I Don't Believe In Santa

I don't believe in Santa is the response I got to the question: Are you ready for Santa?

It was after the Christmas Eve service when I was talking to six year old Madeline. I didn't really have a response to that. What am I supposed say? I was taken aback.

In my mind I thought all kids believed in Santa. That was certainly not the case. I know when I was growing up I believed in both Santa and Jesus. Sure Santa is the more secular side of Christmas and Jesus is the Christian side of Christmas.

Maybe it the way a person is raised? Maybe it was the lack of exposure to pop culture? Afterall, Santa is a pop culture icon during this time of year. It could be a number of things.

What would you say to a child who says I don't believe in Santa? It is not so easy.

Track Santa

If you didn't know about it, there is a website where you can track Santa. The address is:

NoradSanta.com

When you read this Santa is in Rome, Italy.

One More Day Of Work

I have one more day of work before Christmas. It is a well deserved four days off. I will be spending it with family and friends. Mostly family though. I will be coming up to Prince Albert on Christmas Eve which is tomorrow.

Also, I am done Christmas shopping officially!

Things To Accomplish

Over two and a half years ago I wrote a list of things I would like to accomplish. Just click the title of this post to go to the original post entitled "Things To Accomplish."

Now over the course of this well over two and a half years priorities have changed and I have accmplished many things.

I have accomplished going to Covenant Bible College, getting a better vehicle, being the singer/lyricist of a band, starting a band. The following list have some things from the previous list. They are not in any particular order.

1. See Joe Satriani in concert.
2. Go to an indy pro wrestling show.
5. Have a successful career.
6. Get into shape/lose weight.
7. Meet Joe Satriani.
8. Make good money at my career.
9. Have a career that I enjoy.
10. Host a radio show.
11. Own my own website.
12. Start a record label called Progressive Sounds.
13. Own a house.
14. Start a radio station based around music such as progressive rock, metal, hard rock, alternative, and other various forms of rock.
15. Meet a pro wrestler.
16. Attend Wrestlemania at least once.
17. See Rush and Dream Theater in concert.
18. Become a radio DJ.
19. Record a solo album.
20. Pay off my student loan.

One Of My Pet Peeves

So early this morning after I left my friends place and Preston Crossing Wal-Mart, I was driving on Circle Drive going south bound. This dude or chick or whoever, most likely a dude, steps on the gas and goes in front of me than takes the 8th St. exit. I thought this person was retarded for doing that. I also thought that this person could have stayed behind me and still taken the 8th St. exit.

This is one of my pet peeves. People who do things like this. I wonder what goes through their brains. I guess the possibility of causing an accident doesn't enter their mind.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

I was going to post this earlier, but I obviously didn't.

I missed the first airing of The Price Is Right, so I was going to watch it on another channel, but no dice. They had continuing coverage on KREM2, a CBS affiliate in Spokane, Washington, about the blizzard that is pounding the state of Washington. Good thing Saskatchewan isn't getting pounded by snow I thought. Now Washington State has declared a state of emergency. If this were Saskatchewan it would be just another day in winter.

Businesses and schools had snow days it was that bad. Now upon checking Krem.com, the storm warning for Spokane has been cancelled. But the state of Washington will be digging out for a while even with the long 12 hour shifts of clearing snow. Apparently this blizzard broke the 24 hour snow fall record. That is a lot of snow in a 24 hour period.

I guess they won't be singing "White Christmas" but will be singing "Let It Snow."

To everybody, especially my Washingtonian friends, stay warm!

Be Pro-Active

This may sound like a public service announcement. But it isn't.

Part of my previous post was about being overcharged at Tim Hortons on 51st in Saskatoon on Tuesday. So yesterday I phoned that location and I told the woman who answered what happened. She calculated it and indeed we were overcharged. We were three dollars overcharged. So I went there and get the dollars back. Let this be a lesson in the fact that you should never just take it when you are overcharged.

The point is to be pro-active. Don't be one of those people who don't say nothing when someone overcharges them for something. Stand up for yourself and your rights as a consumer. You may think that it is only three dollars. But it is much more than that. It is the principle of the matter. It is the principle that my friend and I were overcharged. Don't let them get away with it. In some way I feel as though the wrong was righted.

Over Charging And Inefficient

That is how I am feeling after going to Tim Hortons earlier tonight. After work my friend and I wanted some food. Burger King drive-thru on Circle Drive was closed due to technical issues. The McDonalds drive-thru on 51st St. was closed as well as the Wendy's drive-thru. So we settled on Tim Hortons even though my friend didn't want to go there.

So we enter and my friend orders a turkey bacon club sandwich. This person inside, who is middle eastern, asked if he wanted to large size it. My friend Chris was responded questioningly, "large size what?" Apparently this person didn't hear him or whatever the case was because he had to say it again. She was like, "large size the coffee." Well he didn't want a coffee so he got a bottled beverage instead. I told him to tell this person no coffee and this bottled drink instead. So his order was turkey bacon club sandwich, a danish, and a bottled drink. Now my order was a ham and swiss sandwich with extra meat, a long john donut, and a Pepsi. All in all it came to $17.24. My friend, who paid for it in lieu of me giving him a ride home, thought something wasn't right. He was going to ask the person who served us over charged us, but was too pissed and he didn't for whatever reason. So as I was driving him home he was pissed and said this makes him hate Tim Hortons even more.

I will either phone or go to Tim Hortons and complain about being overcharged.

My friend went on about how he hates people who don't know what the hell they are doing. I couldn't agree more. If they are doing the job well, than they shouldn't be working there. Sure it was the choice of management to hire them, but if they are hired to do a job, make sure they are doing the job they were hired for. That middle easterner is in a service industry and she is doing the customers and employeer a disservice by overcharging.

As I said before, I am going to be pro-active and not just take it.

The other day during my lunch break, I went to Wendy's on Idylwyld Drive. There were two vehicles ahead of me and it took forever for the first vehicle to get its food. As I was waiting I was thinking to myself, "what is taking so damn long?" They didn't even pay just before getting their drinks and food. I thought, "at least the 8th St. Wendy's gets you to pay while waiting for your food." This Wendy's was terribly inefficient. I was their one other time at that particular Wendy's and I will never go to that one again.

Going to that particular Wendy's made me late from my lunch break. I thought how inefficient they were and that they needed to become more efficient so they don't keep people waiting. If I didn't my job efficiently I wouldn't have a job.

What Were They Thinking?

As I was leaving for work yesterday I seen a couple of vehicles getting boosted. Now, I may not be the smartest when it comes to things of a mechanical nature, but plugging in would save them from getting boosted when it drops to -35. Imagine that! You would think that living in Saskatchewan would have it ingrained in their brain to plug in. I guess not.

I have started plugging in my vehicle so it will start when I have to go wherever I need to go.

Stay warm!

Brrrrrrrrrrrr...

It is so damn cold out. I couldn't start my car yesterday, so I plugged it in for a few hours and got it started.

A windchill advisory is in effect for Saskatoon and surrounding areas and places north of the Trans-Canada Highway. It will get down to -40 and -60 with the windchill. Old Man Winter has hit us hard with the cold.

Join The Advent Conspiracy Here...

You might be wondering about the title of this post. I will expand.

I was driving between from the Preston Crossing Wal-Mart because I went there to see how long it would be for an oil change. I was already at the Stonegate Wal-Mart. I was heading south on Preston Ave. when the sign for the Redeemer Lutheran Church said: "Join the advent conspiracy here."

I found that a bit odd. I thought to myself, since when has advent been a conspiracy? This seems like the slogan or moto some cult would use.

Analyzing Lyrics

People judge how good a song is based on many factors like the tune, the genre, if it is a ballad, the instruments, and the most important one being the artist.

My friend Rob Horsley and I were talking on Facebook the 0ther day and he was looking at my blog post about jazz. He said the cover of "High And Dry" by Jamie Cullum is about Evel Knievel. I actually didn't know that. Than going over some of the lyrics of that song it does make sense. Here are the lyrics to "High And Dry."

Two jumps in a week
I bet you think that's pretty clever don't you boy?
Flying on your motorcycle
Watching all the ground beneath you drop
You'd kill yourself for recognition, kill yourself to never ever stop
You broke another mirror
You're turning into something you are not

Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry

Drying up in conversation
You will be the one who cannot talk
All your insides fall to pieces
You just sit there wishing you could still make love
They're the ones who'll hate you
When you think you've got the world all sussed out
They're the ones who'll spit at you
You will be the one screaming out

Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry

It's the best thing that you've ever had
The best thing that you've ever, ever had
It's the best thing that you've ever had
The best thing you've had has gone away

Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high
Don't leave me dry

This is a great song and does seem to fit the Evel Knievel story.

Sometimes songs have deeper meanings than you think. But we don't know that because we don't truly analyze the lyrics of our favorite songs. This rings true as sometimes we think a song is about something totally different than it actually is. It is great that your favorite artist did the song, but it so much more than that. Besides, lyrics can make or break a song just as much as the tune and artist. Next time you listen to a song, listen to the lyrics and listen to what the song is about. You may appreciate the song on a whole new level.

Feeling Very Jazz

I just all of a sudden started feeling very jazz. So I will post some of my favorite jazz songs.

"All At Sea" by Jamie Cullum



"High And Dry" by Jamie Cullum

Originally by Radiohead



"In The Wee Small Hours" by Chris Botti with Sting



"Just The Way Your Are" by Diana Krall

Originally by Billy Joel



"The Look Of Love" by Diana Krall



"The Spider-Man Song" by Michael Buble



"Take Five" by Dave Brubeck



"Georgia On My Mind" by Ray Charles

Although Ray Charles didn't write this song, he is best known for it.

Freshie Initiation

I was sort of watching this episode of Family Guy entitled "Jungle Love." It was a re-run. Basically Chris ran away because he was initiated as a freshman in high school. Chris wanted to escape the terror of being known as a freshman. When Chris was initiated, he was beat on the ass with a cricket mallet.

Seeing this lead me to thoughts of initiation when I was in grade nine at Wesmor High School. The initiation wasn't to this degree, but it still was initiation. It made me think how lame freshie initiation is. Sure it was only for one week. But the point of it was lame. "Welcome to Wesmor grade nines" than something happens. You should let the freshman's fade into obscurity. Besides, it is not like freshman's are worth a grade twelvers time. Or so you would think.

I am not saying that it was a traumatizing experience or anything like that. I am saying that they probably won't give a rats ass who you are for the rest of the year. I would think that some grade nine student is not worth my time. Plus, the whole freshie initiation is just lame to begin with. At least when I entered grade ten in Carlton Comprehensive High School there was no freshie initiation. They didn't have some lame yearly ritual of initiating the new students in grade ten (this was before they had grade nine).

Hazings and initiations will always be around in sports teams to fraternities and everything in between. I guess some people like to welcome new members of a team or new students in possibly cruel and just plain stupid ways. In some news stories, there have been cases of initiations that have gone over the line. But my only experience, that wasn't the case. It still didn't take away from the fact it was lame and pointless.

Before I leave, I have to ask... what is the point of freshie initiation?

Giving Gifts & Non-Believers

We are now in the midst of the Christmas season. Through audio, video, and visual images in newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, Internet, flyers, brochures, billboards, and even word of mouth we see and hear the sounds of Christmas. As well through these mediums of media we see and hear about the many ways to save money in stores while buying Christmas presents.

This brings me to the topic at hand and that is giving gifts and non-believers. There are non-believers and non-Christians everywhere you go. For example there are atheists, agnostics, etc.. Now a good percentage of world celebrates Christmas in one form or another. Combine the two and you have something that may seem a bit odd. Well, at least recently I think so. I find odd how non-Christians and non-believers have taken what came from the Bible and made it non-religious (for a lack of better term). The part that I am talking is where the Three Wisemen gives baby Jesus gifts. Now you see most of the world generally non-Christians and non-believers have adopted that and turned it in some commercialistic, money making part of the Christmas season. They are trying to make money off this aspect of Christmas.

I have heard a number of people, especially my mom who works in retail, say that they have become obsessed with the commercial aspect of Christmas and she is right. Christmas is not about the commercialization of Santa Clause or where you can get the best bargains on certain items like video games, CDs, DVDs, clothes, computers, etc.. Christmas is about the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. But with the way the western world is today, it seems like Christianity has become a dirty word and of course they don't celebrate the birth of Christ. They celebrate Christmas all its pagan traditions like putting up a Christmas tree. Actually, to quite honest even Christians puts up Christmas trees. But you get point that Christmas should go back to its original intent and that caring, loving, sharing, helping the less fortunate, being with friends and family, and most importantly celebrating the birth of Christ.

I understand if that is not your beliefs, but Christmas is not about the almighty dollar. That is unless you are one of the big capitalist corporations.

I'm Feeling You

I. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, Napster, Yahoo Launchcast, etc. on shuffle.

II. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

III. You must write down the name of the song no matter how funny it sounds.

IV. If you post this on Facebook, than tag eleven friends.

Just to let you know, I used Yahoo Launchcast. It will be a lot more random.

1. If someone says "is this okay," you say?

"Baby Hold On" by Eddie Money

Does this mean I will say something I will regret?

2. What would best describe your personality?

"Custard Pie" by Led Zepplin

3. What do you like in a guy/girl?

"Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)" By Vertical Horizon

4. How do you feel today?

"Downfall" by Matchbox 20

5. What is your lifes purpose?

"Bring It" by Chuck Loeb

Bring what?

6. What is your motto?

"Infidel" by Five For Fighting

7. What do your friends think of you?

"I Am Afraid Of Americans" by Star 13

Only the ones I talk to at my place of work collecting debt... ROFL, like that happens.

8. What do you think of your parents?

"Simple" by Collective Soul

9. What do you think about very often?

"Free" by Elliot Yamin

Being free is great!

10. What is 2 + 2?

"The Silent Man" by Dream Theater

11. What do you think of your best friends?

"All I Want" by Staind

This is true!

12. The person you like?

"Thoughts Of You" by Jonathan Butler

I do think of them from time to time.

13. What is your life story?

"What Up B?" by Brian Culbertson

I am not a poser or wigger!

14. What do you want to be when your grow up?

"Roll On" by Kid Rock

A roll on what?

15. What do you think about when you see someone you like?

"Underneath" by Alanis Morissette

16. What do your parents think of you?

"Roundabout" by Yes

Round.... YES!

17. What will you dance to at your wedding?

"God Put A Smile On Put A Smile On Your Face" by Colplay

You wouldn't be sad at a wedding would you? Especially your own anyways!

18. What will they play at your funeral?

"Break Me Shake Me" by Savage Garden

What does that mean?

19. What is your hobby/interest?

"On Our Side" by Chris Tomlin

20. What is your biggest secret?

"Forever" by Ben Harper

21. What do you think of your friends?

"Carry On My Wayward Son" by Kansas

22. What's the worst that could happen?

"Secret Prayer" by Joe Satriani

What is this world coming to?

23. How will you die?

"Lose This Life" by Tait

Harsh way to look at it!

24. Does anyone like you?

"Hometown Boy" by Guy Forsyth Band

You can read into this however you like as long as you know I don't swing that way!

25. If you could go back in time, what would you change?

"Dancing In The Dark" by Beegie Adair

Dancing in the dark is such a problem!

26. What hurts right now?

"Let That Boogie Woogie Roll" by Robert Plant

27. What will you post this as?

"I'm Feeling You (Radio Edit)" by Santana and Michelle Branch

28. What do you think of your ex?

"Gotta Be Somebody" by Nickelback

It may not be a nice feeling, but it does have to be somebody.

29. What do you want to do right now?

"Go Back In Time (Radio Edit)" by I-29

That would be a trip.

30. What would you do to get revenge on someone?

"Those Sweet Words" by Norah Jones

Let the words do the talking.

31. What makes you feel good?

"Up In Smoke" by Blackberry Smoke

32. What does your crush think of you?

"How Does It Feel?" by Candlebox

You tell me!

33. What do you think of drugs?

"Say You Loved Me" by Fleetwood Mac

34. What is something you want to tell people, but you can't?

"Wabash Blues" by Chris Barber

My thoughts exactly!

35. What do you think about your enemy?

"Light My Fire" by The Doors

36. What is your favorite memory?

"Poterville" by Creedence Clearwater Revival

I love that place!

37. What does your Facebook status mean?

"We Don't Have to Look Back Now" by Puddle Of Mudd

I guess we look to the future.

38. What is the biggest lie you ever told?

"Still People Are Moving" by Scott Miller and The Commonwealth

39. What do you think about yourself?

"The Island" by Stanley Turrentine

40. What are you doing tonight?

"Spinning Wheels" by Blood, Sweat, & Tears

Sounds better than working.

41. What are you doing this weekend?

"For All We Know" by Nat King Cole

Great idea, lets be spontaneous!

42. Describe your life:

"Woodstock" by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young

My life is one big messy, mud filled concert. AWESOME!

43. Describe what you feel when you see the one person you hate the most:

"Colors" by Amos Lee

44. How do you feel when you are made to do something you don't want to do?

"Come Dancing" by The Kinks

45. How do you feel when you see your crush?

"Slow Ride" by Foghat

Taking it slow is good.

46. Do you play by the rules?

"When I Am Sixty Four" by Kenny Ball

Does that mean only old geezers follow the rules?

47. What does your ex think about you?

"Sitting, Waiting, Wishing" by Jack Johnson

Maybe she thinks I am sitting, waiting, and wishing she would take me back.

48. What do you want to tell the world?

"Let's Rock And Roll (Endless Road)" by Choosen Son

Hells yeah!

49. The song that describes you and your friends:

"It Only Hurts" by Default

Sorry, I didn't mean it. Seriously!

Does Paradise Exist?

I have been thinking about this for recently and I am not sure if paradise exists or not. You see all these commericals on TV that show you these great places where you can vacation or live. Places in the Carribean have white sand beaches and sparkling blue bodies of water showing a calm and peaceful way of life. But as the title of this blog post asks... Does paradise exist?

Sure you can say it does, but does it truly? I get that you don't have to vacation in places where it has white sand beaches and sparkling blue bodies of water. I guess the images that we in North America are bombarded with have in way become acustom to thinking that only these place are "paradise."

But the earliest "paradise" that most people know of is the Garden of Eden. There is one question that I have to pose is.... Do our modern paradises measure up to what the Garden of Eden was? Also, are we setting ourselves up for a disappointment by going off the images we see? There is more to "paradise" than just these images we see. Another place some Christians think that is "paradise" is heaven. But does heaven exist? That is another blog post for another time.

In the Eddie Money song "Two Tickets To Paradise" some of the lyrics say:

I've got two tickets to paradise
Won't you pack your bags, we'll leave tonight
I've got two tickets to paradise
I've got two tickets to paradise

Maybe I am reading too much into it, but it seems that Eddie Money wants to go to this place called "paradise" to escape the reality of where he currently is. If so, where is this "paradise?" Or maybe it could be more metephorical in the sense that he mentally wants to escape to "paradise." In either case he talks about this place called "paradise" and going there.

Again I ask, does "paradise" exist? Or perhaps "paradise" is what you make of where you are no matter the circumstances. Whatever it is, I don't know one way or another if "paradise" does exist.

Iced Earth

I got my ticket to go see Iced Earth and yes I booked that Sunday off. Iced Earth is a thrash metal/power metal band. This is going to be great. I haven't been to a concert in a while. Well a concert that I paid to see. So November 16th is the date of the concert and it is being held at the Odeon Events Centre. I can't wait!

Tales The Fish: Is It Our Duty To Vote?

Mr. C.C. returns with an issue and a question many people face during election time or post election time even. Is it our duty to vote? Some say yes while others say no. Here is what Mr. C.C. has to say about voting. He will also attempt to see if it means anything to vote.

Hey yo and welcome to a post Canada Votes 2008 edition of Tales From The Fish. I am your favorite none voting columnist Mr. C.C.. Days after the voting all in Canada has concluded and the ballots are being tallied, I will talk about voting and what will to see if it means anything. So mark you ballot with an X or a check mark and lets get to voting.

Dictionary.com defines voting as (in democratic terms): the means by which such expression is made, as a ballot, ticket, etc..

That is what people did in Canada on October 14th, 2008. Canadians headed to the polls to elect a new government. Now, I bet you are asking yourself if I voted. No I didn't vote. The only reason being is I didn't know where to vote. I guess that I could have made the effort to find out where to vote. But is it really our duty to vote?

Some people would say yes, but other would say no. For some and yes I have said this that we don't know who to vote for. In the last federal election here in Canada, I had no idea who to vote for. But that wasn't the case this time around for me. Another reason I hear people say is because they think that their votes won't make a difference. A third reason is your classic "I don't care." Finally, all politicians are the same.
I will expand on the common excuses.

1. I Don't Know Who To Vote For:

I do get that people don't know who to vote for. But if you truly look at the issues each candidate is putting forth and study them, than you would have a better understanding and can then make a better judgement on who to vote for. Unfortunatly people don't vote on who will do the best job. They vote based on their favorite political party. I probably would do the same thing, but I don't have a favorite political party. But what I do know is that I am not a fan of the Conservatives in Canada, but if they had the right platform, than never say never in terms of voting for them.

2. My Votes Won't Make A Difference

You say your votes won't make a difference. But think about this way, what if you vote means the difference between the person you want to vote being elected or not being elected. I read this blog by Vannessa Gate entitled "Lame Reasons Not To Vote In The Election" and she made a good point that if everybody who said their vote doesn't count voted than it would make a difference. I couldn't agree more. It would be mind boggling the numbers of votes that would be cast. Than you couldn't complain that the person you voted for didn't win. It would be the fact that the others didn't vote for the same person. Or you couldn't complain that the person wanted to vote for didn't win. One vote can mean the difference between a person winning or losing as I said.


3. "I Don't Care"

A classic response to being asked if you are voting is "I don't care." Again Vanessa Gates brings up another good point that I agree with. She says that if you don't vote, than don't complain. Those words can't be any truer. People complain about taxes, arts and culture, healthcare, amature sports funding, etc., yet they won't bother to exercise their right to vote. But than again as a culture we do tend to complain. But voting is a way to be proactive even if they think their vote doesn't mean a thing.

4. All Politicians Are The Same

Yeah.... NO! If you followed the election than you would know that not all politicians are a like. Sure some politicians have similar ideas and views doesn't mean all do. For instance, Stephen Harper has a different view on arts and culture than say NDP leader Jack Layton. Just take a look on where those two men stand on that issue and you will know that they have differing views. That again goes back to the first point and that you need to study the issues and make an informed decision

There are people who are so against voting because they think it is a farse and they will go as far to give your proof as to their reasoning. For them, some people may think it is a conspiracy. But for just your average voter, you are giving up your a way to make a small difference even if you don't think your will vote will do any good. I guess for the next federal and provincial election I should get out there and vote. Make sure you get out there and smackdown your vote or you maybe kicking yourself afterwards if the person you wanted didn't win. As I have said one vote can mean the difference between winning and losing an election. This is one of those voices we have and we should unite and vote because we can change to course of history. You don't want someone like Stephen Harper in office again which unfortunatley happened.

In the end voting can be seen as important. But nobody can force you to vote. Just think about those points and see that you are being just too lazy to vote. Than again most people that don't can be considered lazy. After all this election 58 per cent voters turn out. Even lower than the election in 2004 I believe. Sadly I am one of the voters who didn't vote. The highest voter turn out was in 1958 when 70 per cent of the people who turned out to vote. If we made it 100 per cent of the people who voted, who knows what would happen. The more people vote, the more able we are to change the course of a countries future. If you don't vote than you don't care about your countries future yet you would rather sponge off them when need be. That is sad but true and this happens not just in Canada, but all over the world. Wether you mark your ballot with a X or check mark, just get out there and vote.

St. John's Royal Church Vandalized.... Yet Again

The Prince Albert Daily Herald newspaper is reporting that the St. John's Royal Church got vandalized again. The link is as follows:

Country church vandalized

My family has been associated with St. John's Royal Church for many, many years. It is sad that it was targeted for vandanlism again. Why this happens, I don't know. I just hope something can be done combat this. Plus fixing up whatever was vansalized shouldn't just be done by my great uncle Jack Sheldon, but a community effort. How much longer will he able to look after the church? He been looking after it for many years without complaint.

I just think that something needs to be done. What that answer is, I don't know. Maybe having the RCMP patrol Royal Road in which the church lies. But it is sad that some people don't have respect for the history. What do they get out of vandalizing this historic church? I don't know. St. David's Anglican Church are the ones that use this church. Please them in your prayers and hopefully they move to a decision on what to do.

The Evils Of Money

I know that we shouldn't worry about money and material possesions. But it is not so much the material possesions that I am worried about. It is the aspect of money that I am worried about. I have thinking over and over about this over the last few days that I feel sick to my stomach. Here is the deal. I am working at job that pay $12 an hour. Now don't get me wrong, I have never made over $10 an hour before this job. But in this day in age, it is not nearly enough to cover my bills.

I have a number of bills like my plates, my rent, my student loan payment, and gas. Now I know what you are thinking. If I make $12 per hour, shouldn't have something left over? You would think so wouldn't you. But NO! Gas alone eats up a portion of my paycheck with a minimum of $50-$60 to fill my tank, that eats your paycheck fairly quick. Don't even get me started on rent and other my other bills.

I just hate what money has done to me. Living with my sister last year before getting my own place, I lived a bit more comfortably. Now that is not possible. I need a change and I need another job that is better paying and better for my morale. This job is bringing me down.

Money, why have you made me this way? Sigh!

Different Cultures

After going to FolkFest I got to thinking. I got to thinking about how these people are keeping the traditions and the practices from their cultures alive in another country. Sure I am proud of my roots and where they come from. But I don't do things that my ancestors did and where they came from. I am proud that I am Scottish, German, French, English, and Romanian. Yet, as I said, I don't do the practices of those places.

It shows they don't want to lose their identity in another country. I can respect that. But at the same time they can't just come over to Canada and expect to not adapt to our ways. We can't be ignorant to their culture either. Just because you don't know about another culture doesn't mean what you think you know is right either. Just because a someone is from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, some place over in that area of the world doesn't mean they are a terrorist.

In short, we should never lose our identity based on where we live.

Saskatoon FolkFest 2008

On Friday and Saturday I went to FolkFest. There were some good pavillions, but than there were some that weren't as good. The ones I went to anyways.

So Friday my sister came down from Prince Albert for the weekend and we went to a few pavillions. First we went to the pavillions at the Exhibition. We went to the Ukrainian pavillion first and looked around. It was pretty good. But the Phillippian pavillion was really good as they shown their style of martial arts. Some parts of it were self-defense based which was cool. Than there was a little bit of their dance. We made our way to the Afro-Carribean pavillion. It was cool, the limbo guy was pretty good. He did pretty good going that low. Part of the bar was put on fire for the two lowest rungs (for a lack of a better word). There was a hand drum, but it was $60.00. I didn't want to spend that much. We than went to the Scottish pavillion and there was a baby kilt. My sister said she would go the next day to buy it. The place at the Exhibition we went to is the Greek pavillion. That one was not as good as it could have been. The hall it was in was too big for the amount of stuff in it. We stopped by the Asia-Pacific pavillion. There was a mah jong demonstration which was cool. They demonstrated a Japanses tea ceremony. I tried out their yo-yo's which was pretty cool. The last pavillion I went to with my sister was at the Legion. It was a tribute to the veterans since there is no Canada Remembers Air Show this year. It wasn't related t any specific culture. I went to the Irish pavillion by myself. It was alright I guess. I got a hat with clovers on it. I gave it to my nephew.

On Saturday I went to a few other pavillions. The first one I went to was the Norweigan pavillion. My sister wanted a viking hat so I bought her one. I went back to the Exhibition and went to the Scottish pavillion and bought a red baby kilt for my niece. Than I went back to the Phillippian pavillion and the dance routine they did was very good. I than ventured to the German pavillion a little ways out of town. The food was sooo good. Pork on a bun, schnitzel, and bratwurst. They didn't have a hat in my size. I also saw a girl I went to college with there. I went to the Hispanic pavillion. It wasn't that great either. There was no entertainment when I got there. So I looked around than left. I stumbled upon the Jewish pavillion by accident, but it wasn't open until later. So I than left and went to the Brazillian pavillion. It was decent, dancing was mostly Latino except for one. I saw a guy who I used to work with tell me that. I asked that if it is Latino than why not have it at the Hispanic pavillion? The last pavillion I went to was the India pavillion. There dance was routine they did was very good. The mango shake wasn't bad either. In fact it was pretty good.

My first time at FolkFest. There were a few pavillions I didn't go to like the Indian/Metis (there was no parking), Jewish, and Peruvian ones. There are a few pavillions they should have like Italian, Russian, French. I am sure you can find those people.

Turning 90...

On Monday my Grandpa Cantin turned 90. That is an achievement for anyone to live that long. Sure his health isn't as great as it could be. But for 90, he is doing well. It is good I got to see him because who knows when the next I will see him is? He doesn't do much as it is hard for him. Living where my Grandparents are, it is good for them as they don't have to worry about taking care of a house. But there were some good memories in that house.

Throughout the day, my Grandpa was getting cards, phone calls, and visits from people wishing him a happy birthday. Sure there wasn't a celebration and in some ways it is good thing. He really didn't need a big celebration. He has many people who love him and that is better than any celebration in many ways. Who knows, maybe he will be around for a few more years yet.

Happy belated birthday Grandpa!

The Wedding - Ceremony, Reception, Gift Opening

Friday was my cousin's Jeffery's wedding. I had to be at the church at 12:30 for pictures. The wedding was held at St. David's Anglican Church in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Plus we had to blow up balloons which I will get to in a moment. It was very simple. The church wasn't decorated too much. Just some flowers in the sanctuary and lobby. My dad and I were made last minute ushers. All we had to do is hand out the programs (for lack of a better word). It wasn't a long wedding ceremony. It was a good thing as it was crazy hot inside the church and outside. There was not many people from Tania's (the bride) family. Actually, that is not her real name. That is her English name. Her real name is Yee Chee Kim. She is originally from Malaysia. I will admit she was a very beautiful bride. My cousin was stylin' and profilin'. Now my cousin had a lot of family there. I have had some good times growing up with my cousin. Where does the time go? But anyways, after the ceremony they released all the balloons that was blown up. I don't know the significance of that. If anyways knows please leave a comment and tell me.

After the ceremony before the reception a bunch of us went to my Auntie Janet's for a drink and eat some food. My family is notorious for putting out a spread of food. It is crazy. Not to mention my Auntie Merle (mother of the groom), baked a ton of stuff. 15 kinds of dainties alone.

After that I then went to the reception which was at the Travelodge. We first started out with drinks and than the program. The MC was Marty Houle. Marty Houle was cousin's old boss when he worked at Houle Furniture & Appliances. Tania had to get out of her dress into an Asian type dress (I can't remember the name). There was one part of the program that was for the bride. There was an Asian tea ceremony. It was explained the significance of doing it and what everything behind it meant. Don't ask me to tell you as I don't remember. The food was very good. They had trivia questions about the bride and groom. Whoever got the question right got to get their food. The music was done by Mystic Music Services. It was a great time. Oh and I should mention I got the garter. My cousin Jamilynn (sister of the groom) was called up and sang Mmmmm Bop by Hanson. Even after all these years she is still a Hanson fan. There was a midnight lunch and cakes most of which were made by my Auntie Merle.

The next day was the gift opening at my Auntie Merle and Uncle Harvey's (mother and father of the groom). Again there was more food. I guess you can see a trend. My family is known for food. Jeff and Tania received a lot of practical stuff. They got household items such as plates, cups, mugs, appliances, and other stuff like that. One thing that was on my cousin list on the registry at Wal-Mart was gum and candy (Reisen was one of them). He actually got it which was the funny part.

All in all it was great time this weekend. It sure makes you wonder where the time goes. Plus everybody I know is getting married. I wonder if it is expected of me to get married... first I have to find someone. Any takers? Ha, ha, ha!

The Fringe Festival

So I went to the Fringe on Saturday. I gave my niece two choices and that was to either go to the Fringe or go to the movies. She picked the Fringe. I was wanting to go to the Fringe. It was good. The acts I saw were pretty funny. Thing I don't get is how they can make a living doing what they do. I guess I will never understand.

My niece volunteered in one of the acts. It was a magician. All she had to was stand there and answer questions while the magician did his act. It was actually quite funny. The magician ask what kind of balloon animal she wanted and she said an elephant. But it ended up being a dog because it was the only thing he could make. You had to see it to get the full effect. Than he pulled out five dollars and asked my niece what she would rather have. Either the money or the balloon animal. The magician than has three balls under a hat. He made it seem like there were no balls under the hat. So he asked my niece Allie how many balls were under the hat. She said none, but they were under there. He said: "You lose, go back and sit down." But Allie got the money and the balloon animal.

It was nice hot day as well. Anytime you are in Saskatoon during The Fringe, you should go.

Breaking Laws Of Other Countries

At my place of work, I call people but sometimes get a response that they are jail. This one call I had the person said the person in question was in jail in Mexico. So this got me thinking that if you break the law in another country than you should face the consequences of jail time. I can see if the penalty is really stupid. If it is just jail time than they should face it. Don't call me a heartless bastard as I do understand that their families don't want that. But you should think you should get away with breaking law in other countries.

Here is the thing, there was a Canadian woman who did some stuff in Mexico and spent time in a Mexican jail. Now there was a lot of people who thought she should be released. Others thought she shouldn't be. Now, I do think it's unfortunate that she had to do what she did and get caught. But the fact that is she did it broke laws of another country. This lady pleaded for the Canadian government to step and bring her back to Canada and serve out her time here. Are you serious? Serve here time here? She didn't break any Canadian laws, so why serve time in a Canadian jail?

Then I heard of another guy who broke the law in the United States who had to face jail time there. Now he wanted the Canadian government to help him out. Why should the Canadian government help out this person. It is like he doesn't want to face the fact that he did something wrong in another country. This may give people the wrong idea that you can get out facing your consequences.

If a someone from another country broke the law in Canada, we would want them to pay the penalty. So why should we think that we can away with things in another country. It is different if you are a politic prisoner. You are being jailed for your politic beliefs not breaking the law. IT is also different if you are wrongly imprisoned. Anyways, I am sure a lot of people from different countries are like that. They think that there government should help them out of that situation. So that's why you shouldn't break the law in other countries if you are not willing to do the time. In reality, there is nobody to blame but yourself if you get into such a mess that you break the law of another country.

Saskatoon Zoo

I took my niece to the zoo on Saturday. I haven't been to the zoo in the summer. I have been in the winter. So there was more to see. We first went and saw the bears, than we went and saw the Bengal Tiger cubs. They will be there for a few more weeks before going back. So proceed to make our way to see the black-capped capuchin monkeys. There were two of them. A small one and a bigger one. Well, the bigger one start freaking out and that was crazy. It can scare the living shit out of you. I don't know what I did. I probably prevoked it in someway. My niece thought it was hillarious.

So we kept going and looking at the different animals. We walked past the adults tigers. Allie knew the names of the tigers and bears. We seen some different sheep, goats, yaks, buffalo, and others. We went to the marsh and fed the ducks. I turned around and didn't expect to see a peacock right there that it scared.

So we made our way back towards the Paws Inn Gift Shop and had some lunch. After we finished, my niece wanted to go back to see the capuchins and again that monkey must not like me as it leapped towards the window and tried to swat at it. It was crazy. My niece thought it was funny. Than just before we left was the porcupine that was out of the cage with a handler. It was used to people as it is orphaned.

I will admit that it was fun at the zoo. I should go again before the summer is over.

Taste Of Saskatchewan

So I went on the Friday to the Taste of Saskatchewan. As always the food is good. But the music entertainment was great. Hurricane Cletus was very good, but Cold Filter was awesome. The drummer for Cold Filter was mental. He pounded those drums and was awesome with the two kicks. Unfortunately they had to cut their set because of the lightening. They did do a cover of System of a Down's Toxicity. That was a very good cover. Hurrican Cletus did a good cover of Our Lady Peace's "Star Seed."

It was great because we got soaked watching Cold Filter!

Names Called At Fuddruckers

If you have ever been to Fuddruckers anywhere in the world, than you will know that they ask for a name to be called when your order is ready. Here are some of the funniest names I have heard being called:

Tinker Bell
Batman
Superman
Rico Suave
The Seven Dwarfs - Dopey, Sneezy, Grumpy, Bashful, Doc, Sleepy, Happy (You can even ask my sister)

I have thought about using an alias or a fake name. But I never have. Just thought I would share that with you.

Listening

"If homosexuality is a diease, than why don't I call in queer to work?"

That is what I read on a button of one of one my co-workers. She is gay. We then got to talking. She was telling me what is going on at her apartment. She wasn't in the best of moods. At the end of it all she thanked me for listening. Now that brings me into the topic at hand.

Listening, that is one of the most simple yet caring things a person can do. Sometimes all you can do is listen. It may seem like you are not doing anything, but in the big scheme thing of things, you are doing something to someone.

Even if you are not saying anything doesn't mean you are not listening. I used think that if people weren't saying anything that they weren't listening. But now I realize that no true. Saying nothing is at better than saying too much and saying the wrong thing. Sometimes the latter can happen. But that's another post for another time.

What am I getting at? Maybe it's the practice the art of listening. Sometimes it can be your best friend or your worst enemy for that matter. What do I mean by worst enemy? Well, I guess it's the fact that I should pay attention to people who are telling me stuff because there have been times people have told me stuff that I didn't hear.

So try listening to people. You just might be better off for it. I guess I better eat my own words because I should practice what I preach.

The Phrase "Thank You"

I have been recently thinking about the phrase thank you. It seems to me that at work I say it a lot and at times it doesn't have that much meaning as it should. But other times I does have meaning. Now since I say it at work a lot, it has been something I say in everyday life. Even if I get no response from the person I say it to I still say it. Sure I would a like a response, but I am not necessarily looking for that response. It's not like I am saying it out of vanity or something.

For instance if I go to store I will say thank you for servicing me or helping in anyway they could. I am sure they are not expecting it, but isn't good to know that someone appreciates what they did for them? It sure wouldn't hurt if more people said thank you.

I am reminded of what one of my teachers at Covenant Bible College Todd Slechta had to say on this in class. He said that he would try and say thank you everytime he could and that he taught his children to say thank you as well. He than told us a story about how at a gas station he said thank you to the gas station attendant for doing his job. That person was surprised that Todd said thank you as he didn't know what to say. Todd made a very good point that people don't what to say when someone says thank you to them.

Looking back on it, Todd was so right. I don't get a response for whatever reason. I do agree with Todd that people may not know how to react when they are told thank you. For a long time I would say something like "no problem", "not a problem", "you bet" or something along those lines. In a sense that could be the same as saying you're welcome. Some people don't even say that.

I guess we have become a society that doesn't say thank you nearly enough in a lot of situations of everyday life. We do have the power to change that. Take the time to say thank you. You maybe better for it.

Males Showing Emotion

I was watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and you know how they have some feel good sad story about a family or person who is struggling or have done good, but has got nothing in return.

The one episode I was watching was about this one single parent native family that lived in the worst living conditions possible on a reserve. It was too the point where they had no running water and the roof was held down by tires. As I was watching this, I got teary eyed because you genuinely feel for those people. I am not afraid to say that.

I am sure I will ridiculed by some people, but I don't care. See, the thing about it is a lot of males have grown up with idea that we are not supposed to cry. That is the stereotypical male macho attitude talking. I know that my dad grew up not showing emotion. Many times in my life I didn't either. For instance when my Great Granny died. I was sad sure, but I didn't show emotion like other family members. Looking back on it now I get teary eyed. The point I am trying to make is that we need to get rid of that macho attitude that we as males cannot show emotion. I guess it's the fact that we don't want to show our sensitive side.

I just hate when you hear that stereotypical attitude. I would like to go up that person and give them a piece of my mind. What if we show our emotions will we be seen as pansies? HELLS NO!!! You see I am comfortable showing my emotions when watching a show like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Cut the macho crap and remember it's the 21st not the some medieval emotionless time where males couldn't show emotion. If you want to show your emotions than go ahead. Who am I to stop you?

Finished Recording

Everything has been finished being recorded on the song "Maybe They Are Right." All that is left to do is mix it. Mark Jensen will work on that over the course of the next few weeks. I hope to come down in July and work on another song with him. I just have to book the time off. When we do record next time, we will work on one of his songs. I can't wait.

John Shelby Spong And Gay Rights Activisim

I was looking up John Shelby Spong, yes I know some people hate him with a passion and I understand why, and I have come to read that Spong has some of the ideas about the church. I was looking on Wikipedia and there is a section on his Spong's article about new reformation and the part of Spong's ideas that I have in common with him is the fact he is an advocate for gay rights in the church. Spong moreso in society as a whole. But myself, that's something I have come bring on as an idea over the last many number of years. It was strengthened when I was doing my Story of the Church project when I was attending CBC in 2006-2007. My project was the history of Anglicanism and I was doing research and found that the Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, has the view that all people should including gays and lesbians should be allowed to come to the table and feast. For those that don't know, when I say the table, I am meaning communion. Spong does have it down when advocating for equality in the church in regards to gays and lesbians. The stuff I have read doesn't go into great detail, but his activism in the church is part of this new reformation.

Reading more on Spong sheds him in a different light even though his writings are controversal and radical. He does make sense on some of his ideas.

This Weekend

This weekend has been tons of fun recording. The vocals have turned out awesome. Especially my wailing. I just need to do the drum track again. Than Mark has to finish his stuff for the song "Maybe They Are Right." Electric and acoustic guitar, organ, and piano have to be done. Than Mark will spend time mixing it. Than when I am up again, we will work on some other stuff.

I also went to my cousins grad party. It was what it was. Food, drink, more food, more drink, gifts... you get the idea. This weekend has been fun.

Oh and thanks to Randall for giving us a cheap plug for Mark and my self's album.

Getting Songs Written

I have been getting a lot of lyrics done in the last few days. I will finish what I have and send them to Mark. Corey, Mark's brother will be doing some drumming. I just hope he can do some of the things I want him to do. Either way I am so pumped about recording it's unbelivable.

Here the songs that are originals. Some other songs will possibly be written when I am in Prince Albert.

Donna
Maybe They Are Right
No Response
Irish Spring
When I Get There
What People Do For Beauty
By Land Or By Sea

I have stayed up late nights writing this stuff. I need some sleep.

Plumbers Butt

My 3 year-old nephew was squatting to pick up a ball. He had some plumbers butt going. So I asked:

Uncle: Do you have plumbers butt?
Bryson: NO!!!

Ha, ha, ha! He doesn't even know what plumbers butt is.

Writing Mellow/Ballad Type Songs

Lately I have been seemingly wanting to write mellow or ballad type songs. One would think something is wrong, but that is the opposite. I feel good, great, fine... well, you get the idea. I feel writing this kind of music lately. I don't know why. It's seem that is all I can hash out for lyrics. I need to get this out of my system. Hopefully recording will help or something. Bah, I will get back to you if something changes.

Pray For My Grandpa Cantin

My sister left me a message on Facebook via PM and said that my Grandpa, Bill Cantin is not doing well. He has gotten progressively worse over the course of time since he had his mini-stroke. She was wondering if I am going to go up to Prince Albert on Saturday. I said that I didn't know, but I have some pending vacation time for June 22nd and 23rd. That is the weekend of my cousins grad party. But anyways, I really should consider going as he may not be around much longer. But I think of making the excuse of going down in a few weekends anyways. He has a tube through his nose cleaning his stomach. Also he can't move much. He just stays on the couch and watches TV.

It would mean a lot if you could add my Grandpa to your pray list. Sure he is nearing 90. But please pray for him as it would mean a lot to me and my family.

Thank you
Mr. C.C.

“Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find ''tomorrow'' on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday's defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow. This is it. Doomsday. All you have. Make it the best day of your year. The saddest words you can ever utter are, ''If I had my life to live over again. ''Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day! Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, friend or foe, loved one or stranger, as if they were going to be dead at midnight. Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.”
-Og Mandino, American Essayist and Psychologist, 1923-1996

Recording Music Among Other Things

Lately I have been thinking more and more about music, recording, and stuff like that. You know, my current job is not what it once was. I would like to do nothing but music or something else I enjoy. But I don't want to sacrifice pay verses doing something I enjoy. I need to pay for rent, food, and gas. I would like to find a job that would keep me well off.

Back to my original topic... I want to do nothing but recording. But I don't have the funds to get any equipment. I just have enough funds to get me through the month. I would like to do some gigs that would bring in some decent money to sustain myself. Sure money is not everything, but I would like to be financially stable. Is that such a bad thing. But than again, I have to be realistic about what will get me financally stablized. If I could do nothing but music, recording, or even radio for life I would. But right now things are such that I can't do that.

I just don't want to be stuck in a dead end job for the rest of my life being just another number being elevated to mid-level management position. Is that so wrong to not want that. Sure my mom is willing to be a mid-level manager at Wal-Mart, but I just want something more for myself.

I will keep thinking about what I should do next with my life.

My Dad Is OK!

My sister told me about what happened to my dad. Good to hear that he is okay. My dad get hit by a truck. Not full on or anything. My dad was at an auction and was looking at this vehicle. So he was bent down looking at the gas tank and stuff underneath when this truck hit him. It than kept going and run over his ankle. His safety boots saved his ankle from being broken. Thanks be to God for looking out for my dad and keeping him safe.

Familiarity

I bet you are wondering what I am talking about. I have a little story behind this post.

Last night I was at Tim Horton's and the person who served me looked very familiar. I am still trying to place where I have seen this person. A female to be exact. I thought I would clarify that, not that is matters. Now my question to you is, don't you hate it how you recognize someone, but you can't put your finger on it from where? That is what's happening to me. I just can't put my finger on it where I have seen this person.

I am going through different places in my head where I possibly could have seen this person before last night. But nothing is connecting. This may possibly annoy the hell out of me. I do hope it doesn't though. But alas, this is just something I wanted to put out there.

Work, Work, Work

Work is going good. I am not on the phones as much as I used to be. I will be doing a lot more stand up stuff this coming week which will be cool. I am on the cusp of going to the next level. I am just waiting for a spot to open up. So until then, I will be a team lead.

Don Ross - Another Amazing Acoustic Guitarist On The CandyRat Label

Here is another amazing acoustic guitarist from the CandyRat record label. He is a Canadian by the name of Don Ross. Here are some videos of his original compositions. Enjoy!

The Thing That Came From Somewhere



No Goodbyes

This was written in memory of his son that just died.



Brooke's Waltz



Midnight March - Live

Working At 6 AM

I am working from 6 AM to 3:15 PM on Sunday and Monday. This shift does has it's benefits such as not working in the evening. But a drawback is getting up early. But I will suck it up. I will probably be doing other things than going on the phones. Well hopefully anyways. I should probably get some Z's.

Getting Rid Of The Penny?

On my way to work earlier this week, I was listening to the Murray Wood Show and they had a segment on a federal MP from Manitoba that wants to go rid of the penny. I can't remember the name of politician. But some people think it's a good idea and some people don't.

I ask you, is it a good idea to get rid of the penny in Canada? Here is how it would work, you would either round the price up or down to the nearest nickel. For example if something cost $4.97, it would then cost $5.00. Apparently retailers are in favor of getting rid of the penny.

Why can't we have something for the price of $5.34? Do we really need to round up or down to the closest nickel? What if someone doesn't have a nickel? They will then have to break a dime, quarter, or dollar just to get the change they need. With a penny, you don't have to worry about carrying the correct change all the time. There have been times that I have paid with pennies when I didn't have nickles or dimes. But from what has been said, the penny is decreasing in value except if you find a really old and or rare penny that is.

Will money in general one day be obsolete as we are using credit cards and bank cards more and more? For me, I won't use a credit card for long time if ever. I use my direct debit card or cash.

Pennies still serve a purpose regardless of who you are.

Taxes And My New Car

I finished my taxes. I will be getting nice chunk of change back. I wonder what I should do with it? Maybe I will just save it. I could use some money saved it. I guess that's what I will end up doing.

I got my new car. It drives good, like gooda cheese (inside joke). It doesn't have a CD player. It sucks, but I can always install my CD deck. I don't have any tapes to play in the tape deck. So now I don't have to take the bus any longer... unless I want to... which will not be that often.

Getting My New Car

Today is the day. I am getting my new car today. It is a 2005 Ford Taurus. I will be buying it off my dad. I got money to pay for it. So you don't have to worry. I will be meeting my dad a little today because my dad is getting baby chicks. Than I will be going to Prince Albert to get my car. I am so stoked. But I need to stop getting in accidents. I hope this car has a CD player. Even if it doesn't, I have my CD deck I can install. Getting my car means I don't have to take the bus.

Taxes, Taxes, Taxes

I know, I haven't made a post in a while. Nothing to really talk about. But I need to get my taxes done so I can get my money back from taxes. With what I was taxed on by work, I should be getting all the money back. I hope you Canadians get your taxes back or at least not pay a lot.

Also, on Monday I got my money back from my settlement check from SGI. But I know that money is going to good use. When my dad gets a car for. I will use some of that money to buy it off of him.

Work Is Going Good

Lately, I have been doing some team lead duties at work. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I have been doing team lead duties. I have learned to run parts of the dialer. I have learned to roll people from the campaign to inbound and vice versa, boot people if they are not getting calls, add numbers to the do not call list. I have also been taking supervisor calls and answering questions. I will also go on the phones and continue to collect and all that. But I hope this will elevate me to doing other items as well. Even though I work for a collection agency, work is going really good. I hope that I get to do more team lead stuff which I believe I will.

Acoustic Guitarists Antoine Dufour & Andy McKee

I have been getting into some acoustic guitarists. I have found a couple of artists that have something different then just playing fast. They are on the CandyRat label. Their names are Antoine Dufour and Andy McKee. Of course there others than just these two, but I have watched a bunch of their videos of them playing on YouTube. So I thought to post some videos. They do things that not everybody does. They use their guitar as drums which is really innovative. Here are a couple songs from each artist. Enjoy!

Antoine Dufour - Scratch



Antoine Dufour - Trilogie Acoustic Guitar



Andy McKee - Drifting



Andy McKee - Africa
Toto Cover

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

When I stepped outside yesterday I wasn't ready for what I saw. I saw it had been busy snowing. I was like: "It wasn't like this yesterday. It was colder than it has been in the last few days. They were advising against traveling. So a lot of people didn't show up to work. Also I had to help push Greg out of the parking lot. Greg manages the Capital One project at work. He was driving his BMW. I don't know why.

So has it been cold and snowing where you are? I hope you stay warm or at least try to.

Wal-Mart Nation

On CBC Newsworld they showed a documentary called Wal-Mart Nation. Here is what it is about:

Source: CBC.ca

The highest-rated LENS documentary ever! Wal-Mart Nation is an hour long, documentary journey through the complex and fascinating world of the international anti-Wal-Mart movement.

Wal-Mart's emergence as a global corporate force has triggered an unprecedented political backlash. Wal-Mart has single-handedly galvanized a progressive, grass roots and labour coalition of activists determined to roll back the tide of corporate power and domination. This is a generation baptized by the anti-globalization protests. This is the Wal-Mart Nation. These are their stories.

Carolyn is an unlikely anti-Wal-Mart activist. The former Miss America (1992) is a beauty queen turned feminist activist. She's also a Reagan Republican and anti-abortion crusader. Sapp founded Wal-Mart Versus Women as a vehicle to pu blicize the largest civil rights class action suit in US history.

Anna Liu is a 23 year old, Chinese Canadian union activist determined to unionize Canadian Wal-Mart workers. Despite her militancy, Anna tells us that before attending university she scarcely knew what a union was. We follow Anna and her cadres as they "gate crash" Wal-Mart stores in a desperate attempt to sign up members.

Forbes magazine calls Al Norman, Wal-Mart's number one enemy. Norman, also known as the "Sprawlbuster" is the dean of anti-Wal-Mart activists. Ten years ago the well-connected Democratic Party activist successfully prevented Wal-Mart from building a store in his Massachusetts hometown. His surprising victory spawned the anti-Wal-Mart movement.

Environmentalist Ben Bennett is the leader of a ten-year long battle to keep Wal-Mart out of Guelph, Ontario. But Bennett is now facing his final battle in this decade long war.

Chris Kofinis is a political science professor from Kingston, Ontario. But Kofinis has found himself on the front lines of the anti-Wal-Mart battle, along with presidential hopefuls John Edwards and Barack Obama. As Communications Director for the Washington D.C. based Wake-Up Wal-Mart, Kofinis is spending millions of dollars for on a sophisticated media campaign against America's biggest employer.

These stories are set against the colourful backdrop of the Wal-Mart annual general meeting. Here, Wal-Mart executives, employees, and shareholders gather for a weeklong celebration of the world's most successful company.

Through interviews, animation and actuality sequences, the filmmakers explore the Wal-Mart Effect and how the company has transformed the economy of the United States and the world.

Wal-Mart Nation is a first person journey through a year in life of the anti-Wal-Mart movement. The filmmakers blend actuality footage, interviews, archival film and photos, text and graphics in a provocative, engaging and often-humourous point of view documentary.

Wal-Mart Nation was produced by Ultramagnetic Productions and directed by Andrew Munger in association with CBC Newsworld.

I watched this thinking that so many tried to get in the face of Wal-Mart. I was thinking that people are trying way too hard at being anti-Wal-Mart or trying to unionize Wal-Mart. But the anti-Wal-Mart groups and individuals ultimately fail at doing what they set out to do. What's even sadder is that some of the people who were with their respective organizations are no longer with them. For instance Anna Liu is no longer trying to unionize Wal-Marts. There are two unionized Wal-Marts in Quebec. They attempted to unionize the North Battleford Wal-Mart but feel flat on their ass and got nowhere. But in the documentary, they were spreading their literature all throughout the store. They even gave some to employees.

Ben Bennett has been fighting Wal-Mart for ten years and well it's not looking like he has succeeded. I do give him credit for not stopping in his crusade. He even goes as far as to take it to the court. But he ultimately fails, even with his appeal attempts.

Chris Kofinis, a Canadian, used to work for Wake Up Wal-Mart and this is a well funded agency that is anti-Wal-Mart. It doesn't hurt that they are backed by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. Even he left his job with them to go and for a candidate in 2008 presidential election. I guess he realized sooner than later that you can't beat them all.

I just wanted to touch on these three people, but I could on and on. I cBut overall, the documentary spent the bulk of time giving facts and portraying Wal-Mart in a negative light. Is Wal-Mart really that bad? I mean my mom works for Wal-Mart and has worked her way up to a department managers position. The only time she had a problem was when she didn't get the assistant manager position based on some guy going to be assistant manager so they gave it to him to train him or something like that.

Here is the link to the official site:

Wal-Mart Nation



Again I ask, is Wal-Mart so bad?

Kingdom Culture Paper

Here is the paper I wrote while attending CBC. I have finally gotten around to posting it. It takes about female external beauty, lusting, woman as art. Enjoy.

Kingdom Culture Paper
Chris C. Sheldon
April 27, 2007

Throughout the year, I have been thinking about external beauty a lot. I have these set of standards in which I judge women. These standards I set most of the time set me up for the falls. I look at some of their external features and compare them with another females. I know that this is a wrong thing to do, but I do it. I don't know what sparks that in me to do that. Is it so wrong to compare? Some would say no, but others would say yes. For some people, they think about their personality more than their external features and personality is a good thing as well. I just think about external beauty for some reason (Proverbs 6:25).

I have not been trying to compare, but it's not the easiest thing to do. Sure it's good to know what you want in a wife or significant other in terms of physical attraction. But I have been learning somewhat that you should not be consumed with the physical aspect of someone. It's also good to have someone who you can carry out a conversation with. It's great to be with someone attractive and that is s0mething I value. But that idea has been slightly altered throughout the course of the year. Just talking with some friends has made me realize that as good as attractiveness is, being able to carry out a conversation is also very important. But you don't want a relationship where it's just you talking and your significant other is not giving you much of a response. Over the course of this year, I have come to appreciate the value of good conversation. Beauty can be found in other areas like good conversation, intelligence of a person, etc. Beauty does not have to be external. This is something I do know, but can be hard to do at times. Sometimes a woman's features sre the first thing you think about when you see an attractive woman.

Talking with friends is God's way of showing me that beauty is not just external, but internal. It's a way to just talk about how you are trying to deal with that. God wants me to hold in balance external beauty and the personality of a person etc.. It's good to know what to look for in a woman, but we need to go beyond that (Genesis 29:17).

One thing I have been thinking about over the course of the year is whether it is right or wrong to appreciate the feminine form. I have taken a more keen interest in the feminine form over the year. I am not objectifying woman. I have taken a keen interest in an art form per se. I think that it's all right to appreciate the feminine form in an art form. I mean, if I don't do go any further than that, which I try not to, than I think it's quite alright to appreciate woman as works of art, but woman are more than just works of art, too woman bear the image of God, rather than just symbols or objects of sex. Seeing them as works of art is the more dignifying thing to do. I know for many men that seeing woman as works of art is not possible as they think of a woman in a lustful way. I don't want to go that route. I want to separate lust from art and keep it separate because I don't want to blur the lines, for myself, when it comes to woman as art and woman as sex objects.

My thinking has changed as I think about and talk with God about it. I have been shown that it's not wrong to appreciate the feminine form and external beauty in woman as long as I don't lust. I have been fairly good at not lusting. I don't want to stray off the path of not lusting when thinking about female external beauty. I know that I could easily lust when thinking about female external beauty, but I have been trying to keep disciplined over the course of the year to not lust when thinking about it. In 2 Samuel 11:2, when David saw this woman bathing on the roof, he probably had thoughts of lust. I mean, there was a naked woman in his midst and David acted upon that lust and he ultimately had sex with her. I know I wouldn't go that far, but just lusting is bad enough in the eyes of God. I just don't want to be lustfully thinking about woman in a sexual way. I mean there have been some instances of lust, but not to a large extent which that is due to my talks with God.

Also over the course of the year I have solidified my thinking that women are not objects. All throughout the media and our culture we see women objectified. Television, movies, music videos, pornography, etc. have created this unreal standard in which a lot of men view woman. Than this standard of external beauty is set that can be seen as a way too ridiculous and unobtainable. In some sense I set standards that I as I mentioned earlier, set me up for the fall. I don't want to set myself up for the fall. I don't want to have such unrealistic expectations in what to look for in a woman. I have learned over the course of the year not to do that. I will be tough for me not to do that. But as I go through life after CBC, it will continue to be difficult for me not to set these unrealistic standards, but with help from God, I will try my best not set unrealistic standards.

Living In A Clutter Of Mess And Dirty Dishes

I have been forever been meaning to clean my basement suite. I have trash lying around, clothes on the floor, dishes that need washing, a carpet that needs vacuuming. Next weekend my mom and stepdad are coming down for the Michael Buble concert. So it gives me a good excuse to clean my place. I will be cleaning all day Saturday (today). I have been putting it off for so long that I really to have to do it or it will never get done. I mean I have started, but never finished. So I have no excuses and I need to do it.

I guess the reason I haven't cleaned my place sooner is because of my lack of motivation. Motivation should be knowing I have a clean place. But... NO! I am lazy and that interferes in a lot of things I should do. I guess I have no choice but to get on with it.

Thinking About Lent And Vespers

Yes I know Lent is not for a couple of months, but lately it has been creeping into my brain. I have been thinking about what I should do for Lent. Should I do what I did last year and not eat any junk food and not drink any pop? I already proved to myself that I can go without that stuff. So is it worth it to do it again? Or is it something I have to do again? I mean I went back to eating that stuff and the promises I made to myself when I came to Saskatoon seem to not be happening. It seems easier to just forget about not keeping up with promises that I know I need to keep. But when there is nobody to keep your accountable all the time, than it's easy to stray from what you should be doing.

So I am wondering what I should do for Lent. Should I just do the same thing as last year? Or should I just go forty days and nights without any food? Even the thought of going without food has crossed my mind. But my mom says that everyone needs to eat no matter who you are. In some semblance I do agree with my her. In another sense, it's no how much I eat, but what I eat that is the problem. Eating junk food, fast food, quick and easy food that doesn't take long to make, etc.. Stuff that not necessarily the healthiest for you. I need to get off that and more healthy. But if you know me than you know I have thing about eating vegetables. I only eat corn and potatoes. I guess I am straying too far off topic.

I guess I am having a major brain fart as to what I should do or rather no do for Lent. Maybe I am putting to much thought into all of this. Bah! God will show me what I am to give up for Lent. Or at least show me signs. I guess I should pray about this. I just need some direction. Any direction at all.

Another thing I have been thinking about is vespers. I have been strongly considering going to the Evangelical Orthodox Church here in Saskatoon and partaking in there Saturday nght vespers service. I have thought that it would be a good way to get back in a regular routine in my Christian life. Since moving back to Saskatoon, I have basically been in a slump as far as my spiritual and religious portion of my life. I need to get back to praying and just getting back to how I was at CBC with being devoted to praying. I want to get back to that in someway. Getting back to doing vespers would be a good start.