"Don't Cry for Me..."

OK, it's the end of the line. Yeap. Time to finish the whole blogging thang. I know of about five people who probably read it, and that's it! Not incentive enough to keep it going I'm afraid. There's something very weird about writing your thoughts, your interests, your daily activities in a public place when few public read it. So...au revoir mon amies. My email is: stephenlovesflying@yahoo.ca and yes...I still love flying.

Oh, for those of you (if there are any 'yous' out there) who were interested in seeing my 'other' blog, you know the more controversial one? Well, I've been working on a book for about a year now, and have decided to concentrate my energies on that, which in many respects will contain the thoughts I would have expressed on the 'other' blog. A brief summary if you're interested:

- Issues of Biblical interpretation, for example how is it that Christians accept something like divorce (despite the strong anti-divorce statements that Jesus made) and have no trouble having divorced men & women in positions of leadership and pastoral oversight, and yet choose not to accept any other intepretation of the small number of verses that address certain homosexual practices?

- The good and bad on both sides of the homosexual debate.

- How public figures like Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell & Jimmy Swaggart are using tactics of fear and lying (and worse still, ridicule & hate mongering) to scare people to their view of all issues surrounding homosexuality, often based on the grand myth of the 'gay agenda'.

- Points to consider surrounding the controversial issues of same-sex marriage and gay couples adopting children.

- It will also include my own story and the painful journey I've been on to find some place of peace; and yet the loss that I live with daily as a result.

So....there ya go. I'm hoping to have the book out next year sometime, God willing.

OK...over and out homosapiens.
S.t.e.p.h.e.n.

Yeah, yeah, yeah...

It's been ages since I last posted...I know. But then life has taken a turn into the fast lane and I'm only just getting up to the required speed so that I don't get left behind and banged in the rear from those travelling beind me!

THAT THING CALLED.......WORK.
It's busy man. But I love it. I have the best boss and best people to work with. I have an amazing health plan like none other I've ever had. And I can earn heaps more vacation days by doing overtime. And because there is a lot of work to do, I am doing lots of overtime. WOO HOO!!! In addition to my 2 weeks annual leave and the additional week I get at Christmas time because the university is closed I also have another 7 days up my sleeve now. But the time 2006 begins I should have about 15 days up my sleeve! Yes....that gives me 5 weeks holiday!!! Not too shabby ah?
(Is God gracious or what?)

MOVIES, CINEMA, THE PICTURES, THE FLICKS, THE TALKIES!
Movies...yeah, luv 'em. Lately I've been to 'History of Violence' (go see it...but don't complain about the blood and stuff OK? it's about violence after all. Look at the deeper emotional level that is playing out...the relationship level. Yeah...Vigo (or is that with 2 g's?) is da man! Very good.) 'Into the Blue' (a little slow in parts but an interesting drama/thriller with some good twists & turns. The underwater filming is nothing short of awesome and the way they've got the actors swimming down there is just plain beautiful). 'Flightplan' (go see it if you like aeroplans (I do), like tension (I do), like Jodie Foster (I do), like seeing the bad guys get what they deserve (I do) and like some very cool visual/emotional film techniques in the opening (I do too). I enjoyed it. I don't say this very often about movies, even ones I've really enjoyed, but I'd go see this again.

NEW BLOG, A TIME FOR EXPRESSION, TIME TO BE CHALLENGED, TIME TO VENT!
I'm starting a new blog folks. One where discussion can take place on some current 'hot potatoes' (that's if anyone visits). Been on my mind for awhile. It may be abit controversial as I want people to be honest and open, as much as they can, but without lowering their respect and kindness to each other. Sometimes that's not easy. Often it's easier to blast someone and then run! Maybe this blog will be more about shedding some of my own demons over things that have happened in the past 18 months, but I hope it's more than that. I feel as Christians we are in a time of having to sincerely re-evaluate some of those sacred cows we've held dear over the years. I wonder if some of those sacred cows desparately need slaughtering because they are severely getting in the way of us being what we should be in this world of ours! The issues that are 'hot' where I am are in two predominant areas:

1. Same sex marriage and human rights for gay people
2. The influence of and what people really think of the great US of A, and especially President Bush.

Within those two areas there is certainly a lot of scope for talk but I think it would be a good idea to be specific in our topics. I will present a subject topic and for a period of time we can 'go for it'.

So have I set your mind a-thinking, your heart a-racing and your palms a-sweating? Yes? Good! Perhaps I should add that at times it might be an "enter at your own risk" situation! But hey...we're adults! (Maybe I'll have giveaways....and chocolate to attract the crowds!!!)

Finally...some quotes. This time by H. Jackson Brown, Jr (I think he's from the US of A):
"Never go near a kid with a water hose, unless you want to get wet"
"Remember the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing"
"When someone is down and out, mail them a $20 bill anonymously"
...and finally...
"Never fry bacon while you are naked"

Hugs...
S.

Awesome Times!

AWESOME
Oh man....Saturday was Jonathan's wedding. And if you missed it, you were just plain stupid!!! What a fantastic affair. Full of love and God's presence and honesty and humility and fun and laughter. You could see the love Jonathan had for Maija as she came down the aisle, as she stood next to him, as Maija's cousin sang a song that Maija has composed for Jonathan, as they sat together after lighting candles, as they said their vows, as theY walked down the aisle....WONDERFUL! A couple of hundred people were present for the ceremony and the afternoon tea that followed. Then it was outside for family photos before heading off to a park for the bridal party photos. After this it was the family and bestest friends dinner. Everything ended just after 9pm and I think we all left with a sense of deep exhileration and those warm feelings that come when you see love at work and feel the brush of God's hand across your cheek.

I spent 5 days in Toronto helping Jonathan and Maija before the wedding with all the last minute things, and then flew back east the day after the wedding. It was indeed a privilege to serve them in practical ways. They had both put SO much into their preparations and they were tired. My prayer now is that they will find peace and rest as they are together on their honeymoon this week.

Hey....guess what? I still love my job!!!

No quote this time. I need sleep.
Signing off!
S.

New Job, Finished Play, Coming Wedding.

What can I say about my new job? Mmmmmmmmmmm......well, I LOVE IT! It is great. I have my own office. I have flexible working hours and shorter working hours than I've had for many years. I get paid more than I did at the previous job here in Sackville. The environment (old stone buildings, trees and gardens) is BEAUTIFUL! The other staff are friendly and helpful. And it is a 7 minute walk from home. Yah God! Yah God! He did it again. I feel profoundly humbled to have this opportunity to find myself again through my job.

I'm also very pleased because next week I get my evenings back. For the last two weeks I've been performing in my 2nd play for the year and of course prior to that were the rehearsals, and then prior to that was Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Nights Dream". But, tomorrow night is our closing night and pay time, so it's all good. It has sure been an unusual experience acting with this theatre company, which is in a town about 15 minutes from Sackville across the border in Nova Scotia. I doubt I will act with them again as the inconsistancies in their professionalism, or duye to their lack of it, is pretty disturbing. So, rather than go through the sense of being lorded over by the director and not once entering into discussion about characterisation, I shall just bow out! At least I'm being paid for it! Thank you Lord. Your provision.

Wedding in 3 weeks. Pretty cool. Am sorting out the transport for it, which I'm enjoying. Should be a fun time. Am flying with Jerry (my roommate) out to Toronto on Sept. 6th and the wedding takes place on the 10th. Rhonda's folks arrived safely last weekend and I spoke to them last weekend. Sure is nice to have them here, especially to spend time with the boys and Rhonda.

SOME INTERESTING QUOTES:
In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Martin Luther King Jr

America had often been discovered before Columbus, but it had always been hushed up! Oscar Wilde

Work and struggle and never accept an evil that you can change. Andre Gide

Them's the breaks! Literally........

The travails of the Puddle family!
Yes indeed.
Last Saturday Damien was playing rugby and while tackling an opposition player succeeded in hurting his mouth/jaw somehow. Not being sure what the problem was, but suspecting broken teeth, the team coach recommended that Rhonda take him into the emergency dentist. Once the dentist saw the extent of the damage he confirmed what the problem actually was. Damien had broken his jaw in two places! Yes...you heard it here and it's true! Damien's jaw was completely out of alignment at the front with one side higher than the other, plus there was another crack up by his right ear, running in line with the jaw. The dentist cleaned up the copious amounts of blood and then packed gauze into Damien's mouth, before Rhonda took him into Sunnybrook Hospital Emergency. He was admitted after xrays confirmed the breaks and then on Tuesday he was operated on and had a plate put into the front of his jaw and then special braces put on his teeth. The braces then had elastic bands attached between them to keep it all in place. What a saga. Poor Damien was really in a lot of pain and discomfort and even when he was discharged on Thursday he didn't really improve until Sunday. He has to be feed thru a syringe and of course all food must be pureed. He will be like this for anywhere from 4 - 6 weeks. His spirits are higher now than previously, so we are grateful for that.

I flew out here first thing Tuesday morning and have been able to be with him most of the week. Rhonda was really busy with a conference, so things worked out well for me to be free to come and help out. It's important to me too to be able to do this. I fly back to Sackville tonight after a good time, though of course it was hard to see Damien going through so much pain and discomfort. (He said he wants a double bacon cheese burger when he can eat properly again!!!)

I have resigned from my position with Moneris, the financial company I was working for. The job just wasn't me and the stress of it was more than I was willing to take on. I now have a 2nd interview coming up this week for a job at the local university, so am REALLY praying I get this.

The future looked very exciting with my intention to mount "In the Shadow of Death" this November during Remembrance Day weekend. Various people have expressed their desire to be involved and auditions are set for August 27 & 28. Things have been dampened somewhat though as I cannot find the DVD's containing the soundtrack. This is very disturbing. A huge amount of work went into getting them all working and running. I don't really know what to do now! (Watch this page)

Jonathan's wedding plans are going well, but he is finding it a little daunting with the amount of work that has to be done. He and Maija are great organisers so I'm sure they'll get everything done, but hope they don't burn out in the process! It should prove to be a great wedding day. Jonathan's grandfather, Rhonda's dad, will be marrying them, so that is doubly exciting for us all. He (Bryan) and Alison (Rhonda's mum) arrive mid August.

That's all for now.
Since I have been having trouble with the banks lately, here is what I feel about them:
A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain.

Topsy Turvy Times

I am saddened again to read of bomb attacks on innocent Israeli civilians. A suicide bomber blew himself up amongst teens in Netanya. And even prior to this Israel has had to fend off other attacks during the 'so called' cease fire with Palestine. Again I can only conclude that so many of the PA are liars and murderers who have no intention of stopping their terror. The average Palestinian is also caught in the web and lie of kill or be killed, or caught in the madness unwillingly. It is a horror which most of us first worlders do not understand, although many are beginning to after the horror of the latest London bombings, the Madrid rail bombings and of course 9/11. And no longer are just the Americans the targets (as much as they often like to think they are!) but it could be any of us.

I am aiming to perform 'In The Shadow of Death' again this November. To again speak out for those who can't speak and to raise the awareness of anti-semitism, as one form of the craziness which seeks to swollow our world.

God have mercy.

In the style of a detective narrative.

Sackville - 6.03pm Sunday 26 June.
The weather started out hot but I was not feeling the best.
Just the mood thing of mine dipping low again.
Email messages were few.
Friends are quiet.
Breakfast was nourishing. A nutritionist may be pleased with me.
Jerry and his parents and brother went to their cottage, I remained home.
I sat in the Sun, covered in insect repellant. Partially succesful. Only two bites instead of a zillion.
Looked at my favourite www.airliners.net site and decided to post a link to some videos of crazy landings:
http://www.flightlevel350.com/index.php?action=ad(copy & paste it...it isn't a link)
My weight has increased due to some new medication I'm on.
Bummer!
Not fair!
Evil drugs!
I'll probably need deliverance now to rid me of this demon weight gain, mood enhancing drug!
Had 3 really good days last week. Hope was in my heart.
The week I spent in Toronto was good. Very good. Maybe excellent.
Thanks God.
Most people know I love to travel. Wish I was travelling now.
Found this quote in Sarah Hunter's blog....
"Travel is only glamerous in retrospect."
– Paul Theroux
It's true.
Time to go.
Hugs to anyone who reads this. Maybe just me. I'll hug myself then.