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Today, K and I have been together for:

• 3 years; aka...
• 36 months; aka...
• 1096 days; aka...
• 26304 hours; aka...
• 1578240 minutes; aka...
• 94694400 seconds!

Happy Anniversary Potato Head!

Events

It's been a fun fun fun week. Tuesday night was one of the best nights out for a very long time. A random assortment of friends, some I didn't know until that night, but a lot of fun. We went to a Japanese restaurant in Chinatown, ate our meal in 15 minutes, then did that awkward walk fast, do a few steps of running until you realise you look stupid, then walk fast again all the way to the Forum Theatre to see Jason Byrne:

He was ridiculous funny. I actually have no idea how he keeps going with so much energy for two hours. I would pass out after ten minutes. Highlights included... extended vibration noises, putting a man in a suitcase and dragging him around the stage, lying face down on the floor, and swearing more than Gordon Ramsay.

Last night myself, K and some of her friends went to see Matchbox 20/Thirsty Merc. I actually wanted to see Thirsty Merc more, and I knew more of their songs so that was obviously more enjoyable. But all in all, a good concert anyway. Ironically, one of the best songs of the night was one I had already seen a few months ago, when Matchbox 20 played "Better Be Home Soon". Hooray for that.

Matchbox 20 "How Far We've Come"

ILY

Happy Valentines. I celebrated with K. I cooked apple tarts with caramelised apple slices. Jealous? ... I didn't do that well with them, so don't worry.

Also, on the bus home today, a girl spoke very loud on the phone. It went like this:
"Hey honey." (boy said something)
"How you doin?" (I imagine, "Good. Where are you?")
"I'm on the bus baby. Coming to see you."
(giggling) "Awww ILY too. Yes I do! ILY ILY ILY. Anyway I gotta go. See you soon babe. ILY."

It was about this time that I felt like breaking her phone. Say I love you. NOT ILY. It's RIDICULOUS.

Anyway, apart from that rant, twas a very enjoyable Valentine's Day, that began with playing Smartass and ended with me drinking chicken soup. You can work out how they all connected up. Best story wins?

PS. This is an amusing site I saw today. Why? Just... because.

Resolution

So it's a new year. As always, I've found myself wondering whether or not I am going to have a resolution, and if so, I refuse to have a crappy, stupid, material one. This means that if I do actually get one, it'll either be a good genuine one, which I might not even write up here, or it'll be a token 'good-natured' one. Most likely.

I might do some thinking out loud here, to deliberate over this most exhilarating of topics. (I've actually been in a massive blog avoidance/slump/rut lately. Many many many saved drafts all half written and then walked away from, usually in the hunt for Crunchy Nut Cornflakes.) To start, let's have a recap of how the years has been for me.

• Started uni. Passed uni. Win. I really enjoyed the new challenge of uni and actually doing some work, sometimes. Usually two nights before it was due, meaning I'm making very small improvements. Added to that, the best part was the people, which is generally the case with everything I do. I've made some really good friends and it's been fun having social interaction away from the usuals who generally occupy most of my social interaction. Nothing against them. I just need some space sometimes. Also, uni means I have had a lot of Cold Rock. Yesssss. I can only look forward to more of the same next year. And maybe choosing another flavour at Cold Rock to have for once. And maybe stop using these incomplete, run-on sentenc...
• Driving... HA. As if. 32 hours...ladies. Hopefully license sometime next year. Although, I did tell Mum today that it only expires in 2016. Which means, 12 hours a year to make that 120. Therefore...I'm ahead of schedule.
• The Garage. 2007 saw me leaving leading at Club Sunday, and stealing all of the boys (nothing. suss.) for the Garage. Along with MW and JC, and with the late addition of JV, I led the Garage this year. I really struggled with it in the beginning, as we went through the paces of building relationships and trust with the boys, and they went from acting up to actually believing that we were doing something cool. However, by end of year, I was loving it. Having different chats with the boys and having them so much more excited about being there and talking to us outside the Garage was really encouraging for me. From time to time, I had struggles with the leaders as well, but that's expected from any ministry or job or anything really. Next year MW/G.I. Joe leaves us and it will be interesting filling his gap. I hope the Garage only gets better, as we build further on all the progress made this year.
• Another year with K . That officially makes it 2 years, 4 months, 13 days. Let's go for another 2413. Decades.
• Friends. New ones. Some really good new ones. Breakdowns of some, with op for re-building obviously. Requires a mutual effort to fix those ones. I feel bad for not trying enough with my school mates, since I let distance and a general stereotype of what would happen be my reason for not going. I want to do better there.
• Youth internship. Loved working in the office and around the church with SA last year. Challenge for next year is to make sure I do more work pretty much.
• Faith. I'm not sure what happened with my faith last year. I think it wasn't as drastic a change as the year before, but that's because that year was the first year I ever actually bothered trying. Of course I slipped off at times then, and did again in 2007, but this year I would really like to schedule myself or try to be really intentional in not just being involved in ministries, but finding time for my own exploration, reflection and questioning. I am looking forward to a new small group, whether with new people or the same or a mix. I also think that being part of the new Veta group, and while helping them, also studying everything that they study, will be really good. It'll be interesting how it goes with my little brother in that group.
• Work. None really, apart from the delivery route (forever finished), two plumbing jobs, and a brief stint as an integration aide, which will hopefully continue next year. I also have another job lined up, which I will write about soon.
• Sport. Hardly any. The working out challenge I've been doing all year. (I might publish those pictures later. Maybe.) Apart from that, nothing, and that sucks. I need to get into a sport. Definitely a resolution for this year.
• Health. I've struggled with my skin of late, and I'm writing a blog about this that will be posted soon. I hopefully will have less problems this year, because I've started trying to eat healthier and look after my body more.
• Africa Aid. I am absolutely stoked with the way Africa Aid's gone this year, in how far we've come (granted, only four of us) together. We've made major steps towards rebuilding Africa Aid as a functioning and efficient group outside school. We still need to work on our school team, but that's already underway. We face a big challenge this year in not only raising the $30,000 but letting people know where we've been for a year, and getting the whole team working without constants instructions etc. I'm excited/scared about this one.

That's about it, I don't think I'll try to resolve anything really. It's too hard to predict how a year will go. These are just the things from last year and what challenges I face in continuing/stopping them. The exciting things that you can't predict will come later, and I'll (hopefully) blog about them. Happy New Year, I hope yours is a safe, awesome one too, and that any resolutions/challenges you set for yourself are met well.

PS. Minor resolution: Blog more? Ha.

Merry Christmas 2007

Merry Christmas everyone! The last week's been a great one of Christmas-y sort of stuff.

Christmas service on the 23rd was great. I played an elf, with much makeup. Although, I did not look so much like an elf as a VIP member of the Mardi Gras floats. Fun fun fun.

I actually enjoyed Christmas shopping this year. I did stress for some of it, but it was fun. I filled a room with balloons for a KK, bought a funny shirt, DVDs, etc. K and I also exchanged gift boxes, and filled them each with plenty of surprises. 'Twas fun.

Yesterday was spent at church in the morning, then giving presents to friends, then lunch with family, then visit to K's family, then night with K. It was a great Christmas.

I am very aware that this is a not very interesting blog, so to liven it up/keep it at its same monotone boring pace, here is a Christmas cracker joke:

Q: What lives at the bottom of the sea and shakes?
A: A nervous wreck!

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Yes. I am ashamed. Merry Christmas.

Zoo

On Saturday, K took me on a surprise date to the Zoo! It was very exciting, as I haven't been there since I was five. My favourites were the elephants, giraffes, monkeys, and wildcats. I wanted to steal them all. I would put up my pictures but... I don't know how to transfer them off my phone? Wow. A bit embarassing. Also, when I grow up, these are the pets I would like:

• Labradors
  A cat (maybe) [a wild one would be best]
• A Galapagos tortoise
• A gorilla
• A panda
  Several others

I'm not sure if it's legal to own all those. Probably.

Four Crowded Hours

Yesterday I went with K, my brother J, and K's friend J2 to see Crowded House. It was awesome awesome awesome. The only downside was that I got gastro, and so I sat with dinosaurs tearing up my insides. (Story may have been exaggerated to add dramatic effect).

They were supported by an Irish group called The Walls & Australians Augie March. The Walls were ok, I wasn't really listening. Was kinda trying to sleep during that bit, on account of dinosaurs. Augie March were like how I feel about Augie March cds. I love some songs, and the rest of them aren't great to me. It feels a bit lame to say, but truthfully, the songs I enjoyed the most where the ones everybody knows. But I guess that's why people know them - because they're the most enjoyable. Anyway. Augie March played "There's No Such Place" - which is a beautiful song that I really like - and "One Crowded Hour" - hence the title + Crowded House, and these last two performances were good.

Crowded House came on and the crowd went nuts. I didn't know most of their songs from the latest album, but that was ok. They had cool lighting and after each song, a new image or prop would be added to the background - there was a giant snake eating a man, skyscrapers that came out of the ground, a tree, a caravan, a chandelier and some stuff I can't remember.

Best bits:

• Crowd singalongs. During the really popular songs, the band would stop, or just Neil Finn would play keys or acoustic, while the crowd sang. In such a big place - Rod Laver Arena - it was an awesome sound. They did it for "Fall At Your Feet", "Don't Dream, It's Over", "Weather With You" and "Better Be Home Soon". It was coolness.
• Their keys/backup guitar/backup vocals guy also played the melodica. I love. Mum gave one to me to play when I was a kid.
• When the band went off stage, to milk an encore, a whole group of dogs got released onto the stage. They fetched something and then left. This wasn't really a best bit, but was so weird I though I should mention it.
• During the final song - "Better Be Home Soon" - Neil Finn remarked on how people used to wave lighters and now it's mobile phones. He had all the lights turned down and the whole crowd lit up their lighters or phones and waved them. It looked awesome to see thousands of lights in darkness while everybody sang.

It was a fun night, and I really enjoyed seeing some good music. I even forgot about the raptors in my intestines for a while.

Blogiversary #1

Well here we are. One year from my Very First post. Now that this blog has reached its century, it's time to take a recap of the past year of magical/sub-par posts. I will just link to a few of my blogs that I enjoyed doing, that challenged me, that others seemed to enjoy, etc etc. It's all very self-indulgent. Soon I'll do the same, but of all the other people's blogs that I read.

Blog I found hardest to write: Letter/Follow-Up
This one is a tie. In April, one of my favourite teachers ever died, and I regretted something I had not done, which was to write her a letter. I felt crap about only writing it here, I wasn't sure if it was something that should have been put on a blog, and I struggled greatly to find the words to write for it, because even now, I don't think they do her any justice at all. I also thought it was interesting that the very post just before Letter was Free. Simple. - a blog I wrote about being extremely happy and carefree... and a few days later, I came crashing back down... Life's twisted that way.

The other one, strangely enough, was the follow-up blog to the letter. I had no idea how to follow up such an open, emotive post without ruining it, or taking away from its seriousness. I joke around a lot, and write some stupid things here, but I wanted that one to be very serious. I don't think the follow up did anything good either, but I didn't want to just stop, or get stuck writing very serious blogs all the time.

Blog I am most glad I wrote: Letter

Blog that amused me most while writing:
Deliverance
30 Things I Miss About Primary School
Tetris
Funny Cos It's True (also because of my misundertanding Jono's comment as being a lecture)
Thoughts
Chain
Ramble
Ramble #2
Kid Who Ruins Primary School Games...
Depressed Ex Kids Game Show Host
Trouble in Guess Who Town
Since I laugh at most things I do/think/say more than others, I'd say most of the posts. Yes, no modesty here. You can vote on which amused you most, if any.

Blog that promised much more than I could deliver: The Standard Three/Mr. Men
Well. I liked the idea of the three wishes, but I just failed to be able to come up with stuff. And so it sits... and waits... and dies a little with every new blog I write. And Mr. Men... was just a crap idea. Ha.

Blog with the most comments: WYR #3/Duke both on 20 comments.
I think WYR #3 would have won, since Duke racked up a lot of comments thanks to the unceasing commenting of one Simon Albury, in the quest to make Duke the leader. These were followed closely by WYR #2 (18 comments), The Standard Three (17), and Wisdom From Agent K (17). Most of these are pretty silly, so out of the more serious ones on M.E., Consumption probably rates highest at 12.

I would find more categories, and put up more links, but then this would be huge, pretty much every post would be linked, and it would be already far more self-indulgent than it already it.

So Happy First Blogiversary My Everest. I hope you've enjoyed reading my rubbish. I'll leave you with this important service announcement: If my blog were a human... it would still poo its pants. Hooray!

Update

Thanks for all the birthday love everyone. Including those of you who sent messages, and don't comment on this blog. But I know you read it. Ha.

Anyway. Sorry for long break in blogging. I have now finished three major essays and am so happy that it's holiday breaks... even if only for a week.

Essays aside, in the time between last post and this, I have:

• Improved Minesweeper scores

• Performed at Church Muso's night - "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?" with K, and "Hallelujah" solo.
• ...Pooped.
• Won a giant jar full of 742 jelly frogs.

I haven't blogged due to being busy, and being quite frustrated about some things and didn't particularly feel like writing, since I'd end up thinking/writing about these. I was also frustrated at myself. So that's that.

HOWEVER! I have written up a few posts, and we will be back on track. Hopefully.

Amongst other things that might amuse you, the final Serial Drama Movie episode + Outtakes is up. It might amuse you. It mightn't. On that note, here's a movie that amuses me.

Prejudice

It has been almost a week since last post! In the time in between, I had no less than five assignments due to uni. Incidentally I also died five times. Lucky I'd been collecting mushrooms with Mario beforehand, so I was in big mode, and didn't die. Just went to small mode. Whatever.
K and I also hit two years. To celebrate, I lit some candles and surprised K, then we sang and played piano and went out for dinner. Hooray! Here is a picture from the evening:

ANYWAY. What I really wanted to write about is another excerpt from Surrender. I went to a session called "No revolutions without anger (and shallowness)" run by Darryl Gardiner - the New Zealand YFC national director.

My reason for going to this session is that 1) I had heard Darryl Gardiner before at an SYG night and 2) because I'm a fairly angry kid, and was interested in seeing how I can use my anger positively for change.

What came out of the session was:

A quote from CS Lewis is "God doesn't make Christians nice... he makes them new." That is, as Christians, we do not have to be 'nice' or to tone down what we say or do just to avoid stepping on other's toes - Christian or not. Did Jesus? No. We should not be ashamed of what we believe and stand for, while still being open that others have the right to believe and stand for as they choose too.

At present, it seems that the inverse of that - that we are made to be 'nice' - is what is reality. Like we've become sanitized and clean and pretty and worried about floral arrangments at church. The opposite of nice doesn't mean we have to go out picking fights. But it means that we are honest, as honest as can be - and not hiding who we are or what we believe for the sake of what someone else thinks. Being 'new' requires that, it requires us to acknowledge we are not perfect, we are dirty, and not try to create an image to everyone and to ourselves that we are otherwise.

Jesus was angry and he made people angry. Darryl quoted one of Jesus' most sniping comments to the Pharisees, "You brood of vipers, sons of your father: the devil." Jesus said things that stung and were not 'nice', but they were honest. Of course, don't go calling other people sons of the devil. But what I got out of it was that I shouldn't be afraid to point out something I see is wrong, even if it's to people far more 'powerful' or 'higher up' than me in the church or elsewhere in society. Inversely, I should be prepared for anyone to come and point out things that I might need to work on too. As scripture says, I should see the plank in my own eye before commenting on the speck in another's.

I know I'm not perfect, that I'm a sinner and a fool. This is a quote that Darryl gave us, from John Newton, the writer of "Amazing Grace": "I am still a great sinner... and Christ is still a great saviour." We are not made 'clean' on our own. That's what I believe we have God for.

We talked about this in Small Group, about when to know it's ok to confront, and when not to, and when to curb what you say. It's something I like talking about.

The next day, I went to a workshop/forum where somebody was talking about how angry they are at the council/elders/higher in the hierarchy people at church, and one of the panel members - Mark Sayers - said this: "To blame your problems on 'them' or 'the elders' as a group is ignorant. It's like a form of prejudice like racism, because you've grouped them without getting to understand them."

It's definitely something I should be aware of, because I find it very easy to complain and whinge and be angry about things when I probably haven't worked out why I'm angry, or made an effort to tell the people who really need to know - ie the people involved - rather than the people I usually associate with, who share mostly the same sentiments anyway. It made me understand that if I'm truly to feel angry or upset or annoyed about something, I better be able to say I've made an effort to understand why whoever I'm angry at does what they do, what they think, and an effort to explain what I believe to them.

The result is that I am not so angry at the moment, and have not so much discontent, and have already started talking honestly and openly, and importantly - in an effort to understand - which has caused me far less frustration and more hope. This is a good thing. I'm definitely glad I went to that session. I need someone to come along every so often - whether stranger, foe, or friend - to slap me in the face and make me realise what I'm doing is wrong. So, come slap me some time. I might slap you back.

Surrender

I shall not be posting for the next few days, due to extreme busyness. I wish that I could write business, and mean busyness, and not business. Comprehendo?

I'm at the Surrender Conference most of the weekend, with various engagements in between. Shall be fun. Will blog about it (Ha! Isn't that what I say about every single thing I do? ... and then never do it?) when I return.

PS. I am in the process of writing my Zero Seven blog. It is extremely hard for me to express, so be patient.

PPS. Toodleoo.

PPPS. Toodlepip.

PPPPS. Happy Bday for this weekend to: Agents K & J. Once again: Am I talking MIB or something much more sinister?

Peace amigos.

Wisdom from Agent K

"It's not change that sucks. It's the people complaining that suck."

I like.

Swear

My second 40-day challenge of the year finished last month, but I haven't started a new one yet. So as of tomorrow morning - Tuesday 5 June - K and I are starting this one: No swearing.

Now, I'm not sure how much I swear, and I don't think it's anywhere near as much as some people. But I just don't really want to, because it is so pointless, and honestly, the context in which most swear words are used is so unnecessary and useless anyway. So I am going to eliminate it. Hopefully for good. But the challenge itself ends on Saturday 7 July.

Now by swear words, I am going to go so far as to eliminate even the ones considered generally not that swear-like. Like 'crap' or 'hell' or 'poobumwee'. So it will be a little harder than first expected.

I am compiling a list of punishments that K and I must do if we swear. Here are some, and I want you to give me more.

• No tea for a week (Now you must know... I love tea. And drink about two cups a day.)
• No internet for two days
• No msn for two days
• Donate $30 to Africa Aid
• No tv for two days
• No music for two days

So yes, they are rather lame at the moment. Come up with more punishments. They can be serious or silly, I would like a mix of both. Hoorah! Good work.

Free. Simple.

Today is a good day for many reasons. It's only 2:15, but I am happy and relaxed. More than in recent times. I am a person of not drastically fluctuating emotions, but I have the occasional very high point, and fairly low point. Today is a very high point.

I started off early. Got up, exercised, played piano, sang. Things that make me happy. I sent a message to K, because today is an anniversary for us. I also got to see her last night, which is always an uplifting event. Then, driving to uni, I had a good philosophical chat with DB (Driving Buddy), who I've only become friends with this year. I really enjoy our chats, because they range from all sorts of nonsense to things of real substance, and because they're always honest and open.

At uni, I got good marks back from an essay I did in German, and afterwards hung out in the sunshine playing frisbee with new uni friends. Also fun. I'm really glad I've met new people who are so cool, there have been quite a few good new friends in my life this year - in and out of uni. Later, DB, one of new uni friends and I went to visit COLD ROCK! The greatest ice creamery in history. Basically, if you've never been... you choose from all sorts of different ice creams you may have never seen anywhere else... and then add different 'mixers', like nuts, marshmallows, wizzfizz, chocolates, toppings, etc.... and then they smash it all together, and you have the greatest ice cream you will ever eat. Today I was mature... and had choc-mint/bubblegum with nuts.

My happy place.

However, the highlight of our ice cream party was not my choc-mint/bubblegum with nuts. It was meeting an old man, who was very much like Forrest Gump. So I'll call him Forrest. He was a really genuine, nice man, who just started talking to us about peanut butter, which turned into honey, which turned into the country, which turned into beaches, which turned into his children...the navy... farming...a lake near Ballarat...where he lived...his son's failure to get a degree...some guy with lots of guns in his truck...etc. Most of his stories didn't end, but he was interesting, and loved telling us, total strangers, about his life. I quite enjoyed hearing it. Anyway, he walked out with us, and before saying goodbye, he stopped and told us to get our degrees, or if we didn't do that, to find something we love and do that. As long as we were happy. And that he wished us good, safe, happy lives. Pretty much, Forrest was one of the best elderly people I've ever met. He was a fairly simple guy, but simple is good. He seemed very free, very happy. It's sort of infectious.

After dropping uni friend off, DB and I came home, singing to Donavon Frankenreiter and Jack Johnson. Good, relaxed, appropriate music for such a sunny, awesome day. DB and I talked about relationships, etc. and how we appreciate simpler things and signs that you care, rather than presents or spent money. I think that K and I have that. DB was also talking about being frustrated at having to go to work, but more frustrated that they were complaining about having a job, when so many didn't. I don't really have a job, but relating that to other stuff, I don't have much to complain about. Life is, although sometimes stressful, really good for me. I'm alive, healthy, have a house, friends, family, money. I shouldn't be so naive as to think all this happiness can come without a little negative, to balance it up. After all, if all I had was good, I'd think it was just average and want better stuff. Also, there might be rules and laws I have to abide by in this life, but I'm very free to do what I want, if I'm willing to do what it takes to get it. I sound cliche but I really don't care, because I believe this.

So there it is. Things I'm thankful for:

• Beautiful weather
• Uni - education, opportunities, new friends
• K
• Privileges in my life
• Music
• Cold Rock
• Forrest
• Simplicity
• Freedom

That about wraps it up. After struggling with all that frustration and loserish-stuff, I'm happy. Very. That stuff will come back, but for now, I'm free of it. It can just go burn in a hole somewhere.

Here's one of the songs we were listening to. I think it's appropriate...not really the standard surf video, but the song is awesome. "Free" - Donavon Frankenreiter, feat. Jack Johnson.

300

Went to Melbourne Central today with K. First playdate in a while, which was good, because it's been a struggle not finding proper time to set aside for that. We saw 300 in Gold Class... pretty much disappeared into the giant chair. You could probably have sat a family in one of the seats.

300 was pretty good, very graphic movie. I've heard rumours about it being racist, bias, etc. Which it could be. See, the movie is about a group of 300 Spartan warriors versus the might of the Xerxian Persian Empire. However, the Spartans are pure bred warriors - noble, strong, brave. The Persians have mutants, lesbians, their leader is dressed pretty scary transvestite-esque. And they're the bad guys. So I can understand that.

Anyway, I prefered to focus on the obvious value points of the movie - honour, glory, nobility, freedom, fighting for your beliefs. Although, this fighting was with violence, which maybe I don't see a problem with sometimes... don't abuse me on that. I still haven't figured out what I believe there. I believe in Jesus, and I don't know if he thought violence was ever appropriate. Although, God did choose people to lead his people in battle.. mostly in Old Testament though. I have never been sure of the righteousness of violence, and if it's appropriate ever.

All in all, 300 was a good movie, but maybe there might have been more focus on themes and ideas, rather than a bit of that and a lot of violence. One of my favourites, V for Vendetta, managed to have violence and lots of thought-provoking stuff. But still. Go see 300. Next on my list is... TMNT (which has been getting like 2 stars). And Mr Bean. Maybe with the Garage boys.

Fire. Pt. 2

Tonight I saw Happy Feet at Donny's Free Family Film Night. Twas good, singing and dancing part was really good. Ending wasn't great, but oh well.

Anyway. During interlude, when the kids got asked questions about what had happened in the movie so far, someone decided to walk past me and K and say something about us. It wasn't malicious or anything, but this weak attempt at humour made me so instantly mad, and the fire inside just lit straight away. I said something, not directly to the person, but it was so harsh and bad. I was angry at the person for being stupid, and even angrier at myself for being angry over such a dumb thing.

I hate people saying things they think are amusing about how K and I, or any other couple choose to act in their relationship. We do not blantantly make out in a free film night at a church. Nor do we grope each other and stroke each others faces and whatever the hell else you think would be amusing to exaggeratedly say we are doing. We probably cop one of these comments every few weeks, and each time I struggle to not get fired up. So if you ever plan to do this in the future... think first. Maybe what you're saying is more stupid than witty.

That said, what I fired back was ridiculous, and hurtful, and very very poor. Everybody, I think, is capable of thinking harsh things. A thing that defines us is being able to control the expression of those thoughts, and the self-awareness to even know those thoughts are harsh and not worth thinking or expressing. I am usually able to do this. But then, tonight is an example of one of the downsides of my fire. Release of negative stuff without thought. Bad bad bad.

I don't want to do that. I don't want to voice the things in my head that don't even deserve voicing. And putting an element for my personality as a way of excuse is no... excuse. However, at least this is me being able to express my feelings. Rather than bottle. Because that would only fuel the bad fire more.

Day at the Beach

Sunday was Clean Up Australia Day! The Garage crew were put into action at Ruffey Lake Park, and it was a great time I feel. Also, I'm now in love with the park, and shall go there more often.

Anyways, after that it was off to Frankston for Mr. Digger's party on the Frankston foreshore. Twas quite a nice area, and I enjoyed Digger's 2nd Annual Bocce Invitational. When I went for a walk with K, we came upon some Christians loudly preaching on a box and handing out novelty things. I'm not sure exactly what denomination they were, apparently Fundamentalist, but I don't know what that means. They gave us one of those million dollar notes that said:

The million-dollar question: Will you go to heaven? Here's a quick test. Have you ever told a lie, stolen anything, or used God's name in vain? Have you looked with lust? Which is adultery of the heart in God's eyes. Will you be guilty on Judgment Day? If you have done those things, God sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer-at-heart. The Bible warns that if you are guilty, you will end up in Hell. That's not God's will. He sent His Son to suffer and die on the cross for you. Jesus took your punishment upon Himself: "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Then He rose from the dead and defated death. Please, repent (turn from your sin) today and trust in Jesus, and God will grant you everlasting life. Then read your Bible daily and obey it.

I don't think I like this. Have not completely worked it out, but I will post once I do.

'Million dollar' note... So does Christianity undeniably support Ned Kelly? Just wondering.

There was also a 'Smart Card' that had one of those things where you put your thumb on it and it changes colour. Well this one started red, and supposedly turned green if you were a 'good person'. The catch is... it never turns green, because the back of the card goes on to say:

Sorry... you're just like the rest of us. The dictionary says "good" is to be "morally excellent." Let's check the standard, the Ten Commandments, to see how far we fall short: Is God first in your life? Do you love Him with "heart, mind, soul and strength?" Have you made a god to suit yourself? Have you used His name in vain? Have you kept the Sabbath day holy? Have you always honoured your parents? Have you hated anyone, and therefore committed murder in your heart? Have you looked with lust and therefore committed adultery in your heart? Have you lied (including "fibs"), stolen (the value is irrelevant, includes downloading movies and burning CDs), or coveted other people's possessions? If you are honest, you know you will be guilty on the Day of Judgement. God however, doesn't want you to be sent to Hell. Jesus Christ suffered and died on the Cross, so you could go free. That's how much God loves you. We broke God's Law, but Jesus paid our fine. Then He rose from the grave and defeated death. If you repent (be sorry to God that you've violated His Law, and turn away from your sin) and trust in Jesus, God will forgive your sins and grant you everlasting life. Read your Bible daily (start with the chapter called John).

Dislike. So if you're not a Christian, you're not a good person, or at least on your way to being one? Rubbish, I know plenty of people who are better people than lots of Christians. Besides that, this sort of thing, designed to scare me into believing in God, makes me want to turn away from it. And I already believe. Irritated at it, but need to find out more and think about it more before I can post more.

Events

I have a confession, as it seems to shock a few people. No, I had never been to Melbourne Central before. Until yesterday. When I found all sorts of cool things.

I went shopping with KS for stationery (note: with an 'e'. I'm pretty pedantic) and did so, but also ended up buying new clothes. I don't like to be materialistic, but I can be. I got three new shirts, discovered a cool new shop. It's called T Bar.

T Bar, Melbourne Central: Home of cool shirts

So anyway, there's so many shirts and it's pretty much the coolest shop ever.

Also, we stopped a Smiggle to buy an awesome smelling jelly eraser and notebooks. K bought me a diary too, which I can use to finally get organised. Eventually.

I now need a job.

Postwise, I am in the process of writing 100 Things About Me, but it's taking ages and is harder than I actually thought it would be. And I've been distracted by finally learning how to play poker, playing poker, catching up with my little bro who's back from Germany, other things. But soon, it shall be done. Oh and I start the Youth Internship next week.