This is a good series of teasers. It's for Bee Movie. The movie doesn't look very good, maybe because Jerry Seinfield has an annoying voice. But the teasers are good. They're treating teasers like a production in them selves. It's good. Have a watch.
In other news, there's a new Tabitha up.
Here she is:
After our new traditional monthly Thai lunch in Narremburn Dad and I went for a drive through the new Lane Cove Tunnel. That was fun. I like new bits of road especially tunnels, but most of all bridges. I hope they open a new bridge soon. But the tunnel was good. And I can't think of a better person to drive through a brand new tunnel with than my Dad.
I started blogging the other night about how I said "Good Bye" to my boss Steve. He left on Sunday after 4 years of leading our church. It was an odd feeling saying "Good bye". I'm not quite sure how you say it to someone who has been so significant in your life, to someone who was always your boss and sometimes your friend. I couldn't think of anything to say so I just said "Thank you for your leadership" and it just felt lame. We shook hands. That felt lame too. He said "I'm sure the new guy will be good. Your job will be safe. Actually, it won't, but I doubt he'll want to get rid of you." That was funny.
Anyway, it was just kinda surreal. On Monday I listened to the service from the day before. It was about 30 minutes of people standing up and talking about what Steve meant to them. That was nice. He was well loved.
On Sunday night he didn't come to the last service, though everyone thought he would. So they showed a Powerpoint of memories of him and his family, and people could stand up and share what Steve meant to them. But not many people did. I think maybe because it felt a bit like a funeral rather than a farewell.
Now the office without Steve is rather quiet. It's a little strange. It's not like he was around a lot when I was, but now, it just seems to have lost a bit of buzz. Like everyone was holding their breath till Steve left. On Sunday we exhaled, and now we're waiting to breath in again. How very strange.
Steve was a good pastor. He liked to make sure we were doing alright. I hope he and his family are doing alright now too. Holidaying I think. That'd be tops fun. I hope they like it.
I hope the new guy builds us a new building with television production facilities. I think it's a reasonable hope.
"Hi I'm Tom French and welcome to Church News..."
"Hicks appeared in court wearing an olive green outfit, and thongs on his feet. The judge warned his defence counsel that in future he should not appear in prison-type clothes, in order to make sure that his presumption of innocence was maintained." - SMH
One thinks that perhaps 5 years of being held without trial in an illegal offshore prison by a foreign government after being arrested in a different foreign country and being tried at a late night pretend trial would do more to destroy the "presumption of innocence" but that might just be me.
I hung my washing out on Saturday, just as the heat started turning into moisture. Now it's been raining on and off ever since then. There has been plenty of non-rain for my clothes to dry, but every so often the rain comes down just enough to make sure they don't. It's like a practical joke, but I'm not laughing. I think I felt my towel this morning on the line (because I have no dry towels now) and said something about a child of unwed parents. And that's not laughing.
I just went up to vote but alas I was denied my democratic right and responsibility! My enrollment forms hadn't been processed yet! So I had disappeared out of my old electorate but hadn't arrived in my new one yet. I'm in an electoral void! I'm floating in no-mans land with no MP to represent me.
When I talked to the woman she said "Oh it looks like you're not on the roll. So you don't have to vote." She said it like it was a good think. "But I want to vote!" I wanted to shout. But I just said "Ok". She did inform me that I'd be fine for the federal election. That makes me fell happy because that's the one I care a lot more about. I'd be devastated if I didn't get to vote then. At least then there's a choice that seems worth making.
I had a dream last night about a documentary about a gay soldier in 1986 who died of a drug overdose. Because he didn't want his family to know he was gay he got his friends to put his body down a hole in children's play ground. It was a hole that children were meant to play in. Like a big, deep concrete hole. The dream was set in the States so I guess it's plausible. They do things like that over there.
It was only after the body started to smell and the police discovered it did his story come to light and reach the attention of the nation. It was his story that kick started the global gay movement.
Once the documentary had finished I realised that I had just had a brilliant dream. And I really should make that documentary. So I woke myself up and wrote it down on the pad next to my bed. I thought I could probably make it with Matt for Tropfest.
I was dreaming in that bit too. I have no pad beside my bed. And lucky too or I'd be writing down ideas like that all the time. Although, it has potential to be one whacked out mockumentary. Could be funny. I'll keep in in mind.
I have noting much planned tomorrow. Woohoo!
The people that host ChristianSpeakers.com.au had a crash a few days ago. They lost lots of information. The site was down for 3 days and now that it's back most of the data for the past few months is gone. As opposed to the 11 or so people that were on the database before, there are now only 5. Though the support thing says they're restoring old back ups, I'm not sure how old they're talking about. I'm not sure if mine has been restored or now. If they did, it's pretty darn old.
It's a bit sad. I don't want to have to re-get everyone to sign up. But we may just have to do that. Oh well. I'll see what comes. Maybe it'll give the site new energy or something.
The smell of hospitals in winter
And the feeling that it's all a lot of oysters, but no pearls
All at once you look across a crowded room
To see the way that light attaches to a girl - Counting Crows
In me tradition. Here's another hot photo of me. This is from Saturday night at the Establishment. You can see why they let me in.
Thanks to Louise for sending me the photo.
Dinner with the Celebrity (who, as I mentioned in the comments below I am declining to name, not out of some sort of reverse psychology name dropping thing, but for professional reasons) was pretty good. I was late. Google Directions gave me bad directions. I almost ignored them thinking I know better, but I thought Google might be more fun. Sadly, Google, for perhaps the first and only time in the history of cyberspace, was wrong.
Anyway, all the people who could have been annoyed with my lateness were gracious. The house of the Celeb was big. Big gates, big garden, big foyer, big tables, big everything really. We got given a little tour which was impressive and I think I only saw about 15% of the house. We got to see the private chapel. That was pretty cool. It reminded me of all the houses in England I saw with private chapels.
Our host was quite friendly if not a little intimidating. They were in the habit of asking tough questions and then waiting for your answer, and you know there is clearly a right and wrong. I was the first person (of the six of us who were visiting) to get tough questioned. It was a little scary, but I'd decided before coming not to worry about right answers but honest answers. Happily the honest one and the right one were the same thing, so that was a little relieving.
Dinner was served to us by the "maid" who appeared out of the kitchen with dinner and desert. She wasn't dressed like a made though. More like a normal person. We had tea and coffee in the lounge where we could ask questions. I asked one which I once been advised not to ask but it felt right and I felt brave. So I did and I got a good answer, no worries!
It was a good night I think. I enjoyed the chance to meet a person behind a reputation. The person is always more interesting than the caricature.
I really have not much to say in this post. But I felt with the last few posts, that I needed to stick in a post with this title.
I'm having dinner with a major Christian celebrity tonight. Woo. I have to dress up, I've been told. Pants, shirt, tie, and a jacket if it's cold. They didn't say anything about footwear so I'm wearing thongs. Or Ugg boots. Or stilettos. Yeah.
Yesterday was scripture at the high school again. I always in enjoy it. Though it's always hard. I never really feel like I'm good at the whole small groups thing, but sometimes you get good conversations. Most of the time the students don't seem to care about Christianity at all. Which I can understand. You're at school, you're put in a class room with 4 people you don't really know, and you're asked to think about the big questions of the world. I'm not sure I'd be all that enthusiastic to participate either.
But sometimes we hit gold and we get people who are interested and responsive. It definitely is for the ones and twos. But I hope they remember us in years to come and they think "The Christians weren't that bad."
I watched BoyTown last night with Ryan and Mil. It was a lot less good than I thought it would be. I laughed a bit. But mostly it was bad. I can't imagine owning the soundtrack. I think I'd want to kill myself if I had to listen to that anymore. Though I realise that was the point.
Sunday was like many Sundays except I spent most of the day having conversations about my haircut and people kept calling me "Kevin".
We said "Good-Bye" to Rector Steve. It didn't really feel like a "Good Bye" more like a birthday for him. But it was funny. And a bit sad. And a little bit racist. I haven't really got my head around him going. I'm sure I'll figure it out when he's gone. Then I'll probably notice it.
I went out farewelling on Saturday. I met Kemp in the city first for a food consumption and conversation. We ate as City Extra and I was reminded why City Extra is better to eat at at 3am when nothing else but Kebab places are open. But it was fun anyway.
Then it was off to Minus 5 to meet with a bunch of the Churchies to say good bye to Ben and Liz. Minus 5 is a bar at Circular Quay that is completely made out of ice. Actually that's not quite true, but the walls, furniture, sculptures, bar, and glasses are made out of ice. And the whole room is about -12 degrees. You get given a coat and gloves to keep you warm and you're only allowed in for 30 minutes. You get one cocktail.
Anyway that was pretty fun. Once you spent time establishing that "Yes, everything is ice" then you stand around for the 25 minutes making ice jokes with people. Poor old bar staff that must have heard them all before. I'm glad we were only in there for 30 minutes because we even started recycling jokes. But I'm happy I went. I felt a little like Edmund in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in the Palace of the White Witch, except there was no Witch and I got to take all my friends. Oh and the palace was a bar about the size of my living room. But pretty much Edmund.
We trotted off to The Establishment after we were ejected from ice land. I've always looked at The Establishment and thought it looked pretty swanky. I never thought I'd be cool enough to get in. But they let me in no hassles, so it immediately went down in my estimation. Any place that lets me in mustn't be as exclusive or special as I it could be.
But it was an alright place. I liked the look of it. The back "courtyard" reminded me of the bars in Hungary except without as much soul. We stood around and talked about MySpace. You can tell we're interesting people.
I left at around midnight with Sal. Seeing as we're almost neighbours we caught the bus to Central together. I don't actually think it was all that convenient for her, but it made my trip home more fun.
Sometimes I think to myself "You have the ugliest damn blog in the world." But that's about as far as it gets because I'm too lazy to change it.
I figure with a title like that my seedy men hits should go right up!
I just read this article in SMH about how liberal parents are letting their teenage kids have sex only if they also get into a pseudo-marriage/de-facto relationship as well. So they can sleep together only if they come to family functions, are really committed to each other, and think they're going to spend the rest of their lives together. But the author says, this is robbing teenagers of their independence. Instead they should indulge in well planned hook-ups.
"Domesticity is all well and good, but save it for the right person. Don't confuse domesticity with morality. Hook-ups and sexual friendships can be dignified and ethical when indulged in sparingly, with mutual respect, with protection and not for the sake of being cool or keeping up. If you are young, guard your independence at least as much as you guard your virginity."
It's like the author thought, "Oh we have a problem with people getting too committed too soon." (Which I agree with.) So they decided the best solution is to just tell the teenagers to have sex without the commitment. God forbid that not having sex could be a solution. I'm plenty independent and I'm plenty fine without having sex. And I'm pretty sure I'm placing a much higher value on sex by waiting till marriage than anyone who advocates that hook-ups are a good alternative to over-committed sex. If sex is so important that it needs to be protected from liberal parents, family diners and messy break-ups, maybe it should also be so important that it needs to be protected from giving it out to anyone who's happy to sleep with you as long as they don't have to love you too.
I just got a hair cut. It's been 8 months or so since the last hair cut because I hate haircuts. Every time I get one I think I complain about having to do it, and blog my fear. Anyway I haven't gotten any on this side of the Harbour Bridge since I've moved over here. The Inner West may try and make my hair alternative-trendy or bogan-attacked by a lawnmower. It's the difference between Newtown and Marrickville. It's the difference a suburb line makes.
Anyway, I plucked up my courage and went to Just Cuts at Marrickville Metro. When they ask me what I want I can never tell them because I'm hair style inarticulate. That's because I don't really know. You can't really say "Something that doesn't make me look like a doik. But not something too trendy either." So I mumbled something about having less hair. And I think that was it.
So Mr Haircutter did his job and now I look like Kevin Rudd. I thought as I left the hair dresser "It's probably not that bad you always think it's bad when you first get it done." But when I saw Ryan about a minute later he just burst out laughing.
Oh well. I guess this is why I get scared of hair cuts. But at least I know I won't look trendy.
However chances are my youth ministry is going go down the toilet. How am I ever going to be culturally relevant when I look like a politician?
I have just spent the last two hours writing exegetical notes on Jesus' clearing the temple in John 2:12-22. It's for college. It's a non-assessable class presentation so I rather enjoyed myself. I realised I could just write what I wanted to write not what would get me marks. I have decided though that I don't think I'll ever be one of those people who write academic books. Unless I can write one with lots of stupid examples and bad referencing, I wouldn't have drive to be scholarly.
The cold that's been doing the rounds at church has arrived with me today. Grr. I think I'll blame the Wrights. Though I was thinking, I'm pretty happy I'm not an Aborigine when Phillip and his snotty convicts arrived or I could be dead soon.
I went to see The Illusionist today. It was ok. Not nearly as good as The Prestige. Edward Norton was good as usual. But I think the film took itself too seriously. I'm not sure why people like Jessica Biel so much.
I also had a beer with Helen which was worthwhile. While we see each other quite often, it's rare we do something which is purely social. So that was good.
I ate some pasta with Ryan and Brett.
Oh and I stuck Sunday's sermon up here and there's a new Tabitha up too.
So the question of the evening is:
"Could Jesus still be the perfect sacrifice for sin if he didn't have a virgin birth?"
It was quite a day today. Probably not huge, but coming off the back of a big week, and a preaching weekend, it was a big day.
I preached last night which went well. Matt did a new song that I requested because it fitted in with my sermon. It was a funny feeling singing a song that I picked. It's like I have 5 people playing the song and 80 people singing a song, just because I thought it was a good idea. It gave me an odd sense of power. I guess worship leaders feel it all the time. But being a mere preacher it's rare for people to join you singing.
After church I worked till almost midnight on today's scripture seminars. It was the first chance I really got all week. And after much kerfuffle trying field a team of scripture teachers I managed in the end.
Scripture was good again. I'm glad I didn't stuff up too bad. I like going into the High School. It's tough but I like the people there so it's fun.
Tonight we had community dinner. I was feeling pretty stuffed. But I tried to stay with it. Tomorrow is off. Probably off to the movies. Yay.
I think I might have left my iPod in the car.
Jessica Simpson's Dad said about her: "Jessica never tries to be sexy. She just is sexy. If you put her in a T-shirt or you put her in a bustier, she's sexy in both. She's got double D's! You can't cover those suckers up!"
I wish I had a Dad as supportive as that.
“The president of the United States has claimed, on more than one occasion, to be in dialogue with God. If he said that he was talking to God through his hairdryer, this would precipitate a national emergency. I fail to see how the addition of a hairdryer makes the claim more ridiculous or offensive.” - Sam Harris
I thought that was good. It made me chuckle.
I've been reading a bit of anti-Christian stuff lately*. It's interesting. Not convincing yet, but I enjoy the stimulation. Plus some of the people writing are very smart and it's good seeing smart people do stuff smartly.
Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if I didn't believe in Jesus. It's a rather depressing thought. Hopeless would be the feeling that comes to mind when I consider it. Plus I'd be out of a job and I don't think I have many other skills outside Christian Ministry. I could dig holes I guess.
Perhaps I should get a qualification outside ministry. That way you could be sure that if I'm working in ministry I haven't lost my faith. Otherwise, if I ever lose my faith, I might just have to keep pretending so I don't end up homeless or something.
There would be some advantages to not being a Christian though. Such as sleeping in on Sundays. Getting drunk on Saturdays. Speeding. Gossip. Bitching. And being able to intentionally look at topless people at the beach.
Still the lure of Jesus is better than the lure of a more entertaining beach going experience. He has more long term benefits.
*Just for the worried ones, I've been reading a lot of pro-Christian stuff at the moment too, like my Bible, everyday. And that's much more inspiring and special. So don't start praying for my soul just yet.
Oh and I don't endorse excessive drinking, speeding, gossiping, bitching, perving on topless people, drugs, Nazis, illegal movie pirating or other dodgy stuff. I whole heartedly endorse sleeping in, especially on Sundays. Go to evening church.
Because I've been telling everyone, I thought I should blog it.
I heard this in the news on Nova the other day:
"People who take vitamin A are 16% more likely to die"
Fascinating. Seeing as I don't take Vitamin A I figured out that means I'm 84% more likely to live forever. That's pretty good.
So I got a MySpace for Donny. We all know I dislike MySpace (Ugly, ugly, ugly) but I figured, it'd be fun.
So if you wanna make Donny Jaffa your MySpace friend go to: www.myspace.com/donnyjaffa
I started adding friends to the MySpace thing, but it got too tedious, so I gave up.
You may have noticed there has been a lot of Donny Jaffa and Tabitha stuff lately. Jem going to Mexico has meant that I've started thinking about things a lot earlier than usual. I edited one of the new Tabithas last night (with help from my swanky new 500GB portable hard-drive, thanks David).
Though this could all be procrastination from the things I really should be doing. Perhaps I should go do that now. But I do love procrastination!
It's time to continue to make Jem an internet star. The next Wisdom with Tabitha video is up, so it's time to keep making Jem famous! Watch it, comment on it, rate it, stick it on your blog!
Hooray for internet fame!
I watched Man of the Year tonight with Ryan. The film was ok. It had some of the worst writing I've seen in a while. It took about 30 minutes for Robin Williams to make me laugh, which is pretty bad for a film about a comedian, but the film got better in the second half.
Anyway I did notice in the credits there was a guy named Ernest Dyck. I thought that was pretty funny. Wouldn't want to have a name like that I reckon.
People are questioning whether the destruction of the Death Star was an inside job.
I'm getting a little worried I've been fooled by the powers that be all these years.
Check it out.
I'm off to Church camp today.
One day I look forward to the time when I will have weekends. Two days off in a row at the same time as everyone else. Though being on camp should have its joys.
Next week is looking rather large. The beginning of the year is always larger than the other parts in my experience. This is always because I haven't got my act together.
Two nights ago I had a dream where I was getting attacked by a big, yellow, hairy spider. I didn't like it much. It's haunted me since.
When I was sitting in class yesterday one of the girls sat down near me and said "You look tired and miserable". It took me by surprise because I would never tell someone I didn't know they looked miserable in case they actually thought I was asking why they were miserable. And I wouldn't want to ask a stranger that, it would seem impolite.
I was in fact feeling tired and miserable. But I think I replied with "Yep. I'm pretty tired." I decided to ignore the bit about my feelings.
After college I got a $179 parking fine, which in my unhappy state actually cheered me up a little. I think it was the novelty factor. You don't get booked every day.
I came home and fell asleep and woke up feeling much happier.
When autumn comes
It doesn't ask
It just walks in where it left you last
You never know when it starts
Until there's fog inside the glass around your summer heart - John Mayer
I'm back on Blogfeed! Woo!
To celebrate I'm giving everyone free access to my blog! Even to my archives! It's a big day here at runnoft.blogspot.com.
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