January, 2011:

Brisbane Under Water

Large sections of Australia’s third largest city are now under water. This video shows how some areas of Brisbane have become completely flooded.

Even though the Brisbane River hasn’t reached the expected peaks, it’s still estimated that around 15 000 homes and businesses have been hit hard by the rising floodwaters.

The official death toll is currently at 15 but is expected to rise in coming days.

Wherever you are in the world, if you’d like to help you can visit the Queensland Flood Appeal website.

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Brisbane Braces for Floods

Jan 12th, 2011

by Rodney Olsen.

6 comments

Although it’s not even two weeks old, 2011 is a year that will be remembered for the devastating floods covering much of Queensland and now threatening other areas of Australia. Hundreds of thousands of people will be directly affected with many years of rebuilding ahead.

It’s extremely difficult to come to terms with the magnitude of the disaster and experts are saying that there’s a lot more on the way. Queensland’s capital is bracing for the rising Brisbane River to flood around 20 000 properties in 50 suburbs with thousands expected to seek emergency accommodation.

During my morning radio program on 98.5 Sonshine FM today I spoke to Liam Renton from one of our sister stations, Brisbane’s 96five. As we talked he was standing just metres away from the swollen Brisbane River, watching the flood waters increasing.

You can hear our five minute conversation by clicking the play button on the audio player below.

Do you know anyone affected by the floods? Have you lost a home or loved ones to a natural disaster like these floods? I’d appreciate your comments.

Wherever you are in the world, if you’d like to help you can visit the Queensland Flood Appeal website.

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Amateur Video Shows Flood Devastation

Jan 11th, 2011

by Rodney Olsen.

8 comments

2011 hasn’t started well in many parts of Australia. Not even two weeks in and it’s been a fairly wild start to the new year.

Here in Western Australia we’re dealing with destructive fire in our south and floods in our north.

Across the country in Queensland the devastating floods continue. The vision coming out of Toowoomba is astounding.

Check out the amateur video above as a couple of people capture the storm waters swelling and dragging car after car out of a car park and sending them down what moments earlier was just a small creek. At this time, eight people are dead and dozens are missing in that part of Queensland. It’s hard to get your head around the scale of the devastation.

The floods have not yet reached their peak and thousands of people are still being evacuated as the scale of the disaster grows.

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John Finkelde’s Makeover

Jan 11th, 2011

by Rodney Olsen.

2 comments

John Finkelde’s had a makeover. Well maybe not John himself, but his blog.

John Finkelde’s blog is often an eclectic mix of topics and posts that always provide something of interest. Sometimes it’s a good laugh, at other times it’s something that will get you thinking through life’s big picture issues. I love that variety.

Today is launch day for his renewed blog. This isn’t just a template change or a few tweaks; the whole blog has been revolutionised.

John’s the pastor of C3 Church Hepburn Heights. Here’s a little bit more about John, taken from his bio page at the church website.

Perth born and bred, John grew up with a love for all things water – swimming, surfing, snorkelling, fishing, prawning and crabbing.

Now living in a beach side suburb John still loves the water but prefers to eat fish rather than catch it these days.

Currently completing a Masters in leadership, John leads a vibrant, contemporary C3 church in Perth’s northern suburbs.

He has authored two books, Created for Partnership & Raising Great Kids and is currently writing a third, working title Pain Relief.

Married for over 30 years, he & Dianne have two grown children both married but no grandkids … yet!

He loves big skies, vanilla slices, Coldplay, AFL, laughing, redemption, home made muesli, C3 & coffee. His current obsession is DLSR photography and he would be happier if he owned multiple Canon L lenses.

Why not drop in to his blog and say g’day?

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Research Discovers the Power of Music

Jan 10th, 2011

by Rodney Olsen.

4 comments

It seems that you can’t go anywhere these days without seeing people tuning out the world by being plugged into their portable music devices. If new research by McGill University in Montreal, Canada is right, there’s a very good reason that more of us are choosing to listen to more and more music.

The researchers have found that the chemical, dopamine, is released into our bodies in response to music that we enjoy.

Dopamine increases in response to other stimuli such as food and money.

It is known to produce a feel-good state in response to certain tangible stimulants – from eating sweets to taking cocaine.

Dopamine is also associated with less tangible stimuli – such as being in love.

In this study, levels of dopamine were found to be up to 9% higher when volunteers were listening to music they enjoyed.

The report authors say it’s significant in proving that humans obtain pleasure from music – an abstract reward – that is comparable with the pleasure obtained from more basic biological stimuli. – BBC News

It’s no real surprise to me that music can have such a powerful effect. The surprise to me is that there are some people who have little interest in music. They’re in the minority but I can’t imagine life without music.

There are some pieces of music that can leave me absolutely breathless with others that can instantly transform my mood. Some music can give me an instant energy boost when I’m exercising or help me mellow out when I’m stressed.

Music isn’t the answer to all life’s problems, and it was never intended to be, but there is something quite wonderful about hearing a melody or lyric that touches something deep inside us.

How about you? What kind of music touches you? Is there a special song that can lift you when you’re feeling low? Please leave a comment or two about your experience with music.