dave wiggins aka wiggy

Feathery Strokers

2009-09-12T02:41:00.002+01:00

On the way over to Canada, my wife Mel was reading one of those books that makes you laugh out loud. I annoyed her enough that she shared the joke with me.

Apparently the bird in the book had been with this guy who nearly made her rip off her skin. The reason was, that they lay in bed together and he stroked her skin over and over again for hours.

Her and her friend then coined the phrase for him 'feathery stroker'.

They then came up with things that men did that made them feathery strokers.

** I you are a man and refuse to eat red meat you are a fethery stroker
** If you notice your bird's handbag or shoes you are a feathery stroker
** If you are friends with your ex girlfriend you are a feathery stroker
** If you do pilates, you are a feathery stroker
** If you use balm instead of aftershave you are a feathery stroker
** Straight men from San Francisco are feathery strokers
** If you have ever said, 'i have to take care of myself right now' you are a feathery stroker
** If you happily and with a smiling gesture give up your seat on the underground (instead of with a grunt and a head nod) you are a feathery stroker
** If you help your woman look for lost things you are a feathery stroker

The list is seemingly endless.

If you think the above list is silly then YES, YOU ARE A FEATHERY STROKER!!

A List Of Things That Annoy Me

2009-08-29T22:03:00.002+01:00

1. People cheering and clapping when a plane lands
2. Drivers in front of me who take ten minutes to turn into a junction
3. Gary Hamilton
4. When i can't score a goal in FIFA
5. Being put under undue pressure
6. Orange traffic lights
7. Traffic lights
8. Fat people in tight clothing
9. Air conditioning
10. Average speed, speed cameras
11. Christian hype over the next big thing
12. Brutal Northern Ireland 'summer' weather
13. When stewardesses bump your elbow with the trolley and look at you as if it's your fault
14. Lawrie Sanchez walking out on Northern Ireland
15. Lists
16. Zane Lowe off Radio 1, he doesn't know as mush as he makes out
17. Every single tele-evangelist
18. Clutter
19. Building up flatpack furniture
20. Gary Hamilton (yes twice)

European Election Candidates

2009-05-14T20:57:00.021+01:00

Well folks, i'm sure you are as excited as i am, i nearly wet myself a little bit at the thought of the upcoming European elections.

Incase you don't have time, goodness knows, i'm sure it's not because you couldn't be arsed, i thought i'd give you a quick overview of the credentials of each candidate (and by credentials, mostly about what they look like).

Party: DUP
Candidate: Diane Dodds
Potential: If she holds Nigel's hand and smiles for long enough, i'm sure she'll do well.

I believe that Diane probably has three main reasone for running.
1) She doesn't want any Catholics in the European Union in case they breed like mad and take over the whole show. Therefore, she is standing to make sure the SDLP or Sinn Fein candidates don't get in.
2) DUP don't just want any Catholics in but they don't want any other Protestant in either, let alone one who used to be in the DUP ... ooh, how embarasing!
3) I can't help thinking that maybe she's running because she's lonely at home without Nigel or else they want to get rid of one car to save the environment and share a lift to work?

Party: Sinn Fein
Candidate: Barbre de bruin (really spelt Barbara Brown?)
Potential: Just slightly more attractive than John O'Dowd

I assume that no one else from Sinn Fein is allowed to leave the country under the prevention of terrorism (oh yeah, they don't do that anymore)so Barbara put herself forward. Apparently Gerry told her that she would get six free holidays to Belgium per year. Sinn Fein had thought about putting Mid Ulster's finest, John O'Dowd forward at first but when the election posters came back they weren't allowed to hang them on lamp posts for fear of scaring children.

Party: Green Party
Candidate: Stephen Agnew
Potential: More chance of Barack Obama not pausing for effect after every fourth word.

Stephen only took up politics recently after his modelling contract with Pantene Pro V was terminated due to artistic differences. Basically, they wanted him to wash his hair and he continually refused. I can't imagine that the Green Party get too many votes in N.Ireland since all the Protestants think they are under cover Nationalists!
Stephen says if he gets elected he promises that none of us will have to wear a shirt and tie to work anymore.

Party: SDLP
Candidate: Alban McGuinness
Potential: Could you trust a man with a face like that?

I think that if children were allowed to vote, he would win the election, due to the fact that he looks like a cartoon character. Unfortunately you have to be eighteen or over.

Party: UUP
Candidate: Jim Nicholson
Potential: None

I think that as Mr Nicholson looks very like Pastor McConnell (the bishop, as he calls himself) from Whitewell Tabernacle, he'll get a few thousand votes from conservative Christians. I didn't even know the UUP were still doing politics. Is there another hand at the back? a young person? an older person? anyone? please ...

Party: Alliance Party
Candidate: Ian Parsley
Potential: They are too nice to take votes off anyone else

I think Ian Parsley is trying his hardest to confuse us into voting for him?
1) He is standing beside Skeletor to get votes off He-Man fans?
2) He is hoping that lots of people don't see his photograph, misread the ballot paper and think they are voting for Ian paisley?

Party: TUV (Traditional Unionist Voice)
Candidate:Jim Alister
Potential: He seems like a nice man

I'm bored writing these. Jim got peeved off with the DUP and started his own party. Look at his nice brochures.

That just about sums it up. If you think that the Bilderberg Group doesn't control the governments of the world and still feel it necessary to vote, the big day is June 4th 2009. I wouldn't get there too early!

Sing Song

2009-03-29T11:38:00.000+01:00

Frankie

2009-03-15T12:48:00.003Z

You know when you're on the internet and you've checked your email three times, everyones left facebook chat and went to bed and you checked the football tables a couple of times? That happens to me a lot, i get bored online. However i was googling one night and i came accross a great website from a Belfast photographer called Frankie Quinn. His work is amazing, lots of images of war torn belfast but also civil war zones accross europe. You can check his site out here.

I think he's probably my favourite and most inspirational photographer.

An Old Sound

2009-03-10T17:15:00.004Z

I'm sitting at the kitchen table listening to an old sound. A sound that i haven't heard for ten years, a sound that i never gave a second thought, a sound that was the sound of safety and the sound of home. It is now the sound of fear, anger, apprehension and division.

It is the sound of an British army helicopter.

Last night in Belfast i saw something that as a child was an image of excitement and safety but is now the image of fear, anger, apprehension and division.

The sight of a police checkpoint. A pair of random policemen checking cars and occupants with a red torch.

This last three days have been bad days for the province of Northern Ireland. Three murders in three days. Senseless killing. Work mates lost, husbands never coming home, children who will never see their father again.

It has left us with a sense of ache in our bellies, the sense of tension in our minds and the sense of distrust in our guts.

I'm confused. I'm scared for the future of Northern Ireland and fear that what our teenagers have never witnessed will rear it's ugly head again.

Killing people has never and will never solve our problems. We are fighting over the same God to be part of a country who can't afford us and against a country who would be better off without us.

No Line On The Horizon

2009-03-03T15:54:00.004Z

I've only listened to the new U2 album 6 times through now. I'll be honest, it hasn't really grown on me. My neighbour and friend John Boy drove to the 'free state' on saturday and got us a copy before the UK release date.

We took a drive on Sunday afternoon to give it a good listen through in one go. The sky was moody, drzzle, different colours, trees and grass and animals and i still wasn't inspired?

If you feel that this is turning too negative click on John McMullan on the list to the right for a better review. I'm sticking to my guns though.

Too be honest, when sexy boots was released a number of weeks ago i definately hoped in my heart that the album was going to be a lot better. It hasn't.

In fact, 'put on your boots' is the only hooky line that i have in my head. I get the feeling that the boys wrote a whole lot of tunes and then wrote a whole lot of words and tred to squeeze the words into the musical lines of the tunes. It doesn't work. So many times Bono runs out of space to sing the lines/words and it feels like he's rushing to squeeze the words into the verse. This makes things worse as the melodic flowing sounds of a U2 song just aren't there. It's too talky. There are no notes that challenge Bono's voice that suck us into songs especially live in a stadium.

I get the feeling that on their tour this year there will be a whole lot of songs from previous albums and maybe one or two from this one. You have to compare NO Line On The Horizon to other albums and it falls far short.

One thing i really love about U2's songs is the metaphorical, mysterious, thought provoking words ... they just aren't here anymore. It's all up front and pretty boring stuff.

Think of 'where the streets have no name', 'with or without you', 'one', 'city of blinding lights', 'walk on' ... now think of 'put on yer sexy boots'?

Could this be the year that Chris Martin and Coldplay have finally rounded the last bend in front of Bono and the old U2 rock 'n rollers?

Wee Gowser

2009-02-15T11:37:00.003Z

This wee man is Gowser, a loyal and legendary Portadown supporter.

He can be found at Shamrock Park most Saturdays sitting as close as he can to Ronnie McFall and verbally abuses him for 90 minutes. Great Stuff.

His best ever reported one liner was when Crusaders won the league a number of years back. Portadown has tasted success and we were enjoying it. We were at Seaview on the last day of the season. Crusaders won the trophy and Gowser was heard shouting over the fence "Look at yis, yis don't know wether to celebrate or (another word ending in) bate".

Anyway, he was sitting in front of me yesterday. We were four nil up and he was abusing Robbo the Loughgall goalkeeper. As Portadown went on the attack he was shouting "Here's another one coming now for you Robinson" .... 20 seconds later as he was picking the ball out of the back of his net, Gowser concluded the proceedings with " Hi boy, don't worry, The salvation Army couldn't even have saved that".

Brilliant.

A Big Pause

2008-12-07T00:36:00.004Z

I feel like my blog here has gotten a bit stale.

I'm putting a big pause right here for a good while.

To re-inspire me, i will be starting new project over at
www.my2009.wordpress.com

Come and join me over there and let me know what you think.

Supersonic Mascots

2008-11-23T19:25:00.004Z

I was reading in the Daily mail today that none other than Noel and his wee brother Liam Gallagher carried Ricky Hatton's belts into the ring for him last night at the big fight in Las Vegas. I thought this was quite funny and even funnier when i saw the photographs.

They both look like wee boys in the photograph, especially Noel. Two rockstars who would be recognised all over the world carrying a boxers belt like a couple of 15 year olds? I love it. They look chuffed. Maybe it's because deep down we all want to be a great boxer like Hatton or maybe they are scared that Damon Albarn will pick another fight with them in the future and now a World Champion boxer has their backs?

Political Eoghan

2008-11-10T14:32:00.003Z

Time for my yearly X Factor blog.

People from N.Ireland are stupid. Now before you argue, i am one, i should know.

We can't even watch a singing competition without turning it into something political.

Poor Eoghan. Even though his family are clearly nationalists, maybe even republicans, because he has taken part in something British and worn an emblem which remembers Protestants and Catholics who have died in wars, the Ra are putting him under pressure.

The poor wee fella. I got hold of one of those mini flags you put on your car window this weekend. I'm not a big fan of Eoghans but it does say on it 'X Factor - vote Eoghan'. Now at first i thought this was a bit of fun but now i'm scared to put it on my car because i know that if i drive through a loyalist area, chances are, i'll get a window put through!! Such is life ... ah the peace process is alive and well.

But what chance does he really have of winning? Every chance! With Laura, the best all round singer in the competition voted off by the thick British public, maybe young Eoghan, with his bird's nest hair cut ( Louis Walsh is a wee fruit!), his poppy and his Gaelic top wearing famly, might actually win the whole thing?

One thing we can agree on, in fact even Northern Irish polititians who haven't talked for 110 days could agree on, is that if Rachel mentions her children one more time, i'm going to go mental.

Banksy

2008-10-27T13:15:00.005Z

I've been enjoying taking hold of the camera again recently. After a lazy spell, i've been out and about in London taking some fun shots.

On Saturday, the BBC news were all over a new piece by graffiti artist Banksy near Westminster. The council want to paint over it because people were gathering in an awkward place to get a look at it. So i took the tube out, had a walk and found it. What do you think? I quite like it ...

I also took some photographs at Graeme and Emily's wedding in London a few weeks back. I've done a few weddings before but never completely on my own. This was my first solo effort and i really enjoyed the satisfaction of producing some lovely shots of some lovely people. It has definitely given me more confidence that i could do a wedding and know that i won't balls it up. They have uploaded some of the shots on their wedding website, check them out here.

In Response

2008-10-19T22:13:00.006+01:00

In response to my wife making public my private comment "i need to think up a scam like that" ... here is my reasoning.

Mel recently let me into the knowledge of a website called www.youvebeenleftbehind.com.

If you are worried about the rapture and all things like that you should check it out. You can leave a message for your family to read after you fly off to eternity. A good hard gospel message most likely or maybe something like,"i'm off to heaven, here's how you can join me after the second seven years of tribulation.

Now i know this is no laughing matter but the idea of this site is what's funny.

Now obviously depending on whether you are pre rapture, post rapture, whetever rapture believers, you will already have been turned off by my crap theology.

Anyway, here's why it's a scam:

1. If the rapture doesn't happen in your lifetime, you are out a lot of dough on
your monthly subscription.
2. If you are lucky enough to get raptured and taken to the luxury of eternity,
who is going to know if your letter will reach your family?
3. If it is big lie and you die, you can't sue the site owners.
4. If you die before the rapture and your family get saved at your funeral, money
wasted.
5. If the rapture happens and you don't get up there, you will look like a tool.

If i had no morals i would love to have come up with a money spinner like this, there is plenty of Christian cash out there.

Maybe the point is actually to share Jesus with your family while you are still alive instead of by letter when you are already in paradise.

Rectangularabout

2008-10-15T10:40:00.004+01:00

There is a strange and beautiful place near where we live.

Back in the early 70's, the genius government tried to make two towns, Portadown and Lurgan into one big city called Criagavon. Not a bad idea one might think. Well if they had thought about it a bit longer it may have worked but there were many obstacles.

1. The people of Portadown and Lurgan are more rivals than neighbours.
2. The two towns are five miles apart.
3. There was nothing in between the two towns except fields and farms.
4. There was no need to make them into a city
5. There weren't enough people to live in the new city.

So what they did was, they built miles of roads and hundreds of roundabouts. They build crappy houses really fast and paid some lovely people from Belfast money to come down the road and live in the new houses. Of course the whole thing failed. Portadown people were still proud Portadownians, the people from Lurgan were still Spades and the lovely people from Belfast came down, collectd their money for moving, stayed a few months and headed back up to the big smoke.

Craigavon is still a bit of a road through but some of the beautiful architecture of the 70's still remains.

1. Parkmore.
2. Tullygally Shaps.
3. The magic roundabout with only one entrance and one exit.
4. The balancing lakes.
5. That nice bridge over the carriageway near the shapping centre.

Anyway, the following video sums it up well. I'm not agreeing with everything he says(bearing in mind he has a pint of guiness in his hand). I give you the regtangularabout:

Year

2008-09-30T11:14:00.005+01:00

So, we booked with Zoom to go to Canada at Christmas and of course it went belly up. Then we booked a wee holiday to Crete to relax after a very busy summer time working and of course the flight was with XL and that went belly up!!

The money is secure and we'll eventually get that back into the account (if the banking system doesn't crash or something). Last week we finally found some sunshine in the Algarve, Portugal. Good old Easyjet, booked it, packed it and went off to a lovely hotel in the sun with four pools, a beautiful beach and a little jug of Sangria. It was a great time with Mel. We relaxed so much and fell asleep quickly at night with no thoughts or worries. I don't think it's to do with your pillow or mattress wether you sleep well or not, it's mostly to do with what's in your head when you lie down and think stuff.

Anyway, this week is a big week. It's our first wedding anniversary on Wednesday and it's also Mel's 25th birthday on Friday. I love Mel, she is beautiful and fun and full of life. She puts up with my grumpiness and impatience and makes me laugh more than is necessary. It's amazing the joy that another person can bring into your life, wether that's a spouse, family, a friend, a nephew or neice. I don't really want to get old and die but if i have to, out of all the people in the world to do that with, i choose Mel and i chose right.

Still Here?

2008-09-10T11:03:00.001+01:00

I am trying to find out if the world ended today? Did it? Leave a comment if you're still on earth ...

Love Me Do

2008-09-08T10:49:00.004+01:00

Sometimes i get myself stuck. I love old things, looking back, nostalgia, memories etc. I could go mad on ebay ... football programmes of amazing Portadown matches i went to as a teenager, some of my fondest memories or old postcards of places i know well, Edenderry area, Portrush, The Mournes, Newcastle, Portadown. I love collections of signed Northern Ireland memorobilia, unsigned Northern Ireland memorobilia.

I gather it up, i frame it, i put it on the wall of the wee bedroom and i look at it gathering dust. After a year or two i start getting thoughts of, "what's the point, i'll die someday and it won't be as fond for anyone else as it is for me?" and i go and sell bits of it.

At the moment i'm bidding for a few programmes, The 1991 Irish Cup final (the best match i've ever been to), the semi programme of the same year, Portadown v Red Star Belgrade 1991, The programme Portadown v Linfield in 1990 when we first won the league .... the point is, i used to have all these programmes and sold them in car boot sales or ebay!!

I'm not talking big money or anything, a couple of pound here and there.

Maybe as i approach thirty i'm trying to hold on. Right now i'm sitting at the kitchen table listening to the Beatles on vinyl on my big bulky silver record player, love love me do.

Looking back, holding on, crying when you watch old Footy highlights on TV, ridiculous. Somedays i wish that all i owned was a couple of pairs oh beggs and a back pack. It's the same when i think about faith. Who cares if you've been saved for 36 years or for two months. How do you feel about God right now, are you trying to serve Him or have you lost Him somewhere along the way. Do you love His son Jesus or do you find the whole ting more strange than ever, i'm talking to myself here.
I love Walk on by U2. Leaving the past behind, whats done is done and walking on. I love the logo of the heart in a suitcase floating out the stadium at Croke Park. I'm not a fan of tatoos but if i was, thats what i'd get on my chest.

I don't think nostalgia is wrong but if we get stuck there, in how we used to be, in what we used to feel ... maybe we'll miss the future.

The Chickified Church

2008-08-18T19:24:00.002+01:00

Mark Driscoll talking about chicks and dudes.Good clip and he makes some great points and if we look around at our churches, i know what he means.

Watch this: He's a straight talker

Airports

2008-08-16T11:18:00.003+01:00

Aren't airports the worst places to be at any time of the day or night. Hate them! They are boring, they are tight and they are rude. Let me explain.

You get there late and walk into a long queue, panic, the bird asks you some daft questions about packing the bags yourself and are you carrying anything? I wonder has anyone ever said, "no, actually Osama Bin Laden packed it for me?" and "yeah i'm carrying a bag of powder for Amy Winehouse!"

If you get there on time, you pass through the desk with ease, get a bit wound up when the security guard asks you to take off your flip flops to check for guns and knives? and then sit on your arse for about two and a half hours in the lounge.

Now the lounge winds me up even more. You get in, find the nearest departures screen and i've noticed recently they have changed it to say FLIGHT BD 1234 12.30 RELAX AND SHOP! relax and shop? sod off, you can't tell me what to do, i'm going to get a cup of tea and a paper and sit on my back side until they call me!! The problem is guys, if you're with your wife or girlfriend (or sister), how do you get through to them that because it says RELAX AND SHOP you don't actually have to relax and shop?!

They then call you to your gate, check you through the desk and make you stand in a stair well while they restock the plane with scratch cards, and overpriced, poor quality refreshments?

Why do we put ourselves through it?

(ps i'm watching football AM, isn't it great to have the footy back. I'm going to see The Ports this afternoon).

Work So Far

2008-08-09T12:09:00.004+01:00

I've now been in my new job at The Red Door for two months. It's been excellent so far. My role is a youth outreach worker responsible for Magheralin and Dollingstown villages situated between Lurgan and Moira.

For the first few months i have concentrated on Magheralin. Magheralin Parish has a good history of youth work and the space i was given was ideal for setting up a small youth centre. It needed a good gutting out and fresh paint and equipment.

I have a good team of volunteers who are very committed and able to help connect with young people around the village of Magheralin. We also do this my pairing up and doing detached work some evenings.

The last few weeks i have had a team of Americans and Irish guys working at The Red Door. This was class and has really enabled us to be open every afternoon and evening for two weeks and to get The Red Door open with a bang. We opened the doors to 45 young people a few Monday nights ago and have numbers ranging from 15 to 35 each time we open.

It's a great opportunity to be a positive influence in the lives of young people in Magheralin. What i love about Magheralin is that it has a good mix of people from both Protestant and Catholic backgrounds. They all live together, work together and play together and there are very little problems of a sectarian nature.

As well as keeping the work going in Magheralin, we now have to look at what we can do in Dollingstown.

20 Years v 14 Minutes

2008-08-05T10:44:00.001+01:00

Dear Pete, this is what i mean ...

and of course, not forgeting this ...

Seven Nil

2008-08-05T00:41:00.002+01:00

The wee Ports won their first match in the lower division on Saturday. we beat Armagh 7 nil. We'll be back in the top flight sooner than you can click your fingers and if you click the video below, this is what you can expect. A country team from a small town, more fun to support than the Boos or the Gurns of Belfast. Some of my best boyhood memories ... Red and white Army!

Shut up Pete.

Harmless Healy Banter

2008-07-22T13:11:00.002+01:00

After Celtic fans had harmlessly taunted Healy he replied with a harmless gesture of his own ...

He shouldn't need to apologise ... he's a Norn Iron legend.

Twelfth Memories

2008-07-17T15:13:00.003+01:00

Ok, so incase any of you thought that i was some sort of robot with no tradition or background, here we go.

Before the Twelfth of July celebrations last year, the NewsLetter ran a short story competition. I was bored in work, so thinking i might win a few hundred quid, i wrote a story about a my memories of a childhood twelfth.

I didn't win but they published my story along with twenty others this year.

The book is called News Letter Twelfth Memories.

It's a nostalgic little read and i enjoy having my story in there.

I thought this would be a good follow on from my last post.

Summer Decorations

2008-07-06T13:25:00.009+01:00

It's got to the stage where flags are really doing my head in. I do not mind the national flag of a country hanging on a nice white flagpole on a government or official building.

In Northern Ireland and Lurgan where i live, they cause severe division and tension.
I know we are a divided nation but is it not the case where we are supposed to be moving forward. Especialy as people who label themselves as Christians, what good does it do to hang four or five union jacks around the local Roman Catholic church? For God and Ulster? it's got absolutely nothing to do with God and frig all to do with Ulster!

I've read a good bit of the bible and you can correct me if i'm wrong but i see no mention of protestant or catholic in the scriptures, the inspired word of God. As far as i can see, the bible says, turn from your sin and follow Jesus, humble yourself, comfess your sins and don't do them again, confess Jesus with your mouth and believe in your heart. I don't hear any mention of "aye you know James, the converted Roman Catholic". We are not converted Roman Catholics (slightly whispered) or converted Protestants, we are converted sinners.

As far as i know and i'm not an intillectual fellow, when i stand in front of The Almighty God, he won't say to me, were you and Protestant or a Catholic, He will ask me what i have done with His son Jesus. Not a protestant Jesus dressed in red, white and blue and not a catholic Jesus dressed in green, white and orange but His son Jesus, pure as snow.

I read this week that Shankhill Parish in Lurgan did not fly the Union Flag this year because they didn't want to annoy the local people who live and work around their church building. This is brave and they have to be commended for this. Yes it's the flag of the country but if it cause offence to your neighbours, the neighbours you are called to love?

I think all flags should be banned from lamposts in Northern Ireland, They are ugly, they cause riots, they stop us from moving on and for one sure thing they will not cause someone born in a protestant tradition to become a catholic or someone born in a catholic tradition to become a protestant.

Hanging a flag on a lampost is about as sensible as a dog pissing up a tree incase another dog walks past.

BBC Final Score

2008-07-05T11:10:00.001+01:00

A piss take of BBC Final Score from N.Ireland. This is for Pete Martin. This is my lazy update.

Black Joey

2008-06-24T15:15:00.000+01:00

Old wheels, new wheels

2008-06-17T18:03:00.004+01:00

The oul Escort is no more, i got 275 quid for her at Wilson's Auctions. Not bad.

Here is the new wheels, bright shiny red as per usual.

The Red Door

2008-06-09T19:29:00.003+01:00

I started my new job today with Magheralin Parish. I now can't wait to get my teeth into it good and proper. The only negative will be my impatience at starting out slowly.

They are a great bunch of people and i feel really supported and encouraged already, long may that continue.

If you pray, please remember the work of the Red Door and myself and the team as we try to reach young people around the villages of Magheralin and Dollingstown.

Northern Ireland Tickets

2008-06-02T22:20:00.003+01:00

I am offering someone a great opportunity to own two sets of block book tickets for Northern Ireland's forthcoming World Cup Qualifying campaign.

I can't make some of the matches of the campaign. I will still own the block booked seats but will give the interested person two sets of tickets for the five matches of the qualifying campaign. This enables me to keep my block booking scheme going for the future.

The two seats are in the middle of the South Stand and offer great views and a great chance to meet some great people. I have met the likes of Ally McCoist, Tim Flowers, Ian Dowie,Colin Murray etc.

The two sets of five tickets are £400 in total and the money must be paid to me before Sunday 15 June 2008.

If you are interested in these tickets, email me at d9ve@hotmail.com or ring my mobile if you know it.

Thanks.

Prostate Problems

2008-05-28T10:30:00.002+01:00

As 'annonymous' rightly pointed out. Mel, my wife has changed her blog address to melwiggins.blogspot.com instead of melreynolds.blogspot.com.

So if you have a blog roll, would you please change it and if you read blogs you need to be going to melwiggins, not melreynolds.

If you do go to melreynolds.blogspot.com you will find good advice on prostate problems.

Local

2008-05-24T23:35:00.004+01:00

I feel like maybe we all live too much on a world wide scale. Our focus is not on the local community much. This is not all bad but it's something i'm thinking about. We serve the worldwide community but seem to quite often overlook our own communities?

We run around the world to serve people but don't walk down the street to the elderly neighbours house or the single parents. Me included, i don't do that as much as i should.

What about our local retail community. I have been thinking that myself, as a Christian, rants on about building community, bringing Jesus to the community, doing community projects but when i need a pint of milk or a tin of paint, i go to the worldwide non personal stores like Tesco or B&Q. What's that all about?

Would it not be better to go to the local paint shop or the independantly owned grocer or the local fruit and vegetable shop or the independant fashion retailer, encourage them, get to know them and bring 'revival' back to our streets. Smile at them, lift their spirits, spend your money in their tills. It may cost 6 pence more than Tesco or 15 pence more than B&Q but is it not worth a few pence? (Considering that Tesco is the antichrist anyway as previously posted).
How will i show Jesus if i don't get to know local people? How will i show Jesus if the only people i have conversations with are already his disciples?

In this time of watching the pennies because we spend our money on the wrong thing, why not invest those extra pennies in our local community?

I'll have to think about this a bit more. Maybe i'll chose two or three shops to spend a bit more time in. Maybe i'll even choose those shops at the end of town that i don't spend much time in.

I think i'll have to do something a bit more about this. What i'm saying is, what's the point in spouting about loving the local community and depriving it of our energy, our conversation, our love and our finance?

HIV

2008-05-24T00:30:00.002+01:00

The WWF Evangelist

2008-05-20T15:41:00.005+01:00

Wether or not God is moving in Florida is definately not the main point of discussion. For me, it is wether or not Todd Bentley used to be or wants to be a WWF wrestler? Bear with me.

Here is what i'm saying. He has a beard and a shaven head. Everyone around him has a beard and a shaven head. He has a lot of tattoos. He stands on a platform, prances around shouting down a hand held microphone, points a lot and everything he does is dramatic in a performance like way. The stares, he points, he eyeballs people and he talks the biggest load of fabrication that i've ever heard.
As we discussed this very topic in our living room, the most amazing and comfirming thing happened.
Twelve people were brought on stage. He went down the line (as you do) and 'BAM!!ed' them all on the head in turn. He turned round and only one guy was left standing. As he walked back over to this poor undeserving sinner, he looked at him, looked slowly at the crowd, looked back at him and said "oh, you want the knee". At this point he ran at him, kneed him full in stomach and shout BAM SHACKALACK!! the crowd went wild, the young man went down and Todd Bently remained the undefeated heavy weight champion of the WWF Evangelist world!!

Tune in tomorrow night on pay per view GOD TV for Todd versus Hulk Hogan. Can't wait.

Bam !!

2008-05-13T00:06:00.004+01:00

Lots of discussion about all this Florida / Todd Bentley stuff. Been watching a bit and been reading a lot about him and his associations and his teachings. I really would like to say exactly how i feel but i don't want to start any arguement on here. There are more important things in the world to worry about like people in China left with no homes, the families of 100,000 people dead in Burma and so many with no food, water or shelter.

Instead, here is a link to some very meaningful discussion on a blog i found tonight. I found it gave good insight from people with different views and biblical insight ... click here and please read to the end for a balanced insight.

Burma

2008-05-10T11:28:00.002+01:00

As i'm sure you are aware a cyclone hit Burma the other day and caused massive devastation to property and lives.

As a mission, Hope does some work in Burma, supporting a pastor, bible college, orphanage and evangelists.

We did not hear anything for a few days but thankfully received an email yesterday from Pastor Timothy. Here is an extract from the message;

** We are safe and fine by God's grace.But we are also suffering from no water, no electricity and others.
The cyclone was the worst one in Myanmar history.
Some parts of Our Bible College building roof is damaged. And the College kitchen, boys bath room, girls bath room and our guest hall and store rooms are destroyed. Many thousonds of people are homeless now. Many poor people's houses nearby our Bible College are gone and more than 400 people run to our College building and stay there. The problem is no food for them.
More than 150 of our church members at different places are now homeless. Three village church buildings are gone. I do not know yet how many of our people are lost.I am going to our mission fields to see what our people. I have not yet heard from six of our missionaries who are under the cyclone.
In Yangon city, trees are broken, so many buildings are damaged. So many people are suffering from no food, no home. So many lives are lost.
By God's grace our children at the children home are safe and fine. But the building fencing is gone away. Right now everything is expensive unbelievably.
I will be able to give you more information later on. No telephone connection, no internet connection. Today there are few internet Cafe opened and we came in line.

Thanks for your concern and prayer. **

We have set up a special collection for the people of Burma. Aid is not getting to the people at present due to government corruption, but as we have a direct link with people on the ground, will get some money directly to them. If you would like to help, please call into the shop during the week.

Continue to pray.

Thank you.

Life goes on ...

2008-05-07T15:34:00.006+01:00

We had Estelle over for weekend which was good craic. On Sunday morning, Mel and I paid our first visit to Dollingsown Church, the guys i'll be working for soon. We really enjoyed it. It was packed with people of all ages and the service was great for us. We should fit it, in the parish ok. Does that mean i'm an Anglican? Don't know about that! Checking out Magheralin next weekend.

All the family came over for lunch at we spent most of the afternoon in the park in blazing sunshine.

Sunday night, Me, Wylie, Mel and Estelle hit the big smoke and watch Foy Vance at Queens, he was lethal and is described better on Scotty's Blog. He's definately becoming a more prfessional performer and the loop machine is mesmerizing.

Anyway, i'm still wrking for Hope, waiting for my forms to come through for my new job. Please pray for Burma at this time as they look like they are in a right mess after the cyclone.

Last but not least ... Mel is having a chat and playing a couple of live tunes on the George Jones' show on U105 this Friday between 3 and 6pm. This will be a great opportunity for her to get a wider audience in Northern Ireland. Tune in and support her on 105.8FM.

The sun is shining and life is always better in the rays.

Irish Facts

2008-05-03T13:05:00.003+01:00

I'm in the shop today flicking through a skinny book called 'Fascinating Facts About Ireland'. In truth, some of the facts are actually stupid and pointless but here are a few decent ones.

Ireland is moving north east at a rate of one inch per year. in fifty million years we will be in Denmark.

The remains of the oldest housing in Ireland can be found at Mount Sandel near Coleraine.

Tigermas, the founder of a cruel Irish cult which demanded the sacrifice of first born adults and children to satisfy the worm God, was put to death by his own followers after they found out he was an eldest son.

Irish nuns made up 20 of Florence Nightingale's nurses in the Crimean War.

On the eve of the great famine, Ireland had the lowest average marriage age in Europe, 16 for girls, 17 for boys.

Galway man, Robert Burke, walked the 1500 miles north-south across Australia to win a bet in 1860. He died of starvation on the return journey.

In 1447, moustaches were illegal in Ireland.

All, except one of the leaders of the Republican United Irishmen were prods.

Pope Alexander III celebrated King Billy's win at the battle of the Boyne with a Te Deum and the ringing of church bells accross Rome.

The traditional game of road bowls was first played played with the heads of English settlers following the destruction of the Munster plantation in 1598.

The world has over 2000 Irish pubs.

The Glory Days

2008-04-29T14:26:00.003+01:00

Sometimes people make fun of me for being an avid Portadown supporter. I hear other people saying that they would never go and watch an Irish league match because the standard is rubbish.

It wasn't always like this. When i was 11 years old i watched Portadown win the league for the first time in their history. Twelve thousand people were at that game and most were on the pitch after each goal went in against Linfield.

The following year i witnessed the Ports win the league for the second time in their history and then the irish cup the following Saturday for the first time in their history. The cup final was against our arch rivals Glenavon, from Lurgan and the legend of Stevie Cowan scored two goals in a 2-1 win.

The rivalry between us and Glenavon is what made things exciting. The two big two clubs in Northern Ireland are Glentoran and Linfield. But in the 90's it was Portadown and Glenavon. At games between our two clubs there were regular attendances of 8,000 - 12,000 people and the atmoshphere was electric.

The two mid - ulster clubs battled over many cup competitions, on Saturday afternoons, on Tuesday nights in Belfast and it's all very vivid in my memory. These matches were some of the highlights of my young teenage years.

The very best thing about our rivalry with Lurgan club Glenavon is that they came so close, so often but we mostly beat them in the run ins to the titles or cup finals.

In fact they have not won the league since 1960, if you're a mathmatician you'll realise that that's nearly 50 years!

Anyway, things aren't so could for either Portadown or Glenavon these days so here's a great video i found. It is dedicated to anyone who has watched such legends as Stevie Cowan, Sandy Frasier, Vinny Arkins, Alfie Stewart, Gregg Davidson, Gary Peebles, Mickey Keenan, Ronnie McFall, Kevin 'Tree' McKeever, Marty Russell, Peter Kennedy, Stormin' Gorman, Brian Strain, Philly Major and of course Black Joey Cunningham (bam a lam).

It is especially dedicated to the bridesmaids of Glenavon, who provided us with so many epic battles but usually let us come out on top.

Happy Days!!

New Job

2008-04-27T17:17:00.002+01:00

After an interview Wednesday week ago at Magheralin and Dollingstown Parish, i received word last Sunday that i was successful in my bid to become their 'Youth Outreach Worker'.

After working with Hope for almost three years in different roles, it is a great time for me to move back into a full time youth work role. Although over the last three years i have helped at various youth initiatives, i have missed working with young people full time. It is where i feel most fulfilled as a person.

If you pray then please consider us in your prayers over the next while. It will be a change for Mel too as we spend a little less time at our own church and slightly more time in Magheralin and Dollingstown.

I'm really excited to take on this position and feel privileged to be given the chance to build a team and connect with young people around the Parish, showing them something of Jesus.

I'll keep you posted.

What's Yours?

2008-04-24T19:25:00.003+01:00

When i go to America or Canada i'm always amazed at how polite the waiting staff are. The first time i went in 2002 i really enjoyed the friendliness of someone who sits down beside you, smiles, speaks clearly and politely and doesn't roll their eyes when you ask them to take the lettuce out.

Coming from Northern Ireland where the waitress usually says something like "what's yours?" or "you gettin?" it was a real novelty for someone to make the effort.

The more i go accross the Atlantic the less of a novelty it feels. In fact it gets more and more annoying. Why should i leave a tip on a table just because someone is artificially polite to you and does their job? I hate leaving tips, it's unnatural. And as for, "have a great evening", that does my nut in ... fake.

Anyway, something happened last night that made me appreciate the rudeness and unhelpfulness of Irish waitresses and waiters.

We went to a modern, American style diner style resturant for a feed. We were tired and wanted to sit quietly and get some grub into us. So, the waiter comes over. He makes eye contact (how dare he) and then sits down beside us. We order, i ask for awkward things as usual and he says "sure, no problem", didn't even roll his eyes? We order drinks, Mel asks for water, he says "still or sparkling?" sod off! if we wanted to pay for water we'd be stupid. Get a glass, hold it under a tap and don't charge me for it.

The food comes, the order is perfect. During the meal we get asked three times if everything is ok. Give my head peace. If there was something wrong i'd give you a shout and tell you.

After the main course he comes over, sits down, makes eye contact again and confidently tries to cojole us into eating dessert or having a cup of tea and looks surprised when we decline.

I wanted to take him aside, tell him he was in Ulster and the next time we are in, to just come over and say, "What's yours?"

Shout To The Lord

2008-04-11T23:50:00.005+01:00

We're not long home from Canada, lunchtime in fact. It's lovely to have spent time there but for me, the homebird, it's always nice to come home and sit down on the sofa.

Gordon and Pat looked after us really well as usual. I really relax when i'm over there with no other thoughts than what my next food shall be.

It was brilliant to catch up with old friends. I spent time with John Johnston in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He's a very close friend of mine who i hadn't seen for a couple of years. He's lovin' American life but i secretly think he'll come back to Ulster. Him and Abbey have a lovely wee upstairs appartment and are enjoying married life.

Ben Fretz is also a top man to catch up with. We drove around until we found an oul broken bridge. We sat all afternoon dangling our feet over the river eating crisps and sipping a tin. It seems we all want to change the world in a big way but feel kind of helpless. We concluded that it's not about what we do but more about who we are. Behind God, people are the most important, just people, hanging out, encouraging, empowering, laughing, crying ... people.

The most bizarre thing about my trip was the last night. Mel went out to giggle with her girly pals and i sat in and watched American Idol gives back. Pure cheese but bearable. Bono looked about 63 without his glasses which took me by surprise. Anyway, at the end of the evening, the last remaining 8 finalists of American Idol came out with a big Gospel choir and sang that famous pop song by Darlene Zschech, 'Shout To The Lord', to all the American people. Strangest thing i've ever seen except the time Glenavon beat Portadown in the first round of the cup three years back. They'll probably beat us tomorrow now that i think of it.

Chicago

2008-04-05T20:41:00.004+01:00

We're back in Canada ... i've just got caught up on the footy ... the Ports are rubbish but at least Glenavon are still worse. I watched Newcastle v Reading live, the Geordies have fairly found the pace ... good to watch.

This is a quick look at how Chicago looked ...

More at davewiggins.co.uk when i get home.

Away

2008-03-29T13:06:00.004Z

Right, we're headin' to Canada to see the Reynolds', the Saunders', Scott and Crystal, Ben and Aileen, Ivor and Shari and Chicago to see John and Abbey, Oprah and Jerry Springer.

The house is being well looked after for the next two weeks.

Fair play to those who contunue the photo a day malarky, i got bored and gave up.

You can see my latest offering of beginner to band shots at davewiggins.co.uk and click on 'people'.

Take Care xo

Prophetic Voice

2008-03-26T10:46:00.002Z

I want to share a website with you.

Maybe as Christians, we have got distracted from what's going on around us. The world is a bit screwed up, in fact it's a lot screwed up.

I'm not getting high and mighty because i'm in the same boat as you and everyone else.

Sexual immorality doesn't even phase us as much as it should. It's 10.30 am, i'm off work, i'm watching two and a half men and every other joke is about sex and it just passes me by.

All the things that God gave us for our benefit, for our health, to keep us pure have been thrown out the window. Marriage isn't sacred, we're scared to mention Jesus in schools and sometimes in public while other Gods and religions are being forced our way.

We worship idols everyday. Entertainment and having a good time is more important to us than encountering God, than being stretched and growing in the Spirit.

The occult is in the undercurrent of our governments, councils, orange orders, churches, masonic halls, schools, health care systems, values, sports and whatever else. We, as Christians, need to be aware of the spiritual battles in the world.

It's time to waken up and see what's going on around us.

The website is a bit over the top in places but as you read through each newsletter, it is quite obvious what is heppening in the world.

The bible says that Jesus will return like a thief in the night, i'm starting to definately think that.

Read it here at last trumpet ministries.

Easter

2008-03-22T21:00:00.005Z

Photo of the day is the crucifiction scene from the local Roman Catholic graveyard.

I like Easter ... it's more reflective than Christmas. It's a weekend to focus on Jesus without trees, presents, shopping, fighting and financial pressure.

Christmas usually makes me feel sad, maybe even lonely ... all the reminiscing and looking back. Easter is more about looking forward, focussing on the important things of faith and moving on.

Apparently we create 80 million tonnes of extra waste over the Easter weekend. Mostly all that extra packaging around chocolate eggs. I haven't bought any eggs at all, not because i care about the environment, mostly because i won't spend the money.

Anyway, we worship a risen Saviour, not a story, not a legend or a fairytale but the King of Kings and the One worth devoting our lives to.

Follow Him.

Water

2008-03-22T10:48:00.000Z

Today is World Day of Water

Check this out here

Horse

2008-03-21T10:40:00.003Z

roundabout
bridge
roundabout
bridge
bus stop
roundabout
bridge
roundabout
bus stop
estate
caravan

roundabout
bridge
roundabout
bridge
bus stop
roundabout
bridge
roundabout
bus stop
estate
horse

Love Yourself

2008-03-20T11:17:00.001Z

Today's photograph is my nephew loving himself ... we've all done it!

Other Blogs

2008-03-19T15:36:00.002Z

Here is my photo of the day ... its a pool table wow!

May i draw your attention to a few blogs ...

SCOTTY GORDON and JOANNA BOONE are NEW bloggers and are on my list there, chck them out.

I've added DAVE HEWITT and DEAN IRWIN to the list, they are doing this photo each day mallarky too along with JAN MCNEIL.

Finally, PASTOR PHIL has been blogging again for a while after a bit of a rest, you'll find him near the end there.

Happy days, wha?

Fisheye

2008-03-18T17:25:00.002Z

Got the oul fisheye out for a mess around ...

Knocknashane Gym

2008-03-17T15:27:00.003Z

Tucked away in the quiet cul de sac of Knocknashane is the secret St Patrick's day hideaway of the shed gym. This secret gym is the getaway for many a young man round our way.

I'd never been before, so today, instead of drowning the Shamrock or whatever we're supposed to do, J-Mac and i went for a lap of the park (running) and then hit the shed gym for a bit of secret pumping. He seriously kicked my ass but with time i'll get back to the strength of my furniture lifting days.

Here's the pics of the day.

for all you Irish out there " bord na mona"

Saturday Afternoon

2008-03-15T16:03:00.004Z

Saturday afternoon, Hope Charity Shop, Lurgan. Same old ladies, same conversations ... the Kingdon of God extended a little further.

Bless them.

Parking Space

2008-03-14T14:33:00.003Z

I think before people get one of these motorised wheelchairs they should have to do a driving test.

Now, before you slag me for being un PC or whatever it is, let me explain. I'm worried that someone is going to get 'wrote aff'. Evereywhere i look now, the wheelchairs are nipping off kerbs onto the road, driving down the middle of main roads, making wrong turns at junctions and being a hazard. Now to make matters worse they are taking up the parking spaces. Oh i despair ... I'm only joking, it's the only interesting photograph i could think of today.

One

2008-03-13T16:07:00.001Z

A little girl's first birthday portrait

My Website

2008-03-12T22:01:00.003Z

So, i've got to thank Tim Proctor of TeePee design for knocking me together a website to advertise my photography and that.

I've got the business cards done and am undertaking little jobs here and there. I've a lot to learn but have to start somewhere.

The site is www.davewiggins.co.uk

Singer

2008-03-11T11:48:00.003Z

Rotterdam

2008-03-10T10:22:00.006Z

I slacked on this photo a day lark over the weekend, so here's four for Saturday, Sunday and today. The shots are from Mel's brilliant gig at the Rotterdam in Belfast Docks last night.

Rest of the photographs are on facebook.

Sacked?

2008-03-09T10:30:00.000Z

I didn't take any pictures today. Am i sacked, maybe i'll keep going anyway.

End of winter

2008-03-07T19:10:00.001Z

For me, daffodils signify the end of winter and dark nights and coldness, therefore i like them.

Victoria Square

2008-03-06T23:47:00.004Z

All i have to say about the brand new, all singing, all dancing, city centre shopping centre, Victoria Square in Belfast is ...

Same crap (replace with another four letter word beginning with s) different city.

Incase i didn't already know, i absolutely hate shopping, i hate consumerism and i hate spending money for the sake of it. Unless i absolutely need something, i hate going into the city or near the shopping centre. Looking around Victoria Square tonight, people were just aimlessly walking around, men were bored and the women were going mad spending the dough.

It's a sin, it's boring and i'd rather lie on my arse watching TV than walking around trying to find something to spend my hard earned cash on.

This is my photo of the day.

Day Five

2008-03-05T18:57:00.003Z

Day five of the photo a day task. A junk yard / dumping shed at the side of the road near Moira. Here's a couple.

Until tomorrow i'll just keep moving on - (The Littelist Hobo)

Finally ...

2008-03-04T12:51:00.004Z

If you're a regular visitor to our house or even if you've only been once or twice, you will know the dilema we have been having with our over mantle situation.

We got a nice old gilt framed painting out of Hope Charity Shop. It was the first effort, the painting was brutal but the frame was just the ticket. After a while we painted over the painting, solid brown, yes solid brown, not my idea. It hung as solid brown for a while and as each person entered our room they looked confused at all the browness.

We then got chunky wooden letters PEACE and super glued them on top of the browness. I liked it but it wasn't quite right, so they eventually went, in fact the whole canvas went and we were left with a gilt frame hanging on the wall with nothing in it. Mel then painted the frame black and the other day i got a mirror put in it.

With the transition complete we now have a lovely black frame with a mirror.

Please let that be the end of it.

Snow In The Play Park

2008-03-03T10:21:00.005Z

It snowed last night, so i took ten minutes in the park this morning.

Mother's Day

2008-03-02T17:55:00.002Z

We had a lovely Mother's Day dinner. Andrew, Mum and the grannys came over and Mel made a kwer feed.

My mum brought Pavalova and as we watched from the window dropped half of it on the driveway and over the car door.

Was funny.

1st March

2008-03-01T23:14:00.004Z

This is a lazy 1st photograph for the 1st day of Estelles photo a day in March challenge. It has significance though as we have been married for five months today. We are just back from Mel doing a gig in Antrim, she did good. This is her making the Sunday dinner which is also something she is great at.

(did anyone else notice Gary Lineker saying, 'nice to see Ashleigh Cole scoring again' on match of the day follwed by a snigger?)

March

2008-03-01T09:56:00.001Z

My friend Estelle (link to the right), has challenged me to take a wee photo every day in March and post it on here. She's gonna do it too. We'll see if we can keep it up. If anyone else wants to join us, feel free.

Nigel Wortington

2008-02-26T19:43:00.004Z

I was at the YFCNI dinner and auction last night. It was a good night's craic with all the boys at the one table.

Nigel Worthington, the Northern Ireland international manager was the after dinner speaker. To be honest he didn't fill me full of excitement but as i've thought this over today i think that's ok. He didn't make any false promises, was really honest about different situations and gave his honest opinion on the stadium debate. He didn't promise to take us to the world cup finals and even though he exclusively told us he hadn't actually signed his new contract yet, i trust him to honour the contract that he does sign.

I think ultimately, when it comes to management and team leading, honesty, open communication, perserverance, building good team morale are clearly much better than false promises, quitting before the end, over hype and not bringing the team along with you.

One thing i did do was change my mind about the Maze stadium idea. I've decided that it would be good to take the international game out of Linfield's ground. I think if we had 25,000, we could sell the seats and it would make the Northern Ireland game a bit more respectable and family orientated.

Anyway, the night raised enough money to keep the YFC guys going for another wee while and that can only be good for Northern Ireland's young people and for the Kingdom of God.

Ebbsfleet Utd

2008-02-20T11:51:00.007Z

As of yesterday i became the part owner of Ebbsfleet Utd Football club. They are 9th place in the blue square premier league pushing to join the English Football League for the first time.

It's quite exciting. The 28,000 of us who own the club, vote on team selection, transfers and othe weekly factors to do with the running of the club.

Nike have recently agreed a big sponsorhip deal and The Times, The Guardian and The Telegraph ran full page articles yesterday with the members names in it.

Basically, what i am saying is that Abromovich, Gillette, Ashley, you can all kiss my butt cause the Fleet are coming to get you!!

Tom and Jerry

2008-02-17T19:59:00.005Z

I came home from work the other day to find Tom and Jerry playing just outside my driveway. It was odd and hilarious. The mouse wasn't scared of the cat and the cat was just teasing the mouse. After watching for a couple of minutes i thought i'd better grab the camera.

They seemed oblivious to me because they weren't scared and didn't run away.

It felt like i was watching a cartoon.

Sometimes

2008-02-13T14:20:00.004Z

Sometimes things come easily and sometimes they are harder.

My wife is a beautiful woman with a big warm heart, loads of ambition and most days she inspires me in some way. She goes after what she wants and tries to make it happen instead of waiting around hoping it will drop into her lap. The Slice The Pie thing hasn't worked out as we'd hoped but i very much doubt if that will stop her moving forward with recording her tunes and doing gigs here and there. Mel's music doesn't just sound great, the tunes speak, with meaning and purpose and that's what i like about them the most. She did a wee set in Clements last night and it was brilliant. The place was full, full of our friends which was nice to see. Off the back of last night she got asked to do two more gigs and that says it all really. The music side of things will have to happen the hard way.

What did happen easily was our love. We didn't have to work hard to make it happen, it just did. It's great to find a deep love with someone who you connect with in areas you didn't know. I hate to say it but as Valentine's Day approaches it's made me think of how precious the love is. I'm not a fan of celebrating love on one single day of the year as opposed to any other but it's a good excuse to make a bit more effort for someone you love.

I'm proud of my wife, she uses her talents, she looks after me well, she has patience with my character and she loves me the way i love her. She adds to my happiness.

(I'm sorry, i may have turned slightly gay halfway through that post).

Superbowl

2008-02-05T12:40:00.000Z

Out of interest i stayed up on Sunday night and watched a good bit of the superbowl ... here are my findings.

American sport is crap.

All American men have big fat asses and like to wear tight leggings to show them off.

More time is spent having a rest than actually playing.

There are two teams within every one team ... lazy Americans.

The commentators know far too many stupid stats.

American people are more interested in the half time entertainment than the game.

Janet Jackson once got her boob out at half time apparently.

A one hour game lasts for around three hours?

New York Giants won and became the 'world champions' in a competition only run in one country?

They have three 'breaks' within the one hour.

It took five minutes to play the last one second of the game, everyone knew who was about to win and yet they waited around for five minutes to play the last one second.

In conclusion: I'll see you at Windsor Park tomorrow night ... healy healy healy!!!

Get The Wife Voted For

2008-02-01T15:55:00.000Z

If you are my friend or would like to do something nice for me then please support my wife….

Mel has entered a singer / songwriter competition called Slice The Pie. She has the potential to win £15,000 to record and promote an album which would be her dreams come true (apart from her wedding day).

She is currently in second place with 15% of the overall vote. The band in first place have 16% of the vote, so she is really knocking at the door. The competition runs until the 10th of February I think.

Here’s what you do:

* Register your email with www.slicethepie.com
* Go to the bit along the top that says 'showcases'
* Select 'All Genres 2'
* Select 'vote'.
* Find Mel on the list
* Click on Mel

If there is anything on there that asks you to buy any shares or backstage passes, you don't have to and it will not effect the votes, although it may make Mel look worthy enough of support if she’s seen to have people willing to invest in her.

I’d love it if you took five minutes and did this. Please pass this on to other people and lets see if we can make it happen. Do it, go on, do it now.

(ps I’m her official photographer, so it might get me some jobs, which would be nice).

Sexuality, Porn, Lust and Masturbation

2008-01-26T13:58:00.000Z

... are some of the topics i covered in youth last night.

I felt fulfilled last night. Sometimes you know what God has gifted you with and sometimes you feel like you aren't using those gifts.

After work yesterday, i had a hurried tea with with my wife and a couple of friends, then i took twelve wee lads to play footie for a couple of hours. I left there and came back to Lurgan to take an hour and a half session with the 14 - 18 yr old lads at church. The subjects were to do with sexuality and it was great fun. The lads were open and frank and i enjoyed it. I felt like they had some issues clarified, became comfortable in knowing that most men (all) deal with the same issues and just enjoyed hearing that God had the best plan for their relationships.

After i wrapped that up with a wee question and answer session i headed down to the YMCA. Mel, Brenton, Marty and the guys had the centre opened in the middle of town from 9til midnight as a bit of a trial. What a class night. There were about 60 kids in, from both sides of the divide, meeting at night on the divide.

Blessing.

I Used To Hate Facebook

2008-01-23T10:34:00.000Z

I used to hate Facebook but now i love it. It's a great place to reconnect with old friends from around the world.

Anyway, i've killed my flickr site and uploaded by favourite sets of photogragphs to facebook.

If you go to www.facebook.com and look for Dave Wiggins , you'll find me.

Until the next time ...

Guess?

2008-01-20T16:31:00.001Z

The first person to tell me what this picture is wins the prize of a squashed dead rat that i found in our street.

Answers on a postcard.

Almost There?

2008-01-11T11:03:00.000Z

This is the first post in ages that i'm not including any type of visual stimulation. Can you deal with it or will the text only be so unnatractive that people won't bear to read it?

Christmas was busy but lovely. We got caught up with the family and friends and then headed to London to catch up with more friends and attend a great wedding. I was pleased to be asked to take photographs at the wedding. It's something i'd imagined looking into in the future. Most of it was fun. Being creative, giving people memories of their day to look at and enjoy was a great feeling. However, group photographs are hard work. Respect to wedding photographers, the most patient people on earth.

As January has kicked in ... with dark nights and not much going on, i have had lots of time to think. The low feelings of damp, cold weather probably haven't helped either.

Anyway, what i'm about to say is meant to bless and encourage and not to discourage.

I know lots of people who have big dreams, good dreams, visions maybe even. These ideas, projects have blessing and extending God's kingdom right at the centre of them. The people know exactly what they want to do, who they need to help them, where they need to be, how much cash is needed etc. How many people actually 100% fulfil what God has given them ideas for? Very few and many of those who do, end up flying around the world in jets oblivious to the real needs of people. What? I'm saying that it seems to me, looking around that God takes people someway down the path of their big dream ... they get so close to fulfilment. They get the right property, they get the right people, the money is coming in, it feels nice. Then just when it seems that all with be fulfilled it slowly unravels? This is not about any certain project but about many.

Am i talking rubbish? maybe but this is what i see. Why does this happen. Why does God allow the frustrations, the disappointment, the misunderstandings? To teach us to rely on Him? to teach us to be patient? so that we don't get lazy and have it all our own way? I'm not even sure.

One thing i do know is that along the way to visionaries trying to accomplish their outcome, many people get a glimpse of Jesus along the way, many people are given purpose for their lives, many people come into the kingdom and the visionaries learn to keep going, keep looking to God and keep serving in any way they can.

I'm not a visionary type person and i'm more of a leader's right hand man than a leader but looking back on my own short life so far, when i've had dreams, when i've had plans, when i've had ideas, i push towards them, i try the door but very often (in hindsight of course), God gently leads through another path another direction, one which i couldn't even have imagined He'd take me.

Don't give up, keep reaching forward. God leads and God steers.

Familiar Face

2007-12-22T11:57:00.001Z

This week i have been compared to four different people. This happens me from time to time but this week it happened a lot. I think i have a familiar face or something?

It's always women who make the comparison because let's face it (nice pun there), men don't give a crap who or what you look like. I put it down to celebrity magasines who make women obsessed with what celebrities are getting up to and who with.

Chris Martin is a very common one i get compared with. Blue eyes and wavy hair, apart from that, i'm much more handsome.

The boy out of Travis is another one i've been compared to this week ... i can sing 'why does it always rain on me' but i don't look like him at all.

Now this does make me laugh. My sister's work mates think i looked liked Jude Law on my wedding day ... let's make the comparison ... emmm .... we both look good in a plain black suit? funny

And the one that comes up most often, but not for a while until yesterday, Northern Ireland's own Prod hating funnyman himself Paddy Kielty. This one i can understand because we both look like master splinter from Teenage Mutant Ninga Turtles!

I can only put it down to my averagely handsome familiar face.

One Year On

2007-12-15T11:15:00.000Z

So ... one year ago today my life changed in a big way and for the better. I found myself arriving in Liverpool St station in London to meet Mel on her turf for the first time. I rang her and told her i was beside the coffee bar, climbed to the balcony and watched her squirm. Anyway a few hours later, we were smooching on her sofa in her dingy flat and now 365 days later we are 2 1/2 months married and happy ever after.

Things at Hope shop have changed to. No longer am i out and about in the van getting a sweaty bum leading to the cysts but am now the shop manager. Andrew has opened a new shop in Monaghan and the shop in Dungannon is moving to a bigger premises four doors down.

It's surprisingly fulfilling managing the shop. It's a great buzz getting as much money as possible for furniture and stuff that people would alternatively be throwing out. It winds me though that more followers of Jesus don't support Christian Charity shops. Lots do, don't get me wrong but i think we should challenge ourselves on how we spend the money God has blessed us with. Would i rather spend in a big mutinational chain making them even more wealthy and powerful or would i rather spend my money in a place that blesses the most poor and vulnerable people in the world. Sometimes it's the people who don't really understand the gospel or follow it's teachings who support our shop the most. They hear the stories, they see the pictures and because they have caring hearts and are made in the image of God, want to support the work and help the needy among us.

I'm talking to myself as well. It's bollocks to pretend to ourselves that we live a life like Jesus when we spend fortunes on things we don't need to comfort ourselves or make ourselves feel on a par with the neighbours or our friends.

I'm not hounding you to donate or spend in our shop. I think we should suppport any Christian Charity Shops around us. It's the right thing to do.

It's recycling, it's making the most of what God gives us, it's buying retro leather suites, it's picking up a collectable ornament on the cheap, it's finding vintage clothing and it's stumbling accross your favourite CD from the 90's.

You'll find our shop at 99 Union Street, Lurgan.

Big Fight

2007-12-08T11:22:00.000Z

It's 11.30am on Saturday. I'm at work but we've hit a quiet spell today, probably because it's lashing it down outside. I don't mean that fine rain that soaks you right through, i mean the heavy rain that beats off your body so that you feel every organ in your body has soaked up some of the rain and you feel like lying in a pile somewhere.

Anyway, i have an excited feeling in my stomach. There's nothing like watching two men battle. It's what us men miss in the modern age (apparently according to wild at heart haha). We've booked the boxing on Sky tonight, Hatton v Mayweather. What a fight this is going to be. An ugly looking working class hero from Manchester who dresses like a wee steek up against a handsome, rich, flashy, big mouth American who lives the high life. Humility v Self importance. Underdog v champion. Can't wait!

As a man, it's great to see two men beat the head off each other. I make no apologies. Head to head, fists only. A good fair scrap in a controlled environment. Wether or not, it's good for the soul i'm not sure but it is good for the entertainment and the 15 boys in our living room tonight will testify to that.
Bring it on!

Last Resort

2007-12-01T10:41:00.000Z

My ass cyst is back. I have been battling it for the last week with antibiotics. It's sore when i stand, sore when i drive the car, sore when i roll onto it in the middle of the night. It's cracking me up. I've had two operations on it, got hands laid on it for prayer and dealt with it once with pills but it keeps coming back. Aaaaaaghh!

Anyway, i have come to the end of my teather (again). I'm lowering myself and resorting to someone i used to make fun of. I used to watch a guy on the 'Gospel Comedy Channel' called Peter Popoff. Lovely guy, used to take money from the vulnerable, sick and lame in order to fool them into thinking he could heal them. To cut a long story short, you could ring up and get a free bottle of his 'Miracle Spring Water' with no obligation. Having said that, i knew a guy in London who got a bottle for a laugh except it wasn't really free because they phoned him every week for a long time giving the whole sew into our ministry and your business and bank account will expand crap.

All said and done, i'm at a low point in the ass cyst situation, so ... does anyone have a spare bottle of 'Miracle Spring Water' lying around in the fridge? I'll try anything to spare me going down to theatre.

Some Croatian Striker

2007-11-21T22:31:00.001Z

Football

2007-11-20T18:50:00.000Z

Moving on ...

Saturday was a beautiful day. In the light of eternity (as our parents might say) football means about as much as Shane Ward turning on the Belfast Christmas lights, but oh what a night. In the course of three years David Healy has gone from a big back square on the wall outside Windsor to a face among legends and apart from Bestie, maybe even THE legend.

There hadn't been much talk about Our Wee Country in the run up to the weekend's matches. As our sheep loving friends in the east and our gypsy friends to the south all had no chance of qualifying, all the media attention turned to England, Scotland and well just England and Scotland. Pisses me right off. Anyway, by Saturday night, our closest friends the Scots had painfully and unfairly crashed out of the competition and the ones we enjoy laughing at had somehow fluked, scraped, luckily been given a lifeline by God's very own people! It's funny how the English set themselves up for a fall at each and evey opportunity. Their own media want to see them fail to write headlines, their own people want them to fail so they can phone the sport phone in lines and lets face it, we want them to fail so we can still laugh every time we hear about 1966!

Half nine on Saturday night and Windsor Park was bouncing. We took our chance, we battled, we scored two goals, Healy bagged his record breaking thirteenth goal of the campaign, still in with a chance of qualifying and STILL no one was taking much notice. Three minutes on Match Of The Day, thirty seconds on the UTV Live, if Rooney had score 13 goals he would be getting Knighted!

So onto Wednesday night. Out of us both, Northern Ireland and England, England have the best chance of qualification. Will that stop us hoping? no chance.

What do i hope happens on Wednesday evening?
1. I hope Croatia stuff England.
2. I hope Northern Ireland beat Spain for the second time in the qualification.
3. I hope Latvia beat Sweden One nil.

What will actually happen?
1. England will beat Croatia.
2. Spain will beat Northern Ireland by a slim margin.
3. Sweden will beat Latvia.

The difference between us and England? If we don't qualify, we will be gutted but will still support the team, still support the manager and the press will rant and rave about how well we did. As for the English? wether they qualify or not, they will gurn, the press will call for the manager to resign etc. If they do qualify we will hear sounds of 'we can win the competition', 'we have a team full of stars' ... and what will they do? SOD ALL!

Come On Northern Ireland ... make us prouder than we ever thought we could be!

Teabags and Condoms

2007-11-13T20:13:00.000Z

Ok, im assuming that we're all adults here ...

The other night, i was sent out of the house for teabags and condoms (currently my two favourite things). As it was half ten at night i went to the local Tesco in Lurgan.

The teabags i had no problem with, 440 one cup bags in a red punjana bag, easy.

The joes however ... After ten minutes wandering around, i discreetly asked the nice shelf stacking lady where i could find the contraception isle? Just down here, she replied. Brilliant, i thought, lets get some and get out. They had every brand and style of condom to suit all needs.

So, not being very experienced in the purchasing of contraception, i took my time and decided the brand and colour of packet right for me. After a minute or two i took the packet off the shelf only to realise that it was in a big plastic container. I tried with all of my might to force open the big plastic container but it just wasn't happening. After enquiring as to what was the flippin craic from the afore mentioned shelf stacking lady, she told me that i had to take the condoms in the big plastic container under my arm, up to the til to get them opened?! Trying to be discreet but making a complte arse of myself.

Later that evening, not much later, i got a text from my neighbour (i'll not tell you who but i'm sure you know) asking me if i was using condoms. Me being a good friend and thinking he was caught short, put a couple in my pocket and headed down to bang his front door. Ten minutes later, he appeared at the door with a grin on his face. Turns out i had interrupted him but it also turned out that he didn't want any condoms but wanted to give me about fifty that he was clearing out. Happy days i thought, i'll not have to go through my earlier Tesco experience again for a while.

Hopefully you'll take this story maturely, i thought it was funny enough to share.

Travellers

2007-11-09T20:09:00.000Z

Do you think travellers need much support? I mean, they have families, a good sense of community, don't have to worry about tax or water rates or ground rent? There's something about them though. There is a whole community of travellers in Burnside in Craigavon. I'd love to get to know them better, i took this sneaky photo out the window of the van the other day. I'm scared they might stab me or something. Isn't it funny how a group of people we don't really understand can make us feel nervous.

Anyway, TRUE at church the other night was great. The time together to think about how we're actually supposed to do life as disciples is good. We're not good at it though but i think a lot of us are trying. Church is mission as far as i'm concerned. If we're looking in more than we look out then it's not church. Here's some verses i've been pondering since TRUE. They aren't mind blowing or anything:

1 John 2v 5 But those who obey God's word really do love him. That is the way to know wether or not we live in Him.

1John 2 v 27 But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives in you, so you don't need anyone to tell you what is true. For the spirit teaches you all things and what he teaches you is true - it is not a lie.

1 John 3 v 16 We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us. And so we ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters.

1 John 3 v 18 Let us stop saying we love each other, let us really show it by our actions.

Matthew 5 v 46 If you love only those who love you, what good is that?
v 47 If you are only kind to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?

Excellent, now that i've got that off my chest. Yesterday was completely baltic, it would have froze the balls off a brass monkey (as a cruder man than me might say). I think it was the first really cold day of the year. All the oul dolls in Lurgan took an hour and a half to do the length of the town cause the arthritis has kicked in with the big chill. There are some martyrs however. The guy below drove past us in the van yesterday in Portadown. It was freezing, a bit wet and in the middle of a busy road. He was about 60 odd and that's where i'll leave it. Glad i got my camera out in a flash.

Get yer bells out big lad.

24-7 Prayer Ireland

2007-10-28T15:06:00.000Z

British summer time is over. The clocks went back last night and i got an extra hour in bed. But i actually didn't. I got up at 7.40am for a pee, looked out the window and the sun was coming up on a beautiful autumn day. I couldn't get back into bed (even though my beautiful wife was there with her cute morning face), lifted my camera and headed to the park to see what looked nice.

Lots of thing looked nice (in my opinion) and i've uploaded some of my favourite snaps to my flickr site.

There was a big debate on Stephen Nolan show on Friday between Lurgan and Portadown. Newton Emerson, a funny, political taking the piss column writer and Flash Harry a local Freddie Mercury look and sound alike were debating which town was best. I live in Lurgan but as i grew up in Portadown still feel caught between them both. Anyway, i like to slag Lurgan and it's dingy shopping town centre etc but the one thing that shines out is Lurgan Park. It's a beautiful place to walk and meditate and take in God's glory.

The Pope of Bloggers, Brian Heasley was over from Ibiza in Ireland for the weekend. He was commissioning a leadership team to pioneer the 24-7 movement in Ireland. I don't do it enough but have been further challenged to pray for my town and my country. The website for 24-7 Ireland is here.

I think it would be fun at the end of the year to give out some Blog awards for Blogs i regularly browse. I'm thinking categories such as laziest blogger, most poetic blogger, biggest blog weirdo, most pointless blog, funniest blog etc. If you have any ideas of categories, let me know and we'll set up a poll at the end of the year.

Excellent.

Our Wedding Photos

2007-10-23T22:48:00.000+01:00

May i recommend to you an excellent photographer. His name is Tim Doak, he is an old work colleague of mine and a talented boy. He took our wedding photographs but also does commercial and private work. I really like his style.

Here are a few of my favourite shots from the day

The link to the rest of the photographs is www.timothyalexander.co.uk/melanddave

Sin And Repentance

2007-10-15T19:11:00.000+01:00

Have we forgotten that we sin and need to be forgiven by God? Have we forgotten how to repent? I've been challenged in by conscience / spirit that i very rarely say sorry to God for the things that i do to annoy Him or hurt Him. Yeah ... i know God is love, i know about grace, i know that Jesus took the punishment.

When we first come to Jesus it needs to be in an attitude of repentance, when we guide other people, young people in the direction of Salvation, repentance should be part of that, not just the come and join the club scenario.

Mark Ch 1 v 4ish - People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and as they confessed their sins, were baptised by him in the Jordan river into a changed life.

Luke 19 v 8 - He stammered apologetically, " Master, i give away half my income to the poor - and if i'm caught cheating i pay four times the damages".

John 8 v 11 - go on your way and from now on don't sin.

Marriage

2007-10-11T17:26:00.000+01:00

Well ... i know it's only been for a short time but i'm finding the marriage side of life to be excellent. I mean, who doesn't want to crawl into bed at night beside the person they love, instead of going home to a cold single bed on your own?

I feel happy and relaxed and peaceful constantly now. I think that's probably because in the run up to the big day your mind gets a bit taken up with the wedding. As soon as i woke each morning i had lists in my head of what i had to do. When i went to work i was thinking about what i had to do when i got home and when i got home i did the stuff i'd been thinking about all day.

Now i waken in the morning with a fresh head, get breakfast, kick Mel into the shower, go to work, come home, have a nice dinner and go to bed with my wife ... it's great. (Yes i know it's early days).

The wedding day was class, more fun that i could have thought and we went to Barcelona on honeymoon and that was brilliant fun. We explored the city, had a pool on the roof of the hotel, caught a match, for any 'friends' fanatics ... we went up Mount Tibidabo, and generally saw the sites.

I hope it's as good as this for a long while to come.

(Mount Tibidabo)

(Ronaldinho far right, in the middle)

Not Long Now Eh?

2007-09-23T12:02:00.000+01:00

If i had a quid for every time someone has recently said to me, "Not long now eh Dave?". It's true though, it's not long. In a week and a day i'll be a married man.
It's a funny feeling, some days i'm excited, some days i want to sit on the bog, somedays it's a mixture of both. It's not the being married part that gives me nerves, it's the putting on a wedding day to remember pressure and making sure i've made all the arrangements i have to, ie: get the suits and turn up.
All that said, i'm looking forward to being married to Mel, the companionship, the intimacy, the not having to go home at night, the possibility of raising a family ... excellent.

As regards the other updates. I've given up painting my toenails with that curanail stuff. I'm gonna try the pills in a while.

On the football front, i came off the bench yesterday and scored two more goals, thats 3 in 2 from the bench. The first one was amazing, ask me about it sometime. Needless to say, i'm starting the match next week (two days before my wedding).

It's a fun time in my life. I'm taking it all in and thanking God for the good things. It's harder to thank Him in the strange times.

Tim and Andrea

2007-09-18T14:05:00.000+01:00

Tim and Andrea

2007-09-18T13:36:00.000+01:00

Tim & Andrea

2007-09-17T23:43:00.000+01:00

Three

2007-09-10T09:13:00.000+01:00

I'm exhausted. It's three weeks today until my wedding day. I'm ready for it now, i'm excited and there's not much left to be done.

We had a lovely day yesterday. Every time i drove down the M1 between Lurgan and Moira i saw a field full of sunflowers. I liked it, so yesterday we went and found it near Moira. Here's some pictures, it was a lovely place.

We spent last night eating chinese and chatting about marriage with a couple from church. I wasn't in bed until 2am. It was fun. It was class to see them excited about marriage and in love after twenty years and just enjoying each others company. I was wondering how they would get sex into the conversation but it didn't take them too long at all. A good night's craic.

Better go and do some work.

Perserverance

2007-09-08T10:26:00.000+01:00

This week i have been reminded of how rewarding perserverance can be.

It's a massive weekend of sport coming up. Latvia v N.Ireland in a crucial Euro qualifier, Ireland in the world cup rugby in France and me making my long awaited debut for Lurgan BBOB 2nds.

I've played football the whole way through school, boys brigade and into my early twenties. I love use to love playing on a Saturday, being part of a team, running around, maybe scoring the odd flukey goal or two.

Anyway, in admission that i couldn't control my ever spreading belly by sitting on my ass watching big brother and big brothers little brother and big brother live, during the summer i decided to go to pre season training in the park. Hateful. Running laps of the park, sprints, stomach exercises, being pushed to your limits.

I wanted to do it to get a bit fitter, to tighten up my flabby bits but secretly to maybe get a game in the season.

I worked hard, i tried my best, i felt crap for days after but i kept going. As each squad got picked i never heard my name being called out, i would stand with my head down waiting to hear 'dave wiggins' but it never happene, week after week. I never even got a call for the 2nd team. Gutting.

So last Thursday night, Mel was heading out to work. I did not want to go training, i toyed for a while between spending time on my own relaxing or going to the training. I rang Ricky, he wasn't going, good excuse for me not to go. Sure i had to work on Saturday so i wouldn't be able to play anyway.

To make a long story slightly longer, i decided to get up put my shorts on and go. After running the legs off us, we played a match between ourselves. I played brilliant, got on the ball plenty, moved well and scored a couple of flukey goals.

The manager called us together at the end of the session. As he called out the firsts squad, i futtered at my trainers and began to take them off. Then he went on to the seconds, he called out the squad name by name ... last name ... Davey Wiggins.

Thanks to Mel and Janice for covering the shop ... i'm away to make my league debut for Lurgan BB Old Boys 2nds.

Sometimes looking back at life it seems that at the point where you are so close to giving up, if you keep going the breakthrough comes. It's only football but in the mind of my 28 year oldness it's an important achievment.

Mars

2007-08-27T15:15:00.000+01:00

My all time favourite chocolate bar is a Mars Bar. When you consider Raspberry Ruffles, Mint Aeros, Whispas, Dairy Milk ... nothing quite hits the spot like a big Mars Bar.

During work, after work, before a match, in the middle of the night, first thing in the morning ... a Mars is the ticket.

I'm reading a wee book called 'Century Makers', explaining inventions and 'things' which have made our lives better. Of course most of the things have been in the last fifty years which is amazing, ring pulls, paper clips, tampons (whatever they are), vacum cleaners, pop up toasters, pizza delivery, milk cartons and loads more.

The Mars Bar was invented by Forrest E Mars. He was the son of an American confectioner who came to the UK in 1932. The recipe for the Mars was a layer of nougat, a layer of caramel and a load of milk chocolate.

He started making the Mars in Slough and they were sold locally for 2d. By the end of the first year they employed 100 people and now they employ 2300, making three milion Mars Bars a day.

The Financial Timescalled the Mars Bar a more reliable currency than gold because it contains the world's basic commodities: cocoa, milk, sugar and vegetable fats.

A mars a day helps you work rest and play.

Mix

2007-08-24T14:45:00.000+01:00

I feel a bit all over the place at the minute. The last week has been strange and i have nerves in my stomach quite a lot.

My Granny Wiggins died this week which was a sad time for the Wiggins family circle. She was quite old and was battling constantly with illness. As we were about to leave for the wake the other night, my mum tripped and broke her arm in three places. She was in serious pain the poor woman. What a night.

I'm getting married in five weeks from Monday. A day that i am really looking forward to. It'll be class to spend a day with my family and closest friends and to prove my love for my woman by commiting to her for the rest of my days. Some craic it will be. I just feel a bit disorganised though. I'm not in control really. So many people are involved in getting everything right that it makes me nervous that everything will work out on the day. Anyone know a violinist who coulb be in Lurgan for ten minutes at lunchtime on Monday 1st October?

I am really aware of the strangeness of life and however long Mel and i get to spend living this life together, i want to make the very best of it. Who knows how long it will be.

Families, friends, lovers are all great things to help us survive this life with our minds intact. As i get older though, things change, time grows on and the only thing that still never changes is God Himself. Reliable, constant, strong, loving, the same ... always the same.

Signed Healy Top

2007-08-21T07:41:00.000+01:00

Good morning or afternoon or evening.

We've got our hands on a David Healy signed Northern Ireland away shirt. 'Hope' are auctioning this shirt to raise money to send a container of food, clothes, shoebox presents and medical aid to Albania on time for Christmas. The bidding closes at tea time this Saturday and the current bid is £500 sterling.

If you know anyone who would be interested in this item then please let them know and contact me on here or on 07814 629 324.

Thanks, Dave

Conservative?

2007-08-19T14:25:00.000+01:00

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Social Issues: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Ethics: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal

How Liberal Or Conservative Are You?

Tirana

2007-08-11T11:20:00.001+01:00

As you may know i work for a small mission organisation in Lurgan called Hope. We are a limited company with charitable status. The main aim of the work is to raise cash for a few different Christian mission projects around the world. The mission supports work in Burma, India and Albania as well as some other projects randomly from time to time.

Every two months we fill a 40' container full of clothes, food, medical equipment and toys and send it to Tirana in Albania. It's a fulfilling thing to do. The church who distribute the aid at the other end use it to bring Jesus to a massive slum area of gypsies (travellers or whatever is PC) in the city.

We packed a container yesterday at the warehouse and as it gets shipped, will arrive in Albania in about 5 weeks. It costs about £2500 to ship the container from Belfast to Tirana. We will send one more container this year to arrive on time for Christmas. The Christmas container usually includes thousands of shoebox presents for kids and adults of all ages and is always a massive blessing when it arrives.

I've a few ideas in my head about trying to raise the cost of one container. It usually comes out of shop earnings but it would be nice to give it an extra wee fundraising push and raise the money separately.

Anyone out there with any good ideas?