I'm not one for getting all emotional on my blog. Generally, I like to keep it at a distance, make strikes at being witty or thoughtful, occasionally dabbling in the auto-biographical. I don't know, it's not a set-in-stone-philosophy or anything, just the way it's worked out.
Last night, I got the opportunity to head out to Camp Luther with some youth. I brought 5 teens who had never been out to camp (not totally true, some had been campers way long ago) and my wife was there with me too (the first time she'd been to Camp Luther while in summer mode). It was really great! I love that place and the people I've known because of it. It is truly a special, God-blessed sanctuary that is a home for so many incredible young men and women....it's awesome (not in the watered-down version of awesome, but the intended, passionate, drop-to-your-knees and shudder awesome). Yeah.
These youth seemed to like it. They were thankful for the chance to experience it and see what their friends find so amazing (three other youth from Zion were at camp there). I was glad to hear that :)
I am poor at keeping my eyes-ears-heart-mind open to God encouraging me and yet, I managed to see-hear-feel-sense Him this time...so often, the knowledge of the impact any one of our lives can have on another (peer-parent-camper-youth-whatever) is hidden from us to keep us humble (I think so)...when we can see it, even for a moment, the potential blows us away. I am blown away and I am blessed to have served.
Yeah.
P.S. - I unintentionally started chaining words-thoughts-ideas together with hyphens tonight...weird.
27.8.06
22.8.06
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...
Everybody chooses an order for their stuff: CDs, books, names, phone numbers, etc. Lists and piles require organization of some sort. Now for you smart-aleks (also read: dumbasses) out there who are going to tell me they don't organize at all, "I just live in extraordinary, unadulterated filth and mess"...you still choose an order for your stuff...it's just a 'less-work' version on the scale of organizationality (I know you like that made up word).
The movie "High Fidelity" made the Top-5 Lists famous (or at least famous to those who've seen the movie - YOU SHOULD SEE THE MOVIE). As well, the concept of arranging one's things by genre came into effect in the film. For example, one collector sorted his records in order of when he heard them; not when they were made, not alphabetically, but essentially autobiographically. Pretty cool. Again, you should see the movie. Smile:)
Anyhow, it's not uncommon in Blogdom to find crazy lists of links on the sidebar of any particular blog. Names, titles, codewords, phrases...whatever suits the fancy of the blogger and his/her readers. Well, my challenge to you is to find out how I've sorted my link-list....first sleuth to correctly meet the challenge wins a prize!!
Good luck and Godspeed.
The movie "High Fidelity" made the Top-5 Lists famous (or at least famous to those who've seen the movie - YOU SHOULD SEE THE MOVIE). As well, the concept of arranging one's things by genre came into effect in the film. For example, one collector sorted his records in order of when he heard them; not when they were made, not alphabetically, but essentially autobiographically. Pretty cool. Again, you should see the movie. Smile:)
Anyhow, it's not uncommon in Blogdom to find crazy lists of links on the sidebar of any particular blog. Names, titles, codewords, phrases...whatever suits the fancy of the blogger and his/her readers. Well, my challenge to you is to find out how I've sorted my link-list....first sleuth to correctly meet the challenge wins a prize!!
Good luck and Godspeed.
18.8.06
What are they going to call it?
There is a new behaviour to study. Pyschologists and behavioural scientists all across the world are fascinated with this breed rising up within popular culture. Fortunately, variations of this conduct have been around for millenia and this latest strain will be analyzed starting from existing research, giving scientists an imporant head start in combatting this vicious malady.
It is contagious and spreading, much like a mob grows in the midst of rebellion. As the crowd advances, more and more catch on, no longer watching from the fringe, but joining in as the madness swells! Arrogance balloons and a sudden, proud swagger appears even amongst those once considered the most meek and mild in society. Were this pattern of growth to continue, surely it will bring about the destruction of all we hold sacred, shattering the precious psyches of many fragile friends, disrupting the proliferation of creative thought, inhibiting fertile minds, assimilating all but the strongest of wills.
The existence of this behaviour should not be surprising. As mentioned above, earlier variants have thrived throughout the course of human history; this new blip on the radar, though compelling, was not unexpected. What has caught researchers offguard is how quickly these mannerisms have been adopted by society-at-large, threatening to overpower a burgeoning industry. In reality, it is merely following the pattern of everything else associated with its source: the internet.
What is this virulent manner, you ask? What is this plague poised on the precipice of disaster? What is threatening to plunge each one of us into the abyss of despair?
Blog bullies.
You know who you are: you who demand updates only to scratch your junkie itch, to satiate your unceasing need to read more and more AND MORE! You know who you are: You who feign interest in personal lives in order to hide your informant's addicition to know all! You know who you are: daring to dispirit the private world of creative genius by demanding production according to your timetables! Yes, you know who you are.
BACK OFF!!! I'll blog when I wanna!! SO THERE!!!
(author sticks out his tongue, makes a silly face and runs away as fast as his little feet can carry him)
It is contagious and spreading, much like a mob grows in the midst of rebellion. As the crowd advances, more and more catch on, no longer watching from the fringe, but joining in as the madness swells! Arrogance balloons and a sudden, proud swagger appears even amongst those once considered the most meek and mild in society. Were this pattern of growth to continue, surely it will bring about the destruction of all we hold sacred, shattering the precious psyches of many fragile friends, disrupting the proliferation of creative thought, inhibiting fertile minds, assimilating all but the strongest of wills.
The existence of this behaviour should not be surprising. As mentioned above, earlier variants have thrived throughout the course of human history; this new blip on the radar, though compelling, was not unexpected. What has caught researchers offguard is how quickly these mannerisms have been adopted by society-at-large, threatening to overpower a burgeoning industry. In reality, it is merely following the pattern of everything else associated with its source: the internet.
What is this virulent manner, you ask? What is this plague poised on the precipice of disaster? What is threatening to plunge each one of us into the abyss of despair?
Blog bullies.
You know who you are: you who demand updates only to scratch your junkie itch, to satiate your unceasing need to read more and more AND MORE! You know who you are: You who feign interest in personal lives in order to hide your informant's addicition to know all! You know who you are: daring to dispirit the private world of creative genius by demanding production according to your timetables! Yes, you know who you are.
BACK OFF!!! I'll blog when I wanna!! SO THERE!!!
(author sticks out his tongue, makes a silly face and runs away as fast as his little feet can carry him)
21.6.06
Dibid yibou hibear thibat?
...fond memories of the past...
Back in high school, my friend Eric and I spent tons of time together. Most days, I'd drive him home from school (yes, I was the chauffeur) and we'd chill for a couple hours at his home, drinking coke, eating crap food and talking like guys do.
During many a late-afternoon visit, E's brother David and sister Lauren would hang around like younger siblings do, like units of "cool" could be absorbed by osmosis... we were so cool....
Though he didn't like these familial units hanging around most of the time, there were times where Eric engaged with his family in pestering the best friend, namely: me. They had their own language it seems...
The three of them (or the two of them, and occasionally, the mother would join in too) would jabber along in what seemed to me to be gibberish. Then they would laugh hysterically, making it very clear that it was at my expense. Needless to say, I put my language skills to work and, along with a couple hints, figured out what they were saying. They called it "Double Dutch" though the name doesn't matter. It was coded english, like the more well-known Pig Latin and it worked famously!
Those initial torture sessions led to the use of this code more often, and it was great. Imagine high school while being able to say anything at anytime about anyone and only the people you trust could understand. It was like we spoke Japanese or Swahili or Xhosa only even Japanese, Swahili, or Xhosas couldn't decipher it either!!! AMAZING!!!
Until Colleen quietly came up to me one day and rattled off a flawless sentence in Double Dutch. She knew.
She Knew?
She KNEW!?!
Yup. She knew.
You see, Colleen was another good friend and a smart one at that. She heard Eric and I (not that we were bashful about it or worried about being discovered) and put her brain to work, discovering the secrets on her own that I needed clues to find. She beat us. Bravo!
Death to Double Dutch.
Back in high school, my friend Eric and I spent tons of time together. Most days, I'd drive him home from school (yes, I was the chauffeur) and we'd chill for a couple hours at his home, drinking coke, eating crap food and talking like guys do.
During many a late-afternoon visit, E's brother David and sister Lauren would hang around like younger siblings do, like units of "cool" could be absorbed by osmosis... we were so cool....
Though he didn't like these familial units hanging around most of the time, there were times where Eric engaged with his family in pestering the best friend, namely: me. They had their own language it seems...
The three of them (or the two of them, and occasionally, the mother would join in too) would jabber along in what seemed to me to be gibberish. Then they would laugh hysterically, making it very clear that it was at my expense. Needless to say, I put my language skills to work and, along with a couple hints, figured out what they were saying. They called it "Double Dutch" though the name doesn't matter. It was coded english, like the more well-known Pig Latin and it worked famously!
Those initial torture sessions led to the use of this code more often, and it was great. Imagine high school while being able to say anything at anytime about anyone and only the people you trust could understand. It was like we spoke Japanese or Swahili or Xhosa only even Japanese, Swahili, or Xhosas couldn't decipher it either!!! AMAZING!!!
Until Colleen quietly came up to me one day and rattled off a flawless sentence in Double Dutch. She knew.
She Knew?
She KNEW!?!
Yup. She knew.
You see, Colleen was another good friend and a smart one at that. She heard Eric and I (not that we were bashful about it or worried about being discovered) and put her brain to work, discovering the secrets on her own that I needed clues to find. She beat us. Bravo!
Death to Double Dutch.
9.6.06
Please stay seated
I must be honest. One solid reason I am writing this post is to avoid losing my coveted space on the bloglist of Neal. I simply do not want to give up my perch and thus, I write. You know, it's not that there's been nothing happening over the last month. Not so at all! In fact, much has been going on. Unfortunately for me, not so much of it is blogworthy, either being uninteresting, unfunny, too personal or some combination of the three. Sigh.
On one amazing note, my wife and I celebrated our first anniversary this week. We were driving back from E-town on this wonderful day and thus, did not celebrate as we would like. Plans are in the works to take the proper time to do it up! Lack-of-grand-celebration aside, I was (and still am) awestruck by the gift of my wife; that we have had this incredible time of growth together leaves me speechless, with tears of joy on my face. I am blessed to have such an encouraging partner with whom to learn about love...
Pastor Andrew wrote of transition and I heartily agree... so much of "growing up" is realizing that life is never settled, never fair, never finished. It is always at you, picking and prodding, until final peace is found in death. Fin.
On one amazing note, my wife and I celebrated our first anniversary this week. We were driving back from E-town on this wonderful day and thus, did not celebrate as we would like. Plans are in the works to take the proper time to do it up! Lack-of-grand-celebration aside, I was (and still am) awestruck by the gift of my wife; that we have had this incredible time of growth together leaves me speechless, with tears of joy on my face. I am blessed to have such an encouraging partner with whom to learn about love...
Pastor Andrew wrote of transition and I heartily agree... so much of "growing up" is realizing that life is never settled, never fair, never finished. It is always at you, picking and prodding, until final peace is found in death. Fin.
5.5.06
Procrastinating
I think I couldn't have thought of a better name for my blog. I procrastinate to avoid procrastinating! I'm terrible.
The previous posts have the date of April 23 on them, though they were truly posted today. I had some thoughts and wanted to improve upon them, though the mirror post remained unchanged. Good intentions, though ultimately unnecessary. This "save a draft, post it later" thing is a strange feature of this bloggy world. A prior thought, if drafted, can be shared later and credited on the day upon which it was drafted, not shared. That is a feature worth paying for in other areas of life....
Imagine if you thought of something, wrote it down, and left it there (intentionally or not) until the context to which the thought (or behaviour) belonged had expired, yet you were able to retrieve the written thought and apply it now (out of context) in a meaningful way as though you had done so at the time of the thinking and writing! Forgetful men could save their anniversaries! Visa bills could be paid before the due date! Absent minded professors could get papers marked on time! Youth pastors could pass on wonderful encouragements to those they work with and get budgets finished! The whole world could be filled with the idealist behaviour we all wished we could exhibit...though it would be accepted a month late!!! It would be AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Or maybe it just means the wrong date is stuck on your post in Blogger. Yikes.
The previous posts have the date of April 23 on them, though they were truly posted today. I had some thoughts and wanted to improve upon them, though the mirror post remained unchanged. Good intentions, though ultimately unnecessary. This "save a draft, post it later" thing is a strange feature of this bloggy world. A prior thought, if drafted, can be shared later and credited on the day upon which it was drafted, not shared. That is a feature worth paying for in other areas of life....
Imagine if you thought of something, wrote it down, and left it there (intentionally or not) until the context to which the thought (or behaviour) belonged had expired, yet you were able to retrieve the written thought and apply it now (out of context) in a meaningful way as though you had done so at the time of the thinking and writing! Forgetful men could save their anniversaries! Visa bills could be paid before the due date! Absent minded professors could get papers marked on time! Youth pastors could pass on wonderful encouragements to those they work with and get budgets finished! The whole world could be filled with the idealist behaviour we all wished we could exhibit...though it would be accepted a month late!!! It would be AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Or maybe it just means the wrong date is stuck on your post in Blogger. Yikes.
23.4.06
Alliteration
I like alliteration.
Singing songs softly while wooing women.
In fact, finding friends is fun at Fridays!
Monday's musings made me mostly mellow... metaphorical meanderings mainly.
See how fun it can be!!!!!
Take a crack at clogging my comments with your alliterative communications...
Singing songs softly while wooing women.
In fact, finding friends is fun at Fridays!
Monday's musings made me mostly mellow... metaphorical meanderings mainly.
See how fun it can be!!!!!
Take a crack at clogging my comments with your alliterative communications...
12.4.06
Out there
I neglected to post about my concert way back on March 18...
I had a lot of fun that night! There ended up being 55 people turn out and it was a supportive crowd, to say the least. Lots of friends and a few new people, with music and silliness and heart all at once!
The band played really well, especially since this was the first time they had ever played together at all! Due to the realities of work schedules and adult life, we were never able to assemble the whole group at once until the actual concert! The first two practices involved Maria, Anthony, Mark, Brian and I (everyone but Toby) while the third was missing Maria and the last, Maria and Mark. Ahhhh the joys of the real world! Regardless, we were able to hang together and trust that God himself was present to unite us...He was. It was a real blessing to me!
One element of silliness that invaded the evening came in the form of a vote. I began the concert extolling the virtues of democracy and its far-reaching consequences, encouraging all to make use of this valuable right.... over the style of my facial hair. Now, this was no small task, considering that I had grown out my beard to provide options for the people. It takes me roughly nine years to do this, but I love my fans and was willing to make the sacrifice! There were six options, ranging from a scary little moustache (no, not Hitler tiny) to leaving it as it was, a full beard. Everyone could vote during the intermission and following the intermission, plus a couple more songs (to give time to tally the votes and prepare the shaving equipment), I would shave on stage. Yes, on stage. Alex and I 
planned ahead for this, but neglected to bring a mirror. This meant that I would have to rely on someone else to perform the shave (YIKES). Peter Kim, a long time friend and ally would help (I'm scared!). The winner was "wolverine" style, which meshed a long, handlebar moustache with bushy sideburns that extended down my jaw. Not Alex's favorite, but the people had spoken!! Wolverine it was, and still is. I've actually maintained this look right through to the present day!
If you are a back blog reader (previous posts), you may remember that I posted about concerts back on March 14th, making mention of the concert of mine to come. Well, one major concern I have with performance, be it acting or reading or music or mime or whatever, is that it is worth it. I've paid $100 for a ticket to a concert (guess which band?) and considered it completely worthwhile yet in the same vein, paid nothing for some concerts that I wished only for my time back (not worthwhile)! This was a desire for me in my performance...make it worthwhile. I believe that we did that. It was a fun night and the music was good. The commentary was long-winded and self-inflated, but effective. Heartfelt moments balanced out times of outlandish hubris and one could be left with a sense of satisfaction. Hoo-wah.
And despite the favorable results, I still have not scheduled the next one...sigh. I need a manager :)
I had a lot of fun that night! There ended up being 55 people turn out and it was a supportive crowd, to say the least. Lots of friends and a few new people, with music and silliness and heart all at once!
The band played really well, especially since this was the first time they had ever played together at all! Due to the realities of work schedules and adult life, we were never able to assemble the whole group at once until the actual concert! The first two practices involved Maria, Anthony, Mark, Brian and I (everyone but Toby) while the third was missing Maria and the last, Maria and Mark. Ahhhh the joys of the real world! Regardless, we were able to hang together and trust that God himself was present to unite us...He was. It was a real blessing to me!
One element of silliness that invaded the evening came in the form of a vote. I began the concert extolling the virtues of democracy and its far-reaching consequences, encouraging all to make use of this valuable right.... over the style of my facial hair. Now, this was no small task, considering that I had grown out my beard to provide options for the people. It takes me roughly nine years to do this, but I love my fans and was willing to make the sacrifice! There were six options, ranging from a scary little moustache (no, not Hitler tiny) to leaving it as it was, a full beard. Everyone could vote during the intermission and following the intermission, plus a couple more songs (to give time to tally the votes and prepare the shaving equipment), I would shave on stage. Yes, on stage. Alex and I 
planned ahead for this, but neglected to bring a mirror. This meant that I would have to rely on someone else to perform the shave (YIKES). Peter Kim, a long time friend and ally would help (I'm scared!). The winner was "wolverine" style, which meshed a long, handlebar moustache with bushy sideburns that extended down my jaw. Not Alex's favorite, but the people had spoken!! Wolverine it was, and still is. I've actually maintained this look right through to the present day!If you are a back blog reader (previous posts), you may remember that I posted about concerts back on March 14th, making mention of the concert of mine to come. Well, one major concern I have with performance, be it acting or reading or music or mime or whatever, is that it is worth it. I've paid $100 for a ticket to a concert (guess which band?) and considered it completely worthwhile yet in the same vein, paid nothing for some concerts that I wished only for my time back (not worthwhile)! This was a desire for me in my performance...make it worthwhile. I believe that we did that. It was a fun night and the music was good. The commentary was long-winded and self-inflated, but effective. Heartfelt moments balanced out times of outlandish hubris and one could be left with a sense of satisfaction. Hoo-wah.
And despite the favorable results, I still have not scheduled the next one...sigh. I need a manager :)
5.4.06
Not Totally a Liar
So I told a fib. Steve K had a "competition" on his blog with regards to a particular Tuesday and it's extragant blessing...whoever could beat his Tuesday story won an iPod. Well, suffice it to say that I won, but had no evidence of such a blessed Tuesday. Thus, the previous blog entry. Sigh.
Now, part of that tale held truth...Alex is an immigrant!! I've talked about these matters only a couple of times on this space, so I'll summarize. Summer 2002, Claudia Alejandra Morataya Delgado made application to become a permanant resident (or landed immigrant) in Canada, filing an application as a "Skilled Worker" (childcare was her area of training and an area of need in Canada). After multiple medicals and record checks (cause it was taking so long, not because there was anything wrong), working visas and student visas (so she could stay in Canada legally), trips to Guatemala, United States & Europe, marriage to a Canadian, and nearly FOUR years, C. Alejandra Thompson is a permanent resident in Canada!! This is GREAT news for her, for us!
This was an extremely long and trying journey for Alex and it is amazing that it is finally over! This is a time to praise God for His faithfulness...
Now some of you might be wondering what was the purpose behind this arduous journey. I know that I didn't know about the rigours of immigration until it involved me...another blessing of being born a Canadian. As a Guatemalan, Alex could not live, work or go to school in Canada without a visa allowing it. These visas require money, paperwork and reasonable motivation to be approved. If Alex wanted to change jobs, it would take no less than 3 months for it to be approved, IF it was approved (uncertainty is a hope-stealer). The job had to be in the field of childcare or religious work and full time for it to even be considered. If Alex wanted to go to school, she had to apply for a student visa (pretty easy to get) and then attend school full time, paying international tuition (about $10 000 per year) and would not be permitted to work a job, unless it was provided to her by the school. Good times. As a landed immigrant, Alex can now work wherever she wants, as much as she wants. She can work and go to school, paying regular tuition costs, going full time, part time, whatever. She is finally free...
Needless to say, I am pretty happy about this. I was really shocked to learn of the difficult path some foreigners must walk in order to gain access to the wonders of Canadian life. It was a tough lesson to learn, but I'm glad I know now. It's going to open doors to ministry in the future, having this epiphany of the need that exists for poor souls trapped on this journey.
NOTE: be aware that I have divulged Alex's full name in "print"... do not talk of this. You are under penalty of death and/or dismemberment should you do so... :)
Now, part of that tale held truth...Alex is an immigrant!! I've talked about these matters only a couple of times on this space, so I'll summarize. Summer 2002, Claudia Alejandra Morataya Delgado made application to become a permanant resident (or landed immigrant) in Canada, filing an application as a "Skilled Worker" (childcare was her area of training and an area of need in Canada). After multiple medicals and record checks (cause it was taking so long, not because there was anything wrong), working visas and student visas (so she could stay in Canada legally), trips to Guatemala, United States & Europe, marriage to a Canadian, and nearly FOUR years, C. Alejandra Thompson is a permanent resident in Canada!! This is GREAT news for her, for us!
This was an extremely long and trying journey for Alex and it is amazing that it is finally over! This is a time to praise God for His faithfulness...
Now some of you might be wondering what was the purpose behind this arduous journey. I know that I didn't know about the rigours of immigration until it involved me...another blessing of being born a Canadian. As a Guatemalan, Alex could not live, work or go to school in Canada without a visa allowing it. These visas require money, paperwork and reasonable motivation to be approved. If Alex wanted to change jobs, it would take no less than 3 months for it to be approved, IF it was approved (uncertainty is a hope-stealer). The job had to be in the field of childcare or religious work and full time for it to even be considered. If Alex wanted to go to school, she had to apply for a student visa (pretty easy to get) and then attend school full time, paying international tuition (about $10 000 per year) and would not be permitted to work a job, unless it was provided to her by the school. Good times. As a landed immigrant, Alex can now work wherever she wants, as much as she wants. She can work and go to school, paying regular tuition costs, going full time, part time, whatever. She is finally free...
Needless to say, I am pretty happy about this. I was really shocked to learn of the difficult path some foreigners must walk in order to gain access to the wonders of Canadian life. It was a tough lesson to learn, but I'm glad I know now. It's going to open doors to ministry in the future, having this epiphany of the need that exists for poor souls trapped on this journey.
NOTE: be aware that I have divulged Alex's full name in "print"... do not talk of this. You are under penalty of death and/or dismemberment should you do so... :)
I'm not kidding. :P
Really, I am not joking.
Seriously.
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