Time to go....Please!

I watched a good Prime Minister's Question Time today when David Cameron told Tony Blair to go now for the sake of the country.

I look forward to the day when Tony Blair quits as he has all his sense. He has almost destroyed Iraq and our prisons are full, taxes are high, public transport is over priced and rubbish and hospitals are closing (The A and E at Ashford hospital closed last year). He may even go to prison soon...

All this and more and he thinks that this year has been the best year of his term in office, can't he see that he has been one of the worst Prime Minister in British history.

I liked it when David Cameron asked "When is he going to realise it is all over?".

Not that I am looking forward to Gordon Brown taking over as we will still have the same problems, but at least he will sort out the cabient and there will not be minister who want Tony Blair to go and more interested in their jobs under Gordon Brown and not doing their jobs now.

"In any organisation if you have got long-term problems, you can't have a short-term chief executive" - David Cameron

My view of Tony Blair is that he is a 'lame duck' and should go as soon as possible, so the government can get on with its job and stop worrying about creating a good profile for their jobs under Gordon Brown's Labour Party.

I believe that he is trying to create his place in history as quick as possible, but he needs to get that most people see him as a terrible and sleezey prime minister and he will not be able to fix a great place in history in a few months and needs to go and accept that he could have done a lot better in office.

To close we really need a Conservative government, because in my view Labour is now a dead party. The days when the welfare state and the NHS were created are long gone, the few things I liked about the party.

At Home - Day 1 - Music Quiz

I am very bored at the moment so I decided to do this from Cat's blog. I have done things like this before on Myspace and they are quite fun.
I used iTunes.

IF YOUR LIFE WERE A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?

So, here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool...

Opening Credits: World at your feet - Embrace (a very fitting song I think)

Waking Up: It ain't necessarily so - Nicola Benedetti (who would not like to wake up to a violin solo?)

First Day at School: Sleepwalking - Maria Lawson (good for a history lesson)

Falling In Love: Communist Quiz - Monty Python (scary!!!)

Fight Song: Prayer - Becky Jane Taylor (not quite a fight song)

Breaking Up: Thunderbirds are go - Busted (now how did that get onto my iTunes???)

Prom: Jerusalem-Gospel mix by Confidance - Keedie and the England Cricket Team (a great prom song, maybe for a WI prom)

Mental Breakdown: Greensleeves - Amy Nuttall (A great song)

Driving: Heaven - Bryan Adams (well life is a road towards heaven I guess)

Flashback: You Raise Me Up - Becky Jane Taylor (Well Becky is a flashback towards a earlier song)

Wedding: Black Horse and The Cherry Tree - KT Tunstall (Well there is a horse that asks for marriage in this song)

Birth of Child: The Battle - Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrad (No comment there)

Final Battle: How would it be - Lene Marlin (That is a good question)

Death Scene: Dead Parrot - Monty Python (I don't think you could get a more perfect song)

Funeral Song: Under the Weather - KT Tunstall (Well wouldn't you be)

End Credit: Every Breath You Take - The Police (This would be a better funeral song)

Interview with Kristyn Murphy

1. I will start by asking you about your new album, Entitled, To The Glory Of God. What is your favourite song from it and how have your fans found it?

I will start by thanking you for taking the time to keep a fan site and keeping people updated with interviews. It means a lot to me and I thank you again and again and again! My favorite song from the album ended up being “Jesus Paid it All”.
It is such abeautiful song with a thought provoking message. I like how it is an old song that has been given a new melody. Not many people have heard this version so it add bit of spice to the album.
My fans have been amazing! I think overall they have been happy with the album. Some of the comments have been~“I strongly recommend this album not just as a keepsake if you are Kristyn’s fanor friend but in its own right.” “The power of your voice compels the listener not only to listen but to accept the message that you were born to convey”.
Those are a couple of direct quotes. Other response has been equally favorable. One father told me his 12 year old son took his copy and played it none stop for 2 days in a row. That really tickled me.
So far the CD is doing what I reallywanted it to do…I wanted it to communicate God’s message to the listeners.
That it does that has been the most consistent comment.

2. You have just performed at the Husson College Campus Center, how did it go?

Well, I had an absolute blast! It was wicked fun. It was also a new experience because I got to dance with a live Jazz Band for the first time and sing with jazz accompaniment. I’m not really a jazzy singer, but we gave 2 songs a jazzy sort of feel.
It was awesome! United States Senator Susan Collins was in the audience she made it a point to tell me how much she enjoyed it and gave me words of encouragement.
That pleased me greatly…hahaha.

3. Could you give a quick review of your recent photoshoot, which picture is yourfavourite and why?

Haha the shoot was soooo fun! Between eating chocolate and smiling big I guess you could say it was a big success. There are so many pictures I haven’t really picked a favorite yet. But I will let you know as soon as I do.

4. When did you decide to go barefoot? Do you find it helps your singing?

(can you put this one on hold? In a month I will have my answer for you. I’m working on an essay on that very topic).

5. Have you started a new musical instrument since our last interview?

Not unless you count whistling…lips instead of vocal chords… hahahha one’s a wind instrument and the other string.

6. Moving away from music for a moment, which is your favourite bible verse and why?

I have favorite bible verses for different moods and occasions. I will have to think on this one a bit, for there are so many great verses! Different ones help me at different times.

7. How are the dancing lessons going?

They are going. I have cut back on dance quite a bit to focus on my music. Injuries have set me back quite a bit with dancing but I still love it and try totake a ballet class once a week.

8. Which friend/s on Myspace would you like to perform with the most?

Hmmm…well the singers that I would most like to perform with are Josh Groban, Billy Gilman, and Micheal Buble (that’s pronounced boo-blay…not the soapy bubble haha).
I know Billy Gilman has an “official myspace” run by fans. I’m not sure about Josh Groban and Micheal Buble. All three are very talented singers and would be fun to perform with.

9. Had did you feel when you learnt that you were in the top 10 on the Myspace charts in the Classical/Opera and Vocal category?

I was tickled to pieces. I’m still trying to figure out how I got there…haha.

10. Finally, what would you like to say to all your fans that show enormous support in your career?

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! And …. Thank you! Singers don’t get very far without fans and I am very very honored to have such supportive ones.
I hope that you will buy my CD and if you like it, spread the word! Oh, and remember not to take yourself seriously, the things you do yes, but not yourself ;) Go barefoot!

England expects

Most people that know me know that I believe strongly in creating a English parliament, as both Scotland, Wales and soon Ireland will have their own national parliaments or similar, while Labour have said that they do not want a English parliament.

Most people think they know why Labour fear a English parliament, but I do not want one because I know that it will lead to a Conservative victory in England, I want one because if the other British countries have one then England should have one as well.

Iain Dale's blog has information about this and the EDM 670 that shows most English voters see a English Parliament at the top of their list for constitutional reform.

As total independence for Scotland by only be a few years away, I believe that plans should start being drawn up for a EP, otherwise are Scottish MP's from the 'Independence nation of Scotland' still going to be allowed to vote on English issues, Edward I would turn in his grave.

Check out the petition symbol on the right or check out the CEP site below.

http://thecep.org.uk/

Kristyn Murphy

I just got a e-mail from the singer, Kristyn Murphy who asked me to add these new pictures from a photoshoot, so here they are.

Check out her new site here - Kristyn

How bad is your home.... office

Please check out this story about yet other example about how bad the Home Office is.

The Pope's comments on Muhammad

I have recently found out about Jay Smith, who is a Christian with a lot of interesting things to say and I have enjoyed watching his video's on YouTube.

Jay has studied Islam for 25 years and is well-informed about what he is discussing and I find his views on the Koran against the bible worth listening to, you can always see a smile when he talks about the bible.

Here is one video and you can see more here

Islam is for Arabs, but Christianity is for Everyone

Undercover Mosque

Just watching the Dispatches programme about a reporter going undercover in mosques and some of the things that are being said by preachers are quite scary, it is the same thing that can be expected by religious fanatics like kill the homosexual, turn Britian into an Islamic state and to repress women and to say that the Christian and the Jew are going to hell and so on....

Some of these preachers are crazy! I may just be saying that because I am a born and breed Westerner who loves everything (apart from the Labour Party) that Britain stands for and live in a society where the church and the state are seprate.

I don't get why these people want Jihad, what good is that to try to move the world foward, it is quite scary!

However it only seems to be one or two mosques in the country, so I don't want to give the expression that every mosque up and down the country are preaching hatred, but I believe the leadership who believe that the 'summit of Islam is Jihad' and preach things like this need to relax and to learn to be more peaceful with other religions.

I believe that Britain will never become a Islamic state with Islamic law, I believe that British society and history is too strong to allow a sudden take over of a Middle East law.

What are religious police? sounds like the Church police from Monty Python, which will all know is a funny joke.

If I went to a church that preached hatred and to kill the infidel, I would walk out in disgust and would not laugh about people talking about Jewish people as pigs.

I believe that a lot of muslim people in this country want to join the wider public, but imams that talk about creating a muslim public that is seprate from the British public because they think they are better and believe that they should kill to please Allah need to wake up.

Gordon Brown

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The Ashes Series 2005 - England Cricket Song

Those great days seemes so long ago.

Middle East and Europe

Check this out to see a history of empire's in Europe and the Middle East in 90 seconds, I think it is so cool!

Europe and Middle East

The history of religion in 90 seconds

Yeah, I am officially British!

I got this questionnaire from my friend Ruth's Myspace page.

British

[x] You drink a lot of tea
[x] You vote conservative or labour because lib dems will never get in
[x] You know what a brolly is
[ ] Deal or No Deal has taken over your life
[ ] You wanted Ben to win X Factor
[ ] You use the word "bugger"or the phrase "bloody hell"
[x] Fish and Chips are yummy
[x] you can eat a Full English Breakfast
[ ] you dislike emos almost as much as you dislike chavs
[x] its football...not soccer

Total: 6

Australian

[] you wear flip flops all year
[] you call flipflops thongs not flip flops
[x] you love a backyard barbie
[x] you know a barbie is not a doll
[x] you love the beach
[x] sometimes you swear without realizing
[ ] you're a sports fanatic
[ ] you are tanned
[ ] you're a bit of a bogan
[ ] you have an australian something (thongs, shirt, phone sock, etc.)

Total = 4

Italian
[x] The Sopranos is a great show.
[ ] your last name ends in a vowel.
[x] your grandmother makes her own sauces.
[x] you know how a real meatball tastes.
[ ] you know Italian songs.
[ ] you have dark hair and dark eye colour
[ ] you speak some italian
[x] you are under 5'10''.
[x] pizza/spaghetti is the best food in the world.
[ ] you talk with your hands.

Total = 5

Spanish
[] you say member instead of Remember
[x] you speak spanish or some.
[x] you like tacos
[] you are dark skinned
[] you know what a Puta is.
[x] you talk fast occasionally.
[x] you have had highlights or dyed your hair.
[] you know what plantos are

Total = 4

Russian
[] you say villian as: Vee-lon
[] you get short tempered
[x] you know of somebody named natasha
[x] you get cold easily
[] rain is fun for you
[ ] you get into contests all the time
[x] You can easily make do with the cold weather

Total= 3

Irish.

[x] you think beer is the best
[] you have a bad temper.
[] Your last name starts with a Mc OR Murph or O' or Fitz or ends with a ley,on,un,an,in,ry, ly, y.
[x] you have blue or green eyes.
[x] you like the colour green.
[ ] you have been to a st. pa
ttys day party.
[]] you have a family member from Ireland
[] you have blonde hair
[] you have/had freckles
[ ] your family get togethers always include drinking and singing

Total = 3

African American

[] you say nigga/nukka casually
[] You have nappy hair
[] you like rap
[x] You know how to shoot a gun
[ ] you think President George Walker Bush is racist
[x] you like chicken
[x] you like watermelon
[ ] you can dance
[] you can ‘sing’ gospel

Total = 3

Asian

[] you have slanty/small eyes
[x] you like rice a lot
[] you are good at math
[x] you have played the piano
[] you have family from asia
[x] you laugh sometimes covering your mouth
[] most people think you're chinese
[] you call hurricanes typhoons
[] you go to Baulko

Total= 3

German

[x] you like bread
[ ] you think American Chocolate is good.
[x] you Speak some German
[ ] you know what Schnitzel is and you love it.
[x] - not that its really happened but I wouldn't like it] you hate it when stupid people call you a Nazi
[x] you went to Pre-school
[x] you're over 5'2"

Total= 5

Canadian

[x] you like/play/played hockey
[x] you love beer
[x] You say eh
[] you know what poutine is
[x] you speak some french
[] you love Tim Horton's
[x] at one point you lived in a farm house
[] you watch/watched degrassi

Total= 5

American

[x] hate foriegners .
[] hate non -Christians
[] lazy
[] not cultured
[x] hate abortion
[] love the death penalty
[] don't read
[] shop at walmart
[x] think this bulletin is rather biased

Total = 3

Lexie's CD

I got the CD from Lexie in the post today and it is a brilliant album and has a lot of great Gospel songs on it, I recomend it if you like a bit of Gospel music.

Artwork: © Paul Long

Photographs: © Paul Long; Richard Long

Here is the track listening:

All of my days.
Don't seem right.
Garden of Gethsemane.
Christ is Risen.
Lead me to the Rock.
Christ is calling.
Mud on the road.
All the riches.
O God over all.
Jesus is my King.
Majesty (Here I am).
We need you.

Check out her site for more info here.

Sexual Orientation Law

I have known about the protest against the sexual orientation law for a short while and I may be not able to attend, however here is a page about it from the Christian Followship site.

You may ask why I would want to attend this protest anyway? Well I am not against Gay rights, even though I believe that marriage should always remain a sacred partnership between a man and women before God.

But I disagree with this law mainly because it seems like a totalitarian attempt by our government to create unity among all the population.

Could this law be overuling the word of God from the bible? but what really makes my spine shiver is that this law may cause the following:

May force priests to bless same-sex partnerships and give the use of church halls to homosexual groups.

Muslim landladies may be breaking the law by turning away homosexual couples, some already have rules againts unmarried heterosexuals couples.

Religious newspapers may have to print adverts for Gay events.

Church schools may have to teach that there is no moral distinction between homosexual sex and sex between married couples.

I believe that a factor that makes a good society is to balance the rights of the whole population, but this may be a wacky law that by adding the growing list of rights for Gay couples, is taking away religious rights for others.

Why does the government think it worthwhile to stir up ill-feeling in this way? Has Tony Blair become so arrogant after ten years that he really believes his version of morality must take precedence over God's? - Tom Utley, Daily Mail.

If this law passes through the House of Lords and is layed out across the land, we may have more martyrs because of it then the amount of protestants burnt at the stake by Mary I.

In the meantime, I have found out that Christian students at Exeter University have launched a High Court case against the University after being banned from using campus facilities over a row over Gay rights.

Ben Martin, the group spokesman, said "Legal action was the very last thing we wanted to take. We are all students trying to concentrate on our studies, but the action by the Guild, in blatant infringement of our rights, and their reluctance to reinstate us, has left us with no alternative"

I hope that the case is won by the Christian Union, overwise many other Christian Unions may start to be affected.

New photography blog

Well I have finally set up a photography blog, you can see it here - http://pictureson-thewall.blogspot.com

The point of this is to show off my pictures and to upload new pictures whenever I can. I also decided to allow some other people to join to display their photographs.

At the moment it is just me and dare I say my friend Cat who are members. Hopefully some more people will join shortly, if you are interested in becoming a member, please feel free to leave a comment on there and I will get back to you.

I should also be doing some more work to make the blog appear better and designing a banner.

So enjoy and please comment on our pictures.

Oh I say, that hit the spot.

This is my first review of a cup of tea on this blog, you may be thinking that I have gone mad, but in my defence I am very English.

Anyway I tried a new type of tea today called Lapsang Souchong. It is tea from South East China and this tea is produced by laying the tea leaves out on bamboo trays and allowing smoke from pinewood to permeate through them.

It has a very smokey taste to it and it smells a little like the burning wood smell, which is strange for a cup of tea.

They say that smells can bring back memories and this smell reminded me of collecting wood for the fire and relaxing by the open fire at my uncles farmhouse in the Somme.

I recomend you look out and try this tea if you like trying out different tea, it is becoming a big rival to Earl Grey for me.

Anyway I had better stop there before I get really carried away!