Birdy Bikes...

Although the name reminds me of "Budgie" bikes that girls had when I was a we'an... The Birdy folding bike has really caught my attention. I am getting way too fat for my own good and need to exercise - problem is I don't have the time and live in a neighbourhood that the Psalmist only hinted at in Psalm 19 (The Valley of the shadow of death)... I figure cycling to/from work would be a cool way to shift the pounds (although there would be a train inbetween the to/from bit)

I really think a folding bike would be a grand idea. I really like Birdy's product range but they are a bit too pricey for me and a New York brand. I'll need to check out other local brands / suppliers.

Thanks to the Cool Hunter for the heads up on Birdy

Why I love Olly...

I love my wife... I am not ashamed to admit it. Been feeling down today - got my fingers rapped last night for something I did recently and I have been feeling low. My wife has stood by her man... real Tammy W behaviour! She went out tonight and bought Jamie Oliver's book "Jamie's Italy" to cheer me up... I love that man and love his work... I am so chuffed that she thought of me and wanted to buck me up. She also bought me some "lucky bamboo" for me to cherish.

Thanks honey!

This is possibly the funniest thing I have seen in ages...

Two Chinese students expertly lipsyncing to the Backstreet Boy's hit "I want it that way" in an internet cafe shouldn't be funny... but it is!!! Its possibly the funniest thing I have seen in ages. They are just SO good at it... they send themselves and the BSBs up with over the top expression and attitude. Its now on the PSP and will be used on Saturday night at the Youth Councils.

Check it out on Google Video: Link

Thanks too to the Soos who helped me out with the videos today. You the Eric Estrada!!!

Bearing in mind that I don't need this...

...I'd really love a Headporter X Sony case for my white PSP. Don't know where to get one... Just heard about them in the ether, did a Google Image search and bud-a-bing found this one... Headporter do some sweet luggage but way out my reach. They are like the LV for the new generation...

What am I reading..?

At each stage in civilisation the guardians of culture are convinced that the best of all states has been achieved and that futher progress will be limited to minor adjustments. Because of this thinking, the thinking becomes realistic - as a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Edward de Bono "New thinking for the new millenium" p191

Check it out: Link or buy it for 20p at your local library as I did.

de Bono's work makes sense...and speaks for itself - from P149:

Any new idea that does not raise a howl of protest is probably not a good idea. Those who are comfortable in the use of the old idea find it difficult to see the inadequacies of the old idea. If you have to imagine new benefits and you cannot achieve this effort of imagination, you have no choice except to resist the new.

Support your library!

Think about it...

http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/portable-media/a-moment-of-perspective-ineed-152081.php

Southpark Boydster

My cousin and mate, Boydster, as a Southpark character. Cool! Hey everyone...send me your Southpark pics and I'll post them on the nanolog...

Here's the link: http://www.vexatori.de/zib/spstudio.html

What's on the iPod today?

Been listening to a lot of podcasts lately... I have blogged before on some of the podcasts I love like Dev4Gamers, Electronic Periodic, xlr8tr, and Ritmo Latino...

A couple of cool podcasts that I have added to my list include Mosaic's podcast and the RinkBeltRage podcast.

Mosaic's podcast is a feed from regular sermons by Pastor Erwin McManus. He is so spot on and engaged with what is real. He laughs at traditional Christians and focuses on love for Jesus and for people. In particular, I found the sermon on Mosaic's founding principles to be really exciting and inspirational. Here are their Core Values:

Core Values/Metaphors/Environments:

Wind (Commission)
Mission is why the Church exists. The Church is a movement, not an institution. Every follower of Jesus is commissioned by God.

Water (Community)
Love is the context for all mission. The Church is relational, not programmatic. Every follower of Jesus is part of a larger community.

Wood (Connection)
Structure must always submit to Spirit. The Church is empowering, not controlling. Every follower of Jesus is called and connected uniquely to serve.

Fire (Communion)
Relevance to culture is not optional. The Church is incarnational, not esoteric. Every follower of Jesus celebrates communion with God.

Earth (Character)
Creativity is the natural result of spirituality. The Church is transforming, not conforming. Every follower of Jesus grows in Christ-like character.

Check them out: Link

I am also listening to the PinkBeltRage podcast - Joy has impeccable taste in music, albeit guitar orientated, that she serves in a low key way. Its like a really, really cool radio show. Joy has the whole web 2.0 thing down - she is an example on how it should be done with her blog, flickr pics and podcast. Check it out: Link

Brandon Bird

"Man of Tomorrow" by Brandon Bird.

"Elysium" by Brandon Bird.

When the Soos sends a link, I check it out. Most of his links are genius...although I do think he is unnaturally obsessed with David Hasslehoff. Only jokin'...

I got a link today to the artist Brandon Bird's webspace and I am mightly impressed. He has a wit and a style that is so fresh and new. Love the Rod Stewart in a Stormtrooper uniform print or Mr T walking through Elysium... Fab.

Worth checking out: Link Thanks to the Soos for the heads-up.

Thought for Today...

Different is beautiful
Originally uploaded by Zamm.

We are all different and we are all beautiful - As Zamm notes on her Flickr pic, different is beautiful!

We are all created to be different - we have passions and ideas and influences and gifts that are unique to us all. We also have fears and disfunctions and baggage that shape us.

Some people think that the church is all about conformity but I agree with Pastor Erwin from Mosaic who spoke in his recent podcast about being transformed, not conformed... Church may try to make you a clone - all human organisations do to some extent - but Jesus won't. He wants you to be you and be the real you that He created you to be.

Different is beautiful... Be different.