"Surely There is Room" Malcolm Gordon

Wow!! Thanks Malcolm Gordon and thanks Craig Mitchell...
For pointing to Malcolm's song reflecting on the treatment and plight of asylum seekers here in this part of the world, see Craig's post here

fundamentalism n.

fundamentalism n.
1. A usually religious movement or point of view characterized by a return to fundamental principles, by rigid adherence to those principles, and often by intolerance of other views and opposition to secularism.
2. a. often Fundamentalism 

An organized, militant Evangelical movement originating in the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s in opposition to Protestant Liberalism and secularism, insisting on the inerrancy of Scripture.
b. Adherence to the theology of this movement.

c. putting the 'mental' into and taking the 'fun' out of

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" Daniel Johns 'Beat the Drum' Triple J 40th

Why Chihuahuas don't run in the Snow

So now my daughter is finding youtube clips to show ME

ABC Radio Double J turns 40 [of as Triple J of course]!!

   Secular, youth oriented and always pushing out in ways that mark their territory and audience as part of our brilliant public broadcaster the ABC!! It's supposed to 'push your buttons' like the way I knew I was too old when Triple J embraced hip hop and R&B as staple playlists. My connection actually began through listening to Roy & HG's 'Festival of the Boot' Sydney/NRL Rugby League Grand Final in their satirical style. Then came the Saturday/Sunday program and I branched into hearing what was popular as youth music over several decades.
   We all live out of a framework and values, we all have choice about what we critique, what we take on and how we think, feel about and see the world through current affairs, music, social issues and Triple J makes all that accessible for often ignored young people...
   The Domain Concert sounds huge for Friday and next Mondays look back will no doubt bring lots of memories for so many people. Triple J has always offered caution around drug culture, violence and current events. Some of the ABCs current affairs journo's come from a Triple J background... What I like about Triple J's role is it's ability to empower and skill 'culture makers' not 'sheep' and to resist the outright rejection or the poor imitation culture that has sometimes characterised generations of Christians. To this end Uniting Church faith communities that aim to create lifelong learning & faith development understand the different voices and influences that can be celebrated, questioned, rejected or embraced... these faith communities teach the 'tools' to create and sustain gifted followers.

My Non Magazine and Newspaper Holiday Reading has Begun

   I've just started reading my Kindle version of "Simply Good News" by NT Wright. It's a timely sketch arguing against a number of reductionist views of 'the gospel' [of which we are all capable at times] in a readable essay exploring a framework that something happened, something is happening and something will happen.
   It places Jesus birth, life, death & resurrection as the Bible tells it in it's context, considering what Paul is saying and why and will no doubt continue to celebrate who Jesus is, God's mission to transform and to renew and reconcile the whole of creation... but hey I've only read about 50 of 700 pages!!
Here's one 'review' or outline here and another here
When I've read a bit more I'll find some reviews that don't agree with NT

Row K Seat 19 'The Water Diviner' Discussion

If this works you can download the PDF of my latest movie discussion here

Marv Albert All Time Sports Bloopers one last time on Letterman

Mar visits each year to talk NYC sport and to present a bloopers reel, this time a 'best of' as Letterman retires in May 2015!!

Album of the Week "Rose Ave." You+Me

I'm enjoying the collaboration between P!NK and Dallas Green in the car this week!!

The Avengers: Age of Ultron Trailer 2

Straya Day Indeed....

Oh wow... um...

Newcastle Earthquake 25 years on...

   The Newcastle Museum is a great venue and holds some remarkable regular exhibits of pop culture artefacts but also offers inspired seasonal or topical exhibits. The current standout [apart from paying to see the dinosaur one] is a simple series of black and white photos that feature the stories of a number of people who experienced the Newcastle earthquake in 1989 and were photographed at the time... it's a then and now large black and white photo exhibit.

So of course the baby in the photo is the 25 year old on the left of the new photo. The mum would have been wheeled out to Fletcher Park at Newcastle Beach I think...

We met Debbie because our daughters went to school together and it means I've been introduced to the hidden joy that is Lake Macquarie Art Gallery...

I loved the stories people shared... like a Police Officer on his first day [literally 2 hours into it]...

I know all three people in this photo. Mayor of Maitland Peter Blackmore, Leo volunteers Andrew Roberts-Thompson and Tony Buzek!!

Topics in the Newcastle Herald were looking for this young man and his date for the Relief Concert a few months ago...

Asian Cup 'Football' at 'Newcastle' Stadium 12.1.15

   It's a wonder the crowd figure wasn't closer to 25,000 as after all even I went to the 'soccer' tonight thanks to a friendly invitation!! I hadn't really paid attention to who was playing this first of four local fixtures until today... realising the significance of PALESTINE v Japan!! I forgot to take my scarf...
   It was great, although the Palestinians struggled and went down 0-4 [was I really about to write that they'd been outgunned, not for the first time] We enjoyed sitting in a section dominated by Palestinian fans and their collection of drummers and flag wavers... as annoying as the game is it's better live!!
   There was a palpable sense of celebration with a hint of pride and the joy of an open celebration of what it meant to see their national team go around. Remember this is not possible in many other sporting ventures due particularly to passport issues. It was a bit puzzling too to hear of fans with pre purchased merchandise having to dump it in a bin on the way into the ground while friends had a much faster passage through the Security bag check... not sure what was doing there?
   Anyhow, the second half was a little laboured as Japan attacked the far end of the ground and yet 'shut up shop' a little in attack and just worked their blanket defence really well. It was interesting to go along and see the 'event' that is a football match!!
 

Golden Globes 2015 Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Opening Monologue

The George Clooney line is my favourite!! These two are always edgily hilarious!!
So begins my award season tragic Tv viewing...

Screen Actors Guild in 2 weeks
Grammys Feb 9th our time
Oscars Feb 23rd our time

Nike Power Laces [by October perhaps]

I think the pre work has been done on Kobe's latest version...

"Head and Heart Reflection Charlie Hebdo

Head and Heart from rob hanks on Vimeo.

Peeling Potatoes in 60secs

DIY gold!!!

"With or Without You" U2 cover by a Dog

Thanks atu2.com

Apparently the dog has it's own twitter a/c
Oh and it's my chance to plug this often shared picture...

UN 'International Year of Light 2015'

Ok, lucky I'm on leave or my brain would be exploding with the creative possibilities for this 'opportunity'!! Read more here

"The Head and the Heart" Another Story

   A song written as a response around the time of the Sandy Hook School shootings in Newtown in the US. A way of the songwriter seeking to work through the feelings experienced at such a time...

"In the Valley" Midnight Oil

   This is not really a song about terrorism or extremist violence, which is no solution to anything. It comes to mind to me for today because while Peter Garrett was being so open and reflective about his own story he closes out the song with a short 'values' or 'ethos' statement... some hopes for the future and it's those lyrics that struck me the day I first heard them and continue to inspire and motivate me to be reflective and clear in my own 'values' and 'ethos' as I go along.

   Today the paperback copy of "Strict Rules" [I recently bought online] arrived in the post. I decided late last year that I'd like to read it again but I no longer have my hardcover edition. It's an authors insight into travelling the month with the band through Australia's north on the trip that inspired the 'Diesel & Dust' album in 1987/88 and it's a great read... it was even a Year 10 essay exam a few years back...

And those closing thoughts...

“I hope virtue brings its own reward
And I hope the pen is mightier than any sword
I hope the kids will take it slow
I hope my country claims its own”
Hirst/Moginie/Garrett

"Kyrie Eleison" Sinead O'Connor

Recording of Sinead track with just one still photo...
Hmmnnn, gives me an idea!!

Highlight of a Great Summer of Test Cricket

Have enjoyed a great first two days at the SCG Test Cricket v India courtesy of Geoff Smith and the usual 'Paddington Gift' crew!! Thanks for taking my 'selfie' for me SCG Trust!!

"Skip the Ad" Flight Centre

"Captain Risky"

Love this ad from cinema and TV recently...

'The Corner' Cafe Camperdown

   Not content with steak and chicken on the menu and new building designs, McDonalds are conducting an interesting experiment in Camperdown that's been in the Christmas/New Year media... I had reason to be in Missenden Rd, Camperdown yesterday [these are not my photos] but I did recognise the facade of the cafe and thought it an interesting location to catch staff, passersby, students and the general public right next to the front entrance to RPA... pulled pork, quinoa, baristas and the only giveaway an actual McCafe presence... what's next 'all you can eat pizza'?
   Wearing my vocational 'cap'... it's not just a change in decor, feel, location or sense of welcome BUT the menu reflects a whole different understanding of [a] what people need and [b] hospitality in meeting and exceeding that need... what learning could be applied to community gathering, activity and worship spaces to reinvent how the church offered it's core idea of 'reconciliation and renewal of the whole of creation'? Note, not a question about 'dressing things up, changing the 'menu' or the decor but a deeper question about addressing the context... the context for McDonalds is all encompassing societal and generational change... appealing to the lowest common denominator is losing market share...

Lists 2014

Things I'm looking forward to in 2015

Looks like instead of the Barrier Reef it could be Malolo Island in Fiji again
'The Making of Midnight Oil' exhibition at Newcastle Museum
A couple of experiments and some intentional youth ministry in some new places
Carving out time for taking photos
Possible creative time in Adelaide [I'd love to do a Masters in Missiology if I ever have slightly longer term job security]
The Rugby World Cup in the UK on TV
Another great school year for the girls
Wanderers Rugby Club season 2015
Two days of Test Cricket at the SCG
A few big Movies e.g. The Avengers Age of Ultron, Mad Max Fury Road, Terminator Genisys to name only a few
...

"Catching Pictures"

   'Revelation' and various derivates were taken in the free wordpress domains so I'm putting my particular photos this year here or here if that link doesn't work for you https://catchingpictures.wordpress.com

   Again it's about photos of things that strike a chord with me, you may or may not find the insights meaningful or helpful. That's sometimes the thing about revelation or the celtic notion of 'thin places.'

Photos 2015

   A few weeks back I decided I wanted to explore more taking of photos in 2015. The working title is 'Revelation' and I won't commit to a photo a day but when I think I've had or found or see or wonder about an image I get the chance to capture... it could just even be that it's what life was about that day... This is a bit less restrictive than Advent or Lent, though I enjoyed those projects!!
   I enter another final year in a role in my vocation and I think this will help and not hinder my time of reflection and discernment... I am looking at buying a new point and shoot camera to go with the current waterproof and pretty handy one and the iPhone...
   I thought about a Canon but this has a great sense and auto setting... will compare to some SONY models and choose asap!!

Post NYE Update...

Nailed it!! Dinner with family, Coke Zero and a few nibblies!!
Some OK TV and in bed asleep by 11.30pm!!
Happy New Year!!

LIST FOR 2015!!
Take up my photography intentionally
Keep lap swimming at local pools
Holiday at the Great Barrier Reef
Stick to the story
Design a collaborative project
Buy a replacement pair of Doc Martens
Visit Sydney for day off fun at least four times
See 25 Movies
Spend more time with my girls
Stay healthy, keep to plan
Work out what next in my vocation