Some house photos....

Bathroom, hall, bedroom, study and communion table

some good photos...

Wee Aga ...............................................................Wee Aaron, a star!

...tales from washington

I thought that a few exercepts from my trip to washington were relevant.

I was giving a wee talk at the American Diabetes Association which was a bit of a dampener on the rest of the trip as I woke up constantly at 5.30 am to adjust the talk. Suzie will be glad that I wasnt with her when that happened. I was staying near Georgetown which is an excellent area. Did a fair bit of shopping in Banana Republic. Gadget vicar had sent me in the direction of this chuch which was top stuff - 3,000 happy americans in an Anglican church that was controversy free and a wee bit away from Washington DC. American beer was a bit disappointing and I failed to go to the famous 9.30 club as there were no gigs at the correct time although I just missed Artic Monkeys & KT Tunstall. Got asked to a gay celebration party and watched the World Cup in an Irish pub.

Asturias, astonishing and astorming CD

Sorry - once more for being a brutal blogger but between you and the rest of the blogsphere the reasons have been multiple. I will try and outline some of the interesting things that have happened recently. We go off to Asturias to Northern Spain tomorrow at 5.45 am - cannot wait to wake up the kids just to show them what it feels like! We have been to Northern Spain before and we have friends who live there Bill(common spanish name) and Ros(from Northern Ireland). They also have a wee girl and a thousand steps and live in Bilbao. We are about three hours away.

Well a wee summary of where we are in the grand scheme of building and I will endeavour to add some new pictures maybe even tonight if all goes well. So.........a year ago now we found building firm x.......and in january with much optimism and vigiour we moved out into a flat in the west end for a fistful of money for 4 weeks. We moved back in in May.........helped by a week in friends and then renting a flat from another friend which was vacant. The 'job' was supposed to take 6-8 weeks but took 5 months and there is still some residual stuff to fininsh. Looks good though but the fininishing touch was the addition of the speakers into their stands in the kitchen last night. Suzie and I build an Ikea desk last night, I couldnt help but be impresses at how cleverly it all fitted together once all the components were the correct way round and how the instructions baffled us. When we are away hopefully the painters will have resurrected the hall and the plumber finished the last few bathroom components. Thereafter the carpets should arrive in August, the replacement tumble drier in July and the baliffs in Novemeber. Astonishingly it looks like the finishing straight is in line!

I will be packing ipod, logitech speakers and shades and some books. Hannah is a bit concerned about the lack of TV and is keen I take my computer.

A storming selection of Johnny Cash American Recordings have been blessing my kitchen and ipod and I cannot tell you how amazing they are!!!

Washington, work men and wireless

Ahh blogsphere its been some time since the tinkling of the keyboard here has been possible. We moved back in about three weeks ago but had real problems with the phone lines, wireless and ADSL fliters and many geekesque things that have slowed me down. Suffice to say that many hours between myself, BT, Sitecom router and a firm from Bearsden who put the new wires in and a long chat to Wanadoo and low and behold its all working!

The workmen continue but are on their last legs - as are Suzie and I and hopefully another few weeks should complete things. We have learnt a lot and lived in a wee flat in the South side for 4 months which we thoroughly enjoyed......its great to have the HiFi back and the AGA and communion table combo has been much enjoyed. The boys from our church group came round for stew, wine, beers and singing and utilised the facilities.

Aaron is now walking and very pleased with himself. He has not stopped eating for the past few months. Hannah and Laura are very pleased to be back in the house too.

Must dash as I am off to try and fininish a talk I am giving in Washington DC on Monday

Progress, promise and practice

Yep

The house has taken too long, week 15 beckons but progress is ongoing and next week we will be back in. The house is looking fantastic and we shall soon say bye to Shawlands and hello to Jordanhill. Aaron is now walking - he was stationary when we left and it was snowing!

Ed and I went to go and see Morrisey on Thursday which was good but Sons and Daughters displayed the promise of years ago!

Otherwise the pratcice of medicine is going well and its more medical recieving this week....

Still out.......but not down

Sorry for the lack of posting but we are still out of the house - its come on somewhat from then but still has someway to go I think! Plumbing problems now being solved by our mate Graham. Suzie and I are both 33, the kids looking forward to returning to the house, another week of nights in the bag and much much more...more upon our return!

Up up and away

Sorry - not been the best blogger recently but we have been away from our house which is currently looking like this! The builders are hard at it and we will be back in in about 2 and a half weeks. We anticipate a massive party on May with Aarons dedication over the same weekend so watch this space.

A wee synopsis.......

Currently in Rollestone with Suzie's family which is lovely and Hannah and Aaron are having a wonderful time. Congratulations to Eddie and Rebecca on Wee Owen. Aaron has started crawling .......timing not ideal but he's very happy. Aberdeen FC have now just achieved victories over Hearts and Rangers, Scotland beat France and then themselves.
Listening to a lot of U2, Mogwai, Pearl Jam, Belle and Sebastian and isabel campbell and mark lanegan. Doing a lot of dull stats and hopefully off to go and see the film Walk The Line this tonight!

New Year

Well bogsphere - Its been a while since I was on this site but suffice to say that since we last bogged we have moved out, work on the house has started, 2 weeks of medical recieving, 2 talks and tonsilitis(Aaron). The wee man hasnt quite settled into the new flat and isnt really sleeping which is not ideal.

The photo is from Hogmanay with my old flatmates Stu(White shirt) and Col(Blue Shirt). The girl back right is Sandy who is marrying Col on the 29th of April, the girl infront of her is Elaine Mrs Stu. The party was excellent - great food, company, Champagne and games!

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.