It has been an emotional couple of days. One thing I've learnt from my time working in a University environment, it is the transient nature. Particularly seeing as I not only work there, but have also been spending going to church there.
This, like each November is quite hard. Once exams have finished, the students gradually leave the Uni heading back to their families. While a proportion will be coming back to finish their degree, another number move on, graduating from Uni and seeking to find work in their chosen feild, and settle down into a different church.
Over the past few Sundays its been time to say, our temporary goodbyes. Last night we had a farewell for J who is leaving to head home to Singapore. It has hard to hold in tension, the knowledge that in our Fathers House we will meet again, and that there is a break of relationship.
Each of the students of Unichurch have encouraged me no end, as they continue to strive to live Godly lives, and also highlighted my own fallenness and how far I have stumbled. I thank God for each of them, and will hold them in my heart, knowing that in God's plan we will be gathered together, and share eternity with our saviour, creator and Lord.
Yesterday afternoon was also an interesting experience, out of the blue, I had a call from one of the teachers at the school I was taught at in 2001. The then Year 9's had inquired if I was attending their formal. I do have to admit that I was touched by that, unfortunately, I'm not able to go.
My thoughts since have wondered back to that year, and the struggle that I had with teaching a number of them. I wonder what they are like now, I am sure that God has continued to work His will in their lives, and that they have developed into people the school and our community can be proud of.
++
Changing tack, following on from Joe's blog, I thought I'd list the CD's I've bought, listened to over November.
Interpol: Antics, Turn on the Bright Lights
Brooke Fraser: What to Do With Daylight
Wilco: A Ghost is Born
Powderfinger: These Days [Live]
R.E.M. – Reckoning, Reconstruction of the Fables, Lifes Rich Pageant
Air – Talkie Walkie
U2 - How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
+++
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Monday, November 29, 2004
Song of the moment
Crumbs From Your Table - U2
From the brightest star
Comes the blackest hole
You had so much to offer
Why did you offer your soul?
I was there for you baby
When you needed my help
Would you deny for others
What you demand for yourself?
Cool down mama, cool off
Cool down mama, cool off
You speak of signs and wonders
I need something other
I would believe if I was able
But I'm waiting on the crumbs from your table
You were pretty as a picture
It was all there to see
Then your face caught up with your psychology
With a mouth full of teeth
You ate all your friends
And you broke every heart thinking every heart mends
You speak of signs and wonders
But I need something other
I would believe if I was able
But I'm waiting on the crumbs from your table
Where you live should not decide
Whether you live or whether you die
Three to a bed
Sister Ann, she said
Dignity passes by
And you speak of signs and wonders
But I need something other
I would believe if I was able
I'm waiting on the crumbs from your table
Words: [Bono] Music: [U2]
++++
Am posting this authored by my sister :)
Friday 15 October 2004: In the City of Blinding Lights
It was one of those typical Friday afternoons at work (in the office in East London), when you sit there counting down the minutes until 5.30 pm and the
weekend. I was idly checking my e-mails, when I found one from Duncan (my brother in Australia) saying that U2 were rumoured to be playing live in a carpark at the BBC studios at White City that evening, as part of the weekly Top of the Pops Programme.
Initially sceptical, I searched the net for confirmation, wondering if there was any substance to the rumour. But when I mentioned it to a colleague, she said she'd heard about it on the radio that morning.
That was sufficient grounds on which to race off after work, through the rain, to the other side of London. I was a bit dubious as to whether I'd even be able to get into the area, given what I'd heard about previous spontaneous live U2 performances. But I couldn't not try. And I couldn't believe my luck when I found myself three rows back from the front of the crowd waiting outside the gate of the carpark, peering at the stage through the bars, and (later) irritably asking the security guards inside to move when they blocked our view. We watched as those who'd been fortunate enough to win tickets to the event entered the compound. One section of the crowd tried starting up a chorus of 'I will sing ... sing a new song', but unfortuantely, despite its appropriateness, few of us ended up joining in. So we waited in relative silence (except for those desperately trying to hook up with friends on their mobile phones).
And then U2 came out. I couldn't believe how good a view we had! Bono joked that it was nice of the BBC to put on the rain for them. They launched into Vertigo and All Because of You, Bono working in some improvised 'BBC live' bits on a couple of occasions. Then he asked if we wanted them to rehearse some more. You can imagine what we said to that. After emphasising that this was the first time that these songs had been heard (live), he lead the band in the beautiful City of Blinding Lights. And then his exit line clarified to a crowd unable to believe its good luck that this had indeed just been a rehearsal, and that they would be back shortly to do the live performance.
Waiting in the rain a bit more was a small price to pay for that. When he came out again Bono made some tardis, 'exterminate pop music', joke, and then they launched (again) into Vertigo and All Because of You. Then we got about a stanza or so each of Desire and Mystery Girl [Bono being applauded when he held a particularly high note]. Bono told the Roy Orbison/Wembley story (although I couldn't really hear it), and then introduced City of Blinding Lights. He said it was about coming to New York and/or London as a kid, and about how innocence was worth so much more than experience. Coughing as he said this, he added some comment about how smoking 40 a day doesn't help. Then he talked of performing in the States after September 11, and the lights, and the sometimes tear-streaked, sometimes smiling and laughing faces of the audience, and how moved he'd been. It sounds like City of Blinding Lights is about all of this. It was certainly a very moving performance. I think the combination of his evocative description, the lyrics (e.g., 'What happened to the beauty inside of me?'), the beauty of the music (this was definitely my favourite of the new songs), and the magic of being here at this particular moment in time combined to leave me quite teary! Very moving.
It was great looking up at all the BBC employees on their balconies, hanging back at at work on a Friday evening so that they could be part of it too! Bono bade us farewell by telling us he'd see us next year. I couldn't work out what he said next to make the crowd crack up so much. But when I surfed the net at work on Monday morning, trying to relive the moment, it turns out that he'd forecasted (very plausibly, unfortunately) that it would still be raining!
I think the emotion that predominated on all the reviews I've read is one of pure and simple disbelief. None of us who were there seem to be able to come to terms with the fact that we wandered five minutes from a London tube station to stand outside a carpark for perhaps the best gig of the year - and didn't have to pay a single p for it!!!
And I'm still hugely amused that it was my brother in Australia who was the one to tell me about a U2 gig in London. But thank goodness he did! Just wish he and my Aussie friends had been there to share it with me!
***
'Some things you shouldn't get too good at Like smiling, crying and celebrity'
From the brightest star
Comes the blackest hole
You had so much to offer
Why did you offer your soul?
I was there for you baby
When you needed my help
Would you deny for others
What you demand for yourself?
Cool down mama, cool off
Cool down mama, cool off
You speak of signs and wonders
I need something other
I would believe if I was able
But I'm waiting on the crumbs from your table
You were pretty as a picture
It was all there to see
Then your face caught up with your psychology
With a mouth full of teeth
You ate all your friends
And you broke every heart thinking every heart mends
You speak of signs and wonders
But I need something other
I would believe if I was able
But I'm waiting on the crumbs from your table
Where you live should not decide
Whether you live or whether you die
Three to a bed
Sister Ann, she said
Dignity passes by
And you speak of signs and wonders
But I need something other
I would believe if I was able
I'm waiting on the crumbs from your table
Words: [Bono] Music: [U2]
++++
Am posting this authored by my sister :)
Friday 15 October 2004: In the City of Blinding Lights
It was one of those typical Friday afternoons at work (in the office in East London), when you sit there counting down the minutes until 5.30 pm and the
weekend. I was idly checking my e-mails, when I found one from Duncan (my brother in Australia) saying that U2 were rumoured to be playing live in a carpark at the BBC studios at White City that evening, as part of the weekly Top of the Pops Programme.
Initially sceptical, I searched the net for confirmation, wondering if there was any substance to the rumour. But when I mentioned it to a colleague, she said she'd heard about it on the radio that morning.
That was sufficient grounds on which to race off after work, through the rain, to the other side of London. I was a bit dubious as to whether I'd even be able to get into the area, given what I'd heard about previous spontaneous live U2 performances. But I couldn't not try. And I couldn't believe my luck when I found myself three rows back from the front of the crowd waiting outside the gate of the carpark, peering at the stage through the bars, and (later) irritably asking the security guards inside to move when they blocked our view. We watched as those who'd been fortunate enough to win tickets to the event entered the compound. One section of the crowd tried starting up a chorus of 'I will sing ... sing a new song', but unfortuantely, despite its appropriateness, few of us ended up joining in. So we waited in relative silence (except for those desperately trying to hook up with friends on their mobile phones).
And then U2 came out. I couldn't believe how good a view we had! Bono joked that it was nice of the BBC to put on the rain for them. They launched into Vertigo and All Because of You, Bono working in some improvised 'BBC live' bits on a couple of occasions. Then he asked if we wanted them to rehearse some more. You can imagine what we said to that. After emphasising that this was the first time that these songs had been heard (live), he lead the band in the beautiful City of Blinding Lights. And then his exit line clarified to a crowd unable to believe its good luck that this had indeed just been a rehearsal, and that they would be back shortly to do the live performance.
Waiting in the rain a bit more was a small price to pay for that. When he came out again Bono made some tardis, 'exterminate pop music', joke, and then they launched (again) into Vertigo and All Because of You. Then we got about a stanza or so each of Desire and Mystery Girl [Bono being applauded when he held a particularly high note]. Bono told the Roy Orbison/Wembley story (although I couldn't really hear it), and then introduced City of Blinding Lights. He said it was about coming to New York and/or London as a kid, and about how innocence was worth so much more than experience. Coughing as he said this, he added some comment about how smoking 40 a day doesn't help. Then he talked of performing in the States after September 11, and the lights, and the sometimes tear-streaked, sometimes smiling and laughing faces of the audience, and how moved he'd been. It sounds like City of Blinding Lights is about all of this. It was certainly a very moving performance. I think the combination of his evocative description, the lyrics (e.g., 'What happened to the beauty inside of me?'), the beauty of the music (this was definitely my favourite of the new songs), and the magic of being here at this particular moment in time combined to leave me quite teary! Very moving.
It was great looking up at all the BBC employees on their balconies, hanging back at at work on a Friday evening so that they could be part of it too! Bono bade us farewell by telling us he'd see us next year. I couldn't work out what he said next to make the crowd crack up so much. But when I surfed the net at work on Monday morning, trying to relive the moment, it turns out that he'd forecasted (very plausibly, unfortunately) that it would still be raining!
I think the emotion that predominated on all the reviews I've read is one of pure and simple disbelief. None of us who were there seem to be able to come to terms with the fact that we wandered five minutes from a London tube station to stand outside a carpark for perhaps the best gig of the year - and didn't have to pay a single p for it!!!
And I'm still hugely amused that it was my brother in Australia who was the one to tell me about a U2 gig in London. But thank goodness he did! Just wish he and my Aussie friends had been there to share it with me!
***
'Some things you shouldn't get too good at Like smiling, crying and celebrity'
Thursday, November 25, 2004
I might as well say it, I see it, I feel it, this town is going wrong, its turning away
Boy in the Well [Around the Sun – R.E.M, Warner]
**** [out of four]
Haunting melodies, jangling guitars and indecipherable lyrics brings my mind one of the more influential bands of the modern era – the three-piece from Athens, Georgia R.E.M. Michael Stipe is no stranger to the political scene a quick tour through their catalogue reveals songs about Vietnam, the indigenous rights and American Foreign Policy. Indeed one of my favourite lines underscores the topic of this CD – Let’s put our heads together, and start a new country up (Cuyahoga) – and R.E.M. was one band among many touring the United States with a concert promoting the candidacy of Senator John Kerry for the President of the United States.
Many of the songs from Around the Sun draw their inspiration from this theme, dealing with topics from Michael’s response to 9-11, or perhaps a personal letter to America following 9-11 [Leaving New York], the War in Iraq, and more generally the attitude of the Bush Administration in general, Stipe perhaps taking particular issue with the Administration’s refusal to sign the Kyoto Protocol?
On the CD, a number of tracks take the listeners mind to the military action launched against Iraq; in The Outsiders Stipe echoes the words of Bush; Either you are with us or you are with the Terrorists, Stipe adds his thoughts that this is perhaps too simple. On Final Straw, Stipe asks ‘look me in the eye, tell me why’. High Speed Train, Stipe, wants to go to Berlin, Kyoto or Marsielle –no doubt there is a message there for Bush. Boy in the Well again makes reference the direction his country is headed.
But for me – perhaps the saddest line is in Make it All Okay where Stipe is recounts a meeting with (it seems) a believer and in repeated lines says, Jesus love’s me fine, but His words fall flat this time, and then
Another line that stands out, a perhaps more so after our recent election – was ‘everyone is humming a song I don’t understand’.
Around the Sun is one of the stronger CD’s that R.E.M. has put out for some time. I have found with each listen the CD is grows on me a little more. Indeed given the re-election of Bush the CD has developed a new lease of life. R.E.M., tour Australia early next year, and now we know that George Bush has been re-elected it will be interesting to see how the set-lists change as the band works through their tour.
Postscript: I'm staggered by the number of reviews for the new U2 CD that have criticised R.E.M. I believe Around the Sun to be not only one of R.E.M's finer, but one of 2004's finer releases (now there's a topic for a new entry - The Drawn From Still Water Top 10 CD's for 2004), and I am disappointed by the reaction of the majority of reviewers to the R.E.M. CD.
**** [out of four]
Haunting melodies, jangling guitars and indecipherable lyrics brings my mind one of the more influential bands of the modern era – the three-piece from Athens, Georgia R.E.M. Michael Stipe is no stranger to the political scene a quick tour through their catalogue reveals songs about Vietnam, the indigenous rights and American Foreign Policy. Indeed one of my favourite lines underscores the topic of this CD – Let’s put our heads together, and start a new country up (Cuyahoga) – and R.E.M. was one band among many touring the United States with a concert promoting the candidacy of Senator John Kerry for the President of the United States.
Many of the songs from Around the Sun draw their inspiration from this theme, dealing with topics from Michael’s response to 9-11, or perhaps a personal letter to America following 9-11 [Leaving New York], the War in Iraq, and more generally the attitude of the Bush Administration in general, Stipe perhaps taking particular issue with the Administration’s refusal to sign the Kyoto Protocol?
On the CD, a number of tracks take the listeners mind to the military action launched against Iraq; in The Outsiders Stipe echoes the words of Bush; Either you are with us or you are with the Terrorists, Stipe adds his thoughts that this is perhaps too simple. On Final Straw, Stipe asks ‘look me in the eye, tell me why’. High Speed Train, Stipe, wants to go to Berlin, Kyoto or Marsielle –no doubt there is a message there for Bush. Boy in the Well again makes reference the direction his country is headed.
But for me – perhaps the saddest line is in Make it All Okay where Stipe is recounts a meeting with (it seems) a believer and in repeated lines says, Jesus love’s me fine, but His words fall flat this time, and then
If you offered me your world, did you think I’d really stay?
If you offered me the heavens, I would have to turn away.
Was it my imagination, or did I hear you say.
We don’t have a prayer between us.
Another line that stands out, a perhaps more so after our recent election – was ‘everyone is humming a song I don’t understand’.
Around the Sun is one of the stronger CD’s that R.E.M. has put out for some time. I have found with each listen the CD is grows on me a little more. Indeed given the re-election of Bush the CD has developed a new lease of life. R.E.M., tour Australia early next year, and now we know that George Bush has been re-elected it will be interesting to see how the set-lists change as the band works through their tour.
Postscript: I'm staggered by the number of reviews for the new U2 CD that have criticised R.E.M. I believe Around the Sun to be not only one of R.E.M's finer, but one of 2004's finer releases (now there's a topic for a new entry - The Drawn From Still Water Top 10 CD's for 2004), and I am disappointed by the reaction of the majority of reviewers to the R.E.M. CD.
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Weekend Reflections: Let's not mention the Cricket
Moving on. The highlight of the whole weekend was going to HMV’s midnight opening to buy the new U2 CD, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, with some fellow U2-geeks. It was a great night. We meet up at Pitt St Mall. There were about 6 of us, Amanda (who runs these sites), Bryce, Andrew and Caroline, and Kathleen.
We went out to PJ O'Briens Irish pub in the City, (who told us that they would play U2, as they do every Saturday night. I think we were there for about two hours, and they played one U2 track, Beautiful Day).
It was great to spend an evening with another group of people; we had great fun talking about our various U2ey experiences, and other stuff. Oh yeah, there are even photos too.
So, after a great night of talking, we wandered over to HMV and waited, about 11:50ish we heard and saw signs of life, other U2 fans who were their to pick up their copy[ies] ;) along with I assume Kylie, and Gwen Stefani fans, as HMV were also opening for that CD release too. The speakers crackled into life and we heard kylie first, then my first taste of the new U2 CD, I think that it was A Man and A Woman, followed later by Vertigo, and then City of Blinding Lights. It was great fun as none of us had listened to the leaked CD, and a few had heard some as they were played on the radio, so we were trying work out between us what each song was.
We saw other customers get free posters as they bought the CD… well we got a compilation CD, that looked like it was burnt just as we walked into the store… jipped I say.
We posed for U2-Geek-type photo’s, then made our way home. Once I got home, yep I didn’t go straight to sleep; I placed CD in DiscMan and listened all the way through. Ahh yeahhh .. I absolutely loved City of Blinding Lights and Sometimes You Can't Make It ... on first listen. [A non-Duncan review, Dunc's review will follow soon...]
[Note: All photo's courtesy of Amanda].
We went out to PJ O'Briens Irish pub in the City, (who told us that they would play U2, as they do every Saturday night. I think we were there for about two hours, and they played one U2 track, Beautiful Day).
It was great to spend an evening with another group of people; we had great fun talking about our various U2ey experiences, and other stuff. Oh yeah, there are even photos too.
So, after a great night of talking, we wandered over to HMV and waited, about 11:50ish we heard and saw signs of life, other U2 fans who were their to pick up their copy[ies] ;) along with I assume Kylie, and Gwen Stefani fans, as HMV were also opening for that CD release too. The speakers crackled into life and we heard kylie first, then my first taste of the new U2 CD, I think that it was A Man and A Woman, followed later by Vertigo, and then City of Blinding Lights. It was great fun as none of us had listened to the leaked CD, and a few had heard some as they were played on the radio, so we were trying work out between us what each song was.
We saw other customers get free posters as they bought the CD… well we got a compilation CD, that looked like it was burnt just as we walked into the store… jipped I say.
We posed for U2-Geek-type photo’s, then made our way home. Once I got home, yep I didn’t go straight to sleep; I placed CD in DiscMan and listened all the way through. Ahh yeahhh .. I absolutely loved City of Blinding Lights and Sometimes You Can't Make It ... on first listen. [A non-Duncan review, Dunc's review will follow soon...]
[Note: All photo's courtesy of Amanda].
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Some works in progress...
Not quite sure this is finished. Mayhaps it needs polishing?
Heaven Fell Silent
Heaven was silent,
my soul in anguish
tears fall from my eyes
the world is deaf, dumb, and blind,
to the hands of creation's author
God himself is silent
relationship is broken,
My mind falls back to the rainbow,
the flood replaced by a dam
Faithfulness? One like us
our Father, creator,
creation is silent
empty in isolation
Desertion, God knows well
upon a hill, the righteous one
held to wood, by nails of love
held, weak, deserted,
our nails, His scars,
amazing mercy, rich, not free,
The silence of God breaks
through a cry,
it is finished...
[untitled]
It was the death of me
The heart you taught to write
Beat out of time; beats out of tune
It’s hard to yield; harder still to fight
The storms that beat, will pass
Though at feels like I’m at the heart
More tempting to stray
to life that has no prize
And costs your very soul
It’s hard to yield; harder still to fight
The storms that beat, will pass
Though at feels like I’m at the heart
My heart faced these trails before
My heart knows its foe
Yet this time the storm has too much
It’s hard to yield; harder still to fight
The storms that beat, will pass
Though at feels like I’m at the heart
The death of me,
My soul overcome, yet knows no other way
You called to me, My heart looks and reaches …
Heaven Fell Silent
Heaven was silent,
my soul in anguish
tears fall from my eyes
the world is deaf, dumb, and blind,
to the hands of creation's author
God himself is silent
relationship is broken,
My mind falls back to the rainbow,
the flood replaced by a dam
Faithfulness? One like us
our Father, creator,
creation is silent
empty in isolation
Desertion, God knows well
upon a hill, the righteous one
held to wood, by nails of love
held, weak, deserted,
our nails, His scars,
amazing mercy, rich, not free,
The silence of God breaks
through a cry,
it is finished...
[untitled]
It was the death of me
The heart you taught to write
Beat out of time; beats out of tune
It’s hard to yield; harder still to fight
The storms that beat, will pass
Though at feels like I’m at the heart
More tempting to stray
to life that has no prize
And costs your very soul
It’s hard to yield; harder still to fight
The storms that beat, will pass
Though at feels like I’m at the heart
My heart faced these trails before
My heart knows its foe
Yet this time the storm has too much
It’s hard to yield; harder still to fight
The storms that beat, will pass
Though at feels like I’m at the heart
The death of me,
My soul overcome, yet knows no other way
You called to me, My heart looks and reaches …
Friday, November 19, 2004
Its quiet now, and what it brings is everything…
So, it has been a while. An unexpected thing happened last week I turned 27.Well, not quite completely unexpected, as I have a birthday each and every year. But I have stopped and wondered where did the years since I started University disappear too?
It seems like just yesterday that I was finishing by Dip Ed, and living with my parents. Wow, I’m 27 now. I don’t feel old, that’s not really a part of it. It’s just time is continually disappearing faster than I can redeem it.
Another interesting reflection, my brother [Hola, Matt], mentioned to me that while he was in a [nameless] Christian bookshop they did not know who C.S. Lewis was. My brother gave them a little bit of help, too which the salesman commented he [C.S. Lewis] must be out of print. I mean, even the [other] bookstore at least knew he wrote The Chronicles of Narnia. This is Sad. Kids are growing up unaware of Narnia, with bookstore people unaware of C.S. Lewis.
The weekend ahead should be a blast, am heading into Sydney on and going to HMV’s midnight opening with fellow U2-Crazies to buy U2’s new CD. On Sunday I’ll be going to a colleague’s 30th Birthday party in Waverly, where we’re going to have a few games of Lawn Bowls. Will be fun…
It seems like just yesterday that I was finishing by Dip Ed, and living with my parents. Wow, I’m 27 now. I don’t feel old, that’s not really a part of it. It’s just time is continually disappearing faster than I can redeem it.
Another interesting reflection, my brother [Hola, Matt], mentioned to me that while he was in a [nameless] Christian bookshop they did not know who C.S. Lewis was. My brother gave them a little bit of help, too which the salesman commented he [C.S. Lewis] must be out of print. I mean, even the [other] bookstore at least knew he wrote The Chronicles of Narnia. This is Sad. Kids are growing up unaware of Narnia, with bookstore people unaware of C.S. Lewis.
The weekend ahead should be a blast, am heading into Sydney on and going to HMV’s midnight opening with fellow U2-Crazies to buy U2’s new CD. On Sunday I’ll be going to a colleague’s 30th Birthday party in Waverly, where we’re going to have a few games of Lawn Bowls. Will be fun…
Friday, November 12, 2004
A Lunar voyage, of Self Exploration
You Are From Neptune |
 You are dreamy and mystical, with a natural psychic ability. You love music, poetry, dance, and (most of all) the open sea. Your soul is filled with possibilities, and your heart overflows with compassion. You can be in a room full of friendly people and feel all alone. If you don't get carried away with one idea, your spiritual nature will see you through anything. |
Well - of those the one that I was most struck with was You can be in a room full of friendly people and feel all alone, which is SOO totally me.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Turn off those bells and whistles..
I really love this article I found it one of the best reflective pieces I read on the anniversary of 11 September, and I'd been meaning to post this September but I just took a while to find it on my computer :).
It's Time to Turn Off Those Bells and Whistles
By Matt Richtel [New York Times]; Published: September 2002.
Put down that SkyMall catalog. You do not need a juicer that has e-mail access. While you're at it, shove your cellphone, BlackBerry and other gadgets into the sock drawer.
You can pick them up again on Thursday.
That's the day after the anniversary of the terrorist attacks, a day that, among its many facets, lets us reflect on the mixed blessing of technology in our lives.
There's no doubt that we should raise a glass to the ubiquitous silicon chip for its dedication, dependability and overall contributions on Sept. 11. Cellphone calls from 30,000 feet and more than 100 floors up let some of us hear our loved ones for the last time. The phones delivered continuing reports of heroism. They permitted those of us a proverbial million miles from ground zero to call to tell one another: that plane just crashed into my heart.
Around-the-clock news updates - on television, over the Internet and through wireless hand-held gadgets – informed us on that day that our world was falling apart, and then that it would remain intact. For a few days, the one thing that seemed almost as important to us as kin was the constant flow of news.
The trouble is, we have so often abused technology and let it dull our senses. And so, on Wednesday, consider observing a moment, if not a day, of data silence. Pull the D.S.L. connection out of that forearm vein. Listen. Slow down. Understand that whatever it is you think you need, you don't absolutely, positively need it overnight:
Do not instant anything. Your interpersonal relationships are not enhanced by setting a record for the sending and receipt of messages like "Hi. How R U," or "Insnt MssGng Is so kool!" When the urge hits for interaction, get positively medieval: write a letter. Write it on something that the old-timers called paper. Use your own font. Handwriting has personality - yours. Let "instant" be replaced by "anticipation."
Do not call your orthodontist. If this sounds odd, you may not be familiar with the cellphone orthodontist principle. It comes into play when you are addicted to talking on the phone while driving but have run out of people to call. Eventually, desperate for anyone to talk to, you phone the guy who attached your braces in junior high and say: "I love what you did with my teeth. Are you busy for the next 40 miles?"
The point is this: On Wednesday, don't call someone unless you mean it. Save your minutes for Thursday. Don't fill dead air time with empty words. While you're at it, restrict incoming calls. Turn off the ringer. That person sitting across from you at lunch deserves all your attention. Pretend that he or she is a New York firefighter. Do not once say: "Hold on. That's the other line."
Don't upgrade - anything. That empty nagging feeling you have? It's not the need for more megahertz. You will not feel any more connected to other human beings if you can see their virtual images more clearly on a new flat-screen monitor. Go outside and browse other people. Establish a wireless connection formerly known as the hug.
Don't be caught on the 24-hour news merry-go-round. The round-the-clock, rapid-fire television news format has become a potpourri of factoids, rumor and important updates about what George Clooney had for lunch. On Wednesday, pull your head off the swivel. Don't be distracted by snippets. Read one entire news article start to finish, whatever the topic. Five minutes later, make a concerted effort to remember what the heck it was about.
Don't multitask. Give your undivided attention. When you're nursing the baby, don't talk on the phone. When you're talking on the phone, don't check your e-mail messages. When you're checking your messages, don't clip your nails, browse the Web, pay your taxes, tell your mother you love her and keep running back and forth to the kitchen to see if you've received even more e-mail on your new juicer.
Don't think about tomorrow. Forget about what advances are to come and whether you're falling behind. News flash: You're behind. Get over it. Instead, think about the past - not a year ago, but long before. Think about how technology, which has evolved into incredible gadgetry like cellphones, has evolved along another path into weapons of mass destruction. Think about how to use in-person diplomacy in your own life to settle old, tired, unnecessary disputes.
If you feel angry and vengeful, don't fight it. Use your destructive energy for good: Delete an emoticon. Kill a symbol. In its place, express a real emotion - good, bad or indifferent. Find the words - not symbols, acronyms or digital era short-cuts - that mean: I love you. I miss you. I'm sorry. This Wednesday, keep it real. You can get virtual again on Thursday.
It's Time to Turn Off Those Bells and Whistles
By Matt Richtel [New York Times]; Published: September 2002.
Put down that SkyMall catalog. You do not need a juicer that has e-mail access. While you're at it, shove your cellphone, BlackBerry and other gadgets into the sock drawer.
You can pick them up again on Thursday.
That's the day after the anniversary of the terrorist attacks, a day that, among its many facets, lets us reflect on the mixed blessing of technology in our lives.
There's no doubt that we should raise a glass to the ubiquitous silicon chip for its dedication, dependability and overall contributions on Sept. 11. Cellphone calls from 30,000 feet and more than 100 floors up let some of us hear our loved ones for the last time. The phones delivered continuing reports of heroism. They permitted those of us a proverbial million miles from ground zero to call to tell one another: that plane just crashed into my heart.
Around-the-clock news updates - on television, over the Internet and through wireless hand-held gadgets – informed us on that day that our world was falling apart, and then that it would remain intact. For a few days, the one thing that seemed almost as important to us as kin was the constant flow of news.
The trouble is, we have so often abused technology and let it dull our senses. And so, on Wednesday, consider observing a moment, if not a day, of data silence. Pull the D.S.L. connection out of that forearm vein. Listen. Slow down. Understand that whatever it is you think you need, you don't absolutely, positively need it overnight:
Do not instant anything. Your interpersonal relationships are not enhanced by setting a record for the sending and receipt of messages like "Hi. How R U," or "Insnt MssGng Is so kool!" When the urge hits for interaction, get positively medieval: write a letter. Write it on something that the old-timers called paper. Use your own font. Handwriting has personality - yours. Let "instant" be replaced by "anticipation."
Do not call your orthodontist. If this sounds odd, you may not be familiar with the cellphone orthodontist principle. It comes into play when you are addicted to talking on the phone while driving but have run out of people to call. Eventually, desperate for anyone to talk to, you phone the guy who attached your braces in junior high and say: "I love what you did with my teeth. Are you busy for the next 40 miles?"
The point is this: On Wednesday, don't call someone unless you mean it. Save your minutes for Thursday. Don't fill dead air time with empty words. While you're at it, restrict incoming calls. Turn off the ringer. That person sitting across from you at lunch deserves all your attention. Pretend that he or she is a New York firefighter. Do not once say: "Hold on. That's the other line."
Don't upgrade - anything. That empty nagging feeling you have? It's not the need for more megahertz. You will not feel any more connected to other human beings if you can see their virtual images more clearly on a new flat-screen monitor. Go outside and browse other people. Establish a wireless connection formerly known as the hug.
Don't be caught on the 24-hour news merry-go-round. The round-the-clock, rapid-fire television news format has become a potpourri of factoids, rumor and important updates about what George Clooney had for lunch. On Wednesday, pull your head off the swivel. Don't be distracted by snippets. Read one entire news article start to finish, whatever the topic. Five minutes later, make a concerted effort to remember what the heck it was about.
Don't multitask. Give your undivided attention. When you're nursing the baby, don't talk on the phone. When you're talking on the phone, don't check your e-mail messages. When you're checking your messages, don't clip your nails, browse the Web, pay your taxes, tell your mother you love her and keep running back and forth to the kitchen to see if you've received even more e-mail on your new juicer.
Don't think about tomorrow. Forget about what advances are to come and whether you're falling behind. News flash: You're behind. Get over it. Instead, think about the past - not a year ago, but long before. Think about how technology, which has evolved into incredible gadgetry like cellphones, has evolved along another path into weapons of mass destruction. Think about how to use in-person diplomacy in your own life to settle old, tired, unnecessary disputes.
If you feel angry and vengeful, don't fight it. Use your destructive energy for good: Delete an emoticon. Kill a symbol. In its place, express a real emotion - good, bad or indifferent. Find the words - not symbols, acronyms or digital era short-cuts - that mean: I love you. I miss you. I'm sorry. This Wednesday, keep it real. You can get virtual again on Thursday.
Lest We Forget
In Flanders Feilds the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
The story of the poem is recorded here. Also a link to the Australian War Memorial page with a transcript of Paul Keating's speech from 1993.
+++
The First Two Minute Silence in London (11th November 1919) as reported in the Manchester Guardian, 12th November 1919.
'The first stroke of eleven produced a magical effect.
The tram cars glided into stillness, motors ceased to cough and fume, and stopped dead, and the mighty-limbed dray horses hunched back upon their loads and stopped also, seeming to do it of their own volition.
Someone took off his hat, and with a nervous hesitancy the rest of the men bowed their heads also. Here and there an old soldier could be detected slipping unconsciously into the posture of 'attention'. An elderly woman, not far away, wiped her eyes, and the man beside her looked white and stern. Everyone stood very still ... The hush deepened. It had spread over the whole city and become so pronounced as to impress one with a sense of audibility. It was a silence which was almost pain ... And the spirit of memory brooded over it all.'
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
The story of the poem is recorded here. Also a link to the Australian War Memorial page with a transcript of Paul Keating's speech from 1993.
+++
The First Two Minute Silence in London (11th November 1919) as reported in the Manchester Guardian, 12th November 1919.
'The first stroke of eleven produced a magical effect.
The tram cars glided into stillness, motors ceased to cough and fume, and stopped dead, and the mighty-limbed dray horses hunched back upon their loads and stopped also, seeming to do it of their own volition.
Someone took off his hat, and with a nervous hesitancy the rest of the men bowed their heads also. Here and there an old soldier could be detected slipping unconsciously into the posture of 'attention'. An elderly woman, not far away, wiped her eyes, and the man beside her looked white and stern. Everyone stood very still ... The hush deepened. It had spread over the whole city and become so pronounced as to impress one with a sense of audibility. It was a silence which was almost pain ... And the spirit of memory brooded over it all.'
Friday, November 05, 2004
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
A little news
It seems to be getting a little too long between posts. We are closer to getting the Internet back on. Not much else has been happening, I went to a fiends 21st on Saturday last – it was a themed party, I went as a Jester [sorry no photos]. It was great to catch up with people that I haven’t seen for a while, and didn’t expect to see there either. Paul, on of the guys from my Beach Mission team was there – it was great to hear how he was going.
Sunday, had lunch with my brother, Nathan and Jasmin from my old church, good to chat, and play a board game, until I had to head on back to Sydney. Eventful Sunday afternoon trip back too, the train was running 70 minutes behind time, so I just managed to get to church before the Sermon.
The sermon was from Joshua 5-6 [One of those ones the Pastor would prefer not to preach]. We learnt that the battle of Jericho was God’s fight. It’s kind of unsettling to think of God as judge, but He is. Perhaps what should grab us is not that God destroys some, but He choses to spare anyone. God has appointed a day when all souls will be called to account before Him. The question isn’t is God on our side, but are we on His – and following on from that; what does it mean to be on God’s side; what does our allegiance look like?
Work’s also quite busy at the moment ~ we ran about like headless chooks for most of Friday trying to ensure that we did get a tender off, which with the UNSW Email Server taking the day off proved to be difficult.
The rest of the week is pretty usual – Bible Study tomorrow night, in which we’ll be looking at the final few chapters of The Revelation of John, then a dinner with the Netball team on Thursday. The weekend will be busy again too – heading out to Luna Park on Saturday, then down to Wollongong, for a housewarming, after which I’ll head back for church on Sunday.
+++
So, was also going to talk about those songs. Will begin with Lee Ann Womack’s I Hope You Dance. I only chanced upon it as my sister gave the single to me for my 23rd birthday. I think what I loved about this song was the lyric, which is such a beautiful message from one to another: Its message is simply make the most of who you are, take the chances you have.
If you get a choice to sit it out or dance/I hope you dance
The Ground Beneath Her Feet was written by Salman Rushdie, which has only recently totally grabbed me: I was driving home from a friends place, and heard the song for the first time, rendering me speechless:
For what I worshipped stole my love away, It was the ground beneath her feet
How to Disappear Completely is different in that it is not the words alone, but the atmosphere created as the words combine with the music that really grabbed me. Kid A took a few listens to get into, but now, I’d consider it as much a masterpiece as Ok Computer.
I still remember the first time I heard The Metre. I was working at the University of New South Wales, in the School of Social Science and Policy, I was listening to the Denton breakfast show, and it was September 2001. Along with a poem that Andrew Denton read [which I’ll try and find], the words really spoke to me at that time– if you measure the world by the mark that you make, welcome to the saving grace.
I bought Afterglow earlier this year; it was the first I’d actually heard of Sarah McLachlan. Sarah does have a beaut voice – but the video clip for World on Fire was brilliantly done. It’s not your typical video – with great special effects, or soft-porn (as too many are these days), the video makes a point. Watch the clip, and let me know what you think.
The world's on fire it's more then I can handle
I'll tap into the water try and bring my share
Try to bring more, more then I can handle
Bring it to the table, Bring what I am able
Hearts are worn in these dark ages
Youre not alone in these stories pages
The light has fallen amongst the living and the dying
And I'll try to hold it in, Yeah I'll try to hold it in
I watch the heavens but I find no calling
Something I can do to change what's coming
Stay close to me while the sky's falling
I don't wanna be left alone don't wanna be alone
Hearts break hearts mend love still hurts
Visions clash planes crash still theres talk of
saving souls still colds closing in on us
We part the veil on our killer sun
Stray from the straight line on this short run
The more we take the less we become
The fortune of one man means less for some
Finally, I want to post these snippets from Miserere: Wretched wretched me, but I toast life! […] I am the saint who betrayed you / now I’m the beggar who owes you […] I live in the soul of the world, lost in the depths of life.
Anyway, enough from me! Please let me know what songs or lines from songs that touch you, at the moment...
Sunday, had lunch with my brother, Nathan and Jasmin from my old church, good to chat, and play a board game, until I had to head on back to Sydney. Eventful Sunday afternoon trip back too, the train was running 70 minutes behind time, so I just managed to get to church before the Sermon.
The sermon was from Joshua 5-6 [One of those ones the Pastor would prefer not to preach]. We learnt that the battle of Jericho was God’s fight. It’s kind of unsettling to think of God as judge, but He is. Perhaps what should grab us is not that God destroys some, but He choses to spare anyone. God has appointed a day when all souls will be called to account before Him. The question isn’t is God on our side, but are we on His – and following on from that; what does it mean to be on God’s side; what does our allegiance look like?
Work’s also quite busy at the moment ~ we ran about like headless chooks for most of Friday trying to ensure that we did get a tender off, which with the UNSW Email Server taking the day off proved to be difficult.
The rest of the week is pretty usual – Bible Study tomorrow night, in which we’ll be looking at the final few chapters of The Revelation of John, then a dinner with the Netball team on Thursday. The weekend will be busy again too – heading out to Luna Park on Saturday, then down to Wollongong, for a housewarming, after which I’ll head back for church on Sunday.
+++
So, was also going to talk about those songs. Will begin with Lee Ann Womack’s I Hope You Dance. I only chanced upon it as my sister gave the single to me for my 23rd birthday. I think what I loved about this song was the lyric, which is such a beautiful message from one to another: Its message is simply make the most of who you are, take the chances you have.
If you get a choice to sit it out or dance/I hope you dance
The Ground Beneath Her Feet was written by Salman Rushdie, which has only recently totally grabbed me: I was driving home from a friends place, and heard the song for the first time, rendering me speechless:
For what I worshipped stole my love away, It was the ground beneath her feet
How to Disappear Completely is different in that it is not the words alone, but the atmosphere created as the words combine with the music that really grabbed me. Kid A took a few listens to get into, but now, I’d consider it as much a masterpiece as Ok Computer.
I still remember the first time I heard The Metre. I was working at the University of New South Wales, in the School of Social Science and Policy, I was listening to the Denton breakfast show, and it was September 2001. Along with a poem that Andrew Denton read [which I’ll try and find], the words really spoke to me at that time– if you measure the world by the mark that you make, welcome to the saving grace.
I bought Afterglow earlier this year; it was the first I’d actually heard of Sarah McLachlan. Sarah does have a beaut voice – but the video clip for World on Fire was brilliantly done. It’s not your typical video – with great special effects, or soft-porn (as too many are these days), the video makes a point. Watch the clip, and let me know what you think.
The world's on fire it's more then I can handle
I'll tap into the water try and bring my share
Try to bring more, more then I can handle
Bring it to the table, Bring what I am able
Hearts are worn in these dark ages
Youre not alone in these stories pages
The light has fallen amongst the living and the dying
And I'll try to hold it in, Yeah I'll try to hold it in
I watch the heavens but I find no calling
Something I can do to change what's coming
Stay close to me while the sky's falling
I don't wanna be left alone don't wanna be alone
Hearts break hearts mend love still hurts
Visions clash planes crash still theres talk of
saving souls still colds closing in on us
We part the veil on our killer sun
Stray from the straight line on this short run
The more we take the less we become
The fortune of one man means less for some
Finally, I want to post these snippets from Miserere: Wretched wretched me, but I toast life! […] I am the saint who betrayed you / now I’m the beggar who owes you […] I live in the soul of the world, lost in the depths of life.
Anyway, enough from me! Please let me know what songs or lines from songs that touch you, at the moment...
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