Lets see.. yesterday I had lunch with Kenric, at pho88, over at Bamburgh. I had an extra large, which is a lot. We call that the "toilet bowl" because it's like a massive ceramic bowl of soup. Then we went to Mitchell's and i bought the Mercy Me cd, called "Spoken For".
I love this cd. I believe it's their second cd, the first one likely containing more p&w songs. I just love the way they sound. Vocals are great, and it has good bass too. And it's got the acoustic guitar going which allows me to *attempt* to play along. I dunno how else to describe it, other than that it's good.
Then afterwards (yesterday) I had a nap, which is weird because I *don't* nap. Never have, except during emergency situations during 4th-year. I think this messed me up today, because I'm dead tired and it's only 9:30pm right now.
Today's sermon was pretty good, it kinda got me thinking about the end, when Kinson pointed out that even though God wasn't pleased with Moses' actions, He still allowed the rock to spew water. That's something I missed from the story the last time I learnt it.
"Just because something works, doesn't mean it's right or it pleases God."
That statement blows big hole into my theory that if things are working out, then it must be God's will. What about my job, I pretty much got it by coincidence, everything just "worked out" for me. Is it possible God isn't pleased with it? What if I met someone, and things are all fine and dandy, and I got married to her? Could it go as far as that? Our relationship could "work", but it's possible that it didn't please God? Yikes!
February 29, 2004
February 28, 2004
Success! Today I woke up at the usual time of 6:50am, as I've done all week, but then I closed my eyes, and the next thing I knew it was 9:30! Insomnia, i strike thee down! Haha..
On a side note, I try not to think about the movie too much, because when I do feel this sense of burden and troubling-ness. It's like remembering a death of a loved one, only this is a torture and suffering of a loved one, on top of a death. I'm glad the movie gave me that image to picture whenever I think about Christ, but I don't want to think about it too much, as I could become a very depressing person to be around.
Some quick music reviews.
Firstly, the two Michelle Branch cds. Her first album "Spirit Room" I had to buy because I listened to it way too many times on mp3 that I felt it only fair to her and the record label to buy the cd once and for all. It's a good cd. I think she released the songs "Everywhere", "All You Wanted", "Goodbye To You". Possibly also "If Only She Knew", but the album version is different from the radio version.
The second CD is awesome. I can play almost every song on the guitar now. I think the first album was more a hodge-podge of lyrics, ranging from being with someone you love, being appreciated, crushes, etc. An entire of mix of teenage emotions. The second CD has songs about breaking up or getting over a relationship, feeling alone, desperate, etc. Also this cd is more a focused album, the style of music is more uniform. I particularly like the songs "Find Your Way Back", "Tuesday Morning", "Hotel Paper" and "It's You". I think so far Are You Happy Now and Breathe have been released, but at least 6-7 of the songs on the album are releaseable.
Well, best of all I appreciate the fact the Michelle writes and produces her own stuff. Also I'd like to personally thank Ms. Branch because ever since I got these two cd's, I have been back to practicing guitar almost every day again.
The next review is my impulse buy, the Wow Hits 2004 double cd. I have to admit that when I initially bought it was purely impulse. I picked it up the same time I got my Traveling Light book. I figured it would be a mistake, just like my iWorship cd. But this cd, at least the first cd has been, for me, a major coup. Other than the Amy Grant song "Simple Things", I like every single song on this cd. I like that it was put together so that songs flow well together (aside from that Grant song).
Another thing that strikes me is the group Mercy Me. These guys sound *great*! Kevin told me that he looked for their cd but couldn't find it. That sucks. Anyway, the song "Spoken For" just sounds right. I mean you know when you hear a song and you like it the first time, that's usually rare, usually it takes a few listenings before you become enamoured with a song, but this one I like it after pretty much the first 15 seconds. I also downloaded (eep! i know) "Word of God Speak", a song recommended by the workaholic, and that song was nice too.
I haven't gotten a chance to listen to CD2 yet, because I can't stop listening to the first one. Maybe in a week or so I'll give a review of the second.
On a side note, I try not to think about the movie too much, because when I do feel this sense of burden and troubling-ness. It's like remembering a death of a loved one, only this is a torture and suffering of a loved one, on top of a death. I'm glad the movie gave me that image to picture whenever I think about Christ, but I don't want to think about it too much, as I could become a very depressing person to be around.
Some quick music reviews.
Firstly, the two Michelle Branch cds. Her first album "Spirit Room" I had to buy because I listened to it way too many times on mp3 that I felt it only fair to her and the record label to buy the cd once and for all. It's a good cd. I think she released the songs "Everywhere", "All You Wanted", "Goodbye To You". Possibly also "If Only She Knew", but the album version is different from the radio version.
The second CD is awesome. I can play almost every song on the guitar now. I think the first album was more a hodge-podge of lyrics, ranging from being with someone you love, being appreciated, crushes, etc. An entire of mix of teenage emotions. The second CD has songs about breaking up or getting over a relationship, feeling alone, desperate, etc. Also this cd is more a focused album, the style of music is more uniform. I particularly like the songs "Find Your Way Back", "Tuesday Morning", "Hotel Paper" and "It's You". I think so far Are You Happy Now and Breathe have been released, but at least 6-7 of the songs on the album are releaseable.
Well, best of all I appreciate the fact the Michelle writes and produces her own stuff. Also I'd like to personally thank Ms. Branch because ever since I got these two cd's, I have been back to practicing guitar almost every day again.
The next review is my impulse buy, the Wow Hits 2004 double cd. I have to admit that when I initially bought it was purely impulse. I picked it up the same time I got my Traveling Light book. I figured it would be a mistake, just like my iWorship cd. But this cd, at least the first cd has been, for me, a major coup. Other than the Amy Grant song "Simple Things", I like every single song on this cd. I like that it was put together so that songs flow well together (aside from that Grant song).
Another thing that strikes me is the group Mercy Me. These guys sound *great*! Kevin told me that he looked for their cd but couldn't find it. That sucks. Anyway, the song "Spoken For" just sounds right. I mean you know when you hear a song and you like it the first time, that's usually rare, usually it takes a few listenings before you become enamoured with a song, but this one I like it after pretty much the first 15 seconds. I also downloaded (eep! i know) "Word of God Speak", a song recommended by the workaholic, and that song was nice too.
I haven't gotten a chance to listen to CD2 yet, because I can't stop listening to the first one. Maybe in a week or so I'll give a review of the second.
February 27, 2004
The Passion
Let me reiterate my thoughts on the film. If it seems repetitive, skip it, but I want to get this down so I can refer to it again someday.
People don't get the point of the movie, or they do and want to take focus away from it by saying stupid things like:
- it's anti-semitic
- they didn't really speak Latin back then
- Jesus didn't have long hair
- it's not completely historically accurate
I mean really, who cares? The point is we get to see what Christ had to endure in his last twelve hours of his life. I think it's the work of
Satan, trying to take focus away from the fact that this movie explains why Christians believe and exist. Obviously Satan knows this is a
powerful movie and wants to bring out every flaw he can think of to detract people from going in with an open mind.
For awhile I thought about how this is just Mel's interpretation of it, but then I realized that there is no way Mel could have done all this without inspiration from God. I mean surely a religious person like him would have prayed a lot about it, much like a pastor prays for wisdom and truth when he is preparing his sermon. So although it's Mel's production, it's still also inspired by God. God has the power to control Mel's ideas if He chooses to, so the more I think about it, the more I realize that the movie is probably exactly what God intended it to be.
Mind you it was pretty brutal, I think you will cry and you will cry hard, probably harder than I did, especially if you are a Christian, but even moreso if you are a mother or father. The emotion part of the movie is most captivated by the role of Mary, because you feel her pain as she watches her son go through these horrible things.
The movie is very intense too, I was at the edge of my seat, and my arms kept losing circulation because I was holding myself up with my arms against the armrests.
I had trouble sleeping last night because I kept picturing Christ being tortured. It really helps to remind me the pain and suffering He did all
for me. Actually, it was troubling for me, which is why I couldn't sleep. For me that is what I wanted from the film, to get that mental picture of it happening, so that Easter can mean that much more to me. It's a constant reminder now, that despite how "close" my relationship with God becomes, it's still no where near where He meant it to be.
G recently blogged about being in love. It's a long post. My thoughts are In love, (better known as Eros) is a human emotion. I don't think I have ever truly felt this human emotion although I hope to someday. Whereas love (or Agape love) I feel is an emotion passed onto us from God.
Maybe this sounds stupid or overzealous, but I've always felt that I could do this love they call sacrificial love. Would I die for Christ? Most definitely. But thinking about that level of brutality, it scared me because last night it was still so vivid to me that I don't know if I'd do *that* for Christ. Not that I think we're called to do something like that, but if the God asked me to do it.. I dunno if I could. Maybe that's a reflection of my lack of faith, or not having full trust in God. I don't know what to think of it, but I'm really troubled by it right now.
More to come.
Let me reiterate my thoughts on the film. If it seems repetitive, skip it, but I want to get this down so I can refer to it again someday.
People don't get the point of the movie, or they do and want to take focus away from it by saying stupid things like:
- it's anti-semitic
- they didn't really speak Latin back then
- Jesus didn't have long hair
- it's not completely historically accurate
I mean really, who cares? The point is we get to see what Christ had to endure in his last twelve hours of his life. I think it's the work of
Satan, trying to take focus away from the fact that this movie explains why Christians believe and exist. Obviously Satan knows this is a
powerful movie and wants to bring out every flaw he can think of to detract people from going in with an open mind.
For awhile I thought about how this is just Mel's interpretation of it, but then I realized that there is no way Mel could have done all this without inspiration from God. I mean surely a religious person like him would have prayed a lot about it, much like a pastor prays for wisdom and truth when he is preparing his sermon. So although it's Mel's production, it's still also inspired by God. God has the power to control Mel's ideas if He chooses to, so the more I think about it, the more I realize that the movie is probably exactly what God intended it to be.
Mind you it was pretty brutal, I think you will cry and you will cry hard, probably harder than I did, especially if you are a Christian, but even moreso if you are a mother or father. The emotion part of the movie is most captivated by the role of Mary, because you feel her pain as she watches her son go through these horrible things.
The movie is very intense too, I was at the edge of my seat, and my arms kept losing circulation because I was holding myself up with my arms against the armrests.
I had trouble sleeping last night because I kept picturing Christ being tortured. It really helps to remind me the pain and suffering He did all
for me. Actually, it was troubling for me, which is why I couldn't sleep. For me that is what I wanted from the film, to get that mental picture of it happening, so that Easter can mean that much more to me. It's a constant reminder now, that despite how "close" my relationship with God becomes, it's still no where near where He meant it to be.
G recently blogged about being in love. It's a long post. My thoughts are In love, (better known as Eros) is a human emotion. I don't think I have ever truly felt this human emotion although I hope to someday. Whereas love (or Agape love) I feel is an emotion passed onto us from God.
Maybe this sounds stupid or overzealous, but I've always felt that I could do this love they call sacrificial love. Would I die for Christ? Most definitely. But thinking about that level of brutality, it scared me because last night it was still so vivid to me that I don't know if I'd do *that* for Christ. Not that I think we're called to do something like that, but if the God asked me to do it.. I dunno if I could. Maybe that's a reflection of my lack of faith, or not having full trust in God. I don't know what to think of it, but I'm really troubled by it right now.
More to come.
February 26, 2004
The Passion of The Christ
Sometimes it's nice to just sit down and relax, and think about things on your own. So I decided to watch the movie by myself, rather than go with a group of people and likely miss out on getting some time to think on my own and do some reflection afterwards. I picked Sheppard Grande because I figured it would be virtually empty, and on a Thursday, the day most people are at home watching telelvision.
The theatre was still pretty packed, I could tell there was at least 2 entire church groups there, because many people were recognizing eachother.
My reasoning for wanting to see the film was to basically give myself a visual aid in my remembrance of what God's love means to me, and the sacrifice that Christ made for us. Well, for me. I mean you read and hear about it, but it kinda hits you more when you see it. (You can read on, it's not like I could "spoil it", since most of you should already know the story.)
Aside from the evangelical aspect of the film, I think was important for me to watch the film because I wanted to 'relive' that moment of realizing the sacrifice He did for all of us. This selfless act of love.
The movie was good, but I don't think that I am any closer to fully realizing what Christ went through for us, although I have a better picture of it now. I guess as humans it's probably impossible to fully comprehend that kind of love. I feel as though there was still so much more to the sufferings, despite the awful brutality already shown in the movie.
Anyway, I'll post more later. I prefer to think about it some more before I say more. And likely, I'll see it again soon.
Sometimes it's nice to just sit down and relax, and think about things on your own. So I decided to watch the movie by myself, rather than go with a group of people and likely miss out on getting some time to think on my own and do some reflection afterwards. I picked Sheppard Grande because I figured it would be virtually empty, and on a Thursday, the day most people are at home watching telelvision.
The theatre was still pretty packed, I could tell there was at least 2 entire church groups there, because many people were recognizing eachother.
My reasoning for wanting to see the film was to basically give myself a visual aid in my remembrance of what God's love means to me, and the sacrifice that Christ made for us. Well, for me. I mean you read and hear about it, but it kinda hits you more when you see it. (You can read on, it's not like I could "spoil it", since most of you should already know the story.)
Aside from the evangelical aspect of the film, I think was important for me to watch the film because I wanted to 'relive' that moment of realizing the sacrifice He did for all of us. This selfless act of love.
The movie was good, but I don't think that I am any closer to fully realizing what Christ went through for us, although I have a better picture of it now. I guess as humans it's probably impossible to fully comprehend that kind of love. I feel as though there was still so much more to the sufferings, despite the awful brutality already shown in the movie.
Anyway, I'll post more later. I prefer to think about it some more before I say more. And likely, I'll see it again soon.
the apprentice: rigged!
Not that I'm going to stop watching now, but check out this article, which explains clearly that the outcome of the show was rigged. I think it's proof enough that they wanted to keep Omarosa for at least one more show. If Protégé had lost, Omarosa most certainly would have been fired, but because they rigged it for them to win, she's survived another week. They sacrificed the token Asian on the show, in order to (I assume) boost ratings.
Hey, it sucks that the show is rigged, but that doesn't mean I'll stop watching =)
Not that I'm going to stop watching now, but check out this article, which explains clearly that the outcome of the show was rigged. I think it's proof enough that they wanted to keep Omarosa for at least one more show. If Protégé had lost, Omarosa most certainly would have been fired, but because they rigged it for them to win, she's survived another week. They sacrificed the token Asian on the show, in order to (I assume) boost ratings.
Hey, it sucks that the show is rigged, but that doesn't mean I'll stop watching =)
okay, this might take some time to go through but it's *totally* worth it for any star wars fan.
http://www.fbtb.net/customs/index.asp?section=gallery&gallery=ACPin&thumbnails=on
It's just totally unbelievable, the amount of work and detail that was put into this. I would *so* be willing to make a 'claymation' out of this thing!
http://www.fbtb.net/customs/index.asp?section=gallery&gallery=ACPin&thumbnails=on
It's just totally unbelievable, the amount of work and detail that was put into this. I would *so* be willing to make a 'claymation' out of this thing!
February 25, 2004
lent
the subject of Lent has come up on a number of sites i've been reading. when i was little, i once tried going an entire day without eating anything. it was especially tough because we went to the home show that year and they were giving out a lot of free samples. i think i lasted about 6 hours. :)
the idea of giving up something of importance in order to soul-search and repent for Christ's sacrifice. taking stock of what God's provided us, and a time to reflect. i once gave up food and water for thirty hours, during the 30-hour famine campaign. it wasn't that bad surprisingly, despite many people warning me that it was sheer madness to give up water.
what could i give up that would truly be *difficult* for me to give up. what could i stop using or eating or doing that would take me down to the level of suffering so that i could somewhat get a taste of the suffering that Christ did for me? what means so much to me that it would be devastating to give up for a 40 day span?
I've decided I'll give up sky-diving. No more sky-diving for the next 40 days. Starting today, no more sky-diving until Easter. You heard me right, it's done! :)
Maybe..
- could I go an entire month without reading ESPN.com?
- Or perhaps email and chat programs. Could I go for 40 days without reading my email or chatting? My mailbox would overflow in 2 days. What if something happens to my family? I found out about my grandfather's stroke via MSN.
- Does blogging count? I communicate with people via the comments box. Wouldn't reading the comments box be the same as receiving an ICQ message?
- Or give up TV? Would it be wrong to tape the shows and watch them after the 40 days?
- How bout giving up taking the subway and walking to work everyday. It would take me 3 hours.
- I have McDonalds at least twice a week. I could give that up. Give up all fast foods, then I'd have to skip lunch entirely every single day.
- Give up video games. Does Pingu count? What about Hearts? I have played a "real" video game since Sunday. 40 days shouldn't be so bad.
- Friends are very important to me. How bout giving up talking to friends?
- I like singing, how about no more singing? But then what about worship service, and my choir responsibilities?
the subject of Lent has come up on a number of sites i've been reading. when i was little, i once tried going an entire day without eating anything. it was especially tough because we went to the home show that year and they were giving out a lot of free samples. i think i lasted about 6 hours. :)
the idea of giving up something of importance in order to soul-search and repent for Christ's sacrifice. taking stock of what God's provided us, and a time to reflect. i once gave up food and water for thirty hours, during the 30-hour famine campaign. it wasn't that bad surprisingly, despite many people warning me that it was sheer madness to give up water.
what could i give up that would truly be *difficult* for me to give up. what could i stop using or eating or doing that would take me down to the level of suffering so that i could somewhat get a taste of the suffering that Christ did for me? what means so much to me that it would be devastating to give up for a 40 day span?
I've decided I'll give up sky-diving. No more sky-diving for the next 40 days. Starting today, no more sky-diving until Easter. You heard me right, it's done! :)
Maybe..
- could I go an entire month without reading ESPN.com?
- Or perhaps email and chat programs. Could I go for 40 days without reading my email or chatting? My mailbox would overflow in 2 days. What if something happens to my family? I found out about my grandfather's stroke via MSN.
- Does blogging count? I communicate with people via the comments box. Wouldn't reading the comments box be the same as receiving an ICQ message?
- Or give up TV? Would it be wrong to tape the shows and watch them after the 40 days?
- How bout giving up taking the subway and walking to work everyday. It would take me 3 hours.
- I have McDonalds at least twice a week. I could give that up. Give up all fast foods, then I'd have to skip lunch entirely every single day.
- Give up video games. Does Pingu count? What about Hearts? I have played a "real" video game since Sunday. 40 days shouldn't be so bad.
- Friends are very important to me. How bout giving up talking to friends?
- I like singing, how about no more singing? But then what about worship service, and my choir responsibilities?
monster
two weeks it took for me to finally see this movie. Monster is a movie based on a prostitute who turns into a serial killer. Charlize Theron has won just about every award that exists for "best actress in a..." so kenric and I thought it would be worth seeing. And it was, she was amazing and should easily win the Oscar in the same category.
the movie itself however, was terrible. there was *nothing* good about this movie. okay, the acting was good.. but what else? nothing at all. i went into the movie with absolutely no expectations, and came out completely disgusted by it. it was violent, the language was extremely vulgar. there wasn't really any drama to it. no comedy, romance. just a lot of disgusting girl-on-girl scenes, prostitution, sexual perversion, and senseless shootings. maybe the director meant for us to feel sorry for her, but i didn't catch it. literally every 4th word in the movie dialogue was the F-word.. if you wanted to see a movie on the opposite spectrum from The Passion of The Christ, then this is probably what you're looking for.
there was a time during the movie when i actually considered getting up to leave.
two weeks it took for me to finally see this movie. Monster is a movie based on a prostitute who turns into a serial killer. Charlize Theron has won just about every award that exists for "best actress in a..." so kenric and I thought it would be worth seeing. And it was, she was amazing and should easily win the Oscar in the same category.
the movie itself however, was terrible. there was *nothing* good about this movie. okay, the acting was good.. but what else? nothing at all. i went into the movie with absolutely no expectations, and came out completely disgusted by it. it was violent, the language was extremely vulgar. there wasn't really any drama to it. no comedy, romance. just a lot of disgusting girl-on-girl scenes, prostitution, sexual perversion, and senseless shootings. maybe the director meant for us to feel sorry for her, but i didn't catch it. literally every 4th word in the movie dialogue was the F-word.. if you wanted to see a movie on the opposite spectrum from The Passion of The Christ, then this is probably what you're looking for.
there was a time during the movie when i actually considered getting up to leave.
February 23, 2004
okay.. enough of the stalling, i finally got me an imagestation account and uploaded some vegas pics. holy cow, it's been two months.
here they are
i suppose you'll need an account there to see em, so if you don't have one.. tough!
this might work
here they are
i suppose you'll need an account there to see em, so if you don't have one.. tough!
this might work
This isn't the first time I've had a "WTC" dream. Last night it was one of those "dream within a dream within a dream" dreams. I dreamed we were all at some kind of huge event, one that President Bush was at. This massive plane flew overhead and just as it was above where Bush was giving a speech, it blew up. It was total chaos, people were running every which way, and Bush and his protective entourage ran off somewhere. I saw the front end of the plane, cut off from the rest of the plane still trying to fly like a helicopter, and when it finally did land (I know this makes no sense since it doesn't have wings), it exploded and everyone inside died. Then there were reports that Bush had been hit by some of the shrapnel, and sure enough they found his head lying in the debris. His head.
Then for some reason I was crying, from the sadness of Bush dying and I woke up from my dream, but when I woke up I was in my old house, in my room in the basement. This didn't click though, and I woke up and told my brother about the dream, but he wasn't really listening. I went outside and found myself in a museum, and I got to this american history section and read a panel about how President Bush had been killed in a terrorist attack. And I was like "wth?! that was only a dream!". So then I tried to wake up from the dream, and I did.
Only I hadn't, because I found myself being chased by CIA agents, as if I had been the one who had engineered the attack. At that point I realized it had to be a dream. And of course, when you know you're dreaming, you can do anything, so I started flying straight up into the air, with one hand clenched in a fist like superman, as if to try to break through the dream barrier. Higher and higher I went, through space and beyond, until I found myself in a pinkish blue (pastel colors) area, whereupon I forced myself to wake up.
And finally, for real this time.
Then for some reason I was crying, from the sadness of Bush dying and I woke up from my dream, but when I woke up I was in my old house, in my room in the basement. This didn't click though, and I woke up and told my brother about the dream, but he wasn't really listening. I went outside and found myself in a museum, and I got to this american history section and read a panel about how President Bush had been killed in a terrorist attack. And I was like "wth?! that was only a dream!". So then I tried to wake up from the dream, and I did.
Only I hadn't, because I found myself being chased by CIA agents, as if I had been the one who had engineered the attack. At that point I realized it had to be a dream. And of course, when you know you're dreaming, you can do anything, so I started flying straight up into the air, with one hand clenched in a fist like superman, as if to try to break through the dream barrier. Higher and higher I went, through space and beyond, until I found myself in a pinkish blue (pastel colors) area, whereupon I forced myself to wake up.
And finally, for real this time.
February 22, 2004
Today after church we went to First Markham Place for lunch. Sometime while we were eating I think it was kenric who came up with the following scenario:
"Let's say you're not a christian and you're engaged to a guy/girl who isn't christian, but then you become a christian. Do you still stay with this person?"
We discussed this topic for a good 15-20 minutes. Maybe, you could hold off on the wedding and try to wait for your partner to become a believer. But what if the wedding date is already set? Just pray hard? Cancel the wedding date?
The simple answer is "no", you don't stay with that person. But things can be more complicated than that. Then someone brought up the verse in the bible, Acts 16:31, that says:
They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household.
Except this is an isolated incident, taken out of context it could mean a lot of things, but in this situation it was the jailer asking Paul how he could be saved. I think in those days the head of the family carried more respect in that if the guy believed in Jesus, then his family would follow suit, and thus fulfill the Bible verse.
So I guess the real answer is NO.
"Let's say you're not a christian and you're engaged to a guy/girl who isn't christian, but then you become a christian. Do you still stay with this person?"
We discussed this topic for a good 15-20 minutes. Maybe, you could hold off on the wedding and try to wait for your partner to become a believer. But what if the wedding date is already set? Just pray hard? Cancel the wedding date?
The simple answer is "no", you don't stay with that person. But things can be more complicated than that. Then someone brought up the verse in the bible, Acts 16:31, that says:
They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household.
Except this is an isolated incident, taken out of context it could mean a lot of things, but in this situation it was the jailer asking Paul how he could be saved. I think in those days the head of the family carried more respect in that if the guy believed in Jesus, then his family would follow suit, and thus fulfill the Bible verse.
So I guess the real answer is NO.
February 21, 2004
lunch and thereafter
Most of my posts below were rants, which don't need to be read. Just me blowing off some steam.
After the contractors fiasco, I went over to Charita's house for lunch. Her parents invited me over. They have a new house now, and the layout of the house is really close to my parents' home in Vegas. It was a wonderful time of catching up, just talking about my parents, and how I'm doing. It was great seeing them, we really haven't done that sort of thing since we left M3C. I miss hanging out with 'families', too. I haven't been able to do that since I visited mine. Also, I got to finally have some real home cooking, first time since Las Vegas.
In some ways it made me a little bit homesick, but it also reminded me again of God's blessings.
I stayed for about 3-4 hours at their home. After lunch I watched a tape of last weeks' Apprentice with Charita. Her dog Tiny is so cute, he cuddles up with her on the couch. Tiny was afraid of me because I was dressed in all black, and apparently he'd had some traumatic experience as a puppy with guys dressed in black. Namely, Naoto and Will used to tease and scare the crap out of him.
Charita's mom gave me a tub of leftover [guo tieh], which I'm about to consume for dinner. I've lost 10 pounds since I visited my family in LV. I really need to start cooking again.. it is just not good, the way I am caring (or not caring) for my body.
After that I went to Mitchell's to hunt for a new devotional book. I started looking for a men's devotional book but they only had one, and they were short daily readings based on one short verse. I didn't think I'd get anything out of it. Then I remembered Lon telling me that I'd really like Max Lucado's writing, so I headed over to his section, and found a book that had been reviewed by someone at the store. I bought it. It's called "Traveling Light". I also got a CD called "WOW Hits 2004". I don't know why I bought it. Hope it's good.
Most of my posts below were rants, which don't need to be read. Just me blowing off some steam.
After the contractors fiasco, I went over to Charita's house for lunch. Her parents invited me over. They have a new house now, and the layout of the house is really close to my parents' home in Vegas. It was a wonderful time of catching up, just talking about my parents, and how I'm doing. It was great seeing them, we really haven't done that sort of thing since we left M3C. I miss hanging out with 'families', too. I haven't been able to do that since I visited mine. Also, I got to finally have some real home cooking, first time since Las Vegas.
In some ways it made me a little bit homesick, but it also reminded me again of God's blessings.
I stayed for about 3-4 hours at their home. After lunch I watched a tape of last weeks' Apprentice with Charita. Her dog Tiny is so cute, he cuddles up with her on the couch. Tiny was afraid of me because I was dressed in all black, and apparently he'd had some traumatic experience as a puppy with guys dressed in black. Namely, Naoto and Will used to tease and scare the crap out of him.
Charita's mom gave me a tub of leftover [guo tieh], which I'm about to consume for dinner. I've lost 10 pounds since I visited my family in LV. I really need to start cooking again.. it is just not good, the way I am caring (or not caring) for my body.
After that I went to Mitchell's to hunt for a new devotional book. I started looking for a men's devotional book but they only had one, and they were short daily readings based on one short verse. I didn't think I'd get anything out of it. Then I remembered Lon telling me that I'd really like Max Lucado's writing, so I headed over to his section, and found a book that had been reviewed by someone at the store. I bought it. It's called "Traveling Light". I also got a CD called "WOW Hits 2004". I don't know why I bought it. Hope it's good.
Hrmm... another no-show. The 10:30 guy never showed up. I think the biggest problem is people underestimate the value of this job. People hear "water damage", and right away think there's a few holes that need patching, nothing more than maybe a $1k job. Little do they know how much damage there is, plus the drywalling of the attic, the whole thing should come out to a nice little 5 digit earning.
I can tell, after an estimate each person (who actually showed up) wanted the job badly. It's a huge job.. I mean the kind of money these people are going to rake in after I pay them is about how much I am earning in about 4 months. It's a lot. And these guys will get it in just over a weeks' work. Okay, so you split it over 3-4 people. That's still a months' salary for me. Let's say the material is about 25% of it, that's still 3 weeks' of my pay that I give them for 1 week of work. It's a sweet deal, considering most of them didn't have to spend $40k on a university degree.
I can tell, after an estimate each person (who actually showed up) wanted the job badly. It's a huge job.. I mean the kind of money these people are going to rake in after I pay them is about how much I am earning in about 4 months. It's a lot. And these guys will get it in just over a weeks' work. Okay, so you split it over 3-4 people. That's still a months' salary for me. Let's say the material is about 25% of it, that's still 3 weeks' of my pay that I give them for 1 week of work. It's a sweet deal, considering most of them didn't have to spend $40k on a university degree.
sleep.. lost forever
It all started on Thursday night. My co-worker let me borrow his Bad Boys 2 dvd, and so I decided I would watch half of it that night, and the rest of it the following night. Instead, I ended up watching the whole thing. To my surprise, this movie was 2.5 hours long. I finished at 2am, and went to bed. The following morning I got up at 7. (loss of 2 hours)
I didn't feel like sleeping on the subway so I didn't. On the way home I did sleep though (loss of 30 minutes).
Then there was the frustrating evening last night of waiting 3 hours for 1 hour of work to be done, which ended in me going to bed at 10:30pm. However, things didn't go quite as planned. I couldn't sleep, and I experience intermittent sleep for several hours. I remember glancing at my clock at 3, 4, 5, 6, 6:15, 6:45, 7, 7:05, 7:15, ....
So really I got about probably around 4-5 hours last night. (loss of 3 hours). To make matters worse I had to wake up early for the contractor, who showed up right on time 8:30am. He was standing at my door knocking when I arrived on the scene. Another pretty friendly guy, probably from Romania or Russia. Said he worked in Japan for 2-3 years, in Osaka and Kobe. Perfectionist type of person. Funny as hell too, we had some pretty good laughs about the Canadian government and japanese people.
I called the 9:30 guy and the funny thing is he's still at home with his wife. It was 9:15 when I called. He said how bout 11:30, and I said no, because I'm going out for lunch. Then he suggests Sunday and I said no way. So he says he'll come at 11, and I tell him at 11:30 I'm leaving, so if he's late, too bad. So he says okay, 11.
My next appt is at 10:30, so I came back to do some blogging and possibly some gaming as well. I was hoping to go to Mitchell's but there's not enough time between the first and the 3rd appts.
Now I just received a called from the 11 guy (Alli), and he says he's having car trouble and won't make it. We rescheduled to Monday at 5:30. Then he nixes that and says he'll be there between 5:30-6:00. He swears he's never done this to a customer before.
Hey, maybe it's true, and maybe God messed up his car because he was never meant to do the job for me. Or maybe he'll feel so bad about it he'll end up getting the job because he'll offer a much lower price than everyone else. Who knows..
It all started on Thursday night. My co-worker let me borrow his Bad Boys 2 dvd, and so I decided I would watch half of it that night, and the rest of it the following night. Instead, I ended up watching the whole thing. To my surprise, this movie was 2.5 hours long. I finished at 2am, and went to bed. The following morning I got up at 7. (loss of 2 hours)
I didn't feel like sleeping on the subway so I didn't. On the way home I did sleep though (loss of 30 minutes).
Then there was the frustrating evening last night of waiting 3 hours for 1 hour of work to be done, which ended in me going to bed at 10:30pm. However, things didn't go quite as planned. I couldn't sleep, and I experience intermittent sleep for several hours. I remember glancing at my clock at 3, 4, 5, 6, 6:15, 6:45, 7, 7:05, 7:15, ....
So really I got about probably around 4-5 hours last night. (loss of 3 hours). To make matters worse I had to wake up early for the contractor, who showed up right on time 8:30am. He was standing at my door knocking when I arrived on the scene. Another pretty friendly guy, probably from Romania or Russia. Said he worked in Japan for 2-3 years, in Osaka and Kobe. Perfectionist type of person. Funny as hell too, we had some pretty good laughs about the Canadian government and japanese people.
I called the 9:30 guy and the funny thing is he's still at home with his wife. It was 9:15 when I called. He said how bout 11:30, and I said no, because I'm going out for lunch. Then he suggests Sunday and I said no way. So he says he'll come at 11, and I tell him at 11:30 I'm leaving, so if he's late, too bad. So he says okay, 11.
My next appt is at 10:30, so I came back to do some blogging and possibly some gaming as well. I was hoping to go to Mitchell's but there's not enough time between the first and the 3rd appts.
Now I just received a called from the 11 guy (Alli), and he says he's having car trouble and won't make it. We rescheduled to Monday at 5:30. Then he nixes that and says he'll be there between 5:30-6:00. He swears he's never done this to a customer before.
Hey, maybe it's true, and maybe God messed up his car because he was never meant to do the job for me. Or maybe he'll feel so bad about it he'll end up getting the job because he'll offer a much lower price than everyone else. Who knows..
February 20, 2004
I hoped that two estimates would take maybe 1.5 hours, but instead they stretched into 3 hours. *sigh*
Physically I am totally exhausted. Mentally, just really really frustrated. I missed small group. *bigger sigh*
Anita's uncle is a really nice guy (he doesn't know i'm a friend of anita), he came about 15 minutes late but did a thorough job. Unfortunately I found out he's not bonded or insured, so I highly doubt dad will pick him. Unfortunately that's the truth of this business though.. most of the 'asian' "companies" aren't completely legit, although they offer an equally good service and lower prices. I felt it wouldn't be fair to him to tell him I knew Anita, because he might feel obliged to give me some kinda deal. I know that sounds silly, but I know guys like this are already offering a pretty lower price already.
Chris was supposed to come at 7:45pm, Anita's uncle took longer so I called Chris to move it to 8:15pm. Of course, the shows up at 8:30. The worst thing of all is, I actually like the guy. He had an even lower estimate than yesterday's impressive sell. In fact it's not even close; he's about 60% of what Sandra offered, although she promised to have in done in a few days, whereas this guy says it'll take over a week.
Sandra hasn't given me her full total estimate, while Chris gave it to me straight up as he was leaving. He finished fast. Can I forgive a guy for being late 3 times? Hard to say, since my dad will make the final decision.
3 more tomorrow, first one starts at 8am. Joy!
Physically I am totally exhausted. Mentally, just really really frustrated. I missed small group. *bigger sigh*
Anita's uncle is a really nice guy (he doesn't know i'm a friend of anita), he came about 15 minutes late but did a thorough job. Unfortunately I found out he's not bonded or insured, so I highly doubt dad will pick him. Unfortunately that's the truth of this business though.. most of the 'asian' "companies" aren't completely legit, although they offer an equally good service and lower prices. I felt it wouldn't be fair to him to tell him I knew Anita, because he might feel obliged to give me some kinda deal. I know that sounds silly, but I know guys like this are already offering a pretty lower price already.
Chris was supposed to come at 7:45pm, Anita's uncle took longer so I called Chris to move it to 8:15pm. Of course, the shows up at 8:30. The worst thing of all is, I actually like the guy. He had an even lower estimate than yesterday's impressive sell. In fact it's not even close; he's about 60% of what Sandra offered, although she promised to have in done in a few days, whereas this guy says it'll take over a week.
Sandra hasn't given me her full total estimate, while Chris gave it to me straight up as he was leaving. He finished fast. Can I forgive a guy for being late 3 times? Hard to say, since my dad will make the final decision.
3 more tomorrow, first one starts at 8am. Joy!
Well, it's 6:45pm now. This Chris guy didn't show up, again. He called at around 6:30pm and said he'd be late, we've rescheduled to 7:45pm. I don't know why I'm even bothering with him. I mean if miss an appointment and then miss another, that's not exactly a very great track record, huh?
I'm about to head back over again to meet Anita's uncle, scheduled for 7pm.
The way I figure it he'll be on time, but then of course there's Chris, who knows when he'll show. I will definitely be late for small group today.
I'm about to head back over again to meet Anita's uncle, scheduled for 7pm.
The way I figure it he'll be on time, but then of course there's Chris, who knows when he'll show. I will definitely be late for small group today.
the apprentice was too hyped up by me over the week that the show was a little bit disappointing. amy got switched so i was kinda right about some sort of merge. sooner or later it can't be teams though. i mean it can't always be about the teams. team building/leading is only one side of being a great leader. Omarosa really bugs me. She's supposedly a woman who comes out of the projects and now works in the White House. But she wouldn't lift a finger while they did the apartment renovations. She's like a princess.
Tammy got voted off as ina predicted. I'm glad, since Tammy is the only person I didn't like on VersaCorp. Sooner or later Omarosa has to go. Yeah, she brings drama and everyone hates her, but even in Survivor 2, eventually Jerry Manthey had to go. She didn't make the final 4, and I don't think Omarosa will either. Princess Di absolutely hates her guts, she's never said anything good about her during the final discussions between Trump and his two lackeys. I think yesterday proves they are willing to vote people off simply because they're annoying.
I think the final 4 will be Amy, Nick, Troy, Heidi. Seems to me that everything that Amy touches turns to gold. She's the only person on the show who has never lost a challenge. I like Nick because I think I can relate to him the most in that we have similar personalities. I like Troy because he puts forth 110%, and he leaves everything out there. And Heidi just has the feistiness to make it well. I don't think the 4th could be Ereka (too emotional), Omarosa (princess.. actually more like queen). Katrina is a possibility but it still doesn't make sense to me why she didn't do the negotiating last night. Perhaps from her experience she knew they wouldn't turn as high a profit as the other team, and so she needed a scapegoat?
Kwame hasn't really done anything except appeal to the african american fans (and probably a lot of women). Bill is more like a great right-hand-man, not really a born leader. Besides, I'm pretty sure it'll be 2 guys and 2 girls at the end.
February 19, 2004
a woman's touch
Today I left work early so that I could meet up with the first of two contractors coming to my house to give me an estimate. The first guy (Chris) was scheduled for 5:30, and the second at 6:30. Well, Chris never showed up, and called me at 6 saying he was in a "pickle" and would come tomorrow at 6 sharp. I know you guys are thinking Chris must be asian, but no, he's italian, I think.
The second contractor (Sandra) came promptly at 6:30pm. I mean she was at the doorstep *at* 6:30pm. Impressed. Her analysis of the damage and everything was really good. She even showed sympathy and when I told how it all happened, she actually said "Aw.. you poor thing." Ha! She threw in suggestions of what color the laundry room should be painted, to better match the flooring and counters. She suggested not to use stucco because it wasn't "in" anymore. She said if I picked her, she get could "her boys" in starting next week and be done in less than a week. She told me the damages could all be fixed with $5-6k, a far cry from the $25k the other guys were quoting us.
My dad also wants the attic done, and an A/C installed there as well. The A/C itself will fetch about 5 grand. But all in all the total price will still be pretty cheap compared to what those others (crazies) were saying.
I mean, I hafta say it was a good sell. She did a really great job, and not surprisingly she is the president of her company. What impresses upon me is how a little bit of cordiality, kindness, sympathy and just knowing your stuff without being shady about it -- it's really to me that extra bit of attention, that a woman's touch -- put into a job that a man would never think about doing. And that's not to say a guy wouldn't do a great job on it. I still have 4 more quotes coming in. But let's just say that I'm impressed so far with "A. Lifetime Contractor Ltd.", and leave it at that.
Today I left work early so that I could meet up with the first of two contractors coming to my house to give me an estimate. The first guy (Chris) was scheduled for 5:30, and the second at 6:30. Well, Chris never showed up, and called me at 6 saying he was in a "pickle" and would come tomorrow at 6 sharp. I know you guys are thinking Chris must be asian, but no, he's italian, I think.
The second contractor (Sandra) came promptly at 6:30pm. I mean she was at the doorstep *at* 6:30pm. Impressed. Her analysis of the damage and everything was really good. She even showed sympathy and when I told how it all happened, she actually said "Aw.. you poor thing." Ha! She threw in suggestions of what color the laundry room should be painted, to better match the flooring and counters. She suggested not to use stucco because it wasn't "in" anymore. She said if I picked her, she get could "her boys" in starting next week and be done in less than a week. She told me the damages could all be fixed with $5-6k, a far cry from the $25k the other guys were quoting us.
My dad also wants the attic done, and an A/C installed there as well. The A/C itself will fetch about 5 grand. But all in all the total price will still be pretty cheap compared to what those others (crazies) were saying.
I mean, I hafta say it was a good sell. She did a really great job, and not surprisingly she is the president of her company. What impresses upon me is how a little bit of cordiality, kindness, sympathy and just knowing your stuff without being shady about it -- it's really to me that extra bit of attention, that a woman's touch -- put into a job that a man would never think about doing. And that's not to say a guy wouldn't do a great job on it. I still have 4 more quotes coming in. But let's just say that I'm impressed so far with "A. Lifetime Contractor Ltd.", and leave it at that.
February 18, 2004
As a joke i told Nate's friend Ken to make sure he gets a good shot of Vince Carter's facial expression when he falls injured. Talk about foreshadowing, he really did get injured again. In our entire section, not a single person showed any bit of concern for him. Some people laughed when he went down, while others yelled "GET UP!!". Kenric and I sorta just sat there and didn't say anything. I think it's safe to say that Toronto is sick and tired of Vince getting hurt.
Ken's got this great idea of putting binoculars in front of his digital camera, and then taking the picture. He showed us the results and they were pretty nice. He got a few great pics of Vince clutching his leg. It was pretty funny. There's one of three other players standing over him and I swear it looked like one of them was laughing..
..
Ever since reading about worship in PDL, I've often paused and not sung along during worship times so that I could reflect on the words themselves rather than be caught up with the music. Because I do that, I can get caught up in the music and I have to stop myself from letting that happen during worship, because I can get into a trance almost of just enjoying the music. Like, I could react the same way to a praise song as to a Josh Groban song, or even a Michelle Branch song, and I think that would be wrong of me to do so. So, despite my love for singing, I force myself not to sing and just reflect on words only.
So when asked what my favorite praise song is, I couldn't tell you. I could easily name off a bunch of songs I enjoy singing, but in terms of songs that mean a lot to me, I can't think of any. Maybe.. "I Will Offer My Life" or "Will You Worship".
I will offer up my life in spirit and truth
Pouring out the oil of love as my worship to You
In surrender I must give my every part
Lord receive the sacrifice of a broken heart
Chorus:
Jesus, what can I give
What can I bring
To so faithful a friend
To so loving a king
Saviour, what can be said
What can be sung
As a praise of Your name
For the things You have done
Oh my words could not tell
Not even in part
Of the debt of love that is owed
By this thankful heart
You deserve my every breath for You've paid the great cost
Giving up Your life to death, even death on a cross
You took all my shame away, there defeated my sin
Opened up the gates of Heaven, and have beckoned me in
What can I give
What can I bring
What can I sing as an offering, Lord
(What can I give
What can I give to You, to You)
Ken's got this great idea of putting binoculars in front of his digital camera, and then taking the picture. He showed us the results and they were pretty nice. He got a few great pics of Vince clutching his leg. It was pretty funny. There's one of three other players standing over him and I swear it looked like one of them was laughing..
..
Ever since reading about worship in PDL, I've often paused and not sung along during worship times so that I could reflect on the words themselves rather than be caught up with the music. Because I do that, I can get caught up in the music and I have to stop myself from letting that happen during worship, because I can get into a trance almost of just enjoying the music. Like, I could react the same way to a praise song as to a Josh Groban song, or even a Michelle Branch song, and I think that would be wrong of me to do so. So, despite my love for singing, I force myself not to sing and just reflect on words only.
So when asked what my favorite praise song is, I couldn't tell you. I could easily name off a bunch of songs I enjoy singing, but in terms of songs that mean a lot to me, I can't think of any. Maybe.. "I Will Offer My Life" or "Will You Worship".
I will offer up my life in spirit and truth
Pouring out the oil of love as my worship to You
In surrender I must give my every part
Lord receive the sacrifice of a broken heart
Chorus:
Jesus, what can I give
What can I bring
To so faithful a friend
To so loving a king
Saviour, what can be said
What can be sung
As a praise of Your name
For the things You have done
Oh my words could not tell
Not even in part
Of the debt of love that is owed
By this thankful heart
You deserve my every breath for You've paid the great cost
Giving up Your life to death, even death on a cross
You took all my shame away, there defeated my sin
Opened up the gates of Heaven, and have beckoned me in
What can I give
What can I bring
What can I sing as an offering, Lord
(What can I give
What can I give to You, to You)
A coupla days ago I had a dream about The Apprentice. We (i can't remember who) were all sitting in the boardroom, and Donald Trump was trying to decide which of us to fire. He decided in order to decide he would look at all of the notes we had taken, so one by one he went through peoples' notes, and then when he got to me, my notes were filled with doodles, cartoon drawings, etc. He was pretty mad. He couldn't even make out my writing. I was so sure he'd fire me but then he fired someone else (again sorry I can't remember who was there with me). Anyway, I just thought that was a little weird.
Speaking of The Apprentice, I'm really excited about this week's episode. I think this is the week that Omarosa finally gets fired. It'll be either her or Heidi, both of whom I find disturbingly scary. Troy is also a possibility. Although it looks like Heidi might leave the show in a manner similar to Jenna on Survivor All-stars. Oh yeah, and I'm also predicting some sort of merge. There are 10 players left.. usually Survivor merges at 10.
Speaking of The Apprentice, I'm really excited about this week's episode. I think this is the week that Omarosa finally gets fired. It'll be either her or Heidi, both of whom I find disturbingly scary. Troy is also a possibility. Although it looks like Heidi might leave the show in a manner similar to Jenna on Survivor All-stars. Oh yeah, and I'm also predicting some sort of merge. There are 10 players left.. usually Survivor merges at 10.
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