Tuesday, December 31, 2002
Bugs and All Things Provocative
Caught the bug. They call it hayfever here. Mine's just a small rendition of it. Under control. EaseaCold Flu tablets. Non Sedating. All Natural.
In that in between stage. Signs of recovery, yet when night falls the virus becomes a hyper active gremlin. Think the night tablets will help to calm it down a little.
Another hot night. Looking forward to a milder weather change to the mid twenties. It's been a cloudy 30 degree day. That's why I'm down with this thing and the perspiration aint helping. Just wish I had a hammock and I'll find a good twin tree and sleep under the stars. But of course there are the uninvited fleas and flies. Not a good idea. I never imagined myself saying this here, but i wish my apartment had air conditioning.
Go watch Bowling for Columbine. It's a great documentary film. Michael Moore wrote, directed and produced this heart wrenching thought provoking piece which I paid $5 for today. It's definitely worth the full ticket price. But I went in without knowing what to expect, except that it was a docu about the columbine shootings with a comic take to it. Moreover, Monday ticket prices at Nova are $5.
Anyway, I walked out of the theatre thinking to myself that this movie deserves more than just awards. Apparently it has just won some Cannes Film Festival Awards. Forgive the ignorant phrases I use here. I didn't even know who Michael Moore was until a friend told me he was a big time film maker. So, it's no film buff you are listening to here.
I wish I could rant and rave about the stuff that went into the film; the never-before-seen footage, the unlikely interviews and the fresh and unpopular perspectives. But I shall do the right thing and encourage you to go watch it. You have to watch it. If you have to miss Lord of The Rings or Harry Potter or even Sweet Home Alabama to watch this movie, you won't regret your dime. Enough said. Go watch it. Buy it. Damn it, own it on DVD when it gets out. Use it as a reminder when you are feeling irrational. Use it as a tool to educate the lesser challenged intellectuals in our midst. Use it to drive the heart and soul of the matter to the faithless, heartless and hopeless.
Like I said ... enough said. My mind is just blown to pieces.
ps: I'll just say this - I've found some new respect for marilyn manson.
chucKie
Caught the bug. They call it hayfever here. Mine's just a small rendition of it. Under control. EaseaCold Flu tablets. Non Sedating. All Natural.
In that in between stage. Signs of recovery, yet when night falls the virus becomes a hyper active gremlin. Think the night tablets will help to calm it down a little.
Another hot night. Looking forward to a milder weather change to the mid twenties. It's been a cloudy 30 degree day. That's why I'm down with this thing and the perspiration aint helping. Just wish I had a hammock and I'll find a good twin tree and sleep under the stars. But of course there are the uninvited fleas and flies. Not a good idea. I never imagined myself saying this here, but i wish my apartment had air conditioning.
Go watch Bowling for Columbine. It's a great documentary film. Michael Moore wrote, directed and produced this heart wrenching thought provoking piece which I paid $5 for today. It's definitely worth the full ticket price. But I went in without knowing what to expect, except that it was a docu about the columbine shootings with a comic take to it. Moreover, Monday ticket prices at Nova are $5.
Anyway, I walked out of the theatre thinking to myself that this movie deserves more than just awards. Apparently it has just won some Cannes Film Festival Awards. Forgive the ignorant phrases I use here. I didn't even know who Michael Moore was until a friend told me he was a big time film maker. So, it's no film buff you are listening to here.
I wish I could rant and rave about the stuff that went into the film; the never-before-seen footage, the unlikely interviews and the fresh and unpopular perspectives. But I shall do the right thing and encourage you to go watch it. You have to watch it. If you have to miss Lord of The Rings or Harry Potter or even Sweet Home Alabama to watch this movie, you won't regret your dime. Enough said. Go watch it. Buy it. Damn it, own it on DVD when it gets out. Use it as a reminder when you are feeling irrational. Use it as a tool to educate the lesser challenged intellectuals in our midst. Use it to drive the heart and soul of the matter to the faithless, heartless and hopeless.
Like I said ... enough said. My mind is just blown to pieces.
ps: I'll just say this - I've found some new respect for marilyn manson.
chucKie
Saturday, December 28, 2002
Surf's Up
I realise how dirty one gets after all that wave catching and rip riding. Imagine all the worst spots to get sand into. There you go...
This day marks the beginning of madness and sheer energy. Burnt my face (again), flipped face up by the waves and had flies licking my salty face the whole time I was out of the water. I don't care. I've surfed and I know I can kinda stand on the surf board on my first few attempts. I feel good. In control and cool.
Catching a wave has just evolved into multiple levels of meaning for me lately. For the experiences in friendship, business and social tug of war. Just had to experience what it means to literally catch one. Thanks to James A. Langteaux for inspiring me on this dimensions of waves both as a metaphor as well as an object to grasp and manipulate. Thanks to Robert T. Kiyosaki for showing me that waves are still worth the wait cos the next one might just be the one. And, of course, thanks be to God for creating the currents and the many inversions of literary devices that have entered my songs, allegories and life support anecdotes. They have kept me alive and kept me dreaming.
To those who knowingly or unknowingly rob or robbed me before, I just hope that you arrive at understanding what it means to dream and live.
Drive. Either you are at the wheel or helping to navigate. If not, you are just standing still, waiting for the bus or godot who never arrives. So drive. Or buy some of it. Feed on it. Live on it. Let the dreams and desires in you lead you on. Let them set your foot in flight. Let them elevate you. Let them overtake you. Let them overwhelm you. Let them occupy you. He loves to watch the movies of your dreams.
You better believe it. You better start reconsidering. You better start moving out of that zone. You better take control or else I might lose you. And I don't want to lose you.
Join me if you would. Get yourself to the ocean soon.
Hey Nick! I haven't lost it, I've found it back!
chucKie
I realise how dirty one gets after all that wave catching and rip riding. Imagine all the worst spots to get sand into. There you go...
This day marks the beginning of madness and sheer energy. Burnt my face (again), flipped face up by the waves and had flies licking my salty face the whole time I was out of the water. I don't care. I've surfed and I know I can kinda stand on the surf board on my first few attempts. I feel good. In control and cool.
Catching a wave has just evolved into multiple levels of meaning for me lately. For the experiences in friendship, business and social tug of war. Just had to experience what it means to literally catch one. Thanks to James A. Langteaux for inspiring me on this dimensions of waves both as a metaphor as well as an object to grasp and manipulate. Thanks to Robert T. Kiyosaki for showing me that waves are still worth the wait cos the next one might just be the one. And, of course, thanks be to God for creating the currents and the many inversions of literary devices that have entered my songs, allegories and life support anecdotes. They have kept me alive and kept me dreaming.
To those who knowingly or unknowingly rob or robbed me before, I just hope that you arrive at understanding what it means to dream and live.
Drive. Either you are at the wheel or helping to navigate. If not, you are just standing still, waiting for the bus or godot who never arrives. So drive. Or buy some of it. Feed on it. Live on it. Let the dreams and desires in you lead you on. Let them set your foot in flight. Let them elevate you. Let them overtake you. Let them overwhelm you. Let them occupy you. He loves to watch the movies of your dreams.
You better believe it. You better start reconsidering. You better start moving out of that zone. You better take control or else I might lose you. And I don't want to lose you.
Join me if you would. Get yourself to the ocean soon.
Hey Nick! I haven't lost it, I've found it back!
chucKie
Thursday, December 19, 2002
Graduation
I hate graduations. Let's get this straight. I hate it. It is boring, pretentious, uncreative and painful.
It is a time for the academics to boast about their accolades and acquired wisdom. The ones who get to give speeches are creating a stage for themselves to be that otherwise rock star position they never would have dreamed of. So what if you did spend that extra few years hanging out with the nerds at the corner of some old smelling library trying to make sense of the world according to some guy who died so many years ago. Some of them even died while making a claim to the validity of their theories.
I hate graduations. It marks the end of a chapter and the beginning of another. I hate the cliche already. Pictures. Fake plastic smiles. Even fake we-finally-made-its. Fake screams of ecstacy. Fake everything. Everyone should just go home and reflect in front of the mirror.
But this is the time where people start to seriously fear the reality of their future. Oh, what does the future hold for me que sera sera sera. Oh, shut up already! It could mean going away back home. Or the end of a short lifetime of running away.
Did I run away? Yes, I kinda did. I kinda ran away from the torture and abuse. I kinda ran away from the unneccessary blowing of my ego and cursing of my soul. How do you stay put when everything around you tells you that you'll never amount to anything? We all have our reasons for doing so. Even running away. And we should choose to respect how some of us deal with it. I may run. But you connive your way out and marginalise the lesser ones, so are we quits now?
I still hate graduations. Particularly when it was two in a row. Maybe there's the imment end to this honeymoon monastery of academic learning that breathes deep down my heart. It is the before and after effect, if you know what I mean.
But still I chose to go. Yes, it's not my graduation. But I went because I know it matters to people. I hate chocolate, some adore it. I hate so many other things but some take them like dope. So, it was what mattered to the hearts of those I love that drove me to the bigger picture. Being there, showing support, yawning in between waits, cheering like silly idiots and snapping pictures like pop star paparazzi. Having fun generally and taking a piss at the unglamorous pathetic efforts of the academics who put up a parade short of becoming a circus side show. Had a laugh cos we had to. If not the bore will drive us stiff like stone statues. How do you enjoy something that you can hardly see but hear millions of acoustic delays bouncing off the walls and ceiling of an arena? Think jumping jelly beans on drugs. It was crazy. At least for me and my senses. I was in utter pain and few can understand the tension I felt in my stomach. I could have been knocked unconscious any minute while holding my breath. Hello-O!? The arena was never built to handle the stuff you do. You need a different sound system for that dude!
So here are my congratulations in alphabetical order by first names... To Aaron, Belinda, Colin, Debbie, E-Gene, Jean, (small) Jon, Shawn and all the rest of the Melbies and Rmitians.
At least the supper was good!
chucKie
I hate graduations. Let's get this straight. I hate it. It is boring, pretentious, uncreative and painful.
It is a time for the academics to boast about their accolades and acquired wisdom. The ones who get to give speeches are creating a stage for themselves to be that otherwise rock star position they never would have dreamed of. So what if you did spend that extra few years hanging out with the nerds at the corner of some old smelling library trying to make sense of the world according to some guy who died so many years ago. Some of them even died while making a claim to the validity of their theories.
I hate graduations. It marks the end of a chapter and the beginning of another. I hate the cliche already. Pictures. Fake plastic smiles. Even fake we-finally-made-its. Fake screams of ecstacy. Fake everything. Everyone should just go home and reflect in front of the mirror.
But this is the time where people start to seriously fear the reality of their future. Oh, what does the future hold for me que sera sera sera. Oh, shut up already! It could mean going away back home. Or the end of a short lifetime of running away.
Did I run away? Yes, I kinda did. I kinda ran away from the torture and abuse. I kinda ran away from the unneccessary blowing of my ego and cursing of my soul. How do you stay put when everything around you tells you that you'll never amount to anything? We all have our reasons for doing so. Even running away. And we should choose to respect how some of us deal with it. I may run. But you connive your way out and marginalise the lesser ones, so are we quits now?
I still hate graduations. Particularly when it was two in a row. Maybe there's the imment end to this honeymoon monastery of academic learning that breathes deep down my heart. It is the before and after effect, if you know what I mean.
But still I chose to go. Yes, it's not my graduation. But I went because I know it matters to people. I hate chocolate, some adore it. I hate so many other things but some take them like dope. So, it was what mattered to the hearts of those I love that drove me to the bigger picture. Being there, showing support, yawning in between waits, cheering like silly idiots and snapping pictures like pop star paparazzi. Having fun generally and taking a piss at the unglamorous pathetic efforts of the academics who put up a parade short of becoming a circus side show. Had a laugh cos we had to. If not the bore will drive us stiff like stone statues. How do you enjoy something that you can hardly see but hear millions of acoustic delays bouncing off the walls and ceiling of an arena? Think jumping jelly beans on drugs. It was crazy. At least for me and my senses. I was in utter pain and few can understand the tension I felt in my stomach. I could have been knocked unconscious any minute while holding my breath. Hello-O!? The arena was never built to handle the stuff you do. You need a different sound system for that dude!
So here are my congratulations in alphabetical order by first names... To Aaron, Belinda, Colin, Debbie, E-Gene, Jean, (small) Jon, Shawn and all the rest of the Melbies and Rmitians.
At least the supper was good!
chucKie
Monday, December 16, 2002
The Sweetest Departure
Ben Mize is leaving the Counting Crows. I just read his post on the Counting Crows Website. It was really sweet how he talked about the band and how his departure is on good terms and how the band has been exceptionally understanding. I imagine how when I had to leave my first church, the folks were very supportive and understanding. Perhaps that was how he felt.
Then, I watched the new "Big Yellow Taxi" Video on their website. And saw the newly coloured band. And the nice hair of Adam Duritz and the band playing in the middle of some San Francisco town. And there it was, hitting me right in the deep centre of my heart...
"God, I want a band ..."
I almost cried when I said it aloud.
Three years after going out of the comfort zone alone, I suddenly felt lonely, tired and hitting rock bottom. The slope is just too steep.
"God, I want a band. Friends who love doing this stuff. Friends who will not shave each other's head off just to get to their destinations. Friends whom I can love the way I do and have them love me back the same. Friends who would not misunderstand me. Friends who know what it means to respect. Friends who would totally understand, empathise and give room for personal therapy. Friends who don't expect you to be the greatest rock star in the world. Friends who would be content to sit around a coffeeshop table and write music together but who wouldn't mind going out to the unknown to try to hit it big."
Sing, but who wants to listen anyway? They just want a bite of your chocolate bar.
chucKie
Ben Mize is leaving the Counting Crows. I just read his post on the Counting Crows Website. It was really sweet how he talked about the band and how his departure is on good terms and how the band has been exceptionally understanding. I imagine how when I had to leave my first church, the folks were very supportive and understanding. Perhaps that was how he felt.
Then, I watched the new "Big Yellow Taxi" Video on their website. And saw the newly coloured band. And the nice hair of Adam Duritz and the band playing in the middle of some San Francisco town. And there it was, hitting me right in the deep centre of my heart...
"God, I want a band ..."
I almost cried when I said it aloud.
Three years after going out of the comfort zone alone, I suddenly felt lonely, tired and hitting rock bottom. The slope is just too steep.
"God, I want a band. Friends who love doing this stuff. Friends who will not shave each other's head off just to get to their destinations. Friends whom I can love the way I do and have them love me back the same. Friends who would not misunderstand me. Friends who know what it means to respect. Friends who would totally understand, empathise and give room for personal therapy. Friends who don't expect you to be the greatest rock star in the world. Friends who would be content to sit around a coffeeshop table and write music together but who wouldn't mind going out to the unknown to try to hit it big."
Sing, but who wants to listen anyway? They just want a bite of your chocolate bar.
chucKie
Saturday, December 14, 2002
Drama
7.05pm - ETA 25 mins to Hearing Aid Foundation Christmas Party
Mobile phone rings while I drove up St Kilda Rd... it's my boss soph...
soph: Charles... Where are you?
me: er.. i'm @ St Kilda Rd, I'll be there soon...
soph: WHAAAAAT!!!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!!!! YOU'RE LATE!!!
me: ...erm, i'm kinda stuck in a bit of a jam... traffic's very heavy...
soph: YOU BETTER GET THERE SOON ... AND I'M GONNA KILL YA! ... GET THERE SOON!!! DAN'S WAITING FOR YOU AT THE DOCKING AREA...
7.10pm - Reaches Bromby St, but docking area no where in sight...
One aussie bloke walks up to me and introduces himself ...
dan: Hi, you must be charles .... i'm your trainee today...
me: oh, you must be dan. hey, sorry about the mess man, i'm in a bit of a rush here ... erm, where's the docking area?
dan: it's actually on the other side ... you gotta drive around ...
me: the other side? ok, good, i'll swing round and meet you on the other end...
7.15pm - Driving the van onto Domain Rd ... suddenly the vehicle starts trembling like it caught a cold ... reaches the corner of domain and st kilda rd ... vehicle still trembling profusely... smell of burnt rubber ... wonder what's wrong ... spots docking area ... drive up the ramp ... turn off engine... unload, setup. Ready to go @ 7.40pm.
8pm - i'm on the mobile again...
me: hi soph, it's charles.
soph: yeah, something's wrong?
me: yeah, we have a flat tyre. the front left one is gone.
soph: how did that happen? when?
me: oh, it went flat on Bromby after I turned onto the main road to get back to st kilda rd ...
soph: so, it went flat before you reached the hotel?
me: yeah, I had to drive it on a flat tyre for a few hundred metres, but it got to the dock fine, but (looking at the tyre), it's completely burst ...
soph: alright, you have to ring RACV, i'm at a function myself so there's nothing I can do ...
me: alright, I'll just do that ...
soph: ring or text me to keep me informed alright. let me know how it goes ...
8.30pm - mobile phone rings again ...
soph: hey charles, it's soph, how're things ...
me: er, i've sent dan down to wait for the RACV guy to arrive. they'll fix the tyre for us. I thot I better be mending the console and let dan sort out the van, cos they might do some dancing in between the appetizers and mains...
soph: ah, good thinking ... all right, big smile now, back to work, relax, smile, BIG BIG smile ...
me: hahaha... hey soph, um, i'm sorry about just now ...
soph: nah, that's ok, obviously you had to learn it the hard way. Always give a bit more time to set up like I said before ...
me: well, yeah ... i think i'll have to get out two hours before the function tomorrow, just to be sure...
soph: well, you'll be alright. ok, go back to work. enjoy yourself, have fun ...
me: thanks soph ...
soph: bye ...
me: see ya...
And I did have loads of fun @ the function. Here are just some of the punch lines of the night.
#1: lady in black: "well, just play a mixture of stuff. and ... make sure it's not too loud. we're from the hearing aid foundation after all ..." (reply: "hmm, i notice ...")
#2: a kathnkim kath (aka mother of a 16 year old daughter) walks up to the DJ booth and asks, "can you play stuff that's like 2000 and after? what's up with all that old stuff ..."
me: "well, someone just asked 5 mins ago for all the 70s classics... so, we'll have to wait a little before going back up ..."
kath: "arrhhhh! screw 'em. these old people! what do they know? ... you gotta have avril lavigne!"
me: "well, we actually don't. but that's a good song, we'll update our song list with that soon ..."
kath: "yeah! do it. skatr boi rocks!"
me: (in my head) "wow!"
#3: Kath again ... this time with a glass of alchohol in hand ...
kath: "hey, do you have that jackie song?"
me: "ah .... not familiar, dun think we have that ..."
kath: "no, jackie! ... jackie, jackie. ... jackie. jackie, jackie, you gotta have jackie ... you know ... the one that goes ... jackie ... lalalalalalalalaala ..."
kath's friend; "never mind her, it's ok if you dun have it ..."
me: "or do you mean micheal jackson?"
kath: (roars)"NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!"
we both end up having a big laugh ... rapport, honey... rapport!
what a night ....
chucKie
7.05pm - ETA 25 mins to Hearing Aid Foundation Christmas Party
Mobile phone rings while I drove up St Kilda Rd... it's my boss soph...
soph: Charles... Where are you?
me: er.. i'm @ St Kilda Rd, I'll be there soon...
soph: WHAAAAAT!!!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!!!! YOU'RE LATE!!!
me: ...erm, i'm kinda stuck in a bit of a jam... traffic's very heavy...
soph: YOU BETTER GET THERE SOON ... AND I'M GONNA KILL YA! ... GET THERE SOON!!! DAN'S WAITING FOR YOU AT THE DOCKING AREA...
7.10pm - Reaches Bromby St, but docking area no where in sight...
One aussie bloke walks up to me and introduces himself ...
dan: Hi, you must be charles .... i'm your trainee today...
me: oh, you must be dan. hey, sorry about the mess man, i'm in a bit of a rush here ... erm, where's the docking area?
dan: it's actually on the other side ... you gotta drive around ...
me: the other side? ok, good, i'll swing round and meet you on the other end...
7.15pm - Driving the van onto Domain Rd ... suddenly the vehicle starts trembling like it caught a cold ... reaches the corner of domain and st kilda rd ... vehicle still trembling profusely... smell of burnt rubber ... wonder what's wrong ... spots docking area ... drive up the ramp ... turn off engine... unload, setup. Ready to go @ 7.40pm.
8pm - i'm on the mobile again...
me: hi soph, it's charles.
soph: yeah, something's wrong?
me: yeah, we have a flat tyre. the front left one is gone.
soph: how did that happen? when?
me: oh, it went flat on Bromby after I turned onto the main road to get back to st kilda rd ...
soph: so, it went flat before you reached the hotel?
me: yeah, I had to drive it on a flat tyre for a few hundred metres, but it got to the dock fine, but (looking at the tyre), it's completely burst ...
soph: alright, you have to ring RACV, i'm at a function myself so there's nothing I can do ...
me: alright, I'll just do that ...
soph: ring or text me to keep me informed alright. let me know how it goes ...
8.30pm - mobile phone rings again ...
soph: hey charles, it's soph, how're things ...
me: er, i've sent dan down to wait for the RACV guy to arrive. they'll fix the tyre for us. I thot I better be mending the console and let dan sort out the van, cos they might do some dancing in between the appetizers and mains...
soph: ah, good thinking ... all right, big smile now, back to work, relax, smile, BIG BIG smile ...
me: hahaha... hey soph, um, i'm sorry about just now ...
soph: nah, that's ok, obviously you had to learn it the hard way. Always give a bit more time to set up like I said before ...
me: well, yeah ... i think i'll have to get out two hours before the function tomorrow, just to be sure...
soph: well, you'll be alright. ok, go back to work. enjoy yourself, have fun ...
me: thanks soph ...
soph: bye ...
me: see ya...
And I did have loads of fun @ the function. Here are just some of the punch lines of the night.
#1: lady in black: "well, just play a mixture of stuff. and ... make sure it's not too loud. we're from the hearing aid foundation after all ..." (reply: "hmm, i notice ...")
#2: a kathnkim kath (aka mother of a 16 year old daughter) walks up to the DJ booth and asks, "can you play stuff that's like 2000 and after? what's up with all that old stuff ..."
me: "well, someone just asked 5 mins ago for all the 70s classics... so, we'll have to wait a little before going back up ..."
kath: "arrhhhh! screw 'em. these old people! what do they know? ... you gotta have avril lavigne!"
me: "well, we actually don't. but that's a good song, we'll update our song list with that soon ..."
kath: "yeah! do it. skatr boi rocks!"
me: (in my head) "wow!"
#3: Kath again ... this time with a glass of alchohol in hand ...
kath: "hey, do you have that jackie song?"
me: "ah .... not familiar, dun think we have that ..."
kath: "no, jackie! ... jackie, jackie. ... jackie. jackie, jackie, you gotta have jackie ... you know ... the one that goes ... jackie ... lalalalalalalalaala ..."
kath's friend; "never mind her, it's ok if you dun have it ..."
me: "or do you mean micheal jackson?"
kath: (roars)"NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!"
we both end up having a big laugh ... rapport, honey... rapport!
what a night ....
chucKie
Wednesday, December 04, 2002
Full Circle
Very very and I mean, very burnt. Sunburn. My face, arms and neck that is. Had my shades on for the most part and developed some semi-permanent marvell comics make up.Think batman face. I think I need whitening cream or something.
It was a long journey to and fro and a short compact three day camp @ Don Bosco, Dromana.
Was apprehensive about the outcome, my initial responses, my attitudes, social angst and bad history of missing pieces. But none of these surfaced and I found myself sitting in the middle of the laughter - laughing, gagging and participating like before. I think the hermit kinda fell into a deep sleep. Or maybe it just died.
God sent Ted to remind me once again, for the third time this year, that this road trip is not a mistake. I took up the challenge, left the folks and dived head on with some bruises landing on the south of the globe. The trip had been bumpy and at times I wished I was home. But God's promises never waver, never fail and are always steadfast to see that it ends beautifully. On the second night of the camp, I had a specific prophetic word spoken directly to me. This is the first time it has happened and guess what? Sarah and Egene both got their dose as well.
I haven't worshipped like I did at this camp. For the most part of my church going experience here, it has been pretty short, economical and formulaic. To have a song repeated 3 to 4 times in different parts of the same service tends to drive me nuts. It's worse than karaoke. So, there I was, staring out of the worship hut into the swaying dancing trees and moving skyline, adoring, giggling and lifting up the name of my saviour like old times. The breeze glided playfully through the hut like a ballerina on skates carassing every face, hand and heart raised in worship. The trees outside ocassionally rustled in short spurts of excitement seeming to agree with the joy and respond to the longing of the hearts connected with the mighty being at work. The music was simple and succint. The worship leaders were sincere and everyone sang from the deep recesses of their honest and contrite heart. It was sheer spiritual romance. Joseph called it soaking. Think I've heard that somewhere before. Yeah, we were mighty drenched!
We missed the surf. The waves died by the time we were scheduled to leave for Portsea. At least we've had our safety beach parade. But the radical messages were more than enough to fill us to the top. So I actually didn't feel disappointed at all. There's always another time. Summer's just beginning.
So much has changed in me throughout the camp and like what Ted spoke, I am beginning to build upon a certain sense of boldness and faith - both of which involves a tremendous amount of trauma, risk and sacrificial giving. But hey, that's the way it goes and, look who's my boss.
fallen in love,
chucKie
Very very and I mean, very burnt. Sunburn. My face, arms and neck that is. Had my shades on for the most part and developed some semi-permanent marvell comics make up.Think batman face. I think I need whitening cream or something.
It was a long journey to and fro and a short compact three day camp @ Don Bosco, Dromana.
Was apprehensive about the outcome, my initial responses, my attitudes, social angst and bad history of missing pieces. But none of these surfaced and I found myself sitting in the middle of the laughter - laughing, gagging and participating like before. I think the hermit kinda fell into a deep sleep. Or maybe it just died.
God sent Ted to remind me once again, for the third time this year, that this road trip is not a mistake. I took up the challenge, left the folks and dived head on with some bruises landing on the south of the globe. The trip had been bumpy and at times I wished I was home. But God's promises never waver, never fail and are always steadfast to see that it ends beautifully. On the second night of the camp, I had a specific prophetic word spoken directly to me. This is the first time it has happened and guess what? Sarah and Egene both got their dose as well.
I haven't worshipped like I did at this camp. For the most part of my church going experience here, it has been pretty short, economical and formulaic. To have a song repeated 3 to 4 times in different parts of the same service tends to drive me nuts. It's worse than karaoke. So, there I was, staring out of the worship hut into the swaying dancing trees and moving skyline, adoring, giggling and lifting up the name of my saviour like old times. The breeze glided playfully through the hut like a ballerina on skates carassing every face, hand and heart raised in worship. The trees outside ocassionally rustled in short spurts of excitement seeming to agree with the joy and respond to the longing of the hearts connected with the mighty being at work. The music was simple and succint. The worship leaders were sincere and everyone sang from the deep recesses of their honest and contrite heart. It was sheer spiritual romance. Joseph called it soaking. Think I've heard that somewhere before. Yeah, we were mighty drenched!
We missed the surf. The waves died by the time we were scheduled to leave for Portsea. At least we've had our safety beach parade. But the radical messages were more than enough to fill us to the top. So I actually didn't feel disappointed at all. There's always another time. Summer's just beginning.
So much has changed in me throughout the camp and like what Ted spoke, I am beginning to build upon a certain sense of boldness and faith - both of which involves a tremendous amount of trauma, risk and sacrificial giving. But hey, that's the way it goes and, look who's my boss.
fallen in love,
chucKie
Sunday, December 01, 2002
Sun, Surf, Scripture
Will be away @ Dromana for a church camp. Actually it's not even the church I go to regularly. But I know acoupla friends who are there and there's this extra surf package involved that I could take up. So here I am, with only 15 mins to pack and head to ACCF for the camp briefing. According to the brochure, there's this prophetic speaker - Ted Fabiyanic, who is the main preacher for the camp. When I heard the name, I was like, fwah! - his name actually rhymes with messianic.
Cool.
I've been so tired out by the past two days - day one moving for a friend which involved a three tonne truck and driving it. Which lasted like almost 8 hours. Day two - DJing @ a lunch wedding function and all that setup and packup of big bulky equipment. Which also kinda lasted 8 hours as well. My bones are just so sore and my whole being is so numb with fatigue. But I still have a dram of energy left for that surfing dude thing. Never give up. Never say day. Incidentally, my scripture reading this morning was on diligence - Proverbs 13.
alright, time to pack up...
chucKie
Will be away @ Dromana for a church camp. Actually it's not even the church I go to regularly. But I know acoupla friends who are there and there's this extra surf package involved that I could take up. So here I am, with only 15 mins to pack and head to ACCF for the camp briefing. According to the brochure, there's this prophetic speaker - Ted Fabiyanic, who is the main preacher for the camp. When I heard the name, I was like, fwah! - his name actually rhymes with messianic.
Cool.
I've been so tired out by the past two days - day one moving for a friend which involved a three tonne truck and driving it. Which lasted like almost 8 hours. Day two - DJing @ a lunch wedding function and all that setup and packup of big bulky equipment. Which also kinda lasted 8 hours as well. My bones are just so sore and my whole being is so numb with fatigue. But I still have a dram of energy left for that surfing dude thing. Never give up. Never say day. Incidentally, my scripture reading this morning was on diligence - Proverbs 13.
alright, time to pack up...
chucKie
