Z SoccerChic9: December 2005
Saturday, December 31, 2005
I suppose this is the time to write some inspiring post about new year's resolutions and reflecting on how the past year changed me....but I really don't have much to say in those regards, other then, I am changing continually and trying to live life. It's more relaxing that way, or incredibly stupid...but that's okay:)

I have concluded that New Year's Eve is my worst and least enjoyed holiday....I think it has something to do with trying to decide which party to go to and who to hang out with. And this year with it falling on a Saturday night, it kinda dampens the whole pulling an all nighter and trying to look alive in church the next morning.

Anyhow, as we stand on the doorstep of a new year, I hope you all live it to the fullest, and laugh just because you can.
 
Saturday, December 24, 2005
It's so wierd, this last year has flown. I suppose I'll be increasingly alarmed at the speed of time as I grow older, unfortunately:) It just seems like so much has changed in a year for me, when I think back to last Christmas and all. Like, do you ever feel like we are on this speeding train and as much as you would love to stop it for five seconds to catch your breath, you can't.

Anyhow, enough about getting old and time flying...enjoy the season!! Eat lots...diet later; laugh lots...cry next week; spend money on people you love and take some pictures....look at them often when you're in jail next month for robbing a bank to make ends meet; tell someone who is close to you that you love them....worry later if they love you back; watch the sunrise....sleep next week.

Merry Christmas Eve friends!!
 
Friday, December 23, 2005
Yes, I am back...and I must say it has been absolutely amazing so far. After a 3 1/2 hour drive just to get to the Calgary airport, and then a four hour flight which involved me forgetting my book, so being squashed in the middle of two random people for four hours and starting at the head rest in front of me, and also the worst flight landing I've ever had. I am finally back on Ontario soil, and most definately enjoying every minute of it.

It's wierd to be home, as much as it's home to me, at the same time it is like I am a visitor in it, and that is odd. I am now one of those peope who come home for Christmas, and suddenly my category has changed, which is kinda odd.

My family all went skiing and snowboarding today, they weren't expecting me home till Saturday, so it was quite the surprise when I showed up last night. This morning they all woke me up at like 5:00 to talk to me, so if I have a few bags under my eyes, I hope that's understandable.
 
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Today, I woke up and decided that I needed to visit the local library....after all I am pretty much a hatter (what the Medicine Hat people call themselves) being here for three weeks and all. So, I arrived at the library and stated that I would like a library card. The woman behind the counter stated that she would need identification showing that I lived here and such. Well, this presents a slight problem as I do not have a permanant residence here, none of my cards are switched over to Alberta, and basically they were denying me a card. It was a sad and tearful moment in the history of my young life.

However, I was struck with a brilliant idea, after the librarian told me I should mail a letter to myself to prove that I lived here. So, I thanked her, went out the door, drove to my work, let myself in (thank goodness for trusting employers), created a payroll in my accounting software, included an Alberta address, printed of a pay stub and went back to the library.

I now am the proud owner of my very own library card. Yes, I still get a small thrill when stating that information:)

And it's a nice library, we have two floors, bean bag chairs, leather couches, at least 14 newspapers each day, and lots of movies and DVD's...I feel quite at home, and less lonesome for a Chapters.
 
Friday, December 16, 2005
Social progress has arrived now that we have women in the armed forces and homosexuals in the armed forces it is now time to bring children into combat. The problem is real. While the armed forces hotly denies that it discriminates against children, recent surveys indicate that there are no field officers younger than 12 years of age. Even the higher enlisted ranks are closed to children. Advocates for children’s rights explain that the short fall is due to prejudicial recruiting and the application of physical and mental standards that reflect the requirement of outmoded forms of combat. In ancient times strength and size may have been important in warfare. Perhaps a child of six would have trouble handling a war horse, though why not breed a smaller horse for them? But today’s warfare is not a matter of size and muscle, which children have plenty of anyway. War is automatic - push button, computers, etc. Anyone who has watched kids in a video arcade knows that a kid can run a missile complex. Excluding them is just a way for white, Anglo-Saxon males to protect themselves from competition.

Today, entry into important career fields, like the armed forces, requires being able to do a large number of chin-ups or situps over a short period of time. This is ridiculous. Studies show that, in real combat, soldiers don’t stop to do chin-ups. They are too busy shooting guns which only takes one finger. These requirements are aimed at one thing - to unfairly keep children out of the armed forces and thereby prohibiting them to serve their country. Critics on putting children into combat predictably disagree - arguing that children lack the aggressiveness and psychological readiness for ground combat. That is nonsense. Have you ever watched little boys in the playground - they are positively ferocious - they are always playing soldiers, Power Rangers, Cowboys vs First Nations (or Aboriginals). Little girls would be just as aggressive if our oppressive patriarchal society wouldn’t teach them that little girls are not supposed to kill. If we start teaching early enough, little girls will want to kill too.

The "children in combat movement" insist that the issue of physical size and strength is a red-herring. Child right’s advocates agree that some weaponry, artillery and pistols are to large for children to use comfortably and that children might have trouble with heavy backpacks. But the solution to this is to make smaller size guns, pistols and rifles for children. Heavy backpacks are just incumbrances in combat anyway. It makes more sense to leave them in the camp.

The real issue, both advocates and critics agree, is career opportunity. In view of the child right’s advocates, the army is dominated by older men who attach disproportionate importance to war and fighting at the expense of less destructive, socially progressive goals. These men continue to skew promotion criteria to further hostility and aggression on those career tracks that involve combat. Until children are allowed into combat jobs, they will be short changed in promotion to higher ranks. Some say to change the system so that it attaches equal importance to things children do - like delivering newspapers. Unfortunately, structural discrimination is so deeply embedded and systemic in the armed forces that the only way to remedy the injustice is to open all career fields equally to children and institute an aggressive program of affirmative action to make up for past unfairness. When women came into the army, critics said new bathrooms were expensive. Well, bathrooms went in and civilization didn’t end. How much will it cost to install a few sandboxes - children are people too, they have rights and needs and feelings like anyone else.

Next week, the rights of dogs and cats in the military.
 
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
something amusing is happening....this should put you on the floor in stiches.....because...I am leaving in a few minutes to model for this fashion show. Yah, when they asked me if I would model for the upcoming show they had here in Medicine Hat I was double over in laughter, then I realized they weren't laughing and so I tried to be serious, but really....are they all blind. Anyhow, apparently it's not the looks that get's you to be asked to be a model for Medicine Hat.

I was almost expecting the lady last night who was to choose my outfits to double over in laughter and then try to apolagize in a serious was and say something along the lines of "uh, honey...we don't really need any models...um, by the way what happened to your face." But, surprisingly she didn't.

So, tonight, I have three outfits to model on the runway...and then I'll be running away.

Hey, it's a free meal, and I'm cheep:)
 
Monday, December 12, 2005
And who am I to be the exception:) Ladies and Gentlemen...the list:


Seven Things to Do Before I Die (Lord willing):
1. Write a masterpiece....most likely one single poem that takes your breath away
2. Definately travel...all over the world really
3. Laugh...just because I can
4. Fire a bazooka
5. Get onto Kevin's signature (big dreams people, big dreams)
6. Live in downtown Toronto
7. Wake up on a beach in the sand
8. Run a marathon
9. Direct a movie with Heath Ledger in it
10. Kiss someone in the rain

Seven Things I Cannot Do:
1. Cry on command
2. Dye my hair completely blonde
3. Drink coffee
4. Change my car oil (yet...I'll learn though)
5. Walk down the stairs apparently
6. Eat fruit salad
7. Sing

Seven Things that Attract Me to My Significant Other:
1. His intelligence
2. His hands
3. His need to be different
4. Not being stagnant
5. Talents in the arts fields (I need someone who is, because I'm not...then I can live through them)
6. Devotion
7. Not afraid of the tough or ugly stuff (hello, he has to wake up next to me every morning:)

Seven Things I Say (or write!) Most Often:
1. Hey
2. Silly Rabbit (that's the latest)
3. I gotta jet
4. Good Morning Home School Legal Defence, Mary speaking
5. Just one moment please
6. I hate stairs, I hate them, I hate them, I hate them
7. I can't believe the Liberals...what are they thinking:)

Seven Books (or series) I Love:
1. The Bible
2. Guy Gavriel Kay
3. John Grisham (when I don't want to think)
4. Sherlock Holmes (yes, I have them all)
5. Max Lucado
6. Jane Eyre
7. I can't think of his name....but he has a book with a girl's outline pressed against a sheet/window thing...and the book freaks me out

Seven Movies I Would Watch Over and Over Again:
1. A Beautiful Mind
2. Sixth Sense (at least a few more times)
3. The Newsies (in regards to musicals which I tend to not like)
4. The Matrix...#1
5. How to Lose a Guy in 10 days (for a chick flick)
6. Toy Story
7. Remember the Titans (cause hot black men without shirts..hello)

Seven People I Want to Join in:
1. No unreal expectations here
 
So as you know, if you read my blog, I am presently on my own as Paul and Suzanne are out of town at the moment. Well, this morning I got up, got ready for work and all, and as I was going out the door, I noticed that I had left a light on downstairs in the basement....so I turned to go shut it off. Unfortunately, my foot never hit the first step and I went flying up into the air (I wish we had a video cammera) and landed on my elbow and hip. It hurt...a lot, but I was brave and did not cry, and I was good and did not swear.

So, I am presently at work, hoping I get a really big bruise on my elbow, cause it hurts so much and the story is so much better if you have battle wounds to show for it:) It makes me super brave or something.

So yah, that's my story
 
Sunday, December 11, 2005
just for the record....and talking to some of you who were online yesterday was so completely awesome. Nothing like hearing a voice from back home and feeling less alienated from the rest of your life.

An odd thing here is that they use sand instead of salt to spread on the roads when it is icy. The annoying thing about this is that sand really doesn't melt snow and ice so well, so apparently as winter wears on there are ruts of ice on the roads. Perhaps this is why you are allowed chains and such on your tires if you want.

I went to a Baptist church this morning, and I think I may have found where I will be churching from now on. I was even invited by the couple who sat beside me to go out for lunch together...however, I already have plans as I am hanging out with Amanda and her church today as they have their children's christmas presentation (which always prove to be entertaining....their's always the nose picker, the child with her dress above her head, and the little boy who keeps waving and talking to his mother throughout the presentation) besides, they have food afterwards, and considering I am buying my own groceries and all right now, I'll take any free meal that I can get:)

I hope you're all having a blessed weekend, and not stressing out about how you are so not ready for Christmas!!
 
Friday, December 09, 2005
Yes people, it is currently 5 degrees here, the snow is melting, and I am walking around outside with no coat. Well, I'm not walking around at this moment outside, because I'm at a computer silly rabbits:)

Anyhow, it's quite the blessing and I am quite enjoying it as I run around in shorts and a t-shirt as opposed to almost dying of hypothermia.

Along with the beautiful weather, I presently have my own house for the week...so for all of you who have skype or google talk...or think you should get it...now is the time as I have skype on my computer and no one to bother.
 
Thursday, December 08, 2005
is dumb just incase anyone was wondering. Banning guns from Canada....it's rather funny to say the least. What's even funnier, is being in Alberta and watching the reactions, along with people wanting to, or going out to, buy guns because if the Liberals get in they might not be able to get one.

Though, the Liberals claim they will let the police and possibly gun collectors keep their guns...so we can all breath again, because the police are allowed to keep their guns, isn't that great. And everyone else...they can just become gun collectors:)

I love this Liberal government, they make me feel so safe and protected...they babysit my children for me, take the guns away from almost everyone, and promise to increase the taxes, just for fun!! And above and beyond all that, they promise to never have us get bored, because they'll just create a scandal to keep us feeling alive and entertained!!
 
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
but one last thing, if you'd like to make fun of me because of the weather I am enduring, you can check one of the new links I added on my sidebar which will hook you up to Medicine Hat's current weather. Just incase you care if I freeze or not:)
 
are extremely nice, and by that I do mean extremely. I am wondering if it has to do with the fact that Alberta is more rural, and people in less populated places tend to have that small town appeal in which you know almost everyone, and everyone knows your parents and your parents parents. However, with Medicine Hat running at about 55,000 people, it's not so much a small town as one might think. However, everyone is extremely friendly, despite their brutal honesty when it comes to their opinons or politics:)

For instance, the other day my car was at the shop because it has a cold, and Amanda (a girl that I work with and have now known for just over a week) offered out of the blue to go drive me across town to pick of my vehicle. It was when I was half way there I realized I didn't have my cheques, the moment she heard that, she offered to pay for it and I could just reimburse her when I had the money.

Such instances are not odd in any way - every one is just so friendly and helpful it's crazy...I just have to work on not feeling horrible when people do stuff for me.
 
for those of you who care...about 50% of Albertans are really serious about spliting off from the rest of Canada. That number is estimated to jump drastically if the Liberals get into power again. So, for those of you who think I'm making it up, coughnickcough, you can now see that it's more then just a rambling man's dream.

It's also -28 here today, without the windchill, -32 I belive with the windchill...but, we have a chinok coming soon, hopefully, and by Saturday it should be +2.

Oh, and it's not uncommon to get snow here in August, yah, you heard me, I almost fell of my chair when they told me that last night.

Anyhow, that's not so much politics as the title would suggest, so I'll regress now.
 
Well, if you happen to street race your car, or have watched 2 Fast 2 Furious...then you'll know what I am talking about.

Last night, I walked into my new mechanic's shop to pick up my darling little car who is having a horrible time adjusting to this extremely cold weather, almost as bad a time as me. And, there on the door of my mechanic was a sign stating that they sell NOS and you just can go inside and get it. I was quite flabergasted, and asked the girl at the front counter if they sold NOS here like the sign said, she said yes...apparently it's totally cool here.

Also, if you want to put metal studs in your tires, or chains if you're that kind of person, it's totally legal here...hello pavement.

So, for all of you who street race, or love the look of chains and such on your tires, you need to move to Medicine Hat Alberta.
 
Sunday, December 04, 2005
And who am I to be the exception:) Ladies and Gentlemen...the list:


Seven Things to Do Before I Die (Lord willing):
1. Write a masterpiece....most likely one single poem that takes your breath away
2. Definately travel...all over the world really
3. Laugh...just because I can
4. Fire a bazooka
5. Get onto Kevin's signature (big dreams people, big dreams)
6. Live in downtown Toronto
7. Wake up on a beach in the sand
8. Run a marathon
9. Direct a movie with Heath Ledger in it
10. Kiss someone in the rain

Seven Things I Cannot Do:
1. Cry on command
2. Dye my hair completely blonde
3. Drink coffee
4. Change my car oil (yet...I'll learn though)
5. Walk down the stairs apparently
6. Eat fruit salad
7. Sing

Seven Things that Attract Me to My Significant Other:
1. His intelligence
2. His hands
3. His need to be different
4. Not being stagnant
5. Talents in the arts fields (I need someone who is, because I'm not...then I can live through them)
6. Devotion
7. Not afraid of the tough or ugly stuff (hello, he has to wake up next to me every morning:)

Seven Things I Say (or write!) Most Often:
1. Hey
2. Silly Rabbit (that's the latest)
3. I gotta jet
4. Good Morning Home School Legal Defence, Mary speaking
5. Just one moment please
6. I hate stairs, I hate them, I hate them, I hate them
7. I can't believe the Liberals...what are they thinking:)

Seven Books (or series) I Love:
1. The Bible
2. Guy Gavriel Kay
3. John Grisham (when I don't want to think)
4. Sherlock Holmes (yes, I have them all)
5. Max Lucado
6. Jane Eyre
7. I can't think of his name....but he has a book with a girl's outline pressed against a sheet/window thing...and the book freaks me out

Seven Movies I Would Watch Over and Over Again:
1. A Beautiful Mind
2. Sixth Sense (at least a few more times)
3. The Newsies (in regards to musicals which I tend to not like)
4. The Matrix...#1
5. How to Lose a Guy in 10 days (for a chick flick)
6. Toy Story
7. Remember the Titans (cause hot black men without shirts..hello)

Seven People I Want to Join in:
1. No unreal expectations here
 
I had eggnog last night...and normally I really don't like eggnog unless it is hot with nugmeg in it (wierd, cause it's like the only hot drink that I drink...but a friend once introduced me to it, and it's fabulous). Anyhow, on with my story...I had some cold last night, because it was offered to me, and guess what...I like it. I know, it's wierd, cause normally I totally don't like it and never drink it...but I really liked it.

So..there is hope for all of you who want me to drink coffee...but don't count on it:)
 
I suppose change on a level such as relocating to an entirely new place is going to have some sort of impact on your life. Even if you were to resist it in an extreme way, I do believe that there will always be some sort of change that takes a hold of you in those times and molds you as a person. Perhaps not in drastic measures, but maybe in some quiet way that you don't quite realize at the time. Perhaps I will come back for a visit sometime and many of my friends will be shocked at how much the time away has changed me....in ways that I am not even aware of.

Right now a big lesson that God is teaching me is silence. Oh, it would be easy to spout of my opinions about politics, religion, big places vs. small towns, the importance of degrees or whatnot, and I admit there are definately times when I want to do just that. After all, when you are new people tend to be interested in your view or even put up with your rambling opinions on differnet sorts of levels.

However, God is teaching me not to spout of my opinions but rather to observe and listen - and the funny thing about all that is I have learned a lot through that. For me, I don't just want to barge in on other people's lives and try to get them to be more like me or agree with my points in what I think...and I guess that can be a tendency, after all familiarity is comforting.

It would also be easy for me to walk into these people's lives and judge them for how their churches run, or why they do certain things the way they do, just because I think my way is superior or something. After all, what is the value of forcing one's tradition on others, or even following one's tradition if my motives are not correct.

So, I have been forced to re-evaluate why I do things a certain way..and weigh it out....and I try to offer my opinion, which is hopefully scripture based only when it is asked.
 
Saturday, December 03, 2005
There are some things I have to adjust to here, one of them is politics. Down here in Alberta, everyone is very involved in politics, they also are extremely conservitive on a whole, and very open about what they think on the politics level. I have to get used to this, as almost every conversation I have with people will eventually come to politics and them telling me exactly what they think about the Liberals...most times it involves high blood pressures, talk of guns, and Alberta seperating.

Alberta also hates Ontario...so the moment that I mention I am from Ontario the reactions are amusing to say the least. In fact, if the liberals were to get into government again this election time coming up, Alberta would seriously consider spliting off from our country. And, due to the fact that they are debt free pretty much and have a nice surplus, they could pull it off....after all, what is Ontario going to do, send down their army?

So, I am adjusting to talking politics and not worrying about steping on people's toes...after all, there are many questions in regards to how stupid Ontario can be, and why is that. I really have no answers to these staunch conservitives who are baffled at our stupidity when it comes to Politics.

See, I told you there are some great things down here, talking politics is one of them!!
 
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