It's been a while

Well, not that long. I'm tired. Seriously tired. I'm tired on the level of: Under two hours sleep a night for as long as I can remember (5 days? I never had a great memory), then exams, then martinis, then video games, then shopping, then spending time with friends, then writing about how tired I am. I'm sure you'll agree, that's fairly tired.

Here's a story:

I bought a case for my new phone. It didn't fit very well. It covered up the headphone hole thing (technical term). The phone kept slipping out. I went back to the store - a tiny little phone shop in China Town - and they gave me another of the same kind. It was still rather shoddy, although it had more grip that the first. I certainly didn't have enough money to buy a better one.

If you're worried about reading further, I can assure you that this story has a happy ending. If you've fallen asleep, then you're exactly where I want to be*.

Let's return to the tale. I proceeded to the only phone shop in Melbourne that I hadn't visited. I asked about cases for an N900. The lovely young lady took out a marvellous little case that was solidly build and cost EXACTLY the same amount I paid for mine. I looked on in wonder and lust, ever mindful that I could never hold that beautiful case in my hands, as punishment for the haste in which I had purchased mine. Now imagine my surprise when - here comes the good part - she reached across the counter, took my shoddy case, and said, "Don't worry, we'll swap it! Here you go!"

Like that story? I'm sure you'll agree that my tale is much like the products these guys sell**: http://www.ausriveting.com.au/

I hope you're all doing well.

Much love,

TheSovietChairman

P.S. If you didn't like my story, you can apply for a refund in full. Simply return goods in original condition to 235 Palmerston Street, Carlton, Victoria, Australia, 3053.

P.P.S. Sorry for the lack of (not)chickens. Like I said, I'm tired. Instead, you can have a photo of some people that I love. Oh, and then one of me in drag. Happy? Me neither.

P.P.P.S. Where do I put the footnotes now? Below the post scripts? Before the photos? After the photos***?

*Asleep in front of your computer.
**Riveting stuff.
***Right here.

She's leaving on a jet plane

She knows exactly when she'll be back again, and I've marked the date on every note book and calendar and tree in the park I could find (See the ones with: "For a good time, call Kat on 04** *** ***. She gets back on the ** of ***.")

Our time together over the last few days was rewarding and reaffirming. It was great to see Eric celebrate in our joyful story of triumph over some very tough obstacles as we stumbled back from Bar Nothing (Stumbled, not because of the cheap cocktails, but because of the distance we had to travel to get there and back).

The "weekend" (starting from Friday morning) began a little grumpy, but soon became a whirlwind of fun and smiles.

Speaking of fun: Bart and Baker Present: Swing Party. Now, that's fun.

Oh, and I just got my N900, so I shall be playing with that for some time.

Hmmm....

This is one boring post.

Let's combine it with another one.

Sketchbook time!

Eat Your Vegetables:

Simple Diagram:

Apparently Quite Fuzzy:


Free no more:


Dial Tone:



By now, you're most likely feeling this way:



Catch you on the flip-side, Cool Cats!

TheSovietChairman

Rainy front gate

I scribbled from memory. Here's what it looks like without the rain.

And here's a question that's bugged me for ages:


After showing my sister this scribble, she concluded that the reason I can't draw Kat is because I can't even draw myself.

I love you too, Kim.

*Grin*

Love and Peace!

"My name is Vash the Stampede. I have been a hunter of peace, chasing the illusive mayfly known as love for many, many moons now. There is no rest for me in my search of peace. I meditate diligently every morning. The subjects are life and love. I quit after three seconds. In my search for peace I also train diligently. I have also made it my mission to teach the precious value of peace to the children who will one day own the world. I will say it again, my name is Vash the Stampede. I am a hunter of peace, chasing the mayfly known as love"
--Vash The Stampede

To be hidden

He looked back in my direction, but his gaze seemed to hit the back of the room. I could see him fairly clearly through the flyscreen on the window. I felt as if he knew I was there, but didn't need to see me; he was just making me aware that he knew. He knew where I was. He knew I had come to tear down his life's work- to destroy his family, take his empire and make sure everyone hated his very name. Why would he think that? How could I remove myself from his vicinity? The other members of his group talked quietly, but playfully, while he gazed into the hut.

It was just me in there. I was afraid that if he spotted me staring at him, he'd cut me down where I stood. How could I let him know that I meant him no harm? I needed to make light of the situation.

“Hurr-- H'llo...”

Shit. I couldn't speak. If he heard the faint sounds coming from inside, he'd think I was hiding. I was hiding. Why was I hiding?

I strode out the side door. He looked at me. It felt like the world was growing up around me, like I was falling from a trapeze into the netting below, watching the walls of the circus tent shoot higher, until I was cradled on the ground. His face loomed above me.

I passed out.

*******

The sun wouldn't be up much longer. Dusk made the sand on the beach look like it could just as easily have been concrete; the seaweed and shells were chains, nuts and bolts on a factory floor. The movement of the waves became more obvious as my eyes adjusted, and the scene came into focus. In the low light of the evening a pillar rose up from the water; it was the only thing that broke the endless stretch of shoreline. Beside the pillar was a smaller one. The pair appeared as a column that had jumped free of its plinth.

The column shifted slightly to one side, then bent in half. I froze. It was a fisherman reaching into the bucket beside him.

How did I wind up here? If I made a run for it, the fisherman would notice. I lay flat, aware that I would still appear as a dark shape silhouetted against the pale sand.

I edged the fifteen or so feet towards the tall native grass and tried not to make a sound. I slid backwards between two tufts. Flat on my back, looking up at the sky, I struggled to control my breathing.

The clouds hid any stars. I closed my eyes and prayed that I might disappear. If God could hide all the stars in the sky, then surely He could conceal one man among the dunes.

Wish me luck!

Too many notes

Round coffee cup, swirling, dark. The hypnotic movement plays on his sleep deprivation, to catch him off guard. He adds the milk. Retaliation: Boiling water in his eye.

Cheesecake flavour synthesised with no fat or sugar. How do they make my yoghurt? Tasty, tasty chemicals- I salute thee! I can taste the dollop of cream on top.

Modelling systems. Controlling systems. Analysing systems. All these are inherently boring.
Hmmm...
Modelling Systems = Most slimy legends
Controlling systems = Long, stormy stencils
Analysing systems = Against my slyness
Much better! Anagrams save the day, yet again.

TheSovietChairman

Clarification

What she said and Jesus is our true rest

What she said...

"...I'm left with no choice but to make my own decisions... Like this one, I suppose, which I am in so much trouble for, but do not regret one notch. I love him, he loves me, he is always going to be mine forever, and no, it is not just romantic claptrap -- and anyone who thinks it is rubbish can just shove it, okay!"

Amen. When two people come together with a will to live for Christ and a commitment to grow together, it's a beautiful thing- even if not everyone is celebrating.

I'm putting all things in God's hands. I won't worry.

I'm looking forward to marrying the "autistic doctor child". We'll have such a great life together- even if it takes a while for our happiness to infect certain people.

Jesus is our true rest. These words lifted me up, even with thoughts of the many hours of study ahead.


Tonight's sermon was about keeping the Sabbath. Now, it might seem funny that I intend to work hard, into the wee hours of the morning, after hearing a sermon on keeping the Sabbath, but it's not, really.

Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and consecrated it.
Exodus 20:8-11

Now, the importance of setting aside time to fully embrace God's gift of rest is obvious, but when should we observe the Sabbath? Should we observe it traditionally, as in, from Friday night? Should we keep it on a Sunday, because Christians first worshipped on the first day of the week?

Well, I think, from looking at Jesus' example, we can see that He showed us that the Sabbath is a gift, for us. The Sabbath isn't something we should have to work to observe. It is a preview and reminder of the eternal rest we will have in Jesus when we go to be with Him.

One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
Mark 2:23-28

Jesus had a surprising amount to say about the Sabbath. He healed on the Sabbath and generally upset those who held its rigid observance to be of great importance.

Sharing fellowship and delving into God's word over Bible study, going on a wine tour, spending time talking about not much at all, with My Love- all these things I did this week and were great gifts of relaxation as well as being time spent in reflection and praise.

It's important to keep a day to rest each week, but if that day doesn't come, we shouldn't worry- we should just make certain to set aside time next week. I've observed my Sabbath this week. I'll always keep time for family and friends and studying God's word.

Praise God for his commandment to rest!

TheSovietChairman

Not a fresh start

But a rich and beautiful one, with new-found wisdom, and lots to learn.

We've had parental troubles and parents' joy, vineyard tours and red wine allergies, fun house inspections and cracks in walls, lots of parties and over-eating, but all of this we want to lay before God.

*Raises glass*

I propose a toast to love's strength and God's protection.

It'd be great to share the journey with you all,

TheSovietChairman

P.S. Don't worry, Chess. My blog won't change to its detriment. I'll keep whipping up silly, little drawings and posting the usual garbage. I wouldn't have it any other way. Just because we will share a life, doesn't mean we'll share a blog.

P.P.S. Although it makes me immensely happy when she visits my silly, little page.

Finally, we have a good story to tell people

"I'm still working- Can I call you back?"
"No worries. When will you be finished?"
"Five minutes."
"See you soon!"
"Uh- OK!"

She screamed when she walked in the door. She didn't think she'd left the lights on, but was oblivious to the many hints I'd given away. I'd meant to say, "Speak to you soon!"

"So that's why the cat was outside!"

Dinner was freshly laid out, steaming on the warmed plates, set atop the brand new table cloth.

"Oh, wow. Wow!"
"It sounded like you've had a pretty rough day, so I bolted up here to try and make it a little better."

After much hugging and happy, deep breaths, I managed to seat her at the table. She talked about her day and why this dinner would give her the energy she'd need for the next few days.

"You're rather dressed up, aren't you?"


My suit and tie still hadn't given away my intention for the evening. I wanted to show her that I could organise something, without just throwing money at it. I wanted to show her that I could cook. Every time she comes to visit me in the Big Smoke, she always manages to hijack my kitchen and produce wonderful dishes for me and my house mates. I'd cooked a few dishes at my family home for her, and managed some spiced pork chops once, but I'd never really been able to prove myself. I chose the simple, but elegant, Salmon and Broccolini with Orange Sauce. There were rolls from The Good Loaf on the table, and a wine to match the meal. To follow this up were a selection of cheeses, fig and walnut paste, and grapes.


Most of all, I wanted to show her that I want to cook for her...

...for the rest of her life (maybe not every night, but my feminist tendencies say, AT LEAST every second night).

I went upstairs and returned with a small box that she didn't notice, until I held it up to her, on bended knee, as she sat at the table.

"Aun Teeng, for the last time, will you marry me?" I managed, with a smile.

I expected her to clasp the box and examine the sparkly contents, but she held me to her, then grabbed my face- "Yes." *Kiss* "Yes." *Kiss* "Yes."

*Kiss*

It was only at this point that she took the ring from the box. I held her hand as she put it on her finger.

It's been a comparatively quick turn-around, but it was always meant to be. After prayers for God's protection on our lives, and for Jesus to remain our focus, we ate the meal- frequently interrupted by my need to go around to her side of the table and hold her in an embrace.

Thank you, Lord God, for the wonderful life we will share! Thank you, Lord God, for bringing us together! Thank you, Lord God, that by the example of Jesus, our Saviour, your Son, we see how to live a life humbled before you, how to focus on serving others in order to build a community of love and we see how to best love each other.

It's been an interesting journey, full of difficulty and joy, but ultimately more rewarding that we could have hoped.

I hope that we can share our happiness and the blessings we have received with those of you who are in Australia, in the form of a wedding, as well as continued friendship. To those across the shores, feel free to drop me a line. We're always happy to make new friends and chat with old ones.

Much love,

Evan (& Kat)

or

TheSovietChairman (& teengkoh)


Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-14