Two Seasons a Year – Off and On

I went out to the Open Air Cinema at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for the first time, F and I saw The Perfect Catch (for those familiar with the story – its not about me). I do wonder why they changed the title for Australia.

The film is about a love triangle, where the third party is sport. Though it is not a sports film, it is a film about relationships. While Ben is the sports tragic, Lindsey is career driven making for a very interesting relationship.

The film is inspired by Fever Pitch [Nick Hornby, who also wrote High Fidelity and About a Boy]. The book details Nick’s relationship with Arsenal FC, and is worth a read. Though, the film only draws from an episode from the book. Both the book and the film give an interesting and realistic take on why men become fascinated with sport.

One of the classical conversations is when Lindsey and her girlfriends wonder where he has been; why he was single. Ben’s secret of course that he is a Red-Sox fan (one of God’s more pitiful creations). I don’t really have much doubt that there are people out there as ‘into’ their team as Ben.

I guess it is worth noting the film did not originally end with the Red-Sox winning the World Series, (which makes for a little too perfect ending). Though having said that, the Red Sox did actually win the World Series in 2005 (breaking an 80 year hoodoo)

I think the film is worth having a look at. Leaving the film aside I definitely liked the setting, and would quite happily go to the movies at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair again.

Music of My Soul

One of the things I deeply love is music, and I’ve become passionate about Christian Music; but I wasn’t always like this, I guess I thought I would think of Christian music as quite bad. I was wrong.

Through a number of years I spent in a chat-room hosted on Rebecca St. James website I was introduced to the variety of Christian bands. So given that it is about 10 years since I started visiting that chat-room I thought that I would give a list of 10 Christian CD’s that I think are worth picking up whether you are familiar with Christian Music or not. I’m not going to rate these in any order (because taste is subjective).

I first heard some of these artists on a mix-tape that Karen B. [thanks, and I've probably almost worn the tape out ;)] did for me (exceptions are Switchfoot (AWTR), Nichole Nordeman (Matthew), and The Normals (RSJ-Chat).

Note: I’ve decided that the few greatest hits or worship cds I own are ineligible – the only unlucky CDs, Newsboys – Shine, Keith Green (the collections), and the City on a Hill projects (many of the artists on this list have songs on the City on a Hill projects).

Jars of Clay – Self-titled

On the basis of Worlds Apart which remains my favourite Christian song (the live version is absolutely amazing). But the CD remains to me as fresh now as it was when I bought it.

Nichole Nordemann – Wide-Eyed (or Woven and Spun)

Consistently my favourite singer-songwriter, each of her albums offers a different and honest view of her Christian-life. Nichole isn’t afraid to ask questions, and this is perhaps her greatest strength.

The Normals – Coming to Life

We are the Beggars at the Foot of God’s Door , Coming to Life, combine fantastic song-writing, with a tight musical sound. Unfortunately like a few on this list The Normals are no longer together as a band,

Third Day – Wire

Could possibly have gone with the first self-titled CD, but I think they continue to grow as a band with every release. I have often thought Mac Powell has a similar voice to the lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish. I guess you would call their style traditional southern rock. Wire is I think the most rich lyrically of their collection.

Jennifer Knapp – Lay it Down

I first heard Jennifer Knapp at the Harvest Crusades, and really loved her voice. She has such a rich expressive voice. Her song writing is quite good. Though I think she is another who is no longer producing CDs.

Switchfoot – The Beautiful Letdown

Provides a(nother) reason why watching ‘chick-flicks’ is good for you; their songs on the soundtrack to A Walk to Remember, first captured my interest. On Fire is reason alone to buy their CD. Only Hope, from the movie is another of their great songs – though it is on the soundtrack, and A New Way to be Human

Rebecca St James – God (or Transform)

Ironically, I think this is the artist I hesitated most over. But each of these CDs contains great and original songwriting, and equal numbers of my favourite songs. But I think God perhaps speaks to me a little more.

Sarah Masen – The Holding

I was captivated by the lyrics and her sound, mostly – acoustic guitar. It is simply a beautiful album.

“In Him I find the hope to walk on down that dark narrow road”.

Clear – Clear

The tracks on this CD cover a variety of themes – their take on Ecclesiastes (Chasing After the Wind); Evangelism (Why) and the perhaps my favourite song (What Your Grace Can Do).

Nouveaux – […] And this is how I feel

The first song I heard from this was Maybe Tomorrow, which is a beautiful song about waiting for love. “No one else to hold on to // until I’m holding you”. But the song that really grabbed, and continues to grab onto me – You Breathe – Father You Breathe and I hear you whispering // and your mercies carry me // Father you breathe and your presence fills the air // and I find my solace there.

2005: What Made the Year that Was

Well, now that we have got a little more accustomed to 2006, I will post a bit more of some personal reflections of 2005. In summary, after quite a shaky start with work 2005 turned into a great year.

During 2005 I was struck by better nature of humanity – evident in the generosity of people responding to the Tsunami, and before Christmas I was struck by the Herald’s readers who paid for Jess Maulder, another potential, but unlikely, Australian of the Year, to go back to Thailand (where she was last Christmas) for the memorial. The earthquake in Kashmir resulted in Indian and Pakistani cooperation. But at the same time the darkside was all to easy to see.

2005 also reminded us that we are unable to control our world- the Tsunami, the Hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico and the earthquake in Kashmir, being a few examples.

While I was rereading my diary for the year, I came across a list of what I was looking forward to in 2005, on that list (along with a concert or two) was my Gran’s 90th birthday, seeing my sister, and joining Community Bible Church, and no surprise that these were high on the list of highlights for 2005.

It was great to be able to go down to New Zealand and join with my family in celebrating her birthday. I always find these family gatherings quite hard, because we do not see our cousins all that often, but I always enjoy catching up with them, and great seeing how they have grown.

I think it was in March, Lynley and I decided that we would across to the US together, and our holiday was a high point of the year, as was her coming home just before Christmas. Having Christmas together as a family was fantastic.

I had resolved myself during the year to read through the entire bible each year, I did not achieve this. My bible reading has not been great this year, which is one thing that I am seeking to change in 2006.

I found it really great met up with three Korean guys from the morning congregation, we spent our time looking through the book of Philippians, which was quite rewarding for me.

Community Bible Church, was a great group of Godly Christian’s to be involved with, and I found the preaching to be quite challenging and confronting, but at the same time quite comforting, and encouraging. It is with a touch of sadness that I leave Unichurch and move to Barneys on Broadway. (F. and I will definitely miss the Graduate Bible Fellowship – and our bible study group at A+B’s)

The highlight of the year was one that this time last year I hadn’t expected, but the last 9 months or so with F. has been great. It is a blessing being able to spend time with each other and seeing our relationship grow. :)

So what does 2006 hold, I am not one really for resolutions, but I think looking ahead I would like to see my life reflect my faith my clearly, particularly in my relationships, with my family, my flatmates, and Fiona. I am looking forward to getting to know more of my brother’s and sisters at Barney’s and being able to encourage and minister to them, and I would like to read the bible once in the next 18 months, (or twice in three years), and more generally I would like to read and write more often. I intend to speak to people at University about the possibilities for my Masters so watch this space.

In 2006 I also am looking forward to the Australian Open Tennis, the World Cup (Australia’s first in 32 years); a few more concerts, and I am sure there will be other pleasant surprises through the course the year as well.

Making Poverty History

It was a banner year in 2005 for big speeches from global leaders about fighting third-world poverty. But if any of their promises are going to come close to being kept, 2006 must be a year of action [...] The world needs no more speeches in 2006 about global poverty. The six million children under 5 who die every year of diseases that can be easily and cheaply treated do not need more lofty goals. Nor do the 40 million young people still unable to go to school, or the 300 million Africans who lack access to clean water. The time for talking is over. Our resolution for the new year is to keep track of how many of last year's promises turn into something more than words.

New York Times, January 1, 2006
+++

Today is Julian day 2453738 or if you prefer, January 2, 2006.

How to be Happy?

For those of you who resolved to be happier this year, Ross Gittins wrote an interesting article in today’s herald [sorry print issue only] – helpfully titled - ‘How to be Happy', he makes the unsurprisingly comment that it takes time, and hardly any money.

The question of happiness is one that Gittin’s often writes on, and unsurprisingly one that he receives a large volume of feedback about (because I guess we all want to be happier).

Again, perhaps another unsurprising thought that as we look out to our society we see a broken world, and realise that perhaps we are walking the wrong way. Our material wealth has not led us to subjective well-being.

As I read through the article, what I found most interesting (and perhaps I should not be that surprised) was that a lot of the research quoted in the article seemed to highlight biblical values. So, perhaps after all we are wired in a particular way.

The article makes the claim that it is from seeking to make other people happy we ourselves are likely to be happier. In I guess in some form of circle those who are helpful are more likely to be happy, and those who are happy are more likely to help.

Purpose and activity also assist, by giving us meaning. I thought this may be because they can provide a framework, by which we can explain the events of our lives.

It was interesting that when the article talked about “work” – it talked about doing things for their own value, not because you can, or feel you should, or you want the kudos that comes with it. In this sense, work will perhaps add to a sense of happiness.

Contentment or happiness leads us ‘success’ in relationships, work, and health, not the other way round. Clearly we can’t have it all if we want to keep a healthy life, we do need to chose, make priorities of what to do with our time.

The article is perhaps, filled with common sense type statements and claims, but I guess it only highlights how uncommon, common sense make actually be.

Drawn From Still Water Favourite 5 CDs for 2005

It hasn’t been a bad year, but a lot of the CD’s I have bought this year were released prior to 2005. I’m not sure whether I should count tribute CDs, but She Will Have Her Way a tribute CD to the music of Neil and Tim Finn is great.

Honorable mentions: Bright Eyes – Digitial Ash and a Digital Urn, and Jars of Clay – Redemption Songs.

Unrated: Third Day – Whereever you Are, Rebecca St James – If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something. Sufjan Stevens - Illinoise

5: Coldplay – X and Y

I have to say this was one of the more anticipated CDs being released this year. I quite liked their previous CD. However while X&Y does have a number of great tracks; Fix You, A Message, Square One, it does grab you, or depart much from their earlier work.

4: Switchfoot – Nothing is Sound

The CD was mostly written on the tour over the last twelve months, and has been spending a fair bit of time in my CD player. I am quite a fan of the songwriting. The band’s faith is a little less on their sleeve, but is still apparent. A couple of the standout tracks are ‘The Shadow Proves the Sunshine’, and ‘The Blues’. Its quite worth a listen, but give it time to grow.

3: Sigur Ros - Takk

What do I say about Sigur Ros. Thanks Guan, for introducing me to their music in 2004. Thanks Joe for letting me they were playing shows in August this year; quite a phenomenal show. Takk has been described as their most accessible CD. I’m not sure about that, but their songs are great. I really loved Hoppipoka, Milano and Glosoli. It is hard to describe what sort of music Sigur Ros is, I guess atmospheric is not quite there but it is close.

If you haven’t got tickets for their shows in April next year – get them, I don’t think you will regret it.

2: Nichole Nordemann – Brave

It’s the words rather than the music that drew me to Nichole Nordeman. Thanks to my brother Matt. Yep, my brother introduced me to the music of Nichole Nordeman. Brave probably has a few of the favourite songs of the year Hold On, and What If? (a great evangelistic songs – What if he takes his place in history // With all the prophets and the kings // Who taught us love and came in peace // But then the story ends // What then? // But what if you’re wrong? On the whole though, it is a fairly consistent CD, from perhaps my favourite Christian singer-songwriter.

1: Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake its Morning

Was mildly interested in hearing their music, then once I heard that they were playing support for R.E.M. and decided that I would try and get their CD before the show. Quite like the songs before the concert though it probably was the concert that solidified my opinion about them. The song writing is perhaps the greatest strength – the standout tracks for me were – Lua; Landlocked Blues; Old Soul Song (for a new world order), and We are nowhere and its now. Perhaps the most consistent CD that I bought this year, and on the basis of the studio, and live performances of the songs, I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning is my Album of 2005.

On the Horizon: At this point the only murmurings I’ve heard is about a Radiohead CD in about May[ish] and Pearl Jam, but I won’t hold my breath.

Drawn From Still Waters Favourite Films for 2005

Honorable Mentions: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

10: In Her Shoes (just a lovely story)
9: Shopgirl (quite liked the story, about how people change, and change each other. Danes was great)
8: Goodnight and Goodluck (set in the period of McCarthy, and sheds a very interesting light on the events of the past three years)
7: Little Fish (The best Australian film for years).
6: Howl’s Moving Castle (stunning visuals, and a great story).

5: Turtles Can Fly

Set in a refugee camp in the north Iraq, the film is a story of four kids in the refugee camp, and the impact and legacy of war on children. The film is a provoking and somewhat distressing film reminding us of the innocent victims of wars.

4: The Motorcycle Diaries

As I wrote earlier in the year, I don’t actually know a lot of about Che Guerava, and this film gives you an insight into his nature has he grew up. The visuals were particularly fantastic.

3: Crash

The film looks at the issue of race in LA, perhaps a film that we should all look at now in Sydney. Fantastic script, the stories and characters intersect beautifully. For this reason alone it is worth having a look at.

2: Downfall

Pages of history, transported to the screen. It enabled you to see both the downfall of the Third Reich and the mental collapse of Hitler. In some ways was distressing to watch as you saw the extent to which some followers took there devotion to Nazism.

1: Hotel Rwanda

"If people see this footage they'll say, 'Oh my God, that's terrible,' and they'll go on eating their dinners.

Hands down the most powerful and confronting film I have seen this year. It is a much needed stern rebuke to me, and to the West. Never again, we said after the Holocaust, never again we said after Bosnia. Yet the West betrayed these claims as they sat idly by while this occurred in Rwanda – and still sits idly by while similar events take place in Sudan. Hotel Rwanda was the must-see film of 2005.

We are witnesses, take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen. [Deut 4:9, perhaps a little (re)interpreted]

To see: Memoirs of a Geisha, Joyueax Noel, and The New World.