Thursday, July 31, 2008

Muslim mob attacks Christian School in Jakata

What morons. Totally fubar mindset. Reading it just makes me mad.

http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=12865&size=A


Gardening on the last day of July

More gardening. I'm trying to clean up the court yard. There's a big pile of industrial sand - that my dear Uncle left. Its been there for over a year or so now. A real eye sore. Its suppose to be used as backfill for the wall he promised to build for my mum a year ago.

I chucked most of it in the backyard - to act as a filler for soft depressions in the ground. I guess I could keep it around til he gets around to build the wall - in September he says. But we've waited too long already. If he needs the sand - I'd rather go and buy it from the hardware shop and use it straight away - as opposed to having that stockpile sitting in the courtyard in full view of the dining room area.

Clean a bit here - weed - sweep... I sprayed herbicide on the weeds - but as luck would have it - it rained afterwards.

I took some photos of the garden just for record keeping purposes. Most of the garden looks pretty shite at the moment. However, I got some lovely photos of the small and cute Elysiums. They grow from seed and easily produce a great many offspring. They come in various colors. At one stage our entire garden was covered with the pure white variety - which looked dissatisfying - like moss. However, the purple+white types look very sweet. Here's a photo of them.

Why Democracy and a free press doesn't exist in America

That's a bit of hyperbole there. But to large degree - America, the West, etc.. does not have a free press. Most of the press, journalists in the west are largely liberals and pre-disposed to socialism and communism.

And so... when a politician whom they favor - be it JFK's affair with Marilyn Monroe, or John Edward's love child with an adoring film maker - the "press" shut up about it.

Quite remarkable how self-censorship exists in what we would consider liberal democracies.

Click on the link below for more details: Tim Blair.

I was at a seminar sometime back - when a journalist recountered how one of her articles was rewritten by her editors - and how she sat back and did not report or sue. Her reason - fear of being ostracised by the editors, their friends, and being blackmarked in the industry.

I find it bemusing that the same cohort of journalists can write horrible stuff about a political leader - say, the President of the United States - because his political views are conservative - and yet, criticism of their own is effectively denied.


Sermons, hypnotism, and living the Christian life

Some thoughts of mine on sermons, revival meetings, etc..

Have you ever got the feeling of being strong armed during those some of church meetings?

You have a person standing up there - yelling at you or using a lot of rhetoric and brow beating to cajole you to put up your hand, come to the front, to be prayed for? etc... Frankly, where is the Spirit of God moving in those instances? Soft light, light music, a mesmerizing speaker ... doesn't that add up to man made conversions?

Lately, I saw some documentaries which talk about hypnosis and motivational speakers - and I see a remarkable similarity the world and how some sections of the church operate. In particular, I was disturbed how one hypnotist laid his hands on members of the audience - and they fell down - similar to how we see people falling over in church.

Hey, maybe it is God's will to reach out to certain sections of the community this way; humanity is diverse afterall.

I'm sure missionaries would reach out to Eskimos a different way than they would to a city crowd.

And please I'm not knocking all forms of pentecostal and evangalical modes of operation. Good Lord, I don't to commit the unforgivable sin and lump the works of God to the works of humans.

But yet I address this message to Christians. Is how the church operates today - worthy of God? And can we change it to be better and more aligned with the Spirit of God rather than the spirit of men? Its worth thinking about thoughtfully.

Here's something for Christians to think about. Do you know how the great magnificent Cathedrals in Europe were built - including the awesome Church of St Peter in Rome? Many of them were built using funds raised from the sale of indulgences.

A bit sad don't you think?

Elysium - one of the most pretty flowers in my garden

More gardening. I'm trying to clean up the court yard. There's a big pile of industrial sand - that my dear Uncle left. Its been there for over a year or so now. A real eye sore. Its suppose to be used as backfill for the wall he promised to build for my mum a year ago.

I chucked most of it in the backyard - to act as a filler for soft depressions in the ground. I guess I could keep it around til he gets around to build the wall - in September he says. But we've waited too long already. If he needs the sand - I'd rather go and buy it from the hardware shop and use it straight away - as opposed to having that stockpile sitting in the courtyard in full view of the dining room area.

Clean a bit here - weed - sweep... I sprayed herbicide on the weeds - but as luck would have it - it rained afterwards.

I took some photos of the garden just for record keeping purposes. Most of the garden looks pretty shite at the moment. However, I got some lovely photos of the small and cute Elysiums. They grow from seed and easily produce a great many offspring. They come in various colors. At one stage our entire garden was covered with the pure white variety - which looked dissatisfying - like moss. However, the purple+white types look very sweet. Here's a photo of them.

Actually, if they didn't look so pretty - they'd be consider weeds. They grow literally everywhere.

Why Democracy and a free press doesn't exist in America

That's a bit of hyperbole there. But to large degree - America, the West, etc.. does not have a free press. Most of the press, journalists in the west are largely liberals and pre-disposed to socialism and communism.

And so... when a politician whom they favor - be it JFK's affair with Marilyn Monroe, or John Edward's love child with an adoring film maker - the "press" shut up about it.

Quite remarkable how self-censorship exists in what we would consider liberal democracies.

Click on the link below for more details: Tim Blair.

I was at a seminar sometime back - when a journalist recountered how one of her articles was rewritten by her editors - and how she sat back and did not report or sue. Her reason - fear of being ostracised by the editors, their friends, and being blackmarked in the industry.

I find it bemusing that the same cohort of journalists can write horrible stuff about a political leader - say, the President of the United States - because his political views are conservative - and yet, criticism of their own is effectively denied.

 

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Gardening on the last day of July

More gardening. I'm trying to clean up the court yard. There's a big pile of industrial sand - that my dear Uncle left. Its been there for over a year or so now. A real eye sore. Its suppose to be used as backfill for the wall he promised to build for my mum a year ago.

I chucked most of it in the backyard - to act as a filler for soft depressions in the ground. I guess I could keep it around til he gets around to build the wall - in September he says. But we've waited too long already. If he needs the sand - I'd rather go and buy it from the hardware shop and use it straight away - as opposed to having that stockpile sitting in the courtyard in full view of the dining room area.

Clean a bit here - weed - sweep... I sprayed herbicide on the weeds - but as luck would have it - it rained afterwards.

I took some photos of the garden just for record keeping purposes. Most of the garden looks pretty shite at the moment. However, I got some lovely photos of the small and cute Elysiums. They grow from seed and easily produce a great many offspring. They come in various colors. At one stage our entire garden was covered with the pure white variety - which looked dissatisfying - like moss. However, the purple+white types look very sweet. Here's a photo of them.

Why Democracy and a free press doesn't exist in America

That's a bit of hyperbole there. But to large degree - America, the West, etc.. does not have a free press. Most of the press, journalists in the west are largely liberals and pre-disposed to socialism and communism.

And so... when a politician whom they favor - be it JFK's affair with Marilyn Monroe, or John Edward's love child with an adoring film maker - the "press" shut up about it.

Quite remarkable how self-censorship exists in what we would consider liberal democracies.

Click on the link below for more details: Tim Blair.

I was at a seminar sometime back - when a journalist recountered how one of her articles was rewritten by her editors - and how she sat back and did not report or sue. Her reason - fear of being ostracised by the editors, their friends, and being blackmarked in the industry.

I find it bemusing that the same cohort of journalists can write horrible stuff about a political leader - say, the President of the United States - because his political views are conservative - and yet, criticism of their own is effectively denied.


Sermons, hypnotism, and living the Christian life

Some thoughts of mine on sermons, revival meetings, etc..

Have you ever got the feeling of being strong armed during those some of church meetings?

You have a person standing up there - yelling at you or using a lot of rhetoric and brow beating to cajole you to put up your hand, come to the front, to be prayed for? etc... Frankly, where is the Spirit of God moving in those instances? Soft light, light music, a mesmerizing speaker ... doesn't that add up to man made conversions?

Lately, I saw some documentaries which talk about hypnosis and motivational speakers - and I see a remarkable similarity the world and how some sections of the church operate. In particular, I was disturbed how one hypnotist laid his hands on members of the audience - and they fell down - similar to how we see people falling over in church.

Hey, maybe it is God's will to reach out to certain sections of the community this way; humanity is diverse afterall.

I'm sure missionaries would reach out to Eskimos a different way than they would to a city crowd.

And please I'm not knocking all forms of pentecostal and evangalical modes of operation. Good Lord, I don't to commit the unforgivable sin and lump the works of God to the works of humans.

But yet I address this message to Christians. Is how the church operates today - worthy of God? And can we change it to be better and more aligned with the Spirit of God rather than the spirit of men? Its worth thinking about thoughtfully.

Here's something for Christians to think about. Do you know how the great magnificent Cathedrals in Europe were built - including the awesome Church of St Peter in Rome? Many of them were built using funds raised from the sale of indulgences.

A bit sad don't you think?

Perisher Blue




View of Perisher Blue - one of the best ski resorts in Australia. Great skiing - and its close to the mountain towns where you can get cheaper accommodation.

Perisher Blue Ski Trip 2005




Trip up to the ski resort at Perisher Blue in 2005. I don't do this often enough though. Need to make more friends. lol.

Sermons, hypnotism, and living the Christian life

Some thoughts of mine on sermons, revival meetings, etc..

Have you ever got the feeling of being strong armed during those some of church meetings?

You have a person standing up there - yelling at you or using a lot of rhetoric and brow beating to cajole you to put up your hand, come to the front, to be prayed for? etc... Frankly, where is the Spirit of God moving in those instances? Soft light, light music, a mesmerizing speaker ... doesn't that add up to man made conversions?

Lately, I saw some documentaries which talk about hypnosis and motivational speakers - and I see a remarkable similarity the world and how some sections of the church operate. In particular, I was disturbed how one hypnotist laid his hands on members of the audience - and they fell down - similar to how we see people falling over in church.

Hey, maybe it is God's will to reach out to certain sections of the community this way; humanity is diverse afterall.

I'm sure missionaries would reach out to Eskimos a different way than they would to a city crowd.

And please I'm not knocking all forms of pentecostal and evangalical modes of operation. Good Lord, I don't to commit the unforgivable sin and lump the works of God to the works of humans.

But yet I address this message to Christians. Is how the church operates today - worthy of God? And can we change it to be better and more aligned with the Spirit of God rather than the spirit of men? Its worth thinking about thoughtfully.

Here's something for Christians to think about. Do you know how the great magnificent Cathedrals in Europe were built - including the awesome Church of St Peter in Rome? Many of them were built using funds raised from the sale of indulgences.

A bit sad don't you think?

Gardening in Australia

One problem perhaps underestimated by Singaporeans / Malaysians who purchase a bungalow in Australia - is the amount of maintenance that has to be done on it on a weekly if not daily basis. One big problem of sorts is the garden.

Its hard work especially with large gardens - and if your heart is not in it - or you adopt the wrong approach - it can be sheer hell.

I just had a hedge pruning gardening crew come over and trim my pine tree hedge in my backyard. Normally its suppose to be done on a monthly or quarterly basis - you also have to have the right sort of equipment for this job - definitely not shearers which is sooooo old school.

The gardeners had this marvelous hedge pruner - which could give a vertical cut to the tree. Beautiful and fast! Its like someone used a shaver on them.

Unfortunately because the hedges have not pruned in like a hundred years... actually about 5 - years, a lot of die back has occurred. Meaning, the core parts of the tree are dead due to lack of sunlight as the new growth blocks the light out.

So its looks fairly brown and yucky. Apparently, it will take about a month or maybe less for the green to come back.

Oh and it cost about AUD$400 to hire the 4 gardeners to do the job.

Maybe I should just chop them all down.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Gardening, Christianity and all of that...

Mmmm... I have spent a few days out in my garden - and had a good look around.

Checking out to see what is working, what's not, and what can be done to make certain places better.

I had to remove some wood planks which we use for edging (to create a border) because the wood looked rotten. And sure enough, there were termites in it. Thankfully, one of my neighbors had a big yellow skip (an industrial trash bin which is hired commercially for a few days) for me to dispose of it.

The garden is very big. Its about 30m x 30m.

more to follow later...

Poppy Seed Tea can kill you

Junkies here in Australia are buying poppy seeds from supermarkets and grocery shops to make opium tea.

A few died from overdoses. A good example of the Darwin Effect.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24090561-2,00.html

Gardening in Australia

One problem perhaps underestimated by Singaporeans / Malaysians who purchase a bungalow in Australia - is the amount of maintenance that has to be done on it on a weekly if not daily basis. One big problem of sorts is the garden.

Its hard work especially with large gardens - and if your heart is not in it - or you adopt the wrong approach - it can be sheer hell.

I just had a hedge pruning gardening crew come over and trim my pine tree hedge in my backyard. Normally its suppose to be done on a monthly or quarterly basis - you also have to have the right sort of equipment for this job - definitely not shearers which is sooooo old school.

The gardeners had this marvelous hedge pruner - which could give a vertical cut to the tree. Beautiful and fast! Its like someone used a shaver on them.

Unfortunately because the hedges have not pruned in like a hundred years... actually about 5 - years, a lot of  die back has occurred. Meaning, the core parts of the tree are dead due to lack of sunlight as the new growth blocks the light out.

So its looks fairly brown and yucky. Apparently, it will take about a month or maybe less for the green to come back.

Oh and it cost about AUD$400 to hire the 4 gardeners to do the job.

Maybe I should just chop them all down.

Gardening in Australia

One problem perhaps underestimated by Singaporeans / Malaysians who purchase a bungalow in Australia - is the amount of maintenance that has to be done on it on a weekly if not daily basis. One big problem of sorts is the garden.

Its hard work especially with large gardens - and if your heart is not in it - or you adopt the wrong approach - it can be sheer hell.

I just had a hedge pruning gardening crew come over and trim my pine tree hedge in my backyard. Normally its suppose to be done on a monthly or quarterly basis - you also have to have the right sort of equipment for this job - definitely not shearers which is sooooo old school.

The gardeners had this marvelous hedge pruner - which could give a vertical cut to the tree. Beautiful and fast! Its like someone used a shaver on them.

Unfortunately because the hedges have not pruned in like a hundred years... actually about 5 - years, a lot of die back has occurred. Meaning, the core parts of the tree are dead due to lack of sunlight as the new growth blocks the light out.

So its looks fairly brown and yucky. Apparently, it will take about a month or maybe less for the green to come back.

Oh and it cost about AUD$400 to hire the 4 gardeners to do the job.

Maybe I should just chop them all down.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Motherhood and the Disabled Child

One thing I dread is becoming a father to a severely mentally disabled child, or physically handicapped. I feel very sad for such people as it will be practically impossible for them to develop fully into a functioning human being - and one day leave the care of their parents and eventually care for them.

You can sugar coat it in many ways. But the awful truth remains. Its not all there. I think the true heroes are the people who look at their child - and say, "I know you will never understand me. But despite of what you are - I am still your parent - and I love you nonetheless."

One columnist has written about her frustration of bearing such a child. Couldn't take it - and gave the child away. However her reaction and attitude to the whole tragedy however seems frighteningly cold. And she's moved on... perhaps a bit too fast.

Something is wrong here. Another columnist isn't happy jan with her. Read her comments here.

I think the whole affair speaks volumes of our narcissistic self-absorbed meritocratic culture.





Ski Season Melbourne

Snow. Soft White Fluffy Power. Hot cups of coco. Standing by the handmade stone fireplace in a cosy house whilst outside its snowing and snowing and snowing. The whole land is covered in white. You can see the green tips of the pine trees and in the distance are snow capped mountains.

If things were different. That's where I'd be now. Sitting in a bed sofa next to a frosted window. Just gazing.

No need for strife. Everything is settled and in order. No quarrels or fights. Everything is beautiful.

Snow dreaming... http://www.news.com.au/travel/gallery/0,26362,5032439-5012968-1,00.html

Whale Shark Documentary

Provocative. I don't particularly like the jib against Chinese. Afterall, the Europeans and Americans had massive whaling fleets which slaughtered thousands of whales for their blubber and bones in the 18th and 19th century. But lets blame the Asians now shall we :)


Anyways, its a beautiful and sad video. Whilst I wouldn't donate money to the organization as I don't know how they use the money - its worth refraining from eating shark fin soup and whale meat, etc..

Motherhood and the Disabled Child

One thing I dread is becoming a father to a severely mentally disabled child, or physically handicapped. I feel extreme sadness for such people as it will be practically impossible for them to develop fully into a functioning human being - and one day leave the care of their parents and eventually care for them.

You can sugar coat it in many ways. But the awful truth remains. Its not all there. I think the true heroes are the people who look at their child - and say, "I know you will never understand me. But despite of what you are - I am still your parent - and I love you nonetheless."

One columnist has written about her frustration of bearing such a child. Couldn't take it - and gave the child away. However her reaction and attitude to the whole tragedy however seems frighteningly cold. And she's moved on... perhaps a bit too fast.

Something is wrong here. Another columnist isn't happy jan with her. Read her comments here.

I think the whole affair speaks volumes of our narcissistic self-absorbed meritocratic culture.





Sunday, July 27, 2008

Snow Dreaming

Snow. Soft White Fluffy Power. Hot cups of coco.

Standing by the handmade stone fireplace in a cosy house.
 
Meanwhile outside its snowing and snowing and snowing.

The whole land is covered in white.

You can see the green tips of the pine trees and in the distance are snow capped mountains.
If things were different. That's where I'd be now. Sitting in a bed sofa next to a frosted window. Just gazing.

No need for strife. Everything is settled and in order. No quarrels or fights. Everything is beautiful.

Snow dreaming... http://www.news.com.au/travel/gallery/0,26362,5032439-5012968-1,00.html

Whale Shark Documentary

Provocative. I don't particularly like the jib against the Chinese. Afterall, the Europeans and Americans had massive whaling fleets which slaughtered thousands of whales for their blubber and bones in the 18th and 19th century. But lets blame the Asians now shall we :)

Anyways, its a beautiful and sad video. Whilst I wouldn't donate money to the organization as I don't know how they use the money - its worth refraining from eating shark fin soup and whale meat, etc..

Motherhood and the Disabled Child

One thing I dread is becoming a father to a severely mentally disabled child, or physically handicapped. I feel very sad for such people as it will be practically impossible for them to develop fully into a functioning human being - and one day leave the care of their parents and eventually care for them.

You can sugar coat it in many ways. But the awful truth remains. Its not all there. I think the true heroes are the people who look at their child - and say, "I know you will never understand me. But despite of what you are - I am still your parent - and I love you nonetheless."

One columnist has written about her frustration of bearing such a child. Couldn't take it - and gave the child away. However her reaction and attitude to the whole tragedy however seems frighteningly cold. And she's moved on... perhaps a bit too fast.

Something is wrong here. Another columnist isn't happy jan with her. Read her comments here.

I think the whole affair speaks volumes of our narcissistic self-absorbed meritocratic culture.





Ski Season Melbourne

Snow. Soft White Fluffy Power. Hot cups of coco. Standing by the handmade stone fireplace in a cosy house whilst outside its snowing and snowing and snowing. The whole land is covered in white. You can see the green tips of the pine trees and in the distance are snow capped mountains.

If things were different. That's where I'd be now. Sitting in a bed sofa next to a frosted window. Just gazing.

No need for strife. Everything is settled and in order. No quarrels or fights. Everything is beautiful.

Snow dreaming... http://www.news.com.au/travel/gallery/0,26362,5032439-5012968-1,00.html

Whale Shark Documentary

Provocative. I don't particularly like the jib against Chinese. Afterall, the Europeans and Americans had massive whaling fleets which slaughtered thousands of whales for their blubber and bones in the 18th and 19th century. But lets blame the Asians now shall we :)


Anyways, its a beautiful and sad video. Whilst I wouldn't donate money to the organization as I don't know how they use the money - its worth refraining from eating shark fin soup and whale meat, etc..

Saturday, July 26, 2008

The Last Days and boring sermons that make you wish Jesus came sooner...

I was at a lunch recently where my lunch buddy looked me straight in the eye and said, "I think Jesus is coming soon. Its the Last Days!" referring to the apoloclypic events in the Book of Revelation when Satan comes down and brands people on the head with his marque.

Well... maybe.

But consider this. How bad can it get?

Could it be worse than the Mongol invasion in the 13th century which resulted in the genocide of several races and cultures and the deaths of millions of people?

The Bubonic Plague? The Black Death
that wiped out half of Europe and goodness knows how many others in the rest of the world?

What about the Inquisition, the French Revolution, the capture of Constantinople by the Muslims, the Holocaust, the Japanese Occupation in the 1940s, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Stalin's Gulag, Mao's Great Leap Backwards, and having to sit through yet another boring sermon that doesn't seem to end??? I mean, oh, the humanity!!!

Just kidding.

But seriously, imagine you were in that situation. And having to endure what horrors those people went through. Imagine going back there in a Time Machine ... say Austerwitz in 1944 and telling them - Hey, chill bro, don't worry! It could be worse, it could be the Last Days!!

I'd reckon they'd would give you a beating you wouldn't forget.

I think the reality is that- whilst its good to ponder perhaps briefly about the Book of Revelation - and the Last Days - you might consider that all our days on earth are numbered. (Except for me, cos I'm an immortal, but I digress) One day, you will face your Last Day. And whilst you are here on Earth, you try and make it a better place for your family, friends, and neighbors.

Pray for Iraq. Pray for Africa. Pray for the person who lives down the street who has cancer. Pray for stubborn, stupid obnoxious relatives that the Evil Satan put here on Earth to torment you. And pray that God will use you to make things better.

Hence the phrase coined by Jesus - Be the Salt and Light of the World.

Small acts of kindess are miracles in this cruel world. Trying to show kindness to someone who doesn't deserve it - is truly an Act of God.

Contentment and Common Sense

I used to think that education would help you be more intelligent - help you think properly.

But in a lot of instances- education (I'm not talking about hard technical education like medicine, motor mechanics, engineering, math) - is an indoctrination exercise.

The teachers try and make their students think like them, to share their own bias and prejudice.

Whats not taught - is how to think intelligently with logic and with understanding of the context.

Its too easy to look at a problem in a superficial way and pronounce judgement. Its harder to think deeply about the issues and render a careful, wise response. (And unfortunately, since most people are shallow - making wise decisions will probably get you rejected).

It is my misfortune to have to encounter really dumb people who on the surface seem fairly sane and smart. One particular example is a person who has it all. Blessed with a good family, total 300% financial security, a great place to live - its like Eden meets the Playboy Mansion.

Yet, through plain stupidity created by a desire for "face", pride in other words, this person is on the verge of losing it all. Just does not have contentment.

Unfathomable. Baffling.

Frankly, I find it totally sickening, repulsive, abhorent. Totally disgusting. Thinking about it for any length of time just spoils my day.

In the Bible its written that some people are blessed with riches, wealth - but unfortunately, not with common sense and contentment. A grave tragedy.

They keep on struggling and striving, fighting against unseen demons, threats, when in actual fact, they are just fighting with themselves.

To them - the grass is always greener on the other side. And they despise what they have to seek what they can't obtain.

Its no shame to admit that somethings are beyond your capabilities. That you are out of your depth. In fact, its a good thing; otherwise, people will be jumping off buildings attempting to fly like an eagle but end up crashing like a sack of rotten tomatoes.

Common sense would usually steer us from that leap of faith.

Wisdom would help us locate the elevator.

Contentment would help us avoid getting up onto the stupid mountain in the first place.


Eating Eggs (Including the Yolk) is healthy for you

Surprise. Surprise. Apparently consuming egg yolk does not increase your level of cholesterol.

I watch a test where the cholesterols readings was done on an athlete who consumed over 10 eggs a day - but not fried of course. He ate them by blending them into a drink. Despite this. his cholesterol readings were very healthy.

It might sound ikky to you - and me too! I prefer mine soft boiled with a dash of pepper and soya sauce. Or soft medium done and used in a sandwich like pate with vegemite and alfa sprouts etc..

I think the main problem about eating egg (and the potato) is the way we cook them. If we fry them, its not good. But if we boil them or steam them - without adding too much salt or none at all - then its totally fine.

Anyways, you can read more information about the healthy nutrient benefits of eating eggs here.

http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/Egg_Yolk.html


BTW, this beautiful photo of an egg was taken from Google images. Not taken by me!


Friday, July 25, 2008

The Last Days and boring sermons that make you wish Jesus came sooner...

I was at a lunch recently where my date looked me straight in the eye and said, "I think Jesus is coming soon. Its the Last Days!" referring to the apoloclypic events in the Book of Revelation when Satan comes down and brands people on the head with his marque.

Well... maybe.

But consider this. How bad can it get? Could it be worse than being in a besieged city during a Mongol invasion? The Bubonic Plague? The Black Death that wiped out half of Europe and goodness knows how many others in the rest of the world?

What about the Inquisition brought to you by fellow Christians, the French Revolution by democrats, the capture of Constantinople by the Muslims, the Nazi Holocaust, the Japanese Occupation in the 1940s, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Stalin's bloody reign of terror, Mao's Great Leap Backwards, and having to sit through yet another boring sermon that doesn't seem to end??? I mean, oh, the humanity!!!

Just kidding.

But seriously, imagine you were there.  And having to endure what horrors those people went through. Wait, imagine going back there in a Time Machine ... say Auschwitz in 1944 or the Persecution in ancient Rome and telling them - Hey, chill bro, don't worry! It could be worse, it could be... (pause for dramatic effect)... the Last Days!!

I reckon they'd would give you a beating you wouldn't forget.

I think whilst its good to ponder perhaps briefly about the Book of Revelation - and the Last Days - you might consider that all our days on earth are numbered. (Except for me, cos I'm an immortal, but I digress) One day, you will face your Last Day, hopefully lying peacefully in a hospital bed with your loved ones around you. And so with that in mind - whilst you are here on Earth, try and do good and make it a better place for your family, friends, and neighbors.

Pray for your family. Pray for Iraq. Pray for Africa. Pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in the Muslim world where they face terrible persecution daily. Pray for the person who lives down the street who has cancer. Pray for the stubborn, stupid obnoxious relatives that the Evil Satan put here on Earth to torment you. (lol :^) And pray that God will use you to make things better. Hence the phrase coined by Jesus - Be the Salt and Light of the World.

Small acts of kindness are miracles in this indifferent world. Trying to show kindness to someone who doesn't deserve it - is truly an Act of God.

Trying to do the right moral thing in the face of persecution takes more than just courage; its requires the Spirit of God. And that is what I would call - doing the Will of God.

Contentment and Common Sense

I used to think that education would help you be more intelligent - help you think properly.

But in a lot of instances- education (I'm not talking about hard technical education like medicine, motor mechanics, engineering, math) - is an indoctrination exercise.

The teachers try and make their students think like them, to share their own bias and prejudice.

Whats not taught - is how to think intelligently with logic and with understanding of the context.

Its too easy to look at a problem in a superficial way and pronounce judgement. Its harder to think deeply about the issues and render a careful, wise response. (And unfortunately, since most people are shallow - making wise decisions will probably get you rejected).

It is my misfortune to have to encounter really dumb people who on the surface seem fairly sane and smart. One particular example is a person who has it all. Blessed with a good family, total 300% financial security, a great place to live - its like Eden meets the Playboy Mansion.

Yet, through plain stupidity created by a desire for "face", pride in other words, this person is on the verge of losing it all. Just does not have contentment. Its like seeing Eve get thrown out of The Garden - then miraculously get forgiven and brought back in the next day - and then going straight back and eating from the same damn tree again. "OOOOhh... trust me I know what I'm doing."

WTF?? Unfathomable. Baffling.

Frankly, I find it totally sickening, repulsive, abhorrent. Totally disgusting. Thinking about it for any length of time just spoils my day.

In the Bible its written that some people are blessed with riches, wealth - but unfortunately, not with common sense and contentment. A grave tragedy.

They keep on struggling and striving, fighting against unseen demons, threats, when in actual fact, they are just fighting with themselves.

To them - the grass is always greener on the other side. And they despise what they have to seek what they can't obtain.

Its no shame to admit that somethings are beyond your capabilities. That you are out of your depth. In fact, its a good thing; otherwise, people will be jumping off buildings attempting to fly like an eagle but end up crashing like a sack of rotten tomatoes.

Common sense would usually steer us from that leap of faith.

Wisdom would help us locate the elevator.

Contentment would help us avoid getting up onto the stupid mountain in the first place.

Update: Of course, I'm not poohing on discoveries, new inventions etc.. Sitting back on our bums and doing bugger all is not what I'm advocating either. What I'd like to see is a more balanced way at looking at things eschewing extremist and overtly risky measures.




Eating Eggs (Including the Yolk) is healthy for you

Surprise. Surprise. Apparently consuming egg yolk does not increase your level of cholesterol.

I saw a test where the cholesterol readings was done on an athlete who had over 10 eggs a day - not fried of course. He ate them by blending them into a drink. Despite this, his cholesterol readings were very healthy.

Eating raw eggs might sound ikky to you - and me too! I prefer mine soft boiled with a dash of pepper and soya sauce - eaten by dunking multigrain brown bread. Or soft medium done and used in a sandwich like pate with vegemite and alfa sprouts etc.. There's plenty of good taste in them if they are softly cooked. I don't like eating them if they are hard.

I think the main problem about eating egg (and the potato) is the way we cook them. If we fry them, that's just plain unhealthy. But if we boil them or steam them - without adding too much salt or none at all - then its totally fine. And makes for a healthy snack.

Anyways, you can read more information about the healthy nutrient benefits of eating eggs here.

http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/Egg_Yolk.html


BTW, this beautiful photo of the egg was taken from eggsandgreens. Not taken by me!


The Last Days and boring sermons that make you wish Jesus came sooner...

I was at a lunch recently where my lunch buddy looked me straight in the eye and said, "I think Jesus is coming soon. Its the Last Days!" referring to the apoloclypic events in the Book of Revelation when Satan comes down and brands people on the head with his marque.

Well... maybe.

But consider this. How bad can it get?

Could it be worse than the Mongol invasion in the 13th century which resulted in the genocide of several races and cultures and the deaths of millions of people?

The Bubonic Plague? The Black Death
that wiped out half of Europe and goodness knows how many others in the rest of the world?

What about the Inquisition, the French Revolution, the capture of Constantinople by the Muslims, the Holocaust, the Japanese Occupation in the 1940s, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Stalin's Gulag, Mao's Great Leap Backwards, and having to sit through yet another boring sermon that doesn't seem to end??? I mean, oh, the humanity!!!

Just kidding.

But seriously, imagine you were in that situation. And having to endure what horrors those people went through. Imagine going back there in a Time Machine ... say Austerwitz in 1944 and telling them - Hey, chill bro, don't worry! It could be worse, it could be the Last Days!!

I'd reckon they'd would give you a beating you wouldn't forget.

I think the reality is that- whilst its good to ponder perhaps briefly about the Book of Revelation - and the Last Days - you might consider that all our days on earth are numbered. (Except for me, cos I'm an immortal, but I digress) One day, you will face your Last Day. And whilst you are here on Earth, you try and make it a better place for your family, friends, and neighbors.

Pray for Iraq. Pray for Africa. Pray for the person who lives down the street who has cancer. Pray for stubborn, stupid obnoxious relatives that the Evil Satan put here on Earth to torment you. And pray that God will use you to make things better.

Hence the phrase coined by Jesus - Be the Salt and Light of the World.

Small acts of kindess are miracles in this cruel world. Trying to show kindness to someone who doesn't deserve it - is truly an Act of God.

Contentment and Common Sense

I used to think that education would help you be more intelligent - help you think properly.

But in a lot of instances- education (I'm not talking about hard technical education like medicine, motor mechanics, engineering, math) - is an indoctrination exercise.

The teachers try and make their students think like them, to share their own bias and prejudice.

Whats not taught - is how to think intelligently with logic and with understanding of the context.

Its too easy to look at a problem in a superficial way and pronounce judgement. Its harder to think deeply about the issues and render a careful, wise response. (And unfortunately, since most people are shallow - making wise decisions will probably get you rejected).

It is my misfortune to have to encounter really dumb people who on the surface seem fairly sane and smart. One particular example is a person who has it all. Blessed with a good family, total 300% financial security, a great place to live - its like Eden meets the Playboy Mansion.

Yet, through plain stupidity created by a desire for "face", pride in other words, this person is on the verge of losing it all. Just does not have contentment.

Unfathomable. Baffling.

Frankly, I find it totally sickening, repulsive, abhorent. Totally disgusting. Thinking about it for any length of time just spoils my day.

In the Bible its written that some people are blessed with riches, wealth - but unfortunately, not with common sense and contentment. A grave tragedy.

They keep on struggling and striving, fighting against unseen demons, threats, when in actual fact, they are just fighting with themselves.

To them - the grass is always greener on the other side. And they despise what they have to seek what they can't obtain.

Its no shame to admit that somethings are beyond your capabilities. That you are out of your depth. In fact, its a good thing; otherwise, people will be jumping off buildings attempting to fly like an eagle but end up crashing like a sack of rotten tomatoes.

Common sense would usually steer us from that leap of faith.

Wisdom would help us locate the elevator.

Contentment would help us avoid getting up onto the stupid mountain in the first place.


Eating Eggs (Including the Yolk) is healthy for you

Surprise. Surprise. Apparently consuming egg yolk does not increase your level of cholesterol.

I watch a test where the cholesterols readings was done on an athlete who consumed over 10 eggs a day - but not fried of course. He ate them by blending them into a drink. Despite this. his cholesterol readings were very healthy.

It might sound ikky to you - and me too! I prefer mine soft boiled with a dash of pepper and soya sauce. Or soft medium done and used in a sandwich like pate with vegemite and alfa sprouts etc..

I think the main problem about eating egg (and the potato) is the way we cook them. If we fry them, its not good. But if we boil them or steam them - without adding too much salt or none at all - then its totally fine.

Anyways, you can read more information about the healthy nutrient benefits of eating eggs here.

http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/Egg_Yolk.html


BTW, this beautiful photo of an egg was taken from Google images. Not taken by me!


Who needs drugs?

I am always slightly puzzled why some people resort to illicit drugs when there are so many other better (and less dangerous) forms of entertainment.

Try this one for example:

Multiple scoops of good creamy French vanilla ice cream.

Half a punnet of fresh strawberries

One shot of Kahlua

Result: Total Bliss!!!

(Surgeon Generals Warning: Ice cream should be taken in moderation. Eat like this everyday and you'll end up a fatass.)

Robbery in lala land




LOL. Check it out. Read the comments later





(IMHO, its staged). The police cars are sitting waiting at the far end of the camera - one in the centre, the other under the tree. They only move when the robber actors get into the car.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Who needs drugs?

I am always slightly puzzled why some people resort to illicit drugs when there are so many other better (and less dangerous) forms of entertainment.

Try this one for example:

Multiple scoops of good creamy French vanilla ice cream.

Half a punnet of fresh strawberries

One shot of Kahlua

Result: Total Bliss!!!

(Surgeon Generals  Warning: Ice cream should be taken in moderation. Eat like this everyday and you'll end up a fatass.)

Sunken ships, planes and treasure in the Pacific


http://www.pacificwrecks.com/
Check out Pacific Wrecks to find out more about battleships, merchant ships, and fighter planes sunk in our waters. Who knows - one of the ships might contain the loot confiscated by the evil Japanese military during WWII.

Best grafitti reply of the year

There is an interesting piece of graffiti on a bridge near Basra. A fleeing terrorist scrawled, “We’ll be back”; and underneath an Iraqi soldier has scribbled in reply, “And we’ll be waiting for you”.

LOL. Click on the paragraph for more good news on Iraq.

Who needs drugs?

I am always slightly puzzled why some people resort to illicit drugs when there are so many other better (and less dangerous) forms of entertainment.

Try this one for example:

Multiple scoops of good creamy French vanilla ice cream.

Half a punnet of fresh strawberries

One shot of Kahlua

Result: Total Bliss!!!

(Surgeon Generals Warning: Ice cream should be taken in moderation. Eat like this everyday and you'll end up a fatass.)

Melbourne food

Went out with a friend to a local Italian restaurant called Tender Traps at Blackburn Road.

It was this - or yum-cha at Taipan - but its noisy like hell in that dim sum restaurant, and hard to hold a conversation with a dozen of shrill loud voices in the background. Horrible actually.

Tender Traps was a lot more quieter and pleasantly decorated with modern finishings. Teak flooring, grey plastered feature walls, plush leather seats, hidden lighting etc.. which gave it a nice ambiance.

I ordered the linguini with fresh seafood, bits of fish and mussels.

My female companion ordered the fish of the day, a quick grilled snapper which also came with prawns and fresh mussels.

Kilpatrick oysters were for starters. Nicely laid out on a wooden platter on a sea salt bed.

It was overall very nice. I didn't like the linguini so much though - it was rather heavy with dark sauce. Not lightly done with a hint of olive oil as I would have preferred. Tasted a bit like egg noodles with soya sauce.

We also had a Sav. Blanc - slightly fruity but tasted insipid. Should have ordered a more drier white wine instead.



B-29 Superfortress wreck near Mersing, Malaysia

(For some reason, this article doesn't appear in the main or blog page - so I'm reposting it)

I thought this was far fetched. But apparently long ranged B-29 bombers operated from India against Japanese strongholds in South East Asia.

One of the "Super Fortress" bombers crashed near the Port of Mersing. Possibly near Aur.

Details here:

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-29/42-24704.html

Its serial number was 42-65226 - crashed in 11th January 1945.

More photos of B-29s here:

http://www.444thbg.org/677thbombsq.htm


Apparently a group of divers discovered the wreck in the late 1990s.

For some reason - this blog entry is not appearing in the main page or blog page. I don't know why.

Best grafitti reply of the year

There is an interesting piece of graffiti on a bridge near Basra. A fleeing terrorist scrawled, “We’ll be back”; and underneath an Iraqi soldier has scribbled in reply, “And we’ll be waiting for you”.

LOL. Click on the paragraph for more good news on Iraq.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

My niece Alia




We are at Sam and Joy's house warming party. And I get to babysit Aila for a little while - she's so adorable.

Best grafitti reply of the year

There is an interesting piece of graffiti on a bridge near Basra. A fleeing terrorist scrawled, “We’ll be back”; and underneath an Iraqi soldier has scribbled in reply, “And we’ll be waiting for you”.

LOL. Click on the paragraph for more good news on Iraq.

Melbourne food

Went out with a friend to a local Italian restaurant called Tender Traps at Blackburn Road.

It was this - or yum-cha at Taipan - but its noisy like hell in that dim sum restaurant, and hard to hold a civil conversation with dozens of loud shrill voices in the background drowning everything out. Lively but sounds like a fishmarket. Can't some people learn to have a decent conversation quietly? lol.

Tender Traps was vastly more pleasent to dine at. Its a great deal more quieter  and the food and service is usually of high quality. The restaurant is pleasantly decorated with modern finishings - and would look perfect on Chapel Street or Holland Village for that matter. Teak flooring, grey plastered feature walls, plush leather seats, hidden lighting etc.. gives it a nice ambiance.

I ordered the linguini with fresh seafood, bits of fish and mussels.

My female companion ordered the fish of the day, a quick grilled snapper which also came with prawns and fresh mussels.

Kilpatrick oysters were for starters. Nicely laid out on a wooden platter on a sea salt bed.

It was overall very nice. I didn't like the linguini so much though - it was rather heavy with dark sauce. Not lightly done with a hint of olive oil as I would have preferred. Tasted a bit like egg noodles with soya sauce.

We also had a glass of wine - Sav. Blanc - slightly fruity but tasted insipid. Should have ordered a more drier white wine instead.



Baby Aila age 7+months




My adorable niece. At Joy and Sam's housewarming.

Melbourne food

Went out with a friend to a local Italian restaurant called Tender Traps at Blackburn Road.

It was this - or yum-cha at Taipan - but its noisy like hell in that dim sum restaurant, and hard to hold a conversation with a dozen of shrill loud voices in the background. Horrible actually.

Tender Traps was a lot more quieter and pleasantly decorated with modern finishings. Teak flooring, grey plastered feature walls, plush leather seats, hidden lighting etc.. which gave it a nice ambiance.

I ordered the linguini with fresh seafood, bits of fish and mussels.

My female companion ordered the fish of the day, a quick grilled snapper which also came with prawns and fresh mussels.

Kilpatrick oysters were for starters. Nicely laid out on a wooden platter on a sea salt bed.

It was overall very nice. I didn't like the linguini so much though - it was rather heavy with dark sauce. Not lightly done with a hint of olive oil as I would have preferred. Tasted a bit like egg noodles with soya sauce.

We also had a Sav. Blanc - slightly fruity but tasted insipid. Should have ordered a more drier white wine instead.