New Favourite Song

Shouldn't take much to work out why I love this song.


Just over 3 months til Africa. A bit of a mantra in my head lately.

What is it about Africa and its people that embeds itself so deeply in a soul?

The Devil Came on Horseback

If you see only one documentary this year - choose this one.



After Rwanda, we said 'Never Again'. Why is this happening?

In honour of the biggest event of 2009

I'll admit that I cried during Obama's inauguration earlier this week. I am glad to be in the generation that saw the first African-American President of the United States of America. Alongside PM Rudd's apology to the Stolen Generation, I count Wednesday morning's events as one of the greatest moments of the 21st Century.

In honour of that historical day; and because I just feel so darn HAPPY about the change that has swept through; welcome to what I assume will be one of many 'spoofs' celebrating his Presidency.

Blog Stalkers

Yep... I mean you.

Notice that little web feed on the right hand side? That tells me you've been back here.

I LOVE that you've been back here - I find it awesome knowing I have a dedicated list of people who come visit. Like someone from British Columbia; someone from Adelaide; someone from Mackay; and of course more than a few from Brisbane.

Thank you for making my day! It's always nice to go cast my eyes over it and go 'ooo... that person is back... I wonder who they are?'.

But, I don't know who you are. And I'd like to.

So, if you're reading this - can you comment? Tell me who you are, and what makes you come visit! I'm intrigued.

And whilst you're here - here's a clip to enjoy. Consider it my thank you gift.

Mac v PC - in Christianityland

Do you ever feel like someone on YouTube has just channeled your life and feelings?



Note before this one - I love you mum!...

And one that reminds me of a conversation I had not so long ago



These clips were created by a Church who were trying to grapple with the idea of modern Christian thought versus the traditionalist. Having been friends with people who have dropped the word 'Christian' due to the baggage it brings; having struggled with a lot of Christian subculture issues myself; and having had these very conversations!; I think they are a good launch pad for talking about Christianity, and what to do with it.

I'm currently reading a lot about the challenges of 21st Century Christianity, and how to bring it back to something more 'organic', so watch out for more clips and musings on Contemporary Christianity and the Organic Church.

(if you'd like to read an interview with the creative director who oversaw the project, head to http://faithvisuals.com/help/articles/creatingaviralvideo.html)

Tuesdays child is full of grace

Went and saw The Dark Knight with B tonight (cheap Tuesday is better than it's cracked up to be!). IT WAS AWESOME. Although I found it very hard to hate someone who's now dead.

And I was more than angry at the parents who for some reason found it entirely appropriate to bring their 4 year old and 7 year old along with them to watch it! Poor kids were crying at a few places.

Ok, so I promised someone I wouldn't put any U2 on this week. Well... let's just say I did it before I remembered, mkay? :D

I LOOOOOOOVE this clip (and the song) - try and work out who the bands and artists are that are used to create the video.

Monday Mirth

Another gorgeous day in Wintery Brisbane town. Apparently getting to 0 tonight - I'll believe that when I see it. Although, it did snow in Stanthorpe. Hmmm... always a good sign for a frosty night.

Today I had a free makeover, which was pretty exciting. Looked pretty good too. Brad was sick, so he curled up on the couch watching DVDs whilst I read through the first part of the final Harry Potter (I'm a little bit obsessed).

So, on to the song. Just another song that I quite like, and find quite cute. The music has that kind of chilled out sound that seemed to fit with today. I wouldn't read too much into the lyrics this time though.

Don't Fight It

I chose this song for this piece long before I had decided on what I wanted to say. After viewing the clip again, I remembered why I love this song and why it resonates with me so much.

Deep down, I'm a very emotional person. And I hate it. Absolutely despise being ruled by my emotions. Fight it every step of the way. I feel that being rational and thinking through things (rather than letting the heart run away from someone) is a much better way to live my life.

It's a constant battle for me. I had years of letting my emotions dictate my next move. And I came back from that badly burnt and with some long lasting scars.

So, not so many years ago, I chose to follow my head. If my heart felt a pull towards something - I would not do a thing about it until I had the rationale and evidence behind myself to know it would be a good decision.

I did that with my choice of husband; I did that with my choice of occupation; I do that with everything now.

But lately, my heart has overrun what I believed was the better lifestyle choice. I felt a pull towards something that I never expected to want or crave in my life or future. I hated myself for this. I was angry about it. I waited for the craving to go away, assuming it to be nothing more than a 'phase'.

It never went away. It never waned. It sat in my spirit like an enemy, brooding and invading my every thought.

It's been a scary few months. With a lot of prayer, a lot of discussion with Brad, and a lot of 'shifting of the furniture' to accommodate it.

It required a new outlook on life. A new purpose. A plan and a timeframe that is getting every so closer, and making this desire a tangible reality for the two of us.

I chose not to fight it. And let the desire, the craving, the insatiable need for it, wash over me.

So again, this song. This beautiful, heartbreaking song. One of my favourites of the past year. It challenges me to allow myself this one scary, exhilirating, amazing desire to become a reality.

Lazy Weekender

Just a beautiful day yesterday. Ended up having lunch at the Shornecliffe Pier and enjoying the broad daylight and gorgeous seaside. Just chilled for the rest of it.

Brad's a bit sick today, so we stayed home from Church and had a bit of a lie in.

Due to yesterday's laziness, today's entry has two songs.

I'm quite deeply in love with my husband at the moment. Gone all head over heels again. Mood doesn't grab me that often (I'm not a sappy person in all honesty), but I'm totally, madly, hopelessly in love with my husband right now.

Feels rather decadent and indulgent - I like it.

The first song has been a favourite of mine for quite a few years. Very sexy, very strong, very passionate. Chose the live version because Beth just sounds amazing in it, and very purr worthy.

Takes me back to when I chose to get back with Brad, and the night I summoned all my courage to ask if he felt the same way.



(Sidebar: Don't smoke. It looks hot as heck on this track - but it will kill you. Seriously.)

TGIF!

I've just had the best night. 3 of us went out to see Mamma Mia - and it was FAB(BA)ULOUS! Sure, check your cynicism and rational self at the door, but such a great mode of escapism for 2 or so hours.

So, in honour of the weekend, I'm now off work for 5 days, AND the fact I'm in a rather bouncy mood after this evening's frivoloties; here's today's song.

It's a bit silly and pointless, but it makes me want to shout Woo Hoo - a mini break!

Solomonistic musings

I chose todays song, basically because of how much it reminds me of scripture. Ecclesiastes and Corinthians in particular.

Makes me think of Solomon when he's writing about how all his power and prestige and wisdom were meaningless in life. Makes me think of Corinthians when the writer laments that he can do anything and be anything, but without love, it's worthless.

Today I was reminded that if my actions aren't motivated by love - they mean nothing.

Bad day

Today was not the best of days, work-wise. As much as I love my job, and see a lot of happiness courtesy of it - we also see the blackest of days for people.

Stillbirths. Miscarriages. Terminations for medical reasons. Diagnoses of cancer. Recurrence of Cancer. Inoperable tumours. It can be a pretty horrible place sometimes.

Today involved more than one of the above, leaving more than a few of us particularly tender and aware of how quickly a life can be taken and a world can be shattered.

This clip is for two patients of mine who have suffered more than I would want anyone to suffer. There's really nothing you can say, is there?

Something new and different for us!

I will take no credit for the following.

Some of you might know a friend of mine who also blogs - Nomesque. She's much funnier on her blog, and much more talented with her musings. I highly recommend you go check her out if you haven't before.

Anyway, on Mondays she posts a music video to get everyone happy and upbeat for the week.

So as I'm listening away to some of my favourites, I took some inspiration from Nome and decided I'd spend a week posting Youtube clips of songs that are a) my favourites and b) match up with the day I had.

If this takes off - we all better watch out.

So here's Tuesday in review.



(now if only I had legs like hers).

The Girl Effect