A Post-Christmas to-do list

Not sure what to do between Christmas and the New Year ... here's a list (via the Chicago Tribune) of things to do before the end of the year.

1 Get unplugged. Take a deep breath and have some fun.

2 Get inspired.

3 Get focused. Play a game with me. It is Dec. 22, 2010. You've brushed your teeth, turned off the lights and are almost asleep. You think back over 2010 and feel a sense of excitement, accomplishment and happiness. Answer this question, "What happened in 2010 for me to feel this way?" Now you know what to focus on next year.

4 Get gratitude. "What's next?" I know I find myself asking this a lot. But in your quest for new and more, take a step back and consider everything you have to be thankful for. Are there problems in your life? Of course. But I guarantee there are some gems. I bet that if you thought about it for 30 seconds, you'd have a list that would surprise you. Try it.

5 Get generous. This doesn't mean you should buy a bunch of stuff. It means you give something of yourself. That could be your ideas or a shoulder. Who has had the greatest impact on you this year? Call them and say thank you.

Finally - don't worry about 2010 -- it will come without your help. Spend the next few days enjoying what's left of 2009.

not sharing...

Interesting to read this piece (SMH) about the sharing of Christmas news - and there's defnintely something in sharing the ups and downs of our year -- though I wonder how likely we are to write openly then, if it seems we find it hard to share what's happening at other times too. How to write 'mass communication' is something to think about - in terms of how much detail to share, and the authenticity of what we share. And maybe there's something about readers only wanting to see the 'good news'.

Friendship and a few bonuses...

One of the trends of 2009 was the growth of social-networking sites - this atricle is a great read about the changing nature of friendship. Another Christmas article, this one's about the 'christmas' songs we could do away with -- (via New York Times)

A final one - about the impact of MySpace - which is a great way to introduce yourself to music (as they often have songs streaming on their pages).

The Child in the Manger (the King on the Cross)

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. (Rev 1:12-19, ESV)

Christmas

A couple of Christmas pieces from the herald today..


Did Jesus come to make us fat and greedy... (on the prosperity gospel).

And  John Dickson's piece on the Christmas narrative.

Music for 2009...

As the year winds its way down, I thought I write about a few of the artists I've encountered during 2009.

Amy Dickson - A classically trained Saxaphonist now based in the UK. Her latest album includes recordings of recordings of Tavener, Nyman and Glass. Really enjoyed it.

Sara Groves - Christian singer-songwriter. A really enjoyed her lyrics (which are so honest, and real).

Gemma Hayes / Lisa Hannigan - Two awesome Irish singer-songwriters. Lisa until recently sang with the awesome Damien Rice. I'm almost ready to admit that the best musicians come from Ireland (or maybe the UK and Ireland :-).

Noah and the Whale - Another British group, kind of folkish, I love the name :-)

World Cup - Draw.

The groups have been set: New Zealand will face, Italy, Slovakia and Paraguay; Australia has games against Germany, Ghana and Serbia. The full details are here.

Dates for the diary:
Tuesday, June 15, 9.30pm, AEST, NZ v Slovakia, at Rustenburg
Monday, June 21, Midnight, AEST, NZ v Italy, at Nelspruit
Friday, June 25, Midnight, AEST, NZ v Paraguay, at Johannesburg

2010 -- World Cup Draw

Tonight, we find out the Groups for the World Cup, perhaps unfortunately Australia and New Zealand can not be in the same group. The way the draw will work is that the 32 countries participanting in the cup are divided into 4 pots of 8 teams.

Pot A (seeded teams): South Africa (hosts), Brazil, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Argentina, England.
Pot B (Asia, Oceania, Concacaf): Australia, Japan, Korea DPR, Korea Republic, Honduras, Mexico, USA, New Zealand.
Pot C (Africa, South America): Algeria, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay.
Pot D (Europe): Denmark, France, Greece, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland,

Can you imagine the headlines if Italy or England are drawn into the Australia's group. As for NZ, I don't really mind :-)

revolving doors...

Its amazing to realise, but NSW has had five four Premiers in 5 years, and with a inevitable cabinet reshuffle, I think it will be six treasurers in five years. The best comment I've seen was that:

"a Party that [clearly] cannot govern itself, cannot govern a state".

I'm not sure if its constitutional valid, but it would have been wonderful if as well as making the speech he made yesterday, Rees went to the Governor and forced an election.

Given the last 6 months, its no certainity that Kennelly will be there on election day.