Wassup with Best Mate?

My wife and I used to have Vodafones' Best Mate and could video call each other for free etc which was really good when I worked shift work but became somewhat redundant now that i'm home evenings.

But rather than waffle on about cell phone technology I want to talk about another best mate...Symon Burton Drake (check out his blog here)

A.K.A...Mandrake, Symon D, Syms, Symon DeeeeRake

I've known Syms for a little over 10 years now and during that time we've done heaps of funny and crazy stuff together which if our wives knew all the details we would definitely NOT be allowed to go fishing ever again...heh heh heh.

N.A.D.M - never a dull moment is a catch phrase which seems to sum up our friendship. Whether it's me falling over repeatedly (fishing, walking, snowboarding, you name it) or me breaking stuff (whilst fishing, walking, snowboarding, you name it) we always have 'Good Times' (prime example)

In amongst all the adventurous fun my best mate Syms has been a ROCK. I'm pretty sure I don't tax him too much with my worries or problems but when I have done he's always been straight up, full of Godly wisdom, real, honest, humble and most of all full of the Grace of God.

The grace that Syms has extended to me over the years and still does is nothing short of phenomenal. Thoroughly undeserved on my behalf (I guess that's why they call it grace)

These stories will not make it onto my blog site but I will always remember them...times where I could have either slipped away from God or run to Him, given into temptation completely or surrendered to God, brought a pyrex frying pan to the rocks or...

Syms you are a legend and my best mate.

I'm so looking forward to all the crazy times we have ahead as kidults. God bless you more and more... SHADADA! (interpretation: Wassup?!)

Wassup with horse covers?

I was pondering the other day as I sometimes do, and I suddenly thought...Wassup with horse covers?


I mean really, talk about the classic ashtray on a motorbike scenario.


I think people are compensating for all the knowingly evil stuff thats going on in our world (starving people, abortion, and all that social justice stuff) - forgive my brief highlight on these very important topics) by namby pambying anything they can get their hands on, without actually doing anything 'good' in the world.


Or they are just sick!



I mean "COME ON!"

But back to my horsey ruminations...

1. Horses live in places such as the unforgiving cold steppes of Mongolia...and I don't see a jacket!
2. Horses move 18-20 hours per day
3. They have a very well designed thermoregulation system (see below)

• Raising hairs when cold, creates an insulating layer.
• Parting the hairs when hot, allows optimum cooling.
• Skin thickness creates an insulating layer.
• Growing a good winter coat, keeps horses warm in cooler months.
• Arteries in the skin constrict in cold weather to prevent heat loss by reducing the amount of warm blood brought to the cooler body surface. Arteries dilate in warm weather to allow blood from overheated interior to access the body surface for cooling.
• Sweat glands, cool the horse through evaporation.
  

Horses don't need namby pamby covers!!! They need grass and a place to run around.

Dogs don't need jackets and hats, they need food and someone to play with.

Humans don't need more state controlled legislation over their lives, we need a knowledge and trust in the God who made us...

Check out Matthew 6:31-33 in ya B.I.B.L.E

Wassup?!

Wassup with Chuck Taylors?

Now I know this post isn't going to prove popular and the Lord knows i'm far from the Fashion Guru (see below)

http://wassupwithlesmondj.blogspot.com/2008/08/wassup-with-that-jersey.html

But... I cannot remain silent any longer.

I do not like Chuck Taylor Converse shoes!

Now that does not mean i'm not happy for those amongst you that enjoy this type of flat souled footwear. In fact I have given this shoe some serious thought....

Pro's

• I like the fact that they have lasted a long time throughout the fashion changes of the world.
• A pair of shoes that you love for less than $10 (clearance sale at the warehouse) no-one can argue with that.
• My wife even has a pair of these...these...shoes, although she paid considerably more than $10 (wasn't sure if this was a pro or a con but I love my wife so...PRO!)

Con's (no pun intended)

• They are just plain uncomfortable (speaking solely for my feet - pun intended). Lack of cushioning makes my poor soles ache...sorry Chuck you just don't measure up!
• Too many laces...need I say more.
• Blegghh!

This has been one man's opinion...wassup?!

Wassup with Arthur?

I've been enjoying some holidays of late and consequently have devoured almost 5 books...all the same series I might add. The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen Lawhead. It has been very enjoyable indeed. I am just beginning the last (and 5th) book; Grail.

You may think...ew... it's all magic and spooky stuff but that would be where you are mistaken my friends. Godly character is paramount in this book and runs as a constant theme throughout the series.

Don't get me wrong I absolutely love the time (5th - 6th century), settings (England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland), and the culture that surrounds these early British characters - barbarian and Lord's alike.

Imagine if you would...

Returning from a great victory battling the Barbarian hordes to a 3 day feast to honour the self-sacrificing feats performed on the field of honour. Whole beasts spit roasted and vats of cold dark frothy beer, rich mead and breads fresh from the ovens. Sitting at the board in the High King's Hall feasting on whole joints of meat and drinking from horns whilst listening to the Bards expertly playing their stringed instruments. They would spin lyrics in praise to the Most High God and His Son Jesu (Jesus) while re-telling stories of heroic battle feats and singing laments for the fallen faithful...ahh take me back.

King Arthur is a main character through several of the books and i'm sure most have heard at least something of him. Pulling a sword from a stone perhaps?

He has his failings as do we all, but it is His Godly character, honesty, steadfastness, courage and faith that i've really enjoyed seeing develop through this series.

Here's a quote or two for you...(from the Bible not Stephen Lawhead)

Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. (James 1: 2-4)

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. (Romans 5: 3,4)

Now we get to the real point of this blog...CHARACTER.

I want to be a man of good and Godly character. Why? Because your character affects everything you do and I might add things you don't do also.

• Are you honest all the time? My wife is and I love her for it, even though sometimes the truth hurts.


• Do you gossip or pull others down with the words you speak?


• Do you continually seek your own pleasure or do you freely sow yourself into the lives of others?


• Do you only love those that love you?


• Will you stand up for right even at great cost?

The testing of our character comes in many ways, shapes and forms; but be assured it comes! How will you handle the next test?

I don't believe that you can suddenly say...'right - from now on i'm a man or woman of the highest character.' Check out Ralph Waldo Emerson's famous quote...

'Sow thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny."

But the good news is that if we begin to chop off bad thoughts (which come like it or not) we can prevent a bad action - habit - character - destiny.

If we take a leaf from King Arthur's book and bow the knee to the Most High God and His Son Jesu, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us then we might just reap an eternal destiny that far outweighs any trial or trouble we may experience in our earthly lifetimes.


So Be It!

Charge!

Wassup with that Jersey?

I have always liked Jerseys...Jumpers...Pullovers...whatever you want to call them.

From the time my Mum made them for me as a young fella; hand knitted or from that weird looking knitting machine with the cool weights and stuff.

Nothing has felt more comfortable than Jeans, a t'shirt and a good ol' Jersey.

I happen to have an alltime top 3 Jersey list for your viewing pleasure...alas I only have one still in circulation.

Number 3:

My First Black Fishermans Rib Jersey that any self respecting late 80's AC/DC listening teenager had stuck to their body for months at a time. Holes developed (as did a smell) but this only enhanced the value of such a peice of classic Metaller apparel. (see My Music - for a more indepth insight into this era).

Number 2:

An absolute multi coloured mess of a Jersey that wasn't so much to look at but represented triumph (albeit on a small and slightly illegal scale). I'm quite glad I don't have a picture of it to tell you the truth. I was 16 and in Surfers Paradise with my family. My Mum managed to convince the security guard at Jupiters Casino that I was 18 and therefore allowed entry to partake in the delightful pleasures that the aforementioned establishment provided. Long story short - I won $75 playing BlackJack on the pokies and purchased the multi-coloured Jersey with my winnings; why? I'll never quite know, but it goes down in history as my number two favourite Jersey because of all the memories and the madness that surrounds its purchase.

Number 1:

I have had this particular jersey for approximately 15 years or more (at least as many years as Syms has known me anyway). Bought in Kerikeri N.Z it soon became my favourite article of clothing.

The brand Hang Ten, the feeling...bliss. It wasn't heavy duty wool to start with and now after long years of use has the feeling of one wearing Mithrell (LOTR). Holes developed but that did not dissuade its constant use (I was used to such hardships). It so turned out that a lovely elderly lady gifted in the age old art of darning peeled my beloved Jersey from me returning it a week later holeless and redeemed. The below photo (taken today) shows that, yes once again holes are developing...cool.

Much to my wifes chagrin (and repeated attempts to destroy it), I still wear my ol' favourite Jersey with pride and a feeling of satisfaction.

My Mum still knits Jerseys, not for me, but for my son. Much to my wifes horror and something that gives me no end of happiness is the fact that for the last 2 1/2 days my son has nor removed HIS FAVOURITE JERSEY! Yes he has slept in it two nights in a row and has worn it constantly throughout the day...good on ya son!

Now that was worth waiting for eh? Wassup?!

You can't beat a classic

Check out this absolute CLASSIC that ran 87 (60 minute) episodes from 1978 - 1982.




When I was growing up in the 70's and 80's I absolutely loved T.V. My dad thought it an absolute waste of time but I would literally zone out, mesmerised by my favourite shows. So much so that I would totally tune out any other noise and subsequentley got in trouble for ignoring my parents...oops.

My parents were extremely hard workers and as such my older sister and I would be baby sat regularly while they worked. One particular baby sitter was the meanest grumpiest spoil sport (in the mind of a 7 year old boy) you'd ever clapped eyes on.

She would watch Coronation Street (why anybody would I do not know) and I would come in at the end to get ready to watch The Incredible Hulk which was straight after. So i'd see Hilda Ogden and Ena Sharples nattering away to Ken Barlow whilst a little boy waited.

"Go and wash your feet" the baby sitter would say...

WHAT?! But the Incredible Hulk is on now!!!!!

And so went the arguement with myself always losing. And as I would walk away toward the bathroom, head down, sad and lonely I would hear the theme song from Coronation Street (involuntary shiver) but i'd really liken myself to Bill Bixby who played David Banner walking down the road to the end credits of The Incredible hulk (The Lonely man)




Except instead of putting on my shirt and hitching down the road I was walking to the bathroom to wash my feet...you get it.

This show had heart and captivated the audience. C.G.I (computer generated imagery) was never involved and in fact in one particular scene the green paint used to colour the Hulk rubbed off onto the bear he was fighting...great stuff!

I went to see Marvels latest Hulk rendition (2008) and was pleasantly surprised. It totally kicked the 2003 effort with Eric Bana.

I was going to leave you with the trailor from the latest 2008 movie but sadly it's all about the old school Hulk here my friend.

2003 Hulk

VS.

2008 Hulk

VS.

1980' s Hulk

Lou Ferrigno hands down! Except for the Jason Gunn haircut...Nasty!

Wassup? It's Lesmondj in da kitchen!

Now I know you may find this hard to believe, but in all my 36 years I have never baked a batch of scones.

So after a cold and windy play in the park over the road, me and the kids cracked open the Edmonds cook book and began...

After studying the recipe that made 12 scones I decided to make 4 (a third of the recipe) just in case they resembled small windowless buildings and had to be quietly disposed of...heh heh.

My wife came along side to helpfully advise but I shooed her away stating that if they sucked I was to take full blame.

The kids helped me sift the flour and eat the left over cheese (I always grate too much).

Well without further ado...

We served them with some homemade soup (my wife's yummy creation) and then ate them all up! They were suprisingly light and delicious. Next time i will definitely make the full batch and I might even experiment with a bit of savoury tomato pesto or something...

Wassup?!