Back to the city to take some more pictures. This time it wasn’t just “things” that I was capturing though. My sis-in-law Kristin, my Niece Charlotte & her Grandma Valerie came in with my little Bro Phil, so I could get some family pics of three generations of girls.
I got there a little early, so I had a chance to take one or two pics of the Opera House while I was at it.
Why should I say, when you can just see?

Love the lines & the angles of the Opera House

It’s rare that I do anything in photoshop other than a little colour saturation, but I kind of liked this effect.

Charlotte gives playing in the park a 10 out of 10!

Three generations of lovelly ladies!

Even tiny little alleys hid pubs in the great city of Prague.

You get an imaginary helicopter if you can guess what this picture is of.

Two of my pics have to do with drinks today. Just coincidence. I’ve just been playing around with everyday things that are around me.

A sunny day & a cool drink of cordial. Sugar isn’t always good though, when you need to concentrate in lectures…

I made a great buy last weekend, when I picked up a bottle of “Angostura Bitters”, some “Bickfords Lime Cordial” and a bottle of Lemonade. Lemon, Lime & Bitters is the most awesome of non-alcoholic drinks! Now all I need is a hi-ball glass!

I was sitting up last night thinking about how you might portray feeling depressed through a picture, but in a different way. This was one of the ideas that I came up with.

This was the other way.

There are some awesome kids at college. I took a couple of pictures of a couple of them today. I’ve decided that children definately make the best subjects! I am guessing that it could have something to do with a lack of concern for the black metal object that the person infront of them is pointing at them. They are just happy to dribble along in their usual fashion.
Here’s a couple of pics I liked.

Child protection concerns keep me from naming this kid, but I can confirm that when he crawls, he looks like a cat hunting a bird! He even makes little purring-growling noises! Very cool!

Our second entrant has that relaxed look that says “I’ll wait for dad to get a little closer while he changes my nappy before I turn the water-works back on”.
One of the mothers was so happy witha couple of the pictures that I burned for her, that I think I have a subject every monday for the next year!

It’s been another busy weekend. Actually, it is always a busy weekend! Youth group on Friday night & Youth Church on Sunday mornings keep me busy enough in preparation and actual running time. This weekend I also managed to fit in a trip to Lindfield to see my little Bro & Sis-In-Law, and of course my darling Niece, then I headed back home to college before heading out for a night in Leichhardt involving lovely Dinner, expensive beer & initially exciting, but eventually frustrating pool (you can’t win forever!).
You know what, my pictures for today have nothing to do with my weekend. Why should I make it that easy for you?
Keep ’em guessing I say!
So strap yourselves in & don’t forget to click on the pic for a bigger version!

OK, so it’s just a blind. I took the picture while I was shooting some pics for Gerard & Briar’s wedding. I liked it then & for some reason I continue to like it now!

This pic is growing on me too. I just like the idea that they are just a metal band, but they are also a life-long committment.

This is Sydney to me for so many reasons! It is recognition of aboriginal history, and regonition of the harbour icon. It is about the scorching sun on the hot ashphalt, the creeping brown of the grass as it fights the drought, and the itchy green of the buffalo grass that continues to fight the heat and drought in a million front yards throughout the city.
Of course, it could also just be a picture of a gutter….

Some kind of bell-flower. My florist-friend Jody wasn’t sure what it was. What I know it is though, is pretty. If only they could arrange for morning light to make an appearance sometime around noon for me.

Today it is pretty warm. It should hit at least mid to high 30s!
I had a great idea at morning tea. It involved going for a swim at my brothers place tomorrow to cool down.
Unfortunately the plan also involved not having a cast on my right leg…
Still, there are plenty of other things to do, places to see, and things to take pictures of! Here are a couple more from the last week.
(as usual, click for a bigger version)

The scary thing is that this is my brothers serious face!

I always thought the cockatoo was an awesome looking bird! This one is in the Botanical Gardens.

The Lorikeet isn’t bad looking either. Gotta love those crazy colours.

You will be happy to know that the fire hydrants are all checked regularly here at SMBC.

You know, people come to me & they say “Tim, you guys at Bible college take things too seriously, how do you guys unwind?”
That’s a good question!
Some people would guess that we sit around & discuss different Philosophical conundrums.
Others might guess that we go & do some kind of public service. helping old ladies across streets maybe?
A third guess might be that we play far too much of the game “Risk”. This one is quite possibly true.
No one guessed that we go looking for kids tricycles in bins & then jump them off our hallway stairs…

A good runup is essential. Your trim characteristics have to be spot on & you need to hit the ramp at the right speed!

Nice form in the air, good positioning in flight leads to a solid landing for Sparksy!

OK, tonight I get to deliver on three different things that three different groups are waiting for. Two of these are in pictoral format & one is in the form of a little quiz.
I know, I know, of course everyone wants to read EVERY bit of each post that I write. That said, I thought I would let you know what’s coming and in which order, so if there is something that you, dear reader, are just begging to see first, you can skip ahead now & then come back & enjoy the secondary delights afterwards.
No.1: (They are in Chronological order of when I managed to do them, just in case anyone is displeased that they aren’t #1) Are a couple of pictures that I took at the Sydney Botanical Gardens on Saturday. I went there with the college Photgraphic Club. I convinced them to go there though, because Allison, a dear friend & committed reader, wanted some pics to remind her of Sydney.
Where’s the love Al? Here’s the love!
No.2: Some pictures from the wedding of Gerard & Briar. G-Rad is my Sister-in-law’s brother, and also my brother in Christ. I was lucky enough to be asked to take pictures of the Groom & his men as they got ready, so between that, wedding shots & the reception, I got about 290 photos. Tonight you only get 3! There will be more to come…
No.3: Tricia did a little quiz think & mentioned in her last answer that shou would be interested in reading what I listened to. How could I deny the matriarch of the triumvirate of girls in that read my blog?
OK, on to the good stuff. As usual, click on the pics if you want a big version.

Harbour view from a walkway.

There were some amazing flowers throughout the gardens.

I just like the lines in this.
OK, now on to the Wedding!

Groomsmen chilling with one hour to go.

My niece Charlotte, already working a crowd at age 6-months, kept the mood light while the boys waiting for the Bride’s arrival.

The Bridesmaids & Groomsmen were on the floor, but Gerard & Briar were in their own world!

A couple of years under their own marriage belt & Phil (my little brother) and Kristin (the grooms sister) still feel the sparks! Thank heavens that Gerard & Briar didn’t base their wedding kiss on P&K’s current style!
OK, finally to part three!
Random 10 Albums Semi-Sorta Randomly pulled from my collection:
1. 20,000 Watt R.S.L: Midnight Oil’s greatest hits
2. Bossa Nova at Carnegie Hall
3. Divine Madness: The best of Madness
4. G.I. Gantic – The Grand Incredible
5. JLove, Angel, Music Baby – Gwen Stefani
6 Last chance to dance trance – Modeski, Martin & Wood.
7. O Brother where are thou – Soundtrack
8. Oddysey #5 – Powderfinger
9 .Terminator-X and the Valley of the Jeep Beets – Terminator-X & various artists
10. VaVoom – Brian Setzer & the Brian Setzer Orchestra.
All Americans need to buy Powderfinger albumns!
What is the total amount of music files on your computer?
5.94 Gig
The last CD you bought is: New music live from “The Panel”. A compilation of a bunch of artists who go on to a TV show & play live stuff.
Five songs that you often listen to or that mean a lot to you
OK, these are just songs I listen to a lot at the moment.
1: I shot the sheriff – Bob Marley & the Wailers
2: Bubble pop electric – Gwen Stefani
3: Older than you – Eskimo Joe
4: Triple Trouble – THe Beastie Boys
5: Already Gone – Powderfinger
Who are you gonna pass this stick to? (5 persons and why)
This is tough, cause it would have to be people who read my blog.
1: Phil Goldfinch: I dig my brother’s taste in music.
2: Amy Heap: Likewise, Amy is pretty cool.
3: Mal Heap: I love learning more about a fascinating guy.
4: Maybe Christy Peek. I am not sure if she reads my blog, but she goes to my College.
5: Anyone else who wants to leave answers in the comments section.

Just because they made it into Bible college doesn’t mean that all the rough edges have been ironed out. Mark (middle) had a little something he needed to share with everyone.

Some people meet this kind of joke with amusement like Jody on the left, others like Steph on the right would be a little more shocked. What are your thoughts on the magic finger? Is it really that bad a thing in this day & age?

Waiting for a destination…
One of the exciting things about being at SMBC Thursday mornings when we have “Ministry Matters” for an hour. Most weeks we will have a missionary visit & tell us about what they are doing, or as we had today, several missionaries doing several talks, giving us the chance to choose our area of interest.
From what I have been told, the problem is not finding people who are excited about missions. The problem is that people end up excited about everywhere!
Today I went & listened to a gyuy called Richard who has spent the last 30 years working with Aboriginal tribes in far northern Australia. He talked about frustrating labour, and amazing rewards which are experienced when working with a people who at the same time can be very hostile to the gospel & totally humbling when you see the whole-hearted devotion to Christ which is evidenced in the lives of those who have come to know him!
I feel the draw to be able to share with these men & women, separated by culture buy united with me in Christ. What an awesome thing!
Then, I was also excited the other day when hearing about a couple who were heading out to Portugal. I thought about how much I would love to go & work in Scotland, or Mainland Europe, areas with a great gospel tradition, now suffering in areas a drought of evangelical fervour.
What to do? Where to go? So many opportunities! I haven’t even mentioned the choice of staying at St Judes & supporting those awesome kids with whom I have already built relationships?
John Chapman, a bit of a legend in Austarlia as a preacher, is one of my lecturers this year, speaking on the Exegesis of Mark. A throwaway comment he had today was the source of much clarity on the matter.
“Don’t worry about where you will serve him. Worry about HOW you will serve him! After all, he has the whole of the world at His disposal!”
I know that God will use me & that I am being renewed day by day. I can trust that he will deliver me where he wants me to be. More important, is being whole-hearted in your committment to that service.