Monday evening
Pizza, the girl, the boy, Top Gear...perfect...
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
District 9
Saw District 9 last night with a mate. Certainly one of the "must-see" movies of the year. So many interesting things about this movie. Something I thought they did really well was to create a very unlikeable protagonist, and slowly increase your empathy for him throughout the movie. The special effects were remarkable for their gritty realism - they didn't really look like special fx at all. I also thought the movie explored the whole race/refugee issue too, without hitting you over the head. Anyway, highly recommend you check it out.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
UFC Wired
Hope a few of you checked this out on ONE HD tonight. 3 good fights on there. I'm so pleased there is some MMA action on Oz free-to-air at last. This sport is already huge in the US and Europe, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before in becomes big here...
Finished Chapter 9
It was a long and difficult chapter, covering quite a long period and several big themes. I think I pulled it all together pretty well in the end, but it will doubtless need a fair bit of re-work. The next chapter describes Johnson's work as a magistrate, and it's going to require a fair chunk of additional research...
Matt Chandler
Matt Chandler says don't be a carbon copy. I've heard good things about Chandler this week. Thinking about it, I reckon Chandler might be a more acceptable face (in Australia) for the new Calvinism than He-Who-Must-No-Be-Named. Chandler is already coaching at least one local planter. I hope we'll see him back in Oz again soon.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Been updating my LinkedIn profile. Made contact with half a dozen old work colleagues along the way - was great to catch up...
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
And a critique...
And, for balance, here is a critique of how the film portrays Aboriginal policy of the period
Rabbit Proof Fence
Watched this tonight for the first time. Certainly a movie that gets you thinking. I reckon Noyce could have perhaps been a little more subtle with regards to motivations of the whites involved. And I also think he played down some of the genuine issues facing indigenous communities at the time. Even given that, it's a movie that makes you think...
UFC Wired
UFC Wired is now broadcast on ONE HD. At last, some MMA action on Australian free-to-air...
Jesus All About Life - Murray Smith
As part of the JAAL campaign, The Bible Society have published a "Jesus All About Life" book for teens. It was written by local boy Murray Smith, assistant pastor down at Kirkplace. The summary is that it's a good read that presents the gospel well. It's worth picking up.
The book is a bit over 100 pages long, and attractively laid out on postcard sized paper, with lots of photos interspersed throughout. Murray takes a fairly traditional, apologetics-oriented approach to presenting the gospel. He starts by asking what the source of the "good stuff" in our life is. He suggests the obvious answer is God, that God can best be known through Jesus.
There's a short detour through the historical question, before he comes up against the question of evil. Murray suggests that the gospel is God's answer to evil - it doesn't fully explain evil, but it fully answers it. He then goes on to explain the death and resurrection of Jesus.
This is a really well written book. He has a casual, idiomatic style that is really engaging. It reminds me a lot of John Dickson, and I'm sure he is going to hear that a lot. It's high praise, though - I'm sure I'm not the only parentwho wishes Dickson had written half a dozen more books for teens. I hope this is the first of many books from Murray.
I have 2 small criticisms, both relating to layout. Firstly, the font they have used is tiny - maybe it's not a problem for those young teen eyes! Secondly, the book shape, though attractive to look at, is not all that easy to handle and read.
But these are fairly minor points, really. Overall, a very good book, and highly recommended.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Safety Dance
Retro memories Who doesn't love this song? Every song clip should have a midget dressed as a jester, don't you think?
A Trick of the Light - The Triffids
This has turned into nostalgia evening. Haven't heard this song for ages. All of these songs my teen years evoke such bittersweet feelings...
One Word - Baby Animals
The girl went and saw Kate Ceberano tonight. I've been doing a YouTube surf of great aussie girl singers from the late 80s, early 90s. Here's one of my favourites - Suzi Demarchi in the Baby Animals. She is the coolest rock chick of all time...
The Machine That Made Us
Watched this doco on the printing press last night, presented by Stephen Fry. Really interesting stuff. Gutenberg's achievement was extraordinary...
Chapter 9
Got a good chunk of chapter 9 done last night. I liked what I did, but it was hard work. I'm wrestling strenuously with a whole pile of facts, trying to pull out a thread of narrative.
William Cowper to Alice Cooper
Russell's Top 5. I'm a huge Alice Cooper fan, though I admit I haven't bought any albums since DragonTown.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Good TV
I've raved before about my TiVo. I watched virtually no TV prior to purchasing it, and now I watch several hours a week. You might think that's not a particularly good thing! But there are some excellent programs on, and TiVo allows me to easily watch them when I want. I'm currently really enjoying Tony Robinson's "Crime and Punishment", about the history of the English legal system. Also watching and enjoying "Stephen Fry in America", "The United States of Tara", "Torchwood" and (as of last night) "Ashes to Ashes".
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Elric
Re-reading Elric by Michael Moorcock. It's a strange but compelling science fantasy series, very dark...
Ashes to Ashes
Watched this tonight with the girl. It's the sequel to "Life on Mars", which I didn't see, but everyone raved about. Didn't expect to like it, but I thought it was great. Very original...
Window washers
There are some high-rise window washers outside our floor at the moment (level 10). I don't know how anyone does that job, it makes me feel ill just thinking about it.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Chiseling into the Australian Soul
Some good observations from MJ. Gosh, I loved Cold Chisel when I was a teen. But MJ is right - their songs are full of sadness, loss and alienation...
Monday, August 17, 2009
Me on Tyson
Dave interviewed me last night about Tyson. Hear my thoughts. As you can see, I'm not terribly comfortable on camera...
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Time for a Treaty?
Peter Adam's lecture on reconciliation with the aborigines still has me thinking. His suggestion that all 20-odd million non-aboriginal Australians should simply leave the country was a clearly a bit of hyperbole designed to make us think. But what is a practical way forward on this issue?
I believe it is time to negotiate a (very belated) treaty with the descendants of the original inhabitants. Ideally you would have a single document that everyone would be happy to sign up to. But more likely, you would have to negotiate individual treaties with every original tribe (or language group). I imagine it would be a very slow and difficult process. Perhaps it would take 20 or 30 years.
What would a treaty contain? I'm hazy on the details. But essentially it would entail aborigines ceding rights to crown and freehold land, in return for just compensation. What that compensation would look like, I don't know. That would be part of the negotiation process. Would aborigines (or their elders) ultimately sign such a document? I suspect yes - but you would have to see how it all works out in practice.
Peter also pointed out the complicity of churches in this issue - all church property was either originally a crown grant, or the purchase of freehold property that was itself originally a crown grant. How should they respond? Will give some further thought to that, maybe blog about it in the future...
Friday, August 14, 2009
The pathetic diary of a mass murderer
About a week ago, a man named George Sodini opened fire in a gym, killing three women and wounding several others before killing himself. Here are some extracts from his diary, leading up to the event. They make pathetic reading. I can't help but think that if he had even one half-decent friend, this wouldn't have happened. It's hard to pity someone who has done something so evil, but he is pitiable...
Quadraplegic wins right to die
A quadraplegic man has won the right to starve himself to death in a Perth nursing home
Lily Allen: 22
David has some comments on 22. I really like Lily Allen, she does some very edgy pop music.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Worst husbands?
Are Australian men really the worst husbands in the world? Well, Sam doesn't think so...
Finished chapter 8
Was a shade too short, but we'll fix it up in the second draft. Chapter 9 will be quite interesting, as it will feature John Newton pretty heavily, as well as the notorious Second Fleet.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
In the Silence
We've had some problems with a house fuse blowing recently. It's happened about 4 times in the past couple of weeks, but we've identified the offending appliance now. But it's been interesting when all the power goes off, especially at night. You are not conscious of it, but a modern house (certainly mine) is full of background noise - computer, fridge, heater, etc, all humming away softly. When the fuse blows, the house is immediately enveloped in a near complete silence. It's beyond silence, it's a sort of stillness that is somehow cold and earthy at the same time. What was life like, I wonder, when people lived out every evening and night in that sort of silence?
Peter Adam on the Aborigines
Herald prints an extract from his lecture, which has gotten some airtime in local theological blogs
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Newton to Johnson
Just up at the Mitchel Library, photocopied a whole bunch of letters from John Newton to Richard Johnson. They are gold! Newton genuinely played the role of mentor in Johnson's life, something I want to bring out in my book. I'm so impressed with his peculiar combination of piety and pragmatism.
GO!99
Checked out Nine's new free to air service last night, GO! Seems to be a channel dedicated to trashy TV. Will probably rate it's socks off.
Monday, August 10, 2009
HSC subject selection
J needs to complete his selections by next week. We had a good chat about it this evening, and I think we've come up with a good shortlist. One subject he is keen to do is Religious Studies. The curriculum looks interesting, and it actually scales really well too.
Anderson Silva is the greatest fighter on the planet
Well, I've got nothing profound to share today, so I thought I would talk about Mixed Martial Arts. Anderson Silva defeated Forest Griffin on the weekend in UFC 101, knocked him out in the first round. Silva fights at middleweight, Griffin in the former light heavyweight champ, but the size difference didn't seem to matter. Silva is an amazing fighter. He handily beat my favourite fighter, Rich Franklin, twice. But there is no shame in that - Silva seems unbeatable at the moment, and he may well go down as the greatest middleweight ever.
Strange recession
Gittins explains why this recession is different to the others. I think he's right that confidence has bounced back pretty sharply in Oz. There was a bit of a media induced fear frenzy in the early part of the year, but everyone has settled down now. And we have a remarkably resilient economy these days, I believe, when all is said and done...
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Johnson to Archbishop Moore
"The people are living in every part of the settlement in open adultery or fornication. A number of soldiers, as well as others, are building huts. Have spoke upon this subject, likewise, intimating that it would be much more seemly and proper for them to marry than to live in this manner, but have received for answer, that if they did a good flogging would be the consequences, it being judged very improper for a soldier to marry a convict."
A word for Christian leaders in Sydney
John Calvin's last exhortation to the City Council. Here is a word for Christian leaders in Sydney -
You older ones be not jealous of the gifts which the younger generation has received, but be glad and praise the Lord who has given them.
And you younger men, be humble and seek not to achieve greater things than you can do; for youth is seldom void of ambition and tends to despise the opinions of others.
Friday, August 07, 2009
United States of Tara
Watched this for the first time last night - the girl had heard it was good. I was impressed. Clever concept and writing, and Toni Collette is just brilliant. Fair bit of profanity though...
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Church Planters Wanted
The site below has the following "wanted ad" -
We're looking for 30 young men looking to church plant in our city within the next 5 years that we can invest in! An opportunity to be part of a team of church planters personally coached via video chat in 2010 by Matt Chandler, Mark Dever, Mark Driscoll, Scott Thomas, Steve Timmis, Bob Kauflin, Jamie Munson and Ed Stetzer.
That's a pretty nice line-up of coaches...
How exciting to see how much church planting activity is happening in this city! And for those who have been talking this up for 20+ years, well done, looks like all your work is seeing fruit...
RICE en:trust
RICE have launched their church planting arm. These guys are so cutting edge, just looking at their website makes my eyeballs bleed...
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Eternity Newspaper
A mass-market newspaper for Australian Christians is being launched in October. I think this is great news...
Churchman Editorial on NT Wright
Worth reading this all the way through. Discusses the Piper/Wright debate, as well as reviews Wright's latest book. (ht DavidO)
Should John Dickson blog?
John Dickson, the popular author and evangelist, recently asked on Facebook whether he should blog or not. Here is my (slightly edited) response -
John, you absolutely should be part of the blogging conversation. This is the "new media" equivalent of the Areopagus. This is where big conversations are happening, where new ideas are being created, where hearts and minds are being won and lost.
Consider our own local, SA, context. Everyone woke up in astonishment one day to realise that they'd lost the whole next generation to the thrall of engaging American church leaders, who had barely heard of Australia, but who were brilliant at exploiting the New Media. It was unbelievable how quickly it happened.
(To the credit of our local leaders, they have turned the ship around pretty quickly on that one, and are using new media to great effect now)
Books are great of course, I love books. But a blog gives your readers an immediacy and an ongoing connection to you. It also lets you react quickly to new developments, and to put out thoughts that you don't have the time or desire to develop into a full book.
Anyway, if you don't do it, someone else will be doing it in your place, and they might not be as good. They might even be quite bad.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Deep cuts to Anglican Media
AM has been severely affected by the GFC. I was shocked and saddened to see that Mark H is going. I've chatted to him recently, though, and it looks like some new doors are opening up for him...
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Book Progress
Managed to get a few hours writing time in this week and the last, the result being that I knocked over chapter 7 and put the bones in place for chapter 8. I've got over 22,000 words drafted now, and I'm a shade over 1/3 way through the book. A while ago, I told a friend I'd be well pleased if I had 20,000 words by the end of the year. Now I'm hoping to have the first draft complete by then. But some of the research ahead may slow me down...
Job Guide
I'm helping the boy do some thinking about his future career. This website has been very helpful, especially the job search function, which contains 1500 job descriptions, and links to the related vocational and tertiary training options.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Coraline
Saw Coraline this evening. Thought it was very good, very well done indeed. I hope lots and lots more of Neil Gaiman's stories get turned into movies...
Chaplains
Phillip Adams is worried about evangelical chaplains in the military. He's also worried about an old hymn, and doesn't seem to realise it's not about *real* soldiers...
JAAL
The "Jesus All About Life" campaign has been radically revamped for Sydney. Will be very interesting to see how this all goes down. I'll be reviewing a new JAAL resource on this website in the next week or so, stay tuned...
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