REALITY BITES

Time

2004-10-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

Its funny how hard it is sometimes just to sit down and post something on this site. This weekend I went to a Christian Horizons retreat. The speaker focused on how to work well with different people. He said part of the reason we have conflict with people is because we do not know how to relate to or respond to the different personality types that are in our crazy world. Said there are basically four personality types and its important to be able to know how to respond to each type - because each responds well to different ways of relating and interacting. Interesting. Maybe this knowledge could help me. Hope so. Also ran an obstacle course. Fun. Lumberjacking to spider webs - it was supposed to be a team building lesson. Not sure what building it did, but it was fun anyways. Work has been picking up quite a bit lately. Nice to be busy during the day for a change.

Hello

2004-10-04T13:08:00.000-07:00

Sorry its been a while since I posted something of any real significance on the site.....actually maybe I never really have yet....but anyways - experimenting with Hello. Maybe I'll have a pic of my son up soon. Just got another mark on my arm, and it is something that is taking some time to heal properly. Today the weather in Sudbury will not go above 5 degrees, and I hate it! I apparently am supposed to go to some sort of retreat this weekend, so I'll keep you updated on whats happening.....its also almost been two years that I have been in Sudbury, and I feel as confident about the future as I do about the consistency of gasoline prices. How is that for being positive on a Monday?! Anyways. Better get back to the excitement I call life. Cheers.

Fall sucks

2004-09-25T06:22:00.000-07:00

Well, its Saturday. Today I am sitting here looking out the window and I really don't like what I see. This is the time of year I hate the most. Leaves falling off the trees.... makes me realize what we have coming around the corner. I can't stand winter. And yet I can stop winter as easily as I can stop a frieght train coming at full speed. Not only do I not enjoy winter, but the one thing I actually enjoyed about winter will not be happening this time. Have to find a new way to escape....or hope they find some sort of agreement before the snow flies.

Update on my son......he is growing bigger every day! Just found out he is able to roll around. He isnt able to roll back once he goes on his front. He likes to stand for a bit. He is also getting more vocal - someday I am sure I will miss the days when he wasn't ;). Still amazed at how someone so cute could be my son. I guess miracles do happen!

Islam refused entry into US

2004-09-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

Read an article today on CNN that told of the singer formerly known as Cat Stevens was refused entry into the US because hewas on a US watch list. Apparently the musician known for hits like "Peace Train" and "Morning has Broken", was on the terrorist watch list because of "known associations and financial support to organizations believed to be aiding terrorism". I find it somewhat ironic how groups only "believed to be" supporting terrorism would be treated as bad as terrorists themselves. Shouldnt things like that be proven first? On the other hand, maybe we should treat everyone who could possibly have an association with a criminal as a criminal! Then the world would be a jail. To read the article got to http://us.cnn.com/2004/US/09/22/plane.diverted.stevens/index.html

Take it all off!!!

2004-09-21T05:53:00.000-07:00

So - yesterday was the day when a year of hard work came to an end. All the time and energy spent trying to make it work just stopped all together. I was sad to see it go......I finally got my hair cut. It was quite funny how the barber must of asked me five times if I was sure I wanted to cut my hair. She even showed me the clippers she was going to use and asked again...."are you sure you want me to cut it? Once I've started I can't stop!" Yes I am sure already!
So, today it has been interesting looking at all the responses I have been getting when I see someone I know. Now I have a Kramer style haircut and I feel cold! Never realized how warm hair can keep you at night! That was definately the longest I have ever grown my hair and I realize just how annoying long hair can be. It seriously came down to my mouth in the front and below my shoulders in the back. I thought it looked good with a full beard, but I guess the jury is still out on that one. Ania didnt like the change and it may be a little while til she feels comfortable with the change.

Return to Paradise

2004-09-18T06:39:00.000-07:00

Its been a few days since I posted something on this site. Sorry for the delay. Its just not much has happened lately. I came home from a men's retreat this weekend, and I must say God has changed my heart in many areas of my life. If I were to go into detail; it would simply be too much to post at once. The speaker for the weekend was amazing. He was an elderly man who was deeply on fire for God. He spoke on a number of topics that had to do with a man and his walk with God and his family. One thing that stood out to me is how the human brain has over 300 chemicals - he went into detail about how 8 of them are for the sexual experience. 4 are for selfish pleasure and the other four are for bringing pleasure to your spouse. There is a way that both men and women are able to trigger sexual pleasure in a selfish way without being sexually engaged. For women, this is done through eating chocolate. Believe it or not men, you are not doing yourself any favors by buying your woman a box of chocolates. If you want to know more - you'll have to ask me.

We watched a movie called Return to Paradise last night. Good movie. Bum deal. Not the kind of choice someone would like to have to make. To the viewer the choice may have been obvious - but not good when it ends up the way it did. Moral of the story? Don't vacation in third world countries without a get out of jail free card.

On it goes

2004-09-09T11:34:00.000-07:00

Another day, another dollar in my hand. Working hard to make it, I give it all I can. - Words from a Whitecross song I always remember whenever i think about the daily repetition I am stuck in. It is amazing how stuck we are in life....bound by obligations like rent and groceries - so we keep working, longing for something more but unable to do the things we would prefer (wasting) our time with.

Solomon is getting big. He recognizes faces and it makes me want to cry when he jumps with excitement when he sees me. This weekend I will be taking a trip to Kirkland Lake for a PAOC Men's Retreat. Hopefully it will be a good time - some golfing is involved, and unfortunately for me I don't have a lucky pink tee. Some of us don't need luck to get a good score in golf Darren! Anyways, I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Friends

2004-09-04T06:37:00.000-07:00

You know this morning I have grown to realize just how much friends are missed. I had the priviledge of having a couple of dear friends crash at my place on their way to Thunder Bay. It was nice to spend some time (even though it was short) with them, and then at 4 in the morning, had to bid them a safe journey. At that moment I felt like a 12 year old kid who just had a sleep over and was sad that the time had passed so quickly. Maybe I am just crazy, but being here in the Nickel City has made me realize just how precious friends really are. (Because of a lack of making any here) Its amazing how we can go through our lives and forget the things that are important. I would give anything to turn back time and be able to share another pint at Fionn McCool's - for old times sake.

".....I am your father!"

2004-09-01T12:10:00.000-07:00

Well, I thought I would join in on the blogging craze. The problem is whether I have anything to say living in Nickel City......where life continues in a monotenous hum. I am excited about being a new father. I have a beautiful baby boy and it seems as though he is growing so quickly. Everyday he does something new, fills a few more diapers, cries a few more tears, drinks a bit more milk, and grows closer to being a man. When he smiles, joy and pride fills my heart. How can something be so beautiful? If only I could stop time for him......so he could avoid experiencing the inevitable pain and heartbreak this life will bring. I pray he would know God. And avoid the stupid mistakes I have made in my life. My life has new meaning and purpose. Parenting is a great honor and responsibility. I hope I can be the father he will someday be proud to have.