Sunday, October 30, 2005

Tim Houghton's favorite body part is the Shins...or so i've heard

What a weekend.

Yesterday was a fine day. Laced with a lack of productive behavior i lazed the day away waiting for a visit from my old friend Landon. He showed up and we had a good time. We watched a bit of the Senators and Leafs game, the first two periods to be exact, and then we headed out for supper. We didn't know where we were going to eat so we cruised a main drag (McLoed Trail) until we saw a place that was satisfactory to both of us. I don't remember now the name of the place, but i do remember it's ethnicity. It was a Chinese restoraunt, whose main feature and draw was a buffett supper and a mini habitat for about 10 large turtles. Now when i say Large Turtles, i'm not talking Galapogos Islands Large, but large enough to cover the vast expance that is my facial extremities. So inspired by the turtles was i, that i made many remarks like "Cowabunga, and Mutagen". Looking back, i wish i would've added the phrase "radical, radical, radical" to my phrasiology in referance to the adundance of turtles. Don't worry, i didn't eat any of them.....that i know of.

From there we ventured to the movie theater where we caught the first of what would be two films. First we caught Doom, which of course was mediocre. No, Mediocre is too nice of a term for that film. It was piss poor in every way, but then again, Doom wasn't my favorite game, i was not very good at it unless i had the god code on and even then, i never knew where to go. We had quite a few laughs at the expense of such people as "The Rock" and his many co-stars. Following that debacle, we switched to a comedy. We viewed "The 40 year old Virgin". It is a highly innapropriate movie, in the vein of films such as "Anchorman" and "The Wedding Crashers". I'll admit. I laughed. More then i did whilst watching the previously mentioned yet similar films, but still, very innapropriate film. I sat there thinking how i would never bring a girl to see this, and yet, right next to me, on the opposite side of Ol' Landon was two couples, and i was like, how can you feel comfortable watching this with women. It is vile, oh well. I feel like Cara would watch it with me, i guess i was just thinking how awkward it would be to take Bible College girls, or take a girl on a date to.

One time, in my first year of college, we went to the movies. And when i say We, i mean, me and my buddies and a bunch of girls some of them were trying to shark. I wasn't into that scene, or maybe there was one girl, i don't remember, it was so long ago. Anyway, point is, we were going to see some crappy movie, and it was sold out when we got there, so instead we bought tickets for one of the "Scary Movie" films, i think the second one. Within the first scene the girls we were with were disgusted and walking out. I was laughing, and then had to walk out with the rest of the team. Needless to say, Bible College girls have high standards when it comes to movies, some more so then others, props to a certain former crush of a former roomate of mine.
Two words: Johnny English.

Anyway, Landon came over after and we played some video games. It was good times overall. Then he left, then i went to sleep. And i think i might do the same sooner then later, but i might read some more of the book i am just starting to get engrossed in: "Through Painted Deserts" by my old friend Donald Miller. It's very poetic and thoughtful so far, but i am only two chapters in.

Speaking of two chapters, the sound on my computer has suddenly quit. I don't know what to do, it's very out of the blue. Like i went to play a song this evening and it simply would not. I was devestated. I still am, to be honest. I wanted to listen to the song "2 Become 1" by the Spice Girls. I know, that song is a guilty pleasure, i'm kind of embarresed, but obviously not too much, cause i just told you that i wanted to listen to it.

Today was spent mostly in the presence of my sister. We had a nutricious early supper of Nachos baked in the over whilst viewing two films of our own. I had her choose ones that she had never seen before, so she chose "10 things i hate about you" and "Garden State" two of my favorites. So much so that i have the song of the day to be from that particular soundtrack. Watching this film has reinvigorated my interest in a band called "The shins" so i have chosen thier song to be the song of the day, in particular the song "Caring is Creepy". I remember i downloaded it a long time ago, when i still had those abilities. It was cool. Check it out if you got the means and or the desire. Tim Houghton likes the Shins and so should you.

Saturday, October 29, 2005

Confessions of the former roomate of a Weeping Prophet

So, whilst i was in the scotia of the novan variety, i thought about confession, and or confessionals. Why did i think about this archaic invention you may ask, well it's because my uncle's funeral was a Roman Catholic service, as were many of the goings on at his viewing/wake. So one of the elements that i thought about was the old fashioned confession booth. I thought about how i respect and admire some aspects of the Roman Catholic faith and practises, one of which being the confessional booth. I feel like i'm not saying anything real so far, but bear with me. I don't like the "Hail Mary's" (and i'm not talking about the football play here folks), i don't like the idea that after we confess our sins before God and Man, we are required to serve some sort of man made penance. What i do like about it, is the practise of confession. If we could somehow take the confession booth, refine it, and make it part of our Alliance Churches, i think it would be great. I think, that despite the fact that accountability groups are the new rage, i have a hard time finding people who will hold me accountable and not have to have me hold them accountable for holding me accountable. Even more so, i find it difficult to confess to people when i screw up. I know that ultimatly God is our judge, and we need to confess before him, but, i also believe in accountability because that helps you keep from screwing up again, but for one reason or another, i haven't found successful, long term accountability. I think because of this, i like the idea of an somewhat annonymous time of confession to a wise person, who can counsel me, whose job is to listen to correct and to encourage. I guess the dark little booth, hides the shame better then having to walk into a pastors office and say, i screwed up, what should i do. Besides, Pastors, are too busy to deal with things like that. Or maybe it seems like that. I don't know. I don't know how well it would work, but i feel like, Confession booths in prodestant churches would serve a good purpose and would also help us train ourselves to be constantly confessing our sins. Maybe i'm the only one who sees these things as possibly beneficial, and clearly i haven't thought this all the way through, but i see potential in it, and want to explore the idea more fully, and i guess i am seeking input from the world of internet blog readers, cause it seemed like a good idea at the time.

So for those of you in the Calgary Area, next thursday would be a great chance for you to view the vocal stylings of both myself and my roomate Troy as we blow peoples minds with our beautiful songs. You see, my place of educational employment is holding what is known as a "coffee-house". At these coffee-houses, people come, drink tea and or coffee, eat scones, and sing songs, or read poems, or whatever. It's artsy, and so Troy and I wanted to do one, so they made one, and Troy and I are leading the event as well as performing. So come check it out it's at 8pm at Thistles Coffehouse, right by my place of residance. It's gonna be a glorifical good time.

Song of the Day is "Weeping Prophet" by Jeremiah Zaretsky. My former roomate was a budding musician, and recorded an album of heart-fet tracks that almost got him nominated for a juno award. Anyway, one day, we made a music video for the song, it's great, but we have had trouble transfering the file because of it's size and anger. So we are still waiting for the Major Label Debut of Jeremiah, but his music video will be shown on Much Music soon, so keep your eyes peeled. If you have the means and or the Desire, check out Jeremiah Zaretsky's crowning achievement "Weeping Prophet"

Friday, October 28, 2005

Wocka Wocka

I was recently inspired by the blog of young Mr. Keller, to find out what muppett i would be, if indeed i were to be a muppet. Then once i discovered my results, i thought i would share them with you, because, though i do realize the need to blog, i have nothing of consequence to say at this juncture.

Fozzie jpeg
You are Fozzie Bear.You are caring and love your friends as if they
were family. For only they will put up with
your stupid jokes.
FAVORITE EXPRESSION:"Wocka! Wocka!"FAVORITE AUTHOR:Gags Beasley, comedy writer
HOBBIES:Telling jokes, dodging tomatoes
QUOTE:"Why did the chicken cross the road?"
NEVER LEAVES HOME WITHOUT:His joybuzzer, his whoopee cushion and Clyde, the
rubber chicken.

What Muppet are you?

Uh, anyway, yeah. Song of the day is "Disintegration" by Jimmy Eat World. It's from thier new EP "Stay on my side tonight", and it's a dandy of a song. It features a sound that i can only describe as later J.E.W. Anyway, if you have the means and or the desire, check it out, i dare you.

Monday, October 24, 2005

Perspective

Welcome Back friends.

I have indeed returned from Nova Scotia, and am sitting comfortably back here in "the city i live in, the city of angels, lonely as i am together we cry".

Quick! Name that tune!

Anyway, i'm back, and i'm having trouble sleeping. It sucks majorly. This is probably some of the worst jet-lag i have ever had in my life. Worse then when i went to the Philippines too.

So what has been permeating in my brain since this tragedy occured. Well, certainly, Death has a profound affect on you. It causes you to see the world in a new light, and for myself this was particularly true, as it was the first real funeral i have ever attended and the closest person to my that has ever died.

Death makes you think about yourself. For instance, it makes you realize how quickly and suddenly your life can be taken from you, how not everyone is going to live until they are 85, and pass into the next life quietly and painlessly. You realize you are not exempt from death, and when thinking about death, it causes you or at least it caused me to think about life. Am i living my life in a way that will leave me with no regrets when i die. And i'm not talking about taking risks and living an extreme life, with bungee jumping and skydiving and so on, but am i living in such a way that i am concious about my relationships. For instance, my sister and i argued a few times while we were in Nova Scotia. I regret not clearing it up right away because who knows what could happen, and if the last words i spoke to my sister were mean and harsh, how terrible would i have felt and vice versa. It's ok, to be upset and argue, but like it say's in God's word "do not let the sun go down on your anger". I don't want to die and have someone mad at me or me be mad at someone. It's not worth the pain.

Also, like i said before, death can come swiftly, and so in that respect, are we living lives that honour God, and speak to the people around us of his love and his glory? I want to be more conciencios of the things i say and do, so that as i serve God, i can serve him better by having less flippant and off the cuff comments and actions make him look like he doesn't matter to me. I want to live a life that reflects the beauty of my Lord. I was able to do that this last week and i did well in some ways, but in other ways i dropped the ball. One reletive questioned my love and forgiveness quotiant as i head into ministry because of how i argued with my sister. It doesn't matter who was right or wrong, but when that person said that, it cut me, and i responded with an aggressive attitude and cutting remarks. Defence Mechanism i guess, too much pride to admit i was wrong. In that regard i didn't do a great job of revealing Christ in me, but in other ways i did. As i cared for my grieving mother, as i spoke the eulogy on behalf of my family, as i tried to point us to christ and his mercy, and grace, and love when things looked bleak. I guess it's give and take sometimes.

Mu Uncle Derrick who passed away was survived by his parents. My grandmother wept like nothing i have ever seen as she buried one of her children. It was hard to watch, it was heartbreaking. But it made me think, what if one of my children dies, how hard would that be, and i think many other people at the funeral were thinking about it too. You could see it in people's eyes as my grandparents mourned. If that should ever happen to me, i hope that i can approach it with the grace and confidance that my grandparents did. Oh, it hurt them, but my grandfather was able to live in the confidance of his son's salvation, and the peace and comfort of the Lord, and i don't know how to be honest. What a painfully crippling situation. I don't know what the point is of this i guess, but just to say to lose a child sucks, and i was able to see Christ in this situation, which made it easier, though it was incredibly difficult.

These are just some of the thoughts that rolled around in my head one night as i layed trying to sleep and listening to Ryan Adams and the Cardinals on a futon in Little Anse, Nova Scotia. The rest i will share later.

Song of the day is "Naked as we came" by Iron and Wine. I have been hearing little snippits of this fantastic band for quite a while now, since last year, but yesterday i was able to procure thier album from Tim Houghton. I am borrowing it from him, and listening to it now. It's slow and acoustic, which is nice right now. I don't think i could've handled much more right now. Anyway, Iron and Wine, they are sweet, check out "Naked as We Came" if you have the means and or the desire. It's about death, and the communication about wishes between two people in a relationship. Check it out, cause i'm checking out. Peace, and Love

the shaolin

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

My Nova Scotia Home

Hey Kids.

1. I'm doing this from a dial up connection (how weird is that)
2. I'm doing this from Nova Scotia (even weirder)

In case you didn't hear, my uncle passed away suddenly last friday, and my sister and i, left calgary, went back to vancouver to meet up with my mom and rest of family, and flew to Nova Scotia for the funeral.

It has been a very tough week, and it is coming to an end, as Ashley and i return on Saturday.

I have had much time to think, and have some good things to write about when i get home.

Thanks Kyle for the email

Love you all
The Shaolin

Song of the day is "The End" by Ryan Adams and the Cardinals. It's a beautiful song. If you have the means and or the desire, i encourage you to check it out.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Once, there was this girl who....

Today as i walked to my place of educational employment eagerly, i saw something. It was a bird with one leg. This bird was hopping around on it's one leg attempting to locate and eat food on the sidewalk. As i looked at the bird, i thought, "oh, that poor bird", and i also thought "i wonder what happened to it's other leg?" and now that i'm thinking about it again, i'm thinking "Man, i'm glad i still have both of my legs!"

Hope you had a good thanksgiving.

Song of the day is "Life on Mars" by David Bowie. I was trying to pick something good to listen to this morning on the way to school, and so i picked David Bowie, and the melodious love of this song as it hit my ears caused me to be in a good mood, and walk with a skip in my step as the music touched my soul in such a way as to make me want to dance. If you have the means and or desire, check out "Life on Mars" by David Bowie.

ps. I just found a small cold sore on the inside of my mouth....weird

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Winter

So, I'm leaving. No, not the world of blogging, i don't know what would happen to Jon Kramer and silent but always reading Carmen Smid if i did that. I think they would implode, or at least be upset for a while. No, i am leaving town. I am headed out for a weekend of Thanks and perhaps even some giving in the respective communities of Vermilion, and Spruce Grove. Good times.

Tonight, I was packing and i finished packing my clothes, and began the most important thing. Choosing CDs for the road trip. In such an occasion, i will only take with me a small pack of CDs, about 24 or so, most of which i won't get to listen to, but all of which i will have a choice of listening to.

To be honest, i have been feeling out of sorts for the better part of this month, and haven't been able to totally nail down the causes of it, but it has manifested itself in apathy, unsettled feelings, disappointment, and lonliness. It's been a hard month. There have been bright spots. For instance my Beloved Vancouver Canucks made a triumphant return last night defeating Wayne Gretzky and the Phoenix Coyotes, but there has been a lot of down time this semester, and by semester i mean month.

Anyway, as i was picking my CD's a thought occured to me. This is all "Winter Music". No, it's not Christmas music, i would have to shoot myself if that was the case. I hate Christmas music, and it is mostly my sisters fault, but i still love her. Then i thought about what Winter was, and what winter made me think of. Cold, Barren, Hard Wind, Snow, Blind. And that's just the tip of the iceberg (props to the Titanic). All the music i was picking was music that i could see myself listening to in times of being cold and alone, and dragging myself through the barren landscape of a winter time in my life. Or perhaps a season, as some people would call it. Anyway, it's not even really depressing music, it's not like i busted out the "Great Depression Mix" (no you can not steal that name, i invented it and it is amazing!), but it's all music, that i sub-conciously chose because it in part reflects the strength of my spirit right now.

So, i thought i would share the list with you.
1. Matthew Good - Avalanche
2. Counting Crows - Hard Candy
3. Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head
4. Bush X - Razorblade Suitcase
5. Weezer - Pinkerton
6. Ryan Adams - Gold
7. Ryan Adams and the Cardinals - Jacksonville City Nights
8. Jimmy Eat World - Clarity
9. Death Cab for Cutie - Plans
10. The Beatles - Abbey Road
11. Dave Matthews Band - Everyday
12. Blue Rodeo - Five Day's in July
13. David Gray - White Ladder
14. Fleetwood Mac - Rumors
15. Somthing Corperate - North
16. The Wallflowers - Bringing Down the Horse (currently listning to)

Anyway, thats the music of my heart and soul right now. The music of Wintertime. Wintertime isn't always depressing and cold. There is warmth, love and peace too, like on some tracks from "Gold" and such, but for the most part, it's not. I look forward to having a great weekend, and coming back with a new perspective, and a new joy.

Song of the Day is "12/23/95" by Jimmy Eat World. You want a song that epitomizes winter for me right now, there it is. If ya'll got the means and or the desire, check it out. Until i return, sleep well my sweet children.
The Shaolin

"So this is winter
the snow falls
the wind blows
cold in my face"
- from "Winter" by Perry and the Poor Boys. Actually the best representation of a winter song ever. He wrote this song for his Dad after his dad died.

Monday, October 03, 2005

Dashed Dreams Day

Funny that i'm still talking about dreams

I woke up to the sound of my alarm at 7am, turned it off and went back to sleep. Which in turn means i missed hockey practise, which no longer matters, because today, i ended my AUC hockey career. Thats right, i told the coach that i had to quit. My finances and my dreams of getting married require me to put my priorities in order, and to do that i came to the conclusion that the very expensive and time consuming hockey had to go. My dreams of playing hockey for my school, and playing the sport that i love with every fibre of my being has been dashed against the rocks. Don't get me wrong, i know it's right, it's the only thing i can do, but it still sucks the big one. Dashed Dream Number One.

What i failed to mention was that when i woke up at 7am, i heard the familier sounds of falling rain. At that moment i resolved to wear my grey brooks two south hoodie with my red plaid jacket that the buttons have all fallen off of. When i finally did get up at 8:50am, i showered, cleaned up, played a video game while waiting for troy, and got dressed. I wore what i wanted to wear, and then we opened the door to leave the apartment building and it was doing somethat that i hate. It was snowing. I was very angry, and i told God that snow was my least favorite creation of his. Even more then an ex-girlfriend of mine named Val. You see, Troy asked me if i hated snow more then i hated Val, and i said yes, because Val is out of my life and the snow isn't. Anyway, snow is dashed dream, because, you see whenever i want to go somewhere (aka: Vermilion or Spruce Grove for thanksgiving) the snow begins to fall, this happened several times last year as well, whenever i wanted to go to Calgary or Lloydminster. I hate the snow. Dashed Dream Number Two.

Then i went to school, cause i had an assesment to take for my accreditation process. I took that, and went and worked on my sociology assignment due tomorrow. I finished it, which felt good, then i went out of the workspace and bumped into Lisa, who was the person who was supposed to inform me of what i thought was my impending employment with the school that i so readily attend and love. Anyway, she asked me to come to her office, and she then informed me that the school would not be hiring me. I asked why, she said there were more qualified applicants. Then i tried to hide my frustration, but didn't do a very good job cause i made some snarky remard, put my sunglasses on and walked out. I was pissed off. I am still a little pissed off. All i wanted to do is work for my school by supporting and promoting them, and despite the fact that it is my desire to do these things, and despite the fact that i would be really good at it, they have decided not to hire me. I am not happy. I still need to find a job. Dashed Dream Number Three.

What a crappy Day.

Song of the Crappy day is the song "Man and a Women" by U2, from thier last release "How to dismantle an Atomic Bomb". Thats the cd i have been listening to today, i was missing U2, and so decided to give this record a spin. What a beauty. Anyway, check out "Man and a Women" by U2 if you have the means and or the Desire.

Sunday, October 02, 2005

Thunder only happens when it's raining?

How could i pass up the opportunity to write a blog from the Dean of my school's house as i was here house sitting for him? Clearly i couldn't. Thats right, i am house sitting for a professor from my school, and it's going alright and it's almost over. In fact, once i finish this blog, which i don't see being enormously long (like the blogs of a certain Vermilion Pastor I know) i will be packing up, putting the dog in it's kennel, and going home.
The plan was to have Matt, Troy, and Colin come over last night with two expressed purposes. To Play a game of rook, and to watch the new DVD concerning former Professional Wrestler, "The Ultimate Warrior". Seeing as nobody rents such DVD's we were stuck, and disappointed, but we managed to compensate by watching Wrestlemania 21 on DVD, which was ok, it had a couple great matches, that caused us to oooh and aaaah, but none the less, our dreams were unfulfilled. Speaking of Dreams being unfulfilled, last night we needed some grub as well, because, we were hungry, we hadn't had supper, so we went to VHQ to check for the DVD, and there was a subway right next door, so we were gonna go there, but we came out and it was closed, which was bizarre and annoying, because, it was not supposed to be closed for a whole other hour. Anyway, somehow we managed to survive.

Speaking of Surviving, Whats the deal with dreams? I could sure use a Joseph son of Jacob right about now! I don't know if i have mentioned this yet, but ever since coming back to Calgary from Vancouver, i have been having some exceptionally bizarre, and vivid dreams. The weird thing is, i have been able to remember them for the most part, for a couple days, and last night was no exception.

This isn't all the dream, cause i never remember that, but this is the last five minutes before i wake up.

"I'm walking up a hill, but i'm not alone, it seems as though, the whole student body is behind or in front of me, walking up this hill. A steep hill, but a hill i come to recognize as the hill that leads to my high school from the playing field. As i near the peak, and look over the crest of the hill, i have a vision of the mountains. And not just any mountains, but beautiful, snow capped, shimmering in the sunlight mountains. I remember thinking to myself, that is the most beautiful thing i have seen, and i wish i had a camera. But i didn't so, i kept walking. As i crested the hill i found myself at a modified version of my high school, and there was a breath of expectancy in the air among the people who were congregated around this one area as if waiting for something to happen, or perhaps waiting for someone to exhale.....Then it happened, the word flew through the crowd, that indeed, Andy Reimer was there (Andy Reimer, is a beloved former prof. from my school, who left us just this year), we were all so excited to see Andy, and both he and a guy named Tom, poked thier heads out seperate windows, and we cheered and clapped, and gave a standing ovation. I remember thinking, that the guy Tom seemed to really think this was for him, just by the way he was smiling, and waving and bowing, but i knew it was for Andy. Anyway, as the fanfare was winding down, i saw a guy from my sociology class "Lief" come around behind me with his wife, and began making his way towards the front, he seemed agitated, which was fine by me, cause i'm not a huge fan of the guy. Anyway, as soon as he was kinda in front of us all, a guy i haven't seen in like two years comes diving in, yelling "he's got a gun", He smashed Lief's face into the ground, and then decks him, Lief is lying there, but then gets up in a fit of rage, throws Jon to the ground, and punches him a couple times, but hard. By the end, Jon is crying, trying to ask forgiveness, saying he thought Lief had a gun. And then Jon walked out crying and feeling ashamed.

Then i woke up. The dream doesn't make any sense and neither have it's predecessors. So if any of you have the gift of interpreting dreams, let me know, cause i could probably whip up a batch of weird dreams in a week or two. Some people say they can control what goes on in thier dreams, i have a hard time believing that, mostly cause i can't.

"Have you any dreams you'd like to sell? Dreams of lonliness, like a heartbeat... drives you mad...in the stillness of remembering what you had....what you lost....what you had....ooooh, and what you lost"

Lyrics from the Fleetwood Mac song "Dreams". It's one of my favorite songs by the band, it is an amazing song, featuring the vocals of Stevie Nicks. I encourage you to listen to this song, if you have the means and or the desire, Jon Kramer, i know you have the means, so you better listen to it, and then talk about it on your next blog! Anyway, as i was thinking about my dream this morning, this aptly named song (not to be confused with an Apt Pupil, terrible movie) came to mind, though i think it has to do more with a broken or breaking relationship then anything else. Or perhaps living in the past, and trying to hold on to memories and dreams of the good times, while ignoring the life you have in front of you. Who knows, i could be wrong, ask Stevie, and Lindsay, and Mick, and John, and Christine, the people who made up "Rumors" era Fleetwood Mac.

Until next time, Stay Classy San Diego
The Shaolin