shock horror... dave and I agree.

I was going to write a political entry today. One about a photo I saw in the press that stopped me in my tracks and caused me to swallow many flies.

I was going to but I've had my thunder well and truly stolen by Dave who wrote what I was thinking with a lot more style than I could have. I can't believe we're actually like minded on something - must be some kind of precedent. So rather than waste your time reading something here why don't you pop across to his blog and read how I would like to be able to write it.

more influencial than the national press

He did it again! All Dave has to do is mention my name in his blog and my hit count instantly trebles, making him officially more influential (in terms of effect on my readership) than the Guardian. This is, he tells me, what blogging is all about; writing your opinions, reading other people's opinions and directing people to other people's opinions. At its most basic I suppose it's like road signs pointing to a beauty spot where you may also find a sign post directing you somewhere else you might like to visit. A sort of 'customers who were interested in this also bought...' for cognitive musings.

Luckily for Dave he has a bit of a talent for the whole writing thing. For me it is a hobby. I write all the time but I couldn't do it to order. One week I'll churn out three short stories and then I'll be devoid of creative juices for several months. In this blog I try to come up with something fairly regularly. I was talking to a friend after church one day and happened to mention I wrote a blog. "I know," he replied "I've read it. Its a load of drivel."

A load of drivel.

That hit me hard I have to tell you. I mean, on the quiet, I have to agree with him. In my eagerness to produce something regularly I quite happily compromise quality for quantity; but I'm ok with that - that's why I write here - its (partially) anonymous writing. I can type complete drivel safe in the knowledge that my pupils aren't going 'Mr C's letting himself down with that piece of trash.' I get to write and write and write to my heart's content. If I come up with something good and people seem to like it then I take the credit - and my pupils think I'm a talented writer with an imagination to die for. It means that about twice a year I get to see the respect they have when they read something they actually think is good. Trust me, even my friend at church isn't as difficult to please as a bunch of turned-off-to-reading sixteen year olds. When I see them getting into a short story that I wrote it is the most amazing feeling.

But try as I might I can't do that to order. I have so much respect for journos and especially columnists. It never ceases to amaze me how someone can write on a daily basis and still maintain the quality levels. I wish I was them but as I'm not I'll content myself with writing drivel for whoever happens to stumble across this blog.

usually I disagree just for the sake of disagreeing but...

Have you ever had one of those "you know what, he may just be right" moments?

what just happened?

There I was, just casually checking my stats and I find that instead of my usual 4 daily visitors I have more than 10. What's that all about? Then I check DPW's blog only to find that he has given me yet another massive plug. In fact, 2 more plugs.So that's how it is then. You're here because he sent you did he? Well you can tell him I don't need charity. Me and my 4 readers are very happy. Still, if he wants to plug me again, say every two weeks or so, I can't be too bitter. I'm a very gracious blogger.

karl barth - the movie

Being a teacher comes with certain benefits; namely July and August. During this period of inactivity I tend to do my deepest thinking, hone my FIFA soccer skills and make films with one of my favourite people in the world.
I've known Dave since we were at school and from as far back as I can remember we've made films... all sorts of films. I think the first was based on the premiss that gangsters are pretty much indestructable. The film that plays most upon my thinking at the moment, however, is our latest. A Short Film about Karl Barth. The thing is that, as is usual, I had no real idea about the subject of our film until the day of shooting.

Dave is one of the most knowledgable people I know - incredibly well read. Now I consider myself pretty well read (in a world where Colin Bateman and Nick Hornby are classical greats I am a regular on the South Bank Show) but I am a lightweight compared with Dave. I hadn't even heard of Karl Barth.

Of course, being the professional that I am, research is essential to my characterisation. Admittedly starting the research after the film has been made may seem careless. But undeterred I begin reading about this man. What a guy! Despite the fact that his name clearly ends in th it is in fact pronounced simply as a t. This should have been a clue to his greatness as I've always been a fan of silent hs - they avoid unnecessary sectarian segregation. [quick note to people who haven't a clue what that is about: When one of my pupils asks me how I pronounce the letter h it is a trap worthy of the pharisees casually chatting with Jesus. If I were to say 'etch' then I am percieved to have gone to a protestant primary school and am therefore utterly opposed to freedom for non-unionists, but if I say 'hetch' the obviously I am a terrorist about to corrupt their minds with republican propaganda. You can see why silent hs seem to me to be the future.]

Karl Barth is a fascinating creature without doubt. I could go into his life events but it would take too long and quite possibly spoil the film for you. I could describe some of his teachings but I am a long way off understanding what he suggests - I have only begun reading and its blowing my mind. I really suggest you check out some of the many blogs and web sites devoted to the man for a taste. The main concept he seems to be thumping against my skull is that the gospel is not a truth among other truths. Rather, it sets a question mark against all truths. In the little bit of reading I have carried out he has stuck question marks all over a range of "truths" that I had accepted without murmur.
Despite this entry not having a conclusion the film does, and for anyone interested, can be viewed here.