Baggas' Blog

• Trying out the new noodle place… — at Noodler's Noodle Bar http://gowal.la/r/Xs7U #
• Lunch with Gav — at The Chase http://gowal.la/r/XKCH #
• Things are picking up at work – 2 full days in a row so far this week. #
• Something different for lunch today — at Jamaica Blue http://gowal.la/r/Yd3o #
• Amazing how many people are off on Asian holidays at the moment. Not a day goes by I don't talk to someone who's going! I want to go too!! : #
• Seems a gym has opened close to my work… might be worth checking out… but first I must eat my plate of chips #
• I'm at Jetts Fitness http://gowal.la/r/YqAy #
• Defending his source perhaps? RT @LaurieOakes For the author of those poisonous diaries to compare anyone else with a snake is truly rich #
• My two year old daughter can't stop talking about this guy on TV "Tony Rabbit" @TonyAbbottMHR #ausvotes #
• In other news @JuliaGillard has been caught in first broken promise of campaign : "we'll be praying" for K Rudd. Don't think so! #ausvotes #
• Read my review of Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God by Gordon D. Fee on LibraryThing Invalid URL #
• Read my review of The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini on LibraryThing http://boo.kz/fm #
• Shopping with my girl — at Rockingham City Shopping Centre http://gowal.la/r/YE63 #
• Last minute decision to go out for dinner and a show at Burswood. We don't do this sort of thing often enough! #
• is re-stringing my Strat, whilst listening to the Basement Birds #
• Dinner and a show — at Burswood Casino & Hotel http://gowal.la/r/YGrf #
• Up-market steakhouse — at Victoria Station http://gowal.la/r/YGuG #
• I'm at Burswood Theatre (Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood). http://4sq.com/cGKCCB #
• Always good to walk away from the casino with slightly more money than when you went in! Now for the show… #
• My Top 3 Weekly #lastfm artists: Fleetwood Mac (150), Basement Birds (38) and Paolo Nutini (37) #music http://bit.ly/bs6sqU #
• I'm at Warnbro Community Church in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/YUSN #

• Going to a Magic show — at Warnbro Community Church http://gowal.la/r/NCQB #
• Grabbing Sundaes on the way home from church. (@ McDonald's Family Restaurant) http://4sq.com/bmZbuQ #
• I just unlocked the "Super User" badge on @foursquare! http://4sq.com/aQB0RD #
• Lunch — at The Chase http://gowal.la/r/R6HZ #
• Birthday dinner — at Steel Tree @ The Foreshore http://gowal.la/r/RE55 #
• is watching #hillsong A Beautiful Exchange Bluray. Great music, great visuals… but not always quite in sync… #
• Doing another night of obstetrics cover tonight… then it's back into retirement for me Hope it's not too busy… #
• Bad policy from both sides and an ill-informed public. This migration debate makes me ashamed. Least inspiring election in memory #ausvotes #
• Bit of a slap in the face when you really go the extra mile for someone and they still disrespect you #
• Excellent wide ranging interviews with N T Wright : http://ping.fm/8bYQk #
• Meeting a beautiful woman for lunch… — at Steel Tree @ Settlers http://gowal.la/r/WoE2 #
• All joy and no fun – a very honest look at how parenting relates to happiness : http://ping.fm/cRCWj #
• is watching ABC News 24 – wondering how long it takes for them to run out of things to talk about #
• Last night, for the first time ever, I dreamed I was The Edge… and I had a completely alien green strat! Very disappointed to wake up #
• is taking my 3 youngsters to Freo for a day of fun & hijinks… and to give their mum some peace and quiet! #
• I just unlocked the "Explorer" badge on @foursquare! http://4sq.com/c5B4zr #
• Bacon & Eggs and Pancakes — at Ginos http://gowal.la/r/WTVc #
• I just earned the Cup o' Joe Pin on @gowalla! http://gowal.la/r/WTXd #
• I'm at Breaks fremantle in Perth, Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/WUvr #
• Photo: Relaxing place for coffee, with live jazz on a Saturday morning — at Breaks fremantle http://gowal.la/r/WUwj #
• I'm at Breaks (85 High Street, Fremantle). http://4sq.com/cmTJwW #
• I'm at Old Round House in Perth, Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/WUCG #
• Fish and chips by the harbour — at Joe's Fish Shack http://gowal.la/r/WVaZ #
• Day out with the kids has been fun, until one of them walked into a lamp post! #
• My Top 3 Weekly #lastfm artists: U2 (63), Jesus Culture (56) and Vicky Beeching (48) #music http://bit.ly/bs6sqU #
• I'm at Warnbro Community Church in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/XaxK #
• Family lunch — at Steel Tree @ The Foreshore http://gowal.la/r/XbDP #

• Back to work today after a hectic 2 weeks off. I need a holiday to recover from my holiday! #
• RT @australian Terrorists blamed for Uganda restaurant attacks on World Cup crowds | http://bit.ly/9yU2AM I stayed near here #
• Disappointed that the beautiful huge trees across the road from my office have been bulldozed #
• Dinner with the kids and Jen — at Han's Cafe Rockingham http://gowal.la/r/veaA #
• Surprising but promising news : U2 possibly coming to Perth? http://ping.fm/8HwgJ #
• I'm at The Chase in Baldivis, Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/y2GD #
• post-lunch and a night on-call are taking their toll… nearly fell asleep between patients : #
• much busier day at work today… a few hundred more like this and we'll be sweet #
• Seems like a good day for a short drive…. #
• Riveting TV this morning. Exhaustive coverage of a gate, then a drive, a house, and now a door. Gripping stuff! #ausvotes #
• Amazing how much twitter is being mentioned on the TV coverage today. The first real #twitterelection #ausvotes #
• Not a bad speech from Tony Abbott. Liked the way he hit back at Julia's #movingforward #ausvotes #
• My Top 3 Weekly #lastfm artists: Brian Johnson (89), Hillsong (71) and Portland (69) #music http://bit.ly/bs6sqU #
• I'm at Warnbro Community Church in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/MCN7 #

• Had a great time at Matt & Jess' wedding yesterday – perfect English village wedding service & reception! Now I've just arrived in Cambridge #
• Photo: — at @Whipplesnaith http://gowal.la/r/n1fR #
• http://ping.fm/p/KbAd3 – View of King's College, Cambridge from top of Great St Mary's church tower #
• This cafe is actually an old church, where I am at a classical concert – Mozart's 40th sympho — at Michaelhouse Café http://gowal.la/r/ncix #
• Coffee before another day exploring Cambridge. Great place to sit, opposite King's College — at The Copper Kettle http://gowal.la/r/nss6 #
• Photo: — at The Copper Kettle http://gowal.la/r/nsv3 #
• I'm at The Church of the Holy Sepulchre-The Round Church http://gowal.la/r/ntay #
• I'm at Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences http://gowal.la/r/nufn #
• About to go punting on the Cam (@ Scudamore's Boatyards) http://4sq.com/aK1nOq #
• Photo: — at Scudamore's Boatyard-punt hire http://gowal.la/r/nuF5 #
• I'm at Queen's College http://gowal.la/r/nx6z #
• Beautiful place – have the chapel all to myself. Silence is truly golden (@ Queens' College) http://4sq.com/a10Alu #
• Loved Cambridge! If you ever get the chance to visit here I heartily recommend it. Now making my way back towards London Heathrow…. #
• http://ping.fm/p/26BZ8 – Sexist chocolate bar! #
• Is about to head to Heathrow for the long journey home… can't wait to see my family though! #
• I'm at @HeathrowAirport in London http://gowal.la/r/o4w3 #
• I'm at Servisair Lounges Heathrow Terminal 3 in London http://gowal.la/r/o4wc #
• Is in the lounge at Heathrow about to start the long journey home. Got to see the kids in a fuzzy skype which was nice. Can't wait to see th #
• I'm at Perth International Airport in Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/rdsg #
• After long flights, is glad to be home to my own house, a hot shower, and cuddles with the 2 of my children who are talking to me #
• Taking the boys to watch Toy Story 3 — at Ace Cinemas http://gowal.la/r/rMK8 #
• Had a positive meeting with our adoption social worker. Not much new info, but we'll blame the Ethiopian & Aust governments for that. #
• Now at Koorong – they have some good stuff but also some cringeworthy and cheesy stuff too. #
• Trying to resist spending too much. They have some great stuff here (and some really cringeworthy and ch — at Koorong http://gowal.la/r/spby #
• My Top 3 Weekly #lastfm artists: GUNGOR (220), Portland (51) and Hillsong (49) #music http://bit.ly/bs6sqU #
• I'm at Warnbro Community Church in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/tFQk #

• Go England! #worldcup #eng #
• is watching Mia's swimming lesson then we're off to the airport! #
• I'm at Perth International Airport in Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/fzhF #
• I'm at QANTAS Club Lounge in Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/fAw3 #
• Photo: — at QANTAS Club Lounge http://gowal.la/r/fAxv #
• http://ping.fm/p/3KiFP – On my way to London via Singapore, but part of me wishes I was on that flight to Africa…. #
• Got a good seat though, 1B – wish I could travel international business all the time #
• Hanging in Singapore between flights — at SIN Changi International http://gowal.la/r/fMjw #
• I'm at Qantas Club @ Changi Airport. http://4sq.com/bMTErc #
• Made it to London. Settled in a cafe in Covent garden with free WiFi. Can't get my mobile to work though so first job is to buy a SIM card #
• I'm at Caffé Nero in London http://gowal.la/r/gfDD #
• Is at Piccadilly Maccas. Enjoyed Skyping the family back home, although I had to try 3 different places to get WiFi that worked. #
• I'm at Gordon's Wine Bar in London http://gowal.la/r/gJkh #
• I'm at Cleopatra's Needle in London http://gowal.la/r/gRkA #
• I'm at Tate Modern (53 Bankside, London) w/ 2 others. http://4sq.com/8esEnv #
• I'm at @tate http://gowal.la/r/gVVy #
• http://ping.fm/p/P48ut – I say, what a lovely morning for a stroll along the Thames! #
• I'm at Big Ben (Bridge Street, London). http://4sq.com/8xJMWp #
• I'm at Big Ben in London http://gowal.la/r/jcFt #
• Photo: — at Big Ben http://gowal.la/r/jcNM #
• Catching a train. Hope I've got the right one!? — at Victoria Station http://gowal.la/r/jiGu #
• A round of golf — at Beckenham Place Park http://gowal.la/r/jyns #
• Although I haven't played golf for over 18 months, today was perhaps my best ever 18 holes – very satisfying #
• I'm at Lost Society in London http://gowal.la/r/jQdz #
• Coffee before a day wandering around London — at Monmouth Coffee Company http://gowal.la/r/kaSv #
• Just walked down Drury Lane – no sign of the muffin man though #
• I'm at St. Paul's Cathedral http://gowal.la/r/kbET #
• Photo: — at St. Paul's Cathedral http://gowal.la/r/kbRe #
• http://ping.fm/p/U9Iqg – St Paul's cathedral – awe inspiring. About to sit in on the Eucharist service. #
• I'm at Buckingham Palace in London http://gowal.la/r/keMV #
• I'm at St. James's Park in London http://gowal.la/r/kfh5 #
• I'm at @DowningStreet in London http://gowal.la/r/kfuS #
• http://ping.fm/p/C14r3 – Horses may kick or bite, not sure about the guards though! #
• About to take a cruise on the Thames — at Embankment Pier http://gowal.la/r/kgnw #
• I'm at Tower Bridge http://gowal.la/r/kh44 #
• Shopping time! — at London Oxford Street http://gowal.la/r/kiTz #
• I'm at Marble Arch. http://4sq.com/apeb6U #
• is just about to catch a train from London to Suffolk for the weekend #
• I'm at Liverpool Street Station in London http://gowal.la/r/kK3B #
• I just unlocked the "Photogenic" badge on @foursquare! http://4sq.com/cae9Jk #
• Preparing for the wedding in a couple of hours. Fortunately my suit has survived the rigours of travel relatively uncreased. #
• enjoyed a round of croquet before we head off to the wedding #
• My Top 3 Weekly #lastfm artists: Fleet Foxes (56), Portland (42) and GUNGOR (26) #music http://bit.ly/bs6sqU #

• Hosted a great meeting of our #Warnbro Worldchangers team, planning next Saturday's dinner… should be a great evening #
• Just got my results for Epidemiology – a High Distinction! Now officially three-quarters finished my Masters. Two units to go… #
• I'm at The Chase in Baldivis, Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/9tdo #
• Supposedly iPhone OS 4 (iOS4) is released today, however it's not showing up when I check for updates in iTunes #
• Rudd vs Abbott political webcast – should be interesting… — at Warnbro Community Church http://gowal.la/r/9vjv #
• is updating my iPhone now – feels like a geeky kind of Christmas morning #
• The Complete Guide to Using iOS 4 http://bit.ly/ajIqZB #
• Lunch with Jenni & Mia — at The Chase http://gowal.la/r/9BcM #
• Wet and wintery here in Perth today – looking forward to enjoying a little bit of northern hemisphere summer next week… #
• Busier at work now which is good… missed lunch, which is not so good. #
• Wow. We could have a new Prime Minister tomorrow. I'm not a Gillard fan, but Labor would be crazy not to pick her in the current situation. #
• Finally one of my teams wins a #worldcup game. Proud to be a British Citizen right now #eng #
• An historic day with Australia having our first female Prime Minister – but a shame it had to come about in such an undignified fashion. #
• Poor Kev. Gotta feel sorry for the guy. What an awful, humiliating way to go. #
• has 2 speeches to give over the next 2 Saturdays – working on the first one now… #
• I'm at Warnbro Community Church in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/dgjU #
• Sorry but I still can't bring myself to support New Zealand. #worldcup #nzl #
• Off to bed. Hope this chilly weather warms up for our new American friends next week, though by Tuesday I'll be enjoying the summery weather #
• was just watching the kangaroos outside the window here at work – they don't seem to mind the cold #
• I'm at The Chase Bar and Bistro (13 Settlers Ave, Baldivis). http://4sq.com/9Pl4Fz #
• Seems like Seniors day here at the pub. A veritable sea of white hair… #
• Does anyone else wish Twitter had a "Like" button? #like #
• My definition of slow service : when you finish your glass of wine before the food arrives. #
• I'm at Warnbro Church of Christ (Warnbro Sound Ave, Warnbro). http://4sq.com/ayWZiK #
• I just unlocked the "Local" badge on @foursquare! http://4sq.com/bkuFAx #
• had a great time at the Worldchangers dinner – we had some inspiring guests #
• My Top 3 Weekly #lastfm artists: Foy Vance (71), Portland (42) and Jesus Culture (22) #music http://bit.ly/bs6sqU #
• I'm at Warnbro Community Church in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/eWVC #
• Better start getting organized for my trip to the UK tomorrow #

• Why is it that every time there is a boys movie night I can't go? Because I'm out almost every night! This week out M, T, W, Th, Sa, Sun.. #
• Having said that many boxes are being ticked, loose ends tied up and most of the big things that have occupied this semester are sorted out… #
• Good morning Australia – here we go… #
• A deferred dinner to celebrate our adoption approval (not that we ever need an excuse for — at Steel Tree @ Settlers http://gowal.la/r/5yxi #
• Adding the Deep Woods to my Drync cellar! #wine #
• After an almost full day yesterday, back to another quiet one at work today – busy morning so far but only two more between now and 3pm. #
• Pub grub for lunch again — at The Chase http://gowal.la/r/5FMi #
• enjoyed a great time at music practice – worked on a fantastic new song. Still can't help keep the country out though – there's just no stop #
• Another long lunch — at Steel Tree @ Settlers http://gowal.la/r/6YxP #
• The story of today is : kids with coughs #
• I'm at Subway in Baldivis, Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/8Anc #
• I'm at Maya Masala http://gowal.la/r/8BK1 #
• Having lunch with a mate — at The Chase http://gowal.la/r/8Mqy #
• enjoyed a quick spot of four wheel driving after work #
• is taking the boys for haircuts… seems like lots of other people had the same idea today #
• is heading up to Perth for the Operation Mobilisation dinner with George Verwer. Should be an interesting night! #
• back from a fantastic dinner to watch the second half of what looks like a pretty dodgy soccer match #worldcup #aus #
• My Top 3 Weekly #lastfm artists: Delirious (225), Jesus Culture (205) and Brooke Fraser (157) #music http://bit.ly/bs6sqU #
• I'm at Warnbro Community Church in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/9feC #
• Exciting morning at #Warnbro – God is here! Hope my voice holds out… #
• After a super morning at #Warnbro time to chill on the couch with a good book, a cold brew, and some sweet music #
• Been looking at #foursquare vs #gowalla – not much between them, but I just think Gowalla is slicker and more attractive #

Continuing in Brian McLaren’s latest book in my quest to see if he’s finally “jumped the shark.” And thus far he’s kept mostly on pretty solid ground (at least in my opinion – some readers may have already closed the book by this point, especially those who are new to McLaren’s style of thought.)

But now we begin to cruise into potentially more treacherous waters as Brian starts looking at the Bible itself – how we read it and in what way is it authoritative for us today.

He starts off in chapter 7 by expressing his personal deep love of the Bible, before discussing some of the ways in which Christians have abused the scriptures over the years – from using it as a science textbook (the examples he gives are the faulty condemnation of Galileo, Darwin, and modern psychiatry), an ethical rule book, and as a justification for all sorts of violence and injustice. He then gives a detailed example of how the Bible was used to justify slavery before and during the American Civil War.

“In case after case in the past, there is a kind of Bible-quoting intoxication under the nfluence of which we religious people lose the ability to distinguish between what God says and what we say God says.” (p70)

In the next chapter McLaren looks at how Christians today tend to view and use the Bible, with a predominant approach being to read and use it like a legal constitution. This approach lends itself to a variety of misuses and abuses. McLaren proposes an alternate way of viewing the Bible :

“So whatever the Bible is, it is simply not a constitution. I would like to propose that it is something far more interesting and important: it’s the library of a culture and community – the culture and community of people who trace their history back to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (p 81)

McLaren’s position is that a culture is defined in many ways by the questions it asks and argues about, and the library that we have been given in the Bible is our resource to wrestle with the most important theological questions. In the following chapter Brian looks at the book of Job and contrasts his approach with a (rather caricatured ) constitutional approach. He makes the important point that sola scriptura just doesn’t seem to work if the Bible is viewed in this constitutional fashion. How many differing interpretations, denominational splits and worse have we seen since the Reformation?

“Does the Bible alone provide enough clarity to resolve all questions, as a good constitution should? No. We have no reason to believe it was ever meant to do that, as much as we’ve tried to force it to do so. From all sides it becomes clear that the Bible, if it is truly inspired by God, wasn’t meant to end conversation and give the final word on controversies. If this were it’s purpose, it has failed miserably. (This fact must be faced) But if, instead, it was inspired and intended to stimulate conversation, to keep people thinking and talking and arguing and seeking, across continents and centuries, it has succeeded and is succeeding in a truly remarkable way.”  (p92)

I won’t go on because it’s hard to summarise what Brian is saying without regurgitating the whole chapter, but ultimately he presents us with a Bible that leads us to an encounter and experiencing of the living God. This is where he finishes up :

“This approach, if you haven’t realized it yet, defies both conservative and liberal categories…But here’s what I hope: that this approach will not try to put us under the text, as conservatives tend to do, or to lift us over it, as liberals often seem to do. Instead, I hope it will try to put us in the text—in the conversation, in the story, in the current and flow, in the predicament, in the Spirit, in the community of people who keep bumping into the living God in the midst of their experiences of loving God, betraying God, losing God, and being found again by God. In this way, by placing us in the text, I hope this approach can help us enter and abide in the presence, love, and reverence of the living God all the days of our lives and in God’s mission as humble, wholehearted servants day by day and moment by moment. Even now.” (p 96-97)

I’m sure many will not agree with McLaren’s approach, and he acknowledges as much in the text, but it does seem to be a useful way of thinking about the Bible, albeit possibly unsatisfying to our modern minds. Some may say he’s already become the shark’s breakfast, but from my perspective McLaren is far from jumping just yet.

As I wrote this post, this song by Bruce Cockburn came on my iPod, which seemed kind of appropriate :

I read the Bible often
I try to read it right
As far as I can understand
It’s nothing but a burning light

• I just loved Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture on Your Love Never Fails using #iScrobblePremium #
• after 10 hours of studying epidemiology I'm all crammed out for the day I think… time for bed. #
• My plans for the Foundation Day holiday – epidemiology exam to sit this morning, and then Owen's 9th birthday party this afternoon… #
• Exam was fine – finished an hour early as usual. Great to now have a few weeks break from Uni! #
• http://ping.fm/p/eT1U9 – Studying is over – time to start on some neglected reading material #
• Owen's 9th birthday party! — at Timezone http://gowal.la/r/H2Q #
• iPhone 4 looks awesome- only big disappointment is they didn't increase the memory – should have had a 64Gb version http://bit.ly/bKBkIH #
• Dinner for Owen's 9th birthday at one of our favourite spots — at Betty Blue Bistro http://gowal.la/r/Tub #
• Can't decide if working next door to a bottle shop is a good thing or not #
• is playing around with Skype and iChat on the big LCD screen… fun chatting with the kids in the other room #
• about to head off to hang with my homies – looking forward to our usual high standard of discourse… and coffee of course #
• Lunch at the pub — at The Chase http://gowal.la/r/4LJ6 #
• Quiet day at work :/ — at Jamaica Blue http://gowal.la/r/4M2K #
• probably should go to bed, but I'm still a bit too buzzed #
• Things still a bit quiet here at the new place… so I'm finishing early this afternoon to look after my 2 sick girls at home #
• loves African music! (watching the world cup kick-off celebration concert) #
• is going to be a daddy again!!! #
• We have been officially approved to adopt an overseas (Ethiopian) child up to 3yrs with normal or special care needs #
• after an amazing day it's time to rug up and crash in front of the TV for a night of music and football #
• Taking a break from soccer to watch Bono and The Edge – can this get any better? #
• Seems to have succumbed to this cold virus as well… looks like a slack Saturday is in order. #
• We Will Rock Rock http://youtu.be/DRpIyc0MqGo #
• Switching from U2 Zoo TV Live at Sydney over to the #worldcup #
• kids think the #kor flag looks like a Pepsi logo. And I wish they would ban those stupid trumpet! Sounds like a plague of flies #worldcup #
• Pleased to see Korea #kor beat Greece. Now rooting for the underdogs Nigeria #nga against Argentina #arg #worldcup #
• My Top 3 Weekly #lastfm artists: U2 (719), Jesus Culture (495) and The Decemberists (464) #music http://bit.ly/bs6sqU #
• I'm at Warnbro Community Church in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/5mf9 #
• enjoying another great service at #Warnbro #
• I'm at KFC Warnbro in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/5mGi #

• is taking a break from study, watching Shrek the Third with the kids #
• is watching Mia's swimming lessons for the first time, since I'm between jobs… #
• is heading out to the opening party at my new medical centre #
• Big day tomorrow to start a huge month … I start work in my new job, and the adoption committee meets to decide whether we are fit parents #
• I'm at Wok in a Box in Baldivis, Western Australia http://gowal.la/v/c/QLDh/tw #
• http://ping.fm/p/7IImg – My new office… things were quiet but as you can see I had some visitors #
• enjoyed a great acoustic session at music prac tonight – and discovered some notes I never knew I had in me… #
• is working in probably the biggest solo doctor practice in Australia #
• is sitting down for another late night of exam study – will be glad when I'm no longer out every night and then coming home to study… #
• just got my UK passport, which says that I am a 'British Citizen'!? Who knew? Jolly good. Rule Brittania and God Save the Queen I guess #
• is finding explaining tennis to the kids to be quite a difficult undertaking… #
• Back from another great (late) meeting with the Warnbro leadership team.. very interesting and exciting times Now back to exam study #
• Finished early… Time for a quick Friday arvo drink at the pub with Gav #
• is out for a family dinner – it's been a couple of weeks since we've all gone out which is a long time for us. #
• Family dinner — at Capricci's Restaurant http://gowal.la/r/fEW #
• thought Chuck was finished for the year but I was wrong – still an episode to go. Looks like I'll be taking an hours break from study tomorr #
• is feeling pretty crook with a bad head cold this morning – not good when I need to study all day and am singing tomorrow :/ #
• All drummers can learn from this guy http://youtu.be/ItZyaOlrb7E #
• enjoyed the Chuck finale… now back to studying and watching the tennis #
• My Top 3 Weekly #lastfm artists: U2 (287), The Decemberists (56) and Jesus Culture (14) #music http://bit.ly/bs6sqU #
• I'm at Warnbro Community Church in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/r/xm8 #
• is enjoying playing country style this morning at #Warnbro – hard to keep the twang out of my voice though #
• was good this morning to get country music out of my system for a while… nah who am I kidding? I'll never get country out of my system! #

I’m supposed to be busily studying tonight for my epidemiology exam  on Monday morning so I’ll keep this brief, but I just wanted to share a website about a group I wasn’t previously aware of – The Elders. Now this has nothing to do with the Kansan Irish-American folk-rock band by that name (though do check them out – I have one of their CDs – it’s not bad), and it’s not a website for our leadership team at Warnbro. I can’t summarise it any better than their website so I’ll quote verbatim :

“The Elders are an independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by Nelson Mandela, who offer their collective influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity.”

What a great concept! Harnessing the wisdom of these experienced leaders, including the likes of Kofi Annan, Mary Robinson, Desmond Tutu, Carter, Mandela and others.. plus there’s an empty seat held for Aung San Suu Kyi… Too often we are guilty (myself included) of ignoring the wisdom of those who have gone before us. In this case these are people of great stature with tremendous wisdom and experience to offer, and yet they are now for the most part out of the systems where what they say needs to be tempered by political concerns. Giving people like this a collective voice to address the key issues of fighting injustice and making peace is a wonderful concept and I look forward to seeing what fruit this group produces… I’ll be watching their twitter feed henceforth.

Anyway better get back to study… highlighting one sentence on page 1 of my notes is not going to help me pass this exam

• enjoyed a productive meeting with our WorldChangers team. Also discovered a tasty new treat… red wine Maltesers #
• has only 5 more days left working here after 5 and a half years. Excited about the new place though! #
• Just used #SoundHound to find Magnificent by U2 http://bit.ly/bBPUvJ #nowplaying #
• got my medical indemnity documents for the coming year… unusual but nice to see the cost has actually gone down quite a bit #
• loves online tracking of packages – can't help myself refreshing it frequently to see where it's at! Anyone else get the same joy from that? #
• doesn't like it when a patient tells me some medical info and I say 'nah that's not right' then get an email newsletter saying that very thi #
• Father & son check-ups — at Airey Dental Family Practice http://gowal.la/c/NAcW #
• is working on getting Jenni's new MacBook set up… it's white and shiny and fast #
• is heading out to dinner at La Vigna in Mt Lawley – not a bad way to take care of a year's worth of medical education points in one evening #
• Just used #SoundHound to find Silver and Gold (Sun City) [*] by U2 http://bit.ly/dbl4GA #nowplaying #
• Last day at my old practice today, after five and a half years! #
• is concerned by the figures in today's paper showing increasing numbers of parents are not vaccinating their children … scary! #
• is leaving work here for the last time… and almost fittingly, my final patient did not turn up – lol Goodbye! #
• Chuck! What a cliff-hanger! Awesome finish. Shame we have to wait months to find out what happens next… love this show #
• is trying hard to study. Have an exam in 8 days and between now and then start a new job and have several nights out for various things… #
• Having brunch down by the beach — at The Merchant Tea Rooms http://gowal.la/v/c/Q7zZ/tw #
• Hanging out in this beautiful spot — at Rockingham Beach http://gowal.la/v/c/Q7Xv/tw #
• Photo: — at Rockingham Beach http://gowal.la/v/p/Q7Xv/tw #
• I'm at Baskin Robbins in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/v/c/Q8r8/tw #

Well today was my last day at work in the place I’ve spent the last 5 and a half years, which I think is about the longest I’ve worked anywhere (except perhaps my part time petrol station job when I was at uni?) – and no that’s not because I’m flaky, it’s purely a product of the medical training system that had me moving between various hospitals and practices for the first 5 years of my medical career. They gave me a nice send-off and I was a little sad to leave some of the familiar faces behind.

Anyway I start work at the brand new surgery on Tuesday. Reception opens Monday and I’ll pop down then to start getting my office organised. I had first choice of room, so I think I’ve picked the best one in the place. It’s going to be quite exciting working in a shiny new place, and the company who own it seem to be very keen to accomodate my preferences for most things. Over time I’m hoping to get more and more serious about travel medicine, as well as continuing to do a lot of work with kids and mums etc.

But for now, a busy weekend ahead and in the midst of everything I have to fit in more study for my Epidemiology exam on Monday week… if you see me updating this blog lots it means I’m slacking of in my study

• Just used #SoundHound to find "40" by U2 http://bit.ly/d8P4oI #nowplaying #
• Just used #SoundHound to find A Sort of Homecoming by U2 http://bit.ly/aNZCyk #nowplaying #
• Just used #SoundHound to find Bad [Live] by U2 http://bit.ly/d4U17d #nowplaying #
• Think I've had enough U2 for one day… finding myself trying to combine 'Desert Song' with 'Sunday Bloody Sunday'… and it works too #
• is staying up late to watch the cricket #
• Sometimes is too lazy to type the URL of sites I know, so I just write the name in the Google search bar. Anyone else do that? #
• Just used #SoundHound to find Where the Streets Have No Name by U2 http://bit.ly/cl9zA5 #nowplaying #
• Started my assignment tonight and it is pretty much writing itself – will need a bit of fleshing out though. #
• Just used #SoundHound to find Helter Skelter [Live] by U2 http://bit.ly/aPDhvh #nowplaying #
• latest UNICEF figures suggest that there are currently 163 million orphans worldwide….and we have to wait how long to adopt just one??? #
• 8 days left in this place and my computer has died.. amazed at how much faster the one I'm borrowing is though… and I've been suffering al #
• Just used #SoundHound to find One by U2 http://bit.ly/99Rr3u #nowplaying #
• just made Jenni very excited #
• Just used #SoundHound to find Zooropa by U2 http://bit.ly/b5ixZ9 #nowplaying #
• Amazing how the body clock changes. Lately I've been up late most nights… getting more study done is good and coping fine on less sleep. #
• Once my exams are over might try and translate this new routine into other productive uses : reading, TV, playing music, maybe some gaming #
• Just used #SoundHound to find Discothèque by U2 http://bit.ly/bDl6V7 #nowplaying #
• can never go home and just switch off after a leadership meeting… however I know if I pick up my epidemiology book I'll be snoozing within #
• was very tempted to call in sick this morning… but then who would look after all the other sick people? Now just waiting for the chemist t #
• Not too thrilled about the falling dollar with my UK trip coming up in a month Trying to decide whether to blame KRudd's super mining tax #
• can confirm that the cold and flu season has officially begun… #
• just scored an awesome deal on a big new TV (and free fridge and PS3) #
• Out for dinner with an old friend — at Han's Cafe Rockingham http://gowal.la/c/MuPo #
• Photo: — at Han's Cafe Rockingham http://gowal.la/c/MuPo #
• Studying in a cafe whilst Jenni shops and getting a car wash — at Garden City http://gowal.la/c/MK1W #
• Should do this cafe study more often… iPod in my ears – good music, nice coffee, ripping through my book! Could turn out to be expensive t #
• just bought myself a suit, for the first time in about ever… preparing for my best-man duties #
• http://ping.fm/p/uMfn3 – More study, more music, and a great spot to sit and watch the world go by…. #
• I'm at Warnbro Community Church in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/N26W #
• Photo: Getting ready for a hot service.. and an awesome new song too… — at Warnbro Community Church http://gowal.la/c/N26W #
• came home to a nice home cooked lunch and a cold beer… put Mia down for her nap and time to chillax for a while #
• Just used #SoundHound to find Beautiful Day by U2 http://bit.ly/crqbxL #nowplaying #
• Just used #SoundHound to find Vertigo by U2 http://bit.ly/drxTqw #nowplaying #

• Dinner at one of my favourite spots — at Betty Blue Bistro http://gowal.la/c/Jpcm #
• Photo: — at Betty Blue Bistro http://gowal.la/c/Jpcm #
• Settling in for a relaxing evening at home after a busy weekend, and a busy week ahead… #
• I've been Tweeting since May 10, 2007 (1096 days). How about you? – http://HowLongOnTwitter.com #
• Was thinking the federal budget didn't look too bad… until I heard on SBS news that they have saved $1billion by cutting foreign aid! FAIL #
• is watching "Anatomy for Beginners"… brings back fond memories of many hours in the dissection lab #
• is just about to head out for a visit to look around my new surgery, which opens in less than 3 weeks! #
• I'm at Jamaica Blue in Baldivis, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/K8Xn #
• Just read our adoption assessment report – very long but positive. Now we just await the verdict from the state adoption committee in Jun #
• I'm at Han's Cafe Rockingham in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/KoWm #
• I'm at Prime Wok in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/KBQ3 #
• http://medicalobserver.com.au/news/nurse-grants-could-see-some-gps-lose-income Rudd funds his nurses pledge by paying doctors less. Fail #
• Looks like it's going to be a Mia & Daddy day today – everyone else is going out. #
• Chuck season 4! Woot! http://ping.fm/H21k4 #
• Just used #SoundHound to find Let's Start a Band by Amy MacDonald http://bit.ly/9VhCqc #nowplaying #
• Just used #SoundHound to find Life's a Song by Patrick Park http://bit.ly/bTD0KD #nowplaying #
• http://ping.fm/p/s1DpQ – Mobile photo #
• I'm at Warnbro Community Church in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/LcGq #
• feels like today needs to be a U2 day… #
• Just used #SoundHound to find I Will Follow by U2 http://bit.ly/as4Lty #nowplaying #
• Just used #SoundHound to find Gloria by U2 http://bit.ly/c4hSAb #nowplaying #
• Just used #SoundHound to find Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2 http://bit.ly/bCRL69 #nowplaying #

• I really love our new Dyson handheld vacuum (even though I know it's not a very manly thing to say so… lol) #
• Avatar on BluRay – nice! #
• See one, do one, teach one… the old ways still work #
• is going to be in London next month time to start looking for a place to stay… #
• never nice to get bad news as I'm walking out the door #
• has booked my London hotel.. small place, but central, cheap, and with free breakfast and WiFi.. now better get back to studying… #
• Has arrived in Busselton – very impressed with our Villa – huge 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and spa – Mia even has her own King size bed! #
• Sorry to hear about the Nashville floods… and sad the only news source I could find was the Fender Guitar news feed… #
• I'm at Fig Tree Lane in Busselton, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/HKby #
• Photo: Mia enjoying the bookshop — at Fig Tree Lane http://gowal.la/c/HKby #
• http://ping.fm/p/GtKW1 – Anyone for tennis? #
• I'm at the goose in Busselton, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/HNac #
• I'm at Margaret River Bakery in Margaret River, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/J4gH #
• I'm at Simmo's Icecreamery in Dunsborough, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/J4Th #
• Brunch — at Dome Bunbury http://gowal.la/c/Jncf #
• Photo: Mother's Day Brunch in Bunbury — at Dome Bunbury http://gowal.la/c/Jncf #

• I'm at Perth Zoo in Perth, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/EzcG #
• is feeling very British – just applied for my UK Passport! God Save the Queen and all that #
• Applying for a British Passport — at Centro Mandurah Shopping Centre http://gowal.la/c/EU1e #
• I'm at Prime Wok in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/FL2i #
• I'm at Muzz Buzz Rockingham in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/G67j #
• Acoustic session tomorrow, so a good time for a change of strings – Elixir of course #
• First visit to what might become my new watering hole — at The Chase http://gowal.la/c/G8sf #
• I'm at Warnbro Community Church in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/GpcU #
• Did you know that in 20 years extreme poverty has been halved? Your act can help end it http://bit.ly/b13y9T #

• I'm at Perth Zoo in Perth, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/EzcG #
• is feeling very British – just applied for my UK Passport! God Save the Queen and all that #
• Applying for a British Passport — at Centro Mandurah Shopping Centre http://gowal.la/c/EU1e #
• I'm at Prime Wok in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/FL2i #
• I'm at Muzz Buzz Rockingham in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/G67j #
• Acoustic session tomorrow, so a good time for a change of strings – Elixir of course #
• First visit to what might become my new watering hole — at The Chase http://gowal.la/c/G8sf #
• I'm at Warnbro Community Church in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/GpcU #
• Did you know that in 20 years extreme poverty has been halved? Your act can help end it http://bit.ly/b13y9T #

• I just got up to 26,465 in #DoodleJump!!! Beat that! http://itunes.com/app/DoodleJump #
• is sitting by the ocean, listening to a podcast, waiting for a dentist appointment #
• http://ping.fm/p/FPD1o – Do I really want to leave this scene to go to the dentist? #
• Old people complain about young people being selfish, and while there's no denying that I think the reverse is very often true also… #
• think I need some lunch #
• has now been told by some IT guys that our server will be down for half an hour – why on earth do they do this in the middle of the day when #
• is wondering if Jen's rellies are going to make it here from the UK tomorrow? #
• is really glad right now I'm not Gray Powell… http://ping.fm/e9REV #
• is on the couch with a glass of moscato, listening to Alison Krauss, reading N.T. Wright… if only I didn't have dishes, bath and bedtime t #
• Friday night is Mexican night! #
• Catching a baby — at Rockingham General Hospital http://gowal.la/c/DCes #
• I'm at Zocalo Mexican Restaurant in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/DDe3 #
• I'm at Muzz Buzz in Mandurah, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/DWu1 #
• One of our WorldVision sponsor kids has moved, so they randomly gave us a new one without asking us about it – would have been nice to choos #
• But our new randomly allocated sponsor child is a boy the same age as Luke, from Ethiopia of all places! So I'm pretty happy with that! #
• All hail the mighty Edge #
• I'm at Warnbro Community Church in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/c/Egxk #
• realized there is a recurrent anti-war message in a few of our songs this morning… was not intentional though #
• Photo: — at Warnbro Community Church http://gowal.la/c/Egxk #
• Time to start my next assignment – have all the essentials ready : laptop, sunglasses, S&V chips, red wine, a novel, and some study books to #

• is thinking six strings just won't be enough tonight – time to dust off the ole 12 string #
• http://ping.fm/p/wbmSW – Time to pack away my instruments… think that's gotta be a record for the most I've used on the one day #
• just realised that I might be able to stay home every night this week… can't believe it! woohoo! #
• I just got up to 10,365 in #DoodleJump!!! Beat that! http://itunes.com/app/DoodleJump #
• Noodles for lunch — at Prime Wok http://gowal.la/s/5Kbn #
• I just got up to 22,149 in #DoodleJump!!! Beat that! http://itunes.com/app/DoodleJump #
• Looks like the lunch train came and left without me today #
• quite enjoys teaching – looking forward to doing more of it in my new job #
• Opera Mini 5 on the iPhone http://youtu.be/OpTCS3g-cBY – big improvement over safari! #
• I just scored 1016 while defending MT.CRUZE island and is now ranked 937 in the world! http://bit.ly/5arfRG #
• just met a guitar geek and Mac aficionado… nice to meet a kindred spirit #
• Mongolian beef noodles today — at Prime Wok http://gowal.la/s/5Kbn #
• Seriously snowed under today – double booked with patients and too many other interesting things to look at. Thank God I'm finishing early t #
• is taking the kids out for the afternoon to Mandurah #
• Shopping and hair cuts — at Centro Mandurah Shopping Centre http://gowal.la/s/25KR #
• Shopping — at Garden City http://gowal.la/s/g43 #
• Indian for dinner — at Cinnamon Club http://gowal.la/s/5UQ4 #
• Sometimes it's nice to be driven #
• Watching Date Night — at Ace Cimimas Rockingham http://gowal.la/s/55EB #
• I'm at Warnbro Community Church in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/s/5GWP #
• is out the back trying to catch up on study – it's such a beautiful day #

• is thinking about Ethiopia again #
• is starting to clear out my office – still got 6+ weeks here but I have accumulated a lot of crap in the last few yrs so best to get started #
• will be glad when Mia gets over this weird nocturnal gastro thing she's had all week #
• http://ping.fm/p/Lf1VN – So my shelves of textbooks are starting the migration home, but what to do with 5 yrs worth of unread med journals? #
• iPhone OS4 looks like a home run! Surprising amount of useful cool new features. And it makes the iPad an even more worthwhile thing to get. #
• Busy day at work today. I am the vaccination king! Looking forward to going out for dinner tonight and trying to not let anyone get me down #
• I'm at Hog's Breath Cafe in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/s/5C3A #
• Photo: — at Hog's Breath Cafe http://gowal.la/c/zgqk #
• Shopping — at Harbour Town http://gowal.la/s/HM7 #
• Drinking awful coffee — at Gloria Jean's Coffees http://gowal.la/s/3914 #
• Photo: — at Gloria Jean's Coffees http://gowal.la/c/zBPV #
• Eating — at Han's Cafe Rockingham http://gowal.la/s/5EuB #
• Photo: — at Han's Cafe Rockingham http://gowal.la/c/zCst #
• I'm at Warnbro Community Church in Rockingham, Western Australia http://gowal.la/s/5GWP #
• feeling a serious lack of energy as Sunday swiftly vanishes and my weekend to-do list is still full… #

• has finally finished our sixth and last adoption interview – good to have that behind us. Now we just have to await the verdict of the commi #
• is out for dinner to celebrate the end of our adoption assessment (and also just got an email saying my new job http://tl.gd/m47v6 #
• is looking forward to an Indian meal with a big group of friends for the second time this week … just waiting for everyone else to arrive! #
• has just seen my boys off on their first camping adventure… in the backyard… now the house is nice and peaceful #
• is not a fan of shops closing at 4:30 when they are supposed to be open til 5pm #
• I used #Shazam to discover One Way Road by John Butler Trio http://www.shazam.com/music/web/track?id=51757342 #

• is playing some Bach – seem to spend more time on piano than guitar these days… #
• is sitting outside with Mia and Owen watching a storm rolling in – love this weather! #
• is changing my guitar strings whilst watching Chuck #
• "Father to the fatherless, defender of widows… God places the lonely in families" Ps68:5-6 NLT ..was today's reading http://ow.ly/1qxwY #
• Fifth adoption interview was intense but seemed to go well Only one more to go next Tuesday! #
• enjoyed a nice dinner out but now have a sore throat… really need this to be gone by the morning! Let's see if 6.5 hrs sleep will do the job #

• at the airport enjoying a nice glass of red while I await Jennifer's plane #
• is happy to finally have an in-tune piano again – now if only I could play the thing properly #
• is disturbed by the recent crop of ill-informed, biased, one sided and out-dated stories on Ethiopian adoption in the Australian media… #
• My first free Thursday night home in 6 weeks, and I'll be stuck doing my assignment which is due tomorrow #
• is having a slightly more sedate day today (ie. I'm only 20% overbooked) which means more time for coffee! #
• our waiting room is eerily quiet – not a patient in the building… most unusual #
• Loves finding an obscure word when reading – how's this? "impecunious" Cool! Also I love Mumford & Sons and The Decemberists. That's all #
• has finished our 4th adoption assessment and now about to head out for dinner with Jen at an Ethiopian Restaurant and then a movie #
• Chilling around the pool with my oldest boy and little girl on this beautiful Sunday afternoon #
• http://ping.fm/p/CgZ8B – Mobile photo #

• is off work for a couple of days but I'm not being slack – have a birthday, adoption assessment, church meeting, dinner, airport trip & more #
• Has seen Jen off for her flight to Sydney – now I'm a single dad for the next five days. #
• Kids up, dressed, and ready for school, lunches made, house tidied after last night – time for one more cup of coffee before work.. #
• I am far too busy – as soon as I book in one important meeting then another opportunity arises for something else at the exact same time! #
• is putting together my weekend to-do list as usual – two days is never enough… #
• just made the mistake of logging into my uni discussion forum for the first time – now feeling disturbed by how much effort all these nerds #
• is watching the shark spotting helicopter circling low over the bay down the road… never a good sign #
• I used #Shazam to discover On The Road by Angus & Julia Stone http://www.shazam.com/music/web/track?id=51789405 #
• is about to be brave and take my boys to an Ethiopian adoption picnic up in Perth… #
• Picnic was good, then went geocaching – now the kids are standing in the rain watching an ultra-lite plane circling over our neighbourhood #
• I unlocked "Aerial Madman" in "Fieldrunners"! http://bit.ly/6eGT1L #

• I used #Shazam to discover The Cave by Mumford & Sons http://www.shazam.com/music/web/track?id=50839816 #
• had our second adoption assessment this morning which seemed fine. Next one is next week with the 3 kids – now that could be interesting!?! #
• Happy Birthday to my two year old Princess Mia #
• RT @JeniCB just received a phone call from DCP to tell us that the Ethiopia program is reopening!!!! #
• is exploring Addis Ababa (via Google Earth)… #
• is browsing http://ping.fm/aqa1M – surprising how much I like photos of cityscapes, even Perth. Interesting site… #
• Family day today – after church went geocaching and now out for brunch… unfortunately everyone in town seems to have the same idea #

• is watching Twenty/20 with the kids #
• has a dentist appointment now, then band practice later on… so apologies if my vocals sound like Bob Dylan with a stroke #
• Never has a long weekend been more welcome and needed than right now… just have to survive another super busy day at work first #
• is in Perth visiting the adoption library, then maybe off to Ikea #
• is building an Ikea kitchen for my little girl's birthday #

• Forgot how much I like Peroni – goes well with Jenni's pasta #
• Things are already heating up for another busy week, though perhaps not quite as crazy as last week #
• Three weeks ago I was relaxing on a beautiful beach 700km from here… seems like forever ago already! Can I go back please? #
• just got Jen's hotel booked for her trip to Sydney next month – thank God for Google Maps! Now time to relax – just me, Jenni, and Chuck #
• Crazy morning with seven minor theatre cases mixed in… hopefully the afternoon will be a little more sedate #
• RT @BrianCHouston Leaders goal: Don't allow your life to be a set of competing priorities. eg. God/family/church. Let them flow together! #
• finally seems to be making a little bit of progress learning piano … still need to get the darn thing tuned though #
• Another huge day ahead at work today … the patient drought of late '09 has well and truly turned into a flood at present #
• http://ping.fm/p/Mr7FM – Geocaching – Baldivis childrens forrest #
• http://ping.fm/p/uEbvC – Baldivis children's forrest #
• http://ping.fm/p/tyJt7 – A family dinner at The Steel Tree #
• is enjoying a meal at the Steel Tree after a successful geocaching expedition in Baldivis #
• After a great service at #Warnbro I'm now visiting a place where even more Aussies spend their Sunday mornings… Bunnings Warehouse #
• http://ping.fm/p/LyATL – Ready to start studying for another semester of my Masters – this time it's Epidemiology… #

• Another huge week ahead – not much free time in my schedule between now and Friday night.. #
• is off to see someone about a job… #
• Our adoption process is once again progressing rapidly – despite some recent bad press we've had nothing but good service from DCP adoption #
• is feeling a bit overwhelmed by life… and this humid weather is not helping at all. #
• must remember not to Google Noah's Ark – the only results are a jumble of very bad science. Must get back to work I think… #
• wonders why they asked me my preferences as to how I want my appointments booked if they are going to continually ignore them anyway? #
• is teaching Owen how to use a dictionary – yep, one of those old fashioned book things #
• Quieter start to the day today, however 7 no-shows in the first 3 hours is not good for business #
• Thinks Google Buzz doesn't have chance of seriously competing with facebook… but I signed up nonetheless http://ping.fm/uMVOa #
• is at swimming lessons with Luke, then out again tonight. At present, home is a place I pop in and visit once in a while #
• thought I might have to deliver a baby today, but now I don't, thus keeping my record for 2010 intact. So glad it's Friday! #
• finally found the time for a long overdue coffee, only to discover there are no beans Looks like it's Nescafe time again… #
• It's funny when I meet someone with a certain accent I immediately want to ask them if they know the other person I know with that accent #
• NYTimes: Wi-Fi Turns Rowdy Bus Into Rolling Study Hall http://s.nyt.com/u/BRc #
• is reorganizing our house whilst watching the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony – gotta love Canada eh! #
• never knew that Canadians say Zed instead of Zee – good for you Canada! #
• http://ping.fm/p/6x3PB – Out for dinner at Betty Blues… still a great view, but what happened to the old jetty?? #
• http://ping.fm/p/GAurZ – Mobile photo #
• http://ping.fm/p/oHF1m – Mobile photo #
• Getting ready to head to church for a huge morning at #Warnbro – claiming a new tag for tweets about our church stuff #
• time to collapse on the couch with my book after a very busy (but good) morning #
• just had the surreal experience of walking into Luke's room to find him and Mia dancing to the Star Wars Cantina music – very weird #

• needs to get our piano tuned #
• just realised I have forgotten to have coffee all day today – a situation that must be rectified immediately! #
• is trying to expand my boys' knowledge of important subjects like Magnum PI and Knight Rider.… #
• RT @pocketbible Possibly interested in the new iPad from Apple? Read Craig's initial impressions. http://blog.laridian.com/?p=200 Cool! in reply to pocketbible #
• is at the first of 3 separate engagements at 3 different places in the next 2 hours – and I must fit dinner in there somewhere too… #
• had a good meeting at adoption services – things are starting to move again Now for ribs at Tony Romas and maybe a movie… #
• watched "Up in the Air" – great movie. #

• http://ping.fm/p/AzSZu – Our third geocache – Farming the Wind, Esperance WA #
• I just scored 20 while defending MT.CRUZE island and is now ranked 2854 in the world! http://bit.ly/5arfRG #
• I unlocked "Global Warmer" in "Fieldrunners"! http://bit.ly/6eGT1L #
• I unlocked 2 achievements in "Fieldrunners"! http://bit.ly/6eGT1L #
• is glad to be home, chilling out in front of the cricket – shame I have to go back to work tomorrow #
• Is out for a family dinner @ Steel Tree -good food and wine makes everything better #
• is topping off another very hectic day of work with a visit to the dentist… great :/ #
• Very intense week. Not just busy but lots of serious stuff – glad it's Friday night tonight! #
• just remembered a competition we had going when I was training in obstetrics – a bottle of wine for anyone who delivered a baby named Gary.. #
• It's just the name they picked – common when we were kids but you never see kids called that nowadays #
• After a short but heavy duty week I think it's time for dinner down at the pub.. #
• is heading to the Aquatic Centre for two different get togethers in a row… hopefully a pleasant afternoon #
• Time to chill and recover from the week just gone and prepare for another busy one ahead.. also need to try and get my music stuff organised #
• Debating whether or not I should throw out all the boxes my guitar effects pedals came in to create some space? #
• http://ping.fm/p/W0pfA – To discard or to hoard? That is the question… #

• I unlocked 7 achievements in "Fieldrunners"! http://bit.ly/6eGT1L #
• I unlocked "Boot Camp Junior" in "Fieldrunners"! http://bit.ly/6eGT1L #
• I just scored 6462 while defending ST.VINCENT island and is now ranked 2794 in the world! http://bit.ly/5arfRG #
• Just wasted an hour of my day with a poorly made product that ultimately was no good due to one bolt hole being a millimetre out… #
• Bike rack for the car. Bolt didn't fit through the hole so no bikes now . #
• is getting ready for our trip to Esperance – pack the car tonight so we can leave at the crack of dawn tomorrow… #
• Morning tea in Narrogin #
• made it safely to Esperance, where we are staying for a few days #
• is finding our first attempts at geocaching a bit frustrating – not sure if the iPhone app is accurate enough…. #
• was excited to find a geocache in the end… now settling down to dinner by the ocean #
• enjoyed a lovely day at Lucky Bay with a bunch of friends – definitely one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia #
• http://ping.fm/p/KbYUk – Mobile photo #

• is watching a kung fu movie with the family – nice way to finish the weekend #
• wonders why it's always the final few patients at the end of the day that are late or no-shows : #
• is looking at a jam-packed schedule today – will have to stay focussed to keep ahead of the game #
• Is God a PC or Mac? http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/01/debating-whether-god-is-a-mac-or-a-pc/ Definitely a Mac #
• is very happy… I finally got the call I've been waiting for! #
• is so pleased to have rejoined the 21st century with my iPhone back again #
• I used #Shazam to discover The Only Exception by Paramore http://www.shazam.com/music/web/track?id=50840109 #
• I used #Shazam to discover Friends, Lovers Or Nothing by John Mayer http://www.shazam.com/music/web/track?id=50997226 #

• is going to watch Sherlock Holmes… #
• has seen lots of people I like or am friends with today and am now a bit behind – time to speed up and stop being so nice to people #
• has caught up again and off to see what's for lunch? My first drug lunch for 2010… #
• trying to avoid being tempted back to hospital work… "it's so much crusier now" they tell me.. hmmm #
• Kids & Jen watching a DVD – time for me to chill out with a glass of red, S&V chips, and a humungous Mexican novel #
• thinking about our next family adventure ? HK 2011..! once Mia is a bit older and suitable to travel.. also need to save some dough first.. #
• still no iPhone, so trying out twhirl desktop twitter on my Windows2000 PC at work #
• finally finished a busy week of work.. looking forward to a relaxing weekend #
• is about to direct my first stop-motion animation #

• is on-call for obstetrics today for the first time since April (just as a one-off) – so far I haven't been called so it's a good start… #
• is back at work this morning, but looking forward to going to the Cricket this afternoon #
• had an unenjoyable day at work. Glad to be finished and heading to the cricket! #
• still likes hearing myself referred to as a surgeon… I'm a bit less annoyed now about my theatre case being delayed by 2 hours. #
• finally got Qantas frequent flyers site working… and booked a seat for London in late June … and the outward trip is Business class! #
• is taking the kids down the beach for the first time this year #
• is spending the morning down at the old aquatic centre with Jen and the kids #
• is tidying up my music zone, listening to Katie Noonan singing jazz versions of Beatles songs… nice #

• is down at the Christmas carols at the foreshore #
• is visiting my local noodle joint – they seem to be struggling so I make a point of coming here every week – Kwai Teow noodles today #
• finds that emails with instructions in bold red text just make want to do the opposite #
• is trying hard to be a wall and not take on other people's responsibilities #
• thinks all songs can be made to sound like U2 without trying too hard (especially if they are D A Bm G…) #
• is having dinner at Han's Cafe #
• after a quick practice of some Christmas songs for tomorrow, now heading out to see Avatar #
• enjoyed the playing in the Christmas service at church, now to get the kids into bed before a relaxing evening waiting for Santa… #
• Boxing day : a day for watching the cricket, playing Xbox and Wii (boxing of course, and cricket), swimming and just generally chillaxing #
• is driving to Toodyay today to visit Jen's dad #

Here I am on Christmas Eve at work seeing a double load of patients since most of the other doctors have already abandoned us, but only a few short hours to go before a 4 day break.

Just thought I’d take this opportunity to wish anyone who reads this a Happy and Blessed Christmas, wherever in the world you may be!

As I’ll be here in Australia, I thought it was appropriate to share this little effort from Rolf Harris – Christmas in the Sun, perhaps his best Christmas song since the classic “Six White Boomers” (not that that’s saying very much…) As I’ve said before Christmas is the one time of year it’s okay to listen to otherwise forbidden music, so I hope you can excuse the cheesiness of this… on a tangential issue, it’s been interesting following the story of the UK Christmas #1 single. Not sure where Rolf came, but I was kind pleased to see the X Factor contestant beaten by Rage Against The Machine’s “Killing in the Name Of” (cool song, but don’t think I’ll post the video here as this is generally a PG rated blog) – can still remember my year 12 maths teacher raving about that song in high school. Funny how a grass roots internet campaign can drive such an old, aggressive (and quite rude) song to the top of the chart…

Anyway, I digress – here’s Rolf Harris :

And if you survived that, check out Rolf’s version of Stairway to Heaven – can’t get much more cheesy than this!

• just finished my first fully booked day in a month – now off to a pool party! #
• Eerie conditions outside today – thick haze and fine white ash falling like snow – closest thing we'll ever get to a "white Christmas" #
• Reminder to self : flee from right wing American fundamentalist, Calvinist, anti-Obama blogs – it's like Fox News on steroids #
• is back from a quick dash around the shops – got everything I needed to get and hopefully that is that. #
• Got my first Christmas gift at work for the year… was beginning to get worried I might have to buy wine for myself this year lol #
• had a funeral and a dentist visit this morning, and work has been gloomy so far this afternoon – hope the rest of the day gets better! #
• Nothing beats swimming in the rain #

It’s been a week now since I sent my iPhone off to get repaired – a very long, tough, sad week..

Who knew that losing my iPhone could be this painful. I’ve not only lost my phone, but I’ve also lost my :

• diary
• address book
• shopping list
• Bible
• personal DJ
• TV guide
• weatherman
• guitar tuner
• remote control
• connection to the outside world (through FB, Twitter, email – it’s very hard not being able to instantly update from anywhere and everywhere (ie “walking down the road. stubbed my toe on a rock. ouch! here’s a picture of that stupid rock..”) I’m sure you’re missing those updates as much as me
• camera for taking pictures of stupid rocks etc
• movie guide
• gaming console

The girl said it can take up to 6 weeks to get my phone back but that she would try and “expedite” it for me. Just wish I’d heard something by now, to let me know how it’s all going… I miss my iPhone!

• had an excellent time at Colin & Ann's party – nice finish to a good weekend #
• just found myself wishing someone a "reasonable Christmas"… probably won't use that form of greeting again #
• came home to a plumbing emergency -now I want to move house! #
• Looks like we have a burst water pipe somewhere underneath the house – is going to be a big, expensive job to fix #
• tried to make up for my plumbing pain by booking a holiday in for next month.. it helped a tiny bit #
• is having a bad week – now my iPhone is totally dead #
• sent my iPhone to get fixed and invented a new diagnosis of "iPhone Bereavement" – very difficult condition to manage… #
• finished work for the week – looking forward to catching the train and hanging out in the city with the boys and Jenni this evening #
• Had a great night in Perth with the boys.. bumped into Santa and his special helpers… #