Where you can read the relatively rational ramblings of a silly half-monkey, half-boy. This freak of nature is named Joel. He also responds to the name 'Bart Wang'.

Monday, March 20, 2006

I hope you check this... You probably won't.

It's 10 AM on Wednesday, I'm not at my own desk and I'm waiting for work. I have work of my own to do but I'm covering for the folks that answer the phones. So far, we've got one call in forty-five minutes. That's very good.

Melanie's parents came over last night for dinner. Melanie is far and away the greatest cook of all-time. I know that might seem to be hyperbole but, trust me, it's not. Those of you who have been blessed enough to partake in anything she has prepared know that I'm not exaggerating. She made pad thai and fat-free carrot cake. [These are not her exact recipes but they seem close.] Oh. My. Goodness. So delicious! The night before, she made her own delectable version of turkey pot pie (no pastry involved, which is good because I hate pastry in my dinner except as dessert). I brought the latter for lunch. Mmmmm. Yummy.

We've got our income tax returns back, deposited in the bank and investments set up. We're in very good shape, financially, and I'm slowing breathing sighs of relief. Not that we were ever in trouble but we're down to one debt - our house - and have a nice emergency fund set up. We paid off the line of credit two weeks ago and we celebrated by doing nothing at all differently. We need to go out for a nice dinner. Melanie commented the other day that we haven't done that - even though I suggested it back when I proposed. For those keeping track, we've been married for almost seventeen months and were engaged five months before that. Yep, worst husband ever.

The house is in fine order now. Melanie and her dad built an awesome set of shelves in the laundry room that will house almost everything that has no other place (I own a fair bit of stuff that falls in that category, believe it or not). All my CDs and DVDs are in shelves on the wall. I have a lot of CDs and DVDs. My dad dropped off two more of mine I lend him last night, Festival Express and Woodstock. I hooked up my stereo to the DVD player so I watched the clip of Sly & The Family Stone at Woodstock in Dolby 2.0 - killer. I love that band an awful lot. My dad also got a copy of Song Of The South by Disney. Apparently, it's hard to find because of its racist elements. You'll remember the movie by its theme song sung by Uncle Remus, Zippa-Dee-Doo-Dah. I'm looking forward to watching the movie again as I haven't seen it since I was a wee lad.

We still haven't decided what we're doing for our road trip next month. Bill and Ronee have offered to welcome us with open arms - again. I feel bad always going to their place. Of course, we're blessed with much more vacation time so they're not able to get away as often. Plus, they're getting married in October back in New Jersey. I wonder if Zambooie will shut down for a few days as that celebration goes on.

Since Todd has largely abandoned me, Blondel and Breukelaar in the 'Indie Rock Snob Club' for the lure of Asian cinema, the three of us get together to name-drop our favourite artists who are outside of the mainstream. Each month we award one person for coming up with the most obscure artist that no one has ever heard of before. Anyhow, watch this video and check out some dudes that are trying to join our club.

The weather is warming up in southern Ontario, though you wouldn't know it today. Last Friday, it was probably close to 20 Celsius (70 Fahrenheit) but today it was below zero and there was a bit of snow. It is going to turn warmer later today, I'm told. It better. Or else. Or else it will still be cold.

Kevin and I went to the spring Cottage Life show on Friday. We had a very enjoyable time, picking up free reading material, checking out BBQs and boats as well as tasting several types of dips and jams. Melanie couldn't join us because she was working. I felt bad telling her about the things she missed, such as cooking exhibits by Jane Rodmell, the author of Best Summer Weekends cookbook that Melanie loves. I picked up a couple gifts for Melanie as well. You've got plan ahead when your wife's birthday is seven days before Jesus' birthday.

This is actually finished on the following Wednesday, April 12th because my computer sucks bad and it repeatedly crashed when I tried to finish the post. I don't know what the problem was aside from the crushing amount of spyware on there right now. I need a new computer. Instead, I'll be getting a dishwasher. It's nice but it probably won't download MP3s or facilitate me posting more on here. I hope you have a lovely day.

More reading material for you...

The Truth, The Partial Truth And Nothing But Evasions. How to sell unethical science.

A Delicate Hospitality. How Hispanic churches in Southern California negotiate the dilemmas of ministry with undocumented immigrants.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Heads sleep on me like I'm the softest of pillows

My man, the Listener, makes the news in Spokane. Check the story lead here and watch the news clip here. This dude is awesome. He has a blunt instrument and he speaks bluntly into it, some people call it 'micro' but we happen to think it's infinite.

The house is coming together a little bit more every day. Unfortunately, I'm stuck as to how much more I can do at this point. I need my bookshelf and CD shelves up! I hope to get them trimmed later this week when Melanie's dad visits. They're about three centimetres (that's just slightly over one inch, Bill) too tall. Dangit! Can't wait to get all my CDs and DVDs up on the wall. It's an impressive collection, if I do say so myself. I added to this collection today. I stumbled across the special extended editions of 'The Fellowship Of The Ring' and 'Return Of The King' (that's parts one and three of The Lord Of The Rings trilogy) at HMV for only $19.99 each. I shit you not, my friends! I also got Russell Peters' new DVD (I had seen one of the two sets previously) and the last Anberlin album, Never Take Friendship Personal (for only $11!).

We just received our wedding present from Allan & Melanie Horning. Of course, Melanie had nothing to do with the gift being sixteen months late. It's all Allan's fault.

Jon Belanger visited on Friday and Saturday. He was in town to accompany his brother, Adam, and four kids from Adam's youth group down to Teen Missions to do some work in boot camp. I can't wait to hear the stories of Jon's triumphant return to the grounds that almost killed him from too many stale tacos and milkshakes. He'll be kicking around town when he gets back next week for a few days too, which is great. On Friday, Melanie was gracious enough to prepare a delicious meal of prime rib, smashed potatoes, honey almond carrots and sesame broccoli (not to mention the incredible apple pie) for myself, Jon and Josh. She's the best cook I've ever met. I'm one lucky fellow.

Saturday had Melanie baking more wonderful treats (caramel pecan cake) as we hosted our friends Scott, Janice & Naomi Moreton, Mike & Andria Slack and Mark, Lisa & Ben Wolfe. It was a great time of catching up (we don't get to see the Moretons or Wolves that often because they're busy with their kids), joking around (Mark, I could easily fit more than just 'Che' on my dink, fatso) and enjoying each other's company.

Today, we went to church, heard a killer sermon on prayer and then went out for authentic Alabama BBQ at Camp 31 with Rod and Patti Tombs. We're so lucky to have met such awesome people through The Meeting House. It's hard to believe that we spent the afternoon with people almost as old as our parents. I don't have many friends who are over 30-35 years old. Rod's somewhere around 45, though Patti's got to be almost 29 now - right, Patti? You two are marvelous.

Anyhow, Melanie's out at some unredeemable country concert tonight. She looked damn sexy heading out, though, and made me wish I could have gone too. I'm going to make a sandwich and head to bed. I'll write at you later.