Why I don't drink

Dear the Reader,

It's been too long. I apologise for not being around. Uni seriously takes its toll on me sometimes. But I'm back and you have me uni free for about 4 months.

People ask me every now and then why I don't drink. The reason is not a complicated one. In fact it is all in this news story from Broome.

When I go riding crocs I'm gonna be sober. I'm not an idiot.


Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

Public reply to man with road rage in Kogarah

Dear The Reader,

On Friday I was subject to an idiot who thought he could drive. First, he cut me off, almost causing an accident. I came very close to running into the back of his car. He later slammed his breaks on for no reason, at which I gave a friendly toot with my horn. He then attempted to reverse parallel park in a No Parking Zone. He reversed halfway in before stopping, blocking traffic, opened his door, looked at me and started yelling "What's your problem?!?" and other, more offensive phrases.

I decided to wait for the childish reaction to pass before replying. Here is my public reply:

I think you forgot to put your L plates on. Obviously you don't know road and parking rules, and I don't have time to teach you. Pick up some lessons from your local driving instructor.

If, by chance, you actually do have a full licence, I would be having a serious look at the corrupt RTA employees who wrongfully issued it.

In any case, you are a bit of a dickhead. The woman in the front seat didn't look impressed by your attempt at faux masculinity. If she was your partner, hopefully she saw your true side, and either left you or cut your bits off to match your validity of being called a man.

Please take into consideration other drivers next time you get behind the wheel.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

Narrabeen Lagoon

Dear the Reader,

I went to the Narrabeen Lagoon for a uni assessment. Pictures speak for themselves.


Photo 1
















Photo 2
















Photo 3



Photo 4



Photo 5



Photo 6



Photo 7
















As you can see this place is beautiful. However it is in danger. Just like almost every other water way in Australia it is subject to erosion and sediment buildup. People are saying to go and have a day trip there before it's gone, because it may very well disappear in our lifetime.



Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

The most beautiful place on Earth

Dear The Reader

I've recently been talking with people a lot about where the most beautiful place on Earth is. Is it Egypt and its beautiful river and ancient tombs and temples? Could it be the Scottish Highlands and it's green, rolling countryside? Maybe it's Italy and its rich culture and architecture?

I could be biased (and I will be) and say Australia is. Sydney alone has amazing views. I visited my aunty in Concord today, but before visiting I stopped at the head between Exile and Canada Bays and took some quick pics on my phone.










When I got home I found out it was forecast to rain. So I went outside and took this...




And this




Rain may be on it's way, but the Mother Sky is giving us the most beautiful twilight she can.

In conclusion!!! The most beautiful place to me is right here, where I am. There's no place like it. For that reason it also can't be the most beautiful. Look around and find beauty where you are.

For creative literature go to projectjared.wordpress.com

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Drunk Women

Dear The Reader

You know that whole "last night was awesome. I got soooooooo drunk!" thing? I got to experience that from a sober DJ point of view at a birthday party last night. A crowd of stupid drunk, forty-something year old women who wanted what they wanted now.

Now, I'll admit some of those ladies were pretty good looking. But as soon as their eyes drooped and their speech slurred and their steps staggered they were no longer attractive.

But then it got worse. As the night got later women (I refuse to call them ladies) came up and said things like "The birthday girl wants you to skip this song. She doesn't like how it starts." and "Can you play music that doesn't suck?"

Seriously? You just asked for Katy Perry and now you think it sucks?

These women are all that's wrong with the drinking culture. It's almost surprising they didn't start a fight.

The lesson we can all take away from this is don't get drunk. You do stupid things and the sober people end up hating you and hoping you end up getting your stomach pumped.

For creative literature go to projectjared.wordpress.com

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

M4 crash

Dear The Reader

Today a horrific crash occurred on the M4 in Sydney. A car was forced into the path of an 8 wheel truck, causing a man and a woman to be trapped inside a twisted hunk of metal that used to be their car.

Police are looking for a black and silver car that failed to stop after the crash. If you saw it please call 1800 333 000.

On my drive home from uni today I was appalled at how crap Sydney "drivers" are. Tailgating, changing lanes without indicating, even driving on the wrong side of the road. It is disgusting and should be covered by heavier punishments, especially during peak hour and on the Motorways.

I'm not saying the driver of the black and silver car forced the other driver's direction, but if they did they had better be ready for a long vacation at Long Bay.

For creative literature go to projectjared.wordpress.com

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

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Centrelink stereotype

Dear The Reader

I have always had (and seen) the image of the Centrelink client stereotype. They show an extreme entitlement to the money they receive, as if they have managed some incredible feat for it.

Today, I applied for student assistance. I imagined it would take half an hour tops. 95 minutes after the operator finally answered I completed the online application form, only to be told I have to fill out two more forms, get my parents to fill out a third, and take that, with a whole bunch of other stuff, into a branch so I can finish applying. More than two and a half (expected) hours and I may be rejected. It is taking everything within me to stay grateful to the commonwealth of Australia for the assistance they can provide.

So, next time you see a stereotypical Centrelink client, just remember they jump through hoop after bureaucratic hoop every fortnight. The other people who do that are politicians and lawyers, and look at their paycheque afterwards.

I'm still grateful for Australia's welfare system, no matter how frustrating it is.

For creative literature go to projectjared.wordpress.com

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Three mistakes guitarists make

Dear The Reader

Budding guitarists may have found that over the last couple of years ads have been popping up on guitar music websites claiming to show you the mistakes guitarists make. Here are some real mistakes guitarists make:

1. Clicking on ads claiming impossible feats like learning the guitar in a half hour or three basic rules. These guys just want your money! They give you a couple of "duh, everyone knows this" videos, then asks you to pay $1,000 a month to see the rest of their videos.

2. Going to group lessons. This is fun, but unless your main priority is to meet other beginner guitarists it's a waste of money. You will learn faster by just teaching yourself. It is better to find a guitar teacher who offers reasonably priced lessons to teach you correct technique and the basics, learn some theory, then learn the rest by playing songs. (Yes, I teach guitar here in Sydney. Email me at jared.spence89@gmail.com for info).

3. Comparing yourself to others. Every guitarist is different. Everyone learns at different speeds and everyone has different has different tastes in music. Instead, set yourself some goals (a teacher can help you with them). You will build confidence, learn faster, and be playing live in no time!

Follow these rules and you will be a guitar hero in no time.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

"Good work dude"

Dear The Reader,

If you get bored today go out and tell someone you appreciate them. "Good work dude" goes a long way.




For creative literature go to projectjared.wordpress.com

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Email from author Kim Scott

Dear The Reader

I recently email Kim Scott about his book That Deadman Dance to help with my major essay on the book. It's always good to get an author's thoughts on their work, just so you get the context of the story and a guide on how to interpret it.

I asked two questions:

1. What would you say the differences and confluences are of the Black and White Australian cultures in the novel?

2. What happens at the end of the story? Who is shooting and why?

This was his reply...

Hi Jared,

Sorry, but I'm not helping you with the resolution. I believe there's something called the 'intentional fallacy' - that is, it's irrelevant, really, what the author intended since it's you and the text that make the meaning! But maybe the end is something about colonial violence and
certain imperatives about control/power suddenly rushing into Bobby's (and our) consciousness. It's been lurking the whole time, I think, there in the background, or just 'out of frame'.

Equally, I'm not sure I can quickly explain my take on "the main
differences and confluences between the two cultures in the book", however I do think there's something there about 'strategic,
goal-orientated thinking' versu something more like 'improvisation, and trust in spirit' (one's own, and that of one's place'). I suppose 'creativity' might be another word for that.

But sometimes the difference between cultures gets obscured by similarities and an 'affinity' between individuals that allows them to have 'human contact' despite their differences. A perhaps one culture has a greater propensity to allow for, and even facilitate, this?

Once again, sorry, but I think the real business of reading ficiton has to be you coming to your own opinions as a reader, and thinking about the relationship between you and various 'triggers' in the text. Kind
of different to the way you read more didactic work.

Thanks for your interest, Jared. Hope you can forgive my reluctance to give you answers.

Yrs, kimS

This was actually more helpful to me than a straight "didactic" answer would have been.

For creative literature go to projectjared.wordpress.com

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

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Unsure

Thanks The Reader

You have given me my first 1000 page views. I'm so excited that people actually care.

You know I'm really confused with life at the moment. I don't know what I want for the future and I don't know if I'm doing exactly what I should be doing. What I do know is that if I keep living, loving and writing it all down then it will begin to make some sort of sense.

Keep reading, my best is yet to come.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

For fictional literature go to projectjared.wordpress.com

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If I were a uni lecturer

Dear The Reader,

I had a uni class recently (I won't say which one, just in case) with a lecturer who seemed to think the best way to teach a bunch of young adults was to spout out a bunch of information then tell the students they are wrong if they don't 100% agree with their opinions. The main opinion that came up was that teachers shouldn't do anything beyond teaching. That caring should be left up to the parents and if a student is falling behind it's up to the school counsellor to fix them.

This is absolutely crap and I would never send my child to a school where teachers held this view. I found this from another uni that really shows what teaching is all about.

Teaching is a holistic profession. Knowledge cannot be passed on without nurturing and motivating the student. The most famous teachers of all time, Jesus and Socrates, both worked with their students and showed compassion in their lessons.

Lev Vygotsky's social learning theory explains that a teacher MUST discern the student's ability and teach accordingly.




There is no room for "doing the bare minimum" when it comes to teaching. It's the most important job in the world and "bare minimum" teachers are what will bury all the intelligence in the next generation.

Now, coming back to treating adults like little children in the 30s, you make another adult feel like a stupid child and one day you may find yourself humiliating the wrong person. Choose your teaching methods wisely.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

Australia haters - Go back to where you came from

Dear The Reader

I was googling random terms and I came to this forum about poms who hate Australia.

"itskaren" pretty much said that moving to Australia was the worst decision they ever made. They whinged about a few aspects of Australia and wished they could erase the last year.

At first I got pretty defensive. Then I started to think about why they would say these things. Turns out this is the same kind of talk the first settlers used when they came here. It's a backwards place with backwards people.

Actually "itskaren", you're wrong. Australia isn't backwards. It is perfect. We aren't like the Poms or Americans, we are our own people with our own history. If you don't like it here go back to where you came from.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

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Sexy music terms

Dear The Reader

Despite being a musician and a music teacher I have written next to no music lessons for this blog. Let's remedy that now.

Everybody knows musicians are the sexiest people in the world. Even ACDC are still sleeping with girls (which is a modern day miracle, those guys are dinosaurs). But there seem to be a lot of musicians out there. To get a leg up on the competition it helps to know some musical terms. Not only do they make you sound like a great musician, they're also in Italian, the sexiest language in the world.

Piano and forte - soft and loud. These are the easiest to remember. They describe the volume of the music. Say mezzopiano and mezzoforte for slightly soft or loud, and pianissimo and fortissimo for very soft or loud.

Adagio and allegro - slow and fast. These are words to indicate the tempo or speed of the song.

Ostinato - a piece of music that is repeated. For example, a guitar riff is an ostinato. It just sounds classier.

Motif - the main theme or character portrayed in the music. Obvious motifs are Christine and the Phantom's themes in the Phantom of the Opera for the girls, and Darth Vader's theme from Star Wars for the classless guys.

Libretto - very handy if you're taking your lady to the opera. This booklet contains the words so you can follow along. Because most operas are in Italian you can often find a translation online to print, if they don't have some at the opera house already.

Use these words and others will be so impressed you will never need another pick up line again.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

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Treat em mean, keep em keep...to drop you!

Dear The Reader

I have heard the phrase many times: treat them mean, keep them keen. This is a great motto for life, especially if you want to stay a bachelor/spinster all your life.

It's not hard to understand why being mean to the opposite sex is counterproductive. If you're mean to someone it usually pisses them off. This usually ends up in you getting rejected. The other person figures out people like you are worth avoiding, and the "sea of plentiful fish" becomes more like the "ocean of aggressive sharks". Not good for the mean business.




I honestly thought there was more to it than that, but it's so obvious. I've found great success in being a sweet, friendly guy who listens. I know a few other guys and girls who have used that strategy to their ultimate success too.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

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New blog and short story

Dear The Reader

This semester at uni requires me to have a blog. Which is great. Except it needs to be on Wordpress.com.

Now I'm not one to just feel like crap and wallow in self pity, so I got excited and thought of a great idea: instead of throwing every little thing I write on here, I'll make this my non-literary blog and post any writings and critiques on Wordpress.

So you can click here for my new blog. I've already posted some stuff, including a short story about Cyclone Yasi. I hope you enjoy.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Road rules

Dear The Reader

I have been telling people that I would write a post about indicators for a while now, so here it is.

The one thing that stresses me out more than anything else is the traffic. Sydney traffic to be precise. And other drivers. You see there are road rules. Very clear road rules. And there are obvious basic car functions.

Then there are people who don't know what they are.

The 3 main rules are indicating when changing lanes, stopping at stops signs, and common courtesy.

Because driving in Sydney often involves 20 or more other drivers we need to make sure others know what we are doing. The indicator is a fabulous piece of technology that let's people know exactly why you are slowing down, or coming into their lane. It let's others know they should drive around you because you are turning. In fact NSW traffic law states that you are obliged to indicate for at least 5 seconds before turning. Not indicating when merging and turning may cause some hot head to ram the back of your car, get out and proceed to crush your skull.

Stop signs are an essential part of Australian road safety. Failing to comply will eventually cause someone to TBone you and land you in hospital or the morgue. I think that one is pretty self explanatory.

Be courteous. Always give a courtesy wave and always give way to merging traffic. Who cares if someone moves in in front of you? It's not like they're going to make you any later than you already are.

As long as you follow these 3 rules you will be a much loved fellow driver.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

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The best part of the cyclone recovery

Dear The Reader

This week has had its ups and downs. My major down was just the constant feelings of inferiority; I am unable to fix the situations of the people. It's a fact I've had to deal with. No one but God can fix the situation.

But the best moment I had all week was when we visited a family who, since the cyclone, have found more freedom and joy than ever before. A part of the family was a young mum with a 2 month old boy. I asked if I could hold him, and after about 10 minutes he drifted off to sleep. In this moment I was at such peace.

I continued to speak to the mother. She and her partner were so grateful for their little one, and never stopped smiling, even when talking about the night of the cyclone. Easy birth and easy to care for. Perfect little boy.

Little things that some see as speed bumps others see as great joy. James 1:2-3 in the bible says all hardships and bumps in the road should be seen as good experiences because we grow stronger through them. I don't know exactly what these new parents will learn for the last year, but whatever it is they are learning with smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts.

Please let these guys inspire you to see life the same way.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Winter playlist: Part 6

Dear The Reader

Some people have been wondering what happened to my latest few posts. I have had to censor my Tully posts because of some silly people who shouldn't be reading this on work time. However, I have not met a person I didn't like up here. If it wasn't such a hassle to uproot myself from my life in Sydney I would move here in a heartbeat.

So this is my last winter playlist post! Exciting. Some of my favourite songs in this post.

16. More Than Fine - Switchfoot

This track is so beautiful. Starting out with a tick track, followed up by claps and acoustic guitar, the song uses sound bites (like the sound of people's thoughts), harmonica, electric guitar, drum machine, normal drums and bass riffs in brilliant collaboration. The subtle high pitched beat and the constant acoustic guitar makes a cold early morning just that bit more bearable. It makes the list.

17. Betty - Brooke Fraser

Brooke makes amazing pieces of music. Every little part has a specific purpose. This track makes the list simply for mentioning Toronto and Canada in the lyrics. The guitar riff throughout the song also feels a little white and snowy.

18. Faust, Midas and Myself - Switchfoot

I tried so hard not to put 2 songs by the same band close to each other but this just worked. In fact this and Betty were the first songs I added to this list. There is extensive use of strings under clean electric guitar, and strings always feel a little cold. Not in a bad way, just a feeling I've always had. Most operas I have seen have been set in a winter and the summer sets always felt wrong.

There you are. I had a 19th song called Everything That Makes Me Sick by The Almost, but I can't find a justification for it. Maybe you can.

I hope you enjoy these songs and they get you through the rest of winter.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Amazing stories from Tully

Dear The Reader

Well, technically we were in Mission Beach today.

Lyn Prince and I were on our way to see a client. We came over a crest and saw two cassowaries walking on the opposite side of the road. They may as well have been hand in hand. We later found out it was a father and baby. So we naïvely stopped the car and got out. We took many pics (which Lyn has and I can't get them from her yet) of the father checking us out. He was so close that we could have put our hand out and touched him.

After they moved on a local pulled up and said she was surprised he didn't attack. This huge bird (learn more here) was a protective father and wanted to make sure we weren't threats.

There have been so many stories here. An interesting difference between Tully and Mission Beach is that, even though they were both flattened by Yasi, the people of Tully seem really depressed but the people of Mission Beach have a hope in them. They still aren't great but at least the ones who aren't coping are admitting it and asking for counselling help.

This has really helped me to realise that God gives hope and joy to those who ask. Let's start asking for that for the people of Tully.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Winter playlist: Part 5

Dear The Reader

I'm in Tully. It's so busy. I haven't been able to find time to get this post out so I won't give links to the other parts, but you can find them on the side bar -->.

To give you an idea of what is going on up here here's some pics.













Beautiful piece of Australia. Destroyed by a beautiful storm. Assisted by beautiful people (my team).

Enough Tully stuff, more music.

13. You Found Me - The Fray

This is a very dark song. It is currently reminding me of some of the people here who ask "Where were you when we needed you 5 months ago?!?". It may be warm up here but people are going through a dry winter season in their lives. This song makes the list.

14. The Everglow - Mae

Mae have always felt very deliberate in their music, almost like it was manufactured in a factory of good, disposable songs. Riding on the heels of You Found Me, The Everglow has a very hopeful message. No matter what is happening, our hearts are always glowing.

15. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol

Uh, duh. Snow Patrol. Kinda self explanatory. But if I had to make a music video for it I would have a road trip in the middle of a North American winter.

I'll write more about Tully tomorrow, so hang in there. One last picture for you, just for fun. Our last ditch effort to get into a coconut, 4WD style...




Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

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Cyclone recovery

Dear The Reader

A worst possible case scenario is what we call "disaster". Here in Tully people are still recovering from a natural disaster called Cyclone Yasi. It's been six months and there are still houses flattened, or boarded up, or just left alone.

A former two-storey house.

Cyclone Yasi hit Tully directly. The eye of the storm (the eerie calm bit in the middle of every cyclone) encompassed the entire community, surrounding it with high walls of lightning. One lady said the stars were brightly shining and a man was playing flute on his roof. Another story is that birds were seen flying in the eye as if trapped. Another woman said her house, though most of the windows and doors were boarded up, was filled an eerie light.

A house with no roof. The man now lives next door, not willing to leave just yet.

There have been many stories of survival from the people here. All consist of the night of the storm, all consist of the hardships faced since, and all end with "she'll be right, ay".

One man told us he cuts the cane and picks bananas for work. Now that his caravan had been destroyed, the cane harvest has been delayed and the bananas were blown away he has moved home with his mum and won't have work until at least September, and even then he doesn't have much hope.

Sugarcane waiting to be processed. This cane is being harvested late because of soft ground.

This whole town is tired. It's been six months of cleaning up, rebuilding, finding work, making ends meet, trying to sell, fighting insurance companies, coping with family, coping with life, etcetera. The whole of Tully is beyond desperate. They're almost ready to give up.

But these people are fighters.

And they won't go down just yet.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

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Winter playlist: Part 4

Dear The Reader

What a week I've had. Absolutely no time to offer my playlist update. If you've missed any previous posts Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 are here.

So, without anymore wasted time let get into it.

10. Me and Alone - The Almost

The Almost appears once again. This track uses a lot of space in the verses to emphasise the intensity of the song. The swirling dynamics make it feel like a winter storm, therefore qualifying its place on the playlist.

11. Carry Me - Audrey Assad

There's something about Audrey that feels very wintery. This song is about how God carries us through the hard times. Those times in our life are a bit like winter to a farmer. There is no harvest in winter, but it's on it's way.

12. Hanging On - Britt Nicole

Britt has put together a beautiful track. The mix of instruments is almost perfect. Starting with just acoustic guitar and minimal percussion the song introduces small bites of synth and harp, placed exactly where they need to be. The message of this song compliments Audrey's song, God is carrying us and we're not letting go.

I promise to get the next 3 songs out in the next 48 hours so keep checking in. I'll be posting to Twitter (the link is at the top) and for all my friends on Facebook.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Winter playlist: Part 3

Dear The Reader

Once again, sorry it's a little late. I had a long, good day. Taking it easy seems to be growing on me...nah, not really.

Here is Part 1 and Part 2.

Here we go, tracks 7, 8 and 9.

7. Stolen - Dashboard Confessional.

I first heard Dashboard in Winter 2006. I listened to a few of their songs on repeat for months. Stolen is the kind of song I could imagine being sung at a dance by the guy whose life is a musical. For some reason there would be snow outside.

8. Hand Grenade - The Almost

The Almost's "southern rock" style seems to just be an alternative style of country written by a guy who used to play in a hardcore band (for all the Underoath fans out there). Usually I wouldn't associate country with winter, but with the high swells on the slide guitar and the harmonica that sounded almost like an accordion, it could be argued that it gives a cold day a nice soundtrack.

9. Love Is Waiting - Brooke Fraser.

Yes, the opening line is "And the Autumn on the ground", but it has a swirling snow and leaf feel. It may end up on my Autumn playlist, but that's next year.

Interestingly, a lot of my winter songs are paced love songs. I guess a lot of my relationships started or got interesting during winter. Leah and I had our first date on the first day of winter 2009. Maybe I'll tell you all about that sometime...

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Kids and the importance of self esteem

Dear The Reader

Today a friend and I took a couple of kids to the park while their mum moved house. A four year old boy and a seven year old girl. I got to talk to both, but my chat with the girl was most intriguing.

Turns out she's not a fan of school, but she's really smart. She knows most of her times tables and can spell some three and four syllable words. She's also very quiet and initially answers each question with "I don't know".

At first that worried me, but as I prompted her all her knowledge spilled out. At one point I said "You're beautiful" to which she looked away and didn't respond. So I asked if anyone had ever called her beautiful before and she said no.

Now, I don't know if she was telling the truth or just being modest, but I have drawn a lesson from this: all kids need praise for the things they try.

These kids come from a family with an absent father and some tough circumstances, but these two guys are glowing with positive light in the dark of uncertainty.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

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Winter Playlist: Part 2

Dear The Reader

So here is part 2 of my Winter playlist. This week I have been putting together a playlist to make my experience even more excellent. In case you haven't read it yet, part 1 is here.

I planned on putting this out by Wednesday, but health problems kind of made me re-prioritise. Her it is, and I'll have part 3 up in the next couple of days.

Let's jump into it...

4. Impossible - Anberlin

Opens and closes with a very quick, delayed guitar riff. It doesn't lose momentum the whole time. It's a love song for a girl who keeps turning him down, but he's desperate for her. This is a situation that I associate with winter for some reason. That's why it's here.

5. Must Have Done Something Right - Relient K

Piano, acoustic guitar and tambourine give this one the winter feel, though it's on the list for more than that. The video clip is set in the cold. The singer Matt sets out to retrieve his soon-to-be girlfriend's soccer ball and ends up having a big three minute city adventure. Maybe the boys from Anberlin should find a lost soccer ball for their elusive lady...

6. I Am Still Running - Jon Foreman

Now this nugget is from Switchfoot frontman's solo EP, Winter. Its vocal, guitar and snare feel gives the listener a feeling of that calm, cold day when all you do is sit inside, thanking God that you don't need to leave your house and risk frostbite.

I love all three of these artist. Each one have been a favourite of mine at one time or another. Please give them a listen and see what you think.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Heart problem

Dear The Reader

So I'm writing this from the waiting room of a blood collection place. Turns out I'm not as invincible as we all thought.

At 5:30pm on Wednesday I stood up and felt a pain in my chest. I found it hard to breathe. It got worse and I found it hard to sleep. Thursday morning I got myself to a doctor who put me through an ECG. She sent me to a heart specialist who also put me through an ECG.

The heart specialist thinks the fluid between my heart and lungs has dried up, causing friction, in turn causing the pain.

Yes, I'm scared. Not as scared as I was. And I'm smarter.

Starting today I won't be eating fast food (except Subway of course). I'll do it until the end of the year and see what happens.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

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Growing pains?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wrinkles

Dear The Reader

A wrinkle is a crease in the skin. A valley the wearer has travelled. A loved one worried for. A year in a bad job. A year in no job.

A wrinkle folds over a whole story. A chapter of a person's life. It holds wisdom and knowledge.

What is behind your wrinkles?

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Solid ground

Dear The Reader

Look down. The solid ground holds you down. It keeps you from falling up into the sky.

Feel the earth. Feel the white sand rubbing between your toes. You can never tumble to the depths of the earth as long as the earth holds.

Solid ground is security. As long as you have it you are invincible.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Lights

Dear The Reader

Look up. Watch the sky catch fire. Watch every star explode into radiant day. The greatest light show in history is put on display ever single night, never to be put out, only to be washed over with sunfire.

It's all for you. Are you impressed?




Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Ingredients

Dear The Reader,

I was reading Thoreau today, trying to figure out why he is a legend and realised, he uses ingredients. He takes a subject and talks about it's different facets.

In Walking I thought this subject was walking. He definitely discusses it thoroughly. Yet I get the feeling that walking is yet another ingredient in a larger recipe: Life.

Of course, everyone knows why Thoreau went to the woods, but was his trip to the woods his only attempt to learn how to live? I don't think so.

So write about your life. What is it like? Is it like the woods? Is it measured in the quality of long walks? Is it like a box-o-chocolates? Mine is like a never ending comic book in which my character never seems to be able to figure out how to be the hero.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

PROOF: Love Isn't Dead

Dear The Reader,

Everyday is a good day. There are always thing worth thanking God for. Always.

Yesterday, after a fairly disappointing weekend, I had work. I sing at childcare centres. I have a group of kids from a poorer neighbourhood in my last session. They interrupt and can be fairly nasty to one another and to their carers.

However, yesterday, after we had sung about lots of silly thing, they all ran up to me and gave me a huge group hug. Love still exists.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Ten things

Dear The Reader

Having trouble with writing creatively? Lacking inspiration? Here's a technique I picked up a little while ago.

Write some lists. These lists are the contents pages of your inner story. Each point you come up with has an extensive story behind it. Discover them...

10 things I know to be true
10 things I want my sister to have
10 things I had when I was 10
10 things I read in public toilets
10 things I am afraid of
10 things my year 8 teacher taught me
10 reasons why I shouldn't do what I'm about to do
10 things my father taught me
10 things I asked God for
10 things I want to say to someone but can't

Make your lists and happy writing.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

Typical Bad Night

So I haven't been feeling the best lately and it's been affecting my sleep, which in turn affects my health, which comes back around and kicks my sleeping the backside. Vicious circle.

Anyway, here's a little something I wrote at 1am.



In bed
Close eyes
Fall asleep
Nightmare
Wake up
Water
Face splash
Repeat



This is what I'd prefer to be doing...



Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

Why opposable thumbs are better

Dear The Reader,

Have you ever realised just how much we rely on our thumbs? And not just for picking up stuff. I mean for things like using a TV remote, wiping sauce from the corners of our mouths, and tearing toilet paper. You know, the important stuff. Without thumbs how could we use the space bar on our keyboards? Blogswouldlooklikethis.Notgoodatall.

Thumbs do these countless jobs without any thanks from us. So, when you're pwning terrorists on your xbox today remember you couldn't do it without your thumbs. Give your thumbs a thumbs up.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

Sleeping

Dear The Reader,

A poem for you...

When I sleep I travel to a city

a strange stretched city.

All the citizens are sleeping

put to sleep by a sedative of sweet seeping sap.

The sleep is restless, that of a sick feverish child

silently screaming through their sweat.

Through the drains, sewers, cracks in the sidewalk

comes a snake-like hiss

a sticky swirl of steam and mist

an incessant syncopated song

sweeping through all six senses

leaving one stupid and incapacitated.

I see her sleeping

snakes, weasels sniffing, tasting her

like a midnight snack.

Her hero, gone

unable to protect her.

Sleeping.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

Don't fear! I have arrived!

Hello The Reader,

I have a blog. Again. This one should be more successful that others I have had.

Everybody usually does the dorky "well, I'm new to this so I'll tell you about myself" thing, but I find that can turn people off. There are a few reasons why:

ONE: No one is going to listen to someone who has no confidence in their writing. Be confident when you write or no one will take you seriously.


TWO: You can't learn about a person from their first post. An "all about me" post would make you out to be shallow. No one likes a shallow writer. People want to get to know you over time and, honestly, you want them to read your future posts.


THREE: It's been done. On every freaking blog. Don't do it again.

Now that's out of the way I can present the purpose of this blog. I learn a lot. I'm always trying to gain new knowledge. As I gain it I want to pass it on. However, it is not just knowledge I have to offer. I offer entertainment, and, most importantly, inspiration. I want to inspire you, as The Reader, to be better. To constantly upgrade yourself. The Reader version 2.0 as it were. These three themes will dominate my blog.

Educate, Entertain, Inspire.