Evoland

Update on Marrow

2007-08-18T11:19:00.000+01:00

I just got a letter today from the Anthony Nolan Trust and apparently, the operation appears to have been successful with the guy having been discharged from hospital.

They were quick to underline that this is very early days but I'm feeling very proud of my little white cells at the mo.

They will write to me again some time in January, I shall let you know.

Just to prove I still can

2007-07-30T21:52:00.001+01:00

Here's a quick blog.

Not been around very much of late, felicitations to all.

Erm, read the new Harry Potter book - was good, predictable ending but that is just the way I like them thank you very much. I shall refrain from spoiling anything for anyone - though I shall mention that lots of people die in this one!

GB ticket I understand is now bought so I shall be going to Cheltenham with band of lovely 11-16s I think. (Barring flood failure).

Sort of getting used to the Mac but continually harping back to the PC days gone by - cannot seem to keep off my dusty old machine.

Quick Samism and then I shall close,

My little lad (Evo1.3) stayed with his Nana last week and rang home at bedtime. Evo1.1 answered (she's called Katie). "Hello mummy" says Sam, "it's Sammy"
"Oh no," says Evo1.1, "this is Katie"

"Nope" says Sam, "it's definitely Sam"

Was it really last February?

2007-06-15T10:15:00.000+01:00

Seems like longer than that I last blogged.

Anyway, just been on a great holiday to Corfu, the greenest island of Greece, people really lovely, scenery awesome, land - sea and air.

But I'm back now, and I thought I'd let you know something that I'm up to. I have been on something called the Anthony Nolan register for about 15+ years. You might remember that Anthony Nolan was quite a high profile young lad who died of Leukimia about 20 years or so ago. In his honour, this register was set up to increase the likelihood that people suffering from similar diseases in future might find a bone marrow match.

Well, after all this time, I am now a match for someone (don't know who, you're not allowed to find out).

It used to be called bone marrow donation, but its a bit different now. You have to have 4 sets of injections on 4 consecutive days to make your body produce stem cells, they make you feel really achy and as if you've got flu - had my first one yesterday, apparently it gets worse and worse as the days go by (poor me lol). Then on Sunday, I have to go to London to have my last injection and then on Monday, they will put me on this machine that takes blood out of one arm, circulates it through a machine which filters out the stem cells and then goes back into my other arm. This takes about five hours and hopefully it'll be enough, if not, I'll have to do it again on Tuesday, but I really hope not.

It's a bit more real for me at the moment because a friend of mine just died of Leukimia - in fact, its his funeral on Monday - the day I will be donating - God's poetry I think, but I am sad I'll miss it.

If anyone is interested in signing up by the way, you can find out how at www.anthonynolan.org.uk/

They are particularly interested at the moment on men aged 18-45ish as they are likely to get more time out of them, but anyone is welcome (actually, there may be an upper age limit of 55). (The reason they prefer men is because they are unlikely to be pregnant in that time frame ;) )

Well, thought I'd dip my toe back into the virtual pond, hope everyone is well,

Evo
x

New blogger

2007-02-07T15:43:00.000Z

Well, I have been forced into it now.

Can't say that I notice anything different just yet though. I use Gmail anyway. - Have google bought blogger I wonder?

Well, I thought it is well worth letting everyone know that I - me - have just tidied up my desk. I can actually see the wood again, how's that?

I am still extremely busy but something really needed to be done.

There you go, that's my February diary note.

Soupstar Soaperstar

2007-01-12T14:54:00.000Z

I can only be accused of being half a "insert bad name of your own choosing". I do not watch all of this, just the coronation St gang and Hayley T cos I think she is actually a good singer. Sky+ to thank for easy editing.

Antony Cotton is my winner. His voice is mediocre at best but he is such an entertainer. I can really see him with his own Barrymoresque chat show. However good the others are, they don't have any stage presence.

Thumbs up to David Guest though, very amusing.

Vote Antony!

Happy New Year

2006-12-31T14:59:00.000Z

Well, yesterday was all a bit of a cloud.

On Friday, Evo1.2 was chasing Evo1.1 down the stairs and caused her to fall down the bottom couple of steps. She complained about it being a bit painful but as true caring parents, we told her to belt up and get to bed. Well, yesterday it was still hurting her a bit across the top of her foot so I took her to casualty.

Four and a half hours later, it is confirmed she has a broken metatarsal - or near there anyway. No PE for a couple of months and potentially no school for a few days.

But after four and a half hours in the waiting, you are sort of confronted with these weird thoughts of satisfaction. Imagine If we'd waited that long and nothing had been wrong? At least we didn't waste our time.

Oh well, she seemed very pleased with her break and couldn't wait to tell all of her friends about it.

I can't remember this, can anyone else?

Oh well, perhaps it is a girl thing.

Happy New Year to all from all at Evoland.

And a merry Christmas from me

2006-12-08T11:50:00.000Z

I know I haven't been very active of late, but here I am with a proper catch up blog. You were wrong Karin ;) and a merry Christmas to you - btw, the village of generosity seems to be offline?

Right, where to start. In the world of work, I have had a very busy time of it. I have been working on a deal which has lasted nine months and in the end needed to get done otherwise the buyer would have gone bust - and it happened with just a day to spare. And since I only get paid if these things happen, the same could be said for me too - but after working 20 hr days for the last week or two, I am now able to relax again and think about other things. Well, almost. I am still working on two other deals which are meaning I have to drive down to London on a fairly regular basis but hey ho, they are coming along nicely so the stress levels are acceptable.

I meant to report on this a long time ago but have not been able to, but what have my youth been up to. They have been making me very proud is what. The Gospel truth is something which is most easily given to people who understand life as we do. Someone from the slums of Hull does not want to hear holier than thou details from a person with a posh twang to their accent - it just don't work. And similarly, school children react most favourably to their friends. Well, my youth - by their own intiative have staged an evangelistic event to their non-Christian school mates - with only the smallest of help from me.

I was pretty worried that they would have put a lot of work into it and then nobody would turn up and they would be disappointed. We had a live worship band, doughnuts, marshmallows and hot chocolate and chat, testimonies from the kids themselves and a guest speaker who plays for the most succesful football team in Hull - Hull City!

And when the night came, I needn't have worried, in our small to medium sized family centre, we had 120 teenagers crammed in - it was awesome indeed. And the night went precisely to plan, apart from the speaker who was arriving at precisely 830 to give his talk was still not with us when we began the song that should have been right before him. I was expecting that I was going to have to get up there and give a message to all of these hungry kids myself and was a bit worried they might have eaten me alive - but after getting the band to play just one more song, I popped out and found our footballer and thankfully brought him in.

His testimony was powerful and the whole room were mesmorised by his witness. Some of the things he said were challenging to the extreme and I could feel the tension in the air as the young people thought through their own lives. 20 people made a decision to accept God into their lives that night. Everyone considered it. I'll leave it there.

I can't help remembering that last year at this time, I couldn't walk and I weighed 3st more than I do now. Very glad to be on this side of the tunnel.

Just finally to say that, if we've argued at all this year, I'm sure it was mostly my fault. I don't really mean it - I'm sorry! But don't worry, I'm sure normal service will soon be resumed.
xx

We wish you a merry Christmas

2006-12-01T20:03:00.000Z

A quick new post.

They do say that all the funniest material is written by children.

And here is Evo1.3 at his inimitable best.

The lovely young geezer just crayoned in a picture for me and on the next page he wrote me a lovely message - and I quote:

"Dea daddy I wish you w merry christmas"

As in, "We wish you w merry christmas, we wish you w merry christmas, we wish you w merry christmas etc etc"

Mrs Evo didn't get it, I loved it :)

Remember Remember

2006-11-08T13:29:00.000Z

I am a bit under the cosh at the moment but since Phil asked nicely, here's a quick post.

Now Evo1.3 - 5yrs old - is a bit of a cutey pie. He says the most fabulous of things and never gets sucked in by sales hype. Here's a true story from yesterday when he was railroaded - against his better judgement - into buying a poppy.

Oh look, says mum, they're selling poppies at school today. Why don't you go get one.
Why, what are they?
Well, we buy them to remember all of the men that were killed in the wars.
Oh. Alright then.
Off he goes with his 30p.
Come 3:30, there he is with his poppy on.
Oh lovely, says mum, you got one then.
Yes, says Evo1.3 scynically. But I haven't remembered anything yet.

Looks like he got a faulty one then.

Special Secret Snooker Words

2006-10-22T12:53:00.000+01:00

This was an inspired piece of Mitchell and Webb.

I didn't see it the week before last and all I can say is, "That was a bad miss". But I set the recorder this week and how glad am I that I did. What they played out on this week was unbelievable. Of course, if you didn't see them singing, this will be a poor second place but here are the alternative special snooker words to "Lady in Red".

Every one in snooker knows them. Here they are exclusively on Evoland.

"Never seen you looking so shiny as you did tonight,
Never seen your baize so tight,
You are amazing.

Never seen so many players wonder if the long pot is on,
Looking for a little Can-on
A cut as thin as a thong.

And I’ve never seen such a clearance
Such a clearance of all the pots in every way
No more safety play,

Table of reds
Is dancing with me,
Cush to Cush

Nothing is wrong,
This big pink is on.
But where’s the cue ball gone.

And I hardly know,
To play with stun or side

Never to forget,
This shot to nothing life,
Never to forget,
My Table of Reds."

Books Books Books

2006-10-10T15:39:00.000+01:00

I just started:

The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins
The Lost Message of Jesus - Steve Chalke
God meant it for good - RT Kendall
One Holy Fire - Nicki Cruz

I do this because if I am only reading one book, it is never at hand when I want to have a read and I spend hours searching for it. This way, I just carry on reading the first one of them that I find.

I must say though - the God Delusion looks pretty grand - hard back - I am not one for hard backs normally - why pay more? But that's the problem with Amazon, you never know what it's going to look like when you just click it into your basket. I'm sure there is a way of telling but I am a Philistine with these things.

Anyway, a chapter in and I'm not wrong. I guessed he would have continued his long walk away from conventional science and to date, he hasn't really set me on fire with facts - just bored me with his own personal diatribe. In the Selfish Gene, when he did this as an aside, it was mildly amusing, but basing the whole book on this kind of thing? I do hope it gets better.

God meant it for good is very uplifitng though I have to say although Steve Chalke is not quite hitting the spot for me - but we soldier on.

Enough

2006-10-02T10:04:00.000+01:00

OK, so it has been brought to my attention by some crazy clergyman who shall remain nameless that this blog may have become a shrine to biological reduction and so I shall cease and desist. End of. No more. Even though it is Monday. ;)

There has been a lot of other things going on in Evoland over the past few weeks and I have just been too busy to jot them down.

Out of the blue - and in no time at all, an Evangelical event has been conjured up by some of the young adults in my village and it is really going like a train. To speak for us, we have - only the most prestigious Christian footballer in Hull! Couple this with a couple of bold teens willing to give their testimony, a banging worship group (is that the right word?), a couple of chocolate fountains and some marshmallows and I think we are in for an awesome night - providing people come of course.

Oh, one cute thing that was said in all seriousness by one of the team was when we were thinking about getting some beanbags for people to sit on - "We need to make sure they are not passed their sell by date" Aw, well they are beans I suppose. I don't think she is a reader of Evoland, but if she is, sorry to embarrass - I just thought it was a great comment.

And the rest of the stuff going on - well, I still don't have time to tell you about that.

Still V Positive on many fronts and ignoring the negatives on others.

Well Buff

2006-09-27T12:26:00.000+01:00

Now, I am feeling pretty good about my weight now. After losing another 1lb this week at slimming world, I have been struggling to be motivated to go recently because I actually feel OK and not overweight at all.

I just bought some new clothes which are sized the same as when I was a teenager and I am so chuffed about that.

So decision time on Monday, I bought five more weeks in advance and have resolved that wherever I am after that will be the end for SW for me - though I will keep going once a month just to make sure I am not going back up.

Running is going to stay part of my life I think - it's boring, but it's made me feel strong. And about a year ago, the pains started in my legs which ended up with me not being able to walk. I don't want to go back there.

To top it all, one of my yoof told me on Sunday that I looked, "Well Buff". I was a bit worried at first but on asking his sister for a translation, she assured me it was a compliment!

So feeling good right now - loads of things are happening in an ever forward rushing tide and the unwelcome arrows are no longer finding their mark!

This is Evo1 signing off - in very positive mood x

Still Losing!!!

2006-09-12T15:06:00.000+01:00

Another 2lb gone this week, putting me not far off the (X-1) and a half stone mark.

Just 1 more stone and I have reached the weight I was at 18.

Though I am encouraged, I don't think I'll ever get to my lowest weight again - thats 6lb 4 :)

I have to admit that I have relaxed off the diet quite a bit now and am just relying on the 30 miles or so a week that I'm running. Having said that, although I am tending to eat some naughty things, I am not eating anywhere near the volume I used to.

Eagerly Anticipating....

2006-09-04T15:03:00.000+01:00

Well, I am on a bit of a magic number at the moment weight wise.

I am exactly X stone and it has been a bit of a brick wall for the last few weeks.

I haven't been weighed for two weeks now because of Greenbelt but I am hoping that maybe - just maybe.

OK, so I have been to Greenbelt and I was not so good as Daisy and I have had a housewarming party but you never know do you. Half a pound will be fine. Anything.

I'll let you know. It's tonight.

What a Cracker of a Weekend

2006-08-29T17:56:00.000+01:00

Well, that was a smashing weekend.

I am wiped out of course. I think I managed to notch up just into double figures for hours slept over the last four nights whilst also driving there and back with a car full of teen (you know who you are). Fortunatley for me, I was kept awake on the way back by the sound of nails scraping down a blackboard which is apparently what passes for popular music these days. Can you believe the album was called NOW 64! I have the original "Now thats what I call Music" in my vinyl collection. Someone promise me they don't still only do one per year.

Another excellent year at Greenbelt. I seemed to have many duties though this year. Not only was I with my surrogate youth group, I also had many of my own youth group all around me too which was lovely. And as well as that, I took my eldest two daughters plus eldests friend. The two older ones really enjoyed their freedom but Evo1.2 really struggled on her own. But massive thanks go to Mr and Mrs Superslug who took her in practically for the whole time - their daughter is Evo1.2's best pal.

This year was memorable as Karin and I finally met up in the flesh. It is so good to have a face to go with a name. As one might expect, we met in the tiny tea tent.

Greenbelt would not have been even a fraction as enjoyable however had it not been for sociable and reserved beer tent visits with Freedom Bound, Polly Nate and Phil Ward and their friends. I thank them immensely for not tolerating an obnoxious fundamentalist such as moi but instead welcoming me into their bossom with acceptance :-)(please, no innuendo). - Oh, a quick mention to Tina whose femminine perspecive subverted fisticuffs between FB and myself and also who's detective work pointed out how similar the same ruffians are with reference to our hand washing habits.

I couldn't of course fail to mention the last nights final excitement of fellowshipping with my loyal youth - the ones I was giving a lift to. Sadly, it will have to go unmentioned because they all fell asleep before we were due to go. Though Lucy did revive herself - the others really symbolise what the next generation are coming to ;-)

But thank you all for making it a very memorable experience and one which I sincerely hope to repeat next year.

For old times sake,

Love,

Evo1

It looks like being a long day

2006-08-24T16:05:00.000+01:00

Well, I go away camping tomorrow for a few days with several groups of young people and my two eldest daughters to boot.

In the meantime, I set aside today to write a business plan which is needed before I go.

The whole day I have had and so far I have hardly started the introduction. I have got all the numbers done but the bit I hate - the words - are yet to get onto the paper. All in all, it should take me about 4 hours. That takes me to 8 PM at the earliest and I have not even thought about packing!

If you were thinking of giving me a ring today, DONT!!

See you all after the break :-)

Update on Size

2006-08-23T09:26:00.000+01:00

It's been a while since I mentioned the Slimming World performance.

Well, I got my stone and a half certificate this week - now up to 1st 7.5 off since starting there - and just over two stone since the beginning of the year.

But more importantly, I was wearing those 34" trousers on Sunday - all day. OK, they were not the most comfortable clothes ever but it was worth it. They should only get more comfy.

But I have another stone and a half to go and that seems like a long slog. Who knows, I might even see 32" - surely not, I was about 14 last time I would have fit those. - Yrs old that is!

And the game of squash I mentioned - I did enjoy it - but I felt my back twinge pretty strongly and so I am coming to terms with the possibility that I might not be able to play properly again - I still don't count messing about with some of the younger brethren since I don't really have to move very much with them. If I have to stop playing squash, that will be a big blow for me. OK, I am still running every day and that must be good for me - but one cannot get away from the fact that it is mind numbingly boring!

SKYPE

2006-08-14T18:15:00.000+01:00

I just signed up to this but I dont know anyone else who is on - have you got a skype name?

Reply to this if you have with it and I won't publish it.

Or, you could give me a call - my skype name is (firstname).(surname)

It's here by the way.

Round, like a circle in a spiral....

2006-08-05T08:56:00.000+01:00

Something happening over on planet Evo made me pen this somewhere else. Thought it worthwhile putting up here for reasons of catharsis. It's to do with my favourite chapter, Gen 1. ;-)

It starts off with three words that I wonder if we have ever actually wondered about: "In the Beginning".

When we are born, our mums and dads are already there. Sometimes their mums and dads are there too and they look after us until we get big enough to look after ourselves. And then maybe we meet someone and have children and look after them. In the meantime, we have started school - its all very scary but there are older children there who have seen it all before and perhaps we make friends with some of those older children but next years they go on to another school and are gone from our lives as we are gone from the lives of the younger children below us - it goes around in circles.

There are cycles everywhere we look - the circle of life - the water cycle - the carbon cycle (every cell in our body is replaced by different chemicals every 10 years or so - we literally are different people as well as changing mentally and spiritually and getting bigger, the actual fabric of our body changes too!) And what do all of these circles tell us? They lead us to believe that there will be no end just as it leads us to believe there was no beginning.

But in Genesis 1:1, it starts off by telling us that there was a "beginning". But it doesn't tell us what it was like. It is beyond our understanding. What was there? I don't really know, but I do know that the first four words are, "In the beginning God". We don't know what else was there in the beginning, but this passage tells us God was there.

And in the last book of the bible, "Revelations", there are four special living creatures in heaven. (Creature means something that was created - they weren't there in the beginning). They praise God like this: ""Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."

Holy three times, once for when he was - he was there in the beginning when there was nothing else - God really was holy then, you can't get much more holy than being the only being. Once for when He is... He is.. now. All the nows, yours, your mums, your grandmas, your childrens,... And he is holy - He is different from all of us. Holy means set apart - He is certainly that. And the third one is for when He is to come. Just as there was definitely a beginning - even though it seems like things have been going on for ever, there was a beginning, so also will there be an end - things will not go on for ever as they now are. But in the end to come, so God will also be there - just like he was there in the beginning.

And all the circles will end. The heartbreak of losing your friends to new schools, grandmas, granddads, mums and dads to disease and the sadness of knowing your children will lose you, that will all finish. And then we will know that....

In the End God....

The Date is Set

2006-07-29T08:48:00.000+01:00

Well, it's come around.

It's house warming time.

Friday 1 Sep round at Evo's.

Formal invitations will be sparse so you will have to make do with this post here.

All regular bloggers are cordially invited.

Look forward to seeing you here - in person - though if not possible, I'll open a blog up on the night ;)

For the Record

2006-07-25T17:40:00.000+01:00

Phil asked very nicely a day or so back how I actually "found" God.

Well, it just so happened that just before the close down of one of the Christian sites I used to visit, I rescued my "testimony". (A day or so later it had gone!)

So here it is, word for word from there and a little bit out of date but here it is - warts and all:

How I found Christ? A long and winding path if there ever was one. When I was a teenager, I was the most evangelical atheist you ever met. To my shame, I won many Christians over and destroyed there faith. One of them, a close friend of mine, attempted suicide as a consequence of what I told him - though this happened a few years later. That shook me hard. For years, I stopped "evangelising" to many people. I had a really unhealthy dislike for the church and the leadership in particular.

The strange thing was, when this was going on in my teens, I was invited to a Christian housegroup as the resident atheist. They were happy to let me air my views - (maybe they thought twice about that afterwards). They accepted me as a friend in every way and the leader whose house we met in became a very close friend. Though we would argue til the cows came home all the time. He tried to explain in rational terms about Christ and with my strong knowledge of science, I was able to cut his arguments up into little pieces. This went on and on but we never seemed to get on each others nerves - frustration yes, dislike never.

And then I did something which I had been prone to do. Because of a few things happening in my life, I decided that I didn't want to see this guy anymore and I very ruthlessly and deliberately fell out with him.

One thing I should mention about him, although I never agreed with a single thing he said about the faith, I found him so intriguing since he never ever told a lie. He seemed incapable of doing it. That was different.

Well, around 15 years later or so, I happened across this fellow again and we arranged to meet. For a few weeks or so, we met up on a weekly basis to have chats. This time it was different though. He did not try to reason with me or argue with me, he asked me questions about what I thought Jesus meant to others. Then he shared some of the things he had experienced over the recent couple of years which had changed his perception of God entirely. That left me with a puzzle. Either this guy was lying, or Christ was very real. And I knew that he couldn't lie.

It culminated in my agreement to spend two weeks not NOT believeing. I promised to give God a chance to show himself to me. It sounds weird, but any doubt or negative thought that came into my mind for just two weeks I would just get rid of. Within ten days, Jesus had shown himself very powerfully to me and I knew him for myself. I remember the exact moment when I fell to my knees and sobbed my heart out in repentance. I remember the burning feeling as all the wrongs I'd ever done, all the emotions I had repelled came flooding through me and passed onto Jesus. It was awesome and I felt so NEW. I should mention that just as most other times when God has revealed himself to me, I was on my own - cos He knows how sceptical I am of other people.

That was about three years ago now. I'm 33 and still so grateful. But as I might mention again, it wasn't the bible that converted me, or the truth about Jesus, it was the truth OF Jesus - as demonstrated by one of his disciples. I pray that maybe others might think the same of me that I did of that guy - who is now a very close friend.

Well, you did ask

Love,

Evo1

Back on Track

2006-07-25T12:12:00.000+01:00

How long is it now since I started at slimming world? I forget. (Thumbs back through the blog) ah, May 15, that was it.

This week, I got back on track with 2.5 lb off yay! Taking me to 1st 1 off in total.

I've now been runing every day for the last two weeks clocking up more than 100 miles in the last three weeks. Not played squash for ages but have a match on Saturday. Looking forward to having some stamina to rely on.

It seems a bit of a slow burner but I have those 34" trousers in my sites.

What a great song

2006-07-23T08:50:00.000+01:00

Do you know, I can't think what has reminded me of this, but I have only recently remembered how much I like this clever little song:

- Well, I've seen a horsefly. - Ah, I've seen a dragonfly.
- Hee-hee. I've seen a housefly. - Yeah!
See, I've seen all that too.
I've seen a peanut stand and heard a rubber band.
I seen a needle that winked its eye.
But I be done seen about ever'thing
When I see a elephant fly
- What'd you say, boy? - I said when I see a elephant fly
I seen a front porch swing heard a diamond ring
I seen a polka-dot railroad tie
But I be done seen 'bout ever'thing
When I see a elephant fly
- Da da-da-da - Da-da-da do-do-dow wow
- Da da-da-da - Hey, wow
I saw a clotheshorse He rear up and buck
And they tell me that a man made a vegetable truck
I didn't see that I only heard
Just to be sociable I'll take your word
- I heard a fireside chat - I saw a baseball bat
And I just laughed till I thought I'd die
But I be done seen 'bout ever'thing
When I see a elephant fly
Bo Sho Ba-da-do-do
But I be done seen 'bout ever'thing
When I see a elephant fly
With the wind.
When I see a elephant
Fly

If you dish it out

2006-07-22T00:11:00.000+01:00

You must be able to take it coming back.

Number one rule of life but how many of us fall down here.

Now I get a good ribbing from all and sundry and I don't mind that. I usually help out. As I mentioned on another blog recently, whilst people are picking on me, I know some other poor unfortunate is being left alone.

But if there's one thing I find poor form, it's when the pressure is turned up on the bulys and they can't hack it. I remember when I was the new boy at work many years back now, one of my managers, out for a welcome evening with us started to mercilessly berate the six of us new boys and girls.

Now, totally innoccuous, I just happened to observe that this guy had a stunning resemblance to Benny off Crossroads. Oh dear, so began a lifetime of dispute. He took a distinct dislike to me - but kept his mouth shut for the rest of the night I might add. Irony is, his wife is now best of buddies with Mrs Evo. I think he is actually a cracking bloke, but he just can't get past the Benny thing - oh, there are a few other wind ups as well which grew up in similar circumstances, I just can't resist.

Now I admit I have been a bit rough on fellow blogger but deliberate insulter, Phil. It seems now he is a bit upset that I've treated him unjustly. Sorry Phil, I don't really think you are a Dumbo.

Actually, you are probably in my top ten of ideal trivial pursuit partners.

Go on, say it, just the once for me: "Miss Diane" ;)

Love Others as I have Loved you!

2006-07-20T16:27:00.000+01:00

In all my days studying evolution and earning my evo stripes, two things stick in my mind as particular difficulties for the great Darwin (I'm sure probably not insurmountable with a lot of bending but nevertheless, very tricky points). The first one is farming - but you don't want to hear about that - why is that interesting? The second one is altruism. Now some people might offer "sort-of" explanations for altruism but it is far from being fully packaged up just yet.

Now John, in one of his letters says something which you have probably heard time after time after time. That is, that "God is love".

But as the discussion has already led us to question, "you can't see God, so how can he be real?" So I wanted to throw in a cuddly question here. You cannot see love - the thing which God allegedly IS, so how do we know that love is real?

Hands up everyone that is loved or that loves someone? Be it husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/dog/goldfish/brother/sister/son/daughter?? Answer me honestly now, and then lets talk about why you believe that to be the case.

I dare you to take this seriously - go on, let's hear from you.

Let me be the first off the block, I love and am loved. How do I know? I don't have any evidence, and yet I know it. I sense it in my spirit body and soul - and I can even only see one out of those three too!

Books and Cleverness? There are more important things

2006-07-19T14:50:00.000+01:00

Ten bonus points to the team that can tell me who said those words.

If you are not sure which team you are in, just read a few of the comments in the last couple of posts - should clear things up.

OK, serious point.

I have been blogging now for coming up for two years I think. Today is July 19. On July 12, I put up a seemingly benign comment on here and seven days later, my blog has had 126 comments (to press). In the intervening two year period, my total blog received 98 comments!

I have more important things to discuss than Where God lives you know, how about paying attention.

Last week for instance, despite running more than 40 miles and cycling more than 20, I put on 1lb!!! I was doing so well as well.

So come on, could everyone get back to criticising my sense of direction and pestering me for the date of the house warming on a casual basis?

Every Man a Liar

2006-07-18T08:05:00.000+01:00

This is a blog about what men (and women) do.

They fight and argue, they lie and steal, they war and plunder.

In the crusades, atrocities were committed by Christians as they attempted to convert the known world by force.

The muslims had a period of "killing the infidel" - being those that refused to convert to Islam.

Men stole other men from their native homes and forced them into slavery in strange lands where they couldn't understand the language. They were treated in the most terrible ways - and still today they are not entirely free.

The sons of the sons of the sons of the sons of the men that did this to them, rather than be apologetic are active in suggesting that the remnant of the slave trade should be "sent home". It gets me angry. But I know who I am angry with.

And it isn't God.

The most terrible attrocities have been carried out by men, often under the excuse that it is "in God's name". Well, here's a shocker. If men say it is in God's name but it is not what God would do, it is not in God's name. Jesus said that anything you ask for in his name would be given to us. And people get dispirited when they don't get what they want - like good health or whatever. They think they have been short changed - they haven't. They perhaps thought they were asking in God's name - just like the crusaders probably really believed they were acting in God's name. They weren't.

Every man is a liar. Be angry with them. God alone is true - don't shout at him, you are one of those men we mentioned earlier.

When you see injustices in the name of God and shout up at the sky, "why do you allow this?" Don't look straight back down. Listen to Jesus' reply as he says, "you're telling me, the buggers crucified me for healing people and forgiving their sins - and all of that apparently in the name of God!"

Romans 3:4a "Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar."

Fame for Evo

2006-07-17T16:26:00.000+01:00

Just try googling "Evo1 god"

See what you get!

And then there was ONE

2006-07-17T10:03:00.000+01:00

Wow, since my five year old sparked somewhat of a comment overload on the last topic (Well done Sam - I said he'd provoke more response than a long sermon didn't I - and that's a fact!) I thought I might open up a fresh canvas for opinion.

I think what happened there with Phil's bringing up the topics of Evolution, Big Bang and alien invasion theories was that we were able to clear out and quash the odd misconception that these theories in some way explain the beginning of life in the universe. Although the misinformed (sometimes even self confessed) may cling on to this, it's clear from today's evidence that this is not what any of these theories do. Sometimes this is obvious (as with the alien invasion) and sometimes it takes a little bit more digging until the dead end is reached.

The key hypothesis since the beginning of time has been of course that God created. And that hypothesis, although tested to the limit, has never been overturned. Unlike all of its counterparts which as we have seen with these two or three, examples, soon wilt under the pressure of critique - only God's strength can withold this. ("Come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest" "Lift me up and I will draw all men to myself")

This is before we even start to mention any of the confidences we see in God working in our lives. What a painful punishment it was when God disallowed Adam from walking with him in the garden and sent him out into a cursed world.

Want to know why you can't see, hear and touch God today? Best ask Adam. The good news is that you can. But until you really want to, you will have to live by the sweat of your brow and your plants will not grow easily.

"Thou shalt not test the Lord your God!"
(But when we do, he is never found wanting)

PS - I am going to politely brush over Phil's accusations that it was I that was changing the subject, poor old guy must have forgotten that these somewhat random theories came from his own good keyboard.

Where Does God Live?

2006-07-12T13:53:00.000+01:00

I got my little lad's first school report back a few days ago and I was really chuffed at one of the things it said. The teacher remembered asking him where he thought God lived and rather than saying "in the sky" or "all around" or something else you might expect from a five year old, he said - and the teacher observed that she thought this was a clever and confident statement that God lives....

"On us".

Aw, a two word sermon from the mouth of a babe which cuts through intellectual theology faster than a two edged sword. What a challenging thing to believe! Jesus said to his disciples that the Holy Spirit has been with them and WILL BE IN them.(Jn14:17) He is in each Christian today as a deposit. And more than this, he is in our "heart". But heart is not what we now understand as heart, but actually means our core - physically understood by the people who coined the phrase as our intestines/bowels.

Imagine that, God who was born as a human in nothing more than a stable, actually resides in the bowels of each of us! Boy does that give an amplified meaning to Jesus' parable here.

So what does it mean that God lives "on us"? Jesus also says that if our faith is strong enough, we can order a mountain to move and it will move. Now some people believe this literally - that a mountain might physically move at the command of a faithful person (I am one of them). But others believe something a little different, that a faithful person might inspire other people to pick up shovels and get that mountain moved spectacularly - but conventionally (and I believe this too). So when we ponder on why God is not doing something, perhaps we should be thinking that God lives on us. He isn't doing anything because we are not doing it!

That reminds me, when I was a young blade, I used to go rowing (there's a pun there - 10 points if you can spot it). I rowed for about two years in a coxed four and I was always at the back of the boat in the "four" position, or as it is sometimes called, "bough".

Now one day, a few people from my school went rowing as an activity and I went with them. I joined a group of four people and the guy helping was from my rowing club - and actually knew me very well. In his wisdom, he put me in the "two" position. Well, all went reasonably well until it came to turn the boat around. We were heading towards the bank and the cox shouted for "Two" to pull on. But Two did not pull. The boat continued toward the bank. Again he called for Two to pull one on. I was surprised that two could be so deaf, we were about to run aground. Finally I got fed up of waiting for Two to pull on and decided pull on myself to get us out of trouble.

Of course, I was two. It was me that should have been doing it in the first place but I had no idea - so used was I to answering to the name of "bough". Now the cox was a plonker, he knew me very well, why didn't he call me by my name? Why didn't he shout for bough to pull on anyway since we nearly crashed? Why didn't he... Why didn't he...

But he didn't. And sometimes God is the same. He expects that we might do something first. After all, if he lives on us, what we do, he is doing.

Normality Beckons

2006-06-29T10:18:00.000+01:00

That may be a good name for our new house, perhaps with "from far off" in parentheses (that's brackets for those who don't know (you know who you are)) - Normality Beckons that is.

Anyway, the move went very well and everything is almost where it should be - even if it still is in a box. Nuff Respec to Mrs Evo who I have to say took the brunt of most of the planning, organising and doing - what with my back and workload etc - but seriously, she made everything look so easy, even though it wasn't. And the 4 guys who came and did the shifting about were pretty amazing too - quick, quiet, unobtrusive and didn't even drink much tea.

But then it wasn't all without event. The vendor has lost the key to the safe and has promised to send lock smith around shortly to get us into it. Every door in the house has 1, 2 or 3 keys to it. Many of these keys are locked in the safe but we are managing.

Then there's Orange. The only place I can get a signal is in the bedroom or the trampoline - must be the mattress springs acting as aerials? It's hopeless. I have to continually divert my calls to the home phone (which remains the same btw). Has anyone heard of an amplifier for a mobile signal? Orange won't tell me where to get them but have alluded to their existence. I need Gandalf to give me a clue!

Oh - the TV - that was a disaster - the terrestrial aerial seemed not to be working and the Sky man, booked for the day after we moved, came to the wrong address and had to be rebooked. The first week we had no telly. That was probably a good exercise actually but then when Sky did come, he couldn't do anything without running a cable all over the place which I don't think we are allowed to do in a listed building so I have to get an independent cable guy in - or something - that will not happen for another month. But the sky man did at least fix our aerial so we can watch big brother - and the news and such. There's this great bit in one of Sam's bedtime stories that this just reminded me of, it's called Serious Sadie. Mum and dad want to watch something funny on TV but Sadie wants to watch the news. "Oh Sadie, we can watch the news later" says mum, "I know" (counters Sadie) "and we will". I suppose you have to be there.

And then there was broadband. Not too bad, but I did have to reorder the change of address twice and they have still connected us to the wrong line but as you can see it is now up and running. And so, normality is indeed beckoning.

Turned out nice again.

2006-06-16T09:18:00.000+01:00

Formby was a genius wasn't he?

Well, it was a fairy tale ending. All went through and the long running dispute with the Irish has been resolved. We are even on friendly terms and may be looking at another deal shortly.

And on top of that, it all happened with a couple of days to spare before we move house. It might unfog some of the earlier riddles if I say that if this deal hadn't have happened, we couldn't have moved.

When will things stop happening just in the nick of time? My life feels like a Harrison Ford film - but we got the happy ending in the end.

Not sure how quickly my broadband connection will be up and running so as from Tuesday, don't be surprised if you don't hear anything from me for a bit.

Oops, didn't stay positive long

2006-06-11T10:03:00.000+01:00

This has been bugging me a lot the last couple of days.

Now I'm not saying whether I am for or against the death penalty - I bet you can guess - but I am a bit confused at the moment.

Although the majority of people in this country of ours are in favour of the death penalty, our duly elected representatives do not feel it would be right to reflect this on our constitution - and I am probably in favour of that kind of government I might add (regardless of whether I agree in this case).

However, why is it that since this terrorist, Mr Zacarwy or however his name is spelled has been assasinated, we are being inundated with politicians gleefully celebrating his demise. This morning I heard Malcolm Rifkind saying that no-one can deny that it is a good thing that this evil man has been "dispatched". If this is the case, why is it not a good thing to dispatch similarly evil men?

What are your thoughts?

Oozing Positivity

2006-06-11T08:01:00.000+01:00

I thought the blogging world was in need of some positive poetry.

Here's one I wrote for an Iranian friend of mine as he was having a really tough time - despite the fact he had a lovely family, some fab mates (no self congratulation intended) and generally having a very good time - though one or two things where getting to him. It's about 16 years old but it has helped me to keep positive loads and loads of time (not that you may have noticed).

Now I can only remember the first verse but I have it written down somewhere and I will print up the whole thing in good time (when we unpack it once moved in).

It's about the human instinct to concentrate on the small amount of bad stuff whilst entirely taking for granted the good stuff. Imagine a life where we were overwhelmed by the good stuff all the time but just took for granted the cr*p we have to put up with - where when we looked into a field of sheep with one black one in the middle, we spent most of our time noticing the mass of white. Or when we looked at a beautifully decorated wall, we didn't spend much time looking at the small rip in the corner where the four year old has had a nibble.

OK, without further ado:

Why is it when our lives are good
And we have got the things we need
And the things we need have us
That we will think of things that hurt
That might disturb the calming thoughts
And by the thinking, does.

I wonder how things will finish off today

2006-06-09T04:35:00.000+01:00

Well, the thing I was dreading most happened at 4PM on Wednesday - just 2 days before completion. The whole thing fell over.

And the skies turned black and the rains came and all around was empty. And then we picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off and put our thinking caps on and looked for another way of getting to where we needed to be.

But at 9PM, the whole thing resurrected itself again and we are back on for today. Amazing.

I still have a difficult conversation to have with my Gaelic friend but I think I more or less have the upper hand now. I am so ready to forget all about this one. Just glad that come this afternoon, that should be it, consigned to the archive.

(We move a week on Tuesday regardless).

Drum roll please

2006-06-05T20:11:00.000+01:00

Telephone rings - its the banker on the line.

The offer is two and a half pounds.

DEAL

I'm pleased with that.

4.5 pounds in 3 weeks - not too bad I suppose.

Still up in the air

2006-06-02T22:57:00.000+01:00

For those who are up to date with all things Evo, just to let you know that THE DEAL is about to complete - next Thursday - I'll blog when and if it does. It has been a roller coaster more than any other but appears to be all ending well.

And what's more, we exchanged on the house today - which makes thngs all the more exciting.

There's a sub plot going on here I know - I apologise but thanks for reading.

I really can't wait to see if I've lost another pound this week as well - it's exciting.

Bulletin

2006-05-30T00:03:00.000+01:00

Another 1lb off this week!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't say it.

Don't say that it's going in the right direction.

There are no strangers here, just friends you are yet to meet

2006-05-22T21:21:00.000+01:00

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh

Well, I have been strictly adhering to the slimming world diet for 7 days. Filled in daily intake sheets and everything and guess how much I lost.

No, go on. Guess!

Oh, alright then - 1 lb. Just 1 lb. (Please, no one leave a comment saying that I've actually lost 15 what with the joining fee and the weekly subs - can we consider those as read?)

I can't believe it, I have been so good. But I have to say I am having to doubt the "free food". This is food that you can eat as much as you like of. OK, carrots and celery - that's not going to put a dint in things but Muller light yoghurts are also meant to be free and I have been taking full advantage. I have eaten in excess of 50 of these over the week. I think when the diet says as many as you like, it should actually say, "as many as an ordinary person would like". I'm not ordinary.

Oh well, I have been advised to switch to weight watchers yoghurts but I am going to make a concerted effort not to eat yoghurt this week at all.

I'll keep you posted.

A very quick one

2006-05-16T15:51:00.000+01:00

I went ice-skating on Saturday night with the teens. I knew it was a bad idea. Two fairly spectacular falls later and I don't know what I did to my hip but it's pretty sore.

Just hope it's not the back again but I don't think so, feels more like a bruised bone (but nothing to see).

On the plus side, I must have lost some weight since the ice was perfectly OK when I got up. All the same, I think my skating days are over.

So much going on

2006-05-12T13:27:00.000+01:00

Its been a hectic month for me and things still very much at fever pitch. But if I told you about them, I'd have to shoot you and we don't really want that so I better not.

But the gist is that we move on June 20 and a fairly significant transaction of mine is due to complete a couple of weeks before. At the moment though, there are fairly serious aspects of this deal still up in the air and the date is doubtful in my mind. I could really do to have them sorted out before we move - you would not believe the professional/private and any other related issues that are connected to just this one event - it's exciting - but in a very scary way.

But it was a lovely sunny day yesterday and was this morning even though there's lightening and thunder at the moment. Maybe the summer is coming with a vengeance.

In the interim, I have been back to the youth camp with some younger kids and it was again good. My eldest was with me on this and that was strange. She didn't talk to me much, choosing to stick with her mates all except for when we first got there and she unpacked her bag and discovered that mum had put my bedding in her luggage. She came and found me, chucked the bedding in my face without a word of explanation and then flounced off. I was just introducing myself to some other leaders at the time - they found out quickly about the respect they have for me!

Oh, and we got to Spring Harvest as well - did I mention that before, can't remember. We managed to co-ordinate things pretty well, the eldest two girls (plus one of the eldest's friends) looked after themselves largely which was really nice and we managed to succesfully put the younger two in the kids clubs/creche's in the mornings and so had some time for just me and Mrs Evo to attend seminars or just do whatever which was fab indeed.

Oh well, that's about it really. Should anything bloggable happen, I shall let you know.

Happy Summer!

The Badminton Trial

2006-04-12T08:28:00.001+01:00

Well, after about three years away, I went back down to our local club last night by popular demand. ;o) Oh the shame of it, after 5 minutes on court, I looked like I had run a marathon. The court felt so much bigger than it used to do. But I persevered and quite enjoyed myself.

Much of the old gang were there including a couple of my old partners. I even won a game!

And more importantly, although my body felt a bit run through the mill, my back was on the whole fairly consistent. I will ease my way gently in. It does seem weird that I can actually play squash with none of this trouble but I thought as much.

Well, it was just so great being back on court that I have resolved to keep going back and maybe being able to manage 10 mins before exhaustion kicks in next time. You never know, I may even manage a game of singles again one day.

Busier than a bee being busy - thats how busy

2006-04-04T17:35:00.000+01:00

I'm flagging.

You would not believe it.

This week, I've been working in Manchester, Leeds, Derby, Hull and Milton Keynes and it is barely Tuesday evening. Many people think I lead a lazy kind of life, working "from home" and online virutally always (How on earth have I managed to update my blog for starters), but sometimes you wouldn't envy my timetable.

Alright, rant over - just one paragraph - that's good for me. It's nearly Easter. Theoretically, we (all of the Evos) are going to Spring Harvest for five days or so from April 18 with a bunch of friends. And I am intending to do nowt but relax - maybe the odd game of table tennis or something, but mainly, just nothing. Well, I will of course listen to a few speakers but in a relaxed way. It's been so long. Kids all taken care of throughout the days. Heaven!

But reality will not be kept out for very long I'm sure and it may even be that I have to pull out of it - which Mrs Evo will really not like.

So for those of you with an open line of communication with the Guy upstairs, a few words in my favour would be appreciated.

The case of the hidden identity

2006-03-29T15:14:00.000+01:00

Now then, after all these years posting as Evo1 far and wide, I've been brought to task by none other than members of my own family who where of the opinion that I was hiding.

Now I don't hide but I do worry about the efficacy of some of the posters and prowlers through this particular piece of media. Most of my internet mates would attest to knowing my real name though I would have to say that being called Evo by people who knew me first as Evo1 is pretty cute, even if Evo1 is a pretty beligerant little devil.

Would you sign up to receive mountains of junk mail at best or some pretty nasty stuff at worst if you didn't have to. I did at first but thought better of it, there are some strange folk out there.

But all the same, I should have come clean to Phil who wasn't too impressed. Sorry matey.

Plenty to be thankful for

2006-03-22T08:34:00.000Z

Spring started yesterday.

The yesterday before yesterday, my little lad had his ears fixed - Gromitts, I think they're called. It was a bit nerve racking seeing him put under anaesthetic but he is such a cheerfull soul that it wasn't as much of an ordeal as I thought it might have been. All is well now and he has even ventured more than five yards from the TV screen since. In fact, he has been running around like a child possessed for the last couple of days - there is no stopping him. I'm thankful for that.

The yesterday before the yesterday before yesterday, Mrs Evo took me around a house which she quite fancies us moving to. We need the space apparently and she who must be obeyed ( ;) ) has her heart set. Though we have been up for sale for a very long period indeed, there is a part exchange option on this one and I think we have almost agreed with the vendor. I suppose I am thankful for that - though moving house is never my favourite occuaption.

I'm sure something must have happened the yesterday before the yesterday before the yesterday before yesterday but it has slipped my mind.

Oh, I'm thankful to Daniel and his three mates too - awesome.

semi-cheerful Evo signing off.

I Apologise

2006-03-13T10:29:00.000Z

It has been a week of apologies for me (though not for my rants below, I hold firm to those views comewhat May - which is actually only seven or eight weeks time anyway).

Last Sunday, down at the yoof group, due to a silly scaring contest I seem to have got into with one of the teens, said teen jumped on my back - yes, my bad back, and I instinctively ejected said teen as I thought, in a gentle manner. It was subsequently pointed out to me that said teen had actually been catapulted into a door with not inconsiderable pace. So I had to buy some chocs. (Just a box of milk chocs straight off the shelf with no complicated questions - just straight into a brown paper bag, no eye contact with cashier whatsoever ;))

Now last night, I handed them over with a sincere apology and a suggestion that we should call a truce on the scare contest - which was flatly turned down.

All well and good, she seemed very pleased with the chocs. But then, later on, during a game of Chinese Laundry, I made the foolhardy mistake of asking the three "gangs" to bring me a rugby ball. There only was one rugby ball. Pandamonium broke out. There was one of the biggest scrums you ever did see on the floor. Arms and Legs every which way you looked. This went on for around 15 mins.

Carpet burns, squashed limbs, kicked bits and pieces. And all of it my fault.

To cap all of this, I have just heard that one of them was actually rather ill on my nutty chocolates.

Oh well, having just realised that next year, Mrs Evo and I will have been together for twenty years, I should be pretty good at being in the wrong.

Continuing on from below...

2006-03-08T07:51:00.000Z

Far be it from me never to be Victor Meldrew but here's a few more gripes and then I shall hush.

Keeping with food, I come to the latest virus which has pervaded restaraunteurs throughout the country - and beyond I shouldn't wonder. Think back to a byegone age. You sit down for your meal, the waiter takes your order - then serves your food and the next you see of him is when he quietly takes away your plate.

But now. Can you remember the last time this happened? Now, just after you get started, it's time for the "is everything all right" call. This makes me nervous. As a rule, I reply with, "Why, what have you done to it?" but they persist. However, there is one benefit to this - probably American pastime - I just love listening to Mrs Evo gripe about the veg not cooked properly or it being too spicy or the meat not being hot enough or something and then young garcon stepping forward with his question and she smiles sweetly and says, "Oh yes, everythings fine". That is always a pleasure.

Flowers - Why can you not just buy a bunch of flowers. (I realise that this might just refer to me, but I will persist). I have no idea what the different flowers are called. If I had learned the names for flowers, I'm sure that by now they would have been superceded by different - more flowery names anyway - just like the colours. I just want to buy a bunch of flowers - if I had an interest in what flowers where which, chances are, someone would be buying them for me, not the other way around. Normally I reply to the question with, "Like daisies and buttercups but a bit bigger? No, on second thoughts, would you decide."

Oh and fashion, don't get me started on fashion. Just don't. Except you might like to hear this story which made me smile. After a brief encounter with the young new boyfriend of one of my yoof, she told me later that she had worked out that it was me he had been talking to by asking just a couple of questions. Firstly, "Was he tall". I am by no means tall, but nevertheless he replied with a yes. Second - and the one which apparently nailed it for her - "Does he tuck his T-shirt into his trousers?" I mean, doesn't everyone?

I could go on. But I'm burning myself out. Is anyone with me?

How come I didn't see this TITLE box last time?

2006-03-07T12:13:00.000Z

OK, so it's March - the month following my last entry, I'm going to let that fact go for fear of becoming repetitive. for fear of becoming repetitive. for fear... OK, serious thought time.

I've been encouraged to think a bit more deeply about life. It might help develop my social conscience and make me a more rounded individual but more importantly, it might just promote this blog from non descript to: almost non descript really. I am aiming low.

Manipulation.
That's a word I have been thinking about recently. TV, Radio, Billboards, Posters, Door to door salesmen. Everyone is trying to lead us down their garden paths and I am fed up of it!

Take colours for instance. Not that I would ever be interested in redecorating in Evo towers you understand (actually, there is a simple rule in our house, whoever notices the place needs a lick of paint, does it. It has worked well over the years) but if I was, I would be interested in buying paint of a particular colour. I don't have a favourite colour, but here's a few that spring to mind: orange, yellow, blue, red. But can you get your hands on these colours? I doubt it. The shop would seem more keen to hoodwink us into believing that these are colours: Moon shadow, Winter glow, Whisper of autumn.

Whisper of Autumn? Who said that? Did you say that? Was it you? Oh no Evo, that would have been the whisper of autumn you could hear.

Hm, methinks the sales guy is having a laugh at our expense. And what about these, Peach, Avocado, Apple. These are fruit I tell you, at least they were.

But maybe this brings us onto the issue of food and now this habit has really started to get me down.

What kind of curry do you like? I like chicken. The meat I like in my curry is chicken. These days, can you get your hands on chicken? You cannot. There is plenty of Corn fed at three O'clock in the afternoon, Californian Ridge, virgin - never been kissed, tenderised and sprinkled in the finest herbs of all kinds Chicken and I am fed up of it. This is not just chicken (say the highstreet name that you must know). WELL GO AND GET ME SOME JUST CHICKEN then, that's what I asked for.

There's more, I'm just a bit exhausted at the minute and I shall have to do some work.

2006-02-27T12:53:00.000Z

Swings and Roundabouts

Hey, look at this. It is still February. And even cooler still, it is still February 2006!

Well, I am aching all over.

Just come back from a fantastic adventure weekend with the greatest set of young people ever. Even if they did encourage me to put me in the condition I now find myself in (though I do feel relief coming on).

As well as all that running around, there was plenty of heavy discussion and opportunity of seeing great people grow into even greater people (and to grow myself of course). The question that I keep asking myself is, where is the sacrifice for me. I try hard to sacrifice for Him that knows everything, but the harder I try, the more I seem to get out of it. It doesn't seem right. However, a weekend away from home does put quite a bit of strain on Mrs Evo, it seems I get the fun and she makes the sacrifice - that makes me feel worse. But I do love her for it.

Thanks for everything God, especially Mrs Evo, she was your best idea yet ;)

Was it really that long ago

2006-02-21T08:54:00.000Z

Well, it's February. And last Christmas wasn't even the subject of my last entry, it was the year befores. I can't believe it.

And what at time it's been. I'm now up to my fourth child and my second back - though the two are not necessarily related.

I've been trying hard to get back into shape and lose a bit of the excess I've managed to pick up along the way. There's a poster on the gym wall which says, "Diet+exercise = weightloss" but I just struggle so much to do both. Surely if you are in the gym regularly at all, you are entitled to the odd treat or two.

Currently I face a challenge to my exercise program though. So far, I have managed to co-ordinate taking eldest to the bus stop (a painful walk apparently) and zipping off for a workout. But now we find ourselves at half term it is not happening. Hm.

Just a few random thoughts just to dust off the cobwebs.

Happy Easter/Christmas and New Year in advance,

Evo1

Christmas thoughts

2004-12-28T15:28:00.000Z

Now thoughts about Christmas I think are best done beforehand. It is just not worth it once your there.

I thought I'd done it, I thought I was one of life's clever guys who just could not be annoyed. But I was wrong. Did I get my kids any musical instruments? No, no nails down the blackboard moments in our house. Did I get them any intricate components which required dad's undivided attention for the whole day and the rest of the week besides? No. And what about long and tedious bored games (spelling mistake intended) which go on and on for hours but must be played with in the spirit of Christmas. No. of course not, that is simply elementary.

But what did I do wrong then?

Well, I got my 10 year old daughter a mobile phone. What can go wrong there? lots of games for her to play, lots of setting up by herself without needing dad's help. The day was bliss. So what's the problem. Well, all through the night, she was sending me text messages!!! Aaahh!!

Can teenagerhood really be worse?

Merry Christmas - what is left of it - from Evoland.

I know Fred Bloggs but Evo doesn't

2004-11-02T11:30:00.000Z

Struggling to find the words,

I'm blogging but not sure how.

This isn't what I signed up for you know, somewhere along the line the message got faded, it stopped hitting the target and just went soft on me.

I'm not sure if I can take any more of this. I never used to be so scynical but now its as though every well wishing caller is trying to sell me something. This morning, it was the same, "I don't mean to alarm you but..." I hung up. Turned out to be my mum. What is the world coming to.

OK, is that the sort of thing or should I put the date on as well?

Love,

Evo1