A fan
"It's a long way...."
Stickman
.
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Friday, February 25, 2005
100 Years of Rotary
The following are people who attended the Centennial of Rotary International Dinner I attended with my parents on last Wednesday evening. I am fascinated by connections that I have with people and they with each other. So here's a brief blurb on each.
Dr. Lois Wilson -- Guest speaker -- Her husband was our minister in the early sixties when we used to go to First Church United. I think she was co-minister for the 2nd half of the sixties.
Katie Ischkin -- President of Rotaract (youth branch of Rotary) -- I believe she was a camper at Dorion Bible Camp.
Len and Marg Landy -- All three of their daughters Katrina, Karol and Kyla went to Dorion Bible Camp. Kyla is married to Michael Gilmour and he was (an excellent) acting Assistant Director during Andy's last summer, with a view to becoming Camp Director with Elaine Kalnbach as Executive Director. The board chose not to go this route, although I was not privy to their reasoning. Len and Marg go to St. Thomas' Anglican and I sat with them there at a dinner this past Saturday. Karol was co-director of Senior week at Camp Gitchigomee when I was there last summer.
Rev. Paul Carr is the retired rector of St. Paul's A and our paths have been crossing regularly recently.
Rev. Dave Silliman -- His daughter Amy helps lead The Edge worship service at which I played on Valentine's Day.
Karl & Marianne Wahl -- Good friends of my parents -- It was they who invited my sister and me to attend Dorion Bible Camp with their daughters (and so it was nice that they also attended my 30+1 Years Party at Camp Dorion Party in 02 (my last summer there). They are also associated with Cambrian Players.
Barb Philp -- Wife of a Rotarian -- She (as a Morrison) and I were in ISCF together at Churchill. Their son came at least once to Dorion Bible Camp. I see her from time to time at Waverly Library where she works.
Jim. Mucklow(?)-- Rotarian -- attends men's breakfast I go to on Friday mornings.
Dr. Harold Cumming -- Husband of Rotarian -- He was a staff advisor at times for LUCF and used to host our Christmas parties year after year. He also ran a Sunday afternoon study at his home which I attended. For a while he was a member of writers group, Inkwell. His daughter Christine Regehr directs Girls Camp at Manitoba Pioneer (which is where I last saw Harold when they were visiting).
Kendall House -- Director of FW Male Choir -- Was principal of one of the schools at which I taught Religious Education for 2 years when I first joined CSSM Canadian Sunday School Mission.
Henry Konrad -- member of FWMC -- Taught me English at Churchill and sponsored the ISCF club there. His son Richard and I did a project together on the history of Classical Music. Richard recently emailed me out of the blue. I see Henry's daugher Marina from time to time in theatre contexts or at Redwood church.
(Jerry Williams -- a Rotarian but was absent that evening -- Jerry is the Chair of the Inter Varsity Area Committee on which I serve. He was also a member of the Dorion Bible Camp board for a while. I suppose his daugher Laurie and I attended Churchill at the same time and his daughter Debbie was on staff at Dorion Bible Camp for one summer. I could look up all these dates btw, but I'm just not bothering to.)
This is not to mention numerous other Rotarians there who are friends with my parents and, I realized after the dinner, who, in several cases, have been in my house when it used to belong to my parents.
Dr. Lois Wilson -- Guest speaker -- Her husband was our minister in the early sixties when we used to go to First Church United. I think she was co-minister for the 2nd half of the sixties.
Katie Ischkin -- President of Rotaract (youth branch of Rotary) -- I believe she was a camper at Dorion Bible Camp.
Len and Marg Landy -- All three of their daughters Katrina, Karol and Kyla went to Dorion Bible Camp. Kyla is married to Michael Gilmour and he was (an excellent) acting Assistant Director during Andy's last summer, with a view to becoming Camp Director with Elaine Kalnbach as Executive Director. The board chose not to go this route, although I was not privy to their reasoning. Len and Marg go to St. Thomas' Anglican and I sat with them there at a dinner this past Saturday. Karol was co-director of Senior week at Camp Gitchigomee when I was there last summer.
Rev. Paul Carr is the retired rector of St. Paul's A and our paths have been crossing regularly recently.
Rev. Dave Silliman -- His daughter Amy helps lead The Edge worship service at which I played on Valentine's Day.
Karl & Marianne Wahl -- Good friends of my parents -- It was they who invited my sister and me to attend Dorion Bible Camp with their daughters (and so it was nice that they also attended my 30+1 Years Party at Camp Dorion Party in 02 (my last summer there). They are also associated with Cambrian Players.
Barb Philp -- Wife of a Rotarian -- She (as a Morrison) and I were in ISCF together at Churchill. Their son came at least once to Dorion Bible Camp. I see her from time to time at Waverly Library where she works.
Jim. Mucklow(?)-- Rotarian -- attends men's breakfast I go to on Friday mornings.
Dr. Harold Cumming -- Husband of Rotarian -- He was a staff advisor at times for LUCF and used to host our Christmas parties year after year. He also ran a Sunday afternoon study at his home which I attended. For a while he was a member of writers group, Inkwell. His daughter Christine Regehr directs Girls Camp at Manitoba Pioneer (which is where I last saw Harold when they were visiting).
Kendall House -- Director of FW Male Choir -- Was principal of one of the schools at which I taught Religious Education for 2 years when I first joined CSSM Canadian Sunday School Mission.
Henry Konrad -- member of FWMC -- Taught me English at Churchill and sponsored the ISCF club there. His son Richard and I did a project together on the history of Classical Music. Richard recently emailed me out of the blue. I see Henry's daugher Marina from time to time in theatre contexts or at Redwood church.
(Jerry Williams -- a Rotarian but was absent that evening -- Jerry is the Chair of the Inter Varsity Area Committee on which I serve. He was also a member of the Dorion Bible Camp board for a while. I suppose his daugher Laurie and I attended Churchill at the same time and his daughter Debbie was on staff at Dorion Bible Camp for one summer. I could look up all these dates btw, but I'm just not bothering to.)
This is not to mention numerous other Rotarians there who are friends with my parents and, I realized after the dinner, who, in several cases, have been in my house when it used to belong to my parents.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Feb 8 - 14
Last Tuesday: Drove downtown to pay a bill. Then I stopped by to visit annika at her office and ended up helping her move (almost) all her stuff back into her space, since it had been moved out for renovations. Hers is the only cubicle office I've ever seen that includes a couch and a tree.
That evening I helped out with Pancake Supper at St. Luke's. They kindly gave me half a ham and a bunch of pancakes & a bottle of syrup to take home. I brought my syrup into the Cambrian Players Board mtg that followed, asking "So did everyone remember to bring a bottle of syrup?"
Wednesday morning I met with Tim and Eric and then Joe re-installed a sensor in my car's engine so that it won't overheat. Then I had a sauna and supper at my parents' place, followed by Ash Wednesday service at St. Luke's.
Thursday I met with Deb at Seattle River St. to plan Saturday's Visioning Day. After lunch and tea at Tim and Miriam's I did some shopping at Value Village, Stupidstore and InterCity. At InterCity I chatted with Lee Ann (nee Grootenboer) who used to be a TBCS student, Dorion Bible Camp er/Staff and filled her in on the goings on in my life.
That evening we had small group at Lappalas' but it was unremarkable.
Friday morning I went to the men's breakfast I attend at Fat Cat's (attended mostly by Jims). After email, blogging and photocopying I had lunch at Tim's again with T and Rick Three. Because I was (and am) still battling a cold and I needed to get up early the next day, I took a rest in the afternoon.
In the evening after I'd worked on choosing some songs for the next day and some budgetting, Tim came over to hang out and then drive us to hockey. I got one assist. I had two really good chances on open corners, but missed both times.
Saturday I helped out (mostly with music) at St. George's Visioning Day during the day and attended the Camp Gitchigomee Dinner in the evening. There I sang with-cold-and-without-soundsystem '69-'74.
Sunday I attended St. Paul's Anglican and then caught the sermon (by Tim) at my own church. My family went to Kelsey's for lunch (and so did Eric and his boys and Tim and his girls). Another sauna after that.
That evening I sat in as a guest at St. Thomas' Youth Ministry Support Committee, chaired by a fellow who had been one of my earliest ISCF retreat chaperones (when I was in highschool) and also my associate when I was a student teacher (of Mike Hurlbert's class at Westgate) and father of one of my very first Dorion Bible Camp ers.
Yday I babysat Juliet for Tim and then he took us to supper at Hoito. I led singing at The Edge that evening, capably assisted by Robin on his superior green bass. I must say that Robin's bass playing really adds a lot and his leading the ladies' echo parts was much appreciated as well.
I wish I could make this wilder and crazier, but that's the way it goes.
That evening I helped out with Pancake Supper at St. Luke's. They kindly gave me half a ham and a bunch of pancakes & a bottle of syrup to take home. I brought my syrup into the Cambrian Players Board mtg that followed, asking "So did everyone remember to bring a bottle of syrup?"
Wednesday morning I met with Tim and Eric and then Joe re-installed a sensor in my car's engine so that it won't overheat. Then I had a sauna and supper at my parents' place, followed by Ash Wednesday service at St. Luke's.
Thursday I met with Deb at Seattle River St. to plan Saturday's Visioning Day. After lunch and tea at Tim and Miriam's I did some shopping at Value Village, Stupidstore and InterCity. At InterCity I chatted with Lee Ann (nee Grootenboer) who used to be a TBCS student, Dorion Bible Camp er/Staff and filled her in on the goings on in my life.
That evening we had small group at Lappalas' but it was unremarkable.
Friday morning I went to the men's breakfast I attend at Fat Cat's (attended mostly by Jims). After email, blogging and photocopying I had lunch at Tim's again with T and Rick Three. Because I was (and am) still battling a cold and I needed to get up early the next day, I took a rest in the afternoon.
In the evening after I'd worked on choosing some songs for the next day and some budgetting, Tim came over to hang out and then drive us to hockey. I got one assist. I had two really good chances on open corners, but missed both times.
Saturday I helped out (mostly with music) at St. George's Visioning Day during the day and attended the Camp Gitchigomee Dinner in the evening. There I sang with-cold-and-without-soundsystem '69-'74.
Sunday I attended St. Paul's Anglican and then caught the sermon (by Tim) at my own church. My family went to Kelsey's for lunch (and so did Eric and his boys and Tim and his girls). Another sauna after that.
That evening I sat in as a guest at St. Thomas' Youth Ministry Support Committee, chaired by a fellow who had been one of my earliest ISCF retreat chaperones (when I was in highschool) and also my associate when I was a student teacher (of Mike Hurlbert's class at Westgate) and father of one of my very first Dorion Bible Camp ers.
Yday I babysat Juliet for Tim and then he took us to supper at Hoito. I led singing at The Edge that evening, capably assisted by Robin on his superior green bass. I must say that Robin's bass playing really adds a lot and his leading the ladies' echo parts was much appreciated as well.
I wish I could make this wilder and crazier, but that's the way it goes.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Laser Tag
My team was last out of four. I came in 2nd out of 12 in the individual game. The one person who beat me turned out to be a young girl who hardly ever plays and who had been on my team! Go figure. Apparently I last played (as "Worf" anyway) in 1997!!
With my tokens I tried to kill raptors (but after the first game it kept on asking for more tokens and not starting the game). I also did some "ancient" flying and shooting, some racing, Simpsons pinball and one of those coin throwing games at which I won 2 tokens=1 teeny tiny dinosaur "eraser".
With my tokens I tried to kill raptors (but after the first game it kept on asking for more tokens and not starting the game). I also did some "ancient" flying and shooting, some racing, Simpsons pinball and one of those coin throwing games at which I won 2 tokens=1 teeny tiny dinosaur "eraser".
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
To quote my "pastor": "@#$%^&%$ Snow"
But I agree.
I got stuck in my driveway again last night. I just wish it would stop going from really cold to quite warm (when the frozen snow thaws and acts like mud). But if wishes were horsepower....
I got stuck in my driveway again last night. I just wish it would stop going from really cold to quite warm (when the frozen snow thaws and acts like mud). But if wishes were horsepower....
Monday, January 31, 2005
Sermon Yesterday
Yesterday I took my turn to preach. The text was Phil. 2:13-18. I applied it entirely to our congregation's visioning process while acknowledging that Paul did not write to the Philippians, saying, "Now as you embark on your visioning process, bearing in mind the definition which I prophesy George Barna will give c. 1940 years from now, work out your salvation with fear and trembling, etc. etc."
I derived four adverbs from the text which generally apply to how we are to live and suggested that they have particular application to this process: Seriously, Joyfully, Respectfully (for each other and for our past) and Evangelistically (ie holding out the "word of life"). In order to have us practise speaking words of life to one another (rather than words of death such as "I don't know why I bother with you) I solicited ideas from the congregation to put on an overhead of life-giving phrases paraphrasing (briefly) the Good News. Then we "passed the Peace" by moving about the room speaking these phrases to each other (sometimes with hugs). That was how we ended the sermon.
However, the effect produced by saying to one another "There is always hope." or "You are pardoned" wasn't exactly what I intended. (Try it out in your imagination and you'll see.)
But some people did say "I love you" to me, which was very heartening. And I managed to say it back. Something about my life has conditioned me to be very guarded about speaking those words, justifying my stinginess by pointing to those who abuse the phrase in order to gain selfish ends.
I wish I could more freely wear my heart on my sleeve. I could take a page out of others' books by "lightening" that (possibly heavy) phrase by adapting it to "I love ya" or "love yuh" to emphasize the unconditional friendliness of the phrase when best spoken.
Oddly enough my last two sermons have *not* produced the usual after-effect in me of self-criticism "That really sucked!!!" which almost cripples me. This time, even though, for time's sake, I ended up skipping over an illustration re. Respect for the Past based on my life at Camp Dorion and didn't explain the "Passing the Peace" as well as I could have, I managed to escape tormenting myself and felt fairly satisfied. Maybe I am actually growing.
Right now coincidentally I'm listening to U2's "All I Want is You" which produces the same wrenching effect in me that it produces in many other people, because I am not just all brain, puns and punctuation.
I derived four adverbs from the text which generally apply to how we are to live and suggested that they have particular application to this process: Seriously, Joyfully, Respectfully (for each other and for our past) and Evangelistically (ie holding out the "word of life"). In order to have us practise speaking words of life to one another (rather than words of death such as "I don't know why I bother with you) I solicited ideas from the congregation to put on an overhead of life-giving phrases paraphrasing (briefly) the Good News. Then we "passed the Peace" by moving about the room speaking these phrases to each other (sometimes with hugs). That was how we ended the sermon.
However, the effect produced by saying to one another "There is always hope." or "You are pardoned" wasn't exactly what I intended. (Try it out in your imagination and you'll see.)
But some people did say "I love you" to me, which was very heartening. And I managed to say it back. Something about my life has conditioned me to be very guarded about speaking those words, justifying my stinginess by pointing to those who abuse the phrase in order to gain selfish ends.
I wish I could more freely wear my heart on my sleeve. I could take a page out of others' books by "lightening" that (possibly heavy) phrase by adapting it to "I love ya" or "love yuh" to emphasize the unconditional friendliness of the phrase when best spoken.
Oddly enough my last two sermons have *not* produced the usual after-effect in me of self-criticism "That really sucked!!!" which almost cripples me. This time, even though, for time's sake, I ended up skipping over an illustration re. Respect for the Past based on my life at Camp Dorion and didn't explain the "Passing the Peace" as well as I could have, I managed to escape tormenting myself and felt fairly satisfied. Maybe I am actually growing.
Right now coincidentally I'm listening to U2's "All I Want is You" which produces the same wrenching effect in me that it produces in many other people, because I am not just all brain, puns and punctuation.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Names
Yesterday I ran into both of the Jennifer Mayos I know: the younger one at Intercity and the other in Stupidstore. These two do not know each other.
It reminds me of the time that I introduced two second cousins who were sitting next to each other at the Rocky Horror Show, though they had never met. (Both had been campers at Camp Dorion and one was in a play with me at that time.)
Also yesterday in Sstore I came up behind of the stage crew from "Hound" and spoke her name. Another young lady nearby turned and said hi and then realized she didn't know me.
No, their names were Kristie, not Bort.
It reminds me of the time that I introduced two second cousins who were sitting next to each other at the Rocky Horror Show, though they had never met. (Both had been campers at Camp Dorion and one was in a play with me at that time.)
Also yesterday in Sstore I came up behind of the stage crew from "Hound" and spoke her name. Another young lady nearby turned and said hi and then realized she didn't know me.
No, their names were Kristie, not Bort.
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Friday, January 28, 2005
More Bass stuff
My joke re. bass playing has more to do with the supposed ease with which one can learn to plunk along on the root note, than the bass being a subset of a guitar.
In fact, once I heard or read a bass player insisting that it's not a "bass guitar" (which would be that big guitar in a Mexican Mariachi band), but a(n) "(electric) bass".
Despite hearing plenty of other bass players speak otherwise, I do tend to think that the bass is *not* a subset of the guitar (especially since four lowest strings of a guitar are *not* always tuned the "bass" way). Thus I continue to avoid saying "bass guitar", which I think, in fact, shows my actual respect for bass players.
One could argue that it is played like a guitar and usually looks like one -- but consider:
In terms of musical *role* in a band, it took over from the upright bass in early rock and roll bands (such as the Comets, the Crickets and Elvis's band).
I had some other supporting arguments, but they have evaporated for now.
In fact, once I heard or read a bass player insisting that it's not a "bass guitar" (which would be that big guitar in a Mexican Mariachi band), but a(n) "(electric) bass".
Despite hearing plenty of other bass players speak otherwise, I do tend to think that the bass is *not* a subset of the guitar (especially since four lowest strings of a guitar are *not* always tuned the "bass" way). Thus I continue to avoid saying "bass guitar", which I think, in fact, shows my actual respect for bass players.
One could argue that it is played like a guitar and usually looks like one -- but consider:
In terms of musical *role* in a band, it took over from the upright bass in early rock and roll bands (such as the Comets, the Crickets and Elvis's band).
I had some other supporting arguments, but they have evaporated for now.
Monday, January 24, 2005
Bass thoughts
Last night I played bass at "Deeper Water" at St. Luke's. Probably the last time I played bass publicly was at Dorion Bible Camp in 2001 and even then only briefly.
But it all came back to me pretty quickly. After all, I do play guitar.
That's for you, Robin.
But it all came back to me pretty quickly. After all, I do play guitar.
That's for you, Robin.
Perspective
The other day at breakfast Jim from lifewater.ca was telling us of
his frustrations in trying to make arrangements for his organization
to respond to an invitation to help in Indonesia.
This led to his recounting an imaginary(?) conversation with a
typical North American:
"I'm having a terrible day! My car has broken down."
"You have a car?!"
"So I can't get to work."
"You have a part-time job?!!"
"Yeah, so I'm stuck at home."
"You have a home!!!?"
He actually did say "part-time" which made me wonder if he had me
in mind. If so, point well-taken.
his frustrations in trying to make arrangements for his organization
to respond to an invitation to help in Indonesia.
This led to his recounting an imaginary(?) conversation with a
typical North American:
"I'm having a terrible day! My car has broken down."
"You have a car?!"
"So I can't get to work."
"You have a part-time job?!!"
"Yeah, so I'm stuck at home."
"You have a home!!!?"
He actually did say "part-time" which made me wonder if he had me
in mind. If so, point well-taken.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Spontaneous lame joke
It snowed last night but much ploughing has been done already and so I was a bit annoyed as I drove up May St. today. A fellow who looked like a bum was walking towards me on the road, despite the fact that the sidewalk had been cleared. "Why isn't this guy walking on the sidewalk?" I asked myself.
"Because he's a street person." my brain replied.
"Because he's a street person." my brain replied.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Impossibilities??? or...just bumps on the road?
When I went around to the Autoplus garage (right near Fr. John's where I was staying in Schreiber) c. 10 am my car was already running. They didn't even charge me any labour. I gather that it started quite easily after a night in the warmth. There was gas in the oil and so they did change the oil, but St. John's Anglican had already volunteered to pay for that. (Thank you.) Autoplus (Mike and Joey -- who looks like a short Eugene Levy) recommended that I change the sparkplugs.
Drove to town without incident. After unloading my stuff at home (with car running) and phoning Eric, I went to Canadian Liar and bought plugs and a gapper. (I did stop the car and it started easily.) Then over to Baileys'. Thank you Eric for helping me gap and change my plugs.
Then to Joe's Auto. The block heater is located in a very inaccessible place and so if it needed changing, it couldn't be done until a couple of days later (if at all). But it seems that the only problem was the plug itself. I haven't tried starting my car yet, but both Joe and I could hear the heater sizzling. Thank you Joe for changing the plug for cost.
However, Joe also disovered a coolant leak around some sort of sensor which his parts supplier didn't have. So he put a plug in the hole and gave me the sensor to take to the Dealer (or the Stealer as Paul Jansen says) for a replacement. Probably this sensor tells the fan when to come on. So this is not an immediate concern, but I do need to sort it out before the next heat wave.
So do I have these ongoing problems because of my sins? Or is Satan attacking me because I am doing God's will? Don't we (especially as Christian orgaizations with our lofty aims and beliefs) tend to see others in the first category and ourselves in the second?
And then there are the various happy circumstances which help me through these problems (St. John's Anglican's and Joe's generosity and availability). Is this God "sending Lisa to save me from the moth He sent"?
Or is it possible (he asks rhetorically) that many of our problems are a result of planning / management / foresight weaknesses through which God can teach us (to make better plans/choices in the future) and Satan can discourage us? This necessitates admitting that we are in the picture, too, not just God or Satan.
Drove to town without incident. After unloading my stuff at home (with car running) and phoning Eric, I went to Canadian Liar and bought plugs and a gapper. (I did stop the car and it started easily.) Then over to Baileys'. Thank you Eric for helping me gap and change my plugs.
Then to Joe's Auto. The block heater is located in a very inaccessible place and so if it needed changing, it couldn't be done until a couple of days later (if at all). But it seems that the only problem was the plug itself. I haven't tried starting my car yet, but both Joe and I could hear the heater sizzling. Thank you Joe for changing the plug for cost.
However, Joe also disovered a coolant leak around some sort of sensor which his parts supplier didn't have. So he put a plug in the hole and gave me the sensor to take to the Dealer (or the Stealer as Paul Jansen says) for a replacement. Probably this sensor tells the fan when to come on. So this is not an immediate concern, but I do need to sort it out before the next heat wave.
So do I have these ongoing problems because of my sins? Or is Satan attacking me because I am doing God's will? Don't we (especially as Christian orgaizations with our lofty aims and beliefs) tend to see others in the first category and ourselves in the second?
And then there are the various happy circumstances which help me through these problems (St. John's Anglican's and Joe's generosity and availability). Is this God "sending Lisa to save me from the moth He sent"?
Or is it possible (he asks rhetorically) that many of our problems are a result of planning / management / foresight weaknesses through which God can teach us (to make better plans/choices in the future) and Satan can discourage us? This necessitates admitting that we are in the picture, too, not just God or Satan.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Stuck in Schreiber
I am so glad that our Father in Heaven tells of His love in the book He has given.
Wonderful things in the Bible I see. This is the dearest that Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me. Jesus loves me. Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me. Jesus loves even me.
Over the last few days of dealing with much snow and frozen door locks and multiple instances of car boosts (and buying a new battery) for some reason this song has been going through my brain -- and *without* irony. (It alternates with the Triplets from Belleville theme song.)
I am stuck in Schreiber overnight as my car waits in a heated bay for the mechanics. CAA was not able to start it (new battery and all) and apparently the sparkplugs will have to dry out.
Father John Sovereign years ago before in his previous life as a contractor lent me a truck of his for a month. Tonight he is lending me his house (with satellite TV) while he goes to ThBay and I wait for my car. This means I wont make it back in time to meet with annika.mindsay.com (who has returned to the blogging world) but other than that I am not that greatly inconvenienced by this.
This morning I sang "40" by those 4 Irish multimillionaires and preached the sermon here at St. John's Anglican. I closed with the song above, because mainly I wanted to emphasize the love of God for us. At the times when I felt I was floundering in my speech (as I often do when I preach) for encouragement I looked at the attentive smile of the woman whose wig-wearing is connected to her flight to Hamilton tomorrow for medical tests. This puts my minor aggravations with the weather in perspective. (However, recently Ive wondered if maybe I *should* consider that job posting in balmy BC.)
Wonderful things in the Bible I see. This is the dearest that Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me. Jesus loves me. Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me. Jesus loves even me.
Over the last few days of dealing with much snow and frozen door locks and multiple instances of car boosts (and buying a new battery) for some reason this song has been going through my brain -- and *without* irony. (It alternates with the Triplets from Belleville theme song.)
I am stuck in Schreiber overnight as my car waits in a heated bay for the mechanics. CAA was not able to start it (new battery and all) and apparently the sparkplugs will have to dry out.
Father John Sovereign years ago before in his previous life as a contractor lent me a truck of his for a month. Tonight he is lending me his house (with satellite TV) while he goes to ThBay and I wait for my car. This means I wont make it back in time to meet with annika.mindsay.com (who has returned to the blogging world) but other than that I am not that greatly inconvenienced by this.
This morning I sang "40" by those 4 Irish multimillionaires and preached the sermon here at St. John's Anglican. I closed with the song above, because mainly I wanted to emphasize the love of God for us. At the times when I felt I was floundering in my speech (as I often do when I preach) for encouragement I looked at the attentive smile of the woman whose wig-wearing is connected to her flight to Hamilton tomorrow for medical tests. This puts my minor aggravations with the weather in perspective. (However, recently Ive wondered if maybe I *should* consider that job posting in balmy BC.)
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Kuch kuch hota hai
Had an Indian Night last night. Oh, I know the best way to avoid confusion in this context: "An India Night". There you go.
I don't know the name of every food we ate, but it was all good. Funny, though: the "non-bread" sure looked and tasted like bread to me.
Then all of us (Tim, Miriam, Eric, Erica, Travis, Sylvia, Robert, Diana and I) watched the Bollywood film "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai". I believe that the title means "something happens", that is, if you stare meaningfully at each other, sing and dance enough apparently "something" will happen.
I was faintly annoyed: so this guy has a beautiful best friend in college (he just can't tell because she wears overalls and keeps her hair short), but marries his beautiful girlfriend (who dies shortly after bearing their child). Then after that he ends up with his beautiful best friend (after, what was it, 14 chances to catch on that she is beautiful and loves him). Hey, buddy, share the wealth!
BTW my car door is thawed and did not catch on fire.
I don't know the name of every food we ate, but it was all good. Funny, though: the "non-bread" sure looked and tasted like bread to me.
Then all of us (Tim, Miriam, Eric, Erica, Travis, Sylvia, Robert, Diana and I) watched the Bollywood film "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai". I believe that the title means "something happens", that is, if you stare meaningfully at each other, sing and dance enough apparently "something" will happen.
I was faintly annoyed: so this guy has a beautiful best friend in college (he just can't tell because she wears overalls and keeps her hair short), but marries his beautiful girlfriend (who dies shortly after bearing their child). Then after that he ends up with his beautiful best friend (after, what was it, 14 chances to catch on that she is beautiful and loves him). Hey, buddy, share the wealth!
BTW my car door is thawed and did not catch on fire.
Saturday, January 01, 2005
Frozen Car
I am sitting upstairs by my bedroom window blogging while a space heater is attempting to thaw my frozen car door.
That's "thaw", not "unthaw". "Unthaw" = "freeze".
I'm a bit paranoid about such things and so I'm keeping an eye on it, fearing it might catch on fire or be stolen by some alleywalker lusting after a space heater.
I do have several which I bought at thrift stores intending to donate and so I suppose I won't miss this one. But I'd prefer the theft scenario over the fire scenario.
My pastor drove across town last night to get me to the small gathering at Tim and Miriam's in order to play "Greedy" (dice game), Spoons (I won, yeah!), Charades and children's Simpsons Dominos. Got to bed at 0530hrs?
Heater is still there. Not on fire. That suggests a Strong Bad quote. Can you guess which one?
That's "thaw", not "unthaw". "Unthaw" = "freeze".
I'm a bit paranoid about such things and so I'm keeping an eye on it, fearing it might catch on fire or be stolen by some alleywalker lusting after a space heater.
I do have several which I bought at thrift stores intending to donate and so I suppose I won't miss this one. But I'd prefer the theft scenario over the fire scenario.
My pastor drove across town last night to get me to the small gathering at Tim and Miriam's in order to play "Greedy" (dice game), Spoons (I won, yeah!), Charades and children's Simpsons Dominos. Got to bed at 0530hrs?
Heater is still there. Not on fire. That suggests a Strong Bad quote. Can you guess which one?
Friday, December 31, 2004
Dec. 20 - 31 with little comment:
Mon: Shovelled snow at Hull's. Met at Seattle Arthur with Anglican youth and Rev. Nancy to plan "Welcome Home" service.
During my meals I was watching "The Making of 'Taxi Driver'". Later I watched "Meet Joe Black" which I didn't care for.
Evening: Went shopping with Tim at ValVill, Walmart, Old Navy and Canadian Liar. Then we went to see "Closer". Afterwards, I asked Tim to remind me, if necessary, not to conduct my relationships the way the 4 central characters did.
Tue: Shovelling and shopping during the day.
Evening: Christmas Eve practice with Sylvia and Erica. Then hung out with some of the Friday night hockey guys: Tim, Chris, Paul and Eric. Chris witnessed a car accident out on Memorial and so had to give a statement.
Wed morning: Met with Tim and Eric at Tim's. Stayed for lunch.
Afternoon: Shopping. Served at Superstore by Karen who said it had been forever since she'd seen me. Technically that's not true.
Had sauna and supper at my parents' place and rode the elevator there with Mike Gravelle. I told him I'd just been in a play with his cousin. He said that all the Gravelles are in theatre one way or another. ha ha
Watched "Tucker" with Tim at his place.
Thu. afternoon: Sang at Pioneer Ridge then had coffee there with the worker, Jennifer Mayo (*not* the highschool Jennifer Mayo that some of you know).
To ValVill and Chapters: There I saw Annika and Eerika Vastamaki, Matt Hoskin, Charlene Backstrom, Neil E. Dainio III and Victor Leonardi.
Evening: Christmas Eve rehearsal.
Fri: Lunch at Tim's again. Then wrapped gifts at home. Christmas Eve service at Church of Christ bldg. Played guitar and pretended to be angelic. Do angels adjust their glasses while reading their lines?
Sat morning: Service at St. Luke's. I like taking real wine. It feels to me as if something is *really* happening. ;) Lunch with various others at Suttons'.
Afternoon: Sauna and lamb supper and presents with just my Mum and Dad at their place. Spoke to my sister (in Georgia) for the first time since June 2001. Watched "White Christmas". Mum drove me home because my car wouldn't start.
Sun morning: Led communion at church. Ray Clark (Charisse's dad) tried to start my car. CAA boosted it and said it was flooded.
Sun evening: Beef supper with Dougs Livingston Jr. & Sr., Derek, Greg and my parents.
Mon afternoon: Coffee in Intercity with Spuro and Karen Sourtzis. (I went to highschool with Spuro. He teaches in Dryden.) Saw Melos and Terri & Bethany Vieira.
Evening: Harbron Heckuvahullabaloo Chatted the most with Vern Martin (former camper of mine and Head Cabin Leader). He has been through crap, too. Hasn't everyone?
Tue afternoon: Our church's turn at Shelter House. Ate remaining ham off three big bones. Was *very* thirsty. Then met with my Youth Ministry Advisory Committee at St. Mike's.
Wed morning: Breakfast at Hoito with Tara and Bryan Fulton (from "Toronto"). (Tara grew up in our church. Bryan was a camper and staff at DBC.) Also there were Annika V., Nathan Barnes and Peter Wynalda. I should have introduced T & B (and PW) to AV as they all have ISCF in common. As well B had Redwood in common with N. Maybe life swirls cosmically around the Hoito.
Afternoon: Sauna and supper again with Mum. Then led singing at St. Mike's for the Welcome Home Service. Talked the most with Dave Ruberry whose wife and kids used to help with Horsemanship at DBC.
Thu. Slept much of the afternoon. Watched "Blackadder's Christmas" (which features Robbie Coltrane "Hagrid" from HP movies). Worked on my website for most of the evening.
Fri morning: Men's breakfast at Arthur St. Fat Cats. I used to go every week. I'm going to try to get back into the habit. I set my alarm incorrectly, but I made it there anyway.
Don't you feel better for knowing this?
During my meals I was watching "The Making of 'Taxi Driver'". Later I watched "Meet Joe Black" which I didn't care for.
Evening: Went shopping with Tim at ValVill, Walmart, Old Navy and Canadian Liar. Then we went to see "Closer". Afterwards, I asked Tim to remind me, if necessary, not to conduct my relationships the way the 4 central characters did.
Tue: Shovelling and shopping during the day.
Evening: Christmas Eve practice with Sylvia and Erica. Then hung out with some of the Friday night hockey guys: Tim, Chris, Paul and Eric. Chris witnessed a car accident out on Memorial and so had to give a statement.
Wed morning: Met with Tim and Eric at Tim's. Stayed for lunch.
Afternoon: Shopping. Served at Superstore by Karen who said it had been forever since she'd seen me. Technically that's not true.
Had sauna and supper at my parents' place and rode the elevator there with Mike Gravelle. I told him I'd just been in a play with his cousin. He said that all the Gravelles are in theatre one way or another. ha ha
Watched "Tucker" with Tim at his place.
Thu. afternoon: Sang at Pioneer Ridge then had coffee there with the worker, Jennifer Mayo (*not* the highschool Jennifer Mayo that some of you know).
To ValVill and Chapters: There I saw Annika and Eerika Vastamaki, Matt Hoskin, Charlene Backstrom, Neil E. Dainio III and Victor Leonardi.
Evening: Christmas Eve rehearsal.
Fri: Lunch at Tim's again. Then wrapped gifts at home. Christmas Eve service at Church of Christ bldg. Played guitar and pretended to be angelic. Do angels adjust their glasses while reading their lines?
Sat morning: Service at St. Luke's. I like taking real wine. It feels to me as if something is *really* happening. ;) Lunch with various others at Suttons'.
Afternoon: Sauna and lamb supper and presents with just my Mum and Dad at their place. Spoke to my sister (in Georgia) for the first time since June 2001. Watched "White Christmas". Mum drove me home because my car wouldn't start.
Sun morning: Led communion at church. Ray Clark (Charisse's dad) tried to start my car. CAA boosted it and said it was flooded.
Sun evening: Beef supper with Dougs Livingston Jr. & Sr., Derek, Greg and my parents.
Mon afternoon: Coffee in Intercity with Spuro and Karen Sourtzis. (I went to highschool with Spuro. He teaches in Dryden.) Saw Melos and Terri & Bethany Vieira.
Evening: Harbron Heckuvahullabaloo Chatted the most with Vern Martin (former camper of mine and Head Cabin Leader). He has been through crap, too. Hasn't everyone?
Tue afternoon: Our church's turn at Shelter House. Ate remaining ham off three big bones. Was *very* thirsty. Then met with my Youth Ministry Advisory Committee at St. Mike's.
Wed morning: Breakfast at Hoito with Tara and Bryan Fulton (from "Toronto"). (Tara grew up in our church. Bryan was a camper and staff at DBC.) Also there were Annika V., Nathan Barnes and Peter Wynalda. I should have introduced T & B (and PW) to AV as they all have ISCF in common. As well B had Redwood in common with N. Maybe life swirls cosmically around the Hoito.
Afternoon: Sauna and supper again with Mum. Then led singing at St. Mike's for the Welcome Home Service. Talked the most with Dave Ruberry whose wife and kids used to help with Horsemanship at DBC.
Thu. Slept much of the afternoon. Watched "Blackadder's Christmas" (which features Robbie Coltrane "Hagrid" from HP movies). Worked on my website for most of the evening.
Fri morning: Men's breakfast at Arthur St. Fat Cats. I used to go every week. I'm going to try to get back into the habit. I set my alarm incorrectly, but I made it there anyway.
Don't you feel better for knowing this?
Sunday, December 26, 2004
St. Stephen's Day
I'm hiding out in the back bedroom of my parents' condo for a while. It's 45 min. until supper and the 3 nephews arrived and are talking to each other about their on-line war game. I tried asking a question or two, but then they continue on and I'm lost. I guess I feel anxious because I'm afraid my Dad will eventually grow tired of it and tell them to stop, but I think he's just tuning it out.
I suppose I could ask them how they've been doing the last few days, but that will lead back to the same thing. I could fake interest, or I could maybe even *be* interested if the conversation was being conducted in a way which was intended to include outsiders, but it's not. They are too young (and damaged) to think much about such things.
I could fight my way in, but maybe I'm too old (and damaged).
Spent the last two days worrying about starting my car. I finally had it boosted by CAA and it's downstairs in the parkade, plugged in, after recharging the battery.
I think I should not have bought this car, or at least not so fast, but I was given every indication that I would attending the CSSM Ministries conference in the Soo back in April '03 and needed to replace my previous car which would not have been safe to drive that far.
So I made a rushed choice and bought it from a backyard mechanic. I think I'd have done better to have waited and probably would have had the camp board not been so eager at the end of March that I agree to be reintegrated. Had I known they would so soon reverse their decision, I would have driven the Pontiac a little longer while looking for something a bit more expensive, but that wouldnt have cost me as much in repairs and grief.
So here I am on the computer, because my nephews talk about computers "too much". Hmm.
I suppose I could ask them how they've been doing the last few days, but that will lead back to the same thing. I could fake interest, or I could maybe even *be* interested if the conversation was being conducted in a way which was intended to include outsiders, but it's not. They are too young (and damaged) to think much about such things.
I could fight my way in, but maybe I'm too old (and damaged).
Spent the last two days worrying about starting my car. I finally had it boosted by CAA and it's downstairs in the parkade, plugged in, after recharging the battery.
I think I should not have bought this car, or at least not so fast, but I was given every indication that I would attending the CSSM Ministries conference in the Soo back in April '03 and needed to replace my previous car which would not have been safe to drive that far.
So I made a rushed choice and bought it from a backyard mechanic. I think I'd have done better to have waited and probably would have had the camp board not been so eager at the end of March that I agree to be reintegrated. Had I known they would so soon reverse their decision, I would have driven the Pontiac a little longer while looking for something a bit more expensive, but that wouldnt have cost me as much in repairs and grief.
So here I am on the computer, because my nephews talk about computers "too much". Hmm.
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