the emerald isle

As I write this post, I can see Stormont Castle, home of the Northern Irish Parliament, government to the home of Matt, Simon, Tim, Natalie, Heather et al. I am sitting at my parent's computer in their new house in Belfast. I am also doing something I never thought I would do again - I am using dial-up internet!

So what's new? I am still a bit tired after the long day at Wembley for commissioning, though it was a nice day. Sunday was a regular Army day, apart from the fact it was George Sharman's dedication and Simon and Beth were there. Also I was the colour sergeant (flag man) for the dedication. Be warned that wearing contact lenses and a hot day don't go well together as the sweat gets in your eyes and makes them hurt.

Monday was the British International Motor Show which was not as good as I had hoped, as there were a great many manufacturers who were not there. Having said this, I fell deeper in love with the Honda Jazz. All I need to do now is learn how to drive!

Tuesday was a fun filled day as I flew to the Emerald Isle to catch up with my parents. I flew in a bit late but had a really quick through the airports at both ends which was nice. I have seen a bit of the culture so far (Samson and Goliath, the Harland and Wolff cranes) and had an Ulster fry, possibly the most fatty thing I have ever had. From what I could gather, it was invented by someone who had a mix of ingredients left in the fridge and decided to fry them up and call it a traditional meal!

Tomorrow we are off to Dublin, so I will fill you in on that later on!

So for now, beir bua agus beannacht!

Timmy "Top o' the morning" Magic

commissioning day

I write this from my room at the William Booth College in Denmark Hill, which I moved into last Tuesday. I was woken about 45 mins ago by the strains of the 1st year band, in full uniform, playing "Sing Hosanna!" which wouldn't be my chosen method of waking up, but allegedly it is a tradition!

I have finally got moved in and my parentos are off to sunny Ireland today, and I will join them later in the week.

I have internet access back so my blog fans can rest assured I am back in action!

Timmy "Can see the lift from Poirot" Magic

jumping on the lifehacker band wagon

Sadly I have to jump on a band wagon! The Lifehacker website has been mentioned on a few blogs I read so I thought I would share the wealth.

CNet says "Often tech-related, Lifehacker is full of tips to make life easier--from building your own solar-powered generator to quitting a nail-biting habit"

Gadgetopia says "Computers make us more productive. Yeah, right. Lifehacker recommends the downloads, web sites and shortcuts that actually save time. Don’t live to geek, geek to live!"

So it has general tips for life, intermingled with techie tips!

Particularly of note was the best Windows tip - "Buy a Mac! Or install Linux!"

Timmy "Hasn't bought a Mac, has installed Linux" Magic

stupid? for sure! but he would do it again!

In a previous post of mine, I paid homage to Mr Glyn Goodfella Harries who had stuck twelve (12) bulldog clips to his face. Detailed on his blog is the photographic evidence of this feat! Well done Mr Glyn!

Timmy "No pegs" Magic

bobby magic

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Originally uploaded by tim luke jones.

A picture of me in a beat helmet, stolen from my sregeant at a garden party this evening. As an aside, standard police equipment is very good for keeping kids entertained...

Timmy "rozzer" Magic

robomadge

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Originally uploaded by tim luke jones.

Here is a picture of me I took while wearing my new cycling glasses. They go really well with my contact lenses and my work uniform and according to some people make me look like Robocop

Timmy "Very Specs-y" Magic

the sinner/winner question

I have read this post on Nick Hanover's blog about 8 times and still don't know how I feel about it! As a Christian, I suppose I should be happy that people are willing to spread the word of God (albeit in a uniquely different way) but as someone who is responsible for upholding the law, it is tough to hear someone telling people they will "be condemned to an eternal ASBO in hell". I do find his methods quite aggressive at times, but then wonder if a band slowing down the traffic (even more) on Oxford Street while playing loud music is any less aggressive to the regular man in the street?

Phil Howard tells people to give up vanity and take up Christianity, while the officer tells people that there is more to life than shopping. So what makes the different ways of wording the same message anti-social?

While out on the beat a few weeks ago, there was a protest outside the London embassy of an Arabic speaking country by citizens of another Arabophile nation about a political matter. A member of public came up to me and complained that the protesters should be arrested for inciting racial and religious hatred. I asked them why and they said the protesters were dressed as Arabs and were speaking "muslamic". When I told they were dressed like Arabs because they were, and that they were speaking the Muslim language because they were Muslims, they stormed off muttering to themselves.

This begs the question of whether our open air ministry could be misconstrued. Are we inciting religious hatred as these Muslims were in the eyes of the person passing by? Where does the line between anti-social behaviour and religious hatred lie? When do we stop advertising our church and start trying to force God on people? Don't get me wrong, open air ministry has its place, but in this multi-racial, multi-faith and multi-cultural world, we should act with caution.

Please feel free to comment on this, or even to email me - this is something I have been thinking about for a while and would like to know what other people think!

Timmy "Winning sinner" Magic

tim's new cutlery

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Originally uploaded by tim luke jones.

I ordered some new steak cutlery from Tchibo which arrived yesterday. I did however wonder why they had sent it in a huge box. The box was so large that It wouldn't fit throught the letter box and I had to go and get it from Edgware post office. I did check, and it would fit through the letter box. What a waste of a box and my effort!

By the way, I might need 7 people to come round and help me eat steak...

Timmy "knife new cutlery" Magic

i am a terrible father

I confess - I am a terrible father!
I forgot the 2nd birthday of my blog! That is bad. Very bad.

Here, therefore, is the official age of my blog as of now:

2 years old . . .
or 24 months old
or 104 weeks old
or 733 days old
or 17592 hours old
or 1055558 minutes old
or 63333513 seconds old

And my blog's next birthday is in 362 days 1 hrs 22 mins 27 secs (correct at time of publishing)

This does lead me on to remind you that I am the original blogger of the people on the left (I think) and that no-one else should attempt to steal my crown!

Timmy "Call the NSPCB (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Blogs)" Magic

i am an inspiration

It is true - it has been reported! I have been outed as an inspiration to someone! John Mitchinson, in his blog, said that I, and my blog, were part of the reason he had started blogging! Now isn't that exciting?

As a result he has made it onto my "friends who blog" list or, as it better known, my blogroll!

Timmy "Inspiration" Magic