In Microsoft Windows Vista and 7 (and also 8 I believe) you can customize the icons on the notification area of the task bar. But (as often with Windows) there is a small annoyance! When you have uninstalled a program, the details remain in the customization menu. It’s not a big deal, but if you like to keep everything up-to-date and tidy – you might like to know how to get rid of them. This was certainly my situation, and I searched until I found a solution. Here it is, but it does involve editing your computer registry!

Run the program [regedit.exe] in the [Run] window of the start menu (you may need to make this option visible). Use the search facility to find [TrayNotify] in the left-hand window. Select [IconStreams] and [PastIconsStream] in the right-hand window, and delete them. Close the Registry Editor. Press [Ctrl] [Alt] & [Del] and select Task Manager. Look for the process [explorer.exe] and close it. Use the [Run] command in the Task Manager (in the drop-down menu) and restart [explorer.exe]. You will now find that only the current icons are now visible in the customization menu, simply select the ones you now want to show on the task bar. More information can be found here.

I often hear that people have problems with their BlackBerry smartphones, but find that these are often solved with a battery pull. Unfortunately, taking the battery out and then replacing it is fiddly! A free app that I use to keep my BlackBerry in good working order is called QuickPull, and it can be found in BlackBerry App World. It performs a battery pull without removing the battery, and it has the advantage of being able to schedule a battery pull – so I’ve set it for the middle of the night to get a freshly rebooted BlackBerry every morning. I suspect that all smartphones benefit from regular rebooting, and there’s probably apps for them as well.

I know, Mr Cohen, there was a secret chord that David played. But I would contend that you don’t really care for music, do you?

It seems to me, Mr Murdoch, that you fought the law. I would suggest to you that the law won!

I understand Mr Bragg that you wished on two shooting stars, yet subsequent investigation has shown them to be satellites.

You say you don’t know where, Mr Wilson, yet you keep on insisting that she sends you there.

You chopped down the mountain, Mr Hendrix, and picked up all the pieces and made an island, but did you raise a little sand?

For the record, Mr Cocker, can you just confirm that you first caught her eye at Saint Martin’s College?

So, Mr Costello, what is it you find so funny about peace, love and understanding?

My observation, Mr Murdoch, is that it’s the same as it ever was, same as it ever was, same as it ever was, same as it ever was.

I know this might be the hardest button to button Mr White, but I shall continue to press this line of inquiry!

You may smile and grin at the changes all around you Mr Daltrey, but the general public won’t get fooled again!

You seem to have Ms Clay’s private number. Can you please clarify that this was not obtained illegally Mr Bell?

He was shot six times by a man on the run. Could you confirm, Mr Oldfield, that he was carried away by a moonlight shadow?

You’ve been reported as saying, “There is no future, in England’s dreaming” Mr Lydon. Could you clarify what you meant?

Are you seriously expecting us to believe, Mr Jagger, that you didn’t consult the colour chart in B&Q?

While they were dragging the lake, Mr Costello, were you aware that she was filing her nails?

Your testimony has been very articulate, Mr McCartney, but now it’s just “Nah nah nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah, hey Jude…”

Although I’ve explained the concept (in the spirit of the meme) I’m not going to explain any of the them. But, rest assured, they do all refer to a song – it’s up to you (dear reader) to work out which one!

On a rather dull and damp May Day Bank Holiday Monday I decided to venture out into the Derbyshire Dales (partly because my new fleet car is arriving earlier than anticipated and I had some fuel to use up). It was an excellent day, I just set the SatNav for a village in the Dales and then just went where I felt like – it was all a bit random and serendipitous! In true English fashion I took a flask of coffee with me, although I did end up in Ashbourne having a cappuccino after some chips! Lunch was an excellent salmon roll and salad for only £1.40 in Hartington Village Hall, and while there I dropped into a flower festival in the village church. Hartington also has an excellent cheese shop, and temptation got the better of me! The highlight of the day was a visit to Dovedale, somewhere I hadn’t been back to since a school outing many years ago. Health and safety legislation has increased since those days, and so the famous stepping stones are now higher and flatter! Check out my complete photoset here or just the best ones here.

The Derby Islamic Centre is very close to the Salvation Army in the centre of the city, and I’d been thinking of making a visit for a while. On hearing this, my colleague and friend David Howarth also expressed an interest in visiting, especially as he’d never been to a mosque before. So I emailed my friend Ibrahim Mogra in Leicester, and he facilitated contact with the centre for me.

David and I were very warmly welcomed and we sat (over tea and biscuits) and chatted for nearly an hour with three representatives of the mosque. There are prayer areas on two levels, although there were buckets in the upper area as they currently have a problem with rain getting in. Hopefully they can get this fixed soon. On the upper level there is a much smaller room for the women to pray (something my western cultural background finds difficult to accept, although I don’t mean that to be a criticism) as well as an area for teaching.

There’s much misunderstanding about Islam (especially via the media), and so I think it’s important to establish and maintain dialogue in order to understand better and build relationships. It’s about breaking down barriers and developing mutual respect. For those who may feel we were compromising our Christian faith or diluting its character, nothing could be further from the truth. We unashamedly visited as Christian leaders in our full Salvation Army uniforms and were pleased to be welcomed as such. There was no offence taken, and David and I deepened our understanding of Islam. We were also pleased to hear an unequivocal condemnation of violence done in the name of Islam.

All in all it was a very helpful visit, and I’m extremely grateful for the gracious welcome and hospitality we received. There’s a dangerous rise in far-right politics in Europe at the moment, that seeks to spread fear of Islam – not least the English Defence League. Clearly there are Islamist extremists (as there are extremists amongst those of other faiths and none), but I would encourage you to build relationships and seek understanding wherever possible – and maybe visit your local mosque. As in the words of Saint Francis: grant that I may not so much seek to be understood, as to understand.

Yesterday (on the last day of my spring holiday) I travelled up Middlesbrough to see the new appointment I’ll be taking up at the end of July 2012. I met the officers I’m taking over from, and shared lunch with them in what will be my new home. I also had the chance to see round the hall in the centre of the town. The photo shows the main worship hall. I also met one of the local officers, and we had a good chat about the vision the corps has for future. As a Salvation Army Officer I’m given changes of appointment by my leaders, following discussions with the corps and conversations with me. Following this process, I discovered where I was going in an early morning email back in February 2012. I’m already looking forward to this new opportunity for Christian leadership, witness and ministry, and count it a privilege to serve God in this way. I’m also grateful for the trust the Salvation Army has placed in me for the new responsibility.

The early hours of the morning can be especially dark and cruel when depression strikes.

My words written a few days ago in the early hours of the morning when depression descended like an uninvited guest. The depression eased, but only to give way to the frustration of insomnia. I must have dozed off for a few minutes, because I woke in sheer terror – hanging onto the duvet for dear life! I gave in and decided to get up!

My reasons for openly sharing my experiences of depression are to help get rid of the stigma that still surrounds mental illness and to help others, sufferers and those who provide support. But sometimes I need help and support myself (that’s nothing to be ashamed of) and I’m grateful for all my friends and family who provide this. I have bipolar disorder that is well-controlled, but sometimes depression becomes a struggle. Difficult personal circumstances and times of change don’t help. Stephen Fry and Russell Brand both suffer from bipolar disorder, and Russell Brand’s character and life well illustrates the manic aspect of this condition, as well as his addictive personality. We should cut him some slack!

The darkness of depression is exactly that, darkness. A darkness that excludes, and this includes the light of God. God’s presence is always with us (of course), but not always recognised. It’s a very dark place, one that those who haven’t been there can’t begin to imagine. So ‘well-meaning’ people can cause great harm, and ‘well-meaning’ Christians even more so if they suggest (directly or indirectly) that a lack of faith, trust (and the like) might be connected with the depression. The Church and some Christians can do guilt very well, so I seek to enlighten whenever possible.

Sometimes those of us with depression need to ‘pull ourselves together’. Picking yourself up and doing something is useful, going out for a walk is good, starting something creative is excellent (for example) for lifting the darkness of depression. Often the darkness is too deep though, the event horizon has been crossed. So telling someone in that situation to ‘pull themselves together’ or reminding them that ‘things could be worse’ (and the like) only makes things worse. Sometimes there are times when it just can’t be done, unfortunately this simply adds to the feelings of failure and hopelessness, and deepens the darkness. I’m learning when I need to allow myself to go with the flow and give in, and when to give myself a kick up the backside. Sometimes when I’m feeling very depressed I don’t feel like doing anything or going out, but I always feel better when I do.

For the person supporting, it’s having the sensitivity to know how and when to encourage moving towards the light. Just be there and support, it will be appreciated. Don’t pretend to understand if you’ve not been there, and NEVER tell someone to stop taking their medicine!

Often depression comes in the loneliness and darkness of the early hours of the morning, although depression can strike at any time, even in the middle of a sunny day! It can also last for long periods. The silence of the early hours can be a mixed blessing for me. At times I appreciate them, at other times they’re too much. It can be the time when the depression (that I may have been fighting all day) really hits. Sylvia Plath wrote (in The Bell Jar), The silence depressed me. It wasn’t the silence of silence. It was my own silence.

Fortunately, it’s not all dark. There is a positive life that can be lived with depression, and it’s possible to live a fulfilling life as well having the ability to help and support others. An important way forward for someone with depression is to build a network of people around them who understand and are supportive. It’s also important to seek appropriate medical help and (if possible) counselling. Insights from cognitive behavioural therapy can also help, as well as a better understanding of the causes of depression and things that help.

Someone with depression is more likely to compare themselves with other people and criticize themselves more harshly. Mind you, we all do it, and could benefit from silencing the inner critic sometimes – he/she can be a very harsh critic! Sometimes I feel like a failure, a waste of space and completely unloved. I know that’s not true.

Speaking directly to the person with depression: Remember that your feelings are just that, feelings. I understand that they become your reality, but that’s false! In the depth of your darkness, try and hold on to that truth. It’s not always easy, and just because I’ve been a Salvation Army Officer for over 30 years doesn’t mean I’ve got everything in my life sorted out, but I can live with that!

Note: the image Broken Flowers has been used within the terms of a Creative Commons license.

Many English people are ambivalent about, and reluctant to fly, the English flag. This is for a variety of complex reasons, and I’m not going to outline or analyse them here. One reason though, is it’s association with the racism of the far-right in politics, represented by the English Defence League. This is why I’ve posted on Facebook and Twitter today: I’m proud to live in a rich and diverse multicultural England. The racist, far-right do not own the flag and do not represent me! and Happy St George’s Day! Reclaim the flag! It doesn’t belong to the racist far-right, it belongs to a rich and diverse multicultural England!

When you start to look into his background and history, you begin to realise that George is a perfect patron saint for our wonderfully rich and diverse multicultural country. His paternal family was Turkish and his mother Palestinian, so this is already becoming a little awkward for the EDL! As a sideline, their leader got the date of St George’s Day wrong yesterday!

George is the patron saint of Aragon, Catalonia, Genoa, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Istanbul, Lithuania, Moscow, Palestine, Portugal and Venice! He’s widely respected by Muslims. So what better saint to represent England’s unity in diversity? Fly the flag with pride, and celebrate all that’s good about England today! Inclusive patriotism, not exclusive nationalism!

And remember, hate, racism and inequality are the dragons St George needs to slay today!

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1. That I am opposed to the use of corporate advertising on blogs.

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Note: I do have to pay WordPress annually for this (otherwise they would insert adverts to pay for their free service), but it gives me independence and a warm, fuzzy feeling! I also pay to place the site on my personally owned domain. Just so you know!

“There is no one on earth I’m afraid of, and no regime can buy or sell me.” Morrissey (from Irish Blood, English Heart on the album You Are The Quarry)

This is a great video that captures the true meaning of Easter. Even if you’re not a person of faith or agnostic in your outlook, do give it a look as it has something to say about our world today. Best in full screen view. Oh, and there’s a great soundtrack – so turn the volume up! Happy Easter!