The organist librarian

Swam 20. Snap decision to go to see film Barbara at mosaic had recommended at Clapham Picturehouse My Old Lady - loved it. Maggie Smith, Kevin Kline, Kirstin Scott Thomas all excellent. Home for lunch. Very moving prayers for the Middle East at St Ethelburga's - I said I was uncertain because of the hidden forces like oil companies behind the conflict. William Rhind was there and met a Zoroastrian. To Heythrop for lecture by Charles Taylor - so much better than his book. Long chat to Archbishop Kevin, Siriol, Saira, Rita, Peter, Fr Michael Kirwan, Kim. Lovely to see them all. To Acton. Liz went to hear RAF band at Cadogan hall and enjoyed it. Wednesday had the boys on my own as Liz was serving schools nativiities at the cathedral. Sean was very lively at music and shouted out some things and he was very good at lunch and when we woke up. Ciarán was crying over not being able to skip straight away! To Brixton for Conversations - just 4 of us but enjoyed it. Watched Apprentice and F...

2 days spent writing 2500 words on Taylor. Submitted it but now thinking I did not make a good argument. Actually I agree with a lot of what he says. Used Pope's writings as a back up and useful Rowan Williams quotes too. The 4000 word essay looks daunting but the most relevant is probably the one on secularism and Islam. Good TV on Monday - University challenge, Mrs Brown's boys which is recorded on set in front of an audience, An Island parish is back, Royal bodyguard with David Jason who is hilarious. To Acton - got to Selhurst and Liz did not have computer so I went on station to find Willesden Junction train was cancelled. At Clapham Junction missed Willesden train and caught a Richmond one. Liz got the next one and caught up at Richmond. My new phone playing up again. Watched British musicals part 1 and 100 years of the Palladium.

Great expectations was brilliant. Earthflight is amazing! How do they do it? Dorian Gray was very well done very hedonistic. Started Friday by noting ideas for the dialogue essay. Watched Darcey Bussill dances Hollywood and Musical nativity with John Rutter at Dorchester Abbey. Cambridge Singers including that nice young bass from the cathedral. Gerald Finlay sang beautifully. Finally finished reading A Secular Age 850 pages - the longest book I have ever read!

Found the hearing aids next to the front garden path so that's a relief. 7 of us at coffee before the lecture and general moaning about the length of Taylor - I am doing well as some have only read 50 pages and I am at 506! The lecture from Damian was encouraging and ended with some thoughts about multifaith which made me realise that it might be worthwhile after all. We were also handed an assessment form which needs to be honestly completed by all of us! For the first time I actually commented in the lecture - lecture 10 and I finally get to speak! To Acton and watched a bit of Treasures of heaven film. Bed at midnight and woke at 6 a.m. Ciarán had a great time opening his presents and loved the IKEA kitchen we gave him (Louise and Tom assembled it on Tuesday night). Dennis gave him 2 wooden engines and he loved those. We all went to Wimbledon and had lunch at the Polka theatre cafe and enjoyed "The ugly duckling" beautifully performed and danced by 2 actors. He liked...

9.30 a.m. eucharist and 10.45 service with a good bugler. Played Elgar, Bach and Walford Davies much inspired by Simon Lindley's playing on Friday. Did not get to Mass. Noble in B minor at evensong. Monday to mosaic and tai chi and returned books to Balham library. Linda back from Mexico and god progress on the cross. Tuesday to Heythrop and essay went in last week OK. 4 of us for coffee before the lecture on Charles Taylor. Liz's birthday and to dentist and she had her hair done. To Acton and on Wednesday Ciarán who is chatting so much cried when I left to go to interfaith group. Excellent talk on Korea by Matthew Jackson who showed 6 films and gave us a book on art - amazing nation. Back to Acton and Bruce came which was nice.

Went to Heythrop for Mass for All Saints day at 1.30 p.m. with a delightful priest smiling all the time - literally being the gospel he was preaching! Had a nice lunch. Did some more work on William James for the essay. At 5 met 3 others in the dining room including Michael the ex-diplomat. To Rahner room at 5.30 to find out how to submit essays. Looks straightforward. First lecture on the dreaded Charles Taylor A Secular age and it looks a huge tome so decided to buy it - got Amazon discount with student card £22. Chat to other students revealed that insider/outsider is not acceptable for the essay so spoke to Damian who apologised and confirmed it so all that work for nothing! Not a happy bunny. It seems that we are fortunate to have lecturers posting on Helios as some older lectureres will not use it so if you miss a lecture you have had it! I cannot understand why we do not have a tutorial before submitting the first essay especially for thsoe returning to study. Met Jordan in stre...

Swam 16. To mosaic and Kim made some good suggestions about my project. More at tai chi. To Battersea Park library to pick up another book by Cox. Watched McGill lecture and question session with Charles Taylor and Jose Casanova on secularism - fascinating. To Croydon council meeting - not that many in public gallery. My question about library staffing not well answered by Sara Bashford - I think the tendering out of management with Wandsworth will mean more cuts. To dancing and we did the jive which is too complicated. Frances Novillo email on RSCM committee not good tone.