DAS

That is, suffering from DAS (Disgusting Ass Syndrome, including but not limited to the following: odiferous flatulence, explosive diarrhea, and the "ring of fire")

This was me yesterday, and according to the Canadian Board of Health, one cannot handle food while suffering from DAS, so I got the day off work!

So Rach and I had some mellow hang outs and watched Pirates of the... Stupid Long Movie Titles 2, and yeah, fun. We also had a nice leisurely walk down to Staples so that I could buy another Surge Protector, this one for upstairs to enable usage of my new Compy speakers/pluggin' in the compy/AC/phone one the one measly electrical outlet my computer room has due to my house being freaking old. I love these awesome wall mounted surge protectors though, they make me excited. You know you're a geek when...

Anyway, off to work!

fun times

Hrmmm.... Yesterday was nice... The whole day went well except for one detail... notably I went downtown for the purpose of getting a police record check for Con Ed, but the office is only open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, sooo looks like I'll be heading back over to the PO-lice stashun again today.

On the bright side, It turns out that Disc Depot is selling ALL their cds 3 for $10, which is a great deal and gave me an excuse to pick up a couple discs I've wanted for a while but for various reasons haven't got... also I found Sullivan's debut album Hey, I'm a Ghost, which combines the best of Further Seems Forever and Anberlin musically but unfortunately their singer has the tendency to hit notes of Michael Sweet of Stryper proportions... but it grows on ya after a while! At least the music ain't as cheesy as Stryper!

After that I made my way to Jerry's for some casual hang outs... We also checked out Future Shop and had some Mr. Sub... yum. Following dinner we picked up Rach and went to Braidwood Bible Chapel for Wednesday night study, for the final installment of Church History as taught by Steven Yuille. Surely a blessing.

After a quick stop at the Beer Store we came back to my place, joined by Todd & Heather and Paul & Erika. It's been a while since I've had that many people over... it was lots of fun. Well, I guess I better get heading over to the police station, see ya!

Engagement

So now I'm engaged. That's probably the most ridiculous thing ever. I pictured like, a massive five year build up before I would have the guts to propose to someone, but it only took 8 months, which is kinda short. Too short some would say, but frankly, looking at Rachel and looking at me, I believe that we can (and do) glorify God better together than apart, and that is good enough for me! (That and Rachel is an awesome, empathetic, nice, godly and beautiful woman, how could I go wrong?)

The internet is a funny tool, it takes about 0.5 seconds to change facebook status before pretty much everyone we know is capable of knowing about our engagement... is that a cop out or a good thing? Or am I just way too thoughtful now?

I think this is yet to hit me really, but don't worry I get the gist of it! The Lord is truly faithful even when I am not and that is the real lesson here. God works all things together for the good for those who love him, and that is even when I lack trust. I did not expect to get engaged this year... actually I didn't even expect to date anyone this year. The way God brings people together really blows my mind.

And thanks to everyone who reads, most of you know both Rachel and me, some of you just me, but in any case a lot of you have prepared me to engage (lol) in this endeavor of life. So thanks. May Rachel and I bring the Lord Christ glory in our future marriage; and God bless you!

new poetrees

I believe I will actually be posting some new poetry this week on my other blog (see link on right). It's been a while... it's not that I haven't been writing... I have, just more sporadically and it has become a slower process. If I have learned only one thing in university it is that poetry cannot be rushed and inspiration (in the classical sense) cannot be forged. Therefore I only write when I have something to say and I say it in the time I need to say it. I used to think that taking 5-6 years to write a 60 page book of poetry was exorbiant but now I understand.

But yes, one or two new poems will be up by Thursday or Friday for those who have ears (or eyes).

Busy week at work this week.

At Rachie's for the 500th time by now...

This weekend was pretty insane. Busy, busy, busy. We got to Dundas around 11:30pm and hung out with Rachel's parents chatting it up over some Guiness and Scotch. On Saturday everyone else got up early for Charlotte's final gymnastics performance of the year, but I didn't go as I wouldn't fit in the car. A leisurely walk through downtown Dundas was not out of the question though.

Most of Saturday was spent celebrating both Jessica and Charlotte's birthdays (which are one week apart). A large and excellent feast of meaty goods was prepared, and fun was had by all. Also had a good chat with Rachel's parents when the young'uns went downstairs for their slumber party.

Today we went shopping in various malls so that the girls could spend their gift certificates for Chapters/La Senza Girl etc. I managed to find some good stuff as well, a book of poetry, Metropolis 16-29 by Rob Fitterman, a rather innovative poet and the leading edge of the modern technological/big city Avante-Garde. Also a couple cds, Mary Star of the Sea by Zwan, Billy Corgan's short lived post Pumpkins group... it is quite strange hearing him sing some praises to Jesus. Also Terrorhawk by the also defunct Bear vs. Shark, a mind-blowing record that is impossible to describe... wanted it for a while but didn't want to spend $20 on it, but finally said "screw it" and got it at HMV for that ridiculous price... which I guess is okay as I really haven't seen it anywhere else and it really is that good.

I really got to know Rach's family better this time... I had at least one meaningful conversation of decent length with each member of her family. They are all quite cool. Things are going quite well. I am dead tired though... at least I can sleep in cause I don't work til 2:30pm tomorrow.

See you all later, come back soon for some summer fun!

aeroplane flies high

Ugh... 3-11 tonight, 7-3 tomorrow morning, another day with no sleep. For those of you who prayed over my foot thanks, the day after I made that most it was about 95% and now it's great! Of course, now Rachel hurt her foot playing soccer!

This weekend I'm heading down to Dundas for Rachel's sisters' birthday party. Should be fun meeting more of the fam, plus I will be discussing certain items of note with the parents... ahem...

I find it ironic that Smashing Pumpkins b-sides are often better than Smashing Pumpkins a-sides... notably all the b-sides from Adore and Machina are actually better than those albums... and I'm a big fan of the Pumpkins later period, more so than the early stuff actually. If you ever see a copy of the SP greatest hits record that includes the second disc Judas 0: B-Sides and Rarities 1995-2000 do not hesitate to make purchase of those shiny discs. Judas 0 was tres limited and contains some GREAT songs...

Rachel and I are now done 1 Timothy and moving on to 2 Timothy in our weekly studies. From 1 Timothy I believe I am starting to get more of a grasp on Ecclesiology, and what I find most interesting is how much the elders are told to say no. Paul instructs the elders to pretty much do a background check on anyone who requires assistance to make sure that they're not screwing the church... of course this is under the obvious assumption that the church offers support to those who need it.

Also the fiscal responsibility of being a husband really hits me hard... I have often been frivolous with money because I've always had extra cash but that will have to end when I get married... I assume that my wife will be staying home with the kids, and therefore I will be providing most or all of the money for living expenses. Yes, I believe in the "traditional" (a.k.a. biblical) family model. No, I am not sexist, and no, I don't think it is wrong for women to have careers. However I do believe that when a man and woman choose to marry that they should do so with the understanding that God intends for them to have a family and that God has ordained the husband as the provider for that family. 1 Timothy includes the chilling warning "If a man does not provide for his family he has betrayed the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" yikes.

I may go into more detail about this passage later but don't expect it!

Looking forward to the weeks to come, see y'all later.

in circles

Well today was a day of much travels... first I went to Tim Hortons to sort out some shift issues and it went well, I even picked up another shift! Then I checked out the mall for something to do before busing it downtown... after trips to the usual spots (Chumleighs/Disc Depot/Bluestreak) I went to Rachel's...

...only to find out that she had beat me to Disc Depot and had randomly bought a Playstation 2!!! And she wanted to go to the mall to pick up supplies for it! So she whipped me up some pasta while I researched for the best games on the PS2. After dinner we went to EB and left with a memory card, a PS RF Switch for my old TV that she has, and two games, including Lego Star Wars 2 which I bought for use on her system... I also intend to buy a second controller for 2 player action at her house...

Anyway, we end up back at her place and we watch Wayne's World a classic film that was the Napoleon Dynamite of the early 90s. I am still trying to convince her to watch Halloween with me... It's not that scary, really!!!

anyway, it is now bedtime as I need to get up early and go to the bank tomorrow. See y'all later.

Whitby and the 'Shwa

Today I went to Whit(e)by and the 'Shwa with Steve, Jer, and Sybil. Sarah was a gonna come but somethin' came up so she couldn't.

We went mainly because I received a gift certificate for Best Buy from my Dad for graduation, and Whitby has the nearest Best Buy. Plus it was a great excuse to go to Teddy's Restaurant in the 'Shwa, the OC, and Deja Vu Discs.

We all had fun, I got some Bose speakers for my compy, and they sound heavenly... I knew that Bose have a rep for really high quality audio reproduction, but I didn't think such rich and, well, three-dimensional sound could come from two small speakers... Great Success!!! Thanks Dad!

When we hit up the CD shops I got some new records to try out on the speakers as well!

Cool Hand Luke- Wake Up O Sleeper [one of the few "CCM" bands I dig, nice dreamy pop worship-y stuff]

Few Left Standing- Wormwood [long forgotten record by a long forgotten hardcore act, I heard the song "Burn Me to the Ground" on This is Solid State vol. 3 and have wanted this record since. Five years later I finally find a copy, dusty, sitting on the shelf in an old Christian Bookstore. Very nice. These guys would've blown up if it wasn't for the fact that they broke up as this was hitting the shelves. I guess being married and supporting their families was more important than playing in a band! Duh!]

Smashing Pumpkins- Pisces Iscariot [nice selection of b-sides/outtakes/covers from the first few years. Some of these songs are as good as or better than songs that actually made the records, others are fun in their weirdness, and others invoke "What were they thinking?" factor]

Dinner at Teddy's was nice as well. Came home and went on a date with Rach, had fun times getting caught up as it's been about a week, stupid working different hours!

On another note please pray for me, I did something to screw up my foot a few days ago (God knows what) and so every day I wake up with a dull pain that eventually becomes so terrible that I find it difficult to walk. This sucks, as I walk everywhere and my job requires me to stand for 8 hours a day. Anyway, I'm off to bed, early morning tomorrow!

to all the audiophiles

I came across some music some of you will be interested in. In 2000 the Smashing Pumpkins released what was supposed to be their final record for free. There were only 25 copies on vinyl but those who received them were instructed to distribute copies freely to the public. The album is called MACHINA II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music and was initially meant to be part of a double album with the first MACHINA but Virgin refused to release it due to lackluster sales. For more info on the record go here.

For a complete download of the highest quality MP3s available of the record go here. (320 kbit/s transfered on high end audio equipment at Q101 in Chicago). Keep in mind that these were ripped from vinyl so there is some hiss, but it was a labour of love so it sounds about as good as possible, and is from a reputable website.

Gradiduationedzes

Lis10in: The Smashing Pumpkins- I of the Mourning Everyone called MACHINA/The Machines of God the worst Pumpkins record. I disagree... Don't let your appreciation of this record be tainted by your Adore disappointments. I would say that I dig this more than Adore and also more than Gish. The lyrics are Billy's best too. It's too bad the production is so processed though. Got it for $4.99 so I ain'ts complainins

The past few days have been quite packt (like sardines in a crushd tin box). Thursday was my gradiduation from Trent University. So now I can prove to you that I can speak good. So, tso good. The ceremony was... um, distorted by hail the size of ice cubes which enjoyed cutting my fingers open. Following was some dinna avec Dad (from TO) and Rach at Hot Belly Mamma's, one of teh best restaurants in this town.

On Friday I hung out with my dad and we had some good conversationings. I also found the elusive Metroid II: The Return of Samus for use on my old skool Gameboy system (the original, folks). This was at the Hock Shop. The game play has some unique features... much simpler control than on Super Metroid, but also harder to master the intricacies of movement.

I also went to Emmaus with Rach and picked up the book Listening to the Beliefs of Emerging Churches on a recommendation from Erin Doherty. It includes 5 chapters from different "Emerging" pastors about essential doctrine, etc. Each other writer then responds, so it is kinda like an academic roundtable discussion. Apparently I should like the first chapter (Driscoll) but become increasingly pissed off as I go on. We'll see. Three cheers for comparative theology!!!

Also werkt midnights last night and tonight.... sux. But next week it is all days. Yays. That is all fer nowz.

EDIT: It also turns out that this was my 500th blog posting.