Now – as a freelance web type person that is sometimes kind of important. But as a father, as a husband this isn’t the way it should be.

A bit ago Brian Gardner spoke about taking time out from work to focus on ‘life balance’. Brian seems like a great guy and his WordPress work really is an inspiration to me, I love his writing when he does it too. Here he doesn’t go quite so far as mentioning a weekly Sabbath but I reckon his work would be even better (if possible!) if he went that far… Another while back my friend Ali spoke about texting while having a conversation. And often people talk about multi tasking. And don’t get me wrong – there are times when it’s good to multi-task. But I don’t think it’s right to do it while I should be spending time with my family. Or with my friends. Or with someone who needs me. And actually something Rob Bell says in Velvet Elvis made sense to me when I read it a while back and then I forgot about it. Sian reminded me of it the other day. I thought I’d share it here.

Sabbath is taking a day a week to remind myself that I did not make the world and that it will continue to exist without my efforts.

Sabbath is a day when my work is done, even if it isn’t.

Sabbath is a day when my job is to enjoy. Period.

Sabbath is a day when I am fully available to myself and those I love most.

Sabbath is a day when I remember that when God made the world, he saw that it was good. ]

Sabbath is a day when I produce nothing,

Sabbath is a day when I remind myself that I am not a machine.

Sabbath is a day when at the end I say, “I didn’t do anything today,” and I don’t add, “And I feel so guilty.”

Sabbath is a day when my phone is turned off, I don’t check my email, and you can’t get hold of me.

Jesus wants to heal our souls, wants to give us the shalom of God. And so we have to stop. We have to slow down. We have to sit still and stare out the window and let the engine come to idle. We have to listen to what our inner voice is saying.

I’m going to give it a go. It’s easy to say that it’s going to be Sunday but to be honest life kind of takes over quite often on Sunday – I’m ‘working’ at church or on Reader’s Training or something along those lines. Saturday is more often than not a much better day for me to stop.

So. You guys can hold me accountable to this. From now on (pauses to have a quick think about what he’s doing this Saturday) I will not ‘work’ on a Saturday. Saturday will be the “day when my phone is turned off, I don’t check my email, and you can’t get hold of me”… it will be the day I don’t update my Facebook status or Tweet about what I’m doing… it’s going to be the day that I stop to listen, I stop to be the father that I was created to be, I stop to be the husband I was created to be.

It will be the day I stop to “be still and know that God is God”.

First – sorry this is so late – I kept meaning to write this but then thinking “I’ll get more time later” and then never actually got round to it… I would say the wait will be worth it but to be honest things have been crazy busy and I haven’t really given it much thought either. And by much I mean any. So I’m going to wing it. No change there then.

That being said I’m not going to cheat and use Google this time. Which makes a change. Right – Celebrity dinner party – we’ve already had two very good entries into this round so do take a look if you haven’t – some of my inspiration for today comes from My Boss’s's”sss’ Entre and yet again Mister Mushy manages to come up with someone I’ve not heard of…

Guest Number 1
First up would have to be the aforementioned idea-not-stolen-but-the-same-as-Lynsey, Eddie Izzard. He is still my very favourite stand up comedian type person. It was harder to decide this than I thought as I’ll be honest, Eddie has let me down a bit lately with his huge success and the fact he has stopped standing at the roadside asking if one is happy with their wash and in terms of stand up acts there is now very stiff opposition from many people such as Russell Howard, Michael McIntyre (can’t invite him if I can’t spell his name) and lots of others who I can’t remember the name of (can’t invite them if I can’t remember their name…) but Eddie Izzard has got to come. He’s very funny.

Guest Number 2
Michael McIntyre. Ok – I used Google – but I got it right up there without it! And now I know I got his name right I can invite him. He is also very funny. And he doesn’t swear too much which is good as there’s nothing worse than someone with a potty mouth at the dinner table. Well – there probably is – an ACTUAL potty at the table would probably be worse. Especially if it was full. I’ll stop now. Michael – please come to dinner.

Guest Number 3
Er… I think you may be able to see a pattern emerging… Rob Brydon. He’s one of the few celebrity people I follow on Twitter. He doesn’t post that often but he is funny on Twitter. And that’s quite a hard thing to be. I think the whole singing along to James Blunt in Gavin and Stacey helps as well. He makes me laugh. Laughter is going to be a main feature of this meal…

Guest Number 4
Meredith Grey’s sister off Grey’s Anatomy. Maybe I should find out her name… It’s Lexie on the TV but I don’t think that’s her real name. She’s on my list and I may as well invite someone on the list. There’s no point in having a list if I didn’t at least make believe an opportunity to make use of the list… Everyone knows about the list right? Yeah. Good. Well… Chyler Leigh is coming to dinner (ok – Google twice) which is probably a bad idea seeing as there would be no chance of her even talking to me at dinner when a) she’s surrounded by the finest comedians this planet has to offer and b) she find out she’s on my list.

Right – that’s it. There would obviously be me there too and Sian. Although that might make Guest Number 4 a bit awkward. I thought about inviting a famous chef but I couldn’t think of one who makes better food than Sian. Oh – ok – for Sian’s sake – I’ll invite Nigella Lawson – then she’s got someone to talk to while I tell Lexie Chyler that she’s on my list.

Again – sorry this is late – I’m off to find out how you pronounce Chyler… Enjoy the food people.

I’m cutting it a bit fine bit fine on this one but have just checked and it doesn’t look as if I will be last.

Ok then. Super power. Tricky one. So many to choose from. Seriously – there are loads. The Official Superhero Database lists over 100 super powers.

So I’ve decided to use this list to help me. I’m going to take a few out of the equation first.

INTUITIVE APTITUDE: Er… as if that’s a super power. It’s just something that people have. It’s not a super power. Don’t be silly.

AGING: What? Aging? That isn’t even Super… it happens to everyone. It’s not a power. It’s not super. It’s just a thing that happens. Don’t be silly.

WISHING: Right. This is getting ridiculous. Wishing is not a super power. It is hoping that something will happen. It’s just a thing that people do. Don’t be silly.

EMPATHY: Isn’t a super power. Don’t be silly.

This list is useless. I’m not going to go through anymore – especially seeing as I know which super power I would have. It would be baking. Has to be the best super power ever. And I’m a superhero so I don’t have to justify myself to you (also it’s 10pm which is, in my book, late so I’m off to bed!)

What do you mean “What’s Back?”?*

It’s not been gone that long and back in the day it was, apart from Adam Perrott’s Vlog, the centre of the blogging universe. That’s right, it’s the blogenge. “Yay,” I hear you cry.**

And I can’t think of a better way to start off this next lot than with this weeks topic – the best of the Mr Men. Actually – that’s a lie. I probably could think of a better way. Can I confess to something? It might come as a bit of a shock. It is this: I don’t really know much about the Mr Men. And when I say I don’t know much I mean I could only name, for certain, 1 Mr Man. And that’s Mr Tall***. The terrible thing about this is that Isaac has at least 3 Mr Men books… I guess there is a Mr Small too. Or a Mr Short. Probably a Mr Round and I think I remember something about a Mr Strong – doesn’t he drink raw eggs?

However, recently I have read some fantastic reviews of Mr Men (including: “They made me laugh, cry, feel happy, be silly, sometimes feel sad: a whole range of emotions from such little books” from someone whose literary opinion I have great respect for)

So I am going to do some research. You may think that I am leaving this a little late – what with tomorrow being deadline day and it now being 22:42. And you would be right. It is pretty late. And what’s worse is that Isaac is asleep so I can’t even ask his opinion (which, to be fair, would probably be “Digger… Mummy… Daddy… Bus… Big Bus”)

**** Brief Interlude As I Visit MrMen.Com ****

That has to be one of the best websites ever! And so helpful. But also not at all helpful… now I have far too many to choose from including the NEW Little Miss Magic. Excellent. I was first of all drawn to Mr Pernickety simply because any kid’s book / tv programme that teaches the word Pernickety has got to be a winner but then I stumbled upon my favourite… and the obvious winner of this round. It has to be Mr Rude. And if you disagree… well you can just *!8*$*£* !**£!!!**

*I have NO idea how to punctuate that sentence although I am sure one of the blogengers will advise.
**I seem to have forgotten how to use punctuation. Its a good job I’ve not misused an apostrophe though. Misusing apostrophe’s is terrible.
***This is another little lie – I know 2 now but only because I read My Boss’ Fantastic Blogenge Entry a few moments ago.

I just wanted to mention another great day in the lives of Hoylands that is coming up this Saturday – Jack and Nats are getting married (Susie – Did you know about the wedding? Jack sent a text round…) While I am very excited and looking forward to the day very much I am also slightly nervous as Jack decided to go and ask me to be his best man… guess he’s getting me back for that day in July all those years ago.

So – obviously as the best man I have to give a speech. I’m worried about this so thought it probably best to post the speech here so you can let me know what you think. Hope you don’t mind. Also – if you’re going to be there on Saturday please pretend you’ve not heard it before. And Jack, if you read this it might be worth stopping now:

Ladies and gentlemen; bride and groom.

May I first say that the bridesmaids are looking absolutely smashing today (winks and points to one in a flirtatious yet funny way), and, only rightly so, second to none to our lovely bride, Lauren. I’m sure you will all agree with me there.

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Ryan Marshall, a long time friend of Thomas’. I’ve known Tom for 15 years; ever since I blew my nose on his glasses case back in school. Since then, we have had many epic adventures together: from running away from school, running from the police, bar brawls, women and trips around the world. So the time we have spent together means that Tom has, in a way, shaped my sense of humour – so if you find this speech rather unfunny, you can blame him.

So, Tom – my wingman; my partner in crime. After all of our evenings in the pub with Tom chasing women around the pool table with his tongue hanging out in a drunken stupor, he finally found the woman of his dreams. For those who entered the lottery of this magnificent number, and Tom, we all know your lucky number now, 86. So, if you have that raffle ticket there’s a free drink waiting at the bar for you.

But Tom and I have had many memorable experiences together, that even now we still share over a pint:
our days off school, Tom making a cigarette out of a piece of A4 paper, our trip to America and our falls down the ski slopes – too many times we have come close to death. And now I have the honour of sharing the top table with him and standing as his best man. And for that, thanks mate.

Last week I asked Tom what he wanted from the marriage; he said long lasting love and a family, and of course, Lauren. Later that day I asked Lauren the same question. She replied: a toaster and a microwave. You see men – some are easy to please.

But, as I have had my orders from Lauren and Tom not to mention the stag night at String-fellows, I have had no alternative in finding another funny and embarrassing story to share with you.

So here goes:
On our ski trip to America in 2002, Tom and I had to share a bed – so Lauren, I know what you’re going through. Here is the number of my therapist if you need him. But anyway, it was cold and snowy when we arrived. Tom has always been a joker and the first thing he did when we got to our hotel was hide a rubber snake in my bed. It was 3 in the morning when I discovered it, and I nearly fainted. But instead of helping me, Tom sat back with a cup of coffee and laughed until he cried.

Unamused, I plotted revenge. The next night I opened the patio door on our second floor room, and carried him outside whilst he was sleeping. After I had locked the door, I woke him up. He was in nothing but his underpants. I told him that if he didn’t apologise I wouldn’t let him in – being a stubborn 17 year old he refused and chose to climb down the drainpipe instead. Half way down I opened the door and went to watch – the sight was hilarious. Picture this: Tom, 30 feet above the floor in only his underpants and stuck as the ledge beneath him had broken. I couldn’t stop laughing, and had no way of helping him either.

As for him, it got worse. It started to snow. And snow heavy. After a few more minutes of laughter and bombarding him with snowballs, I began to worry. He was turning blue, but me being the brains of our operation, had a plan. I got dressed, went outside and placed a skip under him to cushion his landing. After persuading him, for around 5 minutes, to fall into it, he let go and missed the skip.

He never forgave me for misplacing the skip. Nor, for getting all our other school friends outside to watch him.

Anyway that’s enough embarrassment for him today.

Tom has been a changed man since he met Lauren – not going to the pub so often so that he can spend more time with her. And nowadays he always has the largest smile on his face, one that they both have and I hope will keep for the rest of their lives.

Finally, there are a couple of thank-you’s that I’ve been asked to say.

Firstly, the seating arrangers. There was a method to where you are seated – the gift list. Mentioning no names, but Sue and Barry at the back, thanks for the candles.

Secondly, there are two people who have worked very hard in making tonight possible, so first a round of applause for them. Ladies and gents, the bar staff.

But on a serious note now, a massive thank you to everyone who has contributed and made Tom and Laurens day so wonderful.

Ladies and gentlemen. Please could you all stand and raise your glasses, and join me in wishing them both all the love and happiness a couple can possibly have.

To Thomas and Lauren.

What do you reckon?

Now – I know you will all know this but I thought it was about time the birth of Anna Lucy Margaret was announced on the blog. If you’ve been here recently you will probably have seen some of the images on Flickr. If you haven’t – have a look up at the top of the screen. I’m not really going to say much else.

Anna was born on the 23rd March – which is already two weeks ago… can’t believe how fast those two weeks went. We’re all well and are now really excited about the next Hoyland Event that is happening on Saturday – Jack gets married!

And then beyond that it’s the return of the Blogenge! Oh yes – you heard me right – it’s back and even better than ever.

A guy called Mick led our session this week and he used this great blessing by another guy called John O’Donnahue. I liked it. I thought it was good and all.

May you listen to your longing to be free
May the frames of your belonging be large enough for the dreams of your soul
May you arise each day with a voice of blessing whispering in your heart that something good is going to happen to you
May you find a harmony between your soul and your life
May the mansion of your soul never become a haunted place
May you know the eternal longing that is at the heart of time
May there be a kindness in your gaze when you look within
May you never place walls between the light and yourself
May your angel free you from the prisons of guilt, fear, disappointment and despair
May you allow the wild beauty of the invisible world to gather you, mind you and embrace you in belonging
So may the God of grace, our creator, redeemer and sanctifier, bless you.
Amen.

John O’Donnahue – Annam Cara

Georgia’s hands were sweating. She was fifteen minutes into her math final when she began to panic. This exam was worth most of her grade in the class. She understood math—even liked it—and usually did really well. Her constant problem was that she wasn’t a strong test-taker. Her grades never reflected her understanding of the material she studied.

But on the way home on the bus, Georgia’s good feelings started to fade. “What exactly is an ethical compromise anyway?” she thought to herself. Should she tell her teacher what she did or move forward and forget about the whole thing?

If you don’t wish to discuss that – just tell me what your homepage is. Mine is my email.

But that doesn’t mean I fail to bring you the latest of the goings on in my office… enjoy.