Dear The Reader
I hope this pain is just something everybody gets. When one body part grows a bit fast than the rest and causes some discomfort.
When flowers grow there is a point in it's development when the petals push against each other, squeezing the inner parts to flatten and curl themselves. When it blooms the petals have beautifully symmetrical patterns, making the whole flower beautiful.
Maybe this pain in my chest is just growing pains. Or maybe it's something serious. We shall see tomorrow morning.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Winter playlist: Part 1
Dear The Reader
Each season comes with it's own weather, temperature and a whole range of emotions. I feel like my musical experience can be enhanced by the current season, and vice versa. Of course I need to choose my songs carefully. Here's the first three I have chosen for my playlist.
1. I'm Singing - Kari Jobe
This song is a worship song. It opens with some cool synth and filtered guitar sounds. It has a soft, yet strong driving feel. When you close your eyes you can imagine singing this song in the snow. That will be a recurring theme in this playlist.
2. Everything About You - Sanctus Real
A faster song, a lot of delay on the lead guitar. There are some beautiful, drawn out "hallelujah"s in the chorus giving a feeling of singing in an old church. The bridge feels like a storm. Once again I can feel the cool, refreshing air when I listen to this.
3. Stars - Switchfoot
This one was a must. The ambience in the beginning is feedback with tinkling. TINKLING! Tinkling screams winter! Also, he talks about being "part of the cloudy", a feeling I associate with winter.
So, grab those songs and see if your winter experience is more fun this year.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Each season comes with it's own weather, temperature and a whole range of emotions. I feel like my musical experience can be enhanced by the current season, and vice versa. Of course I need to choose my songs carefully. Here's the first three I have chosen for my playlist.
1. I'm Singing - Kari Jobe
This song is a worship song. It opens with some cool synth and filtered guitar sounds. It has a soft, yet strong driving feel. When you close your eyes you can imagine singing this song in the snow. That will be a recurring theme in this playlist.
2. Everything About You - Sanctus Real
A faster song, a lot of delay on the lead guitar. There are some beautiful, drawn out "hallelujah"s in the chorus giving a feeling of singing in an old church. The bridge feels like a storm. Once again I can feel the cool, refreshing air when I listen to this.
3. Stars - Switchfoot
This one was a must. The ambience in the beginning is feedback with tinkling. TINKLING! Tinkling screams winter! Also, he talks about being "part of the cloudy", a feeling I associate with winter.
So, grab those songs and see if your winter experience is more fun this year.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Why you should never start a band
Dear The Reader
I have been in a few bands before. All were started with friends. All ended with less friendships. Forget the cutthroat industry, it's the constant arguing with friends that kills it!
On one hand you have the industry demanding great music and new music often. It demands a certain style to match that of the top artists to capitalise on that genre.
On the other hand you have the band. Each member brings their skills and talents and heart to the music. To keep the music great you need to keep your heart open and sensitive. You need to believe in every word, chord and note.
As soon as you smack these worlds together you get a paradox. You have some members keeping their heart open, believing in their music no matter what. You have other members closing their hearts to become critical of that music, rejecting most to get out the great.
In this model a lot of hearts are going to get broken. The outpouring of a member's heart can be crushed in the time it takes to say "Uh...that's crap".
To fix this, members need to be supportive. All members should keep their hearts open and rely on outsiders to tell them what is great and what is not. The industry has it's many (many many many many many many many many) faults, but it have done nothing wrong in this case. All it has done is demand great music.
If you can't handle having your art criticised don't start a band.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I have been in a few bands before. All were started with friends. All ended with less friendships. Forget the cutthroat industry, it's the constant arguing with friends that kills it!
On one hand you have the industry demanding great music and new music often. It demands a certain style to match that of the top artists to capitalise on that genre.
On the other hand you have the band. Each member brings their skills and talents and heart to the music. To keep the music great you need to keep your heart open and sensitive. You need to believe in every word, chord and note.
As soon as you smack these worlds together you get a paradox. You have some members keeping their heart open, believing in their music no matter what. You have other members closing their hearts to become critical of that music, rejecting most to get out the great.
In this model a lot of hearts are going to get broken. The outpouring of a member's heart can be crushed in the time it takes to say "Uh...that's crap".
To fix this, members need to be supportive. All members should keep their hearts open and rely on outsiders to tell them what is great and what is not. The industry has it's many (many many many many many many many many) faults, but it have done nothing wrong in this case. All it has done is demand great music.
If you can't handle having your art criticised don't start a band.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
If I ran al-Qaeda
Dear The Reader
I obviously don't run al-Queda. I just don't have the prerequisites. For instance, I don't have a sick beard, nor do I have the willpower to live in a cave without complaining.
But I do have some criticism, mostly for their leader: Ayman al-Zawahiri.
As a terrorist group you need to be terrifying. Ayman is just an old middle eastern guy with a grey beard and bags under his eyes. First of all I wouldn't go out and proclaim myself as leader. That would paint a huge target on the back of my head. I'd find a middle aged, well built man with black hair, a thin nose and a slight hunch. He would always wear a hood and carry a gun on his back, even when shooting video updates to friends in the White House (Bin Laden referred to Obama as like a son in his first correspondence. There could have been some sort of turn around at that point maybe...).
Also, the name Ayman al-Zawahiri is just too hard to remember. Seriously, turn away from your computer and try to remember it...........that's right, it's hard. Wikipedia has a whole paragraph on how to pronounce his name, and a section on names he's used in the past.
The last criticism I have for al-Qaeda is their movements in the last 9 years. Nothing major has happened since Bali. If you want to instil fear in the people then do something. It's like gambling. You win big right at the start, which keeps you going for a while, but you need to keep winning, even if it's just once in a while. Nine years is just too long to go without a major attack, terror has turned into boredom and living in fear is so 2004.
I hope people start to realise what a joke al-Qaeda have become. They don't need to be feared anymore. Sure, keep an eye on them, but until they try anything dangerous they are not worth wasting worry over.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I obviously don't run al-Queda. I just don't have the prerequisites. For instance, I don't have a sick beard, nor do I have the willpower to live in a cave without complaining.
But I do have some criticism, mostly for their leader: Ayman al-Zawahiri.
As a terrorist group you need to be terrifying. Ayman is just an old middle eastern guy with a grey beard and bags under his eyes. First of all I wouldn't go out and proclaim myself as leader. That would paint a huge target on the back of my head. I'd find a middle aged, well built man with black hair, a thin nose and a slight hunch. He would always wear a hood and carry a gun on his back, even when shooting video updates to friends in the White House (Bin Laden referred to Obama as like a son in his first correspondence. There could have been some sort of turn around at that point maybe...).
Also, the name Ayman al-Zawahiri is just too hard to remember. Seriously, turn away from your computer and try to remember it...........that's right, it's hard. Wikipedia has a whole paragraph on how to pronounce his name, and a section on names he's used in the past.
The last criticism I have for al-Qaeda is their movements in the last 9 years. Nothing major has happened since Bali. If you want to instil fear in the people then do something. It's like gambling. You win big right at the start, which keeps you going for a while, but you need to keep winning, even if it's just once in a while. Nine years is just too long to go without a major attack, terror has turned into boredom and living in fear is so 2004.
I hope people start to realise what a joke al-Qaeda have become. They don't need to be feared anymore. Sure, keep an eye on them, but until they try anything dangerous they are not worth wasting worry over.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
The making of heroes
Dear The Reader
I was praying for a friend and the Holy Spirit cut my soul. And my soul's thick skin opened up and spilled it's contents. Out flowed reds and blacks and tears, the inks that stain the ugly painting not yet finished.
My prayers are few and far between these days, and none are answered in the way I want. This God wants the best for me, even when I just want to settle for mediocre. When I pull back, away from my greatest, the Plan digs in and I come away with rope burn.
No one ever said life was easy. No one ever said love was easy. God is in the business of recruiting wimps and turning them into monsters of Heaven, training them to beat down the garbage life hands to us. God is in the business of turning monsters into heroes, training them to grab the hand of the man who's just about to fall out of reach over the cliff.
I don't want to be a hero, but it looks like I'm headed in that direction.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I was praying for a friend and the Holy Spirit cut my soul. And my soul's thick skin opened up and spilled it's contents. Out flowed reds and blacks and tears, the inks that stain the ugly painting not yet finished.
My prayers are few and far between these days, and none are answered in the way I want. This God wants the best for me, even when I just want to settle for mediocre. When I pull back, away from my greatest, the Plan digs in and I come away with rope burn.
No one ever said life was easy. No one ever said love was easy. God is in the business of recruiting wimps and turning them into monsters of Heaven, training them to beat down the garbage life hands to us. God is in the business of turning monsters into heroes, training them to grab the hand of the man who's just about to fall out of reach over the cliff.
I don't want to be a hero, but it looks like I'm headed in that direction.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, 13 June 2011
The best thing in the morning
Dear The Reader
You know those mornings when you wake up and you can't get out of bed no matter how hard you try? They're usually cold, rainy mornings. Well I think I have a solution.
Bacon and eggs.
You see, there's something about the smell of frying bacon, the sound as it sizzles. And the warmth as you put your hands over the top of the toaster while it toasts the bread. The awakening of new life eggs give when it goes down.
Definitely the best winter wake up call around.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
You know those mornings when you wake up and you can't get out of bed no matter how hard you try? They're usually cold, rainy mornings. Well I think I have a solution.
Bacon and eggs.
You see, there's something about the smell of frying bacon, the sound as it sizzles. And the warmth as you put your hands over the top of the toaster while it toasts the bread. The awakening of new life eggs give when it goes down.
Definitely the best winter wake up call around.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, 12 June 2011
The greatest lesson
Dear The Reader
So we learn a lot of lessons throughout our lives. Some are important, other less important. But the most important lesson is:
THE LESSON SOMEBODY ELSE LEARNT FOR YOU
In other words, some lessons are better learnt from someone else's mistakes. Like kicking a sleeping tiger on the savannah. Learn from the idiot who is, unfortunately, not with us now.
But other lessons are less insane. Such as don't date the guy who cheated on his last girlfriend. If she couldn't change him, neither can you.
Or always buy a ticket before getting on the train. That crazy friend of yours learnt about the $200 fare evasion fine so you don't have to.
So here are some lessons I've learnt so you don't have to learn it yourself:
Don't touch the iron to see if it's still hot.
If you want to talk to the guy/girl you like don't wait for them to start the conversation.
If they're more than 5 minutes late they have no respect for you or your time.
There's no such thing as job security if you're a casual employee.
Always tie your shoelaces BEFORE you walk out in the rain.
Don't put sugar in a can of Coke Zero if you are indoors.
Pizza isn't great the 2nd time it's microwaved.
Exercise is a good life choice.
Don't try to change your boyfriend/girlfriend. They will most likely end up changing theirs...to someone else.
Don't bad mouth your boss, especially to a customer or prospective new employer. Another job security issue.
Don't get into moral debates unless you have no emotions.
Keep reading my blog. More lessons will come
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
So we learn a lot of lessons throughout our lives. Some are important, other less important. But the most important lesson is:
THE LESSON SOMEBODY ELSE LEARNT FOR YOU
In other words, some lessons are better learnt from someone else's mistakes. Like kicking a sleeping tiger on the savannah. Learn from the idiot who is, unfortunately, not with us now.
But other lessons are less insane. Such as don't date the guy who cheated on his last girlfriend. If she couldn't change him, neither can you.
Or always buy a ticket before getting on the train. That crazy friend of yours learnt about the $200 fare evasion fine so you don't have to.
So here are some lessons I've learnt so you don't have to learn it yourself:
Don't touch the iron to see if it's still hot.
If you want to talk to the guy/girl you like don't wait for them to start the conversation.
If they're more than 5 minutes late they have no respect for you or your time.
There's no such thing as job security if you're a casual employee.
Always tie your shoelaces BEFORE you walk out in the rain.
Don't put sugar in a can of Coke Zero if you are indoors.
Pizza isn't great the 2nd time it's microwaved.
Exercise is a good life choice.
Don't try to change your boyfriend/girlfriend. They will most likely end up changing theirs...to someone else.
Don't bad mouth your boss, especially to a customer or prospective new employer. Another job security issue.
Don't get into moral debates unless you have no emotions.
Keep reading my blog. More lessons will come
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, 10 June 2011
Confidence
Dear The Reader
Too many people suffer from the same crazy disease. To my knowledge it doesn't have a technical name. So I'm gonna call it Modestaitis (mow-des-tah-eye-tis). I suffered from Modestaitis for many years. It was so debilitating that I was prevented from doing so many things I wish I could have done.
Modestaitis is my new word for a deficiency of self confidence. It can absolutely ruin a person. It's linked to self esteem issues and can stop people from reaching their full potential.
But I have a cure! Here it is: Go to a friend and tell them about something you're good at. Then tell them why you're so darn good at it. This will boost your confidence. Confidence will assist you in getting better at stuff, giving you more to tell people. If you keep repeating this cycle you should become so confident you could build your own space ship, fly to another planet and start society over again with you as their monarch.
As with all medication there are obvious downsides to this cure. If you talk too much about yourself you are likely to lose your friends. You are also likely to hit your peak and not be able to improve at stuff, potentially bringing on another bout of Modestaitis. So talk yourself up in moderation.
Men and women were created to be like God. God is great. Even a lesser copy of that will still be amazing. That's you and me. Amazing.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Too many people suffer from the same crazy disease. To my knowledge it doesn't have a technical name. So I'm gonna call it Modestaitis (mow-des-tah-eye-tis). I suffered from Modestaitis for many years. It was so debilitating that I was prevented from doing so many things I wish I could have done.
Modestaitis is my new word for a deficiency of self confidence. It can absolutely ruin a person. It's linked to self esteem issues and can stop people from reaching their full potential.
But I have a cure! Here it is: Go to a friend and tell them about something you're good at. Then tell them why you're so darn good at it. This will boost your confidence. Confidence will assist you in getting better at stuff, giving you more to tell people. If you keep repeating this cycle you should become so confident you could build your own space ship, fly to another planet and start society over again with you as their monarch.
As with all medication there are obvious downsides to this cure. If you talk too much about yourself you are likely to lose your friends. You are also likely to hit your peak and not be able to improve at stuff, potentially bringing on another bout of Modestaitis. So talk yourself up in moderation.
Men and women were created to be like God. God is great. Even a lesser copy of that will still be amazing. That's you and me. Amazing.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, 9 June 2011
How to write a song she will actually appreciate
Dear The Reader
Most guys know this phase. Most guys will refuse to admit that they know this phase, but they do. It's the "stupid love" phase. When a guy sees a girl and all he can think about is making her fairytale come true.
Tip: if she watches Disney you have no chance of ever making her fairytale come true.
Somewhere during this phase a guys brain will suddenly short circuit, sending messages saying "write a song!", to which other parts of the brain will say "you're a dork", which will in turn cause other parts of the brain to say "OMG! A dorky song would be awesome!".
Tip: dorky songs aren't cool. They are dorky.
So if you want to write a song for your girl don't start with a cliché. Instead, talk about something that means something super special to you, like football or McDonalds. Describe the surrounding environment from your first date or when you first met. Was it day or night? Was it crowded or lonely? Was the busker a homeless white guitar player or an old Chinese man playing the Chinese equivalent?
Once you've set the scene mix in something about your intentions. "I hope I can empty my bank account for you again, coz that kiss by the Opera House was totally worth it". That's what she really wants.
Follow these basic guidelines and she'll love you for it, and you'll steadily recover from "stupid love".
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Most guys know this phase. Most guys will refuse to admit that they know this phase, but they do. It's the "stupid love" phase. When a guy sees a girl and all he can think about is making her fairytale come true.
Tip: if she watches Disney you have no chance of ever making her fairytale come true.
Somewhere during this phase a guys brain will suddenly short circuit, sending messages saying "write a song!", to which other parts of the brain will say "you're a dork", which will in turn cause other parts of the brain to say "OMG! A dorky song would be awesome!".
Tip: dorky songs aren't cool. They are dorky.
So if you want to write a song for your girl don't start with a cliché. Instead, talk about something that means something super special to you, like football or McDonalds. Describe the surrounding environment from your first date or when you first met. Was it day or night? Was it crowded or lonely? Was the busker a homeless white guitar player or an old Chinese man playing the Chinese equivalent?
Once you've set the scene mix in something about your intentions. "I hope I can empty my bank account for you again, coz that kiss by the Opera House was totally worth it". That's what she really wants.
Follow these basic guidelines and she'll love you for it, and you'll steadily recover from "stupid love".
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
How to stay energetic
Dear The Reader
I'm back! With a vengeance. I've been pretty busy over the last few days with work and such. But I'm here now.
So with uni going on a massive long break for most people we're going to see a lot of students complaining about not being able to wake up properly, messed up sleep patterns and needing sleep ins every morning.
There is a reason for this. Lethargy begets lethargy. Laziness creates laziness. The more you sleep in and don't release your energy the more you body wants to sleep.
So, the obvious way to stay energetic is to keep your schedule more or less the same. Instead of waking up at 6:30 to go to a lecture wake up at 6:30 and go for a run (or watch those girls on the aerobics show. Is that still on?). Instead of going to bed early so you're fresh for an exam, go to bed early so you're fresh to hit the shops when they open. Have a day in the city with friends. Email your lecturers about what books are required next semester so you get a headstart.
And keep your mind learning. Take up a hobby. I'm learning how to draw comics. Don't be a loser over the next couple of months. Keep your body and mind active.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I'm back! With a vengeance. I've been pretty busy over the last few days with work and such. But I'm here now.
So with uni going on a massive long break for most people we're going to see a lot of students complaining about not being able to wake up properly, messed up sleep patterns and needing sleep ins every morning.
There is a reason for this. Lethargy begets lethargy. Laziness creates laziness. The more you sleep in and don't release your energy the more you body wants to sleep.
So, the obvious way to stay energetic is to keep your schedule more or less the same. Instead of waking up at 6:30 to go to a lecture wake up at 6:30 and go for a run (or watch those girls on the aerobics show. Is that still on?). Instead of going to bed early so you're fresh for an exam, go to bed early so you're fresh to hit the shops when they open. Have a day in the city with friends. Email your lecturers about what books are required next semester so you get a headstart.
And keep your mind learning. Take up a hobby. I'm learning how to draw comics. Don't be a loser over the next couple of months. Keep your body and mind active.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, 2 June 2011
What we can learn from Spiderman
Dear The Reader
So, as a huge comic book fan I have recently taken an interest in why heroes are the way they are. Unfortunately this has led me to some pretty disturbing stories of heroes and villains before good and evil was an option to them.
But one hero I want to focus on is Spiderman. Or, more importantly, Peter Parker. This young man is a wimp. He's terrified of women. He's obsessed with please his dead uncle and making his parents (who he's never met) proud. He's naïve. His powers are his ability to shoot webs from his hands, climb walls, and lift his foot high enough to kick Ironman in the face. Pretty weak when compared to other heroes. He's been saved by other heroes countless times.
Yet despite all of this he sticks to his guns and defends New York against every evil that conspires against it. He puts his life at risk over and over, doing the little he can to make his city safe.
"With great power comes great responsibility."
Peter is a lowly photographer for a local paper. Spidey is a crap hero in a massive city. If his tiny power bestows upon his such great responsibility then what responsibility do we have? Our power is the decades ahead of us. That's pretty huge. Massive. That power comes with the greatest responsibility. To change the whole world.
How will you answer the call? Yes, you may fail often. You may need saving sometimes. You may even find yourself on the wrong side of the fight once in a while. But there's always hope.
How will you answer the call?
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
So, as a huge comic book fan I have recently taken an interest in why heroes are the way they are. Unfortunately this has led me to some pretty disturbing stories of heroes and villains before good and evil was an option to them.
But one hero I want to focus on is Spiderman. Or, more importantly, Peter Parker. This young man is a wimp. He's terrified of women. He's obsessed with please his dead uncle and making his parents (who he's never met) proud. He's naïve. His powers are his ability to shoot webs from his hands, climb walls, and lift his foot high enough to kick Ironman in the face. Pretty weak when compared to other heroes. He's been saved by other heroes countless times.
Yet despite all of this he sticks to his guns and defends New York against every evil that conspires against it. He puts his life at risk over and over, doing the little he can to make his city safe.
"With great power comes great responsibility."
Peter is a lowly photographer for a local paper. Spidey is a crap hero in a massive city. If his tiny power bestows upon his such great responsibility then what responsibility do we have? Our power is the decades ahead of us. That's pretty huge. Massive. That power comes with the greatest responsibility. To change the whole world.
How will you answer the call? Yes, you may fail often. You may need saving sometimes. You may even find yourself on the wrong side of the fight once in a while. But there's always hope.
How will you answer the call?
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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