From The Inside

Back Inside

I returned to work today after 4 weeks off.  I had an operation on my sinuses on Dec 10th - which signed me off until Christmas - and then I was off on pre-arranged leave after Christmas - returning today.  It was good to be back.  It's worrying sometimes just how comfortable I feel being in prison!

New Year - new beginnings - and the decision that I really must get back to blogging - even if there are few folk out there still reading this!!  So this is prior warning - I'm back!

So what have I been up to?  In my second and final year of my MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice - in fact that is partly why I am writing this to be honest!  I have 2 assignments for my final 2 modules due in at the end of the month and I should be doing some reading and preparation for these tonight - but find this a far better way of procrastinating!  Once these assignments are out of the way however, that just leaves the small matter of my 15,000 word dissertation!  Still seeking inspiration for what to write it on - but would quite like to do something that is faith/Chaplaincy related, but fear it may end up being more theological in nature than criminological!

Anyhow - a happy New Year to you all.  Thank you for reading.  And thank you for providing me with the motivation to theologically reflect on my ministry as a prison chaplain, and the issues raised in criminal justice.

Airbus A380

Took the kids today to go and see the gigantic Airbus A380 as it did its fake touch-down/take-off at Edinburgh Airport.  Totally surprised by the number of folk who turned out to see it (we just noticed a wee article about it on the BBC website this morning, and since we had no other plans for the day...).  We were treated to 2 fly pasts - and were struck by how smoothly it manoeuvered and how quiet it was given its size.  If you are into that sort of thing (I'm not!) then you can read all about it here.  Kids enjoyed themselves which was the main thing.  

I Know Snails Are Slow, But...

I think we are having to face up to the sad reality that Theag and Thag's offspring are not going to hatch!  The books say that most hatch between 7-14 days - and we are now on day 17.  Not looking good.

Heck, back to the drawing board for my nephews' birthday next week!

And better luck next time to Theag and Thag!

Killer Salt

Something I don't understand. On the radio at the moment there is an advert for Lo-Salt.  Part of the claim they make is that if, as a population, we each
reduced our salt intake to 6g a day we would "prevent 23,000 deaths".  Isn't that great?

But, me thinks, why not go further?  If we stopped salt altogether then maybe we could prevent all deaths!! 

(P.S.  Wonder who the lucky/(unlucky?) 23,000 people will be who will potentially become immortal?)

Grandparents To Be!!

Regular readers to my blog may remember Theag & Thag - the giant African snails we bought our wee lad on the Isle of Skye last year.  Well the inevitable has happened - Theag and Thag (our son named them!) have finally got their act together, and yesterday a small - well largish - pile of eggs appeared in their tank.

Wife is rather stressed at the prospect - me?  I feel like the proud grandfather.  A week from now we should have our own wee brood of baby snails.  Christmas/birthdays/Mothers Days - you name it - we are sorted for presents for the next wee while.  And any we can't get rid of?  Well, I've been told that fried with a little bit of garlic is quite nice!?

Anybody like some snails for pets?  Easy and cheap to look after.  Ideal pet for anybody.  And you can race them - and that's a whole night's entertainment taken care of!!