A truly fascinating video (particularly the Q&A session at the end) of Tim Keller, a Christian author and apologist, speaking at the Google campus, as part of their Authors@Google series. He’s talking a bit about his book “The Reason for God”.

(or click here if it’s not embedding where you’re reading)

mrBen

Thanks should go to Popey (again) for point me in the direction of SipGate who have provided us with an 0845 number for people to leave voicemails. Because it’s a VOIP service, they will email out the audio files for no extra charge, which means we can transfer the files directly into the podcast. We’re at 0845 867 6316 if you’re interested

mrBen

Footnote: At some point I will stop blogging about CY here, but at the moment we could do with the extra exposure

Where I’m going to find space for a lot of this is going to fun, but it’s all part of the job. Or something.

I snuck away early as I’m back there this evening for moving the smaller stuff so that’ll be easier. And being at home has given me a chance to catch up with the housework and painting my remaining Grey Knights.

Heh. All work and no play makes Al a dull boy.

Perhaps the highlight wasn’t getting up at stupid o’clock after all…

So it’s all taped up and hurting like hell.

BigAl

mrBen

The fools are letting me and 14 other random yahoos determine someone’s fate. Or that would be the plan if any of the people called were actually used for an actual jury. So far I’ve been called in at odd times on Monday and today and I’m due in at 11.30 tomorrow, and it’s disrupted my working week… Shame…

I was really looking forward to actually serving on a jury, seeing how the system ticks. Still, I’m always hopeful that Wednesday, Thursday, Friday bear fruit.

BigAl

You can download it direct from ClassicYak.org or listen from the streaming media player.

You can subscribe using your podcasting software from one of the links at the bottom of the main page.

You can find it on iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=286589056

You can sign up for the forums or email us.

If you’re in church on Sunday, you can get a free sticker!

For those who missed my original post, CY is a monthly podcast aimed at discussion real-world issues from a Christian perspective. Hope you like it.

mrBen

This was originally billed as the end of LugRadio. However, while the podcast has now finished, it was announced at the event that there will be an LRL 2009, which is brilliant. The only downside was that it meant that I completely failed to mourn the passing of LR properly.

If I was to sum up this years event in one word, it would be FUN. This was the most fun I have had in a long time. Not that the other LRLs weren’t fun (quite the contrary), just that this year was, well, “funner”.

I didn’t get to many talks this year, but I was involved in a fair few bits and pieces. The only talk I saw was Bruno’s “Baguette on Snails” talk, which was, as expected, hilarious, but also conveyed a serious point. I did my own talk on Saturday afternoon, which went well, and seemed to get some good response. I also got commissioned into the “Mass Debate” on Sunday afternoon - sitting on the stage with Jeremy Allison, Matthew Garrett and Max Spevack was, I admit, a little daunting. While they probably wouldn’t see it, I would regard them as “celebrities” of the open source world, and I felt a little, well, insignificant beside them. I managed to say some stuff - hopefully it was insightful

My main occupation during the weekend was to stroll around while dressed in a large chinny raccoon suit. It was swelteringly hot, but I had a brilliant time. It was like being Mickey Mouse at Disneyland. I was originally worried that it would be a 1 joke wonder, but it seemed to be immensely popular with everyone, and I got my photo taken loads. Oh, and got involved in a little stunt during Neuro’s talk

Socially, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights were all great. The Karaoke on Saturday night was much better than I expected, and everyone seemed to have a good time.

I suppose I had better say a quick word about the Gong-a-Thong Lightbulb Talk Extravaganza this year, mostly because I ended up presenting it. I’d say that I would leave it to your imagination, but there are enough photos on the internet should you wish to corrupt your innocent young minds. There isn’t a proper explanation for this bizarre aberration in my otherwise normal behaviour, other than I was asked on the Thursday before, and agreed when it became obvious that they needed someone and it would require a hero to step forward. And I guess that’s the ultimate thing - the LR community has always made me _feel_ like a hero. The fact that it was, apparently, the funniest one ever (sorry Drinky and Aaron) was an added bonus. Oh, and the raccoon puppet on the front was there for additional coverage - the large, furry, stripey penis effect was just an added bonus.

A few thankyous need to go in here too - a number of people really made the weekend work for me:

• Heather - for letting me go in the first place.
• neuro - for driving me there and back
• Jono - for letting me sleep on his sofa/floor over the weekend
• MrsRon - for giving the crew breakfast and lunch
• Steph (aka babyRon) - for helping me in and out of my costume, and keeping me hydrated through the day
• Xalior - for buying the Chinnysuit, and helping out with the display stuff

(Hopefully I’ve not missed anyone)

Roll on LRL 2009

mrBen

So went out with Ruth for lunch, had a pint, veged out for the evening, watched the wonderful Great Muppet Caper and the less than good Flight Plan.

The problem with Flight Plan is that it has the making of a good psychological thriller but lets be honest, it’s a bit of a pants ending.

Surely, the better ending would be that Jodie Foster got shot in the head and the bad guy got away with all the money. Now that’s a film I’m aching to see.

Not that i can really comment on what makes a film good i’m having a late night watching Eurotrip and I’m ashamed I’m enjoying as much as I am.

BigAl

That is all

mrBen

PS - Why did no-one tell me about this sooner?