Bono recently won a pretty huge award from the NAACP (I know, Irish whitey winning an award from the NAACP). Now, I know lots of people hate this guy, and lots more just love him. I'm not going to comment on what he's done so far except to say I support the work he's done in a big way. I think the reason a lot of people hate him is because he won't go away. The dude is rich and famous beyond most of our imaginations, but he does all those things we all say we'd do if we were rich. You know, if I were rich I'd totally use my money to... fill in charitable intention here. I think deep down lots of us know we wouldn't though.
Anyway, in his acceptance speech he did a bit of preaching at the end, talking about God, Religion, and Poverty. I'm transcribing his words here. I don't plan on commenting too much on it, becauseit speaks for itself.
"We're talking about the right to live like a human, the right to live period. Those are the stakes in Africa right now... nearly a million Africans, most of them children dying every year from malaria. Death by a mosquito bite. This is not about charity... this is about justice, justice and equality... True religion will not let us fall asleep in the comfort of our freedom. Love thy neighbour is not a piece of advice, it's a command. And that means a lot. That means that in the global villiage we're gonna have to start loving a whole lot more people... Because where you live should not decide whether you live or whether you die... Because whatever thoughts we have about God, who He is, or even if God exists, most will agree that God has a special place for the poor. The poor are where God lives. God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house. God is where the opporunity is lost and lives are shattered. God is with the mother who has infected her child with a virus that will take both their lives. God is under the rubble in the cries we hear during war time. God my friends is with the poor, and God is with us if we are with them. This is not a burden, this is an adventure. Don't let anyone tell you that it cannot be done. We can be the generation that ends extreme poverty.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
The new thing
Okay, so I'm changing the blogs around. I lost interest for a while, and things in my life took some pretty major turnarounds since the long weekend.
I've quit engineering and gone back to school for starters. I'm studying for my education degree (I decided I had too much money and respect as an Engineer and thought I should go for something more humbling). It feels like coming home. It's where I've been called for years, and I finally took up the call and went for it.
So, the new blog will be split into two parts. This one, Edumacting the World (pending a better title) will be used for reflections on education, teaching, the system, resources, and spirituality, especially related to Science and the modern world. The other (used to be preachin' and teachin') will now be the adventure blog. The other major change in my life was my level of activity. I went from a pretty half assed weekend warrior, to a pretty serious contender in the mountains. Ski touring (x/c and a bit of back country) season is almost done, so most of the posts will be around paddling and surfing. I'll post pics and links to videos whenever I can.
I'm off reading week tomorrow, so expect the first education related post soon. Also keep watching for the Fox Ministry (FM) website coming soon (as soon as I figure out how to design a website!).
I've quit engineering and gone back to school for starters. I'm studying for my education degree (I decided I had too much money and respect as an Engineer and thought I should go for something more humbling). It feels like coming home. It's where I've been called for years, and I finally took up the call and went for it.
So, the new blog will be split into two parts. This one, Edumacting the World (pending a better title) will be used for reflections on education, teaching, the system, resources, and spirituality, especially related to Science and the modern world. The other (used to be preachin' and teachin') will now be the adventure blog. The other major change in my life was my level of activity. I went from a pretty half assed weekend warrior, to a pretty serious contender in the mountains. Ski touring (x/c and a bit of back country) season is almost done, so most of the posts will be around paddling and surfing. I'll post pics and links to videos whenever I can.
I'm off reading week tomorrow, so expect the first education related post soon. Also keep watching for the Fox Ministry (FM) website coming soon (as soon as I figure out how to design a website!).
Friday, February 02, 2007
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Long Weekend Goodness
Well, I survived the drive. I just got back from the west coast. I drove out there last week for a little holiday before school starts. I met up with Nick in Comox on thursday night.
Friday was adventure day. Not being able to get into a caving group, we hit the bungee place in Nanaimo (we had no intention of jumping, seeing as between us we already had 10 jumps). They just opened a ropes course. Basically, it's a bunch of cool stuff that's fixed into the trees 50 feet off the ground. Tarzan swings, crazy little bridges, zip lines, cargo nets, tight and slack wires etc. etc. You're harnessed in to a safety line, but I tell ya, walking across a bridge that's 4" wide and 200' long 50 feet up is scary... especially in the middle when it's bouncing, swinging and twisting (of course no hand rails). Thank God for the safety line. It was a riot though. Took about 2.5 hours to cover all four adult courses. Since we got a big discount for doing both, we did end up bungee jumping too. Good times.
Friday night Matt met us in Nanaimo and we hit Tofino for Saturday and Sunday. The water shortage scared a lot of people off, so it wasn't busy at all. The waves were an awesome size. The biggest were probably around 7' on the face. By Sunday afternoon I was standing up on every ride, and riding most of the waves all the way in. I got a couple where I managed to bottom turn and ride the green instead of the foam. My best ride was on the outside break. I was about 10' farther out than anyone just chilling waiting for a bigger set. I was planning on paddling in when I saw the first swell so I could catch the second or third wave of the set. But out of nowhere this huge (well, relatively, remember I'm a beginner) swell jacks up. I paddle like hell and catch it right on the shoulder, ride the drop standing, and stay on the wave all the way in. It was freakin' awesome! Surfing is definitely one of the greatest sports in the universe.
Speaking of which, I'm signed up to compete in the Alberta River Surfing Association's Surf Slam. It'll be the second inland surf competition in the world outside of munich. It's just for fun. There's like 3 really good surfers, and most of the rest of us are beginners, so the competition will just be to get everyone up and surfing and goofing around and having fun. There is a backyard board builders competition though. My board is almost done... the tiki on the front is getting finished tomorrow. If I can sort through my current epoxy fiasco in time I'll have it done for the festival!
Well, that's really it.. the next few days are getting ready for school. I can't wait to finally get on to this chapter of my life!
Friday was adventure day. Not being able to get into a caving group, we hit the bungee place in Nanaimo (we had no intention of jumping, seeing as between us we already had 10 jumps). They just opened a ropes course. Basically, it's a bunch of cool stuff that's fixed into the trees 50 feet off the ground. Tarzan swings, crazy little bridges, zip lines, cargo nets, tight and slack wires etc. etc. You're harnessed in to a safety line, but I tell ya, walking across a bridge that's 4" wide and 200' long 50 feet up is scary... especially in the middle when it's bouncing, swinging and twisting (of course no hand rails). Thank God for the safety line. It was a riot though. Took about 2.5 hours to cover all four adult courses. Since we got a big discount for doing both, we did end up bungee jumping too. Good times.
Friday night Matt met us in Nanaimo and we hit Tofino for Saturday and Sunday. The water shortage scared a lot of people off, so it wasn't busy at all. The waves were an awesome size. The biggest were probably around 7' on the face. By Sunday afternoon I was standing up on every ride, and riding most of the waves all the way in. I got a couple where I managed to bottom turn and ride the green instead of the foam. My best ride was on the outside break. I was about 10' farther out than anyone just chilling waiting for a bigger set. I was planning on paddling in when I saw the first swell so I could catch the second or third wave of the set. But out of nowhere this huge (well, relatively, remember I'm a beginner) swell jacks up. I paddle like hell and catch it right on the shoulder, ride the drop standing, and stay on the wave all the way in. It was freakin' awesome! Surfing is definitely one of the greatest sports in the universe.
Speaking of which, I'm signed up to compete in the Alberta River Surfing Association's Surf Slam. It'll be the second inland surf competition in the world outside of munich. It's just for fun. There's like 3 really good surfers, and most of the rest of us are beginners, so the competition will just be to get everyone up and surfing and goofing around and having fun. There is a backyard board builders competition though. My board is almost done... the tiki on the front is getting finished tomorrow. If I can sort through my current epoxy fiasco in time I'll have it done for the festival!
Well, that's really it.. the next few days are getting ready for school. I can't wait to finally get on to this chapter of my life!
Friday, July 21, 2006
A year (and a bit) in review
Well, I just passed the big 28, so I thought I'd do a look back on the year.
The first big thing that happened was me leaving St. Bonaventure as the youth ministry coordinator. That was one of the hardest decisions I ever made. It was such a wonderful work environment, and I loved the work so much. I think I had gotten a bit stale though, and needed to give engineering a try. I was nervous leaving, but Colm has done such a fantastic job this year, we definitely have the right man for the job.
Spent a week on Vancouver Island (had never been there). The highlight of that was definitely the surfing. It got me hooked (more on that later).
Fall and up to Christmas was mostly work. Two cool projects though. One was out on the military base doing some research to help protect our troops in Afghanistan, and we definitely learned a lot. It also didn't hurt getting to see a 5000kg high explosives charge go off! The other one was in a diamond mine for 10 days. Kinda cool being 235m below ground.
I did my first youth rally as a keynote speaker in Prince Albert. It went really well, I made a good contact down in Alabama (who's now coming to Calgary next year for the rally), and I learned a lot. I didn't bomb out on stage, and I got some good audience participation going on. I hope I can do a repeat next year.
Also beginning around the fall was my foray into internet dating. You can laugh all you want, but Karen and I have been together for 9 and a bit months now, so I'd say it's been surprisingly (in a good way) successful.
My outdoor activity level has skyrocketed, starting with a tonne of downhill and cross country skiing. I did enough XC to justify getting some decent skis.
Christmas was a trip to Thailand. It was so great. I was surprised, I didn't really wanna go, but I ended up just loving it.
The first few months of the new year were pretty slow. Nick moved home and that was awesome... it's been great having him (and now Andrea too) around again. Work was pretty boring and trying for those months... a lot of driving and GPS collection.
In the spring I decided to apply to school, and got accepted to U of C's teacher prep program. I'm looking forward to starting that.
I got some kayaking gear this year (finally my own boat), and I've used it so much. Almost every week since I got it. I finally have a regular group of paddlers to go out with. Making some good friends and building some awesome skills.
Mom and Dad just got home... it was kind of a cool 'Birthday present' to have them back. We're in the process of getting them settled, although I seem to have avoided doing too much of the work... I'll need to fix that before someone notices.
And to wrap it up, today I went riversurfing for the first time and managed to actually stand up. I'm so awesome!
The first big thing that happened was me leaving St. Bonaventure as the youth ministry coordinator. That was one of the hardest decisions I ever made. It was such a wonderful work environment, and I loved the work so much. I think I had gotten a bit stale though, and needed to give engineering a try. I was nervous leaving, but Colm has done such a fantastic job this year, we definitely have the right man for the job.
Spent a week on Vancouver Island (had never been there). The highlight of that was definitely the surfing. It got me hooked (more on that later).
Fall and up to Christmas was mostly work. Two cool projects though. One was out on the military base doing some research to help protect our troops in Afghanistan, and we definitely learned a lot. It also didn't hurt getting to see a 5000kg high explosives charge go off! The other one was in a diamond mine for 10 days. Kinda cool being 235m below ground.
I did my first youth rally as a keynote speaker in Prince Albert. It went really well, I made a good contact down in Alabama (who's now coming to Calgary next year for the rally), and I learned a lot. I didn't bomb out on stage, and I got some good audience participation going on. I hope I can do a repeat next year.
Also beginning around the fall was my foray into internet dating. You can laugh all you want, but Karen and I have been together for 9 and a bit months now, so I'd say it's been surprisingly (in a good way) successful.
My outdoor activity level has skyrocketed, starting with a tonne of downhill and cross country skiing. I did enough XC to justify getting some decent skis.
Christmas was a trip to Thailand. It was so great. I was surprised, I didn't really wanna go, but I ended up just loving it.
The first few months of the new year were pretty slow. Nick moved home and that was awesome... it's been great having him (and now Andrea too) around again. Work was pretty boring and trying for those months... a lot of driving and GPS collection.
In the spring I decided to apply to school, and got accepted to U of C's teacher prep program. I'm looking forward to starting that.
I got some kayaking gear this year (finally my own boat), and I've used it so much. Almost every week since I got it. I finally have a regular group of paddlers to go out with. Making some good friends and building some awesome skills.
Mom and Dad just got home... it was kind of a cool 'Birthday present' to have them back. We're in the process of getting them settled, although I seem to have avoided doing too much of the work... I'll need to fix that before someone notices.
And to wrap it up, today I went riversurfing for the first time and managed to actually stand up. I'm so awesome!
Friday, June 23, 2006
My new best friend
Is my whitewater helmet. Man did it save my butt last night (or rather my head, which are associated together if you talk to certain people). I was having a bad night for running rapids (my surfing was good, I just couldnt run to save my life) so I kept rolling. My roll is almost bombproof now, so rolling in a rapid is no big deal. Unfortunately the Elbow river (like most easter slope creeks) is very shallow and very rocky. So in the second last rapid, as I'm upside down setting up my roll thinking, man, it's shallow here, I hope I dont hit a rock, what happens? That's right, gooned by a rock on the side of the head. Hard enough to make me see stars. If I wasn't wearing a helmet it woulda broken something and I'm sure I'da been unconscious or worse. There's a wicked scar on the side of my helmet now too :D Luckily whitewater helmets, unlike say bike helmets, are made for multiple impacts. They're just a very hard shell with padding, so I don't need to replace it, which makes me a happy boy.
Good times anyway, and I still rolled up after the crank on the cranium, so hooray for that.
On the Kan on saturday, can't wait for that.
Good times anyway, and I still rolled up after the crank on the cranium, so hooray for that.
On the Kan on saturday, can't wait for that.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Found - 2 New Rolls
Yup, got it back. Actually, I took a kayak rolling class and learned a new way to do it. I like it much better than the old C to C. It's a sweep roll, and when it works right, it's nearly effortless. I even got it on my off side which is awesome. The instructor was very happy with my progress. I'm ready to try it in some moving water now! Maybe next weekend if I'm not working.
Also went hiking yesterday. We went up to Nihahi Ridge. Like all the way up it. 800m climb, and lemme tell ya, it's a little freaky at the top. Karen and I climbed to the second peak along the ridge and you could see forever. We could even see downtown calgary on the horizon. Got loads of great pics too. I'm a bit sore today, but not as much as I thought I'd be given that it was the first hike of the year and it was hard. I wasn't doggin' it anywhere near as much as I thought I'd be though, so that makes me super happy too. I'm in way better shape this summer than I was last for sure.
Yay for recreational time!
Also went hiking yesterday. We went up to Nihahi Ridge. Like all the way up it. 800m climb, and lemme tell ya, it's a little freaky at the top. Karen and I climbed to the second peak along the ridge and you could see forever. We could even see downtown calgary on the horizon. Got loads of great pics too. I'm a bit sore today, but not as much as I thought I'd be given that it was the first hike of the year and it was hard. I wasn't doggin' it anywhere near as much as I thought I'd be though, so that makes me super happy too. I'm in way better shape this summer than I was last for sure.
Yay for recreational time!
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