View From The Basement

The End has come

Well after just over four years of blogging I've decided to call it a day. Those of you who regularly visit here will have noticed that the frequency of posts has been on the decline for a while, and I just don't have the same energy, time nor inclination to post that I once had.

Given it's time for me to pay Typepad for another year I've decided that this is an appropriate time to stop.

Thank you to all who have commented, to those whom I've got to know a little through this medium, and to those I know in real like but our friendship has been enriched via blogging.

Who knows, perhaps one day I'll start again, but I don't see that happening in the next couple of years.

Blog Interveiw

Jason has interviewed me at his blog. You can read it here.

He asks me the following nine questions;

1. How did you get into blogging in the first place?

2. After 4 years of blogging where do you see yourself heading with it?

3. What does your family think of your blogging?

4. You used to work in Youth Ministry. How long did you do this and how was the experience over all?

5. You have an interesting blog title, how did it come about?

6. You told me before that you were doing some schooling. Tell us a little about that.

7. Does your studies include Christian Anarchism?

8. Tell us about your spiritual journey.

9. You are standing before Jesus for the first time, what do you say?

Thanks for interviewing me Jason - it was good and fun to have to reflect upon these things.

Hello are you?

I was sitting on my own in Rainy Hall (the guys I was with had started lunch before me, so left before me) when I guy sat beside me and asked "hello, are you Brodie?" A bit startled and surprised I replied, "er, um yes...and how do you know who I am?" "Oh" he replied, " I recognize you from your photo on your blog".

I'd like to say that we had a deep and meaningful conversation and are now life long friends, but given that I'd eating my lunch and had stuff to do for my German class, we exchanged pleasantries and I left. (If the young man in question reads this then I apologies for leaving so quickly. Please say hello again).

So what random meetings have you had as a result of your blog?

November Therapy

We went for a nice walk on Sunday afternoon at Chatelherault. The light at the Cadzow Oaks was great - the watery light and the smell of autumn is good for the soul, so I called this post November Therapy which is of course a play on Yvonne Lyon's song October Day Therapy.

Heroes

This is a statue of one of my heroes, but can you name him?

A River Runs

Went as a family to New Lanark on Sunday after church. It's an inspiring place on lots of different levels. It's inspiring to see and read the story of David Dale who built the village for his mill workers vastly improving their living standards and Robert Owen how bought the mills from Dale transforming working conditions by limiting the work and hours that children could do, providing education and a heal care fund so a family would still have an income if someone was ill. What's more rather than fail as those from the business community at the time predicted this business was prosperous.

The mills are situated beside the Clyde. This is perhaps the best shot of several that we took of the falls.

On my Desk

Thought a pic of what's on my desk at the moment might give a flavour of what I'm working on at the moment. Over the next few days I'll try and do different posts explaining why each book is on my desk.

Car

Sunrise Today

Had a bad day?

I left the house at 6:30am to get to Edinburgh for a class I have at 9am. I got in at 10:30am!

The day started with the alarm not working again! Note to self...buy a new alarm. Given this Alison said I could take the car and that way I should still get to Edinburgh in time for class. Things were going well until I joined the A8 just as the road was closed due to an accident a couple of miles ahead. The traffic moved about 100 yards in 3/4 and hour when we were directed off the road by the police. I had no idea where I was but found the M73 and thought I'd try and go to Edinburgh via Falkirk. I did not get far before I hit stationary traffic again, at which point I made the decision that there was no way that I would make it to Edinburgh on time.

I turned back to Glasgow making it back in time to spot Alison and Robert standing at the bus stop. So at lease I got to give them a lift to pre-school. I then took the train into town and then a train across to Edinburgh. When I got to the barrier to leave I could not find my ticket. Despite my pleading with the guard I had to go and buy another ticket so I could get out.

Thankfully the day improved and the journey home was "normal".