Occasionally (very occasionally) us lucky BF bloggers receive some feedback about what a good job we’re doing, how hard it must be doing what we do, and how we should carry on carrying on. I received some glowing praise a couple of weeks ago which I did not have time to respond to. Let’s get to it:
My question, basically, is this: what’s the point of your post? Do you hope that the cathedral’s pastor will read your post and change his schedules? Do you hope to stir up righteous anger in other readers – do you want some “You go, MB!” from the cheap seats? Do you hope readers will write to the cathedral and demand change? What exactly do you want from your writing?

Actually I was quite surprised that people were still reading my posts. But seriously? It’s the internet. Does there need to be a point? What is the internet if not a medium to express the collective moaning and whingeing of humanity?

I wanted a good gripe at the confession schedule. (What is the point of the internet if you can’t have a good gripe?) And I wanted to see if people also felt the same way about the confessional schedule. And maybe someone closer to the Cathedral would mention something in passing to the ‘pastor’. But really, it was so I could have a good whinge. I do apologise wholeheartedly if we did not go into the demographical issues, or calculate the person to confessional time ratio, but maybe another time. And I really couldn’t care less about the cheering from the cheap seats. Who wants support from the cheap seats? I prefer my support like my Xbox status. Elite.

Tell me: did you, in charity, write to or call the cathedral and politely express your desire for more time for confession, or did you, in arrogance, just let it all hang out there on the internet?

Well I’m just shocked. Shocked and horrified. Arrogance? I don’t even think that’s the right word to use here. But yes, I did just want to let it all hang out on the internet. That way the world knows about my displeasure. And soon the universe.

And WWJD? “Dear Pharisees, I am writing this letter to you as I disapprove of your behaviour and general style.” “Dear moneylenders, I am writing this letter to express my desire for you to vacate this temple space”. No, Jesus let it all hang out there. I think sometimes you do need to be a little ‘arrogant’ where matters of religion are concerned. Otherwise you end up accepting second best, or accepting that what is will always be. Actually you will probably think that was arrogant too, but I guess I’m just an arrogant kind of guy.

Anyway enough of this. I’ve been taking the bus to work over the last few weeks and the 7.33am bus is usually driven by a kind looking woman I have since dubbed the ‘Iron Lady’. Not the best nickname but I couldn’t think of anything that really captured her ‘take no prisoners’ approach. If you don’t flag the bus down in plenty of time then she ain’t stopping. I’ve seen her drive past regulars because of the non-flagging, I’ve seen her drive past people half-flagging, or late-flagging, or flagging while running. If she doesn’t see you in plenty of time, it’s over. Personally I don’t think that kind of service is good enough. I think there’s some sort of religious analogy there, about God, and God’s will, and us noticing the signs, but I’m caught up with wondering if I should write to the bus company and express my desire for ‘Iron Lady’ to be more observant instead of letting it hang out on the internet.

Until next week.

Arrogantly yours,

MB