Good things (6 of 30)

First - thanks to my sister-in-law Tracy (I assume it was her and not Lenny) for pointing out that I don't know how to count.... my last two posts were numbered "4 of 30". I was so worked up about people not knowing the anthem that I could not count I guess.

----
Second - I went to my "English as a Second Language" class tonight and my reader did not show up. This is a first! I mean - he has not missed in 8 months - he is there every night. Every once in a while Sari's reader skips out and she gets the night off. I have always been sort of jealous of her when that happens - so tonight I thought, "Oh Yaaaayyy!!! I get a night off tonight!"..... then my reader showed up (15 minutes late) and I thought "Doh!". But you know what??? I had tons of fun with Juwon tonight... we laughed and made fun of fishing and wives going shopping (he thinks shopping is extremely boring too - some things are cross-cultural). It was fun - and I am glad that he showed up. If you are not involved in a program like that - may I suggest you find one and volunteer. Every Wednesday night I am tired and think "I would rather stay home" and every Wednesday night I go home thinking, "That was good and fun!" Maybe you would enjoy it too.
---

Thirdly.... my favorite bit from "Just for laughs" tonight.....

"How many of you play video games?? (smattering of applause) Mostly men, right? Girls generally don't play video games. I think that is because all the games are made for men. You chase the dragon - you stab the dragon - you cut off his head - you get 10 000 points.

"If that was a girls game... you first maybe just go talk to the dragon and find out why he was so mad at you... then just press the 'share feelings' button 20 times... eventually you are asking your girlfriend 'Hey baby, what button do I push to cry with the dragon??? Is there a turbo cry?? How do I let the dragon know that I am sorry and that I didn't mean it?'

"Worst part if they had a girls video game... guys.. once a month the game would just become impossible to play!!!! 'What???? How can I lose???? I haven't even pushed anything yet!'"

Please note: Neither the joke in this post - nor the one about "women being angels who continue to fly even when someone breaks their wings - they fly on their brooms" from a previous post - are in no way reflective of my lovely, wonderful, non-broom flying, non-impossible-to-play-video-game wife. Any resemblance in whole or in part to the beautiful creature that I married to is completely unintended and untrue. These things are posted here only because they are "abstractly funny" and in no way reflect the life I am living or the women (including my daughters) that I am living with! (Sari told me to write that... and I hope I got it right or I am going to be in BIG TROUBLE!) ;)

Something to fill my blogging quota for the day (4 of 30)

Two things.....

1. I heard on the news today that 3 out of 4 Canadians do not know the FIRST LINE of "O Canada". ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????? Just by asking the question, "Do you know the first line of 'Oh Canada'?" you have given them the first line.... IT IS "O CANADA"!!!!!

If you want to be less technical and consider the first whole phrase the first line... then by asking, "Do you know the first line of 'O Canada'?" you have given them more than a 1/4 of it... 2 words out of the first 7.

(Someone just checked that fact by singing the first line of "O Canada" and counting the words, right? I heard you - sign your name in the comments section if it was you - thanks!)

And where are they finding these people.... 3 out of 4 - come on.... have you never been to a hockey game?????? What on earth???? I have to believe that stat is wrong..... otherwise I live in a nation of idiots!


2. On a lighter note...... best joke from "Just for laughs" tonight......

"So some buddies and I went to New York last month. It was great... but we were always scared about being mugged, so we came up with a plan. Anytime we got scared that someone was going to mug us..... we just started mugging each other! (Imagine a Fake fight here - then he says to the imaginary attacker) Get lost - this one is taken!" :)

Seriously (4 of 30)

So a buddy named Paul and I play squash every Monday night and last week we both broke strings on our racquets...... apparently they don't make racquets for MEN anymore! :)

Anyway - they aren't worth restringing (too expensive compared to a new one) and buying one in town is a rip off, so I got my brother Kurt (aka Lenny)to go to Sportchek in Moose Jaw and buy whatever they had on sale (they always have racquets on sale). He was going to see me at a camp board meeting on the weekend and could give it to me there.

So when he called and gave me my options.... I got him to buy the $40 one that was on sale for $19 with the thinking that I am breaking one per month so why not go with the cheap one(I have bought expensive ones in the past and found that they break at about the same frequency).

I got looking at the thing before I went to play tonight and here one the front it is endorsed by a couple of squash players.... in fact, the number 2 and number 3 ranked players in the world. That got me thinking.....

WHO GETS THE NUMBER 2 AND NUMBER 3 RANKED PLAYERS TO ENDORSE YOUR PRODUCT????? Doesn't this just mean the the really good player - the guy that whips these other two bozos all the time - refused to endorse this racquet????? Why would I want to use the racquet that is in the hand of the loser when he plays this other better dude?????? Is that something to brag about..... "We are not that bad - I mean - at least a couple of guys who know the best player in the world like our racquet!"

I just don't think that is that impressive.

In a related note: Paul and I had a very close game tonight..... if only I had that number 1 guy's racquet. I guess you get what you pay for right? :)

Random thoughts (3 of 30)

- I am going to miss the Olympics... but I am going to be glad to get off the couch and get my life back (What's that????? The Brier starts next week - huh! There goes a few more weeks!)

- For the most part, I liked the closing ceremonies. I really like the bands at the end - it would have been a hoot to be on the dance floor for that show (And you know that I would have got on TV when I pulled out all my "White prairie boy" moves... I mean - come on - I have danced and sang with HOJA now, so I figure the Olympics must be the next step)

- I watched a thing on "Oasis HD" called "Urban Wild" - it is about animals that live in big cites.... what varieties live there... how they survive etc. This show was about New York - so they showed a lot of Central Park and Manhattan etc..... I AM GOING! Not this summer (I think it is booked up) but I am going to New York... soon! (Just so you know).

- We had a really good day at church today - a super discussion in Bible class this morning. Really really interesting and good. I threw out a bunch of scriptures and challenged people to "Be the preachers" and make the application to themselves - wow! If we do even a 1/4 of what we talked about (in terms of attitude and how we see the world) things will be great! Just a really encouraging morning.

- It was nice to have my mom and her husband here this weekend - it was nice to see them.

- Looking forward to the week - March right? Spring is coming!!!! I did some work on my Motorcycle the other day, so that got me happily looking ahead. I want a summer where the average temp is 35 degrees. A super scorcher!!! I am tired of these rainy, cold summers of the past couple of years. Bring on Global warming and turn up the heat!!! WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! :)

- Ok - I think I ran out of real thoughts about two points ago so..... good night! :)

Full Day (2 of 30)

I spent most of today in Weyburn today.... we had a camp board meeting. The meeting itself was sort of "run of the mill" - but I am getting really excited about getting back out to the camp and working. For a while I was getting a little burnt out on the camp stuff (too many weekends out there) but I am ready to go again... just waiting for spring.


When I got home, my mom and my Step-dad were in town - so we hooked up with them, went out for supper and now just visiting before going to bed. It is nice to have them around.


So - a little more Olympics, check my lessons for tomorrow and off to bed.


PS. Apparently I need to get my phone line checked because no agents have called me yet to offer me a recording contract (see post below if you do not know what I am talking about).... maybe it is taking them a long time to write that many zeros on the contract offer.... :)

Move over Tim McGraw (1 of 30)

So we went to a concert tonight.... an acappella group named "Hoja" was in town for a "Koncert for Kids" show. They sing a lot of old songs (sort of like "The Nylons")... it was fun. Way better than I expected. If you listen to them on "Youtube" they do not sound very good - but that is just bad recording... Live - in person - they are very good.

Anyway.... they do this Tim McGraw song called "Something like that" and before the song they said, "There is a guy out here that did not look too into the show when we started... but then he started to clap.... then sing.... we need some help so....." As the guy came into the audience I thought, "Keep walking" - but of course I would not be writing this if he did keep going.

So I had to go on stage.... learn the moves... sing a part..... the video is not me (obviously) - it is not even the same group members (they change once in a while) but this is what I had to do..... only I did it better!

I have now been on the big stage and I earned my first paycheck for singing (they gave me a free CD) - so look out Tim McGraw.... your time in over! :)

It is on - again

I am missing the constant pressure to come up with something to blog about (I like the challenge - and it spares Sari from having to listen to all my drivel if I subject you all to it on here) so....... Starting tomorrow..... 30 more blogs in 30 days (or there about).

So - if you are missing the totally useless stuff that you have been finding here for the past month.... you are in luck. Otherwise.... I am sorry!

Just to get us tuned up to go again..... my favorite joke from a guy I saw on "Just for Laughs" the other day.....
_____

(Read this with a thick Brooklyn accent)

A guy asked me the other day how old I was - I told him 43. He looked at me and said, "Huh, you seem way younger than that". I told him that is because I read at a 3rd grade level! :)

Just b/c I think she is funny

I was trying to think of the name of my favorite comedienne the other night and I could not come up with it for the longest time.... then it came to me.... Rita Rudner.

I don't know - I just think she is funny - usually very clean and very witty - so I looked up a couple of her videos. These ones are very old (and poorly recorded) but they were much shorter than the other ones.... so here is a taste - you can "google" her name if you want to see more. Enjoy! :)

Ps. Yes - the fact that she does her act in a ball gown most of the time - as I think all women should dress all of the time - helps her cause! :)





Two extra jokes from one time when I saw her on "Just for Laughs".....

1.
"Men and women see things very differently. When my husband talks to his buddies about his car he says stuff like... it has a V-8 with 450 horsepower and 500 foot pounds of torque"
(To a man in the front row) "Sir... what is your name? Dave??? Ok .... Dave, I want you to ask me what kind of car I drive"
(Man responds) "What kind of car do you drive?"
"I drive a white one Dave!"

2.
"I have realized that men and women are very different. We just got a puppy. I taught it some tricks. I called my husband in and said, 'Look, when I tell him to beg he gets up on his hind legs and barks'. I went to the store and came back and my husband says, 'Look Honey I taught the dog a new trick - watch - when I put him on the roof and light his tail on fire he jumps into the pool!'"

(Ok - it is funnier if you imagine it being told in a ball gown!) :)

Ironic?

Has anyone else noticed how ironic it is that the Olympics are supposed to promote things like sport and fitness..... and yet I have sat on my couch and watched more TV in the last week than I have in the last year????

Watching all these other people exercise is making me fat and lazy. :)


PS. You know you live in a small town when you order $100 of motorcycle parts and you come home to find that the parcel delivery guy simply left the package on your front step..... carefully hidden behind the 10 inch tall fake plant that is out there. Yep - no one can steal it now!

PPS. Sari and Katie are home - tired but home. :)

Bowling Update

Even though I had one game of 200 - one of my best games ever (I lucked out and threw three strikes in a row) - Megan hung tough and came back to tie it at a game a piece..... I then went up by one game and then Megan won the fourth one. So in the end we had each on 2 games and lost 2 games. Pretty good - I was trying hard by she was just pretty consistent. Way to go Mumpy! :)

Megan's excellent adventure (30 of 30)

So Sari and Katie are gone and it is a beautiful Saturday afternoon..... "What to do?" (As my East Indian buddy Tom used to say).

My decision..... we are going hiking.... but not just any hiking.... extreme hiking!!! So we drove down to Woodlawn and walked at least 3 miles or so in deep snow..... over 3 hours..... it was beautiful and fun. Megan and I had a great visit.... climbed hills..... threw snowballs.... watched the dog run.... it was great!!! Just goes to show that not all fun things cost money.

Megan and Murphy on the trail

In Woodlawn Park


Monkey in a tree

Down on the River

Megan liked the air bubbles in the ice

Half way to where we were going - from a big hill - the truck is way back there - somewhere

River shot #2

Megan - a little tuckered (This is about 1/2 way through - I thought I was going to have to carry her home - or leave her out there with the cougars....... that last comment was the one that got her up and going again!) :)

Going bowling tonight.... she thinks she will get revenge by beating me at that.... after a bit of a nap. :)

PS. You will note that I have done "30 blogs in 30 days" - but I am not done yet.... keep checking as I am going to keep going.... it is sort of a habit now so......

Well that ended with a whimper... and a bit more FB wisdom (29 of 30)

The Estevan Bruins' season is over.... at least at home anyway (they have one more "away" game left). Played Weyburn tonight, lost 3-2. Several chances to tie in the last couple of seconds... could not get it done.... sort of an appropriate ending considering the rest of the season. Oh well - at least Megan won a gift certificate to a coffee house in the free draw tonight!

Now I am going to have to find something else to do until the Speedway opens in May. :(


Facebook wisdom: You may have seen this before.... I saw it the other day one someone's status line (yes - I still hate FB and I am still "lurking" or "creeping" on Sari's)...... it said......


"Women are angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly ... on a broomstick. We're flexible like that."


Must be a lot of broken wings out there...... I am just saying! :)

Americans are funny - and other things (28 of 30)

Here are a couple of funny videos from NBC..... one about Biggar, Sk and then one about "Eh". They are only about 3 or 4 minutes long - but they are sort of funny - enjoy!

PS. Note in the one report that Wayne Gretzky is tagged as being an "Ice Hockey Legend". They should do a report about Americanisms and start with "Ice Hockey" :)

In other news:
Megan and I were driving to the church building today (she was going to watch videos while I worked) and as we drove by Murray GM a big, flatbed car hauling truck started pulling out right in front of us. I hit the brakes - if I had not the dude would have run right into the side of my truck.... so I HHHHHOOOOOONNNNNNKKKKK my horn and shake my fist at the guy..... he then proceeds to continue across two more lanes of traffic (just missing two more vehicles) and then ploughs up into the snowbank in front of the apartment building across the street.... that is when I realize that the truck had no driver!!! Someone had left the truck running..... without putting on the emergency brake.

So I turned in the GM lot - found my salesman buddy Trevor and said, "Hey do you know where the McKenzie towing guys are - their run away truck just about hit me". He said, "Well.... I am not sure. Oh ..... wait..... maybe those two guys are the ones you are looking for". Look out the window and here are two 20 year old kids looking around like they lost something.... finally the see the truck on the other side of the street.... race over... jump in..... pull out of the snowbank and take off.

I saw them at their house 2 hours later - I was going to stop and tell them how lucky they were not to have hit me or anyone else..... but I suspect they already knew.

Coasting in.... is that a problem? (27 of 30)

So it just struck me.... I am EASILY going to complete "30 blogs in 30 days" (in fact, it will likely continue past the 30 mark)...... so here is the sad part......

That means that I have been in Estevan for over a month.... I mean.... I haven't gone anywhere!!! Now that would not be so bad if Estevan was a hotbed of activity and craziness similar to Whistler but......

In fact, it is even worse than that...... if you discount Christmas and a trip to Dauphin for my mother-in-law's retirement party..... I have not been out of town for months. Oh sure - the odd camp meeting in Weyburn for the day or something...... but I mean a "hotel/swimming pool/lounging in the hot tub/go look at bikes in the motorcycle shop" weekend get-away even..... I can't remember the last one. I think I was in Minot last spring.... maybe.

Now - this has nothing to do with the fact that Sari and Katie went to Winnipeg for a few days last week and then left again today for a 5 day ladies winter retreat (ok - "almost nothing to do with it") :)

When I first moved here and was single - I went somewhere at least every third weekend (every other if I could manage it). A gym bag, a $100 a full tank of gas = Road trip!!!!

Anyway - I am not pouting or complaining - I am just saying, "Wow - I have been 'storm stayed' here for months" and that is crazy......... it is time for a "jail break".

Suggestions? Offers too good to resist????

Maybe the party is not over.... (26 of 30)

Have you ever hung around after a hockey game..... the rink is almost empty.... there is no one on the ice..... there are empty popcorn bags, 50-50 tickets that did not win, a program or two scattered about under the seats.... from all the evidence, something fun happened, but you know for sure that it is over. Then you step outside into the cold air and freeze all the way to your truck before driving home......

Well my "empty rink/stuff under the seats/cold air in the face" moment happened this morning. Lenny and his family are back home - the "Festival" is over - the girls and Sari are still sleeping...... and I am getting up for work! :(

Somehow - that seems a little unfair! I mean - come on - I stayed up later than all of them getting my "Lenny party on" (Ok - that sounded stupid - I promise I will never use that again).... and yet I am the one that has to get up, get dressed and head out while they snore and slumber.

But you know what????? It was not all that bad. I did have a lot of fun this past weekend. I had a really productive day - I got more done than I thought I might and I even found some time to read a couple of chapters in a book that I am enjoying (I did not think I would get to do that with this shortened week), so that was not so bad.

Then tonight I had coffee with a guy who wanted to talk to me. He wanted to talk to me about his marriage - it is not good - has not been for a long time. He is not sure what to do - or what will happen - and he is frustrated in a way that I can't relate to in terms of personal experience.

That kinda put my day in perspective (again). Sure the party of the weekend is over and it is "back to work" day, but I have a job that I enjoy. I work with people that I care about. I have a family (both immediate and extended - including in-laws) that I love and who love me...... so maybe it is alright that some of them get to sleep in when I don't.

I may even get up tomorrow without whining (we will see) :)

Closing Ceremonies and a few other things (25 of 30)

So the "Festival du Lennys" closing ceremony has taken place. It began (as it started) with the traditional "eating of Bacon" (with this being part of both the opening and the closing ceremonies - we don't expect the Festival participants to make it past the age of 55 - but we will have enjoyed our time anyway)... then the Lennymobile was boarded and all that was left was the dream of next year's Festival.

We had thought that we were going to get to drown our sorrows with a visit from "Cirque du Mooneys" - but unfortunately our tickets got cancelled (apparently a few of the performers needed naps, etc)...... so we made up for that by doing something that I have wanted to do for a long time..... we went and played hockey at our local outdoor rink.

It was great! A beautiful day... Nice sunshine... The sound of skates cutting ice and sticks hitting pucks... Us laughing and having a good time.... And I ended up with way better looking "hockey buddies" than I get when I go play rec hockey. :)


A few pictures to remember the day by......

Here is Megan getting ready to high stick anyone who takes the puck from her

Katie showing that she can be equally as intimidating

Sari looking happy about getting ready to "high stick" me

The action was intense

The "before" shot.....

Then the violence started (what is a hockey game without a good scrap?)

Sari during a break

A "team picture"

Post game in the locker room - waiting for the TSN interviews.

PS. When trying to show off to your girls it would be wise to check the ice for various cracks, holes, etc. I was showing them how fast I could skate with the puck - then I passed it off to Megan - turned to see what happened - caught an edge in a crack - fell and smashed my elbow into the ice and bent my wrist back really badly. Some may say that I should be smarter than that now that I am over 40 - but I did the same thing on an outdoor rink when I was 28 (ish).... only that time I banged the back of my head on the ice too. Oh well - as the song says, "The Chicks Dig it!" :)

Festival du Lennys - Day 2 (24 of 30)

It was a treacherous day....

The traditional "Festival du Lennys" includes several events including... going to a Bruins game, tobogganing and watching the Daytona 500.

We took care of the Bruins game last night.

This afternoon, in spite of -25 wind chills, we went on to the tobogganing event (sponsored by the "Estevan Chiropractic Centre" - or at least it should have been). Both of those things were great fun..... it was the 500 that caused us trouble.

I "PVR"ed the race - so went we got back from sledding, Lenny I sat down to watch it. To make a long story short, the PVR crashed at lap 63 out of 200..... so I reset it and tried again - crashed. Again... crashed. That is when I called the Sasktel help line.

Now, I have to start this section of the story by apologizing to "Neil the Help Desk dude".... he was nice and tried to help. Did a disc check over the phone and he said that they were able to find a fault on the hard drive, so they fixed it. Then he said, "That may allow you to watch the end of the race.... but maybe not".

By the way he said "Maybe not" I knew that he meant, "Not a chance - but I am going to get you to hang up with some hope so that you do not get mad at me" - that didn't work out so well for him!

I launched off (nicely) into a description of how "disappointed" I was at the fact that the ONLY THING THIS PVR IS DESIGNED TO DO IS TO FLAWLESSLY RECORD IMPORTANT THINGS LIKE THE DAYTONA 500... and how I was pretty sure that BELL (Yes I did - I said the "B" word to a Sasktel guy) would be glad to prove to me that their system actually works..... "So how are you going to compensate me for this?" (or something like that) was my last question (I did not yell at poor Neil - in fact I told him that I would not yell at him and that I knew it was not his fault - but he was left with the impression - in no uncertain terms - of how serious it is to mess with the events of the "Festival du Lennys"!! (Ya don't want to try swimming in cement shoes - If you know what I mean)

Anyway - that recording was lost - but fortunately the race ran overtime and I had thought ahead and recorded whatever was on after the race - just in case it did go over time.... so in the end we got to see the last 78 laps, we saw the winner's interview (which was really nice - google it - it was cool) and got in all we needed to see.... with 14 minutes to spare on the recording!

So "All's well that ends well" - except for Sasktel who may owe me a month of free programing (and a different PVR) - don't mess with the "Festival" people... we are not known as the most "even keeled" family in the world! :)

Festival du Lennys - Day one (23 of 30)

Day one is complete... here is a review of the events.....

- Cook and eat 30 pounds of Bacon for brunch (mmmm - bacon)

- Watch some of the Olympics - make rude comments about athletes who could kick our cans without even having to stretch first (and those are just the girls)

- Go to Peavey Mart and receive free gifts from my manager buddy (Seriously - hats and shirts... why???? Just because.... )

- Out to Adam and Trinda's new house, run into him on the road - get grand tour

- Back home and watch the Nationwide stock car race from Daytona

- To the Bruins' game with all the kids - were given spongy pucks (would rather have won the $529 dollar 50/50 draw - but spongy pucks are fun too)

- Back home - more Olympics

- Stay up till 1:15 watching truck race from Daytona (this decision may come back to haunt me tomorrow morning if my brain refuses to work in any coherent fashion)


So every time Lenny comes we get free stuff - hockey tickets, toques, pucks and shirts one year - spongy pucks and hats and shirts today..... I can hardly wait for tomorrow (NEW MOTORCYCLE.... NEW MOTORCYCLE.... NEW MOTORCYCLE!!!) :)

A totally different Festival (22 of 30)

So Sari and Katie are home from the "Festival du Voyageur" in Winnipeg.... and now we are just starting the "Festival du Lennys". My brother Kurt (aka Lenny) and his family have made a tradition of coming to see us on the "Family day long weekend". We will likely go sledding - we are planning to go to a hockey game - we will watch lots of racing from Daytona..... I will keep you all updated - but I am looking forward to it lots! :)

Me, Mumpy and some other stuff (21 of 30)

Katelyn and Sari are in Winnipeg tonight - the french club from school went to the "Festival du Voyageur" (Sari is chaperoning) - so that just leaves Me and Mumpy (Megan).

Every February Sari goes to a Ladies' retreat thing and in the past couple of years Katie has gone with her - leaving just Me and Mumpy...... and I really look forward to that.

Don't get me wrong - I miss the other two (that sounded sincere hey.... "I miss the other two - whatever their names are") - but normally Mumpy is a little more quiet - a little more reserved - a little more in the background. However, for one weekend each year (and this year it has become two weekends in a row because of the Winnipeg trip) it is just me and her..... and you can guess who is in charge.

Tonight we went for supper at Boston Pizza - it was a really nice and fun date. Everyday I get to hear a lot about what is going on at school etc, but it is really nice to have just that "one on one" time. We went shopping for some Valentine's Day stuff for a friend of her's that is feeling lonely (don't worry - the friend is not a boy - that would be a whole other thing).

She could go to the retreat this year too - but she is choosing to stay home - partially because she thinks that the talks would be boring, but also because she wants to hang out with me (she already has swimming, bowling and more eating out on the sched).

Every year at this time I think that I need to individually date my girls more - someone hold me to that and remind me that I think that is a good idea. Thanks!


PS. I don't want to be too overly dramatic here (because we all know that is not my style).... but I think Sari is trying to assassinate me!!! I felt like was going to die last night!!! My head hurt - my body ached - I could not sleep - my nose was running..... and then Sari leaves town so that she is not here when they find the body (less suspicious that way right?) So I sent her a text today and told her not to spend the life insurance check just yet because I think that I may just pull through. She called me tonight and asked "How are you feeling?"..... I think she sounded a little disappointed when I said "better". I am not accusing her of poisoning my food last night or anything, I am just saying.... if something bad happens to me, make sure her next husband doesn't waste all my money going to Starbucks - I HATE STARBUCKS!!!! A Venti latte ...... it is a "Large" you idiot!!! And no coffee should cost $4.75.... I am not interested in making all the payments on some jerk owner's BMW here - I just want a coffee!!!! OK??????


PPS. I am deeply disappointed that no one has watched and commented on the video below - you are missing out (though thanks for the "Oasis" responses).

Simon Cowell/American Idol Judge - Part 3 (20 of 30)

This was so much fun the first few times, I have another video for you to watch and rate (American Idol style). This one is "Valentine's Day" themed too - so have a look and fire away with the reviews including a "number out of 10" rating (Please also note how much of the video that you watched - I am betting most people will not make it past the one minute and 23 seconds mark - nothing special happens at that point - it is just a guess) :)

PS. See the "Oasis" post below and add your comments there too if you like - I think that is interesting.

My Oasis (19 of 30)

So I am not feeling well tonight. I am tired - a little achy - I have the sniffles - and I am wrung out. Out of ideas for sermons and classes. Out of energy for people and problems - I am just "blah".

So it was almost time to go to bed when I switched the TV to Sari's favorite channel "Oasis" and a show called "My Oasis" came on. The premise.... people from all over Canada talk about their favorite place to "get away" or to get "recharged". A guy in Quebec City talked about sitting on the roof of a museum above the crowded streets below. A girl in Northern BC took us skiing in deep powder on a mountain. A guy in New Brunswick talked about fly fishing on a river. A man from Tofino likes to kayak to the adjacent islands. A computer geek in Ottawa has a home observatory where he spends countless hours looking at the stars. (I noticed that for some reason they kept skipping over Estevan. What's up with that????)

So - that got me thinking.... Where would you take that show? What is "Your Oasis"? What is the best place on the planet to you and why? Give me one specific spot. I think that would be interesting - so give it a shot.

Me - I would choose..... one of three....

1. Crescent Park (in Moose Jaw) A little bit of nature right in the city - ducks in the creek - flowers, trees and green grass everywhere - people walking together on a nice summer night

2. Buffalo Pound Provincial Park (20 minutes from MJ). That was the place my family (mom, brother, sister, grandparents, uncles, everyone) went camping every summer. We climbed hills - played in the ravine - swam in the lake got lost in the trees - play football on the grass - went to the store (that is still there) for fudge sickles. I bet I have a story about almost every inch of that park.

3. Kenosee Lake (North east of Estevan where our Bible camp is) I used to associate Kenosee with work - we have spent many Saturdays building and repairing things at the camp - but I also associate it with tons of stars in the sky while canoeing across the lake at midnight (just for fun) - quiet trails - nights around the campfire. Not the best lake - but a nice place.

Back to the TV show..... One guy was from Orillia, Ontario and he had a rustic cabin right on the shores of Lake Simco. I could have gone there right now. Quiet, secluded, water lapping the shore - wow!

The other day I saw pictures of the newest national park (it is in Labrador)... big lakes, mountains, trees and nothingness. That would be nice too.

Take me somewhere where I can climb, canoe and see the stars - that would be a good start!

What about you? Do you have an Oasis?????

A More Serious Thought (18 of 30)

(Just to prove I can think more deeply than what this blog mostly portrays)

It has been an odd day.... a day that was full of reminders to me. It has been a day where I spent some time with two grown men whose dad passed away suddenly last week. Even though these guys are in their 40s and their Dad was in his 80's, he was still their Dad. They are handling things very well, but they were close to him and nothing is quite the same now. I am going to the funeral tomorrow because I know the boys, one of the sisters, a grand daughter, a couple of the great grand-daughters and I knew the man himself. He was fun! Always had a story to tell - many about riding motorcycles. In fact, he just bought a 3 wheeled motorcycle last fall. It was always fun to run into Manfred in the coffee shop and I will miss seeing him.

When I left those boys, I went to the hospital where my step-dad's brother is awaiting a room in nursing home. Diagnosed with cancer last fall, Albert has been in and out of hospital in Regina and here for the past several months. I was not sure that he would remember me, but when I woke him up he knew who I was and started talking my ear off! It was nice. He told me not to live to 85 years because that is too old.... but he said it with a smile (as he teased the nurses and acted just maybe a little worse off than he was - he got a little more attention that way). Albert looked better than I thought he might, more lively and more - well - like Albert - and that was good.

I came home thinking about those two visits and (not to get too melodramatic) how lucky I am to be right here, right now. We are in a good place. There are no big threats to our health and happiness. Everything is good - maybe not perfect - but good.

One day we will look back on today and wish we could live it again. Today reminded me that I better live it now - even (or maybe "especially") if that means just appreciating the little blessings that I enjoy - because it may not be this way forever.

The Non-Super Bore and an Olympic note (17 of 30)

So that was may be one of the most fun Super Bowl nights that I can remember. Interesting game - I didn't really care who won - back and forth play - down to the last minutes to decide it - more than 28 points scored (all I was hoping for was more than 28 points - I did not want to see a 6 - 3 game like some years)..... it was good.

My buddies Matt and Shady Shane came over. We had wings and chili and chips and cake and coke and popcorn and candies.... and sugar rushes. Lots of laughs - lots of fun - it was a good night.
____
From Sportsnet.ca .... check this out.... "A view of the non-Olympic competition side of the Cypress Mountain ski fields, beside where the Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding Winter Olympic events will be held north of Vancouver"



Isn't that bizarre? It looks more like an Olympic mountain biking course than a ski hill. Good thing they have been making (and piling) snow further up the mountain (they are going to push it down onto the course just before competition starts).

I think they should hold the Alpine events in Estevan..... we have tons of real snow here - no meed to waste time and money making it - think of the money they would save (Mind you - most of those savings would be spent on building a mountain - but our governments have made sillier decisions).

Can you hear it???? (16 of 30)

Speedweeks has started in Daytona! The "Shootout" tonight.... the Duel 150 qualifying races on Thursday... truck race Friday night.... Nationwide cars on Saturday.... and the Daytona 500 on Sunday.

The family du Lenny (or is it "de Lenny".... "le Lenny".... "La Lenny"???? I don't know) are coming next weekend for their annual "Family day weekend/Bruins' game/Watch the Daytona 500 together" trip.... so I am really looking forward to that.

Cars on the track in Florida also means that it will not be that long until cars are on the "Estevan Motor Speedway" too (OK - it is actually several months and several feet of snow away - but a guy can dream right??? I am even wearing my "EMSpeedway" coat as I type this).

Anyway - tons of racing this week. What fun! (If you can't find me in the office this week, I may be at home....... sick!) ;)

Simon Cowell Part 2 - too funny! (15 of 30)

I had so much fun with "SC part 1" that I thought I would do it again. Same deal... watch this video - rate it out of 10 and explain why you rated it as you did (and if you have not watched and rated the "Our Lady Peace" video you are welcome to scroll down and get in on that one too)

Whatever you do though - don't skip this one. :)

Your chance to be Simon Cowell (14 of 30)

I heard this song on the radio today. It is not new, but I finally really listened to the lyrics. I can take or leave the verses, but I really like some of the phrases in the chorus ("Pulled me out of that flat line" - for one). I think it is interesting.


Have a listen and play Simon Cowell for me - give it a rating out of 10 (and add an explanation if you like - why you rated it as you did).


PS. I held my 4th "Grade 8 boys tear apart the lawn mower engine" class today. When we started I did a review by holding up various parts and asking them what they were - they knew every one of them. Then I pulled a new part out of the engine and said, "Ok smart guys.... what is this?" Several of them answered at once and said, "A camshaft". I asked them how they knew that (b/c they knew nothing before we started) and they said, "You told us that last week". I thought about it foer a second and remembered that I had pointed to it and said, "That is the camshaft - we will deal with it next week" - and that was it. They are listening - how cool is that! :)

Here you go...... rant away...... 1 being "So horrible you want to vomit stuff you have not even eaten yet" and 10 being "As perfect as my wife Sara" (She reads this thing once in a while and I figure that will score me some points! Gotta think ahead right?) Ok - vote please.

It happened again (13 of 30)

Every year I think.... "That is so boring. Only old people watch that. I would rather poke my eyes out than watch that!"

No I am not talking about "Reba" (though that certainly does apply)...... I am talking about curling. The "Scotties Tournament of Hearts" is on and I have been sucked in again.

Don't get me wrong - I LOVE curling - playing it anyway. Where else can you yell "Sssswwwwweeeeeppppp.... huuuurrrryyyy hhhharrrdddd" at your friends - in public - and not get odd looks???? (The yelling is my favorite part).

I don't like watching it in person (I went to the Provincial women's playdowns when they were held here one year) that is super boring!!! You can't tell who has shot rock - the players stand in the way of your view (phhttt - jerks!) - and no one wanted to take advice from me (I wasn't stalking that girl - I was just giving her curling advice...... that is what my lawyer told me to say and I am sticking to it).

But it is on TV now - and that is fun. We (meaning all of us but Megan - she is somehow immune to curling's pull just yet) sit on the couch and debate everything from shot strategy to the intricate details of each curler's hair-do ("I think she would look better with long hair" - that is my standard line - it is good advice in "curling" and "Non-curling" situations) :)

The only thing that would make it better....... cat-fights!

Come on - admit it...... one girl makes a really good shot - someone from the other team pulls her hair - they start slapping, clawing, swinging brooms at one another...... wouldn't that be just as interesting as "Who has shot rock?" TSN's ratings would be through the roof!

Maybe I should be the President of the Canadian Women's Curling Federation......

This could be a problem (12 of 30)

In my job, I read quite a bit, so you would think that I have a huge book budget every year - but I don't - for a few reasons......

1. Most popular Christian books are stupid! (Ok - let me rephrase that) Christian books are plagued with the same thing that movies are..... almost everything looks good when you see the commercial for it. The reality, though, is that many (if not most) movies and Christian books do not live up to the hype. So I usually only buy a book if people are still talking about it a year after it first came out - then it likely has something to say.

2. I have a stack of books to read already. Oddly, between writing classes, writing newspaper articles, doing radio stuff, visiting with people and napping (what????? Pretend that you did not read that last one!) I don't get a lot of time to read in the office. It is a sad but true fact. And people give me a lot of stuff to read too - for which I am thankful (most of the time) :|

3. We do not have a Christian bookstore (or any book store) in town right now. Several have opened and closed over the years - (insert joke about oil rig guys not being able to read or something like "Maybe a colouring book store would work") - so that makes it harder to get things, right?

Well - that last statement was true - until today. Today I signed in to "Amazon.ca" for the first time (seriously) and it was ........ amazing!!! I have bought books online before from other places and it was ok - I mean they usually had what I wanted - but I really paid for it (like full price plus a ton of shipping) - so much so that it was not that attractive.

The book I ordered today is less than a year old, on for like 40% off and with shipping in it is still less than what I have paid for books in Regina (and I did not have to spend the time and money to drive there). And they claim that it will be here by the end of the week (we will see on that one - but even if it is next week - who cares?)

This may be bad!

Good thing I hacked into Scott Wade's Amazon account - this new discovery had the potential to cost me a fortune otherwise! :)

Do You..... SESPU????

For almost 20 years, I have!!!! SESPU stands for the "South East Saskatchewan Preacher's Union" and that is our name for the group of guys that preach for the church in this area. SESPU is meant to be a place where guys who are doing the same job can get together to talk, encourage, share ideas/books, etc. One of the best parts of it is that we are all from very different places (large congregations, smaller ones, rural settings, medium sized cities and larger ones), so there is no comparison and competition (preacher's get-togethers are notoriously bad for that - believe it or not they are not always positive).

SESPU is nothing but positive and it was good to be there today. So if you are "card carrying Sespuer" - thanks for being there. I appreciate you guys lots.

If you don't have a group of buddies like this, you should look into forming one. Everyone should "SESPU" once in a while. :)

Just like when I was a kid (10 of 30)

One of my good memories of being a little kid is going to my grand-parent's house and playing crokinole. We spent a lot of time and had lots of laughs playing together.

Somehow, when my Grandma moved out of her apartment a few years ago, I ended up with her old crokinole board.

So, more than 30 years after I played my first game on that board, with those pieces - Sari, the girls and I sat down tonight and played several games on it together. It was a nice night - it brought back nice memories - it made new memories..... and it made me look like a "Crokinole Pro" (is there such a thing) because I had 30 more years of experience on that board than anyone else (There is nothing wrong with a little "Home field advantage", is there?) :)

We we plan to keep playing for the rest of the winter - and years to come. Who knows - maybe someday my grandkids will learn to play on it too.

Some Christmas Pics (9 of 30)

I figured it was time I put up some pictures on this thing (and it has been a month since Christmas so if I don't post them soon......)

One Pippus Christmas tradition is to go skating at the skating oval - even if (like this year) it is -25. So here are some pics of........

My mommy and me

Katie, Debbie (my sister) and Megan


Kurt (my Brother - aka "Lenny"), Debbie and me



Megan and cousin Emily

Bowling is another Christmas tradition

If you look closely, Katie won on the left lane - Sari on the right (and I came in second - with the name "Tina" - apparently the guy at the bowling alley could not read what Sari wrote on the card, or..... well - I would rather not think about any other reasons why some random dude would call me "Tina")

Sari's dad in his new jacket(Her parents were able to come and spend some time with us at New Years)

Christmas Girls

Sledding Girls (back in Estevan)

More pictures later.

Fb Wisdom (8 of 30)

Those of you who know me, know that I HATE Facebook!

Because of Facebook, hardly anyone blogs anymore. Because of Facebook everyone thinks that they are keeping up with their friends, when they really are not connected to them at all. Because of Facebook, people even think that they have 496 friends when (in fact) they would hide behind a rack of clothes if they saw most of those people live, in person, coming toward them in the mall. Because of Facebook, everyone thinks that every stupid, little random thought that goes through their head is worth sharing and is somehow interesting to the entire world (much like reading this blog - only status lines are shorter than my blog).


However, because no one knows how to communicate anymore - people like me are forced to "lurk" (or as I was informed recently - it is actually called "creeping") on their wife's Facebook account to see what one earth is going on...... and you know what?????? Over the last few days I have found a few people who are "Upping" their status line games..... in other words, people are actually posting things worth reading and thinking about.


So, without further ado..... some wisdom that I have gleaned from Facebook in the past 2 days of being a creeper.
-----

The only reasons some people get lost in thought is because its unfamiliar territory. - Paul Fix.

"Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man." - C.S. Lewis

"Quit keeping score altogether and surrender yourself with all your sinfulness to God who sees neither the score nor the scorekeeper but only his child redeemed by Christ." - Thomas Merton

All my life, I always wanted to be someone. Now I realize that I should have been more specific.

-----
Now if you will excuse me....... I have to check Facebook before I got to bed! :)

There goes the environment (7 of 30)

So I am taking my class of Grade 8 boys to the radio station for a tour today (If you do not know why I have a class of Grade 8 boys to take anywhere - see the "Man Stuff" blog entry below. If you don't know why I would take them to tour a radio station.... you don't live in a small town) and the school has "transportation issues".


First I can't get a bus..... too expensive and my class outings were not budgeted for. Second, I can't throw them all in my truck or the van because in order to take other people's kids from school in your vehicle you have to have approximately enough insurance to finance a small middle east country (or at least the war that is taking place in the small middle east country).


So I got to borrow a vehicle from one of the teachers - she has the required $85789437658347869 in insurance - on her new "H3 Hummer"!!!!


Now I used to think that Hummers were stupid vehicles driven by environmentally unconscious people (mostly men) who were trying to prove how tough they were...... and basically I was right!!! Seriously, even with the really nice seat warmers (I mean really nice - they worked well - it is like 8 hours later and I can still feel the heat) you do feel tough in a hummer. In fact, you feel like running over everything... Other cars.... sidewalks.... 18 foot snow drifts - just because you can. The thing even sounds tough..... the engine has this really low growling sound - something like a cross between a diesel engine and a fighter jet. And it feels like a fighter jet.... there are nav screens all over the place - computer readouts on the dash that monitor everything (including the temp of the seat warmer) - it was just bizarre. And I am not sure why you need a nav screen because you don't even have to follow the roads - that is the whole point - IT IS A HUMMER!!!!


So - I am not sure how the radio tour went - I just threw the boys out and kept driving..... but I am sure it worked out well - I guess.


PS. My birthday is in May.... I like black! :)

48 Million South Koreans can't be Wrong (6 of 30)

I live in a very small world. That is what I have decided after visiting with my friend Juyon (pronounced "Jew-won").

I met Juyon when I started doing "FriendSpeak" (an "English as a Second Language" course). He is from South Korea and - to be honest - before I met him, I knew nothing about South Korea and (frankly) I didn't care and was not interested.

Over the past six months, though, he and I have become buddies (I even took him to his first live hockey game before Christmas) and I have to say that I have been blessed by getting to know him (and the others in the group). I really admire them - leaving everything that they know - everything that is familiar - just to come here because they think it will be a better life for their family.

Juyon was feeling badly about his English skills (he is actually an excellent reader), so I have been having him teach me Korean - one word every week. I now know.... jib (house).... guk (soup)..... tone (bowl).... nun (snow or tear)...... and (for some odd reason) he laughs at me every time I try to say the words. :)

Anyway - tonight we did not read - in fact he taught me. He brought 141 pictures on his computer and showed me around Korea with them.... Korean houses, beaches, mountains, markets, highways and food (The food one was the funniest! He showed me several things and then came a picture of an Octopus. I asked, "How do you cook it?" He said, "You don't. It wiggles - you chop - eat. Wiggle - chop - eat!" Then he showed me - using charades - that the sucker on the tentacle sometimes gets stuck on your tongue. Yum!)

Anyway.... it was not a good night for reading English, but it was a great night for conversation and sharing...... and a good night for reminding me that my way is not the only way. It is a good lesson to learn (even if it is just a start)

Vaguely Familiar (5 of 30)

So this story does not describe my girls (they are not snotty or "girly girls") but there is something vaguely familiar (and foreboding) about this article. It comes from one of my favorite writers (see the credit and the link below) - not his best one - but good none-the-less (I especially like the daughter's line near then end that starts ""If a boat were sinking an inch a minute..." As I said, strangely foreboding). Enjoy! :)

_____

THE BOAT RIDE
By W. Bruce Cameron
www.wbrucecameron.com

I am a member of that nearly extinct generation of Americans which actually thinks it possible to enjoy a vacation without hours and hours of cable television. I believe that a lake can be fun even if you don't rent jet skis and blast around at high speed, and when I come up with a list of exciting things to do on a trip, "go to the mall" is not likely to be on it, even if they do have factory-outlet stores.

Because of my antediluvian attitude, I have forced my children to suffer through several "horrible vacations," including one just this summer in which my younger teenage daughter "almost drowned."

She didn't almost anything. I took her out in a rowboat by promising her an opportunity for one-on-one quality time with her father, during which the two of us could talk intimately about anything she wanted and then I would pay her twenty dollars.

I know it sounds as if I were bribing her to spend time with me, but in my view, she was going to get the money out of me anyway, "borrowing" it so that she could go shopping later. This loan would join all the others in a non-interest-bearing note which even Enron's accountants would have ethical trouble calling an asset.

Okay, maybe not "ethical" trouble.

At any rate, we rowed along for awhile, enjoying a silence disturbed only by the occasional gurgle when my oar dipped into the water. Then she took me up on my offer to discuss anything she had on her mind, which turned out to be this:

"Can we go back now?"

"We've only been out for five minutes; let's drift for a bit," I suggested.

"I can't believe this boat doesn't have a motor."

"I don't mind rowing. Do you want to try it? It's a lot of fun," I offered seductively.

"No."

"I brought a rod; do you want to try to catch a fish?"

"No."

"What do you want to do?"

"Go back."

"Wouldn't you rather be out here on the lake?"

"No."

It was, I reflected, one of our more pleasant conversations.

"Dad, what's with the water?" She pointed at my feet.

I frowned. A steadily growing pool of water was forming on the bottom of the boat. As a sailor of considerable experience, I immediately recognized we were in the nautical condition known as "sinking."

"The plug fell out," I noted.

"Oh no!" my daughter shrieked.

"Don't be afraid. We won't drown," I assured her.

"These are new shoes!"

"Just put on a life vest." I held one out to her.

She glanced at it disdainfully. "Could they pick a more hideous color?"

"I'll get us back to the dock." I began heaving on the oars, but the boat had gained considerable weight and responded sluggishly. Not wanting my daughter to panic, I decided to distract her with a question. "Well, we seem to be taking on about a gallon a minute.

With every gallon, our speed slows down by about one percent. Our current rate of travel is around a foot a second, and we have a hundred yards to go. How long will it take us to get to shore?"

Her eyes bulged. "The boat is sinking and you want me to do math?

"It's an interesting problem, don't you think?"

"You're making me nauseated."

"You could take that coffee can and bail."

She gingerly picked up a rusting can. "It has dirt in it."

"Right, that's where they keep the earthworms."

She dropped the can. "Ew!"

"But if you bailed a quart of water every ten seconds..."

"If a boat were sinking an inch a minute, how long would it take my dad to realize he's a complete dork?" she wondered out loud.

We didn't sink, but by the time I got us to shore a considerable amount of lake had joined us in the boat. Our pants were soaked, and my daughter couldn't wait to tell her siblings that in the midst of drowning, I insisted on torturing her with algebra.

Also, her shoes were "ruined," so the twenty dollars I gave her would go toward a replacement pair.

She borrowed the rest.

-------------------------------------

>From The Cameron Column, a free Internet newsletter:
http://www.wbrucecameron.com/

Copyright 2007 W. Bruce Cameron. Permission is granted to send this to others, with attribution, but not for commercial purposes.

More Random thoughts (4 of 30)

I like living in a small town. I like going to the Leisure Centre and the girl at the desk knows who I am and why I am there. I like going to Peavey Mart and having the manager say, "Tim, don't buy that this week - it is going on sale on Saturday". I like going to the hockey game and seeing people I know every 5 feet.

Living in a small town is nice..... you should try it. I have a garage you can live in (Seriously, there is not place to live here - they are bringing in trailers and setting them up in an industrial area just so 196 workers have a place to live) - there is nothing to rent and every hotel is full. Estevan is the place to be! (I will even hook you up with a nice group of people to go to church with)

------

I also like the fact that Paul did not try to break my thumb at squash tonight. Last week, he grabbed my racquet and yelled, "You stupid jerk" - then before I could let go he bent the racquet and my thumb backwards so hard I heard it (my thumb) pop. Then he looked out through the back glass wall - saw some little kid looking at him - opened the door and started chasing the kid down the hall way - I think it was "Roid rage" or something. (At least that is the way I remember it happening! :)

I did almost break my thumb when my racquet hit Paul in the back - it was all swollen and blue - Paul is mean sometimes (I know you all think is he nice, but.......) :)

------

And lastly tonight, something educational. I can't remember whether I have posted it before or not, but if I have - it bears repeating. Watch and learn.......

I like winter (3 of 30)

It is -10 outside (-21 with the wind chill). I just got back from walking the dog around the mile long loop in our neighbourhood. The storm is still on. Wind is blowing snow around. The streets are so slippery and full of snow that it is hard to walk. My face is stinging and my legs feel a little numb from being frozen...... and I LOVE IT!!!

Seriously.... I would not trade winter for another 6 months of summer. I love summer, the beach, 40 degree heat, etc (I really do - it can't be too hot for me)....... but winter is a challenge! It is like survival and there is something about that challenge that I like.

When I was a kid, I used to dream about being an "Arctic explorer". Clomping through the snow and ice - your eye lids frosting shut - that would be fun!!!

So - to all of you who are hating the weather right now - Sorry - but as long as my truck does not get stuck - b/c I REALLY hate that - some of us are actually enjoying it (except is was not cold enough tonight to freeze my eye lids shut - oh well - can't have everything right?) :)


PS. Dear NFL.... Please return the 6 hours of my life that you stole from me today. Neither team that I was cheering for is going to the Super Bowl! I know it is likely going to be a good game with the Colts and the Saints - but I really don't like either team - so now who do I cheer for????? And what was Brett Favre doing throwing that pass at the end of the game??? Ugh!

Random Thoughts (2 of 30)

Some random thoughts on a Saturday night......


- The new snow is beautiful. Seriously - it is really nice. The kids had fun building igloos and forts in the front yard today


- Katie and I ate an entire package of bacon today at brunch.... just the two of us.... is that wrong??? Discuss (PS. It did not feel wrong..... mmmmm bacon!!!)


- Snow blowers are just about the perfect tool ever made.... useful and fun.... what more could you want????


- Sari works too hard doing lots of things that no one ever really sees. She spent a good share of this day (and many days before this and will for many after I am sure) working on stuff for the "Sister Triangle Ladies Retreat". She makes me tired just watching her.... so I usually just leave the room. Discuss


- At noon hockey yesterday, we did not have a goalie - so the the plan is to try to hit the posts of the net. After missing several times, I got to within a couple of feet of the post, shot the puck and I hit it hard...... Loud "Ding"..... then a loud "clunk"....... the puck came back and hit me right in the head. It came back so quickly that I did not even have time to move. Right between the eyes - off the visor. The other guys thought that I had knocked my teeth out. Question: Am I talented for being able to hit the post hard, or untalented for hitting myself in the head? Unlucky to get a puck in the head or lucky that it did knock my teeth out? (I was not wearing my mouth guard at the time) Discuss.


- I am starting a new class at church tomorrow..... I am calling it "Contact! Reconnecting with God, Your Faith and others". I am really excited.... all about "making our faith fly"...... Come on down if you like (and I may be persuaded to send out "class notes" if you are interested - let me know)


Ok - there you go..... have a good night. See you tomorrow. :)

The Mind is an Amazing thing (1 of 30)

The Mind is an incredible thing..... all you have to do is focus a little and you start to see amazing results. That is part of why I am writing "30 blogs in 30 days". That pressure to see and recognize things (so that I have something to write about) often causes me to see things I have never seen before.


For instance, I had an epiphany while watching the news tonight.


They were talking about the The Olympic torch again and they were showing the route that it took today. That got me thinking...... they unloaded the Torch in Victoria about a month ago - only a few Kms from the site of the games.... and somehow, two days later, it is in the YUKON. Then 2 weeks later it was in New Brunswick of all places


And have you seen the the way it zig-zagged all over the road???? In Saskatchewan it was doing well going down the Trans-Canada at Moosomin, but then veered north to Yorkton, back southwest to Regina, to Moose Jaw and Swift Current (on the Trans-Canada again - almost out of the province.... but no), straight north to Rosetown, the NorthEAST (of all things) back to Saskatoon, then even further NorthEAST to Prince Albert, then finally (after backtracking 1/2 the province) it made a run for the border again going west to Lloydminster (with one more hundred km detour to the south thrown in just for fun) and finally into Alberta.


So I realized...... the Olympic torch is a WOMAN!!!!! She is completely lost!!!!! Can't read the map maybe?????? (She reminds me of a bunch of mini-vans that I have seen driving around in East Regina trying to get from Wal-mart to "Michaels")


Anyway...... try writing on your blog every day and you can have sintilating insights like this as well!


OOOOOhhh (another epiphany)..... maybe the Torch is REALLY a man...... and he is just too embarrassed to ask for directions! :) (Lets put it to a vote - comment below)


(A whole month of this stuff - aren't you excited????? ) :)

Its On!!! (30 in 30)

Its bbbaaaaacccckkkkk!!!!! 30 blogs in 30 days..... the most entertaining.... enthralling..... encapsulating...... exoskeleton (sorry - Meggie has been studying for a science test and that word was in there and I just needed another "e" word) absolutely free (remember that part - you get what you pay for) account of whatever boring thing we are doing for a given month of time that you will find on the internet.


Stories (some of them true even)..... pictures (No not the "peeping Tom" type - sickos!)..... and whatever else I can desperately throw together just to keep my pathetic "blogging every day" record intact so that I feel like I can accomplish something.


So check back often (like once a day would seem appropriate) - strap in and enjoy the ride (I am pretty certain that makes it sound like a lot more fun than it is going to be, but...... at least- if I bore people long enough - maybe they will stop bugging me about not writing, right?) :)


This big extravaganza starts tonight (or later this afternoon - or possibly tomorrow - we will see)


PS. Offer subject to conditions. Must 18 or over. Side effects could include dizziness, confusion, boredom, head shaking and saying "Tsk, tsk, tsk" in my general direction. If this persists....... Suck it up, Sally!!!!! It is just a blog!!!! Get over yourself!!!) :)

"Man stuff"

So I started my "Junior High School Teaching" career yesterday.


The grade 8 girls at Hillcrest (the kid's school and the one where Sari works) are doing a "self-esteem class" (no I am not teaching that one). However, there was nothing for the boys to do (apparently they don't need self-esteem), so they were just going to be sent to study hall.


Then last week the principle came to Sara and said, "Do you think that Tim would do something with the boys?" Since there was no restriction on what I could do with them (other than "don't kill them") I suggested that maybe I could take them over to my garage (it is only 2 blocks away) and we could do "Man stuff"...... learn about how engines work..... tear apart an old lawn mower ..... do some electricity experiments ..... make circuits and learn how to solder .... learn to change oil in a vehicle...... you know - fun, useful stuff!!


Everyone thought that would be a great idea (including about 1/2 the girls who lobbied to get out of their class and come to mine..... sadly they were not allowed to choose and now they have to have "self-esteem" instead of greasy hands and dirty finger nails). :(


My first class was good. The boys are interested... and, if nothing else, they realize that no matter how boring it is, at least they aren't in study hall. :)


So I am enjoying this "being a teacher" thing. I can't wait to get my 2 months off in the summer too!!!!! (I am not sure the church will like that, but it is in the "Saskatchewan Teacher's Federation" contract right?????) :)


PS. Sari just informed me that the word "honorarium" is not a foreign word for "Big money". In fact, she is also doubtful as to my getting the summer off. On the good side though, she did say they may buy me a "Tim Horton's card" to say "thanks" - so that is close enough I guess. :)

Some Gold Medal Thinking

So I have to make a confession - one that may not make me popular with many.......

I HATE THE OLYMPICS! (Stay with me here - read to the end)

I know - I know..... pride in the country, spirit of sport, etc, etc. COME ON!!!! It is all about advertising - politics - money..... the cash that has been spent on getting ready, running the torch, etc could make a real difference in the world.


Not to mention the fact that it is just another week for these guys (in reality) - I mean it is not like ancient times when they got together only once every 4 years..... these guys compete against each other every week. The only difference is that this week they call it the "Olympics" and make a big deal about it (Who watches ski racing any other weekend???? Got if PVRed???? Why not? B/c it is not the "Olympics"! Who cares? It is the same bunch of guys)


Fortunately - I have been giving this problem some thought and I have come up with a way to make the Olympics not only a TV spectacle, but also an interesting sporting event.........


Combine some of the Sports! Think about it........

-Put "Weight lifting" and swimming together. Think about it - all the swimmers line up and think "How much weight can I carry across the pool?" They load up with a couple of hundred pounds, get on the podium, gun goes off, they jump in and immediately sink to the bottom of the pool. Now it is a real "life and death struggle" (as opposed to those stupid metaphorical ones). First one to get to the other end carrying the most weight without drowning wins! I would watch that! :)

- Save money: Instead of building separate "Bobsled/luge" runs and "ski jumping" venues, put them together. I admit - it would not effect the the ski jumpers that much maybe but wouldn't it be fun watching those "Bobsledders" and "Lugers" trying to land those babies a hundred meters down the hill???? I would cheer for that!

- How about putting indoor and outdoor sports together..... like "Downhill skiing" and "Fencing". Two dudes racing downhill with swords and masks..... one dude going backwards at 150 km/h........ it is sport made for TSN!

- For you traditionalists who never want to see real changes...... just re-do some of the sports that already exist. For example, Biathlon (You know - the one where you ski forever and then shoot targets). What if they gave them rubber bullets (so no one got really hurt) and let them shoot their competitors???? Imagine..... "Ole Swenson is in the lead, followed by Lars Lingren...... oh Lingren pulls out the rifle..... BOOM...... oh Swenson is down..... Lingren is catching him..... Swenson gets up...... Boom"...... an all out "turf war" would make some of those boring alpine events really interesting.

- Have figure skating and men's hockey going on in the same arena at the same time. Every time one of the "enforcers" on Team Canada goes by one of the "frilly - silly costumed - gold sequined" men's figure skaters he gets to punch him in the face! "Oooh - that had to hurt..... lets see if he can complete the triple salchow with a broken nose now!"


I am sure there are many other possibilities (List some if you like - I may post some more in a while) but wouldn't that be fun? You could complete the whole thing in 1/2 the time by combining the events - save money - TV ratings would be up - surviving and earning a medal would really mean something.


I can hear the IOC calling me now... I have saved the Olympics!!!!! Wooo hoo!!!!!! :)

Update on New Year's Day

We had one of the nicest "Moose Jaw Christmas" times ever (at least in our opinions). Not sure what was different.... everyone just seemed happy and relaxed...... it was nice. Lenny and I got to go to a couple of "World Junior Hockey" games (on in MJ and one in Regina) - that was fun. We went skating at the Speed Skating oval in MJ (outdoors - really nice) and we went bowling one night too. Lots of food - lots of visiting - it was cold for a few days but it was really nice! (Sari will post pictures sometime soon)


We spent NY's eve out at Bill and Mary Muirhead's (as we have for uncountable NY's eves previously). Again, good food, visiting and Karaoke (which is always funny!) We stayed out there until about 2 am - it was a good time.


Sari's parents also came last night, so we will have "Muller Christmas" with them over the next few days - and again lots of good food and visiting etc. It will be fun!


S0 "Happy New Year" to all. :)