Category: Life

My run in with the police

by Ben Clapton, posted in Archive, Life
Old Vancouver Police Car during the 2009 Chine...
I wish I had ridden in a car like this! (Image by sillygwailo via Flickr)

This prompt, What did you do to land yourself in the back of a police car?!, is provided by Plinky.

Most people would be surprised to know that I’ve driven in the back of a police car. I’m normally quite a good person, and would never break the law. But one New Year’s eve, I did in fact find myself travelling in the back of a police car.

I was delivering pizzas that night. Great way to spend a New Year’s night, but I needed the money. Parents were away down in Albany, and I didn’t really have much else to do that night. I was driving a 1980 Corolla at the time.

I’d just delivered a pizza, and my car died. I couldn’t get it started at all. Knocked on the place I delivered the pizza to and asked if they could give me a push. Thankfully, I was at the top of a hill. Got the car rolling, and the engine started, but it wouldn’t stay running. Every time I put the clutch in, the car died. No big problem I thought, so long as I can keep moving, I’ll be fine. I had run out of credit on my phone, so couldn’t call for help. I thought if I could make it back to the pizza shop, I could at least get some help to try to figure out what was wrong, or call for help if needed.

Unfortunately, some traffic lights on the way back to the pizza place had other ideas. They changed on me, and I had to stop. While I was pushing my car off the side, and preparing myself for the longish walk back to the shop, A police car pulled up and asked if I wanted some help pushing my car off the road. I graciously accepted, and when he saw that I was working for the pizza shop, offered me a lift back to the shop.

You should have seen the look on my manager’s face when I jumped out the back of the police car. Classic.

Anyway, called up RAC roadside assist, and had to join up to get them to come out. The joining fee came to exactly what I had earned so far in deliveries and tips that night. Got the second driver to drop me off at my car and waited. Ended up being a dead alternator. Was able to get the car going again, but wasn’t able to do the rest of my shift, it was too unreliable. Replaced the alternator the next day and the car kept going right up until I needed to get rid of it.

Have you ever ridden in the back of a police car? What for (if you don’t mind me asking)?

Malaysia deal amounts to “arbitary and unlawful detention”

by Ben Clapton, posted in Archive, Life, Refugees
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ...
Image via Wikipedia

The ABC is reporting that the United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has warned the Australian Government that the Malaysian refugee swap deal may result to “arbitrary and unlawful detention under international law.”

Australia is saying they will go ahead with the deal anyway, and are currently looking for a third country to take refugees. I’m very disappointed with this news, as we are very clearly saying “we don’t care about international law.” Considering that its international law that governs human rights, and how we treat asylum seekers I’m worried that we may set a precedent for us to do worse things to asylum seekers. Continue reading “Malaysia deal amounts to “arbitary and unlawful detention”” →

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.

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?

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

My platform as prime minister

by Ben Clapton, posted in Archive, Life
Still image from the documentary film "Wa...
Refugees in Detention is one of the big issues I would be working on if I was Prime Minister. (Image via Wikipedia)

This topic suggestion, Do you think you’d make a good president?, is from The Daily Post as part of the Post-a-day writing challenge.

If I was elected Prime Minister, there would be a few big issues that I would be working towards.

NBN

A government is responsible for infrastructure. Not only the building of new infrastructure, but the maintenance and regular upgrading of old infrastructure to suit the needs of the population. A national broadband network, such as the one the government is currently building, is essential to cater for the needs of the population now and into the future. A fiber network has already been proven to be significantly upgradeable with minimal change to the existing infrastructure once the fiber is in place. This is why if I was prime minister, I would continue this process.

Refugees

Refugees is a hot topic at the moment. It is one that requires clear thought, and compassion on both sides of the debate. Personally, I believe that off-shore detention centres are a violation of human rights, as we are detaining these people when they have not committed any breeches of the law.

However, I can also see the need for there to be some kind of fact checking process to ensure that those we let into society are indeed refugees. This process needs to be completed as quickly as possible.

If we are to detain asylum seekers, we need to have a deadline by which time a decision must be made. The main thing that has caused so much mental health issues within detained asylum seekers is often not the detention itself, but the uncertainty in how long they will be detained for a crime that doesn’t exist. We need to ensure that all claims are processed quickly – say, within six months – and if that is not possible, then we recruit more staff to ensure that it is possible.

Also, I would promote as Prime Minister a scheme where once an initial assessment is made, every asylum seeker is sent into community detention. Community detention is not only far better for the asylum seeker, as it also helps them settle into the community, but it is also far cheaper for the Australian government than off-shore detention.

Investing in renewable energy

Renewable energy sources such as wind, water, solar and others are not at the stage where they could replace coal completely. However, we would be foolish to assume that coal and gas will remain a viable source of power into the future. Eventually, we will mine all of the coal, oil and gas, and need to find another source.

It is therefore a smart idea to develop existing and potential renewable energy technologies to not only prolong the amount of time we have until coal runs out, but also to eventually replace coal when it does run out.

Is there a lot of work to do to get it to this stage? Absolutely. However it would be foolish not to act on this now.

So that’s three things I would focus on if I was Prime Minister. What would your three things be?

Postaday2011 links