1.33 - The one with the cheerleading cows

While driving through the back roads of Ontario...you'll never know what you will see. Usually tractors that take up too much road and that are going way too slow...a large field with a single tree in the middle...makeshift landing strips for small airplanes...odd shapped buildings that are just randomly placed...cows cheerleading...ok what?!?!

That's right...on our way to the recording studio (which was in the middle of nowhere...more on that later), we went past a farm and saw a heard of cows. Not too uncommon for farmland in Ontario...but the strange thing about it was that in the middle of the heard...it appeared to be a single cow in the middle, standing ontop of the other cows. You know how they lift up the cheerleaders and they stand clapping and do their thing? That's what it looked like...I'm sure there's a good explaination to why that single cow was "standing" on the other cows...like there was a platform...but the cheerleader idea is more fun.

Back to the recording studio...

It was probably one of the best times I've ever had playing music. When you watch shows that interview musicians and they always say that they are working all the time...in the studio...laying down tracks...its hard work...blah, blah, blah. They are soo right...it is alot of work...its hard work and it takes alot of time. I fully appreciate the time and effort it takes musicians to record. Now we didn't record an entire cd...just a few songs for a compilation Christmas fundraising CD...but it was still fun. I loved it and can't wait to go do it again. Not sure when the CD comes out...but I'll let you know and you can all buy it...and I'll autograph it...

yes...that's my shameless plug

1.32 - The One with the arrival at departures

Going to the airport is a fun time...well most of the time...you are either going somewhere...dropping someone off...or picking someone up. Monday I went to go pick up D-Ray from the airport...which shouldn't be much hassel...leave about 1/2hr for traffic and you should be fine. I'm driving along Hwy 409 and on the highway that takes you right into the terminals at Pearson Airport in Toronto. As I approach I see police cruisers and a barricade on the highway forcing me to take the offramp to Airport Road. Something must be wrong if they are shutting down the main highway to the airport. So I take the offramp...and comgin towards Airport Road I can see cars backed up for miles...people getting out of their cars and walking on the highway towards the airport. I finally get to Airport Road and turn onto it...and of course I'm backed up as well..but at least it's moving...at a snail's pace.

From one stop light to another...it took about an hour...that's one Toronto block...it's really not THAT far. But wait...it get's better. I turn into the terminal roads and it looks like clear sailing from there...WRONG...at least 200 cars are trying to get to arrivals and/or the parking lot. Nobody was really going into Departures though...it's a good thing that D-Ray had his cell phone with him...I gave him a call telling him to meet me at Departures so I can pick him up. So what should have taken me 5 mintues took me an hour and a half. Later I hear that the Limo/taxi drivers were protesting something and holding up the traffic there. Sure they got their message across...but I'm not sure many people are too sympathetic to their cause. But not all was lost...picked up D-Ray and then went to go see Batman Begins...which btw...great movie. By far the best Batman movie yet...I hope that they don't screw up the new Superman movie that comes out next year.


What is your deepest fear?

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel unsure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. As we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles by Marianne Williamson,1992

This was quoted in Coach Carter..another excellent movie...rent it if you haven't seen it yet.

1.31 - The One with the student driver

"Driving is like running real fast..."

pausing for a moment...I turn to my young padawan...J-Ray, who was driving..."WHAT?!?!"

This is what I get when I agree to take student drivers out to practice...near death experiences...funny looks from other drivers wondering who is driving and why I'm letting them drive...and worst of all...stupid comments like they've never been outside their house before. But I must say that I don't blame J-Ray...he is a dorm student at a prep school...they really don't get out that much. That is too bad...well it's up to me to expose him to the "real word"...but how can I really do that? I'm still delaying reality as much as possible. Any ideas?

1.30 - The One with the red light district

There is a street...

in a city...

as your drive down...

lights of red dominate...

but it is only this particular street where once approaching the speed limit you see this...

It never fails...although I did manage to get past 2 blocks before I had to stop again...

the street? Landsdowne.
The city? Peterborough, Ontario.

Also..this city shuts down at around 9 or 10 pm. For those of you who do not know Peterborough...its a good sized city...with a population of over 74,000 you'd think that you'd see more traffc at 9 or 10 pm. It's an eire feeling when you don't see another soul around...

so...if a tree falls in a city of 74,000 and no one is around to hear it or see it happen...did it really happen?

1.29 - The One with the seven minute lull

For every conversation that you have...on average...every 7 minutes there is a lull. Its a fact...and test it out yourself, next time that you're having a conversation with someone... keep in mind when there is a silence...that's your lull. Unless you are someone that just keeps talking...or are in a conversation where the other person does all the talking...I don't think it is in effect there. This fact is most evident within a group of people. So...every 7 minutes...if it becomes shorter than that...well...you guys need to lead more exciting lives...or come up with better stories.

oh...here it comes...I've typed for about 7 minutes



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1.28 - The One where everything seems right

It's been awhile since I've posted anything....for those of your who are rooting on the flowers (no pun intended...), they are doing well...they are STILL alive! What a shocker...maybe I do have a knack for this greenthumb ordeal...or I just got lucky on the first try. I think the consensus is that I was lucky...

I feel that I've been blessed over this past week...this might sound corny...but I'm gonna write it anwyayz. I think one of the greatest feelings is to know that you are loved. Most people know that they are...but have you really stopped to think how incredibly blessed you are? Love is a realy tricky thing...people yearn for it...but are afraid to show it...I'm not just talking about romantic love...although that's what most people think of when love is mentioned. It's how we treat each other...it's what the world it looking for. Emily talked about it during last night's worship service at Auburn...it was brought up tonight at Jim & Sharon's...most of the music written has something to do with love...it's what makes the world turn.

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God."
- 1 John 4:7

it's that simple...so don't be afraid to show a little love to your fellow man. Even though they may not accept it...or are a little hesitant at first...keep at it. It will be appreciated. For those who have shown their love to me...thank you...I hope that I can extend the same to you.

1.27 - The One where thumbs turn green

dig...place...bury...

before today...the closest I got to having a so called "greenthumb" was if I coloured my thumb with a marker. But fear not my faithful readers...Lesley and Amanda came over to the Ranch to guide me in the way's of the "thumb".

Now the garden is planted...with flowers...and I have the daunting task of upkeeping it and not having these precious flowers die on me. My greenthumb masters think I am ready for the trials...and I am up to the task...I hope