Friday, September 30, 2005

Adventures in House Sitting

"and it think it's gonna be a long long time"
"don't let the sun go down on me"

Those are two Elton John quotes that are on my mind right now. And when i say Elton John Quotes, i mean, two lyrical lines belonging to the artist Elton John.

I have been meaning to blog for quite some time now, but it seems i have come to need just the right situation to sit down and type out thoughts, feelings, events and other such situations. For instance, my roomate has internet in his room, but when i blog and or write emails (which is another thing i have pretty much stopped doing) I like to be in a clean place where i can tune out the rest of the world. For instance right now, i am hidden away in the student leadership office of my school, and listening to music on my headphones at a level that can only be described as incredilous. This is no knock on my roomate who may be reading this right now, but the truth is, his room is really messy, and i can't work in that kind of a situation. Even when i do homework at my own desk, i need it to be clean otherwise i can't focus.

Long Distance Sucks

I went to see the Canucks play the Calgary Flames a few days ago. It was an enjoyable evening despite the fact that my beloved Canucks were defeated. No excuses, it was sloppy and ugly hockey, but hey who's complaining after a year without the sport that i love and pine for. Speaking of pineing, i am playing on my school hockey team this year, which is something that i never saw happening, but it's true, every monday morning, i strap on my gear and hit the ice for some excersises that often test my ability to breathe. For instance, we have a skating drill called "The Huskey Killer". Huskeys were made to run, so if it something that could supposedly kill a Huskey by doing the thing that it supposedly does best, what do you think it does to me. If it could kill a Huskey, how am i supposed to do it? Anyway, we did a half version of it last practise and it almost killed me, and i think it actually did kill one of my other teammates, but luckily our trainer had her portable defibrulator to bring him back to life. Also, the jersy numbers we have to choose from are crappy. I'm going to end up being #35 or #51 or something stupid like that. Heck i would even settle for number 24 or 9 or 44, but only if i couldn't have 19, which has been my number for almost as long as i could remember. In fact, i used to practise my autograph, and it always had my number right up in the top right corner.

School is going alright. I'll tell you it's quite hard to be back here when your heart is not here. And i don't mean like my heart is in vermilion or something cheesy like that (though it is in vermilion, baby, don't get me wrong). but my heart is not in the classes aspect of school. I would gladly hang out and do all the other ministry aspects and relational aspects of going to school at CBC, but at present i have no desire to take classes, but i will, and i won't skip (too often).

I'm really hungry, i had to get up early this morning for a meeting with my Seminary Counterpart on the missions executive, regarding this event we are putting on together for the schools and i didn't eat nothing, and now i am hungery. I kind of hear an egg McMuffin calling my name, which kind of reminds me of Cara's roomate Muffin. Props to Muffin. Props to Cara for having a roomate named Muffin.

Good news from the world of Music. Ryan Adams and the Cardinals released thier second album as a cohesive unit, and though i still like thier previous effort "Cold Roses" better, thier second album "Jacksonville City Nights" is a beautiful record featuring some glorious songs in the most country vein i have ever heard from Ryan Adams. This is a real roots-country album, something Hank Williams would be proud of. What really blows my mind though, is there is not one profainity on this album, which is unheard of when it comes to Ryan Adams. Don't get me wrong, i think it's alright, but it's just really shocking to me, haveing amassed Ryan Adams total album catalogue, and knowing the amount of cursive language he usually uses in his music. One of the standout tracks on the new album is a duet with Norah Jones, who seems to be making the Duet rounds these days. (Foo Fighters, Ryan Adams, Ray Charles, William Shatner....just kidding, not William Shatner, but that would be cool)

Anyway, my advise to you is. Stay True to your school. and Be cool, drugs are for fools. And Pity the foos.

Song of the day is another by the long deseaced Elliott Smith. It's called "Kings Crossing" and it's another beauty from his Post-humous release "From a Basement on a Hill". I have heard the song many times and enjoyed it a great deal, but most recently it was the opening track on a compact disc mix cd made by Jon Kramer for Matt Russell, thats when it "Caught my eye" and by eye, i mean ear. But anyway, it's a great song, but i'm pretty sure it's about Heroin, or Crack, but it's a dark rocker, which is a good start in my books. So if you have the means and or the desire, listen to "Kings Crossing" and in the meantime, i am going to feed myself, and then go to chapel.

Stay Strong, don't do drugs
until next time
The Shaolin

Sunday, September 18, 2005

Want some N-Juice?

Good Morning Friends.

I am writing to you from the dark dank dungeon of the dorms, also known as my home here in Calgary. It is sunday, and so you are probably wondering what i am doing not at church. If I was a pirate, i would probably kill you, rob you, grin a toothless grin and say "Therin Lies the Tale!", but since i am not a pirate or a pirate sympathizer, i will merely state that there is a reason that i am not at church.

Friday night, i went on a short jaunt in my automobile. Immeadiatly before parking my car for the evening and directly preceeding "The Shaolin Challenge" i must've turned on my automobile lights so that i could see something in the dark. Then i parked my car, not remembering to tun off the lights i only so recently turned on, in fact, i didn't realize this until the next morning when i went to take a drive in my car. My lights were still on, and when i saw that from a few feet away i knew trouble was afoot. Speaking of afoot, i have a cut on my foot. Anyway, back to the story, i tried my car, only to find that my deepest fears were true, i had drained my automobile battery, thus making my plans for the day null and void, not to be confused with a movie called "Nell", which i am almost certain stars Jodie Foster and Johnny Depp. I am wrong, it stars Jodie Foster and Liam Neeson, but Liam and Johnny kinda look alike, actually thats not true, but i think i may have been confusing Jodie Foster with Johnny Depp, which is a much more plausible comparitive mistake. Anyway, my car battery is dead, and i have been as of yet unable to locate a human being with a set of jumper cables and an automobile. So, i believe today will be the day that i get to change the status of my automobile back to driveable, or at least i hope as much.

My life is relativly unchanged since i last blogged. It seems like wedding planning things are becoming a reality. As much as i would like to not worry about it right now, i know that i need to, ok, perhaps i don't need to worry about them, but i do need to begin preparing them and acting on those preperations, and perhaps if i do those two things, worry need not follow, though i am certain it will, because it's a wedding, and it's important to try and do it well, and take care of everything so the Bride can have her amazing day, and not cry because the caterer dies, and it ends up you have no mashed potatoes at your wedding reception, or whatever little hassels can happen, though i feel that was a bad example. I have to do my best to have everything i possibly can prepared in advance and have back-up plans so if things happen that are out of my control, we can not have the wedding ruined.

As i wrote that, i realized though, that i am already trying to do this stuff in my own strength and not Gods, and that probably explains why i feel like i am getting no where. I seem to get these revelations all the time, or at least when i write and talk things out.

How great is it that the creator of the universe speaks to us, and more specifically at this moment - me?

Matthew 6:25-34

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."


"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness". How can i do this in the context of planning my wedding ceremony and reception. I suppose i should be seeking to glorify God and not my wife. Though i love my wife to be, and i believe she needs to be honoured and revered on the day of her wedding, it would be pretty smart and awesome to be able to give glory to God, through our planning and execution of the wedding stuff. I'll let you know how it goes.

Also.

This passage points me towards the more bare-bones things of life. Food, shelter, clothing ect, God promises to take care of us. He doesn't promise to give us everything we want, but he promises to take care of the essentials as we seek him. We don't need to worry because God has got our back, God is trying to take some stress out our lives as well as building into us a faith and trust in him. It's not easy, i worry about a lot of things, but more and more, i am trying to give it over to God, who wants to carry and ease my burdens. This also reminds me of Matt Russell's floor theme "If God is for us, who can be against us?", i believe it's from Romans 8:31, in fact i know it is. Trust in God's promises today my friends. God is there for us, he will take care of our needs, and as God goes ahead of us, nothing can really oppose us.

Song of the Day. This will be a bit of a departure for me from you. Meaning, it's not a departure for me, cause i used to listen to this CD and band often, but not since i started blogging, so you will probably never have heard me talk about them, unless you are Matt Russell, who just asked me who i was listening to. Anyway, i am listening to a band called "Mad Season", and no i am not confused with the title of a "Matchbox 20" album. The band is called "Mad Season" and they are a now-defunt side project of the now defunct band "Alice in Chains". Anyway, i first heard them when i borrowed my Uncle Dave's Cd, and i really got into them, because i was also really into "Alice in Chains" at the time. "Mad Season" features members from three differant Seattle grunge supergroups, "The Screaming Trees", "Pearl Jam" and of course "Alice in Chains". They only made one studio album (they also have a live EP of sorts, which i also own), but it is pretty awesome. Dark lyrics, haunting Layne Stayley vocals, non-pearl jam guitar sounds from Mike McCready, it's a great sound that i can really dig on. I think it sounds best in head-phones, rather then on a regular stereo or driving. The actual song that i want to highlight from Mad Season's debut album "Above" is a song entitled "River of Deceit". It the closest thing Mad Season ever got to a ballad, but it's not to heavy, and Layne shows off his singing ability in thie beautiful song. It describes the pain of being lied to, the pain of deceit and how it drags, and pulls ou down. It also talks about having the ability to make a decision to leave the pain behind though it seems like Layne has no intention of doing that. Anyway, it's a sad song, especially now considering Layne's death, but a great song none-the less. If you have the means and or the desire check out "River of Deceit" by Mad Season.

Until Next Time

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

I'm the brick and SHES drowning slowly

Hello Faithful fans and readers of the Chronicles.

My bad for being away for such a long time from this blog, you know it is never my intention to be cruel, but fate has hidden me away from long periods of internet uses for about a week.

Since our last correspondance, i have journeyed to Vermilion, Journeyed back to Calgary, slept, played video games, skipped one class, re-decided to play hockey at school this year, and eaten some pizza with the off-campus brothers to my residance floor "Hoos Hall:Featuring Sylvester Hall". It's been busy, and i have remained in an exhausted state since moving to this city a couple weeks ago. To qoute one of my heros William Shatner "at my age i need serenity, i need peace" and to continue the quote "It hasn't happened yet". Despite my apperant lack of serenity and peace, i feel like my energy and passion is returning. I woke up this morn, feeling rested and energized. So much so that i leapt from my bed across the room on to Troy, who was indeed lying in his own bed, making crass and innapropriate comments that caused me to release my flying rage on him. I thought about trying a "Swanton Bomb" from the top of the dresser, but i figured many of you wouldn't know what a "Swanton Bomb" was so i didn't do that. When i jumped, i tried to be careful and not break the bed, so i ended up smashing my shin on the side of his bed, it didn't feel very good, but it was all very comical and Troy was crying he was laughing so hard.

Speaking of crying, be careful of watching "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" what an emotional show....and thats all i have to say about that.

Yesterday, i watched the TV show "Lost". My roomate Kier had season one, and though i only watched the last 8 or nine episodes of season one, i was instantly hooked. We stayed up till 1:30 last night watching this. What a stupendous show. It even beats "Smallville" if you can imagine something doing that!?

Sorry, nothing philosophical to say today. Mostly just a quick report on the goings on in my life. I've been too lazy to think about anything seriously lately, but i feel a change coming on, not to be confused with feeling a cold one coming on, or drinking a cold one.

Today's song of the day is by an artist whose songwriting ability i admire. It's also by an artist that Matt Kinniburgh likes to look at pictures of. Subsequently, Mr. Kinniburgh is sitting beside me looking at pictures of this artist right now. Anyway, from his Album "Rock and Roll" Ryan Adam's radical and beautiful song "So Alive" is my pick for song of the day. When i first aquired this record, i listened to it. And once i had listened to it in it's entirity, i was able to choose this song as my favorite from the album. Many of my favorite songs by Mr. Adams are slow, and meloncholy and beautiful in that way. This song differs in that it is very guitary and loud and rock and rolly, if that even makes sense. It's got a fantastic riff that drives it as well as repetitive but remarkably passionate lyrics.


"Today I watched the boats
Moving through the harbor
Walking on water, in your arms I'd stay
Forever if I could
Forever if I may
Keep me in your thoughts, don't disappear

I am on your side
And so alive
And so alive

It isn't real
If this is how I feel
Then nothing now is true
And nothing now can ever be taken away from you
Sinking in the past
The things that shouldn't last
Just put to bed and stand beside me, stand beside me

Always on your side
I'm on your side
And so alive
And so alive
It isn't real
I am on your side
And so alive
And so alive
And so alive
I am on your side
And so alive
And so alive
So alive, alive, alive
I am on your side, on your side
I am on your side, on your side"

I wish i could write songs. Retract. I wish i could write great songs. You should really listen to this song. It is amazing. Depending on who you are, i might one day put it on a mix CD for you. If you got the means and or the desire check this tune out. I know i wrote about Ryan the other day, but you talk about what you are listening to, and Ryan Adams is what i have been listening to, though, now, and by now, i mean at exactly the moment i type this, i am listening to Ben Folds Five. Peace, Love, Harmony and War to you my friends and lovers, and by lovers, i mean people that i love, not people who i engage in intercourse with.

(The Shaolin pulls on his coller, breathes a shallow and awkward sounding breath, does a shifty eyed glance and say's "eeee, awkward", thus making it more awkward then it was)

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Beloved Bowels, not mine

I am now writing my first blog from the bowels of AUC, and it feels good to be back. Though it might also feel good, cause i am engaged, or because i am listening to disc 2 of Ryan Adams and the Cardinals fantastic album "Cold Roses".

This morning whilst on the john, i began reading a collection of C.S. Lewis essays that Matt gave to me as a present for being a groomsman. I didn't finish the essay, as i felt a little rushed this morning, (Reading on the john for long periods of time is not good for you anyway!) but Clive was writing about the incarnation, which for those of you who aren't familier with Bible College talk is the word that refers to Jesus becoming a human and living among his creation. Lewis made the assertion that when folks think about the incarnation they think about it in terms that refer only to his physical birth, as if the birth was the the be all and end all of the incarnation.
Lewis described the incarnation as not actually beginning with the birth of Christ, but with the decent from heaven, from his high exalted place, diving into the depths of a world which we can only scientifically describe. He was a fetus, he was all the things we are (except sperm possibly) and he arose through his birth, but then he eventually went back under (in his death) and then rose again in the resurrection. Lewis described it beautifully as a diver. Anyway, the way he described the incarnation as a more all encompassing event then just his physical birth was awesome. I feel like C.S. Lewis would've been a great person to just sit at the feet of and listen to his thoughts. His poetic soul adds a certain beauty to what would otherwise be, purely academic, theological thoughts. Anyway, I can't remember the name of the essay, but i will post it later.

I still haven't had my first class, it's at 2:30 this afternoon, but it is almost time for chapel. It's going to be great, everyone gets together and takes a picture of the entire student body, then we send it to churches. In fact, i need to get moving soon, because i have to take the train, which i forgot about for a minute. I guess for a minute i thought i was back in the good ol' days when i could walk down the hall and be at chapel. Oh well, i better come back to reality before i miss chapel and the picture.

Have a great day, speaking of day's song of the day is "Easy Plateau" by Ryan Adams and the Cardinals. Enjoy this timeless masterpiece if you have the means and or the desire. This is the Shaolin...over and out.

Monday, September 05, 2005

"Live Life, Live You're gonna Die. Because You're going to"

Good afternoon.

I am currently writing this blog to you from my new home in the Alliance Living Centre, or, as it is more commonly referred to...the dorms. Thats right, The Shaolin has returned to rez, after all these years, and after all these vows to never return, i am back, and i have a massive headache!

No, friends, my massive headache is not from the wild goings on that sometimes occur in rezez all across the world, you see my headache is from a poor, poor mattress and pillow. I need to buy a new pillow, i realized that many weeks ago, but thanks to support of other pillows supplenmenting my main pillow i have been able to survive, but now that my main pillow is all alone, it is leaving me wanting more from a pillow, thus, i have decided to get a new one.

Living in rez is going to be differant for me this year, because things have changed. Whereas, i was going to live on an actual rez floor with 18 year olds ect, there was not enough guys for three floors, so one floor is pretty much empty and thats where i live. So far it has sucked, because all the excitement has been on the other floors, and mine is quiet and dead, and sometimes lonely when my roomates aren't around, but i will get used to it, and i will have to get used to going up and socializing instead of staying in my cave and waiting for others to come to me. It will be a tough year, but it will be good. Asides from being away from everyone, i get other priveledges, like no curfew, and i can have friends over past open dorms time, and by friends, i mean girls, and by girls i mean Cara.

Also, i have been asked to fill the position of Vice-Presidant of the Missions Executive. This is a TANTALIZING offer (much like Jesus, or so i have heard) and i am prayerfully considering it, and leaning towards a yes answer.

Other then that, tonights plans include a BBQ, calling Cara, getting rid of this headache, playing video games, and maybe watching a film, but registration is on the morrow, so i want to get some sleep tonight.

The song of the Day is "The Hurricane" by Bob Dylan. I chose it with regards to Reuban "Hurricane" Carter, and also, some thing that happened down in the states. I shouldn't be so heartless, but maybe they shouldn't shoot at rescue vehicles and cops either.

Friday, September 02, 2005

Fine thanks, How are you?

Greetings and Salutations.

This is my final blog from North Vancouver and i am feeling fine. Listening to Pete Yorn, getting ready for bed, thinking about strumming a guitar without strings, and dreaming about my move to Calgary tomorrow.

On the morrow, i depart for Calgary, and i am totally moved out. Well, except for a few hockey cards, and by a few i mean like, Oh' a couple thousand or more, but hey, mom and dad have lots of room now!

So i was thinking the other day of stuff to talk about on this item i call a blog, and i had a real gem of a thought, well maybe not, but it's interesting, or maybe not, but great.

I was at work a week ago, and a song came into my head. It was "Dreaming of You" by Sloan. Now "dreaming of you" is a decent song. I like Sloan, so, i like it more then the average man might, but regardless, the point it, when i first heard this song, i had a crush on a girl, and we were getting to know each other, and uh, we were seeing if a dating relationship would work out. Now, this happened over a year ago, and it was not a long crush, or anything like that, lasted a couple months, she told me no, and she dropped off the map, which i am fine with, cause now that i know her better, i am so glad i never dated her, and thats all i will say. So, this Sloan song was on a mix-tape i made for her and never gave her, but i made it for her none the less. Now, whenever i hear that song, i associate it with that time in my life. And now, i hate that song! The day it was in my head, i couldn't get it out, and i hated it! All day i had this song in my head that reminds of a girl, who i can't stand that i used to like. It sucked, and the longer the song was in my head, the more i continued to hate the song. In fact, i have noticed a general depreciation for Sloan itself since the incident occured. Which is too bad, because Sloan is a respectable band, not to mention a canadian one!

The fact is, this is not the first time this has happened. Certain songs by The Get Up Kids, Weezer, The New Amsterdams, Jimmy Eat World and others have reminded me of other giirls for as long as i can remember. I guess it's a curse and a blessing of mine that i associate relationships with music. It works really well during the time, but once it's over the music is ruined. For instance, i have made mix CD's for Cara since we started dating. There are some great romantic, emotional songs by the Get Up Kids, that would work really well on a CD i make for Cara, but because the album they are off was associated with a relationship with another girl, i don't use them, cause now they are like dirty or used, or associated with times in my life that i don't want to be apart of my life and marriage to Cara. So for me to play those songs for Cara is almost like i am bringing the ghost of another girl into our relationship. She doesn't even know this is the kind of stuff that i think about when i make her mix CD's, but it is, partially cause i am OCD, but also because quite a bit of music has been tainted by sharing it with women who would never be my wife.

I don't even know what i am trying to say about this, like what conclusion i am making other then if you care about music the way i do, sharing it with girls can sometimes cause you to no longer love some really good music, but then again, it's the relationship that makes the music as good as it is. Hearkening back to the Get Up Kids, analogy. Many of my friends thought the Get up Kids sucked, but because it reminded me of a girl i liked, i loved the Get Up Kids or at least the one or two albums they had released by then.

It's funny how the mind/heart works like that. For me, these relationships were me giving away part of my heart and with each part of my heart went a catalogue of music that i have a hard time getting back. Some stuff i have been able to dissasociate with, but certain songs, like Jamie, by Weezer, i doubt will ever lose conotations no matter, how non-existant my feelings for her are, and they are non-existant.

For todays song of the day, i will share with you one of my ruined songs. "Your House" by Jimmy Eat World. That song was ruined by Chloe, and it's a great song, so when you check it out, because i know you have the means and the desire, enjoy it and raise whatever glass you are holding to Chloe. I on the other hand will raise my glass to Cara and the many songs and albums that are the soundtrack to our relationship, which is much stronger, better, and important then any one i have had before.

Anyway, i will talk to you next from the City of Calgary
Peace my friends, thanks to anyone who made my trip to North Vancouver as good as it was.

ps. We are now engaged.
(we being me and Cara)
(or as an english major would say "Cara and I")