Life Is Not Purgatory
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Serenity
The trailer for the movie continuation of Joss Wheadon's Firefly is out!
WARNING: Do not consume any beverage while watching this trailer... the last exchange may cause it to pass through your nose. Viewer discretion is advised.
The trailer for the movie continuation of Joss Wheadon's Firefly is out!
WARNING: Do not consume any beverage while watching this trailer... the last exchange may cause it to pass through your nose. Viewer discretion is advised.
:: posted by Lazarus, 5:15 PM
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Monday, April 25, 2005
Uncertainty
I'm not ready.
I'm not ready to move.
I'm not ready to live so far away.
I'm not ready to leave my friends behind me.
I'm not ready to take this leap of faith.
I'm not ready...
I'm not ready.
I'm not ready.
I'm not ready to move.
I'm not ready to live so far away.
I'm not ready to leave my friends behind me.
I'm not ready to take this leap of faith.
I'm not ready...
I'm not ready.
:: posted by Lazarus, 4:28 PM
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Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Champion Idealist
So I took this same personality test that Cori and Dave did, and well what can I say... I am a ENFP (aka. Champion Idealist). I'd deny it, but I think I'd be laughed off the net.
(E)xtroverted 61%
I(n)tuitive 100%
(F)eeling 38%
(P)erceiving 22%%
So I took this same personality test that Cori and Dave did, and well what can I say... I am a ENFP (aka. Champion Idealist). I'd deny it, but I think I'd be laughed off the net.
(E)xtroverted 61%
I(n)tuitive 100%
(F)eeling 38%
(P)erceiving 22%%
:: posted by Lazarus, 11:22 AM
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Tuesday, April 19, 2005
It’s Official... I'll have a great deal of fresh air!
After much consideration I have informed the Canadian Red Cross that I must decline the offer of a contract extension through until May 31st, 2005 and have accepted a postion with my mentor as Rooms Division Manager for his hotel in Kannanskis. Although the start date is flexible, I expect to start my position May 2nd, 2005.
I am not certain how many ‘moving credits’ I have out there, but I will need help moving my meagre number of posessions into a self-storage facility near the end of the month.
So in the next 12 days, I have to pack all my stuff, process Purgatory turns and mentally and emotionally prepare myself for living 4 hours away from my friends and family. It should be an interesting week.
After much consideration I have informed the Canadian Red Cross that I must decline the offer of a contract extension through until May 31st, 2005 and have accepted a postion with my mentor as Rooms Division Manager for his hotel in Kannanskis. Although the start date is flexible, I expect to start my position May 2nd, 2005.
I am not certain how many ‘moving credits’ I have out there, but I will need help moving my meagre number of posessions into a self-storage facility near the end of the month.
So in the next 12 days, I have to pack all my stuff, process Purgatory turns and mentally and emotionally prepare myself for living 4 hours away from my friends and family. It should be an interesting week.
:: posted by Lazarus, 2:37 PM
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Monday, April 18, 2005
Ship of Dreams
At 23:40 on April 14th, 1912 it is beleived that William McMaster Murdorch made a fateful mistake. It was likely the last of a series of mistakes that led to the sinking of the RMS Titanic less than two hours as the massive vessel strck an iceberg in the waters just south of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland... over 1,500 people died.
Once again, Iain and Val put on a wonderful show, and I thank them profusely for the opportunity to play William McMaster Murdoch, and hope that all those who attended had as good a time there as I did.
The food, provided by Elizabethan Caterers - was superb. I'll keep them in mide for future recommendations, for certain.
At 23:40 on April 14th, 1912 it is beleived that William McMaster Murdorch made a fateful mistake. It was likely the last of a series of mistakes that led to the sinking of the RMS Titanic less than two hours as the massive vessel strck an iceberg in the waters just south of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland... over 1,500 people died.
Once again, Iain and Val put on a wonderful show, and I thank them profusely for the opportunity to play William McMaster Murdoch, and hope that all those who attended had as good a time there as I did.
The food, provided by Elizabethan Caterers - was superb. I'll keep them in mide for future recommendations, for certain.
:: posted by Lazarus, 2:01 PM
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Checks and Balances - Who Needs Those?
There are some very bad things going on in the US Capitol right now, and should they turn out as expected, the world should be prepared for a crippled US Senate and a tremendous spike if partisanship.
Currently 60 senators must agree to invoke cloture and force a vote by the full house on a nomination. With the split of 55-44-1 in the Senate, 10 of Bush's most controversial nominations for federal court appointments have been blocked by Senate Democrats, although 204 have been approved. Of those 10, 7 have been resubmitted to the Senate for confirmation.
Senator Bill Frist, the majority leader is pressing forward with plans to eliminate judicial fillibusters in preparation for at least one vacancy in the US Supreme Court in the coming months and to facilitate the nomination of his other 'blocked' appointments. If he does so, a simple majority will be all that is needed to confirm appointments - ensuring that judges will be appointed in a very partisan manner.
The Democrats have vowed to shut down the Senate, except for the budget and national security matters, in protest... it should be an interesting time in US politics.
There are some very bad things going on in the US Capitol right now, and should they turn out as expected, the world should be prepared for a crippled US Senate and a tremendous spike if partisanship.
Currently 60 senators must agree to invoke cloture and force a vote by the full house on a nomination. With the split of 55-44-1 in the Senate, 10 of Bush's most controversial nominations for federal court appointments have been blocked by Senate Democrats, although 204 have been approved. Of those 10, 7 have been resubmitted to the Senate for confirmation.
Senator Bill Frist, the majority leader is pressing forward with plans to eliminate judicial fillibusters in preparation for at least one vacancy in the US Supreme Court in the coming months and to facilitate the nomination of his other 'blocked' appointments. If he does so, a simple majority will be all that is needed to confirm appointments - ensuring that judges will be appointed in a very partisan manner.
The Democrats have vowed to shut down the Senate, except for the budget and national security matters, in protest... it should be an interesting time in US politics.
:: posted by Lazarus, 12:56 PM
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Judicial Humour
Macomb County Circuit Judge Deborah Servitto composed a rap of her own to help explain her ruling in a lawsuit between Marshall Mathers III (Eminem) and his high school bully who alleged that he had been defamed in Eminem's lyrics.
The lyrics are stories no one would take as fact
... they're an exaggeration of a childish act
It is therefore this Court's ultimate position
... that Eminem is entitled to summary disposition.
Macomb County Circuit Judge Deborah Servitto composed a rap of her own to help explain her ruling in a lawsuit between Marshall Mathers III (Eminem) and his high school bully who alleged that he had been defamed in Eminem's lyrics.
The lyrics are stories no one would take as fact
... they're an exaggeration of a childish act
It is therefore this Court's ultimate position
... that Eminem is entitled to summary disposition.
:: posted by Lazarus, 11:30 AM
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Friday, April 15, 2005
Employment Conundrum
So... I'm in a bit of trouble. At the end of the month, I will be both unemployed and homeless, which essentially makes the decision for me that I store my belongings and take a job (even a line job) at the Executive Resort at Kannanaskis. Except for one thing...
... the Red Cross can extend my contract again, until the end of May possibly into June - but I don't have a place to live and it's not like I can apartment hunt for a place to stay for one month... sigh...
I don't know what to do.
So... I'm in a bit of trouble. At the end of the month, I will be both unemployed and homeless, which essentially makes the decision for me that I store my belongings and take a job (even a line job) at the Executive Resort at Kannanaskis. Except for one thing...
... the Red Cross can extend my contract again, until the end of May possibly into June - but I don't have a place to live and it's not like I can apartment hunt for a place to stay for one month... sigh...
I don't know what to do.
:: posted by Lazarus, 11:13 AM
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Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Canada: The New Italy
I think Dave and Anne can breathe a little easier than they have been reading the newspapers of late. As bad as things seem for the ruling Liberal party a non-confidence motion is unlikley to happen in the very near future, but it's going to happen.
With these poll results its still very unlikely that any party is going to get enough seats to form a majority.
36.2% Conservative
25.0% Liberal
20.5% New Democrat
12.6% Bloq Quebecois
05.0% Green
Historically, minority governments have made /good/ government, based upon compromise and diplomacy rather than party discipline. It looks like the NDP and Bloq will hold the balance of power over whichever of the 'moderate' parties has the most seats for the forseable future... a new Italy.
While this may mean the death of the gay marriage legislation, it is still legal in most of Canada - in time the courts will be forced to intervene...
I think Dave and Anne can breathe a little easier than they have been reading the newspapers of late. As bad as things seem for the ruling Liberal party a non-confidence motion is unlikley to happen in the very near future, but it's going to happen.
With these poll results its still very unlikely that any party is going to get enough seats to form a majority.
36.2% Conservative
25.0% Liberal
20.5% New Democrat
12.6% Bloq Quebecois
05.0% Green
Historically, minority governments have made /good/ government, based upon compromise and diplomacy rather than party discipline. It looks like the NDP and Bloq will hold the balance of power over whichever of the 'moderate' parties has the most seats for the forseable future... a new Italy.
While this may mean the death of the gay marriage legislation, it is still legal in most of Canada - in time the courts will be forced to intervene...
:: posted by Lazarus, 11:45 AM
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Holy Mother Church
There is an interesting sparing match happening on Anne's blog between herself and one of her regular readers about Catholicism. Anne, in her typical and trademarked irreverence was mocking the conservative institution that is the Roman Catholic Church stating "what this Church needs is an enema." From that point he regular reader kept the back door analogy going and well... you can read it all here.
But I wanted to weigh in on the matter on my own blog:
I think that Adrian is overlooking the fact that under the law, marriage is a secular institution not a religious one, the legal protections afforded to married couples exist under the law of the state; and it is those secular rights of guardianship, property, and taxation that are affirmed when two individuals marry. In a religious sense he is correct, however the Roman Catholic Church chooses to recognize marriage among its parishioners is its own internal issue, but that is what it should remain... internal.
In an age of Brittany Spears and her 48-hour marriage, Elizabeth Taylor and her 8 marriages over 50-years, Zsa Zsa Gabor and her 9 marriages over 68-years; it is untenable to place the blame for undermining the sanctity of marriage on those homosexual couples who are seeking the same legal rights as heterosexual couples, or those heterosexuals, who support those couples in their quest for equal rights under the law.
Unlike Anne, I have no doubt about the former Pope's efforts to promote peace and reconciliation and to foster common ground between faiths. The Lutheran and Anglican denominations are on better terms with the Holy See than at any other time since the reformation. Relations with the Eastern Orthodox are likely at the best since the Great Schism following Pope John Paul II's formal apology for the sacking of Constantinople. The Pope's outstanding relationship with the Dalai Lama is well-documented.
I note with regret however, that he did not extend his message of tolerance and acceptance within his own Church as widely as he did externally. However, I think believe that James (a practicing Catholic) is right, as pious and as good a man as he was - John Paul II was still a Polish peasant at heart, with all the latent ignorance, social mores, and intolerance that come with it. I hope the next Pope will build upon the good that the previous Pope had done and turn his message of tolerance inward.
There is an interesting sparing match happening on Anne's blog between herself and one of her regular readers about Catholicism. Anne, in her typical and trademarked irreverence was mocking the conservative institution that is the Roman Catholic Church stating "what this Church needs is an enema." From that point he regular reader kept the back door analogy going and well... you can read it all here.
But I wanted to weigh in on the matter on my own blog:
However in an age when the traditional family unit is eroded by relativist secular values, I think the RC church is right to insist on defending the dignity and sanctity of heterosexual marriage. Loving, stable marriages are not just good in themselves - they provide the best possible setting for young people to grow up in and learn to become responsible citizens.
I think that Adrian is overlooking the fact that under the law, marriage is a secular institution not a religious one, the legal protections afforded to married couples exist under the law of the state; and it is those secular rights of guardianship, property, and taxation that are affirmed when two individuals marry. In a religious sense he is correct, however the Roman Catholic Church chooses to recognize marriage among its parishioners is its own internal issue, but that is what it should remain... internal.
In an age of Brittany Spears and her 48-hour marriage, Elizabeth Taylor and her 8 marriages over 50-years, Zsa Zsa Gabor and her 9 marriages over 68-years; it is untenable to place the blame for undermining the sanctity of marriage on those homosexual couples who are seeking the same legal rights as heterosexual couples, or those heterosexuals, who support those couples in their quest for equal rights under the law.
As for John Paul II's relationship with other churches and faith communities, he has done much to build bridges and serve as a reconciler. Had been otherwise thus I can't imagine that the Pope's funeral would have been televised in England on BBC - or attended by the Archbishop of Canterbury and Prince Charles - both representatives of a church which rejected Papal authority over 450 years ago.
Unlike Anne, I have no doubt about the former Pope's efforts to promote peace and reconciliation and to foster common ground between faiths. The Lutheran and Anglican denominations are on better terms with the Holy See than at any other time since the reformation. Relations with the Eastern Orthodox are likely at the best since the Great Schism following Pope John Paul II's formal apology for the sacking of Constantinople. The Pope's outstanding relationship with the Dalai Lama is well-documented.
I note with regret however, that he did not extend his message of tolerance and acceptance within his own Church as widely as he did externally. However, I think believe that James (a practicing Catholic) is right, as pious and as good a man as he was - John Paul II was still a Polish peasant at heart, with all the latent ignorance, social mores, and intolerance that come with it. I hope the next Pope will build upon the good that the previous Pope had done and turn his message of tolerance inward.
:: posted by Lazarus, 10:53 AM
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Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Publication Ban
The Gomery Commission has issued a publication ban relating to the testimony of Jean S. Brault, Paul Coffin and Joseph Charles Guité. These three men have been indicted under the Criminal Code of Canada with multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy. While I understand the requirement for the government to ensure these men receive a fair trial there is a significant flaw in the publication ban.
The big problem? The commission is still a public inquiry and therefore anyone can get into to listen to the testimony, the testimony is still recorded by CPAC, and reporters are still present... and someone gave all that information to an American blogger who published the details of the testimony, which is apparently incredibly devastating tot the Liberal government.
I'd post the link to the blog myself, but that would be in contravention of Justice Gomery's order, and I really have no desire to be held in contempt of court.
It's all very interesting, and proves the futility of a publication ban in the information age. I wonder how Justice Gomery and the Justice Department are going to react to this development.
The Gomery Commission has issued a publication ban relating to the testimony of Jean S. Brault, Paul Coffin and Joseph Charles Guité. These three men have been indicted under the Criminal Code of Canada with multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy. While I understand the requirement for the government to ensure these men receive a fair trial there is a significant flaw in the publication ban.
The big problem? The commission is still a public inquiry and therefore anyone can get into to listen to the testimony, the testimony is still recorded by CPAC, and reporters are still present... and someone gave all that information to an American blogger who published the details of the testimony, which is apparently incredibly devastating tot the Liberal government.
I'd post the link to the blog myself, but that would be in contravention of Justice Gomery's order, and I really have no desire to be held in contempt of court.
It's all very interesting, and proves the futility of a publication ban in the information age. I wonder how Justice Gomery and the Justice Department are going to react to this development.
:: posted by Lazarus, 4:38 PM
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Monday, April 04, 2005
Letter to the Editor
In responce to this letter from an Alberta MLA, I sent in the following responce:
I must respectfully disagree with several of the points addressed by Ted Morton, MLA, Foothills-Rockyview in his letter published April 5th, 2005 regarding the same-sex marriage debate and the Alberta Marriage Act.
No one will refute his evidence that social science research demonstrates tangible benefits that accrue to children raised by both biological parents (in a stable home environment). However, his assertion that such research is justification for opposition to homosexual marriages is poorly grounded. Marriage is an expression of love and adoration between two people that wish to commit themselves under law to their relationship; children are a natural extension to that love - for fertile heterosexual couples. But not all couples who do marry can have children. Does Mr. Morton condemn the marriage of those unfortunate individuals whose own fertility issues negate the possibility of their own children, or choose to adopt any of the thousands of children who rely on foster care? I think not...
Should we wish to, my girlfriend and I could walk into a registries office today and walk out with a marriage license. If my partner was male, I could not. That is discrimination on the basis of gender and under section 28 of the charter is exempt from the notwithstanding clause, the issue of sexual orientation is irrelevant. Though I disliked (like most in Western Canada) many of his programs I'll quote him regardless, "The state has no business in the bedrooms of the nation." - Pierre Elliot Trudeau.
It is the duty of the judiciary to protect the minority from oppression of the majority. If all rights were popular, we would never have to protect them. Lets move on to fixing our health care system, infrastructure, and opening the border to our cattle. We have more important and pressing concerns for our legislature to deal with then using empty rhetoric to score cheap political points... that is what the real majority wants.
In responce to this letter from an Alberta MLA, I sent in the following responce:
I must respectfully disagree with several of the points addressed by Ted Morton, MLA, Foothills-Rockyview in his letter published April 5th, 2005 regarding the same-sex marriage debate and the Alberta Marriage Act.
No one will refute his evidence that social science research demonstrates tangible benefits that accrue to children raised by both biological parents (in a stable home environment). However, his assertion that such research is justification for opposition to homosexual marriages is poorly grounded. Marriage is an expression of love and adoration between two people that wish to commit themselves under law to their relationship; children are a natural extension to that love - for fertile heterosexual couples. But not all couples who do marry can have children. Does Mr. Morton condemn the marriage of those unfortunate individuals whose own fertility issues negate the possibility of their own children, or choose to adopt any of the thousands of children who rely on foster care? I think not...
Should we wish to, my girlfriend and I could walk into a registries office today and walk out with a marriage license. If my partner was male, I could not. That is discrimination on the basis of gender and under section 28 of the charter is exempt from the notwithstanding clause, the issue of sexual orientation is irrelevant. Though I disliked (like most in Western Canada) many of his programs I'll quote him regardless, "The state has no business in the bedrooms of the nation." - Pierre Elliot Trudeau.
It is the duty of the judiciary to protect the minority from oppression of the majority. If all rights were popular, we would never have to protect them. Lets move on to fixing our health care system, infrastructure, and opening the border to our cattle. We have more important and pressing concerns for our legislature to deal with then using empty rhetoric to score cheap political points... that is what the real majority wants.
:: posted by Lazarus, 2:13 PM
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Saturday, April 02, 2005
Unrestful Sleep
I didn't sleep well last night…. in fact I'm not even certain I rested at all... too many things going through my mind.
Thankfully, I'm spending the enitre day with Don Don then having dinner with his family. I think I need to talk to my old friend and see if he can help break the mind -lock I've been going through recently.
I'd love to get into it more, but I can't on this blog... thats probably why in the past two weeks I never posted. I hope I can break the conundrum that has lodged itself within my mind.
I didn't sleep well last night…. in fact I'm not even certain I rested at all... too many things going through my mind.
Thankfully, I'm spending the enitre day with Don Don then having dinner with his family. I think I need to talk to my old friend and see if he can help break the mind -lock I've been going through recently.
I'd love to get into it more, but I can't on this blog... thats probably why in the past two weeks I never posted. I hope I can break the conundrum that has lodged itself within my mind.
:: posted by Lazarus, 12:25 PM
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Uncertainty
How does one...
make sense of anothers thoughts, if they cannot themselves?
find their way in the wilderness, when no path can be found?
find solace in the wisdom of friends, when they cannot speak?
How does one...
walk away from something they care about?
not fear the wrong choice at the crossroads?
How does one...
answer thier own questions, when uncertainty is the rule?
How does one...
How does one...
make sense of anothers thoughts, if they cannot themselves?
find their way in the wilderness, when no path can be found?
find solace in the wisdom of friends, when they cannot speak?
How does one...
walk away from something they care about?
not fear the wrong choice at the crossroads?
How does one...
answer thier own questions, when uncertainty is the rule?
How does one...
:: posted by Lazarus, 11:51 AM
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Friday, April 01, 2005
Employment 101
If there is one thing that I have learned in the past few weeks of job hunting its this: Just when you think you have a grasp on the lay of the land, it shifts without warning.
On Tuesday morning, I was informed that they had managed to get my Red Cross contract extended until the end of April, so that means I will be able to delay running off to Kannanskis as a desperation move.
On Friday I had a 1:00pm second interview with Vantis in Downtown Calgary and a 4:00pm interview with the Capri Centre in Red Deer. Unfortunately I had to drive there and back in the same day because I had a very important Purgatory game at 7:00pm. Thankfully Tim cam with me as navigator to keep me awake. Now the good thing is that both interviews went quite well, and I am fairly certain at least Vantis will make me an offer.
The broadside was the call from my former boss and mentor, the GM of the Executive Resort at Kannanskis. Apparently his right hand, Yves is likley to take a GM position with the same company's hotel in Regina and if that happened he would hire me as Rooms Division Manager on the spot... hmm... that would mean I would make almost twice what I'm making at the Red Cross and I would be able to take the occasional weekened off to be with friends in Edmonton... it's not a hard choice.
Apparently I'll have answers for this all by the middle/end of next week.
If there is one thing that I have learned in the past few weeks of job hunting its this: Just when you think you have a grasp on the lay of the land, it shifts without warning.
On Tuesday morning, I was informed that they had managed to get my Red Cross contract extended until the end of April, so that means I will be able to delay running off to Kannanskis as a desperation move.
On Friday I had a 1:00pm second interview with Vantis in Downtown Calgary and a 4:00pm interview with the Capri Centre in Red Deer. Unfortunately I had to drive there and back in the same day because I had a very important Purgatory game at 7:00pm. Thankfully Tim cam with me as navigator to keep me awake. Now the good thing is that both interviews went quite well, and I am fairly certain at least Vantis will make me an offer.
The broadside was the call from my former boss and mentor, the GM of the Executive Resort at Kannanskis. Apparently his right hand, Yves is likley to take a GM position with the same company's hotel in Regina and if that happened he would hire me as Rooms Division Manager on the spot... hmm... that would mean I would make almost twice what I'm making at the Red Cross and I would be able to take the occasional weekened off to be with friends in Edmonton... it's not a hard choice.
Apparently I'll have answers for this all by the middle/end of next week.
:: posted by Lazarus, 11:59 PM
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