One year on…

Today marks one year since I started working in the finance industry in Dublin. A year ago, I was told (by my bosses) that the industry was facing some challenging times, now I’m being told (by the media) that we are in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.
One year on, whenever I leave [...]

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Edinburgh

So Edinburgh was cool. I returned lighter than I departed, having shed a pair of trainers covered in the most pungent sh*t, and a bottle of contact lens liquid (you’re welcome, Harrison); I brought back only some fudge, a bottle of Ribena and the freshers’ flu. Yes, freshers. In Scotland, they allow 17 year-olds to [...]

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Angels on the Balconies

I remember the first night I was at CORE, my current church in Dublin. I immediately noted the likeness to Late Love, a ministry I took part in in Belfast, particularly in the worship sessions. I remember describing it as similar to Late Love, but I could hear female voices, which I loosely described as [...]

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Parody and Preaching

I have two links to share, both from the Burnside Writers Collective.
The first is just brilliant parody:
God Wants You to Read This Article
The second is more thought provoking, about the value of sermons as the primary teaching tool in modern Christianity. Don’t let the title put you off reading, it’s genuinely thoughtful.
Why I Hate [...]

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The work-life balance?

Clearly my work life has changed in that I went from being a student to being a professional. The transition was steep: one day I could sleep until 12 even if I had 9am lectures, the next I’m sitting at a polished desk at 9am, wearing a starchy suit and squeaky new shoes, and by [...]

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Week 1 – Exhaustion!

I am exhausted. How people manage to haul themselves onto dancefloors on weekends after working 9 – 5.30 all week, I honestly can’t fathom.
Granted, I haven’t slept properly and I’m far from used to 7.30 starts, but this week was tougher than I thought it would be.
I’ve met some great people, Amy and Peter in [...]

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Jonny, Jonny…

Jonny Neale, in reply to his mother’s worries that he would destroy his degree certificate if he brought it into work to prove he actually passed his degree:
“Well I plan to first sit on it on the train, then set my coffee on it and maybe put it through the shredder for the craic.”
What a [...]

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Glasgae!

Connor and I are just back from a trip to Glasgow, to support our friend Ross during his installation as youth pastor in Netherlee Church of Scotland. I didn’t take any photos, but here are a couple of excellent videos Connor put together. Enjoy!
Day 1:
Days 2 & 3:When Connor mutes me in the dolly mixture [...]

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Je joue au badminton

Jamesie and I are currently enjoying a series of games of badminton, in which, surprisingly, I have a chance.
This is Jamesie:

He’s the #1 for the Queen’s thirds. And available, ladies.
This is badminton:

Note that this man is neither Jamesie nor me.
Currently the scores sit as follows:
Tuesday 28th Feb
Alastair 21 – 9 Jamesie
Tuesday 6th March
A 21 [...]

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Cheese Fight

Below is the result when someone brings the most foul smelling cheese to a quiet birthday gathering.
Happy birthday John, have some cheese in the face.

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