DHL Express...may the Lords of Darkness strike you down....

Today, DHL Express tried to deliver a package to my home address.

I phoned them to rearrange delivery. They wanted me to tell them a day when I was in all day. I couldn't. They could not arrange a delivery for a set time, not even a morning or an afternoon

I suggested another delivery address. They can't accept that from me, even though its MY BLOODY PARCEL.

So I have to ring the supplier and arrange for them to tell them the new address.

I have informed them that if they continue to use this company, they will get no more custom from me.

Changing Attitude?

This week the Primates of the Anglican Communion meet to discuss, amongst other things, the differences of opinion on gay relationships and ordination. We had a very valuable meeting tonight where we had asked some local evangelical clergy to talk about some of the issues with us . I think it was very helpful.

I will comment more on this matter at the end of the week when it is clearer what - if anything - is to happen.

Football violence

I didn't go to the match on Saturday, and I'm glad I made that decision.

But - a 5.30pm kickoff, with the pubs open all day beforehand, for a game that everyone , but everyone, knew would be tricky, and which was built up to be even more so by the media.

That doesn't excuse the shameful behaviour of those who were violent, but please, a bit of common sense next time....

One of my favourite Eurovision singers, Chiara, has been selected to sing for Malta again - its an excellent song, and I really hope can do well.

Our Royal 'Highnesses'

Now, to get something clear - I'm a republican. I have no time for monarchy and everything it stands for makes me wish to vomit copiously. The circus of the Windsor Corporation is something which should have been consigned to memory many years ago.

However, I think Charles should be able to marry who the hell he likes. If there hadn't been the need for a virginal bride to start with, then he could have married Camilla in the first place. As for the Church, well, we don't expect anything more than hypocrisy from them, do we - and the way things are going, it will be even less important by the time the succession takes place.

What is so amusing is the way that the Diana fan club and some conservatives are calling for abdication. The entire point of Monarchy is that people are not chosen for the job, but born to it - you can't skip a generation just because you feel like it. It would be interesting to remove all maritally unfaithful monarchs from history. Would any exist at all?

Oh, and the Zionist lobby are getting their knickers in a twist again over some rather intemperate but certainly no more, remarks from Ken Livingstone. When I start to hear apologies for the Israeli behaviour in Palestinefrom the lobby that supports that country no matter what it does, maybe I'll take their whingeing a little more seriously. Its always depressing to see the oppressed become the oppressor and then be totally unable to apply any sort of self-criticism.

Oh, there's nothing like the ESC....

Had a great ESC weekend with Iain and Anna from Hull.

We managed to watch 5 contests, and had a very enjoyable meal out at the Maharaja South Indian restaurant. And there have been two very good selections this weekend - Bulgaria and Netherlands have both selected a very good song - laid back and jazzy, and Whitney Houston-style big ballad respectively.

Less good was James Beattie's sending off ( naughty boy James - you may look like a rustic chunky hunk, but best for you not to behave like one, yes?) , so we lost to Chelsea. No disgrace, but with 11 men we may have held them to a draw.

At least that other team in our fair city lost too....

Getting ready for a Eurovision weekend!

A couple of friends coming over from Hull for an ESC weekend - lots of watching old contests and ESC chat!

Oh, fab it will be....

Time for some more...

Really must get into the habit of writing more regularly here.

So. To start, politics. We now have the spectacle of Tony's Cronies and Dracula's Dweebs trying to out-BNP the other on immigration and asylum ( oh, and its nothing to do with colour or race...) Right. Who the hell are they trying to convince? Of course it is. Even more good reason not to vote for either of them - it would be nice to hear politicians challenging bigoted populism rather than taking the lead on it.
Its a bit like the sheer hypocrisy of the residents of Formby camapaigning against mobile p[hone masts. Do they want to dispose of their mobile phones? I think not. And guess who is up on the platform, milking votes for all its worth - yes, its cable-TV shopping channel host and Tory candidate for Crosby, Debi Jones.

Teaching has statrted again and it seems to be going well so far. Have been offered a few extra hours in March or April, so that should keep me going till the viva. Still not quite sure what to do long term.

Went to a very interesting day conference on Saturday, looking at 'new ways of doing church'. It was very worthwhile, and I hope will lead us to move in new directions. To be frank, if we don't then I don't think there will be a lot of future for the Church. At present, elements of it appeal to those attracted by simple black-and-white answers - Adorno's 'authoritarian personalities' - but so many others are either repelled or simply disinterested. There is no real attempt made to connect.

ESC entries are starting to be selected. Not a great bunch so far, but Slovenia have picked a very strong ballad, and I like the Andorran entry. Estonia is crass pop, Cyprus a rip off of last years Greek entry, Poland is a sort of gypsy-wedding song - weird - and Belarus quite dreadful.