Friday, December 30, 2005

Landslide

Hey kids.
It's me, the not oft-posting blogger Mike Schalin from my parents home in Nor Vancouver, writing to let you know that I am still living and living fairly well. My Christmas was decent. Differant, had some strange occurances, emotions and so on, that characterized how my memory will remember this Christmas season. Mostly i've stayed home and visited with family. I haven't felt like going out and whooping it up, hitting the pub or really even seeing people here. But it's been good. I have relaxed a lot, haven't had much to do, which has been good, i've even worked a few days with my dad which i didn't expect to do, but i've gotta pay the bills somehow right. Anyway, I don't have anything exciting or witty to share with you, so here are the lyrics to a great song, and although lots of people think it's a Smashing Pumpkins song, and even more people think it's a Dixie Chicks song, they are all wrong. It's a Fleetwood Mac song, and it's great. It's also the song of the day. Now, don't think just because i chose this song that i am a half ass Fleetwood Mac song, i can almost guarantee that i know more about Fleetwood Mac then all of you reading this song, so don't diss me just because this song is overplayed by people who aren't really fans....I bet you don't even know who Stevie Nicks dedicated to this song to on the live version of this song from the album "The Dance"!? Didn't thinks so....

Landslide

"I took my love, I took it down
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
’till the landslide brought me down

Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love
Can the child within my heart rise above
Can I sail thru the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life

Well, I’ve been afraid of changing
’cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older
I’m getting older too

Oh, take my love, take it down
Climb a mountain and turn around
If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide will bring it down
If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well maybe the landslide will bring it down"

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Team Canada


So, it's 11:36pm, the canucks just played in and lost the best hockey game i have seen all year, i'm listening to Sarah McLachlan, and i'm tired as hell. What better time to let you all know what i think about Team Canada, and it's it's affiliation with mens hockey. Or to put it more succintly, what i think of Canada's olympic mens hockey team.

I feel pretty good, and so do Ed Jovanovski and Todd Bertuzzi as you can see by this picture. I can understand what Mr. Gretzky and his associates are trying to accomplish. They are trying to win a gold medal and continue to establish Canada's dominance in international hockey competitions, and this one is the granddaddy of them all. He chose a team with skill, strength, experiance, chemistry, and youthful enthusiasm. They have also rewarded a couple players who are fringe players, or have given constant and decent service to the institution that has become Team Canada. Now, for your reading enjoyment is a player by player breakdown, with my opinions on why each player should or should not be a part of this team. I'll Go by position. For those of you who don't care, skip down to the song of the day, or actually, i'll tell you what it is right now, and then you can skip the rest. I just feel the need to weigh in on this highly discussed topic. Song of the day is "Miss Sarejevo" by U2. It's a remarkable song and it features Luciano Pavarotti in his greatest musical accomplishment. So, if y'all got the means and or the desire, check out "Miss Sarajevo" by Bono and the boys of U2.

Goalies:

Martin Broduer: This is the greatest goaltended in the world who is still playing professional hockey. Many people were concerned over his mediocre play this year now that his rock solid defence (Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer) has left the swamp (New Jersey not the lounge like area at CBC in Regina), but it is not his goaltending that has kept his team from winning, it's thier lack of offence, and a mediocre defence who has been plauged by injuries, inconsistant play and retirement. Broduer is the natural and correct pick for the number one goalie, based on skill and successful representation of Canada in other high international competitions including the last OLympics in Salt Lake City.

Roberto Luongo: This young man, while playing for one of the worst teams in the NHL, continues to show his skill in making upwards of 35 saves a game. He faces the most shots in the NHL and makes a good majority of them. He is a solid goaltender who has played for Canada in the past, and played well. He is being groomed to be Martin Broduer's successor for Team Canada, and on that principle alone he gets to come along for the ride. Good and logical pick for the number two goalie.

Marty Turco: Turco is the third goalie. He deserves to be on this time based solely on his great play in the NHL season. I'm not a huge Turco fan, they could've picked any number of goalies for this third spot (third goalie rarely plays in international competition) and i would've been just as happy. Turco earned this with good play, so i won't take anything away from him.

Defencemen:

Ed Jovonovski: Hasn't played his best hockey in this NHL Campaign, but it one of the more mobile defenders, which is a quality with a high premium in international play because of the bigger rinks. Jovo is a defencemen who can jump into the play offensivly, and who has the wheels and determination to catch up defensivly. He is also a great physical presence, who has done well representing Canada in the past. He is one of Gretzky's boys. Based on play this year alone, he might not deserve to be there, but his skill, and his chemistry with the other players and his experiance make his a great pick and a valueable player.

Rob Blake: A Great veteran of both NHL and International Hockey. Fantastic Offensive skill as well as a warrior in his own end. He is the second oldest person on this team at 36 years old, but time and age has not diminished his skill or his value in a tournament like this. A winner at all levels, Blake brings that intangible knowledge of knowing what it takes to win the big one. Blake is a correct choice for these what will be his last Olympic games.

Adam Foote: I Don't like this guy. As a member of the Colorado Avalanche he beat up Canucks and defeated us more times then i care to remember. He's apperantly more mobile then i remember, but in a crop of offensive defensemen, he will be the guy backing you up, ready to perfectly play an odd man rush against him. He is a guy who has been playing for team Canada for a long time, and more then likely this will be his last kick at the can as well. He has been a major part of Team Canada's success in recent years so i can understand his presence on this roster. I might have opted for someone else over Foote, but i don't see Foote hurting us, and his dedication to this team and his success in both international and NHL hockey will be valued.

Scott Niedermayer: A Recent Norris Trophy Winner (NHL's award for top defenceman) multiple Stanley Cup Champion, Olympic Champion, NHL All Star, and one of the smoothest skating defenceman to ever come out of British Columbia. Scott Niedermayer has great skills, is one of the top defenceman in the NHL and was a no brainer for Team Canada. He will more then likely be wearing an "A" as well, which means assistant captain. Fantastic Player, to not choose him would've been a mistake.

Christopher Pronger: Actually no one calls him Christopher, except maybe his mother. If you did he would probably crush you. At 6'6 230 some odd pounds, he is a monster on defence. Chris Pronger is a born leader. He is vocal, strong, skilled and looking to rebound his career in Edmonton after a couple mediocre years with the St. Louis Blues. Pronger has a bullet of a shot, not quite on par with former linemate Al Macinnis (who recently retired after a stellar career) but it is quite hard and accurate. Pronger since his junior days has been representing Canada, was part of the last two Olympic Squads, Pronger was not a lock to be chosen, but was a smart pick, on a steady and reliable defenceman who doesn't make many mistakes.

Wade Redden: Lloydminster's own Wade Redden, has a been a perrenial underrated denfeceman. Only in the last couple years in the wake of Ottawa's successes has the hockey world taken notice of Wade Redden who has quietly been evolving into a fantastic, well rounded defencemen in the national hockey leauge. This will be Redden's first Olympics, and one he worked hard to be chosen for. I won't dispute this pick.

Robyn Regehr: This guy has come a long way in the last few years. As a highly touted draft pick of the Calgary Flames, his career was in jeopardy with a devestating leg injury. He got through it and has quickly become a defenceman who plays against the leauges top forwards. His physical style and ability to jump into the play are really coming into thier own, and as some of these older defencemen go the way of the dodo, look for guys like Regehr to lead the way in the future. Regehr has had a great season and is well deserving of being named to Team Canada, for goodness sakes, you can see the impact he has on his team. Regehr gets injured, Flames suck and can't stop anyone, Regehr comes back and they are ready to go for the cup again, coincedence, i think not.

Forwards:

Ryan Smyth: "Captain Canada" is his most recent of monikers, having represented Canada in more international games then anyone else i believe, is a warrior. (the only reason he has been able to play in so many games for Canada is cause the Oilers have sucked so much and he could always go to the world championships cause they were never in the playoffs very long). Anyway, as the years have gone on, my respect for Ryan Smyth has gone up. He is a talented player, much more so then i used to give him credit for. He has a nose for the net, and is able to score clutch goals in both his NHL and international career. His play with Team Canada in the last few tournaments has really opened my eyes to how important he is to this team, and i would not have wanted him to be left off this team no matter how much i hate the Oilers.....and believe me, I HATE THE OILERS. Ryan Smyth is an embodiment of a Team Canada Spirit.

Joe Thornton: No Doubt one of the best players in the world. Strong, Skilled, Sexy. All of those are reasons why Joe Thornton should be on this team. Thornton was a no brainer and i totally agree.

Martin St. Louis: A reletive new comer to NHL stardom and even international play, St. Louis is a small but dangerous player. He has speed and skill, which are a good combination at the worst of times, but it's his never say die attitude that seperates him from the "not on team canada" players in Wayne Gretzky's view. I'll never forget the time I say Martin St. Louis bodycheck 6'5 230 pound Keith Primeau to the ice, i'll bet Keith never forgot it either. St. Louis was on the bubble in my books, not having a standout year, but his chemistry with players such as Lecavalier and Richards helped his cause. For my money, Paul Kariya should have had this spot, and i will stand by that. Paul has resurrected his career with Nashville and with his leadership and valueable international experiance, it would've been a beauty. No knock on St. Louis, great player, but if it was my team, Kariya would've been inserted here.

Joe Sakic: In the wake of The Lemieux Fiasco, and The Honorable Yzerman situation, leadership and captaincy of Team Canada was put in this mans hands. Sakic is known for his deadly quick wristshot, it's sent many a goaltender to the showers, and some even to thier deaths...ok, so thats not true, but at 36 years of age and a couple months older then Rob Blake, Joes is the oldest, most experianced player on Team Canada. His leadership has been praised in the NHL as he has been loyal to one franchise through the crap and the glory, winning stanley cups and awards and accolades, for mentoring young players, and overall, being one hell of a skilled player. Joe Sakic continues to inspire awe and amazement, and he is a player who shines brighter in international competition. This will be Joe's last Olympics more then likely, and I am certain that he will lead his team to Olympic gold this year, and add one more achievement to that list of his. No doubt about him being on the team, and no doubt about him being captain.

Brad Richards: The lone representative of Canada's maritime provinces, this PEI Native (whoa, not like an indian or anything) is the future and the present of Canadian hockey teams. He is the Joe Sakic of the next 12 years, and his inclusion on this team shows that Wayne Gretzky and co. believe in the youth, and understand that a team of 35 year olds will not get it done. Richards is hungry, and he is extremely talented. Don't think he got on this team by hype, Richards is a beauty, a Conn Smythe Trophy Winner (NHL Playoff MVP), and i'm pretty sure, he and I are the same age, or he might be a year older then me or something. He would've been on my team.

Rick Nash: Another young player, he is actually my age, i realized Richards is older then me, but Nash, we should've gone to high school together, then he could hook me up with some tickets to the Olympics or something. Rick Nash is a feisty winger, who i would describe as a pure goal scorer. That doesn't mean he's a puck hog, or doesn't get assists, but he seems to have some sort of ability to score goals within his genes. Rick Nash was injured for the first three months of the NHL season, which made people wonder if he was going to be on the team, but if his play since returning from injury is any indication of how he will play in the Olympics, you will be glad he is on this team, and so am I.

Vincent Lecavalier: No Question, tough, big, amazing skills, drawn comparisons to Mario Lemieux (when he was a good player and not just a bum). Vincent Lecavalier will be one of the best players in this tournament, and Canada will lean on this young man a lot. He needs to deliver and I believe he will. He for sure would have been one of my picks.

Jarome Iginla: I HATE THE FLAMES, but i'm glad he is on this team. Intesity, a goal scorers touch, leadership, loyalty to team, and a christian. Jarome Iginla is the real deal, a great hockey player who has seen success in the NHL, and even more success in international tournaments. In the last two tournaments he has found himself on a line with Joe Sakic and it has produced some amazing results, so Iginla is in, and not a moment too soon.

Dany Heatley: Another one of those young forwards who is dominating the NHL now, and will be dominating the leauge for years to come. What can I say about Heatly, went through some tough times with the tragic death of teammate Dan Snyder in a car accident that he (Heatley) was responsible for. Has since been given a new lease on life with a change of scenery that brought his to Ottawa and the real potential to win both a Stanley Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal in the same year. Heatley is really good at getting in position to do offensive damage. He has that ability to be in the right place at the right time, and you wonder, how did he get here? He is also a great goal scorer as he proved a couple years back at the NHL all star game. Heatley is one of the best players in the leauge, and has aquitted himself very well in international play. His skill and experiance carried him onto this team with no questions asked.

Simon Gagne: Canada is blessed to have many of the best players in the NHL hail from thier country, and Gagne is no differant. Many people are just becoming aquainted with Gagne, as we out in the west don't see him often, but we see his highlights, and now we've been watching him on an international stage for about six years. We've all seen what this guy can do, and there was no reason that he shouldn't be on this team. Plays well with Sakic and Iginla, imagine that line on your NHL team....oh stink.

Kris Draper: I'm sure Kris Draper is a nice guy, and he's well known for being very good at what he does (checking, being a third line player), but if it were up to me, there are two players i would rather have then Kris Draper, who i don't believe belongs at the Olympics. He can go the the World Championshps, and i guess even the World Cup if he has to, but not the Olympics...yikes. Rather then Draper, i would've preferred Brendan Shanahan, having an outstanding year with Detroit, and or Patrice Bergeron, who somehow disappeared off Team Canada's radar despite playing so amazingly for them at the World Cup, or whatever it was that he played, as well as the World Juniors. Kris Draper would not be on my Team Canada.

Shane Doan: A Christian, a team Captain (albeit of the Phoenix Coyotes) a decent player overall, but team Canada? In my view, he is a questionable pick, and would've had those previously mentioned players (Shanny, and Bergeron) in line before Doan, who is one of Gretzky's players in Phoenix which say's a lot to me about why he is on this team. Frankly, i would've preferred to have Curtis Joseph on the team if Gretzky needed a Coyote on the team, but oh well. Doan belongs here more then Draper, but still Doan would not have been a pick of mine. Spezza as well, would've made my team before Doan, but Spezza's got lots of time ( and is a sub if anyone get's injured, so i'm not too upset about the Spezza situation)

Todd Bertuzzi: The most hated man in professional sports. No one was sure if he was gonna make this team except Wayne Gretzky. Todd seems to be Wayne's project player, like Theo Fluery was in Salt Lake City. I'm happy about that. I don't know if you watched Vancouver's loss to Calgary this evening, or yesterday, or whatever, but the way Todd played in that game, and in the 6 or so games previous to that shows why his skill alone got him onto this team. When Todd has the puck, no one, not Jarome Iginla, not Robyn Regehr, not Chris Pronger, not Adam Foote, Not Joe Thornton, no one can take the puck from Todd Bertuzzi if he wants to hold on to it. There is not much to say about Todd, you all knew i wanted him on the team, all i can say is watch him play, that will speak for itself. Todd is going to come back and be in the top ten point scorers this season. Mark my words, he is coming, and no one is going to be able to stop him. No player on earth. Todd is going to be one of the reasons we win Olympic Gold, and you will all forget about "Steve what's his noodle" and you will love Todd Bertuzzi with close but not quite as much non homosexual love as i have for Todd Bertuzzi.

Thank you and goodnight. I can't belive how long this is. Especially considering I agreed with Gretzky on all but 4 and a half players. Gadzooks.

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

I Wish I Was a Pinball Wizard, or at Least, was Going to See One

and if by wizard i mean my parents and extended family, then the above statement would be correct. Thats right ladies and gentlemen, i am headed for home. And if by home i mean North Vancouver British Columbia, then once again i would be correct. It feels great, and speaking of things that feel great, i can name one thing, actually two things that do not feel great. The first one is my back, particularly my lower back. I have had terribly uncomfortable and fitful sleeps for the last few days and today my back is suffering. The other thing that is not great is the fact that i am leaving my fiance, my women, my sweet love Cara, for an extended period of time over the Christmas Holidizzles. Thats right, i said holidizzles. Anyway, other then those two items, i feel wonderful.

So, in my night of fitful sleeping, i encountered a dream, and i plan to recount it for you here and now (izzle).

....I was in some sort of conferance room with my friends, Matt, Connie and Catherine, i do not remember what we were doing, or what we were talking about, that part of the dream is hazy, but from there, i remember collecting two Air Soft guns, both hanguns (which Paul Martin pledged to ban outright as a reaction to the growing number of handgun murders in canada, once again proving how incompantant he is, because clearly, it is not the registered handguns that are doing the shooting, these weapons are the illegal unregistered kind....oh what a fool). Anyway, i got these two handguns and began stalking though a forest of some kind. It was not a thick, old growth forest, it was near to a dirt road, and there were trees and bushes on either side. I was moving stealthily along and alone, looking for what i percieved to be my enemies. There were people everywhere, hiding, trying to shoot one another with these guns, and i remain intact. Then i see someone, and unload on that person, managing to hit them, and remain myself unscathed. Then i saw Kieran, and we had a bloody exchange, with me coming out as the victor. (Ok, it was not bloody, these are not real guns, in fact, in the dream Kier disputed that i even shot him, but whatever) After my excahnge with Kieran, I continued, now running and rolling dowin the dirt road, which had now become a hill, i tripped over an overgrown patch of grass and stump, that was deep enough for me not to initially see the girl hiding in them, but luckily, i had the skills to pull out my weapon and fire on her before poor little Amy (the soccer playing girl) had a chance to do so to me. From thence, i darted into the bushes on the side of the road, because there seemed to be a stampede of people coming towards me. Note, before i shot amy, i rolled down the hill, to avoid being shot at by Kier, and i came up and found the Librarians of my school in the bushes to my right, and i shot them as well....sorry Adam, keep in mind this was all a dream of some air soft game. Ok, so here i am in the bushes, with a stampede of people coming towards me, many of them went to the right, away from me, when i decided to emerge and begin shooting, as i ran out of the bushes one of my handguns fell, and was still in the bushes, i ran back to get it, but someone who was very swift managed to snatch it away before i could get to it, i reemerged from the foliage to find an elder and former employer of mine from Vermilion, leading a second charge of people right at me. People from Vermilion, people from my school, faculty and staff from my school, we all seemed to be having some giant game, and then i realized where i was...I was at Belle Vue Bible Camp.....and before,i could be smoten by Mr. Webb and his horde, i was awoken by my sister, who wanted to know if she should take Psychology or Acting.

Anyway, my day has been slow since then, and i need to go pack my carry on bag for the place, and also i need to attend to some other personal business postehaste. I offer my love and affection to you as you enjoy your Christmas Holidays, hopefully with people you love, and love you back, cause if they do not love you back, that would be a clear example of whats known as unrequited love, which is seen quite clearly in the story of Frankenstien.

Song of the Day is by Nirvana. It is from thier UNPLUGGED album, and it is called: Jesus doesnt want me for a sunbeam. It is a keen song that makes remarkable use of an instrument known as an accordian. It is a very selfish, and bitter song, but it is still really a good song. So good in fact that i put it on a very important mix cd one time. Anyway, i gotta run.

Merry Christmas, and be aware that my next update will come from the muddy banks of North Vancouver (izzle)

Fondest Regards:

The Shaolin

ps. please drink responsibly this holiday season. I know i will.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Conversations about the Canucks

Man, it's been so long since i blogged i nearly forgot my password. How are you fine folks. I am quite well, for several reasons. For instance, on the morrow, i am leaving the fine city of Calgary and returning to Vancouver for a quick trip home to enjoy the Christmas festivities with the warmth of family relations. Also, i feel good because i am listening to, for the first time (which is not bad considering i bought it 15 minutes ago) the new Ryan Adams album "29". I'm currently on track 2, and am already completely enjoying it. This second track is called "Strawberry Wine", which is the name of another song by some female country singer, and i was scared Ryan was going to cover it, cause that would be weird considering, that other is about the female singer losing her virginity..eeee...I had a very funny conversation about that song one time when i was having lunch in Cold Lake. Anyway, Ryan isn't covering that other song.

I don't have much to say, or perhaps to report. I have been doing very little in the way of constuctive activity lately. I finished all my papers like three weeks ago, and have had only two exams. Well, i've technically only had one, the next one is in an hour and a half. Truth be told, i haven't studied to hard either, but i am confidant of my success. So what i mean by all this, is, i have been doing something called "relaxing" for the last 2 and a half weeks or so. I finished all my Christmas shopping, which was not really a relaxing situation, but since i went early in the morning it wasn't too bad either. I can distinctly remember, meeting Cara at the mall, while i was shopping for her Christmas present, and then i put her present in my car, and we went and had a delicious breakfast at Ricky's. Just thinking about it makes me quite hungry, i want some Breakfast right now, but alas, i have no breakfast products or financial means to procure some, because Ryan Adams was more important then eating.

This blog is going nowhere as you can tell, but i felt admonished by Jon Kramer's blog who said something about not letting exams and business keep you from blogging. I met with my mentor this last week. We talked dealing with "eccentric" or strange people. I'm not talking about annoying or jerky people, don't get confused, i'm talking about strange people, people who seem to exist outside of the plain of regular existance and thought. Fringe thinkers, people who legitamatly seem kinda nuts. I guess the point George was trying to make was these people are really easy to just write off as nut-bars. If you can show these people the love, and interest that they deserve and seek, you often can learn something remarkable from them. They seem to always have something to teach us. But if we write them off, we lose two things. The relationship, and the perspective that these fringe people can offer us.

Song of the Day is "Nightbirds" by Ryan Adams. It's from his new album, it's a pretty great song. Note, don't confuse this with the artist, Ryan Adams and the Cardinals. Differant band. Same band leader, but differant band and sound. ANyway, i have a headache, and this CD has long and wonderful songs. But i need to get off the computer before my head explodes. If y'all gots the means and or the desirizzle, check out "Nightbirds" by Ryan Adams. You shant be disappointizzled.

Monday, December 05, 2005

Hoth:The Ice Planet

I have decided that Calgary and it's weather system and that weather systems effect on the city of Calgary are similar to that of the Ice Planet Hoth from the StarWars Trilogy. The winds are blowing so hard that it is caused me to move in directions and at speeds that i did not want to move. After blogging, i hope to aquire one of these creatures that you see in my picture. They are ideal for crossing the ice-desert that is both Hoth and Calgary.

So, today, the MC's for Youth Conferance were chosen, although at this point they have not been announced so i can't tell you who they are. I have also figured out that I would've preferred other MC's but I wasn't in the interviews and trust that the current Rallies team made the decision they felt was right.

Speaking of right, last night was the Christmas Banquet. I don't have much to say on that subject. Partially because my ride and my table mates left long before i was good and ready, so i was a little disappointed. I would've much rather stayed longer, but then i had no mode of transportation or anyone to sit with. Oh well, hindsight is 20/20. It was pretty decent overall, for the part that i was there for. I had a bit of a bad attitude about it because it seemed highly unorganized and the flow of it was weak. That might be because there was no MC's. MC's are able to give a consistant person to move and transition from presentation to presentation. We had several people speaking, most of which were not very good at speaking in front of people and holding attention of those in attendance. I don't know. My bad attitude at the event i think was partially my fault as well as being the fault of those cynical people i was sitting with. The food was great. I really had a good time with that situation, and i didn't even spill anything on myself, which was a more then added bonus.

I think the time has come to consume a Subway Sandwhich. Why? Because I am hungry. Also because I don't want to stay here at the school. I want to go home and lie in my bed and pout and read, and watch scrubs and listen to Elliott Smith, and play a video game or two, and pout, and maybe watch Happy Gilmour. That always makes me happy. Good luck with your lives and your afternoons and just be thankful you aren't in Calgary. Unless you are in Calgary, and then for that i am truly sorry.

Song of the Day is "Boys Don't Cry" by The Cure. I heard it in a movie once. It was awesome. Then i put it on one of my epic mix CD's called "Mike's Mecca 4". If you have the means, the taste for 80's depressing pop, and the desire, then you should check it out. If you decide not to, then cuddle up in your bed in the dark and listen the entire Elliott Smith Musical Catelogue. I think that's what I will do.

Friday, December 02, 2005

You....Can....Take....mybreathaway

It is inhumanely cold here in Calgary Today. Last night was also quite cold, as i walked from the C-Train Station home last night. It was eerie, there was no one else around to be seen on the white covered streets, as the snow fell silently on the city of Calgary. It made me want to listen to Elliott Smith. So I did when i got home. It was just what i needed. For some reason, I was able to read and focus and think about spiritual things. You see, on the morrow of last night, (which was today) I was supposed to meet with my mentor for the year, George Durance, and i had to do some reading to dialogue about, and listening to Elliott Smith, and his post-humous release "From A Basement on a Hill" was able to help me with that.

This morning, I was walking to school. On my way to meet with George, to a meeting that would turn into a great meeting by the way. So, I was at the corner before the school and I had two interactions with strangers. The first man was a construction worker who directed my attention to the Crane that was not building or deconstructing anything. I agreed with him, that perhaps it was too cold to work on the crane, and thats why noone was there, he agreed and then told me that he was supposed to be working, but it was too cold, and he didn't know that no one was working there today. That was it, we crossed the street and went in our seperate directions. As I stood on the opposite corner, waiting for the walk signal to be illuminated, an old man, looked at me with an angry and disgusted face and said (and i quote) "Why do all you young people go around looking like Pigs!? You Should Use a Razor on your face!" He seemed very angry and I was taken aback by the outburst. I didn't quite know what to make of him, so i said, "....alright" and then walked away. It was a very strange interaction, very humerous to me as well.

After my meeting with Dr. Durance (George) I took my sister to Safeway. She needed some groceries and someone to help her carry them home. So we went, and got them, and carried them home. Then i went up to my apartment to take care of some personal issues before i was to return to the school to write this blog and have a job interview at 1:15pm. So, i took care of the issues, and then got re-bundled up, and hopped on the elevator to go down one floor to the main level from which i could leave the building. As I stood in the elevator, i began to read to posters and announcements on the walls and as i did this, i began to sing. "I CAN BE YOUR HERO BABY, I CAN KISS AWAY YOUR PAIN!". Yes, that's right, I was singing a song by Enrique in the elevator at a very loud volume. Then the elevator door opened and there was some CTS Student who lives on my floor, sitting in the lobby, laughing at me. It was kinda embarressing, but oh well.

The Song of the day is indeed "Hero" by Enrique Iglasias. It's a nice song. You should listen to it and sing it to someone you love. Or if you don't love anybody, sing it to someone you like and or have a crush on, and or someone you are taking to the Christmas Banquet (hint hint) If you have the means and or the desire, you should listen to this song.

Thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoyed these random stories. Peace.

Thursday, December 01, 2005

We'll all be, safe 'till St. Patricks Day

About a week and a half ago, i decided to go to class. It was a bad descision, especially since every time i go to this particular class i leave feeling exasperated at having paid nearly $800 for a class where i don't learn anything. On this particular day though, i was feeling extremely exasperated because of the continued discussion and comments made by particular people in my class. In case you haven't deducted yet, this is not a Bible College Class. This is a sociology class, that Bible College Students have to take, but is mainly created for the Behavioral Science Students, all of which reside in the School grouping known as NUC. Now, this isn't anything against, the Nazerenes, or NUC or anything like that, but here's the truth. That class is filled with people who are more concerned with being liberal Christian Hippies then agreeing with something that is so clearly scriptural. I get annoyed. The fact of the matter is there are like six of these people in a class of about 90 students, but the other fact of the matter is, is that that these six students are more opinionated and orally fixated then anyone else in the class. It's like they enjoy the sound of thier own voice or something. Anyway, by in large due to the Professor, there has been a great deal of discussion coming back to the "Same Sex Marriage Issue". This gets tired. So, this one day when i decided to go to class, we got back into it. I argued back and forth for the first couple of classes, but then found the argument to be circular and pointless, so i just gave up, because i don't need to convince anyone in that class of anything, other then how attractive i am, and also, how sharp of a wit i am. Anyway, back to the class a few days ago. One particular student started going off on how theology is changing and Same Sex Marriage is becoming acceptable to people in the Church and the followers of Christ. How we need to adapt our theology to be more accepting of this, and how this is the major trend that is happening and that will lead our churches into the next generation. Now, bear in mind that is not a direct quote. I wish i would've written down exactly what she said, but i didn't. Do you know why I didn't? BECAUSE I WAS FUMING MAD! Why, was i fuming mad? Do I hate gay people? Do I want gay people to live lonely unhappy lives? No, I don't hate Gay people, no i don't want people to be unhappy, but do, i want to concede that the theology, and the practise of accepting homo-sexuality as the norm and acceptable is what we need to do? No, i sure don't.
Ok, i'm just going to lay it out. I don't think the definition of marriage should have been changed to include same sex unions. Honestly, i oppose that. Think of me what you will. But if there is a shift in the beliefs and morals of Christian to include homo-sexual union as something deemed acceptable in our churches, then there is a real problem, and i think this problem is coming from liberal hippie Christians who are more concerned with politics and "human rights" then what the Bible has to say.
I don't mean to come across as a right wing fundementalist from Texas. Don't brand me as a republican, narrow minded fasciast, just because i don't believe in same sex marriages and because i have a problem with liberal hippie christians. Do what you want actually, I don't care. I don't hate these people, but when people start trying to make excuses in thier beliefs for things that are clearly not appreciated by the God they claim to follow it makes me mad.
You probably all think i am nuts, and a bad person, but i'm sorry, what these people said, and they attitude with which they said it caused me great frustration and anger. Perhaps i am generalizing this group of people, and perhaps that is a bad thing, because in some ways i am quite "liberal" it could be said, but i try and stand by what Scripture says. Not just in condemning things, but in loving people. This obviously is not easy for me right now, because even as i typed this, i got all riled up, but anyway. What are your thoughts? Am I wrong? Am I a Bad Person?

What else is going on in my life? I have a job interview tomorrow, I have a Christmas Banquet on Sunday, I am trying out a new Church on Sunday, I'm going to a presentation by the Calgary Flames on Saturday as a representative of the School that i Attend. I'm getting Married in August.

Song of the Day is "Bad" by U2. "Bad" is an underappreciated song by U2. It is so beautuful, and poetic. It's like people forget about how amazing this song is. It gets overshadowed by "Pride" on it's original released album "The Unforgettable Fire" and the overshadowed overall by every song on "The Joshua Tree". "Bad" is an amazing song, some of the finest lyrics Bono has ever come up with, and if you have the means and or the desire, you should check it out. What do i mean by that? I mean, if you have this song on a CD somewhere, or you have the ability to download it, you should. And by desire, i mean, if you want to, if you want to partake in wonderful music, then you should.
Muchos Gracias

El Shaolin