I was told to post something, so here it is: Kallie's opinions of a song on Mew's 2009 album No more stories are told today. I'm sorry. They washed away. No more stories. The world is grey. I'm tired. Let's wash away (that is the title of their album).
The song is Repeaterbeater. Like all Mew songs, it's very strange, but like only some Mew songs, it's also very catchy. Kallie really likes it. It travels (I don't know how to describe this any better, but some songs seem to 'travel' and she loves that!).
And the film clip, although disturbing, is also very cool (to her)! Mainly 'cos her precious Jonas features quite a lot, and (Sam will appreciate the concept behind this) from 3:46 (see video below) they're all soaking wet. Some people look very attractive wet. They also manage to look attractive while having mental breakdowns. Or trying to comfort their overwhelmed friends. Jonas apparently looks attractive doing all these. So here is the clip:
Overall, Kallie thinks the whole album is awesomely cool and she loves it with the intense passion I have for fruit and nut easter eggs. She wants me to point out that while it is difficult to get into the album (typical of Mew, I'd say) you soon get hooked, and everytime you listen you hear something new. Also typical of Mew is that sweet, beautiful innocence with that undercurrent of darkness and urgency.It even has a hidden track (New Terrain in reverse is Nervous- the lyrics of Nervous accurately sum up the theme of Kallie's life, namely being nervous and wishing she'd stayed home in bed).
Kallie would rate it as 16 out of 10, but that's because she can't do maths.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Dreams
This post has been a while in the making.
When people talk about prophetic dreams listeners’ hackles go up and people become wary, sceptical and defensive. Same! It isn’t that I don’t think God can’t speak through dreams. He can! Look at Joseph. I just find it difficult to know how that person can be so sure the dream is from God.
The thing is I frequently have extremely vivid dreams, and recent dreams (within the last few years) have made me begin to wonder if God is perhaps trying to tell me stuff. Several of the dreams could perhaps easily be described as “prophetic”, but are they from God or from somewhere else? I find it hard to believe they’re from God for this reason:
As a little atheist child, I had “prophetic dreams”. The one I remember most clearly was of a bridge collapsing under a passenger train (I had lots of bad dreams). I woke up, and too scared to sleep, I got up. My Dad, a stupidly early riser, was already up watching the early morning news. I sat to watch it with him, and there, on the tv, was a story about a train accident in Europe involving a bridge collapse.
My point is that when you sleep you are incredibly vulnerable. Sleep isn’t just a time when you’re still enough for God to speak, it’s also a time when the enemy can easily get in. I cannot say for certain that God didn’t give me the train accident dream, but I struggle to understand why God would reveal something like that to an imaginative, fearful child that would add to her fear. Further suspicions that make me think perhaps God wasn’t involved include:
-this led me to a fascination with dreams and other occultic bizarreness in my teenage years.
-my Mum (non-Christian) also had a similar experience involving a bus crash and she awoke crying. Could it be from a spirit that has attached itself to my family, or a generational curse, or the product of my great grandmother playing around with this sort of thing?
Given all this plus the fact that I frequently have strange dreams, nightmares and freaky sleeping experiences (maybe I’ll describe these another time), I found it difficult to trust that my “prophetic dreams” are from God. I was convinced this was not a safe way for God to speak to me, therefore He wouldn’t and He would stick to better paths of communication.
It is presumptuous and wrong to think God would be limited by this. And some of my dreams suggest that maybe God has been speaking to me in my sleep. Possible evidence:
a. I was home on holiday and I dreamt of my Dad dying. I woke up sobbing and felt the urge to pray for him. The following day he came over (he never came over- at the time Mum and he weren’t on good terms). His arms were covered in massive cuts. Apparently he had cut himself and was sitting on the bridge contemplating suicide when the police found him. This occurred in the early hours, about the time I had the dream.
b. I kept dreaming of houses falling apart, particularly while I was inside. Not long after a piece of ceiling fell on my colleague’s bed (thankfully he was on holiday), and Melbourne started experiencing earth tremors.
c. I previously posted of a dream starting with my experiments and ending with a tidal wave. Not long after, my experiments kept getting flooded out by heavy rain, and there were earth quakes and devastating tidal waves in the south Pacific islands.
d. For a while I kept dreaming that someone would break into our house. I attributed this to paranoia and fear. Last Friday someone broke in and stole some of our valuables. I was shaken, but not surprised, and now I wish I’d prayed more about it.
I’ve also had other dreams that evoke the same feelings of fear. Three notable examples include watching Melbourne be destroyed by electric storms, watching a massive storm come upon Sydney, and watching severe storms pass overhead that resulted in flooding and the death of three kids in regional NSW.
Are these prophetic? In fact, how can I be sure any of these are from God? It’s hard to say, because all of these dreams have filled me with incredible fear (with the exception of the one involving Dad- that was more overwhelming sadness). Such a fear shouldn’t come from God, right?
I don’t know. This is something I should seriously look into, and until I’m sure what is going on, I should perhaps approach my dreams without scepticism or fear, but with caution and prayer. It never hurts to pray.
When people talk about prophetic dreams listeners’ hackles go up and people become wary, sceptical and defensive. Same! It isn’t that I don’t think God can’t speak through dreams. He can! Look at Joseph. I just find it difficult to know how that person can be so sure the dream is from God.
The thing is I frequently have extremely vivid dreams, and recent dreams (within the last few years) have made me begin to wonder if God is perhaps trying to tell me stuff. Several of the dreams could perhaps easily be described as “prophetic”, but are they from God or from somewhere else? I find it hard to believe they’re from God for this reason:
As a little atheist child, I had “prophetic dreams”. The one I remember most clearly was of a bridge collapsing under a passenger train (I had lots of bad dreams). I woke up, and too scared to sleep, I got up. My Dad, a stupidly early riser, was already up watching the early morning news. I sat to watch it with him, and there, on the tv, was a story about a train accident in Europe involving a bridge collapse.
My point is that when you sleep you are incredibly vulnerable. Sleep isn’t just a time when you’re still enough for God to speak, it’s also a time when the enemy can easily get in. I cannot say for certain that God didn’t give me the train accident dream, but I struggle to understand why God would reveal something like that to an imaginative, fearful child that would add to her fear. Further suspicions that make me think perhaps God wasn’t involved include:
-this led me to a fascination with dreams and other occultic bizarreness in my teenage years.
-my Mum (non-Christian) also had a similar experience involving a bus crash and she awoke crying. Could it be from a spirit that has attached itself to my family, or a generational curse, or the product of my great grandmother playing around with this sort of thing?
Given all this plus the fact that I frequently have strange dreams, nightmares and freaky sleeping experiences (maybe I’ll describe these another time), I found it difficult to trust that my “prophetic dreams” are from God. I was convinced this was not a safe way for God to speak to me, therefore He wouldn’t and He would stick to better paths of communication.
It is presumptuous and wrong to think God would be limited by this. And some of my dreams suggest that maybe God has been speaking to me in my sleep. Possible evidence:
a. I was home on holiday and I dreamt of my Dad dying. I woke up sobbing and felt the urge to pray for him. The following day he came over (he never came over- at the time Mum and he weren’t on good terms). His arms were covered in massive cuts. Apparently he had cut himself and was sitting on the bridge contemplating suicide when the police found him. This occurred in the early hours, about the time I had the dream.
b. I kept dreaming of houses falling apart, particularly while I was inside. Not long after a piece of ceiling fell on my colleague’s bed (thankfully he was on holiday), and Melbourne started experiencing earth tremors.
c. I previously posted of a dream starting with my experiments and ending with a tidal wave. Not long after, my experiments kept getting flooded out by heavy rain, and there were earth quakes and devastating tidal waves in the south Pacific islands.
d. For a while I kept dreaming that someone would break into our house. I attributed this to paranoia and fear. Last Friday someone broke in and stole some of our valuables. I was shaken, but not surprised, and now I wish I’d prayed more about it.
I’ve also had other dreams that evoke the same feelings of fear. Three notable examples include watching Melbourne be destroyed by electric storms, watching a massive storm come upon Sydney, and watching severe storms pass overhead that resulted in flooding and the death of three kids in regional NSW.
Are these prophetic? In fact, how can I be sure any of these are from God? It’s hard to say, because all of these dreams have filled me with incredible fear (with the exception of the one involving Dad- that was more overwhelming sadness). Such a fear shouldn’t come from God, right?
I don’t know. This is something I should seriously look into, and until I’m sure what is going on, I should perhaps approach my dreams without scepticism or fear, but with caution and prayer. It never hurts to pray.
Friday, October 23, 2009
At last!
The last four weeks have been really tough! Thankfully, I have survived (it was easier than I thought) and today is the last day! Tomorrow, oh precious tomorrow, I shall do exciting things accompanied by the sweet sounds of Muse, then Mew, then maybe some Death Cab and Dashboard Confessional, and while I'm listening to romantic acoustics I may as well play Secondhand Serenade. Oh my precious precious musics! I shall be listening to my lovely alternative/punk/emo/acoustic/indie/danish/rock/shoegaze/all my awesome cds!
You see, for four weeks I have seen my cds, and my mp3s, and my link to last.fm... and I have shown great self-restraint and not touched them! I gave up my music for four weeks!
But why?!!???!! Was I abstaining from the beloved music for a higher purpose i.e. God?
Yes... and no. I didn't give it up because I was seeking God (kind of like fasting). It was more of an experiment. So let me set it out like an experiment.
NOTE- I am not testing God. I am testing myself. After all, I'm a mouse, and mouses are goods for the experiments and goods for the bads englishes.
Introduction- I love music. And admittedly the music I listen to isn't always the "nice" type. I tend to listen to music that really moves me, for whatever reason, and in a lot of ways it's almost an emotional dependence on music. I listen to songs to get an instant emotional hit, and music has a high priority in my life. I listen to it when I catch public transport. I listen to it at work sometimes. I listen to it when I play on the internets. I often listen to music that matches my emotional state or situation. And I know that music can be very influential, even dangerously so, because it really speaks to you in a way that words and images fail.
Hypothesis- I will be able to hear God better when I'm not listening to music, and my "emotional state" will be improved (i.e. happier- I listen to a lot of sad music).
Aims- To determine if I can go without listening to my secular music.
To identify if music is affecting my ability to seek and hear God.
To identify the impact music has on my emotional state.
Methods- Basically, I avoided listening to my music. This included music videos.
Results and discussion- The first three weeks was really easy. The last week has been a nightmare. I've been constantly plagued by the need to listen to music. I think of certain songs I'm almost dying to hear. I desire to sing along and try to play them on bass or even try learning guitar. I suspect it may be because the last few weeks I've been pretty ill, and all my illness + personal issues + work issues = I feel moody and tired and grumpy and wants meh muziks!
My walk with God has been pretty good. Although sometimes it has been pretty bad. I don't think my ability to hear God has improved, but I do desire to spend more time with Him without needing to "be in the right mood" or wanting that emotional hit from Him (and being subsequently disappointed if I don't get it). This is good.
Emotionally, I'm still as demented as ever. The feelings haven't really changed, so I suspect the music I listen to doesn't cause my feelings; rather, it amplifies them. This is because if I'm sad I tend to listen to sad music, or if I'm angry I listen to angry music, or if I'm sleazy... okay, just joshing about that one =D My point is I listen to music that I "relate to" which feeds my emotional state and possibly heightens it.
Conclusions- I love my music. And it's still an important part of my life. But (excluding the music binge of tomorrow) I plan on listening to it less and being less emotionally dependant on it. I love it but I don't need it and I can go without it. However, I do need God, and thankfully He is someone I can turn to in any state or frame of mind, and His influence on my life will always be good.
You see, for four weeks I have seen my cds, and my mp3s, and my link to last.fm... and I have shown great self-restraint and not touched them! I gave up my music for four weeks!
But why?!!???!! Was I abstaining from the beloved music for a higher purpose i.e. God?
Yes... and no. I didn't give it up because I was seeking God (kind of like fasting). It was more of an experiment. So let me set it out like an experiment.
NOTE- I am not testing God. I am testing myself. After all, I'm a mouse, and mouses are goods for the experiments and goods for the bads englishes.
Introduction- I love music. And admittedly the music I listen to isn't always the "nice" type. I tend to listen to music that really moves me, for whatever reason, and in a lot of ways it's almost an emotional dependence on music. I listen to songs to get an instant emotional hit, and music has a high priority in my life. I listen to it when I catch public transport. I listen to it at work sometimes. I listen to it when I play on the internets. I often listen to music that matches my emotional state or situation. And I know that music can be very influential, even dangerously so, because it really speaks to you in a way that words and images fail.
Hypothesis- I will be able to hear God better when I'm not listening to music, and my "emotional state" will be improved (i.e. happier- I listen to a lot of sad music).
Aims- To determine if I can go without listening to my secular music.
To identify if music is affecting my ability to seek and hear God.
To identify the impact music has on my emotional state.
Methods- Basically, I avoided listening to my music. This included music videos.
Results and discussion- The first three weeks was really easy. The last week has been a nightmare. I've been constantly plagued by the need to listen to music. I think of certain songs I'm almost dying to hear. I desire to sing along and try to play them on bass or even try learning guitar. I suspect it may be because the last few weeks I've been pretty ill, and all my illness + personal issues + work issues = I feel moody and tired and grumpy and wants meh muziks!
My walk with God has been pretty good. Although sometimes it has been pretty bad. I don't think my ability to hear God has improved, but I do desire to spend more time with Him without needing to "be in the right mood" or wanting that emotional hit from Him (and being subsequently disappointed if I don't get it). This is good.
Emotionally, I'm still as demented as ever. The feelings haven't really changed, so I suspect the music I listen to doesn't cause my feelings; rather, it amplifies them. This is because if I'm sad I tend to listen to sad music, or if I'm angry I listen to angry music, or if I'm sleazy... okay, just joshing about that one =D My point is I listen to music that I "relate to" which feeds my emotional state and possibly heightens it.
Conclusions- I love my music. And it's still an important part of my life. But (excluding the music binge of tomorrow) I plan on listening to it less and being less emotionally dependant on it. I love it but I don't need it and I can go without it. However, I do need God, and thankfully He is someone I can turn to in any state or frame of mind, and His influence on my life will always be good.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Kallie's ark... err... bedroom!
This is an account of all of the creatures that slept in Kallie's room the other night (that she knows of):
- 100+ silkworms
- unknown quantity of aphids
- 4 ladybug larvae
- 2 stick insects
- teddies (Remus, Hendrik, Fredrik, Petruchio, Pingu the Burnt, Plucka)
- Desperado
- Kallie
Her excuse? It was too cold for them outside.
And because I haven't done one of these in ages:
That's right. I'm special.
- 100+ silkworms
- unknown quantity of aphids
- 4 ladybug larvae
- 2 stick insects
- teddies (Remus, Hendrik, Fredrik, Petruchio, Pingu the Burnt, Plucka)
- Desperado
- Kallie
Her excuse? It was too cold for them outside.
And because I haven't done one of these in ages:
| What type of insect are you? Firefly You may seem drab and uninteresting to other people, but in reality you have amazing hidden talents.
|
| Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests. |
That's right. I'm special.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Surprisingly good
When Sam gave me a series called British Isles: A Natural History admittedly I wasn't that excited.
I mean... England. They have pollution. They have rain. They have green paddocks and sheep. They have stony places they mistakenly call beaches. Yeah. I partly descend from the Brits. My ancestors must have left that place for a reason.
I confess I was wrong! It turns out there is a whole lot more to this group of islands off the European coast. The scenery is surprising in its beauty and diversity. There are Bahama-like golden beaches on the Isles of Scilly, old pine forests of Scotland, the moors, the woodlands, the meadows, the extensive coastline, marshes, rocky islands. And then there are the wildlife- wildflowers, beautiful trees, animals like pine martens and puffins... it was as inspiring as it was beautiful.
Presented by Alan Titchmarsh, the series journeys through the history of the British Isles and examines how its current state is the product of an amazing variety of events, from ice ages to desertification, tropical rainforests, volcanic activity, sea inundation, connection to the European continent, and of course anthropogenic impacts. Alan Titchmarsh made it interesting and accessible to anyone and you could really tell that he was enjoying what he was doing.
My favourite part was when Alan saw a swallowtail butterfly and confessed that he always wanted to see one ever since he was a lad. I loved that emotion in his voice. As a fellow nature-freak, that's what it's all about. That... feeling... when you see a beautiful animal in the wild (I imagine that if I saw wolves or tigers or orcas I'd probably be so overcome I'd just sob!- seeing them in the zoo isn't the same).
I really enjoyed this, even more than I enjoyed watching David Attenborough's The Life of Mammals. It was amazing to see how much the British Isles have changed even in the last few thousand years, and while Titchmarsh speculated on the (possibly devastating) changes yet to come, there was always an underlying optimism in his message and this real sense that we have a responsibility to take care of the gorgeous surrounds we have been given, and it is indeed a heavy but worthwhile burden to carry.
I mean... England. They have pollution. They have rain. They have green paddocks and sheep. They have stony places they mistakenly call beaches. Yeah. I partly descend from the Brits. My ancestors must have left that place for a reason.
I confess I was wrong! It turns out there is a whole lot more to this group of islands off the European coast. The scenery is surprising in its beauty and diversity. There are Bahama-like golden beaches on the Isles of Scilly, old pine forests of Scotland, the moors, the woodlands, the meadows, the extensive coastline, marshes, rocky islands. And then there are the wildlife- wildflowers, beautiful trees, animals like pine martens and puffins... it was as inspiring as it was beautiful.
Presented by Alan Titchmarsh, the series journeys through the history of the British Isles and examines how its current state is the product of an amazing variety of events, from ice ages to desertification, tropical rainforests, volcanic activity, sea inundation, connection to the European continent, and of course anthropogenic impacts. Alan Titchmarsh made it interesting and accessible to anyone and you could really tell that he was enjoying what he was doing.
My favourite part was when Alan saw a swallowtail butterfly and confessed that he always wanted to see one ever since he was a lad. I loved that emotion in his voice. As a fellow nature-freak, that's what it's all about. That... feeling... when you see a beautiful animal in the wild (I imagine that if I saw wolves or tigers or orcas I'd probably be so overcome I'd just sob!- seeing them in the zoo isn't the same).
I really enjoyed this, even more than I enjoyed watching David Attenborough's The Life of Mammals. It was amazing to see how much the British Isles have changed even in the last few thousand years, and while Titchmarsh speculated on the (possibly devastating) changes yet to come, there was always an underlying optimism in his message and this real sense that we have a responsibility to take care of the gorgeous surrounds we have been given, and it is indeed a heavy but worthwhile burden to carry.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
And it was good.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
I really thank God that today we drove 2 hours out of the city to our field site to find that the water level of the creek had risen so much that there was no way I could safely cross it. This was after discovering the lock had rusted so that the key wouldn't work in it so I had to climb through a hole in the fence. Basically a whole day was wasted- 4 hours driving total and I couldn't check my experiments, I couldn't help my colleague bring her tanks back to the lab, and I couldn't decant excess contaminated water from my experiments. I REALLY THANK GOD FOR THIS.
Why? Wasn't my day stuffed?
A couple of Wednesdays back I started feeling upset in my tummy. That Friday I went out in the field to help collect sediments from a fire-affected site. My tummy started feeling really upset. By the time we then drove to my experiment to rescue it from being flooded, I was secretly wanting to die, that's how much it hurt. The pain lessened on Saturday, and for the following week it was generally okay. My tummy felt tight, like I'd pulled a muscle, on the right side. Sometimes the pain spread, and often when I felt hungry I found I couldn't eat very much without feeling ill. It was mostly a background ache that occasionally made my hip sore.
I started feeling sicker again yesterday, so when I found out field work was postponed I bit the bullet and got it checked out. They're still running tests. Today I also woke up feeling sick. It's now causing my ribs to hurt.
I thank God because I really don't know how well I could have handled a full day of heavy lifting. Even dragging my wader-wearing body through fast waters would have been strenuous. God has protected me and kept me out of a situation my body may not have been able to handle. Yay! He is cool =)
I really thank God that today we drove 2 hours out of the city to our field site to find that the water level of the creek had risen so much that there was no way I could safely cross it. This was after discovering the lock had rusted so that the key wouldn't work in it so I had to climb through a hole in the fence. Basically a whole day was wasted- 4 hours driving total and I couldn't check my experiments, I couldn't help my colleague bring her tanks back to the lab, and I couldn't decant excess contaminated water from my experiments. I REALLY THANK GOD FOR THIS.
Why? Wasn't my day stuffed?
A couple of Wednesdays back I started feeling upset in my tummy. That Friday I went out in the field to help collect sediments from a fire-affected site. My tummy started feeling really upset. By the time we then drove to my experiment to rescue it from being flooded, I was secretly wanting to die, that's how much it hurt. The pain lessened on Saturday, and for the following week it was generally okay. My tummy felt tight, like I'd pulled a muscle, on the right side. Sometimes the pain spread, and often when I felt hungry I found I couldn't eat very much without feeling ill. It was mostly a background ache that occasionally made my hip sore.
I started feeling sicker again yesterday, so when I found out field work was postponed I bit the bullet and got it checked out. They're still running tests. Today I also woke up feeling sick. It's now causing my ribs to hurt.
I thank God because I really don't know how well I could have handled a full day of heavy lifting. Even dragging my wader-wearing body through fast waters would have been strenuous. God has protected me and kept me out of a situation my body may not have been able to handle. Yay! He is cool =)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Not everyone can keep their marbles.
Someone has lost their mind.
Again.
Someone put carrot peelings in the fridge.
Someone intended to put them in the rubbish bin.
Clearly, the rubbish bin and the fridge have a lot of similarities.
At least this time she didn't put chewing gum in the freezer. Or pepper in the fridge. Or commit other bizarre acts of absent-mindedness.
Again.
Someone put carrot peelings in the fridge.
Someone intended to put them in the rubbish bin.
Clearly, the rubbish bin and the fridge have a lot of similarities.
At least this time she didn't put chewing gum in the freezer. Or pepper in the fridge. Or commit other bizarre acts of absent-mindedness.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
How can this be?! =(
I have been watching The Life of Mammals, a beautifully made series on, surprise surprise, mammals. And it is beautiful, visually and in the approach it takes to looking at the diverse range of mammals in existence. Not to mention it's narrated by David Attenborough. I love that man.
I was really excited when I reached episode 5, Meat Eaters. I love carnivores even more than I love David. Seriously, some of the most gorgeous, intelligent and charismatic animals ever are fluffy with sharp teeth. I find there is something dangerously attractive about wolves, tigers, foxes and so on. And this episode was awesome. It even included a section on African wild dogs, which have absolutely amazing social structures and hunting skills. They are the most successful of all mammalian hunters, with a kill rate over 80% (wolves only have about a 10% kill rate, I think).
Sorry, I'm getting sidetracked. Anyway, everything was awesome until David started talking about hyenas. AND HE MADE AN ERROR! He said that hyenas belonged to the dog tribe. Actually, hyenas belong to the cat suborder (shocking but true).
Hyenas are more closely related to cats than dogs. A bit of reading confirmed that David Attenborough was in fact wrong. Below is a diagram of the truth:
If you don't trust the awesome phylogeny I drew, google search "hyena phylogeny" and you will see that I am right.
Anyway, despite being wrong, I still like David, I still loved that episode, and I still look forward to watching the rest of the series.
I was really excited when I reached episode 5, Meat Eaters. I love carnivores even more than I love David. Seriously, some of the most gorgeous, intelligent and charismatic animals ever are fluffy with sharp teeth. I find there is something dangerously attractive about wolves, tigers, foxes and so on. And this episode was awesome. It even included a section on African wild dogs, which have absolutely amazing social structures and hunting skills. They are the most successful of all mammalian hunters, with a kill rate over 80% (wolves only have about a 10% kill rate, I think).
Sorry, I'm getting sidetracked. Anyway, everything was awesome until David started talking about hyenas. AND HE MADE AN ERROR! He said that hyenas belonged to the dog tribe. Actually, hyenas belong to the cat suborder (shocking but true).
Hyenas are more closely related to cats than dogs. A bit of reading confirmed that David Attenborough was in fact wrong. Below is a diagram of the truth:
If you don't trust the awesome phylogeny I drew, google search "hyena phylogeny" and you will see that I am right.
Anyway, despite being wrong, I still like David, I still loved that episode, and I still look forward to watching the rest of the series.
Friday, September 11, 2009
It's a boy! And a girl! And stuff!
Congratulations to Sam, who is the delighted mother of 10+ babies, each weighing a healthy 2-5g! Their proud father, Kallie, was shocked by their arrival into the world.
"I didn't even realise Sam was bringing them home," she grinned. "They're very beautiful. Some are stripey. It's awesome."
I questioned how this growing abnormal family planned on functioning.
"It's harder than with stick insects. I mean, the boys were easy to provide for. I fed them. Sam educated them. Our new babies are a lot fussier, so it means we both have to work to meet their needs. I imagine Sam will still take them to school. I'll read them Thomas books!"
Photos of the new arrivals to follow soon.
"I didn't even realise Sam was bringing them home," she grinned. "They're very beautiful. Some are stripey. It's awesome."
I questioned how this growing abnormal family planned on functioning.
"It's harder than with stick insects. I mean, the boys were easy to provide for. I fed them. Sam educated them. Our new babies are a lot fussier, so it means we both have to work to meet their needs. I imagine Sam will still take them to school. I'll read them Thomas books!"
Photos of the new arrivals to follow soon.
Monday, September 7, 2009
my heart is a monster
"We have to fix up the experiment," Matt said.
We'd just set it up. A feeling of dread came over me. I didn't want to go back out again. It didn't seem right. I didn't say anything and got back in the car. There were no other cars on the road, the white painted lines clearly visible against its dark surface. The road curved between tall eucalypts. Their trunks were silver and stark, their canopies thick, obscuring the mountains behind them. Tree ferns snuggled beneath the gums. At a familiar corner I looked to the right and caught a glimpse of the creek.
"This is where we set up, right?" I said anxiously, recognising the location but not remembering. I swore there was a sand bar before.
"Hmm... yes, I can see the tanks through the trees," called my ex-supervisor from the back seat.
She was right. Glimpses of the white tanks could be seen through the trees. The trees gave way to sand and Matt stopped the car. Another ute was already parked nearby and my colleagues were pulling things from the back. We grabbed some stuff and began to walk over the sand.
A cold hand gripped my heart. This felt wrong. I tried to ignore the feelings and followed my colleagues across the sand. It was difficult to walk at first, and then it got easier. I glanced down to see why and felt sick. The sand was compacted, and I saw we were walking on a burial ground. Burial grounds were cursed. We were walking on one. We were cursed. I began praying out loud.
"In Jesus name I break this curse. In Jesus name I break this curse."
I was scared, unsettled and the feelings wouldn't leave, but I saw that my colleagues weren't paying attention and continued walking, so I hurried up to them. We began setting up the white tanks. I went into a white weatherboard house to fix up some broken pieces. All of the furniture in the house was white or covered in white cloth. Other colleagues were also doing things.
It was comforting to know I wasn't in the house alone. I went into a bedroom and sat on the floor. There was a puzzle of a tiger on a green background, incomplete. To finish it I needed to make white puzzle pieces out of clay. I began forming them in my hands and fell asleep. I woke up. The door was closed. There were strange noises in the ceiling above me. It was probably just possums. I was all alone. I was terrified. I jumped to my feet and struggled to open the door.
"Someone help me! Please!" I cried. The door opened and I ran outside onto the wide verandah.
Scared but feeling silly, I leaned on the railing and stared across the white beach at the cerulean water of the sea. People were wading in the calm water, mending pieces of the experiment. I climbed down the stairs.
"People can't work on the other side. It's too rough," a boy informed me.
I turned to look at him. He was strangely beautiful, with golden white hair and icy blue eyes. I then glanced behind the house. The house was on a sandy bar. On either side was the sea. The house was facing the calm sea. Behind the house the waves were huge and the water choppy. Occasionally a large wave would wash right over the sandy bar. It was overwhelming.
A wave began to grow, and as it did fear grew in my heart. The boy and I looked at each other, then we quickly clambered back up the stairs. The house had become a black van on tall stilts. We grabbed onto the railing of the verandah and prepared for the worst. Looking up, we could see the massive black wave building up behind the house. The crest began to break into white foam. It was towering over us. Surely we would die. The house began to shake and, holding my breath, I held tightly onto the rail.
Surprisingly, the wave passed underneath the house. I watched its dark water flow through gaps in the floorboards. Everyone on the beach would have been killed. The boy smiled at me reassuringly. Shaken, I went into the house. There were books everywhere. I needed to finish making puzzle pieces, but the light was really dim. I began to set up lamps around the desk.
"Will there still be enough light for me to see?" my sister asked.
She was perched on a stool nearby. I nodded, then sat down. My Mum's little black dog, Jedda, ran into the room and I patted her. It felt good to touch her. She was soft and warm. I missed her, and her little dark presence was the most comforting thing. It was like a little flame had been lit in the cold darkness.
You might be confused by all this. You're not the only one. This was the dream I had last night. It seems ridiculous now while I try to write it, but at the time it was so vivid, so brightly coloured, so real, so scary. The overwhelming fear I felt throughout it was real. It was like there was something constantly dark in it, and I couldn't feel safe. I often have weird dreams, and bad dreams, but they're rarely this vivid. And I could actually feel my Mum's dog. This is pretty amazing. She has been dead for 9 years. I miss her. I feel like crying.
Today was Zac's birthday. Maybe that's why it's getting to me. I miss my Zac. I don't know why I'm writing this. I don't care.
We'd just set it up. A feeling of dread came over me. I didn't want to go back out again. It didn't seem right. I didn't say anything and got back in the car. There were no other cars on the road, the white painted lines clearly visible against its dark surface. The road curved between tall eucalypts. Their trunks were silver and stark, their canopies thick, obscuring the mountains behind them. Tree ferns snuggled beneath the gums. At a familiar corner I looked to the right and caught a glimpse of the creek.
"This is where we set up, right?" I said anxiously, recognising the location but not remembering. I swore there was a sand bar before.
"Hmm... yes, I can see the tanks through the trees," called my ex-supervisor from the back seat.
She was right. Glimpses of the white tanks could be seen through the trees. The trees gave way to sand and Matt stopped the car. Another ute was already parked nearby and my colleagues were pulling things from the back. We grabbed some stuff and began to walk over the sand.
A cold hand gripped my heart. This felt wrong. I tried to ignore the feelings and followed my colleagues across the sand. It was difficult to walk at first, and then it got easier. I glanced down to see why and felt sick. The sand was compacted, and I saw we were walking on a burial ground. Burial grounds were cursed. We were walking on one. We were cursed. I began praying out loud.
"In Jesus name I break this curse. In Jesus name I break this curse."
I was scared, unsettled and the feelings wouldn't leave, but I saw that my colleagues weren't paying attention and continued walking, so I hurried up to them. We began setting up the white tanks. I went into a white weatherboard house to fix up some broken pieces. All of the furniture in the house was white or covered in white cloth. Other colleagues were also doing things.
It was comforting to know I wasn't in the house alone. I went into a bedroom and sat on the floor. There was a puzzle of a tiger on a green background, incomplete. To finish it I needed to make white puzzle pieces out of clay. I began forming them in my hands and fell asleep. I woke up. The door was closed. There were strange noises in the ceiling above me. It was probably just possums. I was all alone. I was terrified. I jumped to my feet and struggled to open the door.
"Someone help me! Please!" I cried. The door opened and I ran outside onto the wide verandah.
Scared but feeling silly, I leaned on the railing and stared across the white beach at the cerulean water of the sea. People were wading in the calm water, mending pieces of the experiment. I climbed down the stairs.
"People can't work on the other side. It's too rough," a boy informed me.
I turned to look at him. He was strangely beautiful, with golden white hair and icy blue eyes. I then glanced behind the house. The house was on a sandy bar. On either side was the sea. The house was facing the calm sea. Behind the house the waves were huge and the water choppy. Occasionally a large wave would wash right over the sandy bar. It was overwhelming.
A wave began to grow, and as it did fear grew in my heart. The boy and I looked at each other, then we quickly clambered back up the stairs. The house had become a black van on tall stilts. We grabbed onto the railing of the verandah and prepared for the worst. Looking up, we could see the massive black wave building up behind the house. The crest began to break into white foam. It was towering over us. Surely we would die. The house began to shake and, holding my breath, I held tightly onto the rail.
Surprisingly, the wave passed underneath the house. I watched its dark water flow through gaps in the floorboards. Everyone on the beach would have been killed. The boy smiled at me reassuringly. Shaken, I went into the house. There were books everywhere. I needed to finish making puzzle pieces, but the light was really dim. I began to set up lamps around the desk.
"Will there still be enough light for me to see?" my sister asked.
She was perched on a stool nearby. I nodded, then sat down. My Mum's little black dog, Jedda, ran into the room and I patted her. It felt good to touch her. She was soft and warm. I missed her, and her little dark presence was the most comforting thing. It was like a little flame had been lit in the cold darkness.
You might be confused by all this. You're not the only one. This was the dream I had last night. It seems ridiculous now while I try to write it, but at the time it was so vivid, so brightly coloured, so real, so scary. The overwhelming fear I felt throughout it was real. It was like there was something constantly dark in it, and I couldn't feel safe. I often have weird dreams, and bad dreams, but they're rarely this vivid. And I could actually feel my Mum's dog. This is pretty amazing. She has been dead for 9 years. I miss her. I feel like crying.
Today was Zac's birthday. Maybe that's why it's getting to me. I miss my Zac. I don't know why I'm writing this. I don't care.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Happy Fathers' Day
During today's sermon a part of the message touched on the fact that an increasing number of people don't live in "ideal" family situations- broken families, conflicts, abuse, teen pregnancies, etc. The speaker made the point that she had been made aware of all this through her friends, counselling course and so on, and it made her more thankful that God had blessed her with such a loving family where she never had insecurities or fears.
I thought back to my own family. As a kid my parents were always fighting. My parents loved me, but they always fought with each other, and there was frequently talk of separation. My Dad had a pretty violent, explosive temper, but I adored him. As a young teen my family situation worsened. Betrayal lead to humiliation and separation. Although my parents weren't together the fights were worse. There was a lot of bitterness, unforgiveness and poison. My Dad hurt my family a lot, and he manipulated my brother a lot. There was no clean end. It was dragged out over several years. I hated what my Dad had become. I hated the way he hurt us, especially my Mum. And I hated the way he was hurting himself.
As a young christian one of the big challenges I faced was forgiving my Dad. It was extremely hard. It is hard to forgive someone who was constantly hurting the people you love most, including himself. How can you not feel angry as you watch them destroy their own lives? It took several attempts, but I forgave him. I forgave not because he deserved it, but because I loved him.
Looking back, I think of my family situation and I think of the words spoken today. Being in a family is supposed to be a taste of what is to come in heaven. My family situation could be better likened to a taste of hell, perhaps. But I wouldn't exhange my family, with all it's flaws, for anything else. All the hatred, humiliation, confusion, sadness, mistrust, betrayal, violence, fear, insecurity, guilt, condemnation... I would not trade these for a better past or another family. I thank God that He blessed me with such a family, and I still love them very much, inspite of (or perhaps because of) what we have been through.
I wish a very happy Fathers' Day to my Dad, and pray that God will bless him very much.
I thought back to my own family. As a kid my parents were always fighting. My parents loved me, but they always fought with each other, and there was frequently talk of separation. My Dad had a pretty violent, explosive temper, but I adored him. As a young teen my family situation worsened. Betrayal lead to humiliation and separation. Although my parents weren't together the fights were worse. There was a lot of bitterness, unforgiveness and poison. My Dad hurt my family a lot, and he manipulated my brother a lot. There was no clean end. It was dragged out over several years. I hated what my Dad had become. I hated the way he hurt us, especially my Mum. And I hated the way he was hurting himself.
As a young christian one of the big challenges I faced was forgiving my Dad. It was extremely hard. It is hard to forgive someone who was constantly hurting the people you love most, including himself. How can you not feel angry as you watch them destroy their own lives? It took several attempts, but I forgave him. I forgave not because he deserved it, but because I loved him.
Looking back, I think of my family situation and I think of the words spoken today. Being in a family is supposed to be a taste of what is to come in heaven. My family situation could be better likened to a taste of hell, perhaps. But I wouldn't exhange my family, with all it's flaws, for anything else. All the hatred, humiliation, confusion, sadness, mistrust, betrayal, violence, fear, insecurity, guilt, condemnation... I would not trade these for a better past or another family. I thank God that He blessed me with such a family, and I still love them very much, inspite of (or perhaps because of) what we have been through.
I wish a very happy Fathers' Day to my Dad, and pray that God will bless him very much.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Said He doesn't remember anything about a wall
God has been pretty good to me lately, so I need to share it! Okay, here we go:
1. It's okay to be forgetful when your Father in heaven remembers. I accidentally brought home a certain set of keys that I think cost about $10,000 to replace. I intended to return them, but forget. Last night I remembered because I needed them today. I searched through my bag BUT THEY WERE GONE! I freaked out. Ten grand worth of keys is a lot to misplace. Sam helped me go through my bag again. I then said something like, "Dear God, please let me find them". For some reason my fuzzy snotty (I have a cold) mind went instantly to "it's in your laptop case. You were going to take it to work" and there it was. YAY!
2. Today I was finishing setting up my painful experiment of doom. Two Fridays ago I got rained on, hailed on, covered in leeches and I think I had hypothermia. Today the weather was pleasant. It started getting cloudy towards midday, and praise God! It didn't rain or hail until we were in the car and on the way back to uni!
3. Without going into details, I thought past issues with my family had caused me to have a twisted mindset with regards to something in particular. It was reaching the point where I kept condemning myself for something which logically and even morally speaking is completely fine. I then recently discovered that this twisted mindset was not due to my family, but due to improper teaching by the church, which they have now apparently rectified (and yet failed to tell anyone so people still believing what was once taught will feel just as self-condemning and just as much a failure as me). This means that it is a more short-term (rather than long-term) mindset I need to readjust (which is easier), and it is not my screwed up family's fault! It makes it easier to bear, the self-condemnation makes more sense in this context (it was hard to understand why my family's issues would make me feel this way), and it has given me greater insight into why I seem to be on a different page to others. Yay! Thank you God for somehow letting me know the truth.
4. I thought I just lost my phone. I thought I left it on the bus. God prompted me to check my pocket, even though I couldn't feel anything in my pocket. It was in my pocket. X.x hehe, my brain is gone.
5. Our experiments haven't floated over the weir, or flooded. Pray they won't burn! It's meant to be a harsh fire season this year.
God is so good to me.
1. It's okay to be forgetful when your Father in heaven remembers. I accidentally brought home a certain set of keys that I think cost about $10,000 to replace. I intended to return them, but forget. Last night I remembered because I needed them today. I searched through my bag BUT THEY WERE GONE! I freaked out. Ten grand worth of keys is a lot to misplace. Sam helped me go through my bag again. I then said something like, "Dear God, please let me find them". For some reason my fuzzy snotty (I have a cold) mind went instantly to "it's in your laptop case. You were going to take it to work" and there it was. YAY!
2. Today I was finishing setting up my painful experiment of doom. Two Fridays ago I got rained on, hailed on, covered in leeches and I think I had hypothermia. Today the weather was pleasant. It started getting cloudy towards midday, and praise God! It didn't rain or hail until we were in the car and on the way back to uni!
3. Without going into details, I thought past issues with my family had caused me to have a twisted mindset with regards to something in particular. It was reaching the point where I kept condemning myself for something which logically and even morally speaking is completely fine. I then recently discovered that this twisted mindset was not due to my family, but due to improper teaching by the church, which they have now apparently rectified (and yet failed to tell anyone so people still believing what was once taught will feel just as self-condemning and just as much a failure as me). This means that it is a more short-term (rather than long-term) mindset I need to readjust (which is easier), and it is not my screwed up family's fault! It makes it easier to bear, the self-condemnation makes more sense in this context (it was hard to understand why my family's issues would make me feel this way), and it has given me greater insight into why I seem to be on a different page to others. Yay! Thank you God for somehow letting me know the truth.
4. I thought I just lost my phone. I thought I left it on the bus. God prompted me to check my pocket, even though I couldn't feel anything in my pocket. It was in my pocket. X.x hehe, my brain is gone.
5. Our experiments haven't floated over the weir, or flooded. Pray they won't burn! It's meant to be a harsh fire season this year.
God is so good to me.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Sky watching
This is the website I possibly visit most. That's right. The Bureau of Meteorology page. I like to check out the radar. It's exciting when there is rain.
I also like to try to guess the position of low pressure systems or cold fronts based on the direction of the rainfall.
I then compare my predictions back to mean sea level pressure charts like this:
It makes me feel happy when my predictions are right. And one day I'd like to learn how to draw and interpret aerological diagrams again, like this one:
How cool, right? I love the weather.
I also like to try to guess the position of low pressure systems or cold fronts based on the direction of the rainfall.
I then compare my predictions back to mean sea level pressure charts like this:
It makes me feel happy when my predictions are right. And one day I'd like to learn how to draw and interpret aerological diagrams again, like this one:
How cool, right? I love the weather.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Zombie egg quiche
In loving memory of all the zombies Sam and Kal killed and ate.
"The zombies are attacking! What do I do?"
If I had five cents for everytime someone asked me this, someone's boyfriend would be watching the Hannah Montana movie. Like everyone, I too have zombie issues. Some things just die hard. But I don't let the zombie plague get me down. If life gives you lemons, make lemon meringue pie. If life gives you zombies, make zombie pie. That's my motto. There is nothing quite like fresh zombie to add flavour to any meal. Here is a pretty simple zombie recipe you can use to impress your friends/subordinates.
Ingredients (items in parentheses are for those who don't like zombie)
-6 zombie eggs (chicken eggs)
-1 or 2 zucchinis
-1 or 2 medium sized carrots
-milk
-zombie skin (pastry)
-cured zombie pieces (bacon- optional)
-cheese
-olive oil/oil/butter/whatever
-pepper and salt
Procedure
1. Gather some villagers and kill ye a zombie. Use a shotgun. Knives are not effective. Alternatively, visit your local supermarkert and purchase ingredients.
2. Using the oil/butter/whatever you want, grease a large oven-proof dish. Line the dish with pastry (I used puff pastry because I love puff pastry), and then brush oil or whatever over this pastry. I wrote this in bold because it is important you don't forget.
3. Cover the pastry in aluminium foil, and then fill the dish with pasta or rice or beans or something heavy and dry. Put the dish in a preheated oven at around 180degrees C. This is blind baking, and what it does is start cooking the pastry without letting it rise. Remove after 10-20 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, wash and then grate the carrots and zucchini. You can also add chopped onion. Finely chop some cured zombie pieces, and combine all of these in a large bowl. Add the 6 zombie eggs and some milk (I don't recall how much milk I added. Pretend you're making scrambled eggs with 6 eggs, and probably add about that much). Also grate some cheese and mix this in. Add pepper and salt too. Yay!
5. When you've finished blind baking carefully remove the foil + the pasta from the dish. You should have nice, flat, not-so-raw pastry in the dish. Add the zombie mixture and evenly spread it out.
6. Put it back in the oven. I think I put it in for 20 minutes. Might have been longer. Keep checking it until it is all golden and looks like a quiche.
7. And then you are finished. Make sure you wash the dishes. Good kid.
Tips for young players
1. Open each egg separately in a small bowl before adding it to your grated vegetables. This way you can check for (and remove) egg shell.
2. If you want to be clever you can add nutmeg. I did. After I added cinnamon. I didn't mean to add cinnamon. I forgot what I was doing for a second and just added it. Oops.
3. You can substitute some of the milk with cream if you want a richer quiche.
4. You can add a lot of other things. Mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, children, cats... be creative.
5. Do NOT make friends with the zombies. It's really hard to kill them when you're emotionally attached. It's best not to make friends with your food.
6. Zombie sightings are more frequent in bad weather.
Happy hunting!
"The zombies are attacking! What do I do?"
If I had five cents for everytime someone asked me this, someone's boyfriend would be watching the Hannah Montana movie. Like everyone, I too have zombie issues. Some things just die hard. But I don't let the zombie plague get me down. If life gives you lemons, make lemon meringue pie. If life gives you zombies, make zombie pie. That's my motto. There is nothing quite like fresh zombie to add flavour to any meal. Here is a pretty simple zombie recipe you can use to impress your friends/subordinates.
Ingredients (items in parentheses are for those who don't like zombie)
-6 zombie eggs (chicken eggs)
-1 or 2 zucchinis
-1 or 2 medium sized carrots
-milk
-zombie skin (pastry)
-cured zombie pieces (bacon- optional)
-cheese
-olive oil/oil/butter/whatever
-pepper and salt
Procedure
1. Gather some villagers and kill ye a zombie. Use a shotgun. Knives are not effective. Alternatively, visit your local supermarkert and purchase ingredients.
2. Using the oil/butter/whatever you want, grease a large oven-proof dish. Line the dish with pastry (I used puff pastry because I love puff pastry), and then brush oil or whatever over this pastry. I wrote this in bold because it is important you don't forget.
3. Cover the pastry in aluminium foil, and then fill the dish with pasta or rice or beans or something heavy and dry. Put the dish in a preheated oven at around 180degrees C. This is blind baking, and what it does is start cooking the pastry without letting it rise. Remove after 10-20 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, wash and then grate the carrots and zucchini. You can also add chopped onion. Finely chop some cured zombie pieces, and combine all of these in a large bowl. Add the 6 zombie eggs and some milk (I don't recall how much milk I added. Pretend you're making scrambled eggs with 6 eggs, and probably add about that much). Also grate some cheese and mix this in. Add pepper and salt too. Yay!
5. When you've finished blind baking carefully remove the foil + the pasta from the dish. You should have nice, flat, not-so-raw pastry in the dish. Add the zombie mixture and evenly spread it out.
6. Put it back in the oven. I think I put it in for 20 minutes. Might have been longer. Keep checking it until it is all golden and looks like a quiche.
7. And then you are finished. Make sure you wash the dishes. Good kid.
Tips for young players
1. Open each egg separately in a small bowl before adding it to your grated vegetables. This way you can check for (and remove) egg shell.
2. If you want to be clever you can add nutmeg. I did. After I added cinnamon. I didn't mean to add cinnamon. I forgot what I was doing for a second and just added it. Oops.
3. You can substitute some of the milk with cream if you want a richer quiche.
4. You can add a lot of other things. Mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, children, cats... be creative.
5. Do NOT make friends with the zombies. It's really hard to kill them when you're emotionally attached. It's best not to make friends with your food.
6. Zombie sightings are more frequent in bad weather.
Happy hunting!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Exceptions
Kallie the animal freak loves animals, even the weird ones. Seriously, she has a crocodile skull she has named and feels very attached to, she went to a seahorse farm and happily touched a Port Jackson shark, she's smuggled wolf spiders back to Melbourne to keep as pets, and she was going to smuggle scorpions too but decided they might not survive the plane trip. Freaky kid.
Anyways, turns out even the animal freak has animal fears. Here are the animals she loathes:
1. Cockroaches
They disgust her. They freak her out. Watching that dude accidentally eat half a cockroach in The Mousetrap didn't help. One day there was a massive cockroach in her room, but thankfully a handsome hero came and saved her by picking it up with his bare hands.
2. Earwigs
They look evil.
3. Click beetles
This one mightn't make sense, but her sister used to pick them up and throw them at her.
4. Leeches
Argh! Eek! Scary! X.x
She just had field work in the rain. Upon arriving at the field site Matt kindly told them, "The leeches are out in force today" and then within 5 minutes they saw one climbing on him. Ten minutes later, after stumbling through the wet undergrowth, Kallie felt something weird on her arm. It was a massive leech! She screamed like a girl (to her embarrassment!), brushed it off and then crushed it into the ground about 50 times to make sure it was dead and its zombie wouldn't be able to haunt her.
"Well, at least it isn't spiders," Bryant pointed out.
"Bring on the white tails," Kallie muttered darkly. "I'd much rather be covered in spiders."
Anyways, turns out even the animal freak has animal fears. Here are the animals she loathes:
1. Cockroaches
They disgust her. They freak her out. Watching that dude accidentally eat half a cockroach in The Mousetrap didn't help. One day there was a massive cockroach in her room, but thankfully a handsome hero came and saved her by picking it up with his bare hands.
2. Earwigs
They look evil.
3. Click beetles
This one mightn't make sense, but her sister used to pick them up and throw them at her.
4. Leeches
Argh! Eek! Scary! X.x
She just had field work in the rain. Upon arriving at the field site Matt kindly told them, "The leeches are out in force today" and then within 5 minutes they saw one climbing on him. Ten minutes later, after stumbling through the wet undergrowth, Kallie felt something weird on her arm. It was a massive leech! She screamed like a girl (to her embarrassment!), brushed it off and then crushed it into the ground about 50 times to make sure it was dead and its zombie wouldn't be able to haunt her.
"Well, at least it isn't spiders," Bryant pointed out.
"Bring on the white tails," Kallie muttered darkly. "I'd much rather be covered in spiders."
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Killer whales and giant waves
There were killer whales in Sydney Harbour!
How cool is that!?!! That is amazing! I love killer whales. I want to see them in the wild. Then I could die a happy mouse.
How cool is that!?!! That is amazing! I love killer whales. I want to see them in the wild. Then I could die a happy mouse.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Beautiful sounds
Zander is amazing. He plays some of the most beautiful music and all on a bass guitar. I wish I played bass like that. Visit his profile to see some more of his awesome works =)
Friday, July 24, 2009
Okay, I admit this is stranger
This is mostly in response to observations made by Sam.
Observation 1
To me the letter A looks black. Just like all letters look black.
Sam, you're missing out. Seriously. Which isn't a badly coloured word. Word, on the other hand, isn't such a nice colour.
Observation 2
Samantha has yucky colours. I don't like green.
Actually, while there are a lot of green letters in Samantha, when I think of the word as a whole it is a blue word. Samantha is a blue word. I think the first letter of a word, or the stronger letters in a word, or where the accent is in a word, dominates the overall appearance of the word.
You see black. I see blue, but really it's blues, black and green.
Another example is Sunday.
If we accent the word so that you say it as SUNday it looks like:
while if you accent it so it sounds like sunDAY it looks like:
For some reason the letters U, V, X, and Z are all differing shades of grey. Maybe whenever this weird association thing happened in my head I didn't get much exposure to these letters so they didn't get other colours.
Yes, so now you know all this wonderful information.
Observation 1
To me the letter A looks black. Just like all letters look black.
Sam, you're missing out. Seriously. Which isn't a badly coloured word. Word, on the other hand, isn't such a nice colour.
Observation 2
Samantha has yucky colours. I don't like green.
Actually, while there are a lot of green letters in Samantha, when I think of the word as a whole it is a blue word. Samantha is a blue word. I think the first letter of a word, or the stronger letters in a word, or where the accent is in a word, dominates the overall appearance of the word.
You see black. I see blue, but really it's blues, black and green.
Another example is Sunday.
If we accent the word so that you say it as SUNday it looks like:
while if you accent it so it sounds like sunDAY it looks like:
For some reason the letters U, V, X, and Z are all differing shades of grey. Maybe whenever this weird association thing happened in my head I didn't get much exposure to these letters so they didn't get other colours.
Yes, so now you know all this wonderful information.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Play with me, play with me
Maybe it's wrong to make massive generalisations like this, but from my limited experience I think I can get away with stating it:
Danish alternative rock is like an innocence built from darkness, and you can easily taste both. It's perversely sweet, frequently cute, occasionally poetic and melodic. Beautiful but twisted. It doesn't deliberately draw on terrible things to give it's music that darkness and depth. Rather, it grows from it. Kind of like violets; something beautiful that only grows from the shadows.
Of course, this generalisation is made based on the few cds of an Aussie girl who probably hasn't had much exposure to Danish alternative rock. But just going through her alternative cds, it seems pretty obvious that there are huge regional differences in what comes out. For instance, her Scottish collection (okay, so this is limited to The Twilight Sad and Glasvegas) is similarly dark but more nostalgic. Her Aussie collection seems less dark and more playful, with a more backyard suburban feel (such as Jebediah). Bluebottle Kiss also has that suburban feel, but it also has strong coastal and suburban Sydney influences. America... I suspect I couldn't make massive generalisations about its alternative rock. Anyway, back to the Danish.
It's kind of hard to just describe the innocence and darkness. It's easier to just give examples. Take for instance Like paper cuts by Mew:
It's so pretty and strange and leaves you feeling something terrible has happened. Gorgeously disturbing. To make Kallie happy I'd better put a picture of Mew in.
There, now you can see her precious Jonas Bjerre.
If you want to use up more bandwith, also check out Human by Carpark North. The clip is really cool and cute but kind of disturbing. I like when the kid hits the desk at school.
Moi Caprice has awesome songs. They sound cute. They sound playful even. But they also have that little bit of sadness and darkness in them. It's like "the world has turned something innocent into something perverted, but we'll choose to hold into the innocence". Like in My girl you blush:
If we’re happy on a barstool,
we’ll buy the bar we’re in.
If we’re kicked out of every art school,
we’ll paint each other’s skin.
If your jokes prove you an arch fool,
I’ll love you with a grin...
And you'll blush,
you blush my girl
you blush.
Perhaps I should end here by mentioning another Danish band Kallie has started getting into. Kashmir. The title of this post comes from one of their songs, The cynic. Lyrics from another song, Ophelia, adequately sums up this whole theme of innocence in the darkness in Danish alternative rock.
Disappeared in the park
Left me probing in the dark
Put me off the path.
You're the pebble in my shoe
And the beauty in my view
Beaming through the glass.
Ophelia...you're falling out
Too tedious to talk about?
Insurmountable... always colourful.
I don't want to know
How you do what you do.
Danish alternative rock is like an innocence built from darkness, and you can easily taste both. It's perversely sweet, frequently cute, occasionally poetic and melodic. Beautiful but twisted. It doesn't deliberately draw on terrible things to give it's music that darkness and depth. Rather, it grows from it. Kind of like violets; something beautiful that only grows from the shadows.
Of course, this generalisation is made based on the few cds of an Aussie girl who probably hasn't had much exposure to Danish alternative rock. But just going through her alternative cds, it seems pretty obvious that there are huge regional differences in what comes out. For instance, her Scottish collection (okay, so this is limited to The Twilight Sad and Glasvegas) is similarly dark but more nostalgic. Her Aussie collection seems less dark and more playful, with a more backyard suburban feel (such as Jebediah). Bluebottle Kiss also has that suburban feel, but it also has strong coastal and suburban Sydney influences. America... I suspect I couldn't make massive generalisations about its alternative rock. Anyway, back to the Danish.
It's kind of hard to just describe the innocence and darkness. It's easier to just give examples. Take for instance Like paper cuts by Mew:
It's so pretty and strange and leaves you feeling something terrible has happened. Gorgeously disturbing. To make Kallie happy I'd better put a picture of Mew in.
There, now you can see her precious Jonas Bjerre.
If you want to use up more bandwith, also check out Human by Carpark North. The clip is really cool and cute but kind of disturbing. I like when the kid hits the desk at school.
Moi Caprice has awesome songs. They sound cute. They sound playful even. But they also have that little bit of sadness and darkness in them. It's like "the world has turned something innocent into something perverted, but we'll choose to hold into the innocence". Like in My girl you blush:
If we’re happy on a barstool,
we’ll buy the bar we’re in.
If we’re kicked out of every art school,
we’ll paint each other’s skin.
If your jokes prove you an arch fool,
I’ll love you with a grin...
And you'll blush,
you blush my girl
you blush.
Perhaps I should end here by mentioning another Danish band Kallie has started getting into. Kashmir. The title of this post comes from one of their songs, The cynic. Lyrics from another song, Ophelia, adequately sums up this whole theme of innocence in the darkness in Danish alternative rock.
Disappeared in the park
Left me probing in the dark
Put me off the path.
You're the pebble in my shoe
And the beauty in my view
Beaming through the glass.
Ophelia...you're falling out
Too tedious to talk about?
Insurmountable... always colourful.
I don't want to know
How you do what you do.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Okay, I admit I'm strange
Before we get to that, let me ask you a couple of questions.
Do you see numbers in colours? What about letters?
If you're reading that and you haven't figured out what I mean, then I'm guessing you don't. What I asked didn't make sense to you, right?
Well, to me it made a lot of sense. If someone asked me that I would know exactly what they were talking about. You see, I see numbers and letters in colours. I think it's something I've always done, and up until a couple of mouse years ago I never questioned this, assuming everyone else did the same. Then I discovered that not many people actually do. Most people I asked would stare at me blankly and get confused while I struggled to explain it. Then they would think about it. Then they would answer, "Err... no." I have only ever met one other person who can do it- Rebecca- but she's a special case in that she taught herself to see the colours while at uni.
By now you're thinking, "Desperado has lost the plot." I never had the plot. Anyway, let me explain what normally happens to me. Let's say we examine the word mouse.
You probably see it as:
I see it kind of like:
I don't consciously make the letters and numbers change colour. They just have colour. And the colours are consistent. For example, my favourite number 8 is always green. B is always red. How nice I find a word depends on its colours.
Kallie is awful. Too much yellow and pink. The background is black so you can see the white i.
Rebecca also has too much yellow and pink.
Samantha looks better. I like green.
There is a neurological phenomenon called synesthaesia, where the stimulation of one sensory pathway causes an involuntary experience in another. For instance, some people hear a sound which causes them to see a particular colour. More strangely, some people hear a certain word or phoneme and it causes them to taste things, like the sound f tastes like sherbert. There are many types of synesthaesia. One of the most common is grapheme->colour synesthaesia, where letters and numbers are shaded or tinged with different colours. It is involuntary and the colours are consistent.
I'm not sure, but I don't think I have grapheme->colour synesthaesia. Yes, I don't voluntarily make myself see letters as colours, and yes, the colours are always consistent for particular letters or numbers.
I did a lengthy online test to find out if I had synesthaesia. My score suggested that I have grapheme->colour synesthaesia.
Score:
Synesthaesia: < 1.0
Normal memory/association: around 2
Desperado: 0.54
Accuracy:
Synesthetic: 85-100%
Non-synesthetic: < 85%
Desperado: 98.61%
I'm still not convinced. It still might have been a memory thing. If I do have synesthaesia I must not have it strongly. It doesn't affect my life in any way, and unless I'm paying attention most of the time I don't even notice that the black letters are coloured. Possibly I just associate letters with colours. Maybe Sesame Street's letter of the week had a big impact on me as a kid.
Regardless, it's still pretty cool and interesting. So, what colour is the letter A to you? =)
Do you see numbers in colours? What about letters?
If you're reading that and you haven't figured out what I mean, then I'm guessing you don't. What I asked didn't make sense to you, right?
Well, to me it made a lot of sense. If someone asked me that I would know exactly what they were talking about. You see, I see numbers and letters in colours. I think it's something I've always done, and up until a couple of mouse years ago I never questioned this, assuming everyone else did the same. Then I discovered that not many people actually do. Most people I asked would stare at me blankly and get confused while I struggled to explain it. Then they would think about it. Then they would answer, "Err... no." I have only ever met one other person who can do it- Rebecca- but she's a special case in that she taught herself to see the colours while at uni.
By now you're thinking, "Desperado has lost the plot." I never had the plot. Anyway, let me explain what normally happens to me. Let's say we examine the word mouse.
You probably see it as:
I see it kind of like:
I don't consciously make the letters and numbers change colour. They just have colour. And the colours are consistent. For example, my favourite number 8 is always green. B is always red. How nice I find a word depends on its colours.
Kallie is awful. Too much yellow and pink. The background is black so you can see the white i.
Rebecca also has too much yellow and pink.
Samantha looks better. I like green.
There is a neurological phenomenon called synesthaesia, where the stimulation of one sensory pathway causes an involuntary experience in another. For instance, some people hear a sound which causes them to see a particular colour. More strangely, some people hear a certain word or phoneme and it causes them to taste things, like the sound f tastes like sherbert. There are many types of synesthaesia. One of the most common is grapheme->colour synesthaesia, where letters and numbers are shaded or tinged with different colours. It is involuntary and the colours are consistent.
I'm not sure, but I don't think I have grapheme->colour synesthaesia. Yes, I don't voluntarily make myself see letters as colours, and yes, the colours are always consistent for particular letters or numbers.
I did a lengthy online test to find out if I had synesthaesia. My score suggested that I have grapheme->colour synesthaesia.
Score:
Synesthaesia: < 1.0
Normal memory/association: around 2
Desperado: 0.54
Accuracy:
Synesthetic: 85-100%
Non-synesthetic: < 85%
Desperado: 98.61%
I'm still not convinced. It still might have been a memory thing. If I do have synesthaesia I must not have it strongly. It doesn't affect my life in any way, and unless I'm paying attention most of the time I don't even notice that the black letters are coloured. Possibly I just associate letters with colours. Maybe Sesame Street's letter of the week had a big impact on me as a kid.
Regardless, it's still pretty cool and interesting. So, what colour is the letter A to you? =)
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
I am being
Being small means...
...I see things from an awesome perspective.
Being distracted means...
...I notice gorgeous details.
Being a science geek means...
...I get to visit beautiful places no one else sees.
Being immature means...
...I have fun playing with model planes.
Being Australian means...
...I am surrounded by oceans.
I am being reminded of God's goodness because He has blessed me with so many privelages.
...I see things from an awesome perspective.
Being distracted means...
...I notice gorgeous details.
Being a science geek means...
...I get to visit beautiful places no one else sees.
Being immature means...
...I have fun playing with model planes.
Being Australian means...
...I am surrounded by oceans.
I am being reminded of God's goodness because He has blessed me with so many privelages.
Monday, July 13, 2009
For a silly friend
And when she cried
She wouldn’t stop!
I couldn’t make her stop.
And so I watched every tear drop;
I couldn’t make her stop.
She wouldn’t stop!
She wouldn’t stop!
I couldn’t make her stop.
And with every small glist’ning drop
I felt I couldn’t make her stop.
I felt I shouldn’t make her stop.
I even willed her tears to drop
Because it was beautiful.
She wouldn’t stop!
I couldn’t make her stop.
And so I watched every tear drop;
I couldn’t make her stop.
She wouldn’t stop!
She wouldn’t stop!
I couldn’t make her stop.
And with every small glist’ning drop
I felt I couldn’t make her stop.
I felt I shouldn’t make her stop.
I even willed her tears to drop
Because it was beautiful.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Lots of 7 things
I haven't updated for a while and lack inspiration to write cool stuff, so instead here's another meme! Yay! I feel unwell. I borrowed (stole) this from someone else's blog.
7 things you will find in your room:
1. CDs
2. bass guitar
3. Kallie might be there, sleeping in a weird position
4. Teddies!
5. Old books
6. Disturbing heavy textbooks
7. Pastels
7 relationship questions (shh! *blush*)
1. Do you like anyone? Yes.
2. Does someone like you? Maybe.
3. Last kiss? I just kissed Remus, the wolf teddy
4. Been lead on? Kind of.
5. Been cheated on? No.
6. Want a relationship? Yes.
7. Want to get married? One day this would be nice.
7 other things. Do you:
1. Believe in God? Yes, and His son Jesus Christ.
2. Had a dream come true? Does having a nightmare come true count?
3. Read the newspaper? Sometimes.
4. Get enough sleep everyday? You can never have enough.
5. Have a best friend? I have several.
6. Take a bath daily? I shower daily.
7. Wish on stars? No. I try to name them.
7 have you evers. Have you ever:
1. Fallen in love? =D haha wouldn't you like to know. Or not know. Or whatever.
2. Kissed someone of the same sex? No.
3. Hooked up with someone who was already attached? No. And I never would, unless it was me they were attached to =)
4. Been to a bonfire? Yes.
5. Ran away from home? Yes.
6. Played strip poker? No.
7. Pulled an all nighter? Not from studying, but from being too scared to sleep.
7 things in the last 24 hours. Have you:
1. Cried? No.
2. Had fun? Yes.
3. Been kissed? No.
4. Felt stupid? Multiple times.
5. Talked to an ex? No.
6. Missed someone? Yes.
7. Listened to music? Yes.
7 things on your mind:
1. Appendicitis
2. Work
3. Confirmation
4. A close friend who shall not be named
5. Sleepy
6. Must pray
7. The song "Release the Kraken" and how much I like it.
7 things you can't live without:
1. God.
Okay, I'm changing the question. Here are 6 things I wouldn't like to live without, but they aren't necessary as long as I have God:
2. Music
3. Internets
4. Pens and paper
5. Pasta with cheese
6. Animals
7. My bed
Sleepy now.
7 things you will find in your room:
1. CDs
2. bass guitar
3. Kallie might be there, sleeping in a weird position
4. Teddies!
5. Old books
6. Disturbing heavy textbooks
7. Pastels
7 relationship questions (shh! *blush*)
1. Do you like anyone? Yes.
2. Does someone like you? Maybe.
3. Last kiss? I just kissed Remus, the wolf teddy
4. Been lead on? Kind of.
5. Been cheated on? No.
6. Want a relationship? Yes.
7. Want to get married? One day this would be nice.
7 other things. Do you:
1. Believe in God? Yes, and His son Jesus Christ.
2. Had a dream come true? Does having a nightmare come true count?
3. Read the newspaper? Sometimes.
4. Get enough sleep everyday? You can never have enough.
5. Have a best friend? I have several.
6. Take a bath daily? I shower daily.
7. Wish on stars? No. I try to name them.
7 have you evers. Have you ever:
1. Fallen in love? =D haha wouldn't you like to know. Or not know. Or whatever.
2. Kissed someone of the same sex? No.
3. Hooked up with someone who was already attached? No. And I never would, unless it was me they were attached to =)
4. Been to a bonfire? Yes.
5. Ran away from home? Yes.
6. Played strip poker? No.
7. Pulled an all nighter? Not from studying, but from being too scared to sleep.
7 things in the last 24 hours. Have you:
1. Cried? No.
2. Had fun? Yes.
3. Been kissed? No.
4. Felt stupid? Multiple times.
5. Talked to an ex? No.
6. Missed someone? Yes.
7. Listened to music? Yes.
7 things on your mind:
1. Appendicitis
2. Work
3. Confirmation
4. A close friend who shall not be named
5. Sleepy
6. Must pray
7. The song "Release the Kraken" and how much I like it.
7 things you can't live without:
1. God.
Okay, I'm changing the question. Here are 6 things I wouldn't like to live without, but they aren't necessary as long as I have God:
2. Music
3. Internets
4. Pens and paper
5. Pasta with cheese
6. Animals
7. My bed
Sleepy now.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Music album art
I love music. I love pictures. I love quizzes and memes. Therefore, I was a happy mouse when I discovered that these three things could be combined into something awesome. That's right. It's an Album Art Meme. Yay!
Here's how you play the game:
1. Click on this random quote page. The last few words of the very last quote on the page is the title of your album.
2. When you go to Wikipedia click on Random Article in the left navigation sidebar thing. The subject of the article is the name of your band.
3. To get the album artwork, simply select the third image when you click on Flickr's Interesting Photos from the seven last days.
4. Combine it all to get the cover for your album.
Here are two I did ages ago and was planning to post. The title of the second picture inspired the name of this blog =)
Everyone should do this. It's very fun!
Here's how you play the game:
1. Click on this random quote page. The last few words of the very last quote on the page is the title of your album.
2. When you go to Wikipedia click on Random Article in the left navigation sidebar thing. The subject of the article is the name of your band.
3. To get the album artwork, simply select the third image when you click on Flickr's Interesting Photos from the seven last days.
4. Combine it all to get the cover for your album.
Here are two I did ages ago and was planning to post. The title of the second picture inspired the name of this blog =)
Everyone should do this. It's very fun!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The family
Sam and Kallie are proud parents of two handsome, well-mannered "boys" (possibly girls).
Above is the eldest son, Elvis, resting on his father's hand. He has become a godzilla of a stick insect, and is nearly an adult. He's very lazy but cute.
And this is Billy Talent. He's only just become an angsty teenager. Previously he was a hyperactive child, but adolescence has calmed him down a lot.
Sam, their mother, makes sure they go to school and receive an education. Kallie, their father, provides habitat and nutritious food for them.
They are much loved by their parents.
Above is the eldest son, Elvis, resting on his father's hand. He has become a godzilla of a stick insect, and is nearly an adult. He's very lazy but cute.
And this is Billy Talent. He's only just become an angsty teenager. Previously he was a hyperactive child, but adolescence has calmed him down a lot.
Sam, their mother, makes sure they go to school and receive an education. Kallie, their father, provides habitat and nutritious food for them.
They are much loved by their parents.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Desperado loves heaters
Our heater works! Yay! And just in time for a really cold week of 13 degree weather!
Sure, it smells like it's leaking gas, but that doesn't matter!
Heaters!
Here are some of my educated thoughts on heaters:
a. One of my favourite things about heaters is when you stand really close to them, so close that it feels almost like you're burning.
b. Column heaters are fairly useless. Especially if you're trying to heat a large room.
c. Radiant heaters kind of scare me. They seem like they'd catch other things alight easily. Things such as my tail.
d. I'm not sure what type of heater it is, but whatever heats Kallie's office at work is useless. On the other hand, whatever heats the lab works too well, which she likes, but other people hate.
I have had a stressful day, and now I feel much better after rambling about heaters. Yay!
Sure, it smells like it's leaking gas, but that doesn't matter!
Heaters!
Here are some of my educated thoughts on heaters:
a. One of my favourite things about heaters is when you stand really close to them, so close that it feels almost like you're burning.
b. Column heaters are fairly useless. Especially if you're trying to heat a large room.
c. Radiant heaters kind of scare me. They seem like they'd catch other things alight easily. Things such as my tail.
d. I'm not sure what type of heater it is, but whatever heats Kallie's office at work is useless. On the other hand, whatever heats the lab works too well, which she likes, but other people hate.
I have had a stressful day, and now I feel much better after rambling about heaters. Yay!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
God likes fences
God likes fences. This was clearly demonstrated today on our way back from Frankston, when we had a bit of an accident. It involved going a bit too fast around a corner that resulted in sliding, over correcting that led to even more sliding across several lanes, and driving into a ditch. Thankfully, no one was hurt, the car did not roll (although it should have given the steepness of the ditch, the way we entered the ditch, and the slipperiness of the grass), and we did not slam into a pole. But, most miraculously of all, we narrowly missed hitting a wire fence.
Seriously, there was more praising God for the fact we didn't hit a fence than for the fact that we were alive. And it wasn't so much "phew, we didn't hit the fence and wreck the car" but more "phew, we didn't hit the fence and wreck the fence. Praise God!"
After I got over the humour of nearly being in an accident, I started wondering why we all thought it was important that we didn't hit the fence. Why did God care enough about the fence that we shouldn't hit it? Does God care about fences? Yes, yes He does!
Okay, so the focus of this photo is the powerline, not the fence. That's okay. I like black and white photos =)
So why does God care about fences? Fences are used to prevent or restrict movement across a boundary, and provide a visible mark as to where that boundary is. God protects fences to protect boundaries.
So why does God care about boundaries?
Boundaries mark the end of one thing and the start of another. Boundaries are the lines that define the limit of something. When you cross a boundary, you have left one state for another. Often there are boundaries in our lives, self-imposed or decided upon by others, that we should not cross because they separate what is "right or acceptable" from "wrong and potentially dangerous". Even God has set very important boundaries for us that we should adhere to.
It's very easy and often tempting to cross boundaries, to exceed the personal limits we set. It's easy to get caught up in the moment and temporarily forget that "I should not go there". Even people who are morally and spiritually strong and very self-aware occasionally overstep the mark. And sometimes it is not clear where exactly the boundary is. It's kind of grey as to "where this ends and that begins", sort of a no-man's land that requires individual discernment as to where to draw the line. At other times the boundary can be blindingly obvious, and yet still so easy to cross. Take, for instance, Spiderman:
The picture is very blurry, but it shows Spiderman surrounding by his sleeping children and, unfortunately, his wife/mother. He crossed a big boundary that even nature detests. But let's not go there. Maybe Spiderman isn't the best example. Something very beautiful came of him doing something very bad. Well, God is gracious.
Moving on. How can we avoid crossing boundaries? This is where fences come in. Fences are important. Fences mark the boundary. It's hard to cross boundaries if you walk into the fence. In your situation, if there are certain boundaries you should not cross, then put up warning signs and fences! Set yourself some very clear limits as to what is and what is not acceptable. If you are highly likely to cross the boundary, go and set up fences that are not so easy to get over! Get other people to help you define the boundary (though be warned that their fences might not quite work for you). More importantly, sit down and figure it out with God. He knows better than anyone else what you can and cannot deal with. He knows exactly how far you can go before you have gone too far.
So why have I wasted the last half hour writing about fences and boundaries? I guess I've been thinking about it a lot lately, and the almost-accident made me start thinking about it more from God's perspective. I want to share this, partially so you can learn from it, but mostly because I need to clarify this in my mind.
So to answer the question: God likes fences because they prevent us from crossing boundaries. (Of course, this is context sensitive. I'm sure God doesn't really like you putting up fences in your heart that prevent you from getting close to Him.)
I ate too many carrot sticks. I now feel sick.
Seriously, there was more praising God for the fact we didn't hit a fence than for the fact that we were alive. And it wasn't so much "phew, we didn't hit the fence and wreck the car" but more "phew, we didn't hit the fence and wreck the fence. Praise God!"
After I got over the humour of nearly being in an accident, I started wondering why we all thought it was important that we didn't hit the fence. Why did God care enough about the fence that we shouldn't hit it? Does God care about fences? Yes, yes He does!
Okay, so the focus of this photo is the powerline, not the fence. That's okay. I like black and white photos =)
So why does God care about fences? Fences are used to prevent or restrict movement across a boundary, and provide a visible mark as to where that boundary is. God protects fences to protect boundaries.
So why does God care about boundaries?
Boundaries mark the end of one thing and the start of another. Boundaries are the lines that define the limit of something. When you cross a boundary, you have left one state for another. Often there are boundaries in our lives, self-imposed or decided upon by others, that we should not cross because they separate what is "right or acceptable" from "wrong and potentially dangerous". Even God has set very important boundaries for us that we should adhere to.
It's very easy and often tempting to cross boundaries, to exceed the personal limits we set. It's easy to get caught up in the moment and temporarily forget that "I should not go there". Even people who are morally and spiritually strong and very self-aware occasionally overstep the mark. And sometimes it is not clear where exactly the boundary is. It's kind of grey as to "where this ends and that begins", sort of a no-man's land that requires individual discernment as to where to draw the line. At other times the boundary can be blindingly obvious, and yet still so easy to cross. Take, for instance, Spiderman:
The picture is very blurry, but it shows Spiderman surrounding by his sleeping children and, unfortunately, his wife/mother. He crossed a big boundary that even nature detests. But let's not go there. Maybe Spiderman isn't the best example. Something very beautiful came of him doing something very bad. Well, God is gracious.
Moving on. How can we avoid crossing boundaries? This is where fences come in. Fences are important. Fences mark the boundary. It's hard to cross boundaries if you walk into the fence. In your situation, if there are certain boundaries you should not cross, then put up warning signs and fences! Set yourself some very clear limits as to what is and what is not acceptable. If you are highly likely to cross the boundary, go and set up fences that are not so easy to get over! Get other people to help you define the boundary (though be warned that their fences might not quite work for you). More importantly, sit down and figure it out with God. He knows better than anyone else what you can and cannot deal with. He knows exactly how far you can go before you have gone too far.
So why have I wasted the last half hour writing about fences and boundaries? I guess I've been thinking about it a lot lately, and the almost-accident made me start thinking about it more from God's perspective. I want to share this, partially so you can learn from it, but mostly because I need to clarify this in my mind.
So to answer the question: God likes fences because they prevent us from crossing boundaries. (Of course, this is context sensitive. I'm sure God doesn't really like you putting up fences in your heart that prevent you from getting close to Him.)
I ate too many carrot sticks. I now feel sick.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Sam
Dear Sam,
this is a special post for a special girl who is celebrating her birthday today!
I realise you don't like mice much. In fact, I'm fairly certain you hate me. But let's push all that aside while I share to the world some of your lovely attributes on this day when, not that long ago, you were born.
Thank you for being an awesome friend (okay, not to me but to your silly housemate, that tradie husband of yours). I can tell she appreciates it a lot. She enjoys your company, and she especially loves the really awful conversations you have together. Yes, I listen to those conversations. You can't deny that they are awful but at the same time very amusing. She is also in awe of the fact that for a small kid you're very strong. But enough of her perspective! This shouldn't be about flattery. This should be about shocking romantic poetry!
Darling Sam of skin so fair
With golden locks of elfin hair,
And laughter in those smiling eyes
Of colours like clear Cornish skies.
Oh pretty Sam, of figure sleek
And slender, with those words you speak
So tenderly of things you love,
Namely kids and the Lord above.
Sweetest Sam! How every time
I hear your name I make it rhyme
With, what else, dear precious Sam,
Than traffic jam and Yarra tram?
I hope you like it. Happy birthday Sam!
this is a special post for a special girl who is celebrating her birthday today!
I realise you don't like mice much. In fact, I'm fairly certain you hate me. But let's push all that aside while I share to the world some of your lovely attributes on this day when, not that long ago, you were born.
Thank you for being an awesome friend (okay, not to me but to your silly housemate, that tradie husband of yours). I can tell she appreciates it a lot. She enjoys your company, and she especially loves the really awful conversations you have together. Yes, I listen to those conversations. You can't deny that they are awful but at the same time very amusing. She is also in awe of the fact that for a small kid you're very strong. But enough of her perspective! This shouldn't be about flattery. This should be about shocking romantic poetry!
Darling Sam of skin so fair
With golden locks of elfin hair,
And laughter in those smiling eyes
Of colours like clear Cornish skies.
Oh pretty Sam, of figure sleek
And slender, with those words you speak
So tenderly of things you love,
Namely kids and the Lord above.
Sweetest Sam! How every time
I hear your name I make it rhyme
With, what else, dear precious Sam,
Than traffic jam and Yarra tram?
I hope you like it. Happy birthday Sam!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Helping my friend
I was having emotional problems. A good friend of mine, Arman Filat, has started doing naughty things because of issues with his family. Naughty things such as stealing the bread and having noisy parties. It really stressed me out, and not just because I was getting the blame for stealing the bread. I was really worried about Arman Filat, and the worry grew worse when I couldn't think of a way to help him. Then God revealed to me this while I was studying 2 Corinthians:
2 Corinthians 1:23-24
I call to God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.
The church in Corinth was unhappy with Paul for many reasons, one of which included his change of plans. He didn't visit them when he previously said he would. In these verses he reveals that he wasn't going to visit in order to benefit them. As a leader Paul wanted to work alongside them and help them grow in their faith. They weren't going to grow very much if every time they had a problem he showed up and dealt with it for them. They were at a stage where they were quite capable of doing things themselves, even if they were still prone to making errors (e.g. 2 Corinthians 2:5-8).
What this means if you're leading someone: Sometimes when we love someone and want the best for them we have to do things they will not like, they will not understand and they will not agree with. The church in Corinth didn't understand why Paul changed his mind, and they weren't happy with this or his previous letter. When you have spiritual authority over someone, or you are looking after someone, you need wisdom. You need to know how to act and what advice to give. You need to know when to act and when to offer advice. You need to know when to intervene, and when you should take a step back so they can deal with it themselves. You need wisdom from God. If you rely on your own wisdom, your own reasoning and your own understanding you will probably make mistakes.
Sometimes you don't need to do everything for them. You just need to work alongside them.
What this means when you come under someone else's authority: Sometimes when someone loves you they will do things to you that you will not like, you will not understand and you will not agree with. Even if you don't quite understand, you still need to submit and act in obedience.
Okay, so this is some rebellious emo kid and not Arman Filat (Arman Filat is a possum) but hey, I'm just trying to make this aesthetically pleasing.
For me this means that I can't just fix Arman Filat's problems for him. I will help him when God opens the door for me, but until then I will just pray for him and just be a good friend. Stressing over it won't help anyone.
2 Corinthians 1:23-24
I call to God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.
The church in Corinth was unhappy with Paul for many reasons, one of which included his change of plans. He didn't visit them when he previously said he would. In these verses he reveals that he wasn't going to visit in order to benefit them. As a leader Paul wanted to work alongside them and help them grow in their faith. They weren't going to grow very much if every time they had a problem he showed up and dealt with it for them. They were at a stage where they were quite capable of doing things themselves, even if they were still prone to making errors (e.g. 2 Corinthians 2:5-8).
What this means if you're leading someone: Sometimes when we love someone and want the best for them we have to do things they will not like, they will not understand and they will not agree with. The church in Corinth didn't understand why Paul changed his mind, and they weren't happy with this or his previous letter. When you have spiritual authority over someone, or you are looking after someone, you need wisdom. You need to know how to act and what advice to give. You need to know when to act and when to offer advice. You need to know when to intervene, and when you should take a step back so they can deal with it themselves. You need wisdom from God. If you rely on your own wisdom, your own reasoning and your own understanding you will probably make mistakes.
Sometimes you don't need to do everything for them. You just need to work alongside them.
What this means when you come under someone else's authority: Sometimes when someone loves you they will do things to you that you will not like, you will not understand and you will not agree with. Even if you don't quite understand, you still need to submit and act in obedience.
Okay, so this is some rebellious emo kid and not Arman Filat (Arman Filat is a possum) but hey, I'm just trying to make this aesthetically pleasing.
For me this means that I can't just fix Arman Filat's problems for him. I will help him when God opens the door for me, but until then I will just pray for him and just be a good friend. Stressing over it won't help anyone.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Art- tips for young players
Firstly, Sam, I did not steal the bread. I don't like bread. I like easter eggs and shopping bags.
Moving on. I share a room with someone weird. I can't tell you who. She will get upset. One day I came home from school to find this:
That's right. A drawing of Jared Leto. And from this angle it doesn't look too bad. BUT IT IS! YOUR BRAIN IS TRICKING YOU!
Closer examination revealed that it was actually pretty bad, and because I'm pretty good at criticising artworks I thought this would be a good time to point out some things to keep in mind if you ever take up drawing with pastels.
1. Proportion is important.
Jared Leto should not look emaciated. His pretty face should be more rounded. Being a little more conscientious when shading could have saved him from the starving orphan look.
2. Take care with fine details.
Surprisingly, this mouth is the best mouth our amateur artist has ever drawn. It isn't bad. She likes pretty mouths; maybe that's why. The nose, however, is shocking.
3. Don't cheat. It looks ugly.
Just because your subject's hair gracefully falls over one eye does not mean you can slack off and do a dodgy job. People can still see that eye.
4. Pastels are smudgy. Be careful.
This is especially important if you enjoy drawing dark haired pretty boys with pale skin. I know for a fact that our friend spent an awfully long time trying to make the skin nice (she has skin tone issues normally), and then all her hard work was destroyed by accidentally smudging black hair onto the skin. It's a good idea to use something like blank paper to protect your picture from smudging while you work. It's also a good idea to be patient, and not rush to get it finished.
Overall, the picture isn't really good enough to submit as an art piece (poor Jared Leto!), but it's not bad considering it probably only took two hours to make max. And even though I didn't show this, word on the street is the awful artist is actually very pleased with the way his neck and shirt turned out.
Moving on. I share a room with someone weird. I can't tell you who. She will get upset. One day I came home from school to find this:
That's right. A drawing of Jared Leto. And from this angle it doesn't look too bad. BUT IT IS! YOUR BRAIN IS TRICKING YOU!
Closer examination revealed that it was actually pretty bad, and because I'm pretty good at criticising artworks I thought this would be a good time to point out some things to keep in mind if you ever take up drawing with pastels.
1. Proportion is important.
Jared Leto should not look emaciated. His pretty face should be more rounded. Being a little more conscientious when shading could have saved him from the starving orphan look.
2. Take care with fine details.
Surprisingly, this mouth is the best mouth our amateur artist has ever drawn. It isn't bad. She likes pretty mouths; maybe that's why. The nose, however, is shocking.
3. Don't cheat. It looks ugly.
Just because your subject's hair gracefully falls over one eye does not mean you can slack off and do a dodgy job. People can still see that eye.
4. Pastels are smudgy. Be careful.
This is especially important if you enjoy drawing dark haired pretty boys with pale skin. I know for a fact that our friend spent an awfully long time trying to make the skin nice (she has skin tone issues normally), and then all her hard work was destroyed by accidentally smudging black hair onto the skin. It's a good idea to use something like blank paper to protect your picture from smudging while you work. It's also a good idea to be patient, and not rush to get it finished.
Overall, the picture isn't really good enough to submit as an art piece (poor Jared Leto!), but it's not bad considering it probably only took two hours to make max. And even though I didn't show this, word on the street is the awful artist is actually very pleased with the way his neck and shirt turned out.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sponge cake eaters- everything you needed to know about them
Sponge cake eater (noun):
A term, usually offensive, used to describe a person who ascribes to the philosophy of the sponge cake and searches for inherent sponge cake qualities in everything. If such qualities are not found the person will then dismiss the assessed item as intrinsically flawed and therefore of no positive value.
The term sponge cake eater cannot be applied to anyone who eats a sponge cake. A person may eat sponge cake, and possibly even enjoy eating sponge cake, without being a sponge cake eater. To be classified as a sponge cake eater a person must enjoy eating sponge cake and dislike other items because they lack the properties of sponge cake, for instance, dryness, airiness, and an over abundance of cream.
Sponge cake eater (alternative definition):
a person suffering from a medical and psychological condition with similar manifestations as above, only the person enjoys eating sponge cake and dislikes items dissimilar to sponge cake through involuntary means, such as previous head trauma or drug-induced psychosis.
Etymology:
A term with a contemporary origin first used to describe a person on the 12th of May, 2009 (click here for original reference).The term was derived from two terms:
sponge cake- a cake made from egg whites, flour, sugar and other stuff that originated by the early 19th century. It has a light, airy (and dry) texture and generally isn't the best type of cake.
eater- a living organism that consumes things.
Example of the use of the word:
Sam loved that her vegetarian cupcakes did not have a dry, airy texture. She was no sponge cake eater.
A term, usually offensive, used to describe a person who ascribes to the philosophy of the sponge cake and searches for inherent sponge cake qualities in everything. If such qualities are not found the person will then dismiss the assessed item as intrinsically flawed and therefore of no positive value.
The term sponge cake eater cannot be applied to anyone who eats a sponge cake. A person may eat sponge cake, and possibly even enjoy eating sponge cake, without being a sponge cake eater. To be classified as a sponge cake eater a person must enjoy eating sponge cake and dislike other items because they lack the properties of sponge cake, for instance, dryness, airiness, and an over abundance of cream.
Sponge cake eater (alternative definition):
a person suffering from a medical and psychological condition with similar manifestations as above, only the person enjoys eating sponge cake and dislikes items dissimilar to sponge cake through involuntary means, such as previous head trauma or drug-induced psychosis.
Etymology:
A term with a contemporary origin first used to describe a person on the 12th of May, 2009 (click here for original reference).The term was derived from two terms:
sponge cake- a cake made from egg whites, flour, sugar and other stuff that originated by the early 19th century. It has a light, airy (and dry) texture and generally isn't the best type of cake.
eater- a living organism that consumes things.
Example of the use of the word:
Sam loved that her vegetarian cupcakes did not have a dry, airy texture. She was no sponge cake eater.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
The Quest for the Hidden Treasure
Journal entry, 22nd April:
18:00 hrs. Haven't had the internets for some time now, but didn't even notice. Rumours of special treasure have occupied all thoughts. Must find treasure. Must satisfy chocolate cravings!
18:30 hrs. Start mission. Initiate Despa-cam. Relay file sequence to computer for posterity.
18:40 hrs. End transmission.
Mission status: complete.
18:00 hrs. Haven't had the internets for some time now, but didn't even notice. Rumours of special treasure have occupied all thoughts. Must find treasure. Must satisfy chocolate cravings!
18:30 hrs. Start mission. Initiate Despa-cam. Relay file sequence to computer for posterity.
18:40 hrs. End transmission.
Mission status: complete.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
My economic crisis (when I die it's Sam's fault)
With the world economy in crisis many people are left asking "can it get worse?", "when will it get worse?", "how long will it last?", "how will it affect me?" and "how will I survive?"
We can only speculate on the answers to such questions. This isn't a class test where we can go and sneak the answer sheet from the teacher's desk. No! This is real life, and we won't know the answers until we live it out.
While I hate to be a pessimist, I find that sometimes the best way to get through hardships is to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. So how does one prepare for the complete economic downfall of the world? The answer... squirrels!
Think about it. Every year they make a secret stash of goodies to get them through the times when goodies are scarce. I'm ingenious and modest, and realised this was the only way to survive. Following the Way of the Squirrel, I made my own secret stash. Actually, I had two secret stashes. I carefully hoarded baby chocolate easter eggs (only the fruit and nut kind because they're more nutritious) so when things get rough I'll be able to survive.
Sam found my chocolate caches. Sam threw them away. Sam does not understand the Way of the Squirrel. Now I'm doomed and it's all her fault. She can pay for my funeral.
We can only speculate on the answers to such questions. This isn't a class test where we can go and sneak the answer sheet from the teacher's desk. No! This is real life, and we won't know the answers until we live it out.
While I hate to be a pessimist, I find that sometimes the best way to get through hardships is to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. So how does one prepare for the complete economic downfall of the world? The answer... squirrels!
Think about it. Every year they make a secret stash of goodies to get them through the times when goodies are scarce. I'm ingenious and modest, and realised this was the only way to survive. Following the Way of the Squirrel, I made my own secret stash. Actually, I had two secret stashes. I carefully hoarded baby chocolate easter eggs (only the fruit and nut kind because they're more nutritious) so when things get rough I'll be able to survive.
Sam found my chocolate caches. Sam threw them away. Sam does not understand the Way of the Squirrel. Now I'm doomed and it's all her fault. She can pay for my funeral.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Watchmen
Tonight I sneakily saw this flick (I was hiding in a certain someone's sling). I'd heard a lot about it, namely that it was a bad movie that couldn't hold a candle to the book, but not having read the comics and liking the idea of making "realistic" superheroes, I was looking forward to it.
Despite the very graphic violence (which was kinda cool) and the numerous love scenes, I really really liked it! It had a good soundtrack (Sam would be impressed, it featured Simon and Garfunkel), was visually pleasing in a dark, film noir way (reminiscent of Blade Runner), and the way it explored the characters' stories was imaginative and awesome. I liked that the characters had issues that you normally don't see (but probably should expect) in protagonists. It was also extremely challenging in terms of morality and "the greater good" but I won't say much more so I don't spoil it for you.
My favourite character was Rorschach, the black-and-white detective who was moralistic to the point that he was immoral.
I did the quiz, and very happily for me this is who I got (no, I didn't cheat! I don't know how I got this because I tend to be easily swayed from what's right by fear and emotions):
I recommend you see this film, though if you're like Rebecca you may spend most of it with your head in your hands.
Despite the very graphic violence (which was kinda cool) and the numerous love scenes, I really really liked it! It had a good soundtrack (Sam would be impressed, it featured Simon and Garfunkel), was visually pleasing in a dark, film noir way (reminiscent of Blade Runner), and the way it explored the characters' stories was imaginative and awesome. I liked that the characters had issues that you normally don't see (but probably should expect) in protagonists. It was also extremely challenging in terms of morality and "the greater good" but I won't say much more so I don't spoil it for you.
My favourite character was Rorschach, the black-and-white detective who was moralistic to the point that he was immoral.
I did the quiz, and very happily for me this is who I got (no, I didn't cheat! I don't know how I got this because I tend to be easily swayed from what's right by fear and emotions):
Your result for The Watchmen Personality Type Test...
Rorschach
You scored 68% Moral Imperatives and 47% Attitude!
You are extremely moral absolutist.
While you unwaveringly follow a strict moral code, you often fail to demonstrate the empathy needed to make a moral decision. You find institutional forms of order unsatisfactory and oppressive and believe that your uncompromisng standpoint somehow exempts you from accusations of wrong-doing.
While some might respect your individual and steadfast perspective, be prepared for the possibility that the practical majority might find your black and white moral code unnacceptable.
While you unwaveringly follow a strict moral code, you often fail to demonstrate the empathy needed to make a moral decision. You find institutional forms of order unsatisfactory and oppressive and believe that your uncompromisng standpoint somehow exempts you from accusations of wrong-doing.
While some might respect your individual and steadfast perspective, be prepared for the possibility that the practical majority might find your black and white moral code unnacceptable.
Take The Watchmen Personality Type Test at HelloQuizzy
I recommend you see this film, though if you're like Rebecca you may spend most of it with your head in your hands.
Friday, March 20, 2009
always and never
I am always the mouse in your presence,
Sometimes funny, mostly quiet and fearful.
I saw your smoky horizon and now desire to
Distract you from that past with a new addiction:
Me.
Can you see my dark circles? Drawn to show I think of you?
It isn’t love, just sincere like, and a small frame
Huddling close to something warm in winter.
This isn’t enough to justify reciprocation. I know.
It would never, should never, work anyway.
Yet I let my mind go there
When you’re in the room
Or even when you’re away.
Or when I’m away.
Always away
And never together.
Sometimes funny, mostly quiet and fearful.
I saw your smoky horizon and now desire to
Distract you from that past with a new addiction:
Me.
Can you see my dark circles? Drawn to show I think of you?
It isn’t love, just sincere like, and a small frame
Huddling close to something warm in winter.
This isn’t enough to justify reciprocation. I know.
It would never, should never, work anyway.
Yet I let my mind go there
When you’re in the room
Or even when you’re away.
Or when I’m away.
Always away
And never together.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
I live in a bakery
I kid you not. In the last few weeks a great number of bakery goods have been made in this house.
The first baker is: the girl who plans on breeding like a rabbit. Recently she made chocolate death. I think they were meant to be the love child of chocolate biscuits and chocolate muffins. She more or less created something that is more chocolate than chocolate, and tastes good enough for you to have a massive guilt trip and die moments after taking one bite.
The second baker is: the girl who thinks she'd make a decent boy. She went through a filo pastry phase, and after she mastered the art of cooking with filo, she moved onto making scones, pumpkin scones, banana muffins and banana loaf. Previously she tried make chocolate brownies in muffin form.
The third baker is: the girl with the love-struck expression. Although this is before my time, apparently she made really yummy shortbread biscuits with icing. No doubt she'll soon have the oven fired up again too!
You're probably thinking that I am the luckiest mouse alive, living in mouse heaven. Ha! I'm on a low carb diet. I've been living on tomatoes, salad onions and green shopping bags for the last month. It's really tough living here.
On the bright side of my suffering, I'm going to have the most awesome strength of character once I survive these temptations!
Therefore, I encourage you all to be strong also.
Yours courageously,
Desperado
The first baker is: the girl who plans on breeding like a rabbit. Recently she made chocolate death. I think they were meant to be the love child of chocolate biscuits and chocolate muffins. She more or less created something that is more chocolate than chocolate, and tastes good enough for you to have a massive guilt trip and die moments after taking one bite.
The second baker is: the girl who thinks she'd make a decent boy. She went through a filo pastry phase, and after she mastered the art of cooking with filo, she moved onto making scones, pumpkin scones, banana muffins and banana loaf. Previously she tried make chocolate brownies in muffin form.
The third baker is: the girl with the love-struck expression. Although this is before my time, apparently she made really yummy shortbread biscuits with icing. No doubt she'll soon have the oven fired up again too!
You're probably thinking that I am the luckiest mouse alive, living in mouse heaven. Ha! I'm on a low carb diet. I've been living on tomatoes, salad onions and green shopping bags for the last month. It's really tough living here.
On the bright side of my suffering, I'm going to have the most awesome strength of character once I survive these temptations!
Therefore, I encourage you all to be strong also.
Yours courageously,
Desperado
Monday, March 16, 2009
Poetry and pictures on public transport
Today I was travelling to Flinders Street, because that's where teenagers like to hang out. On the train I experienced the awful horror that is "trying to make train travel more cultural by displaying awful artworks". The poems are generally awful, especially any by so-called "poets". The haikus all follow a similar structure of "placing the poem or stating an object/a line describing an action/random supposedly meaningful last line". It's all pretentious and terrible.
Oh, and then there's the children's artwork. This basically consists of an evil looking portrait similar to:
This is followed by the child's age, the title of the picture and Theme: innocence.
Innocence? How is drawing someone who is clearly deranged, dangerous and possibly possessed related to innocence? And then I realised this actually gave new meaning to innocence.
So now,
Innocence: (n) The drawing of something ugly and evil without knowing that it is ugly and evil.
Melbourne's public transport art gives me nightmares.
Oh, and then there's the children's artwork. This basically consists of an evil looking portrait similar to:
This is followed by the child's age, the title of the picture and Theme: innocence.
Innocence? How is drawing someone who is clearly deranged, dangerous and possibly possessed related to innocence? And then I realised this actually gave new meaning to innocence.
So now,
Innocence: (n) The drawing of something ugly and evil without knowing that it is ugly and evil.
Melbourne's public transport art gives me nightmares.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Hola
Welcome to my journal. This is my first post, so I'm rather excited! My inbred cousin Frankie, who recently passed away in the rain, said I was a whole lot smarter than anyone he knew. I think he's right, so I want to share my awesomeness to the whole world via the internet.
Let me introduce myself. My name is Desperado de Silva. I am six weeks old (I'm a teenager, but not like other teenagers who are silly!). My family originally came from Europe but I was born in Australia and now I live with three girls, two stick insects, and two crickets. I enjoy writing love poems, having midnight feasts and now I have discovered the joy that is the internet.
I really need to clarify something, though.
I am not a rat. I am a mouse. Yes, I am larger than average, but that doesn't make me a rat! I'm just big boned. So for all the people who think I'm a rat you are mistaken. Rat indeed! Frankie was a rat, but I am most definitely not!
I shall update more soon, and hopefully also upload some of my poems. Please read my journal and comment! (Also, to my housemates, I know you think it was naughty of me to chew the handles off the shopping bags, but I was hungry! I promise not to do it again! Please don't try to tempt me with peanut butter anymore!)
Love always,
Desperado =)
Let me introduce myself. My name is Desperado de Silva. I am six weeks old (I'm a teenager, but not like other teenagers who are silly!). My family originally came from Europe but I was born in Australia and now I live with three girls, two stick insects, and two crickets. I enjoy writing love poems, having midnight feasts and now I have discovered the joy that is the internet.
I really need to clarify something, though.
I am not a rat. I am a mouse. Yes, I am larger than average, but that doesn't make me a rat! I'm just big boned. So for all the people who think I'm a rat you are mistaken. Rat indeed! Frankie was a rat, but I am most definitely not!
I shall update more soon, and hopefully also upload some of my poems. Please read my journal and comment! (Also, to my housemates, I know you think it was naughty of me to chew the handles off the shopping bags, but I was hungry! I promise not to do it again! Please don't try to tempt me with peanut butter anymore!)
Love always,
Desperado =)
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