I am way to keyed up. I am an emotional sucker. I ate too much turkish delight....

All does not bode well for sleeping tonight.

What is it about TV series that can lure you in to their world? How is it that I can become so attached to 'people' that (a) I don't know and (b) are fictional???

I finally sat down to watch the last series of 'Friends' - I know it finished years ago but I've never seen the last episodes. And just like MASH, SATC (as well as a few others) it reduced me to a bit of a blubbering state on my couch.

Is it that I don't like saying goodbyes?

Is it just me?

Stayed tuned people - new posts are or their way!

A little ditty for the day

Some might know that I've started to learn Arabic in preparation for going to Bahrain next year. My wonderful tutor found this for me to learn the arabic alphabet with... ain't u-tube grand?


ok - not sure how you put the whole link on the blog - but click on the question mark

I've spent the last two days walking all over Canberra in anticipation of NTE - in particular getting the things for ushering nailed away before we get down there again.
I'm excited about this year - more so than others I think. I guess that is what happens when you take ownership in things huh?

But while we were wondering around I came across this wall in one of the ANU buildings. It's just a wall that guests are asked to sign in simple black markers. Everyone is invited to sign - but only one is covered under some perspex glass. Can you read it? Nelson Mandela.

Now at this point I could ask all sorts of politically motivated questions... why is his signature more worthy of being immortalised than anyone else's? what does it say about the artistic sensibilities of the organisers....? But all I really wanted to point out is one of the signatures that is directly above N.M's. Do you notice the pudgy angel?

Leunig. Classic. Where else could you get two very different types of greatness so close together?

What's the difference bewteen a blog and a soap box on the corner street?

I'm in the process of writing an article for AFES's monthly 'web-salt' magazine (if any office people read this, don't worry, it'll be in on Monday morning!) and so I'd like to get some thoughts off anyone who is reading or has done some thinking on the topic of blogging and evangelism.

A couple of questions for you to think about in your responses:

Is it possible to preach the gospel over this medium in a way that speaks to an individuals life?

Why/how do we feel as though we can relate to others effectively through this form?

Is it more comforting to sit at a keypad and share your thoughts and feelings than it is to do so in person? Why?

Can it be evangelism if it's just one way? (ie people just reading but not showing any obvious responses either way?)

Any more thoughts or suggestions would be very welcome!

These are a few of my favourite things

This one's for "The Blogger Team"...

In a world where too often we dredge ourselves up out of bed, weary from weekends and wary of what is to come the question must be asked - How can Monday mornings be great? Well, normally they start for me with good Bourke St Bakery coffee but this particular morning my buzz came from the great (and only slightly idolatrous) delight of having my new baby delivered in the form of a 15inch Mac Book Pro. I am in love...


It was a weekend filled with two of my favourite ladies. First up Pen and I watched "Becoming Jane" (terrible movie - like "Titanic" or "Romeo and Juliet" you spend the whole time waiting to see just how exactly it is that the main characters end up alone and without love) and then spent Sunday arvo at Luna Park.It was so much fun! As you can see here, Liv had her first ride on a carousel, although she seemed somewhat dubious about the whole thing... and it was a great afternoon to just wander around and try and look at everything with the fresh eyes of a child. To just delight in the sensory overload of colours, sounds and the sweet smell of fairy floss. Of course the cynical eyes were also able to take in the wearied parents, the cigarette butts and the temper tantrums of little ones who couldn't cope with the excitement.

I had the excitement though of getting the chance to start to get over my dislike of snakes and had a python wrapped around my neck (ok trust me - it looks littler here than what it really was!). Just as I was asking the woman if the snakes get cranky being passed around (she said "yes - but they try and hide") this guy tried to make his way under my top... not an experience I'll run to again but it was worth it. They're surprisingly soft and silky to touch but there was that weird feeling of helplessness as he wound himself around me and I was too nervous to try and direct him elsewhere...

But now I am going to continue to discover the delights of my new metallic baby!