mediatree.ie

Again age 12, but this time Games (separate from PE!) and Overarm Bowling.

Now, you might think, hold on - I thought you said we were discussing things used on a regular basis? But bear with me.

So, part of my current profession is to teach children useful things. The joy of working in the voluntary sector when approaching this, as opposed to my previous deviation in the teaching one, is that these things are actually Useful Things (as opposed to observing osmosis in rods of potato, or how to read the top quartile of a bell curve.)

This year, it has included everything from Where Plants Come From, through How To Make Paper Airplanes, to How To Climb A Wire Fence To Get To The Football Pitch. (Don't ask, don't tell.) And so, since Easter I've been turning up weekly at a local primary school (which, I must say, is arguably one of the best in all the land) to play Kwik Cricket with the P5-P7s. And in last week's session, I began passing on, almost verbatim, the principles of overarm bowling, which have stuck with me since third year of secondary school.

Now, it may surprise most people to find out that I'm not much of a sportsman. However, the joy of turning up to a school with the Children's Worker hat on is that it is automatically assumed you are an expert on everything. But let me tell you - whilst this might facilitate easier ways to get out of arguments ("Why?" "Because.") it does come with the caveat that you need to make sure you actually are right - for it shall come back to bite you on the backside. So, as the self-appointed cricketing guru, I've been relying mostly on the fact that I can, at least, bowl a decent fast-medium ball over a good length. And there's a couple of tricks, learnt all those years ago, that have helped ensure this - both at the start of the movement.

Firstly, get that second arm up. As you wind up and release, that arm needs to go straight down the line where you want to bowl, and you need to be looking behind and through it before you release. This makes a massive difference when you uncoil, as it makes sure that your shoulders are in line as your bowling arm comes over the top of your head.

Secondly, "bite the apple", as the original teacher in question insisted again and again. Don't hold the ball somewhere around your chest before your unwind - get it right up beside your mouth so you can smell it. That initial push forward your bowling hand makes whenever you release will therefore add power as the ball makes its journey down past your waist.

And thirdly, release at two - o'clock that is. A lot of the kids I've worked with so far let it go whenever their arm is perpendicular - possibly as an unfortunate product of one of the drills I've been using for fielding, which resembled something for tennis ball boys. Alternatively, you don't want to be releasing too late either, or it'll go straight in to the ground - a problem I'm having currently as I try to learn how to bowl right handed (being a natural southpaw). Two o'clock, at full stretch when you release, and that ball is going right down the batsman's throat. Howzat?

Recently, I've been reflecting a lot on my school experience. With that in mind, I've been inspired to try and specify knowledge or skills learnt which were not only major, but life-changing - things which are still used regularly.

Of course, reading and writing are pretty obvious, so I've ruled those out along with basic mathematical and scientific knowledge. I've still managed to compile quite a list so far, so it occurred that perhaps I should spout about them online and see where we go.

And so we come to age 12, Music class, and Twelve-Bar Blues.

Junior school music can be a pain for everyone involved. For non-musical pupils, it's something close to torture. For pupils who have been learning an instrument up to a certain level, they are often frustrated by the lack of any new knowledge. For the teacher, it's something you have to endure - trying to cater for both groups, whilst actually keeping yourself sane.

My secondary school music teacher was pretty adept at this. There were, in no particular order, xylophone, drum, comprehensive theory, CD design, rapping, and cinematic music lessons. But the one which, on reflection, had the biggest long term repercussions, was when we got to basic song writing, and the twelve-bar blues.

Now, outside school, I have been learning piano four about five years, so there was nothing new in playing chords. There was, however, the shock of the new when it came to playing something I actually gave a toss about. So the sudden revelation of just how simple it could be to play basic songs was life-saving. Three chords, the most basic theory, and you're away (and probably ready to be a stand-in member of Status Quo.)


Taking the key of the music (say C) and take the tonic - 1st - major chord, which is C; the subdominant - 4th - chord, which is F; and the dominant - 5th - chord, which is G, and you're almost there already. Structure around a a walking bass rhythm, and voila! You're like a slow-learning Ray Charles.

The knock-on effect of this may not have been obvious, but it was there. A year later, I started to learn guitar, and from that point painful, PAINFUL song-writing became a viable option. I would claim to be an outstanding musician, but subsequent learning and the ability to play by ear would, I am certain, never have come about if my enthusiasm had not be saved by the sudden, drastic appearance of the twelve-bar blues.

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POSTSCRIPT:

Whilst searching my school files - yes, I kept them all (a decision to be vindicated by this series, perhaps!) - for the scanned piece of work above, I came across possibly one of the greatest exam answers I have ever made. I have, obviously no memory of giving the following answer, and so can only hope I was being funny. (As the answer to the question above referenced Keanu Reeves's acting, I'm willing to believe that I must've been on a roll that day.)

Enjoy.



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It's the biggie: the make or break one for a lot of people; the theological hot potato that no-one really wants to discuss. Many a sleepover/retreat/overnight has been ruined by it; heck, countless churches have been torn apart by it. But for the first time ever, I have an answer that satisfies me. So although I would usually shy away from expressing an opinion on most theology on record, I think it's interesting enough to share.

Having taken a wee bit of time to study it this week, I came across this sermon from Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church, Seattle. Mark, referred to occasionally times in this blog, has a good ministry and good teaching. I feel he can often be OTT or "a little too Calvinist'. A bit like John Nixon. (But without the glorious facial hair or winning smile..) But he absolutely nailed this one. Out of the park, with one a couple of seconds in the whole thing which I might choose to disagree with.

So I decided to share what I'd learnt, in the form of what I've called a "stream of discussion" - what was one massive bit of meandering photoshopping, which I've carelessly now lopped up into six. You can access the Picasa gallery below - I recommend slideshow mode or download for reading.

Predestination: A Stream Of Discussion

I shall await your wrath with great anticipation...

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It's the hottest, and arguably most divisive, topic of Christianity over recent years: homosexuality and what place (if any) those who come to it could find in an increasingly tumultuous Christian sub-culture. And let me tell you: I've already encountered the debate three times today alone! It is one that I dare not express an opinion on, because I genuinely don't know where to fall. On one hand, it seems so black and white; on the other, Christ, whilst on earth, showed love and embraced everyone who came to Him. Absolutely everyone.

I'm not ashamed to highlight that members of my extended family are gay, and interestingly their experiences are hugely different. But it is a debate I would rather leave God to continue to reveal love and solutions in and to, as time passes. Not that I don't recognise the damage the same debate causes; I was listening to an old Mark Driscoll sermon from a couple of years ago, where he mentions that the moment when he decided to get out, of what would go on to become the Emergent Village, was the moment whenever cemented, solid doctrine was being questioned casually. He highlights some examples: things like Jesus' divinity, the reality of hell, and the Biblical response to homosexuality.

It is that big a struggle.

Huge respect, then, to Jennifer Knapp for her heart-rendingly honest and open interview with Christianity Today for the April issue, available online in its entirety. I knew a bit of Knapp's work, most notably her duet with Mac Powell for the song, Sing Alleluia, which has the dubious honour of being a worship record that I don't completely hate. (Because I'm so cool, so I hate all you weak Christians and your poorly-structured, rambling choruses. Joke.) However, I wasn't previously aware of her disappearance, seven years ago, off the face of the earth, burnt out from touring and in need of a long break. But in the sudden peace and solitude, with time to deal with having a personal life and relationship with God again, this inspirational, multi-award-winning, hugely popular Christian singer-songwriter revealed she had an even bigger struggle to work through: she was a lesbian.

And while it had not factored in her decision to go on hiatus, she knew when she came back it would have to be dealt with - and she does so openly and honestly. I won't comment on her personal journey in faith, but I admire immensely the volume to which she refers to God's grace and mercy as she discusses it in the interview. To have returned to the Christian culture in the States with such a sack to drag around, she has also demonstrated huge courage.

To be Christian, and a Christian in such a public area of ministry as performance, and to have to cope with such a hindrance (for others, mind you, not her) could arguably give her an incredibly important testimony. But we can be sure that for many evangelicals, particularly in the States, she might as well have become a Jihadist.

The machine rages on.


(Massive hat-tip to the great @JesusNeedsNewPR for the linkage to the article.)

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If you looked back over the last couple of years, you could be forgiven for thinking I'm getting obsessed with Dr. Paisley. In truth, I'm definitely fascinated; in particular, his interview for The Today Show with John Humphreys this week, where, among other things, he tries to explain forgiveness to Humphreys - who doesn't get it.

Click here to listen to the BBC's interview.

Paisley also comes very, very close to expressing real contrition for some of the rhetoric he was responsible for 40 years ago; but for me, that he can explain and express true forgiveness for Sinn Fein after his personal conflict for decades, speaks volumes - the number of times he in fact, defends the reformed republicans to Humphreys questioning is something his former followers would do well to pay heed to.

"But (Martin McGuinness) has never repented...."

"But you are not God! You do not know..."

or also

"I'm just a sinner saved by grace... (and changed by God)."

"Why didn't God change you earlier?"

"You'd better ask Him that when you see him!"

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The great Andrew Neill reflects on his time in Sao Paulo, Brazil, two years ago. His reflections resonate greatly with my own!

Massive kudos for Summer Madness for getting this project, Tales For The Unexpected, up there. And all the better for having got the awesome design skills of Studio Stereo on board (responsible for that brilliantly-coloured promo for RCE's 'Movements' a few months back) and even throwing a bone to friend of this establishment, Dave at infinity21.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, however, Andy is undertaking a wee bit of fundraising at the moment. CAF, the Brazilian foundation which founded the orphanage we worked in, have come to the end of their link with Tearfund, and due to the global financial situation, are finding themselves very, very stretched. Neiller has decided to try and raise a bit of dosh for them, through his project fivetofivehundred. Take a whole minute of your life and find out how you can help with just a couple of clicks!

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Whilst it's no big secret that yes, myself and herself are now formally engaged to be married (as an alternatively to the previous arrangement, whereby we were just planning to be!) it hasn't been dominating my thoughts this week as much as it should - to the end that, whenever someone congratulated me before a church service this morning, it took me a minute to realise what he was talking about!

However, after all the fuss this morning, it was one quiet moment that really hit me hard. It being Mothering Sunday AND therefore Mother's Day (Two separate holidays from two separate origins! Blame the Americans) after the family service in Maghera this morning, we decided to buy in a consignment of potted primroses, "one for everyone in the audience" style.

As the mums were picking and choosing on their way out of church, one lady picked up an extra one to give to an elderly gentleman coming behind her - a small gesture, as his wife has passed away. Almost wordlessly, he stood for a moment and then proceeded around the side of the church, in the sunshine, to set it on her grave. As someone I would regard as an elder statesman of the parish, it was humbling to see his small action weighted with huge emotion, as he privately illustrated where his thoughts and heart still lie. For me, the challenge in such an act is immense, and it's a moment that, I hope, will stay with me throughout the upcoming madness.

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In the aftermath of the astounding 'This Too Shall Pass' promo from OK Go, (featured below) it's worth reading this interview at Gigwise with bassist Tim Nordwind reveals just how hard it was to pull off the massive Rube Goldberg machine featured - including the admission that it took sixty attempts to get just three that worked!

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Apart from the Adam & Joe podcasts, I've never listened to BBC 6 - and yet I felt a bit irked this week at the news that Auntie is pulling it, along with the specialist Asian Network. Personally, for what it's worth, I think they maybe would have been better (remit wise) pulling 1Xtra, but that's just because it really, really annoys me...

Anyway, Paxman tore Mark Thompson (his Director-General) several new ones on Newsnight during the week, and those clever people at the Chance Collective did the appropriate thing and got Malcolm Tucker, Ollie et al in on the action.

I've seen two music promos this week that I've loved. One is ridiculously complex...



...the other beautifully simple...



...and both were breathtaking!

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I know I know... this was the big skiing in-joke, from one of my favourite DVDs of all time. I love that Dylan Moran himself has trouble keeping a straight face delivering his French sketch. Go on... watch it one more time...


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Might get in trouble for saying this but... had seen the trawl for extras for the video for A Plastic Rose's 'Kids Don't Behave Like This' last week, and then today caught a shuftie of the latest Bandwidth 'In Stores Now', wherein Will basically took advantage of everyone coming down for the APR shoot to nab a good crowd for The 1930s to perform to...

...the 1930s one is a much better video! But perhaps I'm just not down with it anymore - judge for yourself. (They're both great tracks anyway.)

The APR sequence perhaps just suffers as an ambitious, creative concept that is let down by some particularly crap filming and post-production. I wanted to follow, but kept skipping forward. And the audio's really off with the miming in a lot of places - unless you can get it accurately folks, don't bother, please. It looks like someone's Moving Image Arts (that's an A Level, kids) coursework.



Whereas the 1930s one is an aging concept, but looks like the dog's unmentionables, despite being a one-take joyride.

IN STORES NOW#31: THE 1930s from Bandwidth on Vimeo.

Yer man should perhaps stick to the (undeniably kick-ass) photography.

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Listening to a fascinating conversation between William Crawley and the Rev Dr Ian Paisley, hosted at Queen's this week past which Crawley has blogged about on his BBC page. Having just returned from a week far from these complicated shores, I nonetheless find myself picking up a train of thought that I hung up before I went; a further reconsideration of the legacy of the Big Man.

A couple of weeks ago, I did the unthinkable, and sat on YouTube for a while listening to sermon snippets from Dr Paisley. The man has, over the years, irriated and yet interested me; and now, at a point in his life when he is only heard from publicly in reflection, it seems to be a legacy that continues to become more and more favourable. I still find some of his past politics completely implorable, and his methods harsh; but the man is brutally honest, and seemingly more Christ-centered as the years roll on (in a way that resembles the Christ of the Bible, as a contrast to the Christ perhaps mirrored by uber-conservatives.)

I wonder, if the Reverend Doctor had remained an independent or Presbyterian preacher right up to this point and was only now to found a church, how it might differ from the sometime-divisive Free Presbyterian model. I await with anticipation what might happen if Big Benny XVI himself rolls onto these shores in the next couple of years; will Paisley be there, bellowing at the 'Antichrist?'

Perhaps, in the end, powersharing politics went some way to take a firebrand of a man and calm the flames enough that we could all stand a little closer. Or perhaps it is only now he is letting us see him for his true persona, and not what he would have presented to stir and encourage the inclinations of his disciples. There's certainly no denying that, re: the Chuckle Brothers, the Deputy First Minister seemed to find a man he could come alongside - and who of us ever really thought we would see that to begin with?

You can jump straight to the full interview here.

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A-Team teaser trailer is online... and it's freaking AWESOME! Watch it here.

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Amazing - even with Bono involved!

War/No More Trouble - Song Around The World from Playing For Change on Vimeo.

Find out more about Playing For Change here.

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There's not much to say really, other than we did have to twist his arm a little after the last time... but he's always game to parody himself, the political situation, and in this case, Christmas messages. ("Parody"... hmmm. But I have to write that in case his boss is reading.) That, and the original - with "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" over the start - got pulled immediately from d'Tube. So congrats to them for their apparently now automated detection.



For more on the GSFTW Campaign, click to the facebook Page.

Well done, sir.

Whilst numbed of mind and lacking any motivation, I've stumbled across some I lost the link for in April (and despite my best googling efforts, I couldn't recall.) Jimmy Eat World's twitter gave us Ron Winter's Electro Drum Kit and I'm posting it here merely so that (a) you too can have this much fun, and (b) it's saved in as many places as possible.

Enjoy!

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The videos from a week ago are starting to make their way up to t'interwebs, and can be found over on their own Vimeo channel, loosely entitled "Shoeboxes and Stripes". If you've no idea what I'm referring to (and you may not, and that's fine!) then head that way to check out some great wee tunes; don't let the one-camera capture put you off some fantastic (and award winning) musicians. If you are familiar with it all, or even were there, then I hope the stuff put up over the next few weeks will go some way to faithfully record the stories and songs shared - all feedback appreciated.

Anyway, in the meantime, here's my favourite so far.

Shoeboxes and Stripes - Part 11 - Pete MacDonald - Yellow Raincoat from Peter Huey on Vimeo.

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Good week for music videos I guess; on the downside, it contains 100% less people from Bangor than the previous post. However, on the upside, I can't remember seeing a non-performance Frames/Swell Season video (if we disregard everything lifted straight from Once since 'People Get Ready' - which seems a lifetime ago. Good to see them back in action; is there something wistful in their ultimate embrace? Or do we just want there to be? (Or do we still even care...)



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For a couple of years, it seems like half the country has been waiting with baited breath to see what would become of Rend Collective Experiment. There's never been any doubting the talents involved; as a teen I was in in awe of Gareth Gilk's drumming, for example (and made a right arse of myself the first time this came out when we were supporting Numinous back in the bad old (read: MNC) days!) There was just too much quality shining out of the first two ORGANic Family Hymnal EPs. (In fact, for two years consecutively we somehow managed to get them to keep donating their wares to the church 21 promo videos. Add to the fact that they're some of the nicest folks in the industry, and it meant there was basically automatic euphoria whenever the news came out last year that they had finally been snapped up by a label. And not just any label, but Survivor Records, best known as one leg of the behemoth that is Kingsway Music. (Kingsway has many legs; if it were a minibeast, it would probably be a short centipede. But anyway.

The album seems epic already; take, for example, the revamp of original Rend track "Faithful". How to make it a full-throated reworking? A genius bit of inter-label management and the pulling in of a guy who's sure to shift a few thousand copies: Mr David Crowder (check it out on their myspace.) You'll remember that we love the Crowder around here so much that we think nothing of insulting his whole band to their megastar faces. So that call works for us.

Anyway, all this is merely a HUGE build-up to the highlighting of their first biggish budget video for (the single?) "Movements" off the new record (released in the New Year, which is, I believe, quite soon.) The pretty colours. HD loves well turned out girls and boys, eh?



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I always swore I'd never do it here, but then I thought... I never get to see many people anymore that are (I hope still) casual readers of this particular corner of the t'interwebs. (And if you're not, then me analytics have a lot of explaining to do...) There's no Pet Polar gigs planned in the next couple of months (mind you if you're looking, we're willing if it can be fitted in) but I've a couple of worship-leading appointments coming up which I would recommend. If that happens to be your inclination, anyway.

Having worked with the CIYD folks in the past I can heavily plug their upcoming Reflect conference for Young Leaders - ideally if you volunteer with a church or community group and would love a retreat aimed squarely at you, then this is the one, details after the jump above. It's 8-10th of January and is something like £30 for the entire weekend's bed and board - bargain.

Also, Sunday week (that's Sunday December 6th) I'll be (as is growing less frequent as we age, folks) dropping in to the evening happenings at the Church of the Res at Queen's. It's always a little weird returning and not knowing anyone there (such is the turnover of residents at the COISC) but having loved the atmosphere for praise for three great years, it takes all of thirty seconds usually to slip right back in to the vibe. I believe it's a couple of sessions with a load of coffee and buns etc. in between, so should be fun.

Hopefully see you there!

Sometimes, Lego is still just as awesome as it seemed fifteen-odd years ago.


Fleury or Shanahan? I can't decide.

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Let's be honest here: an awful lot of Northern Irish indie bands sound the same. Scratch that: they nearly all sound the same (the "Belfast sound" as it was referred to as a few years ago, still going strong.) And fair enough in some ways - we're all the sum of our creative influences, and if we all spend all our time playing with everyone around us etc. etc...

Two Door Cinema Club have repeatedly skirted this definition carefully. And you know what? The new single is great. But it's the video that is particularly epic. First 30 seconds are outstandingly mind-destroying in particular.



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Filmmaker Peter Rodgers is asking just one question: What is God?



This is my first encounter with this upcoming film, but there's a really interesting interview with the documentary maker over at Rainn Wilson's home of left-field existentialism, Soul Pancake. I'm already looking forward to finding out more about this project.

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