God is a concept by which we measure our pain

"God is a concept by which we measure our pain." John Lennon

It is pain that makes us surrender. It is when we realise that we may just need something bigger than ourselves to get us out of our mess. That moment when we say God help me ... comes to everyone.

Breaking up online

Now that I have calmed down from the emotion that fuelled the last post. I was most amused by Melissa Gira's post on Sexerati.com about breaking up and changing your relationship status online. I was most pleased by the notion of letting your no longer significant other know that they were now no more significant than that 'crapunknownband' #5 as demonstrated by the priority on myspace. Relationship status is tricky at the best of times.

My soon to be ex-husband commented on the fact that I was calling my boyfriend, my boyfriend and perhaps that it was a little too strong a term seeing that we don't even live in the same country. While I appreciate his concern ... I don't know anymore. Relationships suck. No one knows what the rules are anymore.

Declaring status online ... pointless unless you care to share the story and the lessons ... I have lived through a few highs and lows with Heather online and have often been appreciative that she bothered to share.

Can I spell DIVORCED for you?

Why can't some people just let go and realise that their ex-partner has a right to move on and live? I am a little tired of seeing my ex's ISP on my weblogs. How do I put this ... it creeps me out. Occasional nostaliga ... I get it. But I don't want to be reminded of our hellish life together everyday.

Stryper Goes XXX

I am still laughing my ass off after hearing "To Hell With The Devil" for the first time in God knows??? I love the XXXChurch, I love the balls they have to take their message to the mainstream church and say .... "Hey, you say, think you are perfect... but what about your porn?" They are saying this in churches. Totally cool. I can see those self-righteous little behinds squirming now. The tagline for the XXXchurch is "The #1 christian porn site"

The guys at the XXXchurch are running a glorious circus of fools at present. Promoting Stryper along with pro wrestling and a debate between Porn King Icon Ron Jeremy and Craig Gross, founder of the XXXchurch as part of their "unscripted 2007".

I love it:
Ron Jeremy
Pro Wrestling
Stryper

God I wish I was in Atlanta, GA right now.

You will get all the madness at their website for Unscripted 2007 here. Enjoy it, it was the best laugh I've had in years.

I can't but feel nostalgic, listening to Stryper after having my rock chick reignited at Jemfest Australia. Giddyup guys. Best of luck. Stick it to those right wing conservative christians with a cupboard full of secrets.

Jesusland - Ben Folds

Just in case I haven't been jesus crispy enough of late. I thought you may appreciate Ben Folds video to Jesusland ... full of television evangelists, deliciously crispy.



I love this video. The tambourine was a nice touch. When I was in 4th class in primary school I was asked what I was going to be when I grew up ... I stood up and said ... "I'm going to be an evangelist." If anyone else has a story of social suicide feel free to share it here!

Little Wing ... My Jemfest Australia Highlight

OK so I know that my music obsession has little to do with jesus crispies. But if you have a problem with my content ... get your own blog.

The highlight of my evening at Jemfest, (and this is by no means a review) was Rob Balducci and Jeremy Barnes performing "Little Wing", my all time favorite song. It was pure joy.

I have loved this Jimi Hendrix classic since I was old enough to buy my own music. Can there be anything better for a girl than "butterflies, zebras and moonbeams and fairy tales."

It is the song I have sung my daughter to sleep with. It is the essence of the free spirit... the "circus mind, that's running wild" ... "riding with the wind"

Hang it, here are the lyrics:

"Little Wing"

Well, she's walking through the clouds
with a circus mind
that's running wild
Butterflies and zebras and moonbeams
and fairy tales

That's all she ever thinks about...

Riding with the wind

When I'm sad she comes to me
with a thousand smiles
she gives to me free

It's alright, she says,
it's alright
Take anything you want from me,
anything

Fly on, little wing

It is a melody that transports me into all things nostalgic and progresses the future hopes and dreams. It reminds me to be true to me. Without regret.

God Hates Fags - The Real Christians Speak

I watched this video on youtube and I got so frustrated. The website of this woman's church is godhatesfags.com... seriously!!

[note to my friends: unless you have time to burn and love theological arguments, you may want to skip this one!]



If you haven't read the words of The Christ you have no business reading the words of Paul or the Old Testament. Christ demonstrated compassion and tolerance. His message was of faith and not of law.

As a preacher's kid, in my late teens, many of my friends were gay. My father had been a hardliner from his conversion ... for him God had been a life and death decision. It is the issue that divided us. So many Doctors play god with a child's sexuality when they are born ... so many of us are born imperfect. Deviant behaviour is deviant behaviour whether your are gay or heterosexual, it isn't exclusive to homosexuals. It is not unusual to hear "when did you decide to be gay" ... like you would choose to make your life so difficult??!! When did you decide to be heterosexual??

My fear for Shirley Phelps-Roper, is that she stands in judgement over others.

Jemfest Australia ... feeding my audio addiction

Saturday (21st April) I was enticed back to the airport again and onto another plane to Melbourne. (for all those who suffer an audio addiction such as myself, you will understand). Jemfest Australia was a night not to have been missed. Guitar heaven featuring a brilliant lineup of: Cory Jach Band, Cereal Killer, James Ryan, Jeremy Barnes and headlining from the USA, my favorite New Yorker, Rob Balducci.

Rob's CD, The Color Of Light will be on high rotation at my place over the coming weeks. It is emotive, sensual and beautiful. The melodic dreamscape evokes light and shade that takes you through the rise and fall, a tumultuous affair, a life lost and found, hope, fear, love, adoration... close your eyes, breathe deep, exhale and imagine. (If you wanted a technical review ... wrong site!)

Simon, you organized an awesome gig. I felt like I was 17 again!!!

If you missed this one check out the artists at their websites or visit the forum topic here where I’m sure they can tell you where you can still buy the t-shirt and make a contribution to Steve Vai's Make a Noise Foundation.

Space

While in Melbourne with my good friends the topic of my long distance relationship came up often. My friends had met my beautiful boy and couldn't understand how I could stand to be without him. By far the best quote in response to my comment "but I like my space" was "Is the Pacific Ocean enough space for you?". Thanks Simon.

Godtube

The children of the original creator may not be lacking in creativity, but certainly originality.

Missing In Action

So it has been too long since my last post. I have just returned from spending time with my wonderful friends in Melbourne in celebration of their marriage. A truly international guest list, covering the USA, South America, UK and Europe. Between email, voip and discount airfares the world really isn't such a big place. So thrilled to have met some outstanding people, catch up with old friends and generally return home far more alive and with plenty to ponder for sometime to come.

It is so rare for us to just stop and make time to enjoy friendship for more than a coffee or lunch. I enjoyed every moment, be it the kick in the pants from she who knows me too well or the brave insight from a new friend, the deep and meaningful discussions or the puerile antics. I danced,laughed and cried ... I now remember that there is more to life than a computer and a high speed internet connection.

And the political containment award goes to .... Time Magazine

Time magazine published the cover story The Truth About Talibanistan everywhere but America ... What could possibly be more important????? The Case for Teaching The Bible???? Read the post at Stilgherrian

Jesus Crispy Camp

I am a born again, spirit filled, word believing, faith talking, armour wearing child of the king. Satan gets so discouraged when he see the word of god working in me. You don't have to be defeated, or wait for heaven to get the victory. I am a born again spirit filled, word believing, faith talking, armour wearing child of the king.

I don't know how the rest of that song goes, but it scares me that at 30 years of age, I still remember this much. I believe that there is "bring up the child in the way he should go" ... and then there is brainwashing.

Please watch this trailer. Please realise that an introduction to God should be a personal discovery, not a guilt ridden weight of responsibility for mankind. I have been that child. I have carried the weight.

Shame on you adults for putting these expectations on your children ... I hope to God you are not looking at your next generation of drug addicts and prostitutes. Why, because not even YOU can live up to the requirements you place on your children. Any when they discover your hypocrisy, you will feel the consequences. If God is God, he doesn't need an army camp to brainwash children into militant servitude. Jesus came with a message of how to live. That there is no 'us and them'. I don't care how you cut it up it is wrong. It will leave scars. Human beings do so much wrong "in the name of God". Children grow up eventually. They will hold you accountable.