FROGLEGS

It snowed last night… Everything is covered in a layer of white powder, nifty.

We watched a really impacting documentary/piece of video art/propoganda last night. It is called “Surplus” and was put together by an Italian and a couple of Swedes. It is really worth seeing. Their website says more or less what the movie is about:

“Consumer confidence has been low since September 11. A successful war against Iraq was supposed to be the only way to restore that confidence – and our happiness. But is shopping our salvation? Do we have a choice? Why is the lifestyle of consumerism a source of such rage today? How come the privilege of buying goods does not automatically lead to happiness? Why all this emptiness despite our wealth?

Surplus’ approach is to portray this issue from an emotional rather than a factual perspective: in the US, India, China, Italy, Sweden, Hungary, Canada and Cuba. George W Bush’s famous “shopping-speech” calling for a war against terrorism that deters the nation from the fear of consumption.”

You can check it out, see clips and even order it online here. Just keep in mind that it isn’t really a documentary, it is more like a manifesto and is meant to spark an emotional response. I don’t agree with everything that is put forth in the film… I don’t think the filmakers do either. He he he…

We overnighted at the house of some friends, Phil & Emma Togwell, who live in West London before heading to Vasteras, Sweden this morning. Marcus & Mia were already at the Togwell’s after having spent the weekend at a SPEAK Network conference in London. Had a curry last night with a big gang of people and then got up in the dead of night to head for the airport after having slept for about 4 hours. Ugh! Poor Phil drove us there and then went back home for a kip before heading to work. What a dude!

The flight was decent, as was the one yesterday from Jerez to London. Coming down out of the clouds overSweden was amazing… I think the entire country is just white! Lots of snow…

We got of the plane and went pretty much straight to a seminar here in Örebro on “Youth and Youth Culture” given by a Sociology professor from Hamburg, Germany. He had some interesting observations about the change in youth and the PM Worldview. At the end he gave some solutions for teachers (who were the majority of the attendees) and that was the least convincing part of his talk. Instead of getting to the root of the problem (sin & selfishness), he glazed it over with some completely goofy gimmicks. Nevertheless, it was really interesting. Heather took some notes while I fumbled with my mobile phone trying to record the session in vain. I’ll see if I can get her notes and put a summary up on here sometime.

We’re headed to Sweden via London tomorrow morning early. Heather and I both get to make the trip do to the cheap prices of Ryan Air which makes it all that much wonderful!

We’ll be there for a week just chillin’ with friends Marcus & Mia Lind (the couple on the left of the pic) and the rest of the 24-7 Sweden Crew. Might get to see snow for the second time in a week!?!?

I’ll also be sharing in Marcus & Mia’s church on Sunday about what we are doing here in Sevilla with the hope that they might consider supporting us financially! That’d be wonderful. Hope I do a good job.

We’ll see when I get a chance to blog from close to the Arctic circle. I wonder if we’ll see the sun while we’re there?

I am thinking of giving the ol’ blog a complete makeover, blogging software and everything. Changing my books, music and anything over on the lefthand column is a real pain. Thus I haven’t changed much… And there you all thought I was just a slow reader…

I’ve found some stuff over at movabletype.org that looks wicked and offers a ton more options than blogger does. I’ve downloaded their software(free! whoopeee!), but the installation manual looks like it would need it’s own shelf in hard-copy. We’ll see when I get around to it.

Anyone else out there attempted using the moveabletype software? Tips? Help?

When I got up on Friday morning, I knew things were going to be interesting as I could feel the first touch of a flu bug. The teaching in the morning went well anyway, but the drive home was really weighing on my mind. The entire school gathered to pray for Heather and I before we left which was really good.

Then we headed off to eat a good “cocido madrileño” with a friend of ours that works down the road from the YWAM centre in the Pyrenees. After that, I was feeling pretty rank. Driving 12 hours to get home was not sounding especially attractive. Staying overnight and paying too much money to sleep in an uncomfortable bed seemed even worse.

So we ended up driving all the way home (through rain, sleet and loads of snow) and stopping along the way to catch naps. It did feel like a REALLY long way to go, but it was so worth it to be able to hang out with those guys up in the Basque country. I feel like Heather and I had a very positive impact on both the students and staff… We’ll head back next year!

Almost done with the week of evangelism & postmodernity teaching up in Bilbao. Devoted the morning to talking specifically about PMism and the Church. Pretty interesting stuff as were the reactions of some of the students. Discussion seems to be the source of all sorts of new ideas…

Right after class was over, it started to snow! Not just light snow, but blizzard strength. We left the YWAM house to give a gal a lift down to Bilbao and I am wondering if we will be able to get back!!!

We head home tomorrow around 2 in the afternoon. See you back in warm n cozy Sevilla!