Paul Kelly, How to make gravy

Paul Kelly, How to make gravy

How to make gravy is based on a concert which goes for four days, where Paul Kelly sings his songs from A to Z. The book is an adjunct to this with memoirs around each song. For me 'How to make gravy' was rather nostalgic, much of the music was familiar, released during my teens and beyond.
Song writing
If you are a budding song writer, poet or writer then this book is an excellent primer. Much of the book was taken up with the location and circumstances of how a song was written, often describing the agony of birth getting the right words for a song. What amazed me was the often spontaneousness of a song yet on other times the literal years a song takes to write. Hardly ever was a song written the same time every time. One of the constant themes that came out was there is not that many original ideas out there. Usually just reworked old ideas.
Drugs
One of the early confessions in the book was Paul Kelly's admission of drug use. It rattled me a bit. Paul Kelly has been one of my hero's so the writing about his drug usage tarnished his reputation for me a bit. But it gave me an understanding of drug use and how people can go down that slide. It was interesting also how it distorts reality. All up it was an honest admission which was part of Kelly's past and makes up a large part of him. I suppose there is a lot of people who have drug habits that you don't know about. Usually the prescription type.
Australian place and culture
One of the reasons that I identify with Paul Kelly is his Australian imagery. Many of the places and experiences that he sings about are things which I've experienced. 'Summer rain', the smell of the Australian bush when it rains in summer and that beautiful smell for example. Places, people and history which I can identify with. Australian Cricket hero's, injustice done to aboriginals who were the original owners of the land. In some way it makes me connected to the book.
repetitiveness of tours
Often written about in the book is the tours. There is a certain monotony that come out; the bus, the camaraderie on board, sound checks at the next venue and then moving on. I got the impression that the tour was enlightening with new experience and places yet filled with dread with the distance from routine and loved ones.
Family
I enjoyed how Kelly looked at his past, his family. There was a richness which he knows of his roots which most people don't have any knowledge of. His Catholic upbringing merged with Irish and Italian roots and how it has permeated most of his life, makes for fascinating reading. As well as an understanding of his angle on the songs he writes.
Overall if you have an interest in music and song writing you wont be disappointed. If you enjoy Paul Kelly's music you will love it.

Sucker Punch

We went to Solace a Church in Melbourne on the weekend. The theme was based on the story of children coming to Jesus and the rich young man speaking to Jesus asking if he will get to heaven. (Mark 10: 13-23)

What I particularly dwelt on was how Jesus gave a question which jolted the rich man. One person in our group described it as a socket punch. For me I couldn't help thinking that this would be described in the Vineyard denomination which I came from as a 'word of knowledge'.  "Sucker punch" or "Word of knowledge" either way there is a mystical insight which pertinent and revealing for the person who receives the 'Word'.

One thing I believe is that the 'Sucker Punch' or 'Word of knowledge' is the work of God revealing his matrix in the world. I don't think a Christian is necessarily the person who delivers or receives a "Word" of knowledge. As opposed to  many  who think it is a pastor who roams the stage up and down the stage; who has an exclusive power of hearing and disseminating the wisdom of God.

What is more common with Christians in a Church  is that people are more open and receptive of the supernatural.

 I actually think that non-Christians have the same ability to have the 'sucker punch' or 'Word of knowledge. They miss giving God the space in the moment. For the most part Christians to arn't very open to God or receptive in the everyday, either. Its just they know they have to sit still for when they fellowship...

For myself it is having  the space to listen. The deliberately slowing down and if you like, letting God in. When you do this it is unusual not to hear from God.

Backyard self-sufficiency, by Jackie French

There is a certain glow for me when I think of self-sufficiency maybe its about all those episodes I used to watch of the 'Good life' a BBC series about a couple who gave up everything to become self-sufficient. For me Jackie French is the gardening equivalent to Jamie Oliver. A slap dash type of approach, compromise when needed. She makes you feel ok if you miss a step or two. I think this quote about 'digging' is typical:

"Don't dig your garden. If digging is your hobby, take up bowels instead - it's much better for the soil. Try the minimum-work gardens..."

This book is not just about gardening it is broader, it is about self-sufficiency, which includes gardening, cooking and hints at been more self sufficient. One of the things that I liked about the book was Jackie has given self-sufficiency a go and found it pretty unrealistic. But you can still give it a pretty good go and be self sufficient in most things.
Gardening
This is where the majority progress in home self sufficiency comes from. Jackie gives many of her hints at been as productive as possible without to much work. Yep I like this! Some of the hints include::
No dig gardens: basically layers of soils, hays, manures.
Perennials: Plant once and replant after 3 or more years.
Grains are also mentioned in self sufficiency, I have to admit that the idea frightens me. It seems to be it is the big jump to becoming pretty much all the way self sufficient.
Trees
One of the things that I discovered in the book was how much fruit you could grow even in a small backyard. The advent of dwarf root stock you can easily plant up to 12 fruit trees. In tight space these can be used as a boarder around fences. Jackie estimates that with 12 trees you can basically have one tray of fruit per week!
Animals
Most small animals are mentioned in the book, from snakes, hens, goats rabbits. What interested me are hens. Hens are really useful used for eggs, compost and (gulp) in Jackies case meat as well!
Preserving
If you are keen on self sufficnecy you will need to know what to do when there is a bountiful crop. Jackie gives good hints on storing as well as preserving food. Most basic garden fruit and vegetables have been given a recipes. You will probably need lots of jars!
I think this book is a good beginning to becoming more self sufficient. Often I felt that some topics where just touched and a lot more detail could be given. What I'm finding in my trip towards sustainablity is you just learn as you go.
Rate 8/10

Looking back...

During my time in the Vineyard I often felt like the denomination had an over reliance on its founder, John Wimber. I can confidently say that the national conferences which I attended would always taken up with a fond reminiscing of the how 'John' would have done things.


I was particularly taken with this quote from Bloomberg business week about advice Tim Cook received from Steve Job in regards to leading Apple

“Among his last advice he had for me, and for all of you, was to never ask what he would do. ‘Just do what's right,'” Cook said. Jobs wanted Apple to avoid the trap that Walt Disney Co. fell into after the death of its iconic founder, Cook said, where “everyone spent all their time thinking and talking about what Walt would do.”

Not that I don't think what John Wimber did things not worth remembering;  Maybe the 'thing that are right' have to revealed, first and foremost. The rest will just fall into place.
Mind you, I think Tim Cook will always be in the shadow of Steve Job. The comparison will be hard for him  to avoid "What would Steve do..."

Growth Fetish, Clive Hamilton

Growth Fetish, by Clive Hamilton

'Growth Fetish' (2003), by Clive Hamilton is a look at some some of the basics assumptions of economic growth and asks the key question: does it make us happier?
Hamilton's answer to this question is no. But doing so he looks at a number of areas including work, identity and well being and environment all which in his view pretty conclusively show that economic growth as we know it doesn't make us any happier. If anything the 'Market' approach is selling us a lie.
There were some very interesting aspects which struck me, one was that 'religion', when it comes to wellbeing, enhances a persons life by giving it meaning! It points to things other than self to which marketing is directed.
The other area I found interesting was the idea that when a person is affluent economically this typically doesn't make them any happier.
Hamilton reveals that there is an increasing number of people who realise that working more and having more money is not making their lives any happier. These people are actually 'downsizing', decreasing income, and hours worked, living a simpler life. The opposite to consumption lifestyle.
After the book was published the economic crisis of the late 2000's occurred. For Australia the governments answer to this was for the Australian public to basically spend its way out of the recession. Most Australians were given by the government a couple of hundred dollars to spend! In reflection with reading the book it just doesn't make sense!
I agree with most of Hamilton's assumptions about the impoverishment of a society that consumes and spends with little real benefit of happiness to people. If anything I think that most of the gadgets which fill our lives is just a distraction from real importance. Our sense of Space and Spirit. This maybe why as argued by Hamilton that people who are 'religious' are happier?
For all of Hamilton's writing deploring growth as an economic answer, I'm not sure that he demonstrated an alternate economic path. For me this was the disappointment of the book. Interestingly, he mentioned communism which ultimately got caught up in consumption as well but it was based on central planning not market forces.
Clive Hamilton is the Executive Director of 'The Australian institute' a public interest think tank. He also holds positions at a number of Australian Universities.

Adrian Mole, The Prostate Years by Sue Townsend

Adrian Mole, The Prostate Years by Sue Townsend

[Warning review does contain spoilers]

It is strange to write, but I feel like Adrian Mole is almost a brother. I've been tracking with him since his first book came out 'Adrian Mole' ages 13 and 3/4. Adrian if the story is right, was born in 1967 so he is a bit older than me. Many of the crisis which occur through teen age years, young adult are mirrored in my own life. So Adrian Mole has a special place for me in a literary sense.
Adrian is now in middle age and but unlike myself has a bit of collateral damage from his past. Broken relationships, poor health, broke, three children to three different mothers....
His life after 'Weapons of mass destructions' has slowly once again started to spiral out of control. His marriage to 'Daisy' while initially happy falters. The book shop where he works is loosing money and looks as if it will fail. His personal health is poor with prostate problems.
Yet there are stalwarts in his life. Pauline Mole his mother, his father George, Nigel his best friend, Glenn Bott-Mole his son who I get the impression Adrian is quite proud off. Mr Carton-Hayes owner of the book shop the father Adrian always wished he had. And lastly Pandora Braithwaite his first flame in the first book who he has always loved.
The thing that I liked about this last book was the redeeming theme. Near the end of the book Adrian appears to be at his lowest. His wife 'Daisy' has left him for another man taking with her his daughter, his hair is falling out with chemotherapy, he is weak and exhausted.
Yet Adrian becomes friends with a person who he previously he couldn't stand. 'Bernard' a drunk who used to work occasionally at the book shop. Bernard came over for Christmas because he had no where else to go and ended up staying; becaming Adrain's biggest support. Adrain started to see potential in the piggery and started investing in making it productive (Ah this is something that I can relate to). News he is to become a grandfather. That Pandora was still in the picture after all these years.
I gave the book 5/5 but then I'm bias, I feel like Adrian is part of the family.

Confessions of a faceless man inside campaign 2010 by Paul Howes

Confessions of a faceless man inside campaign 2010 by Paul Howes


Confessions of a faceless man, is the memoirs of Paul Howes, head of the Australian workers union during the Australian 2010 election.
Paul Howes
The first time I ever saw or knew anything about Paul Howes was on election night. He came across as pretty cocky, yet sharp. The book confirmed this view. The youngest leader of Australia biggest union he is in a significant position. The book is as much about him as well as his unions roll in the Labour party. I admired his intellect and his deep sense of history and indebtedness to leaders and workers in the unions who went before him.
Yet there was a side which was black. I couldn't get over he could make assumptions about people so quickly, often because it is just where they sit politically. It reminded be of basic psychology where people often make up there mind about someone in the first 90 seconds. Howes does this in 5 seconds.
The election
This was a significant theme in the book. The roller coaster of good week, bad week of the election campaign. The leaks, the election debates, the polls. Because the election was still relatively fresh in my mind much of what Howes' spoke about I could remember quite clearly. The book did give fresh insight into the election.
Rudd
Rudd was deposed as Prime Minister just week prior to the election. Really the only involvement of Howes in this saga was a phone call asking if his union would back the change of prime minister to Julia Gillard. Howes spends a significant time defending the Unions and the Labour partys decision to do this. Bagging Rudd is a constant theme in the book. Rudd gets just as much of a rubbishing as the leader of the opposition Tony Abbott.
I have to agree with Howes on much of his assessment on Rudd. Yet Rudd was unique in the labour party; not belonging to any factional group. I wonder how much this was significance on his inability to lead well and ultimately poor numbers when the Caucus voted for his leadership position.
Unions and Labours shared DNA
This was one are in the book which really opened my eyes. I didn't really understand the relationship of the unions with the labour party. They are incredibly intertwined and both sharing much DNA. The number of politicians that he mention which have significant union involvement is large.
I must admit I was pretty disappointed with this. I suppose I like my politicians to represent my electorate, not the unions. I suppose the same could be said for the liberal party and there relationship with big business.
All up a great book, easy read and I like his humour at times. I'm sure at some stage Howes' will enter politics and be line for the top job.

Jesus the Teacher within, Laurence Freeman.

This was a difficult book for me to read. I thought I was going to read the standard Christian theology. Yet as I was ploughing my way through, it was if I was reading a completely different genre. There where words which I was unsure of there meaning in the context of Christianity. Words such as 'ego', 'self', words which seemed more at home with psychology text book than Christian writings.
The book ultimately asks the reader one question. "Who do you think I am?", the same question which Jesus asked Peter, his disciple. It is a question which is explored in depth in the book probing us for the answer to the question.
I came to the conclusion that it is not so much the answer to the question but the process which gives the reader an inkling to the answer. The following, responding, the listening to Jesus which points us to that answer.
One of the aspects of the book which I really appreciated and I don't know if it was deliberate was that the Freeman wrote as if the reader may not necessary ascribe to Christianity. I think most Christian books assume to much of the reader. In the search for "who you think Jesus is", even if you are not a Christian there maybe spiritual enlightenment on the way.
Lawrence Freeman is a Benedictine monk and director of 'World community for Christian meditation'. This shines through in the book. Meditation, space and contemplation are often written and referred to in the book as a method of entering the question of 'Who Jesus is'. I found myself wanting to experience and develop this type of space in my life as I read. A way in which to draw closer to Jesus of which I really haven't experienced or even given time.
I will be reading more of Lawrence Freeman.

The last goodbye

Often when a person is at the last stage of their disease and dying they are in an altered state of consciousness. Most people understand consciousness as either awake or asleep. Yet there are ranges of consciousness that most people don't give much thought to. We can often be in an altered state of consciousness when we are waking in the morning or just when we are going to sleep. These are often times when our dreams are most vivid. A time when we are neither awake or asleep, yet a place where activity continues.
During my time as a palliative care nurse I've often been with people who are in these altered states. Most palliative care nurses who have worked in the field long enough would agree, that helping a loved one move from this life often involves 'giving permission' to die and saying goodbye. Usually this scenario is where a person is in an altered state of consciousness. This unconscious state could be for hours or days. What frequently happens is that the person who has been given 'permission' dies within hours.
My understanding of this behaviour is that a person is in an altered state of consciousness. They are still able to process information around them as well as internally. It is in my opinion a sacred space. A place where healing can still occur. (not cure) I don't think it is a co-incidence that frequently people in these states will still be alive until a loved one is next to their bedside, or they die at a particular time or wait until Christmas.
Saying good bye it is often the hardest words ever said. Yet it is often the most freeing for the person experiencing eminent death.
Most my understanding of this topic I've experienced during my work in palliative care, yet there are number resource if one wishes to explore the topic more fully.
::One book which I would recommend is by Australian Dr Michael Barbato a Palliative care physician, Reflections of a setting sun.

The Meaning of Jesus, two visions, by Marcus J. Borg and N.T. Wright

The Meaning of Jesus, two visions, by Marcus J. Borg and N.T. Wright

This book is a contrasting of Christian positions by two of the leading scholars N.T Wright on the conservative side and on the liberal side is Marcus J. Borg. Interestingly I would not call either as representatives of the 'Liberal' or 'Conservatives'. Borg represents 'progressive Christianity' which has elements of liberal thought. While N.T. Wright is a bit of a radical within 'evangelical' circles. Never the less both have very contrasting positions which in itself is useful for learning and understanding.
Borg's position calls into doubt traditional Christian orthodoxy, through what he calls pre and post Easter. Post Easter is when the Bible is written. Often by people who had never meet Jesus and often decades after Jesus death.
With the 'Post-Easter' story, Jesus has started to take on a story of its own, which is different from the 'Historical Jesus'. The Post-Easter story now contains myth and is flourished with exaggeration of the true story which happened 'Pre-Easter'. Much discussion occurs about the reliability of biblical sources and the quest for the 'Historical Jesus'. A very important question for all Christians and those interested in Christianity.
Interestingly Borg does not argue with Jesus been the 'Messiah' or any other terms which has been given to him after the 'post-Easter' period. What he writes which is important during the 'Post-Easter' period is that Jesus became and is becoming the 'Messiah'. In other words; was Jesus the Messiah 'Pre-Easter?' No. Was Jesus the Messiah 'Post-Easter?' Yes.
I found Borg's writing on the 'Truth' and of Biblical accuracy of the Biblical text interesting. Much of the argument boiled down to the historical factuality of the Bible. Borg writes:: 'The issue, rather, whether the truth of a gospel story is dependent upon its being grounded in a particular historical event. Tom says "yes" and I say "No". This can pretty much sum up much of the books and its argument.
I think as time goes on Borg's position will become stronger. Time in my opinion does blur things.
I found N.T Wrights contextualisation of the political nature of the times when Jesus was alive, inspiring. Jesus portrayed as a political revolutionary. Wedged between the Roman powers and his Jewish heritage.I can see many modern day examples of this with Australian Jarrod McKenna and American Shane Clayborne.
Overall well worth reading. It helped me sharpen my own thoughts, as well as give me a greater understanding for both liberal and evangelical positions on the Gospels and Jesus.

Minority Government

Last week the Government with the help of independents got through their carbon emission trading scheme, through the lower house. I've a few thoughts on this.

• There have been more significant legislation passed through this parliament with this minority than a government with a majority. I think Howard's GST, was the last significant large reform. I'm under the impression now that independents are a benefit to the political system. Not only for the ability to vocalise issues, but to apply pressure on the government to do something about real community concerns.
• Love her or hate her, Julia Gillard will be looked on historically as a significant reformer, especially if she makes it to the end of term; Even if the Coalition repeals a lot of her legislation, her negotiation with independents and getting legislation through is significant, considering her limitations of a minority government. 

Steve Jobs

I can remember in the early 80's a friend of mine got an Apple IIe. Over at his house I remember reading the manual. It had an introduction to the company Apple, of its humble beginnings in a garage. It was the first time I had heard of the name Steve Jobs. From the 80's, 90's 00's and this decade I'd tracked with Steve Job.
My thoughts on the man ebbed and flowed. I liked his products but as a man he drove me to Linux (for a year or so until I got sick of tinkering to get things going). I had read  Icon and found like most people of brilliance he was complex with conflicting values and ways of going about things. (Interestingly Job's banned the books publishers John Wiley & Sons from any apple store!)

For example the whole idea of Jobs having an alignment with Buddhism yet reject philanthropy (at least publicly) is one puzzling aspect in his life.

His office dummy spits and his humiliation of staff are legendary. I can imagine other CEO's going of there rocker but still; its no excuse not to treat others with dignity.

There is almost a messianic language which for the last week has been associated with name; I'm sure that for the next couple of major apple releases his name will be dragged out...

Never the less, its  is always sad to see someone die, when if they had lived a full life, would still have a lot to offer. I'm looking forward to reading his official biography by Walter Isaacson, where I hope a lot of the negative stuff that has haunted him will be at least acknowledged. It will be interesting some of Jobs reflections knowing that death is just around the corner...

Aesthetics

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder",  it is complicated but yes true.
I can remember an up and coming photographer in our youth group who came from the Western District and took heaps of photos of the farm which he was brought up on. There was one of a dead lamb, who knows how it had died, but I was stuck at composition, the light; strangely in the horror of death there was something aesthetically pleasing to me.
On contemplating Steve Jobs death; I think one of the things which made him stand out was aesthetics. He would almost prioritise beauty over function. Grace seems to be easier to apply to something that looks good but doesn't quite do what you desire.

I am a default greenie. But when I think of the reasons I'm a greenie,  tit is aesthetics. The idea of self sufficiency producing only what you need.
Nature is beautiful. I think one of the main apologitics for God, especially in my experience as a Christian is the beauty of nature. Often quoted is Romans 1:20::

²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 

This quote resonates with me deeply.
Working with nature, observing the seasons with garden. It is almost as if you begin to tune into the rhythms of God. There is also technology. Technology which helps come closer to self- sufficiency.  The type of car you drive to the curtains that you have in the windows in your house.

The other aspects which is pleasing, with my reduced consumption of finite resources, are that other may benefit. Be it in developing worlds or more easily quantified future generations.

Yes strangely to me this is aesthetically pleasing...

The Image of the Creator : Steve Jobs

One of glimpses that that you get of our  God, is the footprint he leaves with his creation. The environment is for all to see. You often read in Christian literature of artists or sculptors who's style or impression on a piece of work can easily be spotted and identified. This is reflective of God and his creation.
The passing of Steve Jobs has made me ponder this. In many ways his creation; the apple brand, can be easily spotted. There are not many brands which can be identified in such a global way. His footprint will remain for a long time, with products that have simplicity,  looks which are beautiful and most importantly function as they should.
There are not many people who have lived that have left this sort of legacy before...