ChrisThePike

Childfree

2011-12-07T13:28:00.001+08:00

Today I came across an interesting group on twitter calling themselves childfree. They define themselves as - by choice - child free for live, an exclusive, life-long commitment not to pass their genetic information on in the form of a future generation.
Don't get me wrong, what's interesting about the childfree group isn't the fact they choose not to procreate, nor isis it that they smoosh two words which usually are mutually exclusive (private school fees anyone?); the interesting part is the aggressiveness they display toward anyone who uses the #hashtag #childfree. When I said that I was child free for the day, I was pounced on as violating a word that was wholly reserved for their distinct subculture. As a breeder I used up too much of the Internet already, I shouldn't encroach on their patch. Nice. As for that, until I see a copyrighted trademark (or the kids get home) I'm childfree for now!
After pondering the childfree commitment I had a few thoughts i'd let you, the imaginary reader, in on. Childfree is supposedly separate from childless or BC (before children). I tried to ask some childfree members what would happen if they were to change their mind or accidentally fall pregnant then keep the child. I was told that then that person was never childfree, simply childless for a time. As this seems to have to be a decision one makes to attain exclusivity, I asked of the people out there who, for no fault of their own are unable to have children. By their logic these "barren" people are "merely" childless as they have not chosen the childfree lifestyle. I wonder if to gain the right to the use of the word childfree one needs a written contract never to reproduce and a medical certificate showing proof that they could, not that they would.

The Internet is a funny place.

Mobile blogging

2011-09-30T07:28:00.001+08:00

Like Tweeting, but long and more boring for you, dear reader. A place where I can pretend to sound smart and stuff. I'll be posting on my journey (such an awful word) to becoming a paramedic soon. Stay tuned...

A word to my critics

2010-10-28T17:13:00.000+08:00

Lately I have been having a hard time at work. The culture there is oppressive, discourages initiative and loves micromanagement. Some of the senior staff seem to have targeted me as a trouble maker and are intent on seeing me fail. This is discouraging. Because of this pressure and constant scrutiny I find that I am making the very 'mistakes' they claim to be trying to help me with. I become nervous and the over-thinking and looking over my shoulder is burning me out on a ward I didn't ask to be posted to in the first place, but I digress.

Today a pt reported that they have severe pain that was not there yesterday. They had informed nurses on the previous two shifts - nothing had been done about it other than pain relief. I on the other hand inspected the site, determined that the area was swollen, warm and painful to touch. I then informed the doctor directly (which is frowned on in this ward... You should tell the coordinator—who already knew—more stifling of initiative). The doctor said it was the first they had heard about it, ordered an X-ray which subsequently showed that the metalwork holding a broken bone together had snapped. This is what a good nurse does: they listen, they observe and they act. Anyone who thinks I can't do my job can ask this patient - they'll tell you what's the score.

In closing I thought I'd post a brilliant quote that I used to encourage a friend today and in doing so reminded myself what's important: to stay in the fight and see it through.

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

I know who I am
Christopher

Honesty is NOT the best policy

2010-10-21T16:26:00.000+08:00

Wait. What?
My recent experience has been that in the best interest of your career, compliance is expected and lying is what is called for to achieve this.
Throughout my upbringing and then again at university, the virtues of honesty have always been championed. Lies were the sign of a flawed character and should never be entertained nor tolerated. I happen to believe this and have tried to apply it in both my personal and professional life. I have always tried to be upfront and admit when I have made a mistake or have not done the right thing.

This attitude has led me into some trouble over the last nine months at work. I have been pulled up on some of the weak areas of my nursing, to which I have agreed with and have tried to work with my superiors to correct. Instead of being recognised as having the maturity and professionalism to admit mistakes and then attempt to improve, I have been "marked" because of those mistakes. It has followed me now across three wards and two campuses. When others in my position may lie about their performance or fly under the radar, I have always maintained that I am a good nurse that has areas to grow in. I am a good nurse because I recognise my limits and have tried to put measures in place to improve my practice. This has not been counted as a positive, simply as an excuse to ignore me if I ever bring to light issues similar to mine on the ward. Because no one else admits to the problem, there is no problem. This is dangerous because it puts patients health into more jeopardy than being honest about a situation.

I did the right thing and my career has suffered for it, perhaps fir as long as I continue my nursing. Honesty may nit have been the best policy, but it was, is, and always will be the right thing to do.

Christopher

Just testing

2010-10-07T12:06:00.000+08:00

I'm having trouble finding time to get my thoughts together and sit at a computer so I'll try and post from my phone while on the train. If this works it will be a win. Does anyone have a good treatment for iPhone thumb... Feels like they are gonna snap off somedays! Anyway if you are reading this you can expect a 30day challenge post up soon!

Peace out

Christopher

30 Day Challenge

2010-10-05T11:29:00.000+08:00

The best thing to do when you want to do something is start. This is terrible advice and I hope no one follows it, but in the case of putting my thoughts out there (thought broadcasting if I was mentally unwell, thought projection if YOU are mentally unwell.

A twitter friend suggested to make a start via blogging a 30 day challenge. I'm not very good at sticking with things so I am going to make an effort with this to show myself I am in fact "more" than what I have been lead to believe. I hope you enjoy what is to come and excuse me for my short-comings and over exagerations. Gee, I hope this thing has spell check!

Here's how it works - post every day for 30 days :

day 1- a recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

day 2- the meaning behind your blog name

day 3- a picture of you and your friends

day 4- a habit that you wish you didn’t have

day 5- a picture of somewhere you've been to

day 6- favorite super hero and why

day 7- a picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

day 8- short term goals for this month and why

day 9- something you're proud of in the past few days

day 10- songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad

day 11- another picture of you and your friends

day 12- how you found out about blogging and why you have one

day 13- a letter to someone who has hurt you recently

day 14- a picture of you and your family

day 15- put your ipod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play

day 16- another picture of yourself

day 17- someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

day 18- plans/dreams/goals you have

day 19- nicknames you have and why you have them

day 20- someone you see yourself marrying or being with in the future

day 21- a picture of something that makes you happy

day 22- what makes you different from everyone else

day 23- something you crave a lot

day 24- a letter to your parents

day 25- what I would find in your bag

day 26- what do you think about your friends

day 27- why are you doing this 30 day challenge

day 28- a picture of you from last year and now, how have you changed since then?

day 29- in this past month, what have you learned

day 30- your favorite song

Baaa... am I a wondering sheep

2010-04-30T23:19:00.000+08:00

Great point! I must admit I have been pretty irregular with my chuch attendance (ie not been in a few months) of late so I am both pot and kettle with these comments.
Some of the statements people have said to you are clearly poor theology (God loving us "more" or "less"? Hardly worth addressing- especially if these people are going to chuch and listening to any sermon!) but maybe the motivation is what is interesting...
It seems to me (from my own experience) that people have a couple of different motive when someone seems to leave a church. I think firstly people are forced to confront their own faith and reasons for attending structured church when a Christian no longer faithfully attends church. Many people probably are afraid to admit to a little jealousy as well!
I think you are right in saying we are not Christians by attending or not, and that non-Christian are found in church and spiritually alive Christian can survive without a church service, but how many?
I think our society relies on the prompting of others, a majority of Australians lack internal drive-that's why we are obese, lazy, and need (want) a government to save for us (superannuation) pay our way and generally take away our responsibilities. This laziness extends to the church and our own spiritual walks. People worry that without a pastor prompting you how can you remember to have quiet times and live a good life? I think this drives people's fear And anxiety of leaving the flock.

Then I must ask myself: why am I not at church? Is it that I am disallusioned by the whole thing? Have I lost my faith? Is it a combination? Personally I did grow tired of people's attitudes at church but in the fleeting moments of self reflection I think I let my own faith grow cold, I was caught up in the task of church and forgot to nurture my relationship with Christ. To quote the band All Together Separate, I grew tired of "wearing His cross around my neck and not have the peace in my heart". I began to feel like Homer in the episode if the Simpsons when he decided that he no longer needed church. In the end he was right in a way, we don't need to attend church but we do need to be surrounded by His people.
I find it hard to nail down my motivation for going/not going to church. Do I need church? Does church need me? Do I feel guilty for leaving "abondoning" church? If so, SHOULD I feel guilty? Writing this blog leads me to deeper questions, do I still have faith? If so, do I care or will I take my chances and willingly let my already lax spiritual life fall by the wayside in the pretense of not needing church. Will my journey to a closer relationship with Christ be easier in or out of church? Maybe neither, since I should be centred on Christ come what may.
For those who read this article an have made their way this far I hope you can see I am confused and a little lost. I became a lost sheep physically separated from the church a few months ago, but maybe I wondered from the flock sometime before then without even realising. If I manage to find my way home I wonder if that will lead me to the doors or the church? I wonder if I'd be there to join the flock or help the lost sheep realise you don't have to leave the building to leave the church. Maybe I'll just realise it doesn't matter where I am so long as God knows where I am. I might even feel comfortable in church knowing I didn't need to be there anymore.
Maybe not.

Christopher

Blogged from my iPhone... Not that I'm bragging

A nostalgic blog (or, my updated eulogy)

2009-11-09T01:27:00.000+08:00

Every so often I get the desire to post on this blog for no particular
reason. I post to a public website with the bipolar hope that both
someone and no one will read it. I can't believe the last time was
over two years ago. I was married one year, baby on the way and still
studying. Fast forward to today and I have been married three long
(but mostly happy) years. The soon-to-be was born, walks, talks and is
now approaching her second birthday in January. Soon-to-be (Kyla Rose)
is now expecting a brother or sister some time in February.

As for study, I graduated (just) mid last year and have been working
for the Royal Perth Hospital ever since as a Registered Nurse. I am
currently completing the two year graduate program which has seen me
complete six month rotations in both the short stay medical and short
stay surgical wards. These have been a great challenge and experience
for me. I only wish I had paid more attention in classes as I
struggled to keep up at times and often went home totally drained
physically and mentally.

My current rotation is in the major trauma unit. This rotation has
been hard to describe. I have been stretched as a professional and as
a person. I continue to learn everyday and hope that my practice is
ever improving though sometimes I wonder.

After swearing off study, I quickly enrolled myself into a post grad
diploma of acupuncture. I am almost one year through the two and a
half yearength course. So far it has been enjoyable looking at the way
the body works from a non Western approach. I am even finding in my
limited knowledge and experience that I am seeing results in the few
that are brave enough to let me near them with pointy objects. One day
I hope that I could incorporate this practice with my nursing though I
think the AMA would not approve!

Although I do not feel any different, I am not the man I was two years
ago. There are obvious signs of the passing of time: my bald spot and
thinning hair can no longer be denied, (I admit there is freedom in
not having to comb my hair any more, I just wish I had the choice
still). I have continued my trend of retaining each winter and
christmas' extra KGs.

I'm not sure if my passions have dwindled or just changed focus. I am
no longer part of the church music team and have not touched my guitar
for some time. I wonder if I will slowly forget I ever played at all.
I have more passion for seeing people take charge of their health, a
hypocritical passion I admit given my current fitness level and diet
plan. I am not comfortable knowing that some things in my life are/
were just for a season because it would be nice for it to never
change. This is a paradox as my life can only be described as ever
changing and I am generally the instigator of said changes.

If I was my own patient I might just tell myself to "toughen up
princess".

fast week? try fast year

2007-07-03T14:17:00.000+08:00

HAHA

I remember posting on this thing called a blog! Almost married? Try almost married a year come this Sunday. So many things have happened in the last year. The newest and latest news is the newest edition to my family... the as-yet-un-named-unborn child of ours!

That's right I'm reproducing myself through an intense nine month incubation process. The incubator happens to be my lovely wife, Jenelle. Jenelle has gladly donated her most acceptable DNA to this project and committed to the long hall. OK OK enough of the weird gross talk. Jenelle is currently 14 weeks pregnant and is doing quite well. The timing of the birth is a little early because I do not finish studying until the end of June next year. Sigh, God, as usual, you have me right where you want me even though I don't know where that is, or where you are heading me... but please... be gentle.

A faster time had by all

2006-03-24T18:45:00.000+08:00

Have you ever had a week that goes by so fast you are at the same day feeling da ju vu? That's what has happened this week. I was sitting in my tutes today wondering where the week went. It seemed full but as I think about it I guess there was not much to it. Maybe that's why I can remember last Friday so vividly... there were no new memories laid down! That's not true, but either way it's been a fast week, who knows what next week holds.

le Worshipé

2006-03-16T18:39:00.000+08:00

Grrr! There is nothing more annoying than always have a different excuse for the same bad habit. Does anyone else have something that they consistently do (ie. sleep in) but always seem to have many crazy excuses for it? I DO!!

Take worship leading: I need to get the order of service in by Thursday before I lead. I have not put a single order of service (OoS) in on time. Whether I forget, sleep in, get sick, leave the city overwork, or get cuaght up in uni, I always seem to have a new and exciting way of not getting the job done. This week is a prime example.

Remembering something before the due by date is no good unless you actually do something about it (the vital step I always seem to overlook). Today I suddenly RE-remembered I have an OoS due but I had an hectic mix of uni, work and wedding stuff to get through. non-the-less I get to the church between Uni and work and hammer out a (pretty decent might I add) evening OoS. I leave it to be put into folders and head into work. That's when I get a phone call telling me I am on in the MORNING not the night. Now I have to make time to create a second (equally impressive) OoS. So after work I rush here to the church and get THAT done. All wedding stuff has to wait until Monday.

If you have managed to read all the way through, or have skipped down to the end, the moral lesson I am (slowly... oh, so slowly) learning is: BE ORGANISED! My life is always better when I start the day with a "to-do" list. There is less stress when you know what tasks lay in front of you. All I can say is: I wish I could learn these lessons faster, but until I do, feel free to have a giggle at my expense!

PS come along Sunday morning for a cracker of a service!!

The youth is on ice

2006-03-12T23:51:00.000+08:00

Friday was a great night to go ice-blocking, so good even that two other youth groups were there too. We were a bit late (SCT... Standard Christian Time) so we missed out on the prime real estate, but it was AWESOME. Some people got bruises, most people had a go, and all the peeps had fun.

For anyone interested, the Church is interviewing a prospective youth pastor on Thursday (16-3-06) so pray for the eldership as they decide if this is the guy for the job. In preparation we (the leaders) have been tidying up the youth office ('twas looking a right mess). It has moved up the rank from a pig-sty to a hobo-shack to a bomb test site, to a half respectable office fit for an up and coming youth ministry.

Pray God keeps the leader's passion and committment up and the youth's interest in being a part of a new community.

Before today becomes tomorrow I think I will go to bed. Thanks for the comment Shane, you are such an encouragement! God bless.

Balls Up

2006-03-10T00:53:00.000+08:00

It's not as bad as it sounds. I feel like I am juggling with too many balls in the air at the moment. I still have yet to get into the swing of uni, the wedding plans are still all over the shop, and youth slash church is quite time consuming. Add to that the inconsistency of work and it makes Chris a nervous little bunny. Well, not really but with the lack of sleep I have a lower pain threshold!

This blog is yet to go out to the world... I'm not sure whether I want to be totally public with the blog or if I just want a faceless audience to peruse (typical poor spelling, ever more typical slackness to not bother looking it up in the dictionary!) my thoughts. I have to get to bed, another killer day tomorrow of uni, work and youth all mashed into one.

Pity my quiet times have been so lax or I may be able to cope a little better! Good night faceless audience.

In the beginning

2006-03-03T20:24:00.000+08:00

A little unoriginal, I'll admit, but to the point. Welcome to my virtual soap box (pain-free)! There is nothing I find more relaxing than reading the first paragraph of a person's blog, getting bored, then signing off. Now is your chance to do the same to me!!

That means that this paragraph is a waste of my time unless you are a friend or somewhat demented (see? only on the internet can you insult your reads and not be shot!

As far as what's happening, I am at the church procrastinating cleaning up the youth office. Better go and clean and talk to my boys. Catch you next time!!