Incredible

Incredible (via Jordon Cooper)

My Weekend in pictures:

Friday night at the Silver Bean


At Redeemer, for my Sisters Graduation


Karen and Dad (I forgot to get one with Mom, Dad and Karen, or the whole family for that matter.)


And finally, me and Karen at our celebratory dinner

Taylor Hicks for President!

King Ralph is worried that the rest of Canada might benefit from his provinces stash of oil and gas. Not to worry Ralph, the equalization program is broken, and it doesn't include oil revenues...

There are two governmental issues that I'm unhappy with presently, so I will use a minute or two to vent and then proceed with my day.

First, Lockheed Martin, an arms dealer (Remember Bowling for Columbine, when Mike talked about how a lot of the parents of the kids at columbine highschool worked for Lockheed Martin, building missiles) has been hired to provide software for the Canadian Census. Read this, and if you want to add your voice to those who are not pleased with this decision, here's an opportunity.

Second, the conservatives have pulled the plug on a made-in-Canada energy efficiency program, known as "EnerGuide for Homes", which basically gives home owners a rebate when they upgrade their homes to make them more energy efficient.

I've tried to find some contact info for my local MP, preferably an email address, so that I can let him know my thoughts on these things, but haven't found it yet. If you know it, leave it in the comments space. Thanks. I've also got some things to say to him regarding the Afghanistan debate/vote taking place tomorrow. I didn't vote for him, but he represents my voice in Ottawa, so I guess I should tell him what that is.

A blank page

My sister has some art hanging in a gallery right now. I'd like to buy one of her paintings, if there's any still available. She painted 8 scenes, around the theme (in)significance. She explored the beauty that is found in the little aspects of creation that often get overlooked. Pebbles on a beach, blades of grass, the silhouette of a tree against the horizon at dusk. I thought it was fantastic.
She's far more artistic than me. I once wrote a poem about a blank page and the possibilities that it contained. In the proper hands, with inspiration that blank white sheet could become a master hand sketch, a design for the next life changing piece of technology, the first page of a novel, a love song, or folded properly, and cut with skill a snowflake.
It was a rather optimistic little poem.

Evelyn

'We all know that God loves us unconditionally. The way my mom loved me is the closest representation of that that I'll ever know on this earth...'

I just got back from a funeral. Those words are a paraphrase of the brief but full eulogy delivered by a Son who's mother passed away last week. He couldn't go on; nor did he need to. Other's eulogized about the range of qualities of this woman; her love of God, her devotion to her family, and the community she's part of, her joy in living. He simply spoke of the love that she had and gave him. I doubt there was a dry eye in the room.

There was laughter too though. It was a time to say good-bye but also a time to celebrate her life. A christian funeral is like that. She lived a full life, 68 years, but she lived in the certain hope of that which is beyond this life. She is with her savior now, with no physical pain or weakness, no special diet she needs to watch. She's with Jesus, singing her favorite hymns and songs in a strong voice, and probably learning some new ones.

Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?

A. That I am not my own,
But belong -

body and soul,
in life and in death -

to my faithfull Savior Jesus Christ.

He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,
and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.
He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven:
in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.

Because I belong to him,
Christ, by his Holy Spirit,
assures me of eternal life
and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready
from now on to live for him.
The Heidelberg Catechism - Q&A #1

The world's largest dessert

Ryan and Becca Paulsen have been living in Korea for the past year, and recently took a trip to Japan. Ryan provides an amusing play-by-play breakdown of the adventures that they had. The highlight, of course, was consuming a dessert described as 'larger than Ryan's head', announced with a 'gong'.
I think it's the equivalent to a 72oz steak challenge in Texas.
Regardless, it was certainly game show worthy. Pictures can be found here.

It's quite amazing how much enjoyment can be had throwing rocks at inanimate objects. Add some competitive scoring to the mix and you've got the latest outdoor extreme sport, Rock Golf. There's no green jacket, or plaid pants, or even caddies, just good natured fun.
I still tend to slice to the right though.

Happy International Star Wars day.

May the 4th be with you.

teSligte came by last night for dinner and 24. We've been watching season one on DVD the past few weeks (a disc a night). I can't believe Jack dies at the end.
Anyway, at some point in the evening he had to use my bathroom. Upon his return he announced with great satisfaction that "You're part of the fancy toilet paper club". I was all prepared to explain my reasons to him for having three-ply 'satin' type TP, thinking he was mocking me, when he stopped me short. I was preaching to the choir.
A little while ago I did some mental math while standing in the aisle at the grocery store. In my right hand was a soft, lighter than air package of three-ply higher end toilet paper, for around $4. In my left hand was the store brand cheap 2 ply, for about a dollar less. I figured that I could be thrify and save that dollar, as both packages perform the same function. Or, if taken over the long term (8 rolls x 200 sheets per roll @ a conservative 10 sheets per visit) I'd be saving about half a cent per bathroom visit if I went with the cheaper stuff. The savings versus benefit just didn't make sense. Since then, it's been 3-ply all the way.