Sunday, 22 February 2009
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Safari, Spotify & the Story of Stuff
Safari
I'm experimenting with using Safari instead of IE. It's better in some ways (those graphics I posted actually look right viewed in Safari) but not so good in others (I haven't found certain toolbars/options that I have set up on IE). Overall, I quite like it but I'm not fully switched, at least not yet.
Spotify
Free music streaming in the UK. I've been using this for a few weeks. There's a few audio adverts but they really don't intrude, they just get put in between two songs every now and then (I'd say only about 3 an hour, max). www.spotify.com
The Story of Stuff
This video is about 20 minutes long, but I really enjoyed watching it. It was course reading for one of my modules this semester (videos as reading = excellent). Anyway, there's one or two aspects of it that I didn't like but overall I think there's a lot of food for thought there.
The main point of the video is how much waste our consumer culture creates, and how much of this is intentional. It also talks about the 'hidden cost' of a lot of the cheap goods we buy and states "We don't actually pay for what we buy". It's true and it's horrific. So much stuff, cheap and expensive, is made by businesses with unethical practices. Honestly, it seems little better than stealing to me. And yet...what will it take to get away from this? Fair Trade and such initiatives are a step in the right direction, but there's still so much more to do.
I hate that my lifestyle is built on the exploitation of the Earth and many of it's people. I love the luxuries I enjoy, but the reality is that western lifestyles are not sustainable, and frankly, aren't fair. So what can I do about it...?
"I know I've smiled upon injustice as I've washed my hands of blame
and in my selfishness I've lived for all that I could gain
While those with nothing never once complained"
-Pete James
I'm experimenting with using Safari instead of IE. It's better in some ways (those graphics I posted actually look right viewed in Safari) but not so good in others (I haven't found certain toolbars/options that I have set up on IE). Overall, I quite like it but I'm not fully switched, at least not yet.
Spotify
Free music streaming in the UK. I've been using this for a few weeks. There's a few audio adverts but they really don't intrude, they just get put in between two songs every now and then (I'd say only about 3 an hour, max). www.spotify.com
The Story of Stuff
This video is about 20 minutes long, but I really enjoyed watching it. It was course reading for one of my modules this semester (videos as reading = excellent). Anyway, there's one or two aspects of it that I didn't like but overall I think there's a lot of food for thought there.
The main point of the video is how much waste our consumer culture creates, and how much of this is intentional. It also talks about the 'hidden cost' of a lot of the cheap goods we buy and states "We don't actually pay for what we buy". It's true and it's horrific. So much stuff, cheap and expensive, is made by businesses with unethical practices. Honestly, it seems little better than stealing to me. And yet...what will it take to get away from this? Fair Trade and such initiatives are a step in the right direction, but there's still so much more to do.
I hate that my lifestyle is built on the exploitation of the Earth and many of it's people. I love the luxuries I enjoy, but the reality is that western lifestyles are not sustainable, and frankly, aren't fair. So what can I do about it...?
"I know I've smiled upon injustice as I've washed my hands of blame
and in my selfishness I've lived for all that I could gain
While those with nothing never once complained"
-Pete James
Saturday, 14 February 2009
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Friday, 2 January 2009
Project 365
I've heard of this a few times, but now that I have some internet friends doing it at the same time, I've finally decided to do Project 365.
The premise is pretty simple - take a photo a day for a year. The uploading part is optional I guess, but to me it's a pretty important part of the fun. At the end of the year, you have a little album.
I'm uploading my photos onto Flickr. They'll probably usually upload everyday, but sometimes I'll upload a bunch at once. Go here to see my Project 365 set!
Also, it's not too late to join in! Just start from today. If you want you can always do the first few days of next year too, or leave it at December 31st. If you don't think you'll make a year, why not a month? Or do a Project 52 and do one a week (that's 7 times less photos to take!!) The Flickr group I've joined to keep me going is here. Look through their photos too, there's already some great shots.
Oh, and Happy New Year =)
The premise is pretty simple - take a photo a day for a year. The uploading part is optional I guess, but to me it's a pretty important part of the fun. At the end of the year, you have a little album.
I'm uploading my photos onto Flickr. They'll probably usually upload everyday, but sometimes I'll upload a bunch at once. Go here to see my Project 365 set!
Also, it's not too late to join in! Just start from today. If you want you can always do the first few days of next year too, or leave it at December 31st. If you don't think you'll make a year, why not a month? Or do a Project 52 and do one a week (that's 7 times less photos to take!!) The Flickr group I've joined to keep me going is here. Look through their photos too, there's already some great shots.
Oh, and Happy New Year =)
Friday, 26 December 2008
More free music love & obligatory end of year remarks
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/media.php
There are some free tracks on this website that are really good. I've downloaded a good number of them and love free music!
Now the 'end of year remarks'...
This year has been incredible. I've been to so many places and seen so many cool things. I have met people who will remain amongst my favourite people for a very long time. I have started university and lasted a term without dropping out. I have bought a car. I have learnt more about myself. I have learnt more about God.
I don't know if I could give a highlight of the year, there have been so many: going surfing and horseriding, doing Friday night evangelism in Townsville, watching certain other students transform during Identity week and carry a new strength with them the whole of the next five months, enjoying time with God, finding a new peace in my life, meeting my new nephew for the first time, taking beatuiful photos, arriving home after being away for six months, starting uni with the feeling that 'this is right', becomming a mentor for our two gap year students at church, stepping out in faith & seeing it work...those are just a few things off the top of my head.
I also was always very aware that whatever happened in Australia couldn't stay in Australia. For it to really count, it needed to transfer over to my life back in England and continue to bear fruit. I'm learning a lot about that. I've made some bad choices, which I continue to work through and some really good choices. I have new responsibilities here and a different culture and context in which to work. I look forward to 2009 in so many ways - running the gap year course and spending time with the youth group, hopefully moving to Spain at the end of the year to spend my second year of uni in Granada, completing my first year of uni in the summer - 4 years after I first registered as a student, and of course, the best bits - the great moments that happen in between all that other stuff.
Happy 2009 everyone, may God's blessing be with you now and always!
There are some free tracks on this website that are really good. I've downloaded a good number of them and love free music!
Now the 'end of year remarks'...
This year has been incredible. I've been to so many places and seen so many cool things. I have met people who will remain amongst my favourite people for a very long time. I have started university and lasted a term without dropping out. I have bought a car. I have learnt more about myself. I have learnt more about God.
I don't know if I could give a highlight of the year, there have been so many: going surfing and horseriding, doing Friday night evangelism in Townsville, watching certain other students transform during Identity week and carry a new strength with them the whole of the next five months, enjoying time with God, finding a new peace in my life, meeting my new nephew for the first time, taking beatuiful photos, arriving home after being away for six months, starting uni with the feeling that 'this is right', becomming a mentor for our two gap year students at church, stepping out in faith & seeing it work...those are just a few things off the top of my head.
I also was always very aware that whatever happened in Australia couldn't stay in Australia. For it to really count, it needed to transfer over to my life back in England and continue to bear fruit. I'm learning a lot about that. I've made some bad choices, which I continue to work through and some really good choices. I have new responsibilities here and a different culture and context in which to work. I look forward to 2009 in so many ways - running the gap year course and spending time with the youth group, hopefully moving to Spain at the end of the year to spend my second year of uni in Granada, completing my first year of uni in the summer - 4 years after I first registered as a student, and of course, the best bits - the great moments that happen in between all that other stuff.
Happy 2009 everyone, may God's blessing be with you now and always!
Monday, 22 December 2008
Philippa Hanna
I just listened to 'Return to Love' on Philippa's Myspace. I've not heard that song before & it's wonderful! Thought I'd share the love...call it an early Christmas present :)
http://www.myspace.com/philippahanna
http://www.myspace.com/philippahanna
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