I’ve been meaning to type up the homily Sam gave at our wedding for a long time. Here it is.

We picked the following readings

Song of Solomon 2:10-13; 8:6-7
Colossians 3:12-17
Matthew 5:13-16

Sam spun the homily off Colossians 3:12-17. Its a super piece of writing. Thank you Sam.

“And be thankful.”

A little three-word sentence. “And be thankful.” Tucked into the midst of a letter to a fractious community, it’s almost in danger of being lost. Yet this brief little three-word sentence is probably the most valuable text to take away from this day.

“And be thankful.” It may seem redundant even to raise the issue of thanks in the midst of such a celebrative occasion. But here, no less than in a first-century epistle to the Colossae, this little matter of thanks is almost a throwaway, in danger of loss if only through our easy presumptions. Why of course we’re thankful. Thankful for Hannah. Thankful for Craig. Thankful for the love between them. Thankful to have been included in this small circle where that love is affirmed and blessed.

Mindful too that at the center of this event is the exchange of vows, promises that Hannah and Craig have at one level already made to one another and begun to live into, but here repeat in our midst before God. In this public act, they offer themselves to one another and their love to the world. And like every sacramental act before God, this offering is an expression of thanksgiving. Thanks of each of them for the other. Thanks each and both offer to each and all of us for the many ways we have contributed to and participated in everything leading up to this moment.

But still, we need reminding. “And be thankful.” We all need reminding that what we’re about here is an act of profound thankfulness. And that what proceeds from this occasion is, too.

Hannah, Craig as you male your vows in a few moments, do let yourself feel the depth of emotion appropriate to this occasion. Look deeply into the eyes of the other, feel the overwhelming gift of love being promised to you. And be thankful. Be thankful for the gift of this person God has brought into this world and into your life. Thankful for the families and friends whose nurture has helped, and continues to labor to assist this person to fulfill the amazing potential of Creation in his life, in her life.

Hannah, when you hold Craig’s hand in yours; Craig, cradling Hannah’s hand In yours, feel the full weight of responsibility that comes of accepting this gift. And be thankful. Thankful for the confidence of the giver: confidence brave to own the gift of self, the greater courage to give it away. Thankful for the capacity within you to bear such love in trust. Thankful for God, for your family and friends who share this burden joyfully with you.

Thankful that God offers you this person to love, offering you the particularity of one love bearing the fullness of divine intimacy in the fullness of human life and living.

Let yourselves experience fully the joys ahead. And be thankful. Be thankful and know that in that gratitude you acknowledge that no joy comes to any of us without cost. Be thankful for all who have paid the price that you may know and enjoy the gift. Thankful that you share that joy with one another, with many others, in this world and beyond, multiplying that gift so many times over only an infinite eternity can embrace its abundance.

Let yourselves experience fully the pains and disappointments ahead. And be thankful. Be thankful and know in that gratitude you acknowledge that no sorrow comes to any of us without blessing. Thankful that whatever challenge or burden you bear holds the potential for growth and grace. Thankful that you share every burden with one another, with many others, thus apportioning what might otherwise be unbearable sufficient to carry on.

On your best days, be thankful for all you have been given in each other. Be thankful for every pleasure reflected and multiplied in the mutual enjoyment of your partner. In your worst times, be thankful for one person who loves you enough not to let you always have your way; thankful for one who loves you more than to let you present your face in public with a booger descending from your nose, metaphorical egg on your face, or worse; thankful for one whose love for you calls our natural propensity to selfish sin to account and in so doing literally saves us.

And still be thankful. Gazing upon the wonder of the other, let your heart be filled with gratitude for his presence, her presence in your life. Even in those moments when anger overtakes you and the mere sight of the other aggravates, takes pause and be thankful, thankful that in all likelihood what you have in this person on their worst day is probably better than you truly deserve.

You may wonder, and others will undoubtedly be quick to tell you, all that you might do, should do to ensure a rich life together. Yet all you need – all any of us truly needs – is this sage counsel to be thankful. For if one is truly, deeply, profoundly grateful, only good can proceed. If in all things and at all times you embrace this posture of genuine gratitude, you cannot be any nearer to the heart, and the realm, of God. There you will find every blessing we wish for you, and be thankful.

AMEN.

Sam Portaro
May 31, 2008
The Cathedral of St John the Divine
New York City

I was home for Christmas this year. I was going through my stuff which has been at my parents since I left home. Each time I go back and rummage for things to bring back with me. Its never enough stuff for my parents and most of my life is still there.

This year I ripped a whole bunch of CD’s (technically I didn’t bring them back with me as the CD’s went back in the garage) and grabbed a couple of photos that were lying on top of the CD’s. These were both taken in 1988 while at Dartmouth High School Sixth Form.

Front Row (L-R): Diljit Singh, Susan Greenway, Phillipa Geddes, Nadia Bourdouane, Rebecca Moorfield, Yvonne Rosie, Janeene Langton, Claire Blades, Michelle Keats, Vickie Grovner, Susan Holland, Laura Blackstaff, Tervinda Anja

Second Row (L-R): L Clements, Kathy Friar, ?, Louisa Bamfield, Fiona Lapworth, Sharon Smith, ?, ?, Susan Thompson, ?, Rebecca Woodall, ?, ?

Third Row: Louise Allsop, Roberta Tyrell, Sarah Cheshire, Belinda Shaw, Charlotte Salt, Keris Brimble, ?, Claire Joyce, Rebecca Hunt, Joanne Fowler, Julie Matts, Louise Wier, Caroline Hawks.

Forth Row: Richard Dawling, Gary Sollis, Craig Priddey, Chris Moore, Stephen Brayshaw, Richard Mills, Phillip Brayshaw, Simon Plumbe, Steve Walters, Gurpreet Ratra, Sanjay Chouhan, Vimal Nathaan, Simon Fenton, Stephen Collar.

Fifth Row: Clive Kirby, John Williams, Danny Smith, Jason Hall, Mark Fincher, Lee Silverster, David Bevan, D Staples, Phil Lanfort (?), David Farmer, Craig Stamp, Mark Jones, Stuart York, Scott Dale.

Sixth Row: Steven Wilson, ?, A Martin, Michael Fisher, ?, Julian Blakesly, Stephen Powderley, Stuart Wayne, Nick Davis, Craig Richards, Robert Clarke, William Mercer.

Seventh Row: Ian Stubbs, Dominic Ashton, Stuart Armitage, Andrew Bloxham, Mark Smith, Michael Charlton, Matthew Brown, Nathan Hayward, Andrew Wilk, Stuart Elkington, Nigel Read, Stephen Tatman, John Harris.

Sixth Form 1988, originally uploaded by donkey.attack.

The second photo was taken in the Beacon Pub just after we finished our A levels I think. There a few times I would teleport back into. This is one of them. Good times indeed.

Nigel Read, Roberta Tyrell, Belinda Shaw, Stephen Powderly, Stuart Armitage, Charlotte Salt. Tatman down below.
Beacon Pub 1988, originally uploaded by donkey.attack.

Spent far too long collating this but kind of enjoyed it. So not necessarily released this year but music that I found/found me this year.

Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle – Bill Callahan
I didn’t realise the brilliance of Bill Calahan and Smog fully until this year. Sometimes I Wish I Were An Eagle is this years desert island disk. I’ve been buying it throughout the year for friends. You should too.

Hannah and me went to see Bill at Le Poisson Rouge (a great venue) where he played some Smog songs which rekindled by fondness of them.

This lyric is from “Say Valley Maker”. You can’t really beat this but I could go on.

So bury me in wood
And I will splinter
Bury me in stone
And I will quake
Bury me in water
And I will geyser
Bury me in fire
And I’m gonna phoenix

Another new (for me) album I picked was Dongs of Sevotion which has a song that could have been penned by Stephin Merrit.

Penguin Eggs – Nic Jones
Was listening to Radcliffe and Maconie on night and they played this song. I quickly got the album. That guitar sound caused by frailing.

The Chemistry Of Common Life – Fucked Up

Came to this one through Ben Siegal, a friend of Hannah’s (and mine now). He runs 4 minute miles while listening to it. Song gets going 1 min in. Ben gets going at 5am in the morning.

Lyceum – The Orchids

Released on Sarah Records back in the early 90’s while I was studing in Salford. Re-released a couple of years ago.

XX – XX

Favourites of all the music mags. Good reason too for once.

Pickin the Blues – Grinderswitch

Not sure why I ended up downloading this song from Amazon this year. Takes me back to my bedroom in 1986 getting into indie music played by John Peel. Prior to him I was listening to Paul Young, Nick Heywood and Falco. He often started his show with the first 10 seconds of this song.

Judy Sucks Lemon For Breakfast – Cornershop

Want sitar with your rock tunes? You’ve come to the right place. Don’t think its out here in North America yet.

Midnight at the Movies – Justin Townes Earle

Ida and Ben invited us down to Philly to see the “Big Surprise Tour” with the Old Crow Medicine Show, the Dave Rawlings Machine (featuring Rawling’s partner Gillian Welch), The Felice Brothers, and Justin Townes Earle. To be honest I’d only heard Gillian briefly before. Its was cracking though. I didn’t know any of the songs or which band was which. However I remember Justin playing this one and tracked him down.

The original is cracking too. You can read all about the various versions of this song over on aquarium drunkard

Towards the end everyone got on stage for a rendition of The Band’s – The Weight. I might get round to listening to the Band next year. If only they’ll play the Super Bowl (see Springsteen).

Cloudland – Whitetree

Hannah and me are big fans of Ludovico Einaudi. Even if some folks wrongly claim he’s a bit like Yanni. We discovered him on the most excellent soundtrack to the Shane Meadows movie “This is England”. He formed a band with the brothers from To Rococo Rot and they rolled into town on the back of his piano and played at Le Poisson Rouge.

The music behind this video is Tangerine from the album.

Jewellery – Mikachu

Is this a song?

Dawn Landes – Two Three Four

I found Dawn through The Black Cab Sessions whose premise is to throw a bunch of musicians into the back of a Hackney carriage to great effect. Recommended.

Avett Brothers – I and Love and You

l’m a member of eMusic and end up with too many credits at the end of the month. I’ll check out whatever the top downloads are and to be honest most of the music is rubbish that you can’t hum in the shower. Occassionally the masses get it right though.

Wooden Sky – If I don’t come home you’ll know i’ve gone

We moved into Toronto and have a little record store at the end of the road. Great store. Lots of listening booths with frequently changed music. They lead me to these guys. A local band from Toronto who do the folk/country thing really really well.

This song is Oh My God (It Still Means a Lot to Me)

Okkervill River – The Stand Ins

Another eMusic find where the kids got it right. Not sure about the video though.

Finally his SuperBowl 2009 half time act was a bit of a revelation. Sometimes you’re just too cool for school. Sometimes you just don’t know shit. I went from owning 1 cd single to 7 cd’s by the end of the year and probably drove Hannah mad listening to them.

Over the past couple of years my most excellent friend Angella has been putting together great events bringing people together for fine drink and food. Called The Tasting Sessions they’ve taken place in some of London’s more interesting spaces. This year culminates in the big event. Towards A Fluid State.

Full details below. I fully recommend it you’ll have a great time…..

On Saturday 05 December an edgy food and drink festival is launching in a secret warehouse location in Dalston.

Called “Towards a Fluid State” this festival will be the first of its kind. An immersive and informative food and drink experience profiling flights of Cognac, Whisky, Gin, Sake and Natural & Biodynamic wine matched with delicious morsels of food. Also a platform for some of the UK’s hottest emerging contemporary artists, musicians, set and fashion designers this will be a truly unique experience.

It’s not a farmers market nor is it anything like Taste of London. We are working with a fantastic range of independent producers, distributors and brands to deliver unusual and compelling experiences around what you eat and drink.

The festival will run from 3-11pm with timed entry on the hour. Each session will last approximately 2 hours. The exact location will be revealed a few days before the event.

Tickets start at £16.50 and are available here: http://www.wegottickets.com/af/127/location/3570.

For the full Tasting Sessions experience, we recommend you Liberate the State. For more information check out www.towardsafluidstate.com

Shoot, originally uploaded by donkey.attack.

On a trip to Coney Island I stimble across a photo shoot.