Signs of the Times

A few signs collected on recent travels in NZ and Australia.


I like this one because it asks a really clever question: "How dense do you want them?" It is clever and persuasive in making a connection but not too in your face. It is both obvious and subtle. It is one of ongoing frustrations that the people who have the best content are often totally uncreative and those who are strong creatively are often weak on content. I have never understood why the two can't go together.


This uses a common format but links directly into student culture in a student pub across from Otago University. It hits the spot somewhere between humerous, cynical and realistic. You don't see much on campus which engages directly with student experience.


I just enjoyed the irony of this. It is a power saving advert but works by a fluorescent light behind each panel going on and off. It is earnest and unaware of the hypocrisy of using power to save power. How we do things says something about what our core commitments actually are.


I have no idea what this is about on a gate in Dunedin. Certainly it has strong gospel resonance but the words themselves have greater meeting when spoken by a person into a context. Still, I guess it is better than the alternative.


Ailsa spoke about the book "If you want to walk on the water - you have to get out of the boat" when we were leaving Scotland. I am constantly amazed at how many people choose security and the known at the expense of adventure and faith. When and why did you decide that you were "Not the kind of person who....".


Poor choices however have negative consequences. As in this warning to keep out. "If the fall does not kill you the crocodile will". we sow what we reap and the idea that you can do what you like without consequences is farcical.


This is a sign encouraging transport passengers to step forward if they see something suspicious. It is a great description of faith sharing. A witness cannot help but speak of what they have seen and experienced.