there is a huge pile of doughnuts outside the shop, some kind of world record attempt. there is no justice. why pile doughnuts where starving nurses can see and smell them but, alas cannot afford them, or at the least cant justify the cost against, say, a house deposit, or renewable electricity.

walking through town has made me feel rather christmassy though. and I can finally wear gloves. I long all through the summer for a time when it is cold enough to wear some woolly gloves. it makes me feel like Ally Macbeal.

Theres a bit on the news at the moment about how pre schools are going to have to meet standards like ofsted. I am angry. why cant children be children any more? we would seriously consider home schooling, even though we run the risk of having wierdo kids already. but I want my kids to think that fun is the most important thing, not knowledge.

I want to be a parenting advisor. I'd love it. only thing is I dont think anyones gonna listen to a little punk who has none of her own. its all very well being idealistic, but its putting it all into practice when crunch point comes.

Now theres a bit about Kentucky where they have just opened a museum of 'Biblical Truth' with dinosaurs playing with Adam and Eve. this strikes me as a good debate topic. does anyone still believe in the whole 7 days, and lots of poo story, or is it just americans?

With that I shall leave you...owwwww. just got garlic in my eye...

so...

2005-11-03T22:21:00.000Z

I got the job!!!!

not sure how really but I did! apparently I interviewed really well. all that remains now is to hand in my notice, which is kind of scary. I hate doing that. feel like I'm letting people down. anyhoo, all of your sexual health problems can now be tackled (ewxcuse the pun) by my good self!

Just watched that channel 4 programme about adopting. decided it is definately something we want to do somewhere in the future when we are older, wiser and more financially viable. anyone else ever thought about adopting?

feeling fairly sorry for myself

2005-11-02T11:29:00.000Z

hmm. After a lovely weekend, not such a great week. I've worked 30 hours in the last 3 days and am officially knackered.

Had a job interview which went spectacularly badly too. I pretty much ended up talking myself out of a job by saying I had a very poor attendance record and didnt really want to work with people with STI's. Oh well, looks like I'll see the new year in scooping up poo.

I hate interviews, theres always a million things you come out and think 'damn, I should have said that.' plus theres always a Good cop, bad cop routine between interviewers. one who smiles at you like you're their little one in a school play, and the other who looks like she would happily nail things into your fingernails given half a chance, and by the way how dare you come and ask for a job here...on your knees bitch, beg for it if you want it so bad...

(got a little carried away there)

I had an interview once where the interviewer actually told me off during the interview...she actually wagged her finger at me. then I started my job, and guess who's matron!?finger wagger herself.and she's been telling me off ever since.

any hellish interview stories to make me feel better about myself?

quick link

2005-10-19T11:57:00.000+01:00

http://www.xfm.co.uk/Article.asp?id=121718 go here for the ben folds 'jesusland' video with Matt Lucas.

Child Protection?

2005-10-18T19:55:00.000+01:00

Was reading someones blog about Harry Potter and began to think, as I often do...WWJD? not what would Jesus do, but the other big JC in my life, Jayne Crossman, my wonderful wise mother, who has an instinctive knowlege of all things child friendly and an instinctive hatred of Harry Potter.

Her objections are mainly spiritual, as were many of her objections to much of my early childhood viewing - Thundercats, turtles, he-man, ghostbusters, simon and the witch, the list goes on...As much as I love and respect her from trying to protect us from things that may mess our heads up, I am still terrified of the dark, strangers, spiders, Dogs, Armpit hair, noises in the night, Birmingham, and most other things.

My thoughts were this. Once we have our own offspring, how far should we go to protect them? it seems that society today is all about risk assessment, and avoidance of litigation, which seems to be taking the fun out of a lot of things. as much as much protected us from what we watched on TV, the rest of our time was relatively care-free, and on the odd occasion we got hurt playing, we learnt to get over it (and to sing Jesus take the pain away!)

It seems now that children are no longer allowed to play games that have no educational benefit, or that run the risk of causing harm in any way shape or form (see lucindas 'conkers' Blog). There are also plans, in Birmingham at least, to stop any Christian Holidays being celebrated in Schools to avoid offending those of other faiths.

Is this political correctness gone mad? or is society such that we need to take these measures now? How far do we go to protect our children?

thoughts for the week

2005-10-17T13:27:00.000+01:00

have had a wonderful weekend courtesy of the Singlehurst family, and am now enjoying a monday off! thought I'd start the week on some relatively lighthearted notes.

Firstly....for those of you who get home from work before tea time: watch neighbours. even the gurdian has said that this week is the best thing on telly THIS YEAR!! its the 20th aniversary, so old cast members: Doug Willis, Phil Martin, Joe Mangel are all back in it, looking like they've been locked in solitary confinement since they left the soap and cant believe they are lucky enough to have human contact again, even if it is with Harold Bishop. So miss it, miss out!!

Secondly...Jon Matthews has suggested that my thoughts are worthy of publishing, but I am lacking in ideas. so suggestions please for a book. I do intend to have JK Rowlings wealth by this time next year, so make them good (I will share the proceeds - maybe)

The hills are alive...

2005-10-10T16:54:00.000+01:00

how come nuns are so wise?

just read justyns and beckys musings and I think they lie in a similar thought pattern. this quote from mother Theresa came to mind...

'We become closer to Christ by becoming closer to others'

That is to say firstly, intimacy with others helps us understand what may be characteristics of God or Jesus. and secondly, intimacy with God (and perhaps inner peace) can only be found by looking outside ourselves.

I have often found that spending huge amounts of time thinking about stuff like 'how far I am from God' and 'how I'm never going to be truly holy' (two Christian concepts that, In my humble opinion, Suck ass) only leads to greater discontent with how my life is at present (perhaps what jus is feeling?) . when I take the focus off myself, I find much greater peace (other than the times when I read about global warming or free trade!).

In short, since un-becoming a christian, I've actually felt closer to God cos I'm so much less preoccupied with becoming the perfect Christian (though lets face it I was so close).

I cant get no sleep

2005-10-04T14:33:00.000+01:00

working nights is ok, its just the first few normal days afterwards I develop horrible insomnia. even sudoku doesnt work as a sedative. And if insomnia is bad when you are single, lying in the same bed as someone who is obviously having a lovely refreshing nights sleep is not fun.

But it does give you space to think. and in between interviewing myself about the difficult second album that I am soon to be releasing and imagining myself on wife swap I managed to have some rational thoughts.

Firstly: Rationality and religion.
Being a very emotional being, I am questioning at the moment the role emotion has in our relationship with God.

I've spent probably the last year removing emotion from my beliefs to fully examine where it all comes from. why do I believe what I believe etc. But now I think its time to start putting it back together.

I fully believe that most 'encounters with God' have some emotional manipulation attatched to them. in an environment where people are whipped into a frenzy you are always going to feel something. However, I dont want to become cynical. I'm sure I've had experiences of peace in still quiet places by myself, can that be explained as emotional manipulation?

I guess what I'm trying to work out is where does emotion figure in our relationship with God. can we have emotional experiences (i dont mean crying and screaming I just mean experiences of 'feeling' God rather than rationalising) without being able to explain them as 'just talking to ourselves' or emotional manipulation?

I think this is a largely girlie problem. speaking to different people it seems that men have no problem doing away with the emotional side of faith, whereas for women this is the side of God they most relate to and most enjoyed as evangelical christians. So loosing a God of emotion is heartbreaking. how does is all work?

Also...
bit of fun now, I enjoyed Vic's quiz on her website, and I know that if theres one thing that everyone loves it is talking about themselves. I love reading the guardian question time each saturday, so I thought I'd let us indulge ourselves further! (I've also answered it myself - my narcissistic tendancies run deep!)

1.What is your idea of Perfect Happiness?

2.What is your greatest fear?

3.What has been your most embarrasing moment?

4.What is your most treasured possession?

5.What do you dislike most about your appearance?

6.Who would play you in a movie of your life?

7.What is your most unappealing habit?

8.What is your choice of fancy dress costume?

9.Cat or Dog?

10.is it better to give or recieve?

11.To whom would you most like to say sorry?

12.What has been your biggest dissappointment?

13.How do you relax?

14.What song would you like played at your funeral? (dont worry, its not a threat!)

15.How would you like to be remembered?

my blogs broken

2005-10-01T17:27:00.000+01:00

help!
my blog appears to be deleting posts and not saving addresses. I've been doing everything the same as usual but it all seems to be not saving. Help!

my serious contribution

2005-09-27T11:49:00.000+01:00

ok guys, bored of the money debate, so time for some of the thoughts in my head.
Living and especially working in a very multicultural area, I have been thinking about the new urgency, or so it seems, to get everyone living together in one big cultural melting point understanding and loving one another in a lovely nirvanic way.

this strikes me as a bit silly. sure in an ideal world we could all live together without racism without misunderstanding and in neighbourly love. but does the government seriously think thats gonna happen? and is that even what people want?

People of similar cultures gather together in communities because they have a shared culture and a shared understanding of life, just like clubs or even churches. when people from england move overseas they often congregate together, in ex-pat groups etc.

Rather than try to break-up these groups, surely we should be teaching about cultural diversity in nurserys and primary schools to embrace the differences we have. greater understanding is what is needed not separation. or this another case of the nanny state trying to divide and conquer?

confessions..confessions

2005-09-25T12:29:00.001+01:00

We are entertaining singlehursts for the day, and Justyn has just admitted to having had a cheeky wack off on my bed at uni...gross. anyone have any other confessions? come on guys...time to get accountable.

Will people please learn to spell my name right?

2005-09-23T15:46:00.000+01:00

SCRIVENER...SCRIVENER how hard is that? its bad enough that I have had to let go of the bastian of fine english sirnames that Crossman was, but please people, dont join the ranks of the Coop, the royal college of nursing and heartlands hospital in spelling my name like a german.

Other than this, I have had a productive day. note that my blog now has links. I am SO smart!

Plus my ward manager has phoned to tell me to take an extra day off to get better. how nice is that? most managers want staff in work no matter if they are crippled, dying or deranged, so to have one that cares is really rare.

there are too few genuinely nice people left in the world.

I'm poorly!

2005-09-23T13:36:00.000+01:00

Antibiotics and everything!! proper boo. would appreciate sympathy flowers and chocolate.

dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century

2005-09-21T18:00:00.000+01:00

Hey!
bit reticent about starting my own blogspot. do people really want to hear my deepest musings over the internet? (that is a rhetorical question - do not reply!!). but figured maybe this is a good way to stay in touch and keep the bullying of Rob and Ben alive. besides, I have time on my hands cos I'm on nights. boring. how do you add a photo?