Coffee Break Lane: March 2006

Thursday, March 30, 2006

“That’s what photography does for me. Its not just composition, not just science, not just technique, its something else that makes you raise the camera and engage the eye.”
Charlie Waite

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Blessings

"I am blessed to be a witness." - Ben Harper

This weekend I was reminded of - and challenged to appreciate - several blessings.

Firstly, despite my previous post which hinted at a slightly negative attitude toward uni, overall I feel very blessed to be studying subjects that I enjoy and encompass 3 of my favourite things - film, theatre, and art! 3 good subjects out of 4 aint bad! This was all reinforced saturday when I headed to the MCA to see an exhibition for an assignment! I couldnt quite believe that this was part of my degree!

I was joined by Ads on my little journey, and as we wandered around the harbour - it had thankfully turned out to be a beautiful sunny day - we were reminded of how blessed we are to live in such a great city with such a beautiful harbour! There is definately something about sun glistening on the harbour, opera house behind us and bridge in the foreground. And just so we wouldnt forget who gave us all these blessings, God presented one of his beautiful wonders, a rainbow in the sky!

Its good having people to make you laugh!

Before TC this morning, I joined a friend for breakfast at Dee Why, where, once again, we were confronted with an absolutely beautiful scene! Not a lot can beat eggs benedict, smoothie, and a sunny morning at the beach with a good friend!

While i'm on this topic though, I cannot leave out the best blessing of all.
This morning as I led my girls in Bible study, God's word came alive in us as we read of the trial and death of Jesus. I dont know about you, but I find it incredibly hard to comprehend all this story really holds. Such irony. Such triumph. Such love. Such pain. Such forgiveness. I hope and pray these kids were challenged and changed. And meanwhile, I personally cant help but be moved, but most of all, humbled and and extremely grateful, when I read these words. If you havent read these words of Truth in the gospels, or simply need reminding of their significance, I encourage you to pick them up and read right now!

Yup, after a not so positive start to the weekend, I was reminded I actually have a lot to be thankful for!

Friday, March 24, 2006

The Man...

After a long week and a not so enjoyable tutorial at uni this morning, I decided it was time to indulge a little...

And here's the man that will make it all possible!

I can't remember the last time I had a gingerbread man!

I feel like such a kid! hehehe

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

On Cinema and Capote

Someone recently asked me what drew me to cinema; what started the interest that led me to study film at uni.

At the time I couldnt think of a concrete answer. Its just one of those things I enjoy!

But last night I saw Capote. I was reminded of something I believe to be a key aspect of cinema - its ability to impact the spectator emotionally - whether positive or negative.

Streaming from that, therefore, is a fascination with the way cinema can capture and re-present life - emotion, action, thought - in a way no other medium can - they may come close, to a similar expression - but nothing but life itself comes this close.

This doesnt just apply to Capote. And you may personally not enjoy this film. I for one found it incredibly intense. But it has to be, this is life and death we are dealing with.

But that brings me to another thing I love about cinema - the fact that every single person watching the same scene can respond to it in an entirely different way.

One example - in a scene of Capote there is a hanging. And as per Hollywood, there is a priest present reading a few select verses from the Bible. Now I suspect the filmmaker didnt intend for this to cause too much thought in the average spectator. However, I couldnt help but wonder why they choose to read those verses. And what verses I would read to someone if I knew they were soon to die. Its heavy stuff. But its that persons last moment, why not let them know the Truth and let them know it loud and clear!

There are like a million other thoughts about this film and the issues it deals with - many of these were flowing at like 1:30am this morning! - but i wont bore you with them all right now. Here's just a few:
At what point, why and how do we become so desensitised to the many forms of violence and killing that we see on the silver screen?? Does it have something to do with the way its presented? The genre of the film? Whether we know its 'based on a true story'? I watched Usual Suspects again the other night too, and lets just say my responses to death in this film compared with Capote were very different. Every film I have seen that deals with death (and trust me, ive seen a lot!) definately makes an impact. Unlike Usual Suspects, Capote provided an image that was shocking and terrifying. Intense. One of those things that mean you cant help but gasp and be reminded of the sinful world in which we live. What makes these two scenes impact me differently?

And what about judgement? Two men convicted of murder on 4 accounts. Yet Capote nurses one with a love that is surely rare within those prison cell walls. Sure, his motives were selfish, thats not the point im trying to make here. The point is it made me think about the way we are so quick to judge those around us, when really God is the ultimate judge, and more often than not the judging should be left to Him.

And these are just some that popped into my head during and post Capote.
I dont know the answers here people, I just have the thoughts!

If you've seen it and have thoughts, please, let them be heard!

I in no way wish to detract from the previous post - if you have not yet read it, please ensure you continue onto that one also - it is more likely to change your lives than these rambling thoughts of a film student!

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Sun or Son?

What is the meaning of life? Why are we here? What is our purpose?
These are questions we have all heard before and perhaps asked at some point in our lives. They are questions we ask to help us deal with the reality of life we face everyday.

But what exactly is the answer to this well versed question?

Well, tonight at church we started our journey through the book of Ecclesiastes. A book where everything is determined to be meaningless.
"Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!"(v.2)

What a great conclusion you may be thinking! Why go on if thats the answer? What satisfaction can come from this? Is this even true?! I think a lot of things in my life have purpose and meaning, you think to yourself. The people i converse with, the relationships i build, the things i spend time and money on, the knowledge and experiences i build on. Is it not just plain rude to assume my life to be meaningless?! Yours might be, but i quite enjoy mine thanks!

Well let me tell you this. The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us that it is what the world offers us - human life that is impermanent, a cycle of nature that is relentlessly pointless, nothing new under the sun, and a meaningless pursuit of pleasure - it is these things which make the answer to the meaning of life 'nothing'.

But take heart, meaning can be gained.
The true meaning of life can only be understood when a Heavenly perspective is assumed. Life will never make sense until it is looked at through the eyes of its Creator. Just think about it! Only an artist knows the true meaning of his work. Only a poet knows the true feeling behind his words. Only Gepetto can know what makes Pinocchio tick.

Therefore I urge you to understand that the purpose of life cannot be found under the SUN, but under the SON - thats the Lord Jesus Christ, the only centre of our universe. Do not idolise this world and what it has to offer.

God placed Christ at the centre of the universe.

Do you??

I only have one more thing to say...if He is the centre, and the only place of true meaning in life, then accept what God has in store for your life - whether it good or bad. Trust me, I struggle with this just as much as you do. But we need to find a way to trust and acknowledge that His plan is ultimately entirely superior to our own.

"Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Oh, There's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name"

Yes, blessed be His name through the good and the bad. Through everything.

Meanwhile, before church tonight a good number of brothers and sisters met for a BBQ in the carpark to enjoy fellowship and start caring for each other a good hour before church normally starts! Definately good times and so encouraging to see so many people there - something which we should see more of in the future!

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Spontaneity

"Arguing that Bazin's histroy appears teleological, with film history moving toward greater and greater realism, Henderson writes that this teleology provides a ground for the unification of ontology and history."

Ever get that feeling that you are spending a great deal of your time doing uni readings that just dont make sense? And that other people have far too much time on their hands to write this sort of stuff?
Well, that was certainly me last night!

So, what does one do when the readings they are doing just don’t make sense? Or when they are bored of the study ahead of them for that evening?
Go to the beach of course!
That’s exactly what Tim, Adam, and myself decided to do about 9:30 last night! We threw in the books and headed to Mona Vale. There was swimming, photographing, chatting, a tad of peer pressure,….and my decision that I could never be a model! And of course, further conformation of my love for the beach, especially in the evening!
Overall a top night!
I vote for more spontaneity like this in life!
Cheers to you guys for driving all this way to make it all happen! You rock!!

Adam. All credit for this shot goes to Tim, the master of photography!

Meanwhile, today a TV commercial was being filmed in the car park of the shopping centre at which i work. Did it cross my mind to up and leave where i was and join the crew? You bet!
But sadly i didnt embrace that spontaniety and instead the idea remains in my dreams...

Friday, March 10, 2006

Proof of life

Yesterday in film class someone mentioned the saying “God is in the detail”.
We were having a long complex discussion about photography and cinema, and relating that statement to the particular film we had just watched, which had presented the life of an elderly man in great detail. Not in a painful way, but in a beautiful way. The way where you realise that it is the every day that matters, that it is the details, the everyday routines, contact with individuals, the concrete and the material in the everyday that makes up who you are, and in which you can see God’s existence, His love, His creativity.
This is the same beauty I reckon is evident in Gus Van Sant’s films, especially Elephant (anyone seen that will hopefully understand what i mean!)
Its in the detail. The small things in life.
I guess that might be why I love photography so much. Its ability to capture those details. Before they are taken and forever dissolved into the past.
We spoke about the photograph as an indexical image of time and place; a moment of time as passed; a proof of life. The photograph as an object and all it encompasses certifies our existence in time.
No wonder we like to see photos of our family and friends!
Anyway, its so good doing a subject that combines film and photography! hehe

Capturing the everyday...

I dont know if any of that made sense....so to an unrelated note, wednesday I headed to The Basement in the city for some live jazz by Steve Morrison and his gang. And man was it good value - not only a quality performance but also a copy of the dude's cd - all for $15! I was impressed! (I'm listening to the cd now - its definately good!)
Aside from the quality of performance, it was a good night catching up with friends and meeting new ones (one of those "surreal but nice" experiences). Overall, a top night!
Someone asked me the other day what would be my perfect day. I'd have to say a night like that would quite easily be a part of it!

But for now its back to reality and the pile of readings sitting next to me....

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Revelation

Last night in Bible Study we continued with our study of Revelation.
It was intense but great!

As we read chapters 6 and 7 we were given a picture of what will take place before the return of Christ. And trust me, its a pretty terrifying picture!
Conquest, war, poverty and inequality, death, persecution, judgement and God's wrath. There are people calling for rocks to fall on them so they will escape the the wrath of the Lamb (6:16). Yup, you may look at the world, and it has been and what it is and where it is leading and see a lot of bad, but this is actually terrifying...
that is if you end at chapter 6; If you are not a God follower it is likely you are one of those to be hiding amongst the rocks.

But thankfully, (and i do not say it lightly) because of Jesus and the love and mercy of our great Lord, it doesnt end there for us all. Chapter 7 offers comfort. They offer a beautiful image of what it will be like once the other side of this judgment has been reached. After one has persevered through the death, poverty and persecution. And man does it make you want to persevere!
6:16 we have a vengeful Lamb to be afraid of.
7:17 that same Lamb is our Shepherd.
These verses provide us with a stark contrast.
And it definately shows that it actually really does matter what side you are on!

Let me leave you with part of this beautiful image we should be both comforted by and striving for:
"Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the centre of the
throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear
from their eyes."
Rev 7:16-17

After the image of poverty and death i know which i'd rather face!

In Him,
Chelsea

Sunday, March 05, 2006

The Peach Tree Drive Adventure

The plan was to leave together in convoy after TCPM Friday night and head to a house in the Blue Mountains for Bible Study weekend away, returning Sunday morning for TC.

The reality was somewhat different.

We left as planned, stopping along the way at the good ol’ golden arch for some dinner. The road down into the Megalong valley was long, windy, and dark, and soon turned into dirt track which was interesting for the 3 of the 5 cars that arent 4WDs. We drove down Peach Tree Drive…..and we drove and we drove….and eventually came to the end.

Yup, all of us, including the owner had no idea where the house was.

Up and down the road a few more times and we eventually located our destination at 1am!

Our relief lasted only a moment, as Nobbs had been given the wrong key!
He therefore proceeded to smash in a window to allow entry.
Thought running through my mind – what if the key doesn’t fit cos it is actually not his house?!

Anyway, we got in. Then surprise 2 came.
The water pump wasnt working!
Well, into the bushes for me!

Overall, quite an adventure!

But not a complete loss! Saturday morning came and we cooked up a storm for breakie and the water pump started to work! The rest of the day was filled with some 4wheel driving, some reading, some exploring, some lazing around in the sun, some photo taking, and some guitar playing. Not to mention a lot of eating!And we even had a fire going at one stage! Fun times!

The team enjoying breakfast and the view

We headed home late Saturday afternoon to regather at Sarah’s place for some outdoor dining complete with tasty Thai food and candles.
And all that driving was made much more enjoyable as we communicated between cars using a bunch of CV radios and walkie talkies. Oh so much fun!
So the ‘weekend’ wasn’t all that bad after all! An memorable adventure!

The location

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Come See

Come see the where justice and mercy collide
There on His hands and His feet and His side
Come see how long and how deep and how wide
Is the Father's love
Come see how valuable we really are
Worth every tear and the pain of each scar
Hallelujah, Our God is with us
Hallelujah, Our God is Jesus

I listented to this song (Come see the morning, by Nath Tasker) about 10 times today.
Lets just say its what got me through the day!

I don't know about you though, but i dont feel very valuable. I dont feel worthy.
But that's the beauty of grace i'n'it?!!

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Elizabethtown

I finally saw Elizabethtown on the weekend.
I had heard mixed reviews of this film - some claiming it was just too weird, some that it was trying too hard to be different, or just trying to be like Garden State, yet others claiming it was even better than Garden State, and some just sayin it aint worth watching.

Well, I was determined to give it a shot, but also prepared to be disappointed.

Ho

wever, I was pleasantly surprised.
Its a good movie!
Great soundtrack, well cast, interesting and thought-provoking characters and ideas, a little random, a little funny, and a bit of lurve.
Ok, there were a few similarities to Garden State. But you know what, thats ok, cos i love that film. And those similarities dont take over. Elizabethtown is a film in its own right. And a good one at that.
I admit, Kirsten Dunst's character really frustrated me when I first met her. But as the movie progressed, i learnt to like her.
I loved the several hour long phone conversation they had.
And I loved her present to him at the end.

It inspired me to take a road trip. To be buy the soundtrack. To see the film again. To look at the world and see how much it really is driven by personal success. And to be excited by the fact that you just never know who you are going to meet and when!

More could be said, but i think i should see it again before it is. Meanwhile, have you seen it?! Let me know your thoughts!

And in other news....
I have some new links to posts you should check out - a few good reads in my opinion!

In Him, Chels

Coffee Break Lane