My New Car...

TV Troubles

So a while ago Janelle and I looked at our options for setting up cable or satellite for our television. Up till this point (and currently) we have no stations that come in, not even one! So we don't watch TV. However now that fall is upon us and series are starting up again and most importantly hockey season is starting we both agreed that we would like to have something.

We weighed our options and decided that Bell ExpressVu was the way to go. Mostly because we could bundle it with our phone features. We had just made our initial contact and we found out that Colpits Developments, the company that owns our building, has a deal with Rogers and Star Choice so we would have to pick one of these two. We debated a little bit but decided to go with Rogers because with them you don't have to buy any hardware and RDS was a "digital essential" meaning that no matter what you ordered it came with your package.

To those of you who do not know what RDS is, it is the French TSN. I "need" this channel because it carries EVERY (may I repeat EVERY) Habs game of the season. This settled it for me. So on Friday some guys from Rogers came and set it all up... and no RDS! So I called them up to see what gives and they tell me I can't get it because I don't live in Quebec or Ontario. I went in for clarification to their location on Prospect St. and they told me that I could only get it in French speaking regions like Moncton. So I cancelled and plan to call Star Choice, who does carry the channel, soon.

I had almost told myself that not having RDS and every Habs game was no big deal until I saw this:

I immediately went downstairs out the door and straight to Rogers to cancel my cable.
Should have known with a name like Rogers eh Brad?

Coach Foreman

Well well well, much to the delight of the youth of Burtt's Corner, the surprise of everyone who has ever seen my play and the joy of every other team in our league, this Basketball season I will be coaching the Keswick Valley Coyotes.

I know what you're thinking, "Dan you are such an amazing basketball player, won't the kids be intimidated by your ability?" and you may be right but to compensate, my good Friend Brad (who is actually good at basketball) is also coaching with me.

So all you other teams better get ready because we come to play!!!! GO COYOTES!! HOWLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL cough cough... ahem.

To You From Failing Hands We Throw the Torch Be Yours to Hold it High

I cannot wait for hockey season to start! There is just something about investing so much energy and passion in something over which you have no control. Come on boys, this year we bring home number 25!!!

GO HABS GO!!

More Birthday stuff

After reading Ben's blog I felt inclined to rip him off because that is what we do. No harm no foul. I really miss him a lot right now. I have somewhat been in anticipation of today because it is our first Birthday apart. I know he's not dead or anything and we talk a lot but if you don't have a twin or even a close sibling you probably don't understand.

Anyways, I love you Ben, Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday...

Well for the last two years I have posted on September 20th as Happy Birthday Mr. President because it was my birthday and I had on both occasions just been named President of the student association of MCC. It is still my birthday but no fancy title to go with it.

The other night a bunch of us got together to celebrate at Boston Pizza for some awesome food and fellowship. Then back to my place to play NHL 2007! Super fun. Also on the plus side Janelle got me a Dairy Queen ice cream cake with the Habs logo on it. Can life get any better? I submit that it cannot! Anyways, good times had by me.

Happy Birthday Ben!

Happy Belated Blog Day!!

Well I can see from other bloggers that on the anniversary of your first post you are supposed to have a happy blog day and I forgot. Sorry bloggy. My blogday was on September 12 2004, 2 years ago! At that time I had just moved back to PEI and cut all my hair off! What fun. On this day two years ago I had just accepted a job as the youth minister at the New Glasgow Church of Christ. Good times there as well.

Well it has been a good two years and here's to as many as I keep this thing running! Go Habs Go!

School

Well I think it just sunk in. It is September 15th and I have yet to study for a test, research to write a paper or devote an entire morning, afternoon, evening or night to reading. No more school. I did it for 17 straight years and it is done... for now. I am settled into my job but it is different now that the kids are back in school and I am not.

It's weird... I don't think I miss it really... maybe I do. It is weird to now be going back to my elementary/middle school and high school, now to volunteer and such. It was weird to sit in the office at KVMS for a different reason this time!!! No detention!

I miss MCC too. Mostly just the people. It was so nice to be around so many of my friends all the time and know everyone's schedule was close to yours. I miss my brother too. Maybe that's it. We have spent the last four summers apart but this time its for good.

This post doesn't seem to be coming to any kind of point... oh well at least you read it! Good luck in school this year if you go and um good luck just the same if you don't.

Married Life?

When you get married a lot things change. A LOT!! There is a change of lifestyle, change of perspective, change of finances, change of relationship, change of schedule and the list goes on. As a result of all these changes, everyone wants to know, "How's married life?" Since everyone has asked, here is the answer.

My standard reply, which I stole from my buddy Corey, is "I haven't felt like sitting in the middle of the floor and crying yet." That is true but not really a complete answer to the question. Married life is great and better than I had hoped. It's not perfect and it takes a lot of work and compromise but I love it. I often ask Janelle if this is how she pictured married life, usually as I dance through the kitchen or sing loudly the songs that I make up, and she admits it isn't, but in a good way.

Janelle has even begun playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the playstation with me! In short, married life is good and it is amazing how great a marriage can be when God is at the centre of it.

Great Trip but a Bad Taste in Bean Town

So this past week end I drove to Boston and back in about 38 hours. Fast trip but a good one! Brad, Murray and I went down to watch a Red Sox game. What a blast, the drive was definitely half the fun. Lots of laughs and yelling KITRY!!! (don' ask). When we got to the boarder, we even had the drug dog go through the vehicle, he seemed nice...

Anyways we went to Fenway park as soon as we got there and the atmosphere outside the park is incredible. Boston is definitely a baseball town. People just go bananas over the Red Sox. We couldn't get in but it was still cool to go.

The next day we got early to head to Fenway again because our game got rescheduled from a night game to an afternoon game. The sights and sounds are really something. While we were debating the price of street meat just outside the park A.J. Burnett (A pitcher for the Blue Jays, who pitched a complete game that day) stepped out of a vehicle. I thought (once I was told who he was) that he would be swarmed but to my surprise only two little kids, about eight or nine ran up to him in Blue Jay jackets and hats holding balls and pens. What are the odds that such an elite player would walk right by but to my surprise again and this time my disappointment he was stern with the kids and refused to give his autograph.

This is what left the bad taste in my mouth. If someone thinks that much of you that for you to write your name on a baseball would make their whole month probably, then sign the stupid thing. I understand that celebrities get asked for this a lot and you can't sign everyone's but these were two kids. It would have taken two minutes on the long side to ask their names, sign the balls and tell them to enjoy the game. If you are going to sign on as a pro athlete, that is just part of the paperwork.

We all get busy and distracted by our work and such, but don't get so busy that you miss the opportunity to make someone's day. I often think of how busy and focused Jesus was but even so, he took the time and made days. If you know the good you could and should do the do it, its a shame and a sin not to.

A Change of Heart and a Slice of Pizza

Most people have a favorite Pizza place. Pizza is good and you will eat it almost anywhere but there is usually that one place that does it just the way you like it. For me that place is Pizza Hut. Their deep dish Pizza is one that, in my opinion, cannot be beat.

Most people also have restaurants that they avoid. This can happen for a number of reasons: bad food, bad service, bad experiences and so on. Well for a long time I have not gone to Pizza Delight. They have pretty good Pizza but quite a while ago I went there and had bad food, bad service and a bad experience. So for a long time, unless I had to for whatever reason, I did not go to Pizza Delight.


Most recently though I have given them another chance. They have a really good take out deal on Monday nights and I have had excellent food, service, and experiences in my past few visits.

Now you may be thinking, "Thanks Dan, there is two and a half minutes I'll never have back but allow me to quote the "Sneller" here and say, "Here's why you care": We are very quick to spread bad news. When people go somewhere and have a bad experience they tell everyone but when we have a good one we only share that with a fraction of the later. When someone has wronged us or treated us unfairly we tell everyone but when we hear that Jesus Christ has saved us we remain silent. Perhaps it's time for a change of heart. Perhaps it's time to spread good news instead of misfortune.

Perhaps it's time for a slice of pizza... I'll let you decide.

The Week-End

Well I spent this past weekend the way I have spent many weekends this summer. I went to a wedding. It was great for a number of reasons. First it is awesome to see two Godly people commit themselves to each other as they commit themselves to God. Joel and Kia are an awesome couple and I really look forward to seeing how God uses them in his kingdom in future years.


It was also great because the wedding gave me the opportunity to spend some time with some good friends, Dave and Anna. My wife and I really miss them and became more aware of how much we did this weekend. It was great to spend some time with them and share some laughs.

Well I guess that is all. Congratulations Joel and Kia! (thanks for doing the thumbs up Joel!!!)

VBStress Produces VBS!

I will admit with complete honesty that I do not like getting ready for VBS. I am not sure why I dread it, it is never as bad a I anticipate but there is just so much to get ready and I am always stressed that everything is done, done right and looking good. It gives me a condition that many of us now affectionately call VBStress!

There are people who think that all ministry activities are a joy and believe to refer to it as stressful is sinful and we should count ourselves thankful to minister in such a free environment. Believe me, I do count myself lucky to live in a place where I can have a full time job as a minister in such a great church. I will not however contend that ministry is not sometimes stressful. We are dealing the eternity of all people here. Define stress!

What I will say is that ministry is always worth it. You see, mentos produce mass carbonation, ministry produces fruit and thus VBStress produces VBS. I love VBS and I believe that it is a valuable ministry that plants seeds that will be watered throughout the rest of life hopefully leading them to Christ and ultimately to heaven.

V.B.S.T.R.E.S.S.

Vacation Bible School's True Reason: Essentially Saving Souls

Randy was Right!

I don't believe it!

Extended warranty

I will attest to the fact that some of the dumbest words ever spoken are "Extended warranty! How can I lose?" I know that many companies make loads of extra cash off of cautious customers who want to make sure their stuff is maintained and covered should anything out of their control happen to it. The tough part with this stuff is figuring out if it is worth it.

Well about a year and a half ago my Mother tricked me into picking up my own Christmas gift. She told me that the Future Shop in Moncton had 3 Canon A60 digital cameras left and she wanted me to pick them up for some gals at work. One of them was for a gal at work and the others were for my brother and I. When picking them up I called her and asked about putting on the warranty. She didn't want to. Most of the time its a rip off. I usually get it though. Maybe I'm a sucker, an easy sell or just cautious but I most often get the extended warranty. So after much convincing I put the warranty on for some extra cash and covered the cameras for 2 years.

One of those cameras is mine now and here we are a year and half later and my camera died last week. Lens went and every picture looks black. However, because I have the 2 year warranty, it is completely covered. I hate to say I told you so Mom... so I won't.

This made me think, I am glad that when I gave my life to Christ that he put an extended warranty on me. In giving my life to him, he promised that no matter how bad it looked when he got it and how much I still abuse it, that he would give me a new one at the end. Free of charge. My camera is only covered for things that are not my fault for two years. My life is covered no matter what, forever.

Extended warranty... sometimes it is worth it.

ION

I know that I haven't been posting much lately and the posts that I have put up are all about Spider-Man, but given the title of this blog you really shouldn't be all that surprised. On to my life.


So last Thursday I bought a car, a Saturn Ion Sadan. It is a 2.2 4 cylinder. I was going to tell you that it was black but you can probably see that... unless you are colour blind... in which case every car is black... actually that is a very poor understanding about what colour blindness is... good thing this post is about my car and colour blindness.

Anyways, it is an awesome little car and I love it. I must also say that Saturn of Fredericton has got to be the best car dealership in the maritimes. They are so helpful and friendly. We bought our VUE from them and couldn't be more pleased. They really are a different kind of car company. And this is a different kind of post because finally there is content and no video. Enjoy!

I Can't Get It Out Of My Head!!!

Ok ok ok, I promise the next time I post it will not be a video but an actual post with things you can read about... BUT I cannot get this Spider-Man business out of my head. I have watched both Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2 over the past 2 weeks and I can hardly stand waiting until May for the next one to come out. This is kind of a trailer but not really. Whatever it is, it is awesome!

I Cannot Wait For This!

I don't know about you but I can hardly wait for Spider-Man 3 to come out! I saw the "coming soon" sign for it at the mall today and I am pumped!!!

The Theme is Red

Today the theme is red. First of all because last weekend two of my best friends in the world got married and it was really awesome. I had the privilege of standing up with my buddy Dave as he married his beautiful bride Anna. It was a really special day and I am totally happy for them. What does this have to do with red you ask? I guess you would have to know/see Dave.



While away I also attended a preaching course taught by Dr. Jeff Snell who works for Lincoln Christian Seminary, whose school colour is red... I know that's stretching it just to keep the theme but I don't care!! Anyways we basically sermonized all week and it was awesome.

What kind of sucked was that while I was away to PEI I got a sinus infection and had to go to the clinic and get prescribed the "red" penicillin pills. As it turns out after 7 days of taking it that I am allergic!! I am a giant rash... from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet and I wish that I was exaggerating... I am red. It really sucks.

Anyways, I am glad you "red" this! hahahaha uggg. (scratch scratch scratch)

Upon Request

Well upon the request of my half-wit brother (actually he would have to be twice as smart to be a half-wit!) I have now, in the midst of all my installing of appliances, installed a tool or unit to wash my clothes! Yes, yesterday my good friend Corey and I carried a washer and dryer up the stairs into our laundry closet. My dad helped me get it up and running while Janelle helped me clean it up so it didn't ruin our clothes and Janelle's father helped me finish the job today.

In other fun and exciting news, yesterday was Canada Day and we went downtown to enjoy the biggest block party in Canada, or so they say. Man what a parade!!!! Man did it suck, it was one of those things where it just looked like a bunch of strangos happened to be walking down the street at the same time the police happened to be around. However, I will say this. The fireworks were really good. Shut up, I am not being sarcastic. At the Fredericton fireworks you can usually tell its the finale when five minutes have passed and they shoot off two at once! But this year they were close to a half an hour and I thought the finale had come twice before it did. It was really impressive.

Well I guess that is enough excitement for now, have a BIG day.