Music with Jack Johnson

Just been reading an online article about Jack Johnson and his latest album "To the Sea" due to be released on the 1st of June, which I think I will purchase. I have not bought an album for so long. Part of the reason for this inclination is due to the down to earth feel I get from this 34 year old artist. He talks at interviews about his tours and that all the profits that is earnt from it go to a charity (him being the founder and not so he is rewarded but so he can keep an eye on it) for schools and production activities for others. This appeals to me. SOmeone who is giving back. SOmeone who has not lost sight of humanity and basically "being a good person". He's a thinker I reckon. He also considers why he would go on certain tv programs. He says if they are selling something he stays away. "If it feels like it's selling something, I always feel like I don't want my music to be involved," He says.
Two songs to look out for on the album that interest me anyway are Pictures of people taking pictures and My little girl. THe link where I read about this is.

http://nz.entertainment.yahoo.com/100508/5/itou.html

What Easter means for me

I watched this video and quite a few emotions started to well inside of me. Mostly about what man has done to man over history and with a little bit of insight into the story of Christ and his innocence and then to suffer such a painful death. The attachment I can have to this man through belief is quite profound. It is not a case of say it's not real or it is real it is a case of believing or not and as I search and derive meaning from the bible I find that my relationship with Jesus the risen saviour is increased. The video does not show it but CHrist has risen and is alive today.

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=eb799088ad2c7bbbaff6

The good old narrative

The oscars have come and gone, but you can't get away from what most movies tell. It is a story, a narrative whether based on truth or experience or fantasy. I always wonder how they keep coming up with ideas. You see how I purposely removed the word new. The problem is that the majority of humans enjoy a narrative, with its introduction and character developments. The problem or conflict and then resolution with a ending that sometimes has a moral point to make or not. This video is a great example of how simplistic they can become. It is a parody, but simalarities can be seen. I think it's funny.

A Trailer for Every Academy Award Winning Movie Ever -- powered by Cracked.com

Remember the dancing mat?

This guy came up with a great idea to get people enjoying life. The video Where the hell is Mat? is great. Always gets me fired up with enthusiasm and energy. Some think it's just stupid and don't get it, but that's what makes life interesting. The fact that we are all different makes each of us interesting. This video is from the outtakes of the finished product. It takes work to achieve something awesome. It takes a few goes at it and it takes making a few mistakes or even making a fool of yourself.

Government policy sucks

This is the focus I believe that needs to be drilled home to the Government and the people of New Zealand. I reckon 80% of people out there are either too lazy to think or are so accepting of government policy. If it comes from the media or politicians well they know best. Think again. At the moment the National Government is relying on the 80% to stay like that and they use tactics that riddicule or marginalise the oppositions or others that would oppose their views.

I for one don't want to be in that 80% and if you are reading this then you probably would be offended by my comments earlier. That is the nature of the beast. Look at the contentious issues at the moment.

• Tax cuts and GST increases
• Raising the driving age
• National Standards for Primary schools

We complain about these things but hardly any of us have any back bone behind our complaining. We just sit there and say "What difference can I make?"

Well you can start by doing a bit of research on what the issues are. This will help you to make informative decisions. Stop just accepting the status quo. Think for yourself and act accordingly.

We will normally get passionate about things that are dear to our hearts, although we need to be open to support other injustices as well. Let's start with the National Standards. Have a look at this link www.handsupforlearning.org.nz

Anne Tolley our minister for Education is bullying our school representitives. See if you can find the article about how her ministers are threatening to fire Board of Trustees who don't implement the National Standards.

You might think "why should I care, I have no kids or my kids are all grown up?" You will be surprised to find that when you are informed on issues it gives freedom and gives you a right to express your thoughts.

If you are concerned about what the Government is doing with National Standards I recommend you print off the pettition that can be found in the above link and get your friends to sign it and send it off before the end of May. By doing this you can have a part in making a difference.

Trial National Standards Not Our Kids

Finding your element

I have begun reading Sir Ken Robinson's book, The Element- How finding your passion changes everything. The reason I picked up this book was that I have been concerned for some time about our education system. The book is a reflective look at who we are as human beings and how extraordinarily unique we can be if we don't just accept common assumptions about intelligence, creativity and education. I think it is a book that our politicians should read as they attempt to change our education system. He makes wonderful insights into what assumptions education is for. For example "...the education system as it is and what the Government in New Zealand wants to continue with stiffles some of the most important capacities that young people need to make their way in the increasingly demanding world of the 21st Century" (page 14) But our leaders continue to fall into the trap that there is only one method or way and that all students fall into the same standards, which increases conformity rather than creativity. Our Prime Minister talks about developing innovative and creative thinking and throwing money into this, but does not see the significance of being pro active in developing this in our education system.

When a child begins school, they are full of questions and wondering, but along their journey of education they learn that this is not accpetable and that they have to conform to a certain way of learning. The reason for this is because our leaders know best. No not true at all. No one knows what the future entails. What type of work and jobs will there be for our students? What ways of learning? We need to be dynamic and allow ourselves and our future citizens the right to find their own paths.

I think the previous Government got it right with the new NZ Curriculum, but the implementation of the National standards will drain away the depth and scope the curriculum has for discovering new ways of learning and will send us yet again into a slow boiling pot where we don't notice that we are being boiled alive. The question we should be asking ourselves and others is not How intelligent are you? but How are you intelligent. I will be doing this when I return to school.

If you are an advocate for freedom of speech and desire a day when one can develop and follow their passions then read this book and make a difference to our society and education system. I choose to. I plan to design a petition to parliment asking the public to stand with me and ask the Government to allow a time for trialling the NAtional Standards that has been forced into schools by what I see as bullying and short sightedness. And I can say that because our Education Minister as been reported as saying "If teachers do not implement the National Standards they are breaking the law" PLease make your comments.

Guitar Music

Who remembers the days of the band Dream Mary? No one probably except those who were in it and a few dedicated followers. I picked up my guitar today after a time of it just hanging on the wall. I started reminiscing of days my friends and I decided to start up a band in the basement of our local church and not just any church band, this was the second U2. I looked on the back of the photos and our first gig was almost 20 years ago to the day 17th February 1990. I couldn't get this photo in this post becasue I couldn't get it to rotate landscape.


The stage was set and we began our music with u2's I will follow. I remember listening to it afterwards because we had recorded it through our sound system onto a tape recorder. My guitar was out of tune. The other eventful thing that happened that night was the roof of the stage fell down and because I was the tallest I was left holding the beam up while the rest of the band members took our very expensive gear off stage. (Do you sense some sacrasm in my words).


The fact is I wouldn't change a thing. We were young and felt that we could do anything. I reckon that is a good thing to have. Over the years I still beleive in dreams. I still believe that the human soul is invincible but we become refined in our actions, thinking and moods. My guitar playing, I think has improved becausue I realise now that it is about the band or the music rather than oneself. In the immortal words of my guitar hero Edge who said " What are you saying with it? not can you play this lick? It's about what you are saying with your insturment. It's the same with life. What am I saying with my life? Not what can I do. Yes action can speak larger than words, but in the saying you are doing. It's about finding yourself with all the noise and being content with it. It's about living it rather than meeting a goal. I have learnt over the twenty years in my guitar playing that the notes do actually mean something. Each note has become expensive. You just don't throw them around. Another thought from Edge. I hope you can make your own paralells to our lives in these words. When I read this in Bill Flanagan's book U2 At the end of the world, it made sense to me.

This photo was taken on March 24th 1990 at the big bop boogie concert outside the Founders Theatre Hamilton NZ

First day of school

My daughter has been nervous most of the holidays about going to school this year. She starts High School and will be attending our local school. The problem has been that almost all her friends are going to other larger schools. It is a dilema for parents. We want to do everything to make our kids happy while at the same time getting the best for our kids without being snobby about it. Our gut feelings have kicked in to say that where we are sending her is best for her. We really believe that she will succeed wherever she goes, but the size of the school is important. She is right into drama and we know for a fact that this school has an awesome drama teacher.

I sat down beside her this morning and chatted about standing tall and being your own person. Not allowing people to walk all over you and picking good friends and making new ones. A heart to heart. She gave me a hug and it seemed to go well. We prayed together for the day. My little girl is growing up. Does a parent ever really know what's going on inside their childs head and heart. You do the best you can and trust in the Lord. Some of it is up to them to make the very best. I like the relationship I have with my daughter, she still loves to give me hugs and loves me being around when she is with her friends. Last year she even dragged me up to dance with her at her school ball. All her friends said " You are dancing with your dad!' She replied "Yeah I like it" That's pretty special I reckon.

Love in action

This week I have had a chance to finish watching the TV series Long way Down Where Charlie Boorman and Ewan McGregor (actors) travel through Africa on Motorbikes. I had previously read the books and it was good to see it in action.

What struck me the most was yes these guys are rich and could do anything they wanted to for themselves, but they have an opportunity to make a difference. They matched their passion of motorbikes and travel to helping a people in need. Africa is still rife with HIV even though nowadays we don't hear much about it as the media has found other important money making investments. We must never forget that each of us can make a difference. One day I want to get to parts of Africa and be involved in education and changing peoples attitudes. Just look at these kids. They are Africa's future. They can do it.

I found the series inspirational. We have it too easy here. We take things for granted and we expect too much. It's one thing to have high expectations for ourselves but to expect others to give it to us I wonder. These people have hardly anything yet they are content. It makes me think anyway.

Thanks Charlie and Ewan

On a similar vein:

Read this article on the news page of my homepage this morning. It makes an interesting point about what loyalty means. On one side the country taking responsibility for its people and on the other the people being loyal to their country. A famous president once said "It's not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country" seems to fit here. I know that Americans appear to be a lot more into patriotism then the common NZer, but I think we need to be a people that do a lot more thinking and doing about serving others. I am not suggesting that we all become socialists, but it does look like this world of ours needs to see a whole lot more love in action.

Young New Zealanders say the country is a great place, but its attraction is not strong enough for them to want to stay.

The finding comes from a survey just released by the Foundation for Youth Development, and TelstraClear.

It shows nearly half of people aged between 15 and 18 see their future as being overseas.

The survey also discovered more than half are worried about what job they will get after studying and 42 percent are concerned they might not be able to afford a house.

Foundation co-founder Graeme Dingle says the survey raises concerns for the country's future.

He says it is possible to change the attitudes, if young people can be helped to feel positive about themselves.

Responsibilty vs Freedom

Didn't sleep too well last night due to the knee aching a bit more than usual, which meant it gave me time to think about things. At school this year our main umbrella idea is responsibility and trying to find ways to teach it within the curriculum. There is as an element of freedom that comes when you understand your responsibilities. If you haven't been responsible for your actions then their is a consequence which usually is of a negative nature and therefore limits your freedom. It might be that others can't trust you. If I was talking to the kids in the class, an easy example for them to understand the concept might be. "what has caused you to be at the office rather than in the class or on the sports field?" Lack of responsibility therefore less freedom.
Rules should be seen as a way of gaining freedom and learning responsibility rather than something that stops us from doing things. Why have the rules been put in place? More often than not, if the rules have be thought through responsibly than they are there so that society can be better - freedom. Of course if we don't follow them then we come into contact with chaos.
I reckon the bible and Christs teaching and the reason he wants us to follow them is the same. I choose to follow these teachings and guidelines because I want to not because I have to therefore there is freedom in that. People say there are too many rules to follow. If you see these rules as a burden rather than a help through life then of course your not going to get the best out of it. Yes freedom does come with a price, but in the case of salvation and in a relationship with a God that truly loves us I see it as a fair deal. His grace is sufficient for me and any who wish to accept it.

A reminder every year

I watch this video at the beginning of every year because it reminds me why I am into teaching. Worth a look. For everybody, not just teachers.

Ken Robinson on creativity

Post Operation

It's funny how things happen. The op went ok. I was sharing a room with another guy and we got talking about everything. It worked out that we had a lot in common. Football mainly, but lots of other aspects of life too. It got me thinking about how easy it should be to strike up conversations with complete strangers and that when you do how enriching and interesting your life can become. What stops us from doing it all the time? I reckon for me it has been a fear of the unknown or what the consequences might be.
It was in fact rather exciting because the unknown was just that unknown, but the joy and contentment gained from having the courage to step out overrides the fear. We had a bit of a heart to heart about life the universe and everything too and we had only known each other for the best part of a day. Yes the operation was a success and yes I most probably can't play football anymore,but I discovered how easy it is to let people know that one is alive and has a life worth living. So the next time you are in a situation and other people are involved but appeared to have no significance with it why not make a significant difference. It's all about relationships.

Knee reconstruction

Well it is almost D Day with the knee. Happening tomorrow at 7.30am. Wendy will take me to the hospital at 7.30 and then I am in the hands of the surgeon. All going well I should stay one night and then back home for recovery. I hope to show photos on the blog of the happenings and perhaps even some notes the surgeon gave me of what they intend to do. As I have said before I am actually more nervous about this one then last time as I know what to expect and know how well the last one went.

I had a dream the other night that I was lying down on a white sand beach and my leg was still covered with a dressing. I looked to the side and in the distance I saw a figure standing beckoning me to come to them. I gingerly stood and realised that there did not appear to be any pain in my leg, I removed the dressing and all I saw of the surgery was two or three little nicks, which was my experience last time. I turned to the figure and began to jog slowly gaining speed. I started to race, the soft breeze sliding past my face. I gained momentum and speed and my legs were running like I was young again. I was full of joy. As I ran towards the figure I raised my hands to the air calling thank you Lord Thank you Lord and as I looked to the figure it became quite clear that it was Jesus. I did not stop but ran straight to his arms and we embraced.

I thoroughly enjoyed the dream and felt refreshed and with great courage to face my experience.

Subjectivity

The human is naturally subjective. The very act of writing this could bring about debate and is subjective. I don't believe you can have total human objectivity. Our personalities, our beliefs, our experiences whether vast or shallow can bear testament to this. Therefore "what is truth?"
Well it doesn't come from ourselves. This leads me to believe in something outside our understanding and that which it is , is God.

We attempt to objectively rationalise his existance or non-existance but there we go again. It is all subjective. Where am I going with this? I respectfully and whole heartedly believe in a God, becasue I have experienced him and I don't just mean through what I see around us as this is debated and will always be debated, but rather through a touch from him in my soul. and the bible has been the teaching that has made this to be true in my life. God is into relationship, one on one and until one has experienced a relationship with God one cannot objectively or subjectively make conclusions.

I believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and he died and rose again on the third day. He did this to save me from my sin. Full of grace. I am a follower of Jesus Christ, which we say is a Christian.

Now before you subjectively or objectively judge me please experience me.

What has inspired me to write this was someone elses perspective as subjectively trying to make God logical. I don't think he can be although alot of the biblical teachings are logical.

From John - An all round nice sort of guy.

A relationship

I have been married for 21 years gone December last. What a tour that has been and not a tour of duty but a fun filled entertaining ride. Would I do anything different? Maybe travelled a little bit more before the kids came around although we had a wonderful 6 week trip together of Canada, where I was born. That's about all i'd change.
I have found and I can't speak for anybody else, because all relationships are different, that keeping it real and being blatantly honest has held us in good order. At times me being honest or Wendy being honest has hurt, but I have discovered very early in our relationship that if we want it to last the distance then our ego, our hearts, our ideals need to be offended, tested, adjusted and scrutinised with a fine tooth comb.
The other night we had a heart to heart about a few things that are bothering us about each other and wanted to keep a check on it. THere were tears from both, but what we have realised is that there ain't much so far that has casued us to feel like it is time to break away and move on. That is not an option. In the morning wendy wrote a note on my back. I had to get one of the kids to read it to me as she would not and she went to work. It said "I think you need to stop thinking so much and chill out and have a nice day... I Love you" HOnest and what I needed to hear at the time. I continue to realise that my partner has a huge amount of wisdom and insight that everyone else may not always see. I feel really priviledged and blessed. I love my wife more than I did when we first got married because I have chosen to get to know her. Food for thought I think. I would love to put more photos of Wendy on my Blog, but she doesn't want the whole world to see her. My Angel in disguise. I thought of putting a different person up to represent her, but that's just weird.

A new School year

My wife was cleaning out a cabinet and stuck my old school stuff in a drawer. I then got thinking I might as well clean it up a bit. And then I saw it. The little cubicle flower box and remembered what was inside it. I opened it up and there inside was all these letters from students that I had kept over my 7 years of teaching. Some were reports on how I could improve on my teaching. Some heart felt messages of sincere gratitude. One was even a letter from my mum speaking about how my brother and I had helped her when she was going through a hard time and how she could see my stress too.(don't know how that got in there) Some photos of ex pupils.

In all of it it made me realise what an impact we each have on each other for good or for bad. Upon reading most of them it gave me a sense of achievement in that I have made a difference for others. It also made me want to get up and find where these kids are now, especially one who talked about her being a dreamer and that she could not stop thinking about other stuff and wanting to do things differently. All I want to do is talk to her and say I am sorry if I did not allow you to be the dreamer you want to be and to say sort of the same thing that one kid wrote " Don't let anyone tell you you are not a good teacher becasue you are"

Sounds stupid I know but it was a very special time rereading the long lost letters. Thank you students. I will keep them for a very long time and not just in the little box. Maybe if you give me permission I can share some of them on my blog. what do you think? Is that a breach of privacy as long as I don't put names?

ACL Knee reconstruction

Next week I am on the operating table for a knee reconstruction (left) had the right one done 2 years ago and for some reason I am more nervous about this one. Perhaps it's because I know how well it went and the rehabilitation went so well that I was back playing soccer within 6 months. I can't get my mind to think that there is no reason the same can't happen this time. At the moment I am just trying to keep away from catching my wifes cold as they may put off the operation. I have had to take a term off school so will miss the beginning year with my class at Deanwell School. They will be in good hands. Maybe some of you guys might want to write on my blog about what you will or are doing at school to keep me up to date so I can catch up when I get there in term two. I'll send the class an e-mail with my blog.

The model railroad empire

Yep I am now definately a railroad geek. It has always been in my blood. Right back when my brother and I took over our parents room and built a 4 by 8 railroad out of an old wooden garage door. After our trip to York England, my son and I began our empire. It has now grown to a 23 foot by 23 foot approx L shape layout that takes over half of our 4 car garage. It has now been walled off. It is nowhere near finished and it has been fun learning and sharing ideas with each other as well as other modellers from our local model railroad club which we are both members of. I have not taken any recent photos of it, but am currently working on a small town scene as all the track is laid and trains are go. We are running it on DCC using digitrax. If you want to know more about that just send us a post about what you want to know. My brother said "oh my God" when he visited over Christmas time from England. Watch this space for photos.

My summer holidays 2009 to 2010

Family is so important and it becomes even more important when some of them are far off in distant lands. My brother arrived for Christmas this year. The first time we have had Christmas for about 10 years since he left to go to London. We talked, we were silent, but most of all I think we enjoyed each others company. I realised how much he and I had relaxed about life. I told him I loved him when he left. It was the right thing and it felt good. See ya bro.

The family holiday was a trip down the East coast and central to south of the North Island, finsihing in the capital city of NZ Wellington. We played card games the favourite being scum. Good game and good for a laugh. I realise and probably have for awhile now that family are people and are to be cherrished, just like our beliefs and loves.