Stranger than fact; stranger than fiction. The not quite true stories of Mary Magdalene.

Its been a while since I wrote anything on the blog. For this I apologise. Here, however, is a bumper post for Christmas - and I think it would be worth putting in a personal line too.

Anyway, here is a short article that I have been promising myself the time to write for some months now:


I expect for many of the people who happen by this webpage, you will be aware of the biblical character Mary Magdalene. She features in the Da Vinci code and also in the bible as a prominant figure among the early Christians.

Little is really known about her, although in the past, much was said of her which can be shown to be wrong. Its with the stories said of her which are infact wrong that I would like to talk about.

Pope Gregory the Great gave a sermon (about 570 AD I believe) in which he suggested that Mary Magdalene was a protestute. Now, in fact, this is extremely unlikely: 1) Magdalene was an aristocrat, 2) the evidence given by Gregory related to another Mary, 3) there is no good biblical evidence to suggest Magdelene's behaviour was anything other than 'good'.

However, the fictional account is, in my view a very convincing one - actually more interesting than the truth. The story of a woman, who, unable to form lasting relationships goes looking for love in the wrong places is all too close to reality - a very often repeated pattern one can see.

Then, where does she wind up? She goes to a new up and coming religious group - who at the time did not really have a name - their enemies called them Christians, after their leader - but they probably thought of themselves as a variations of Judiasm.

Anyway, Magdalene winds up with a small group - who appear to be an utter irrelevance - its just that this group also happen to be the foundations of the most influencial religious group on the planet.

Emotional fidelty is the linchpin of this story. The assumption must be that a prostitute does not have emotional fidelty - she will give of herself to anyone. So, in renouncing that old life and moving towards a new one she finds something worth supporting whole heartedly. The myth of her prostitution neatly solved any possibility she was a wife of Christ - how could Christ possibly have married a prostitute? So the role of women in Christianity's formation was conveniently side stepped for many hundreds of years. Only with modern biblical scholarship has a more realistic view come into focus. But, the power of the story lies in emotions, not in logic. The idea of finding something that resonates and giving oneself to that entirely is something that resonantes with us all across the ages.

Then there is the connection one can make with God and attachment. So, one may say that from a psychological point of view - people often seek out God when they don't have a secure, relibale and loving relationship with their parents. In the absence of a good relationship at home, God offers an eternity of good attachments. This is not to say this is the only reason for seeking God - but it might provide a particular impetus.

Finally, of course, there is the vexed question of whether Christ was married to Mary Magdalene, whether they were simply friends, or whether she was privy to secrets not passed on to the other disciples.

This is not the place to discuss that question - this is simply the place to record and report why I like the story. Essentially the idea of a women, lost for a secure attachment figure; finds one - and finds that it was simply the best possible outcome she could have hoped for is one that resonates. The fact this connects with Christmas and Christianity and today is Christmas day makes this a very pleasing time to write this article. So, Happy Christmas one and all from all at the cafe!

Lady Penelope

OK, so I was taking a trip down Memory Lane on youtube earlier and I looked up good old Thunderbirds. I was reminded by how great this cartoon is a number of ways. Not least the idea that there is some world organisation for helping people out in disasterious situations!!

One of the more light hearted parts however, was the idea of the London Agent, Lady Penelope who 'fixes' what ever needs fixing in London. Her and the Butler Parker are an extremely entertaining double act.

I can't quite fit enough room for both of them in this article - so I will have to right a seperate one about him soon. For now, though, let's say Lady Penelope is highly amusing because, as perhaps only cartoons can do, she is able to mix so many stereotypes of the time and still be watchable.

Here is a screen shot of her infront of the Rolls with Cigarette holder. Could anything better sum up '60s cool?

The Summer of '11

If I write today, I can sort of pretend that I am on track with the blog - keeping to my rule of a post in a calendar month. Although that's the plan, of course, things get in the way. A follower of the blog - thank you to you special 4 in particular who subscribe - you know who you are!!

Anyway, to those who look at the blog, you will see its been six weeks - so I feel I had better explain something as to the why behind that. In short; I've have the most brilliant summer imagineable. Its been like the best of the last four years rolled into one. Its also been the case, that just when I think things have ended something else positive seems to come along. A bit like the weather we've been having for example - who would have thought it - the hottest September on the last day of the month?!

I feel I should list some of what happened over the summer - so you can understand why the dear blog was not top of my mind:

1) I was given a tax rebate.

2) I bought a Tommy Hilfiger top in a sale for £25.

3) I received a bonus for the performance of one my students.

4) I had a lovely trip to Stafford - and found I love the place.

5) Found five pounds lying around on the pavement.

6) Saw the film Beginners and thought it was amazing.

7) Live in Egham for a month - for very little money - like being a student again.

8) Found a lovely place to stay in London I like the greenery especially.

9) Had a student get an A* for Psychology; and another one get an A for Critical Thinking AS.

10) Was given a piano for free on the day I moved into my new flat.

11) Was given a free ticket to a gig with Patrick Wolf - which was pretty cool.

12) Was given an all expenses paid trip to Luxembourg to teach one psychology lesson.

13) Got a new job working in another school.

14) Bought a smart phone for £40.

15) Went to an amazing Barbeque where I met many old friends - and had a lovely day.

16) Met some new friends who have been great fun.

17) Found a flat to live in; and just had the feeling 'that one' and its work out well.

18) Found a group who speak French - who I rather like.

19) Found a cultural group who I like to go sometimes.

20) Have been enjoying school work.

21) Joined a group who do laughter yoga.

22) Got recorded and interviewed to on a programme with the BBC World Service.

So, I think you'll understand why the blog has not got much attention lately.

Nevertheless, here I am, your loyal correspondant; a more developed correspondant than in May 2011. The summer of '11 was without doubt the time life started flowing!

:-)

So, I think you'll understand

When the Clouds Lift

Today, I would like to tell you a little story that was past on to me recently about the time of the Napoleonic Wars between Britain and France. I believe the exact time of the story dates from the Battle of the Nile, 1805 a critical point in the war.

The Battle was one the decisive naval campaigns of the war. Before it, Britain was in a very desperate state - a larger French Army and a significant French Navy threatened the country. Much rested on keeping the French out of Egypt and stopping them threatening British interests in India and Africa. The impact at home would have been dire - probably a military campaign at home - maybe even a French take over of England!

During this time, the way news was passed between London and other parts of England was with semaphore signal - a method of using arms and pullies to show agreed codes between stations. The station acted much like mobile phone masts, pumping out a message, usually at the top of hills, ready to be picked up by the next station. This allowed London to know what was going on at battle locations. However, it was subject to the weather!

True to form the British weather got in the way!! Fog descended one day, and just as the battle news was coming through, the fog became very thick. It was vital to know what had happened; there was just enough time to see the start of the message "Nelson Defeated" - then the clouds came down.

Of course, the feeling at home was very low. A sense of foreboding clouded the minds of men and morale was extremely low. People feared the worst.

The next day, the fog had lifted, and the message was resent - this time the complete message came through "Nelson defeated French forces, a resounding victory!" Needless to say the mood changed in an instant. Where formerly the semaphore staff were slow to pass on the information - the system never worked so well as when it passed on that message.

As I write this, the sun has just come out in Victoria, London - so it seems like a good time to end this post and enjoy some sun. I hope followers of the blog get the chance to do the same soon.

The Weighting Game

The other day, I took a whole load of things to a charit shop. Included in there were some old exercise books from when I was still at school!

I could hardly believe, when I saw them in a white hold all, that they were still there, 10 years after I finished school! I looked in there, and memories came flooding back. For a moment I was almost tempted to keep them - because you know - they have sentimental value.

On the other hand, I saw the dust, the beginnings of mould and the mustiness of them; and I thought to myself enough was enough! In the bin they went!

It seemed there was no easy way of disposing of exercise books. Unlike other books, I would feel a total heel giving those to a charity shop, clearly a used exercise book is of no real value to anyone. So, I sureptiously dropped a couple of books in each of the bins I passed by in Ashford (Kent).

I was well aware that there were cameras in the city centre and I continue to be mindful against any kind of accusuation of fly tipping - so if the Police start asking you questions - you don't know who could possibly have dupped those books in the bins - ok?! And it certainly has nothing to do with those old school maths and biology text books from the 1990s - got it?!

Joking aside, I felt a tremendous sense of relief and even release at letting all these things go. It was like getting rid of all the dead wood from a forest - one morns the loss - but one also appreciates that it is a necessary step to allowing new growth.

To be honest, I have been doing a lot of clearing out of old things - much of which I still had left over from Leicester - like shirts that were too big to wear anymore. I have also been passing out things like old model cars (left over from my childhood) and somehow, with each no longer needed item that I put asside I felt somewhat clearer about who I was now. Try it - you might like it!

You've got to love them

You may, or thanks to google spam, may not have noticed the spam messages that people seem to post on the blog.

Its really quite odd in some ways; I would have thought that if you had products like bridal gowns, pharmacutical products, money making schemes, why would you choose this blog to post such comments on?

The entry on hemp, for example, has had 12 spam entries on it to date. I am delighted that people are reading it. Nevertheless, I find it surprising that people should be scouring the internet in search of another blog to advertise their products on.

I am also hopeful that someone will add some irrelevant spam here, just to prove the point. For once, I might even be ammenable to having some 'unwanted' speil in order to prove the wider point.


Hmm, all of a sudden I am thinking of book titles. The thought of "A brief History of Lasagne flashed before my eyes" maybe its sign I should go to bed.

One of the railway buffs out there!

Hello All,

You will notice that I am not really a very commercial beast and it is rare that I advertise things for sale on here. Generally, I like to preserve the cafe as a peaceful place: somewhere to rest your feet and let the mind flow. A change, however, can be as good as a rest; so here is a small change to the usual fair.

You will notice below a link to an ebay page, where I am currently selling an electric trainset I acquired recently. The set is originally from the 1950s and shows many original features.

Just look at the rugged beauty and elegance of these simple models. You can see why their design inspires collectors today. Just look at the optimism present in the design - a simple belief that even if the detail was not there, children could have hours of fun copying the real world!

These models were made by a company called Tri-ang, who produced models from about 1950-1971. In fact, they actually bought Hornby and for some years, there were models called 'Tri-ang Hornby'. At the time, Tri-ang was the more popular brand because it was significantly cheaper. Hornby was always the prestige brand that people could bought, but which was very expensive for what you got. Eventually, Tri-ang stopped using their name for trading purposes and became simply Hornby Railways.

Now days, its pleasant to look over the lines of these simple early models and marvel at the clarity with which the early modellers saw the world. Small fiddly details did not matter, what mattered was you had a little copy of the world in your own living room. You could even invite friends over and participate in an activity together! We have plenty to learn from the 1950s!

This particular set is an especially early one, from about 1952. This is dateable because the controller is designed for batteries, not electricity from the mains! So, you can see it was an especially early one. The livery on the locomotive is also a give away - it can't be much later than 1958 or so, because the livery changed in 1957. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230596403283&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

I have put a few pictures in, so that you can see what I was talking about after the item sells. However, in the mean time, it can be yours on ebay for just £85 plus postage!

Enjoy...!

The Beautiful Parts of Leicester no-one seems to talk about!

Hello Dear Readers,

Here, after a little delay, is the post as promised.

I recently went back to Leicester for a little wonder around. I took my camera with me because I was keen to shown you some of the more picturesque parts of the city I lived in for three years.

Now, I know you might be scoffing - you might might well say that beauty and Leicester City Centre are mutually contradictory terms. You would have a point; but there are some rather beautiful bits in amongst the 'grimness'.

And before you ask, no I am not talking about the ubiquitous shopping facilities in Leicester. Although they are perfectly pleasant as far as they go (especiallg John Lewis), I can find perfectly good shops elsewhere.

No, what can't my interest this time, was some of the interesting buildings that make the city environment far richer than many would have you believe. There are, for example, Medieval Survivals that are dotted about the city, as well as other buildings of historical interest.

There is the old town hall and city court, with its wonderful beams and Middle Ages demenour. I have put that on the top of the page to attact attention. Although it is now simply a museum about social history, it was used as the main court and meeting place of the council well into Victorian Times. I believe that it was the main Civic Centre in Leicester until 1873, which when you think about the all the industrial buildings that sprang up around it, seems all the more remarkable that it survived so long. It is open most days and is next to the cathedral.

The Unitarian Church is an exceptionally fine example of Eighteenth Century religious architecture. The symmetry, emphasis on reason, the use of pillars in a classical style, tapered windows mixed with square windows, all align to give the impression of a building based on reason and religious impulses. The use of red brick reminds one that at the time, not using stone for a church was quite a break with tradition, emphasising the novelty of the Unitarian perspective in 1780, or so: essentially that you can be a Christian without believing in the Trinity. From the perspective I have taken it, you could be forgiven for thinking it was a country house, but if you visit the building in Leicester, you will see the grave yard and former school rooms which surround it. In about 1900 or so, there would have been a great many people connected with the church, since it provided schools rooms, assistants for parents in the area and of course, the functions of a place of worship. The chruch continues to be a place of worship for modern day Unitarians still based around Great Meeting in Leicester.

Then, there is the very interesting St. Mary Le Castro - a very fine example of a Medieval Romanesque church - it could be out of text book of 'how to build like its 1100 AD'. The arches above the windows simply ache with the period! Walking around the building was atmospheric in the extreme. You could imagine that people such as Simone De Montfort, King John, John of Gaunt, Henry VIII and very possibly seen this church; and even more impressively, it has hardly changed over that time! Its well worth a visit - but check its open before you go - it seems to be open for about an hour one day a week!

Finally, there is the Newarke Museum. Although the contents of the museum are hardly worth a special visit, being comprised of little bits of Leicester history in only passing depth, the front of the building is very smart. The museum is also free, so, if you find yourself in the East Midlands why not - but don't make a special visit for the musuem. The churches, on the other hand are special!

I feel a post coming on!!

Hello 2011 - I would have liked to have blogged about you before - I have just been that busy, you would n't believe it!!

Anyway, things are progressing quite nicely. I have now finished my MSc and I am actively trying to get some papers published.

My main endeavour is to get a paper published about consciousness in relation to language. I would like to point out that the absence of the word consciousness from language before 1650 (or so) does not mean that the idea did not exist in people before that time, something that the author Wilkes would disagree with, evidently.

Suffice it to say, the pressure is currently on to finish the article re-drafting (preferably by the end of today) with a view to getting published this week! Hooray!!