Last night I was poking around my website for inspiration on how I could reenergise this blog and spark some interest within myself to write for it again… regularly.
Part of me wishes to retain my previous post and comments, and part of me wishes to start afresh, or even shut the site down. Reading through previous posts I see such spite and anger toward society, my self and others, but really not much love. I remember how I felt at those points, and understand why I wrote what I did, but I have to remind myself at times that I am reading my own work because I really wish I could go back to those points and kick my own arse. It feels really weird disagreeing with what I have said, and stranger still agreeing with people with whom I once clashed vehemently.
Here in Australia we have government managed healthcare that works, and in my opinion works rather well. See Medicare Australia.
We also pay for private health insurance, mostly for the convenience factor of avoiding waiting lists for non-urgent treatment that we may need in the future. Our government also provides a 30% premium subsidy to encourage the purchase of private health insurance for those that can afford it. They also provide exemptions to the Medicare levy for low-income earners. This is how a government shows its citizens that it’s working for them rather than itself.
From what I understand, the US health system by comparison appears severely lacking. Somewhat odd too is the fact that it is provided as part of a salary package? What’s the go with that? And why is an employer responsible for their employee’s healthcare?
I’ve watched a number of documentaries about the US health system in the past, and while I take documentaries with a grain of salt, I was interested to see much of what I had heard in documentaries was backed up in this Wikipedia article, which if you read it is rather damning:
Been thinking for a while about renaming eSinner.com and changing the theme. Don’t know what the name will be yet, still to figure that out, but I do want to head in a different spiritual direction than where it has been in the past. For about a year or so I’ve felt constrained creatively for content due to what previous posts have discussed and also because what this site in its current form means to me in my head.
When I made the site back in 2003 the most I was confident in stating about myself at the time was that I am a sinner, and a horribly wretched one at that. Trust me on this point! I still believe this as a foundational truth about my nature, but what I’d like to think is that maybe I’ve grown a little since then. No doubt personally, but more importanly spiritually. Because of this I feel my focus needs to shift from the bad news to the good.
I’m also wearing a few more hats than I was at that point. Those being both obvious and pivotal to the need for a change in focus. My little champ will probably read the content herein at some point in the future, and the last thing I want him to think is that his Dad is incapable of change and growth, nor of recognising his own faults.
Spiritually, what resonates more with me these days is not that I’m a sinner, but moreso that I am saved. I think every true Christian has doubts about this at times, but more recently I understand the Father’s unconditional love for us, and I think this is because I know how insanely strong my love is for Josiah. My relationship with him gives me a clearer understanding of how my Heavenly Father’s love for me might look like when my parental love is extrapolated on an infinite and eternal level. Dim picture still I’m sure, but much clearer an idea than I had 6 years ago.
My interests have also shifted a little since 03. I used to be hugely into apologetics, at least on a personal level, partly because of interest in the field, and partly because of insecurity about my own salvation. After a while though apart from keeping the mind active and giving me the tools to hopefully be able to adequately explain the reason for my beliefs, apologetitcs does nothing to touch the heart of the unbeliever. Get them questioning perhaps if they are truely open minded, which none of us really are, but never really enough to meet someone on a spiritual or relational level, and definitely not useful for convicting a soul towards repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. I realise now that this is the job of God’s law.
What I want from the new site to come is a truer representation of me and my journey, and its current trajectory. Not bound by sarcasm, negativity, or even anyone else’s perception of what I should or shouldn’t discuss as a Christian.
The topics I’d like to explore could include evangelism, and my insecurities about sharing my faith with others. Fatherhood too, and the infinite joy I feel inside when I’m spending time with my son. My deep love for my gorgeous wife and how my idea of home revolves around my proximity to her. Previous posts perhaps, and whether or not I still agree with myself six years on. Also how the Christian sub-culture portrays itself in these morally ambiguous times and whether it’s teachings reflect what the scriptures actually state. On this point too, I had an idea of developing my own personal Gospel message/Doctrinal truth check-system based entirely on scripture to grade some of the crap being dished out of the Contemporary Christian Music industry and seeing if we as a Church are still preaching Christ and Him crucified, especially in our music.
These are just some of my ideas, and likelihood is there’d be a fair amount of geek scattered throughout, but to nutshell the idea I want to remove constraints. Just write whatever, or perhaps even nothing. Rant if I feel the need, or reflect on why I feel compelled to rant. Ultimately learn, about myself and those around me.
This after all is what life is all about, relationships.
Checked my Facebook profile for the first time in a few days, and noticed I had a message from some random blond chick…
The resultant conversation was right out of left field… for your amusement here it is, names and places edited for the protection of the parties involved.
Random Blond Chick: Hay Bud, I’m looking for a man by the name Josh who works at the Random Bladibla call center in Tbar….is this you? Kisses
Josh: Yes.
Random Blond Chick: This may seem rude but I dnt mean to be. Is your dream guy Scott who works at pascos?
Josh: Dream guy? Are you smoking crack? I’m both straight and happily married with a kid.
Random Blond Chick: Im so sorry, I didnt mean to be rude. Obviously not the right person. thankyou
Josh: Clearly.
I later remembered that I’m not the only Josh in the call center. Coincidentally the other, if I recall correctly is gay. Sigh… next time I will say possibly…perhaps…or even maybe. Would have been a safer option.
What I would have liked to explain is that our insured was given a breath test at the scene of the accident, meaning that there is a chance that they may have been driving under the influence.
Now, since accidents caused while driving under the influence are specifically excluded in our product disclosure statement, if our insured has done so we will not be covering this claim.
This morning was supposed to be my sleep-in day since Melly had her’s yesterday. Instead I got up earlier than I otherwise would have to Skype relatives visiting my Mum & Dad so they could see Siah… Made up for it, but more on that later. My Mum hadn’t realized my Dad was working so the whole thing was a bit rushed and on top of that Skype audio was breaking up as we really hadn’t enough time to allow the Skype connection to stabalise. Was good to see their faces though, and I’d rather have a dodgy Skype call than none at all.
The rest of the day so far has pretty much been sleep. Since I was already up for the Skype call I got Siah ready for the day (breakfast, clothes and nappy change etc) then after the call I happened to fall asleep on the couch until midday while the little prince happily played and watched The Wiggles… Yes, I’m a bad parent.
Melly must have woken up from her sleep-in sometime before I woke up at midday to Siah tripping on one of his toys and bumping his noggin, because she was up and dressed already. Poor little boy got such a fright and a big bruise too 
After the ensuant screaming ceased, I realized I had drooled on the sleeve of my hoodie. I drool when I sleep, mostly when I have a blocked nose, sometimes when I don’t. It was at that point I remembered Melly had been up for some time, because she had earlier pointed out between dreams that I had drooled on my pillow too. Low point of the day, how embarrassing.
Went back to sleep when our little bubba went down for his nap. Woke up around half four, and have since been fiddling with getting cross posting worked out between WordPress, FriendFeed, AudioBoo and Twitter. Finally sorted so now I don’t have to duplicate any post across any of these services. Convenience is for the win!
So I guess not a lot accomplished, but at least I’m rested. Shouldn’t expect more when I stay up until four in the morning tinkering with my website. Not much planned for the rest of the evening, just Melly time and perhaps some WoWing if I get the motivation.
Hope everyone is well and has had a good weekend.
So today I signed up for FriendFeed. I also have it cross-posting to Twitter to save posting to two different apps, thanks to suggestions from both Melly and Kate.
Melly also sent me a link she found for a WordPress plug-in that notifies FriendFeed, and subsequently Twitter, with my blog post titles when I post here. FFDirect is the plugin name.
Anyhoo, it’s much too late. NN!
Hey folks, long time no see. Looking at the date of my last post I see it’s almost been a year, how slack am I? Don’t answer that 
Good news is, I’m really going to be blogging again, since I recently got a shiny 32GB iPhone 3Gs, so now that I have Internet in my pocket any time, anywhere, I really have no excuse.
Wanna know something geeky-cool? This post was written on my iPhone using the WordPress app, which is really quiet nifty 
I’ve also upgraded my blog to WordPress 2.8, which has changed substantially compared to my old 2.2 install. 2.8 is all kinds of funky with nifty things available in it these days like Akismet being included by default and Web 2.0 content. Very shmick!
Life is good.
So I didn’t get around to writing my fill in post, but I’ll get to that. My weekend was much too busy…
Friday morning I left a surprise for Melly on her keyboard. Latest Stephen King book. It made her happy.
Friday afternoon I got the surprise of my life when I was having drinks at the pub, and I turn around to see Janie, all smiles, walking in. Apparently everyone was in on the surprise, except me of course. I love surprises though, and I couldn’t speak for the best part of 20 minutes I was that shocked and overwhelmed. It was great to have Jane back in town for the weekend. It made my week!
Had to work Saturday, but I got to have lunch with Jane. Mum and Dad were in town for my grandparents garage sale. They joined Melly, Josiah and I for dinner. We had Thai.
Later on that evening I had good times playing 80′s trivial pursuit with Melly and Janie. I got owned, but what’s new? After having my arse handed to me by the girls, I got the chance to have a really good chat with Janie too. It was nice being able to catch up and spend some time together. Sucks colon that I don’t get to see her at work anymore. It’s not the same place.
Spent the majority of Sunday working on my annual performance review. That was fun… no really.. Feels good to have it out of the way for another year though.
Wasn’t feeling very social at work today. Bothers me that people expect me to interact… I’d rather be left to myself. I often wish I could just turn up to work, do my job, and come home without having to deal with personalities. People make me sigh. You’d think having a wireless headset in one ear, and my iPod in the other would send a clear enough message. You’d be wrong though.
I was feeling particularly antisocial at work today after I had some twat try to run me over on my way there, and then beep at me for being in his way, I mean wtf? You either want to kill me, or I’m in your way… you pick, but you can’t have it both ways. I need to get to work a little earlier tomorrow. There weren’t any carparks left today and I had to hike it a fair way. That’s ok during the day, not so much at night in the windy cold, and I’d rather avoid getting run over.
I’m on late shifts again for the 2nd time in 4 weeks. Due to the restructure our rosters started over. The shift bites. Don’t get to spend time with those I love when I’m rostered on lates.
Looking forward to a 3 day weekend.
Hi folks, well it’s been 18 months but I’m ready to start posting again. Since the birth of Josiah I’ve not had much time nor inclination to post on my blog, and on a few occasions considered giving it the flick. But alas, the inspiration to share my dribble has again returned and I plan on writing a post covering some of the highlights since the arrival of my son… Will do that on the weekend. More to follow thereafter…
Until then interest yourself with with my Facebook profile, it’s where I’ll be posting my photos. Going to be adding a Josiah album on there on the weekend.
Melly and the bub have been home a few days now. We left St Vincents on Thursday of last week. It’s been fantastic not having interruptions from nurses and cleaning staff, for what seemed to be, at five minute invtervals. The first few nights home were a bit of a struggle, getting Josiah to settle down for a sleep has been difficult at times, but we’ve been doing pretty good the past few days due to the support of our family. Settling into a routine will help things along, but that will take time and at the moment we’re just rolling with each situation as it arises. I’m so thankful to have Melly, we make a fantastic team!
Thank you to everyone who has lent us a hand over the past few weeks, thank you also for your lovely gifts and flowers. Bless you all.
It’s amazing seeing the hand of God guiding our decisions through the pregnancy and birth of Josiah! The very day after the delivery Mellissa developed a condition called pre-eclampsia (Hypertension with protein in the urine). This can be life threatening, and the OB told us that if we had waited only 1 more day to have the delivery that Melly would have been in intensive care.
Additionally, upon delivery the OB discovered that Josiah was in a posterior position (his face was facing upwards, instead of down), and this would have meant it would have been difficult a very long and painful delivery if we had have chosen to try a vaginal birth.
It’s so reassuring to see God’s guidance throughout the decisions we have made. All I can say is PRAISE GOD!
My son Josiah already has his own webpage, courtesy of Grandpa, with photos and all!
Cruise over to Josiah’s Google Page to take a peek! All the photos can be clicked on to get a closer view.
I’ve also created a YouTube account so that I can post videos of him in action, but I’m gonna need to be at home to upload it. So stay tuned!
Woohoo! I’m Dad to an absolutely perfect little baby boy!
First Name: Josiah
Middle Name: James
Weight @ Birth: 5 Pounds, 13 Ounces
Length @ Birth: 49 Centimeters
Time of Birth: 2:28 pm
Date of Birth: 4th January, 2007
I’ve never seen something so adorable in my whole life, he’s just amazing! I’ve almost died of the cuteness a dozen times over already Little Josiah’s birth has been captured on video, and I hope to be able to share it with whoever wants to see once I get it to DVD. I’ll get photos online as soon as possible, but right now I’m gonna go back to adoring my child.
Right now I’m not a daddy.
In 3 hours I will be.
HOW FREAKY IS THAT!