HOT HOT HOT!

It's hot outside. Very hot.
Here's a sad irony for you. I work as an HVAC engineer, designing air conditioning systems for buildings. All day long I spend time calculating how large the AC system/ductwork/fans/etc. needs to be for certain buildings, yet at the end of the day, I wander home for a dose of reality and swealter in my apartment.
I'm a bit of a minimalist. In 4th year at university after our place on Colborne St. got broken into (when Todd and I were both home!) I kinda was hoping that they'd come back and finish the job and clean us out. 2 Reasons:
1) We were graduating soon and I hate packing.
2) I was getting sick of having stuff and thought it'd be more practical to have less of it.
So, in many ways, even though I enjoy the simple things in life (a good pint, a new CD, a good book), I haven't surrounded myself with too many things, and I guess I'm comfortable with that. Maybe it's the stage I'm at in life, or because I've seen first hand how people live in less wealthy nations on this planet, but I don't really aspire to own a massive house filled with massive things, and a massive garage with massive toys, and a massive bank account with a massive mortgage and a massive line of credit.
My mom's dad, Pake Dykstra, wrote a 170 page memoir, which I need to read again. He closes it with the following. Perhaps I take after him a bit...

"
I am now coming to the end of my story, I have titled this story with the words of Proverbs 30 verse 8: "Give me neither poverty, nor riches, but give me only my daily bread", I have found this to be sufficient in life and want to pass on these words of wisdom to my children and grand children. Fear God for that is the beginning of wisdom, seek first His Kingdom and its righteousness and all these other things will be added unto you, because your Father in heaven knows what you need. I hope, that even though I am far from a professional writer, this writing will give each one of you some idea of what two people, like pake Jelle and beppe Wieke have experienced during their 80 odd years on this earth. As my final word I want to wish each one of you God's richest blessings through your faith in Him all through your life.

November 27, 1990 Pake Jelle Dykstra
"

Billy Corgan

Billy Corgan took out an ad in the Chicago Tribune announcing he plans to 'renew and revive the Smashing Pumpkins.' This is exciting. I have really come to appreciate Billy Corgan as an artist and as a person in the last year, as he has been singing songs and speaking words of hope. His songs have always had lyrical and musical depth to them, and a rare open honesty.

Suing people is fun

Question: If you are purchasing a house next to a golf course, would the posibility of errant golf balls enter into your decision? If, after moving into said home, your house was struck from time to time by a golf ball, would you have the nerve to sue the golf course? Apparently some people would.
Here's my beef. People buy a house next to something that has existed for years (a farm, a highway, an airport, a golf course, train tracks), and then proceed to complain about the smell of shit, the road noise, the loud aircraft, golfers who slice, and trains going by at 6 in the morning waking them up. If this is you, please stop.
However, if this is you, you have every right to be pissed off.

Bewitched - While not moving this morning on the DVP, I had time to get the camera out and snap a picture of a giant billboard, taking up the entire side of an apartment building, for the upcoming movie "Bewitched". I wonder if the occupants get lower rent as a result indirectly being a cog in the corporate machine that is Hollywood.

Duck Hunt

Three Kick Rule
A San Francisco lawyer went duck hunting in rural Petaluma. He shot and dropped a bird, but it fell into a farmer's field on the other side of a fence.
As the lawyer climbed over the fence, an elderly farmer drove up on his tractor and asked him what he was doing. The litigator responded, "I shot a duck and it fell in this field, and now I'm going to retrieve it." The old farmer replied, "This is my property, and you are not coming over here." The indignant lawyer said, "I am one of the best trial attorneys in the United States and, if you don't let me get that duck, I'll sue you and take everything you own. The old farmer smiled and said, "Apparently, you don't know how we settle disputes in Petaluma. We settle small disagreements like this with the "Three Kick Rule." The lawyer asked, "What is the Three Kick Rule?" The Farmer replied, "Well, because the dispute occurs on my land, first I kick you three times and then you kick me three times and so on back and forth until someone gives up."
The attorney quickly thought about the proposed contest and decided that he could easily take the old codger. He agreed to abide by the local custom. The old farmer slowly climbed down from the tractor and walked up to the attorney. His first kick planted the toe of his heavy steel toed work boot into the lawyer's groin and dropped him to his knees. His second kick to the midriff sent the lawyer's last meal gushing from his mouth. The lawyer was on all fours when the farmer's third kick to his rear end sent him face-first into a fresh cow pie. The lawyer summoned every bit of his will and managed to get to his feet. Wiping his face with the arm of his jacket, he said, "Okay, Now it's my turn."
The old farmer smiled and said, "Naw, I give up. You can have the duck.

The Donald

It's been really hot and humid the past week in Peterborough, and I've noticed that I have weird dreams when the weather is like this. For example, a couple of nights ago I dreamt that I was afflicted with multiple personality disorder. The fun part was that one of my personalities was one of the final two contestants on 'The Apprentice'. However, the personality that had got to the final had either decided to regress, or had been overcome by another personality, and so the personality that was in the final had no corporate skills, no desire for board room banter, and no real ambition to be the Apprentice. I don't even think he could tie a tie. He did however have the conscious realization that he was in fact one of several personalities within the one person, somehow, but at the same time couldn't figure out how to tell 'The Donald' about his predicament without being instantly fired. He was compassionate, looking out for the well-being of the other personality. How could you fire someone like that?

it's in you to give

I gave blood yesterday. They keep track of how many times you give, and yesterday I was awarded with a button since it was my 10th donation. Back in highschool we used to have competitions to see who could have their pint of blood drained the quickest. Continuously clenching/unclenching your fist works the best. I think some guys even went for a run before giving blood, but by the time you get through all of the questions about drugs and sex and sex for drugs and drugs for sex and the myriad of other questions a good 15 minutes has passed and you've caught your breath. Anyway, my record is a little of 3 minutes. Last night it took me 4.5 and I wasn't even trying. I wanna get under 3. The Roger Bannister of the blood donating world.
The best part though is the free cookies and unlimited orange drink when it's all done!

...are you emergent?

here's a good friday afternoon read...

THEOLOGY PUB - ROUND 2

Theology Pub - This Monday, June 6th, 8:30ish, St.Veronus Pub. (Beer consumption is not mandatory. Last time someone drank coffee.)
Theology Pub is intended to be a place where open discussion about God, His Word, and our lives can take place. Bring a friend...

PV

... if I was a geek and owned lots of portable gadgets, I'd think these things would be pretty cool...

Jesus' Life

Last weekend while in Kingston I attended 'the neXt church' as I try to do when I'm in Kingston on the weekend. This is a quote from the Next Standard which made me stop and think, which is never a bad thing:
"Jesus' life didn't go well. He didn't reach his earning potential. He didn't have the respect of his colleagues. His friends weren't loyal. His life wasn't long. He didn't meet his soul mate. And he wasn't understood by his mother. Yet I think I deserve all those things because I'm so spiritual."