El Rancho Relaxo

Facebook killed the Blog [star]

2011-05-30T19:17:00.010+08:00

V's

I remember the days when reading blogs was a way of getting to know what was on someone's mind but of course not everyone had a blog nor did they want one. El Rancho was made to keep people informed about the goings on and more of a photo log of such events. It worked well for a few years but along came Facebook and it was over. Facebook did everything ERR ever did and more. It covers everything we once did and it's interface is much easier to see. I mean how long would ERR take to fully load up with all the photos in each post. If you want to know what's on someone's mind all you have to do is look at their facebook page or see them on the news feed (if you look at them enough that persons status will always appear). But I guess we live in a microwave society where that kind of info is readily available. Which leads me to this question - does facebook improve the quality of friendships or does it water them down with more info but less one on one time? I mean I know that personally for me it's easier to see someone's fb page than actually catching up with them to know what they are up to. I think blogs would still facilitate catching up with friends yet it wasn't everyone's thing so catching up was needed. It seems almost everyone has a facebook page so keeping informed about certain people is easier than catching up.

Where Deep is a 4 Letter word..

2011-05-25T21:16:00.002+08:00

After 678 days of being "out of service" I will begin posting.. perhaps just photos I've taken or just some random thoughts.. future plans or maybe past regrets.. it may get a little self indulgent and I apologise for it.. lets see where this blogs takes me or you.. call it a new day, a new dawn, a new life..

this blog is back alive!

Out of Service

2009-07-16T05:38:00.004+08:00

THIS BLOG IS OUT OF SERVICE. NO POSTS ARE FORTHCOMING IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

THE MANAGEMENT.

Saturday Breakfast..

2009-05-16T12:28:00.002+08:00

A new tradition has begun.. Saturdays.. Breakfast.. different locations across Perth.. good mates.. Lets roll the dice and try something new!.. Its been great.. Unfortunately (for me).. as has been pointed out to me.. its guys only.

Day Off vs Off Days

2009-05-02T19:54:00.003+08:00

Love my day off.. that's right it's singular.. life right now is almost all about work.

I feel some friendships are on shaky ground yet some seem unaffected.

Miss catching up with my mates.

Today was a great day off caught up with two of my favourite mates!

Definitely not an off day.

Home is where the heart is..

2009-05-01T20:21:00.002+08:00

Why is that when I am in Perth my heart yearns for Chile and visa versa?.. I had an interesting chat last night and the one thing that stuck out was this fact.. I don't really belong anywhere in the world!

I hope my wife will make being anywhere in the world home for me..and visa versa.

Our home will be our haven.

Just thought I'd share.

This blog needed an update.

Lets hope someone reads it.... or not

Cambodia Part 2

2008-10-11T21:52:00.009+08:00

So here in number 2... aint got much time at the mo so pics are all u get. Will add words to pics later... Leaving PP tomorrow on a bus - too much fun!

BTW - Congraqts to the Astudillo's on 1 year of marriage... good work tOny and Massiel!

hey bErt, wotya doin?

"I'm diggin me a hole!" + "We gonna stick a dunny in here!"

Chis pretending to do some work... a new bridge... Cambodian style

Gas plumbing... cambodian style - just plug her into the hose mate!

Fences Cambodian style... stops the elephants but not the tigers... or rats, or dogs, or pigmys???

there som'n wrong here?

House of rescue halfways house - getting renovated by the Riverview teams

Take down the verandah Cambodian style - very dodge!

Workin for the man + Chuck norris is a girls blouse compared to this guy!

Kel talkin to Frank Woods and Wayne Moss at dinner for peeps

At the Killing fields... big structure thingo full of skulls.

u can open these to read

one of the exhumed mass graves + clothing left behind from those executed

House of Resuce orphanage Stage1 + Stage2 - playground

Inside - they try to keep things similar to how locals actually live - no mattresses, just a matt on the bed. 10 kids to each unit with a "mum"(carer) in each.

Stage 3 - able to accomodate another 80 or so kids.

a newly built school - money was raised by a concert in Canada - 100g's... an absolute Godsend for the kids that will benefit.

1st Anniversary

2008-10-10T23:34:00.003+08:00

Enjoyed our first anniversary in Villarrica... had an amazing lunch and even bought ourselves a tulip... looking forward to spending our second anniversary in Perth!
Thanks to all for your best wishes.. a special thanks to Matt and AMP for the lovely cards that arrived just in time!

Cambodia... Part 1

2008-10-06T19:35:00.014+08:00

Just a quick warning... some photos in this post are un-savory (and that's just the ones with the b00f™ in them). Seriously... you may feel some discomfort!

So the b00f™ and his wife Bridget have been here nearly a week and have sweated a good bucket or 2 thus far... it rains, the sun comes out, it's hot and humid. We drink water and sweat a lot - that's just how it goes! Not nice but as long as u get your shower before the water runs out u are set!

We bin do a bit of touristy stuff the first few days before getting into the more Riverview Childrens Foundation stuff. So Friday we had a drive to the water front (mekong river) and couln't see much as they is doing up the drainage - it needs it! Had lunch at the kiwi bakery (nothing to do with NZ but great food) and then had a looker at the new mall that is just around the corner again, the b00f™ was stufferoonied and walked home for a snooze.

Saturday we went to the toul sleng museum... a very sad place with an extremely horrific past (photos below). It makes one wonder what is wrong with the world when noddies like pol pothead get in control and think they know it all... that said there are other noddies in control but fortunatley not all of them are homicidal maniacs - but still noddies! Then there are noddies that are just as bad but get away with it because they are fighting "terrorism"(vague political statement there)... ~

NODDIES! The world has had enough of NODDIES!

they should have never brought him back afther he was banned in the 80's... the b00f™ feels sorry for big ears... he always gets caught up with Noddy...

So it wasn't a nice experience, interesting isn't a word one would use either.. maybe informative? Our guide held nothing back about what happened... he was 15 when pot pot had a go at destroying his country. One could say the wounds are rather deep and still festering a bit... so that is why Cambodia is where it is today.

Sunday we went to church at the New Life Centre run by a US dude who has grown up here and has taken the church from his dad. Was pretty lively and the band was great. Couldn't here much over the drums but that is to be expected - flamin drummers! We then had lunch at the FCC (foreign correspondants club) - very swanky and over priced. The food was ok but at least the b00f™ had a decent coffee.

Today, we went and checked out the Hagar International project here in PP. First was the house of smiles - where disabled kids get treated as people and the parents see past the disability. Then we had a look at the aftercare and school project on the edge of a slum. With all the building going on, land levels are rising and the water (and/or poo water) just runs down to the lower lying areas, i.e. poor areas! So one building they are leasing for the aftercare is regularly flodded. They have some land funded by the foundation but they are still waiting for some more dosh to be able to build a decent place above the water level. Hagar not only helps the vulnerable but also schools kids from the local community who are disadvantaged.

Then it was off the the Hagar catering thingo run by a Riverview guy Frank Woods (who is 60 ish) which employs 200 or so staff most of which were once on the poverty line - they also make sure that the kids of these women are looked after - keeping them away from the life that would otherwise not be a nice one... if you don't understand check the link out above.

So that's it for now... looking forward to sleep... the b00f™ likes to wake up at 2 am for an hour or 2 these days... stupid england! Check out the photos...

bad hair day... + Chis breaking into song on the bus

u gotta keep the floor up there until the concrete sets mate...big flasho house for some dude with a 100000 kids?

good soup.... very tasty + not too sure about number 8 - Ray might be able to explain

Tom Yam... flipping awesome

hagars block of land... need some dosh to build + the road nearby... people live over this water/poo

big sign... at the resturant after eating... it was gooder! gooder than gooder!

out the back of the house of smiles place... at least there aint much poo in this water! + driving through puddles to house of smiles

out of the bus and into the water... umm, ute

the kiddies with some new toys + brush ya teeth ya mug - they even have a photo so they get the right one and a mirror to make silly faces...

the aftercare house that they was using but need to go back to for a while... + the second one is for pete and Dad... these boys take the cake!

OH&S... yeah whatever! + at the kings palace... such detail!

not very impressed... lots of hindu/buddist bollocks....

a luzzard... he got big eyes... he no like flash! HA-ha + a monk... he nearly got soaked...

mozzies nets... pink? Still better to look like a pansy than get chomped on all night and wake up looking like a pomegranate!

Zach wasn't happy... and Kel is telling the bloke where to go!

it rains... every 2nd day at lunch time...

get on ur bike and ride - with a window? + Sandy...

Razor wire, to keep out ze germans?

double click and u should be able to read it? Nasty pics below + a cell... where people were kept on the floor and hosed down every month or so...

dudes that were found by the Veitnamese wheh they kicked out potty...

just in case it rains... well ok, it did rain. Maybe we should have taken the gutter?

so that's it for now...

have a good one.

b00f out!™

Goodbye forever Bonnie Prince Charlie!

2008-10-01T20:33:00.015+08:00

So England was England and it was time the b00f™ took his wife off the beaten track to Cambodia... well the Malaysian airline pilot did all the work - the b00f™ has a rather numb bum from sitting around for too flippin long.

Well, the story so far. Since the b00f™last posted he has been to a wedding, a pub (for beer and food), to Preston (just north of Manchester), to the pub, then to the Lakes area - namely LAke Windameere, to the pub there, back to Preston, to the pub again, up to Edinburgher and a few pubs there, back to Preston, pub, train, London, Heathrow, KL, Phnom Penh and now at the Riverview Guest HOuse! You may have noticed a lack of pubs in the last few bits there... that is because the train was delayed by 3 hours (on a 2.45 journey cause some dude tried to see if he would bounce off another train) and the b00f™ didn't get into London until 1.30am Tuesday morning and was then in a line of 1000 peeps waiting for cabs! Fortunatley we were in the first 200 or so, so it didn't take too much more sleeping time - had to skip the pub! The amazing thing is that the English were so polite, there wasn't any pushing or shoving and we was away safely - u wouldn't see that happen in Oz!

So here's a few pics

the wedding and the family, not quite sure what they are supposed to do!

Bridgey the florist at Anita's house - after the wedding...

the pub... thats a big coke there love!

houses in Preston + Anita's house

they fill these with gas.... weird - maybe we could get one for bob?

dodgy old house in Denham

Clayton's butchers... so you aren't a real butcher then?

Driving to Edinburgher before the bomb and after the bomb hit - look at all the cars going the other way. It took us 40 minutes to go 10 miles on the way back at the same spot 8pm - stupid bridge works....

Edinburgher and the streets of edinburgher

cheecky scots flouting the law! and some dude

looking down the royal mile + so is it closed or open?

big church and edinburgher castle - very windy up there

a bank for horses? and the Scottish Museum - very good and was free, unlike most of the UK which definitely was not free!

night at edinburgher and Anita's bag was too heavy... maybe she had too many squirrels in there?

Hoooooolyroooood Caslte.... and at the gate of....

arthurs seat.... i guess he had a big bum? + Bridge and Dan (the guy who married Anita - who is Bridget's sister btw) walking up the seat thingo

view from the dudes seat and the side of edinburgher hit by the bomb!

yes... lots of wind in edinburgher... "keeps those horsies out of the beans!" and the royal botanic gardens in edinburgher

or maybe it this was the gardens.... another squirrel... this one's possessed!

Well, thats all for now...

Will keep you lot updated sooner maybe...

England... pffffft!

2008-09-18T21:44:00.023+08:00

Well, it seems that it has been a while since the b00f™ has posted here at ERR... in fact it would be approximately 12 months if the b00f™ is correct in his thinking (which he almost always is - unless he chooses to be wrong "on purpose"). anyway... the b00f™ is in England, trying to get used to a \\uk keyboard (the shift key has been replaced with the \ key and the @ in no where hear the 2 key - usless poms mate\1 - that was a !)! Ok, so the b00f™ is here for his sister-in-laws wedding the day before the birthday of the b00f™. Here is some pics of the sight seeing so far in random order...

big ben (boug boun for our kiwi brothers)

ooooohhhh, blue sky! took 3 days to see it....

buckinghuge palace

the local supermarket

queen mary's memorial

the gates to buckinhuge palace - to keep ze germans out!

brown sauce... the b00f™ thinks it is like bbq sauce except it is just brown.

bridget at westminster abbey

a big gun at winsor castle... to shoot ze germans if they come to close.

a fuzzy wuzzy waiting for ze germans at windsor

diana walk near buckinghuge palace

a dark horse - at windsor

wear the clock hat...

buckinghuge palace from the other side

the dude with the holy hand grenade... thrice shalt thou count, 5 is way out!

james trying an authentic english beer... its Irish mate! he doesn't like english beer....

more fuzzies working out how to prance around like poonces! but they have guns so u don't say that to their faces or within earshot!

changing of the fuzzies at Windsor "quick, ze germans are coming!"

is that the sun? unheard of!

westminster abby again - with sun

view from the diana walk plaque thingo above - u can see the london eye... woohoo!

view north to buckinghuge palace

on london bridge with that moron in the background... just after his "english" ale

london bridge... she fell down but we picked her up!

how does he do that?

he did it again! amazing

nup, still can't quite see the sun through the greyness...

say gooday to skippy...

woof woof... hahaha.... its not a dog u noddys, its a lion!

hello horsie

not too sure about this england place...

this is for gavin.... u learn quickly not to stuff around in london... and u aint gonna get away with squat cause they got more cameras than BB

St Pauls Cathedral

St PAuls from london bridge

its a squirrel... the little buggers are everywhere!

they almost like quokkas but you can can't kick them either... remember cameras are everywhere! the b00f™ wants a squirrel for his birthday, make it 2 and then he can make slippers!

yay... we off the train - caught it from \gerrards cross to marlybone station... it was a slow train.

tower of london

time james

thames river

the thames going the otherway

boog boun

here comes the tube

silly pics... going down the tube

whats this button do? ooooh it has a red button!

opposite to the road rules here, u gotta keep right on the eskylaters or u get run over by poms in a hurry!

view from windsor castle

winsor castle

winsdor castle from the train

another little puddy tat... somewhere in london

the front doors to westminster abby...

Well, that's all for now folks. \can't say the b00f™ is gonna get another chance to post some more in the next week but he will think about it.

have a merry christmas

b00f out!™

Update Post Number who Knows

2008-07-28T11:48:00.015+08:00

A lot has been goin on since I last posted here.. so much I dont even know where to begin.. so I'l go by what pics I have taken even though not all events have been Fotogenized.. so here goes.. We finally moved into our new place in Temuco and its a much nicer and quieter place.. although Temuco isnt without its faults.. like the smog is much worse here than Concepción despite it being a smaller city.. We've been spending a fair bit of time with family and its been a nice change from being in Concepcion where family visits where far and few between.. ALthough we did leave our freinds Jaime and Viviana behind but I am sure they will visit or visa versa come summertime.. The Mrs and I went on our first flight together which was a cool change from travelling by bus to and from Concepción.. a massive differnece 30 minute flight to a 4 hour bus ride!.. and the price difference was only 15 bucks!.. well like I said we are settling in and discovering the Town of Temuco and finding the cheapest places to shop and all that jazz.. its been a good few months since Massiel finished uni and soon she will be graduating which means another trip to Concepción..

Hazelnuts from the ranch + the other is a fallen leaf in our front yard in Conce.

Smog filled Temuco!

Us with our 3month old nephew Abner

Massiel with our nephew and Niece Antonia

My nephew Sebastian who loves to pose for pics

Jaime and Viviana - Our friend we left behind in Conce

photos of the scenery between Temuco and Conce

Juananox + Abner + Byron

My nan and Aunty Silvia

Our trip back Temuco via Air

In the cabin

The cherished wood heater.. keeps us toasty warm.. Juananox trying to use the Mac

at the Markets.. where our weekly fruit and veges cost us $20!

on the way to the ranch

Leyla pigging out on Yoghurt

Going to see a few lakes

Lunch

Lake Caburgua!

the family!

Our new place and our street

our dining room

That moment "just" before the pain begins...

2008-07-16T09:41:00.017+08:00

And just to keep 'El Rancho Relaxo' light hearted and stomach squirmish as always........

My Cambodian 'Cultural Awareness' Experience

2008-07-02T22:33:00.038+08:00

After talking about it for many years; I decided to put my idle talk into actions and go to the Asian Country where my Mum had been investing much time and money in for the last few years. After some careful planning and preperation, I arrived in Cambodia on 23 June with mixed emotions not really knowing what to expect traversing headfirst into a third world country. After being here for just over a week now; nothing or no-one can really prepare you for the severe cultural shock that you go through. The diversity and contrast of people, traffic, buildings, scents, food, heat/ humidity, language, structure, currency, beggers all hit you in the face with the brutality of 'driving into a brick wall at 100klms/hour'. Cambodian People have experienced incredible suffering and poverty most recently finishing in late 90's after the torture and execution of 25% (expects estimate up to 3 million) of the most intelligent people under Khmer Rouge Leader Pol Pot. This hardship further compounded by civil war and deathly disease. My Mother's own project 'Stitches of Hope' works to relieve poverty and encourage development of life skills through participation in self sustaining skills and changing the lives of orphans. Many people take the aproach the the problem is too huge to work with; though my Mum and many other NGO (Non Government Organisations) in Cambodia work to solve the issues one bite at a time.
I was met with a manageable heat & humidity as we left the main airport area; and where met by Narith and Chanthy and the tuk- tuk driver Bora. We all trundelled ourselves into a tuk-tuk with 10 items of luggage including the numerous gifts and items for the locals. The organised mess that is designed to be the roads and users here is something beyond comprehension and can not really be explained unless you have experienced it for yourself.

Me, my Ma - and my Aunty Helen came along for her second adventure (truly inspirational).

You too can purchase squid on the stick. The traffic here is amazing.......Only through God does it all work.

The contrasts in this country are unbelievable, the Kings Palace here on the left and the slums only 100 meters up the road.

14 people on the tuk-tuk is a normality. Here at the Children's refuge centre where some work is still required after the all important funding. Narith currently has 18 children there.

Up the road is a small rubbish tip, outside - a little 3tn truck under these bags of rubbish.

Here is the Childrens Refuge Centre, Stitches of Hope has already donated money and clothing to these orphans.

This is Womans Refuge Centre, where 'Stitches of Hope' has donated money for the looms and weavers- totally changing the lives of these woman.

We have visited quite a few village churches with so many orphans. The pics above and below are all orphans from 3 of the 5 churchs we visited in the past 5 days. I could not help but have my heart melt by how they sung christian songs in Khmer with such passion.

We then visited the Cambodian Cultural Center in downtown Sien Reap - I made peace with the wax statues, yes Serg- she has no bra on!!

Now some that have been regular visitors to 'El Rancho Relaxo' for some time will remember 'Merv' the moose and his long distance vocation from the blog site. Well folks he decided to return with the visit to the world famous Ankor Wat Temple.

My Ma looked like a work of art.........

Merv told the authorities what to do with their sign - most of the higher section was sectioned off with referb occuring.

Merv found a really interesting item on the menu at the Battenbang Resturant, for those who are hard of sight - 'Special Cows Dick Salad!!'

Merv enjoyed the beer at the end of a very long day........

I have had the awesome pleasure of catching up with Ray's Parents a few times since being here, they also run an orphanage about 2 hours out of Phnom Pehn.

GOOD TIMES.....

Moving to Temuco!

2008-05-31T23:25:00.004+08:00

After a long week of house hunting, I'm happy to report that we've finally found a place to live in the smoggy city of Temuco.. that's right smoggy!.. With sub zero temperatures both Massiel and I spent the week looking for something within our budget and to our liking.. It would have been so much easier if I hadn't forgotten my drivers licence.. we spent the week hopping on and off buses and 'colectivos'.. in a way that was good because we now have the transport system sussed out.. so look forward to some interesting (or not so interesting posts) from Temuco in the months to come..

an idea of the house.. photos will be available when we settle in

1st Floor and 2nd Floor layout

Thanks for sharing the birthday love!

2008-05-21T13:14:00.008+08:00

This post is dedicated to all those that made my B'day so special... who were there in person or there in spirit with all your fun birthday greetings!! Thanks so much for sharing the love!!

Just when you thought you had to be on Facebook to see all the birthday fun... El Rancho will give you links and just that little bit more...

Click video to giggle... it's just like you were there!

And here's some shots from the little dinner we had on the actual day... I was born on Friday May 13... which may explain a bit ;)

xxx LYLT xxx (love ya long time!)

What the?

2008-05-19T19:48:00.001+08:00

What a way to wake up to the day...

Are we in the end times or what???

Happy Birthday Kym

2008-05-13T06:21:00.002+08:00

A very massive, huge, enormous and INCREDIBLY big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dear friend KYM
LYLT

Mum's Day 08

2008-05-12T12:25:00.009+08:00

A few things my Mum loves: antique bargains, photos of cool bridges, beautiful trees, Rummingking, tea in bed, a good book, clean schnauzers, Us (boy does she show it!), when Dad doesn't fall asleep on the couch, laughing till she cries (that's where I get it from), adventure on a sunny day, bon fires, her wipper-snipper and blower vac, yellow gumboots, lunch with her Ya-Ya's, acts of service and especially having all the family home!!! We love ya Mum!!

"Wilhelmina all the way!"

So on Sunday, we pulled our sorry heinies out of bed at 6am to take our lovely Mum up to my favourite mountain cabin at Goomallurra Falls for breakfast... she loved it!

And the best way to my Mum's heart... her favourite game of Rummingking (visitors to Villa le Rolle have experienced the phenomena that is Rummingking with Mum)... but we didn't let her win even though she usually kicks ass!!

Dad trying to imitate the 'happy face'... he doesn't normally look this special.

Mum usually wins so this was hilarious when Be won in one turn and left Mum with a board full - she was "Not happy Jan!"
(this shot's for you serg - Dad's idea!)

We climbed this hilltop when I was a kid in the early 90's and still wearing parachute trackies. Now it's private property with a electric fence and a sign that says "Warning BULL - keep out!" So I jumped the fence and hedged my bets it was a bluff - sure enough... no bull!

And here was another Mother up a pole!...

Hope you enjoy the love from my fam to yours!! Hope all the Mum's out there had the best day ever!

April Update 08

2008-05-02T07:34:00.005+08:00

Just a quick update for April..
Highlight for the month was that we got broken into.. not a great feeling and most of our sense of security was quickly taken away from us.. but that's long gone now and we're settling down and getting on with stuff.. they didn't take many things.. mostly clothing and some jewellery.. luckily they didn't get as far as the lounge room where most of the valuable stuff was.. Massiel's uncle passed away last week and we went to the funeral.. a very sad moment for her family.. other than that life has been centred around Massiel's prac and teaching english.. has been great to finally do something worthwhile after such a long time on the couch.. this coming month has a lot instore for us one of the highlights to look forward to is Massiel finishing her prac and we can start planning our return to Perth and see if that is a possibility sooner than later.. not many pics taken in April so i'll leave u all with few fav flower photos..

Bringin it back...

2008-04-15T05:19:00.002+08:00

After an early call back to Nashville this morning, my day was lifted when I was shown this youtube... what a spin!!

The American Idol finale all finalists singing 'Shout to the Lord'... wow!!! You know America is a different place when this is on TV!! Regardless of whether the individuals meant the words or had a faith in the Saviour they were singing praises, I was blessed and there was worship in da house!!! Maybe the vibe from the legit choir carried it through!!

They called it the 'Idol Gives back' performance and at this early start of my day my cup overfloweth!!

Bring it back to worship today! Bless ya!

March Update

2008-04-14T06:28:00.008+08:00

Just to keep those of u that still check this blog up to date.. March came and went.. things t0 highlight were;

Easter.. spent at the in-laws..
My 1st potatoe harvest!..
Officially off the couch and doin something worthwhile.. Teaching English at a Highschool
Massiel began her final prac
Opened a joint bank account with the Mrs (1st steps to getting back to Oz)

Here are the pics from Easter at the In-Laws.. and Potatoe Harvest

went to buy the fish at the nearest fishin village

went to the nearet Supermarket (BRYC) to buy other essentials

made the Salmon 'al aire libre'.. (outdoors)

the men looked after it while the women got everything else prepared

went to Carahue (near by town)

potatoe harvest 2008

in the field

a few little friend we found along the way

Melissa and Puntito (dot)

token flower pics

I have ADHA and I'm proud of it!

2008-03-31T08:24:00.003+08:00

Last night at church, we had an inspiring speaker from London, Dave Gilpin. Not only has he just sold 100 slogans against beige to IKEA for $120,000 (my kind of dude!) but he challenged everyone to see our weaknesses not as the world might see them (as a disorder to shun and be embarrassed by) but to splash a little heaven perspective on it and see them as strengths.

For example I might not have ADHD... I have ADH-A! Attention Deficit Hyperactivity ASSET!! God so see's strength in our weakness... now we have to follow suit!

This YouTube he showed highlighted his point brilliantly!! I want to watch it over and over and totally wanted to punch the air in enthusiam with the crowd!! But that might be awkward... hee hee! Watch on...

Couldn't wait to share it with you all too!! Happy ADHA day!

Gayles Annual Gifts Day! 15.3.08

2008-03-21T17:03:00.012+09:00

Well Saturday night we celebrated my Annual Gifts Day at Bennys. So I guess its HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! Here's some pics from Little Creatures & Bennys!

The Birthday Girl!

Gayle & Till made the most of their spare time and the fan at Little Creatures

Erin, Ann & Frenchy...Jen, Jess & Erin with "Jazz Hands" Gayle....Jess & Till workin it

Till made a "Friend"

The Girls.........Simona was a little camera shy....Jess & Frenchy

Gayle, Simona & Ann..................Lara, Ann & Till doing what she does best

Simona & Gayle................................Gayle, Ann & Elise

Meet Abner

2008-03-13T14:23:00.009+09:00

Last week I became an uncle again.. meet Abner (what a biblical name), born on the 4th March 2008 weighing in at around 3.6kg and about 50cm long.. (OUCH).. little Abner is Massiel's eldest sister's child.. for those playing at home

Sebastian and Abner with Massiel

My Nephews Sebastian and Abner

Sebastian got a little carried away posing for pics

Abner was just sleeping..

so me and Sebastian got to doin a mini shoot

the kid is a natural!

but then the Mrs aka Massiel took the camera and snapped a few of Abner sleeping

and even awake

Awake... Sleeping.. wheres Sebastian? he's more fun!

Bring It On

2008-03-11T12:42:00.003+09:00

Paul Mabury put me onto this album while in Nashville last week. Lenny is cool. This new album is amazing. It Is Time For A Love Revolution. Check out a recent appearance on Letterman. Lyrics below.

I'm gonna walk my faith
Gonna raise my song
I'm gonna fight my battle
Gonna praise my Lord

It's getting heavy
But I'm ready
To take on this world and rock steady
So come on, bring it on

I'm gonna face my demons
Gonna turn them down
I'm gonna keep on moving
Gonna make my sound

It's getting heavy
But I'm ready
To take on this world and rock steady
So come on, bring it on

SYDNEY....so far

2008-03-07T20:10:00.009+09:00

Love a bit of Bobbie...Amen! AMEN!!

Bit of J John

Hawkie & I clearly impressed by the security guard

Lady singing on the moon...as you do

Caught up with some hot ladies from RV

Frankie & I enjoyed many a journey on Sydney's buses & trains...getting a bit bored

Bondi Beach....hung out with a few of the lifesavers (look out for Bondi Rescue Ep #21)

Had a surfing lesson while I was there! And actually stood up a few times...apparently the teacher said I was a natural...I already knew that ;p

More of Bondi Beach and lots of coffees later...

I'm staying with my bro Chris, his partner Tara & gorgeous niece Ava

Hanging out at Bondi Junction with the favourite Auntie!

Still one more day left of the Colour Conference and loving it. My favourite speaker so far is Priscilla Shirer. Only 32 yrs of age, mother and wife, and is a phenomenal communicator. I'm missing my boys, but am being totally refreshed having had this week off and my thirsty soul is drinking and being quenched in this new environment. Looking forward to seeing my boys though!

B & K... Leaving Las Vegas #2

2008-03-06T02:31:00.000+09:00

Riverview OC turns 1!!

2008-03-05T05:57:00.003+09:00

You never know when your special trip to somewhere, might coincide with someone else's special occasion... add a whole bunch of special people into the mix and voil'a! You have yourself a celebration!

Here's a special "Woo hoo happy birthday!!" to Riverview Orange County campus! Thanks for sharing the love and more importantly... the chocolate cake!! You guys are doing a kicker job! Love you guys and miss ya already!

Kym (& Bryce seconds that notion... well he's nodding at least)

Bryce & Kym in LA!!! Part #1

2008-03-01T07:47:00.001+09:00

The Dancer

2008-02-23T08:45:00.002+09:00

Stare at this image...

The Right Brain vs Left Brain test ... do you see the dancer turning clockwise or anti-clockwise?

If clockwise, then you use more of the right side of the brain and vice versa.

Most of us would see the dancer turning anti-clockwise though you can try to focus and change the direction; see if you can do it.

LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe

RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses feeling
"big picture" oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking

Courtesy www.news.com.au/perthnow.

Some of my Favs...

2008-02-15T21:05:00.003+09:00

Haven't posted much lately as I have had lots going on and lots still going on. So here's a few of my favourite pics from the last few months.

Minesweeper: The Movie

2008-02-13T02:44:00.000+09:00

In light of the recent trend in games turned movies i think this will be a hit!

Now that it's a movie, you can use it to procrastinate for a full 90 minutes.

The Ranch with the In-Laws

2008-02-12T03:02:00.000+09:00

Well as some of you may or may not be aware things with the father-in-law (FIL) have improved since Matt and Nicolyn were here.. so Massiel and I were able to spend a few weeks in the ranch.. Again i didn't have much time to take many pics and the ones i did take aren't representative of the great times we both had..

usula flower shots.. these are tiny lil flowers that grow in the grass.. weeds i guess

mozzies aren't common in Chile but this one was HUGE about the size of a 50c coin

house key hangs outside the door (security plus) + meet Wallace

My Chicken with a Chick

and Iguana.. a Torre Campanario in Temuco

near Nehuentue.. on a saturday arvo looking for a nice place to have a picnic

went to differnt places but ended in Puerto Saavedra

a family shot

had to cross the river..

on the otherside

at the beach near Pt Saavedra

on the way to the lookout

at the look out.. a totem

the Mrs.. me and FIL enjoying a beer

Massiel her mum and Sis Leyla (Antonia in the background)

the sights from the lookout

Melissa (smelly) and me.. the mrs and me

Mum-in-Law.. the pool at the Ranch

one of the many SPECTACULAR sunsets from the Ranch

the big house

flower at sunset.. or with sunset light AKA the golden hour

views aorund the ranch

corriander seeds.. Makes for YUMMY salads and meals

Puntito and Wallace.. Puntito with Antonia..

How things USED to be before (dangerous)

Superbowl Ads

2008-02-03T09:34:00.000+09:00

Superbowl Sunday is almost here. I'm not a huge fan of American Football, but I am a fan of the ads that come out at this time of the year. Here's a good one:

In honor of Serg and all things Aussie!!

2008-01-27T15:11:00.000+09:00

Usually when we want to celebrate one of our nearest and dearest we put embarassing photos of them all over this blog... but for the birthday of our much loved Sergio (and on the birthday boy's request)... here's some shots of Australia Day... Gold Coast style!!
So happy birthday Sergy!! You're true blue and this one's for you!!

Redsie & Megsie

Then Katie & I fought to the death on inflatable gladiator...There were only kids having a go before we lined up and when we got off there were a whole queue of adults!! Classic! I think you can tell who won...

And there was even a rodeo!!!! Yeee haaarrrr! I love the RODEO!! I can't help it!

The Lovely Mrs Megan Bennett

Mr Bennett and Detective Finlay discuss horses ass jokes...

Happy Aussie Day everyone!! Love ya Sergy!

Matt and Nic in Chile

2008-01-20T14:11:00.000+09:00

Has taken ages to post these pics.. so for now enjoy them.. i will write some more L8er..
well now that i finally gotten around to it i will write about the pics below and the great times we had while Matt and Nic graced us with their presence.. we did about 3500km in driving visited a dozen different towns/cities and saw half a volcano.. avoided the conflicts with Mapuches and got an invite to the ranch from Massiel's dad.. which made me almost fall on my butt.. i was gob smacked.. the gravity and implication of this is too huge to be able to explain here.. in summary its a good thing and we're over the moon.. so stand by for some ranch posts in the very near future..

At the museum in Lota..

an Araucaria Tree.. "LOTA"

flowers from Parque Lota

a gift from china in Parque Lota

Hush Puppies

Me and the Mrs overlooking the city of Concepcion

Matty and Nicolyn with city views

an ugly duckling

the clock (bell) tower at Universidad de Concepcion

in the ampitheartre and the whale skeleton

while we were ther there was a protest from a Mapuche group

a beach in Arauco

Caleta Llico

Chileans at the Beach

Llico from a hill nearby

in Lebu..

at la Cueva Del Toro

a Mapuche Museum and a hut

in Contulmo.. the empty fountain

at Capitan Pastene where we had some italian food (a colony of italians there)

in Temuco

Hotel Cruz del Sol

at the lookout in Temuco on Cerro Ñielol

in Carahue.. note my mum in law in the background with the Mrs ;)

me at the Ranch.. a Mapuche statue carved from native wood

Salto Truful-Truful near Volcano Llaima (the one that was erupting)

Massiel with arms wide open..

a nice scenic drive to the Argentinean border where we enjoyed some more food

the lake near the border

Lake Colico

Dirt roads.. made the car a 4x4

a little crazy driving and a near death experience earnt me this title

in Villarica.. near the lake where u suposedly can see the Volcano Villarica

could not see a volcano due to CLOUDS.. unlucky esp in summer

a sculpture in Pucon

another hidden volcano in Pucon

on the way to Valdivia we made a toilet stop.. Oh and Matty added more slogans

we stopped at a Raspberry farm and got kilo for 700pesos ($1.70)

a sea lion in Valdivia

took a river cruise

the fish market on the river in Valdivia

had lunh at the Kunstmann Brewery.. great food but WAY too big

huge BURGERS!

Matty throwin rocks at the sea from the Edge of the cliff inNiebla

the city of Osorno.. kinda old but cheap to stay in

found a great Italian restaurant

the food was worth the stay in such an old city

overlooking Lago Llanquihue.. the water in a celestial Blue

another hidden Volcano.. Volcano Osorno

Salto Petrohue (salto = waterfalls)

Puerto Varas.. had lunch at a Pizza place.. YUMMMMM

on a ferry that got us across to Chiloe Island

outside our Cabins

went to see the Peguins in Las Pinguineras, Puñihuil

the Pengiuns.. Magallanes & Humbolt

group shot

matty got his boots stuck

a mare and her foal

chiloe countryside

Castro, catholic Church

typical house in Castro, Chiloe

in Frutillar a German colonized town..

can u see the tip of the Volcano?

I Heart New York

2008-01-17T10:42:00.001+09:00

It's been a bit quiet on El Rancho of late! I guess we're all too busy to blog. At least that's my excuse. Lots of exciting things happening here in the US of A for me - more on that in the coming weeks. For now, I've just returned from New York City, where I spent a week with the parents, who were visiting from Perth. Words cannot describe how this city makes me feel, so here's a few pictures.

"...to those of us who came from places where no one had heard of Lester Lanin, and Grand Central Station was a Saturday radio program, where Wall Street and Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue were not places at all but abstractions (“Money,” and “High Fashion,” and “The Hucksters”), New York was no mere city. It was instead an infinitely romantic notion, the mysterious nexus of all love and money and power, the shining and perishable dream itself."

- Joan Didion, Goodbye to All That.

New Years 08

2008-01-04T12:08:00.000+09:00

Matty and Nicolyn with Massiel at New Years 08

me and nan - Massiel with my youngest cousin Lucas

Matt and Nics at a traditional Chilean casa

Antonio Massiel and her sis Leyla

Talcahuano

view from hill

a cow

boats in the water.. in Tumbes

about to head out to sea..

boats

dinner in Lenga

view from Lirquen lookout

Dichato beach

dog with large testicles

Massiel under a sign that i loosely translated to say "beach fit for toilet" but it really said "beach fit for swimming"

December Report

2007-12-31T14:41:00.000+09:00

Been a while since i have done a general update.. so i decided i would put up a few pics of what we've been doin in the last month.. although i dont have many pics to show cos to be honest i haven't been taking many photos.. which is unusual for me.. this month has gone so fast i dont even know where it went.. Massiel was on her end of year pracs for the better part of it and i spent those 4 weeks mostly sleeping in till after midday and going to bed well after 2am usually around 3 or 4am.. I HAVE GOT TO FIND A JOB!.. speaking of jobs i also need to earn some money!.. even though living here is FAR cheaper than living in Perth.. we have somehow been spending about twice our budget every month!.. which is easy when u hire a car.. which adds a huge dent in the budget.. anyways a job would be good to supplement the budget dollars.. We went to one of Massiel's friends wedding and it was a great night.. luckily i remembered to take roxy along and got a few snaps.. i have been taking pics of flowers as usual.. they are everywhere !.. so got some nice pleasant pics of that. summer temps hare have been somewhat cool compared to the HOT summer temps in Perth so have been happy about that.. we average 18-25 high and 10-15 lows.. may get warmer but nothing in the 40's!.. Got my mate Matty and his wife Nicolyn arriving here in 12 hours.. which will be GREAT to have so Australian love this NYE.. which reminds me that i need to go to bed cos i gotta be UP so early tomorrow/today that i will probably fall asleep b4 New years!.. anyways enjoy the pics and keep an eye out for more Adventures over the next 3 weeks. cos we plan to do heaps of sightseeing with Matt and Nicolyn!. YAY.. oh and we'll probably blow the Dec/Jan budget YET again!.. SHAME..

flowers. macro shots

wedding paparazzis

bride - Jennifer

bride and groom vows.. - jennifer and alejandro

old dude watching from the back

yummy food.. yummy wife

Jennifer

some apricot roses HAHA x2

mrs and i

did i mention fruit is CHEAP here and ABUNDANT.. huge strawberries like this one are $2.50/Kg!

Christmas @ Riverview- 'The Nativity Stocktake Sale'

2007-12-26T14:08:00.000+09:00

Went to Church Christmas Eve Eve and got some shots. Since apparently that's my job on El Rancho now!!! Was really good, the team did a fantastic job once again. I love the creative minds of our church!

Random Pics...

2007-12-21T12:33:00.000+09:00

Libby's getting married in January, so we went out on the town for her Hen's night...

My neice Ava arrived for Xmas last weekend...bring on the holidays!

Ava didn't appreciate Marlon's winging...Ava & Grandad eyeing eachother off.

Celeste turned 30 a few weeks ago, and only took a couple of photo's.

Girlies at an Islander function...aka Jungle Fever!

Lionel Richie Concert 15.12.07

2007-12-19T15:45:00.000+09:00

On Saturday night Till and I went to the Lionel Richie concert at Sandalford Wines. He was fantastic, the weather.... not so much. It rained off and on the whole time. But that didn't stop us enjoying oursleves, infact it probably made us have more fun!!!! :)

I know that some of you would of loved to go, so heres something I recorded on the night, a little taste of Saturday night for all you Lionel fans. :)

The Wedding Dance

2007-12-18T12:22:00.000+09:00

RiverBrew

2007-12-13T16:15:00.000+09:00

If only Revenue had thought of this...

Cooties

2007-12-12T06:57:00.000+09:00

All About Dance Company Concert 2007!

2007-12-10T17:13:00.000+09:00

We had our end of year concert last night which went extremely well. Even if Mayah (my god-daughter) got up and danced hiding behind her umbrella and then with her hands down her pants! I was so proud of my girls who danced fantastically. It was a great night and alot of fun which is the main thing. I was lucky to have grabbed a few shots when I wasn't dancing or shushing children. Heres some of them....

Adelaide, Ainsleigh, Paige, Rhiannon & Tina

Candy Man

Happyfeet

Priscilla

Megan, Priscilla, Ainsleigh

Ainsleigh.

Junky Car Club

2007-12-04T07:30:00.001+09:00

If you haven't yet had a chance, check out the Junky Car Club site. It's a great project that's attracting a lot of interest. Phil Baker posted about it on his blog recently. The concept of living with less to give more. A very counter-cultural idea here in Southern California! Drive a cheap car, no payments, use your money for good causes. Anyway, we shot some videos a while back - here's one with a couple of my good friends, Mike (Junky Car Club president) and Kai.

Bill is not a dog!

2007-12-03T07:57:00.000+09:00

One of the favourite past times at my place is throwing the Beer-like toy in the pool for my dog Cassidy. She loves it!!! 1 - 2 - 3... JUMP!! And she jumps on cue... most of the time. Do I hear an AMEN from all those who've stayed with us here??

So my sister Belinda (aka B-Lo) has herself a very fun boyfriend named Bill - He is not a dog, nor does he want to be a dog but he also likes beer so thought he could give ol'Cassidy a run for her money...

We laughed till it hurt! Check it out!

Feliz Cumpleaños Mi AMOR!

2007-11-30T00:01:00.000+09:00

HAPPY 24th My Beautiful WIFE

Mark Pom's last day...

2007-11-27T17:32:00.000+09:00

A stalwart at Riverview Church is moving on to bigger & better things...Mark has officially 'left the building' in a staff sense, but not yet on the weekends...thank goodness. At least we Lui for another few months. Love these guys!! All the best Pom's & Bubba Lui!!xx

And it happened to be his birthday too! Looks pretty good for 30.

...AND SING

2007-11-27T09:14:00.001+09:00

Today I got the Riverview Live ... AND SING cd/dvd from my good friend Gayle (thanks nigga).. and let me just say what an amazing album it is.. refreshing.. and definitely what I needed.. makes me realise how much I miss my beloved home aka church.. love you guys.. miss you lots.. and I even got my name in the credits.. who's your daddy?

below 'My Halleujah' not from the dvd.. but the 2007 WAM Gospel song of the year Written by Paul Morrison

NOW go out and BUY it!

Something to Make You Smile!

2007-11-26T15:47:00.000+09:00

While I was in the UK I came across this TV Advertisement and loved it, hilarious. Gets me every time!!

2nd Honeymoon..

2007-11-26T05:13:00.000+09:00

Massiel had this week off so we toured around and looked at some sites in the deeper south of Chile.. We saw some lakes..volcanoes and went to Temuco and Valdivia..

road to lake Lanalhue

Lake Lanalhue

Road to Temuco

Passing many fields of wild flowers and Canola fields

Wheat Storehouse

Volcano LLaima

Up ans at the top of the volcano

goin down!

sunset shot

into Temuco

view of Temuco centre

into Valdivia

South American Sea Lions

River Valdivia

Massiel shooing the doves

from bridge..of Valdivia

Life in Jesus

drive through the wheatbelt

lunch on the road

We [ heart ] LITTLE CREATURES!!!

2007-11-22T12:39:00.000+09:00

I almost ran out of time to visit one of my fave places... but "NO!" I couldn't deny the urge and I squeezed in the special stop to this hot micro-brewery in Freemantle. Pole position parking confirmed the anointing on this place and soon we were partaking in the merriment!

Special thanks to Mal and Andrea who got there early and wore the stoopid hat to scam the table and to Polly for playing with me and driving despite recovering from vertigo!! I love you guys!

And with no notice at all some of my fave El Rancho lovers were there with bells on! Ann (the hotty) Ong, Gayle (Miss Sassy - who got in on a bit of hot pink Hens action) and the ever cool newly wedded Mabury's - Brett and Keren!

The reason I was in Perth was to be photographer for a couple last Sat and Brettles was in the groomsman - obviously the camera loves our Brett - it's a Mabury thing!

More Perth love to come but here's little creatures for now... miss it already!
Cheers!

I concur... Magazine is the shiz!

2007-11-19T13:55:00.000+09:00

When in town I like to sip at Magazine Espresso!! Some of my favourite people all in one place... and you get great coffee as well???!!! ...Love your work guys!!!

Magazine Espresso - Shameless plug

2007-11-19T08:45:00.000+09:00

Simon & Fi Elliot have just opened a new coffee shop in Burswood which has been a favourite for all caffeine addicts in the last week or so. Conveniently close to work, and unfortunately close to the gym!! Love it.

Sarah makes a fantastic cupcake that I can't say no to.

Bekker enjoys this month's House & Garden

My friend Jo who also now an employee of the said shop!

A BBQ and Rural Postings

2007-11-15T12:03:00.000+09:00

Last weekend we went and had 'pollo a la rana' at Massiel's sisters place in Chue.. this is so far the best bbq i have had here..

chicken.. bbq'd

Antonio doin his thing

my girl & Antonio

the sunset and evening sky on our way home..

on tuesday massiel and some uni friends went and visited a rural post

we took a bus about 45minutes out of Concepcion

this place is called Copiulemu.. this is where Massiel will spend her 2 weeks of prac

took the chance to take pics of some flowers growin on the side of the road

this is the posting.. which at this stage she will travel to everyday

but was thinking of stayin on site for 2 weeks!

hopefully not here.. HAHA

on our way back..

took some more pics

Best Christian Pick up Lines...

2007-11-15T10:00:00.000+09:00

Now singles need never worry about what to say during Meet n Greet! Some I don't get coz they're 'americanised'. I've highlighted a few favourites of mine...

Roll Mouse over Photo

1. "nice bible."
2. "is this pew taken?"
3. "i just don't feel called to celibacy."
4. "for you i would slay two Goliaths"
5. "i would go through more than Job for you"
6. "you are perfect, except with all the sin."
7. "when Moses struck the rock, water flowed from it like a river. I promise I will never strike you."
8. "you are so unblemished that i would sacrifice you."
9. "what, this here? oh.. thats my study bible - it's a little bigger but i can handle the extra spiritual and physical weight."
10. "shall we tithe?"
11. "at points in my life i have been referred to as Samson"
12. "the word says 'Give drink to those who are thirsty, and feed the hungry'; how about dinner?"
13. "i didnt believe in predestination until tonight."
14. "im not like those other Christ Church guys."
15. "i believe one of my ribs belongs to you."
16. "i know Lachlan Payne."
17. (if no.16 gains no response) "Lachlan Payne knows me"
18. "i went on a beach mission but all I ended up doing was mission you."
19. "i can be your Boaz."
20. "my spiritual gift is my good looks... it lifts peoples spirits"
21. "i sacrifice my sunday mornings to look after the creche group. its tough... but i love children."
22. "is this the transfiguration.. because you are glowing"
23. "i have a job."
24. "mark driscoll takes up 35% of my ipod memory."
25. "hey..for you I’d work seven years... and then seven more for your sister." (I don't exactly know how this would benefit the user, but worth a try)
26. "im kind of a big deal at Koorong"
27. "hey good-looking, Ecclesiastes 4:11..."
28. "absolutely. i often throw clothes into the samaritan bin."
29. "bible-gateway happens to be my homepage."
30. "im a man who discovered the wheel and built the Eiffel Tower out of metal and brawn. That's what kind of man I am."
31. "marry me."
32. "can I buy you a non-alcoholic beverage?"
33. "i have many sponsor children. one in each developing nation."
34. " im one of the fortunate ones..greek and hebrew comes pretty easily to me."
35. "my favourite species of vegetation is the church plant."
36. "did i just have mud rubbed in my eyes?"
37. "what's an xbox?"
38. "now i know why Solomon had 700 wives... Because he never met you."
39. "i used to believe in natural theology, but since i met you i've converted to divine revelation"
40. "i look after widows"
41. "is that a thinline, duo-tone, compact, ESV Travel Bible in your pocket"
42. "why dont i have a bible dictionary? well, i dont really need it."
43. "bathsheba had nothing on you"
44. ''you put the 'cute' back in persecution...''
45. "your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Gilead"
46. "so, can i clothe you in righteousness?"
47. "how many times do I have to walk around you to make you fall for me?"
48. "how would you like to join my Purpose Driven Life?"
49. "if you say no, i will rip out my hair and my beard"
50. "if you say no, im going to tear my clothes, get in my sackcloth and rub dust into my head.."
51. "if you say no, i'm going on a pilgrimage."
52. "unfortunately i cant perform miracles and ive only got enough bread and fish for 2 people."
53. "so, my parents are home, you wanna come over?"
54. "let me remove my sandals before I come any closer.."
55. "lets say, hypothetically, you were married. I would send your husband to the front line against the Amorites"
56. "its obvious to me that you sprouted from the good kinda soil..."
57. "feel free to meet me at the threshing floor."
58. "you can lie at my feet.."
59. "i know its absurd, but every time i walk towards you, it feels like im being lead to bethlehem."
60. "if i had to choose between a romantic date with you or a night with the fellas... i would sit at home and read my bible."
61. "i really like your spirituality, it goes well with that shirt."
62. "welcome to the christian family... the only family where brothers and sisters can marry each other"
63. "i did a love tester on your name and mine.. it came back 'predestined'"
64. "you're totally depraved but i'd still like to go out with you..."
65. "you can come crash at mine tonight. i have a separate room prepared."
66. "i'm a proverbs 32 kind of guy and you're a proverbs 31 kinda woman..."
67. "im interested in full time ministry, and not only that... i also play the guitar."
68. "mmm... you really have to watch out for that man of lawlessness.. but dont worry, im not him, so you're safe with me."
69. "if we were around with noah... then you, me... pair."
70. "i arrange the substantial christian section of my bookshelf into alphabetical order. coffee?"
71. "i sit with my mum at church"
72. "let me sell you an indulgence because it's a sin to look as good as you do."
73. "not a big fan of your last name, but thats cool, i can change that."
74. "Solomon had 700 wives. You can be my 2nd girlfriend. But bring your friends."
75. "i have a bible verse tattoo. its permanent. its also in ancient greek."
76. "i consider myself to be fisher of women. this would be referred to as "casting my net"."
77. "i'm pretty much considered an elder in the congregation these days"
78. "it would be my honor to present you spotless on the last day."
79." Me. You. Song of Songs: the remix."
80. "when i read philippians 4:8, i think about you."
81. "I would leave 99 sheep to come and find you... and then i would carry you home joyfully on my shoulder"
82. "I prayed up the front at church tonight."
83. "im developing the newest form of singstar: hymns and songs of worship."
84."look, you're nearly 22. most christians are 3 years into marriage by now... just settle for me."
85. "I come from Egypt... the same place Moses lived."
86. "my general biblical knowledge is quite vast, probably because ive finished bible trivia."
87. "who's your favorite apostle?"

**Thanks to Gayle for finding this gem.

More random BIG WKND shots

2007-11-13T17:09:00.000+09:00

Erwin McManus - Unfortunately I didn't get to hear much of him but what I did hear was gold! He is one cool dude and an exceptional speaker, who challenged everyone that listened. I encourage you to check out his stuff and his church at www.mosaic.org

Liz helping the kiddies.

Surprise guest arrival from the Goldcoast, Ms. Kym Rolle in da house.And a bit of blue steel from Azza.

Hayles & Jem enjoying the hot weather outside.

Jamie & the girls in the Volunteer Land kitchen...the ear muffs were much needed, believe me.

Dave enjoying Volunteer Land...the real reason I serve! ;p

Las Vegas

2007-11-13T06:28:00.000+09:00

Over the weekend I spent a few days in Vegas. Ethur has partnered with an organisation called Corps of Compassion, feeding homeless and at-risk kids in the city. All proceeds from the 2008 Junky Car Club calendar are supporting this cause. There are more than 4,000 homeless kids in Las Vegas. Corps (sounds like 'cause') visits schools on Friday afternoons and hands out bags of food so the kids have something to eat over the weekend. It was a great experience handing out food and meeting the kids. Here are a few highlights from the weekend:

what happens in Vegas... stays... on El Rancho

at the Corps of Compassion warehouse :: FOX News did a story about the calendar

staff from two of the schools we visited

the streets of Vegas most people don't see

a couple of the kids who benefit from the program

MGM Grand

all the cities of the world in one convenient location

admiring the Bellagio fountains Oceans 11 style

Timberlake Concert 10/11/07

2007-11-11T23:27:00.000+09:00

Went to Justin Timberlake concert last night at Burswood Dome. Was probably not the best concert I've been to but was still fantastic. He is an incredibly gifted man who I actually gained quite a bit more of respect for last night seeing him do that well live. I didn't expect him to be as good as he was. Anyway heres some pics from last night!

Luke mmmmm... Me & Till

Long walks, a Museum and a Zoo

2007-11-11T01:40:00.000+09:00

Last week Massiel and I decided to venture out and see some of the 'sights' in Concepcion.. like the Museum in Hualpen.. only problem was that there aren't any buses that go there.. so much for tourism.. anyway we decided to go as far as we could by bus then walk the rest (one of her friends said it was a nice(read LONG) walk).. so after about the 3rd kilometre of walking (and about an hour into it) i was about to give up when we saw it in the distance and decided to go the extra mile.. literally ..

"HIGH TENSION: DANGER OF DEATH"

this looks like the middle of nowhere but its literally half an hour from home

Pedro del Rio was the guy who gave the city his property to be turned into a museum

this dude had a massive collection of artefacts from around the globe.. worth the walk

a few days later we went to the zoo.. and lets just say i wasnt too impressed

this monkey bites!

even if he looks innocent..

liebre mara and a faisan (dont ask what they are called in english)

a Lynx

Ostrich and a Bear

a chilean puma and the tiger enclosure

the tiger.. Ñandú (Rhea Bird)

a lion and a rabbit

some random shots in the city centre

I Saw What I Saw

2007-11-10T12:48:00.000+09:00

I've never listened to Sara Groves before, that is until someone sent me this clip. Sara's new album has just been released here in the US and contains this amazing song called I Saw What I Saw, based on her time in Rwanda. I love this clip. Its use of textures and handwritten lyrics is very effective. It really captures how I felt while I was there last year, and reminds me how much I want to go back.

Twittering away

2007-11-10T02:52:00.000+09:00

Let me just explain the little Twitter box on the right hand side of the page. It's kinda like the status updates in Facebook. I just update it from time to time with thoughts, or whatever I might be up to. You'll also notice updates from some friends and other generally cool people. Lesson over.