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Friday 31 October 2008

Quick Halloween Thought

As Christians should we be marking Halloween?

....its a complicated one..
I remember looong discussion with my Officers (Salvation Army ministers) few years ago (they were English & very anti-Halloween {as per American traditions that have filtered over here}-reason why i saying that will become obvious)

I explained to them:
In Scotland "Guising" has long been a tradition dating back over 200yrs & comes with very different
traditions than modern Halloween (which has it origins more in spirits & dark tales) Also 'Guisers' could also be found out & about on New Years Eve (Hogmany in Scotland) so it almost totally not about Hallow's Eve at all!

Read More...

http://www.rampantscotland.com/know/blknow_halloween.htm

http://1st-halloweencraft.blogspot.com/2008/06/halloween-and-halloween-craft-guising.html



"Guising" was about children having fun & spending time with family & close friends (your neighbours mostly) I remember it being just that as a child...

I think if churches & christian families emphasise the fun & family side (Guising?) and don't show it as anything else (Halloween?) then children shouldn't need to feel their faith is excluding them from having fun!?
Not sure ministers totally agreed (but saw that many Scottish people saw it as something different from "Halloween" - All Hallow's Eve...)

WE had a "Light Party" instead that year - not sure that sent any obvious message to kids (except perhaps, as 1 of mine said at time, {they were early primary age} "if you're a Christian & go to church, Halloween is evil & we can't have fun!)"

Nuff said perhaps?

OOH sorry I ranted :-)

Wednesday 29 October 2008

Want One! (Geeks Jacket?)


I want One!!

Geeks Jacket?

(Can Only Get in U.S @ moment - BOO!)


"Thought" for 29th October 2008

$150,000 worth of clothes for Palin & family (required for campaigning?!)
NO Comment!

Leave this quote & links therein, for you to digest & come to your own thoughts...

"We would be delighted to be the beneficiary of the clothes from Gov. Palin" said Jenni Ragland, public relations director for the Salvation Army's office in Anchorage.


Photo taken for this article

Quote & News Article Found using Daylife

Monday 27 October 2008

Thought for: October 27th 2008


2 Thoughts for today (though word "thoughts" should be seen a loose term):

"In just two days, tomorrow will be yesterday..."


and...



Friday 24 October 2008

Blessay - Messy Word or Geeky Evolution?

Came across this word online (when I started looking at Stephen Fry's Website) .. "Blessay" ... I'm sure many of you will have heard or read this word long, long ago? I however hadn't & just thought it was way cool!

It allows for something that only the English Language (of whatever flavour you digest-Scottish, Queens English, American et al..) can provide; evolution of 'New Words' in a way no other language can. Argue all you like but its true & you wont change my mind - cause it’s true (and I'm right!)

But also from a 'Geeky Blogger' point of view it makes an excuse for those bloggers who desire to be more than just a short, sharp, succinct message provider/regurgitater (Ooh is that me?).

Blessay's allow for what then?
How about, an excuse to live in the misbegotten belief that all you say is important (you're the ultimate online journalist)... rambling ever on & on, expounding all that is right with the world can only be created by whatever new theory/hypothesis your spleen just vented...

Probably, for some it does and is.. So, fair enough, for them.

However... it also allows for a 'heads up' near the top of a blog (at least that's what you the reader, at that point, thinks it is) A warning that '..what we are about to receive..' is a bigger portion than normal. Now, I believe, that will only work if the portion (if you will) has been marinated in the manner which all 'Blessay
Writers' apparently should...


Be well prepared i.e. written away from the blog-posting page in your browser! (though not necessarily well written) Also in that preparation should be, most likely a modicum of checked facts (your Auntie Jean, Bryan down the pub or www.all-lies.com probably isn't enough) But most fundamentally important, it seems, is that it must be 'thoughtfully composed'


What does that mean? ... mmm ... I guess it means that you must take the Blessay's subject matter seriously (have some emotional attachment / take ownership of your words; that seems to be 1 plan) Though taking it seriously doesn't mean that you can't be witty, insightful & such.


Does that make these big portion blogs only for the intelligent (I use that term loosely), QI watching (knows all the answers), Radio 4 listening, Guardian reading, upper classes? What? With their private education, vowel stressed voice & ruling class mentality, only they can write the world's Blessays - I think not... Just because they know (and understand) the dictionary definition of 'irony' better than the allegedly simple 'offside rule' (YUK) doesn’t make them the sole proprietor of Blessay town! Oh No! Nay! I beg to differ!


As long as your 'Supersized' blog is on a subject you’re enthused, excited, enticed, and eager to plant in the garden of the InterWeb - then go for it!


But be prepared more than most to: defend you facts with confidence; eat your words with humility; and everything that comes with a reasonably well researched (another loosely applied term), honestly-passionately composed Brain-burp (it just had to come out of you!)


Perhaps more importantly, all 'Blessays' should be something that has enlightened you more in the course of its construction. That Blessay has also hopefully by internet osmosis enlightened others in whatever way it should. (No matter YOUR intention)


I should end this (probable) rambling before it turns into a Blessay of my own making!?

I'm not clear on where exactly the trigger point is, that makes it one?


"Till Next Time, Watch The Skies" or something...


FYI (all links - well...most links...in this blog are not endorsed by me or reasonably & logically connected to anything useful)



Thought for: October 24th 2008


2 (sort of) related quotes today...

"Pick your battles, big enough to matter, small enough to win."

Soooo.....

"Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience"



Nuff Said...




Only in America? ...





..... Probably Not?!!!


Customer Service or Political Correctness gone mad?

Don't bear thinking about too much!



[Originally 'dugg on digg']

Thursday 23 October 2008

Thought for: October 23rd 2008

"Every line of strength in American history is a line colored with Scottish blood."
President Woodrow Wilson
Initially this seems more of a 'Quote I like' rather than 'A Thought To Reflect On'

But if you look at where I first came across it... then it made me think....


Whether it makes you do that - well (depending on your place of birth perhaps) - that is between you & your thoughts....



(Christian: {always} First - Scottish: Second - {Almost} Everything Else: Third & Beyond)

Who am I to say more?

[EDIT: Ooh did I fail in my task of expressing no opinion? DOH!!! after only 1 day... mmm...]

Wednesday 22 October 2008

Jesus Liberation Template

Following on from my Blog "Essential Word on The Street" & the buzz I got from listening to the audiobook read by the author Rob Lacey. I wanted to find a excerpt to just show how much of a passionate revolutionary he was, but in absence of that I found this video of him reading a section from his book. (I think it certainly portrays his passion! As well as his bravery! If only most Christians were like him?!)






This 2nd video is a short interview Rob Lacey gave after The Street Bible (now The Word on The Street) was published. It gives just a small insight to his motivation & life story (including his battle with cancer, which he eventually lost in 2006).

As someone has said (probably many times) 'your story & my story are important' on helping everyone on their christian journey.
Its certainly part of the 'Jesus Revolution Template' of living & sharing your faith.

Which, I believe, Rob Lacey did exactly as God had intended....


Thought for: October 22nd 2008

As I come across (what I consider) interesting quotes or thoughts, I will (with completely random regularity) post them here....

I will hazard at no attempted (personal) opinion, or interpretation to the meaning or relevance - to paraphrase a film quote: "Unfortunately, no one can be told what the meaning is. You have to see it for yourself."

So... without further ado here it is for today: -

"Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold - but so does a hard-boiled egg."





Until Next Time....


Tuesday 21 October 2008

Essential Word on The Street




Listening to Rob Lacey's Essential Word on the Street audio book
(Used to be Street Bible - got hard copy of that - but hearing the passion & interpretation of certain Biblical events by Rob Lacey is almost mind blowing!?)

(downloaded from iTunes -I don't have an iPod- why would I? Its just good way of downloading podcasts & other audio stuff)






Think I've been bitten by audio book bug!?
It is a excellent way of multitasking (I know I am a man!) & my Creative Zen Stone PLUS is smaller than a book!

Friday 17 October 2008

New Blog Template

Giving Blogger/Blogspot a makeover with a new Template...

Not sure I like it? ...
There are too few templates to choose from & don't like most of them.

But want to persevere little longer..

[though am considering changing blog completely over over to my (still under sloooow construction) 'viviti' pages or trying 'wordpress']

.. not too sure why more flexibility & aesthetics are important but they are?

Original plan (plans-Ha!) was more Christian Blog here (on Blogger/Blogspot) & more General Life Blog/Site elsewhere (on viviti) - Though you can't (well I cant!) completely separate the two!

Time will tell... Feel free to give your thoughts of any kind
(you know where & how to find me ... No? Look to the side of blog - there's a fair few to choose from!)


"Salute"


BBC News

From BBC News Site:


"When Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave a gloved Black Power salute on the Olympic podium in October 1968 it sent a shockwave through sport. But what happened to the other man on the platform?"


I Think -
What happened is probably less about the "Olympic Ideals" & more about the "Olympic Corporate Image" (yes even in 1968!) - what initially drew me to read the news story was the third man, Peter Norman was 'a Salvo' (as they call members of the Salvation Army in Australia) ; But also because it seemed to me that this was a perfect example of 'The victor writes the history'.
In this case Australian Government (of even today) & International Olympic Committee (of the past & possibly still today)..

But please read it for yourself - draw your own conclusions....

{I'll need to watch out for "Salute" on TV or somewhere.}

The film has an official blog here

Monday 13 October 2008

Tweethearts:

The *Ultimate* Social Networking?





blogger proposes to nerd girlfriend over Twitter, she tweets back acceptance.



Little Unorthodox BUT...Very Cool - Good Luck to them!

Saturday 11 October 2008

How do You use Twitter?

Orginally posted by swissmiss

Thanks to Headphonaught for posting up on his Blog.
Where I saw & copied it!

So i just passing it on, Hopefully People will Start Using Twitter;

Talk to the world more, in 140characters, or just plain have more fun 'mini-blogging /lazy bogging'





How Do You Use Twitter? from biz stone on Vimeo.

Friday 10 October 2008

Gmail 'Mail Goggles' stymie drunk e-mailing

quote from Article on MSNBC

"Here's the scenario: It's Friday night, and what began as an innocent happy-hour margarita morphed into a few pitchers. After all, those tacos were salty.

Bidding friends adieu, you jump in a cab, head home and decide a quick e-mail check is in order. And there it is: a message from your ex. Or your boss. Or that friend you're secretly mad at.

If you're the kind of person who types tipsy and regrets it in the morning, Google's "Mail Goggles," a new test-phase feature in the free Gmail service, might save you some angst."


Personally I think people should just know better!!

That and....

Drink less (or not at all) & show a bit of personal restraint. You should be in control of your own mind & body surely? Maybe I'm an idealist....

Oh well?!

Thursday 9 October 2008

Microsoft announces the New Xbox Experience release date






Microsoft has announced that the New Xbox Experience will release to Xbox 360's around the world (in 26 countries, localized in 11 languages) on November 19th 2008.

read more | digg story


YAY! at LOOOONG Last!!

Wednesday 8 October 2008

BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!??? Not!!




This is disturbing on so many levels! Absolutely NOT the Christmas Message! (or present I'd want) Depending on which 'digg.com' comments you believe - the guns are fake, but popular toys in Russia - where this Picture was (maybe) taken.

Either way Still Very Very Disturbing!

read more | digg story

Tuesday 7 October 2008

Hack the Debate // Current TV & Twitter




A Great Idea Hack The Debate (they should try it over here!!??)

From Current.com:

"Current & Twitter have teamed up for the very first time to integrate real-time Twitter messages (aka "tweets") over major portions of a live television broadcast.

Hack the Debate by adding your Twitter posts to our live broadcast of the 2008 Presidential Debates.

We will broadcast as many of your debate tweets as possible right over the candidates, in real time, on our live broadcast."



Current
have also teamed up with 12seconds.tv {see previous post}

12seconds.tv Challenge


HackTheDebate:12seconds - If the next President could do only one thing, what would you want it to be? on 12seconds.tv



Every Day 12seconds.tv sets a challenge for its users (usually a question, record your video in certain style or location & similar) anyway this was my contribution for today...

FYI : My hair was still damp from rain & yes that right, I am NOT American.

ADDITIONAL {from 12seconds.tv}:

"Hack the debate with Current and 12seconds.tv!

Current is the incredible news network where the users dictate the news programming on both the website and the television station that reaches 51 million households worldwide. They've been doing something very innovative called, "hack the debate," where live tweets appear as the Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates debate. If you haven't watched the debate hack-style, we highly suggest it.

Today, Current is sponsoring our Challenge Question:
If the next President could do only one thing, what would you want it to be?

In addition to responses appearing on 12seconds, Current is going to feature responses on their site at Hack the Debate. We're super excited to be working with Current so check it out!"

12seconds.tv Test


This is a test on 12seconds.tv


Trying out 12seconds.tv - very embarrassing!!
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