Parramaniac

I'm a Parramaniac. For the simple and very well thought out reason that when I was small, my older brother had more "Stimrol" chewing gum Parramatta Eels cards than any other team. (Helped that he went for them too).

Who can explain the excitement you have for one team over and against another just because of the jersey that they're wearing?

2010 is looking much more safe than last year, particularly because at this stage in the season, we're not running third last in the competition. Victory was VERY sweet this week over the cheating Storm who robbed us of a premiership in 2009.

One better in 2010 for the Eels? Hopefully so if they can avoid doing liverpool kisses on opposing players. Jarryd Hayne just couldn't help himself this week.

Speechless.

I'm not a big talker. In a conversation, I love sitting back and listening to what other people say, rather than put my own opinion forward.

But when I'm at work I never like to have a quiet moment in my treatment sessions. If I'm not explaining a certain part of human anatomy and the problems that beseige it, or asking about my patient's life, or talking about my life, I think there is something wrong and quickly fill up the space with something of a verbal nature.

One of the joys of being married to Nadine is that we share everything. Including our colds. And this latest one has left me sounding more raspy than Darren Lockyer after a State of Origin. Which has made it quite difficult talking to patients, people on the phone ("this is a shocking phone line" "no, It's my voice!") and anyone in particular.

I expect my voice to return from it's sojourn in the wilderness in the next couple of days. But it does make me realise how much I take for granted my health, and don't thank God enough for having it.

Hearts

I've recently invested in a new heart rate monitor

Anything that gets me out and about exercising and burning off the delicious calories from Nadine's cooking can only be a good thing!

Got me thinking... It's pretty awesome that one can measure the heart rate with an ECG device connected to one's chest.

But how much more awesome is the one who designed the heart and places one in each of our chests to keep us going? Praise God for his complex and intelligent creation!

Quote of the Day - Star Wars

Grant to child at PK1 kid's church:

"King David and King Saul were both descended from Abraham!" (Genesis 17:6 if you're interested)

Child to Grant:

"Yeah, but Saul turned to the dark side."

Nice.

Incidentally, did you note International Star Wars Day on the fourth of may? "May the forth be with you!"

Nadine's Flamethrower

I told one of my war veteran patients the other day that I was giving my wife a flamethrower for her birthday. He gave me a strange look!

Actually it was kitchen blowtorch, which still gets quite hot! Nadine put it to good use today and made Creme Brulee for Mother's day

My wife sure can cook - delicious!

Ride Around the Lake

We really do live in a sensational part of God's creation. Today was the "Ride around the lake" in Wollongong (lake Illawarra to be precise)!

Points of note include:
1. Various people towing others in various ways - as simple as a rope pulling a young kid, through to a bloke pulling a wheelchair, to a family on a 4 person tandem (is that the right word?!)
2. The beautiful weather - sunny skies, no wind, awesome conditions

Praise God for his great creation!

Feedback is your friend...

A sentiment echoed at both the Wollongong preaching group tonight and the Sydney Missionary and Bible College children's ministry training day last weekend.

There's no substitute for good, honest feedback, that is critical where it needs to be, for the point of building up the person involved. Anything less than that, we're having ourselves and each other on, and not really being honest anyway.