A good reminder

With all the recent talk around here about singleness, I thought it best to repost an entry.

Read the rest of this entry »

We almost died laughing…

Another “when I was in Winnipeg” story. It all began when Kathy and I decided to go shopping.

Low and behold, St. Vital was also holding the annual used book sale. Encouraged, perhaps, by my amazing find in the science section, I engaged in a thorough hunt through the Christian section.

(My science find was “The Copernican Revolution: Planetary Astronomy in the Development of Western Thought” TS Kuhn … I love books that incorporate science and history. My current read is “Deep Simplicity: Bringing order to chaos and complexity” J Gribbin…it’s more about bringing history to math than the math to history–although all truly is connected. Next on my wishlist is “Weather Factor: How nature has changed history” E Durschmied. OK, I admit it … I’m a geek.)

Sorry for the ramble. So I continued my tireless search through the Christian section. Picked up some Merton, a Protestant vs. Catholic relic from the 70’s, and the book in question which I purchased for the incredible bargain of 50¢–I kid you not. Kathy did laugh at first, was later incredulous that I was actually spending money on it later, and was more than eager to share my find with the girls that evening.

This book was written by Margaret Clarkson, whom, I have just discovered thanks to google, was born in Melville SK. Now I feel slightly bad for the mocking which will be shortly incurred. The girls feel that the cover art was designed first, and the book written based on the cover. The cover is a glorious 70’s-esque female in flowing peasant dress, surrounded by a meadow, gazed skyward, and gently holding her acoustic guitar. Can’t you just see it?

Anyways, the girls (i.e. the small group girls from the ‘Peg) and I are treating it as the inspiration for the “Summer of the traveling book”. Each of us, armed with our own pen colour, will read and comment upon the book content (complete with plenty of “WTF?!?!”s) before forwarding it to the next member. The final destination will be our surrogate mother/small group leader, now in Edmonton. We hope our insight will encourage her in the book she is writing.

Read on for cover art and table of contents.

Read the rest of this entry »

One of those high school memories

I am in the process of cleaning up my office (a horrible, horrible mess due to months of neglect). Anyway, in the process I came across a scrap of paper on which I had written a URL. A couple of years ago, I was heading back home from Winnipeg, and happened to be taking the same flight as Amber — a girl from elementary and high school. We got a-talking about high school folks; the ‘where are they know?’ discussion. And from that, Amber mentions Cat, also in Winnipeg, and passes along her URL. I’m not sure if I ever looked it up at the time, but I wandered over there this morning and was pleasantly surprized at the melodious sound clips from her soon to be released CD. I highly suggest you check out Cat Jahnke.

Loss

A little over 3 years ago, Jennifer Palmer discovered she had cancer. The day before she died, I began to read the blog of her husband, Mark. Jennifer was only 26.

A short 2 years later, he also diagnosed.

A month ago tomorrow, Mark passed away.

My heartfelt condolences to Amy and Micah.

Read the rest of this entry »

Adventures in a forgein land

Yesterday Janice and I had many, many (many) adventures. I started by awaking at the delightful hour of 3:50 am. No one should ever have to awake at that hour. (The one exception would be, I suppose, to console one’s own crying child … feeing, diaper, bad dream, etc.) I then arrived at the airport. Sadly there is no Tim’s at that particular airport, so I settled for “We proudly brew Starbucks”. You will recall I have a dislike of the Starbucks’ brew. However, I needed the joe and went to adulterate the best I could. Then, something horrible happened — they were out of cream!!!!!! What sort of coffee establishment runs out of cream?!?!?!?! I attempted to drink the concoction, but that failed after two sips. I got some Tim’s once I arrived at my destination.
Janice and I hung out in the morning–the converstation generally revolving around boys (namely, the boy who thought he was hers but never actually was and the boy she would like to be, and pretty sure is, hers). I had little to add of my own personal perspective of late.
Then, we developed a plan. A plan due to our combined CAA memberships (these things are handy folks). Seeing as we could get discounts at both the IMAX and at the museum, that is where we went. We meandered through the mall first–not the best mall, but a mall nonetheless. Then the double feature at the IMAX: The Human Body and Under Sea 3D. Each had their own glorious moments. First I should say that the one IMAX guy practically ran the whole thing: selling us our tickets, giving us our free concession items (thanks CAA), handing us our 3D glasses. The Human Body: despite the school group, Janice and I managed to laugh the whole way through. Under Sea 3D: neither of us had been to a 3D show before…we sat in wide-eyed wonderment the whole way through. It’s almost as though we were made to see these things together. [Really now. Would you have been dragged to see "The Human Body" IMAX-style by me?]
We also ventured to the museum, having been thouroughly checked out by the passing males as we ventured down Portage and then up Main. Janice and I treat this particular type (one in which we are more or less familiar with the general content) of museum the same way–don’t stop to read most displays, try to pronounce dinosaur names, crawl through small openings intended for children.
Then, to top it all off, I got my calamari pita from Kristina’s. Oh happy day! And we also managed to get a table by the sidewalk … a prime vantage point for people watching on Corydon. A nice bit of gelatti later and the two of us were pooped. I had a “nap” while I waited to hear from the other girls…perhaps to go out again. Although it would have been nice to see the Dust Rhino’s and hang with Justin and the gang, both Kathy and Lindsay were going home to bed. And I continued my “nap”.
Now, awakened from my slumber … it is 7:30 am local time. Must get dressed and mind some coffee. Unfortunately, Roca Jacks has closed but there is a Second Cup (and a Starbucks!) just down the street.