The Pendulum: Naivety and Paranoia

When I think about issues associated with security and privacy, I want to strike a balance between being naive and paranoid. In an increasingly 'online' world, more and more people are becoming nervous about who is accessing their data. While some will happily put it all out there on the net for anyone to read, others are convinced it's only a matter of time before they have a personal cyberstalker on their hands.

Of course privacy and security are big issues in the 'real world' as well. We lock our houses and cars, we install burglar alarms and some even avoid striking up deep and real friendships for fear that, one day, their friend could use their deepest, darkest secrets against them.

I have trouble to relating to people who fall too far into either category. I know some people who have a very laissez-faire attitude to such issues. They don't lock their car or house because they assume that theft 'won't happen to them', they put their address, phone number etc on their Facebook profile or blog or they open up to complete strangers about difficult, personal issues they are facing. I have met a few people before who, upon meeting me for the first time, proceeded to spill out all their troubles. Now, personally, I don't have a problem with this; I was more concerned for them! They obviously assumed I looked like a trustworthy person (or maybe I just have 'Counsellor' tattooed on my forehead) but for all they knew I could be an axe murderer...or the town gossip.

Then, on the other hand, you get the people who seem to live each day worrying and panicking about their own and their family's personal security. I hear about it a lot concerning Facebook. One spouse has a Facebook profile and puts photos of their kids online along with their names (but locks the profile or photo album). Their husband/wife doesn't have a Facebook profile, nor have they looked into what Facebook is like but they are NOT impressed by the fact that photos of their kids are online in case there are online paedophiles lurking around. Some bloggers who prefer to blog about the weather or a funny thing their dog did, can't believe that fellow bloggers share openly about their thoughts, feelings and happenings of a more personal nature. Then there are the people who choose small talk and shallow friendships over deep and real ones. I have actually heard some people declare themselves to be 'private people' and one person told me their frustrations about trying to develop real relationships, saying that conversations they have had with some people have only ever been banter.

So where's the middle? I have my own views on where I think the middle is, but I know others will disagree. That's fine, they can disagree in their heads all they like but I do feel judged sometimes when they verbalise it. I know some people probably don't approve of the things I write about on my blog and that's fine, they don't have to read it, but I don't feel I'm sharing anything inappropriate or anything I haven't already verbalised. I'm probably going to be seen as a bad mum one day (if God wills us to have kids) because I plan to put pictures of my kids on the net, along with their names, so that family and friends who are far away can see their progress. Personally, I can't stand shallow friendships; I don't see the point and sometimes we need to give of ourselves to our friends in order for the friendship to grow. Yes, that involves taking a risk because they might betray us, but I want to throw off surface level chit-chat and experience REAL fellowship.

But I do believe wholeheartedly in security and privacy. I don't have my address or phone number online. I only add people on Facebook if I know them (or of them) somehow. I'm just 'Sarah' on my blog for this reason. That's not hiding behind a persona as some bloggers would see it. Why do I need to give my surname? If I learn that someone is a gossip, then I won't trust them with anything personal. I don't write down passwords and pin numbers in case they fall into the wrong hands.

I don't want to be lax or naive and think that the world's a happy place, full of roses, but nor do I want to believe everyone's out to stalk me.

How about you? What are your guidelines concerning privacy and security issues?

Image is from countryporch.com

Quote of the Day

This one's for Mark as he prepares for his Bono message. It's one of my favourite quotes.

I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for grace.
- Bono

The Duet

This was emailed to me a few years ago. It almost made me cry!

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took the boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted an old friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her. Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE."

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."

At that moment, the great piano maestro made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."

Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obligatio. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great maestro played. Only the classic "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."

Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always gracefully flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful.

Next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."

May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped; rather, He equips the 'called.'

Thinism

Last year, while we were in Tassie, I read Dawn French: The Biography by Alison Bowyer. It was my prize for being the top student in Year 12 Drama Studies at my high school back in 2000 so, yes, it took me a while to get around to reading it. I have to admit, when I first received it I had no idea who she was. I know....shame, shame.

It was such a great read, I had trouble putting it down even though we were on our honeymoon. She has had quite a turbulent life but there was one bit in the book that stood out at me because, to be honest, it made me quite angry.

Now Dawn is well known for being a rather large woman and the book says that during her school days she used to laugh off her discomfort about her size by cracking jokes at her own expense. This is understandable; I think a lot of us use humour as a defence mechanism at time, including myself. But in Chapter 9: Size Matters, I think she well and truly crosses the line.

Dawn is well known for making outpsoken remarks defending overweight women and even encouraging women to pile on the pounds. A lot of it stems from the fact that could not wear the same fashion as her friends when she was a teenager due to her size so she lashes out at thin women. It's fair enough to criticise Hollywood with it's stick thin stars who live on crash diets, but not all women are thin or of a healthy weight because they neglect to eat or abuse their bodies with diet pills. I keep hearing the 'I can't help being big boned' excuse to justify being overweight and for some women this is true. One of my mum's best friends has always been on the big side yet she eats healthily and does a fair bit of exercise. Others put on weight because of medication they need. But Dawn openly admits to leading anything but a healthy lifestyle and I get sick of hearing people who complain about their weight while taking their next bite of KFC. Our weight is not always beyond our control.

Dawn actually says during the chapter that fat women are better than thin. This is where I think she goes too far. Fat people get bullied, sure, and it sucks but thinism is just as prevalent as fatism. I don't believe in having a go at overweight people, it's their life and their eating habits are up to them but what does get my goat is when they pick on me and it's deemed to be acceptable because thin is the majority. Newsflash: thin is NOT the majority in the Western world where obesity is a growing problem. I believe in leading a healthy lifestyle and that there are different healthy weight ranges for each person.

I have been bullied by overweight people and I'm tired of it. In this ridiculous age of political correctness, they can call me 'Bony', 'Skinny Mini' or 'Anorexic' but if I call them 'Fatty' or 'Fatso', it's a big no no. Why is it ok to confront someone because you are worried they're losing too much weight but it's NOT ok to confront someone who is GAINING too much weight? Aren't both a health problem? In primary school, I had overweight girls use their size to intimidate me by twisting my arms up behind my back until it hurt. I've been shopping with people who have done nothing but complain the whole time that I shop at 'skinny teenybopper' shops. Richard Burton's widow, Sally, finally lashes out at Dawn in this chapter for declaring that men like bigger women better than thinner women. I have had someone say that to me as well and it really hurt, especially since if I'd responded with, "No, they like thinner women better," I would have received a tongue-lashing.

On page 157, it says Defending women for being overweight is one thing, being rude about thin women, quite another.

I completely agree!

Photo Friday - 'Autumn 2009'

The farm. Not long before seeding.
April 2009

The Dictator of Cockburn Central

Is it just me or do these photos at Cockburn Central Station remind you of countries under dictatorships where there is a big photo of the leader on display for all to see.

Creepy!



Is this lady the new dictator of Cockburn Central?

Ayatollah Khomeini, previous dictator of Iran.

Calling All Theoblogians #7

What's with all the different English translations of the Bible out there? What are their origins? Which one is the best? Or doesn't it make a difference?

I've always used the New International Version (NIV) because it was the one I was given not long after I became a Christian and it's the only Bible I've ever had. Personally, I'm not fussed with translations as long as I understand the gist of the passage.

But some people have their preferences and others go beyond that and insist there is only one true translation. People who insist the King James (KJV) or New King James (NKJV) are the only versions to use really get my goat because, quite often, they themselves have no idea why they think this way; they are just going on what their church has said. A friend of mine told us recently about when he preached at a church other than his own and an older lady told him afterwards that she liked his sermon, but she usually didn't listen to anything that wasn't preached using the KJV (he used NIV). He thought to himself, "What a stupid woman!"

For a while, my old church in Perth started using the English Standard Version (ESV) during services because they reckoned it was more accurate then reverted back to the NIV because it was what most people had. I've heard mixed opinions on the New Living Translation (NLT), the Good News Bible and The Message (is that even considered a translation?). Some despise them with every breath they take while others rave about them. Who is right?

So......help! Is there anyone who wants to add an opinion on Bible translations such as which ones are better than others or if it doesn't make a difference? Are there any good books out there which explain when and where the different translations originated from?