Crisis 2001 Tour

6. St Lucia

California

Crisis 2001 Tour

The thinking man's alternative to a small red sportscar

One ordination and a wedding.

8 - 23 May

Instead of soaking up the jazz and massages in St Lucia, I was ordained and went to a wedding in California. Thanks to Valerie for undergoing the rigours of Le Sport in my absence, and to Sabina for being a wonderful host in California.

Links:

Le Sport

St Lucia Jazz

Valerie's poem

Dispatch from ~~St. Lucia~~ California

The ordination

After much spiritual searching, I was electronically ordained yesterday evening as the Reverend Ian Robert Hadden of the Universal Life Church, Modesto, California. The ceremony, lit by a solitary candle and the glow of a 19" screen, was solemn and beautiful. Sabina, Ros and Tony witnessed the sealing of my new status with wine, crackers and song. Unfortunately the low toner resulted in an illegible certificate, but official documentation is in the post (and at a modest fee).

The Reverend Ian R Hadden is now available for weddings, confessions and bar mitzvahs at reasonable rates. Email for further information

The Reverend Ian R Hadden celebrating his ordination with two loyal members of his flock, Ms Sabina Ahmed and Ms Rosalind Lehman

The Park

Spent a couple of days in Yosemite National Park, a truly marvellous experience. I've seen some wonderful sights on my travels, and this is up with the best.

The view over Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point was especially dramatic, even if my pathetic vertigo meant that I saw it from well back from the edge. Glaciers had forged a vast "U" through the mountains, with waterfalls dropping 1000' and more down its sheer walls. Cliffs of bare, striated rock formed the sides and were a magnet for nutters who climb up the things.

Most impressive of all was the imposing Half Dome. This dominated the valley, its elegant curve created from some weird chance before glaciers then smoothed it into the awesome thing on display today. As they say, half a dome is better than one.

Luckily the Ansel Adams Gallery had a red filter so we could create the cutting-edge photographs below. History will be grateful.

Half Dome in the distance through Yosemite Valley

A big rock

Another big rock

A big waterfall

The start of the big waterfall

The effect of beer at altitude can be surprising

As we approached Bay Bridge on the way back, we were greeted by a dense fog swarming over San Francisco and its bay like a motorised duvetsnake on Viagra.

The wedding

I had the honour of representing the tree at the rehearsal for Lisa and Petee's wedding. Initially a bit wooden, I was helped along by the beers and afterwards received quite a few compliments on my performance, which was generally seen as understated but assured.

The wedding itself, performed by Dave, one of my fellow ministers of the Universal Life Church, was held outdoors with wonderful views of the Berkley Hills in the background. A viola da gamba accompanied the entrances and exits, and we blew bubbles to celebrate the union. Good luck, Petee and Lisa!

The poem

Thanks again to Valerie for undergoing the rigours of Le Sport in my absence. Click on the picture on the right for her poem inspired by her arduous circumstances surrounded by shocking luxury and dashing men.