PeterMcKinney Blog

Out of the Silent Peter

So it's been a while since last I graced my blog with my virtual presence. I've ventured far and wide since I've been away. I was housesitting in Randalstown, in a cottage in a forest. It was amazing and sparked something new in my imagination, as only a forrest-circled cottage can do:-) I've been working away and getting some wedding arrangements... arranged. Newness is a good word for now, gradual newness creeping up on me at times, dancing past me at others - I find myself able to be shocked by changes if I want, but stoical and contemplative as well... I thought, therefore I was:-)

I am off next week for a UK reconciliation event. I fly out on Tuesday and probably returning on Wednesday. I am looking forward to it, though looking to really discern properly relationships in the islands at this time - always a difficult and sensitive thing to do!

Well, I have the rest of today off work, so I am going to invest some time in reading. From going to the cottage, C. S. Lewis and the idea of myth has grabbed my brain and is making it work hard... like the forging of a thoughsmith in the furnace of my mind... but, before I wax poetic, I'll throw in one I made a little earlier. Until next time... hopefully soon!

In darkness light graduates to life,
In silence dancing slighty.
Contemplation looks on, intent,
Not considering lightly
What is brought to mind,
In intellect wrought,
Whispered in half-voice
When lights go out.
Imagine

Ring Ring...

Last Friday the said sparkly present arrived. So as promised
in a previous blog, here are a  couple of pictures of it, attached to Sarah's hand, no less. Click the pics for larger versions.    

Breathing Room

A friend in the good old US recommended a band to me... Airspace.  They are good. And they're in Belfast in December. Check out their Myspace link listed under 'Tune In To...'  I'm doing good, off here to reasd the papers:-)          

later

Engaged!!!

Well, without beating about the bush, I asked Miss Sarah Collins to marry me on Friday night and she said yes!!!!!!! It happened in Belfast at around 11.30pm on the Lagan Lookout footbridge after a night of pre-planned surprises... I was extra careful not to drop the ring! So over the weekend, there were a lot of family meals and celebration and on Monday morning we purchased the sparkly present (arriving end of the week). It's been mad but absolutely great.... check out the pics:-)   

MusicArticulation

Been up to loads... Sarah's aunt is over from Canada for a couple of weeks, so I was (and will be) around Laurencetown. I was also at a Duke Special gig at the Island Arts Centre in Lisburn last Wednesday. Duke is probably my favourite musician at present and he's extremely good live. I would recommend a visit to his site - the video gallery has quite a few songs and special features. What he calls his 'hobo-chic' sound is hitting the button... Bohemian in a way, yet down to earth and recognisably Northern Irish (Belfastesque?).

So today then, later this afternoon I'm off to hear Duke again, this time supporting Snow Patrol at the Tennents Vital fesitival in Botanic Gardens in Belfast with Steve, Ian and Sy. Can't wait... just hope the rain stays off or it'll be Mud Patrol.

And to complete my cultural experiences for the past seven days, yesterday saw me and Sarah head to the Ulster Museum to see a John Lavery collection, alongside works by contemporaries like Paul Henry, Jack B. Yeats, Louis Lebroquy and John Luke. I'm getting to like portraits more and more - I think it's the capturing of expression and mood that attracts me - like it's a person, but it's a person at a particular time in a particular mood. I'm discovering a whole new side to Belfast's cultural heritage, new and old.

Bookshops. I love bookshops. I love books in general. On Monday I was at three, and all where quite successful (and surprising) ventures (maybe more later on that), but in the last one I came across only the second book of St John Ervine that I have found in Belfast. He was the subject of my MA Thesis and I had to acquire a lot of his books. The problem was that they were mostly out of print with only five or six of his plays in print. So old editions it had to be. And I came across a 1951 edition of his biography of Oscar Wilde. A nice find. I'll be back to that shop, believe me.

So, other than that I am working away, seeing friends, playing (and getting beaten at - revenge will be sweet!) Scrabble and attempting to get some reading done which is proving difficult at the moment. At-Swim-Two-Birds is taking quite a while to get through, but off I go now to review some of my current reading list that isn't so current any more... 

Sad Mondays

So, to pick up where I left off, in Brussels. The plan was set, the time chosen, the target... Van Eyck's painting in the Musee des Beaux Arts in Brussels. I was hoping to see The Betrothal of the Arnolfini, a painting that has come up a few times in my life so far, usually in weird ways. I like it, but don't at the same time. It seems innocent, but yet sinister. I always feel a little unsettled when I see it... but alas the museums throughout Brussels close on a Monday.

It seems that Mondays are universal museum closing days. Sarah and I had a trip to Dublin sabotaged by the Monday closers. Likewise I am told London museums and galleries close on Monday, as do those in Paris. So I have learned my lessen... that even old masters must take a rest from the world's gaze.

Now at home working away, playing some poker, seeing friends and trying to motor on with an NVQ in Health & Social Care. Lovely Jubbly I hear you say (in Delboy's accent). Keeping the art theme, today I was lent a book on Vermeer, a Dutch artist who was apparently important. Paintings are bombarding me at strange angles this weather... I think I might be getting to like fine art more. Whatever will be next.

So, I'll sign off and mosey on out with friends tonight.

Write again soon, 'cos I've been a bit lazy.

Happenings

Hi all

So after a wee blogging gap I have loads to say, so here goes the penpal letter... I am writing from Brussels... again. This is the third time actually. In early July myself and Sarah came over to visit with Steve. We had a great weekend, visiting Paris on the day of the world cup final, as well as seeing some more of Brussels and of course wining and dining! Back after that then, I was working away at home as well a meeting friends and beung at part of a freind dave Hewitt's stag day. On Thursday past, I was at another wedding (not Dave's) where Sarah was a bridesmaid. Friends Nicola and Ross got married in Portrush. It was a great day (some pics might follow). Friday past then I arrived in Brussels for another visit to this nifty city, just before Steve returns to the Emerald Isle. Have spent the time again enjoying the Brussels culture, amidst the heat and thunder of their summer weather.

So, I return on Tuesday/Wednesday, possibly via a night in Dublin and after some art appreciation and maybe seeing some more of Belgium. And then it's another wedding! I'll write again when I get back...

over and out

Weekend Wanderings

The weekend has been great. Firstly The Lakehouse with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock was actually a great film. I was thinking it might have been a chick flick extraordinaire, but  then I thought, Keanu makes decent movies, so I gave it a go, and wasn't disappointed. On Saturday then I went with another singer/musician friend, Ian Somerville to hear Richard Higginson launch his new album, 'Tents & Altars' at The Errigle Inn in Belfast. It was a great night, and Richard was excellent.

Football then was Sunday, and I watched the England match with Sarah (who has taken a recent liking to football - was that a flying pig?). It was a decent match, though again, if they want to go further they will have to step things up again. And the little I caught of the Portugal/Netherlands match was mad - 4 off in the end and 16 yellow cards - that's what I call a trigger-happy ref.

So the week that's coming is a lot of work (12-8pm shifts every day), as well as press on with my Jim Wallis book (it is one if the best books I've read in a long time!).  So until next time... I'm off to bed to get some sleep pattern back!

Flying Time, Colchester and The New Album

Everyone always mentions it at some point, that time flies and it's amazing how we are in June of 2006 already. So I will join everyone and become the crowd and say I am flippin well slightly shocked that it's nearly half way through the year - where has it gone? You know they say ('they' being those mysterious people who always have something to say on everything - I would buy the magazine, if 'they' had one - they could call it 'We') say that time goes faster as you get older. I think time goes faster (seems to) the more you do. But this past few months doesn't seems like Ive been really busy, but rather diving into work and reading and study and travel and friends has made life full, varied, fun and challenging - so time has went slow and fast and I think this is how things should really be, perhaps, the fast with the slow, the loud with the quiet, the city with the grass...

Colchester was a great weekend. There is a great bunch of people there standing for the city and region and really open and living in what God is saying and working out there. It was a pleasure to spend time with good friends as well as make new ones! It was also great to stay with Matt, and catch up. So I've been back a week ago today and continuing to process some revelation and signs from the weekend as well as work and spend time with Sarah, friends and family (Father's day after all!). It was also great to meet up with a great bunch of French, Swiss, German (I think!) and English people who have been doing a pilgrimage across Europe praying and drawing on what God has done in history and is calling for across the continent. I love it when the nations of Europe connect together and follow what they see God showing and it's great to see them journeying here. May they complete what they're here to do, call for, give and recieve!

One thing to mention about this week is that I am heading on Saturday night to the Errigle Inn on the Ormeau Rd where Richard Higginson is playing live. It's the Irish launch of his new album, "Tents & Altars". But alas, before then I start nightshifts tomorrow and enter the nether zone... but perhaps I might return from there to blog a bit... maybe...

Cafe-ing in Colchester

So I'm writing from an internet cafe in Colchester, England. There seems to be a distinct lack of wireless in this city, so I'm on a good old desktop. I'm here with some friends, Sue Mitchell, Gareth Richards and of course Matt James whose territory this is! We're planning to do some prayer for the city with some others from here and more than likely have some prophetic imput as to the identity and redemptive plan for the city/region... perhaps, but then who knows?! It's good to see Matt, will be good to see/meet the rest of the guys and I'm looking forward to what the weekend holds. So, until I'm back on the Emerald...