I just finished watching "Christmas With the Kranks" and it really made me want to cry. It's an adorable movie, for those of you who haven't seen it I would definitely suggest it. It's a classic Christmas miracle movie where everything goes wrong but they are eventually able to overcome it and "save Christmas" for one and all, with a little help from Santa Claus, of course.
I wanted to cry because the daughter of the couple in the film is missing Christmas for the first time in 23 years. Making her my age, this parallel hit a bit too close to home for my liking. Upon completion of the film I of course logged onto the computer and had irrational thoughts of planes, trains and buses and how to get home for Christmas, only to find out (as I knew before logging on) that it's not feasible, time-wise or money-wise. It, in a lot of ways, breaks my heart.
This isn't the first Christmas I missed, but due to a series of unfortunate events, it will be the first in which I don't see them over the holidays and I sincerely hope another event like the last one comes along to bring us together for the holidays as it was for a funeral I saw them.
I just love and miss my family so much, they mean so much to me and Christmas is such a special time of year, my mumby makes it truly special for us with a gorgeous house and a "landing strip" of lights to lead Santa. I hate that I can't be there to celebrate it with them. There Dad & Muk & Thressa and Hindy too and of course Boo & Ty & Mel. I love them all so very much and they are all a huge part of my Christmas with all the traditions I have with each of them.
I'm going to miss pork pie, letters from Santa, stockings, taking an extra long time to eat just to make everyone wait that much longer to open gifts, watching Christmas specials with my family, hearing the Christmas stories with my brother and sister, midnight mass, advent calendars, the go-together gifts my dad always gets for my brother and me and how perfect they always are, Christmas oranges, candy-cane ice cream, eggnog with dad, the gift from Muk that suits my personality so well even though it's never something I would have though of myself. All of it.
I know everything happens for a reason, God doesn't make mistakes and my being here instead of there is no mistake. The hard part is that I'm just not quite sure why yet. I'm not good with patience, God knows that, and the only way I'm going to find out why I'm missing Christmas at home is to have patience and wait and see.
I mean of course I could speculate and I may be right, but there would be little use in trying to figure out God's will, just to accept it is good and perfect and that it will always work out in the end. As best as I can tell there are those here who may need my love and comfort over the holidays more than those at home and I really hope I'm able to offer it to them when they need it and that they will be accepting of me when I offer it. I really, really hope and pray that this is a good Christmas for all my loved ones and that I can be there most for those who need me.
12.15.2005
The People on the Bus Part 1
I saw the man who thinks I work at Radio Shack today on the bus. He was heading to the West side as I was on my way home with my parcel from Greyhound. I first met him two Halloween's ago, I was dressed in Radio Shack attire for Halloween and he mistakenly thought I worked there, I tried to explain to him it was a costume, but as he seems a bit slow he didn't really understand the concept so I just went along with his assumptions. He had with him that day a computer tower and was asking me questions about it, which I could surprisingly answer, which just added to his mis-conception I suppose.
Today he asked if I was still at Radio Shack and I told him no, I said I was just going to school now. We conversed a bit, as much as stranger can anyways. It was quite pleasant except that I had my parcel with me and he read off my name and address, I know this because he confirmed both with me. LOL So let's hope he forgets where it is or he may be showing up at my door to get computer help. LOL
Today he asked if I was still at Radio Shack and I told him no, I said I was just going to school now. We conversed a bit, as much as stranger can anyways. It was quite pleasant except that I had my parcel with me and he read off my name and address, I know this because he confirmed both with me. LOL So let's hope he forgets where it is or he may be showing up at my door to get computer help. LOL
12.14.2005
Some more Songs of the Week
Since there are so many good songs on the radio this time of year that aren't on any other I've decided to post some of the ones I particularly enjoyed listening to while working on my paper last night. I may eventually post my all-time favourite Christmas carols, but for now this short list will do:
"December Will be Magic Again" - Kate Bush
"My Grown-up Christmas List" - Kelly Clakrson
"Santa Baby" - D. Jay Bradley
"Minnie & Santa" - Cyndi Lauper
"Santa's Got a Brand New Bag" - SheDaisy
"Chrissy the Christmas Mouse" - Debbie Reynolds & Donald O'Conor
"Baby It's Cold Outside" - Barry Manilow
"Twelve Days of Christmas" - Allan Sherman
"Silent Night" - MercyMe
"December Will be Magic Again" - Kate Bush
"My Grown-up Christmas List" - Kelly Clakrson
"Santa Baby" - D. Jay Bradley
"Minnie & Santa" - Cyndi Lauper
"Santa's Got a Brand New Bag" - SheDaisy
"Chrissy the Christmas Mouse" - Debbie Reynolds & Donald O'Conor
"Baby It's Cold Outside" - Barry Manilow
"Twelve Days of Christmas" - Allan Sherman
"Silent Night" - MercyMe
The End of the Tunnel
Well last night, mor specifically, I suppose, at 7 this morning I finally reached the end of the tunnel. The tunnel called "Fall Semester '05". I'm heading to the school now to hand in my final assignment of my final semester as a BFA/Drama student. Next semester I embark on other lofiter and more un-finishable goals but right now I don't want to think about next semester, or that I'm not going home for Christmas. I just want to relax, hang out with friends, catch up on my reading and my movie watching, kiss some boys (well one boy in particular lol) and try and enjoy my holidays, however short I'm sure they'll seem in three weeks time when I head back. Right now though it's all about the enjoyment! YAY!
12.13.2005
Stewie Quote
So here's another one from Stewie Griffin. Merry Christmas LOL
"Good evening. I am playing the role of Jesus. A man once portrayed on the big screen by Jeffrey Hunter. You may remember him as the actor who was replaced by William Shatner on Star Trek. Apparently Mr. Hunter was good enough to die for our sins but not quite up to the task of seducing green women. Anyhoo, the perennial dictum is to spread goodwill towards all men. The irony of course is that this is contrary to our nature. So why do we do it? Because we are being watched! And so we unselfishly think of others, assured that our good behavior will be rewarded with love and plutonium." - Stewie Griffin "A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas"
"Good evening. I am playing the role of Jesus. A man once portrayed on the big screen by Jeffrey Hunter. You may remember him as the actor who was replaced by William Shatner on Star Trek. Apparently Mr. Hunter was good enough to die for our sins but not quite up to the task of seducing green women. Anyhoo, the perennial dictum is to spread goodwill towards all men. The irony of course is that this is contrary to our nature. So why do we do it? Because we are being watched! And so we unselfishly think of others, assured that our good behavior will be rewarded with love and plutonium." - Stewie Griffin "A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas"
12.12.2005
Song of the Week
12.11.2005
So Much to be Done
So it's Sunday evening and I'm sitting down, yet again, to try and write my Theory & aesthetics of Video Games final paper. It's due tomorrow. Now it's not for want of ideas that the paper is not already done, it's for lack of knowing the way in which to express myself. I think I have finally decided on a format for the paper, it will have headings and appendixes, etc. I'm not sure if this is an accepted style but it's the one I'm using nonetheless. I think I may have picked too broad a topic to transition easily from one area to another without headings and goodness knows that the day before a huge paper is due, eloquence is not my high point.
Thus I embark, wish me luck.... The only bad things is it's going to be a long night, and all I really want to be doing is cuddling with my boyfriend, not writing a paper. LOL
Thus I embark, wish me luck.... The only bad things is it's going to be a long night, and all I really want to be doing is cuddling with my boyfriend, not writing a paper. LOL
12.10.2005
a Chinook
So we got a Chinook in today, funny things those. They come in and are very windy but make the world a very warm place. Prior to the Chinook it was -42 with the windchill. (This was around Wednesday) and today it's +10 with winds from the West. How weird eh? It's so true what they say about Lethbridge, if you don't like the weather wait five minutes. LOL
For you non-Albertans out there here's the scientific logic behind a Chinook:
"Chinook winds, often just called chinooks, are a wind pattern observed in midwestern North America, named for the Chinook Indians. In popular myth, Chinook is supposed to mean "snow eater", as a strong Chinook can make a foot of snow all but vanish inside of one day. The snow partially melts, and partially evaporates in the dry wind. The true origin of the name is that "Chinook Wind" in the local argot of the fur trade era meant that the wind came from the direction of the country of the Chinooks (the lower Columbia River, i.e. from across the Rocky Mountains.
Chinook winds have been observed to elevate midwestern winter temperatures, often from below −20°C (−4°F) to as high as 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F), for a few hours or days, at the end of which, the temperatures plummet to their base levels.
One of the most dramatic examples of the chinook winds occurred on January 15, 1972, in Loma, Montana. The temperature rose from −47°C (−54°F) to 9°C (49°F); the greatest temperature change ever recorded during a 24-hour period.
A "Chinook Wind" or simply "a Chinook", mean the reverse on the British Columbia Coast and Puget Sound and-Straits of Juan de Fuca, bringing warm, west southwesterlies - "from the Country of the Chinooks"."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinook_wind
Chinooks in Alberta
"Where chinooks occur most frequently Chinooks are most prevalent over southern Alberta in Canada, especially in a belt from Pincher Creek in the Crowsnest Pass through Lethbridge, getting 30 to 35 chinook days per year on average. Chinooks become less frequent further south in the United States, and chinooks are rare north of Red Deer.
In most recent winters (since the 1980s), chinooks and warmer weather have all but banished winter to just a few spells of sharp cold of one or two weeks, and some midwinter months have averaged high temperatures over 5°C (41°F), similar to the West Coast of British Columbia, where Canada's warmest winters are found.
In southern Alberta, most of the winter can be spent with little or no snow on the ground. Calgary can expect a white Christmas about 59% of the time. Only the West Coast of British Columbia and southern Ontario have fewer white Christmases than southern Alberta.
In Lethbridge, chinook winds can gust in excess of hurricane force (120 km/h or 75 mph). The winds gusts can be strong enough to shatter car windows through air pressure differential. On November 19, 1962, the winds there gusted to 171 km/h (107 mph) in an especially powerful chinook.
In Pincher Creek, the temperature rose by 33°C (60°F) in one hour in 1962. Also, trains have been known to be derailed by chinook winds there. Calgary gets many chinooks as well, but the wind is usually not very strong. In February 1992, Claresholm, Alberta hit 24°C (75°F) — one of Canada's highest February temperatures.
Chinooks versus the Arctic air mass
In mid-winter, the chinook can seem to do battle with the Arctic air mass at times. It is not unheard of for people in Lethbridge to complain of −20°C (−4°F) temperatures while those in Cardston, just 40 minutes down the road, enjoy +10°C (50°F) temperatures in shorts and T-shirts. This clash of temperatures can remain stationary, or move back and forth, in the latter case causing such fluctuations as a warm morning, a bitterly cold afternoon, and a warm evening. A curtain of fog often accompanies the clash between warm to the west and cold to the east.
It has been reported on a local TV historical program that many years ago Cardston once reported a curtain of fog remaining over Main Street for many hours. The west side of town was balmy with melting snow, while the east side of town was bitter cold.
In Calgary, recent winters have seen situations where the airport in the northeast part of the city is reporting around −20°C and the southwest part of the city is sitting at +7°C (45°F).
Chinook arch over Calgary, January 6, 2003
Chinook arch:
One of the most striking features of the chinook is the chinook arch, which is a band of stationary stratus clouds caused by air rippling over the mountains. To the those unfamiliar to the chinook, the chinook arch may look like a threatening storm cloud at times. However, they rarely produce rain or snow. They can also create stunning sunrises and sunsets.
How chinooks occur:
The chinook phenomenon results from the movement of high and low pressure systems over the Rocky Mountains. As the wind moves over and through the mountains, the moisture in the air condenses, warming the air by releasing latent heat. Then, as it moves downhill, the cold air above presses down upon it, resulting in further warming through adiabatic compression.
Quite often, when the West Coast is being hammered by rain, the windward side of the Rockies is being hammered by snow (as the air loses its moisture), and the leeward side of the Rockies in Alberta is basking in a chinook.
Two common cloud patterns seen during this time are:
A chinook arch overhead and/or A bank of clouds obscuring the mountains to the west. It would appear to be an approaching storm, but it does not advance any further east.
The Manyberries chinook:
Often, a chinook is preceded by a "Manyberries chinook" during the end of a cold spell. This southeast wind (named for a small village, now a hamlet, in southeastern Alberta, from where the wind seems to originate) can be fairly strong and cause bitter windchill and blowing snow. The wind will eventually swing around to the southwest and the temperature rises sharply as the real chinook arrives."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinook_wind#Chinooks_in_Alberta
Now if you're really lucky someday I'll tell you about another thing dear to an Albertans heart, the coulee... LOL
For you non-Albertans out there here's the scientific logic behind a Chinook:
"Chinook winds, often just called chinooks, are a wind pattern observed in midwestern North America, named for the Chinook Indians. In popular myth, Chinook is supposed to mean "snow eater", as a strong Chinook can make a foot of snow all but vanish inside of one day. The snow partially melts, and partially evaporates in the dry wind. The true origin of the name is that "Chinook Wind" in the local argot of the fur trade era meant that the wind came from the direction of the country of the Chinooks (the lower Columbia River, i.e. from across the Rocky Mountains.
Chinook winds have been observed to elevate midwestern winter temperatures, often from below −20°C (−4°F) to as high as 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F), for a few hours or days, at the end of which, the temperatures plummet to their base levels.
One of the most dramatic examples of the chinook winds occurred on January 15, 1972, in Loma, Montana. The temperature rose from −47°C (−54°F) to 9°C (49°F); the greatest temperature change ever recorded during a 24-hour period.
A "Chinook Wind" or simply "a Chinook", mean the reverse on the British Columbia Coast and Puget Sound and-Straits of Juan de Fuca, bringing warm, west southwesterlies - "from the Country of the Chinooks"."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinook_wind
Chinooks in Alberta
"Where chinooks occur most frequently Chinooks are most prevalent over southern Alberta in Canada, especially in a belt from Pincher Creek in the Crowsnest Pass through Lethbridge, getting 30 to 35 chinook days per year on average. Chinooks become less frequent further south in the United States, and chinooks are rare north of Red Deer.
In most recent winters (since the 1980s), chinooks and warmer weather have all but banished winter to just a few spells of sharp cold of one or two weeks, and some midwinter months have averaged high temperatures over 5°C (41°F), similar to the West Coast of British Columbia, where Canada's warmest winters are found.
In southern Alberta, most of the winter can be spent with little or no snow on the ground. Calgary can expect a white Christmas about 59% of the time. Only the West Coast of British Columbia and southern Ontario have fewer white Christmases than southern Alberta.
In Lethbridge, chinook winds can gust in excess of hurricane force (120 km/h or 75 mph). The winds gusts can be strong enough to shatter car windows through air pressure differential. On November 19, 1962, the winds there gusted to 171 km/h (107 mph) in an especially powerful chinook.
In Pincher Creek, the temperature rose by 33°C (60°F) in one hour in 1962. Also, trains have been known to be derailed by chinook winds there. Calgary gets many chinooks as well, but the wind is usually not very strong. In February 1992, Claresholm, Alberta hit 24°C (75°F) — one of Canada's highest February temperatures.
Chinooks versus the Arctic air mass
In mid-winter, the chinook can seem to do battle with the Arctic air mass at times. It is not unheard of for people in Lethbridge to complain of −20°C (−4°F) temperatures while those in Cardston, just 40 minutes down the road, enjoy +10°C (50°F) temperatures in shorts and T-shirts. This clash of temperatures can remain stationary, or move back and forth, in the latter case causing such fluctuations as a warm morning, a bitterly cold afternoon, and a warm evening. A curtain of fog often accompanies the clash between warm to the west and cold to the east.
It has been reported on a local TV historical program that many years ago Cardston once reported a curtain of fog remaining over Main Street for many hours. The west side of town was balmy with melting snow, while the east side of town was bitter cold.
In Calgary, recent winters have seen situations where the airport in the northeast part of the city is reporting around −20°C and the southwest part of the city is sitting at +7°C (45°F).
Chinook arch over Calgary, January 6, 2003
Chinook arch:
One of the most striking features of the chinook is the chinook arch, which is a band of stationary stratus clouds caused by air rippling over the mountains. To the those unfamiliar to the chinook, the chinook arch may look like a threatening storm cloud at times. However, they rarely produce rain or snow. They can also create stunning sunrises and sunsets.
How chinooks occur:
The chinook phenomenon results from the movement of high and low pressure systems over the Rocky Mountains. As the wind moves over and through the mountains, the moisture in the air condenses, warming the air by releasing latent heat. Then, as it moves downhill, the cold air above presses down upon it, resulting in further warming through adiabatic compression.
Quite often, when the West Coast is being hammered by rain, the windward side of the Rockies is being hammered by snow (as the air loses its moisture), and the leeward side of the Rockies in Alberta is basking in a chinook.
Two common cloud patterns seen during this time are:
A chinook arch overhead and/or A bank of clouds obscuring the mountains to the west. It would appear to be an approaching storm, but it does not advance any further east.
The Manyberries chinook:
Often, a chinook is preceded by a "Manyberries chinook" during the end of a cold spell. This southeast wind (named for a small village, now a hamlet, in southeastern Alberta, from where the wind seems to originate) can be fairly strong and cause bitter windchill and blowing snow. The wind will eventually swing around to the southwest and the temperature rises sharply as the real chinook arrives."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinook_wind#Chinooks_in_Alberta
Now if you're really lucky someday I'll tell you about another thing dear to an Albertans heart, the coulee... LOL
12.09.2005
Technology hates me!
So I was working on my AutoCAD assignment today just before class and then throughout class. As class was ending John mentioned that they would probably kick me out of the lab soon as they were commandeering computers to use in the webCT lab. I was the only one who stayed after class today, everyone else got their assignments down before it ended. I feel so stupid! That is beyond the point of the story though, so I left E610 and went to E630 and worked away for another hour or so when the proctor informed me they were closing that lab as well at 5 and my best bet would be the study center (which I am now in.) Upon arriving at the study center I checked my e-mail and then proceeded to open my assignment and continue plugging away at it. Upon opening AutoCAD I was greeted with a message regarding incorrect user profiles and the necessity to re-install the program. I of course freaked out, e-mailed my prof and called IT. They say I may be able to get on and to try again in 25 min, it looks bleak though, if it's not a simple fix all of IT is busy re-arranging computers for exams which means I will not be able to use AutoCAD and a bunch of the labs are closed or on short hours over the weekend!! GAHHHH!!! I'm so frustrated I could scream!
The IVCF Issue
So I read back over what I've posted and I realized I never posted about IVCF, perhaps it's water under the bridge now but as I let the cat out of the bag with my comment of a few days ago I better explain what happened. So here's the story, as best as I can remember it.
So back in late March or perhaps early April I was activities co-ordinator (one of three) for the IVCF (as I had been for the past year and a half) so we are doing elections and the topic of my position comes up at an exec meeting. I say I'm not sure if I'm coming back in the fall or not and it's recorded in the minutes that if I'm back I get my position and if not they're downsizing it to two positions.
So I decided I'm coming back in the fall, I let the IV exec know this and they say okay. Life goes on, a week or so later I'm asked to meet with the presidents, so I go. They tell me that my position has been abolished and they would like to do it with two people next school year and I'm not needed. I find this unfair and un-constitutional so I take it up with our staff worker and most of the exec.... This goes 'round and 'round in circles with me applying (and being denied for) worship co-ordinator fitting in there somewhere. The long and short of it was that by the end of the semester I didn't' have a place on exec in the fall and I didn't even want to go to final exec meeting but I did and they prayed me out as they always do and it was as if I chose to leave and wasn't forced and to this day at least half the exec has no idea what went on. The half that do supported my cause but there was little we could do about it. I eventually got an apology from both presidents and the staff worker and a promise that I would be involved this year in other capacities. (Which didn't happen, or even be attempted at happening by anyone but me until last month.) So whenever I saw certain exec people this year it was very touchy and they very much tried to appease me for fear I'd yell at them in public, or something along those lines. (which I never would have done.)
Oh and the reason they wanted to abolish my position, besides them trying to par down exec, was because I was older than all the other exec people (at 23 I would hardly consider myself old.)
So that's the story of what happened, now the underlying story of what happened goes like this: I am a strong, determined person who doesn't work especially well in teams unless I'm the leader of those teams or under the leadership of a very strong-willed person who can give specific direction as I would do. When I sense weakness in leaders I attack, I stand up for what I believe in and what I think is right or should be done and I don't easily stand down. The two presidents were both weaker individuals who I could very easily over-power when I felt something should be done differently then the way they did it. Similarly the two other activity's people, although good leaders in their own right, weren't as strong willed as me, which meant I led most of the events unless I chose to delegate them out and even then I had my hand in most things going on. I liked to be in the know and events went well with me in charge, but the presidents felt I was bullying the other two into doing things my way and no new ideas were being brought to the table.
The under-underlying story to both of the above is this: I have never been the best model of "Christian" values. I feel that many Christians are hypocrites who think people should do what they say and not what they do. I live my life the best I can and I screw up, frequently, and I know that and God knows that and He forgives me and I'm not afraid to get out there, try new things and sometimes fall on my face. I don't live the best lifestyle and I never have. I live with a guy roommate and before this I lived with my boyfriend, I've cheated on boyfriends, I drink almost every weekend, I party at clubs, I've had pre-marital sex, I've shown up places with hangovers, I've lied, I've cheated, I've snuck around and I'm not afraid to admit to all these things. I'm open to other religions points of views, I make friends with all people, not just Christians, I date non-Christian guys. I wear slutty clothes on occasion, I dye my hair, I get piercings. I've shopped in a sex toy store, I own a bikini and lingerie, I've skipped church because I was too drunk or hung-over to go or because I simply didn't feel like it. In the eyes of many people these things are considered bad and un-Christian and I am not a good candidate to endorse the Christian faith. I don't feel this way, I think I'm a perfect candidate, I know people for who they are, the real people underneath. I can get to know people on a personal level and see where they're coming from, go to where I need to to reach them. The IV, for the most part, has, over the years, become an exec of people born and raised into Christian homes with good Christian parents who taught them good Christian values, who accepted Jesus as a young age and know the word of God inside and out. They have never smoke, drank or would dream of having sex and if they have done any of these things they've repented of it and so are clean of it and would never admit to doing it 'cuz it's in the past.
I will not judge them, I'm merely stating fact, I just don't think it's fair they judged me. I knew for a long time the current exec was tying to find a way of getting rid of me to "spiritually cleanse" IV and get it back to it's pristine bubble that I threatened to break. So good for them, that's their choice, I won't judge, I'll just rant and take comfort in knowing that on judgment day they'll have to explain their actions to God and not to me. :)
So back in late March or perhaps early April I was activities co-ordinator (one of three) for the IVCF (as I had been for the past year and a half) so we are doing elections and the topic of my position comes up at an exec meeting. I say I'm not sure if I'm coming back in the fall or not and it's recorded in the minutes that if I'm back I get my position and if not they're downsizing it to two positions.
So I decided I'm coming back in the fall, I let the IV exec know this and they say okay. Life goes on, a week or so later I'm asked to meet with the presidents, so I go. They tell me that my position has been abolished and they would like to do it with two people next school year and I'm not needed. I find this unfair and un-constitutional so I take it up with our staff worker and most of the exec.... This goes 'round and 'round in circles with me applying (and being denied for) worship co-ordinator fitting in there somewhere. The long and short of it was that by the end of the semester I didn't' have a place on exec in the fall and I didn't even want to go to final exec meeting but I did and they prayed me out as they always do and it was as if I chose to leave and wasn't forced and to this day at least half the exec has no idea what went on. The half that do supported my cause but there was little we could do about it. I eventually got an apology from both presidents and the staff worker and a promise that I would be involved this year in other capacities. (Which didn't happen, or even be attempted at happening by anyone but me until last month.) So whenever I saw certain exec people this year it was very touchy and they very much tried to appease me for fear I'd yell at them in public, or something along those lines. (which I never would have done.)
Oh and the reason they wanted to abolish my position, besides them trying to par down exec, was because I was older than all the other exec people (at 23 I would hardly consider myself old.)
So that's the story of what happened, now the underlying story of what happened goes like this: I am a strong, determined person who doesn't work especially well in teams unless I'm the leader of those teams or under the leadership of a very strong-willed person who can give specific direction as I would do. When I sense weakness in leaders I attack, I stand up for what I believe in and what I think is right or should be done and I don't easily stand down. The two presidents were both weaker individuals who I could very easily over-power when I felt something should be done differently then the way they did it. Similarly the two other activity's people, although good leaders in their own right, weren't as strong willed as me, which meant I led most of the events unless I chose to delegate them out and even then I had my hand in most things going on. I liked to be in the know and events went well with me in charge, but the presidents felt I was bullying the other two into doing things my way and no new ideas were being brought to the table.
The under-underlying story to both of the above is this: I have never been the best model of "Christian" values. I feel that many Christians are hypocrites who think people should do what they say and not what they do. I live my life the best I can and I screw up, frequently, and I know that and God knows that and He forgives me and I'm not afraid to get out there, try new things and sometimes fall on my face. I don't live the best lifestyle and I never have. I live with a guy roommate and before this I lived with my boyfriend, I've cheated on boyfriends, I drink almost every weekend, I party at clubs, I've had pre-marital sex, I've shown up places with hangovers, I've lied, I've cheated, I've snuck around and I'm not afraid to admit to all these things. I'm open to other religions points of views, I make friends with all people, not just Christians, I date non-Christian guys. I wear slutty clothes on occasion, I dye my hair, I get piercings. I've shopped in a sex toy store, I own a bikini and lingerie, I've skipped church because I was too drunk or hung-over to go or because I simply didn't feel like it. In the eyes of many people these things are considered bad and un-Christian and I am not a good candidate to endorse the Christian faith. I don't feel this way, I think I'm a perfect candidate, I know people for who they are, the real people underneath. I can get to know people on a personal level and see where they're coming from, go to where I need to to reach them. The IV, for the most part, has, over the years, become an exec of people born and raised into Christian homes with good Christian parents who taught them good Christian values, who accepted Jesus as a young age and know the word of God inside and out. They have never smoke, drank or would dream of having sex and if they have done any of these things they've repented of it and so are clean of it and would never admit to doing it 'cuz it's in the past.
I will not judge them, I'm merely stating fact, I just don't think it's fair they judged me. I knew for a long time the current exec was tying to find a way of getting rid of me to "spiritually cleanse" IV and get it back to it's pristine bubble that I threatened to break. So good for them, that's their choice, I won't judge, I'll just rant and take comfort in knowing that on judgment day they'll have to explain their actions to God and not to me. :)
12.08.2005
A Cleaning I Shall Go
Today, after weeks of stress and busy-ness I finally decided the time had come to clean up the apartment. This became exceptionally apparent earlier this week when I needed to rearrange the living room/office to accommodate for the heat being turned on as my desk was too close to it ergo my computers were too close to the heat. So Sunday morning at about 2:30am I moved the desk and turned the heat on, but everything else merely got shoved out of the way. So today, instead of going to see Aeon Flux (I might add) I cleaned up the house. My roommate helped which was great, we dusted, cleaned the bathroom, scrubbed the kitchen and put the whole living room/dining room/office back in order, which was no small feat as for the past month or so we haven't had a kitchen table for want of all the things we had burying it (mostly my things...). I also got all my bills, banking and receipts in order. LOL Now if only I can get my papers done I'll be ending the semester on a high note! Oh and I suppose I'll eventually have to get my vacuum back from Micheal and take care of the floors and the pumpkin on the counter should probably go out here soon..... LOL
12.07.2005
Singing in the Atrium
So today the IVCF was singing Christmas carols in the atrium at the University. I'd had the newsletter read to me earlier in the week and I knew that this was happening on Wednesday but I had no real intention of going until I found myself sitting on 5th shooting the breeze with some drama people and the sounds of "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" came wafting to me down the stairs. I found them irresistible so I wandered upstairs to partake of the carols. It was quite an interesting experience as the sound in the atrium carries remarkably well and to be standing there singing in it knowing everyone can hear you for floors above... It's quite intimidating, but here were all these people doing it anyways.
I guess in a way the Christmas spirit came over me today as I stood there and sang with them, similar to the grinch, and my heart grew three sizes today. LOL I did however decide to repent of my past actions with the IV and make amends so I made a point of talking and being civil and even nice to some of those who shunned me last semester. (can't remember if I posted on this, may have to make that a topic once I've back-read) So perhaps Christmas is a time for friends and caring and loving and even forgiveness... I think I may even participate in some IV events next semester... Imagine that! :P
I guess in a way the Christmas spirit came over me today as I stood there and sang with them, similar to the grinch, and my heart grew three sizes today. LOL I did however decide to repent of my past actions with the IV and make amends so I made a point of talking and being civil and even nice to some of those who shunned me last semester. (can't remember if I posted on this, may have to make that a topic once I've back-read) So perhaps Christmas is a time for friends and caring and loving and even forgiveness... I think I may even participate in some IV events next semester... Imagine that! :P
Bonsai Kittens
An e-mail I received:
This is so terrible. A site that we were able to shut last year has returned We have to try to shut it down again! (www.bonsaikitten.com) A Japanese man in New York breeds and sells kittens that are called BONSAI CATS. That would sound cute, if it weren't kittens that were put into little bottles after being given a muscle relaxant and then locked up for the rest of their lives!! The cats are fed through a straw and have a small tube for their feces. The skeleton of the cat will take on the form of the bottle as the kitten grows. The cats never get the opportunity to move. They are used as original and exclusive souvenirs. These are the latest trends in New York, China, Indonesia and New Zealand. If you think you can handle it, go to this site www.bonsaikitten.com and have a look at the methods being used to put these little kittens into bottles. This petition needs 500 names, so please put your one name on it!!! Copy the text into a new email and put your name on the bottom, then send it to everyone you know! Here's the link: http://www.bonsaikittens.com
A 2nd e-mail regarding the first:
Just so everyone knows, Bonsai Kittens do not exist, nor is this a real website. This has been going around for quite some time and is simply someone's idea of a joke, even if in poor taste. Please check out the following sites, and always check www.snopes.com before forwarding any messages/petitions you believe to be true (such as the Touched by an Angel hoax, and so on). By the way, email petitions are in no way valid. There is no one in any position of power that takes them seriously. You can not cause someone to donate money to any of your favourite charities by how many times one is forwarded, nor is there any way to even track the numerous branches created every time someone forwards such a email to their group of friends. In other words, don't forward petitions. It is also no way to witness to your friends how much you love Jesus, nor does it indicate that you will go to hell if you do not forward to as many people as possible. Someone, somewhere started these things as a sick idea of a joke, so think about that before you go spreading it on. They probably have a great chuckle every time they receive this from someone with a long list of names endorsing their imaginary petition. So instead of signing this petition, try forwarding this or a similar letter, or write your own. Then maybe we can put a stop to these stupid things!http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/bonsai.asp
http://tafkac.org/ulz/bonsai.html
http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/pranks/bonsai.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonsai_Kittens
This is so terrible. A site that we were able to shut last year has returned We have to try to shut it down again! (www.bonsaikitten.com) A Japanese man in New York breeds and sells kittens that are called BONSAI CATS. That would sound cute, if it weren't kittens that were put into little bottles after being given a muscle relaxant and then locked up for the rest of their lives!! The cats are fed through a straw and have a small tube for their feces. The skeleton of the cat will take on the form of the bottle as the kitten grows. The cats never get the opportunity to move. They are used as original and exclusive souvenirs. These are the latest trends in New York, China, Indonesia and New Zealand. If you think you can handle it, go to this site www.bonsaikitten.com and have a look at the methods being used to put these little kittens into bottles. This petition needs 500 names, so please put your one name on it!!! Copy the text into a new email and put your name on the bottom, then send it to everyone you know! Here's the link: http://www.bonsaikittens.com
A 2nd e-mail regarding the first:
Just so everyone knows, Bonsai Kittens do not exist, nor is this a real website. This has been going around for quite some time and is simply someone's idea of a joke, even if in poor taste. Please check out the following sites, and always check www.snopes.com before forwarding any messages/petitions you believe to be true (such as the Touched by an Angel hoax, and so on). By the way, email petitions are in no way valid. There is no one in any position of power that takes them seriously. You can not cause someone to donate money to any of your favourite charities by how many times one is forwarded, nor is there any way to even track the numerous branches created every time someone forwards such a email to their group of friends. In other words, don't forward petitions. It is also no way to witness to your friends how much you love Jesus, nor does it indicate that you will go to hell if you do not forward to as many people as possible. Someone, somewhere started these things as a sick idea of a joke, so think about that before you go spreading it on. They probably have a great chuckle every time they receive this from someone with a long list of names endorsing their imaginary petition. So instead of signing this petition, try forwarding this or a similar letter, or write your own. Then maybe we can put a stop to these stupid things!http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/bonsai.asp
http://tafkac.org/ulz/bonsai.html
http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/pranks/bonsai.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonsai_Kittens
12.06.2005
First Day in Boots
So today was the first day I deemed it cold enough to actually wear boots out of the house, it was something like -32 with the windchill and after yesterday of still wearing my half-runners that are my preferred footwear once sandal weather is passed I decided boots were my only option. I conceded a bit on this point as I brought flip-flops, or "thongs" for you kiddies of the 80's who don't think "thongs" refers to two pairs of undewear, to school with me and put my boots in my locker. My very stylish boots I might add, courtesy of my Boo, thanks Boo! Props to my peep! LOL Really I can't complain that much as it's already into December and boots haven't been necessary, but I suppose it was bound to happen sooner or later and my ambitious goal of waiting out the semester in half-shoes seems a bit far-fetched now. LOL
Finals
So this year I am very fortunate in that I had no finals as such. That is to say I have no written exams during the exam period. I do however have 3 major assignments all due this week or next. Yikes! The worst part is this just occurred to me this morning that I had so much homework that needed to be completed.
The problem of my monitor has still not resolved itself, unfortunately. I am currently still trying to figure out a reasonable way to hook up a new cable to the old monitor, so in the meantime I find myself working off my laptop and out of the computer labs (which is where I currently am) the only problem is I really don't like the computer labs... I also really don't like using my laptop for any extended amount of time, which is why it is the week my finals are all due and I have none of them completed.
One of them is a series of AutoCAD assignment that I have no choice but to do in the labs as I don't have $1200 lying around to buy a copy of AutoCAD 2006. The second is a play which I thankfully have 2/3 done and it's not due until Monday and the third is a paper, 15 pages 1.5 spacing font 12 due Thursday, although graciously the teacher gave me an extension 'til Monday when I told him the plight of my computer problems.
So thus I find myself in a lab half an hour before my final "Den of the Dorks" class contemplating life and typing a blog about my final papers instead of actually writing them. I know I'll regret this later, but c'est la vive. LOL
The problem of my monitor has still not resolved itself, unfortunately. I am currently still trying to figure out a reasonable way to hook up a new cable to the old monitor, so in the meantime I find myself working off my laptop and out of the computer labs (which is where I currently am) the only problem is I really don't like the computer labs... I also really don't like using my laptop for any extended amount of time, which is why it is the week my finals are all due and I have none of them completed.
One of them is a series of AutoCAD assignment that I have no choice but to do in the labs as I don't have $1200 lying around to buy a copy of AutoCAD 2006. The second is a play which I thankfully have 2/3 done and it's not due until Monday and the third is a paper, 15 pages 1.5 spacing font 12 due Thursday, although graciously the teacher gave me an extension 'til Monday when I told him the plight of my computer problems.
So thus I find myself in a lab half an hour before my final "Den of the Dorks" class contemplating life and typing a blog about my final papers instead of actually writing them. I know I'll regret this later, but c'est la vive. LOL
12.05.2005
No Place Like Home for the Holidays
So sadly this Christmas I won't be going home. :(
I managed to book the 21-28 off work but there were no available flights during that window so I'll be staying in Alberta this year. I may have the option of going to my aunt & uncle in Calgary's place, but it is small and my family on dad's side is large so I can't expect them to put me up as well. They may though, they often do go out of their way to help me. (which I appreciate.) My friend Kar invited me to her house for Christmas eve and day and I may take her up on it, but I'm not sure just yet. I may find it easier to just work and get paid huge paychecks for my time and make myself feel better about not being home. 'Cuz to really sucks I can't be home.
I also have to decide if I want to bother decorating, it seems like an awful lot of work, especially as I haven't started yet, but it may be nice to have a tree or lights or something so I don't feel so bad about not being at home... But then again it may make me feel worse, well I guess I'll have to decide here soon 'cuz it's only getting closer...
I managed to book the 21-28 off work but there were no available flights during that window so I'll be staying in Alberta this year. I may have the option of going to my aunt & uncle in Calgary's place, but it is small and my family on dad's side is large so I can't expect them to put me up as well. They may though, they often do go out of their way to help me. (which I appreciate.) My friend Kar invited me to her house for Christmas eve and day and I may take her up on it, but I'm not sure just yet. I may find it easier to just work and get paid huge paychecks for my time and make myself feel better about not being home. 'Cuz to really sucks I can't be home.
I also have to decide if I want to bother decorating, it seems like an awful lot of work, especially as I haven't started yet, but it may be nice to have a tree or lights or something so I don't feel so bad about not being at home... But then again it may make me feel worse, well I guess I'll have to decide here soon 'cuz it's only getting closer...
12.04.2005
A Weekend of Plays
So this weekend my Playwriting class had their final "get-together and review each other's plays." We still have one day of class (Wed) but other than that we are done. Our plays are due Dec 12, not in their entirety but five acts of them (15+ pages). I wrote a play about a DJ named Jimmy the Player who basically does that, plays songs, plays people and plays women. The play is about his manipulation of his co-workers, producer and girlfriend over the course of an evening "on the air". It's a one-act play so play time should be around half an hour to forty-five minutes when all is said and done. Right now I'm sitting at 14 pages and about 20-30 minutes of play time (cold read that is.) I'm pretty stoked about the whole thing, it sounds like I wanted it to in my head and my prof seemed to like the premise and the ideas for the ending. Although I have enough written to hand it in un-finished I would really like to get it completed before I hand it in. I just don't think I'd finish it later if I don't now and I feel it has potential as a piece and I'd hate to see it get shoved in a drawer somewhere... But we will see, time restraints and all.
I at least hope to get the final conflict scene written by Wednesday so I can have classmates try it out in cold read and see if it sound right, but again we shall see. One of the major dilemmas I'm having at this point is that I really have a strong start and I don't want it to end weakly, I want it to climax nicely and not have the bad guy win in the end, I want him to learn a lesson, but it not to be a Saturday morning special so to speak. I also want to have appropriate language for the piece and the characters and not have them swear just for the sake of swearing 'cuz I actually really don't like swearing in theatre or in real life (although I know I'm bad for it at times). So we shall see where this goes...
If any of y'all wanna read it just fire me off an e-mail and I'll see what I can do about getting you a copy. :)
I at least hope to get the final conflict scene written by Wednesday so I can have classmates try it out in cold read and see if it sound right, but again we shall see. One of the major dilemmas I'm having at this point is that I really have a strong start and I don't want it to end weakly, I want it to climax nicely and not have the bad guy win in the end, I want him to learn a lesson, but it not to be a Saturday morning special so to speak. I also want to have appropriate language for the piece and the characters and not have them swear just for the sake of swearing 'cuz I actually really don't like swearing in theatre or in real life (although I know I'm bad for it at times). So we shall see where this goes...
If any of y'all wanna read it just fire me off an e-mail and I'll see what I can do about getting you a copy. :)
12.03.2005
Improv Face-off
So tonight we had our first ever Improv Face-off. It was put on by the Improv club at the University, which as I have mentioned I am the Publicity girl for. It was a huge success!!! YAY! We had 43 people show up which is more than Twoonie Theatre (the other drama club's big semester event) had. I was so stoked!! I was so worried that not a lot of peeps would show and they would blame me for bad publicity for the event, but it was awesome. The Meliorist (the school's newspaper) even put in a blurb about us as a the number one suggestion in the "6 1/2 things to do this week". Which was awesome as we didn't think they'd even mention us.
So thanks to all my buds who showed up, thanks to Nicole for taking pics (now I have something to put on the website for the new year.) Thanks to Charity for running our sound and thanks to everyone who acted in the show! You guys all rocked the Kasbah, seriously it was awesome! The audience laughed during all the scenes and everyone was really on the ball with their one-liners and comedic sketches, good job guys!
For those of you who couldn't make it, shame on you! LOL You missed an awesome show. We had a bunch of team challenges and we played a whole bunch of games, here's a list of some of them: Party Quirks, Ding, Stunt Doubles, Space Jump, Slow Mo Commentary, Movie in a Minute, Sit/Stand/Lie, Pockets, Walkout & Superheroes. (There may be more I'm forgetting) But it was a super show! Our next one is Feb 3 or 4 so mark it on your calendar now so you can all be there!!
So thanks to all my buds who showed up, thanks to Nicole for taking pics (now I have something to put on the website for the new year.) Thanks to Charity for running our sound and thanks to everyone who acted in the show! You guys all rocked the Kasbah, seriously it was awesome! The audience laughed during all the scenes and everyone was really on the ball with their one-liners and comedic sketches, good job guys!
For those of you who couldn't make it, shame on you! LOL You missed an awesome show. We had a bunch of team challenges and we played a whole bunch of games, here's a list of some of them: Party Quirks, Ding, Stunt Doubles, Space Jump, Slow Mo Commentary, Movie in a Minute, Sit/Stand/Lie, Pockets, Walkout & Superheroes. (There may be more I'm forgetting) But it was a super show! Our next one is Feb 3 or 4 so mark it on your calendar now so you can all be there!!
12.02.2005
Vote for my friend!!
Hey all,
My buddy Kevin got his blog nominated for the Great Canadian Blog competition, please all go vote for him! His blog is http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/ and it has been nominated for Best Religious Blog in the Canadian Blog awards. He's made it to round two. If you are so inclined to vote in this round you can do so here http://cba.myblahg.com/
Tentative Timetable:
Saturday December 3rd - Friday December 9th: Round Two voting. Sunday December 11th, 9pm EST: Round Two results will be announced.
Voting Instructions:
***You may vote once per day.***
Note: It's not required that you vote in each category, but you must make all your selections before you submit your vote.
My buddy Kevin got his blog nominated for the Great Canadian Blog competition, please all go vote for him! His blog is http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/ and it has been nominated for Best Religious Blog in the Canadian Blog awards. He's made it to round two. If you are so inclined to vote in this round you can do so here http://cba.myblahg.com/
Tentative Timetable:
Saturday December 3rd - Friday December 9th: Round Two voting. Sunday December 11th, 9pm EST: Round Two results will be announced.
Voting Instructions:
***You may vote once per day.***
Note: It's not required that you vote in each category, but you must make all your selections before you submit your vote.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
