Carving my first pumpkin

Okay, so I've never done this before, but it's a tradition here so yesterday was pumpkin day. I spent all afternoon carving away like a madman along with my life group family, and as you can see from the pictures, we made a LOT of mess, but also had a LOT of fun!

Luckily, my pumpkin wasn't too big, so it didn't take too much effort. I am handicapped by artistic inability and a fear of anything sharp (as it usually manges to lodge itself somewhere in me, narrowly avoiding cutting something off), but despite all that, I managed to get the thing open and clear out all the gunk - MAN what a lot of gunk... Quite how you make the leap from this smelly stringy gloop to wonderful pumpkin pie I know not...

It was great watching the kids go at it, and in the end I was pretty happy with the way mine turned out. Now all I need is a candle and I'm good to go!

Two reasons why I want kids!

So here are some pics of myself with the 2 little ladies, Maddie and Maisy. Six years old and cute as can be. They make me feel very broody every time I see them, but they're great!!

Family Force 5 - LIVE!

It has long been an ambition of mine to see FF5 live as their on stage show is pretty much the stuff of legend, and after last night's show at Main 1 in Medford, it's easy to see why.

This was a 3-band package tour, and I arrived in time to see some of the excellent Jonezetta, who reminded me a little of early Prince & the Revolution, with their funk fuelled electro pop.

Main act though was FF5 who are renowned for their live energy, and they certainly owned the small Main 1 stage last night. It was non-stop movement and 110% commitment to the groove from start to finish. In between songs, some really cool and groovy samples kept things flowing, and the crunk was well and truly with us.

Highlights would be the breakneck "I Love You To Death", the brutally funky "Kountry Gentlemen" and deafening closer "Earthquake". Equally entertaining were bassist Phatty's increasingly creative ways to play his guitar (including backwards, upside down and behind his head) as well as Soul Glow's gradual morphing into a Transformer.

Top show!

Best Football Game of the Season (So Far)

Finally! This is what Monday Night Football is all about! A game to remember - and yet ironically, it wasn't supposed to be that way. The as-yet unbeaten Cowboys visiting a Bills side that had just won their first game of the season, with a second-string rookie QB making only his second start. It was a recipe for one-way traffic. But I guess that's the beauty of football; sometimes it throws out an unexpected classic like last night's.

Things looked a little different right from the start with the first of Tony Romo's 5 (yes, 5) interceptions, and the Bills defense & special teams ran in a total of 21 points.

Unfortunately, the Bills' offense could only manage 3 points all night,and maybe if rookie QB Trent Edwards could have got more going there, Buffalo might have been able to stretch further away from the Cowboys, but you always got the sense that despite Romo playing like my 96 year old gran (God rest her soul), Dallas were always much closer to turning the game round than they should have been, and of course we all know what happened in the 4th.

Okay, so Cowboy haters would have been very disappointed with the final outcome, but to the neutral, coming down as it did to a career-best (and twice attempted, due to the current trend of last minute field goal timeouts to ice the kicker) 53 yarder from Nick Folk with 2 seconds on the clock, finishing a great Cowboys comeback - it made for the best of all finishes.

Now the Cowboys host the similarly unbeaten Patriots, and there is EVERY reason for that game to be as good, if not better. Roll on Sunday afternoon!!

Casting Crowns Concert Pictures 10-4

Hope you enjoy these Casting Crowns, Leeland and John Waller shots from last night. Also included, a few shots of Dove staff meeting various bands...

Casting Crowns Concert 10/4

We've been preparing for this show for as long as I've been in the US (just over 5 months) and it's finally been and gone.

Rarely have I seen a promotor looking as happy and relaxed as I did last night. The hall was sold out, stuffed to capacity. There must have been getting on for 4,000 people crammed in there, but more than that, they were there to WORSHIP, and not just to get entertained.

A lot of this was down to the artists. John Waller set the tone, concluding his (too) short 3-song set with a sung priestly blessing.

Leeland need no encouragement to worship. That's what they're all about, and they were just wonderful. Leeland Mooring himself is so much more confident as a person and frontman since last year's visit with Third Day, and he led the band through a mini greatest hits, including a new song based around Mephibosheth ("Carried To The Table"), which I imagine will be on the upcoming second album. Leeland were totally wonderful!

Casting Crowns are a great bunch of people who prepare in prayer assiduously by praying over and around each venue before concerts. Last night would be no exception. You definitely got the impression that this was more a worship service than a concert, and yet everyone had a great time.

With such a great mixture of songs from what's now 3 records, there was no shortage of diverse material, including some deft and wicked violin from Melodee, and of course, thought provoking and uncompromising lyrics from Mark.

The audience were with all 3 artists from the get-go and this was definitely a night to remember. Next up in the same venue, Switchfoot on December 1st. Nice!

Tree63 - Sunday!

Been waiting for this record for AGES, and although it weighs in at only 38 minutes, it's pure gold!

John Ellis has never been backward in coming forward and so this record is another combination of hard rock and heartfelt worship, but this time there are some killer ballads too. "Alright" is a superb anthem, while "Foolishness" takes a look at how the foolish things of the world shame the wise, over a gorgeous musical progression.

My favorite song would have to be the extremely rocktastic "New Creation". We can never remind ourselves enough that we're one of those, can we?!

Instant classic!!

My most embarrassing blog to date

Before I go any further, please bear in mind that I've only been in this country for 5 months and in the UK we are a little bit behind you.

I made a new discovery yesterday. One of my kitchen sinks has had the water draining away a little slower than usual, so I mentioned it to my landlord, who I know well and who is great, and he said "Why don't you try switching on the garbage disposal?".

I said, "The what??"

I didn't even know what one was, let alone that I actually HAD one!!!
Of course, once I used that, everything was fine.

People, you HAVE to tell me things like this. Next you'll be telling me my apartment has air conditioning!!

(okay, I actually DO know that!)