Shout Out To Those I RSS

This Post Is Rated: F for Friendly shout out. Just finished updating a new page purely for a list of blogs I read, rss or occasionally visit. In no particular order or preference. Here are the blogs. I will be modifying the links page to feature websites only, however some of these may soon cross over to resources. The objective here is to turn AAF into a conglomerate of non-professional advice, information and experience on challenging corrupt or pharisaic authorities that make the decisions and rules for us to live by, but don't necessarily follow the rules themselves.

Filipino Sex Blog

This Post Is Rated: F for Fun. How are people googling this website? Checking my stats this evening, it's always fun to see what people googled to find AAF. "immigration laws on how i can deport my wife" helped someone to find their way here. I do hope you can work it out. "arrested handcuffed or handcuffs or handcuffing or handcuff..." "dark side xxx" got someone to a Christian blog, which is not quite what I think they were looking for. "threatening letters" No not coming from here, honest. Unless you're referring to the ones I sent the bank... "immigrant you shriek, 12 apostles" "abandon pigeon in the street" "fear of people named alex" Gets me number 1. "filipino sex blog" Actually got me a hit once, I tell no lie. These are all search terms from various points over the last couple of months, so most have slipped off the first page of rankings by now. I've also noticed a few hits through a proxy search engine AnonyMouse. This allows you to surf the web without disclosing your IP address which is quite useful. Interesting since the hits don't correlate with any critics so far as I can tell.   Technorati Tags: google, search terms, anonymouse, funny, humour

What Do You Fear?

Fear is a powerful, unpleasant feeling of risk or danger, either real or imagined. - Wikipedia. All of us experience fear at different times for different reasons, it has the power to take over and control our thoughts and actions. It can affect who we are and who we become. Fear comes in many forms: mortal, and psychological. Abandon All Fear exists as a testament to overcoming fear. It is a statement, a statement of truth about standing up against intimidation and the dark powers and principalities. It is about speaking truth, regardless of cultural sensibilities. It is about the experience and journey, of being an overcomer. Fear of God doesn't mean living in the shadow of a judge or higher power, it means being filled with a higher power and fearing nothing else on this earth.

That Was Odd...

This Post Is Rated: F for Friendly. Reflections on lost blogs. In my last post I mentioned my other blog Dark Side of the Light in purgatory (see comments). I just checked tonight and darksidelight.blogspot.com was available again, along with abandonallfear.blogspot.com. Of course I reclaimed! Particularly since the folks at Dead Yet Living failed to update their link since it was lost. Conspiracy much?

Where Do Blogs Go When They Die?

This Post Is Rated: F for Friendly Post. Nothing here you'll find insulting your religiosity. The End of the Road - Raw Carrot So this is free speech? - Argos Employee Stand Down - Universal Soldier Theories Re-incarnated? Independant Christian Voice In Purgatory? Dark Side of the Light Zombified? Quinnblog Bodysnatched? The Cranky Insomniac Bartender Is there a blog afterlife? Should there be a charity for abandoned blogs? I actually like what the cranky insomniac did- but I wish the new tenant would change the title already. I offered up my starter blog when I decided to move on, but sadly had no takers. I moved some of the archive posts over here, but it's now gone to the abyss. I'm now feeling my favourite mood. Melancholy.

Health and Safety Concern

Time to share with you one of the memorable moments of the New Year. Walking the streets of Munich at 23:45 on December 31st 2006 was a refreshing experience. Minimal police presence (by UK standards), crowds of people walking around clutching commercial size (UK illegal) fireworks in one hand, matches in the other. Alex must admit that they can be a little odd but the Deutschlanders sure know how to live it up 'Mr Invincible' style. Standing on the balcony of the incredibly sexy Mrs Fears apartment, 4 floors up overlooking the street, Alex tried to count how many H&S infringements were taking place at one time in the street below. Small firecrackers were being lobbed into the street as cars drove by, whilst the braver of the Barbarian Bavarians held the commercial fireworks in their hands as they set them off. Much beer was consumed which left plenty of spare bottles for the non-immortals to balance their rockets in. Occasionally the odd bottle would tip over and the rocket headed into the crowd of hammered Bavarians, funnily, it didn't seem to upset the dogs that were present. Rockets shot past the balcony, one even passing by Alex's feet, exploding just meters away from the balcony. Quite an awesome sight to be staring straight across at exploding fireworks, as opposed to ground level. As the night wore on Alex and the Incredible Sexy retired to watch CNN with a bottle of Erdinger each.

Post Zero

As you can see AAF has undergone some major retconning. Alex Fear has fully realised his destiny as a hero with new powers and abilities, such as insight and cunning wit. Alex doesn't apologise for the new comic feel of AAF, and before anyone makes assumptions it is not inspired by another excellent new US import. Alex's obsession with superheroes began a long time ago with the likes of Judge Dredd, Batman and Swamp Thing, to name a just a few. The good news, as you may have sussed, is that Alex now has broadband once again. Pipex came to his rescue when he fell into the trap laid by Salesman, working for the evil organisation TalkTalk. However, this still does not mean normal blogging will resume straight away. As you know Alex also now has a wife, whose powers far exceed his own.

Origins

A new hero rises to take on the culture of fear... the transformation is already underway. Oh and btw I have abandoned TalkTalk. I signed up with Pipex today on the recommendation of this blog. They claim to do it in about 10 days on their website. No doubt CrapCrap will screw my credit rating further when I cancel my direct debit, but it's a small price to pay. I advise anyone living in the slowest and stupidest city in the world not to go with TalkTalk for their broadband solution. They are all TalkTalk and no ActionAction.

An Alternative Christmas Message

Rather than share the customary wishes for the holiday, I thought I would print some verses from the bible: Woe to you who turn justice to vinegar and stomp righteousness into the mud. Do you realize where you are? You're in a cosmos star-flung with constellations by God, A world God wakes up each morning and puts to bed each night. God dips water from the ocean and gives the land a drink. God, God-revealed, does all this. And he can destroy it as easily as make it. He can turn this vast wonder into total waste. People hate this kind of talk. Raw truth is never popular. But here it is, bluntly spoken: Because you run roughshod over the poor and take the bread right out of their mouths, You're never going to move into the luxury homes you have built. You're never going to drink wine from the expensive vineyards you've planted. I know precisely the extent of your violations, the enormity of your sins. Appalling! You bully right-living people, taking bribes right and left and kicking the poor when they're down. Justice is a lost cause. Evil is epidemic. Decent people throw up their hands. Protest and rebuke are useless, a waste of breath. Seek good and not evil— and live! You talk about God, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies, being your best friend. Well, live like it, and maybe it will happen. Hate evil and love good, then work it out in the public square. Maybe God, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies, will notice your remnant and be gracious. Now again, my Master's Message, God, God-of-the-Angel-Armies: "Go out into the streets and lament loudly! Fill the malls and shops with cries of doom! Weep loudly, 'Not me! Not us, Not now!' Empty offices, stores, factories, workplaces. Enlist everyone in the general lament. I want to hear it loud and clear when I make my visit." God's Decree. Woe to all of you who want God's Judgment Day! Why would you want to see God, want him to come? When God comes, it will be bad news before it's good news, the worst of times, not the best of times. Here's what it's like: A man runs from a lion right into the jaws of a bear. A woman goes home after a hard day's work and is raped by a neighbor. At God's coming we face hard reality, not fantasy— a black cloud with no silver lining. "I can't stand your religious meetings. I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me? Do you know what I want? I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That's what I want. That's all I want. Amos 5:7-24 The Message That's pretty much it from me for year. I'm off to Germany to be with my wife, who incidentally got her marriage visa from the embassy (another big joke I will share with you later).

Honourable?

I have recently been profiled by The Pisstaker on his blog of the same name. So it's only fitting that I offer a reciprocal link to the article. While I'm very honoured and bemused at the description, cleverly written and quite funny, I do need to correct some factual errors: I did live in Warwickshire, but have recently moved to Ealing My wife is Canadian, and we met in Switzerland... long story, don't ask The wedding was in Maui, a slight distance from the Midlands Other than that, very fine and witty, thanks Ed!

The Time I Found Free Wifi

Natural Cafe in Chiswick deserves an honourable mention. I'm here on Saturday afternoon making use of their free wifi connection. I'm not into organic food but they do offer muffins and lattes so it works for me. I just ordered an XL latte as I want to be here for a few hours, and they brought it out in a cup and saucer the size of a breakfast bowl.

The Time I Won Against Parking Injustice

You win some, you lose some. Back in October I blogged about how time constraints forced me to give up and pay the £45 bribe parking fine the police were demanding. I paid as the date they were asking me to appear in court I was due to be on a beach somewhere in Maui. So you will either be pleased or outraged to know that 2 other outstanding Council Parking Fines (PCNs) were cancelled this month. I have had many hits for people googling "Parking Fine Template Letter" and "Get Off Parking Fine". Now, let me make it clear there is no such letter and there is no such loopholes in the law. There is however, The Law and the Constitutional Bill of Rights Act 1688 which states: "That all Grants and Promises of Fines and Forfeitures of particular persons before Conviction are illegal and void." This is a Constitutional Act, that means it cannot be overruled by a later by an 'ordinary' Act such as the Road Traffic Act 1991. Below is an edited version of the letter I wrote to Coventry City Council. The photos I included showed different angles of the road where the lines were almost entirely worn out. This is not a template letter, however, I hope you may find it useful in constructing your own defence. If you are going to defend against a parking ticket you may want to check out Pepipoo forums. Coventry City Council Parking Services Unit PO Box 3943 Coventry CV1 9AF Re: Penalty Charge Notices: 00XXXXXX / CV00XXXXXX Dear Sir/Madam I am writing to appeal against the Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), on the grounds that the offence did not occur. The enclosed images are taken of the road where I was parked on these occasions, on the corner of XXXXXX Road, outside of the residents bay, outside the [Landmark] and [Landmark]. Specifically, the restriction is not signed as prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 (the TSRGDs). References in this representation to Road Markings refer to that statutory instrument (2002/3113). Representations: 1) The signing/road marking is non-prescribed, as road markings must conform to the enclosed diagram “Schedule 6 Road Markings”. The road markings numbered 1017/1018.1 are continuous lines terminating with T-Bars. Particular attention is drawn to item 4, Permitted Variants: None. The road markings in the restricted area are not continuous, or visible and do not have the required T-Bar endings, therefore varying from the prescribed regulation. From the photographs, there are no single or double yellow lines apart from some double yellow lines leading from the edge of the entrance to the [Landmark] to the corner before the drain. A closer inspection reveals that there are indeed some light faded patches of yellow on the road where I was parked, directly outside of [Landmark]. Since the road markings are not in conformity with the regulations then there can have been no contravention. This is clear form the court decisions of MacLeod v Hamilton (1965) S.L.T 305 and the PATAS Adjudicator decision in Cooper v Richmond (as reported on 18/07/00). I also refer to legal authorities: MacLeod v Hamilton 1965 S.L.T 305 If signs to indicate the effect of a "No Waiting" order have not been erected, or signs have been erected not conforming to s.64 of the RTRA 1984 and TSRGD 2002 (SI 2002/3113), no offence against the "No Waiting" order is committed. Davies v Heatley [1971] R.T.R 145 Because by s.64 (2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 traffic signs shall be of the size, colour and type prescribed by regulation, if a sign the contravention of which is an offence contrary to s.36 is not as prescribed by the regulation, no offence is committed if the sign is contravened, even if the sign is clearly recognisable to a reasonable man as a sign of that kind. 2) Both of the PCNs issued fail to comply with Section 66(3) of the Road Traffic Act 1991 by not including a date of issue. This renders them void and unenforceable. See MacArthur v Bury (NPAS Circular 04/05) Case Number BC188 NPAS the Adjudicator decided that to comply with Section 66(3) a PCN must have a date. The date of the contravention is not the date of issue even if, in most cases, the PCN will be issued on the same day as the contravention. A real possibility of prejudice arises from potential uncertainty as to when the 28 day and 14 day periods for payment begin and end. Coventry City Councils PCNs do not have a date of issue (see enclosed). 3) Not withstanding the above, the appellant submits that Coventry City Council is attempting to extort money in an unlawful manner. Please find enclosed an extract of the Bill of Rights Act 1689, enacted and formally entered into Statute following the Declaration of Rights 1689. I draw your attention to the section that I have highlighted: "That all grants and promises of fines and forfeitures of particular persons before conviction are illegal and void". This states that a conviction is necessary before a fine can be imposed. As you will be aware, the Bill of Rights is a "constitutional statue" and may not be impliedly repealed. As stated in the 'Metric Martyrs' Judgment in the Divisional Court (18th February 2002) by Lord Justice Laws and Mr Justice Crane (I will paraphrase, but have included a copy of the judgment's relevant sections 62 and 63): 62."We should recognise a hierarchy of Acts of Parliament: as it were 'ordinary' statutes and 'constitutional statutes.' The special status of constitutional statutes follows the special status of constitutional rights. Examples are the ... Bill of Rights 1689 ... 63. Ordinary statutes may be impliedly repealed. Constitutional statutes may not…" I am not aware that the Road Traffic Act 1991 makes express reference to repealing the Bill of Rights Act 1689. Therefore, it would appear that Coventry City Council have no lawful authority to demand money for any alleged offence until or unless it has been dealt with by a Court of Law. Consequently, the forfeit that you have demanded of me is illegal and void. As I am sure you will understand, I cannot knowingly involve myself in an illegal act and accordingly decline payment of this fine. Yours faithfully, A Fear Registered Keeper XXXX XXX ENCLOSURES 1. Diagram “SCHEDULE 6 ROAD MARKINGS 2. Extract of the Bill of Rights Act 1689 3. Extract of Metric Martyrs Judgment, Sections 62 and 63. 4. Photographs taken at time of alleged offence. I must warn you I am no lawyer and by taking any advice on this blog you are solely responsible for any consequences of actions based upon this information. That said, I wish you every success in sticking it to 'em.

Just Maui'd!

The wedding photo's are in, but they're a bit disorganised at the moment as they are mostly digital and need to be sorted through. One of the benefits of getting married on a beach in Hawaii is the photo's, but make sure you get your guests to take photos too, as the hired photographer may miss images like this. Nothing beats this, the best wedding I've attended, and Mrs Fear is the certainly one of the best things to happen to me. I'm not sure how she feels being referred to as Mrs Fear, but for the purpose of the blog that's going to be her title. One warning, if you are going to get Maui'd on the beach at 3pm, don't wear a tux, especially if it's 85f. I almost fainted.

Whatever Happened to Alex Fear?

Well in short, after getting married in October I've had no time nor (free) Internet connection to do any blogging. We came back to the UK early November and immediately went flat hunting in West London. Having now found a flat in Ealing, we are awaiting free broadband from TalkTalk which I am told will be installed at the latest 26th December. Which means my posts will be few and far between. I've found a free WIFI connection in Chiswick at the Natural Cafe. I'm not much for organic food but I suspect I shall be ordering multiple latte's on a Saturday as I make use of their generosity. Currently I'm at my parent's house this weekend so I'm making use of their WiFi connection, and I have much to tell. Aside from comments to make on my observations of the news both in America and the UK, I have some comments to make on some organisations of which we have been unfortunate enough to require their services. I've done some rethink on the ethos of Abandon All Fear. I've decided that AAF is going in a new direction. From now on Abandon All Fear will be about real experiences with inept organisations and companies and based as much as possible on my own personal experience and observations. On the other hand, the Dark Side of the Light is going to be devoted to challenging the accepted wisdom and bringing my own insight and understanding, particularly with regards to faith. Of course these will both continue to be laced with my own peculiar brand of humour and satire. I also intend to reserve my comments on other blogs, instead referencing and addressing interesting posts here. If all goes well, normal blogging will resume in January 2007, hopefully sooner.

If you go down to the woods today...

Actually, if you drive through BC Forests... We spotted this fella meandering across the road as we drove from Calgary to Cranbrook on my 3rd day. He got about 10 feet away from the car and started sniffing the air. He must have smelt the A&W. Today we went downtown Cranbrook and ordered our wedding rings. We got ones with a Native Wolf/Eagle, gold/white gold, recess design- unique to Canada. Unfortunately the rings won't arrive before we leave for Maui but we have some basic ones on loan for the event and we will be able to pick up our Native rings before we leave for England. Tags: Abandon All Fear T-Shirts Grizzly Canada Calgary Cranbrook

Oh, Canada!

Tomorrow I fly out to Canada for my first visit. I'll be meeting some of my new family and exploring for a week then flying down to Maui to get married to my ultra sexy Canadian fiancee, who is not feeling very ultra or sexy right now as she has a cold. I will be flying into Calgary and possibly staying overnight. We'll do some shopping and more importantly look for our rings. I had to give up on the parking ticket and pay it off. The courts were demanding the money and since I will be away for 3 weeks I won't be able to defend. However I intend to see if it's possible to lodge a complaint against the Central Fine Oriffice or potentially sue the council for misleading road markings- I'll keep you updated. I don't know if I will have time to blog anything of particular relevance, however I might try to post some images I take with my digital camera. For now, however, I will leave you with recommendations for some excellent blogs and sites. If you're looking for some deep conversation from an open Christian perspective then check out Dead Yet Living, though it's mostly run by students so the blog seems to have gone into recession recently. If you're of the political persuasion and are interested in an alternative to the evil Christian Right, God's Politics might be for you, I read Jim Wallis's book this summer and it altered or confirmed my perspectives on many things. There's always a lively debate going on at Mark DeHoog's blog and Nowheresville. Southampton University CU Chaplain writes some very witty commentary on life at the university and beyond. Please visit, especially if you are far away, because the site stats will really confuse him. If you're looking purely for laughs, I recommend the aptly named Hot Chicks with Douchebags, or the irreverent Chase me ladies, I'm in the cavalry. If you are interested in UK law, you should check out The Magistrate's Blog for an eye-opener into the thoughts of a magistrate, You're Nicked is another coppers blog, where, if you are like me, you may be surprised to find similar views to your own. Bill Sticker is Walking the Streets hoping to issue you a PCN for parking on double-yellows. Speaking of which Neil Herron is one man taking a stand against the system- and inspiring others. For straight up politics and current events Kel writes excellent commentary on The Osterley Times. The Gun Toting Liberal also offers some great commentary, and Snafu asks some probing questions at Not Proud Of Britain (But Would Like To Be). For political protest, look no further than Tales of the Freewayblogger, I'm sorely tempted to join in this fun and start it up here in the UK. Help - The Bailiffs are here! I've had some hits from people googling for what to do about Bailiffs turning up for unpaid fines and parking tickets discovering this blog and finding just a rant. Therefore if you are one of those people looking for legal help, you will probably need to contact a solicitor, however there is some research you can do before then to get you in the picture and understand your rights. Check out my links to Social Justice & Responsibility on the sidebar. There is nothing specific about bailiffs, however you will find links that will lead you to information that will be helpful in your situation. Also check out my previous post: Thick As Legal Thieves. If you find that you have a speeding or parking ticket you may want to check out Neil Herron's blog, the forums at Pepipoo and the Association of British Drivers website. If you feel you are being persecuted by authorities in anyway and need to know your rights check out Your Rights, Liberty or get in contact with Justice. Are the banks giving you hassle, over-charging you in fines or harassment? Go to the Consumer Action Group forums or Penalty Charges. Have you been ripped off/mis-sold a product or concerned about a rogue trader? Visit Rip-Off Britain and get tips from the Money Saving Expert. Hope to hear from you soon! Tags: Abandon All Fear T-Shirts Canada Blogs Social Justice Fun Politics Christian Parking Ticket Speeding Ticket Bailiffs Fine Charge Rights

The Time I Needlessly Stayed At Work for 3 Hours

I got home to discover that my TalkTalk broadband has been activated... After all the trouble I went to as well, sweet-talking my friend in the hardware department for the WEP key! So I don't know what that call agent was going on about with the 2nd October prediction. My broadband connection is supposed to be 8mb but it's just that teensie bit faster than the old one (Tiscali)- it's free, that's the main thing as we need to save. Meanwhile, expect normal blogging to proceed shortly. Here's a little taste of what I'm working on: The Bedworthian - Inspired by my home town, a Bedworthians view of current events, news and politics, all with my own special brand of satire and cynicism. I shall be using this to test out Blogger Beta, what I can do with it. Links - My blogging links are starting to grow and I'm having difficulty deciding which blog to add them to. So I'm working on a separate page to house them all and link to that from all my projects. AAF Forum - As long as I can determine a desire for one. I am working on a no-holds barred forum where for all where politics, social justice, theology and ideas can be discussed with all people believers and non-believers. T-Shirts, Books and anything else I can market - I know there is currently not much selection going at the moment, but I intend to expand the designs and book recommendations in the not so distant future, I may also be stepping away from the Christian theme. Abandon All Fear website - Still developing this. Money-making scams - Just kidding, however, I really do want to make some money on the side as you can tell by all the ads and merchandise. I have yet to find a niche. I think about it constantly though and will let you know when I find one. Just don't be too judgmental if I try an idea out and it doesn't work. Tags: Abandon All Fear T-Shirts TalkTalk Broadband Merchandise Forum Politics Social Justice Bedworthian Money Making Scams Books Add to del.icio.us

Events Conspire

Only just got over the Blogger Beta disaster... and I have now lost my broadband connection at home! This is due to the fact I ordered TalkTalk free broadband 2 months ago and they have only just got round to connecting. They've booked me in to go live on October the 2nd, but my current provider pulled the plug yesterday. It's not even worth my while subscribing to a hotspot- it would cancel out the benefit of the free broadband. So I am now consigned to using a mixture of the wireless network at work (which means staying at my desk late) or using a dial-up connection at home. It wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the fact I'm only going to enjoy the new wireless connection for a week and a half till I leave for Hawaii. Then I have to start all over again with another broadband provider in November. I will try to blog, but it won't be as regular now, and I don't think I will be able to resume a more regular blogging pattern till mid November at the earliest. Storm clouds are gathering... I am hoping to find a way out of this £45 parking fine I have been fighting for the last 5 months (where I will get £45 now I don't know so I am only able to continue dialogue now with the courts), I'm hoping it gets to 6 months so it will time out- providing the courts see it that way (the issue has already been brought to them once and sent back to the police). Part of the difficulty is that in less than a months time I will be away for a month- if they send a letter for court appearance during this time I won't get it. This could get ugly. I still have my outstanding tax bill, I have yet to be able to contact Inland Revenue and ask them to spread out the payment- if they will let me. Sure when I start the job I'll be able to cover all this stuff but it seems like events conspire to head me off at the pass- try and bury me before I get to solid ground. At least things are going in the right direction... marraige, new job, more money... eventually. What we are counting on right now is enough money to carry us through for the month I don't get paid between jobs, finding accomodation in London and the last part of the wedding plans coming together. I've been blessed, God has raised me out of some incredibly difficult situations, he will continue to do so. My resolve is only strengthened against earthly authorities and critics, since I answer to a higher power. Tags: Abandon All Fear T-Shirts Events Conspire Blogger Beta TalkTalk Broadband Parking Ticket Add to del.icio.us

The Time I Got Offered A London Job

That's right, I applied a month ago and went for 2 interviews. Finally they contacted me and offered me the position! My sweetheart (the future Mrs. Fear) has been visiting for a week and we have been looking all week for accommodation that would serve as a halfway point between her job in London and my current job in Birmingham. This weekend we would have signed a 6 month rental agreement! All I can say is once again, God's timing once again takes us to the edge to see what we're made of. So if you, or someone you know, has some accommodation available for a married couple in London to start 11th November 2006. We would ideally be looking for either: A studio apartment or 1-2 bedroom flat located in or around West London for 6 months minimum, or, Temporary room for a maximum 4 weeks while we search for something more permanent and get settled into our new jobs. Any area in West, North West or Central London including outside the M25 e.g. Slough. Ideally, Chiswick as this is where my job is. Any leads or contacts would be much appreciated. Please contact through my blog id email alex@abandonallfear.co.uk. Tags: Abandon All Fear T-Shirts Job Career Move London Add to del.icio.us

Blogger Beta Ate My Blogs!

"...lo and behold, Google truly giveth and Google taketh away... Google cache!" It's a true blogging horror story, it wasn't pretty... It was a late Saturday night and I had finished making final edits to my blog template, getting the colours and the new heading all lined up, tidying up the links and shameless advertising. Finally satisfied, one final click back to the Dashboard, where I spy a an option to upgrade to the new Beta. Cautiously I clicked for more information and was sold on instantly on the labeling options and the exile of Blogger's wheel of update- 0%... 0%... 20%... 65%... 96%... 100%. Then I did something utterly stupid and out of character. I was tired, it was late, the little teccie voice inside my head was indeed blurbing "Wait a minute, shouldn't you test this with a new blog?", but instead I just wanted to get ahead and so I entered my googlemail address and my blogs entered the void... purgatory... the black hole of Beta. After emailing Beta Tec support and subscribing to Google Groups I didn't seem to get anywhere. But lo and behold, Google truly giveth and Google taketh away... Google cache! Basically my blogs - "abandonallfear.blogspot.com" and "darksidelight.blogspot.com" are gone and I don't know when or even if they will be back. However, I was able to rescue almost my entire post archives through the glory of Google Cache. If you're having the same problem just google "cache:yourblog.yourbloghost.com". Since I was considering the merits of moving my blogs to my own Lycos-hosted server, blogger had merely forced my hand and so here it is. With my downloaded cache of old posts I shall soon be restoring and editing them to this blog, with the care and precision of someone restoring the Sistine Chapel. For the time being, be prepared for this blog to look a little like someone who has come out of a major liposuction operation. Everything is there, it just needs a little nip and tuck. My recreated blogs can now be found at http://www.abandonallfear.co.uk/blog and http://www.abandonallfear.co.uk/darksidelight/ Don't forget to update your links! Tags: Abandon All Fear T-Shirts Blogger Beta Blogger Problem Lost Blogs Beta Upgrade Dark Side of the Light Google Groups Google Cache Google Tech Support Add to del.icio.us

Repost: The Time I Experimented With Colour

I've committed one of the worst blogging sins... I've added an embedded media file to this blog playing 'Everything' by LifeHouse. Sorry but it's an awesome tune, and I think you should stay and listen to the end as you read. The media player is bottom of the left column if you simply must turn it off. I'm experimenting with some colour on this blog too, and I've tidied up the links to other blogs. It's hard to decide who to link from to when you run 2 blogs but I've now decided to go with 'blogs I read regularly' to 'blogs that I check out every now and then'. In other news, the date is set, I'm getting married in October, in Hawaii, to my lovely and delectable sweetheart, and she gets me... Overall I think I came off better and she would agree. I've been working on our webpage, it's not public, however, if you are a real-world friend and want the link, email me. Finally I've been working on another controversial article, my take on the UK Housing situation. I'm in the middle of research but should be ready to post the first part soon... keep watching. Tags: Abandon All Fear T-Shirts LifeHouse The Time I Experimented With Colour Add to del.icio.us

Repost: Whom Shall I Fear?

"Our governments seem intent on reminding us daily, of the threat to our security from terrorists and immigrants." There have been very few occasions in my life where I've felt mortal fear, the kind of fear gets your endorphins pumping and gives you an adrenaline rush. It's the good kind of fear. It motivates you to do something (or avoid something). I remember one time hiking Mount Olympus and the last quarter of a mile was traversing a 40-60% angle, rock-face to get to the peak. One foot wrong and it was a 1000ft drop straight down. I remember feeling my life in my own hands, it was an uncomfortable feeling. We live all the time entrusting our lives to others, the aircraft pilot, the taxi-driver, the electrician, road workers, those who prepare our food. We don't give it a moments thought. Yet here I was, nothing but me and the mountain, fully in control of my own life and suddenly not so confident. When I finally reached the top, it was then I felt alive. I knew I had conquered the peak and could easily make it back down. Most of us may have at some time had the experience of mortal fear, but generally we don't get to face things like that everyday. Instead our lives are filled with the lesser fears, the duller ones which beat away in the back of our minds. Work, debts, property, family, and other personal problems. These fears don't give us an endorphine rush, because they are often not confined to one physical action. Instead they are prolonged, delayed fears, that wear down our energy and in some cases, our health. We live in a climate of fear, you only need to go out, buy a paper and read the latest headlines. Our governments seem intent on reminding us daily, of the threat to our security from terrorists and immigrants. Fear of these external threats creates bitterness and resentment. So we live our lives with these fears and resentments and simply accept it as our fate. These resentments build up and cause us to look at others, or people different from us, with suspicion and mistrust. Then there are others who are quite comfortable. They don't climb mountains and they don't step out of boats. Content that they're not bad people and so there's no need to fight any causes, or get involved in other peoples affairs. They look at people who protest and petition also with mistrust and sometimes resentment. The whole problem is when we allow our fears or our comforts to dictate our lives, an injustice occurs. Whether it's not wanting to disturb the status quo, even though it is a moral cause, or fear of retribution by authorities, even when the law is on our side. I believe we all have personal mountains to climb, some of us may be near the top, for others it is simply a constant uphill struggle with no end in sight, and others still, may be sitting at the bottom wanting to ignore it. I believe in speaking out against social injustice and hypocrisy. I believe in speaking up for the poor and oppressed and I have added links to some different organisations and cause. My motivation behind the website and the blog is to encourage others to 'abandon all fear'. "The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear?" Tags: Abandon All Fear T-Shirts Social Justice Fear Politics Threat Add to del.icio.us