"The object of a new year..." - G.K. Chesterton

"The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year.
It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes.
Unless a particular man made new year resolutions, he would make no resolutions.
Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.
Unless a man starts on the strange assumption that he has never existed before, it is quite certain that he will never exist afterwards.
Unless a man be born again, he shall by no means enter into the Kingdom of Heaven."

- G.K. Chesterton

Happy Merry Christmas!

20ten

I have been trying to get some intel about next year... 2010 or 20ten.

Stuff like... "what will I be doing?".. "where will I be living?" etc etc. There is a bit of change in my world at the moment.

The best I can do at the moment is a logo design.

Maybe it's my way of getting some traction at least around the concept of a next year.

I know this... God will still be there... and He will be faithful... again.

So here goes... I know this about my 20ten....


1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move in my life.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-annoited preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessing upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love me.
10. Jesus will still save the lost souls.

That's not a bad start!

The Bush Behind Our Home

Went for a walk in the nature reserve behind my home yesterday afternoon.

I took the camera with me and went in search of the elusive "storm bird."

The dog and I tracked him down to this tree. The bird is in this photo... if you have a keen enough eye. A bit like "where's Wally?"

I took some time to observe the detail of what I was standing near.

Lilley always likes to come for a walk with the boss!

Simple Pleasures

Life is full of simple pleasures... the little things that make up a great life.


A great cup of tea is one them.


What "simple pleasure" are you thankful for?

Los Angeles - Photographs by Tim Street-Porter

I enjoy collecting picture books of some of the world's great cities that I have visited.

The family bought me this one for my birthday during a recent trip to Los Angeles.

And I love it!

The photographers are by Tim Street-Porter and they are superb. They also show the detail behind many of the things I have seen during my visits to LA in 2004, 2005 and 2009.

Diane Keaton writes the intro and has some very clever perspectives. Here are a few:

"I think of Los Angeles, the appropriation capital of the world, the Wild West of the imagination, the dumping ground for every revamped hybrid ever assembled..."

"Living in a fantasy of a fantasy based on a dream of a past that never was is forgivable."

And here is what the publishers say... a nice cut n paste to save you doing the research.

This elegant volume is a brilliant presentation of all that is L.A.

It takes us from Venice Beach to Rodeo Drive, from high culture to pop, and over freeways and flashing past billboards.

Los Angeles captures the essence of the constantly evolving city: from palm-lined avenues to hip hotels and art deco theaters, Frank Gehry's Disney Concert Hall to the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels.

Not just for L.A. residents and connoisseurs, this book is for anyone interested in architecture, design and, of course, the iconography unique to Southern California. The book's format allows us to revel in the marvelous landscape. From mountain peaks to desert oases, beautiful beaches to redwood forests, Los Angeles literally envelops us in the city's grandeur in stunning spreads and impressive gatefolds, each more than five feet wide.

Acclaimed architecture and design photographer Tim Street-Porter showcases the fascinating cityscape-by day and by night. A long time resident with exceptional access, Street-Porter takes us from the most coveted homes of Hollywood and Beverly Hills to the best examples of contemporary architecture for which the city is famous, featuring the full spectrum of residences from seminal modernist houses to baroque mansions and California Mediterranean homes in their lush settings.

Hot Rod Car Randoms

I snapped these photos on the weekend on my iPhone.


There was a group of hot rod cars displayed at The Gift Christmas Spectacular at the Mt Gravatt Showgrounds.


There were some really nice cars.


And if you take the time to slow down... and admire... and really look.... this is what you can see.