The last two days have been quite exciting, and nerve-wracking, for me. If you follow me on Twitter (@Chris_Hoskins) or are my friend on facebook, you may have noticed that I’ve been learning to drive the Blue Horizon Bus.
Until Tuesday, the biggest vehicle I’d ever driven was Linda and I’s Ford Fiesta – maybe 8/9 foot long and 5 foot high, the bus is 35 foot long and 14.5 foot high!
It went well though, the instructor (Gibby from Whytes coaches in Inverurie) even commented on how naturally it all came to me.
It was quite a cool experience learning to drive the bus, though I still need a fair bit of practice just to get used to the size and weight of the bus. It certainly gives you a new appreciation of how you drive when in your car!
If your ever in Aberdeen, give me a shout, I’d be more than happy to show you the bus!
Peace out
Tonight I was out working on the Blue Horizon Street Outreach Bus. On the upper deck we often have singstar in the PS2 – which the girls usually love using, tonight however, we didn’t have any girls, just boys for the whole night. Most of the guys had no interest in singing – at least, the ‘leader’ didn’t and so the rest didn’t. That didn’t perturb one young lad. He’s the kind of lad who doesn’t necesarily go along with the crowd, doesn’t really have any interest in doing something he’s not interested in or not doing something he is interested in. So this lad started singing, much to the amusement of the other guys on the bus. The first song he sang he took a lot of stick for, but it didn’t seem to affect him. So he started a second song, no-one joined him, but no-once heckled him. They all seemed to reach the realisation at around the same time that this lad was good. There were remarks that his voice sounded like a girls, and sure, his voice doesn’t match James Earl – Jones, but he quite happily sang on. He didn’t get embarrassed, scared, self-conscious or anything like that, he just kept singing.
I think it took a lot of bravery on his part to do that. I don’t think I could have at his age. To be 12, surrounded by your peers, and continue to do something they are all making fun of takes a lot of cohones. All power to him I say!
Just a wee story that I saw act out tonight that I wanted to share.
Peace Out
I’ve just read some exciting news on the NFL website, the Chicago Bears have won the race to sign the much sought after Defensive End Julius Peppers. Given the disappointing season the Bears just had, Peppers is a welcome addition to the team – here’s hoping his influence can help the rest of the Defense get re-inspired, that, and the return to health of Pro-Bowler Brian Urlacher. Let’s wait and see what happens with the rest of the Free agency period and during the draft, I’m already hopeful for next season!
Peace Out
links to some of the stories about the signing:
Bears win Peppers Sweepstakes
Peppers/ Bears finalize deal
Shocker: Bears are the NFL’s big spenders
September 3rd – 6th sees the 11th annual Church of Scotland National Youth Assembly. For more details check out the cosyblog. This will be the first Youth assembly since 2000 that I am not in the age bracket for (the years before 2000, I was too young and the assemblies were every three years). I won’t be there this year – not because I am too old, but because Linda and I will be in Canada celebrating our 5th Wedding Anniversary with the holiday of a lifetime!
I will miss not being at the assembly, the 7 Youth Assemblies I have attended, as delegate or staff, over the last 10 years have been very important to me. I’ve made many good friends, been challenged, been inspired, at the assembly in 2000 I gave my life to Christ. Through my involvement in the Youth Assemblies, I’ve been opened to many other opportunitites – the ecumenical assembly in 2001, being a General Assembly youth rep in 2001,2002,2003,2005,2008,2009 (2003/2005 as a youth assembly rep – I’m quite proud to have been a part of the first group voted by the Youth Assembly to represent the Youth Assembly at General Assembly in 2003, voted by the NYA of 2002), going to Toronto in 2002 as part of the CofS group that visited the Roman Catholic World Youth Day celebrations, being involved in the Wadi adult network, the upcoming trip to Nepal and countless other weekends, evening and events that I was able to attend/ be part of through the people I’d met. I know this list seems a bit narcissistic, but I’m just realising how blessed I’ve been to be a part of all these things.
If you’ve never been to the Youth assembly and you are eligible to go, I would recommend that you do, if you’ve been before, why do you share some memories with us? Those who are going this year – relish it, enjoy it, participate. Its the kind of event that is only as good as you make it, if you don’t put yourself into it and take part, it will never be as good as it could be – for you and for those around you.
Peace Out
My amazing wife Linda, is organising an art exhibition to try and gain some exposure for her and some artist friends and also to try and raise some funds for Blue Horizon. Some of her friends from her Art Degree course will be displaying work, as well as a few artist who have graduated and 1 or 2 photographers. The art on display is not purely for viewing, it is also a sale of work. It is taking place at the Credo Christian centre in Aberdeen. As well as showcasing some upcoming artists, there will be presentations about Blue Horizon and our work, and the opportunity to chat to the staff of Blue Horizon and of course the artists themselves. It should be a great event, and if you can manage to come along it would be awesome to see you there. If you click the link below, it will open up the amazing poster advertising the event – designed by Andrew Dunsire, Linda’s Dad.
I’m sitting in Kincorth academy waiting to do an assembly to a group of third years (young people aged 14 for those who don’t follow the Scottish schools system). I’ve never been a fan of doing assemblies – or any public speaking to large groups. I get quite nervous and often forget what I’m going to say – despite having good notes! I also struggle, as I’m sure many do, to know what I can substantially say in 5minutes? Half of which is taken up by announcements from the school!
Today I’m talking about Blue Horizon and the opportunities we can offer Young People – which really can’t be done justice in 5 minutes! I’m asking the school if we can take part in the social education classes though, that way we can go more in depth with the pupils and even get some feedback on how/ what Blue Horizon is doing!
Have you ever done school assemblies?
What were they on?
Do you enjoy them?
Peace out
Yesterday was my nephews 2nd birthday – it really doesn’t seem that long since we met him in ARI!
Linda and I went up to see him on Saturday and spent the afternoon with him and his Mum and Dad.
He’s quite a cheeky wee boy – but still at the age where its cute! He also loves his gadgets – he’s quite adept at using his Dad’s itouch for playing games! He love my camera – especially because I’m confident enough in its toughness to let a 2 year old play with it! Its got so many buttons on the back that it provides plenty of entertainment for Joshua – although his fingers aren’t quite strong enough to depress the shutter release! He was given a toddlers digital camera for his birthday (a solid, hard to break low res camera) I’m sure he’ll have a ball with it!
Its great watching him growing up – he’s definetly full of character!
Peace out
Chris
So, you may have noticed that, right at the top of the page a new page has appeared on my page. I’m still getting to grips with things, but once I’m accustomed to the controls etc, this new page will be showing a selection of my photographs. I’m quite excited, I’m starting to get my website moving in the direction I want it!!!
keep your eyes peeled for more changes, and I’ll keep you updated with whats going on
peace out
Chris
So, if you’re my friend on facebook or follow me on twitter (@ChrisHoskins) you may have noticed my excitement on Friday. The reason for this is that I have been chosen to represent the Church of Scotland at a SACYN (South Asia Christian Youth Network) conference in Nepal. The conference is called “Cross the Bridge” the network, and the conference work on this aim: To encourage, motivate and enable South Asian young people from the region’s churches to link up, overcome barriers and work together for the Gospel and Kingdom of God whilst being continually strengthened as a networked movement of people in mission..
I’m very excited about this opportunity, I can’t deny that I’m almost as excited about the land we’ll be visiting as I am about the chance to meet with young Christians from a context so different from my own. The conference has been set for 2010 so that it can coincide with the centenary of the 1910 Edinburgh Missionary Conference. During our time there, we will stay in Kathmandu and also in Pokhara. While there, as well as participating in the 5 day conference, we will visit local Churches and meet youth leaders, meet with the UN in Kathmandu and visit some missions.
As long as I”m able to recieve a signal on my Blackberry I’ll be tweeting (I’ll find out if there is an ‘official’ hashtag for the event) and blogging about the trip (my blog posts will also appear on the cosyblog, where there will also be people blogging about the Church of Scotland General Assembly at the same time.
As I find out more over the next few weeks I’ll be blogging more about what I”m looking forward to and expecting from the trip.
Peace Out
Chris
Today is one of my favourite Sundays of the year – Superbowl Sunday!
Every year I stay up and watch the game – despite the kickoff being anywhere between 10pm and 2am (depending where the game is being played.) This year I’m hosting my first Superbowl party – should be a fantastic night!
I’m looking forward to the game this year, it should be an outstanding shootout between two dominant offenses. I’ve tried to settle on the side of one of the teams, but I just can’t pick one team in thie game. On the one hand, the New Orleans Saints have a very romantic, compelling reason why we should support them – it’s their first Superbowl and they’re playing for a city that is trying to rebuild itself on the back of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina a few years ago. On the other Hand, the Indianapolis Colts are looking for their second ring in 4 years, and they have one of my favourite NFL players at the helm – Peyton Manning.
There are countless articles on the internet worth reading about this game, and its not even happened yet! At the bottom of this post are a few that I think stand out and give a good insight/ overview of what to expect tonight. You can also follow thing on twitter by watching the tag #SB44
Will you be watching? Enjoy the game!
Peace Out
Good links:
NFL Superbowl website
Social Media and the Superbowl
Factors to watch out for in tonights game
Will the Colts Superbowl experience be an asset?
Video: 10 greatest players without a Superbowl ring