Thursday, March 31, 2005
Mr Hess
My mum called me yesterday after work, and sadly informed me that an elderly friend of mine, Mr Hesselschwerdt (hence the "Mr Hess") had passed away.
It's sad, but it's good at the same time; he'd not been well for quite some time, and had just moved into a nursing home. Mr Hess was an extremely intelligent man (he was a Biologist, and had also written a book about creation and evolution), and I know that becoming ill, and also becoming increasingly dependent on others was not the way he preferred to be.
Mum said that he had a stroke early wednesday morning, and passed away at 2pm.
One thing I know for certain though, is that he's with God now, and for Mr Hess, nothing could be better than that!
It's sad, but it's good at the same time; he'd not been well for quite some time, and had just moved into a nursing home. Mr Hess was an extremely intelligent man (he was a Biologist, and had also written a book about creation and evolution), and I know that becoming ill, and also becoming increasingly dependent on others was not the way he preferred to be.
Mum said that he had a stroke early wednesday morning, and passed away at 2pm.
One thing I know for certain though, is that he's with God now, and for Mr Hess, nothing could be better than that!
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
PostSecret
While "web-meandering" today, I came across this fascinating site, which I've now added to my blogroll. Basically, it's like a confessional, but in the form of hand-made postcards, containing people's deepest secrets.
Some of them make you laugh, while some of them make you cry. And, some of them make you realise that your deepest, darkest fears may actually be the same as many people around you.
Some of them make you laugh, while some of them make you cry. And, some of them make you realise that your deepest, darkest fears may actually be the same as many people around you.
Paul Hester
Over the weekend, the drummer of one of my favourite bands, Crowded House, committed suicide. He leaves behind 2 children, aged 10 and 8.
I hate suicide.
(tribute board)
I hate suicide.
(tribute board)
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Beatles, Chickens and Donkeys
Sorry about the multiple posts today peoples!
I found this site via Ps Phil Baker's blog, and thought that it was worth mentioning here!
Enjoy.
I found this site via Ps Phil Baker's blog, and thought that it was worth mentioning here!
Enjoy.
Help! Jazz/Funk
I need some help....I'm looking for a range of songs from the Jazz & Funk genre that would be appropriate to sing in a church environment. I sing at our church Jazz Cafe with a group called the "Jazz Monkeys" - and they're fantabulous at both Jazz and Funk....only problem is that my repertoire is quite small, and I really don't know a lot of songs from these two genres (that would be appropriate to sing in the church environment....any help would be appreciated!
What's so amazing about Life Group
Well we should be nearly finished our study of "What's so Amazing About Grace" by now, but because we have our life group on a different night to most of the groups (ours-monday, others-tuesday), it's been cancelled the last few weeks due to church meetings (Marilyn Hickey), easter production rehearsals (well, that one was just me), and then last night, we postponed it until tonight because it was a public holiday.
However, what that means for me is that I'm now 3 weeks behind in the reading. Where most of the group should be finished section 2 of the book, I'm still in the introduction. This is quite abnormal for me - once I start a book, it's generally finished by the end of the week - unless I'm already reading one that has my full attention....which is currently the case:
At the moment I'm reading what is currently the second-to-last book in Patricia Cornwell's "Kay Scarpetta" series. This one's called "Blowfly". My flatmate got me hooked, and now i'm committed to finishing the series in record time. I started "Blowfly" two days ago, and I'm now just over half way. But - my flatmate pointed out that Cornwell has changed her writing style - she's changed from 1st person narrative to 3rd person observational writing, which is really starting to annoy me. My flatmate informed me that she goes back to her better 1st person narrative in the next book, which I can't wait to read!
Maybe then I'll get around to finishing "What's so Amazing about Grace". (It's not that I don't want to read it, i'm just obsessed with the Scarpetta series!)
However, what that means for me is that I'm now 3 weeks behind in the reading. Where most of the group should be finished section 2 of the book, I'm still in the introduction. This is quite abnormal for me - once I start a book, it's generally finished by the end of the week - unless I'm already reading one that has my full attention....which is currently the case:
At the moment I'm reading what is currently the second-to-last book in Patricia Cornwell's "Kay Scarpetta" series. This one's called "Blowfly". My flatmate got me hooked, and now i'm committed to finishing the series in record time. I started "Blowfly" two days ago, and I'm now just over half way. But - my flatmate pointed out that Cornwell has changed her writing style - she's changed from 1st person narrative to 3rd person observational writing, which is really starting to annoy me. My flatmate informed me that she goes back to her better 1st person narrative in the next book, which I can't wait to read!
Maybe then I'll get around to finishing "What's so Amazing about Grace". (It's not that I don't want to read it, i'm just obsessed with the Scarpetta series!)
Easter
Happy Easter everyone - I hope you all had a great and relaxing time with your family.
My easter long weekend was one of the busiest easters that I can remember having. We held our easter production on the Good Friday and Easter Sunday, which meant that I was at church from 1:30pm until 9:45pm on the Friday, and at church from 7:30am-12:30pm and again from 2:00pm until 10:30pm on the Sunday.
Attendance was fantastic - on the friday night we had to turn people away, as even the overflow area was full, so we had approximately 1200 people at the friday night, and probably around 1000 on the Sunday night.
We rocked on after the sunday night production with the Jazz Monkeys (featuring ME!) and because of the public holiday on the monday, a LOT of people hung around for a good time! Everyone was up and dancing, which was great fun.
Yesterday (monday), was nice and relaxing...I tried to call my friends to see if there were any plans for the night...and it turns out that ALL of my friends had gone to the Easter Show - without me! So far, I've lived in Sydney for 3 easters, and I'm yet to go to the show. So I stayed home and watched Queer Eye (don't crucify me!). How sad :(
This Wednesday is a screening of the easter production for the cast and crew - around 200 of us (which is about the same number as the entire membership of my old church - my mind boggles!), and then it's party time! (Any excuse for a party - that's us!)
My easter long weekend was one of the busiest easters that I can remember having. We held our easter production on the Good Friday and Easter Sunday, which meant that I was at church from 1:30pm until 9:45pm on the Friday, and at church from 7:30am-12:30pm and again from 2:00pm until 10:30pm on the Sunday.
Attendance was fantastic - on the friday night we had to turn people away, as even the overflow area was full, so we had approximately 1200 people at the friday night, and probably around 1000 on the Sunday night.
We rocked on after the sunday night production with the Jazz Monkeys (featuring ME!) and because of the public holiday on the monday, a LOT of people hung around for a good time! Everyone was up and dancing, which was great fun.
Yesterday (monday), was nice and relaxing...I tried to call my friends to see if there were any plans for the night...and it turns out that ALL of my friends had gone to the Easter Show - without me! So far, I've lived in Sydney for 3 easters, and I'm yet to go to the show. So I stayed home and watched Queer Eye (don't crucify me!). How sad :(
This Wednesday is a screening of the easter production for the cast and crew - around 200 of us (which is about the same number as the entire membership of my old church - my mind boggles!), and then it's party time! (Any excuse for a party - that's us!)
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Terri Schindler-Schiavo
I've been following this terrible story lately.
A brief overview: Terri suffered a brain injury in the 90's, which caused severe mental damage, however not to the point where she became totally vegetative. Currently she still responds to external stimulation from people around her. However, she was unable to take fluids and food orally, and so has been fed via a feeding tube ever since.
Her husband took care of her until they were awarded compensation in a court case regarding her medical care. Michael (Terri's husband) now no longer cares for Terri, who is in hospital and who is also being cared for by her parents. Apparently most of the money from the court case, which was awarded for Terri's medical care, has since been spent on legal costs, with a small percentage being spent on Terri's medical care.
Michael is currently engaged to another lady, with whom he has 2 (?) children. If Michael was to divorce Terri, then she would have full access to the money awarded to her, and also be able to receive more progressive treatment and therapy - all progressive treatment was stopped by Michael soon after the court case. However, if Terri was to die (which is what will happen when the feeding tube is removed), Michael would stand to inherit all of the remaining money from the trial.
For the past few years Michael has been fighting in the courts to get Terri's feeding tube removed, on the premise that she is in a Permanent Vegetative State, and has no chance of improving.
Unfortunately, Michael has been successful in this attempt, and on the 18th of March, Terri's feeding tube was removed, and now begins the slow and painful process of death via starvation and dehydration.
Currently, Terri's parents are petitioning a federal court, with the support of congress and President Bush, to have her feeding tube re-inserted.
Please keep Terri, her family, and this latest attempt to save her life in your prayers.
For more information, please go here.
A brief overview: Terri suffered a brain injury in the 90's, which caused severe mental damage, however not to the point where she became totally vegetative. Currently she still responds to external stimulation from people around her. However, she was unable to take fluids and food orally, and so has been fed via a feeding tube ever since.
Her husband took care of her until they were awarded compensation in a court case regarding her medical care. Michael (Terri's husband) now no longer cares for Terri, who is in hospital and who is also being cared for by her parents. Apparently most of the money from the court case, which was awarded for Terri's medical care, has since been spent on legal costs, with a small percentage being spent on Terri's medical care.
Michael is currently engaged to another lady, with whom he has 2 (?) children. If Michael was to divorce Terri, then she would have full access to the money awarded to her, and also be able to receive more progressive treatment and therapy - all progressive treatment was stopped by Michael soon after the court case. However, if Terri was to die (which is what will happen when the feeding tube is removed), Michael would stand to inherit all of the remaining money from the trial.
For the past few years Michael has been fighting in the courts to get Terri's feeding tube removed, on the premise that she is in a Permanent Vegetative State, and has no chance of improving.
Unfortunately, Michael has been successful in this attempt, and on the 18th of March, Terri's feeding tube was removed, and now begins the slow and painful process of death via starvation and dehydration.
Currently, Terri's parents are petitioning a federal court, with the support of congress and President Bush, to have her feeding tube re-inserted.
Please keep Terri, her family, and this latest attempt to save her life in your prayers.
For more information, please go here.
Monday, March 21, 2005
"His Majesty" Easter Production
Well, there's 4 days to go until our first performance of this year's easter production: "His Majesty". I'm yet to go to a full rehearsal - I left early at the last rehearsal as I was not feeling 100% and didn't want to strain my voice with only a week until the performance.
Tonight is our first FULL rehearsal - in every sense of the word. It will be a full rehearsal of the entire production with no stopping, and everyone will be in FULL costume, except for me, as I forgot to go and purchase a top that we need to wear. Oops. Oh well, I'll get it in time for the next rehearsal...well I'll get it before the production starts on friday night!
For more information on the production, please go to Liverpool Christian Life Centre's web site.
Tonight is our first FULL rehearsal - in every sense of the word. It will be a full rehearsal of the entire production with no stopping, and everyone will be in FULL costume, except for me, as I forgot to go and purchase a top that we need to wear. Oops. Oh well, I'll get it in time for the next rehearsal...well I'll get it before the production starts on friday night!
For more information on the production, please go to Liverpool Christian Life Centre's web site.
hmmm...that's a new idea
I found this while looking for something else, as is often the case:
Baby swallows hard and gets behind the wheel to drive Mum home
By David Derbyshire in London, December 4 2002
A mother who was stranded when her teething baby ate a vital part of the car key managed to start the engine by pressing the child to the steering wheel.
One-year-old Oscar Webster swallowed a pill-sized radio transponder - a coded electronic chip security device - while playing with her keys in the back of the car.
His mother, Amanda, 34, thought her car had broken down, so she called the motoring organisation, the RAC.
When patrolman Keith Scott turned up to help in the west London street, he thought that the battery was flat. "Then I noticed that part of the key was missing. So we looked around the car. Oscar's mother had let him play with the keys ...
"All of a sudden it dawned on me. Mrs Webster told me that he had been sucking the key and we realised he might have swallowed part of it."
Assuming that the transponder would still operate, Mr Scott suggested placing Oscar close to the steering column as his mother inserted the key. "She sat him on her lap and made sure that his tummy was pressed up against the wheel. She turned the key and the car started."
Transponders were first inserted in car keys in the mid-1990s. Usually the device is hidden in the plastic handle. But in some models it takes the form of a cylinder under a detachable cap.
Oscar was none the worse for the experience and, when nature took its course, the chip was recovered still in working order.
Mr Scott, 37, a patrolman for six years, said: "This was the oddest breakdown I have been to. I don't know how I came up with the idea.
"Oscar was still playing with the keys when I got there and seemed to think it was funny. I guess this was the ultimate in car security."
The Telegraph, London
Baby swallows hard and gets behind the wheel to drive Mum home
By David Derbyshire in London, December 4 2002
A mother who was stranded when her teething baby ate a vital part of the car key managed to start the engine by pressing the child to the steering wheel.
One-year-old Oscar Webster swallowed a pill-sized radio transponder - a coded electronic chip security device - while playing with her keys in the back of the car.
His mother, Amanda, 34, thought her car had broken down, so she called the motoring organisation, the RAC.
When patrolman Keith Scott turned up to help in the west London street, he thought that the battery was flat. "Then I noticed that part of the key was missing. So we looked around the car. Oscar's mother had let him play with the keys ...
"All of a sudden it dawned on me. Mrs Webster told me that he had been sucking the key and we realised he might have swallowed part of it."
Assuming that the transponder would still operate, Mr Scott suggested placing Oscar close to the steering column as his mother inserted the key. "She sat him on her lap and made sure that his tummy was pressed up against the wheel. She turned the key and the car started."
Transponders were first inserted in car keys in the mid-1990s. Usually the device is hidden in the plastic handle. But in some models it takes the form of a cylinder under a detachable cap.
Oscar was none the worse for the experience and, when nature took its course, the chip was recovered still in working order.
Mr Scott, 37, a patrolman for six years, said: "This was the oddest breakdown I have been to. I don't know how I came up with the idea.
"Oscar was still playing with the keys when I got there and seemed to think it was funny. I guess this was the ultimate in car security."
The Telegraph, London
Friday, March 18, 2005
new phone!
My "trusty" little Kyocera has decided to give me a few more headaches than normal, so I've decided that it would be easier to replace it than to repair it, or to get the software upgraded. I've decided to replace it with this instead.
I was advised by the lovely orange people that orange "doesn't do" mms messaging, and that I wasn't able to download any pictures from my new LG (but if I upgraded to the nokia instead, I could do that...), but then I found this, instructions on how to download from my LG! Admittedly I will need to purchase software and a data cable, but it's better than deleting pictures! (sorry, I'm a real picture bug).
I was advised by the lovely orange people that orange "doesn't do" mms messaging, and that I wasn't able to download any pictures from my new LG (but if I upgraded to the nokia instead, I could do that...), but then I found this, instructions on how to download from my LG! Admittedly I will need to purchase software and a data cable, but it's better than deleting pictures! (sorry, I'm a real picture bug).
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Marilyn Hickey
Well, that's over and done with.
I must admit, even though I feel bad doing so, that I really didn't get much out of the three meetings that I attended where Marilyn spoke.
I feel that I probably would have got more out of those three nights if I'd stayed home and done the reading that I need to do for my life group! (I'm two weeks behind in my readings of "What's So Amazing About Grace?")
And now, I'm feeling absolutely beyond tired....I left easter rehearsal early last night so that I could rest my sore throat and try and get my immune system back online...and luckily tonight's rehearsal (for tomorrow night!) has been cancelled, so I get another night at home. I think it's my third night home in the last three weeks! - seriously!
Now I've had my whinge....back to work!
I must admit, even though I feel bad doing so, that I really didn't get much out of the three meetings that I attended where Marilyn spoke.
I feel that I probably would have got more out of those three nights if I'd stayed home and done the reading that I need to do for my life group! (I'm two weeks behind in my readings of "What's So Amazing About Grace?")
And now, I'm feeling absolutely beyond tired....I left easter rehearsal early last night so that I could rest my sore throat and try and get my immune system back online...and luckily tonight's rehearsal (for tomorrow night!) has been cancelled, so I get another night at home. I think it's my third night home in the last three weeks! - seriously!
Now I've had my whinge....back to work!
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Blogrolling
Hmmm...my blogroll seems to have dissapeared. I hope that's just because they're offline for some reason rather than ceasing to exist; if it's the latter, well that means that I've lost my links :(
Monday, March 14, 2005
Thankyou
...to those who regularly visit my little blog. You make me happy! haha
You've probably realised that I don't blog over the weekend...and that I tend to make up for it on monday mornings...and that is simply because I don't have the internet at home....and have no intention of getting it either....or maybe I will....mmm....unwired seems interesting...
You've probably realised that I don't blog over the weekend...and that I tend to make up for it on monday mornings...and that is simply because I don't have the internet at home....and have no intention of getting it either....or maybe I will....mmm....unwired seems interesting...
Patricia Cornwell
AAH! Her books are so frustratingly good! I've just started book #11 (The Last Precinct), and I've still got two (Blowfly and Trace) to go. So far, it's taken me 2 months to read all 10 books...and they're keeping me awake at night...not in that they're scary or anything (because they're not), but because I can't put them down!
No more Goodies
Well, I was a good girl and went off to church on sunday night instead of going to see the Goodies...which was probably a good thing anyway, as I was needed to fill-in for our Worship Pastor for the PM service - I think she was a bit busy, with having Marilyn Hickey here for the next three days!
Last night's service was incredible! We had around 1200 adults, plus almost 200 children out in their church area. It was to the point where people were sitting on the steps of the tiered seating and we also had around 150 people out in the overflow area in the foyer.
Marilyn's teaching on end-time events, which should be interesting. I never take one person's word for gospel - especially when it comes to end-time prophecy, because I believe that everyone is able to receive their own personal revelation of the bible - even the book of revelation. So my plan is to listen to everything she says, and compare it to everything that I believe, and see what we come up with!
Marilyn's going to be speaking again tonight at 7:30pm, and tuesday night at 7:30pm. Tomorrow morning she's doing a "How to move in the spirit" seminar, which should be interesting for all those who aren't working in the morning.
Last night's service was incredible! We had around 1200 adults, plus almost 200 children out in their church area. It was to the point where people were sitting on the steps of the tiered seating and we also had around 150 people out in the overflow area in the foyer.
Marilyn's teaching on end-time events, which should be interesting. I never take one person's word for gospel - especially when it comes to end-time prophecy, because I believe that everyone is able to receive their own personal revelation of the bible - even the book of revelation. So my plan is to listen to everything she says, and compare it to everything that I believe, and see what we come up with!
Marilyn's going to be speaking again tonight at 7:30pm, and tuesday night at 7:30pm. Tomorrow morning she's doing a "How to move in the spirit" seminar, which should be interesting for all those who aren't working in the morning.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
The Goodies
It turns out that "The Goodies" from my childhood are actually still alive! - And they're doing a show at the Big Laugh Festival in Parramatta (on at the moment).
Apparently, the demand for tickets was so huge that they added an extra show, at the State Theatre on Sun 13th (March). It would have been incredible to go - I adored the Goodies when I was younger - I'd run home from school just so I'd be home in time to watch the show!
...however, we've got Marilyn Hickey preaching at our church that weekend.
I must admit, that it was a hard choice...especially seeing as Marilyn's doing 4 meetings with us...so what's one less meeting?
I think I'm going to be a good girl and to to church...even though the Goodies might die before I ever get the chance to see them...
Drama, drama!
Apparently, the demand for tickets was so huge that they added an extra show, at the State Theatre on Sun 13th (March). It would have been incredible to go - I adored the Goodies when I was younger - I'd run home from school just so I'd be home in time to watch the show!
...however, we've got Marilyn Hickey preaching at our church that weekend.
I must admit, that it was a hard choice...especially seeing as Marilyn's doing 4 meetings with us...so what's one less meeting?
I think I'm going to be a good girl and to to church...even though the Goodies might die before I ever get the chance to see them...
Drama, drama!
Monday, March 07, 2005
mmm...
Given the current price of fuel, I though that this was amusing
My Car
Yay!!!
Thanks to a LOT of hard work by some of my friends, my car is now up and running again!
They worked from 8:30am to 10:00pm to install a "new" motor into my car...and then they washed the car, and delivered it to me!
How fantastic is that?!
Thanks to a LOT of hard work by some of my friends, my car is now up and running again!
They worked from 8:30am to 10:00pm to install a "new" motor into my car...and then they washed the car, and delivered it to me!
How fantastic is that?!
Does Worship Work for You?
There's an interesting discussion going on over at www.philbaker.net on this topic...
Read more here...
Read more here...
Friday, March 04, 2005
My Poor Little Car
Well, as I've previously posted, my car broke down a week ago today.
Amazingly, I've still managed to get to every meeting, except Cell.
My mechanic told me that it would cost me $3,300 to fix my car - and by fixing my car, he meant for me to purchase a re-conditioned motor (wtith 3 year warrantee)....however, some friends of mine whom I used to work with @ church, have found a motor for my car, and are installing it tomorrow, for a fraction of the price!!!
PRAISE GOD!!!
So, hopefully, by saturday afternoon, i'll be mobile again!!!
Amazingly, I've still managed to get to every meeting, except Cell.
My mechanic told me that it would cost me $3,300 to fix my car - and by fixing my car, he meant for me to purchase a re-conditioned motor (wtith 3 year warrantee)....however, some friends of mine whom I used to work with @ church, have found a motor for my car, and are installing it tomorrow, for a fraction of the price!!!
PRAISE GOD!!!
So, hopefully, by saturday afternoon, i'll be mobile again!!!
Lano & Woodley
Well, last night I headed off to the Sydney Opera House to go and see Lano & Woodley in "The Island". Our seats were three rows from the front - nice and close.
I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it was FANTASTIC! Unfortunately, there was a substantial amount of coarse language, but (sadly) that's to be expected in un-censored live shows.
After the show I bought "The Island" on DVD, got it autographed by the guys, AND got to have my photo taken with them! "It's just so exciting Colin!"
Then I went home and proceeded to watch the DVD of "The Island" to try and work out how much was ad-lib and how much was scripted...so that made for a late (but enjoyable) evening.
I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it was FANTASTIC! Unfortunately, there was a substantial amount of coarse language, but (sadly) that's to be expected in un-censored live shows.
After the show I bought "The Island" on DVD, got it autographed by the guys, AND got to have my photo taken with them! "It's just so exciting Colin!"
Then I went home and proceeded to watch the DVD of "The Island" to try and work out how much was ad-lib and how much was scripted...so that made for a late (but enjoyable) evening.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Switchfoot
I went to their Sydney show @ the UNSW Roundhouse last night...it was amazing!
The two support bands were Zinc and Small Mercies were good, they both played 45 minute sets, so it was a long wait for Switchfoot. The support bands finished around 9pm, and we had to wait a further 1/2 hour before Switchfoot came on.
However, it was worth the wait!
I had to keep reminding myself that it really was Switchfoot on the stage, and not just a good cover band or even a DVD on a massive screen! The way they controlled the crowd was amazing - and everyone was singing along!
Being an all-ages show @ the Roundhouse, over 18's were tagged to allow entrance to the bar, and also to the balcony area upstairs, which is where I watched the show from. Thanks to some really nice people that I met there (you know who you are!), they made sure that I was able to see unobstructed, so I was pretty much directly in front of the band.
There was a chance that I was going to be able to meet the band last night, but unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the plans fell through right at the last minute. Oh well - they said they'd be back in 6 months, so I'll see how it goes then!
Switchfoot also played some new songs from the album that they're in the middle (that's right - they toured Australia in the middle of recording their new album!), and they sound great.
The two support bands were Zinc and Small Mercies were good, they both played 45 minute sets, so it was a long wait for Switchfoot. The support bands finished around 9pm, and we had to wait a further 1/2 hour before Switchfoot came on.
However, it was worth the wait!
I had to keep reminding myself that it really was Switchfoot on the stage, and not just a good cover band or even a DVD on a massive screen! The way they controlled the crowd was amazing - and everyone was singing along!
Being an all-ages show @ the Roundhouse, over 18's were tagged to allow entrance to the bar, and also to the balcony area upstairs, which is where I watched the show from. Thanks to some really nice people that I met there (you know who you are!), they made sure that I was able to see unobstructed, so I was pretty much directly in front of the band.
There was a chance that I was going to be able to meet the band last night, but unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the plans fell through right at the last minute. Oh well - they said they'd be back in 6 months, so I'll see how it goes then!
Switchfoot also played some new songs from the album that they're in the middle (that's right - they toured Australia in the middle of recording their new album!), and they sound great.
This week is pretty huge actually - I get to see my favourite band AND my favourite comedians all in the space of three days! Woo Hoo!
