The other day, me, Dad and Jack headed down to London to be part of the studio audience for a radio recording for BBC 4. It was for a new show called 'Wordaholics', and whilst the name didn't grab me, a couple of the guests did - Milton Jones and Jack Whitehall.
I've been 'healthily' obsessed with Milton Jones for a while ever since I missed his show at Greenebelt, and since youtubed all his shows, including Mock the Week, which is where I've seen Jack Whitehall.
Even though we had the tickets, we weren't definitely going to be able to get in. This is because the BBC give out more tickets than there are spaces, because inevitably, some people with tickets wont be able to turn up, and that would leave some seats empty, making the BBC look bad, and they don't want that. This meant that we had to leave school early so that wecould get there in time. As it happens, we left at exactly the same time that school had finished, and all that we'd achieved in the extra time was buying much too many sweets than we needed, and watching an episode of the inbetweeners.
Anyway, once we were there, and in the queue, Jack started tapping me on the shoulder. I looked around, and who should I see but Milton Jones walking past us in the queue! This was pretty amazing, but what I probably shouldn't have done was gasped just as he was walking past me, yep, a full blown gasp. He smiled at Jack, but I think he just gave me an odd look...
Anyway, the recording was good, it went on for about an hour and a quarter, which was good because the final edited show itself will only be about half an hour I think, so we got a lot of material! And in the words of Milton Jones...
I'll let you go.
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Saturday, 13 November 2010
When Not Leading Worship
I've been musing a thought recently about your role in a band when not leading worship, here are some of my thoughts...
Recentlyish, I went early to church to rehearse the puppet sketch that I was in; when I got there, I heard the butting-in voice of 'someone I shall not name' (SISNN). I looked round to see that band rehearsing, and SISNN paused the practice to say that the guitar was supposed to start that part.
Now as a suggestion, it wasn't awful, although as the band consisted of 2 guitars and a piano, and electric guitar intoduction where the bass and drums were supposed to kick in - but obviously didn't - didn't sound brilliant. But my query was with the way that he said it; rather than suggest that the guitar started it, he more seemed to demand it, and as he wasn't leading, this seemed out of place. (although, even when leading, demanding something would be less than helpful)
And recentlyer, when I was in the band, we played a song that I'd suggested adding, 'Saviour of the World' But when we started playing it, the tempo seemed a bit fast. I didn't think it was noticeable enough to point out, but then a friend made a signal to me, showing that she thought the same; but still I said nothing, recalling SISNN and how he sounded when he interjected.
Now, whilst the story of a slightly too fast song may have been the least exciting possible, my point and query was whether I should have made the suggestion or not. I later thought that I should have, and regretted not doing it, and realised that whilst SISNN sounded a bit big-headed and arrogant to me, I could have still suggested lowering the tempo, but making sure that it was just a suggestion.
And this to me is how people should act in a worship band, if they have a thought on how something could be improved, don't hold back suggesting it, but keep it as just that, a suggestion.
I'll let you go.
Recentlyish, I went early to church to rehearse the puppet sketch that I was in; when I got there, I heard the butting-in voice of 'someone I shall not name' (SISNN). I looked round to see that band rehearsing, and SISNN paused the practice to say that the guitar was supposed to start that part.
Now as a suggestion, it wasn't awful, although as the band consisted of 2 guitars and a piano, and electric guitar intoduction where the bass and drums were supposed to kick in - but obviously didn't - didn't sound brilliant. But my query was with the way that he said it; rather than suggest that the guitar started it, he more seemed to demand it, and as he wasn't leading, this seemed out of place. (although, even when leading, demanding something would be less than helpful)
And recentlyer, when I was in the band, we played a song that I'd suggested adding, 'Saviour of the World' But when we started playing it, the tempo seemed a bit fast. I didn't think it was noticeable enough to point out, but then a friend made a signal to me, showing that she thought the same; but still I said nothing, recalling SISNN and how he sounded when he interjected.
Now, whilst the story of a slightly too fast song may have been the least exciting possible, my point and query was whether I should have made the suggestion or not. I later thought that I should have, and regretted not doing it, and realised that whilst SISNN sounded a bit big-headed and arrogant to me, I could have still suggested lowering the tempo, but making sure that it was just a suggestion.
And this to me is how people should act in a worship band, if they have a thought on how something could be improved, don't hold back suggesting it, but keep it as just that, a suggestion.
I'll let you go.
Monday, 1 November 2010
Cups
I've recently returned from an amazing weekend away with Space. But rather than go into detail about the whole trip, I think I shall just focus on one incident. The cup war.
It all started when at about 1 in the morning, we were all in our dorms, when Dan spots something out of the window at the top of the door. It turns out that two of our youth leaders- Matt and Sarah - were in the corridor lining up cups of water into neat rows. It goes without saying that we were a little confused. So then about 5 minutes after we checked that the coast was clear; we snuck outside, and Sam had the idea of rearranging the cups to spell 'Lol'. It took a few minutes, but finally it was done. We also decided to leave a note, in a polite way.
A time a bit later, we noticed that they had returned, and looked rather perplexed; I don't think that this was what they were expecting. They disappeared and then returned again a few moments later to rearrange the cups and reply to the note. We decided it was time for action!
There were a double set of fire doors at the end of the corridor, and as it was dark outside, and light inside, I imagined that if we were to hide between them, we could see them perfectly, without being seen. Ben and I decided to undertake that mission, taking with us some beanbags for extra comfort, as we were unsure how long we would be camped there. Sure enough, about 30 seconds after we closed the doors, Matt and Sarah popped around the corner, Matt giggling even more than Sarah... unsurprisingly.
They started rearranging and popping back around the corner, as if they were trying to lure us out, then we realised, as we left the dorm, we had left the door open! This was starting to turn into a bit of a war. Luckily, I had my torch with me, and tried shining it in the open door to alert the others, they never noticed. Then, Matt and Sarah quickly ran around the corner, Ben and I exchanging a quick high-five. At the point where we were deciding that the coast was clear, we readied ourselves to dash back, but suddnely, there was a loud crash on the door behind us! That was enough for me, I sprang back into the dorm instantly!
This was the final straw! This had gone on long enough! At this point, there had been maps drawn, plands made, and action taken, it was time to go from defensive, to offensive. But just as we thought this, hands appeared on the window which we'd been looking at, terrified, we ran outside to chase them down, we caught them at the stairs, and all six of us burst into fits of laughter, this had gone on for three and a half hours, it was now half four in the morning!
I'll let you go.
It all started when at about 1 in the morning, we were all in our dorms, when Dan spots something out of the window at the top of the door. It turns out that two of our youth leaders- Matt and Sarah - were in the corridor lining up cups of water into neat rows. It goes without saying that we were a little confused. So then about 5 minutes after we checked that the coast was clear; we snuck outside, and Sam had the idea of rearranging the cups to spell 'Lol'. It took a few minutes, but finally it was done. We also decided to leave a note, in a polite way.
A time a bit later, we noticed that they had returned, and looked rather perplexed; I don't think that this was what they were expecting. They disappeared and then returned again a few moments later to rearrange the cups and reply to the note. We decided it was time for action!
There were a double set of fire doors at the end of the corridor, and as it was dark outside, and light inside, I imagined that if we were to hide between them, we could see them perfectly, without being seen. Ben and I decided to undertake that mission, taking with us some beanbags for extra comfort, as we were unsure how long we would be camped there. Sure enough, about 30 seconds after we closed the doors, Matt and Sarah popped around the corner, Matt giggling even more than Sarah... unsurprisingly.
They started rearranging and popping back around the corner, as if they were trying to lure us out, then we realised, as we left the dorm, we had left the door open! This was starting to turn into a bit of a war. Luckily, I had my torch with me, and tried shining it in the open door to alert the others, they never noticed. Then, Matt and Sarah quickly ran around the corner, Ben and I exchanging a quick high-five. At the point where we were deciding that the coast was clear, we readied ourselves to dash back, but suddnely, there was a loud crash on the door behind us! That was enough for me, I sprang back into the dorm instantly!
This was the final straw! This had gone on long enough! At this point, there had been maps drawn, plands made, and action taken, it was time to go from defensive, to offensive. But just as we thought this, hands appeared on the window which we'd been looking at, terrified, we ran outside to chase them down, we caught them at the stairs, and all six of us burst into fits of laughter, this had gone on for three and a half hours, it was now half four in the morning!
I'll let you go.
Monday, 25 October 2010
I reckon I'd make a good hostage...
Seeing as my last blog rather rather... crap. I shall now interest you with a recent tale.
I was at a space social the other day, when me and my 'crewage' headed towards the back room after hearing the promise of 'gubbins' which were awaiting us. We all sat down rather unhappily to find out that gubbins were in fact not food, but toys designed for people of a much lower age.
So, here we were sitting there quite contentedly, when someone brings up the suggestion of typing me to a chair... rather out of nowhere I must say. So here I was thinking, 'Oooh, my silly friends, thinking of tying me to the chair. Now, I'll just leave after having had a good old laugh'. But upon reaching the door, I was grabbed and thrust upon the chair, meanwhile, flailing any and every limb that I posessed.
I then had my arms strapped down, and my legs, I was becoming increasingly worried. I decided to call for my trusted youth leaders, Matt... and Matt. After a few minutes of mindless screaming, they came to what I thought was a daring rescue. Turns out they came to help tie me up. I then realised that Ihad another trusted youth leader, Tim. But after yet more mindless screaming, he never heard me... or so he said later on.
Eventually, they decided to let me out, but not before numerous times of throwing myself against the door, screaming, biting, and having a green pen moustache.
But as the Space weekend away is coming up, I know that I shall have my revenge!
I'll let you go.
I was at a space social the other day, when me and my 'crewage' headed towards the back room after hearing the promise of 'gubbins' which were awaiting us. We all sat down rather unhappily to find out that gubbins were in fact not food, but toys designed for people of a much lower age.
So, here we were sitting there quite contentedly, when someone brings up the suggestion of typing me to a chair... rather out of nowhere I must say. So here I was thinking, 'Oooh, my silly friends, thinking of tying me to the chair. Now, I'll just leave after having had a good old laugh'. But upon reaching the door, I was grabbed and thrust upon the chair, meanwhile, flailing any and every limb that I posessed.
I then had my arms strapped down, and my legs, I was becoming increasingly worried. I decided to call for my trusted youth leaders, Matt... and Matt. After a few minutes of mindless screaming, they came to what I thought was a daring rescue. Turns out they came to help tie me up. I then realised that Ihad another trusted youth leader, Tim. But after yet more mindless screaming, he never heard me... or so he said later on.
Eventually, they decided to let me out, but not before numerous times of throwing myself against the door, screaming, biting, and having a green pen moustache.
But as the Space weekend away is coming up, I know that I shall have my revenge!
I'll let you go.
Friday, 8 October 2010
French Oral
Je detest Francais.
French orals are probably one of the worst things I can think of, they are always there, in the back of your mind, looming over you. No matter how much you've done on it, there's always the feeling that you should do more. In fairness, I probably should have done more, I didn't really do very much.
The recording wasn't brilliant either, my mind went completely blank in one of the questions, but no matter how obvious I made that to my teacher, she just sat there smiling at me as if she expected that with a couple of minutes time, the answer would come to me... it didn't. In the end, I just had to whimper 'I don't know' hoping that it wouldn't be picked up in the recording.
And then, to top it all off, in our French lesson, we had one of the worst substitute teachers possible. She doesn't tell us what to do very well, and she seems to think that if she talks loudly, then we will understand it. We didn't.
Anyway, I'll let you go.
French orals are probably one of the worst things I can think of, they are always there, in the back of your mind, looming over you. No matter how much you've done on it, there's always the feeling that you should do more. In fairness, I probably should have done more, I didn't really do very much.
The recording wasn't brilliant either, my mind went completely blank in one of the questions, but no matter how obvious I made that to my teacher, she just sat there smiling at me as if she expected that with a couple of minutes time, the answer would come to me... it didn't. In the end, I just had to whimper 'I don't know' hoping that it wouldn't be picked up in the recording.
And then, to top it all off, in our French lesson, we had one of the worst substitute teachers possible. She doesn't tell us what to do very well, and she seems to think that if she talks loudly, then we will understand it. We didn't.
Anyway, I'll let you go.
Monday, 6 September 2010
The Following Year
Now that it's my last GCSE year, I have made the decision that I may have to work pretty darn hard, and unfortunately, that will require giving up a large portion of whatever social life that I had, which judging by the fact I write a blog, I didn't have much of.
It will be hard for me, reducing time spent on all my beloved things, facebook, msn... well... that's pretty much it.
I guess my inspiration for this would have to be Rosie, who spent a fair slice of her life last year revising non stop, and whilst I may not go to that extreme, I may have to go along that Idea, after all, she got pretty amazing results, and is now set for life.
This will come as a shock to some, as one time when I wasn't on facebook for a couple of hours, no less than two of my friends got worried about me and thought that I may have been kidnapped.
I'll let you go.
It will be hard for me, reducing time spent on all my beloved things, facebook, msn... well... that's pretty much it.
I guess my inspiration for this would have to be Rosie, who spent a fair slice of her life last year revising non stop, and whilst I may not go to that extreme, I may have to go along that Idea, after all, she got pretty amazing results, and is now set for life.
This will come as a shock to some, as one time when I wasn't on facebook for a couple of hours, no less than two of my friends got worried about me and thought that I may have been kidnapped.
I'll let you go.
Catch Up
I haven't posted for a while, so i guess I'll just have to whizz through recent happenings.
I'll start with holiday club, holiday club was pretty awesome. I was worried about being in the band at first because kids songs often tend to be in an awkward key with awkward chords, but in the end I just figured; stick a capo on, and all shall be well.
I was disappointed through, because of Greenbelt, I missed the barbeque on the final day. And Greenbelt wasn't brilliant fun, it's basically New Wine but without the fun, friends and good worship, which leaves you with very little good. Beyong missing my friends, nothing on the program particularly interested me, besides the stand up comedian Milton Jones performing, which despite me getting there 40 minutes earlier to queue up for, I still didn't get in as the venue was packed.
The last week was generally good, I met up with friends on some days, had to do last minute homework which was less fun, and on the Sunday, I led worship at the Space Celebration which was amazing. It's all one step closer to being a worship leader.
And today, first day back at school, despite an unfortunate hour of boy girl seating plan and a school rules presentation from someone who clearly never got hugged as a child, the rest of the day went alright. And I invited one of my closest friends to go along to Space, and they seemed alright about it, so hopefully it will all work out.
Anyway, I've kept you long enough, I'll let you go. (That would be funny to anyone who has seen Milton Jones)
I'll start with holiday club, holiday club was pretty awesome. I was worried about being in the band at first because kids songs often tend to be in an awkward key with awkward chords, but in the end I just figured; stick a capo on, and all shall be well.
I was disappointed through, because of Greenbelt, I missed the barbeque on the final day. And Greenbelt wasn't brilliant fun, it's basically New Wine but without the fun, friends and good worship, which leaves you with very little good. Beyong missing my friends, nothing on the program particularly interested me, besides the stand up comedian Milton Jones performing, which despite me getting there 40 minutes earlier to queue up for, I still didn't get in as the venue was packed.
The last week was generally good, I met up with friends on some days, had to do last minute homework which was less fun, and on the Sunday, I led worship at the Space Celebration which was amazing. It's all one step closer to being a worship leader.
And today, first day back at school, despite an unfortunate hour of boy girl seating plan and a school rules presentation from someone who clearly never got hugged as a child, the rest of the day went alright. And I invited one of my closest friends to go along to Space, and they seemed alright about it, so hopefully it will all work out.
Anyway, I've kept you long enough, I'll let you go. (That would be funny to anyone who has seen Milton Jones)
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