No Sympathy

Sympathy for the English Cricket team? NO WAY!!!

They considered themselves the best team in the world after one Ashes series win over an underperforming Australian team. Talk about coming back down to earth with a thud. They got what the deserved after thinking they were 'all that'. They didn't look realistically at the previous Ashes win. They came here with big expectations without the skill, game plan or state of mind to even come close to beating Australia. For some reason they underestimated Australia. They didn’t bring their 'A game' and not one player could say that they came to play for the entire series. There have been a few one off stand outs but they quickly disappeared into hibernation once their moment in the sunshine had finished.

I am hoping for a 5 – 0 whitewash as it is what England deserve this summer. Next time, they better come to play.

HSC Results

I have two things to say about the recent release of the HSC results.

1. Premier Iemma has been celebrating the fact that Govt schools topped the list of best performing schools in NSW. What he neglects to mention is that all these Govt schools are selective. They select from the thousands wanting to attend these schools. Many intelligent people have to miss out (eg Me) because there are limited places available. It’s easy to perform well when you get to choose who can attend.
2. I am very proud this year. There was a core group of young people at the G.U.C youth group (called BOB). I helped and sometimes led this group of youngsters for many years. This group has now graduated from Yr 12. Most, in fact, have featured on the honour roll that was in the paper this week.

Why Blog?

Firstly, what is a Blog for those new to all this, as quoted from sydneyanglicans.net:

Blog is short for ‘web log’ and is an online journal or diary that encourages interaction. There are blogs on cricket, crochet and Christianity. Mums have ‘blogged’ their experience of pregnancy and parenting. Some companies use blogs to connect with employees. Blogs can be short or long. They have three characteristics: They are very regular (e.g. weekly), ordered chronologically and exploit the internet’s ability to link to other sources.

In the latest Briefing from Matthias Media there was a story on blogging and how it can be a useful ministry tool.

I was interested in expressing what I regard to be some “rules” to check off before beginning a blog. They are:

1. Have a purpose
   
2. Commit to content
3. Don't follow the crowd into the blogosphere
   

Purpose
Knowing your purpose will determine how you answer every other rule. It shapes what will be the focus of your blog. It can be very specific or broad as you like, as long as it is clear. Take into account that if it is a specific purpose then what you can write about will be limited. You probably should work out a purpose before starting.

Content
Doesn’t have to be a lot, but has to be regular. A blog everyday I think is way too much, but a few times a year is nowhere near enough. It really depends on your purpose. It’s probably a good idea to write some content before starting a blog to see if you have the interest in writing down thought and ideas that fulfil the purpose. I like to draft everything in Word while others like to write straight off the top of their heads. Whatever works for you. You shouldn’t feel obliged or forced to add to a blog. If you feel like this then dare I say, perhaps a blog is not for you.

Blog for the sake of it
I argue that if you aren’t committed to producing content to fulfil the purpose then you are blogging for the sake of blogging. It does seem that lots of people have a blog these days. Still, just because there is a multitude of good blogs out there doesn’t make it a good idea to make it your main reason to start a blog. As someone once said to me, “If I got a blog it will take up my precious Battrick time.”

Time For Change

Last week I made a very big and tough decision that perhaps I should have made ages ago:

1. I withdrew my application for permanent employment to teach with DET, and as a flow on effect,
2. I told the Teachers Federation that I would no longer require their services (never did really)
3. I also told NSW Institute of Teachers that I don’t want to pay $20 admin fee during what they call a “leave of absence” when I won’t be teaching

All that felt quite liberating.

Of course this all means that I have become a statistic. Every new teacher has probably heard the spiel about 1 in 3 new teachers not making it past their first year. Well I’m that 1. In fact I almost didn’t make it to the end of my first year, I’m not sure if they have a statistic for that.

I had to really think about: Was it just this school or govt schools in general? If I just got a job at a better school would it make a difference? But then it’s hard to impress at an interview with that as your mindset.

I’m usually about options and having as many options available as possible, so being rid of the teaching option might seem like a strange move to make. But teaching was increasingly looking like being a bad option. It is a bit disappointing as I spent 5 years at Uni specifically to get into the profession of teaching only to have it send me to a particularly low point in my life. A low that I wish not to replicate ever again.

This action is a result of a recent contemplation regarding my teaching future. My former Deputy Principal from Greystanes High School got the Principal’s job at Westfield Sports High. This sparked my interest as I am well known to him and I thought he might be able to get me a job at there. As usual though mum gives me the harsh reality of what would be required as far as preparation, lesson planning, reports etc, and I’m brought down to earth with a thud. A much needed thud.

The New Tolerance

The “New Tolerance” is a book by Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler. The “New Tolerance” is a concept that has been in existence for a long time but is so subtle that it might not have been noticed. In a nutshell the book explains that: Christianity believes in the absolute truth, this is perceived as intolerant (by the “new tolerance”) which results in intolerance towards Christianity.

Evidence of this:

• Continual acceptance of alternative lifestyles eg homosexual ministers
• Increased political correctness i.e. not showing nativity scenes at Christmas as it may offend non Christians
• Discrimination laws favouring ethnic and religious minorities, in effect discriminating against the majority
• You may remember the Green private members bill to stop Christian schools from selecting their teachers based on their Christianity, and therefore discriminate against non-Christian teachers.

Contrasting definitions of tolerance

Traditional tolerance

• A fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry (dictionary.com)
• The disposition to be patient and fair towards those whose opinions or practices differ from one’s own (Macquarie Dictionary)
• Willingness and ability to tolerate (Oxford Dictionary)

New Tolerance

• All opinions are equal. Each one has its point, and all should be respected or praised…there is no rational way to discern between them. (Savater from McDowell & Hostetler)
• Every individual’s beliefs, values, lifestyle, and perception of truth claims are equal…There is no hierarchy of truth. Your beliefs and my beliefs are equal, and truth is relative. (Helmbock from McDowell & Hostetler)

The book gives a lot of examples in various scenarios that have actually happened, such as young children being told they can’t say grace before eating their lunch at school as it “may offend.” As I read these examples I kept thinking, “Yeh, only in America.” It couldn’t happen in Australia, but it is and will continue to unless people recognise it. I know personally that some of the new PDHPE curriculum spat out by the Dept of Education is full of “new tolerance” nonsense.

The “new tolerance” fails to recognise the difference between the person and the behaviour. Christians, I think, would be kind to the person but not necessarily agree with their lifestyle choices. The “new tolerance” says that if you don’t accept my moral judgement then you are attacking me personally.

We must be aware of the “new tolerance”. It might be happening right under our nose without us really knowing. In the schools, government and in general society. It’s scary to think about what could happen if this ideology takes over and becomes the norm.

McDowell gives some hope though, with practical methods to each problem to counter the attack of “the new tolerance.”

A very good and eye opening read. Available from Koorong or other Christian bookshops.

The Lord of the Pool

Pool Footy is barbaric, brutal, savage, vicious, ruthless and merciless, and I love it for some reason. That is, until an accidental clash of heads results in my nose bleeding.

It has become a tradition, Tim Campbell explains how:

Pool footy can be traced all the way back to Christmas 2000 where a motley group of rowdy uni students couldn't sleep on Christmas eve (due to Santa Claus coming) and a swim at the Adams family pool quickly became a full-blooded contact sport (and I do mean full-blooded). Since then, most combatants spend the year secretly honing their fending skills and developing an immunity to many pool chemicals.

Innovation out of necessity I call it. Tim is actually flying up from Melbourne especially for this, plus the minor allure of family and all that.

Pool Footy does not discriminate. Our tackling knows no race, gender or creed. We are equal opportunity hitting machines. Some girls are game enough to play, this is fine, as long as they realise that there is no softness in the field of battle.

As for rules, I call on Mr Campbell once again:

The ball can be passed in any direction (including misdirection... that's right - you can hide the ball in your shorts if you're prepared to having people grabbing at it), anyone can be tackled, and a try is scored by touching the ball at the opposing end of the pool. If you're thinking to yourself "these rules don't actually limit anything - meaning there are no rules", you are absolute correct! THERE ARE NO RULES! All compressed into the cauldron like atmosphere of a backyard swimming pool.

So all TAC SNC people are officially invited. Any others that we know of (no blow ins please) that need their 2006 Pool Footy fix just let me know and you’ll receive your entry pass to the “Hammerdome” as Tim C puts it.

Memoirs of a Generalist

I have this problem when it comes to what I am going to do with myself as far as an occupation is concerned. I have already been involved in two occupations post Uni. I have also been involved and/ or interested in other occupations during school.

Journalism – I did a journalism subject in Primary School as part of the Holroyd Achievers program (with a young K Corless – unbeknownst to me at the time). I enjoy writing, this blog is proof of that and I think I could be good at it. Especially if this writing involves AFL. But jobs in this field are very competitive and you have to be very driven.

Physiotherapy – I did work experience with a physiotherapist. I thought it was what I wanted to do. Then I was told I would have to do two science subjects in Year 11/12, and then get 90+ UAI, which just wasn’t going to happen. On top of that the course is very theory oriented before you get to do any practical application. I can use my current Undergrad degree to get into a M Physio but I’m kind of glad to see the back of my Uni days, especially the studying aspect.

TV Production / Camera Operator– My introduction into movie making via iMovie sparked this interest in a possible career. But it’s not really a passion, otherwise I think I would have a camera in my hand 24/7.

Sports Administration – I was almost going to get into something relating to this at Uni. I had received an early acceptance from UWS to do a B Business Admin, with the hope of using this to get into Sports Admin. Then I realised I wouldn’t enjoy being behind a desk all day.

PE Teaching – I was certain this was what I wanted to do for the long term. I liked sport, I enjoy and know a lot about the theory side and apparently I was good at dealing with teens. One year later I wondered whether I was good at all. Five years at Uni for this? Granted I was at a “not so good” school, but there were no other jobs on offer. I had a total of two interviews from private schools from about 20 – 30 to which I had applied. One job on offer had 80+ applicants. How can a newby compete with that?

Sports Coaching – This was done in primary schools on a casual basis. If I was offered a salary then I would probably still be doing this. Instead it was hourly rates. I enjoyed only having a class for 30 – 60 mins and then bringing in new batch for the same lesson. By the 5th lesson you’ve pretty much got it down.

Patient Transport – enjoy being on the road and seeing behind the scenes of hospitals. It also offers one of my favourite traits, the ability to leave the work behind once you have finished. Nothing extra to do, nothing to take home to prepare for the next day or week. You show up, do your work and go home. There is also little stress as we are able to do the jobs in our time, no need for rushing. That being said I don’t think I can do this long term. I am a creature of routine but eventually I get sick of one routine and need something new.

Ambulance Officer – In many ways I can’t see myself taking the obvious next step from being a PTO. I have already said I don’t like being in a rush. Being an Ambulance officer involves a lot of rushing around (in a controlled manner) and thinking on your feet. This possibly brings with it a bit of stress. Also I don’t think I could stomach the emergency scenes I may attend to and administering the IV drugs I will have to give.

So it appears that I’m good at a lot of things, but excel in nothing.

Amongst all this though Philippians 4:6 keeps ringing in my head.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God

No Dad’s Army

If Australia is Dad’s Army (i.e. too old) then England must be The Dunce Army. That should include the selectors as well. They have a supposed strike bowler coming into the attack at first change. That is when he’s not bowling to 2nd slip. Also, their spinner (Giles) and wicket keeper (Jones) were selected for their apparent superior batting than their teammates vying for the position. So far they haven’t scored anything of note with the bat and the spinner Giles has only got wickets rarely from miscued slogs.

Only one team believed they could win the second ashes test, the other went completely defensive in the hope of salvaging a draw and ended up getting rolled. England got what they deserved, and know they are copping it from their own country’s media and rightfully so.

England seem to think that it will all just happen for them as it did in the last series, that just doesn’t happen, no matter how good you are. You need to work hard to win the ashes, and even harder to retain them, England are quickly figuring that out. But it might be all too late.

The Real Job of Teaching

I received the following in an email. Initially I thought it was going to be another junky jokey email. However, this will ring true for anyone who has stepped in front of a class.

After being interviewed by the school administration, the eager teaching prospect said:

"Let me see if I've got this right. You want me to go into that room with all those kids, and fill their every waking moment with a love for learning, and I'm supposed to instill a sense of pride in their ethnicity, modify their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse and even censor their T-shirt messages and dress habits.

You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, check their backpacks for weapons of mass destruction, and raise their self esteem. You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, fair play, how to register to vote, how to balance a checkbook, and how to apply for a job.

I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment, recognize signs of anti-social behavior, make sure all students pass the state exams, even those who don't come to school regularly or complete any of their assignments.

Plus, I am to make sure that all of the students with handicaps get an equal education regardless of the extent of their mental or physical handicap. I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone, newsletter and report card.

All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a computer, a few books, a bulletin board, a big smile AND on a starting salary that qualifies my family for food stamps! You want me to do all of this and then you tell me...

I CAN'T PRAY?"

Cricket In Full Swing

The Footy season is well and truly over. So too is that annoying limbo period where we get nothing but horse racing. That only means one thing, that Cricket season is back and better than ever with the promotion of what will surely be a slightly more competitive Ashes series. So why not blog about it. There are a few things that have been getting up my goat lately.

The Barmy Army
So many people are saying how good it is to have the Barmy Army at the cricket. Kochie on Sunrise even started a campaign to let the trumpet player into the ground because it’s “good for cricket.” In the end the people in charge of the Adelaide Oval sensibly refused to let him in, as it would set a precedent for following events. The Barmy Army are continually dancing and chanting. How can a distraction from watching the cricket be good for cricket? They only good thing about them is that they are helping Australian venues sell-out for all 5 days of a test. A bit of clever and witty sledging from the crowd is good, I rate that. The occasional song or chant is good as well. But carrying on all day is ridiculous. People should go to the cricket primarily to watch the cricket, secondarily to enjoy the atmosphere. For me the Barmy Army would create too much atmosphere and hence hinder the primary purpose.

Bill Lawry’s Commentary
I have disliked Bill Lawry’s commentary for a long time now. It’s like he has no idea of how the game is played anymore. What he says doesn’t seem to relate to what we see on the screen. His favourite line, “It’s all happening here!” comes more often than not when absolutely nothing is happening. I am enjoying the commentary team as a whole and the new additions to the commentary team, such as Michael Slater, are fantastic and are contributing more to the commentary than Lawry ever has. Richie Benaud is the only original member of the commentary team that should dictate on his terms when he will finish. As for Lawry, it’s time to trim the fat.

Ashes Just For Cricket

Ever noticed how sports other than Cricket are trying to reap rewards from Australia and England’s long history of Cricket rivalry. With any contest involving Australia and England, if it is not coming from the organising parties, then it is usually from the media or just keen punters in the outer. They call their contest "The Ashes", just because Australia and England are playing, and they think that refers to their sport. I don't think the Rugby League did it in their most recent contest but I know they have in the past.

The ashes are very historical and relate to a specific event in Cricket’s history. Here is the story in brief:

"In affectionate remembrance of English cricket which died at The Oval, 29th August, 1882. Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances, RIP. NB The body will be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia."

Australia’s first victory on English soil over the full strength of England, on August 29, 1882, inspired a young London journalist, Reginald Shirley Brooks, to write this mock “obituary’’. It appeared in the Sporting Times.

Before England’s defeat at The Oval, by seven runs, arrangements had already been made for the Hon. Ivo Bligh, afterwards Lord Darnley, to lead a team to Australia. Three weeks later they set out, now with the popular objective of recovering the Ashes. In the event, Australia won the first Test by nine wickets, but with England winning the next two it became generally accepted that they brought back the Ashes.

It was long believed that the real Ashes – a small urn thought to contain the ashes of a bail used in the third match – were presented to Bligh by a group of Melbourne women. In 1998, Lord Darnley’s 82-year-old daughter-in-law said they were the remains of her mother-in-law’s veil, not a bail. Other evidence suggests a ball. The certain origin of the Ashes, therefore, is the subject of some dispute.

After Lord Darnley’s death in 1927, the urn was given to MCC by Lord Darnley’s Australian born widow, Florence. It can be seen in the cricket museum at Lord’s, together with a red and gold velvet bag, made specially for it, and the scorecard of the 1882 match.

So I think other sports should be a bit more creative and leave Cricket’s rivalry to Cricket. Let’s face it, an Ashes contest in a sport other than cricket just doesn’t feel right anyway.