I am soooo happy!
A mini-biography of my life has been airing the last few days, and it shows the pivotal part of my life.
Sure the actor who plays me is shorter, thinner, better looking and sweet smelling, but other than that, you couldn't tell the difference.
It shows me in a fast food restaurant being approached by an employee who offers me a free cup of coffee, and begins to extol the virtue of said coffee.
My response? "Shhh! You had me at free!"
I have to go practice my autograph!
Later, Mushers!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Weekend entertainment on the Flatts were varied to say the least.
Friday night, on Pearl's recommendation ("I heard it was good.") we went to see the movie "I Love You, Man"; Pearl, our friend Barbie, FCC, and yours truly. At the end of the film, the women were grossed out, and I was forbidden from having a "man room" or a personal stock of hand cream.
After years of Pearl complaining about the time we went to see "The Mask", it was nice to have the shoe on the other foot.
Saturday night it was off to see "ABBAlonia", an ABBA tribute band. The opening acts were a Tom Jones imitator, and a Rod Stewart imitator- both excellent, especially the former. Than again, he had the good taste of selecting me to act as a back-up dancer during the song "Delilah".
Well, I was dragged up there with the encouragement of Barbie, Pearl, and FCC, and the dancing looked like a flabby Marcel Marseau miming a speedskater moving at waltz time! I am sooo glad I don't live on the Flatts!
Later, Mushers!
Friday night, on Pearl's recommendation ("I heard it was good.") we went to see the movie "I Love You, Man"; Pearl, our friend Barbie, FCC, and yours truly. At the end of the film, the women were grossed out, and I was forbidden from having a "man room" or a personal stock of hand cream.
After years of Pearl complaining about the time we went to see "The Mask", it was nice to have the shoe on the other foot.
Saturday night it was off to see "ABBAlonia", an ABBA tribute band. The opening acts were a Tom Jones imitator, and a Rod Stewart imitator- both excellent, especially the former. Than again, he had the good taste of selecting me to act as a back-up dancer during the song "Delilah".
Well, I was dragged up there with the encouragement of Barbie, Pearl, and FCC, and the dancing looked like a flabby Marcel Marseau miming a speedskater moving at waltz time! I am sooo glad I don't live on the Flatts!
Later, Mushers!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Ain't Wii got Fun!
After arriving at Pearl's chalet on the Flatts, I had a chance to do something new. I got a chance to play with a Wii PlayStation!
On Wii fit I found out that I was overweight (shocked the socks off of me!) and had the physical fitness of a 51 year old. I thought I could pass for a 50 year old at the very least.
The good news was that I could work a virtual hula hoop and catch more as they were thrown at me. FCC was really impressed with the hip action!
I gotta get me a Wii!
Later, Mushers!
On Wii fit I found out that I was overweight (shocked the socks off of me!) and had the physical fitness of a 51 year old. I thought I could pass for a 50 year old at the very least.
The good news was that I could work a virtual hula hoop and catch more as they were thrown at me. FCC was really impressed with the hip action!
I gotta get me a Wii!
Later, Mushers!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
From the Heights to the Flatts
After a nice, refreshing few days in the mystic land of retail, breathing in that crisp mountain air, FCC and I finally decided it was time to visit Pearl and Hoofer on Mudflatts Green.
After dropping Fang off the kennel, it was off to pick up Aunt Billie, and on to Mudflatts via Hub.
We stopped at the Money Saver to pick up masses of almonds, veggie chips, propane cylinders, and other necessities of life before crossing over to the Flatts. We dropped Billie off at her cousins, and got to Pearl's before she got home. We even beat Hoofer home before she got back from Flatt U. Our cup runneth over!
In the meanwhile, I note our change of location, let my feet breath, and have a nice cup of tea.
Later, Mushers!
After dropping Fang off the kennel, it was off to pick up Aunt Billie, and on to Mudflatts via Hub.
We stopped at the Money Saver to pick up masses of almonds, veggie chips, propane cylinders, and other necessities of life before crossing over to the Flatts. We dropped Billie off at her cousins, and got to Pearl's before she got home. We even beat Hoofer home before she got back from Flatt U. Our cup runneth over!
In the meanwhile, I note our change of location, let my feet breath, and have a nice cup of tea.
Later, Mushers!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Off to the Mystic Land of Retail
Good Friday has come and gone, and now there is one more sleep until FCC and I are off to the mystic land of retail.
Passports are ready, reservations set, and we'll board for southern climes as soon as my obligations to the IHL are complete. It is my hope that we may enjoy the natural beauty of the mystic land as well as whatever retail opportunities may present themselves. I will be on the look out for a nice fountain pen- a remembrance of Ma.
Beyond that, a change as good as a rest, and I look forward to being where there is both sun and warmth, a little green grass and the odd spring flower.
Winter has been just too @#&* long!
Later, Mushers!
Passports are ready, reservations set, and we'll board for southern climes as soon as my obligations to the IHL are complete. It is my hope that we may enjoy the natural beauty of the mystic land as well as whatever retail opportunities may present themselves. I will be on the look out for a nice fountain pen- a remembrance of Ma.
Beyond that, a change as good as a rest, and I look forward to being where there is both sun and warmth, a little green grass and the odd spring flower.
Winter has been just too @#&* long!
Later, Mushers!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Committed
During a conversation with Patience and her husband, Bishop, the phrase "committed Presbyterian" was used. In Bishop's mind, the difference between a committed and uncommitted (?) Presbyterian was dependant on whether the Presbie was a teetotaler or not.
I quietly tallied the number of Presbyterians I know who aren't "committed", and realized that a large number, including leaders (ruling and teaching elders, Christian educators, board members, etc), weren't.
I have trouble with the use of the word "committed" in that it seems to be used interchangeably with the unspoken "real". "Real" Christians do this, don't do that, and those who don't follow the list of rules as defined by the "real" Christians just aren't "committed."
I can't imagine being asked on the day of judgement whether we are committed or not. A check list- did you tithe, did you smoke, did you drink, did you have sex standing up (cuz that could lead to dancing!)
I'll have to rely on God's grace, rather than my personal goodness.
Later, Mushers!
I quietly tallied the number of Presbyterians I know who aren't "committed", and realized that a large number, including leaders (ruling and teaching elders, Christian educators, board members, etc), weren't.
I have trouble with the use of the word "committed" in that it seems to be used interchangeably with the unspoken "real". "Real" Christians do this, don't do that, and those who don't follow the list of rules as defined by the "real" Christians just aren't "committed."
I can't imagine being asked on the day of judgement whether we are committed or not. A check list- did you tithe, did you smoke, did you drink, did you have sex standing up (cuz that could lead to dancing!)
I'll have to rely on God's grace, rather than my personal goodness.
Later, Mushers!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
In Search of an Anachronism, II
After saying yesterday that I had been in search of an anachronism, I failed to explain why.
It wasn't all that long ago that, if one wanted a fountain pen, all you had to do was go into any department store and there you were. If you wanted to get something a little more up scale, you could go to a stationary/office supply store, and you would walk out with something very nice.
Yesterday my search was fruitless, although I could purchase some very nice ball point or roller ball pens for a reasonable fee.
I thought on my way home that fountain pens had become anachronistic because they were from an era where people took the time to stop and write; a time when what you wrote was permanent to some degree, and therefore, required deliberation, and deliberate action. Throwing off a line or two in a hurry was thoughtless, if not down right uncivil.
In a time and age where "C U L8ER" means something, ink and pen gets in the way of progress, and language becomes pliable and transient in meaning. "Bad" is a complement, and being "sick" is cool! But perhaps I'm being a old fashioned, and out of touch myself.
The sad thing is that I don't mind that in the least.
In the meanwhile, I will continue the search for the ultimate pen.
Later, Mushers!
It wasn't all that long ago that, if one wanted a fountain pen, all you had to do was go into any department store and there you were. If you wanted to get something a little more up scale, you could go to a stationary/office supply store, and you would walk out with something very nice.
Yesterday my search was fruitless, although I could purchase some very nice ball point or roller ball pens for a reasonable fee.
I thought on my way home that fountain pens had become anachronistic because they were from an era where people took the time to stop and write; a time when what you wrote was permanent to some degree, and therefore, required deliberation, and deliberate action. Throwing off a line or two in a hurry was thoughtless, if not down right uncivil.
In a time and age where "C U L8ER" means something, ink and pen gets in the way of progress, and language becomes pliable and transient in meaning. "Bad" is a complement, and being "sick" is cool! But perhaps I'm being a old fashioned, and out of touch myself.
The sad thing is that I don't mind that in the least.
In the meanwhile, I will continue the search for the ultimate pen.
Later, Mushers!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
In Search of an Anachronism
The last Christmas gift I received from FMIL, aka. Ma, was $50. To some, that wouldn't seem all that personal, but being a practical person- as well as an elderly woman dealing with reduced mobility and vision- Ma thought that this was the best way to ensure that I got what I wanted.
With her gone, I decided that I should use the money to buy a gift that I could use as a reminder of her.
For me, this isn't a new thing, and in fact eminently practical. For example, a memento of Auntie Upstream is a painting on slate of a little boy taking a bath in a wooden tub. As I understand it, she bought it during a trip to New Mexico. A reminder of Uncle K.- the husband of Auntie U.- is a letter opener he bought while deployed to Germany in the 60s.
For Ma, I thought I'd get a fountain pen and have it engraved with an appropriate inscription. To that end, I was off the Loyola to see what was there for pens.
Serious disappointment! The places I went to sold them; it was just that they had to special order them in. A trip to Nuddude is in order.
On a happier note, I was able to pick up a couple of birthday gifts on the Indigo gift card the brother and sister-in-law gave me. One was "A long Way Gone" by Ishmael Beah, and the other was "The Book of Negroes" by Lawrence Hill. The former has been a book I wanted to read since the interview with the author broadcast on CBC's "The Hour". The latter is the winner of Canada Reads 2009.
I can't wait to start the reading, but right now FCC and I will be taking Fang for a walk around the point.
Later, Mushers!
With her gone, I decided that I should use the money to buy a gift that I could use as a reminder of her.
For me, this isn't a new thing, and in fact eminently practical. For example, a memento of Auntie Upstream is a painting on slate of a little boy taking a bath in a wooden tub. As I understand it, she bought it during a trip to New Mexico. A reminder of Uncle K.- the husband of Auntie U.- is a letter opener he bought while deployed to Germany in the 60s.
For Ma, I thought I'd get a fountain pen and have it engraved with an appropriate inscription. To that end, I was off the Loyola to see what was there for pens.
Serious disappointment! The places I went to sold them; it was just that they had to special order them in. A trip to Nuddude is in order.
On a happier note, I was able to pick up a couple of birthday gifts on the Indigo gift card the brother and sister-in-law gave me. One was "A long Way Gone" by Ishmael Beah, and the other was "The Book of Negroes" by Lawrence Hill. The former has been a book I wanted to read since the interview with the author broadcast on CBC's "The Hour". The latter is the winner of Canada Reads 2009.
I can't wait to start the reading, but right now FCC and I will be taking Fang for a walk around the point.
Later, Mushers!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Mercy, "Mercy"
Uncle!
Yep, I said it. After trying to get through "Mercy among the Children", and only getting 90 pages done, I'm calling it quits. The book- what I read of it- was well written, but the reading was just too depressing.
Essentially, one "good" man and his family act as professional victims to their "world" and its prejudices because he knows just enough to hold an incomplete philosophy.
Deep!
Onward, ever onward.
Later, Musher!
Yep, I said it. After trying to get through "Mercy among the Children", and only getting 90 pages done, I'm calling it quits. The book- what I read of it- was well written, but the reading was just too depressing.
Essentially, one "good" man and his family act as professional victims to their "world" and its prejudices because he knows just enough to hold an incomplete philosophy.
Deep!
Onward, ever onward.
Later, Musher!
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