Life is Speeding By!

I had Linda Tesser and her daughter, Melissa, from our CR campus come by to discuss the upcoming Northgate 5k race. We had a great meeting and Linda is going to apply her gifts in promotion and publicity to this charity event.
However, in the midst of the meeting I was shocked to learn that Melissa is going for her N (driving) and is heading into grade 12 at Campbell River Christian School! It seems she was this shy 12 year old last week!
Our daughter Anika turns 10 tomorrow. I can remember holding her as we brought her home to our house on Larwood Rd. in Campbell River. Jess Campbell was babysitting Alexandra while I was at the hospital with Shanda. A tradition we began with Alexandra is that we take them out to their choice of dining on their 'double-digit' birthday. Anika has chose Avenue in Comox as one of her friend's family says it is wonderful. So off we will go.

The point of all this is that life just seems to be zooming by. I looked at a piece of paper today that had my age on it. It was kind of amazing to see my age as 37. I just got married last week, didn't I?
Alexandra is turning 12 in August. Anika is 10. Our youngest will be 8 in the fall. We have been married 16 years. We have lived on the Island for 13 years. 6 years in Courtenay.

I don't feel any older, but apparently I am! Soon I'll be sending a daughter off to college instead of youth group!

In light of the rapidity of aging, I post this list of "You know You're Getting Old When..."


Your back goes out more than you do.
The twinkle in your eye is only the reflection of the sun on your bifocals.
You finally got your head together, now your body is falling apart.
Your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size.
You don't care where your wife goes, just so you don't have to go along.
It takes twice as long to look half as good.
Many of your co-workers were born the same year that you got your last promotion.
People call at 9 PM and ask, "Did I wake you?"
The clothes you've put away until they come back in style... have come back in style.
You look forward to a dull evening.
Your mind makes contracts your body can't keep.
The pharmacist has become your new best friend.
There's nothing left to learn the hard way.
You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.
Your idea of a night out is sitting on the patio.
You look for your glasses for half-an-hour, then find they've been on your head all the time.
You wake up, looking like your driver's license picture.
Happy hour is a nap.
You begin every other sentence with, "Nowadays..."
You constantly talk about the price of gasoline.
Your childhood toys are now in a museum.
You can't remember the last time you laid on the floor to watch television.
You got cable for the weather channel. Old Folks MTV!
Your new easy chair has more options than your car.
You find yourself beginning to like accordion music.
You have too much room in the house and not enough in the medicine cabinet.

Government of Alberta Orders Pastor to Renounce His Faith.

I read this account (and the supporting material) on a blog and must say I'm amazed. A pastor who made critical remarks is being told that he cannot criticize homosexuality in public or sermons or private email! You may not agree with his criticism, but it is getting mighty dangerous when the government is the arbiter of what is acceptable thought and words. If something is slanderous or libelous let them be sued in a real court with real laws with real evidence. This is another example of these jokes called the "human rights tribunal" where the rule of law does not apply.

Let's hope that this gets turned over... You can click on it to get the rest of the story.

Lindsay Blackett, the freshman Alberta MLA who is the Minister for Culture and Community Spirit (I'm not kidding), has finally responded to the avalanche of mail he received when his government sentenced Rev. Stephen Boissoin to a lifetime ban on preaching his Christianity. He supports the ban.

More than two months ago, Blackett's fellow Tory, Lori Andreachuk, was the human rights commissioner who issued a Stalinist order telling Rev. Boissoin that he not only was banned -- for life -- from criticizing homosexuality, even in sermons or private e-mails, but that he had to positively renounce his faith in the local newspaper.

Liberal Environment Plan is a Sham!

The Liberal party plan for climate change is not about climate change at all. After much suspicion and speculation that the plan will not do what it is intended to do, the truth is coming out. Many have thought and said that this is just a tax grab to fund more Liberal programs. Well, hear it is from the Liberals themselves...

Mr. Dion spent four days in the West last week insisting it was not his intent to punish any one region for his environmental fantasies. But on Thursday, on an online news site for northwestern Ontario, Liberal MP Ken Boshcoff admitted that Green Shift was not an environmental proposal, but rather "the most aggressive anti-poverty program in 40 years," designed to "transfer wealth from the oil patch to the rest of the country."

The West is going to get ripped off - despite being the main thing that is holding the Canadian economy together. We can always clean up our act more on the environment. Ripping off one part of the country and saying it is fair and revenue neutral is lying. If you want to see the environment improve - this isn't the plan.

We Don't Have Much to Complain About...

When you think that our prices are rising too fast, you only need to look at a place like Zimbabwe to get perspective on how good we really have it. No, I'm not happy with the rapid rise in fuel prices, but we can adjust (ride the bike, park a vehicle, walk, etc.) if it doesn't rise too fast.

The corrupt government of Robert Mugabe has caused the collapse of the economy. He is only held in power by gangs of youth and old war vets taht are paid to terrorize and brutalize people into submission. It's terrible. Not only are people living in real fear of death if they say anything or do anything but exactly what Mugabe wants, day to day living is next to impossible.

Here's an example of how fast prices are rising there:

As hyperinflation spiraled last year, Fidelity printed million-dollar
notes, then 5-million, 10-million, 25-million, 50-million. This year, it has
been forced to print 100-million, 250-million and 500-million notes in rapid
succession, all now practically worthless. The highest denomination is now 50
billion Zimbabwean dollars (worth a U.S. dollar on the street). Despite the
recent currency shortage, the Zimbabwean dollar has continued to slide against
the U.S. dollar and shopkeepers are still increasing their prices steeply. The
price of the state-owned Herald newspaper has leaped from 200,000 Zimbabwean
dollars early this month to 25 billion now. Before the crunch, a beer at a bar
in Harare, the capital, cost 15 billion Zimbabwean dollars. At 5 p.m. July 4, it
cost 100 billion ($4 at the time) in the same bar.An hour later, the price had
gone up to 150 billion ($6).

Meanwhile, Mr. Mugabe lives in luxury - far removed from the sufferings of the people that he once liberated (1980). Here's a description of his mansion:

And
the house? (it's cost could have built 4 hospitals)*

Arab artists spent a year decorating the ceilings*

3 acres of accommodation

* estimated 26 million USD to build

* 25 en-suite bathrooms*

there are underground rooms reinforced with concrete

* it is 3 times the size of the State House.

* has 44 acres of landscaped grounds*

50 crack riot response police guard it on a 24 hour watch

Meanwhile it is estimated that 80% of Zimbabweans are unemployed and a quarter of the population has left the country any way they can to seek survival for themselves and their families elsewhere.

Someone once said, 'power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely'.
How true it is. This is a government that has got to go - and fast!

R U Stupid #2

From our very own Island, a news report of gas thievery gone wrong. dumb, dumb, dumb.

His Sermons Has Bite!

A Kentucky pastor has been arrested in an operation targeting people with exotic animals. His church has ceremonies involving snakes...and people get a bit annoyed if our music is too loud.
:-) We've got nothing on him apparently.

Iphone killers? better and cheaper?!

It is nutty to me to see people lining up to get the newest and latest gadgetry in phones in the Iphone G3. Sure it has some cool features. It is going to be expensive to use and run. These gadgets aren't too expensive off the top, but the month to month will kill you.

Allow me, as a public service to present unto you some options that are being called 'iphone killers' that will allow your budget to survive.

First is the Samsung Omnia A bit of an Apple knock off but is running windows operating system to allow full interfacing with your office software, plus has Hi speed internet, mp3, camera, video, etc. etc. Coming in August apparently but not sure if it is only to the States. Cant seem to find info for sure though.

Also in the Samsung family Bell will be offering - the Samsung Instinct come August.

We are thrilled to offer Canadians this beautifully designed and intelligent
device. Accessing the Internet, listening to downloaded music or satellite
radio, watching TV or using it as a GPS system, it’s all a real pleasure with
the Samsung Instinct thanks to its powerful touch screen and easy interface,”
said Adel Bazerghi, vice president of products for Bell Mobility. “Data pricing
plans available with the Samsung Instinct will offer also exceptional value and
let clients take full advantage of Bell Mobility’s wide range of data services.”

Blackberry Thunder - Fall 2009? The BlackBerry Thunder smartphone may also have the most technically advanced cellular wireless support ever, according to the claim. Should the claim is accurate; the BlackBerry Thunder would include both GSM and CDMA with support for worldwide roaming. Owners of the Thunder will enjoy surfing on 3.5G or even pre-4G data and may support up to Ultra Mobile Broadband (aka EVDO Revision C) on Verizon’s CDMA networks. Download speeds can possibly be achieved up to 280Mbps in peak conditions, while adding full High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) on GSM services. So what does this mean? Basically, this support would allow the BlackBerry Thunder to work in nearly any country with 3G or better Internet access

So relax. Forget the hype. You don't have to sell your car or cash in your kid's college fund. There will be lots of options to the I-phone that are affordable. Get a life. Get out of that line up and enjoy your summer.

R U Stupid?

This just in from the Stupid Files... Not recommended, Jason.

Get Your Horse and Buggy ready.

If this happens, oil will easily hit $200 in one day....

Shopping Anyone?

With the price of oil at all time highs, it is getting depressing going to fill up! Not only that, the Comox Valley had the highest price in the province this past week. How can that be when the Lower Mainland has about 10 -12 cents of transit tax that we don't have! ARRGGH. One good thing coming out of this is that because Canada has a lot of oil, our dollar has been steadily rising. Analysts are predicting it will go higher which should make imports of all kinds a bit cheaper. I don't think it will balance it off totally, but it will help. Global Insight chief economist Dale Orr: (click on the link for the whole story)

Based on the historical relationship between the price of oil and the price of the
loonie, a more reasonable level for the currency would be as much as $1.10 US,
he said in an interview....

Opposition Grows to Morgentaler's Appointment

I wrote about honouring evil a few days ago. Turns out that opposition is growing to the promotion of Dr. Death (aka Morgentaler) to the Order of Canada. One recipient of the award has already turned his medal in. "Father Lucien Larre, who was inducted into the nation's highest order in 1983 for his work with troubled youth, said in a news release yesterday that he felt "compelled in conscience to return my Order of Canada." A Nfld. MP has also spoken out against it. It turns out that the decision was not by consensus as is usually the case but was driven by a liberal Supreme Court judge. The sources said Chief Justice McLachlin drove the nomination, which was opposed by the two government members on the nine-member committee, Privy Council Clerk Kevin Lynch and deputy heritage minister Judith LaRocque. Finally, Kelly McParland of the National Post has a great article that takes on the arrogance of Morgentaler displayed in his press conference.

"I get the feeling Dr. Morgentaler has a selective respect for the
rights of others. The rights of women who agree with his views are paramount. The rights of unborn children are non-existent. The beliefs of women who disagree with him are to be dismissed; any religion which advocates against his views is to be disregarded; the qualms of those Canadians appalled at the carnage that has flowed from his work are to be ignored. I suspect -— and I'm just guessing -— that what's important to Dr. Morgentaler is his beliefs alone. Others' beliefs are inconsequential. Maybe this callousness is what lets him so easily take life away from so many. " for the rest of the article, click here

End of an era

Today a page was turned in Vancouver Canuck history. Markus Naslund - a 12 year Canuck veteran - signed with the Rangers for 2 years and $8 million. His production has been steadily declining from a high of 104 points 5 or 6 years ago to 55 this past season. However, the stifling style of hockey that has been coached the past 2 years surely acount for 15 to 20 point drop. Look for Nazy to get 30 plus goals and around 70 points next year. You heard it hear first! He'll be more rested with a lot less travel in the east and will not always be playing with pylons for linemates. They had nice things to say, but I was hoping the Canucks would be able to get him back at a cheaper rate, but this is probably the best for Naslund. He was definitely the best trade that Pat Quinn ever made. (ever see Alex Stojanov again?)

It will be interesting to see what this new management team actually comes up with for a team for next year. They have kept the same coach, same scouting staff. They have let go Naslund (soon to be Morrison too) and replaced them with 3rd and 4th line role players. We need to find some scoring somewhere, but it looks like the free agent pool has pretty much dried up. Unless something changes, goals are going to be much harder to come by in 08-09. Gilles is going to have to make a trade if he really wants to make some change.

No Sundin?

The Canucks - right or wrong - made a serious pitch to get unrestricted free agent Mat Sundin. a 2 year 20 million dollar contract offer - wow!  Apparently Mat Sundin is not sure if he is going to play hockey next year.  Apparently he has too much money or some other amazing reason that he has not communicated yet.  He needs more time! What? More time? 20 million dollars / 164 games is $121,951 per game/ 21 minutes playing time = $5807.20 per minute of playing time. That's more than I make in an hour.

With 300 million dollars committed to players yesterday, it sure gives pause to think. What does our society value? We spend millions for entertainment, yet there are still some huge needs in the world. I'm all for entertainment (Go Lions, Go Canucks), but sometimes I think things are just a wee bit outta whack. 

What do you think? Not just about money spent on hockey, but on our value placement seen through where we (as a culture) place our money?

80 MPG 1987 Ford Mustang

In the face of rising oil and gas prices, it is amazing the power of innovation that God has enabled mankind to do. Perhaps Arab oil sheiks should tremble when the innovation and technology begins to roll out hybrid, hydrogen, electric, solar and other super efficient vehicles.

Maybe Ford should take a look at Doug Pelmear’s 1987 Ford Mustang before the 2010 Mustang rolls off the assembly line. According to him he has been able
to re-engineer his Mustangs engine to produce 400 Horsepower and 500 Torque while improving his gas mileage to an astounding 80 Miles per gallon. He created the car to compete in the $10 million Progressive Automotive X Prize which is a
“race” to find an affordable, marketable automobile that gets at least 100 miles per gallon, or its equivalent

Pretty amazing?! Hopefully it is true - you can check the rest of the story here.

Honouring Evil

The Bible talks about how when a nation is anti-God, there comes a point where it calls good evil and evil good. It was abundantly clear, but still shocking to learn today that Dr. Henry Morgentaler will be awarded the Order of Canada - the highest civilian award available in Canada. However, this is not for some great scientific discovery or humanitarian achievement. It is actually to recognize him for his work in promoting abortions and his efforts beginning in 1969 (successful in 1988) to have abortion legalized and completely unregulated in Canada.

Canada is one of the few nations in the world where a baby can be terminated right up to full term and it is still totally OK. Most nations with abortion legalization have some form of restriction. Now our nation is celebrating and honouring the man dedicated his life to a 'procedure' that now sees 100,000+ babies aborted every year in Canada.

canada.com had a story on it quoting our friend,

Faytene Kryskow, director of the non-partisan, non-denominational group Motivated Young People for a Strong Canada (also known as 4 My Canada) said "there is strong evidence that this man is not a hero in the eyes of many Canadians. "Why is it that there is such an aggressive push to honour (him) with the highest level of civilian honour in Canada, when the largest non-governmental event in the nation on Parliament Hill this year so far was the March for Life?" she asked.

For the rest of the story click here... God forgive us...

Thankfully not every mainstream media outlet agrees with this selection.