'Nativity' by Martha Fiennes

Inside a dark, triangular building fronted with wood. You could be
thinking you are about to enter something related to a fairytale. But
when you go into this dark rooms you are met by a room with a
projected moving image. It is not a picture but not a film.

The scene gently, slowly transitions. The background of what could be
modern day Palestine changes as you focus on the character in the
centre of the picture. The Madonna aka Mary, is a elegant middle
eastern woman in the traditional blue. She is sat cross legged,
showing her ankles. Her long hair around her, holding the baby Jesus.
The ery music makes the scene come across as dark. Sitting and
contemplating the image in front of you, means you don't notice the
sky turn dark and the stars appear. Nor the broken buildings give way
to the dessert.

How the picture moves and progresses depends upon the programme. A new
media called SLOimage. What the Director/artist is trying to portray
is an interesting one. The bright light that engulfs Mary and baby
Jesus while, a woman in scarlet looks on with 2 men sat cross legged
to the left, makes you wonder- is this the glory of heaven or a
portrayal of the Angel Gabriel.

This is an intriguing piece of art. What response would people have?
Is it painting the story of Christs birth as a fairy tale with it's
dark nature? Is it trying to provoke people to ask questions?

This I would not describe as a nativity for children in Covent Garden

Being Caught Short

It was just starting to get dark and I was alking along Holly Walk, reminiscing to myself about my days at school and remembering the many happy days I spent in the drama studio. I suddenly realised, as I passed one of the house whose wall is on the walk and the door is set back in a cove of the wall, there was a man standing facing the wall. At first didn't think anything of it, but then he apologised. Which made me realise he was peeing up against the wall.

I kept walking, thinking, that was right next someone's front door and he didn't look the type. (ok, shouldn't stereotype but, he didn't). I was walking up by the playing fields... when he walked past, looking somewhat is a rush and embarassed.

'I am so sorry. I don't normally do things like this normally. But it was raining and I was bursting. Sorry, if you saw anything.'

Said all v quickly. My response - laugh and smile, 'don't worry'. Why was I so polite?! 'I'm sorry' he says as walks quickly up the Row of houses ahead of me. I wante to say 'Be glad I wasn't a teenage girl leaving school' in annoyance, but didn't. That was not a decent enough excuse for doing it.

The thing I don't understand with men - v few women, will pee in a bush - men on the other hand... I had seen 2 men peeing in the church yard. Why can't they walk the 100yards to the public loo's in the shopping precinct. No they have to urinate in full public view. A place where children or teenagers walk past. This subject is being discussed on the Jeremy Vine Show on Radio 2.

MEN PLEASE USE PUBLIC FACILITIES, DON'T PEE OUTSIDE SOMEONE'S FRONT DOOR!

Memories

I have just helped my parents put a broken run and chewed hutch (or 2) into the back of their car to go off to the tip. My rabbits, Jeff and Steff, who we were 15 months old died whilst I was on holiday. Whether it was the fox that broke in the side of the hutch or that they possible had a parasite. I never understood how people got emotional attached to animals but I now do. They had character, jeff was boisterous chap, who would chase around would pull his bowl towards me when I was clearing them out. He would more likely let you pick him up. Steff was shy and jumpy. She had sad eyes with long eye lashes. She was the smaller and had a bony bum. She didn't like to be pick up but when she was she would sit and chill out watching a rom com. They are now buried in the garden. the vicar buried them with a bamboo cross like you get on rememberance sunday in the garden.

My Dad found my cabbage patch dolls in the loft, which we have been looking for since I moved back from leicester. I have just pulled them out the bag. the are a bit dusty and grubby. But they are full of memories - all 10 of them. Sidney, Lily, Edward, Luke, Harry, Flo..... to name a few. Rose has always been sitting on my bed. She has travelled around with me. I know some thing they are ugly but to me they are so much of my childhood. Just need to see whether my future husband would let them live with us eventually.

Animals and Cabbage Patch Kids are not what some people will consider loveable but I do. They were both refered to as my 'children' and brought much joy.

Knowledge & Faith

This morning I was reflecting with my mentor about the affect that theological study has on your faith.

Growing up in a non-conformist church which had the tag line 'Bible-based, Christ-centred, Spirit-led' going to theological college was a shock to the system. Until I went to college, I had always read the creation narrative as literal and never questioned whether Abraham was a real man. Although such things haven't destroyed my faith they have shaken them. Maybe you are reading this thinking, why didn't you ask those questions earlier? As a teenagers, and young question I didn't question the existance of God and the context of a passage didn't bother me, I lived my faith out. Striving to be a radical disciple for Jesus. Something I still hunger for.

From a biblicist perspective and the challenges of Theological study, I am finding myself re-looking at scripture. Trying to still study with the passion for it and with the knowledge in the background.

Little knowledge is dangerous. But is too much dangerous too? Do we need to know everything before we study the bible?
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Susannah Mammen is fundraising for Cancer Research UK

Susannah Mammen is fundraising for Cancer Research UK

Running past school

What a comparison? This morning I went jogging, which coincided with school run. Not the best time as the park was so busy. But it left me thinking....

There is a school on the edge of the park, there were a lot of mums and dads walking. As I jogged pass numerous mums in their hijabs, it made me think back to when I was at school. There weren't girls in headscarves or that many people who were non-white British. I knew very little of other cultures. The Mum's in the play ground were the yummy mummies and there wasn't anyone black in my glass. Whether it's purely a geographical change from outer to inner London ... Or just a sign of the times, I think it is probably a mix of the two. But I certainly enjoy living in a diverse community. For the time I lived in a village where there was only one person I saw who was not white, I felt I was in a foreign land.

The majority of the youth group are white British... But that doesn't reflect the conmunity. There is a need for change there! But how to do it?
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Gnomeo and Juliet

The story of star-crossed lovers. A story told, and retold down the centuries. Even Shakespeare's telling was not a new one....

Definitely a classic film. It is up there with Toy Story. A film for all the family. Has the jokes for the kids, and the ones that go straight over their heads. It played on the fact that the majority of people over the age of 11, know the basic plot of Romeo and Juliet. A romance between two people from 2 opposing sides.

The voices and animation can't be faulted. with the star studded cast and the memorable characters, you will leave the cinema with a smile on your face. The gnome in the mankini and the frog maid.

It just shows that a film suitable for 4 year olds and above, does not have to be dull and a film with a fairy take ending, entertains the majority.

I would this film 9/10.
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