pBullox`

view full image "Talking Tree" (taken at Hyde Park) A polar bear walked into a bar and asked for a Gin.... .... and Tonic. The bear tender replies, that's fine but why the big paws.... Bum Bum

view full image "Biking Santas dropping the toys off"

view full image "Reading Toy Run, great fun... Thousands dropping toys for Banardos"

view full image "Lunch out and about" (taken at Salisbury Cathedral)

Well here I am in Hospital again. Admitted last night having a reoccurrence of the heart complaint; Dilated cardiomyopathy, erratic heart beat and enlargement of the heart. An age old problem that keeps coming back to haunt me. Makes me feel I'll, really ill.... ... Just signed 10:09am... That's it, I'm signing off, all is good. I'm going down to have the cardio version, shock to the heart to give it back it's rhythm. See you on the other side, sorry I should have wrote more, there's just not enough time. Out! :-)

view full image "Happy Halloween! Let you light shine into the Darkness" (taken at Thatcham)

Earlier this year I sat two interviews for a Team Leader Job and was successful in being selected for the role. It turned out that it wasn't the right thing for me to be doing and before time and effort on both sides was wasted we parted company. I gained some more friends and experience and the company believe it or not found an opportunity to re-model; happy days all around. I was disappointed that the job hadn't worked out, but was able to return to contracting to maintain my work life and income. A fortunate position to be in! Well, a few months on and I am feeling the need to return to work as an employee. The security and sense of belonging is what I'm really looking for so I applied last week for a position as Manager. It's a position I have experience in, if only in an acting role and I believe it's what I need to make me happy in my career once again. The problem I'm experiencing this time around is confidence, or a lack of, I have the experience and sk...

Just a quick entry.... The ride went well from The Midlands, I caught the flu, or should I say I caught man flu. The final leg from Oxford I did on the train, the riding was getting a bit too much and I just wasn't enjoying it. I cycled eighty miles on Friday and I think it took it's toll. A great few days with my pal Terry - we've cycled many miles together hopefully a few more very soon.  I'll be back out on the bike Wednesday on Greenham common, night riding in the woods, if you're about on your mountain bike look me up... :-) Attended the quarterly PCC meeting of St Marys church in Thatcham tonight and must say I left feeling like we're heading into an exciting new era for our Church. We're invited to have input into how we can make what's already good even better. Some changes and some continuations in what we do. Hopefully getting the church into the community much more and sharing the love of God. All ideas are welcome in making the church central...

Back from a great weekend cycling at the Isle of Wight. Every year I take part in an event called the ‘Hills Killer with a mate from the Midlands. The event itself happens on a Sunday, usually the last in September, it’s really tough on the old bones, hence the name Killer. Twenty six miles off road biking, across seven of the largest hills on the island. This year was no different to any other; it took us ages to complete. Keep on talking, chatting and admiring the scenery, more like tourists than competitors. All was good in the end, you can see the route here . Friday night was a night out in Sandown. Looked at a couple of places to go, all of them great if you’re about a thousand years old and can remember the crusades but not for me. Found a pub down a side street, it all went quiet when we walked in, folks don’t like strangers - like Thatcham on that score. As it was getting late and we were walking home I got to thinking it’s quite a warm evening. Looking across at the sea it s...

Trip to the West Berks Hospital today to get the hand checked. As requested the bones were healed in three weeks not six. I believe the power of prayer and the Lord was at work there. Three X Rays bones back as they should be in record time. My wrist however still has a sprain, this I didn't know was going on under the cast. I've bought a weight lifter strap so I can give it some support now the cast is off. I'm desperate to get back on the bikes so I need it strong. Got the Wolves marathon cycle then the the Hills Killer all followed by the Tipton to Thatcham ride. I gotta get back to it. I'm off up North to Newcastle for a couple of days now so will be without the bike, will have to step up the miles on my return to get ready, or my mate Mr T will be pushing me... With his boot! That be the fixed hand... We'll not talk about the sprained wrist. In Jesus name it's days are numbered. Anyways, out. Good to be back at the blog. Note to self. Thank God always. Reme...

Back in hospital, this time to get my arm fixed. After the bike crash on Sunday I've got to get my broken hand straightened and plastered. Not looking forward to it. Will teach me I suppose - to be a little more careful. I need someone to come help me fix the bike.. Any volunteers? I sprained my wrist and broke my hand, folks tell me it will take six weeks to mend. That's not good I need to get that down to less time, prayer and old wives remedies I think. If you know what can help fix bones other than time and rest please let me know ... I'll be searching the internet later. I bet there are loads of things for sale but getting the one that works is the challenge. I tried washing up last night but failed miserably, in the end I got Dominik round to help. You see he's a good lad when you give him opportunity to show it. We'll forget about the gang with golf clubs that came after him. :-( I've not seen the this place this quiet for a while... Blood tests don't...

Waiting for a plane from Brussels back to Heathrow. It's now 7:30 and the plane leaves at 9:30. What to do in an airport, I've looked at the shops, had food and a beer, even got the RayBans I was thinking on. Right now I'm stuck, two hours to go. I tried sitting here and talking to God, I just can't get with it. If I dedicate this blog to praying... Will it count? Time has stopped, I know it's not really but that's how it feels, I suppose I'm missing home and family. The boy has been on my mind today. I need to hand over the future for him and us to the Lord. I can't control it, I can't fix it. Sitting here all your thoughts race by. Time stops still, you see I keep saying it. Two minutes has passed since I began writing. The Belgian beer I bought better last the two hours. What about this time with God, Lord do you hear, I'm sure you do. I know you're in my life, with me all the time, putting me right. I should listen more, read more, maybe ...

Live from pBullox'

Ok then what an interesting week this has been (so far). If I go back to Saturday and jumping out of the plane first. What can I say about that, what an experience. The drop as you get out the plane is so intense, I thought it was going wrong, the fall feels amazing, the ground doesn't seem to get any closer. I was supposed to do a solo from about 3000 feet, the folks didn't have a course available though. So I did a tandem jump from 10000 feet. Took about twenty minutes to fly high enough and about six minutes to come down. What great fun, it's addictive though, I want to go up again... A bit on the expensive side though.... Monday I caught a plane to work instead of driving, was picked up by a cab, delivered to the airport and arrived at a Sofitel hotel in Warsaw, Poland three hours later. I didn't see too much of the city but did get out there to see a little and try out a Sphinx restaurant. Yum... Worked hard all week and am now on a plane as I write this to go home...

Another strange today, a whole week since Stuart from next door passed away. I remembered how I was speaking to him after church last week, we talked our usual nonsense about the weather but he also went on to tell me about things he got up in his younger days. I didn't realise how he played a bit part in my life. I saw him virtually every day - I'd leave the house and usually be around the drive or garden to say hi. He will be missed. His family are taking care of his wife until the funeral on Thursday. I cleaned up their garden to make it look good for the funeral, Gilda kept insisting she paid for the plants. I felt a little insulted so I told her my reasons and to hang on to any money. My reasons were to do something for her, my little bit to help out in all of this. Dominik still not home, but at least he has a roof over his head now and some money to get him by. The word from the guys who spoke with him is that he will be doing his exams too. That is really good news, the...

Not like me to be on a computer until this time in the morning, well not at least a real one with a mouse and all that. I've been writing up the promises for the auction on Saturday. It looks like it could be really good. I'm looking forward to it, some flash promises out there. Fast cars, bikes, boats and cakes . Yes cakes, you know there is always room for cake - especially of the home made variety. I'm offering me for the auction. Kinda being someone's slave, do some chores, DIY and all that, I need to make sure the winner has a good kettle to make the copious amount of tea I drink. Anyways, if you can come please do.. Cash raised is going to help with outreach youth work... The good stuff we should all be trying to help with.. :-) in my humble opinion. Oh well, goodnight. Yeh... The auction is at Thatcham Park School, Park Avenue... Saturday 4:30 ;-) - Posted from my iPhone...

What a strange week this has been, with work taking me back into engineering and away from home.  I attended a service on Tuesday listening to the stations of the cross, the Lords journey to the cross. Thursdays mourn day service was very special, there really was something happening in that room. I can't explain it, but I felt so close to God, really was a great service, communion, singing, worship...  Today the churches together met up on the Broadway, I arrived late so missed the hot cross buns.. doh! Never mind, this meant more to be shared with guys in the Parish. Sounds like they were hungry too, 200 buns gone in 30 minutes. Great! This afternoon before the final hour service, I got the big issue and found out the guy who normally sells the Issue was this sellers brother. That makes brothers both selling the Issue. I never realized, but families are affected by homelessness not just individuals.  Makes me think.. Dominik has made himself homeless. He's not been home...

By now, if you know me you'll know how much I love life on two wheels... Well... Say hello to Number Five- No5. Suzuki GSX-R 750. What a bike - was getting to the point of being fed up with driving and getting caught up in traffic all the time. I was thinking of going back to a motorbike for a few months, this time I did a bit of looking into what bikers say. The GSXR is one of the best all round sports bikes, being great at handling a comfortable too. It's so far living up to everything I wanted, its quick and handles perfect. I feel if I'm looking ahead the bike goes right where I'm looking. I don't have to fight it as much as the Bandit. It's an 08 model in black, a few extras on there already too. Sports exhaust ( not too loud ), double bubble, crash bobbins and tail tidy. I got a Shoei helmet - it's good, but a bit noisy on the motorway. It's got double glazing to stop it fogging up on the cold mornings. In my opinion it's good but a wee bit on ...

Believe! Saturday for a bit of fun I entered a cake baking contest at St Mary's church. It's held every year for Fair Trade fort night. With Thatcham being a fair-trade town and the guys running the campaign doing such a great job there are a number of events scheduled for all to take part in. Friday night I finished helping at the Youth Club, and got home about 10pm. I started putting my ingredients together and planning the cake… Butter – English Vanilla Sugar – Fairtrade Icing Sugar – Fairtrade Flour – Fairtrade Coconut bits Cherries Eggs – Free Range This was the recipe, with a bit of elbow grease, love, care and careful measuring and blending I put together a four layer sponge with jam and cream inside. Covered with butter cream and coated with the coconut bits. Topped with a few cherries… It was a master piece  Well, kind of – when it had baked I thought the sponge was a bit heavy, it tasted good but was just not light and fluffy. I had no time to make changes...

I thought deserved a mention, a punishment invented by some bright spark... A cystoscopy was the procedure I had yesterday. The thing itself is not bad but the aftermath was oh so painful.. All went well, I saw this camera thing that was eventually fed down my penis, yeh.... Ouch.... On the screen I saw the tubes and then inside the bladder, it was uncomfortable at worse and not painful - too much. After all was done I had an overwhelming urge to go pee... I got to the toilet and it started. The pain was intense as the saline solution comes out, then it felt like someone had set it on fire... I stumbled to the door and quickly fastened my trousers, I felt like using the loo again, and the urge was huge. I got back to the toilet and it was 'game over'... Pain...... I stepped out into the corridor and stumbled toward a nurse, I was about to pass out. The pain was so intense. They lay me down and slowly it subsided. I was told it will wear off, it did very slowly. Finally I got up...

It's all wrong today, I'm not where I should be mentally or spiritually. This day is going wrong. To top that I'm in the urology department waiting for a procedure.. .... Oh no, got to go. Time to change, no computer today just the phone so will leave it there... I'm so scared...

After the torture that is parking at this place (should have caught the bus like a good citizen)I'm here waiting for an IVU... What's that? I ask, I'm not too sure only read the letter as I sat down to wait. I'm near rooms that say XRay so am thinking that may have something to do with it. We shall see... ...... The wait continues, I'm still smiling although a little apprehensive, this thing has injections involved. Doh! ..... Oh my days!! in the words of Dominik. I am nearly naked waiting in a corridor covered in those gowns that hospitals have, an injection coming and they're going to fill my bladder some how. You see I have kidney stones and this is the start of the investigations to find and fix them. Hope it goes well eh. I'm still smiling I know who's got my back. All will be good. Lol ... Just used the toilet under instruction to empty my bladder, they're going to fill it, I wonder if they serve tea to do that. ...

Surprises me how time flies by. It's February already and I'm thinking I wanted to have done more by now. Cycle training not done! Weight loss for the jump not done, new job, interviews not done. Come on lad get a grip and get it together. Hope I have more to report by the end of February anyways. Lent begins soon, a much needed time for me to focus on relationships and my relationship with the LORD. Folks ask, what you giving up? I was asked this Sunday by a lady from church, I wanted to scream at her. You see lent is more than just giving up some insignificant thing like chocolate or alcohol for a few weeks. It's about choosing to not do, eat or have something that you really want, in order to bring you to the Lord in need of his help.... This way when the want or need arises you can turn to God and ask for the strength to not have. Like Jesus when he was in the wilderness. Some folks don't eat at all, I couldn't do that personally. But whatever I choose to not do...

The year has started well, a visit to London for lunch and a show. Saw 'Wicked' at the Apollo in Victoria. A really good show about the witches in Oz. They are quite nice really, in love and not evil at all... If you believe what the new story is about :-) after we took in Regent Street and Hamleys for Joshua before getting back to the trains... He's now the proud owner of a Harry Potter wand. I very nearly purchased some new boots until I realised they were three hundred pounds... Whaaaat! Thursday bought some comedy, in the shape of Lenny Henry. He was visiting Newbury to perform his new show 'Cradle to Rave'. The story of how music impacted his life and the love he's always had for music. It was great hearing him talk of the places he grew up with and the memories that bought back for me. Turning to Michelle all the time asking "do you remember that"? I was probably annoying to some folks... This weekend has been quite cool, Michelle gave me a surpr...

A strange day yesterday. Things took a positive route - I read that When God gives you a vision to follow you as an individual should peruse it and doors will start to open for you. I don't mean that in some way things will drop in your lap from the sky. What I'm thinking is that God will make clear where you should be at - and tell you that too. Anyways I've been chasing jobs and positions lately and have chosen ones suitable but to no avail. Until, today. . . I was approached by an old colleague and friend who has put my name forward for a new position. (did weeks back without telling me) One that fits with where I want to be. I'm thinking this could be the one, a new opportunity. Not me chasing it but it chasing me. Made me feel quite special, today I woke up expecting to get to work to submit my CV. Expecting problems with getting it right I set off in the car... The weather was glorious, I told a friend I felt quite blessed by it. When submitting the CV the words ...

I usually write an entry to sign off the year but this year seems a bit different. I suppose it's because I signed off a while back. I just didn't enjoy 2010, I managed to fill it with plans and dreams totally unsupported. I suppose my nievety made me come up with plans that now seem like a pipe dream, the money lost is not the issue but the time not doing what I should have been is. That's being with people and spending quality time in the presence of God, Some of my best time spent building the kingdom this past year has been with the young people under the leadership of Guy, Peter and Tom, Long I hope this shall last. 2011 is already a more positive year even at two days old, I'll be setting out to find my God given vision whilst spending time with my Church family - hopefully building long lasting relationships and experiencing Gods kingdom once again. 2010 had it's God given great times, after all every morning I woke up breathing and witnessed friends having g...