Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Friday, December 16, 2011
Christmas
So, Christmas is coming. YAY! I love Christmas.
This song came out last year. It is written by the hilarious Tim Minchin, and this version performed by the fabulous Kate Miller-Heidke, I love it.
It was slammed as 'A sick joke' and 'not in the spirit of Christmas' by the Australian Christian Lobby. So I, therefore, as a Christian girl who is rational and has a sense of humour and understands that all sorts of people celebrate Christmas, absolutely love it. I think it exactly sums up the 'spirit of Christmas' for people who don't go in for the religious aspects. Because despite the common belief of Christians, Non-Christians are actually nice, caring people too who do look for meaning in things.
Enjoy. And Merry Christmas.
This song came out last year. It is written by the hilarious Tim Minchin, and this version performed by the fabulous Kate Miller-Heidke, I love it.
It was slammed as 'A sick joke' and 'not in the spirit of Christmas' by the Australian Christian Lobby. So I, therefore, as a Christian girl who is rational and has a sense of humour and understands that all sorts of people celebrate Christmas, absolutely love it. I think it exactly sums up the 'spirit of Christmas' for people who don't go in for the religious aspects. Because despite the common belief of Christians, Non-Christians are actually nice, caring people too who do look for meaning in things.
Enjoy. And Merry Christmas.
Monday, November 14, 2011
That last post wasn't really completely random, I promise...
So, the random post of song lyrics did serve something of a purpose, I promise.
See, the reason I haven't posted so much of the random self indulgent meanderings lately is because instead of putting them on the internet for all (or none...) to see, most of my self indulgent ranting is now done to a person. A person of male persuasion. Who is going to be my husband as of July the 7th.
So, apologies for the absence, and I promise I will try my darndest not to turn this into a wedding blog. But I thought you all deserved an explanation.
See, the reason I haven't posted so much of the random self indulgent meanderings lately is because instead of putting them on the internet for all (or none...) to see, most of my self indulgent ranting is now done to a person. A person of male persuasion. Who is going to be my husband as of July the 7th.
So, apologies for the absence, and I promise I will try my darndest not to turn this into a wedding blog. But I thought you all deserved an explanation.
All This and Heaven Too
And the heart is hard to translate,
It has a language of it's own,
It talks and tongues and quiet sighs and prayers and proclamations,
In the grand days of great men and the smallest of gestures,
In short shallow gasps.
But with all my education,
I can't seem to commend it,
And the words are all escaping me,
And coming back all damaged,
And I would put them back in poetry,
If I only knew how,
I can't seem to understand it,
And I would give all this and heaven too,
I would give it all if only for a moment,
That I could just understand the meaning of the word you see,
'Cause I've been scrawling it forever,
But it never makes sense to me at all.
And it talks to me in tiptoes,
And sings to me inside,
It cries out in the darkest night,
And breaks in morning light.
But with all my education,
I can't seem to commend it,
And the words are all escaping,
And coming back all damaged,
And I would put them back in poetry,
If I only knew how,
I can't seem to understand it,
And I would give all this and heaven too,
I would give it all if only for a moment,
That I could just understand the meaning of the word you see,
'Cause I've been scrawling it forever,
But it never makes sense to me at all.
And I would give all this and heaven too,
I would give it all if only for a moment,
That I could just understand the meaning of the word you see,
'Cause I've been scrawling it forever,
But it never makes sense to me at all.
No, words are a language,
It doesn't deserve such treatment,
And all my stumbling phrases,
Never amounted to anything worth this feeling,
All this heaven,
Never could describe such a feeling as I'm having,
Words were never so useful,
So I was screaming out a language that I never knew existed before.
Florence + The Machine
It has a language of it's own,
It talks and tongues and quiet sighs and prayers and proclamations,
In the grand days of great men and the smallest of gestures,
In short shallow gasps.
But with all my education,
I can't seem to commend it,
And the words are all escaping me,
And coming back all damaged,
And I would put them back in poetry,
If I only knew how,
I can't seem to understand it,
And I would give all this and heaven too,
I would give it all if only for a moment,
That I could just understand the meaning of the word you see,
'Cause I've been scrawling it forever,
But it never makes sense to me at all.
And it talks to me in tiptoes,
And sings to me inside,
It cries out in the darkest night,
And breaks in morning light.
But with all my education,
I can't seem to commend it,
And the words are all escaping,
And coming back all damaged,
And I would put them back in poetry,
If I only knew how,
I can't seem to understand it,
And I would give all this and heaven too,
I would give it all if only for a moment,
That I could just understand the meaning of the word you see,
'Cause I've been scrawling it forever,
But it never makes sense to me at all.
And I would give all this and heaven too,
I would give it all if only for a moment,
That I could just understand the meaning of the word you see,
'Cause I've been scrawling it forever,
But it never makes sense to me at all.
No, words are a language,
It doesn't deserve such treatment,
And all my stumbling phrases,
Never amounted to anything worth this feeling,
All this heaven,
Never could describe such a feeling as I'm having,
Words were never so useful,
So I was screaming out a language that I never knew existed before.
Florence + The Machine
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Getting my geek on.
Remember I said something about a blog post for a friend? And remember all the times I've called a certain girl called Sarah awesome?
The blog is hers, and the post can be found here
The blog is hers, and the post can be found here
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Some randomness that made me giggle
I'm not even sure where this come from. Possibly GraphJam. Anyway. It made me laugh. And it will add to my blog tally. Click to read it properly.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Oh hai
You might be thinking I've fallen off the face of the earth. I haven't. I just sort of...keep forgetting to blog.
So I'm back in Australia, back at uni, and back to wishing my friends in all sorts of places lived closer. I am loving doing design, though, and have some thoughts about turning this blog into something more focused on design, but lets be honest, it will probably mostly turn into self indulgent meanderings. Because that's what blogs are for.
Also, keep your eyes peeled for a guest post on The Geeky Wives blog. No, there's no announcements you've missed, but Sarah The Geeky Wife asked me to write something, so despite only being geeky and not a wife, something will be there shortly. Shortly-ish. Once I write it. Hmm.
So I'm back in Australia, back at uni, and back to wishing my friends in all sorts of places lived closer. I am loving doing design, though, and have some thoughts about turning this blog into something more focused on design, but lets be honest, it will probably mostly turn into self indulgent meanderings. Because that's what blogs are for.
Also, keep your eyes peeled for a guest post on The Geeky Wives blog. No, there's no announcements you've missed, but Sarah The Geeky Wife asked me to write something, so despite only being geeky and not a wife, something will be there shortly. Shortly-ish. Once I write it. Hmm.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Happy Birthday to Me
Usually, when you have a birthday, you don't feel any different. Nothing really has changed. It's the anniversary of the day you were born and we celebrate and eat cake, but really it's just an excuse to get presents and have a party.
It's weird, though. Today (or maybe yesterday, it's hard to tell with the timezones) I turned twenty five. I don't really feel different physically, but I do feel like things are different. I am no longer in my early twenties, for instance. I have to find and pay for my own private health insurance (well, technically anyway). Even though legally I've been an adult for seven years, I feel like now I might be supposed to act like one.
Which is largely rubbish, of course. My favourite people over twenty five don't act any differently than I do. But still, I think things are going to change. It might just be because I'm in a transitional place in life and things would be changing regardless of my age or it being my birthday. Still, I think exciting times are ahead...watch this space.
Or don't. Because honestly I'll probably forget to blog about it anyway.
It's weird, though. Today (or maybe yesterday, it's hard to tell with the timezones) I turned twenty five. I don't really feel different physically, but I do feel like things are different. I am no longer in my early twenties, for instance. I have to find and pay for my own private health insurance (well, technically anyway). Even though legally I've been an adult for seven years, I feel like now I might be supposed to act like one.
Which is largely rubbish, of course. My favourite people over twenty five don't act any differently than I do. But still, I think things are going to change. It might just be because I'm in a transitional place in life and things would be changing regardless of my age or it being my birthday. Still, I think exciting times are ahead...watch this space.
Or don't. Because honestly I'll probably forget to blog about it anyway.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The Obligatory Post About the New Year
Yes, that's right. It's the first of January in 2011. We made it. Hurrah. Sure, our iPhones didn't wake us up this morning but for many people I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing.
There's always a buzz at this time of year about 'resolutions'. I don't like making New Years Resolutions because I know I will fail. You can shut up right now about my defeatist attitude, or planning to fail, or whatever rubbish you're thinking. We all know how spectacularly badly my 'book a week' challenge went, and that wasn't even a new years resolution.
I did, however, read something this morning that was an interesting take on the whole new years resolution thing. It was on the blog of Felicia Day, who is very cool. If you don't know who she is, go look on imdb, and if that doesn't ring any bells, it's highly likely you're on the wrong blog right now because if you're reading this you should know I'm a massive nerd. OK I haven't actually seen any of The Guild but I'm trying to rectify that, only the Australian iTunes store isn't helping matters.
Anyway, here is a link, and my point. I think looking back at your year and working out what you've learned is a great idea. Looking at what you've learned and applying it is far more realistic than any grand resolution, in my opinion. Because it's based on good hard evidence and not just a drunken statement at midnight.
I think I've written quite a bit already on what 2010 taught me. It taught me that sometimes things don't go according to plan, and that's great. I learned the hard way that challenges really are an opportunity in disguise. They force you to stop and reasses everything which is something I rarely do. I learned that mental illness really can happen to me. Seriously, people, this is a big one. It's not just something that happens to everyone else, and just because you're educated and intelligent and think you'll know when something is wrong doesn't mean you will. It might take years and then you'll crash and burn and it'll hit you with a big 'a ha'.
Of course I learned some fun things too. Like that it is possible to watch all seven seasons of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' in a period of about three months or less, if you really try. Like the fact that in Edmonton, it's only really cold if your snot freezes. Anything before that is just chilly. That fruchocs can be breakfast. OK, that last one is just to convince me that I'm being healthy, sitting here eating fruchocs. The packet is open on the table, what else am I supposed to do?
OK. I'll stop rambling now. Go read Felicia Day's post. It's far more eloquent than mine and you get a picture of her looking super awesome to boot.
There's always a buzz at this time of year about 'resolutions'. I don't like making New Years Resolutions because I know I will fail. You can shut up right now about my defeatist attitude, or planning to fail, or whatever rubbish you're thinking. We all know how spectacularly badly my 'book a week' challenge went, and that wasn't even a new years resolution.
I did, however, read something this morning that was an interesting take on the whole new years resolution thing. It was on the blog of Felicia Day, who is very cool. If you don't know who she is, go look on imdb, and if that doesn't ring any bells, it's highly likely you're on the wrong blog right now because if you're reading this you should know I'm a massive nerd. OK I haven't actually seen any of The Guild but I'm trying to rectify that, only the Australian iTunes store isn't helping matters.
Anyway, here is a link, and my point. I think looking back at your year and working out what you've learned is a great idea. Looking at what you've learned and applying it is far more realistic than any grand resolution, in my opinion. Because it's based on good hard evidence and not just a drunken statement at midnight.
I think I've written quite a bit already on what 2010 taught me. It taught me that sometimes things don't go according to plan, and that's great. I learned the hard way that challenges really are an opportunity in disguise. They force you to stop and reasses everything which is something I rarely do. I learned that mental illness really can happen to me. Seriously, people, this is a big one. It's not just something that happens to everyone else, and just because you're educated and intelligent and think you'll know when something is wrong doesn't mean you will. It might take years and then you'll crash and burn and it'll hit you with a big 'a ha'.
Of course I learned some fun things too. Like that it is possible to watch all seven seasons of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' in a period of about three months or less, if you really try. Like the fact that in Edmonton, it's only really cold if your snot freezes. Anything before that is just chilly. That fruchocs can be breakfast. OK, that last one is just to convince me that I'm being healthy, sitting here eating fruchocs. The packet is open on the table, what else am I supposed to do?
OK. I'll stop rambling now. Go read Felicia Day's post. It's far more eloquent than mine and you get a picture of her looking super awesome to boot.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Musings
My brother had a big long name for his blog posts like this. It did a really funny pair of posts, actually, about different church types. Sadly, I am not as witty as him, nor am I as talented a writer (see that, brother? I complimented you!).
But I felt that as I had an interesting experience at a church a couple of weeks ago I should blog about it. I did write the experience up in my notebook/diary, after all.
We went to a church in the downtown area of Edmonton. I think it was very inventively named 'City Centre Church'. The service was held in an old movie theatre. This immediately set my spider senses buzzing. As much as I want to see churches rip out their pews and get rid of the bus-ride style setting, services held in repurposed venues always make me think 'hipster'. I can't help it.
Also, there was a band on stage, up the front, not off to one side. Front and centre. It's not really my thing. I think a band should be there to help people worship rather than being the focus of the gathering.
And yet, I heard a little nagging voice...don't you hate those? It was telling me to let go of my preconceptions and just go with it. And you know what? It wasn't bad. It was actually pretty good. I didn't know a lot of the music, because I forget how much of the stuff we sing in church at home is actually Australian. But it didn't really matter, even if it wasn't easy to pick up. The words were actually good. Not like a lot of the theologically unsound I generally associate with that kind of crowd. And they played 'Majesty (Here I am) by Delirious. I knew that a bit. So that was good.
And the preaching was good. And not all about 'hey, give us your money'. It was on Ecclesiastes, something a lot of preachers I know avoid like the plague. But it was great. It was pure simple good message. I was surprised.
And then I realised how sad it is to be surprised to hear good preaching in a church. Is it just me being cynical? Is there any good reason for me to be so cynical? If I let go of preconceptions and the preaching was rubbish, would I still be asking these mostly retorical questions?
I don't want to be cynical about the church. I guess being cynical about people in general doesn't help. I just wish I didn't feel like a lot of the time that cynicism is deserved.
I'm not sure if this post makes sense. It seems lying in bed blogging leads to ramble and nonsence. Who knew?
But I felt that as I had an interesting experience at a church a couple of weeks ago I should blog about it. I did write the experience up in my notebook/diary, after all.
We went to a church in the downtown area of Edmonton. I think it was very inventively named 'City Centre Church'. The service was held in an old movie theatre. This immediately set my spider senses buzzing. As much as I want to see churches rip out their pews and get rid of the bus-ride style setting, services held in repurposed venues always make me think 'hipster'. I can't help it.
Also, there was a band on stage, up the front, not off to one side. Front and centre. It's not really my thing. I think a band should be there to help people worship rather than being the focus of the gathering.
And yet, I heard a little nagging voice...don't you hate those? It was telling me to let go of my preconceptions and just go with it. And you know what? It wasn't bad. It was actually pretty good. I didn't know a lot of the music, because I forget how much of the stuff we sing in church at home is actually Australian. But it didn't really matter, even if it wasn't easy to pick up. The words were actually good. Not like a lot of the theologically unsound I generally associate with that kind of crowd. And they played 'Majesty (Here I am) by Delirious. I knew that a bit. So that was good.
And the preaching was good. And not all about 'hey, give us your money'. It was on Ecclesiastes, something a lot of preachers I know avoid like the plague. But it was great. It was pure simple good message. I was surprised.
And then I realised how sad it is to be surprised to hear good preaching in a church. Is it just me being cynical? Is there any good reason for me to be so cynical? If I let go of preconceptions and the preaching was rubbish, would I still be asking these mostly retorical questions?
I don't want to be cynical about the church. I guess being cynical about people in general doesn't help. I just wish I didn't feel like a lot of the time that cynicism is deserved.
I'm not sure if this post makes sense. It seems lying in bed blogging leads to ramble and nonsence. Who knew?
Monday, September 6, 2010
St Paul 's Letter to the Electorates: Chapter 8
For those among you still waiting, as I am, for an election result...
i. And it was written that on the day before the Sabbath
the people would gather together in a public place and accept burnt
offerings, tip tomato sauce down their fronts, cast their votes and
return to their homes. And when the darkness had fallen, and after they
had uncorked their evening meal and begun to engage in wassail, there
came the sound of a great counting.
ii. And as the counting advanced there emerged a pattern,
and it was like unto that established by Noah. For the votes came in two
by two, one of each kind with one each of the other kind, until the Ark
was full.
iii. For the people had chosen equally, and by close of
play neither Julia nor Anthony could rule in the land. And so it was
that the result hung in the scales of balance for many days and many
nights, and was undecided.
iv. And calls were made to the uttermost parts of the land,
including to Solomon, who was wise, for this would make a nice change.
v. And there were those who lacked dependence, but gaineth
much, and were not part of the tribes of neither Julia nor Anthony. And
they carryeth all before them in the counting and were victorious, each
in his area and after his kind. And they were agreed on one issue. And
it was Barnaby. For they haveth no time for same.
vi. And they were courted by the Julianites and the
Anthonites, yea, even as the counting was done.
vii. And the scribes looked at the figures and they all
agreed that they had seen it coming, and were not surprised, and had
predicted exactly this result, for it was always on the cards and was
inevitable for the following reasons, which they listed. For the scribes
see all things, and hear all things, and know all things.
viii. But one factor sneaketh up even upon the scribes. For
Bob, who was Brown and who was also Green, turneth out not only to
control the senate but to have a big romp downstairs as well. For those
who were Green had gone forth and multiplied. And this was a feature of
proceedings.
ix. And after a time, late in the evening of the counting,
Julia came forth and spoke to the multitude, and they called her name.
And although she had suffered losses in all parts of the country, she
calmeth the people, and pointeth out that according to law she was still
the caretaker leader, or janitor.
x. And Anthony came forth also and the multitude called
also his name, and his wife’s name, for the wassail was well in hand by
this stage and the people were up for anything they could dance to.
xi. And Anthony acknowledged his triumph, and explained how
he had done this remarkable thing.
xii. And this was unusual. For he had not won.
xiii. And Kevin spoke also, and as is indicated in the form
guide, he spoke for some time and was fulsome in his praise for his own
efforts and for his many qualities. And the people were pleased to see
him up and about again, although this was a good time to put the kettle on.
xiv. And Bob, who was Brown, calleth it a victory for those
who were Green. And it was so. And Bob was most excited, and fighteth
the urge to pull his top up over his head and run around the field with
outstretched arms.
xv. For there was a large swing to Bob.
xvi. And there was another swing which was even bigger than
Bob’s swing, and it was swing to informality. And those with long white
beards stroked them at this point, saying ‘Yikes. A great many of the
people have lost interest in these matters’.
xvii. And messengers were sent out by the Julianites and
the Anthonites to their imaginary friends at the Oakshottery, and in the
House of Windsor and among the Kattermites. And they were experienced,
and they understood, and were responsible, and they all spoke of the
need for stable government. And the leaders agreed, saying ‘Absolutely.
Now, how about some steak knives?’
xviii. And the people waited, for there was nothing else
to do, and they were getting quite good at it.
i. And it was written that on the day before the Sabbath
the people would gather together in a public place and accept burnt
offerings, tip tomato sauce down their fronts, cast their votes and
return to their homes. And when the darkness had fallen, and after they
had uncorked their evening meal and begun to engage in wassail, there
came the sound of a great counting.
ii. And as the counting advanced there emerged a pattern,
and it was like unto that established by Noah. For the votes came in two
by two, one of each kind with one each of the other kind, until the Ark
was full.
iii. For the people had chosen equally, and by close of
play neither Julia nor Anthony could rule in the land. And so it was
that the result hung in the scales of balance for many days and many
nights, and was undecided.
iv. And calls were made to the uttermost parts of the land,
including to Solomon, who was wise, for this would make a nice change.
v. And there were those who lacked dependence, but gaineth
much, and were not part of the tribes of neither Julia nor Anthony. And
they carryeth all before them in the counting and were victorious, each
in his area and after his kind. And they were agreed on one issue. And
it was Barnaby. For they haveth no time for same.
vi. And they were courted by the Julianites and the
Anthonites, yea, even as the counting was done.
vii. And the scribes looked at the figures and they all
agreed that they had seen it coming, and were not surprised, and had
predicted exactly this result, for it was always on the cards and was
inevitable for the following reasons, which they listed. For the scribes
see all things, and hear all things, and know all things.
viii. But one factor sneaketh up even upon the scribes. For
Bob, who was Brown and who was also Green, turneth out not only to
control the senate but to have a big romp downstairs as well. For those
who were Green had gone forth and multiplied. And this was a feature of
proceedings.
ix. And after a time, late in the evening of the counting,
Julia came forth and spoke to the multitude, and they called her name.
And although she had suffered losses in all parts of the country, she
calmeth the people, and pointeth out that according to law she was still
the caretaker leader, or janitor.
x. And Anthony came forth also and the multitude called
also his name, and his wife’s name, for the wassail was well in hand by
this stage and the people were up for anything they could dance to.
xi. And Anthony acknowledged his triumph, and explained how
he had done this remarkable thing.
xii. And this was unusual. For he had not won.
xiii. And Kevin spoke also, and as is indicated in the form
guide, he spoke for some time and was fulsome in his praise for his own
efforts and for his many qualities. And the people were pleased to see
him up and about again, although this was a good time to put the kettle on.
xiv. And Bob, who was Brown, calleth it a victory for those
who were Green. And it was so. And Bob was most excited, and fighteth
the urge to pull his top up over his head and run around the field with
outstretched arms.
xv. For there was a large swing to Bob.
xvi. And there was another swing which was even bigger than
Bob’s swing, and it was swing to informality. And those with long white
beards stroked them at this point, saying ‘Yikes. A great many of the
people have lost interest in these matters’.
xvii. And messengers were sent out by the Julianites and
the Anthonites to their imaginary friends at the Oakshottery, and in the
House of Windsor and among the Kattermites. And they were experienced,
and they understood, and were responsible, and they all spoke of the
need for stable government. And the leaders agreed, saying ‘Absolutely.
Now, how about some steak knives?’
xviii. And the people waited, for there was nothing else
to do, and they were getting quite good at it.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
So. Canada. Eh.
So. I'm in Canada. You can read about it here
It's awesome.
You know what else is awesome? These two youtube clips. Go ahead. Knock yourself out.
Check out Gerald's blog, people!
It's awesome.
You know what else is awesome? These two youtube clips. Go ahead. Knock yourself out.
Check out Gerald's blog, people!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Coming Soon...
Yes, OK, I haven't really blogged much lately. I've been busy getting ready to go overseas for 5 months.
I'm still trying to decide whether I will set up a separate travel blog or just use this one. I'm also trying to decide what will be my mascot for my time away. Both of these are difficult decisions...
The options for the mascot are as follows
A bear dressed as a possum
A bear decorated with the Australian flag
A bear called 'Lollipop' - a few of you may understand the significance of that one...
Julian the stuffed dog with no nose from Barcelona (would add a nice international flavour...)
A dalek, or collection thereof...
Various other small plastic villains from Doctor Who, or indeed the Doctor himself...
A Coopers dark ale monkey
You see the difficulty I am having?
So, what would you the reader most like to see travelling all over Canada? And should said mascot have its own blog?
Comment away, my three faitful readers...
I'm still trying to decide whether I will set up a separate travel blog or just use this one. I'm also trying to decide what will be my mascot for my time away. Both of these are difficult decisions...
The options for the mascot are as follows
A bear dressed as a possum
A bear decorated with the Australian flag
A bear called 'Lollipop' - a few of you may understand the significance of that one...
Julian the stuffed dog with no nose from Barcelona (would add a nice international flavour...)
A dalek, or collection thereof...
Various other small plastic villains from Doctor Who, or indeed the Doctor himself...
A Coopers dark ale monkey
You see the difficulty I am having?
So, what would you the reader most like to see travelling all over Canada? And should said mascot have its own blog?
Comment away, my three faitful readers...
Monday, June 28, 2010
An Observation
I've noticed something a little odd and quite disturbing.
I'm much more likely to forgive my cat than I am to forgive a person.
My cat bites me occasionally. She scratches. She ignores me and hates my friends, and runs away and hides everytime we have anyone around. She also has this really annoying habit of standing in her litter tray and doing her business over the edge which leads to some serious mess that needs to be cleaned up.
And yet, I can never stay mad at her for more than about 30 seconds. All she has to do is look at me with her greeny-yellow eyes and purr a bit, and I melt. She's so soft and cuddly and cute, how could anyone not just adore her?
And yet, if some of my best human friends acted in this way, would I just put up with it because they're cute? Some of them are pretty cute! But if my best friend suddenly bit me, ignored me, hated my friends and defecated in my bathroom, would I still love her? Would it take only thirty seconds to forgive her?
Sure, it's harder to understand the reasons for a person's behaviour than a cat's. But surely we shouldn't have to understand a person's motives to forgive them. Forgiveness, like love, should be unconditional, right?
So I'm thinking the way I (and, I think, many others. I just don't want to make assumptions so I've written this whole blog post like it's just about me...) forgive my kitty is almost a model of the way God forgives us. We, being human and fallible, find it hard to practice this model of perfect forgiveness in our relationships with humans. Perhaps then it is comforting that there is still something in my life over which I can exercise God's will for me, to forgive perfectly and completely with no need for explanation.
Only, it's a cat. I'm pretty sure that's not what God intended...
I'm much more likely to forgive my cat than I am to forgive a person.
My cat bites me occasionally. She scratches. She ignores me and hates my friends, and runs away and hides everytime we have anyone around. She also has this really annoying habit of standing in her litter tray and doing her business over the edge which leads to some serious mess that needs to be cleaned up.
And yet, I can never stay mad at her for more than about 30 seconds. All she has to do is look at me with her greeny-yellow eyes and purr a bit, and I melt. She's so soft and cuddly and cute, how could anyone not just adore her?
And yet, if some of my best human friends acted in this way, would I just put up with it because they're cute? Some of them are pretty cute! But if my best friend suddenly bit me, ignored me, hated my friends and defecated in my bathroom, would I still love her? Would it take only thirty seconds to forgive her?
Sure, it's harder to understand the reasons for a person's behaviour than a cat's. But surely we shouldn't have to understand a person's motives to forgive them. Forgiveness, like love, should be unconditional, right?
So I'm thinking the way I (and, I think, many others. I just don't want to make assumptions so I've written this whole blog post like it's just about me...) forgive my kitty is almost a model of the way God forgives us. We, being human and fallible, find it hard to practice this model of perfect forgiveness in our relationships with humans. Perhaps then it is comforting that there is still something in my life over which I can exercise God's will for me, to forgive perfectly and completely with no need for explanation.
Only, it's a cat. I'm pretty sure that's not what God intended...
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
dang it
I wrote a big long blog post about feelings and stuff. And then accidentally deleted half of it. My bad.
Why is it when that happens I can never be bothered to write it again?
It was about the things that I have realised in the past few months. To summarise.
I hated my previous job and I don't want to be a scientist.
You can't change the past
The people who love me are awesome
I can be whatever the hell I want to be and I can do amazing things if I put my mind to it. The naysayers can go to hell. I can be awesome and I can't just sit around wishing I was as awesome as other people.
Amazing things may include: Going to Canada for 5 months (actually, there's no 'may' about this, I've booked my flights), studying design and possibly architecture, saying 'screw you' to anyone who thinks I can't or shouldn't.
That writing long blog posts about this kind of thing is cathartic.
Why is it when that happens I can never be bothered to write it again?
It was about the things that I have realised in the past few months. To summarise.
I hated my previous job and I don't want to be a scientist.
You can't change the past
The people who love me are awesome
I can be whatever the hell I want to be and I can do amazing things if I put my mind to it. The naysayers can go to hell. I can be awesome and I can't just sit around wishing I was as awesome as other people.
Amazing things may include: Going to Canada for 5 months (actually, there's no 'may' about this, I've booked my flights), studying design and possibly architecture, saying 'screw you' to anyone who thinks I can't or shouldn't.
That writing long blog posts about this kind of thing is cathartic.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Update on Logiesgate
Apparently when I posted yesterday I only had half the story. Another comedian by the name of Catherine Deveny has also gotten herself in hot water with people with no sense of humour
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/05/2890855.htm?site=thedrum
Only she got fired because of it.
GAH what is with you, Australia? Get over yourselves. And seriously, why the hell can't we make fun of Bindi Irwin? The kid asks for it.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/05/2890855.htm?site=thedrum
Only she got fired because of it.
GAH what is with you, Australia? Get over yourselves. And seriously, why the hell can't we make fun of Bindi Irwin? The kid asks for it.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
On Humour, Wil Anderson, and Twitter
So I've been out the last couple of nights and hadn't caught up on all the uproar that Wil Anderson has apparently cause post-Logies.
For my foreign readers, let me, like the good debater I was in school, define the topic. 'The Logies' are sort of like Australia's Emmy awards, except only some of the awards actually got to people who are good. There are 'most outstanding' awards which go to people who can actually act, and a lot of them go to shows and actors no one watched/has heard of. Then, there are the 'most popular' awards which go to soap opera stars and occasionally awesome people like Shaun Micallef.
'Wil Anderson' is an Australian comedian. He also does things like host TV shows which intelligent people watch. He's actually a better host than he is comedian, in my opinion. I don't really like his style of stand-up, mostly because he usually sounds like he's taken a ton of speed before getting up there. But he's amusing and I will defend him to the death because he hosted The Glasshouse.
So, apprently, you weren't allowed to tweet at the Logie awards. For the uninitiated, 'to tweet' is a verb which describes the act of posting 140 character messages on the website Twitter. But Wil decided he would, in an act of anti-establishment defiance, or something. And he said somethings about some people that were...well...less than flattering? You can read them here http://twitter.com/Wil_Anderson
Lots of people I'm sure have had a lot of things to say. By the sounds of it, both A Current Affair and Today Tonight have laid into him. Colour me surprised [/sarcasm]
Then I read this article
http://justinhamilton.com.au/node/123
It basically sums up what I think. I know I sat at home on Sunday night and made fun of the celebrities on the red carpet. I even tweeted what I thought of the more horrendous dresses. But I'm not famous so apparently I'm allowed to. But Wil Anderson, who everyone knows is opinionated and maybe a little bit rude isn't.
Australia, grow up. Ooh, mean old Wil said something bad about your favourite soap opera star. The face that you even have a favourite soap opera star makes me think you have bigger problems in the world. The fact that Josh Thomas said hilarious and true things about Justin Bieber's hair makes you hate him. When did we turn into a country with no sense of humour who takes offence at everything? Why are we now a country who went into melt down because Justin Bieber was here for three days?
In short, when, and how the hell, did we turn into America? And why didn't I get the memo?
Americans, please don't take offence. As individuals, you're great. As a country you can be a little infuriating. And it's not really that I don't like you. I just don't think we should BE you, because we are, in fact, Australian. Or so I thought.
For my foreign readers, let me, like the good debater I was in school, define the topic. 'The Logies' are sort of like Australia's Emmy awards, except only some of the awards actually got to people who are good. There are 'most outstanding' awards which go to people who can actually act, and a lot of them go to shows and actors no one watched/has heard of. Then, there are the 'most popular' awards which go to soap opera stars and occasionally awesome people like Shaun Micallef.
'Wil Anderson' is an Australian comedian. He also does things like host TV shows which intelligent people watch. He's actually a better host than he is comedian, in my opinion. I don't really like his style of stand-up, mostly because he usually sounds like he's taken a ton of speed before getting up there. But he's amusing and I will defend him to the death because he hosted The Glasshouse.
So, apprently, you weren't allowed to tweet at the Logie awards. For the uninitiated, 'to tweet' is a verb which describes the act of posting 140 character messages on the website Twitter. But Wil decided he would, in an act of anti-establishment defiance, or something. And he said somethings about some people that were...well...less than flattering? You can read them here http://twitter.com/Wil_Anderson
Lots of people I'm sure have had a lot of things to say. By the sounds of it, both A Current Affair and Today Tonight have laid into him. Colour me surprised [/sarcasm]
Then I read this article
http://justinhamilton.com.au/node/123
It basically sums up what I think. I know I sat at home on Sunday night and made fun of the celebrities on the red carpet. I even tweeted what I thought of the more horrendous dresses. But I'm not famous so apparently I'm allowed to. But Wil Anderson, who everyone knows is opinionated and maybe a little bit rude isn't.
Australia, grow up. Ooh, mean old Wil said something bad about your favourite soap opera star. The face that you even have a favourite soap opera star makes me think you have bigger problems in the world. The fact that Josh Thomas said hilarious and true things about Justin Bieber's hair makes you hate him. When did we turn into a country with no sense of humour who takes offence at everything? Why are we now a country who went into melt down because Justin Bieber was here for three days?
In short, when, and how the hell, did we turn into America? And why didn't I get the memo?
Americans, please don't take offence. As individuals, you're great. As a country you can be a little infuriating. And it's not really that I don't like you. I just don't think we should BE you, because we are, in fact, Australian. Or so I thought.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
My Brother
My brother just posted something awesome on his blog. You should read it.
http://gw2rs.blogspot.com/2010/05/games-people-play.html
He very accurately sums up the thoughts of a large number of single people. And gives an insight into what it is actually like to have a conversation with him. You can see why sometimes we have incredible screaming matches when we live in the same house.
Love you, Gaz.
http://gw2rs.blogspot.com/2010/05/games-people-play.html
He very accurately sums up the thoughts of a large number of single people. And gives an insight into what it is actually like to have a conversation with him. You can see why sometimes we have incredible screaming matches when we live in the same house.
Love you, Gaz.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Outrage! Or something
Over the last few days I've seen all sorts of people get up in arms about the new changes to the facebook privacy settings, or some such. There's supposedly something we all have to opt out of unless we want the evil empire to own our lives and credit card details. Or something.
Here's the thing, people. I don't see the point of whinging and moaning about privacy when you put your whole life on the internet anyway. You give up a certain amount of your privacy the moment you join a social networking site. You give some nameless corporation your name and location. If you can't accept that, well, perhaps you should have thought about that before you joined.
Perhaps we all should have.
We can't all yell and scream and complain about facebook. Or myspace, or whatever brand of social networking you prefer. Because we made it happen. We joined in our droves and made the creators of these sites millionaires. Our own voyeurism and the need to feel like someone cares about our existense has fed these machines. The only people who have any right to complain about social networking sites taking over our lives are people who don't use them.
And then, well, they probably have no idea what they are talking about. In which case, they should go into politics as it seems they would be in good company.
Oh, and by the by, I went into my privacy options to uncheck this supposedly heinous new infrigement on our privacy. It was already unchecked. I did not have to opt out, because I had never opted in and apparently facebook didn't see the need to opt me in either. So what was the fuss about in the first place, anyway?
Here's the thing, people. I don't see the point of whinging and moaning about privacy when you put your whole life on the internet anyway. You give up a certain amount of your privacy the moment you join a social networking site. You give some nameless corporation your name and location. If you can't accept that, well, perhaps you should have thought about that before you joined.
Perhaps we all should have.
We can't all yell and scream and complain about facebook. Or myspace, or whatever brand of social networking you prefer. Because we made it happen. We joined in our droves and made the creators of these sites millionaires. Our own voyeurism and the need to feel like someone cares about our existense has fed these machines. The only people who have any right to complain about social networking sites taking over our lives are people who don't use them.
And then, well, they probably have no idea what they are talking about. In which case, they should go into politics as it seems they would be in good company.
Oh, and by the by, I went into my privacy options to uncheck this supposedly heinous new infrigement on our privacy. It was already unchecked. I did not have to opt out, because I had never opted in and apparently facebook didn't see the need to opt me in either. So what was the fuss about in the first place, anyway?
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