Colin Warren: the blog

Well, there we go again. Just when I thought I’d had an afternoon off to catch up on some of my own plans, the sewerage gets blocked. Like, and properly. It needs un-blocking because it won’t take any more water etc. No flushing toilets, no washing etc.etc. …and we’ve got people coming over tomorrow.

Dang! After spending the morning on jobbies, I wasn’t in the mood to have to deal with this development. Anyway, had a think about and we rang a friend who said he’d unblocked a few and had a grubber thingy. So, grubber thing came round but it still took three hours to get it sorted. Very thankful that there’s now some flow, and that we didn’t have to get the (expensive) plumber out… Now to get some copper sulphate to send down the pipes to kill the roots…

I don’t mind chores as there is some satisfaction in getting them done and I’ve realised long ago that life is a chore. Things have a changes since centuries ago and the types of chores we do have changed. Even though life in some sense has become easier, there are still things to do, get organised, ticked off the list. The jobs may be different but they are a part of getting on with it. They are a part of living and making an existence, we need to move, otherwise we’ll die. So, next time there’s a list of things to do, I’ll just plunge in and tick them off, one at a time.

a quick entry before we head off on a time of holiday travelling in Europe again. It’s been a very busy first half of the year and time for a much needed break away from the normal routines and demands. Heading off to the airport soon, and once we get through check-in and customs I’ll be sighing with relief and starting to relax. Looking forward to warmer weather and seeing some more of Italy (particularly Sicily) and a conference in Barcelona.

You can follow the journey at the Europe 2010 blog.

After finishing The West Wing last week, I’ve also finished something else…

Tonight I finished a three and a half year commitment and service in a volunteer capacity. I’m glad I’ve been able to make a contribution and make a small difference to the community I’m part of. Kind words were said (and appreciated) and I hope that work can continue in the vein that it has been commenced.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing, but then that can be expected in a community consisting of individuals. I’ve learnt a lot about leadership, communication and common vision & goals. So, while some frustrating times, it’s generally been fulfilling work and there is some sadness in walking away. but, it’s got to be done, others will fill the breach and the work will go on. I’m looking forward to a more hands-off role mentoring other to step up. As Benjamin Zander suggests – “What contribution can you make?“

Thank you for the opportunity to make mine…

Having mixed feelings about recently watching the last episode of The West Wing. It’s been a while since I started watching this acclaimed TV series and I’ve watched it all while pedalling my exercise bike. Yep, all 7 seasons, 156 episodes and about a 100 hours – and I rode approximately 2,750 kilometres! (as reckoned by the bike computer). So, as well as being entertained and learning something about American politics, I’ve managed to maintain some level of fitness.

Being able to watch an episode or two at the end of another busy day helped me clear my head, relaxed me a little, and provided a buzz to keep me going (maybe the endorphins helped…). I enjoyed the character development, the issues that had to be dealt with, and the insight into politics and the running of a government. Now that’s it’s over I feel a little sad and want to know what happens next in the lives of all the characters. It’s not to be, so I’m thankful for the ‘ride’ and look forward to the starting on another series which will be The Wire…

I was very fortunate to be able to attend a performance of ‘small metal objects’ by Back to Back Theatre in the local Westfield shopping centre today. It was a very special experience to sit in a tiered bank of seats in the middle of shoppers going about their various activities.

The actors mingled in amongst the people and were miked-up, with us listening in via headphones. It must have looked rather odd for about 100 people to be sitting there with headphones on, and nothing else seeming to happen. At first we could hear the actors and didn’t know where they were and it was a bit weird to sit and listen in a conversation knowing it was for us to hear, but we didn’t know who was speaking. Maybe we didn’t have to know, but once we could see the actors and how they were part of the activity of the shopping centre, it changed the dynamics and became more of a play within a play(s). Once the actors walked into view, they stayed around the vicinity in front of our seating.

People were walking past doing their business, some looking at us, and mostly not knowing that we were listening in on a conversation – a sort of eavesdrop on a one small interaction taking place amongst a whole lot of other things going on. There were people at the ATMs, claiming bonus shopping vouchers, having a coffee, meeting each other, and walking around the actors without knowing that they were also somehow being part of the action.

The play also gave me a perspective on performance, and that there has so be an observer, someone to watch, for the activity to be legitimised. Well, maybe not legitimised, but for it to have meaning outside the performers.

It felt quite profound to be participating in something ‘on the sly’ and struck me that there would be so many of these interaction, conversations, negotiations, etc. going on that we never really know about. We’re usually all too busy to notice or care… An excellent play, and thoroughly enjoyable.

The last couple of weeks have been hectic and I’m making myself sit down to write a short post to help get some sign-off from what’s been happening.

The wedding was a great day, everyone looked beautiful, the weather was perfect, and we had a wonderful service & celebration. Very good to enjoy the day with loved ones, family & friends and to catch up with everyone. Lots of nerves of course (the first one where we played the role of parents), but once things got under way, we were all swept up in the moment and the plans all went smoothly.

Then it was off to Brisbane the next weekend to catch up with family and attend a youth club reunion. During the 70s we lived in Toowong and attended the Reformed Church there and went along to the youth club. It was a pretty amazing day to catch up with people I hadn’t seen for over 30 years and here the stories of their lives over that time. Marriages, children, work, travel, illness, parents, and lots of laughs reminiscing over old times and adventures had as young adults. It was a pity the time was so short, as it’s difficult to catch up so much time in a few hours over an afternoon. Maybe I’ll get along to it again if there’s another one next year…

So, taking a breath now and very glad that I don’ have any big commitments for a while. It’s time to slow down and pick up that book I was reading, watch those DVDs we’ve been planning to see, and get back into some exercise…

We’ve got a very special event happening in one week’s time. The first one of our sons is getting married! This time next week we’ll be sitting together at a wedding feast celebrating the beginning of R&C’s new life together. Wonderful!

The first cousin got married a couple of years ago, so nice for lots of family to come together and enjoy the day.

The young couple have been together for quite a while (just about childhood sweet hearts) and the planning for the big moment has been going on for a while, and been thorough. Bucks & Hens nights have been had, and rehearsals have been organised. The only thing that can’t be planned is the weather, so were hoping that it will oblige on the day.

This has all sort of snuck up on me because we’re so used to seeing them together and the planning has been going on for so long. They have a place to live so Mr23 has recently moved out and been busy setting up their home. With the busyness of the new year, and other things to keep us otherwise occupied, I was surprised to suddenly realise that the wedding is only 7 days away. It’s going to be great and we’ll be very proud parents.

I better go and dust off the bow tie.

The end of February has arrived and I haven’t yet managed to get pen to paper (erm, fingers on keys?) and write some reflections on life so far in 2010. It’s been a busy start after a very restful & enjoyable summer holiday. Lots of things happening at home & at church to keep me busy and occupied both day & night. Very interesting looking back over the past couple of months and noting just what I’ve been involved in. Some things seem more worthy than others, while some seem like such a poor use of time & effort. Such is life. On the whole though, it feels like much has been achieved and my contribution to things useful & worthwhile.

Family life has been full of new jobs (two sons now gainfully employed in the professions they studied for & W has found a new job at a new university – all very exciting), wedding plans, reading books & watching movies, family & friends visiting (particularly a relative from Canada), all sorts of celebrations, some winter olympics, struggling with colds, and travel plans (yes another adventure in June/July this year with a blog to share all the news here). I realise it’s a privilege to be able to life a full life surrounded with family & friends and to have such a rich variety of input in my life. It’s a pleasure to be able to give back when & where I can…

Here I was thinking that it’s going to be March tomorrow and that much of the year has already slipped me by – when in fact it hasn’t! It’s really been very busy & I should probably stop & smell the roses a little more often.

I’ll write a little about the books & films I’ve enjoyed some time soon and on a seemingly different note, I’ve been thinking about ‘pain’ lately and will reflect on that topic next…

Oh, and I thought I really should try and include some images in my future blog posts, so look out for those.

“All aboard!“ I’m hoping this post will be part of a series that I’m writing to reflect on the year 2009.

When did you get on this particular bus that’s rushing towards the end of the year? I’m thinking I boarded it the second week of January this year when I went back to work…

Looking back, I think that’s when the rush to the end of this started. It’s been a full-on and busy year. I mean in both work and home aspects too. I’ve just noticed that it’s been a couple of weeks since my last post and in that time I’ve been to attend a conference in Auckland (I’ve reflected in that experience here). Now there is only about a week of work left, and then it will be time for a couple of weeks off for the Christmas/New Years break.

The year is coming to a close very quickly and it does feel like a rush, I’m stuck on the bus and it won’t stop. The ride has been good though. At times it’s been frustrating and difficult, while at other times it’s been rewarding and exciting. I have a great sense of achievement when looking back at all the things I’ve been able to do. I’m feeling OK about how I’ve finished up the year at work and I’ve got some things to look forward to next year. A couple of projects at work have led to publications and conference presentations and I’m excited about working with some colleagues on a project next year. We’ve been able to make a trip to Europe and had an amazing six weeks discovering lot’s more of Europe. I’ve been able to provide some leadership at church has also been rewarding.

So, I’ll need to take some time and think back over the things that have happened and gather them together here so that I can get a better sense of all that’s happened…

I’m finding it difficult to write short blog posts at the moment, there’s too much going going on in my head. Maybe if I just write a little bit in between larger posts (that are attempting to reflect on the year 2009) I might feel better (and inspired) to just keep writing what comes to mind.

I imagine that writers need to apply some discipline to their craft. Like any job, you do need to apply yourself and work hard at it to be successful and gain some sense of achievement. I suppose being a part-time scribbler (when I get the chance and inclination), it’s not the same as having to churn out the 1000 words a day. I still want to be able to enjoy getting things out of my head and onto the page, but I don’t want it to cause me stress and feel like a burden to consistently and regularly have to ‘come up with the goods’.

I find expressing my thoughts and ideas a useful way to help my understanding of my own world and life view, and hopefully my dear readers will appreciate what I’ve got to contribute. I suppose putting things on paper (on the screen) helps me test the conclusions I draw from my reading, thinking, interacting, viewing, conversations, etc. I think I’m also keen to share things that I feel might be of value, with a hope that others might be encouraged or challenged.

So, word by word, I couple together sentences and paragraphs that provide an insight into my (life) journey & what I might feel to be important enough to share (and for my readers to consider). There you go, a short post to fit in between other posts – wasn’t that hard at all.