Man, things just seem to take over your life sometimes. They can overwhelm, engulf and strangle. Thankfully we have someone who is there for us, and loves us or else I really don't know how I'd cope. The past week I've been ill, stressed, problems with everything that I come into close contact with, and it's hard. But the harder thing is to follow the path that God has laid out for us. I felt drained, unhappy and tired. But God is good, and I know that when I rely on him, he sees me through. I just feel like going on holiday though, and have been looking at particular plane flights (out of interest rather than actually going ahead with it, well for now anyway!) One day I hope to travel, if only for a little while, whilst I consider what I want ot do with my life- or more importantly when I figure out what God wants to do with my life!

Maybe the feeling of being able to escape keeps me going. I am trying to work even harder this year, so that I can get the best degree that I'm capable of (obviously God has a massive hand in that anyway). When we step out of our comfort zones (I'm beginning to loath this phrase!) I know in my head that we can grow from the experiences that we are struggling through at the moment, but it's hard to see a way out when you're in the poo.

I'm confident in God though.

Leadership Qualities

Sometimes I think that I'm too soft, too naive, too easy-going. I have to repremand someone today for not wanting to carry on being a small group leader because they are stressed with the amount of work and the job that they have outside of uni, I mean I am in the third year, on the committee and still doing small group co-ordinating which is proving to be more of a role in itself than I actually realised. Sometimes I think I let people off too lightly for things that they realy should be doing, but aren't. I need to learn to be more assertive and firm with people who are leading me on and taking me for a ride, because they think that I'm too nice to tell them off for it, or be honest with them when they really need it.

This person needs to learn from somewhere that you can't just quit when the going is tougher than you realise, you need to see it through to the end for it to be beneficial. It even says in the bible that God is more concerned about where and how we finish than when we start, for whats the good of running in a race when you quite half-way and not make it through to the end? there is no point, and no prize for quitters.

I know from last year that this term was a really difficult one to get through, but I managed to do it (and thought about quitting uni at one stage just at the Christmas Holidays) but it did get better in the new year, and although my grades weren't as good as in the first year, I was still glad that I'd chosen to stay and carry on.

I remember in school when we had the last sports day and a girl and a boy had to run the 1500 out of every class, and no one wanted to do it, but it gave the class 20 points for just completing it, not even getting a 1st,2nd or 3rd place! (and 20 was a lot of points on sports day) so I went along to do it (albeit at first quite reluctantly!) and I nearly died at the end of the 20 minute run, it was a mammoth task for me cos I hated running so much, but I would have got no points if I'd have just given up, and it was something that I was proud of doing, and I got such a buzz out of it in the end. The things we work most hard at, will give us pleasure because we see the good results in the end.

A good leadership quality is a non-quitting attitude, even when its so tough that you can't see a possible way out alive!

missing India

I miss India so much, it feels strange having to integrate back into the western way of doing things, the people here are so different! (which sounds a bit ironical, as I am obviously western!) but I miss the Indian people so much, their kindness far outweighs anything I've ever experienced here, and just their overwhelming hospitality was amazing. Being back in chester I am realising more of how God has changed me during the trip out, I can't believe it was only 10days that we were there! So many things don't matter to me now, and things that have been in the past pushed to the back of my mind, are so much more important. God is so good.

back home again.... naturally

Yeah, so after that whirlwind ride of India, which was amazing, and yet humbling and challenging. We really saw people who were living a servant hearted life, and loved like Jesus. It was such a blessing to be able to work alongside our brothers and sisters, and even though we were in different countries with different cultures, dishes and ways of life, we could all share in the truth and unity of Jesus and God (and I know that sounds a little cheesey, but its hard to put that feeling into words) we felt totally accepted by these people, there were no hang ups between us, they took us how we were, and we did likewise.

The pastor and his family were like a family to us all, and it was very sad leaving them. I miss them so much already. Indians know how to do family over there. Everyone is supportive towards each other, and just so loving and welcoming.

India is a thriving poverty stricken country. That makes sense to me because once you encounter India, it is just a lot of juxtapositions. You have a Reebok store right next to an old dilapidated house with a corrugated iron roof, in the middle of Hyderabad. People are almost sponsored by fizzy drinks out there. There are always random signs for Pepsi, Sprite, 7up, Fanta (funnily enough not many coke signs) So on people's little stores, there are these brand names plastered everywhere.

Where we were staying we were able to catch some TV, and the adverts just do not reflect India. The poverty is papered over with cheesey smiles advertising toothpaste (which a lot of villagers probably don't own) and carpets, and everything that you could ever think of.

Also in the little palm huts sometimes we saw electricity being syphoned off of a nearby telephone pole into a house, where they would have a 28 inch TV screen but no toilet, and hardly enough food to live on. Priorities are very warped here, but the people are so lovely.

Yeah, so about road rules, basically the only rule is that when you overtake you must sound your horn! But you also sound your horn to move people out of the way, and the odd cow or buffalo! more on that a bit later in my second installment cos y friend is patiently waiting for me so that we can get some lunch together!

INDIA!

well, I'm in India! Here at last! We've been so busy the last five days, talking in different churches, singing, praying etc... the team is getting on really well with each other. We've had no real problems with our health, so praise God that would keep being good!

travelling to the different churches has been interesting!!! More about 'road rules' later! (in the fact that there are very few!)

Thank you for all your prayers, Jess and I are doing a session with pastor's wives tomorrow morning so that should be good. we arre just photocopying some questions for small groups, in Telegu! which is very exciting!

Please keep praying!

naive-freda

what is it with people today? they try to take advantage of you, physically, emotionally, financially. I mean I just got back my deposit from my landlord's, and they charged us all £20 for cleaning the place, which was not in our contract, so I phoned them up to say that it awsn't in what we signed, and do you know what they said, she said it could have been a lot worse, she could have charged us £1000+£80 for something else!!!! I mean its a student house, she should see some of the other houses in that area, I was a bit annoyed cos her argument was that it should have been left in the same state as it was when we entered in sept 2005- I really believe that t was in a better state than when I first entered it, so basically am i paying for what other tennants should have paid last year also when they moved out? cos most of my housemates have been there for 2years. I mean I had rats in my room! what does that mean? Surely thats not my fault! It was a good house, admittedly, but I'm just so annoyed with their decision, I had to vent it somehow, so I thought I'd blog about it.

My mum is having trouble with her boss too, its just seems that people are taking advantage of us left right and centre. yeah £20 isn't that much, but it means that I can pay for my jabs, and that they say that a little can go a long way.

FOF

It's been too long.

Wow, whats been going on with me in the last month (nearly) well, I've been visiting my lovely boy. Then I went with him to help out at a christian event called new wine cymru, which was amazing. the theme was 'New' New Covenant, New Heaven and Earth, New Commandment (love one another) A New Life... It was good to meet up with some reasonably new friends again (made from last year) they're really fun, and so passionate about God.

God did something new in me that week, it's hard to put my finger on it precisely but I know it had something to do with preparing me for something. Thats as clear as I can be about it. I think He was just helping me to know that as God, He can do anything.

Someone brought a couple of verses to me one day from Mark 11 and it was about praying outrageously, and if you believe that it will happen, then God will grant it (obviously if its in line with God's plans). It was just really encouraging to me.

I'm so looking forward to India! :D

chucked in the deep end!

...one little phone call really can make all the difference. I have a great job which is so flexible, that I phoned up just a short while ago and booked a shift for this evening!... wait for it... it's the scariest shift you'll ever work:
A&E:Night! that means it's around 10 hours of people, no big break, rushing around (well, i'm only guessing really!) but it is a bit scary!
But, then again, I did ask if there were any night shifts going, and that was the only one, you never know, I might enjoy it, and then be getting lots of them, I suppose I wont have to be too quiet! and will actually have something happen rather than nothing, just sitting there being bored and having to read and do mindless puzzles for hours on end. At least I can chat to people, I just hope that I don't get really tired! oh well, nevermind!

slow shutter night pic

The view out of the front of my house
taken by Jonathan. 

embracing the 'inner geek'

I believe that everyone of us have an 'inner geek' in some people this is more established than in others. For example Craig likes to do puzzles, I like to read, and spend time in libraries and bookshops, I also like to sew. I watched Superman the other evening at the cinema, and a friend of mine said that she liked Clark better than Superman, she preferred the 'geek'y version of Superman.

I will encourage all of you to find, and embrace that 'inner geek' so that we can all live more fulfilled and happy lives ;)

a large gap

I didn't know whether you knew this but for a plant to grow, a seed has to die (says so in the bible John 12:24 http://bible.cc/john/12-24.htm ) and did you know that if you break a bone in your body, when it heals, it is stronger than it was before. It just goes to show that to get something good, sometimes we have to go something painful or confusing... I mean if you ever thought that to grow a plant, a seed would have to actually die, that just doesn't make any sense, surely if you wanted to grow something it would have to begin life being alive?!
This is just how God created nature to work, so why do we find it difficult to understand that God is so much greater than nature and therefore so much more confusing!

' For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.' Isaiah 55:8&9

Right, not wanting to sound heretical or anything, but we have just put a rocket up into space that is going to travel to Pluto to find out whether it can be classed as an actual planet or not http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4629486.stm
well, in January it went, but if we can go that far, which will take us about 10 years to reach going at a great speed, then surely the heavens are further above than that distance (this is a guess, because as we all know we cannot see the heavens just yet) but it is every possibility that it is so much further (humour me on this!) So, if God's ways are so much higher than our own, how are we ever going to understand Him?

I never thought in a million years that I would actually be going to India this september! If anything I would have bet a lot of money that I would probably have never gone to India (although I really wanted to when I was younger) But now I'm going, and I'm excited to see what God is going to do through me over there. We go to these places to try and help others in their poverty or whatever, but more often than not, the people who change are ourselves.

I really feel that God wants me to go, because when praying about it, I asked that it would go smoothly, and that I would be able to get the money together etc, and so far it's looking good.

I just need to ask for prayer about my health and safety when me and Craig are over there.

chester friends :)

I just wanted to introduce you to some of my friends... (from left to right) Dee, Kate, Tamara, and Rachel are all I can see properly! 

Risks

For fear of getting emotionally hurt, don't become too attached, don't seek a deep friendship. Live in the superficial moments that constitute friends as 'acquaintainces'. Stay in your room, you never know what will happen to you on the outside. Its safe there, you can be trusted. Never rock the boat, (in any situation) if someone says something, aggreably encourage them, even if it doesn't sit right with you. Don't ever talk about things that are important to you, because they may not be important to others, and they may find you boring.
Don't ever look good, because someone else might be feeling ugly, and they will feel even worse if you are looking great. Don't dress in the fashion too much, but don't be out of it either, on the one hand if you dress in the fashion, it mightn ot suit you, and it may eat all of your money. Be yourself. Be original, customize clothes to make yourself original.

Always encourage others. Talk about whats been on TV, whats important. Don't talk about anything that will cause a disagreement, again, don't rock the boat.
Don't fall in love, it can hurt. You miss them when you're apart. Similarly don't ever get yourself caught up in deep friendships, the ones where you would drop everything just to make them smile, they may be using you, or manipulting you, it will also take up too much of your precious time.


These can be some disturbing ideas that can, at times creep into our minds. When I've been in deep friendships, I've missed them so much when they're apart that it physically hurts, but then you appreciate the fact that you had that time with them, and enjoyed their company. Although it hurts at the time, you know that you've lived.

Don't be scared to scare yourself at least once each day. Try something new, say something nice to someone that you would ordinarily avoid. Do something small, something out of the normal run of things that would make someone else stop and say thank you, or make someone smile. This is not supposed to be one of those mushy things that you pass on, and I haven't simply just copied and pasdted it, these are my ramblings that mean something to me, and I want them to provoke others not just to think, but into action.

The greatest stagnation is procrastination.

Jesus, all for Jesus?

Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.

All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.

For it's only in Your will that I am free,
For it's only in Your will that I am free,
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.

Copyright © 1990 Word Music / Adm. by Copycare.

I went to a confirmation service yesterday for two of my friends from CU, and this song was sung there, it really touched me again (I love this song so much) and sometimes you forget these amazing, simplistic songs that mean so much. By simplistic I mean that the words and phrases are repeated, but they mean so much, and have such a vast amount of meaning to me. Just helped me to get out of my rut that I'd created and fall at the feet of the Creator God.

In my small group today we were looking at Romans 12, and being sacrifices; this is our spiritual act of worship. In some versions the word spiritual has been replaced with true or reasonable. Meaning that for what God has done for us, in sending his Son to die for sinful humankind, the least we can do for Him is to fully worship Him and lay down our lives (and actively keep laying our lives down-[we are LIVING SACRIFICES] that means we can get off the altar at any time, we must keep getting back on).

We are only free in God's will; we sing this, but do we actually fully understand or appreciate the meaning behind it? What does it mean to be free in God's will? To our minds being free in someone else's will is a bit of an oxymoron, isn't it?

Pondering

I was reading a poem on a friends blog and a line of it really hit me:

WHO AM I?
I'm normal Joe unique.
I'm a crucial nobody.
A vital nothing
Bog standard precious.
A backwater special task force.
I'm a run-of-the-mill winner
A finish the course loser
I'm significantly minute
I'm an everyday miracle
I'm typically original

I'm limited eternal
I'm an off-the-peg one-off
Standard fare gourmet
A naturally supernatural
Fully grown halfling.
I'm an unknown celebrity
A hero in my own story
A line in His-story
I'm one of, and one-in six billion me
A nonenity V.I.P.

That's all and everything I am.

- written by Rob Lacey (and read at his funeral)

The line that really struck me was, 'A line in His-story' I don't know why, but it did. I suppose I like reading, and knowing that I'm a line in God's story really touched me, he cares about me, about what I'm doing, where I'm going today; who i'm going to meet, who i'm going to talk to. How I'm going to react when something that God knows is good (or bad) going to happen. How it will affect my life, the things that I choose to do today. Or similarly the things I don't choose to do today.

Suppose its just something to think about.

Lewis Carroll

"We have not even to risk the adventure alone, for the heroes of all time have gone before us. The labyrinth is thoroughly known, we have only to follow the thread of the heroic path. And where we had thought to find an abomination, we shall find a god; where we had thought to slay another, we shall slay ourselves; where we had thought to travel outward, we shall come to the center of our own existence; and where we had thought to be alone, we shall be with all the world." Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces

I came across this quote and thought that it was relevant regarding research, we are searching for things that are sometimes outside of our capabilities to find, but we end up searching for it, and find something that we didn't know about ourselves. At the moment I am researching Lewis Carroll, and totally shattering the previous awe-inspiring, praise-worthy Alice in Wonderland, as the writer is a drug- taking paedophile (taking nude pictures of young girls). I mean I know that through this research a lot of writers took drugs and were paedophilic; in the sense that we would class them as that now, but its just weird that in those days it was just hidden. I mean I suppose it is hidden now, until someone finds out about it, but it can be tracked down so much easier what with the government locating where we all are, and our buying habits, where we go on holiday etc. People knew about Carroll's love for and towards children, but rather than facing it and dealing with it as an issue, some of the evidence was destroyed (out of 13 diaries 4 were burned and those four would have shed light on the relationships with Alice -Carroll's muse to Alice in Wonderland- and we would not have to be speculating about what was in these volumes) but there you go, thats research for you, like the labyrinth, sometimes we can come to a dead end, but other times things are opened up for us to see and to be lead by.

Groups

When I was travelling back to uni on the saturday just gone I was watching the people that were getting onto the train and I couldn't help but notice that there were two very distinct types of groups.
The first group were obvious to spot; they were footie fans coming back from a match. Mob mentality and all that, you could pretty much write a psychological essay on it! They were quite intimidating and rowdy, we had to have the British Transport Police on the case, and they actually rode with us on the train to Liverpool. (There were about 40-50 fans)
The other group was a total antithesis to the 'mob' they were communicating without speaking; only actions and it was quite a sight to see these groups of people together. The other group I am talking about was a group of people that were deaf, and communicating with sign language. It was so strange just seeing the two groups and noticing similarities and major differences between them.
The fans were shouting, singing and talking to each other loudly, they all had something important that they had in common; the support given to a local team. I finally understood what people mean when they say that football can be a religion to some people. They talked with such a passion, and zeal, I almost felt ashamed to be standing with them; being a Christian and feeling that if I had tried to start talking about God in my life, I would probably start feeling guilty about taking up people's time etc.
The other group had an important link to each other too; and that was the need to communicate. The ironic thing was that each of these groups were exclusive; the football fans were the only people that truly knew what went on on the pitch that day; other people might have been able to get the score off of the TV or something, but they had that shared experience that only they fully understood. This was so similar to the people that were hard of hearing; they were an exclkusive 'club' too, and only they could understand their conversation (unless you knew sign language, but its the same for the other group; you would have had to have gone to the match to fully understand why they were acting the way that they were).
It just hit me at that moment, the contrast and the similarities. Of two lots of people that were so different, yet the same.

Dave- the flier

Dave flies through the air with the greatest of ease (or should it be care!) 

craig, the foreman oversees the build!

 

What a poser ;)

Here is Dave posing with the latest beachwear! 

the 'gang'

the whole gang :) (who went) 

I can't take the credit for these, Jonathan took them :) 

Bournemouth

This is when we went to Bournemouth, near Durdle Door (just around the corner!) 

A-Z of memories!

I found this the other day in a random notebook in my room & thought that it would be fun to write it down as a blog! so here it is (a few memories around about 14-18 years old of mine &others!) I know a few people that read this blog and would enjoy reminiscing!

A - a level stress, ambulances, aerosmith- 'don't wanna miss a thing!' Aiming milkshake at unsuspecting pigeons (and getting told of by the police- you know who you were!!!)

B- Bank holiday monday walks, blowing bubbles at waddesdon manor (I think), Bev hitting her head on Dave G's hip at Feldon Lodge, BBQ's, beaches, bowling, bakewell tart (fights-between cars!) Bells? or a loo (on top of Coombe hill) Boyfriends!

C- coombe hill, cars chocolate, Christian union, church

D- Driving lessons, dancing lessons, drum banging (when we went to watch ice hockey)

E- easter egg hunts, eurovision song contests!

F- faith builders, fireworks, flubber, funglemoo!

G- Genesis group, 'great is the lord', golf courses!

H- Happy books, hats, hannah the hand

I- Ice creams, ice skating, ice breakers 'I want to live like cannonballs!'

J- Jokes, Jaci Velasquez (the one no-one could pronounce!)

K- 'kiss the rain' kev singing and playing air instruments in Dave's car! Knees (dislocating!)

L- listening to music, london shopping, london lights

M- map reading, maccy d's, midnight walks, mission impossible, make believe instruments! milton keynes shopping!

N- noo noo (Bev's blanket) Notting hill poses

O- 'oh my life' Orion's belt

P- PANTS! pioneer camp, photos, prayer meetings, phil collins, poodles! Pool playing, poddington peas singalong!

Q- quizzes (time machine)

R- Rollers, Romania Trips, Roller coasters (at Wicksteed park!!)

S- swings and slides, singing, stars, sketches, slam the lamb, sugar splitting fun! Squirkles! Sardines in the dark, in the woods!

T- treasure hunts, Trigger happy TV moments, turkey tree hill

U- UBM, unforgettable memories

V- video evangelism

W- Walks, wheelchairs, Wicksteed Park!

X- xams!

Y- YB's, YPF, youth squashes. 'you cannot make a monkey outta me!'

Z- zest!

I am so sure that we could think of so much more to go into that short list, but I read it the other day and it was really fun just to go back and think about the things that we used to do!
I know that 'x' is a bit contrived, but hey! I'm allowed! If you can think of anything major that i've left out, comment!!!

Joy

This last sunday I have really enjoyed being at home for Easter. I know that recently I have been quite critical of Aylesbury, especially of LABChurch, but when I came back I could just see that God is still working in that churhc in a mighty way. I was priviledged to be asked to sing in the evening service, and my overall aim in that was to glorify God with how I was singing, and just trying to bring some of that excitement and joy into the worship at the church, for we were singing about Jesus' resurrection, and so it was important to understand what that means for us, and the joy that it should bring to our hearts.

It was such an encouragement for me, when at the end of the service someone came up to me and thanked me for singing. I knew that he understood what I was attempting to bring, and to bless people with, and that meant so much to me. It was also nice to know that God was pleased with what had been brought, andit came through feedback from a man nearing 80.

I just want to apologise to everyone who reads my blog and looks for updates, i'm sorry that I haven't written a blog for absolutely ages.

To be honest March was such a manic month, what with trying to finish an 840 page book (which was amazing by the way) and writing an independent report on it (that took a while!) and becoming Small Group Co-ordinator, having copious amounts of meetings in one week (1-1 coffee's with people, committee meetings, small group meeting& small group leaders meeting) At the end of the month I had an exam and a 2,000 word essay on the same day, so I was revising for the exam and stuff, and I also had a 1,000 piece to hand in too. So my time spent in the library was purely for work purposes, and my free time went on seeing Craig, and my other friends(!) and also having Jonathan to stay for a week which was nice (all my housemates enjoyed him staying too, especially Dee :)

Right, thats my excuse for not writing. This term I have to write 6,000 words on Dickens and anything that I choose to write on basically about him (directed of course by lecturers!). Will be quite fun ;) - I hope! They call it a mini-dissertation, so I will hopefuly be ready for next years dissertation, which I will be focussing on C.S Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, and Tolkien (looking at how they use Christianity in their writings-for they're both Chrisitans) and also how they differ. Basically it gives me a chance to look closely at the Narnian Chronicles, and at Lewis's life :)

The people that really know me know how much I love Narnia, so this dissertation is going to be quite fun (hopefuly!).

Just enough time to breathe!

I've had quite a manic week, what with my birthday (which was cool, thanks Dan for taking time to come down(!) for it!) Then it was Craig's birthday too, with three essays for him to hand in (and a little bit of added stress for me!) and then one essay for me to hand in... and lots of partying and catching up with folks and boogying!

Then today I had to give in two essays, I don't know whether i'm happy with them, but hey! I don't really seem to care at the moment, I've just had two of the worst opssible marks back to date, and i'm not too chuffed with that. Oh well, there's always like the next piece of work that I might do better on! There must be a reason for it.

Anywhoo, I've just finished my first term of the second year, and have like two and a half weeks off, where I will be going away most weekends for various leader training things with Craig, and then we have a youth weekend comnig up in church which will be good, I love helping out with the youth in church, they're really fun, and remind me of when we were at Genesis group(!) its good. I also have a lot of reading to do for next term, where we're going to be studying tragedy(!) But hopefuly I will be able to get some books out of the library today without having to read them, I will enjoy reading these ones! (seems like a new concept!- to enjoy reading!!!)

Oh yeah, at last I have joined the gadget generation by purchasing my own PC computer, I love it, its so good for watching DVD's on (oh yeah, and for doing the occasional essay etc) It was a bit of a bargain, so its all good :)

Anywhoo, hope everyone's having a good year so far!

chester

Back in sunny chester!!! yay! it's so cold, last night had to have a hot water bottle! (ah bless!) got so much work to do, but i've just seen my new timetable, and it looks really good! Only 5 hours in uni! But the rest is supposed to be work times etc. I wish they would spread it out throughout the year a little bit better because then I don't think I'd be as stressed!!! Anywhoo need to do lots of reading and writing as usual!
Hope everyone elses work is going well Bex, hang in there!

New Year, New Look! New thinking

As it's 2006 I thought that along with a new year I would change the look of my blog too! hope you all like it!
My new year's resolution this year is to not make one because i'm rubbish at keeping them, so I'm gonna save myself the hassle of having to do so, or fooling myself into thinking that I can, so that's why I haven't got one.
So happy new year and all that jazz!

Here's what I got up to, it was quite fun going into London this year, and watching the fireworks at the London Eye (or as close as you could get basically, alongside the crowds!) Firstly we had a nice time in Hyde Park, going to the funfair, going on the Waltzing Waltzers and tehn the 'dodgems' that were never really dodgems but having the true nature of the other name of 'bumper' cars; these people that owned them didn't tell us off for bumping into each other, even having head on collisions at times! My worst hit was actually from Jessica! which I found to be quite amusing as we were also with Daniel, Jonathan and Craig!
Then we tried sushi!(I quite enjoyed it, I had a crab roll thingy!) then we sauntered down towards Diana's memorial which was difficult to see in the dark!!! So we gave up that idea and headed towards the Eye.

Festivals and Eve's have always held great superstition as the world is temporarily turned upside down; Shakespeare has encapsulated thsi idea within his play Twelfth Night and I'm sure that others have written about it too. Painters have captured this in a movement called the Carnivalesque- see Mikhail Bakhtin for more info!!!
The idea that these festivals are a kind of forced passing into another age, (or a new year in this case) strange things are seen to take place. We as people put upon an act at times, and it was beloeved that this 'Theatrical' self comes out at this time of festivity.
Some people have called this the 'Threshold' or a cool Englishy word is 'Liminality' (which basically means the same thing) which makes sense, because 31st December is the threshold to 2006.
Anyway enough of my ramblings! I should really be doing some work! (as usual!)