The Rick Hawkinson Blog | KillerHawk.com

Hello Love

Rick Hawkinson — Mon, 3 Nov 2008 08:20:17 EST

Just picked up Chris Tomlin's new CD, 'Hello Love.'

Now, this may sound a little weird for someone who has led worship singing for the past several years, but this is the first CT CD that I've ever purchased. I guess I've just never really been 'grabbed' by his stuff. Sure, he's written some great songs, and we do sing several of them here at churchfreo, but his music hasn't really been something I would choose to listen to in my free time.

Well, last week, I heard 'Hello Love' had been released, so I went online and had a listen - hoping to snag a track or two we might be able to sing at churchfreo. Asfter listening to a sample of each track at Zune Marketplace I ended up buying the whole CD, and have pretty much worn it out for the past week.

Now, from some of the reviews I've read, 'Hello Love' is pretty much typical Tomlin - but since I haven't been a big fan, that doesn't mean much to me. And I don't know that I can give you a descriptive critique of the CD...all I can say is that it moved me. Pretty much the whole thing. One song, in particular, had me crying like a baby while doing curls at the gym. (Yep...got some strange looks for that one. Tried to play it off like I was just sweating a lot...from my eyeballs. )

The song is called 'Exalted.'

Exalted, He is exalted.

On high, He is exalted.

For great is the Lord. Let all the nations say.

Exalted, He is exalted.

Blessing and honor, glory and power, unto the Lord be praise.

Sing out the chorus resounding before us.

Holy is his name. His name.

Yahweh. Holy is Your name.

Nothing earth shattering...except this is exactly the way I want to live my life! Remembering constantly that He is at the center of my being. And that He is to be praised. (It also doesn't hurt that the last bridge is sung by a choir, acapella, in 4 part harmony.)

Now I'm not suggeting that you shoul all run right out and buy it, but at least borrow a friends and have a listen.

In other news, cool things are happeing at churchfreo. We've just finished several weeks of looking at the early church in Acts - and wondering what it would look like to live/do 'church' that way. Where Church is something we are, not somewhere we go. And God is at the center of our lives, not just at the top of a priority list. And as followers of Jesus, we're called to truly love those we come in contact with. Not just tolerate...love. Hmmm....

In the next few weeks, well be taking a look at the 'Kingdom of Heaven'. Jesus seemed to talk about it being 'at hand' a lot. And he compared it to weird things like yeast, and sons, and mustard seeds, and hidden treasure. And how it belonged to the poor in spirit, and the persecuted. And whoever was least would be great there. Most of the time when Jesus talked about the kingdom of heaven, he was using present tense...not future. Could that mean the kingdome is here...now??? Man, what could that look like??

Should be fun.

Oh, and summer is definitely coming! Have I mentioned how clear and beautiful the water is here??

And the sunsets.

It's about to get busy

Rick Hawkinson — Sun, 2 Nov 2008 17:29:38 EST

As it gets warmer, the dive season is really starting to crank up. People know the heat is coming, so they are making plans to spend as much time in the water as possible. And obviously, when you are in the water, you need a good mask, snorkel, fins, etc. That's where the fine folks at Dolphin Dive Fremantle come in. And no, we don't dive with dolphins - (unless we're really lucky) - that's just our name.

A couple of entries ago, I posted some pix of me working on our dive shop's boat, The Sea Lion - and I promised I'd post some pictures of the finished product. So here they are

A 'being worked on' picture:

And just before she went back in the water:

Here are a few shots of the Sea Lion being launched - with really cool big machines. The mechanical engineer in me was almost giddy. (Did I just use the term giddy?!?!?!) Oh, and that's Mark, the owner of the company and the skipper, doing a little dance in front of the boat. I'm still not exactly sure what is wrong with him...but it's no little thing. ;)

Here's Mark and his little brother Craig checking out their handiwork in their flashy, orange jumpsuits. I think the conversation was going something like, "Mate, I sure hope those freaking straps hold!"

So, whether we're ready or not, the dive season is getting ready to go into overdrive...or overdive if you like. It's a rough life.

Summer days commin'...and mosques.

Rick Hawkinson — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:25:29 EST

So, it's finally getting warm here! Spring has been cold, and rainy, but I believe summer is starting to show itself. Today is the first day I've worn shorts to work and haven't frozen my, um...well, that I haven't been cold. For those of you north of the equator that are a bit confused at the moment, remember that I live in the opposite hemisphere as you - hence the seasons are opposite. This has taken some getting used to (picture sunny, 110 degree Christmases and rainy, 40 degree July 4th's), and right now I really don't care what month it is, I just want some sunny, hot days. The old saying, 'Be careful what you ask for...,' definitely applies here, because come mid-January, I'll no doubt be complaining about how freaking hot it is.

churchfreo seems to be hitting a bit of a new season as well. We've been in our current location for about 8 months, and are really starting to be seen as part of the community. People continue to stop by and check us out - foot traffic is definitely picking up as it warms up - and God has seen fit for the community we are in to look on us favorably - which doesn't seem to happen to much with churches around here.

Wednesday night, one of the guys who has started coming, Nick (who works in the restaurant next door), and I were chatting/praying/playing guitar - and after a time of prayer about a tough situation in his life, and one in mine, he made a truly telling comment. He said he was attending churchfreo because they had the best worship leader on the planet.

OK...not really.

He said that he'd been to all sorts of churches throughout his life (and he's had an interesting life), big churches, small churches, skinny ones, fat ones, etc, but that this was his home church because at churchfreo, there were no mosques.

"Mosques?," I replied - caught a bit off guard, my mind frantically shifting gears to keep up with the new direction of the conversation, and how I was going to address this comment.

"Yea, you know," he said, putting his open had up to his face, "mosques."

(pause...cricket...cricket)

"Oh...maaaasks." I replied, quite relieved I wasn't going to have to tap into my limited knowledge of Islam, and blown away yet again by how much we all value genuineness.

And if we all value it so much...why do we all wear so many 'mosques'? hmmm..

I've been pondering this for the past couple of days, and I think I may be on to something (with a little help from Donald Miller).

Ninjas are better than pirates...

Rick Hawkinson — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 15:18:25 EST

....and evidently so is the Wolfpack. Knocking off the #15 ECU Pirates doesn't quench the heartache of losing to two (who will remain unnamed) SC teams, but it does dull it a bit.

I'm not going to base a whole lot on one win, but I have a sneaking suspicion that our new coach and this little freshman quarterback are just getting started. Check out the game recap below.

WOLFPACK STUNS #15 ECU 30-24 IN OVERTIME

A pressbox-overturned replay gave NC State a game-tying touchdown with 72 seconds remaining in regulation and a senior Andre Brown scored on a 10-yard run in overtime to give the Wolfpack a 30-24 victory over No. 15 East Carolina.

On East Carolina’s third play in overtime, NC State defensive end Shea McKeen sacked East Carolina quarterback Patrick Pinkney and stripped the ball out of his hands. Teammate Willie Young recovered the fumble, giving the ball to the Wolfpack for its chance to score.
Brown set up his score with a 16-yard high-hurdling run, and followed with a 10-yard run for the winning touchdown in front of a sell-out crowd of 57,583 at Carter-Finley Stadium.

“When the defense goes out there and play like they played, getting that turnover in overtime and making those two stands inside the 5, I didn’t want to rely on the kicker, to be honest with you,” Brown said. “I wanted to go out there, put that boy in the end zone and get out of here.”

Freshman quarterback Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes for the Wolfpack (2-2 overall) and the defense held ECU to just three points on a pair of fourth-quarter goal-line stands.

“For the first time since I have been here, we finally played 60 minutes of tough, hard-nosed football,” said Wolfpack second-year coach Tom O’Brien. “It paid off in the end.”

Wilson moved the offense all afternoon, out-gaining the Pirates 384-383. He received help from dual-threat running attack of Brown and junior Jamelle Eugene, who made his 2008 debut after missing the first three games because of an ankle injury. Brown rushed for 73 yards on 12 carries, Eugene had 25 on nine carries and Wilson had 26 on 12 carries.

“I think one I am learning about Russell is that he plays a lot better sometimes than he looks in practice,” O’Brien said. “There are things we have to learn about him. Certainly today, he made plays and extended plays with his feet.”

The Wolfpack’s defense again played well, even though it lost its top performer, sophomore linebacker Nate Irving, to a lower-leg injury in the first half. He attempted to come back in the second half, but played only a few downs before the medical staff held him out for the rest of the game.

“The thing I like about us right now is that we are playing hard,” O’Brien said. “We are learning how to do that. Right now, with all the injuries we have had, that’s the only way we can win football games.”

Sore muscles and dirty fingernails...

Rick Hawkinson — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 04:34:24 EST

Just a quick post to let you all know that it's not all fun and games working for a dive company. As some of you may realize, it is wintertime here (the whole opposite hemisphere thing), so this week our boat - The Sea Lion - was taken out of the water for its yearly cleaning/maintenance etc. So I spent some fun, fun time this week scrubbing, sanding, painting, scouring, grinding, clearing, bailing, and all sorts of other awesome, refreshing jobs. Here are some pix:

Here's me holding up the boat.....WITH MY ARM!!! After I've just finished scraping and scrubbing the entire hull (of the 75ft boat) with a freaking brillo pad:

And a close up of the nasty, dirty face - that no one told me about - and which I didn't figure out I had until I got home and looked in the mirror!

Day two with my fresh orange jumpsuit - in the bowels of the beast removing old, nasty, scummy, mucky, year old seawater mixed with diesel fuel. Made for a nice high though.

Can't remember what I was delving below to do here. Must have been something exciting.

And my partner in crime, Craigy, working on removing the GenSet

All in all it was a pretty grueling, but fun few days...and next week I get to do more of the same. I'll post some pix of the finished product as well.

Everyday people

Rick Hawkinson — Wed, 3 Sep 2008 16:45:49 EST

Sorry it's been a while y'all. Mary Beth's scolding (see the comments to the last post) has spurned me on. Thanks MB

God continues to bless us as chruchfreo becomes more of a fixture in the community by bringing all kinds of his children in through the doors. I spend most of my evenings during the week at the building working, playing guitar, or reading - and have had some cool conversations with some of those that are passing by and wondering who the idiot is pounding on his guitar is the run down restaurant looking place. Here are some examples of a few:

About a month ago, a slightly (highly) intoxicated guy named Diesel strolled in one Sunday night while we were singing...and decided he wanted to sing along. Then decided he wanted to help lead. So there I was, singing a duet of Jeremiah Jones' 'Rain' with happy Diesel. Sort of surreal. He hung around for a bit more, and even offered to sing a 'song for the children' - as he picked up my Taylor guitar...(it's God's guitar...it's God's guitar). As he was walking out a few minutes later, chuck called out that we would be praying for him. His response was, "I pray for all of YOU'S! I pray that your faith has fruit!" And he walked out. OK...wow.

Several weeks ago, a French couple stopped by one evening while I was reading and asked about the place. Turned out they were students, but also did wood fired pizzas on the side and wondered if they could come make pizzas for us one sunday night to get their name out there. Well, not only did they come make pizzas, but they sat through two Sunday evenings with us, heard the gospel presented...twice, and took a bible to read for the first time. Wi wi, I say.

Mon - Wed of this week the church building was used for a seminar for my work. One of the SCUBA companies came and spent 3 days showing us how to rebuild/service Mares regulators - and they needed a building - so we let them use ours for really cheap. During the first day of the seminar, a guy (Morty) who was passing by and saw our little 'churchfreo' sign in the window came curiously peering into other windows, and when he found where we all were he yelled through the window, "IS THIS A CHURCH?!?!" I quickly got up and went outside to talk to him, and explained that is was in fact a church. His very serious reply, "Well where's the bloody cross mate?!?!" After somehow containing my urge to laugh out loud about the 'bloody' cross remark - I explained that we weren't really about advertising to be a church, we were really trying to be the body of Christ. He kinda liked that and said he may come back and check it out.

On Wed night, Chuck and I had just finished praying in our front room. We had the doors open to the street and two little older ladies were walking by and one said to the other, "You know...that church I was talking about, that's what this place is." The other replied "Ohhhh" with a disturbed look on her face. I yelled HELLO out the door and the first lady responded like you would to a telemarketer, "NO THANKS!" and hurriedly walked on. As Chuck saw them pass by the window he told the story of meeting the first lady just when we had started working on the place. She had curiously asked what we the place was going to be and when we were opening (thinking we'd be a restaurant) - and Chuck told her that a church was going to be meeting there for a while. Her disgruntled reply:
"A church?! Aw Christ!!"

Um...Yep.

I love it.

Yes I'm ready...

Rick Hawkinson — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:33:09 EST

FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!

And even though my beloved Wolfpack is picked last in our division...be ready for a shocker. (That goes for you two teams from South Carolina we play early,)

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy...back.

Rick Hawkinson — Sun, 3 Aug 2008 23:26:21 EST

God has really been working on me for the past couple of months - on the concept of joy, and what mine was rooted in, etc. It started several weeks before I went back to the US - finding myself in a bit of a funk. I was getting really burned out with all I had going on, and it seemed that no matter how much i did, i kept spiraling down. I think the best way to put it may be that I always seem to be the 'Martha' worried about the dinner being just right, and making sure the house is clean, and being pissed off because Mary is in sitting with Jesus...doing nothing!!! I was really getting caught up in 'doing things well' for God, and was totally missing out on the incredible things He was doing right around me, and totally missing him.

My trip to the US gave me a unique opportunity. I had a full month where I really didn't have any responsibilities - no job, no basketball team, no tutoring, no trying to get music ready, no getting stuff together for sunday nights, no leading worship. All I pretty much had to do was to be...and to rest in Him. (and to eat mexican food and drink sweet tea) During this time, God was gracious enough to grab me and gradually pull me up (kinda like superman...or that guy from Heroes) so I could get a good look at the '10,000 ft. view'. Now, I've always prided myself with being a 'big picture' kind of guy. Mr Barbee (my high school math teacher) drilled it into our heads to always be looking at the 'big picture.' "To be a good problem solver, you always have to be looking at the 'big picture!'" OK - so I had lost a bit of perspective.

Thank God that he helped me gain some back - through awesome time with my fam, some conversations with my peeps, seeing some of the incredible things he is doing in Greenville, and through some down and dirty time with him.
What I found out is that my joy is in him, in my relationship with him. My joy is in him because I know that he loves me so much:
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demon's can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39)

Let me just tell you how much more peaceful and fun my life is when the overlying factor is my joy in God. I'm more patient. I love more. I smile more. Things don't rattle me (as much). God and I talk a LOT more. I can actually feel his peace. And I'm finding this joy in the strangest places.

Joy seems to be a big deal in the bible. Nehemiah talks of the joy of the lord being strength. David can't quit singing and shouting for joy to his lord. Proverbs is full of examples of what brings joy. It's all over Isaiah. Jesus talks of his joy being in us and our joy being complete when we obey. Paul constantly talks about our 'joy in christ' and even tells us to be joyful in our sufferings!

I love how crowder puts it in one of my favorites of his:

And He set me on fire.
I am burning alive.
With his breath in my lungs.
I'm coming undone.

I cannot hold it in
And remain composed.
Love's taken over me
So I propose the letting myself go.
I am letting myself go.

You are my joy, you are my joy
YOU ARE MY JOY!!

So here's to letting myself go...more time sitting at Jesus' feet.

I'll finish this post with a couple of pix of what I consider pure joy. First, my niece Kirstin showing me how fast she can run (a split second later she crashed into my arms and we laughed like maniacs):

And second, my little brother Jamie, who has, by far, the coolest laugh I know...and who loves to be tickled - ok not really - but I love to tickle him...basically to hear the laugh.

Back on the rock...

Rick Hawkinson — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:02:42 EST

Just after finding out I'd missed my connection in Sydney, and would be spending the night(after I'd already had to overnight in San Francisco - I LOVE QUANTAS!!) I pulled out my mobile phone to called Chuck and let him know I needed to postpone my airport pick-up until the following afternoon. His enthusiastic first words were an awesome welcome and turned my frown upside down:

"You back on The Rock?!?!?"

Yes, after 31 days, countless hours catching up and hanging with fam and friends, meeting my new niece Kaylan, and nephew Ezra, and the miracle that is Cohen McGowan, 15 Mexican meals, 22 dives in Venezuela, a brutal 5K that I lost by 12 seconds to Jules, a Greenville Drive baseball game with a evening backdrop that only God could have painted, softball games, a 4th of July cookout, Childress work days, morning coffee with my mom and sis on the front porch, several thousand pictures with my new camera, and I'm estimating between 75 and 100 glasses of sweet tea...

...I am back on The Rock. And really, really stoked to be back.

It was interesting being at home for a month, but being kind of an outsider. It really gave me a cool perspective being back in my old life...but not really back in my old life...does that make sense? Without the 'trees' of everyday jobs, bills, dissapointments, schedules, etc. I seemed to be able to get a much better look at the 'forest'. And I can't even describe to you the amount of joy I felt. Not joy as in I was happy I didn't have to go to work, but JOY as in community with my creator.

More on this in the next couple of days - don't want to get too heavy my first day back.

I've put some pix of the trip in the photo gallery...and I'll leave with with a shot of a true, live miracle. Go Cohen...go Cohen! Thank you Jesus.

Home again...

Rick Hawkinson — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 15:11:22 EST

After 3 flights, 24 hours on planes, 9 airplane/airport meals, 6 in flight movies, 3 hours of sleep, and a close encounter with Jessica Biel on my flight from LA to Charlotte, I finally made it back to the blessed south east.

My new niece Kaylan met me at the airport, and I got to hang with my new nephew Ezra yesterday.

I've already hit chick-fil-a twice, and drank about 2 gallons of sweet tea.

Poker with my BMW crew and lot's of sloppy, southern BBQ tonight.

Yummy.

Home again...

Rick Hawkinson — Mon, 7 Jul 2008 11:31:58 EST

My new niece Kaylan met me at the airport, and I got to hang with my new nephew Ezra yesterday.

I've already hit chick-fil-a twice, and drank about 2 gallons of sweet tea.

Poker with my BMW crew and lot's of sloppy, southern BBQ tonight.

Yummy.

Answered prayer...and late night flights

Rick Hawkinson — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:30:25 EST

So, we found a house. 3 bedroom, living room, kitchen, laundry room - $400 a week. Yes that's right, I said $400 A WEEK. The $$$ is a bit depressing, but the house is nice, in a great location (1/2 mile from work, 1/2 mile from church and beach), and the owners seem to be really cool. Still....$400 a week...ouch. But I am thankful - truly. We were really under the gun to find a place - before I left for the US, and before our lease was up on our current place. There's such a demand for rental housing here that it seemed there were 10-20 people ready to take any house that came available.

The deal is that the rental agency schedules a showing of an available property, and you show up, take a look, and put in an application (along with the other 15 people that probably turned up) and then the owner looks at the apps and makes their decision. Evidently three single guys aren't the optimum group to rent a house to - go figure.

It just so happened on this house that the owners live right behind - and the rental agent had us go take a look on our own. The husband owner (Darren) was working on finishing a fence when we pulled up - and it turned out he and his wire are regulars at our dive shop. And his wife teaches at the high school when I volunteer tutor - so I know her from there as well. Pretty big 'coincidence' eh?

Anyway, long story short - we got the place...just in time for me to move my stuff in before my trip, and literally just in time for my two roommates to get us moved out of our current place before the lease is up on Sunday.

I love how God tends to work 'just in time'.

And tonight, I'm on a 12:05 am flight out of Perth....to Charlotte. Wohoooo! Can't wait to see everyone.

Really.

No, seriously.

Over the next few weeks while I'm at home, I plan to sit down and debrief my last year in Australia. Hopefully I'll have some good insight to post...we'll see.

The latest niece is here!

Rick Hawkinson — Sun, 8 Jun 2008 11:59:50 EST

Kaylan Jordin Watt is here - 8 lb 2 oz - 20inches long. My sister gave birth to her 5th (yes, I said 5th) yesterday - and I wanted to introduce her to you guys. I'll get to introduce myself to her next Thursday when I fly HOME!!

Yes, her name is Kaylan Jordin - spelled just like that - my sister is sort of a doofus. Nickname will be easy for this one though - KJ. See you next week sweetie.

Back From Bali and off to the USA...soon.

Rick Hawkinson — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 11:31:12 EST

The trip to Bali went really well. Good diving, great food, and incredible people made for a very enjoyable, relaxing week. We spent the first day driving from the southern tip of the island (Kuta) to the northern tip (Menjajin) up down and around a couple dormant volcanos. We stopped at a couple of Buddhist temples (one with lots of monkeys) and several rice plantations. We spend the rest of the week making (diving) our way around the eastern coast - from Tulamben, to Candidas - and back to Kuta, where we spend a couple days bartering in the markets.

The diving was really good - I swam with a couple manta rays, saw my first sea dragon, had a close encounter with a sea snake, chilled out with a big turtle, and had a kung fu battle with an over zealous clown fish (which of course I won) - but I was most impressed with the people of Bali. They were incredible warm, friendly - and always seemed to be smiling. Those of you who know me know I love kids - and I just couldn't seem to stop taking pictures of kids all week. Here are a few:

I'll add some more pix (with some underwater ones) to the gallery tomorrow.

The best news of the day is that it's only 9 days til I'm home and able to talk to most of you in person - rather than this stinking website. Nine days...mexican food, grits, sweet tea, and face time with my favorite (non-Australian) people in the world. Here's my list -so far-of things I have to pack into the 4 weeks I'm home (in no order what-so-ever):

1) Meet and chill with my new niece and nephew for the first time.

2) Golf with Paul - and hopefully Matt, and Dan, and Keever...ok, so lots of golf.

3) Poker with the fellas at Kevin's.

4) Lots of meals at Tijuana's.

5) Xbox NCAA football and hanging with Childress.

6) Smokin' Julie in the Candlelight 5k in Greenville.

7) Playing guitar with Derick - and hopefully jammin' with the WB.

8) Pizza Inn with the Fullers and Fowlers.

9) Softball with Des' WAFUASI team (along with some Des lovin').

10) A week in Bonaire with Duncan, Ess-aye, Debbie, Zane, and whoever else is going.

11) Lots of time hanging with the kids at The Frazee Center.

12) Cloths shopping with Kelly C.

13) Meeting Charlie Spann and Cohen McGowan for the first time.

14) Hanging with Ella and Macy.

15) Spoiling all my nieces and nephews like crazy.

16) Eating lots of mom cooked meals.

17) Lounging in the craziness of the watt/hawkinson household.

18) Serious lake time (had enough of the salt water for a while).

19) Hopefully several parties with the Greenville crew.

20) Bouncing some ideas/experiences off Stu.

21) Dinner with Matt & Mel - and Sabrina at PF Changs.

22) Summer movies.

23) Lots of thanking God for giving me such incredible family and friends.

24) Bunches of dinners with friends that go late into the night.

25) A couple Greenville Drive night games.

26) Soaking up some downtown GVegas.

27) Coffee with Diava.

28) Some sort of craziness with Beckler.

29) Xbox 360 with the fellas at Z's.

Now - this is definitely not a complete or exhaustive list, but if you know something I should be doing while I'm home, and it's not on the list - then please comment and remind me!!

Can't wait to see everyone.

It's NOT a toooma!

Rick Hawkinson — Sat, 31 May 2008 22:25:38 EST

OK, so it was a tumor, but it is no more - it's now some ground up mush on its way to some incinerator somewhere.

The surgery went well - WOHOO!!! Last report I heard was that the doctors got all of it, and Mark is doing well in recovery.

Thank you Lord, and thanks guys for your prayers.

Now - I'm off to catch a flight to Bali for a week - checking out some dive resorts for work.

It's a tough job ;)

So if you guys would, say a prayer for safe travel, and that I can maybe show a little Jesus to the people I'll be traveling with. (I bought a little Jesus statue, and I plan to show it often - you know me, always thinking outside the box.) And that hopefully I won't end up getting 'Bali Belly' - which, from what they're telling me sounds a lot like Montazuma's revenge - which I've had before, and um, well - you really don't want to know. So this week, I'm REALLY not going to drink the water.

Talk to y'all in about a week.

And oh - by the way, 3 more weeks and I'm coming home for a month.

I'm a little excited.

Need some prayer...

Rick Hawkinson — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:05:50 EST

A friend of mine from here in Australia is having surgery on Monday to remove a brain tumor.

My age, wife, 4 kids (the youngest just a few months old)...and a brain tumor. What the heck?!?! It is benign - thankfully, and from what I understand, the doctors are pretty confident about the success of the surgery.

Please pray for Mark, Natalie, and the kids - that God will give them a peace only He can provide, and that He will see fit to totally heal Mark.

Thanks y'all.

Friends

Rick Hawkinson — Sun, 11 May 2008 12:47:02 EST

Friends, amigos, amis, freunde, homies, mates, endsfrae - whatever language you use...they're pretty freaking cool.

One of the biggest things my time away from the US has shown me is how much I take my friends for granted. I think I have to be one of the most blessed people on this planet when it comes to the people God has put in my life.

Take for example "my" last post. That took a collaboration from no less than three of the my afore mentioned friends. One supplied the picture, another photo shopped the heck out of it, and the third hacked into my account and posted it - along with a fairly amusing write up. (Or maybe it really is me.) And then, as if that wasn't outstanding enough, there was the multitude of amazingly witty comments from a lot of you (and a couple stupid ones from Stuart). Now if that's not love, I don't know what is! I mean, I could actually feel the love vibes all the way in Australia - or maybe what I was feeling was gas from all the kangaroo kebabs I had for my birthday dinner.

So to those of you out there who are brave enough to actually admit that you're my friend - y'all are the coolest, and I love you guys...well most of you anyway. I can't imagine doing this life thing without you.

In other news - I have finally completed my PADI Divemaster certification - wohoo! Now I can actually get paid to take people diving. So from now on, you may refer to me as:

Master Rick

or Rickmaster will be acceptable

or Batman.

37 and counting...

Rick Hawkinson — Fri, 2 May 2008 03:14:57 EST

Happy birthday to me - happy birthday to me!

Thanks to all who have already called and/or e-mailed. Shame on those of you whom I haven't heard from (you've still got 11 hours). Unless you're in the hospital or something - then you're forgiven. However, most hospitals do have wireless internet now - so there's really no excuse. Unless you're unconscious - then I guess it's ok.

Thirty seven: 37 years. Three point seven decades. 13514 days. Almost 20 million minutes.

Half a lifetime...I feel like I'm just getting started.

I love this gig!

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY, BUT A NEW BEGINNING

Rick Hawkinson — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 14:15:58 EST

Well today is my birthday, and I decided to do something I’ve wanted to do since 1986 when I saw the movie that would define my inner thoughts and desires. That movie was Crocodile Dundee. I went to the outback and got in touch with my inner self, and the crocodile inside me. You just thought I was a Killer Hawk, but in fact I’ve always wanted to be a Killer Croc. I even bought a huge knife so I could say “That’s not a knife…this is a knife”. I tried shaving with it, but that didn’t work out so well.

I look forward to all the encouraging comments from everyone as I begin the rest of my life as the man I always wanted to be. Just call me Crocodile Rickee. It’s never too late to live your dream!

Nearly expired passports...and love.

Rick Hawkinson — Thu, 1 May 2008 23:05:29 EST

On Monday, my boss called me and asked if I'd be willing to go to Bali for a week - at the end of May - with one of the diving holiday planning companies we use to check out the diving, the accommodations, the ease of travel... basically to spend a week diving in a really cool place.

Hmmmm....let me think.

For those of you who've never heard of Bali (like me, before I moved here), here a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali

So, one of the requirements for the trip was that I had to have a valid passport with at least 6 months left until it expired.

"No worries. Let me just check to make sure...DOH!"

Yep, to my dismay, I discovered that my passport expires May 28th. (Thank God I had to check it for this trip - or I'd have had a hard time getting home in June!) So, on Wednesday, I started the process of trying to renew my passport in a foreign country - which I figured was going to be a huge hassle, and take forever, and cause me to miss out on the Bali trip...yes, I had a really nice pity party.

However, by Wednesday - lunch - I was dropping a package in the mail. A package which contained all the necessary forms (that I had downloaded and filled out) , a couple of new passport photos, a cashiers check for $87.50, a postage paid return envelope, and my old passport. I had a lot of help from this really nice Aussie lady at the US Consulate who assured me that I'll have my new passport in two weeks or less.

But as I walked away from the post office, the realization hit me that I was 'passport-less', and to be honest, it was a bit of a disconcerting feeling. After the initial uncomfortable visions passed (of some world disaster happening - and me trying to 'James Bond' it back to the US without my trusty passport), I started thinking about the places I've been able to go, things I've been able to see, and the different people I've been able to meet due to the freedom of travel brought about by my passport. It's been a really cool ride, and I'll be a bit anxious until I receive my shiny new one in the mail.

One of the most asked questions of me from people here, of all nationalities, is why most Americans aren't more 'world conscious'. The image most of those I talk with have of Americans is that we so wrapped up in our own little lives that we hardly ever get out of our own cities, let alone travel to another country.

And sadly, most I talk to view the church the same way. We Christians all huddle together in our buildings with no real idea of anyone or anything outside the 'circle'. The times we do venture out it seems, is only to judge and condemn.

Ouch

So, any of you out there who may be reading, my challenge is to all of us - especially my peeps in Christ. Let's get out of our little comfort zones and out into 'it'. Actually go meet your neighbor. Volunteer down at the community center. Give of yourself. Love. Get out into this big, awesome world that our God created for us - and soak it up. And love people - recklessly. It's messy, and time consuming, and frustrating...and beautiful - and it's what we were created to do.

Jesus loved us recklessly. When he walked this planet, he always seemed to be in places he shouldn't be, loving people he wasn't supposed to love. Messy, frustrating, beautiful.

I'm a Discovery Channel junkie. Dirty Jobs, Mythbusters, Deadliest Catch, Blue Planet - I love these shows. And thanks to the SlingBox I purchased before I left the US, I've been able to keep up with some of them. They've just put out a brilliant promo commercial for their network, and I can't get the song out of my head. Not only because it's such a catchy tune, but because it so matches up with what's been banging around in my head (some of which I wrote above) lately. I embedded the video in a post just below this one - so scroll down and enjoy.

Boom De Ah Da!

Rick Hawkinson — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 04:20:31 EST

I love the mountains
I love the clear blue skies
I love big bridges
I love when great whites fly
I love the whole world
And all its sights and sounds

Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da

I love the oceans
I love real dirty things
I love to go fast
I love Egyptian kings
I love the whole world
And all its craziness

Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da

I love tornadoes
I love arachnids
I love hot magma
I love the giant squids
I love the whole world
It's such a brilliant place

Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da

Still looking...

Rick Hawkinson — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:11:55 EST

No new abode as of yet...although the offer for the place on Sugar Time Lane was enticing - thanks Childress. I haven't been real motivated to do a whole lot of looking since even the cheapest little crappiest places cost more per month than the mortgage on my last house. Ouch. But, we're getting kicked out of our current place in a couple weeks - so I am renewing the search with more enthusiasm and vigor this week. OK, really not much enthusiasm, or vigor, but at least I'm 'talking' about looking - that's the first step.

In other news, things at churchfreo are going really well. We're getting settled into our new place, and have been hitting the auction to furnish it. Last week I got 4 awesome comfy chairs, a cool couch, and an 'antique' set of book shelves - all for $71. I'd post some pics, but my camera decided to crap out, and I'm going to wait til I'm home in June to buy another one (or maybe have one donated...who knows??). Until then, I'll try and borrow one and get some more pics up soon.

I am really digging the location of where we're meeting for church. There is so much foot traffic that people tend to wander in asking who we are, what we're doing etc. This proximity has led to awesome conversations, new friendships, and shocking 180 degree turn-a-rounds. One such turn-a-round is a guy named Barry. During one of the first few days we were open and working on the place, Barry, who lives in the neighborhood, walked up and asked who we were and when the restaurant was opening. After hearing that a church would be meeting there and being invited in for a drink, he very disappointedly walked off proclaiming 'Oh great...a church! You'll never get me in THAT place.'

Well, because of our proximity, Chuck was able to really engaged Barry - and struck up a little friendship. Over the next several weeks, I'd see Barry come in on Sunday nights after our service during dinner and get into what looked like pretty in depth discussions with Chuck. Then a couple weeks ago as we're cleaning up from dinner, Chuck comes in the kitchen with a big smile on his face, shaking his head...wheeling a big stand up freezer - which we really needed, and had been trying to figure out how to score cheaply. Well, about an hour earlier, Chuck and Barry had been talking and Barry asked if there was anything we needed. He went on to explain that he loved the 'good things' we were doing and wanted to help in any way he could. What?!? Pretty much blown away at this point, Chuck told him we were doing ok - but we did need an stove/oven and a stand up freezer.

Barry's reply - "I've got a stand up freezer I'm not using in my garage...want it?"

And he's spent the last couple weeks on a mission to find us a stove.

I don't know about us doing good things - but God seems to be doing some pretty cool things.

SOLD!

Rick Hawkinson — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:11:32 EST

Well, I'm again on the hunt for a place to live. The cool house I'm currently is has been sold by the owner, and we've got about a month until we have to be out.

Rent is quite expensive here - I guess living 5 minutes from the beach has a way of doing that. They even advertise by the week - I think because it'd sound ridiculous advertising a crummy little 2 bedroom, 1 bath, tiny kitchen, tiny living room apartment for $1200 a month. $300 a week sounds much more reasonable.

It's like Christmas in, um...March

Rick Hawkinson — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:11:08 EST

As I've said before, I really do dig getting packages from home - and last week I received a very exciting one from my mom and sister. I love pulling up to the house after a long day of work, and having a box sitting on the front porch waiting for me. Unexpected surprises really do make my day.

So anyway, last Tuesday I got home after an especially long day at work - and a little cardboard buddy was waiting for me. Now, before I tell you what was in the box, I need for you to realize that there are several of things (and by things, I mean food) that I'm having to do without here in Australia. As I've said before, Americans and Australians have similar tastes, and pretty much eat the same things...but there are a few of my favorites that just haven't made it across the equator.

The box was full of two such items - that totally have brought to truth for me the old cliché "you don't know what you've got til it's gone" - Nature Valley crunchy granola bars...and grits.

The grits were a double surprise because supposedly there was not way that Australian customs would let grits into the country - something about being uncooked corn or something. But the box had been fully inspected by customs, and somehow 50 packets of instant grits made it through.

Now I know what some of you are thinking, "INSTANT GRITS?!?!?! No self respecting southerner eats instant grits!" - and most of the time I'd agree with you However, a true Southerner - after being deprives of grits for 8 months - will jump on any kind of grits he can find...like a tick on a hound dog.

Upon discovering my 'white gold' - I made a mad dash for the kitchen only to discover...I was out of eggs! DOH!! And grocery stores here close at 5. DOUBLE DOH!!! I wanted my first grits in 8 months to be eaten like they should be - with runny yoke eggs. So - no grits for Rick on Tuesday night.

But I did have grits and eggs for dinner Wednesday night, Thursday night, AND Friday night.... and several nights since.

Some pics of my first grits for 8 months.

A nice pretty plate...and then - of course - I mixed everything together like a true southerner should.

It was a beautiful, beautiful experience. My mom and sister are the coolest. (At least until I get my next package!)

EC is here!

Rick Hawkinson — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:11:00 EST

The doctors wanted him to wait until Saturday, but Ezra Cole had different plans. I like a kid who knows what he wants, and makes it happen!

He was born on Monday evening, March 24th at 11:48 PM (about 6 weeks early). He weighed a whopping 5lb 1oz, and was 18 inches long. The doctors were pleasantly surprised at how well he was breathing on his own - since I guess usually babies this premature have trouble.

EC will spend the first few days of his life in the NICU, but should be on his way home shortly. Mama and baby are both doing very well, and the whole extended family is praising our God who is really, really good (and cool).

As eldest uncle to Ezra Cole, it's my job, my responsibity...my duty - to make sure the child has an appropriate nick name. It's an important rite of passage. At the moment, I've decided on EC - pronounced with a heavy Puerto Rican accent (eee-see). As in "Eh!! Take it eee-see!" (quote credited to my good friend Johnny Z).

So, EC, welcome to the world. I can't wait to meet you.

Introducing Ezra Cole Hawkinson

Rick Hawkinson — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:06:30 EST

So, this is Ezra - the first son of my brother Paul, and his wife Rebecca. As you can tell by the ultra sound -with his face pressed up against the 'glass' - Ezra is ready to make his entrance into the world. He made this clear a couple of days ago when Rebecca's water broke. Problem is, she's only 32 weeks along - and the doctors really want him to 'bake' for another week. There was only a small rupture in the bag of water, so there is still fluid around Ezra, but since there is an opening, there is risk of infection.

At the moment, the doctors are saying that the risk of complications due to being born prematurely outweighs the risk of infection, so they've got Rebeca in the hospital on bed rest. Next Saturday, the risk of infection becomes to great, and Ezra will have had another week of lung development - so if Rebecca hasn't gone into labor by then, they'll induce.

So - if y'all would, please pray for Ezra and Rebeca (and Paul) - that God would see fit to give them a good week, and a healthy 0th birthday.

Right Living (Part Deux)

Rick Hawkinson — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:02:22 EST

So – back to this following Christ thing (continued from last post) As I said before, for most of my life I’ve felt that if I can just get the formula right, then I’ll be doing what a good Christian is supposed to be doing – and my ‘personal relationship with God’ would be good. If I was faithful about getting involved in church stuff, having my quiet time, trying to live right, getting some deep teaching, and giving back to God some of what he had provided for me - then I would have the ‘closeness’ with God that I’d heard others talk about. There was a conversation that I remember having several times in college - most of the time with a girl – that went something like this:
“Hey Jennifer, how have you been?”
“Hey Rick, I’ve been awesome! God has been teaching me so much. I’m so in love with God right now.”
I’d be nodding, and smiling…all the while thinking, “Girl, I have no freaking idea what you’re talking about.”

In love with God? What did that look/feel like? I wanted that. So I’d bear down harder with my formula – and get more frustrated. What basically happened was that I turned the things in my formula, which were good things, into idols – and tried, with my abilities, to do them as best I could.

The killer was that doing things this way did provide some fulfillment. Something good would happen at church, or I’d have a really good conversation with a non-believing friend, or I’d go on an awesome short term mission trip, etc. and these little ‘victories’ spurned me on to banging out my formula with more effort. In the in-between times (which was pretty much most of the time) however, I was feeling like a fake, feeling like I was totally missing something, and having serious doubts that I had any idea who God really was and what a relationship with him looked like.

Well, He saw fit to keep me in that place for a while – and then a couple of years ago, He was gracious enough to hit me up side the head with the problem…ME!

Now those of you who know me know this, but for those that don’t, I’m pretty independent, and I’m totally a planner…quite a dangerous combination for a Christ follower. My strong sense of self led me to work my formula with my power, and my plan. Ya…I know – I never claimed to be very bright.

Basically, instead of turning my life over to Christ, I had just made Him a part of it. What I came to realize (am still realizing) is that my ‘self’ and Christ can’t truly co-exist together (What?!?!?). There are a couple of passages in the bible that have really hit me hard with respect to my ‘self.’ The first is found in 3 of the 4 gospels and is Jesus speaking to his disciples at Caesarea Philippi just after talking about building his church: (Matt 16:24-26 Msg)

Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

Self sacrifice??? OK, not actually what I had in mind…but I was tracking.

Then Paul has to go an drop this one on me in his letter to the Galatians (2:17-21 The Message) after coming down hard on Peter for pretty much trying to act ‘good’ in front of some religious leaders:

“Have some of you noticed that we are not yet perfect? (No great surprise, right?) And are you ready to make the accusation that since people like me, who go through Christ in order to get things right with God, aren't perfectly virtuous, Christ must therefore be an accessory to sin? The accusation is frivolous. If I was ‘trying to be good,’ I would be rebuilding the same old barn that I tore down. I would be acting as a charlatan.

What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a ‘law man’ so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not ‘mine,’ but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.”

OK – so my ‘self’ totally has to go, because Jesus doesn’t like to share. This idea was starting to make sense to me, but was still really abstract. My question was still – how do I do this? How do I die to myself…daily?

Well, I love how sometimes God makes scripture so real that you can literally grab it, pick it up, and take a bite out of it. He hit me with this morsel a couple of years ago - a passage I’d heard probably 1000 times, but hadn’t ‘gotten it.’ Jesus is answering the a question posed to him by one of the Pharisees, “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the law?” (Matthew 22: 37-40)

“Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

OK, so I was still baffled on how I was supposed to love God with all…well everything, but I knew a little something about loving myself, now all I had to do was love other people like that. Hmmmm…so that’s not going to be easy.

Well, it hasn’t been easy, but it’s been amazing! What I’ve found about really (trying to), truly loving others (more on specifics of this later) is that through these experiences, I’ve walked closer with my God than ever before. It was like this huge epiphany - that I could learn what it meant to love God, by loving others. (You think that’s maybe why he put those two commandments together?!?!)

Think about it – to really love someone else, as you would yourself, you have to totally give up yourself. Your pride, your greed, your prejudices, your impatience, your plans, your time, your life. Why do you think we get so choked up when we witness acts of true self-sacrifice? I believe it’s because we’re created in the image of our God, who sent his Son to die so that He could be with us. Talk about self-sacrifice. And when we’re in the presence of these kinds of acts, our being cries out – because it relates so strongly on a spiritual level.

OK, so, let’s sum this up – because I’ve written way more than I meant to:
As a Christ follower I have to get rid of myself. One way of doing that is to sacrificially love those around me. By doing so, not only do I displace my ‘self’, I’m also learning how to love my God. And hopefully, through this sacrificial love, people actually can see a bit of what Jesus is all about. I LOVE how it all intertwines!!

There’s a simple little song called ‘Empty Me’ from Jeremy Camp’s “Carried Me: The Worship Project” CD that helps me put my strong sense of ‘self’ in perspective.

Holy fire, burn away
My desire for anything
That is not of You, and is of me
I want more of You, and less of me
Empty me, empty me
And fill me with You,
With You

You'd better start living right!

Rick Hawkinson — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:02:18 EST

Quick story about an incident that occurred during sound check before the early service at Grace Church several years ago:

If I remember correctly (which is doubtful) early service at Grace in those days was really early – like 8:30 or something, so there was only one girl sitting in the seats as we were running through sound check. She had to have been a visitor who had got the service time wrong, because really, who shows up 30 minutes early…for the early service?!?!
Suddenly, and with a large POP!, one of the canned lights in the 25ft ceiling literally exploded, raining molten hot glass down on the chair directly next to the girl - missing her by mere inches. Without hesitation, Matt Reeves, the worship director at the time, stepped up to the microphone, pointed at the girl, and exclaimed in his higher than normal, heavily southern accented voice:

“YOU’D BETTER START LIVING RIGHT!”

‘Right Living’ , ‘Godly living’, ‘good Christian living’,…I don’t know if you’re like me, but tangible definitions to these phrases have seemed to elude me through my short time on this planet (ok, maybe medium time). Throughout my life, I’ve had well meaning people try and explain how to live ‘right’.

At the ripe old age of 7, my Cub Scout leader had us memorize a little reminder of his version of right living. “We don’t smoke, we don’t chew, and we don’t go with the girls that do!” Sounded simple enough.

My teens consisted of youth leaders who pretty much told us that we were OK as long as we weren’t drinking and having sex…which most of us were anyway (not me mom…really).
College consisted of campus organizations tell me that if I had my 30 minute quiet time each day and stayed ‘right with God’ I was golden.

And into adulthood as a Southern Christian, the unwritten code seems to be that if I’m in church on Sunday I’m set. Then if I want to be ‘super christian’ I add things like tithing (net-not gross), get in a small group, and maybe teach a Sunday school class.
Well, I can honestly say, I’ve done, or attempted to do, all (most) of these things at ones point or another, and although these are good things, that gave me some fulfillment for a time – I’ve always felt that I was missing something.

Look at the way most Christians evangelize – “Repent, ask Jesus into your heart (whatever that means), and then you won’t have to go to hell, and you can spend eternity with Him in Disneyland…I mean heaven. OK, so I sort of get the eternity thing……but what about tomorrow, and the next day? What does it look like to truly live as a follower of Christ?

As I’ve wrestled with this question – pretty ferociously over the last couple of years – I feel like I’m starting to get a glimpse of what it could be like. It’s a very faint glimpse sometimes, but what I’m discovering continues to build on itself to form something that I have started to be able to get my arms around. Does that make any sense?

So, I know you’re on the edge of your seat, just dying to hear the wisdom of Rick – but I wouldn’t want to overload you. I can’t give the question AND the answer in one post – that would break all the rules of a good cliff hanger.

Back in a few days.

Boat Trips and Basketball

Rick Hawkinson — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:06:51 EST

Over the past few months I've really grown to love Mondays. Since I'm now working in retail - the owners (for some reason) want us to be open when everyone else is off of work. This, I suppose, is good for business...but bad for Rick's weekends. Well, maybe not so 'bad' - just different. My days off have shifted from Saturday/Sunday to Sunday/Monday, which has taken some getting used to, but has it's advantages. The crappiness of realizing on Friday night that I have to go in to work in the morning is somewhat offset by the surprised joy on Sunday evening when I remember I have Monday off. Yep - that's how simply my brain works.

Two weekends ago I was able to crew an overnight dive trip to Rottnest island - which is about 25 km's (15 miles) off the coast from Fremantle. Friday afternoon I worked at the shop until 6, ran home, threw my gear in the truck, and headed to the boat.

We had a group of about 20 who had chartered the boat for a night dive on Friday night and then 3 dives on Saturday. The night dive was really nice - lots of marine life, and sea caves / swim throughs (which are quite fun in the dark).

After the dive, we headed to the island, moored at the ferry jetty, and took in a little Rotto night life. We slept on the boat Friday night in swag's. Now, the swag is in Australian icon. Since there is so much open country here, people do a lot of camping - and they've ingeniously created a tent/thermorest/sleeping bag - all in one. The swag is made of canvas that surrounds a dense foam mat - and then acts as a tent as well. A bit hard to describe so check out this site:

http://www.wruffit.co.uk/

Waking up to the sunrise on the boat was pretty cool, and we had an awesome breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast, jam, and...

The dives on Saturday were really good. The wind was mild, so we were able to hit a few sites that normally are to rough. Here's a pic of the crew helping divers back onto the boat

So all in all, it was a really good trip. And I got to add 4 more cool dives to my logbook.

Also, I've started managing a semi-pro basketball team here in Perth - the Redbacks.

http://www.perth.basketball.net.au/fs_home.asp

David Harris (a guy from our church) has started coaching the team this year, and after he and I attended a Perth Wildcats game together (Perth's pro team - we had court side seats), and he saw my 'enthusiasm', and what a hard time I gave the refs - asked if I'd consider managing the Redbacks.

Well, we're still in salary negotiations (the initial offer was $0,000 - but I stood firm and demanded at leas 4 times that - or a couple more zeros or something...I think I have them right where I want them) but my duties as manager will be mainly to have everything ready for each game - every players uniforms set out, water bottles and towels ready, etc - making sure players have water and towels during the game - and then gathering all the dirty towels, empty water bottles, and...yes...the dirty, soaking, smelly uniforms to send to the laundry. So you see that I couldn't just let this opportunity pass me by.

The team is made of a really good group of guys, and I'm looking forward to having a lot of fun this season. David has already told me that if I get a technical called on me on the bench...that I'm fired. I told him I couldn't make any promises.

Been a while...sorry.

Rick Hawkinson — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:06:39 EST

Yes, it's been a little while, and some of you may be disappointed - cause this is going to be really short (except for maybe Childress, who will only read the first two lines anyway...I doubt he even got this far), but I'll list some things that are going one with me, and I promise to write more on each one of them over the next week.

1) Got to crew an over night dive trip to Rottnest island last weekend. Pretty cool - pix are in the gallery.

2) Been thinking a lot lately about what it means to live as a Christ follower. I mean, more than quiet times, and reading a proverb a day, and showing up for a couple hours on Sunday. Maybe I have a few thoughts.

3) I've been asked to be the manager of one of the semi-pro basketball teams here in Perth. The Redbacks. I'm sure this experience will lead to lots of stories.

4) Had our first communion service tonight at our new place. Humbling, and really good.

More to come...

NASCAR at ALL hours

Rick Hawkinson — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:06:39 EST

Those of you who know me know that I am a pretty big NASCAR fan. Being a boy, and an engineer (and part redneck) I am drawn to the speed, the technology, and yes...the carnage filled wrecks.

Now those of you who know even a little bit about racing know that the Daytona 500 is the super bowl of stock car racing. Four out of the past 5 years, I've made the trek down to Daytona in February, bunked out with the Stevens fam, sat on the front stretch and soaked in the fumes, the rubber, and the history that is THE Daytona 500.

Well, obviously there's was a bit of a problem this year. It's late February, and I'm 12000 miles from Florida - what's a displaced redneck to do? Well, I did what any good ol' boy would do - went and bunked a friends who has cable, set my alarm for 3:30 AM (yes that's AM in the morning) and was in front of the TV with snacks and beverages (no, I wasn't drinking beer at 4AM - it was diet coke...i saved the beer til 7:30) when the pre race started at 4. And yes, I stayed awake for the whole thing...mostly.

I wasn't disappointed - new teams, new drivers, the car of tomorrow (today), and a great race - with an improbable winner - who took the lead coming off turn 2 of the last lap. Pretty cool. I wonder if there's an award for the person who's the farthest form the track, watching the race. Well...there should be. And I'm pretty sure I'd win.

PS - I got another package today - Thanks Friesens! Fudge covered Oreos, granola bars, and Starbucks coffee beans. I love my friends! (Now the Friesens are in the lead...having sent 2 packages. Not that I'm counting or anything.)

Good things come in packages...

Rick Hawkinson — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:06:47 EST

I love getting packages in the mail - I always have. I love coming home from work and finding a package waiting on your door step - especially when you least expect it. Now - my love for getting packages has increased exponentially since I've been in Australia. Did I say that I really like getting packages?

Today I came home from work and was greeted by a little brown box waiting patiently for me by the door. WOHOOOOO!!!! A package! Sabrina had come through with a shipment from home. Chocolate (mini Reese's cups and mini dove squares), deodorant, ant killer, and jelly valentines decorations. Now I realize to some that this may seem to be a strange inventory list - so let me explain:

Chocolate - duh! it's chocolate.

Deodorant - well, they really don't do solid deodorant over here - it's either roll on or spray. But thanks to Sabrina - I now have 3 sticks of Sure unscented.

Ant Killer - because the ants are taking over the kitchen, and they just laugh at the domestic brands I've tried. So I brought in the big guns - Terro (or ant crack as I like to call it). We'll see if it has any effect on the ants down under.

Jelly Valentines Decorations - Sabrina attached a note saying that these were screaming my name when she walked by them in the store. Not quite sure how to take that one - but I don't care - I'll take them.

So a mediocre day was saved by Sabrina's package.

Thanks Sabby - and thanks to others who have sent stuff packages: the Childress', and the Friesens, and the Kivetts, and Granny Sue, and the Watts, and mom - and I'm sure I've forgotten someone. You all are the greatest! (If your name wasn't on the above list, and you'd like to be included as one of 'The Greatest' - use the address below wisely!)

24 Blinco St Fremantle Western Australia 6160

Did I mention I like packages?

Ode To My Oakleys

Rick Hawkinson — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:09:02 EST

So last week my Oakley Minutes - that I've had for 10 years - were stolen off the counter at work. Needless to say, I was quite distraught...so I thougt I'd write a little memorial poem.

Ode To My Oakleys, my sun glasses…my friend.

I think that I shall never, never see,
The same without my favorite Oakleys.

We met at ‘the hut’ back in 1998.
It was love at first ‘sight’, and the fit was just great.
Not to buy you would have been such a disgrace.
So I walked out of the mall with you on my face.
Ten years of bliss, you and I, yes, we’ve had
But as I write this – well, I’m incredibly sad.
You’re no longer around – you’ve been stolen from me.
I’m a bit out of my mind – and I just can’t see
How I’ll make it without you, but I’ll have to try
So I wrote you this poem – sort of like my ‘goodbye’

Where do I start to try and recall
All our time together, we’ve had such a ball.

How we so loved to drive, just you and I
The road, the wind, scenery flying by.
There were several vehicles you lasted me through
The maxima, the pathfinder, 10 or so BMW’s
Wisconsin to the Keys, top down all the way.
Road trips to Texas and Maine – with lobster sorbet.
We covered the southeast; there was so much to see
I-26, 85, 95, and 40.
Charleston, Orlando, West Palm, and Atlanta.
Houston, DC, G’vegas, Savannah.
New Orleans, Columbia, Augusta, Nashville,
Pumpkintown, Pickens, Piedmont and Asheville.

4 trips to Daytona, the 500 to see
The 2, the 20, the 24, and THE 3.
We were together that fateful day by the shore
When Dale Sr. crashed going into turn 4.

Trips to the lake in the summer time heat.
Jocassee, Keowee, and Hartwell were sweet.
Chillin’ under the sun hangin’ out with good friends
You protected my eyes with your polarized lens…es.

We did the west coast as well, a great place to play.
San Diego to San Fran on Pacific Coast Highway.
Hollywood with its stars, just out of reach
Watching the surfers at Huntington Beach.
Stuck in 6 lanes of traffic on the 10 in LA
Heading north to the mountains, sunshine all the way.
What an incredible morning in Carmel by the sea
We went for an early run, just you and me.
Down by the ocean we ran just be feel
Then found a little trail, that led up the hill
To Pebble Beach golf course, yes a few holes we raced
And soaked up the history of that most holy place.
Then back on the road, the day going so well
To Napa for lunch, so much more we could tell.

Farther west to Hawaii, we hopped on a flight
Your protection was key, the sun was so bright.
Together we sailed the NaPali coastline
Rode bikes down a volcano with views so divine.
Watched surf comps at pipeline, and sunset beach
Dove with dozens of manta’s – they were so within reach.
At Pearl Harbor under a brilliant blue sky
You covered my eyes when I began to cry
As I remembered the sacrifice by so many, so young.
On that fateful morning in December - 1941.

We travelled abroad as well, you and I
Left on a jet plane – flew across that sky
Remember Christmas 02, what a time we had
Munich & Cologne were amazing, and even Stuttgart wasn’t bad (minus the whole Mercedes thing).
The English Garden on horseback in 18 inches of snow
The train through the Alps to see Venice below.
Wandering around that incredible city,
The history, the architecture, it’s sinking – such a pity.

Twice to Bonaire, you came right along.
The sun, the sand, the pink flamingo’s song.
Crystal clear water, as good as it gets
We witnessed some awesome ‘hand painted by God’ sunsets.
When I was diving you knew you just couldn’t come with me.
But on the shore, there you waited – so patiently.

St. Croix and Cozumel – paradise by the sea.
We dove, we ate, we discovered guacamole.

I want to go on, but I fear I just can’t.
I’ve run out of words, and I don’t want to rant.
So I’ll leave you with this, my trusty true friend.
I’ll try and buy another just like you…this isn’t the end.

um...The End, but not

No more ranting (for the time being)...

Rick Hawkinson — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:09:20 EST

Again, I apologize for going on a bit of a rant yesterday – but I had been reflecting on some stuff going on across the pond, had gotten myself all worked up – and all my ranting buddies, JC, Stu, Paul, Kev, Duncan and of course Mom, were all asleep (dang that 14 hour time difference!) so my poor blog took the brunt. If you don’t have a ranting buddy, I suggest you get one. Mine are great because usually they listen patiently for a bit…and then stop me and say ‘Dude, you’re ranting…shut up.’ All except mom of course (who may be the only one who realizes how truly brilliant I am) who usually gets as worked up as me, and we’ll just start ranting together. The funny thing is – ranting with mom usually leads to blaming everything on the democrats ;) (Love you Mom!)

So, I know this is going to be hard to believe, but I really don’t have all the answers to what ‘church’ should look like. I do know that there are no perfect churches, because they’re all comprised of flawed individuals – who are in desperate need of God’s grace. I do think we spend way too much time trying to create the perfect church, and not enough serving the people the Church was created to reach.

I’m convinced that we, as Christ followers, and church goers, need to sit down and ask ourselves a fundamental question. What is church? It’s my observation that we’ve made church into this once a week spiritual ‘fill me up’, and we tend to gauge the health of our spiritual life by how well church is going. I guess that just seems a little backwards to me.

A wise man once told me, “Find a church with a vision you can get behind, and then jump in and serve like crazy. And the more I read the bible, the more that seems like really good advice…so…

I’m currently serving in a church which has a vision I can get behind. A vision of getting into the community and loving/serving them unconditionally/sacrificially. This makes sense to me. This seems to be the way God has wired me. So I’m jumping in. Is the church perfect?? Um….let me say NO. Do we have a LOT to learn? Yep…bunches. What I do know is that I’m serving with a group of Christ followers who are totally in love with their God, and sincerely love this community. Are we making mistakes? Yep – daily. But I know that as we follow His lead, and as we continually and genuinely seek Him, He will make His way known for churchfreo.

Please be praying for us.

In the mean time…lovin’ God, lovin’ others. (Or at least I'm tryin')
Hey Childress…can we put THAT on a t-shirt???

Some books about this whole ‘what is church’ thing that have had an impact on me:

A Shaping of Things To Come – Hirsch
http://www.facingthechallenge.org/hirsch.php

The Forgotten Ways – Hirsch
http://www.theforgottenways.org/

Revolution – Barna
http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=Resource&ResourceID=196

Are we missing it??

Rick Hawkinson — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:57:06 EST

(This is a bit of a rant about stuff I've heard from home, and things I continue to read about the church in the US...sorry)

I'm a little bit...ok, well a lot frustrated. I'm convinced that Christians (which I proclaim to be one) are constantly screwing up the Church. First of all, we seem to have this idea that "church" is someplace we go on Sunday (or Saturday night if you're 'alternative') for a couple of hours to get our 'spiritual fill' for the week. Where did we get this idea? And to further add insult to injury - we constantly fight an bicker about what that 2 hour block of time (2 hours! are you kidding me...that's WAY to long!) should look like. Do we teach? What level of teaching? Should we sing? What kind of music? Should we have an organ or a band? Would God allow drums in His church? Sprinkle or dunk? Pass the communion plate, come to the table, or be served? Pews or chairs? Elected or appointed? Hymn books or projectors? Morning or evening or morning and evening?

And when one or mere of these don't meet our expectations, we complain - and maybe we leave because we aren't 'being fed.' What??? Is that what it's come down to?

The more I read about Jesus, the more I really feel we're totally missing the point. He even boiled it down for us - or at least for me (I'm not a smart man). Two greatest commandments...love God...love others. Obviously He knew we couldn't handle more than that.

Love God. Love Others. Love God. Love Others.

They will know you are Christ followers by your love. (Not your awesome church services.)

I'm a big fan of Christ's bride - the "big C" Church. I'm just not really digging the "little c" church at the moment.

More later.

It's gonna be great...at 408

Rick Hawkinson — Tue, 8 Jan 2008 17:09:18 EST

408 South Terrace St. in South Fremantle is the address of the building churchfreo has 'taken over.' It has been vacant for a couple of years, so the last two weeks have been filled with cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning. Most of the interior was in decent shape - except for the kitchen. If you look at the kitchen photo in the "New HQ" gallery, you can sort of see what I'm talking about. For starters, it seemed that Jimmie Lynn, Sarah and Gareth had to clean through about 47 layers of grease before they hit bare surface. Half of the tiles on the floor are broken (the tile floor, which was put on top of an existing tile floor, which was - for some ungodly reason - put on top of the beautiful hardwood floor), and will need to be replaced. One of the big refrigerators didn't work and had to be removed (yes it was the Pepsi one Mary Beth...go figure). The HUGE 12 burner, industrial stove/oven wasn't worth trying to salvage and had to be removed. The previous owner had put up a temporary wall that was not too long for this world. And the old dishwasher had seen it's better days - so it got kicked to the curb.

Sunday night the 30th we met 'unofficially' (the space wasn't technically ours until the 1st) and during our opening prayer time, a guy noticed our sign outside and walked in.

After Chuck introduced himself to the guy, he said his name was Allan - and that "this all is just fascinating". He sat and listened for a few minutes, asked if he could keep the program we have him, and left. Our first walk in. Allan will forever live in infamy. (I really don't know what that word means...but it sounds good)

This past Sunday night, we had our first official 'gathering'. Most were back from Holiday and it was really nice to be worshiping together again. Here are a couple of pix:

After dinner, we all sat down and talked about our dreams and 'wish lists' for the building. It was really cool to listen to peoples ideas of how to use the space to serve the community. I don't want to get into too much detail at the moment. But I'll keep you guys informed as we go along.

Now obviously, one of the most important things we have to come up with is a name for the building. We really want something short, and not 'in your face' spiritual. Like 'The Place', or 'The Edge' - since we're on the south edge of Fremantle, or 'The Corner', or 'The Border', or 'The Spot'. Stuart Fuller suggested 'The Holy of Holies' - so we're kicking that one around as well (Stu's an idiot). Any other suggestions?

Hot Christmas...and French restaurants.

Rick Hawkinson — Thu, 6 Mar 2008 14:38:38 EST

So...it's pretty freaking hot down here. How hot you may ask??...go ahead, you can ask. Well, how about THIS hot:

Yesterday - Christmas Day - it got up to 108F and today it hit 112F, and I don't have air conditioning in my house. I've found that the trick is to get a good sweat going, and then turn on a fan. Surprisingly enough, I'm sort of getting used to it - and have even been able to sleep fairly well the last couple of nights.

I do have to say that now that I've been through both weather extremes at Christmas...I definitely prefer the cold. I really don't know how Rudolph and the fellas make it through Australia. They must drink a lot of water, and Santa must ditch the red furry Christmas garb for some boardies and a wife beater - or else there's no way.

In other 'cooler' news - after several months of meeting in houses and restaurants, churchfreo now has a place we can be really visible to/in the community. Last Saturday we signed a lease on an old, out of business French restaurant in South Freo. Below is a shot of the front, and I've put several more pix in the 'New HQ' gallery.

More later on the building.

Less church - More Church...and instant coffee.

Rick Hawkinson — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:04:49 EST

So our church here in Fremantle is going through some growing pains. It's not really that shocking when you think about it - not only do we have the normal issues most churches struggle with - differences of vision, leadership style, teaching expectations, etc, but then you go throw cultural differences on top of the pile and it's sort of understandable how a bunch of passionate people for Jesus...may not see eye to eye on everything. It's understandable, but sad - because the ones that are most negatively affected are the new and young Christ followers who all the sudden see dis-unity (ok, I made that word up) - and begin to wonder what the heck they've bought into.

Please pray guys - that as leaders, we are able to show LARGE amounts of grace and love towards each other, that God will clearly show us His path for this church, and that we as a body can show His grace and love to those He's put in our paths - everyday.

Now...on a MUCH more serious note - I have to admit to all of you that I have been living in sin for, well about the last 2 or 3 weeks. I've let sin into my house, put it in my cup, and drank it down - and sorta liked it. Yes, I've started drinking instant coffee. I know, it's a horrible thing. I can't even believe it myself. I really don't know how I got here, but alas - I am here, drinking instant freaking coffee. It started innocently enough - one morning I had run out of my cherished home roast, and really needed a fix, so I choked down a cup. And then after that it just seemed to get easier and easier. I then found myself actually sort of liking the taste (I can't even believe I'm saying this), and then last week, I bought my first jar.

Please forgive me. I know not what I do. But I know it now only takes me 24 seconds to make a cup of coffee...well a cup of a brown, coffee-like beverage.

Been a while

Rick Hawkinson — Sat, 8 Dec 2007 09:06:17 EST

Sorry it's been a couple of weeks - things have been in a bit of turmoil with the church lately. If you guys would, please keep us in your prayers.

Otherwise, things are going really well. Definitely missing being home for the Christmas season...but not missing the mad rush. No Worries!

More soon.

Great Thanksgiving - French/Auzzie Style

Rick Hawkinson — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:02:10 EST

Happy Thankgiving everyone.

I've been flooded with e-mails and facebook inquiries asking if I was able to find any Thanksgiving food and/or any Americans to celebrate with - and I'm happy to report that the answer is yes to both. Jimmie Lynn (the church planter's wife) is a member of the American Women's Society, and this year she was in charge of putting together a Thanksgiving meal for about 80 people. So she did what anyone would do - she hired a French Tapas chef (Stefan - a good friend of ours who has a Tapas restaurant here in Fremantle) to cook a traditional American Thanksgiving meal. No - you read it correctly - she hired a French tapas chef to cook and American Thanksgiving meal (which is anyting but tapas).......here in Australia. She had gotten recipes of dishes like sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, stuffing, etc. from a bunch of the women in the club and then had to make Stefan PROMISE to follow them exactly. Jim said his face was priceless when he read the sweet potato casserole recipe, (in a thick french accent ) "Now are you sure you want me to put ten brown sugar and - what is this - marshmallows?? - in the sweet potatoes?!?"

And then a week before the event she asked if I could be 'the musical entertainment.' Sure...no worries I replied - forgetting I was helping on a dive course all weekend. So Tuesday and Wednesday (about the time I wrote my last post about being too busy) I was printing and learning 30 something old American favorites to be able to play on Thursday night. I felt like I was putting together one of those infomercial CD's. "Call Now - Over 30 Favorites you know and love!!" Songs like, All My Ex's Live in Texas, Brown Eyed Girl, Carolina in My Mind, Runaround Sue, Wonderful Tonight, Take It Easy, Southern Cross (thought that one was approptiate), etc, etc - and I even threw in some Christmas carols, but only ones that talked about snow - White Christmas, Jingle Bells, etc.

So to make a long story - well, semi short - the night went really well. We were set up outside, and the weather was beautiful. Stefan did an incredible job on the food - everyone agreed it was the most authentic American meal they'd had while in Australia. And I did a fair-to-middlin' job with the music. I only hit one or two wrong chords...and no one threw anything at me.

So although it wasn't home...it was really nice. Thank you all for checking up one me.

So busy...being busy.

Rick Hawkinson — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 11:47:04 EST

So on Saturday afternoon, I was sitting on the bottom of the deep end of a local pool here in Fremantle watching 8 open water students go through demonstrating their skills for the scuba instructor. While they were practicing clearing their masks, becoming neutrally buoyant, and breathing out of a free flowing regulator, I was sitting there trying to figure out how in the heck I was going to fit in all I had coming up in the next week.

At then it hit me like a Great White...I've only been in this country a few months, and already I've packed my schedule with a whole lotta stuff! One of the reasons I was excited about coming to Australia was that I would be able to step out of my busy-ness I'd created in SC and start with a 'clean slate.' Well, the slates got pretty freaking dirty really quickly.

Which then started me pondering (never a good thing) - why in the world do I (we) feel the need to jam up all our time with stuff? I've noticed since I've been here that Aussies (remember that AuZZies, not auSSies) don't seem to try and cram as much into their lives as we Americans do...but why. I went through the Pledge of Allegiance, the Star Spangled Banner, God Bless America, and even 'Born in the USA' - but I couldn't find anything that says as Americans that we're suposed to be crazy busy.

So then I tried to go back and figure out when I started thinking this way. Definitely not grade school - all I was worried about was kissing Patty Carfield behing the bushes on the playground. I don't really even remember the middle school years - they're pretty much a blurry fog. Maybe it started in high school, with sports, clubs, and...oh yea, studies. Picked up a bit in college, and then went full force as I hit the work world. I think there are probably a combination of factors that led to my busy-ness. Having to be creatively efficient to schedule real work around a plethora of useless meetings at work, a keeping up with the Jones' mentality of 'if he's got time to do that, I have time,' not liking to say 'no' when asked to help with something, and a bit of feeling like free time was 'wasted time.' Over the years, it seems I've been programmed me to pack as much crap as I possible can into my schedule. You only live once right! Now I'm not saying it's a conspiracy, but I think someone is out to get us. Maybe it's the Democrats...or Rush Limbaugh. But I say we have the power to STOP THE INSANITY!!

So I've decided to quit everything...

Ok, not really. But I have committed to taking a really close look and my schedule - and weeding out all the fluff...or at least some of the fluff.

...now if I could only find the time.

Another work shirt...and another Wolfpack win

Rick Hawkinson — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:02:19 EST

Sorry it's been a couple of weeks since my last post, but last week was pretty busy. I worked Monday and Tuesday morning at Bunnings from 5-8 helping to restock barbecues and outdoor furniture after the weekend, and then worked 8:30 - 6 everyday at the dive shop.

So my first week at the dive shop was good. The learning curve is steep at the moment, filling tanks, getting familiar with all the equipment/courses/trips etc. we sell, figuring out the whole 'system'. Here's my new work shirt:

I think I'm picking it up fairly quickly. My third day, they had me manning one of the shops by myself - so either I'm doing alright...or they're really desperate.

The best part of my first week was that I got to go out on the boat to crew and dive on Sunday. This was my first dive since I've been here, and it was a really good day. Mostly because it was over 100 degrees out of the water, and a nice chilly (freaking freezing) 64 degrees below. I was in a group with an instructor observing him with 3 students, so I didn't get to do a lot of sight seeing beneath, but at least I was in the water blowing bubbles. And on the way out to the dive site, we saw a humback...which was an added bonus. Here are a couple of pix from the day:

Diving here in the cold water (comes up from Antarctica) is a whole different experience from the tropical Caribbean that I'm used to. Thick wet suits and lots more weight...guess I'll get used to it.

Oh...and one more thing, just in case you hadn't heard. My Wolfpack has won 4 straight - the last victory coming over the little Tarholes.

Jamele Eugene scores the winning touchdown as the Pack takes down the Heels 31-27.

Yep...it was a pretty good week.

Jusso is going home ;(

Rick Hawkinson — Sat, 8 Dec 2007 13:50:24 EST

Let me introduce you guys to Justin Whitehead.

Now, I need to give you a little history here. Justin is from Atlanta, graduated from Georgia Tech (we won't hold that against him), and works for some company (sorry, can't remember the name - Work Brain or something like that) that sent him over here for to help with a project they had going on in Perth. So, preppy, Atlanta Justin met the Aussie culture...and over 8 months turned into the man in the picture you see above. OK not really - the pic is of Justin (Jusso - pronounced Juzzo - as he will henceforth be known) at his going away Halloween costume party....but he definitely has come a long way from the polo shirt / khaki short wearing pretty boy he was when he arrived.

I am truly going to miss Juzzo. He's been a great friend, and an awesome resource as I've been trying to figure this culture out. Thanks Juzzo.

I've put some more pix from the party in the gallery. Take a look.

And in other BIG news. How bout some props to my Wolfpack for knocking off #15 Virginia last Saturday. Definitely on the way up!

"Donald Bowens hauled in 11 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns as the Wolfpack upset No. 15 Virginia on Saturday night at Carter-Finley Stadium."

From BBQ's to BCD's

Rick Hawkinson — Sun, 6 Apr 2008 17:38:12 EST

Springtime has finally come to Western Australia and I'm starting to experience the weather everyone has promised. I was beginning to think I had been bamboozled and all it did was rain here, but this morning is a cool 70 degrees (check out the weather forcast on the toolbar at the right) with an incredible breeze coming in off the water, not a cloud in the sky...and now rain in the forecast for a couple of weeks at least. Spring is definitely my favorite time of year - and this year I get to experience it twice. 2007 will henceforth be known as '2007 - The Year of the Springs,' or '2007 - Double Sprung.'

Well, as I posted in my last entry, I went for an interview last week at a local dive shop, and to make a short story shorter, I got the job. So I'll be moving from selling barbeques and outdoor furniture to buoyancy control devices and underwater stuff. The company is called Dolphin Dive and has two shops - one of which just 'happens' to be directly in the center of Fremantle, and the other is a couple of clicks away in South Freo.

http://www.dolphindiveshop.com/

So it looks like I'll mainly be working in the stores at first - selling, merchandising, preparing rental equipment, filling tanks, taking bookings, answering questions, etc. I've also started my dive master training, so I'll be crewing the boat and observing other dive masters leading groups etc. It's going to be interesting...this is my first job where I'll be working where I normally play - but I'm really excited, and stoked about learning a bit more about the dive industry. Who knows, maybe after a couple of years here, I'll head off to some island and buy a dive shop. Duncan...you ready???

For all of you who had expressed such 'support' of my current job at Bunnings, there's no need to cry. I'm staying on as part time and will probably still do 10 or so hours a week there as well.