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William Chong

• Does Destiny Church really want a “walled city”?

  30Oct
  Categories: Blog Comments: 6

  

  The New Zealand media spotlight generally falls on Christians under two circumstances. Firstly, if there’s a tragedy or loss of life that involves a Christian individual or group. And secondly, if there’s any whiff of a scandal, controversy or a public fall from grace.So there was a strange juxtaposition this week when on the same evening that TVNZ’s Close-Up was running a piece on the legacy of tragically-slain good Samaritan (and devout Christian) Austin Hemmings, TV3’s 6pm News broke a story of Destiny Church wanting to establish a standalone community in South Auckland. The Dominion Post subsequently reported denials of a plan for a “walled city“.

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  Tags: Brian Tamaki, Christianity, commentary, cult, Destiny Church, Destiny City

• Review: Ultramarathon Man

  30Oct
  Categories: Book, Review Comments: 0

  (Ultramarathon Man: confessions of an all-night runner, by Dean Karnazes.)
  Verdict:Dean Karnazes’s first memoir lies somewhere between a Pheidippides fable and a Forrest Gump sentimental, yet “Ultramarathon man” tells a fascinating tale in its own right and is a worthwhile Saturday afternoon read.
  If you’re looking for a larger-than-life story about pushing the limits of human endurance [...]

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  Tags: Dean Karnazes, Marathon, marathon book, running, Ultramarathon Man

• Auckland Marathon #13: seven days left

  26Oct
  Categories: Blog, Marathon Comments: 0

  

  Plotting runs on google maps has been pretty fun these past few months. I think I’ve been able to explore many of the sights and sounds of my local suburbs – something that unfortunately eludes all too many people in their pursuit of the rat race. During my training I’ve been fortunate enough to meander along the streets of Bucklands Beach, Eastern Beach, Howick, Pakuranga, Panmure, Farm Cove, Half Moon Bay, Golflands, Botany Downs, Meadowlands and Highland Park – and my appetite to discover has only just begun!

  There’s a lot I’ve discovered about Auckland just by running among the people and their streets. In the past 3 months I’ve seen: [...]

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  Tags: Auckland, Auckland marathon, enjoying God's creation, neighbourhood, training

• Considerations and carbohydrates

  25Oct
  Categories: Blog, Marathon Comments: 2

  

  One of the more frequent questions I get asked when I tell them I’ve been training for a half-marathon is:

  “How much weight have you lost?”

  [...]

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  Tags: carbohydrates, diet, marathon training, nutrition, running

• Me, me: A-ha’s “Take On Me” literally

  21Oct
  Categories: Timewasters, Youtube Comments: 1

  This is a funny one – “Take On Me”, the 1980’s classic by pop group A-ha gets a lyrics overhaul.
  ———————

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  Tags: A-ha, internet meme, literal music video, Take On Me, youtube

• Can I have some museli?

  20Oct
  Categories: Timewasters Comments: 2

  Spotted at the Highland Park Countdown – breakfast cereal for creative inspiration…
  (UPDATE: Seen on the NZ Herald’s Sideswipe column here.)
  ——————-

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  Tags: Engrish, muesli, muse, museli

• Review: Phantom of the Opera @ The Civic Theatre

  20Oct
  Categories: Review, Theatre/Musical Comments: 1

  

  Andrew Lloyd Webber’s blockbuster musical made a triumphant return to the New Zealand stage this week, as the first of a series of sold-out performances bade haere-mai to one of the greatest musicals of all time. Performing in Auckland from 14 Oct 2008 to 16 Nov 2008, “The Phantom of the Opera” is a critically-acclaimed masterpiece that features on the must-see-before-I-die list of even the mildest of musically-inclined punters. New Zealand-based Phanatics, myself included, have waited almost a generation for memorable tunes like Music of the Night and All I Ask of You to fill the cavernous Civic Theatre in Auckland – the last time Phantom hit our shores was in 1997 during an Australasian tour that totalled a record 3,073 performances. [...]

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  Tags: Ana Marina, Andrea Creighton, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Anthony Warlow, Auckland, LinkedIn, musical, Phantom of the Opera, theatre review

• Auckland Marathon #12: the perishable crown

  20Oct
  Categories: Blog, Marathon Comments: 0

  

  I had a heartfelt conversation with one of my running buddies last night. [...]

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  Tags: Auckland marathon, Christianity, hope, meaning of life, purpose, training

• Considerations and carbohydrates

  15Oct
  Categories: Blog, Marathon Comments: 0

  Hi everyone – just thought I’d type this out while being stuck in heavy Auckland traffic.
  Today I’ve been flirting with the possibility of upping the ante on my half-marathon attempt, and perhaps going the full 42 km instead. It’s apparently not too late to switch, and all of those donations would then be worth twice [...]

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  Tags: Auckland marathon, nutrition, training

• The U.S. Presidential elections in a Pokémon Battle

  15Oct
  Categories: Timewasters Comments: 0

  

  The US Presidential Elections in a nutshell – probably created by a supporter of Barack Obama. Someone must have forgotten to bring in Sarah Palin!

  (First appeared in 4chan. Youtube video is here.)

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