Friday, December 23, 2005
gone!
I finish work for the year in 10 minutes, and I'm spending the holidays at my parent's house - and they only have 33k dial-up. So, posting will be few and far-between for the next two weeks.
So, until I return, Merry Christmas to all who read this blog, and have a safe and happy new year.
- Remember, Christmas is a time to celebrate, not pick stupid fights with family members that you only see once a year. That's why God gave us the gifts of grace and mercy :)
See you in 2006!
So, until I return, Merry Christmas to all who read this blog, and have a safe and happy new year.
- Remember, Christmas is a time to celebrate, not pick stupid fights with family members that you only see once a year. That's why God gave us the gifts of grace and mercy :)
See you in 2006!
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
john howard on christmas
the following is an excerpt from a newspaper article in the Sunday Mail (Qld)
"PRIME Minister John Howard has called for religion to be put back into Christmas.
In an impassioned plea to the nation, Mr Howard said Australians should stop downplaying the importance of Christianity at Christmas time for fear of offending other faiths or non-religious people.
"PRIME Minister John Howard has called for religion to be put back into Christmas.
In an impassioned plea to the nation, Mr Howard said Australians should stop downplaying the importance of Christianity at Christmas time for fear of offending other faiths or non-religious people.
"You don't demonstrate tolerance towards minorities by apologising for your own heritage," the Prime Minister told The Sunday Mail last weekend, speaking before the Sydney race riots.
Mr Howard said he had "contempt" for arguments that the religious aspect of the festive season should be toned down through the removal or banning of Christmas trees and symbols, nativity scenes and concerts.
It was not a sign of tolerance to "bland out" such things, he said."
Read the rest of the article HERE (Qld Sunday mail)
** added 22/12/05 ** Read a similar article HERE (news.com.au)
it's Christmas!
I can't believe that it's 4 days until Christmas. To me, it still doesn't "feel christmassy" - whatever that means. We've got our tree up - it's been up since Dec 1, I've been involved in our church Christmas production, and attended numerous Christmas parties - even Carols in the Domain, but it still doesn't feel like Christmas!I'm even at the point where I'm watching Christmas movies to get into the swing of things - I watched Elf last night, and I tried to find a copy of "Ernest Saves Christmas" (our family's ultimate Christmas movie), but I think the year's worn me out too much!
I was discussing this with one of the girls at work, and we decided that the reason that we don't "feel christmassy" is because we're the ones who organise christmas now. We shop for the presents, we organise the parties. When we were youn
ger, everything was done for us. Presents were mysteries, Father Christmas was real, and there was a surprise around every corner. Now it's one of the busiest times of the year. I understand now why my parents were always so tired around Christmas!This isn't a bah humbug post, it's probably more of a lament that I'm not as young as I'd like to think I am....gosh - getting old at the grand old age of 24!
But then again, in 2 days I'll be at my parents house, where a combination of kids, animals, noise, as well as cricket on the TV and jigsaw puzzles mid-completion will make me feel like I'm 10 again :) (I've always said that it's not Christmas until it's HOT, there's cricket on the TV, and mum's doing a jigsaw puzzle...)
u2
Just found out via [The Colour & the Shape] that Kanye West has apparently been confirmed as the opening act for U2 in Australia & NZ. Not too sure how I feel about that. I was hoping that they'd use an Australian band - I'd heard rumours that Jet were going to be opening for the group....I think I'd like that better.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
crash and burn!
All of my official "christmas events" are now over for the year. Which means that I have come to a standstill - and my body has decided to repay me for weeks of neglect. Meaning that I have a lovely summer head cold. Always good fun.
Friday night, my friends and I headed down to Pancakes on the Rocks (at the Rocks) at around 12:30am for a friends' birthday, which we followed with a leisurely stroll around the rocks and finished up under the harbour bridge. Incredible night - nice and warm, no breeze, still water...etc :)
Got home at 4:30, woke up 2 hours later to go and pick up a friend who I was taking to my christmas party. We were picked up for the work party @ 9am, and spent until 4pm cruising Sydney Harbour, taking time to go swimming around Lane Cove - which was nice. Saw a "house" which sold a few weeks ago for $23million...pocket change really.
Then my friend and I were dropped off at circular quay, and headed off to Carols in the Domain. My friends had been there all day, and secured a good spot - 100m from the stage. Everyone was in party mode - dancing to all the songs - even to the slower chrissy carols! My highlights of the night were: Amelia Farrugia singing "O Holy Night" - incredible soprano voice!, and everyone dancing to the Wiggles :) (They got a bigger cheer than "the Hoff"!)
The train took a lovely 90 minutes to get home, so I was in bed by 2:30am, only to get up at 6am - 7:30 call at church. Struggled through the two morning services, and then headed home.
Went to bed at 4pm for a "nap", only to wake up at 4am the next day...maybe I was tired?
---------------------------------
More news:
My friends Matt & Adele's twins were born today, and Matt (different Matt!) and Barb and a baby today also.
Off to see Narnia tomorrow night
Drove on the new M7 yesterday, very nice :)
3 sleeps till I'm off interstate for Christmas holidays
--------------------------------
Friday night, my friends and I headed down to Pancakes on the Rocks (at the Rocks) at around 12:30am for a friends' birthday, which we followed with a leisurely stroll around the rocks and finished up under the harbour bridge. Incredible night - nice and warm, no breeze, still water...etc :)
Got home at 4:30, woke up 2 hours later to go and pick up a friend who I was taking to my christmas party. We were picked up for the work party @ 9am, and spent until 4pm cruising Sydney Harbour, taking time to go swimming around Lane Cove - which was nice. Saw a "house" which sold a few weeks ago for $23million...pocket change really.
Then my friend and I were dropped off at circular quay, and headed off to Carols in the Domain. My friends had been there all day, and secured a good spot - 100m from the stage. Everyone was in party mode - dancing to all the songs - even to the slower chrissy carols! My highlights of the night were: Amelia Farrugia singing "O Holy Night" - incredible soprano voice!, and everyone dancing to the Wiggles :) (They got a bigger cheer than "the Hoff"!)
The train took a lovely 90 minutes to get home, so I was in bed by 2:30am, only to get up at 6am - 7:30 call at church. Struggled through the two morning services, and then headed home.
Went to bed at 4pm for a "nap", only to wake up at 4am the next day...maybe I was tired?
---------------------------------
More news:
My friends Matt & Adele's twins were born today, and Matt (different Matt!) and Barb and a baby today also.
Off to see Narnia tomorrow night
Drove on the new M7 yesterday, very nice :)
3 sleeps till I'm off interstate for Christmas holidays
--------------------------------
Friday, December 16, 2005
update
Well it's now only 9 days until christmas, and there's only a week left of work before I'm on holidays for 2 weeks!!! YAY!!!
That's why I haven't blogged much over the past few days. We're trying to get everything tied up at work - all installations completed before friday next week.
Also, the whole car crash (from Sunday 4 Dec) has been a bit of a headache. The guy wants his car fixed, but he's not willing to take it to get other quotes. So, I went and picked up his car this morning at the ungodly time of 7:30am, and took it to my panelbeater for a quote. He came back $1500 cheaper, so I'm going to insist that he gets his car repaired there - unless his panelbeater friend can match or better the price - and that's at full cost, not even a cash job (which I'm not too keen to participate in).
My panelbeater's going to quote my car this saturday, so hopefully I'll be able to get the ball rolling there early in the new year. I'm still using my Boss's ute, which has been a real blessing. I don't even have to pay for fuel.
I've also got an increasingly sore foot, which may need to be "repaired", also in the new year. I was thinking about getting it fixed over the Christmas break, but what fun is it to be rendered immobile while on holidays? I think I'll wait till new year, and then get it done....I'm dreading it :(
Our Christmas production went very well. Saturday night was not quite full - probably around 7-800 people, while sunday night was almost to capacity - around 1000 people. We (the cast & crew) all gathered for "a viewing" of the production on wednesday night, and we had a lot of fun.
Tonight is our end of year party for Live Youth, complete with bouncy boxing, bucking bulls, food, bands, and more! It's going to be fantastic.
Tomorrow is my work christmas party - a 5 hour cruise around Sydney Harbour, with all the seafood that you can eat. We're also stopping to go swimming, so hopefully it's nice and warm. I may stay in the city for Carols in the Domain - I've got some friends who will save me a seat, so we'll see how that goes.
Friday next week I fly home for two weeks, so during those two weeks, there may be a severe lack of posts, due mostly to my parents only having 28k dial-up. (and we're lucky if the computer doesn't crash when explorer is opened!)
until my next post then!
That's why I haven't blogged much over the past few days. We're trying to get everything tied up at work - all installations completed before friday next week.
Also, the whole car crash (from Sunday 4 Dec) has been a bit of a headache. The guy wants his car fixed, but he's not willing to take it to get other quotes. So, I went and picked up his car this morning at the ungodly time of 7:30am, and took it to my panelbeater for a quote. He came back $1500 cheaper, so I'm going to insist that he gets his car repaired there - unless his panelbeater friend can match or better the price - and that's at full cost, not even a cash job (which I'm not too keen to participate in).
My panelbeater's going to quote my car this saturday, so hopefully I'll be able to get the ball rolling there early in the new year. I'm still using my Boss's ute, which has been a real blessing. I don't even have to pay for fuel.
I've also got an increasingly sore foot, which may need to be "repaired", also in the new year. I was thinking about getting it fixed over the Christmas break, but what fun is it to be rendered immobile while on holidays? I think I'll wait till new year, and then get it done....I'm dreading it :(
Our Christmas production went very well. Saturday night was not quite full - probably around 7-800 people, while sunday night was almost to capacity - around 1000 people. We (the cast & crew) all gathered for "a viewing" of the production on wednesday night, and we had a lot of fun.
Tonight is our end of year party for Live Youth, complete with bouncy boxing, bucking bulls, food, bands, and more! It's going to be fantastic.
Tomorrow is my work christmas party - a 5 hour cruise around Sydney Harbour, with all the seafood that you can eat. We're also stopping to go swimming, so hopefully it's nice and warm. I may stay in the city for Carols in the Domain - I've got some friends who will save me a seat, so we'll see how that goes.
Friday next week I fly home for two weeks, so during those two weeks, there may be a severe lack of posts, due mostly to my parents only having 28k dial-up. (and we're lucky if the computer doesn't crash when explorer is opened!)
until my next post then!
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
handy dj
Monday, December 12, 2005
Narnia, 5 days early
Well, life group is over for the year, but for our last "outing" of the year, we're heading off to a preview screening of the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe on Wednesday 21st - a full 5 days before it is released on Boxing Day. To say I'm excited about that would be a slight understatement. I'm going to be in Lincoln on Boxing Day, and I doubt that the theatre there would get Narnia much before Australia Day.
9 sleeps to go!
9 sleeps to go!
I got them!
Well on April 1, 2006 at 5:30, my friends and I will be hanging from the rafters (literally) at the second Sydney show of U2's Vertigo Tour. I'm ecstatic that I got the tickets, as this show's all but sold out now. All that's left are "obstructed view" tickets, which are more behind the stage than infront of the stage. (Kinda like my seating at Hillsong Conference this year).
The show starts at 5:30pm (as compared to the previous night @ 9pm), but it's going to be FANTASTIC! And the best thing about our seats? We're under the tiny roof section. So if it rains, we don't get wet!!!!
The show starts at 5:30pm (as compared to the previous night @ 9pm), but it's going to be FANTASTIC! And the best thing about our seats? We're under the tiny roof section. So if it rains, we don't get wet!!!!
Thursday, December 08, 2005
update
I've been missing for the past few days - probably because my brain's been so overloaded that I can't think straight; that, and the fact that our Christmas production is THIS WEEKEND, so I'm flat out finishing costumes and still trying to remember words for songs that I should really know by now.
Also, tonight is our "Life Group Christmas Party". Well that's what we've told our leader, anyway. She thinks it's our Christmas party, but we're throwing our leader a surprise "We Love Sherli Party". I know that the surprise won't be blown by me writing this, as Sherli is amusingly computer illiterate.
We've invited all of her friends, and those close to her, including current and ex-life group girls.
Sherli's the sort of person who will run herself ragged doing things for other people, but when you try and do something for her, she finds someway to avoid it....like if you buy her something, she'll pay you for it...even if it's only $5!
So, we're tricking her. She's going to walk into the party, and be ambushed by all of her friends :) It's going to be great!
It's good for me with all this turmoil going on to be able to focus on someone else for a while :)
The only problem is, that Sherli somehow found out that we're getting there early "to set up", so she's decided that she's going to come early to help us set up for the "christmas party". AAHH! This woman frustrates me :)
---------------------------------------
Other news:
Two blogs/articles that have really given me something to think about for today:
Relevant Magazine: The Potters Hand Remix - Al Sergel
" As Christians are we:
following Jesus Christ in order to be molded in His image?
Or …
following Jesus Christ in order that we may serve humanity?"
The Accidental Traveler: An Invitation - Kate McDonald
"Why am I fighting harder than ever and feel so completely beat down? I got part of the answer at church the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the remainder of the answer was already planted in my spirit.
Pastor Ricks said something to the effect of "If there's an area of weakness, its an area that lacks faith. And faith comes from hearing the Word"...I have always heard that verse "faith comes from hearing and hearing from the Word of God" and related it to a person going from disbelief to belief for the first time. I had never thought about it as it relates to the person who already believes."
Also, tonight is our "Life Group Christmas Party". Well that's what we've told our leader, anyway. She thinks it's our Christmas party, but we're throwing our leader a surprise "We Love Sherli Party". I know that the surprise won't be blown by me writing this, as Sherli is amusingly computer illiterate.
We've invited all of her friends, and those close to her, including current and ex-life group girls.
Sherli's the sort of person who will run herself ragged doing things for other people, but when you try and do something for her, she finds someway to avoid it....like if you buy her something, she'll pay you for it...even if it's only $5!
So, we're tricking her. She's going to walk into the party, and be ambushed by all of her friends :) It's going to be great!
It's good for me with all this turmoil going on to be able to focus on someone else for a while :)
The only problem is, that Sherli somehow found out that we're getting there early "to set up", so she's decided that she's going to come early to help us set up for the "christmas party". AAHH! This woman frustrates me :)
---------------------------------------
Other news:
Two blogs/articles that have really given me something to think about for today:
Relevant Magazine: The Potters Hand Remix - Al Sergel
" As Christians are we:
following Jesus Christ in order to be molded in His image?
Or …
following Jesus Christ in order that we may serve humanity?"
The Accidental Traveler: An Invitation - Kate McDonald
"Why am I fighting harder than ever and feel so completely beat down? I got part of the answer at church the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the remainder of the answer was already planted in my spirit.
Pastor Ricks said something to the effect of "If there's an area of weakness, its an area that lacks faith. And faith comes from hearing the Word"...I have always heard that verse "faith comes from hearing and hearing from the Word of God" and related it to a person going from disbelief to belief for the first time. I had never thought about it as it relates to the person who already believes."
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
light at the end of the tunnel
Michael Coppel Presents has just announced a second U2 concert for Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland.Tickets go on sale monday morning, so hopefully I'll have more luck this time around!
Monday, December 05, 2005
U2 news
this could be promising.....
U2 concerts sell out
U2 concerts sell out
The promoter of U2's Australian 2006 concert tour will beg the Irish supergroup to play extra shows after both concerts in Melbourne and Sydney sold out this morning.
The concerts, at Melbourne's Telstra Dome and Sydney's Telstra Stadium, sold out within hours of going on sale at 9am.
Michael Coppel Presents spokeswoman Fiona Lakin told theage.com.au she was unsurprised by the demand for tickets.
"We've had a lot of calls and enquiries prior to the tickets going on sale, so we knew it would be strong," she said.
Ms Lakin said the 70,000 tickets for the Sydney gig sold out within an hour, with tickets for the Melbourne concert selling faster than for any other event held at Telstra Dome.
An announcement about whether U2 will agree to play the second shows in each city - tentatively scheduled for March 25 in Melbourne and April 1 in Sydney - is expected tomorrow.
Tickets for the concerts ranged from $99 for general admission to $199 for selected grandstand tickets.
- theage.com.au
the second chance
Michael W Smith is starring in his first leading role in a film: "The Second Chance".
This looks like one movie that I wouldn't mind getting on dvd! (seeing as it won't hit theatres here)
Check out the preview
via Phantom Tollbooth
This looks like one movie that I wouldn't mind getting on dvd! (seeing as it won't hit theatres here)
Check out the preview
via Phantom Tollbooth
seven dwarves again!
Lately, I seem to have taken on the personality of Grumpy, my least favourite of the 7. (My favourite is Dopey, but that's another story).
My weekend started well, as I spent the afternoon on saturday getting my hair done. After 4 hours, I looked fabulous ("but don't you always?!" I hear you all saying). Then we headed off to The Italian Forum in Leichhardt for a friend's birthday party. Fantastic italian food and gelati, accompanied by a small string "group" (for lack of a better word...larger than a quartet, smaller than an orchestra) and an opera singer. There's something beautiful about sitting by a fountain, eating fresh gelati and listening to beautiful music with good friends.
Sunday morning I was on at church, which meant a 7:30 call time. That was all good, then after church I was driving to my friend's house to watch a preaching dvd....and that's when things went bad.
I was attempting to turn right across three lanes of backed up traffic (stopped at lights). The cars were slightly blocking the side street (which they're not supposed to), but a driver signalled that it was safe to go through, as there were no cars coming. So ever so slowly, I started to turn across the traffic, as I do every day to get into my street, when out of nowhere, a car slammed into my passenger side wheel.
The bad news?
The good news?
Well, I've just spent nearly 2 hours trying to get online or on the phone with someone to purchase 4 tickets to the U2 concert at Telstra Stadium. But guess what? over 50,000 tickets sold out in just under 1.5 hours. That kinda sucks. Not kinda, it really sucks.
Now I just need to wait and see if they're going to put on another sydney show. I highly doubt it - but it would be fantastic.
So here's my self-indulgent whinge for today:
I'm sore, my car's smashed up, and I'm not going to U2.
My weekend started well, as I spent the afternoon on saturday getting my hair done. After 4 hours, I looked fabulous ("but don't you always?!" I hear you all saying). Then we headed off to The Italian Forum in Leichhardt for a friend's birthday party. Fantastic italian food and gelati, accompanied by a small string "group" (for lack of a better word...larger than a quartet, smaller than an orchestra) and an opera singer. There's something beautiful about sitting by a fountain, eating fresh gelati and listening to beautiful music with good friends.
Sunday morning I was on at church, which meant a 7:30 call time. That was all good, then after church I was driving to my friend's house to watch a preaching dvd....and that's when things went bad.
I was attempting to turn right across three lanes of backed up traffic (stopped at lights). The cars were slightly blocking the side street (which they're not supposed to), but a driver signalled that it was safe to go through, as there were no cars coming. So ever so slowly, I started to turn across the traffic, as I do every day to get into my street, when out of nowhere, a car slammed into my passenger side wheel.
The bad news?
- It's technically my fault...
- and I'd yet to take out insurance on my 2 week old car. That's what I was going to do this morning.
The good news?
- Thankfully, there were wittnesses to the accident who came to our aid, as the driver of the other car was getting quite agro. The man on the side of the road (maybe he was an angel in a marijuana hat?) calmed him down, and helped us all out.
- The damage to the other car doesn't seem that much. Probably a cracked radiator and a broken headlight.
- The damage to my car doesn't seem that bad either. The guard over the passenger wheel needs to be replaced, and probably the front bumper, and most probably a new tyre. The CV joint and shocker will need to be repaired/replaced, but that's OK.
- I'm glad that we were hit where we were, because if it were any further down the car, my friend in the passenger seat would most likely be in hospital at the moment.
- I'm thankful for great friends in church who have all been praying for us and have helped us out practically too.
- And I'm thankful for a supportive family (and even my boss), who have been gracious in not saying "I told you so"
- I woke up this morning with a sore neck, shoulder, arm, and brake leg. And they're getting sorer as the day goes on.
- I also ended up with blisters on my feet from walking to my friend's house in our church shoes (they're not made for walking in, just for looking pretty in!), so now I'm walking barefoot around work.
Well, I've just spent nearly 2 hours trying to get online or on the phone with someone to purchase 4 tickets to the U2 concert at Telstra Stadium. But guess what? over 50,000 tickets sold out in just under 1.5 hours. That kinda sucks. Not kinda, it really sucks.
Now I just need to wait and see if they're going to put on another sydney show. I highly doubt it - but it would be fantastic.
So here's my self-indulgent whinge for today:
I'm sore, my car's smashed up, and I'm not going to U2.
