Darwin

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Originally uploaded by urbanstone.

Just back from running some workshops in Darwin for a few days. A really hectic schedule meant that I didn't get to see a lot of the area, but we did grab an hour at Casuarina Beach one afternoon. The texture of the sand, the small trails and the shells all held quite a different sense to east coast beaches.

Click on the photo to see a few more shots over at flickr.

Fragments

As I reflect upon what has shaped my practice of ministry for a subject this semester, I am struck again by how we are influenced by others. My grandfather for example. Not simply in the sense of how important and loved he was - but rather, as I take in his experiences of WWI and his fathers post-trauma, his own forming during the Depression and the style of man and father he chose to be during WWII and beyond. His choices, his experiences have shaped my families emotional responses.

No blame attached - we all shape our families and communities. We each take responsibility for our own choices - but the canvas we begin to write upon is never blank.

Fragments of his choices and experiences have filtered through and moulded some of me.

Tropfest Twins Victory

Congrats to the winning short film "Carmichael and Shane" in this year's Tropfest. Although hard to tell without seeing the last 4 films that sank under the domain downpour, "Carmichael and Shane" made me laugh very, very hard. A single father bringing up twins, decides to overcome the dilemma of competing for attention by simply favouring one twin over the other. Sounds mean? It is, but with Rob Carlton as the father it works. You recognise his face as the dopey, bloke next door froms several ads and such. His deadpan Aussie drawl is perfect.

My personal fave was "Carnivore Reflux", which was a very-Monty Pythonesque short that held a sharp social comment on consumerism. (surprise, surprise I hear you say!)

I'm looking forward to watching the 15 legitimate finalists again after the DVD is published with this Saturday's SMH.