Archive - July 2007

I finally decided to do it. I organised myself an Amazon Wish List. I’ve seen them on other blogs and considered it before but always had a couple of issues with such a list.

My first hesitation with posting a wish list on my blog is that I didn’t want anyone to think that I expect readers to buy me stuff. If anyone wants to put a huge smile on my face they’re welcome to dip into the list and send something my way but I’m not living under the illusion that it’s likely to happen.

Secondly, I don’t want to portray myself as greedy or materialistic by listing lots of ‘stuff’ that I ‘must have’. The items on the list are things that’d be nice but that I could well live without.

So why do I have the list? If any family or friends are wondering what I’d like for a birthday or any other occasion they don’t have to pull their hair out wondering what to buy. It’s also a place where I can keep a list for myself so that if I’m looking to treat myself it’s a simple matter of clicking a few links and then watching my letterbox.

Feel free to click the button in this post or in the left hand sidebar if you’re curious or simply ignore it if you prefer. I’m not expecting you to send me gifts.

So now you know.

Posted by Rodney Olsen

Technorati Tags: Amazon – Wish List

Do you ever watch something for a long time and then wonder what you’ve just seen?

I finally got to see Emily playing netball on Saturday.

I usually take James to Auskick (junior Australian Rules Football) on a Saturday morning at the same time that Pauline takes Emily to netball. With school holidays upon us, there was no Auskick but the netball was still running so we all headed off to see Emily play.

I’ve got to admit that even after watching the game intently for an hour I still have no idea what was going on. I do know that Emily played well and that she scored a goal for her team but I couldn’t work out much more than that.

The umpires seemed to blow their whistles at random intervals to take the ball off one team and give it to the other. I’m sure that they knew what was going on and that they made the right calls but I couldn’t tell you what those calls were.

Do you ever find yourself in situations like that?

It’s a bit like that on the first day of a new job. Everyone else knows what’s happening but unless someone’s prepared to come along side you and explain everything, you’re left wondering what’s going on.

When we get used to a particular set of circumstances we tend to take certain actions and behaviours for granted, never thinking for a moment that others are totally bewildered.

I sometimes feel that way if I have cause to head to the pub. I don’t drink a lot and when I do drink it’s generally a quiet glass at home. Going to a hotel and ordering a drink seems like such a simple thing for most people but it can be confusing for me. I just hope the person behind the bar doesn’t ask me too much about my order. I don’t know what the correct names are for the various glass sizes and anything beyond ordering the most simple of drinks is beyond me.

I think the same thing happens in most churches. Unless you know the language and the right way to do things, you can feel very uncomfortable. I’m sure that’s why a lot of people would be happier to avoid getting involved in a local church. We might want to make people feel welcome when they visit but most of the time we’ve forgotten how unusual the whole deal is for most people. How many other places do people go where they have to stand up and sing songs they don’t know at irregular intervals? While they’re still trying to work out when to stand and sit they’re frantically hoping that they don’t do anything they’re not meant to do to cause themselves embarrassment.

Have you found yourself confounded by things that others take for granted?

Posted by Rodney Olsen

Technorati Tags: Netball – Auskick – Familiarity