More Twitters

debutler:

U2 was great! The claw! The claw! Thanks James and Stat!Essitam, u r magnificent. CU all later.

I've been in the UK for a month, been all over 5 cities, met loads of people who claim to have had swine flu... and I'm coming back! Hello!

On the way to U2 in Sheffield with Essitam & jamesdclarke. Weather strange but mostly sunny.

jamesdclarke:

U2 @ Don Valley: Bono to The Edge: "How many A-Levels did you get Edge?" The Edge To Bono: "More than you!"

We, at U2 and @debutler has a big grin on his face. I think he's excited!

@debutler Glad you're enjoying the sites in London

@debutler Tweet Tweet Tweet!

Essitam:

Great night last night, @debutler have a safe flight home, we'll come to Amsterdam to see you next time!

http://twitpic.com/en3ab - This week has been awesome, PJ tuesday, dinner with friends weds and U2 tonight.

On the road again with the most complicated travel arrangements. First stop deposit TBK with MIL. Next meet @debutler

TBK deposited with MIL, @debutler found us. Now waiting in The Glass Lounge at Fort Dunlop for @nickclarke_ & @hippiejack

An English man, dutch man, American and vegetarian are coming to dinner. What do I cook?
(one answer was: 'the vegetarian')

U2 like being big


James and Stat aren't wearing masks


Essitam makes good pictures

UK Twitters

-Been looking for fair trade chocolate everywhere I go in the UK. Precious little... B@#$%&*s! At least a fair bit of coffee served is fair trade.

-James put up a link to the new Imogen Heap album (he does her digital stuff): http://www.imogenheap.com/e...

-Been shopping for new clothes a lot. I notice a lot of women shop in men's departments. I think that's perverse. They're obviously shopping for their men, cause their children can be those sizes. If us men so much as get lost in a store and happen to end up in the women's department they're ready to lynch us. I say it's creepy.

-Been doing the Underground rush hour; good prep for the U2 gig in Sheffield?

-Squeezed out of the Underground last week. having worn two pairs of earplugs. It helps.

-Lots of nice birds in London (in the trees, I mean).
When I see birds I just want to twitter!

Kings, Castles & Carriages

'I am the Temple, circle wide, carry me...' (Temples-TheButleR)

Travel Broadens the Mind

The Power of Control

This is where a seventies DOCTOR WHO story about power struggles was filmed

This is what young Zach in Colchester built

This is my church...


People who are often going on about the evils of pop music, Harry Potter and other so-called satanic cultural phenomena, must believe in power.

They must believe in the power of authority, the power of spiritual leadership.
Some even excel in the manipulation of church going folk themselves.

They can never really accept that a follower of Christ has, in all trust and simplicity, the freedom to enjoy stories and media without the danger of evil infiltration or mind control. They must always be guarded.

If you take such views to their extremes you may end up ruling by mind control. But people who do would never use the words 'extreme' and 'mind control' in that context.

If you'd take that particular world view away from the people who believe these things, their authority over others would become meaningless and the people would be free to let Christ guide them.

So, to maintain control over the masses, the authoritarian people must make sure the people believe that Satan deceives them through media. That is how it works in the big bad world. And in accordance with this world view; that is how it works in church. On both sides of the fence there's a select few who control the minds of the masses. For good or evil.

You don't trust others to control your mind because you want that control over others to be yours.

In this world view, no one can ever be allowed to follow Jesus Christ without the spiritual supervisors maintaining control over the process of discipleship.

That's power. That's control. That's man-made religion.

Now, can we talk about Jesus Christ?

“The World is not Divided up into Good People and Death Eaters.” Sirius Black (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

Sights and Sounds

Trying to lose the 'London cough.' For sure, that air is foul! Or have I caught something...? I did go to Battersea, to see the famous Battersea Power Station. But all I got was 'swine flew.' Couldn't get close to it. Rumors of Japanese companies turning it into a mall. But no one seems to know what exactly is going on there.

Camden


Battersea


Picadilly


East Dulwich

It's a strange day

What a strange day! It's the last day in Londoin before I travel back to Walsall (the birthplace of Slade's Noddy (IT'S CHRISTMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS!!!!!!) Holder, by the way).

Meeting People

I decided to stop at Neil's place, one of NLM's drummers, who I met in Scotland, way before he came to Amsterdam. Neil and Karen were having some friends over so I got to know some new people, one of whom is in a band playing at the Flevo Festival this week. They're called My Silent Wake.

Never Say 'What About Harry'

During one of the animated conversations with some of the other guests I said: 'but what about Harry Potter?' which led to one of the guys walking away angry. It's only a week ago that my friend Mike said he's not even going to bother thinking about things like 'is it right or wrong' because it's just a story. I guess not everyone thinks the same. But we knew that already, didn't we.

Understanding Control

Hearing someone say it's bad because writer Joanne Rowling supposedly said that Harry 'came to her' is something I hadn't heard for a long time. It's like this; some people, when you say 'I'm the devil's advocate', think you're telling them you're a satanist. I found it disturbing to hear the guy add that he could read the books (he had only read the first one) and wouldn't be in trouble, but there are many people who can't descern and they need to be protected. Jesus would love that. Right...

Never Trust A Man Who's Last Name Starts With Bed

Daniel Bedingfield, who I've met a few times because of Antonie and Stop the Traffik, who's parents I met when I visited Neil many years ago, and who's skateboard I walked into at Henry's place, called Neil, but as Neil was out of reach, I decided to take the call and confuse Daniel. He's living in LA now and has recorded a lot of material for something we're all hoping won't be his Chinese Democracy (if you get my drift).

Stuff Worth Doing and Sensitive Issues

So, back in Walsall. Pack, go to the pub with my friends, have an important chat with one of them about a rather sensitive issue, go to see The Time Traveler's Wife with Catherine (and whoever else might join), have dinner at James and Steph (to which everybody and their dog seems to be coming ;) ) and then me, James, Steph and Stat are off to see U2. Considering my stay in London, it's going to be a quiet week, really...

Travels

Wednesday evening. This is my church...

Tim brought two big bottles of Leffe that we almost finished off. Tim's a friend of Henry and Angie. We talked about God, pain, healing, past and present, messing up and making up, being church and religious perceptions and Doctor Who.

London

...ine flu.

Camden

The Garden

The police have been notified. No comments are to be made at this time.

Streets of London

London.

This is the view from East Dulwich.

Being there

Been in the UK for exactly two weeks now. Having a brilliant time! Seen my friends, been shopping, went to Cardiff and had nice ciders and curries. Spent time wandering in and out if Mike's studio, where I learned to work on my own and ended up recording a lot more thAn expected. What more could I possibly want? Two more weeks of this, that's what. And that's what doing. Tomorrow I go to Colchester and friday to London to enjoy the city and buy new gear. Then back to Walsall to join James, Essitam and Stat to see U2.
Fun!

Singing With the Stones

Cardiff

A Walk in the Park

Walsall

So Your Back From Outer Space

1

I'm back!

Got out of NL alright. After some confusion at Luton Parkway station (hadn't a clue what I was supposed to do train-wise, as I've been picked up by car last few times) I decided to ask the railway attendant at the entrance for help. He worked out the journey to Walsall for me, even sold me the ticket (33 Pounds cheap) and directed me to the platform just in time to jump on to the train. Can't remember the last time I got from airport to train so fast! (Maybe when I was flying with BA? Though I have no complaints about Cheesy Jet. ;) )

On the train. I'm greatly enjoying the comfort of the train and the little shop and feeling generally magnificent about being back in the UK. Red bricks ARE beautiful! I'm having a coffee and a twirl (the only chocolate they've offer that hasn't got nuts or biscuit. Traveling by train... forgot how fun that can be... when it's done right.

Turned my Internet roaming off. Costs a fortune abroad. I'd rather spend that money on FUN!

2

On the train from Birmingham New Street to Walsall. Only about thwenty minutes more to go. I caught a delayed train, which means I will arrive even earlier than expected (sounds contradictory, doesn't it?).

I'm psyched. Almost there.
Feeling a strong desire to, as soon as I arrive, to hit the town and...


SHOP!

Hehe...

3

Arrived.
Mike hasn't reacted to my texts. He's not picking up his phone. Walked to the house. No one there. Raining is pouring down. Stopped at ASDA to try and buy an umbrella. They don't have 'm. Decided to go to the pub down the street as no one's home. They don't sell warm drinks, so I'm having a cold one. Calling everyone and their dog to try and figure out where Mike is.
About an hour later I try again and this time he's back. Turns out he went into town and left his phone at home. Wet end to a perfect journey.



Weather horrible. Here's some pretty clouds, seen from the plane.


The little shop.


I'm back in the studio. Mike's setting up some stuff. I'm working on my own a bit more.

Read how a woman was delivered from the Christmas Spirit!
http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/woman-delivered-christmas-spirit

MORE PICTURES

Pubs... been to a few.

Walsall town centre


Alice resurrects in white...

Show Security

Alice Cooper performs Halo of Flies at the Birmingham NEC.
Compare Battles' Atlas to the original recording of Halo of Flies, interesting!

WORSHIP ME

Here's a bit of Worship Me. There's sample of Sam (son of Dwaze Zaken's Eric & Sonja), some white boy rapping, a small backing choir, the chorus of Dilemma's Go On (of the Imbroccata album) and of course the Tenori-On. I added some random video images.