Festive Greetings!

Yes - hours before we embark upon a trip to the North to Stu's party I have grabbed a few minutes to wish you all festive greetings. Thus far we have enjoyed a great couple of days at Suzie's parents and yesterday we went to glasgow science centre. Hannah and Laura didnt invent anything new but came up with a great parachute and some balloon powered cars! Aaron is enjoying all the attention and Suzie and I the time off!

Natalie Merchant

Following on from my prior post on Kristen Hersh may I alert those not in the know about Natalie Merchant. In 1990 a friend lent me a 10 000 Maniacs CD because it contained a track called Jack Kerouac and I was a fan of his at the time. Since then 15 years have passed and she is ageing better. The Maniacs have released a set of amazing music that she has added to. I would start with the 10 000 Maniacs Unplugged and take it from there. She played the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow in 2002 I think and it remains my top gig ever, with the Femmes in London 1990, Belly (Glasgow Plaza 1995), Arcade Fire(Glasgow 2005), Belle and Sebastian (Glasgow Barrowlands 2001?) and Morrisey (Paisley 2004!) making the top 6!. She played piano for an hour and then the band kicked in!

Great News

Not the end for Rachel but the road to recovery begins. I popped in last night and 6 days after major surgery she is at home with wobbles(husband) and 2 kids! She is very sore and tired but many prayers answered and although there is some way to go home is a good place to start!

70's Night

For lots of Suzies friends and family you will be glad to know that her persuit of fashion and decor and feminine charms remains second to none! This is her just before her work night out for a 70's night. Not to take it lightly fake Mammary Glands, Swede skirt, wig and a sheepskin jacket were all on!
Class

Industry!

Well Aaron, Hannah and Laura can spend forever drawing and gluing. Laura allways tells me that she could "do this all day!". Aaron tends to try and eat the paper - Their enthusiasm is infectious!

Nights!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry its been a wee bit quiet here but I am on nights just now. The pleasure of a shift from 10.30pm until 11am. Suzie is away in London at a course but back tonight and it all finishes at the weekend! Until some nights next weekend.

Rachel was in theatre today for an operation so keep praying and I will post news as soon as it comes through!

Rachel

Please pray for my friend Rachel. She is in hospital and may need an operation very soon for a serious condition. Without breaching confidentiality she has 2 kids a great husband and faces an uphill battle. Please also pray for her parents and her husbands parents. We would ask that all would be upheld in prayer and surrounded by a love and protection and reality that only God can offer.

Talking Talking Talking

Yep - never would have thought it but even I get tired of talking. I spent 2 hours tonight speaking at the Royal College of Physicians on Diabetes and Endocrinology so am bushed! Was up to 2last night finishing the talk and drawing some graphs for some research. Then came home to our church home group meeting which was ample opportunity for more talking.

On a different note Kristen Hersh did a live session on 6 Music today - here- which is great!

And now..a glass of this and bed!

Church required

Just a wee note to say that if anyone is looking for a church in Glasgow then may I warmly invite you all to St Silas - its essentially a church that cannot really be pinned down. A 'gathered' local congregation largely from the West End. The vicar David blogs here! It has a wide age range, lively music and good teaching with many housegroups that meet furing the week. There is also a large childrens work which puts Mrs Doubtfire-esque Sunday School Teaching to shame. I'm not going to mention the conservative evangelical thing but I have and would rather mention Glasgow City Mission and my Handsome friend Ewan, above right(see here!).

Kristen Hersh

aaaah
A real treat for those unaware of the great work of this singer song writer. If you live in London Kristen Hersh is playing there later on this month both songs from her Throwing Muses and solo records. She indeed is a blogger herself and is a family orientated fairly 'black singer' with some amazing records. I would start with Hips and Makers, The Real Ramona, University and Sunny Border Blue.

...I had always wanted a girlfriend with lots of piercings.......sorry Sooz. 

Team Member number 4. 

Hannah Strumming in the guitar......pass me the beers! 

And then there was Laura......

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Youngest Team member Aaron! 

Even the Drummonds blog these days.....

Ah yes - Following on from David McCarthy - I have procrastinated for so long that my plans to set up a web site merely for communication purposes has been overtaken by technology such that there is no need for too much HTML and low and behold I am able to simply blog. Phenomenal.

There seems to be so much happening on a daily basis at the moment. Much of it from this wee 2m x 75cm room that I have been entrenched in writing this PhD. Our house plans are full steam ahead ........its taken a long time but its certainly keeping Suzie happy looking at books with taps and sinks and tiles. Hannah is excited as Auntie Claire is coming down tonight for a course! Aaron is eating like a horse and Laura is through next weekend.

.......I'm off to type.....