a power to change

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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a song for sao paulo

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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next steps

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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this too shall pass mk II

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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save 6 music?

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.

this too shall pass / you bled

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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