Why the beauty?

I created the below picture a while ago from a couple of photos to show the stark contrast between what we create, and the natural, untapped, beauty of the world.  What I found astounding when thinking about our surroundings is what we create, although possibly beautiful on initial creation, has a limited lifespan before turning into something, typically quite ugly over time.  As opposed to the seasons of nature which perpetually create scenes of breathtaking beauty and wonder.  From snow-capped mountains, the colours of autumn, the vibrancy of spring, sparkling glaciers, the clear blue waters of an untapped ocean beach, the forest floor under the canopy of towering trees, to the sunrise and sunset over a lake.  Were surrounded by endlessly repeating natural beauty.  Earth, even appears stunning from space! That gets me thinking if random natural selection is true, then why the beauty? Why have beautiful sunsets?  Why are colours so naturally balanced in a rainbow cast over the clear blue waters of an ocean?  How come a sunset over a vast landscape creates feelings of warmth, comfort, and contentment? Is it more reasonable to assume a randomly created world came into existence by chance offering such exquisiteness and balance? Or a designer, like an artist with a blank canvas, created it to BE beautiful? For me the choice, is simple.

Elijah Hael: The Last Judgement Windows Phone App

Ok, so the Windows Phone App for Elijah Hael: The Last Judgement should be available now, or coming within the next couple of hours to a Windows marketplace in your country. A more official announcement will be made later today on the Elijah Hael facebook page, but as always, you'll get the heads up by following my posts directly. If you have a Windows Phone, install the App, give the software a try, and let me know what you think.  If you have any issues, or questions, let me know.

The Windows Phone audible version of Elijah Hael and The Last Judgement includes all fifty five chapters narrated by the talented voice artist Markham Anderson, unique artwork for each chapter and five musical interludes, one vocal, four instrumental, at specific points during the narrated chapters. 

For more about Elijah Hael see the official website

Concrete Angel

Yesterday I posted a video over on the Elijah Hael & The Last Judgement Facebook page, called “Concrete Angel” by Martina McBride.

In this morning’s news, sadly, a headline read, 'Pogo stick death' now suspicious A HOMICIDE investigation has been launched into the death of a seven-year-old boy in Sydney's south.'

The boy's body was found by paramedics at his family's home in Mulga Road, Oatley, about 6.15am yesterday after reports he had injured himself inside the property.

Police were initially investigating reports that the boy had fallen off a pogo stick the day earlier, injured his head and was later put to bed, his family waking the next morning to discover him unresponsive.

But officers are now treating the incident as suspicious, with the Homicide Squad called in to investigate.

It is understood that the family are known to the Department of Family and Community Services.

A report is being prepared for the Coroner following a post mortem examination to be carried out today.

The song, and video clip by Martina McBride sums it up.

While I do believe in something beyond this life, if I didn’t, I would still hope there is something for the children who are treated this way.  A world better than they were dealt.

Cycling and Death

In this morning news you may have read, Emma Way @EmmaWay20, posted on twitter “Definitely knocked a cyclist off his bike earlier – I have right of way he doesn’t even pay road tax! #bloodycyclist”.  Very reminiscent of the attitude of one of the characters in my novel Elijah Hael & The Last Judgement. What they don’t realise is their actions, and thoughts, have real world consequences.  The person may have died.  Luckily for Emma he ended up in a hedge and was able to get up and walk away.  My daughter, Jessica, 10 years old, said this morning on the way to school, “My uncle Andrew died before I was born. He would have been a great uncle.”  She’s right he would have been.  Explaining to children about death is difficult and in many ways drives my thinking, some of which inspires some of the stories in my novels.  Unfortunately, Andrew passed away after a cycling accident a couple of months before my daughter was born, the exact cause of what made him come off his bicycle is unknown.  Most likely a frustrated car driver startled him who didn’t realise their actions could take away a life, a father, a brother, a son, a friend, an uncle, and husband.

I’m a cyclist, and a vehicle driver.  Sometimes cyclists do slow up traffic, get in the way, and do silly things. However, they are a minority.  No cyclist I know rides to upset vehicle drivers, they are all aware vehicles will ALWAYS win in a collision.  Andrew didn’t ride a bicycle to frustrate vehicle drivers, he did it for fitness and transport reasons.  Cycling isn’t “Easier” than hoping in a car. It takes a lot of motivation to ride, especially on roads knowing you’re putting your own life at risk.

Anyway that’s the end of my rant, inspired by Emma Way, who thinks knocking down cyclist with her car is somehow cool.  For me, it brought back many memories of someone we lost, who was loved, and still is, by my family.  I pray, and hope, one day Emma Way will have a change of heart, and see people, all people, who all have their own struggles in life, as people to love and respect.

It is finished

"It is finished !", well nothing as grand as Jesus' dying words, but the Windows Phone App (audible book) for Elijah Hael and The Last Judgement. It was fun putting the software together, and now the App is off to the Microsoft Phone Market Place.  Should be available soon.  I'll post when the App is up.

Windows Phone App for Elijah Hael: The Last Judgement

Been working on the 'Elijah Hael: The Last Judgement' Windows Phone App. Basically it’s the complete Audible version of Elijah Hael, narrated by Markham Anderson, broken down into the chapters. Each chapter has a unique image which displays along with the chapter. The App remembers the current chapter a person is on, and the position in the chapter. The software allows a user to quickly skip forwards and backwards between chapters, and to any position within a chapter. Also as a bonus, I’m adding three audio musical soundtracks stylised to particular scenes from within the novel. Should have most of the App finished tomorrow, designing the photos, and splitting the audio takes some time but I've finished the main programming. Once that is complete, I’ll submit it to the Windows Phone App store. Should be available by the end of the month, if not earlier. The App will be free as a thank you to the fans of Elijah Hael.

Fantastic

"Fantastic! a very thought provoking book, I loved the idea of having someone watch over and protect you in hard circumstances.... loved it :-)"

Review left on Amazon U.K. by Linda for my novel Elijah Hael & The Last Judgement. Thanks Linda, I always appreciate the feedback !