Wow... CRAZY busy day. Got up (actually several times, I'll explain at the end) and called Erin first thing. So fantastic to hear her voice. I was gonna call yesterday and decided not to, and she had a feeling I was calling today... Must be psychic.
First went to Moccatam mountain. To see the church carved into it in honour of St. Samaan (Simon). In the second century AD the bishop was in a debate, and was told, your Bible says you can move a mountain... if you dont we'll kill all the Christians in Egypt. So he called Samaan, and Samaan moved the mountain. Cool eh? Anyway, to get to it you drive through what's called Garbage City. It was like nothing I've ever seen. The people in this super overcrowded city collect garbage, and sort it for valuable things. There are literally children playing on mountains of rotting garbage. They all had big smiles though! I'll tell you more if you ask me, cuz there's no way to give the impression online. The church is amazing... it has such a holy presence. I would kill to be able to go to Mass there (its Coptic, but I'd participate anyway!).
Then went to the Khan Khalili for a couple hours. That place is nuts... its the bazaar. Lots of bargaining, and if you pay more than 1/4 of what they ask for something you are getting ripped off. We had a local with us and he made a fantastic guide! I got ALL my shopping done today, but it was VERY tiring. The one thing I missed was a vintage camera for Erin. Sorry sweetie, the guy was trying to rip me off and wouldn't bargain down to a fair price for them, and they weren't the kind you mentioned to me. I got you something pretty awesome though ;)
After that went Shisha shopping! We bought 5 fancy ones. If you've ever wanted to smoke one, lemme know, I'm bringing home all the stuff we need and the tobacco tastes like a dream!
So onto the mummy tummy. Yeah, I have a bacterial infection in my intestines. NOTHING is being digested properly, and there is a constant low level cramp. Note to self, when already runny, DONT order a giant glass of strawberry juicy... it's dangerous. I hope it clears up before I get home, or at least soon after I get home.
Happy new year everyone! Off to Alexandria tomorrow to see the great library and other such stuff. I've taken over 300 photos so far!
Monday, December 29, 2003
Khan Khalili, Mummy Tummy, and the faith that could move a mountain
Wow... CRAZY busy day. Got up (actually several times, I'll explain at the end) and called Erin first thing. So fantastic to hear her voice. I was gonna call yesterday and decided not to, and she had a feeling I was calling today... Must be psychic.
First went to Moccatam mountain. To see the church carved into it in honour of St. Samaan (Simon). In the second century AD the bishop was in a debate, and was told, your Bible says you can move a mountain... if you dont we'll kill all the Christians in Egypt. So he called Samaan, and Samaan moved the mountain. Cool eh? Anyway, to get to it you drive through what's called Garbage City. It was like nothing I've ever seen. The people in this super overcrowded city collect garbage, and sort it for valuable things. There are literally children playing on mountains of rotting garbage. They all had big smiles though! I'll tell you more if you ask me, cuz there's no way to give the impression online. The church is amazing... it has such a holy presence. I would kill to be able to go to Mass there (its Coptic, but I'd participate anyway!).
Then went to the Khan Khalili for a couple hours. That place is nuts... its the bazaar. Lots of bargaining, and if you pay more than 1/4 of what they ask for something you are getting ripped off. We had a local with us and he made a fantastic guide! I got ALL my shopping done today, but it was VERY tiring. The one thing I missed was a vintage camera for Erin. Sorry sweetie, the guy was trying to rip me off and wouldn't bargain down to a fair price for them, and they weren't the kind you mentioned to me. I got you something pretty awesome though ;)
After that went Shisha shopping! We bought 5 fancy ones. If you've ever wanted to smoke one, lemme know, I'm bringing home all the stuff we need and the tobacco tastes like a dream!
So onto the mummy tummy. Yeah, I have a bacterial infection in my intestines. NOTHING is being digested properly, and there is a constant low level cramp. Note to self, when already runny, DONT order a giant glass of strawberry juicy... it's dangerous. I hope it clears up before I get home, or at least soon after I get home.
Happy new year everyone! Off to Alexandria tomorrow to see the great library and other such stuff. I've taken over 300 photos so far!
First went to Moccatam mountain. To see the church carved into it in honour of St. Samaan (Simon). In the second century AD the bishop was in a debate, and was told, your Bible says you can move a mountain... if you dont we'll kill all the Christians in Egypt. So he called Samaan, and Samaan moved the mountain. Cool eh? Anyway, to get to it you drive through what's called Garbage City. It was like nothing I've ever seen. The people in this super overcrowded city collect garbage, and sort it for valuable things. There are literally children playing on mountains of rotting garbage. They all had big smiles though! I'll tell you more if you ask me, cuz there's no way to give the impression online. The church is amazing... it has such a holy presence. I would kill to be able to go to Mass there (its Coptic, but I'd participate anyway!).
Then went to the Khan Khalili for a couple hours. That place is nuts... its the bazaar. Lots of bargaining, and if you pay more than 1/4 of what they ask for something you are getting ripped off. We had a local with us and he made a fantastic guide! I got ALL my shopping done today, but it was VERY tiring. The one thing I missed was a vintage camera for Erin. Sorry sweetie, the guy was trying to rip me off and wouldn't bargain down to a fair price for them, and they weren't the kind you mentioned to me. I got you something pretty awesome though ;)
After that went Shisha shopping! We bought 5 fancy ones. If you've ever wanted to smoke one, lemme know, I'm bringing home all the stuff we need and the tobacco tastes like a dream!
So onto the mummy tummy. Yeah, I have a bacterial infection in my intestines. NOTHING is being digested properly, and there is a constant low level cramp. Note to self, when already runny, DONT order a giant glass of strawberry juicy... it's dangerous. I hope it clears up before I get home, or at least soon after I get home.
Happy new year everyone! Off to Alexandria tomorrow to see the great library and other such stuff. I've taken over 300 photos so far!
Saturday, December 27, 2003
mmmm.... Mummy Tummy
Yeah, so me and my bro are both a little sick. Its not like dysentary or anything... its just a general ugly feeling and lack of proper digestion. I guess its not uncommon, but its tough to enjoy things fully. Ah well, tour through the pain right?
So we saw a bunch more temples... I'm officially templed out. I enjoyed all the stuff we saw, but after a while its like... 'hey! more hyroglyphics, and look there's Horus, the Eagle headed god, ooo, and that one is Amun-ra! Can I go sit down now?' Dont get me wrong though... it was cool to see all the stuff. For me it was all about the construction techniques and stuff. The only part that bothered me was the whole thing on Christmas day. The ship stopped for like 2 hours in one town that had no church, so I missed Mass. It sure didn't feel like Christmas. So my new Christmas present that I want is for everyone I love to spend an hour at Church with me on a Christmas day.
Anyway, also saw a perfume factory (ask me about that one... awesome) and Alabaster factory, and a papyrus institute... that was super cool. I wanna start growing my own papyrus type plant and making paper... mmm... paper.
Read Erin's blog about Christmas... made me super homesick. Yeah, so for blog communication, if you read this I miss you too! Wish I coulda been there with you and your fam and the irish kiddies!
Oh, did I mention that I love shopping in third world countries? Labour is very cheap here, and so are materials cuz so many of them come from here. Spices at about 1/30th the cost, essential oils at savings I'd be afraid to calculate, I got a suit that would cost like $500 at home for less than $100, anything and everything is cheap, and its super fun to bargain for it all too! A lot if it is that their inflation is really bad, so their currency is devalued, and so changing money you make a lot of profit. It also means that you can help out locals by shopping at small places and tipping well and stuff like that. If you're reading this and think it sounds callous, save your flames for later... I'm happy to discuss the social situation in Egypt one to one and explain it all better.
Well, now that everyone thinks I'm a capitalist bastard, I'll sign off.
So we saw a bunch more temples... I'm officially templed out. I enjoyed all the stuff we saw, but after a while its like... 'hey! more hyroglyphics, and look there's Horus, the Eagle headed god, ooo, and that one is Amun-ra! Can I go sit down now?' Dont get me wrong though... it was cool to see all the stuff. For me it was all about the construction techniques and stuff. The only part that bothered me was the whole thing on Christmas day. The ship stopped for like 2 hours in one town that had no church, so I missed Mass. It sure didn't feel like Christmas. So my new Christmas present that I want is for everyone I love to spend an hour at Church with me on a Christmas day.
Anyway, also saw a perfume factory (ask me about that one... awesome) and Alabaster factory, and a papyrus institute... that was super cool. I wanna start growing my own papyrus type plant and making paper... mmm... paper.
Read Erin's blog about Christmas... made me super homesick. Yeah, so for blog communication, if you read this I miss you too! Wish I coulda been there with you and your fam and the irish kiddies!
Oh, did I mention that I love shopping in third world countries? Labour is very cheap here, and so are materials cuz so many of them come from here. Spices at about 1/30th the cost, essential oils at savings I'd be afraid to calculate, I got a suit that would cost like $500 at home for less than $100, anything and everything is cheap, and its super fun to bargain for it all too! A lot if it is that their inflation is really bad, so their currency is devalued, and so changing money you make a lot of profit. It also means that you can help out locals by shopping at small places and tipping well and stuff like that. If you're reading this and think it sounds callous, save your flames for later... I'm happy to discuss the social situation in Egypt one to one and explain it all better.
Well, now that everyone thinks I'm a capitalist bastard, I'll sign off.
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
Minor Miracles
So, today I'm in Luxor. Total tourist trap. Yeah, I can't wait to peel outta here... I mean, the temples are really cool and stuff, but you can't go 2 steps without someone trying to rip you off.
Went to Coptic Cairo yesterday... awesome. I got to see where Mary and Joseph fled when Herod was killing all the first borns in Bethlehem. Like, their actual home in Egypt! And when we came out of the church built over it, it was pouring rain. That is huge cuz it NEVER rains in Cairo... like 1 inch a year, and there was way more than that. It was a neat puncuation for the day.
Tomorrow is the Valley of the Kings should rule.
Oh yeah, called home today... talked to Erin... yay! Floating for the rest of the morning.
Went to Coptic Cairo yesterday... awesome. I got to see where Mary and Joseph fled when Herod was killing all the first borns in Bethlehem. Like, their actual home in Egypt! And when we came out of the church built over it, it was pouring rain. That is huge cuz it NEVER rains in Cairo... like 1 inch a year, and there was way more than that. It was a neat puncuation for the day.
Tomorrow is the Valley of the Kings should rule.
Oh yeah, called home today... talked to Erin... yay! Floating for the rest of the morning.
Sunday, December 21, 2003
In a galaxy far far away...
Actually, just Nothern Africa. Yep! I'm writing from Cairo.
So, after the flight(s) from hell, we made it... but man, NEVER fly Olympic Air. It sucks. After having our flight from Toronto to Athens cancelled, we had to take a later one. Of course that was 6 hours later, and then we had a 45 minute (2 hour) stopover in Montreal in which we weren't allowed to get up from our seats.
So after seeing the exciting mall near the airport in TO we FINALLY left. Yeah, the flight attendant was surly... like REALLY surly. The plane was dirty, the food crappy, and they dont tell you things like, oh yeah, you have to turn on the movie yourself. Stupid Olympic Air. Got into Athens too late to actually go anywhere... mmm... Athens airport.
Made it to Cairo okay though. Its such a cool place. Hugh, but the shops are crazy, we went to the Kahn (market), and saw the Cairo museum. Mostly just wandered around and stuff though... smoked a shisha though... mmm sooo goood. Bringing at least one of those home! Don't worry, just cherry flavoured tobacco... no wacky tobaccy for this kid.
Anyway, can't tell all my stories now, gotta save some for home! Merry Christmas.
So, after the flight(s) from hell, we made it... but man, NEVER fly Olympic Air. It sucks. After having our flight from Toronto to Athens cancelled, we had to take a later one. Of course that was 6 hours later, and then we had a 45 minute (2 hour) stopover in Montreal in which we weren't allowed to get up from our seats.
So after seeing the exciting mall near the airport in TO we FINALLY left. Yeah, the flight attendant was surly... like REALLY surly. The plane was dirty, the food crappy, and they dont tell you things like, oh yeah, you have to turn on the movie yourself. Stupid Olympic Air. Got into Athens too late to actually go anywhere... mmm... Athens airport.
Made it to Cairo okay though. Its such a cool place. Hugh, but the shops are crazy, we went to the Kahn (market), and saw the Cairo museum. Mostly just wandered around and stuff though... smoked a shisha though... mmm sooo goood. Bringing at least one of those home! Don't worry, just cherry flavoured tobacco... no wacky tobaccy for this kid.
Anyway, can't tell all my stories now, gotta save some for home! Merry Christmas.
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
The last day!
Yep, leave for Cairo tomorrow! Insanity... It hasn't sunk in yet... its weird, but Im not complaining. Gonna spend the night getting ready/hanging out with Erin. I'm sure I'll be sleep deprived come tomorrow! Hence this will likely be the last entry for a couple weeks... I might post from over there if I get time, but not for sure. I'm home January 3, so see you all (you all being one or two people who actually read this) soon.
Shout outs
Shout outs are working... mad thanks to Alison. So now you can post comments on my blog... just click on the shout out text at the bottom of posts. Please keep em clean kiddies
Lack o sleep catching up!
Wow, so I'm amazingly tired. I've had 12 hours of sleep in the last three nights. For those of you who don't like the mental math that's about 4 hours per night so far. I'm also suffering from an AMAZING athletic hangover AND a chinook migrane. Sucks. But enough whining... Advil migrane is my new hero.
So I have a new superhero name... I am EL STUPIDO! My superpower, doing stupid things! No, SUPER stupid things Mwahahaha! I show up on occasion and aid the battle of Kicks Ass Girl and Gets stabbed Man. Yeah, it came from the afore mentioned skiing accident... well that and another good wipeout from yesterday. The thumb however is NOT broken. The old break is still healing, and the tendon I tore is a little tweaked, but its all good. I'm in a splint but its voluntary, so I can ditch it before the trip.
Had a cool night last night. It involved making an army of deranged ginger bread men, the ER, and falling asleep watching Chicago at Erins. We also drove up to Nose Hill to watch the sunrise.... awwwww.... it was fun, but now so very tired. I have Jr. High tonight... d'oh. I'm letting my leaders do ALL the work tonight. Hehehe.
That's all... gonna pass out.
So I have a new superhero name... I am EL STUPIDO! My superpower, doing stupid things! No, SUPER stupid things Mwahahaha! I show up on occasion and aid the battle of Kicks Ass Girl and Gets stabbed Man. Yeah, it came from the afore mentioned skiing accident... well that and another good wipeout from yesterday. The thumb however is NOT broken. The old break is still healing, and the tendon I tore is a little tweaked, but its all good. I'm in a splint but its voluntary, so I can ditch it before the trip.
Had a cool night last night. It involved making an army of deranged ginger bread men, the ER, and falling asleep watching Chicago at Erins. We also drove up to Nose Hill to watch the sunrise.... awwwww.... it was fun, but now so very tired. I have Jr. High tonight... d'oh. I'm letting my leaders do ALL the work tonight. Hehehe.
That's all... gonna pass out.
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
mmmmm.... powder
Oh yeah... went skiing today. Oh yeah, the new skis are amazing! I could actually feel the autodrive system absorbing bumpy snow! It was amazing... so much better than my old plancks (I still love them, but mmmmm.... awesome skis). Good day, weather was crappy, but the snow was beautiful. It was good too, Lauren and I have very similar abilities, style and interests, which is awesome. Only problem is she is in way better shape than me, so I need to play some catch up. My feet still made me wanna die they hurt so much after a couple particular runs, but hey, that's life... ski through the pain right? And speaking of which... stupid thumb. Gotta go to the merg tonight, might have re broke my thumb. The ski patrol guys were funny when I went to get a splint. It was a VERY lame wipeout on some flat ground, and then he's like, 'ability level?' and I'm like, type III, and he's like 'really?' I'm like 'yeah!' and he's like, you're an expert? I'm like yeah, used to be pro... then he laughed at me. It was good times. It threw a little wrench in the day, but then i ditched the poles and kept skiing... loads o fun.
Anyway, tired and busy, so gonna go.
Anyway, tired and busy, so gonna go.
Saturday, December 13, 2003
Bad influences
I'm blogging from my supervisor's office right now. I don't know if that's appropriate or not, but I need a break. I'm doing photogrammetry and my eyes are tired. Stupid photogrammetry. Actually, it is really the most amazing science I think mankind has ever developed, but it is VERY difficult. It's basically being able to take a couple of pictures of something, then being able to measure in 3D coordinates of any point in the photo. The math is insanity though... like whoever figured this out was a fricken genius.
So, up late last night. The Gems party was fun. The only awkward part was when Dhar asked Erin what Parish she went to (she's not Catholic) and then the ensuing redness... it was funny, but after that it was all smooth. I love dating someone who can hold their own at a social gather where they only know one other person! Like we can be couply, but then when it's my turn to play pool, or me and Mike need to practice a song, I don't have to keep tossing worried glances over to see how she's doing! Afterwards we watched the Lorax at my place... totally 60s hippie tastic... very good though... a classic really. Gotta get the will power under control though... can't handle staying up that late too often these days... getting a little to old!
Going out with Karen tonight then meeting up with the girlie later... should be fun!
So, up late last night. The Gems party was fun. The only awkward part was when Dhar asked Erin what Parish she went to (she's not Catholic) and then the ensuing redness... it was funny, but after that it was all smooth. I love dating someone who can hold their own at a social gather where they only know one other person! Like we can be couply, but then when it's my turn to play pool, or me and Mike need to practice a song, I don't have to keep tossing worried glances over to see how she's doing! Afterwards we watched the Lorax at my place... totally 60s hippie tastic... very good though... a classic really. Gotta get the will power under control though... can't handle staying up that late too often these days... getting a little to old!
Going out with Karen tonight then meeting up with the girlie later... should be fun!
Friday, December 12, 2003
Mmmmm... Short day
I worked about 11 hours yesterday, so I get a short day today. Actually, I'm pretty sure I've hit my 35 hours anyway, but I have a few things to do (like clean my office!!)
Last night was good. Jr. High Advent party (FB says no to the Christmas party). We watched the grinch... it was awesome cuz it was some crazy old school one where Walter Matthau read the story book, and they filmed pictures of it with the occasional 2 fram animation. I laughed SO hard... but so did the kids so that was good.
So I'm addicted to emode. It's like online personality and IQ tests. I'm squarely blaming Allison cuz she always posts quiz results from similar tests on her blog and then of course, if they aren't girl ones, I have to go try. Thanks Alison. My new goal is one at a time to finish EVERY quiz they have that is not geared specifically towards girls or married people.
Aren't I exciting!
GEMS party tonight! Yay!
Last night was good. Jr. High Advent party (FB says no to the Christmas party). We watched the grinch... it was awesome cuz it was some crazy old school one where Walter Matthau read the story book, and they filmed pictures of it with the occasional 2 fram animation. I laughed SO hard... but so did the kids so that was good.
So I'm addicted to emode. It's like online personality and IQ tests. I'm squarely blaming Allison cuz she always posts quiz results from similar tests on her blog and then of course, if they aren't girl ones, I have to go try. Thanks Alison. My new goal is one at a time to finish EVERY quiz they have that is not geared specifically towards girls or married people.
Aren't I exciting!
GEMS party tonight! Yay!
So... Very... Tired...
Yeah, didn't sleep last night. Well, I did a bit. I wasn't on purpose... normally I can do a week on 7 hours and be fine, but that means no nights of mad insomnia. Yeah, I drifted in and out, had stressful vivid dreams (don't remember anything but them being stressful and vivid though). Sucked.
Anyway, last night was fun... well, sort of. I got to make Erin dinner (okay, she helped, and then also cleaned most of my kitchen) and chill with her all night. The only downside is that meant watching the Ryan and Trista wedding. Ugh... it wasn't the girlyness that bugged me, cuz I can do the mad girly thing when called for, but I'm not into hollywood lives. I really don't care if they got married or not, and the whole show was disgustingly extravagant... like $4,000,000 wedding extravagant. Like, 60,000 pink roses extravagant. Ah well, did I mention that I was spending it with Erin. They did one thing that I liked though... The whole show was about the wedding, not the marriage, but the last scene of them, and the only one where you finally understood that they did love each other, and the only one where she cried, was the dance. That's cool, cuz then it was about the marriage, not the wedding.
Enough of that ranting. Did a retreat at St. Anne's today with Anita... er... Miss Holdvogt. I don't know how the chaplains are spiritual leaders, and Ms. and Mr. at the same time, but they seem successful. The retreat part was okay... the kids were sorta into it, but not really... I think it was a lot of the fact that its a school day thing, and they weren't all buddy buddy and stuff. The Taize prayer was weak except they were actually silent for the silence part. The good part of the retreat was chilling with some of them after... very cool kids... (okay, I guess they're more like young adults) I'd like to see some of them at an event that's informal and stuff.
Well, that's that... my arm is sore. Not whiny sore, but I figured yesterday when it didn't hurt that my super human healing powers were kicking in again... must be getting weak... need to eat healthier.
Anyway, last night was fun... well, sort of. I got to make Erin dinner (okay, she helped, and then also cleaned most of my kitchen) and chill with her all night. The only downside is that meant watching the Ryan and Trista wedding. Ugh... it wasn't the girlyness that bugged me, cuz I can do the mad girly thing when called for, but I'm not into hollywood lives. I really don't care if they got married or not, and the whole show was disgustingly extravagant... like $4,000,000 wedding extravagant. Like, 60,000 pink roses extravagant. Ah well, did I mention that I was spending it with Erin. They did one thing that I liked though... The whole show was about the wedding, not the marriage, but the last scene of them, and the only one where you finally understood that they did love each other, and the only one where she cried, was the dance. That's cool, cuz then it was about the marriage, not the wedding.
Enough of that ranting. Did a retreat at St. Anne's today with Anita... er... Miss Holdvogt. I don't know how the chaplains are spiritual leaders, and Ms. and Mr. at the same time, but they seem successful. The retreat part was okay... the kids were sorta into it, but not really... I think it was a lot of the fact that its a school day thing, and they weren't all buddy buddy and stuff. The Taize prayer was weak except they were actually silent for the silence part. The good part of the retreat was chilling with some of them after... very cool kids... (okay, I guess they're more like young adults) I'd like to see some of them at an event that's informal and stuff.
Well, that's that... my arm is sore. Not whiny sore, but I figured yesterday when it didn't hurt that my super human healing powers were kicking in again... must be getting weak... need to eat healthier.
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Need Help!
Okay, I tried to add shout outs to my blog today and it didn't work. Stupid blog. I used the klink family one. If any of you know any debugging tricks or ways to get not working things to work, lemme know. Email me with advice or code to try. If you don't know my email address, then you shouldn't anyway.
Also, I'm thinking of adding a counter, so I can see just how pathetic my blog readership is, so if you know a good place to pick one up, lemme know.
Also, I'm thinking of adding a counter, so I can see just how pathetic my blog readership is, so if you know a good place to pick one up, lemme know.
Public Health Nurses are Funny
Last night was Sr. High Advent Party... good times. Devin came which was good to see, and Jennie and Katie Maxwell were both there too... Haven't seen Jennie for a while and Katie doesn't come to a lot of stuff so it was good to see them there. The gift exchange was pretty funny, and the advent prayer service was cool too. Tomorrow is Jr. High... different format, all the fun!
This morning I had to go get my shots for Egypt. It was pretty funny. The nurse was telling me all about diahreah (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) and other fun things. I think I know where our North American Sterile fears come from now. I mean, the info was useful, but it was presented in such a way as to make one a wee bit paranoid. She also got on to me about Hep B vaccinations. That was funny. I guess EVERY kid gets it at school now, but I'm on the border, like the didnt start until two years after I was born, so I guess my generation needs it, but we can't get it free. But its funny why we need it. She started on about STD's and the exponential math behind sexual partners and stuff. It was amusing for two reasons... 1) I used to work for CRHA, and actually could have corrected her in a couple places and 2) She never even asked if i was sexually active. I guess this day in age its a safe enough assumption that they don't even check anymore. If I was really on the ball I should have told her that was a low risk area for my lifestyle (practicing unmarried Catholic) and asked for info on other risk areas just in case. Challenge to you Catholic kiddies out there... when you get your vaccinations, let them know your stance on things and ask for information more pertinant to you! She also warned me about piercings and tattoos. It was funny how out of touch with the modern body mod culture she was. I mean, I'm not the most modern culturally savvy guy, but I know that lots of normal people get tattoos now, and that its not an indicator of other 'high risk' behavior as she said it was. She also said that you never know when the autoclave was broken and they just didn't tell you. Like yeah right! What artist worth ANYTHING would use dirty gear this day in age if for no other reason than that MASSIVE liability. She also talked about the needles as though they are reuseable, but I asked Chrys last time I was there about that and he told me they get dull and less effective after a single use... I guess if some biker in a back alley is doing it for you the risk is 'really high' As she said. She made it sound like getting a tat or body piercing was on par risk wise as sleeping with a whole bunch of random strangers at an STD convention. Geeze. I know she was just doing her job and there are a LOT of very ignorant people out there, and in her defense she was REALLY good at giving needles. The tetanus one barely hurt at all!
Well, this is delightfully inappropriate and awkward... what can I say... things amuse me.
In other news, Michelle is coming by this afternoon to practice guitar! Yay! I'm super excited cuz I don't see her much, and doing the music thing with her settles my emotions a bit (at least it did last time) which I could use a little of (stupid having a girlfriend ;). It should also be good for my arm... the nurse told me using it lots would reduce the muscle soreness from the tetanus shot.
This morning I had to go get my shots for Egypt. It was pretty funny. The nurse was telling me all about diahreah (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) and other fun things. I think I know where our North American Sterile fears come from now. I mean, the info was useful, but it was presented in such a way as to make one a wee bit paranoid. She also got on to me about Hep B vaccinations. That was funny. I guess EVERY kid gets it at school now, but I'm on the border, like the didnt start until two years after I was born, so I guess my generation needs it, but we can't get it free. But its funny why we need it. She started on about STD's and the exponential math behind sexual partners and stuff. It was amusing for two reasons... 1) I used to work for CRHA, and actually could have corrected her in a couple places and 2) She never even asked if i was sexually active. I guess this day in age its a safe enough assumption that they don't even check anymore. If I was really on the ball I should have told her that was a low risk area for my lifestyle (practicing unmarried Catholic) and asked for info on other risk areas just in case. Challenge to you Catholic kiddies out there... when you get your vaccinations, let them know your stance on things and ask for information more pertinant to you! She also warned me about piercings and tattoos. It was funny how out of touch with the modern body mod culture she was. I mean, I'm not the most modern culturally savvy guy, but I know that lots of normal people get tattoos now, and that its not an indicator of other 'high risk' behavior as she said it was. She also said that you never know when the autoclave was broken and they just didn't tell you. Like yeah right! What artist worth ANYTHING would use dirty gear this day in age if for no other reason than that MASSIVE liability. She also talked about the needles as though they are reuseable, but I asked Chrys last time I was there about that and he told me they get dull and less effective after a single use... I guess if some biker in a back alley is doing it for you the risk is 'really high' As she said. She made it sound like getting a tat or body piercing was on par risk wise as sleeping with a whole bunch of random strangers at an STD convention. Geeze. I know she was just doing her job and there are a LOT of very ignorant people out there, and in her defense she was REALLY good at giving needles. The tetanus one barely hurt at all!
Well, this is delightfully inappropriate and awkward... what can I say... things amuse me.
In other news, Michelle is coming by this afternoon to practice guitar! Yay! I'm super excited cuz I don't see her much, and doing the music thing with her settles my emotions a bit (at least it did last time) which I could use a little of (stupid having a girlfriend ;). It should also be good for my arm... the nurse told me using it lots would reduce the muscle soreness from the tetanus shot.
Monday, December 08, 2003
What Dreams May Come
Watched it last night... good flick. I'd seen it before, but forgot a lot about it. Some parts seemed a little hokeir than the last time I watched it, but I think that's just the time when it came out.
There's two parts of that movie I really find profound. The first is the ending... its such an allegory of the Christian story... well, not the ending, but the part where he rescues his wife. I think its unintentionally a beautiful allegory of the Christian story. His wife is trapped in her sin, and can't escape, and nothing can rescue her. Her husband though, in his depth of love, comes down to hell to see her, and then offers himself to her so he can share in her reality. Its a huge risk and a huge pain, but him, out of love, sharing the reality his wife is in manages to rescue her to the waiting place they are in. Its cool.
The second part is only one line, and the only part I really cry at all watching (I get teary in parts, but its just emotion, this part is real). Its when Robin Williams asks Cuba Gooding Jr. where God is in all this. And with sureness and a beautiful gentleness Gooding says 'Oh He's up there, looking down and telling us how much he loves us, wondering why we don't hear'. I cryed then. Its so true (not the God up there part, but the he loves us and wants us to hear him part).
Also, watched it with Erin, which never hurts ;)
Anyway, enough sap... the thesis work was ACUTALLY productive today! Wuhu!
There's two parts of that movie I really find profound. The first is the ending... its such an allegory of the Christian story... well, not the ending, but the part where he rescues his wife. I think its unintentionally a beautiful allegory of the Christian story. His wife is trapped in her sin, and can't escape, and nothing can rescue her. Her husband though, in his depth of love, comes down to hell to see her, and then offers himself to her so he can share in her reality. Its a huge risk and a huge pain, but him, out of love, sharing the reality his wife is in manages to rescue her to the waiting place they are in. Its cool.
The second part is only one line, and the only part I really cry at all watching (I get teary in parts, but its just emotion, this part is real). Its when Robin Williams asks Cuba Gooding Jr. where God is in all this. And with sureness and a beautiful gentleness Gooding says 'Oh He's up there, looking down and telling us how much he loves us, wondering why we don't hear'. I cryed then. Its so true (not the God up there part, but the he loves us and wants us to hear him part).
Also, watched it with Erin, which never hurts ;)
Anyway, enough sap... the thesis work was ACUTALLY productive today! Wuhu!
Sunday, December 07, 2003
Hallelujah
Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah.
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah.
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew her
She tied you
To a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah.
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah.
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew her
She tied you
To a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Weekend fun!
Been a couple days, time to update.
Been celebrating Erin Fitz's birthday all weekend. It was super fun. Friday I rescued her from all her friends trying to get her drunk, then went for dinner with J (my bro) and Lee (family friend). Good times... Lee gave me some words of encouragement with my choice to spend a while checking out the youth ministry scene, so that was cool, and J seemed eager to meet my Erin.
Went to the Hop in Brew (best pub in Calgary) and joined the gang for celebrations of Erin's 21st after. Super good time. Met some of her friends and saw her friend Jason in good form (he was tired or something the first time I met him) which was cool. It was good to have Ryan and Christine around too... Don't see them enough, but they're teachers and busy with that stuff.
Tonight we went bowling and then to see Elf. It was funny, but it was such a sweet movie that I think I have diabetes now! Sat chatting at the Timmy's (same place Erin and I decided dating was a good idea!) for like 3 hours with David and Sinead, then got some one on one time with the girlie. It rocked... I love hanging out with her. She made me a mix, its awesome... very mellow, but its got some nice jazz, and MY song... like, it is pretty much her singing it to me. Maybe when I dig up the lyrics I'll post them.
On the way home I was listening to this CD I got at starbucks, and it has Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah (but the version that's on Shrek, not the original). I never noticed it in Shrek, but I had the stereo blasting all the way home as I fought back tears... it is the most haunting, beautiful spiritual I've EVER heard. I'm going to re-write some of the lyrics and use the chorus as it is to tell some of my own story. I hope I can do it justice because never have I felt God's presence in song like that before.
Anyway, its 5:30 am and I haven't gone to bed yet, so I'm signing off.
Been celebrating Erin Fitz's birthday all weekend. It was super fun. Friday I rescued her from all her friends trying to get her drunk, then went for dinner with J (my bro) and Lee (family friend). Good times... Lee gave me some words of encouragement with my choice to spend a while checking out the youth ministry scene, so that was cool, and J seemed eager to meet my Erin.
Went to the Hop in Brew (best pub in Calgary) and joined the gang for celebrations of Erin's 21st after. Super good time. Met some of her friends and saw her friend Jason in good form (he was tired or something the first time I met him) which was cool. It was good to have Ryan and Christine around too... Don't see them enough, but they're teachers and busy with that stuff.
Tonight we went bowling and then to see Elf. It was funny, but it was such a sweet movie that I think I have diabetes now! Sat chatting at the Timmy's (same place Erin and I decided dating was a good idea!) for like 3 hours with David and Sinead, then got some one on one time with the girlie. It rocked... I love hanging out with her. She made me a mix, its awesome... very mellow, but its got some nice jazz, and MY song... like, it is pretty much her singing it to me. Maybe when I dig up the lyrics I'll post them.
On the way home I was listening to this CD I got at starbucks, and it has Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah (but the version that's on Shrek, not the original). I never noticed it in Shrek, but I had the stereo blasting all the way home as I fought back tears... it is the most haunting, beautiful spiritual I've EVER heard. I'm going to re-write some of the lyrics and use the chorus as it is to tell some of my own story. I hope I can do it justice because never have I felt God's presence in song like that before.
Anyway, its 5:30 am and I haven't gone to bed yet, so I'm signing off.
Thursday, December 04, 2003
Recovering... slowly
Man, stupid retreat hangover. I'm sure one good night of sleep would take care of that, but who actually gets good nights of sleep these days!
Last night was pretty sweet... went to Chinook to take my skis in. Forgot the stupid boots though, so I need to go back so they can mount my bindings. Also got the retreat photos done. Yay! Note to self: Shopping with Erin = good idea. When Blacks screwed up the order she got my second and third sets of prints done in like 25 minutes, where they were trying to tell me 5 pm tonight! After all that went home and watched Pirates... pretty good movie, but I shoulda seen in in theatres... all the hype makes it hard for me to enjoy it to its full potential!
Today... pretty good. Went to St. Gerards for RCIA. Went well, I like the teens I'm working with for that, and Michelle is letting me run the catechesis, but she's really helpful with content and presentation and stuff. Yay. Fr. Greg wants me to look at his truck too... do some body work for him maybe. I figure thats cool, cuz he's hip deep in diocesan happenings and I could use a friendly face in the political game. Actually, he wants to talk to me about some stuff I've jumped into politically, so that'll be good... someone to ask for advice.
Went for lunch with Jacinthe this aft... talked about lots of stuff... sort of support type meeting. I'm really enjoying her presence and support these days, so it was a nice suprise to meet up with her. Tonight... well, apparently I'm helping decorate a cake, and I'm 'making' something else with Erin. I've warned her about my craft and or decorating and or baking abilities, but she still seems to think this is a fine idea, so away we go. Eeep. I'm sure it'll be fun though.
Anyway, this is pretty boring today... hopefully something really interesting will happen soon.
Last night was pretty sweet... went to Chinook to take my skis in. Forgot the stupid boots though, so I need to go back so they can mount my bindings. Also got the retreat photos done. Yay! Note to self: Shopping with Erin = good idea. When Blacks screwed up the order she got my second and third sets of prints done in like 25 minutes, where they were trying to tell me 5 pm tonight! After all that went home and watched Pirates... pretty good movie, but I shoulda seen in in theatres... all the hype makes it hard for me to enjoy it to its full potential!
Today... pretty good. Went to St. Gerards for RCIA. Went well, I like the teens I'm working with for that, and Michelle is letting me run the catechesis, but she's really helpful with content and presentation and stuff. Yay. Fr. Greg wants me to look at his truck too... do some body work for him maybe. I figure thats cool, cuz he's hip deep in diocesan happenings and I could use a friendly face in the political game. Actually, he wants to talk to me about some stuff I've jumped into politically, so that'll be good... someone to ask for advice.
Went for lunch with Jacinthe this aft... talked about lots of stuff... sort of support type meeting. I'm really enjoying her presence and support these days, so it was a nice suprise to meet up with her. Tonight... well, apparently I'm helping decorate a cake, and I'm 'making' something else with Erin. I've warned her about my craft and or decorating and or baking abilities, but she still seems to think this is a fine idea, so away we go. Eeep. I'm sure it'll be fun though.
Anyway, this is pretty boring today... hopefully something really interesting will happen soon.
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
Mmmmm... lack of motivation
So yeah, Stephen King sucks. Not like, he's a sellout who published too much sucks, but damn, I can't stop reading the Wolves of Calla sucks. Its like once I start, I'm sucked into Roland's world and can't stop reading. But, at least the Dark Tower will be finished by next year and I'll be free from it's addictive clutches! I think when it's done I'm gonna collect all the books that are tied to the tower and put them in the ideal reading order, then explore the entire universe all at once instead of one book here and there over the years. Yeah, I'll take like a month of vacation and read non-stop. I think Peter Jackson should take it on as his next epic... if he can bring LOTR to life...
Anyway, bored today. Tired too, but mostly bored. I want it to be 5 so I can leave. Im working on evaluation summaries, and I'll probably get my RCIA planning and advertising for Mission Possible done today. Maybe I'll actually take 2 hours and read my latest issue of group mag.
Get to chill with Erin tonight... that's cool. Gonna watch Pirates of the Caribbean. Honestly I don't know what the deal with Johnny Depp is, but hey, she has her Johnny, I can have mine. Maybe we can do a Johnny Fest and watch Gross Pointe Blank too.
That's all. BTW, Nuggets rocks
Anyway, bored today. Tired too, but mostly bored. I want it to be 5 so I can leave. Im working on evaluation summaries, and I'll probably get my RCIA planning and advertising for Mission Possible done today. Maybe I'll actually take 2 hours and read my latest issue of group mag.
Get to chill with Erin tonight... that's cool. Gonna watch Pirates of the Caribbean. Honestly I don't know what the deal with Johnny Depp is, but hey, she has her Johnny, I can have mine. Maybe we can do a Johnny Fest and watch Gross Pointe Blank too.
That's all. BTW, Nuggets rocks
Monday, December 01, 2003
A blogging virgin
Yep, first blog post ever. Well, not quite true, I tried once before but forgot my password and kept not being able to log in so I gave up.
I figure my memory is failing these days (yeah, getting old... almost 25.5) so I should start archiving my experiences for the world to see. (or me when I forget what's happened recently).
So this last weekend was the big Sr. High retreat for south calgary. We had folks from Lethbridge and Okotoks show too, so its growing! The drive out was an adventure. We left Holy Spirit at like 12:30, but we didn't get to Camp Chamisall until like 6 pm. We got stuck 5 times, the last being the fatal, needed to get towed out of the ditch by Brad on his Gator. Alison (poor girl was freezing) and Erin walked the last couple hundred yards to the camp while I helped get her car unstuck and stuff. It was good times.
The retreat was great. Not as emotional as in the past, but it felt just right to me. I think the Spirit was leading us to a more relaxing retreat. It was awesome working with the team we had too... one of the best groups of leaders of all time. EXTREMELY varied team, which made training important, but everyone was the bomb when the day came. Me and Erin and Natalie collaborated on the program itself this year, which was really cool. It was tough, and it took long, but I think the product was improved over last year because of it. We collaborated then too, but not as much. It was cool too, cuz it left me a little more free to do music on the retreat, and I was totally in the zone. I mean, dropped chords and made mistakes and stuff, but I was just in a groove on my guitar and I think it came out in the sound and sincerity of it. If nothing else, the kids sang lots, so that was great.
My talk was tough to give... unusual for me, but I made it fairly personal, and it was current, which is also unusual for me. I usually give back in the day I did this and this it how it affected me talks. They're easier cuz you're emotionally more detached from them and you can analyse the experience more. But it was good... I think everyone was paying attention, and I was pretty funny too, so that's good.
My highlight was definitely campfire though... It was like the full depth of who I want to be came out for half an hour while I led the music, and everyone joined in. It was really really good... left me feeling energized. I know it was just God making me transparent and lifting out my true self, but it makes me want to live as that person all the time
One last note, the kids were awesome... if any of you find this, I love you all and its a gift for me to be able to serve you! Thanks be to God for the weekend!
I also got to spend the night with Erin (not youth minister Erin... Erin Fitz Erin... hmm, note to self, need a naming convention for them to avoid confusion). It was great... usually after retreats Im VERY introverted and wanna be alone and go through a week of vocational crisis, but not this time. I could just relax with her and watch TV (or fall asleep watching TV ;) She was a little hyper, so it was even funnier being halfway to a coma.
All round... amazing weekend... wouldn't change a thing (except I'd be wearing boots instead of skate shoes while unstucking the car).
See y'all around
I figure my memory is failing these days (yeah, getting old... almost 25.5) so I should start archiving my experiences for the world to see. (or me when I forget what's happened recently).
So this last weekend was the big Sr. High retreat for south calgary. We had folks from Lethbridge and Okotoks show too, so its growing! The drive out was an adventure. We left Holy Spirit at like 12:30, but we didn't get to Camp Chamisall until like 6 pm. We got stuck 5 times, the last being the fatal, needed to get towed out of the ditch by Brad on his Gator. Alison (poor girl was freezing) and Erin walked the last couple hundred yards to the camp while I helped get her car unstuck and stuff. It was good times.
The retreat was great. Not as emotional as in the past, but it felt just right to me. I think the Spirit was leading us to a more relaxing retreat. It was awesome working with the team we had too... one of the best groups of leaders of all time. EXTREMELY varied team, which made training important, but everyone was the bomb when the day came. Me and Erin and Natalie collaborated on the program itself this year, which was really cool. It was tough, and it took long, but I think the product was improved over last year because of it. We collaborated then too, but not as much. It was cool too, cuz it left me a little more free to do music on the retreat, and I was totally in the zone. I mean, dropped chords and made mistakes and stuff, but I was just in a groove on my guitar and I think it came out in the sound and sincerity of it. If nothing else, the kids sang lots, so that was great.
My talk was tough to give... unusual for me, but I made it fairly personal, and it was current, which is also unusual for me. I usually give back in the day I did this and this it how it affected me talks. They're easier cuz you're emotionally more detached from them and you can analyse the experience more. But it was good... I think everyone was paying attention, and I was pretty funny too, so that's good.
My highlight was definitely campfire though... It was like the full depth of who I want to be came out for half an hour while I led the music, and everyone joined in. It was really really good... left me feeling energized. I know it was just God making me transparent and lifting out my true self, but it makes me want to live as that person all the time
One last note, the kids were awesome... if any of you find this, I love you all and its a gift for me to be able to serve you! Thanks be to God for the weekend!
I also got to spend the night with Erin (not youth minister Erin... Erin Fitz Erin... hmm, note to self, need a naming convention for them to avoid confusion). It was great... usually after retreats Im VERY introverted and wanna be alone and go through a week of vocational crisis, but not this time. I could just relax with her and watch TV (or fall asleep watching TV ;) She was a little hyper, so it was even funnier being halfway to a coma.
All round... amazing weekend... wouldn't change a thing (except I'd be wearing boots instead of skate shoes while unstucking the car).
See y'all around
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