Long Journey

The eve of New Year's Eve

Well its Saturday, at least I think it is Saturday. Its the 30th December 2006 either-way.

Simon & Vicki are coming over for a meal tomorrow and Mum & Dad are coming for lunch.

The menu?

Lunch

Salmon & Dill soup, take from the Covent Garden Soup Company Book

"New Covent Garden Soup Company's Soup and Beyond: Soups, Beans and Other Things (New Covent Garden Soup Company)" (Diana Athill)

With Freshly made bread in my old bread machine, probably with sun dried tomatoes and garlic in it.

New Year's Eve Meal

Well Fiona's favorite starter is mellon and ham, so that's what we are having. A nice fresh Honey Dew mellon, with Parma Ham, and a dash of a dark berry coolie drizzled over the top.

The main will be a fantastic fish pie, using a great free recipe from Waitrose. It used cod fillet, smoked bacon lardons, spring onions, and a lovely sweet potato topping. Served with a nice crisp green salad.

The pudding is coming with Si & Vic, so will be a surprise.

Wines, a nice simple white, probably a Chilean chardonay, a good desert wine, followed by a dry vintage champagne for midnight.

We will just about manage to stay up past midnight, have a toast, and then collapse into bed.

Fresh Croissants and bacon in the morning, with Espresso.

Then off to Vienna for the week to sort out something for work!

Happy New Year!

Rant

OK, time to get this off my chest.

I am fed up with Christmas.

But this year it is different, this year its not the stupid commercial crap that surrounds it, its not the over indulgence, the binge drinking, the stupid adverts, the crush of people, the general exploitive nature of this season.

No its the attack on the Christmas story, the attack of the meaning. I am fed up of seeing our society blasting out how we need to respect all religions, whilst not daring to be too "Christian" with our own. Rebecca has celebrated Divali, and a load of other ethnic celebrations. BUT come to Christmas. OH NO, can't do a nativity, can't send a Christmas card, can't mention Christ. Might offend. What about sending my daughter home with a light that she has made, and encouraging us to light it.

Its not the other activities that bother me, there is no real issue there. BUT please oh please, don't transform our own activities into a third class activity. Its like positive discrimination, its proving that all this commercialization is working. Where is the meaning of Christmas.

So here is an idea. Next year I'm thinking of having 9 Services that would run from the 1st through to the 23rd. Nine services that are quick, simple, and quiet. Based around the nine traditional readings. A bit like Grace's NINE service, but spread out across Advent. A place to escape, but fully enter into our season of waiting.

It won't solve the issues, but it will secure a communities chance to remember.

Hold me to this one.

Quick Christmas Photo's

So with the celebration just over a week away, we have managed to put together this years Christmas card.

We always send out a card with a photo of Rebecca on the front. Its more personal than a generic card, and even though the production quality is poor people seem to love them.
We not managed to put pen to paper enough to write a round robin letter, so the card is the best we do.

This year we have a couple of photo's of Rebecca dressed as "father christmas", don't ask!

I hope they make you smile in this pre-Christmas rush, and may you find a moment of calm to be able to await the coming of our Lord!

New Job

Well, after a little over two months, I started my new job last week!

I'm working for a company called Aircom. They are a software company that specializes in mobile network tools. Its a good role (Project Manager) and the people are nice!
Based in Leatherhead, but I will be supporting Global projects. The role will be a challenge, as it is client facing, includes pre-sales, and is not just software.

Anyway, the MX-5 has also gone (too old to support the commute) and a new 107 is sitting on the drive. Convertible "sports" car to little 1000cc city car. More space in the new one though! And it is currently giving me 45mpg, which should only get better!