Living The Good Life

Some of you may remember Linda Cockburn's book I referred to last year. One of the greatest inspirations to my lifestyle for a long long time.
Our little garden is ever growing, in fact I must post some of our latest photos. We have dug even more grass out of our back yard and adding more structured beds. We have started more serious planning for the front garden, mainly fruit trees. In fact the front olive tree yielded its first 20 or so olives this year. They are marinating in the cupboard as we speak. The chickens remain a happy little family of 3 supplying us with a never ending steam of eggs...and a few mice mice, that we could do without :) The compost heaps (3) need some work, I think I am doing something wrong as I get little heat from them and for not long enough to kill seed, so I am learning, this is mainly my area, Chris is the main veggie girl, I am her labour. We occasionally come to heads about exactly what should happen in the garden and yesterday it was a decent fight over raised beds, how high, what materials, design etc. So I went and sulked at a mates house and played on our Apple Macs and made videos of our Tassie kayak trip and Chris did the garden - it looked great by the way - aghhh.
Christine made a wonderful basil pesto with bits from the garden the other day. I can't wait for a day when the olive oil might come from the garden too. So it is all going well, just keeping the balance between places where kids can play on lawn and places mum and dad want to rip up and garden...heck they have parks!

Have a look at the Today Tonight episode of our heroes Linda and Trevor.

Mini (40 Second) Ad for OnEARTH

New Car...but not!

I came so close to buying a Holden Jackaroo 2000 3.0L Turbo Diesel today. I drove it Sunday. Sweet car. Everyone says they are one of the best value cars around as they never were a massive popular 4WD for no reason, bit ugly I guess.
I offered our best pending mechanic assessment, he took the offer.
My mechanic, an awesome guy who has looked after us and a few others in our community for years says..."Hmmm - Jackaroo, brilliant car, very underrated. But that engine (post 98) no end of issues, if it breaks you better own the bank!" Buy an older one pre '98.

So if you have a pre 98 post 95 Jackaroo you want to sell me 3.1L Td let me know.

Aghhhhhh - I hate car shopping.

Why I Will Only Use Used Veggie Oil

I found this cartoon and comment on a site I view from time to time called Transition Culture.

It feels appropriate that I should mark the day when the UK government makes it law that all petrol and diesel must contain at least 2.5% of biofuel in some way. In his usual frank and thorough way, George Monbiot tells it like it is in today’s Guardian; “In the midst of a global humanitarian crisis, we have just become legally obliged to use food as fuel. It is a crime against humanity, in which every driver in this country has been forced to participate”. The most appropriate way I can mark this day of momentous stupidity is with the above powerful and to the point cartoon which Richard Heinberg used in his presentation at Findhorn recently.

Forge Conference Thoughts

I have been reading (and commenting) over at Allelon on a post by Andrew M about conferences. Specifically triggered by last weekends Forge festival. I though t I would post some of my thoughts here too.

I said that "I have to confess something…I came away [from the festival/conference] feeling a bit like Andrew M. I know all the cliches about getting out what you put in etc. I was feeling a bit off on the Friday before it all started, but went Friday night and loved it, Mike frost was great [a message worth getting a hold of] , catching up with some old friends was a blast!
I loved the conference being in the heart of Melbourne.
The venue was brilliant.
The electives all looked great (although not explained in much detail on the handbook. In fact this is a personal issue but I hate so many choices, I end up not choosing and going out for coffee somewhere.)
I felt the conference, (any conference for that matter) missed the point of what an organic movement is all about - organic, grass roots(y). As soon as a movement such as Forge begin to gather in a “Forgesong” style gathering (ok cynic is me) I feel we lose something of our unique underground subversive identity. I have nothing to back this up other than a feeling I had the first night I walked into conference #1 in 2006 and saw T-shirts and stick pins for sale.

So why have I continued to return after 3 years?
Same as what Hamo said - I love gathering with people of like mind and hearing stories, coffee shop stories more than up front preachy stories. Over 3 years of attending - this has been almost addictive for me, the stories. The word ‘Tribe’ is used a fair bit about these gatherings. I like that, only that it does not feel like a tribe when we assemble in the big auditorium. It feels like a church meeting, or just like a conference of the type that I used to attend almost religiously up to 8 or 9 times a year in my old mega church life."

Sold The Car

Well after 4 years of joy in our Mazda 626 7 seater we just sold it. Funny, no matter how unattached you might feel to a car, when you see it drive off down the street for the last time something in you feels sad... Christine is not sure she shares this feeling, maybe its a guy thing.
We are now a one scooter family !

Pondering BioDiesel

Yes, I know, Scott is on another full blown obsession, so get me a counselor!! Sitting here in Melbourne airport at 5am in the morning surfing Biodiesel sites sipping Gloria Jeans Long Macs.
But I thought I would confess to you my readers that I have bought a profession biodiesel production plant. I went pro so I could register it and do it legal like as well as the safety factor combined with the greater chance of not stuffing up my cars!!

The company that sold the plant to me has some great sites, an extract from one of the is below.

What could go wrong at this point?

• I need a source of used oil. Yes, I know I should have got it before I paid out the cash (Matt!!), but I have faith...and a few good leads. There is lots of oil out there, I just need to convince the people to give it to me rather than the company that has the contract to take it now.
• And secondly...I don't have a diesel car ...yet.
• It's all about timing, so the other thing on my mind is the whole balance thing (no not in my mind and life). But things like, what if I get a source of used oil, a big one, and all of a sudden, before I even know how to make it, I have drums of oil lining my drive before my license kicks in or before I even know how to make the stuff. (I am doing a course). What if I do all of the above, start making it, but don't get the car for 4 months. I then have drums of biodiesel lining the driveway, not used veggie oil!!! Anyway, all about timing.

Useful WA sites - http://www.bioworks.com.au/index.shtml
- http://ww.biodieselwarehouse.com.au/
- UWA

Main attributes of biodiesel

Renewable resource - Biodiesel is derived from vegetable oil, used cooking oils and animal tallow. These feedstocks can be produced indefinitely, using sustainable farming techniques to provide an environmentally friendly, sustainable fuel.

Widely used and accepted - Biodiesel is a proven fuel with an extensive history in the US and wide usage in Europe.

Carbon neutrality – Plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and store the carbon primarily in the form of carbohydrates and oils. By using vegetable oils as a raw material, biodiesel recycles carbon through the biosphere, allowing a significant reduction in carbon emissions when compared to traditional sources of energy.

What is biodiesel
Biodiesel is a clean burning fuel made from vegetable oil or animal fats. It can be used in modern compression-ignition (diesel) engines without requiring any engine modifications. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, non-toxic, carbon neutral and is essentially free of sulphur and aromatics.

How is it produced
Vegetable oils and animal fats consist of a glycerine molecule, with three ‘fatty acid’ molecules attached to it. Biodiesel is made through a process called transesterification whereby the glycerine is separated from the fatty acids. The process leaves behind two products - biodiesel (Mono-alkyl ester) and glycerine (a by-product used in soaps and other products).

The process of manufacturing biodiesel is relatively simple. The feedstock oil is mixed with methanol and a catalyst (NaOH or KOH) to produce a reaction that creates biodiesel and glycerine. Applying heat and pressure to the reaction decreases the processing time. The Glycerine fraction is heavier than the biodiesel, allowing it to separate out naturally after the reaction. Ethanol can be used instead of methanol for biodiesel production, however the reaction is less predictable.

Advantages of biodiesel

• Renewable - vegetable oil derived fuel
• Potential for Carbon Neutral lifecycle
• Simple to make
• Non-toxic
• Biodiesel is free from sulphur (<>
• The only alternative fuel that does not require engine modification or retuning
• Safer for storage and handling than petroleum diesel
• Can be used neat or blended in any ratio with petroleum diesel
• Biodegradable
• Higher Lubricity - can prolong engine life
• Dramatically reduced emissions
• High flashpoint

This Look HOT!

This awesome professional development offer closes soon. If you would like to come along and be built in your leadership and ministry, then this is an opportunity not to be missed.

The course starts Monday at the Vose Leadership Centre in Bentley. Audit students can choose which day/s they would like to attend.

So, What Would You Do?

I have a Mazda 626 7 seater wagon 1990, It blew a gear box (Auto) 2 months ago, I put another one it, it blew last week and I got another one (free). It needs new exhaust, and the list goes on.
I need to lose it!

I would like;
- Another 7 or 8 seater.
- A diesel (obviously so I can make my own)
- One that fits under my 1900mm garage.
- I don't have to have a 4wd.
- I don't have to have a van.
- I have $15000 max

Any clues?

I hate cars!

To Pay or Not to Pay #2

Our government seems to be pro-environment, well they do have Pete on board, remember Mr Garrett?
So one would think that they would support people wanting to get a hold of a product that was destined to be poured into a landful and turn it into a non-poluting fuel for a car. You would think hey?

Well lets just see what I need to do to abide by the rules of our government if I want to produce biodiesel.
I need to apply for the privilage to produce my own car fuel.
In order to do this I need to prove that my set up is appropriate (like I would spend $5000 setting it all up only to be told, "nope you don't get approval on that set up" - I am told only the top line off the factory floor set ups get looked at)
Once I get my production and storage licence I can begin.
Oh wait - I need to pay the ATO money, more than 40 cents for every litre I produce (or that I record that I have produced ...settle boy!!).

No problems, they are kind enough to have a grant system.
The system is great, it's 100% rebate. (why charge the tax in the first place?)

Who is eligable for the grant?
Anyone with a 4 tonne or more vehical (counts me out!)

But lets say I had the vehicle, a small truck.
I would need to proove that my fuel is good enough to qualify for a government rebate, only the highest quality gets the grant :)

So they ask for a sample, I give away some of my fuel and they give me in return a $1500 invoice for my trouble! (This has to happen once a year)

So really they don't want people producing their own fuel, not the little guy at least.

What has been the result?

Many many people here in Perth are blackmarketing their fuel, bootleg fuel!

Funny thing is, that the petrol companies are quiet. They are happy that people are being taxed and discouraged in making their own enviro-fuel - of course they are!
Just like the liquore industry would be mad if home brew was not taxed... wait a minute, home brew isn't taxed, and the idustry was upset with that decision, but the government went ahead and let people make their own brew - tax free.

So why not let us make environmentally friendly fuel at home?

Oil companies, I tell you, I am hearing consipracy theories!

So, apart from the fact that I have told the whole world on this blog (including the tax department) of my ethical dilemma, I will ask the question -

To Pay (the tax) or not to pay?

To Pay or Not To Pay (post #1)

I have 2 posts in my head, both are completely different topics, but interestingly enough they are titled the same "To Pay or Not to Pay".

Post #1

I have read posts about this in the past, even chapters in books about this, but now it's my issue, so I share it with you.

I have a deep down discomfort with local church pastors being paid! I know that sounds like some off the shelf crazy man statement but every time I sit and ponder the issues surrounding pastors being paid I struggle with something inside.

Every time we pay for anything we have raised expectation of that person product or experience. If I don't pay and I don't get, I shrug and walk away. If I pay and I don't get I have something to say about it. Or if I get less than what I desired or expected I am disappointed and go 'pay' elsewhere to get a better 'product'.

Now before you bight my head off and quote scripture at me, I am aware of people being paid for ministry services in the bible. Paul often talked about receiving gifts and offerings. Interestingly enough though, Paul never received money from the people he ministered to WHILE he was ministering to them, and Paul was not a paid local church pastor. (not sure I see many of them in the bible!)
Paul was a missionary, a church planter, in the bible sense of church planting, not our modern style of planting pastors and congregations etc. (Not making comments/judgments here, just observation).

So, let me personalize this.
I have had this idea of a community chaplain, run under the auspices of Scripture Union. It's like a school chaplain but the boundaries are just a bit wider, suburban if you like.
The idea is like a missionary to the suburb, but the job description looks like what any Christ follower could/should do - just on steroids, that is - committing more time and under a more formal set up...rewind the conversation back to the paragraphs above... could not the same be said of a local church pastor? This role is just what any member of the church should/could do depending on gifting etc only a paid church pastor/minister just commits more of his/her time to the role.

So the ideal - we all minister together not needing to pay someone (and getting all those nasty expectation issues listed above!).
In the organised church, we keep it smaller and more personable, easily accountable and lean on one another for the sharing of gifts and resources, natural leaders will gently lead guide, facilitate, gifted carers will care, teachers will teach and so on. No need to PAY someone, no need to PAY rent, mortgage and so on. Just put money where it's most needed.

In the community, no need to pay chaplains, just make sure there are committed missionary people in the right places. discipled in such a way (little ad there) that they know what it means to live a missional existence in their place of residence. Believing teachers in schools would be the Christ light in those places, no need for chaplains being paid, all because we are missional disciples where we are at, in schools, work places - everywhere. (my brother was a good example of this is his job at Challenge Stadium. No doubt he is still now, but we chatted lots about his role as a kind of chaplain to the staff even though he was the HR guy.

So - All too ideal hey!! Sure I admit it. In fact I am guessing that most people in ministry reading the above would say, "I agree mostly. The picture you painted is the ideal and if that happened it would be great, only it does not happen, so paid workers are needed or nothing would happen"

Maybe the reason it does not happen is BECAUSE of the paid workers. The very people we pay to make disciples, to run the church could be the very reason we never get close to the ideal.

China, and early church are examples in which we have never seen such rapid growth iinthe church and in both examples paid workers were not to be seen, at least not to the scale we see it in the west.

So, with a passion to work a day or 2 a week as a community chaplain or even for some great branch of a group like Scripture Union doing, whatever how do I justify asking people to help me raise money to get paid to do the very things I was people I am working with to do for nothing?
Wont they think, "You do it, why should I? I go to work at the school, I'm not going to reach out to my street, I pay you to do that!"
Or they might think, "Are you standing here having a beer with me, or a BBQ or helping me with my garden because you are paid or because that's just what we do as community?"

In the mean time I have to get back to my paid ministry job :) Aghh I have to eat.

PS -
I found one persons take on it on You Tube

BioDiesel Video

Something for all you curious rev heads out there. This guy makes his biodiesel on the video clip. From what I read he makes it sound a little more simple than it is, he makes it seem quicker too, by hey, that TV for you!
You can make your own kit, no need to purchase one like his, but OHHHHH boy it's temptimg, that kits is shweeet!

Make your own Diesel

What about this hey -

"We turned our kitchen into a sort of illicit still and made a hell of a mess in there brewing biodiesel fuel out of about 60 litres of yukky waste cooking oil we got from behind McDonald's one night (they were happy to give it to us once we told them we didn't want to eat it). We were sure it would work, but we had to make it ourselves first -- we're not chemists, and if we can make it anyone can."

I don't own a diesel, but I am in the market for a new car, so imagine saving $50 a week on fuel!
It's not a 10 minute process, it takes a bit to get going but hey, a few early mornings out in the shed never hurt anyone!

I found some info in case you were wondering -

Biodiesel facts

The raw material -- used cooking oil.

Biodiesel is much cleaner than fossil-fuel diesel ("dinodiesel"). It can be used in any diesel engine with no need for modifications -- in fact diesel engines run better and last longer with biodiesel. And it can easily be made from a common waste product -- used cooking oil.

• Biodiesel fuel burns up to 75% cleaner than conventional diesel fuel made from fossil fuels
• Biodiesel substantially reduces unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter in exhaust fumes
• Sulphur dioxide emissions are eliminated (biodiesel contains no sulphur)
• Biodiesel is plant-based and adds no CO2 to the atmosphere
• The ozone-forming potential of biodiesel emissions is nearly 50% less than conventional diesel fuel
• Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions may increase or decrease but can be reduced to well below conventional diesel fuel levels by adjusting engine timing and other means
• Biodiesel exhaust is not offensive and doesn't cause eye irritation (it smells like French fries!)
• Biodiesel is environmentally friendly: it is renewable, "more biodegradable than sugar and less toxic than table salt" (US National Biodiesel Board)
• Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine
• Fuel economy is the same as conventional diesel fuel
• Biodiesel is a much better lubricant than conventional diesel fuel and extends engine life -- a German truck won an entry in the Guinness Book of Records by travelling more than 1.25 million km (780,000 miles) on biodiesel with its original engine
• Biodiesel has a high cetane rating, which improves engine performance: 20% biodiesel added to conventional diesel fuel improves the cetane rating 3 points, making it a Premium fuel
• Biodiesel can be mixed with ordinary petroleum diesel fuel in any proportion, with no need for a mixing additive.
• Even a small amount of biodiesel means cleaner emissions and better engine lubrication: 1% biodiesel will increase lubricity by 65%
• Biodiesel can be produced from any fat or vegetable oil, including waste cooking oil.

Have a listen to this radio interview.

Food For Thought

You may have seen this on the net/email, but it's worth a look -

A weeks worth of food!
















Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide
Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07















United States : The Revis family of North Carolina (Sure hope mostAmerican
families eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and less junk food than this family.)
Food expenditure for one week $341.98















Italy : The Manzo family of Sicily
Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11















Mexico : The Casales family of Cuernavaca
Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09















Poland: The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna
Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27















Egypt : The Ahmed family of Cairo
Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53















Ecuador: The Ayme family of Tingo
Food expenditure for one week: $31.55















Bhutan: The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village
Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03























Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp
Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23