I forgot to mention yay for Laura being back online! I am glad the damage wasn't too awful, and I hope you have your regular electricity back soon.

Since I know this was where English happy-clappy Christianity ws discussed, I feel the need to add the following.

I've been to an English church revival service. I've hung with the English happy-clappy crowd. And there are only three differences between them and the American happy-clappy folks:

• Accents
• Cultural References
• Lack of a "One God + One Political Party" belief

The American happy-clappy sorts have a bit of a range to them, from the sincere emotionalism of the Vineyard charismatics to the bad hair of Jan Crouch. The British... they're trying to imitate the Americans, only it kind of comes out like Jesus As Taught On Blue Peter. Or, an exaggerated version -- almost a parody -- of American charismatic Christianity.

This one revival meeting I went to they had the Christian ministers of the community come up and had them "annoint" the assembled Christians of the town with olive oil (Tesco, extra virgin). So, in happy-clappy procession, we all filed to the front. Now, in our local Presbyterian church here, annointing would mean the Sign Of The Cross on the forehead. Not at this meeting. Ever hear the story of how Ashcroft had a bucket of oil dumped on his head to "annoint" him when he signed up for... Senate? or AG? Anyway, think like that, only there were 1000 Christians, so dumping was not an option.

Try "flinging." Anglican pastors in full cassock FLINGING olive oil.

It took me two days to get the oil out of my hair.

Anyway, the point is that only 1 in 10 or 1 in 11 Brits attend church, compared to the bare minimum 1 in 3 in this country. So, they have to borrow some memes and attitudes from the Americans, and God bless them, they don't know how silly it makes them look.

I'm actually not sure I'd agree with my husband on this one--at least, I'd say the English church I attended, while borderline happy-clappy, didn't strike me as a bad re-tread of American evangelicalism. And FWIW, these days it seems like one or two British musicians are creating all the (often bad) contemporary Christian choruses getting sung to death in the American church. The culture flows both ways, IOW.

David, did you even see that I posted pictures of my Halloween costume? One might think you skipped and/or skimmed.

I neither skipped nor skimmed. And did quite admire your costume. You look very hot as retrogirl. However, I think I saw the link while looking over JZ's shoulder so I didn't have the chance to reply at that time.

I'd like to see more churches use this one:

[spoken] Some things in life are bad,
They can really make you mad.
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's gristle,
Don't grumble, give a whistle!
And this'll help things turn out for the best...
And...
[sung]

...always look on the bright side of life!
whistle

Always look on the bright side of life...
If life seems jolly rotten,
There's something you've forgotten!
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing,

When you're feeling in the dumps,
Don't be silly chumps,
Just purse your lips and whistle -- that's the thing!
And... always look on the bright side of life...

whistle
Come on!
Always look on the bright side of life...
whistle

For life is quite absurd,
And death's the final word.
You must always face the curtain with a bow!
Forget about your sin -- give the audience a grin,
Enjoy it -- it's the last chance anyhow!

So always look on the bright side of death!
Just before you draw your terminal breath.
Life's a piece of shit,
When you look at it.
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true,
You'll see it's all a show,
Keep 'em laughing as you go.
Just remember that the last laugh is on you!

And always look on the bright side of life...
whistle
Always look on the bright side of life
whistle

David, did you even see that I posted pictures of my Halloween costume? One might think you skipped and/or skimmed.

I neither skipped nor skimmed. And did quite admire your costume. You look very hot as retrogirl. However, I think I saw the link while looking over JZ's shoulder so I didn't have the chance to reply at that time.

My ego thanks you.

Dude, this time change fucks me up. Gotta go to bed right now. My body thinks it's 11:00.

Teppy, I love the costume, and I always love the cherry dress.

Today I have carved a pumpkin and put a fire out in the kitchen.

I have yet to shower.

Wow! I am suitably impressed, Aims.

All I did was tutor people, slightly increasing the sum total of mathematical knowledge in the world. Very slightly.

I also had coffee, much earlier. It is not helping me now. I am ver' gronkish, and will soon sleep. Mmm. Sleep.

Thanks! I knew where the extinguisher was AND USED IT!