Went to see Tim Minchin live at the Sydney Opera House last night. For those not familiar, well worth a look. (Good one to start off with would be along the lines of 'Dark Side' or 'Prejudice'.) Until then, put simply, he's a comedic pianist. Yes, similar to what I do. Well, more the other way around, but anyway.
Those of you that are familiar with Tim Minchin may be wondering why I went to see him, given that I am a Christian, and much of his material is colourful, to say the least. His 'Pope Song' would be a shining example of this.
But Mr Minchin, despite his frequent use of language of the coarse variety, and many quite vocal atheist views, has a lot of great ideas. On top of that, he is a master with the piano, has insanely clever lyrics, and possesses a good voice to boot.
Add to this the entire Sydney Symphony, which he had behind him at the time, and you result in this post's title. Needless to say, I enjoyed last night immensely. =D I also, interestingly, had a chat to one of the camera operators (it was being broadcast live to ABC2), who had actually been there at the opening of the Opera House - and on top of of it, actually, with a video camera. Needless to say, he'd been in the business for a few years. Think that would be a pretty good job, though perhaps not one that's too practical for me at the moment. (Though my mum is pushing for me to get a job, but that's another story.)
So yeah, think that's pretty much all I wanted to write this week. Nothing terribly profound, just something cool that I did.
Monday, 28 March 2011
Monday, 21 March 2011
Icebergs.
This week, I thought I'd talk - well, write - about something that I've really noticed for a while now.
In my life, I have a lot of people that I know, a lot of people that I talk to, get along with fairly well. But generally, there's a bit of a smaller number that I really get to know well, that I really like to see, that sort of thing. Over the past few years, however, I've noticed something - people don't always stick around. Sometimes, they have to go. For one reason for another. And - not through anything I had done, but each for their own reasons - for the past few years, I've had a fair number of good friends leave. We're still friends, but they just went somewhere else, or got busier, life caught up with them, that sort of thing.
And I sort of felt like I was in the middle of an iceberg, and little bits were coming off at the edges, taking other people away, and I never saw them again. Of course, I see a couple of them every now and again. It's a small world, so it's fairly inevitable that I'll bump into them at some point. But it can be very difficult, just wondering why everybody is leaving. But recently, I realised that it's not the full picture. Because, just as some fragments break off the iceberg, new fragments float in. They don't take their place, and they never can. Nothing ever can. But it's something, at least - it is a give and take, not just a take. Which is good.
In my life, I have a lot of people that I know, a lot of people that I talk to, get along with fairly well. But generally, there's a bit of a smaller number that I really get to know well, that I really like to see, that sort of thing. Over the past few years, however, I've noticed something - people don't always stick around. Sometimes, they have to go. For one reason for another. And - not through anything I had done, but each for their own reasons - for the past few years, I've had a fair number of good friends leave. We're still friends, but they just went somewhere else, or got busier, life caught up with them, that sort of thing.
And I sort of felt like I was in the middle of an iceberg, and little bits were coming off at the edges, taking other people away, and I never saw them again. Of course, I see a couple of them every now and again. It's a small world, so it's fairly inevitable that I'll bump into them at some point. But it can be very difficult, just wondering why everybody is leaving. But recently, I realised that it's not the full picture. Because, just as some fragments break off the iceberg, new fragments float in. They don't take their place, and they never can. Nothing ever can. But it's something, at least - it is a give and take, not just a take. Which is good.
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Inspiration. Creation. Expression.
Late again, ugh. Really hoping this doesn't become a habit.
I thought that today I'd like to explain a little quote of mine, which is the title of this blog. Those three words are what I think is so important and unique about music. Strangely enough, though, it actually works backwards - it's oriented this way because it works nicely as an acronym. ICE.
Music starts with expression. Arguably, you could probably say it starts with inspiration - but I think that's just the idea. The actual music starts with expression. A person, expressing their emotions, through composition. That's the first part. This bit is in most creative arts, so in this, it isn't really unique. That doesn't make it any less important though.
Though there are some, as a matter of interest, who try to take this part out of music. Personally, I think it's near impossible. And, even if there is no emotion (though I don't really think it's possible to be completely void of emotion) in the creation of the music, people will hear emotion in it. People always hear it.
Then you have creation. The creation of music, the embodiment of the composer's expression. Whether it's a good embodiment or not is very much up to the skills (or lack of) from the composer. Or, sometimes luck. Sometimes people just happen upon a good way to do it. Creation can be very difficult. It's one thing to have an idea, quite another to actually form that into something usable. More difficult if you don't want it to sound like someone else's piece of music, or other ones that you've written.
Then there is inspiration, what music does. When it is performed, music inspires others. Though, notice, it is not inherent in the meaning of inspiration that it is always necessarily "good" inspiration. Music has a lot of power, and that can be used in both bad and good ways, and has been. But music can inspire people to any goal. And, often enough, not exactly the one the composer was thinking of. Because everybody's different, so everybody will take something different from a piece of music. They may take something special from that second line of the third verse, while you were really focussing in on the chorus.
This, I think, is how music is unique. You can see these three in other things than music, true. Things like poetry, fiction, drama, many of these. But it is my opinion that none of these have the scale, reaches the same audience, that music does. Music unifies people, like other things can't. Music can go through barriers and break them down. Music is amazing.
Inspiration. Creation. Expression.
I thought that today I'd like to explain a little quote of mine, which is the title of this blog. Those three words are what I think is so important and unique about music. Strangely enough, though, it actually works backwards - it's oriented this way because it works nicely as an acronym. ICE.
Music starts with expression. Arguably, you could probably say it starts with inspiration - but I think that's just the idea. The actual music starts with expression. A person, expressing their emotions, through composition. That's the first part. This bit is in most creative arts, so in this, it isn't really unique. That doesn't make it any less important though.
Though there are some, as a matter of interest, who try to take this part out of music. Personally, I think it's near impossible. And, even if there is no emotion (though I don't really think it's possible to be completely void of emotion) in the creation of the music, people will hear emotion in it. People always hear it.
Then you have creation. The creation of music, the embodiment of the composer's expression. Whether it's a good embodiment or not is very much up to the skills (or lack of) from the composer. Or, sometimes luck. Sometimes people just happen upon a good way to do it. Creation can be very difficult. It's one thing to have an idea, quite another to actually form that into something usable. More difficult if you don't want it to sound like someone else's piece of music, or other ones that you've written.
Then there is inspiration, what music does. When it is performed, music inspires others. Though, notice, it is not inherent in the meaning of inspiration that it is always necessarily "good" inspiration. Music has a lot of power, and that can be used in both bad and good ways, and has been. But music can inspire people to any goal. And, often enough, not exactly the one the composer was thinking of. Because everybody's different, so everybody will take something different from a piece of music. They may take something special from that second line of the third verse, while you were really focussing in on the chorus.
This, I think, is how music is unique. You can see these three in other things than music, true. Things like poetry, fiction, drama, many of these. But it is my opinion that none of these have the scale, reaches the same audience, that music does. Music unifies people, like other things can't. Music can go through barriers and break them down. Music is amazing.
Inspiration. Creation. Expression.
Monday, 7 March 2011
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When life gives you...
There's a few things been happening around here recently, for those in Australia. As far as I know, that's everyone who's reading this, but you never know, it's good to be hopeful...stranger things have happened...XD
Anyway. Recently, Queensland has been taking a bit of a beating. It has had both a series of bad floods and a tornado recently. Not a very good combination.
Which got me thinking about this question: everybody knows what do when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. It's a commonly used metaphor. But what if life gives you shit? ("Oh! He just said the S word! He can't say that, he's a Christian, they're not supposed to say that stuff!" OK, now you've got it out of your system. As an aside, I did address that idea in my post here.) I mean, what do you do when life just smacks you in the face, and gives you a rough time?
Well, different people handle it differently. Some just try and hit back, and shout and yell at God (or some other higher power) for putting them in this position. Others just can't (or presume/pretend that they can't) take it, and more or less sitting around feeling sorry for themselves. Some people run away as far as they can, until they think they've found somewhere that's better.
And then there are some people who, in the midst of it all, manage to push through it. They probably won't like it, or enjoy it, but they'll bear it, and come out the other side - certainly a fair bit worse for wear - but at least in one piece. That probably does sound a little Hollywood, or story book like, but it works. Sometimes it won't, yes. I'm yet to find anything that will work in every single given situation. I believe it's impossible, but you never know.
But yes, I think that's the answer. Just forge your way through as best as you can, more or less. I know that sounds like a tough call - especially considering some situations you can be in - but I'd say it's probably the better one, compared to the others I've thought of. If you can think of a better one, please, be my guest. I'm happy to discuss.
Oh, and I'm not quite sure how that would translate back into the metaphor I used. Probably better not to try and figure it out.
Anyway. Recently, Queensland has been taking a bit of a beating. It has had both a series of bad floods and a tornado recently. Not a very good combination.
Which got me thinking about this question: everybody knows what do when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. It's a commonly used metaphor. But what if life gives you shit? ("Oh! He just said the S word! He can't say that, he's a Christian, they're not supposed to say that stuff!" OK, now you've got it out of your system. As an aside, I did address that idea in my post here.) I mean, what do you do when life just smacks you in the face, and gives you a rough time?
Well, different people handle it differently. Some just try and hit back, and shout and yell at God (or some other higher power) for putting them in this position. Others just can't (or presume/pretend that they can't) take it, and more or less sitting around feeling sorry for themselves. Some people run away as far as they can, until they think they've found somewhere that's better.
And then there are some people who, in the midst of it all, manage to push through it. They probably won't like it, or enjoy it, but they'll bear it, and come out the other side - certainly a fair bit worse for wear - but at least in one piece. That probably does sound a little Hollywood, or story book like, but it works. Sometimes it won't, yes. I'm yet to find anything that will work in every single given situation. I believe it's impossible, but you never know.
But yes, I think that's the answer. Just forge your way through as best as you can, more or less. I know that sounds like a tough call - especially considering some situations you can be in - but I'd say it's probably the better one, compared to the others I've thought of. If you can think of a better one, please, be my guest. I'm happy to discuss.
Oh, and I'm not quite sure how that would translate back into the metaphor I used. Probably better not to try and figure it out.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Hypocriticalicaciousness.
Firstly, again, very sorry about the late blog post. I realised it at about 20 past 12 this morning, 5 minutes after I'd gone to bed. Was not happy. Secondly, of course the post title isn't actually a word. :P Call it an extension of one, if you will. Probably a double extension, since I don't think hypocriticality isn't a word either.
But anyway.
Most people that you see in the world today - I would say the vast majority, with a very rare exception - are or have been hypocritical about something. Some people notice it, some don't. It's a difficult thing to avoid, really. Extremely difficult at times, if you manage to put yourself in a bad situation. And us Christians certainly aren't exempt from this. We certainly don't want to be hypocrites, but it's pretty darn hard to avoid. So I guess you could say that many of us were hypocritical about being hypocrites, then :p
I myself have struggled with this a fair bit, though many wouldn't know that. But like I said, it's difficult to avoid. But I think it's an important thing to do so, as best you can. I certainly don't want to be a hypocrite.
As an aside, I had my first day back at uni yesterday. It was great to see everybody again, great to start learning again, because that's what I love to do. I love to learn more about things. To understand things better, that's what I try to do. And it makes it a lot easier when you're doing a course that you love doing :) So it's good to be back. And about time too.
But anyway.
Most people that you see in the world today - I would say the vast majority, with a very rare exception - are or have been hypocritical about something. Some people notice it, some don't. It's a difficult thing to avoid, really. Extremely difficult at times, if you manage to put yourself in a bad situation. And us Christians certainly aren't exempt from this. We certainly don't want to be hypocrites, but it's pretty darn hard to avoid. So I guess you could say that many of us were hypocritical about being hypocrites, then :p
I myself have struggled with this a fair bit, though many wouldn't know that. But like I said, it's difficult to avoid. But I think it's an important thing to do so, as best you can. I certainly don't want to be a hypocrite.
As an aside, I had my first day back at uni yesterday. It was great to see everybody again, great to start learning again, because that's what I love to do. I love to learn more about things. To understand things better, that's what I try to do. And it makes it a lot easier when you're doing a course that you love doing :) So it's good to be back. And about time too.
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
To the full. Est.
First of all, an apology. I only just realised that I forgot to do my post yesterday, which I am extremely embarrassed about. Hopefully, this will be a one-time occurrence, though somehow I doubt it. Anyway, on with the actual blog post thing.
At church this Sunday past, in the evening service, there was a bit of a thing about living life to the full. Now, that's a phrase that you do hear fairly often, even in a non-religious sense, usually from young guys pumped up on adrenaline who are trying to get you to do some death-defying stunt with them. However, this isn't quite in the same context. This is in quite a Biblical context - the second half of John 10:10, to be precise. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." These were words from Jesus. So the idea is, that Jesus didn't just come to take all our sins away. That was just the process, so to speak, that is needed to get to the final product - a life that is lived to the full.
Strangely enough, Jesus didn't actually talk about salvation too much. He talked a heck of a lot more about what happened afterwards - and about God's Kingdom. That's what he was really on about. It's like a bridge between one cliff and another cliff - it's an amazing feat in itself, to be sure, but it's not there to be admired. It's there for you to get to the other side, for you to get to that other place. That's what Jesus did. Him dying on the cross was that bridge. But he doesn't want us to linger or focus too much on that. He doesn't really want us to be constantly thinking about all our sins, and constantly coming to Him to ask Him to make it better. Yes, a bit of that is good - but if you keep doing it, it's like you just go onto the bridge, then go back to the side that you came from. He wants you to go over. It's difficult, but it's worth it. It always is with Him, though it can often be pretty hard to see it.
At church this Sunday past, in the evening service, there was a bit of a thing about living life to the full. Now, that's a phrase that you do hear fairly often, even in a non-religious sense, usually from young guys pumped up on adrenaline who are trying to get you to do some death-defying stunt with them. However, this isn't quite in the same context. This is in quite a Biblical context - the second half of John 10:10, to be precise. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." These were words from Jesus. So the idea is, that Jesus didn't just come to take all our sins away. That was just the process, so to speak, that is needed to get to the final product - a life that is lived to the full.
Strangely enough, Jesus didn't actually talk about salvation too much. He talked a heck of a lot more about what happened afterwards - and about God's Kingdom. That's what he was really on about. It's like a bridge between one cliff and another cliff - it's an amazing feat in itself, to be sure, but it's not there to be admired. It's there for you to get to the other side, for you to get to that other place. That's what Jesus did. Him dying on the cross was that bridge. But he doesn't want us to linger or focus too much on that. He doesn't really want us to be constantly thinking about all our sins, and constantly coming to Him to ask Him to make it better. Yes, a bit of that is good - but if you keep doing it, it's like you just go onto the bridge, then go back to the side that you came from. He wants you to go over. It's difficult, but it's worth it. It always is with Him, though it can often be pretty hard to see it.
Monday, 14 February 2011
God loved Hitler.
A strange (and quite controversial) comment to make, I know. However, it's true. God loved him, even though he did all the things he did. He loved him massively, amazingly, even as he was killing tens of thousands of people. Just like he loved Stalin. Hussein. Genghis Khan. Even George Bush, crazy as that may seem. God loved all these people, no matter what they did, or what mistakes they made. Some of the people that many consider to be some of the worst in history.
You wonder, of course, about my point. Well, my point is this: today is Valentine's Day. It's supposed to be a day celebrating love and affection. And yet there is still so much hatred, violence, and animosity in the world. You don't even have to go to a war zone to see it. You could probably see any of those at your closest school. The thing is, we all have people that we're not particularly fond of, for various reasons. People we don't like, or even hate. And, chances are, that's not going to change any time soon.
But if God can love a person like Hitler or Stalin (even though he can do anything, so it's a bit easier for him) perhaps we could have a go at loving the people that we don't particularly like. On this Valentine's Day, perhaps we can spread a bit of love to those people that usually only receive dislike and hate. A little love can do a lot. It's hard, yes. Of course it is. But I'm willing to give it a try. Will you?
You wonder, of course, about my point. Well, my point is this: today is Valentine's Day. It's supposed to be a day celebrating love and affection. And yet there is still so much hatred, violence, and animosity in the world. You don't even have to go to a war zone to see it. You could probably see any of those at your closest school. The thing is, we all have people that we're not particularly fond of, for various reasons. People we don't like, or even hate. And, chances are, that's not going to change any time soon.
But if God can love a person like Hitler or Stalin (even though he can do anything, so it's a bit easier for him) perhaps we could have a go at loving the people that we don't particularly like. On this Valentine's Day, perhaps we can spread a bit of love to those people that usually only receive dislike and hate. A little love can do a lot. It's hard, yes. Of course it is. But I'm willing to give it a try. Will you?
Monday, 7 February 2011
Wow. Just wow.
As perhaps a couple of you know, I did my first sermon last night. Well, sort of. I did do one before, but that was for a service where the kids were running it, and it was more like half a sermon - or a long communion. :p
I have had a fair bit of public speaking experience before, which was very helpful. But, I have to say, I still didn't expect the reaction that I got.
It was amazing.
I think I got at least a dozen people coming up to me afterwards, telling me what a good job I did. So I must have done something right :) I'm telling you, God was in that church last night. I mean, he always is, but I suppose I just felt it a bit more, in a weird kind of way.
Heck, I want to do that again. :D
For those interested, my sermon was on John 8:1-12, and it was about grace. I'm not about to give you the sermon here (though I may put it up on Youtube at some point, and if I do I'll link it to here somewhere), but I'll give you what I guess was my main point: God's grace surpasses all.
I think I'll just leave you with that to be thinking on today. That's a fair bit to think about in itself.
I have had a fair bit of public speaking experience before, which was very helpful. But, I have to say, I still didn't expect the reaction that I got.
It was amazing.
I think I got at least a dozen people coming up to me afterwards, telling me what a good job I did. So I must have done something right :) I'm telling you, God was in that church last night. I mean, he always is, but I suppose I just felt it a bit more, in a weird kind of way.
Heck, I want to do that again. :D
For those interested, my sermon was on John 8:1-12, and it was about grace. I'm not about to give you the sermon here (though I may put it up on Youtube at some point, and if I do I'll link it to here somewhere), but I'll give you what I guess was my main point: God's grace surpasses all.
I think I'll just leave you with that to be thinking on today. That's a fair bit to think about in itself.
Monday, 31 January 2011
The best medicine.
I've recently decided to take a certain direction with my on stage music, gigs etc, few and far between as they are. Given my limited instrumentation (for those unfamiliar, I'm just a solo act - it's just me singing with my keyboard, no band or backing tracks), I've decided to go with a lot more of my comedy material. As such, I've been writing a few such songs recently, since I didn't have many down. I'm still going to keep recording my other types of songs, however. I think it should be interesting to see how things turn out.
Continuing on with the same tone, so to speak, I find it interesting how common comedy and comedians are these days. Most people you ask will probably be able to list at least half a dozen different ones. But, conversely, you won't find it as often in your everyday life. Maybe you've got one or two friends who are jokers, or maybe there's one in your family. But how many times do you actually laugh in your day?
Laughter is an amazing thing. The old adage that laughter is the best medicine rings very true, I think. It can do wonderful things for your outlook, your mood - it's a bit hard to be sad or angry when you're laughing. (This is, of course, barring evil genius laughs etc.) And laughter is one of the most infectious forces on this planet. So spread a bit around. Try laughing a bit more. It just might help when things are a bit tough. Try this particular video out here. It's a pretty well known Rowan Atkinson clip, but a great one.
Continuing on with the same tone, so to speak, I find it interesting how common comedy and comedians are these days. Most people you ask will probably be able to list at least half a dozen different ones. But, conversely, you won't find it as often in your everyday life. Maybe you've got one or two friends who are jokers, or maybe there's one in your family. But how many times do you actually laugh in your day?
Laughter is an amazing thing. The old adage that laughter is the best medicine rings very true, I think. It can do wonderful things for your outlook, your mood - it's a bit hard to be sad or angry when you're laughing. (This is, of course, barring evil genius laughs etc.) And laughter is one of the most infectious forces on this planet. So spread a bit around. Try laughing a bit more. It just might help when things are a bit tough. Try this particular video out here. It's a pretty well known Rowan Atkinson clip, but a great one.
Monday, 24 January 2011
Myths of a Biblical proportion...
Hello, peoples. As was mentioned in the last post, this is actually being written beforehand, and hopefully being uploaded automatically on Monday. If not, I should be able to do it when I get back, but this should work.
Every now and then - not exactly regularly, but when I think it's about time to do another one - I'll attempt to tackle a few myths/concepts that have arisen regarding the Bible/God/Christians. Some of this will probably be a bit controversial, especially when I get a few more people looking at this, rather than just a couple of friends. (NB: Thanks for sticking with me, guys!)
So, for this first one, I'll just take on one misconception that seems to be reasonably common amongst other people, to start off with. Please note: my views do not represent those of every Christian, or even your average Christian. So have a go at me for what I say if you like, but not Christians in general.
Firstly, there seems to be an idea that all Christians don't swear. Period. At all.
This is partly true, partly wrong. Many Christians that you see will try to keep their swearing to a minimum, yes, especially anything that's just an 'add-on' between words, so to speak. But we're just as likely to let go a few choice words when we bang ourselves as you are. In some areas, there really isn't much of a thing against swearing at all. It's just how they talk.
And, in fact, if you look at the Bible, you'll see that Jesus himself said a few things you probably wouldn't want your kids saying. For example, he called the Pharisees (for those unfamiliar with the term, they were religious teachers) 'a brood of vipers'. Vipers are, hopefully evidently, snakes. A brood is the offspring - or in this case, the sons. So he was calling them sons of snakes. The phrase bears a resemblance to a commonly used insult of today, which I'm sure you should be able to figure out without my help. Admittedly, it was probably said in a slightly different manner that it is usually used today; but I wouldn't know, I wasn't there.
So, in conclusion, yes, your average Christian will probably swear less than most people, but it's not exactly a strict taboo across all Christians. We're simply encouraged to 'tame the tongue', or avoid angry outbursts - which is fair enough advice for anyone, really.
Every now and then - not exactly regularly, but when I think it's about time to do another one - I'll attempt to tackle a few myths/concepts that have arisen regarding the Bible/God/Christians. Some of this will probably be a bit controversial, especially when I get a few more people looking at this, rather than just a couple of friends. (NB: Thanks for sticking with me, guys!)
So, for this first one, I'll just take on one misconception that seems to be reasonably common amongst other people, to start off with. Please note: my views do not represent those of every Christian, or even your average Christian. So have a go at me for what I say if you like, but not Christians in general.
Firstly, there seems to be an idea that all Christians don't swear. Period. At all.
This is partly true, partly wrong. Many Christians that you see will try to keep their swearing to a minimum, yes, especially anything that's just an 'add-on' between words, so to speak. But we're just as likely to let go a few choice words when we bang ourselves as you are. In some areas, there really isn't much of a thing against swearing at all. It's just how they talk.
And, in fact, if you look at the Bible, you'll see that Jesus himself said a few things you probably wouldn't want your kids saying. For example, he called the Pharisees (for those unfamiliar with the term, they were religious teachers) 'a brood of vipers'. Vipers are, hopefully evidently, snakes. A brood is the offspring - or in this case, the sons. So he was calling them sons of snakes. The phrase bears a resemblance to a commonly used insult of today, which I'm sure you should be able to figure out without my help. Admittedly, it was probably said in a slightly different manner that it is usually used today; but I wouldn't know, I wasn't there.
So, in conclusion, yes, your average Christian will probably swear less than most people, but it's not exactly a strict taboo across all Christians. We're simply encouraged to 'tame the tongue', or avoid angry outbursts - which is fair enough advice for anyone, really.
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