Precious Memories

We've just returned from a bittersweet week, helping my parents sort through the leftover possessions of my grandmother's life. There were many moments of nostalgia, from finding the small ornaments we used to play with as children, to the photographs and slides of my grandparents' holiday trips. There were the odd bits of slightly valuable bric a brac, like a small murano glass bowl, Lladro figurines, and antique Wedgewood. There was family history: copies of an old manuscript my great grandfather had been working on (he published what were commonly known as "penny dreadfuls" at one stage), my great grandmother's piano certificates, my grandfather's university medical attainment certificates, my grandmother's journals and old Women Writers newsletters. 

The most prized find for me, however, was a letter. Typed and sent in the late 50s, it was a letter beginning "We'd like to congratulate you on your decision to follow Jesus at the recent Billy Graham convention." 

Far more precious than any earthly possessions.

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Friday Funnies - Something for the NSW budget...

From the makers of ICanHasCheezburger. Considering the current budgetary difficulties in NSW, I thought this was appropriate...

Apparently, I'm a bloke...

Well, my writing style at least.

Thanks to Megan, who put me onto the Gender Analyzer site, which supposedly works out the gender of an author based on their blog posts. Typing in the site address of this blog led to a result that there is a 67% likelihood that I am male. 

My husband will (not) be pleased... 

I'm not ignoring you...

...it's just that life has become rather frenetic in the past few weeks. Here's a brief rundown of what's been happening:

1. Our Boss retired

The senior minister was farewelled yesterday by our church, a rather sad occasion. He has been a wonderful mentor, a faithful servant, and a strong voice for the gospel, even when it wasn't the popular thing to do. I've been feeling rather flat all day, wondering where our next step will be, and who will be appointed to replace him. He's left rather large shoes to fill (and we miss he and his wife a lot already!).

2. Leaders are moving on

It's that time of the year again, and as children move into new stages of their lives, so do parents and volunteers. We're looking at our leadership options for the next year, and building up our teams so that they can enthusiastically kick on next year. There are possibilities and challenges aplenty!

3. Personal situations are arising

Not ours so much. Busy busy times...

4. The kids need care

With Mum and Dad running around a lot lately, there's been the potential for less "kid time". So blogging and Facebook time has gone by the wayside to make sure the kids are looked after and given the love and nurturing they need. They've been patient with us at times - a 2 for 1 deal can sometimes create scheduling issues. I'm using the half-hour playschool break to write this... ;)

5. We're packing

In a little while we'll be going to help my parents move my grandmother's furniture. Since she passed away in May, this will be a rather sad time for Dad (not to mention difficult with a bad back). We're going to help provide some grunt work, and perhaps a box of tissues or two.

I'm very grateful for the Lord's sustaining at the moment. These past few weeks have shown me again and again God's gracious willingness to answer prayers and keep us focused on Jesus.  I'm kind of freaking out that it's only 6 weeks to Christmas, but then that's just another opportunity for prayer, isn't it? :)

That's a Doozy...

I've been reading the gems in Proverbs lately, and there have been a couple of corkers that I've rediscovered...

Discipline your son, for in that there is hope,

do not be a willing party to his death. (19:18)

Like a gold ring in a pig's snout

is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion (11:22)

As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,

so is a sluggard to those who send him. (10:26)

Have you any favourite proverbs?

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Friday Funnies - It's reformation day!

Well, October the 31st is. We don't really celebrate it here in Australia, but it's a day for remembering Martin Luther and his 95 theses. Here's a little Reformation Polka to keep you amused...

There's another one over at Justin Taylor's blog.  

The Arbitrariness of Game Ratings

Before I begin, let me admit to something: we are a household with game consoles. Not so much for the children, but because the grown-ups like to wind down sometimes with an hour or two (or more) of games in the evening (and being in the job we are, it also helps to have them available for youth games nights, too - Wii Boxing anyone?)

This wasn't such an issue when our children were infants, but now they are preschoolers they are observing more and more of our behaviour, and wanting to join in. So we're entering the time now where the kids are starting to be able to play console games, too. It's opened up some interesting opportunities for discussion with the kids.

At first, Eldest was only interested in Daddy's car game where he could construct cars and paint them (Forza), but he's recently shown some interest in other things too. So I started to look at the possibility of finding something suitable in a G rated game. Around the time of the Olympics, one of the most popular games in stores was a Wii game called "Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games". It was cute, it seemed like fun, and it gave the kids the chance to compete in track and field or swimming races at a level they could handle. It was rated G, there was no violence or profanity. So far, so good.

That was until we noticed the behaviour of the characters at the end of each race. Unless the characters get a medal (in some cases unless they come first), they cry, shake their fists, look despondent, shake their heads or say disparaging things. Some of the female characters burst into tears, head in hands, if they finish anywhere below 3rd. The effect on Eldest was almost instantaneous. Despite doing incredibly well for a 4 year old, the reaction of the characters made him hang his head and say "Ohhhh. I lost. I didn't do any good." We tried to explain that the way the characters responded was called 'being a bad loser', but the behaviour very quickly entered other play times. So after a short period of play, we had to stop it altogether.

Games are very much a "sometimes treat", saved for rainy days or extremely cold weather. I've learned very quickly that a G rating can sometimes be worse than PG - especially where character attitudes are involved. It's not just this game - it seems a regular deal that game developers try to make G-rated games more edgy by adding in "attitude". But that makes it a mindfield for introducing to kids. By contrast we have another game called "de Blob" - which is rated PG - which is far less problematic for the kids. They get to roll a blobby ball around a colourless city painting the buildings and restoring colour. It's a far better game (and Australian developed) for the young ones. The ratings system is a bit of a blunt instrument for helping parents work out what's suitable for the kids. We're grateful that we are able to talk things through with Eldest and help him work out why one particular game may not be a good idea.

I spoke before about the Kids in Mind website, but as far as I can tell nothing similar exists for games. It would be nice, though!

Grace, on the other hand...

Something cool for a change:

When Technology becomes activism...

I am in a little bit of an ethical quandry. You see, recently I became a Mac owner, and up until a few days ago, I was happy to recommend my new technology to everyone. Now, however, I'm not so sure. 

Why the change? Well, a few days ago, Apple released a statement that said the following:

Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.

Proposition 8 is something that really only affects Californians at the moment, but it reflects public discomfort with the move of several legislatures to allow equal recognition and status of same sex marriages. If Proposition 8 were passed, it would affirm that marriage is only legitimate between a man and a woman.

I'm concerned with Apple's activism on this issue, and am now unable to recommend them as a technological choice. Sorry. 

Friday Funnies - Honesty in the digital age

Yes, I know this is a day early, but this was too funny to miss. Below is a screen grab of an email sent to an AAPT employee, which is now doing the rounds of the net. It seems the employee had called in sick to work, but then proceeded to give his true status out on facebook. Needless to say, his employers weren't buying the "I'm sick" line... 

("The proof" refers to the employee's refusal to hand over a medical certificate for a single day absence)

The moral of the story is: if you're determined to be dishonest, don't broadcast it on the internet. (Well, one of the possible morals. Another might be: don't get trashed the night before you're supposed to be working.)

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