IQ 2000

Have you ever done an online IQ test? They're rather interesting, depending on which one you do. A lot of mental spelling of words backwards, and finding patterns in shapes and things like that. I enjoy a challenge. I hadn't done one in a year or so, and was talking to some this week and decided to do one again, to see if I was getting smarter or the opposite. Apparently, to my surprise, I'm getting smarter. Does it really matter if I score 78 on the test, or 137? Knowing a number that someone has derived to somehow measure inteligence doesn't really have any positive affect on my life. In fact, it's made me prideful, since I'm likely smarter that you, the average reader. But, does it really matter if I can pick a word out of a list of words that doesn't belong, or identify which number should be next in a series? I guess what I'm getting at is that what matters is what we do with our brains, and our talents. I could have an IQ of 200 and do nothing with it, or I could have an IQ of 20 and use it to it's full, bringing honour to God, the giver of brains. Jesus talked about a similar concept in one of his parables, the one about the talents.

Solomon said some good things too:
"Fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline. Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in understanding"

No mention of intelligence quotient there. Just a simple, honest, 'fear' of God; a respect for Him and his instruction, trusting that His instruction and discipline is good, and not despising it. Wisdom. I want to be wise.

Tired

I'm getting old. I know I don't look it, and I actually got carded at the LCBO a few months ago, but days like today make me realize it. I stayed out past my bedtime last night, and right now, all I want to do is have a nap. I have a fear that I'll wake up with druel on my keyboard and the letters ghjkbnm clearly imprinted on my face. So, who's the culprit of my sleep deprived state.
I blame Money Money. They played a late show last night and I wasn't about to pass it up. It was a great show. I do look forward to seeing them in a venue with slightly better sound someday.

this posts soundtrack: SF59, U2, Led Zeppelin, The Cure

Drinking, Swearing, Smoking and other unpardonable sins

I read this review of the current U2 tour (which I unfortunately won't be going to, since I was occupied the day that the Toronto shows sold out in a matter of minutes, unless someone's got extra tickets???), and the ensuing discussion thread had Christians bashing one another for their views on drinking, swearing, and smoking. I enjoy beer, and other forms of alcohol, in moderation. I put up with, and even enjoy the occasional 'cuss word' from time to time, but I'm not a fan of vulgar language (there's a difference). And though I don't smoke cigarettes, I enjoy a cigar from time to time. According to some, I'm doomed. According to others I listen to U2 in order use them as justification for my behavior as a Christian who smokes, swears and drinks. Others complain about Bono singing about 'sex'. He's a married man, who's been married to the same girl for more than 2 decades, which is astounding for a 'rock star'. To quote Bono "Are we as Christians going to let the pornographers have the last word on sexuality? Or are we going to write songs about sexuality that are beautiful and true because that's what He does?"
Anyway, what are your thoughts? Am I doomed because I say 'shit' from time to time instead of 'shoot' or 'sugar', and because I tend to order a pint of leffe brune, or heineken instead of a pint of Coke? Or is coke evil too, becaused it's laced with sugar and caffeine (a known addictive drug)...



p.s. For any readers in the Ptbo area, I've been toying with the idea of starting a 'theology pub' night, or 'theology on tap' or 'God and Brew' thing, where we sit in a pub and discuss God and his kingdom and how we as his kids can love others in his name. If you're interested drop me a line.

Garage Sales

Garage Sales are awesome. I don't go to them very often, but when I have I've picked up some incredible bargains. Let me tell you about Saturday. I spent $7, and I'm sure I could have bargained it down to $5, but I was already getting a super good deal, so I wasn't gonna argue over it. I was driving down the street, and glanced at a yard sale. I wouldn't have had the time to look if the old decrepit man in front of me drove at proper speeds, but since I was only going 30 I had ample time to quickly scan the front yard. Clothing, trinkets, a couple aquariums, coat racks, a gun rack, a small guitar amp. So, I scored myself a Beltone tube amp, early 60's vintage. I took it home, cleaned it up a bit, plugged my guitar in, and played a little 'Johnny be good'.

Architecture

I get a kick out of this page of architectural masterpieces. It's updated monthly and has an archive. (Note: The author is a tad bit cynical.)

Kierkegaard: 'A bunch of scheming swindlers'

I read this today on sojo.net:

"The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. Herein lies the real place of Christian scholarship. Christian scholarship is the Church's prodigious invention to defend itself against the Bible, to ensure that we can continue to be good Christians without the Bible coming too close. Dreadful it is to fall into the hands of the living God. Yes, it is even dreadful to be alone with the New Testament."


- Soren Kierkegaard

Prime Time TV

So, last night, right in the middle of Prime Time, our PM took to the airwaves, delivering his plea to the people of Canada. I must admit, I was sitting in my living room playing Capcom vs. Marvel with Dave.t.S. and kicking his butt, but eyeing my watch so that we could turn off the fun and games and watch the speeches. I'd have to say that one of the highlights was when between a couple of the opposition speeches a young guy walked up the podium, looked towards the camera briefly and then walked away. For a brief second I thought he was going to speak. I don't know why, but I thought that was hilarious. Am I alone in that?

Bigfoot

Someone notify the SOSA!!!

CBC Radio 3

March 4, 05 marked the final issue of the CBCRadio3.com Magazine. In true CBC fashion, this website boasted uniquely canadian content, thought provoking articles and stories, with great attenition to presentation and art. A great blend of sounds, words and visuals.

MONEY MONEY

The long awaited Money Money Album, 'We are Money Money', finally made it to store shelves yesterday. I managed to secure myself a copy late in the day after work. I suggest you do the same.

Long Days

I drove 700km today, and got paid for it! And, I got to drive a new Dodge Dakota SLT. What a nice truck. I think I blew the speakers though.
One of the nice parts about my job is that from time to time I get to leave the confines of the office and go on the road for a day or two for some site meetings. Due to the economics of things, it's actually cheaper to rent a car for these things rather than using my own, which is fun. In the past few months I've driven a VW Golf, VW Jetta, Sebring, Silverado, Ford Freestar, and the Dakota. My favorite so far has to be the VW Golf.
It was a cold, cold morning in January, and I was leaving Peterborough at 6AM, so the sun wouldn't be coming up for some time still. The beauty of this particular car was that it had heated seats. There is nothing like getting into a fridig car, and sitting on a warm seat. Seriously, every car in Canada should come with this feature. I'm willing to put money on it that everyone, when pressed on the subject, would want one, right from the granny in her echo to the hardened contractor driving his big dodge ram. It's like sitting around a camp fire on a cold August night, and standing up and warming your butt on the fire after it's been seated on a cold rock or log or stump or something for a couple hours.
I love the simple things in life. Like good food, or a hike, or a guitar that's in tune already when you pick it up to play.

UFC

Last night I had the pleasure of celebrating a friend's birthday with some square dancing, followed by a trip to the local sports pub (I think it was the only place that would take a reservation for our group). The square dancing was fun. I must clarify for all you ubranites; it wasn't line dancing. That's not fun; at least it doesn't look fun. Anyway, the reason for this post...
It soon became aparent that the sports bar was probably not the best place to celebrate my friends birthday, since there was a ton of people there for a certain UFC pay-per-view event. Ultimate Fighting Championship. It's kinda like the porn of the fight world. People watch it and get a rush, a high, from seeing a well placed punch or kick, and nearly lose it when they see blood.
Anyway, sports bars are interesting places to make cultural observations:
1) waitresses in sports bars tend to fit a certain stereotype, and they have to put up with a lot of shit from drunk jocks.
2) drunk jocks are a solid arguement against evolution.
Those are just two of many.
I'm struck with a sense of irony here though. One of my all time favorite movies is Fight Club, yet I disagree with things like UFC. That, and while in the bar I had a hard time having a conversation with a friend of mine that I hadn't seen in months, cuz my eyes kept drifting towards the big screen and the big ring.

Homebrew

I had a pretty slow week this past week at work, which afforded me much time to study for OBC exams (frickin' arg!), and to think about things I'd rather be doing, like taking up a new hobby for the summer; learning new things. A couple years ago I had some beer made for me at a place that my parents go to for making their own wine. It was suprisingly good brew, and well, now I feel like learning the ancient art of brewing. It's an appealing, rewarding hobby, from what I can tell. It'll be a good community project, and a conversation stimulator when I've got people over. So, I'm thinking of investing a few bucks in the necessary equipment and setting up a little brewery in my basement.

There's a really cool pub in our town called St. Veronus, which stocks mostly european brew, and serves incredible belgian cuisine. Every time I go there, it's a religious experience. "From Man's sweat and God's love, beer came into the world" St. Arnold of Metz.

New Music

In the past 24 hours I've bought two new CD's and got one in the mail. That's 3 new CD's in one day, which definately busts the monthly budget, but that big fat tax return has to go somewhere. Which Cd's did I get, you ask? Well, the first was to assuage the guilt that I was feeling for burning a copy of Me Without You's 'Catch for us the foxes' off of my housemates copy. I walked to the local 'religious' book/cd/trinkets/feelgood store at lunch, which is a few short strides from my office, looking for a book, which they didn't have, but PTL there was the CD sitting in the rack, inviting me to purchase it as penence for my sinful burning. It must have been a sign. Anyway, it's an excellent disc.
The second CD was waiting for me in my mailbox when I got home. Starflyer 59, a band that for some reason I continue to enjoy, put out yet another album this week. Me, being the geek I am, pre-ordered it a few weeks ago from the bands website. It too is excellent. The next step in the evolution of the band that is SF59. Jason Martin delivers.
Finally, this morning while chillin at the mall, I picked up a copy of Green Day's latest, American Idiot. I haven't listened to Green Day since highschool. I was talking to a friend of mine last night who was saying that he had read an article about Green Day recently where they were sorta looking back on their career and realizing that they've just put out a bunch if immature crap, with no substance; catchy pop-punk tunes, but no real message other than a message of apathy and boredom. So, they decided to write a more mature album, which this one is. There's political messeges in it, a multi-part song about Jesus of Suburbia, which after a first listen, I think is their take of the figurehead of the new religion of suburbian bored americans. I don't think he wrote it as a slam on JC, and it certainly doesn't come across that way. Using the name of Jesus in a song though certainly gets people's attention. Maybe that's why there was that sticker on the packaging saying something about 'lyrics may be unsuitable for some'.

Rock'n'Roll?

The Long Emergency - Not your typical story about kids and their rock music, but worth a read.

Mystery Link

So, everyone likes a little adventure, right? A little bit of venturing into the unknown. Well, here's a dose of adventure for you. A feature on this blog that I'll post from time to time, unless it gets boring or I loose creativity:

??Mystery linK??

Selected by me for your enjoyment/education/laughter/inspiration/etc

So, in the picture below of downtown Peterborough, you can see a clump of homes on a peninsula of sorts, on the middle right hand side of the picture. A couple weeks ago a house was for sale in there, and I nearly jumped at it. It'd be such a cool place to live. The lake on one side, and then downtown across the bridge on the other. I'd be able to walk to work using said bridge and following the train tracks to the other side of the picture in under 10 minutes. I'd get back in shape, and possibly, just maybe, make a dent in the 1 tonne challenge.
...I just ran a spell checker on this post, and Peterborough isn't found in blogger's dictionary. However, featherbrained, their suggested word is. Small town Peterborough isn't really that insignificant, is it?

my home town 

Go Pete's Go

3-2 OT win. not a bad game at all. I can't believe it went into OT. I'm guessing Ottawa is next. Go Petes Go.

testing

it all starts here...