blog

24 January 2012

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:47:21 -0600

Happy new year! The new year brings new beginnings. Trelise took the courage to return to the work force. Steve has both taken and created opportunities. Take courage, follow your dreams.

19 December 2011

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:49:06 -0600

All the very best for the holy-days ahead to you, your family and everyone around you. Here's hoping it will be a time of love and laughter. We'll be doing the same and look forward to being back with you in the first week of February 2012.

13 December 2011

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 02:42:23 -0600

As I write New Zealand and Australia are playing a cricket test series on the TV at the café I’m in, and I can see some obvious sledging going on, though the microphones aren’t picking up what’s being said.

‘Sledging’ is a term used to describe a form of gamesmanship whereby one sportsman or group of sportsmen attempts to distract or unsettle another sportsman or group of sportsmen with remarks directed at them, or intended to be overheard by them.

It’s a tactic that’s been round a long time, obviously, but the term itself originated in cricket, though it’s now in common use in all sports. It’s an extremely controversial tactic, understandably. There are those who argue that sledging has no place in any sport at any level. Then there are those who argue that in competitive sport, “anything goes. After that, there’s a whole range of positions in between.

Personally, I’m pretty close to the, “it [sledging] has no place in any sport at any level,” stance, except when you yourself yourself have been sledged. Then I think you’re usually entitled to quip back, though within strict limits and without escalating things…

Viv Richards v Greg Thomas
This incident took place during a county championship match between Glamorgan and Somerset.

Glamorgan paceman Thomas had beaten the bat a couple of times and told Richards: "Viv, it's red, round and weighs about five ounces, in case you were wondering."

The very next ball Richards smashed the ball out of the ground, into a river and responded: "Greg, you know what it looks like. Now go and find it."

Merv Hughes v Robin Smith (I’ve cleaned this up slightly)
Smith played and missed while facing Hughes in the 1989 Lord's Test between England and Australia.

Hughes, never short of a word or two, told the Hampshire star: "You can't bat, mate."

Smith then smashed the next ball to the boundary and replied: "Hey Merv, we make a fine pair.

"I can't bat and you can't bowl."

Merv Hughes v Javed Miandad
Hughes came up with a classic comeback in the 1991 Adelaide Test against Pakistan.

Miandad called him a "fat bus conductor" as Hughes prepared to bowl to him.

A few balls later, Hughes took Miandad’s wicket and as he walked past, shouted "Tickets, please!"

Even the use of comeback quip though, needs to be carefully thought through. One problem is that a comeback can sometimes have a nasty tendency to set up an annoying cycle of retaliation and sometimes escalation. And another is that sometimes the target of the comeback can inadvertently shift, so that the person receiving the comeback isn’t the one who deserves it

One of the most famous, and totally gratuitous, examples of sledging is a remark by George Gregan, the great Australian rugby halfback, directed at Justin Marshall in the closing stages of a RugbyWorld Cup semifinal between Australia and the all Blacks in 2003. The All Blacks were behind on the scoreboard by more than a converted try and, clearly, had run out of time to turn the game round.

As he went to put the ball into a scrum Gregan remarked to Marshall, “Four more years, mate. Four more years,” referring to the time the all Blacks would have to wait until their next opportunity to win the World Cup. The microphones picked the remark up and it was broadcast all around the World. Most people, I think, felt it was better left unsaid, particularly as the game was all but over so that it served no useful purpose.

Inevitably, perhaps, retaliation occurred. Sure enough, eight years later at Eden Park, in the closing stages of this year’s World Cup semi between Australia and the All Blacks, with Australia in an identical position, a chant went round the stadium, directed at the Australians, “Four more years. Four more years….”

But all this was rather unfair, I think. Gregan had made the remark as an individual and the comeback was being directed at the Australian team and supporters as a group.

I foresee bad karma from this. In four years time, or eight years time, or however long it takes, I’m pretty sure an Australian rugby crowd will be paying the All Blacks and their supporters back in kind.

Regards, Mark

6 December 2011

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:50:17 -0600

Our theme this month is "Be the Change You Want" - quite a challenge straight after the elections as we head to Christmas. But, we each have the power of the Spirit to help us. Let's reflect on the message in this week's videos. Why don't you add to this blog?

29 November 2011

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:40:25 -0600

Thoughtful preparation makes things take place smoothly. It heightens awareness of what is happening. Our videos this week invite us into this wise mode.

22 November 2011

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:29:28 -0600

Did you read Mark's latest blog. If you click on "blog" at the bottom your screen then scroll down the screen that appears, you will see that he speaks of investments made when he was a child and how they affect him now. Our videos this week speak of investing in our lives and for the lives of others. Ask yourself what they say to you and don't forget to vote!

15 November 2011

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:50:28 -0600

If we want good results we need to prepare, then choose to act wisely and with graciousness. We hope you enjoy our videos as the rush to elections and Christmas begins.

Nostalgia and Looking Forward

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:49:10 -0600

I’m a little late with this reflection. I freely confess, I was distracted by the Rugby World Cup, and this meant a long list of things to do once it was over. Quite surprised by how wrapped up in it I was. Even more surprised by how wrapped up in it most other New Zealanders seemed to be. Partly, I think, it was simple nostalgia. For good times, good associations, some dating back to childhood, when rugby was King. But that wasn’t all.

Myself, I’m now middle-aged and don’t usually follow rugby much these days. But I can remember as a young child going with my father to Nelson Park in Hastings to watch club rugby from the stand. I can remember the smell of liniment coming up from the changing rooms under the stands, the smell of tobacco smoke from men sitting nearby, the touch and smell of my father’s clothes as I snuggled close sometimes – particularly when it was cold…

Then as an older child I can remember the Ranfurly Shield era, watching games with my father from the bank at McLean Park in Napier. Some of them were real cliff-hangers. I can remember how the bank could get very crowded. A few years previously I could sit on Dad’s shoulders sometimes in order to see – but I was much bigger now and so I couldn’t do it anymore. So sometimes I couldn’t really see all that much.

I can also remember as a young adult, after moving to Wellington, watching an All Blacks–Wallabies match from the bank at Athletic Park in the rain, along with some good friends. I can remember how soaked I was and just didn’t care, the smell of wet clothes, and a strong smell of cannabis wafting up from a group standing just in front of us. I can’t remember the score, but the All Blacks won.

To all that I can now add watching the All Blacks become World Champions again (just) on a big screen in Wellington South Baptist Church. The Church had set up a mini-fan-zone for those Island Bay residents who wanted a pleasant, alcohol-free environment within easy walking distance of home. Great to watch that match there, and the others the All Blacks played, with an enthusiastic crowd.

So there was a lot of nostalgia. I suspect that was largely why the tournament attracted so much interest from so many New Zealanders, despite the fact that rugby doesn’t have the following it once did. There were other reasons for the interest though, reasons rooted in the here and now. There was the desire to have a good time, of course, but also hopes for the future.

As a nation we’re sometimes not the most confident or proud. We have a bit of an inferiority complex, particularly when it comes to comparing ourselves to our big sister, Australia. The 2011 Rugby World Cup was easily the biggest event ever held in New Zealand, far bigger than the 1987 World Rugby Cup, or age-group soccer. And the All Blacks, unfortunately, had been earning an unenviable reputation for choking when it came to the World Cup, a reputation that was discolouring New Zealand’s prestige a bit – rugby being one of the things we’re best known for. As a nation we needed a boost, something to propel us forward.

So it was important that the event be a success and, not quite as important, that the All Blacks won it for a change. The tournament, in fact, was a really stunning success. Our visitors seemed to enjoy themselves, by and large, and most things went well. Not only was the tournament very professionally administered, an army of enthusiastic volunteers and the community at large got in behind it. Not too many people misbehaved. And the All Blacks did win the final – just.

We also saw the emergence of a clear preference for flying the black flag with the silver fern, in place of the traditional New Zealand ensign. Will this, or something very much like it, become our new official national flag in time? I suspect so.

Nostalgia and Looking Forward

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:49:07 -0600

15 November 2011

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:57:21 -0600

If we want good results we need to prepare, then choose to act wisely and with graciousness. We hope you enjoy our videos as the rush to elections and Christmas begins.

8 November 2011

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:17:21 -0600

The decisions we make now will have an impact on our future. Think well....

If you missed seeing a video you can find it on one of the four video tabs.

1 November 2011

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 02:42:33 -0500

As we move into election mode we focus on our children, investing in their future. How do you invest in the children of Planet Earth?

25 October 2011

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:53:56 -0500

Sometimes we make choices without knowing we've made them. Take a breath at each decision point, consider the consequences, decide for yourself with confidence. Best of all have a great week.

18 October 2011

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:57:41 -0500

The choices we make define us. In the simple decision to make our kids school lunch or getting to work early to clear a back-log we are making choices about who we are and who we are about to become. Try taking your time on the choices you have to make this week, take time to think where you are heading. But, best of all have a great week.

11 October 2011

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:03:35 -0500

The cut and thrust of the World Cup quarter finals demonstrate that choices can't be avoided, they all have different outcomes. Pass or kick, fly or die. Choosing to be involved, choosing wisely, making the right choice for the occasion; we are tested everyday. All the best for a great week, sorry we are a bit late this week, better late than never!

4 October 2011

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 04:06:39 -0500

You are unique, you have a unique contribution to make. Be your full creative self, stand tall and know who you are. You don't have to be full of yourself or in peoples' faces. But, you do have to be you.

27 September 2011

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:05:43 -0500

We create our own great Kingdoms in our communities, in our parishes and the groups we gather in. Kingdoms can be fun places where we are brought together with other people going on the same journey or in the same direction. The ultimate Kingdom is a place one step beyond. A place of ultimate destination. Hope you enjoy our new videos, all the best for a great week.

20 September 2011

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:44:31 -0500

Reflection and action are the yin and yang of spiritual life. Sincere reflection brings powerful action, that is life giving. All the best for a great week.

13 September 2011

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 04:33:43 -0500

In the great excitement of the World Cup, as we host so many from overseas, a chance to show how forward looking we are as New Zealanders. This week new frontiers in transport and social justice. Proof that New Zealanders don't only play hard, they think hard as well. Thanks for joining us.

6 September 2011

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 04:24:08 -0500

This week I thought I’d say a little about Haiku, long something I’ve enjoyed reading, and sometimes writing, though I’m not very good. Maybe it will encourage you to read it, and perhaps even write it. Try to read each haiku in a relaxed, reflective state of mind: picture – and savour – the image(s) it contains.

The word “haiku” refers to a kind of minimalist poetry, originating in Japan. Haiku are traditionally written according to certain rules, though they are not always followed:

The poem must contain 17 syllables arranged in three lines: 5-7-5. Often when the poem is translated into English, or written in English, the 5-7-5 pattern is abandoned.
It must make some reference to nature; though this can be indirect (some texts say there has to be some reference, direct or indirect, specifically to a seasonal element).
It must be to a concrete object, not something abstract; and this is supposed to refer to something in existence at the time the haiku is written, not in the past.

Here’s a few examples. See if you can spot the odd one out.

Poem 1

On a withered bough

A crow alone is perching

Autumn evening now

(Basho, 1644-94)

Poem 2

Leap-splash

A frog

(Basho, 1644-94)

Poem 3

The baby carriage

Sits parallel to the waves

Crashing in summer

(Hashimoto Takako – modern Japanese woman poet 1899-1963)

Poem 4

Purring cat stretched

Beside the glowing heater

I stroke his warm fur

(Mark MacCallum, NZ)

Poem 5

spring thaw

my ex returns

the lawnmower

(Joanna Preston, NZ)

Ok. Well there’s actually quite a few odd ones out.

I think poem 1 is just beautiful. It’s my personal favourite. It’s written by the most famous Haiku poet ever, Basho, who also wrote the second poem.

Poem 2 is one of the most popular ever. It was arranged in 5-7-5 in syllables when written in Japanese but has been translated 2-2.

Poem 3 was one of the first haiku ever written by a woman to achieve popular acclaim. It was written a little after the Second World War. It paints a powerful word picture, a human-constructed baby-carriage against the pounding, natural, waves. I know now that Hashimoto Takako’s widowed daughter, whose child was a baby at the time, lived near a beach called Arakunohama which means “forever violent waves”. It must have been a time of great anxiety.

Poem 4 is pretty amateurish. Still, it has a certain homespun, childlike charm (I think, anyway).

I really like poem 5. A great modern Kiwi poem, with a modern theme and a lot of humour.

Why not have a go at writing haiku of your own?