I don't have a problem with writing
I don’t have a problem with writing. Sure, posts have been thin on the ground, and if I didn’t have my “one post a month” streak to keep up this blog might be finished.
But the real problem is with publishing. With finishing. With catching one idea from the many flitting through my head and chasing it down till it’s done.
Have you got your TOAD bracelet yet?
I remember cheap WWJD (“What Would Jesus Do?”) bracelets being a thing in Christian circles when I was a teen, and the idea hasn’t gone away. Perhaps you’ve seen someone wearing one, or heard someone talking about it. Let me tell you about another fun bracelet - but with a serious message.
No bracelets were harmed in the making of this post.
What makes you excited?
It was a Friday pizza night after work, and some of us were playing a game. The question came up “What makes you really excited?” I had my answer quickly, but didn’t share it because I didn’t think it would be understood. So instead I’ll share it here.
The Belgrave Lantern Festival: Lighting up the Longest Night
The Belgrave Lantern Festival has become an important winter tradition for me, so last weekend I went along for the sixth time. I wasn’t able to be there last year, and it was good to be back.
Splinter of the Mind's Eye: The Star Wars that might have been
Splinter of the Mind’s Eye is a Star Wars book I’ve been intending to read for several years. Written before The Empire Strikes Back, I found it a real time capsule, showing very different directions Star Wars might have gone in.
The Great Ocean Walk: Birds and Animals
Recently I wrote about taking a week to walk the Great Ocean Walk. During that time, I saw a variety of birds and animals, and stopped to watch and take photos where I could. Some were ones that I’d see relatively frequently at home, others I encounter much more rarely and so were a lot more memorable.
Some of them obligingly stuck round for me to photograph them. Others didn’t. They ranged from from koalas and wallabies to snakes and spiders, from mighty eagles to tiny wrens - and there were even dinosaurs.
Walking the Great Ocean Walk
The Great Ocean Walk is a 110km walk along the Victorian coastline from Apollo Bay to the iconic Twelve Apostles. Three years ago, I took a week off to walk it.
I watched the crashing waves, interacted with a variety of birds and animals, ate dehydrated meals for the first time, and generally had a great time.
A tale of two lions
Has anyone ever told you they had a message from God for you? If so, have you ever felt worried that you might be attacked by a lion if you responded wrongly?
The Bible contains two such stories - fairly close together, actually. I think they’re interesting in themselves, but even more interesting when compared.
A (belated) welcome to 2024
Well, we’re at the end of January, and I still haven’t published my planned new year post.
So let’s change that: Happy New Year!
Finally, a recipe: Frozen Christmas Pudding
Over the years, I’ve shared many things on this blog, but never a recipe (as I’ve said before, because I live by myself, my main job is just to make food that I’m willing to eat).
But it’s Christmas time, and so I wanted to share the incredibly complex recipe I’ve followed every Christmas for the last decade.