All posts in Life

A word on the awards

by Hugh on September 29, 2009 in Life, Random with 4 Comments

Web Awards 2009 It’s been 10 days since the prestigious Christian Web & New Media Awards (see the winners here) – the ceremony was held at the beautiful church in the city of London, St. Stephen’s Walbrook, put on by Premier Christian Radio, the awards were introduced by the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, and hosted by the ever lovely Maria Toth.

The good, and for me surprising news was that I won the award for best young blog, also my good friend Xander Coomber came runner up in the newcomer award. In other news I met the Church Mouse, less hairy than expected, also saw Adrian Warnock, surely next year due a ‘life-time achievement’ award.

Now… a little bit of contraversy… why not eh…? I was presented my award this year by a Bishop from Coptic Orthodox Church – what do you do with that? I just shook his hand, seemed appropriate… seemed like a nice guy.

Well… I understand that Premier needs to cover a wide range of Christian traditions, but looking at the beliefs of the Coptic Orthodox church I fear this may be a step too far as some of their beliefs seem profoundly un-christian… see what you think about these:

We believe in the intercession of the Virgin St. Mary, the Angels, and the Saints.
That Tradition is a source of our teaching.
We believe that in the Eucharist we receive the Holy Body and the Holy Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Baptismal Regeneration

Well… there you go… good awards, I enjoyed the food… the mix of Christians there was particularly eclectic… and as ever a little bit of controversy from me… why not… it’s not about winning awards, it’s about being honest… and a little bit inappropriate sometimes

Wedding Pranks

by Hugh on August 30, 2009 in Life with No comments

The wedding season slowly draws to a close with the exception of a few late ones. So I was happy to find photographic evidence of a little wedding prank played on my housemate and ex-co-cult-leader Mark:

Just so he didn't forget which shoe was which

Chocolate Tart 1.0

by Hugh on August 26, 2009 in Life with 1 Comment

Ok, here it is folks, my first chocolate tart! Perfect consistency, think I had a little bit too much milk powder though – the proof will be in the eating tomorrow! Also, I doubled the recipe which made enough for one and a half pastry cases. Let me know if you’ve made one and how it turns out.

Chocolate ‘toothpaste’ Tart

by Hugh on August 20, 2009 in Life with 37 Comments

Anyone who went to school in Bedfordshire, probably elsewhere too, and had school meals will remember the infamous dessert ‘Chocolate Tart’ – we called it chocolate toothpaste.

Interestingly one of the most viewed posts on this blog is the Winnie the Pooh cookbook recipe for Chocolate Rock Cakes – 1st result on Google! So I have another recipe, it’s top secret and was acquired from my friend’s mum who was a school cook.

Chocolate Toothpaste Tart

Ingredients (for 8 portions):

A pastry case, 1.75 oz – Margarine, 3oz – Caster Sugar, 1 dstspoon cocoa powder, 1 dstspoon drinking chocolate powder, 4oz full cream powdered milk (sometimes called 5 pints), 2.5 fl oz warm water, chocolate sprinkles and squirty cream for decoration.

Add some fruit if you're feeling healthy...

Instructions:

1: Get pastry case ready (easier to buy a pre-made one, cos I’m lazy)

2: Mix the margarine and sugar untill light and fluffy

3: Add cocoa and drinking choclate powder and mixwell

4: Add the dried milk and water alternatly and beat untill mixture resembles whiped cream

5: Pour into pasty case and leave tart to set (probably in the fridge

6: Decorate with sprinkles and cream

New Beginnings (part 2)

by Hugh on August 18, 2009 in Life with No comments

Dad and Kim

Suspense over – there was a part 2… maybe even a 3rd…

In May 2008, my mum passed into glory – as Paul would cry “Gain”! Family life has been a bit weird since then, home isn’t quite the same, family holidays, Christmas is all different, mum’s side of the family seems that bit more distant, and I’ve got a pretty small family as it is.

But God is the God of new life and of new beginnings. Which is why it’s a good thing that my dad is getting remarried in October, to the lovely Kim. The reality is this just makes things even weirder… you get used to one change, then you have to start getting used to another change… families are strange things aren’t they?!

But it’s good for Dad, good for Kim, good for the two families, and good for the gospel.

Signs

by Hugh on August 16, 2009 in Life with No comments

Soon, I’m preaching on Matthew 24 – ‘Signs at the end of the age’…

…speaking of signs, here’s a sign which amused me this week at Elstree School, where Woolie is, and also where James Blunt went to school. Brilliant.

Caution Boys

Recessive Genes

by Hugh on August 13, 2009 in Life with No comments

This is what happens when recessive genes go wrong:

Do love these guys though...

New Beginnings (part 1)

by Hugh on August 12, 2009 in Life with No comments

Mr & Mrs Davey

I say part 1… there might be a part 2, you never know… don’t let the suspense consume you!

The first new beginning is to say a wonderful congratulations to Mr & Mrs Mark Sidney Henry Davey… and his lovely new wife Helena. What a happy day, full English, nice wedding, reception with tasty food… I even ‘danced’ in the evening – aided by ‘The Twister’ and an empty wine box (not cos I drunk it, just a box!).

Of course this news comes both with joy and a heavy heart, since this day Mark has resigned his position as co-batchelor of the 80 pad, has distanced himself from the ‘Number 80 Cult’, and has vowed to “change his ways” – a sad day I think you’ll agree.

But never fear a new dawn arrives another beginning as we welcome the legend that is… Si Fi to the abode that is “80″. See his blog here.

Ps. I still maintain that all weddings are generally exactly the same. Fact.

Chameleon

by Hugh on August 6, 2009 in Life with 1 Comment

Chameleon

Main Entry: cha�me�leon

Pronunciation: \k?-?m?l-y?n\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

2 a: a person given to often expedient or facile change in ideas or character b: one that is subject to quick or frequent change especially in appearance

Main Entry: cha-me-leon

Pronunciation: \k?-?m?l-y?n\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

2 a: a person given to often expedient or facile change in ideas or character b: one that is subject to quick or frequent change especially in appearance

Some of my colleagues have suggested that I exhibit chameleon-like qualities… being slippery and changing to suit my environment – I call it being ‘all things to all men’.

Interestingly if you live under the Levitical law you aint allowed to eat chameleons.

Company Man

by Hugh on August 5, 2009 in Life with No comments

Do you remember at school or youth group or something like that you would play some kind of game where you were given the freedom to create your own superhero? You’d draw them on a bit of paper and annotate the particular gadgets and superpowers of your new superhero.

Yesterday, during the church staff meeting, I did this (well in my head), and I created ‘Company Man’ – the latest superhero! Here’s the intro voice over, and my picture of Company Man:

Company Man

This is 80 Holmes Avenue… this is Mark, the church worker who leads an amazing double life… for when Mark puts on a tie, an amazing transformation occurs… Mark is… COMPANY-MAN… ever alert to the call of his boss.