Category: Archive

Money and Happiness

by Ben Clapton, posted in Archive, Life

This prompt, Do you think money can buy happiness?, is provided by Plinky.

My wife and I have been listening to a Casting Crowns album recently while we’ve been driving in the car. One song that’s got me thinking just recently is this song, American Dream.

It could just as well be titled “Australian Dream” as the things that are mentioned in here are more and more becoming things that Australians long for. A large house with a big back yard, the biggest TV, all the latest gadgets, the boat, the holidays.

My church is located in a fairly affluent area. We often are challenged on how we respond to the call to look after “the lost, the last and the least” in our community, when it seemingly looks like on the outside of all these massive houses with gates protecting expensive cars that none of the people in our community have any issues.

However, we are reminded that so many people in order to get to that “ideal” situation have worked multiple jobs, or worked late into the night and lost time with their family. There are stories in yesterdays newspaper of how families on a $90,000+ income will struggle with a $400/year increase thanks to Australia’s new Carbon Tax. These families live so close to the edge that anything unexpected – such as Reserve Bank interest rises that mean increased mortgage payments, or a new tax such as the carbon tax – puts them from surviving to struggling.

We often tell ourselves that we need the largest and the newest of everything. However, when you can learn to live on what you have, and not outspend your income, you are less stressed, and can fully enjoy what you do have.

Window or aisle, I’m breezy

by Ben Clapton, posted in Archive, faith
I'm concerned the plane for my flight tomorrow...
A9, D10, I might pass on F12 though. (Image by Leia via Flickr)

This topic suggestion, Do you prefer the aisle or window when travelling? Why?, is from The Daily Post as part of the Post-a-day writing challenge.

I apologise for the bad pun in the title, but I couldn’t resist.

I can’t say I’ve travelled much in a plane, however, my experience has told me that I don’t really mind where I sit, aisle or window. However it does depend on the flight.

There’s something nice about being able to look out the window as you’re flying into somewhere new. Being able to look out and view this city that you’re going to spend the next little while exploring. Likewise, looking out over your home city as you return, seeing the suburbs, the landmarks that make you love the place where you live and call it your home.

However, if the flight is a long one – such as 5 hours or more – I might be willing to pass that up for the possibility of walking around. 5 hours is a long time, and if the person next to me falls asleep, and I need to get out, I don’t want to wake them or climb over them – hence the aisle is better for the longer flights.

Overall though, I don’t mind too much. You can see through a window for landing where ever you sit, and the rest of the time I generally spend reading or playing on my laptop, so I’m not fussed over where I sit.

Postaday2011 links

My favourite way to start my day

by Ben Clapton, posted in Archive, Life
A photo of a cup of coffee.
I prefer my coffee with milk. (Image via Wikipedia)

This prompt, What’s your favourite way to start your day, is provided by Plinky.

I’m an early riser, getting up at 6am each morning. Part of this is because I’ve always been an early riser, part because I like to have time in the morning to properly wake up. I describe myself as an early riser, late starter.

In the morning, I like to have my breakfast and coffee. Breakfast consists of two crushed wheet-bix, with muesli. The coffee I have at the moment is a Harris Columbia blend that’s UTZ certified. It’s a bit stronger than the coffee my parents generally buy, but I like it strong.
I’ll generally watch tv while I’m having breakfast, usually Sunrise so I can stay in the loop of the main news stories, or sometimes a show that I’ve recorded, such as media watch.
After breakfast, if there’s time, I’ll check Facebook or my blogs, then iron my shirt have a shower then head to work. On the way to work (I catch public transport), I write a blog post of some kind, nothing fancy, as I’ll use my lunch break to clean it up and look good. When I get to work, the first thing I do is turn the computer on, then make myself a hot drink to start the day with.

That’s how I start my day, how do you start yours?

Divine intervention and free will

by Ben Clapton, posted in Archive, faith

This topic suggestion, They say “everything happens for a reason” – do you think this is true?, is from The Daily Post as part of the Post-a-day writing challenge.

I was asked by a friend on Facebook recently what my thoughts were on whether everything was planned or whether there was the possibility of coincidence.
I believe that God is omnipotent, knowing everything that has happened, is happening and will happen. He has a plan for our lives: “for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.” However, God also have us Free will. He gave us the ability to choose for ourselves. My picture then is of God watching a sporting match. While he knows the result, he’s there, surrounded by all his angels cheering us on, rejoicing when we choose the right path, and consoling us when we make a mistake.
Does that leave any room for coincidences? I think so. I’ve heard the phrase “god-incidence” used to describe those situations where it could only have been influenced by God. I truly believe these happen.

So does everything happen for a reason? For has a plan for our lives – it’s up to us whether we follow that plan.

Postaday2011 links

My Favourite Blogging Tools

by Ben Clapton, posted in Archive, Feature
WordPress Logo
Image via Wikipedia

There are a plethora of blogging tools available. Some are good, some are bad. These are the tools that I used for my blog. Continue reading “My Favourite Blogging Tools” →

Will you choose the red pill?

by Ben Clapton, posted in Archive, Life

This topic suggestion, Do you take the red pill, or the blue pill?, is from The Daily Post as part of the Post-a-day writing challenge.

“You take the blue pill – the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill – you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.” -Morpheus (from the film The Matrix) Continue reading “Will you choose the red pill?” →

Refreshing

by Ben Clapton, posted in Archive, faith, Life

This topic suggestion, Weekly Photo Challenge: Refreshing, is from The Daily Post as part of the Post-a-day writing challenge.

Refreshing Water (image by Daniel Go on Flickr)

In our lives, there are certain areas that sometimes need refreshing. However, far too often, we will find ourselves caught up in the business – or busy-ness – of living, and won’t give time to refresh ourselves. Here’s a few things I sometimes do to refresh different areas of my life. Continue reading “Refreshing” →

Movies I’m looking forward to

by Ben Clapton, posted in Archive, Life

There was a time where I would go to the movies every Thursday with my mates, and we’d see whatever was on. It was great. We started with Indiana Jones 4, and then every Thursday from there. The group still meets, though I no longer go (mainly because Thursday is one of the few nights where I don’t have anything on, and it’s good to spend it with just my wife). However, there are a few movies coming up that I really want to see, so may well attend the movies that week, or just go and see it on my own.

The Muppets

I can’t wait for this. I’m so excited to see the Muppets back together again. I love the Muppet show, and the Muppet movies that they’ve done so far were brilliant. I think there’s something quite nostalgic about heading back to revisit characters that you’ve loved for so long – such as Toy Story 3. So this is the movie that I’m looking forward to the most.

Mission: Impossible 4

I don’t know what it is about the Mission: Impossible movies, but I can’t wait to see this one. I know that overall, they’re not great movies, but the spectacle, the gadgets, the action, it makes it a movie that I’m really looking forward to seeing.

The Hobbit

One of the first pictures from The Hobbit, Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins). Source: Entertainment Weekly (via the-hobbit-movie.com)

Now this one is still a long way off, but I’m a huge Lord of the Rings fan, and can’t wait to see The Hobbit. There’s been word that director Peter Jackson will tinker with the story a bit, which generally I’m not a fan of (I was most annoyed that Tom Bombadil didn’t make the movies) but I’ll still go and see the Hobbit because it will be epic, awesome, and everything Tolkien.

Winnie the Pooh

I only found out about this when I was looking at what other movies are coming up, but I’ve got to say that I’m rather excited about this. Similar reasons to The Muppets – being reintroduced to old friends. Plus, John Cleese as the Narrator, it’s going to be awesome.

The Smurfs

Again, familiar friends make me want to see this movie. Looks like a lot of fun. Plus Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays.

Tintin

I think I’m seeing a trend here. I loved reading Tintin comics when I was young, and I’m really looking forward to seeing this movie. Produced by Spielberg and directed by Peter Jackson, you know that it’s going to be epic. It’s also got Daniel Craig and Simon Pegg cast, as well as Andy Serkis (Gollum from Lord of the Rings) voicing Captain Haddock and Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot) voicing Tintin.

What movies are you looking forward to?

The Simple Push Up

by Ben Clapton, posted in Archive, Life
Photographer: Frank C. Müller
This guy can do a lot of push ups... (Image via Wikipedia)

This topic suggestion, Stand up now, or die!? (get out of your chair), is from The Daily Post as part of the Post-a-day writing challenge.

A few weeks ago, I wasn’t able to do 10 push ups. I’d lost a lot of weight, but I had been focussing on weight loss so much that I’d become thin and weak. Deciding to change this, I got an app for my phone, Push Ups by Rittr Labs. It’s an app that asks how many you can currently do, then gets you to set a goal of 50, 75, 100 or 125 push ups in a row. I also got their sit ups app to work on my abs.

Now, I’m currently able to do 21 push ups in a row. I’m slowly working my way towards my goal of 75.

Part of why I like Push Ups and Sit Ups is that they are simple exercises that have worked for years. You see exercises such as the Ab King Pro, or the Door frame gym and other such things that you get sold on Morning TV shows, and I just feel that they won’t stick around, possibly because they don’t work. While Push Ups and Sit Ups have remained relatively unchanged for many years, they don’t cost any money, and give you a good all round work out.

So, get off that chair, crank out some push ups, and tell me how many you can do!

Postaday2011 links