Marathon Update

On Monday 2nd May 2011 I will be partaking in (what apparently is) the toughest marathon course in Europe-but I will believe anything that makes this challenge sound better

Proper training commenced at the start of January; four months, over 285 miles ran (more precisely jogged), over 36,000 calories burned and a mental toughness developed, that i will need to finish this race.

As regards the support raising; taking all the money into consideration, there is £1,375.00 (this is including gift aid) which is 27% of the potential target!

You have no idea how thankful I am for all the finance, prayers, emails, messages, toots of your horn if you have driven past me while I'm out training, just genuine interest. I couldn't do it without, so THANK YOU.

If you would like to give there is still time, just check out;

www.justgiving.com/Philip-Howe

The influence of one!

People's upbringing! Life! Experiences! Family! This sort of thing really interests me in the human race, and as a fan of watching movies, I combined the love of these two interests and came out of the video shop with W (the story of George W Bush) and Notorious (the story of Biggy Smalls aka Notorious B.I.G.)

Both films are worlds apart in the direction they take-w. takes us from the 'present day' situation and fills us in as we go, with this, sort of, to-ing and fro-ing. Notorious on the other hand just takes us chronologically through his life from a little boy right up until his death.

Now if you can't handle much swearing or the stereotype that all rappers are into is money and 'hoes' (not garden hoes, the other kind), then Notorious might get a bit monotonous.

But as I reflected on these two films, it really struck me that every person has an influence!

We all do... whether we like it or not. Like Ricky Gervais says in the office 'A philosopher once wrote you need three things to have a good life. One, a meaningful relationship, two, a decent job of work, and three, to make a difference. And it was always that third one that stressed me, to make a difference. And I realise that I do. Every day, we all do. It's how we interact, with our fellow man'

(also, this is why the blog has the heading 'forgone conclusion'-from the office)

The bible tells us we are made in the image of God..this should give us so much dignity, value and worth!!! but not only that, you have an influence!

So whether you are the only Christian in your workplace, university or school! Or the only one with a positive attitude in a crummy work situation or whatever it is-remember-you have an influence!

Look at George W. Bush-people may call him stupid (and at times rightfully so), but he became President of the United States of America. Notorious B.I.G. became one of the world's greatest rappers. Look at Jesus-the son of God-still being talked about today (I guess you would be if you had said and done all the things he had!)

So don't devalue yourself, remember the influence of one can bring about an influence to many!

Royalist tribute

as a tribute to the royal wedding, check this clever advert composed by T-mobile!

The idea, I believe, is taken from another wedding video that is from America where a couple actual did something to this effect, to the song by Chris Brown called 'forever' (if you haven't seen it, have a watch)

Truth?

This is the good news about Jesus Christ-as a Christian, this is what I believe! This is truth and like that great film 'The Shawshank Redemption' says "the truth can set you free!"

check it out

Russell Brand's Booky Wook 2!

Marmite

that is the best way to describe this man-you either love him or you hate him!

and after telling my dad I read this book, it's safe to say, he is of the latter category aforementioned!

But it was the newsnight interview I got the opportunity to watch that really made me want to know more about the enigma that is Russell Brand!

if you haven't watched the interview, take a look;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/9053238.stm

After the interest for his autobiography, this interview hastened upon me, the book did not disappoint. From his reputation, you would perceive that he is a crazy, sex-mad yet eloquent man, but from the book...you see he is a crazy, sex-mad yet eloquent man.

You can tell it is an autobiography as you can hear him speak as you read (not actually, it isn't like he is sitting next to you or that you get a free audio headset for him to read it to you!) But you can hear how he would say the lines, and as you read you are indulged in a smorgasbord of literary brilliance! (he mentions the word smorgasbord-and what a good word it is too-underused me thinks)

At times, however, it does read as a poor man's mills and boon novel, yet he lets you in! With lines like-'death' and 'saviour' It seems like an honest portrayal from a man who seems to have found the answer to his quest in the name of a person-as a Christian, I would like to say Jesus, but no, we find in the end it is the love of his life-Katy Perry aka Mrs Brand!

What I love about the book apart from the well-versed use of the English language, is the sheer honesty he gives on people, on events, on...well, his life! Great read, so I say well played Mr Brand, my interest was quelled and as I have done it the wrong way round-it makes me want to read 'My Booky Wook'...but this time I may bring my dictionary!

Alice in Wonderland

Now I never seen the original, but i did know about a mad hatter, a cat that smiles and a random rabbit.

So for me, with little expectations... it still didn't match up to the hype.

Great visual effects, and classic Tim Burton weirdness. Johnny Depp being in the film wasn't a surprise, since he and Burton seem to get on well with films like Sleepy Hollow, corpse bride, the more recent sweeney todd and even Charlie and the chocolate factory-which I feel Depp was harshly dealt with by critics who said his character in this was very similar to Willy wonka-when it really wasn't-just his randomness and weirdness.

The storyline just didn't capture me and it felt really slow throughout.

The plus side was I got to spend time with the wife.... and the vague idea I had of the rabbit, the mad hatter and cat was now something I had some sort of idea of.

If you have kids, it could be a good one with the 3d and all that.

Green Zone

Matt Damon....what a legend, great actor (even if every time you say his name you can't get away from the drone way you say it that was gained from 'team america')

So with this new film Green Zone coming out, especially with the director being the same man that worked with Damon on the Bourne Ultimatum, made for anticipation to be at an optimum level.

With very little knowledge other than this before I arrived into the cinema seat-it was interesting to know that the topic of the film was very controversial and something everyone is bound to have an opinion on-the war in Iraq and the reasons for going out there-and this issue of WMD-weapons of mass destruction.

I loved the camera work-the unsteadyness of it all made for a very real approach and brilliant to watch and feel involved.

The issue for me however was on the issue of trust and authority. Who do we trust? why do we trust them? are they of greater authority? who tells us this?

As a Christian, I find this all very intriguing especially when every argument that people have against Christians comes down to-well, how do we know the bible is true? why trust it? is it of greater authority? how do we know?

The history books testify, the way the world works testifies, the way we are as human beings... and the bible itself testifies to its clarity in truthfulness. It's authority is supreme-over 60 books by over 40 authors spanning over 1500 years and yet one main storyline-God reconciling everything to himself through the redemptive story of Jesus Christ.

Even Green Zone testifies and makes us wonder, were our trust is and who we think should have authority over our lives....

And even if you aren't as sad as me thinking too much into... it's a brilliant movie, go see it.