Monday, January 29, 2007

Explore Fitness

Here's an interesting article on dieting and exercise - the study concludes that they take off equal pounds - Yahoo! News So here's to exercise & diet...? Admittedly, I prefer exercise over diet and I guess the greatest challenge for me is not consuming too many calories in response to exercise...

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Music iLike

Sorry I couldn't resist a poke at bruising Apple's ego and admittedly I have an iPod but it's only a cheap shuffle . And yes I do enjoy it - particularly when going for a ski or working out on the home gym.
So yeah - new music I'm enjoying - right now I'm listening to the reggae hasidic stylings of Matisyahu and his version of "Message in a Bottle" from his latest 7 song LP No Place To Be complete with a few remixes. I'm also ironically drinking some Mango juice nectar so I must be in an island mood...must be this -25 degree weather? I wouldn't say the album is a must have as it is a "remix" album and simply gives a taste to listeners but a number of the tracks are really good. Included with the cd is a live dvd which is definitely the reason why I purchased it - filmed in Israel and the sound & visuals are simply amazing!
I picked up The Shins' Wincing The Night Away after listening to it online repeatedly...I have their first two albums so I'm not sure why I wasn't lined up at the store to get this when it came out. I just love it - there is some strange intimacy that lurks in their understatements about life, love, & leisure. It is somewhat live sounding and I really love the instrumentation and vocal arrangements...check it out.I wasn't sure what I thought about The Decemberists' The Crane Wife at first - kind of folky, a touch of Dylan, some great bass grooves, and weirdly they remind me of The Proclaimers or Spirit of the West (Remember the track Political?) in some way - I don't think they are Scottish or even Canadian? Simple but profound musically & lyrically - a juxtaposition of joy & grief...I don't know it still is growing on me - some of the album I love and some just doesn't do it for me yet. My two favorite tracks are "The Crane Wife 3" & "O Valencia."
Another "folk-rock americana-type" artist I've been sampling is Josh Ritter and his album The Animal Years. I'm still digesting it but I'm digging the lyrics and feel - reminds a little of Bill Mallonee of Vigilantes of Love fame. Favorite tracks - Wolves, Girl in the War, and yeah - we'll see - I'm still trying it out.

I'm still loving MuteMath - I'm not sure if it is the emo-musicianship or the Sting-like vocals & melodies that get me. Just great music to have playing in the background or while going on a long drive through the wind-ripped prairies. It moves, it grooves, it emotes, it just satisfies me where I'm at musically.
By the way - rumor has it that The Police are rehearsing in Vancouver - could it be a comeback of the white reggae post-punk trio? I've seen Sting once live and admittedly The Police covers were my favs! I still love Stings' Fragile & Fields of Gold...
Favorite all-time Police Songs - "Synchronicity," "Can't Stand Losing You," "Message in the Bottle," "Tea in the Sahara," and yeah I know the obvious and overplayed in the 80's "Every Breath You Take." And oh yeah the choruses from "So Lonely" & "Roxanne" may be repetitive but they get stuck in your brain!

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

The Journey

Life clearly is a journey and at times not one easily traveled. It almost seems trite for me to have written that last sentence but it doesn't make it any less true. My high school graduating class chose the following proverb for our grad theme, "A journey of a 1000 miles must begin with a single step" - a quote by Lao Tzu.

And so, we journey on one step at a time; facing the challenges, the joys, the struggles of life. I've always enjoyed watching nature programs on channels like the Discovery Channel but it has often seemed that life for animals seems at times so hopeless. The classic series Trials of Life - reveal the savagery of primates in the jungle or hopeless swim of a seal pursued by a killer whale.

To me - it seems we have more purpose than simply being on a journey. Ultimately there is a destination but I don't think that is all there is to life either. Life is more than just dying and getting to Heaven. I think a big part of our purpose and existence has to do with our relationships with others, with the people we meet along our path. Life is about being a voice to others and somehow functioning as community, as fellow sojourners. Clearly that is counter to what much of the world says, after all life is all about my choices, my wants, my desires, my individuality - right?

What are our voices & actions saying to others? Are we able to step outside our own shoes and actually engage other people in real conversations? Are we being an encouragement to others or do we instead take away & steal the pride of others? Are we bearers of life or death?

We hear a lot of voices on our journey - some good, some bad, and yes to borrow a Clint Eastwood movie title & idiom - some just plain ugly! Living through Junior High (or puberty for that matter) is a lot like living as a chimpanzee in the jungle or a seal in a whale-infested sea. Survival of the fittest! Eat or be eaten. As someone involved in youth ministry for over a decade, I have seen a lot of hurting youth and some of them continue to feel the effect of this hurt into their young adulthood. They still bear the scars of hurt, of taunts, of mental & even carry some deep spiritual wounds. And many are still bleeding. Those voices still echo in their ears as adults - "you will fail, you are not good enough, you are ugly, you are stupid..." These words were never meant to be spoken, never mind heard or thought or believed.

It is time for each of us to be voices of healing, of hope, of love, of bringing people back from the dead. It is time to wake up and stop walking alone on this journey. Life is not just about me, myself or I! We need to stop living the lie we are fed in our public schools, on television, by our law courts, and governments that life is all about the individual and our rights. In reality life is about the human race & how we engage others in relationship on this planet we live on.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Saturday Ski!

Another awesome day for a ski in the Sandilands - Pat & I did the yellow loop and I think the temp was around -5 degrees Celsius - pretty much perfect. I had one close encounter with a tree after wiping out after getting caught in some deep tracks during one of my descents. The only casualty though apparently was my ski pole which handle came off the shaft while climbing the next hill. Nothing a glue gun can't fix apparently but it was a pain for the rest of the ski - definitely slowed my pace down and forced us to stop several times as I had to keep putting it back together. Next time we'll have some tape along - my old ski poles always had a bit of electric tape on them just in case!

Friday, January 19, 2007

Night Ski

It was good to get out for an hour on the Sandilands Black trail with Jason & Pat. Still prefer hitting the trails on mtn bike but I admit that it was a lot of fun skiing in the dark. The headlights are definitely a must without a full moon - in our case, our ski started out with falling snow but by the time we got back to our vehicle the stars had come out. Still a bit on the brisk side though - I'm guessing it was around -15 degrees C. Hopefully, I will get another ski in on Saturday! Sure beats working out indoors!

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Musing My Way Into 2007

To muse or to contemplate can be a very positive thing. It is something that I've found valuable in sorting my thoughts and in exploring new ideas. At the start of a new year, many people create new year's resolutions - goals & ideals that hopefully will be fulfilled in the months ahead.

I don't mind setting goals but I've never been one to do "the list." Perhaps I'm just too random and spontaneous to sit down and do that? I've identified in the past my mission statement and I have a list of implications for my marriage, family, work, etc. It is something that I paste on my wall and refer to but I can't help but live that out!

But my guess is - resolutions are simpler tasks to accomplish than to live out your calling like a mission. Stuff like: exercising more & watching what you eat? My resolution is simple: keep being me! What does that mean? I seek to be: inspiring, curious, & creative; adventurous; God-led; an explorer of play & new ideas; a traveler; enthusiastically outdoorsy; a voracious reader; a loving husband & father; passionate & authentic in all I do; and to be someone who lives without regret!
"We learn wisdom from failure much more than from success. We often discover what will do, by finding out what will not do; and probably he who never made a mistake never made a discovery" - Samuel Smiles

"Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forward" - Soren Kierkegaard


"Better to illuminate than merely to shine, to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate"
- Saint Thomas Aquinas

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Exploration Quotes

Here are some interesting quotes to ponder & explore:
"We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started... and know the place for the first time" - T. S. Eliot

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration" - Ansel Adams

"Writing is an exploration. Your start from nothing and learn as you go" - E. L. Doctorow

A life without exploring from my perspective would be a boring one and I'd question whether "living" is actually occurring. If a person never breaks into a sweat or whose pulse never races, my guess is they've never stepped foot outdoors. This world is too amazing to not explore and experience! I try to live my life in a way that keeps pushing boundaries, learning new things, and stepping over the edge into full-on adventure!
My fear of heights has never stopped me from climbing and my love of the outdoors has brought me to glimpses of Eden that leave me wanting more! Part of the reason why I love photography as it allows me to capture those moments in part and provides me with another conduit for creativity!

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Mountain Bike Peru Adventure

I came across this site which is promoting mountain bike tours to Peru! I've been interesting in hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu but mountain biking & seeing it would be so unique. Ten days of torturous climbs from the sounds of things - got to love it!

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Swim like a fish!

I'm not sure how this post ends up being the first of 2007 on Musings. I probably should have started with some resolutions for the year but I came across this site and well I'm speechless. Have a peek and feel free to post your response!
The first week of the new semester seems to be going well and my classes are off to a roaring start. Tomorrow I'm off for breakfast with some local youth pastors and I'm looking forward to reconnecting with them. It has turned a bit cold again apparently and it is hard to get used to after being spoiled by plus temps last week. Also hard to get motivated to ski when you have to put on three layers!

Aimee & I are enjoying her swimming lessons - had her second lesson after supper and she already is becoming more comfortable with kicking her legs and getting water on her face. She loves the games & songs that go along with the lessons. Chelsea is doing well too - she seems so grown up already in the pool and is able to actually swim for short distances already!

Monday, January 08, 2007

Top Ten World Travel Destination

Here's an interesting story about iExplore's Top Ten World Travel Destinations for 2006 based on vacation purchases last year.

Here's the scoop:
    2006                           2005
Rank Rank
1 EGYPT 1
2 ANTARCTICA 19
3 SOUTH AFRICA 6
4 PERU 2
5 CHINA 4
6 TANZANIA 17
7 INDIA 5
8 THAILAND 11
9 ITALY 8
10 ARGENTINA 14
"Other destinations showing strong growth in 2006 included Costa Rica (#11) and Japan (#13). Bumped from last year's top ten were the Galapagos Islands (#12), New Zealand (#17) and France (#43). Europe continues to suffer given the falling value of the U.S. Dollar, as compared to the Euro, making trips much more expensive to American travelers."

Well - I've been keeping track of places I'd like to go on my 43 Places site. I have tried to make a top ten list before but it is tough, so I've come up with a top five. Quite honestly though - my list keeps changing...

1. New Zealand
2. Belize
3. Australia
4. Galapagos Islands
5. South Africa

What's your top five? Or if you've really thought about it top ten?

Sunday, January 07, 2007

More Pictures from December & early January

This will be a bit of a random collection of pictures - mostly of winter-themes, some texture stuff, close-ups of ice, frost, & snow. I played a little with exposures as well and a little "photo-shop" but pretty minimal - I prefer getting the right shot before having to upload it to the computer. Too much tweaking and photos start to look unnatural but they still capture a moment in time!
A shot of my girls & wife at Christmas reading some stories...

Some early morning frost made for some interesting shots of our walkway to our front door.
This is the top of one of our maple trees that with frost.
I've taken shots of our kids' swing chains before with frost - I played with color a little here.
I really love this shot - the frost being back lit just gives it more of an ethereal feel.

This shot of a neighbour's fence has been my background for my computer for the last week...not that I'm feeling cagey or anything - I just like how it accentuates the frost.
Another back lit shot of a frosted branch - some neat colors come out in the sun...
Got to love icicles - admittedly I've eaten a few in my life!
This is a shot of a light at the entrance of our boathouse, neat how the icicles are lit up.
This shot was not taken in the best light conditions but I loved the colors of the tea leaves against the snow...

Again - some nice colors shine through the frosted branches.
One of the local deer that frequent our winter abode...I've been trying to focus on eyes as I've read that is one the best ways of capturing both people & animals.
I posted a color version of this on musings but I like the sepia-toned one as well.
I took this motion-blurred shot on one of my ski tours on the Star Lake/West Hawk trail.
Sunset on Star LakeYet another icicle shot - lit up somewhat from a sunset.
Some fireworks on New Years - tripod necessary and the bulb feature to open up the shutter.
Another explosion in the sky!
This shot included the full moon along with the fireworks...
The front doorstep taken at night ala tripod
The other side of the cottage - good view of the accumulation of snow and steps that lead down to the lake.
A pine grouse that rested on the roof of our car for a few moments...this was taken seconds before it flew off. I wish I could have captured that but I wasn't quite ready...
More sunsets - the purples and oranges remind me of the beach for some reason.
Interesting patterns of snowmobile & ski tracks lit up by the setting sun...again amazing colors of gold, purple, oranges!
I like this shot too - I should mention that we had some rain before the big snow and so a lot of my shots have an extra glaze to them that literally flashed in the sunlight making for some interesting effects.

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Wild-Card game definitely wild!

Wow - well I've enjoyed my NFL playoffs today! Amazing to have Seattle pull off that win against Dallas. We'll see what happens tomorrow - I'm kind of rooting for the NY Jets & Philly's Eagles tomorrow but who knows what will happen? As far as my NFL teams that I'll be cheering for - I've always been an NFC guy - Green Bay since the early 90's and this obviously continues but they didn't make the playoffs this year, I got to liking Seattle when Holmgren took the reigns and obviously Hasselbeck & Alexander have been a great pair to have led the team to the Superbowl last year, and finally this season I've really enjoyed Drew Brees & Reggie Bush with the New Orleans Saints - sort of a "rags to riches" story I guess. So yeah - we'll see how Seattle does and if they don't make it past the next match up, we'll root for the Jets or the Saints.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Schussing into the New Year!

Well - December is over and January has begun...and part of exploring play for this new year definitely has been enjoying our mild Manitoba winter complete with ample snow - until it all melts away!
The West Hawk trails after twelve inches of fresh stuff!
Okay, the full-tuck was unnecessary (perhaps a little embarrassing) but it is hard to instruct your sister to take a picture of yours truly that looks like I'm somewhat in motion...at least I look like I'm attempting to "schuss" my way down the bank of the lake (I did start about 100 feet away by the cottage).
My students all know my pet peeves when it comes to spelling mistakes - who knew I'd run into it on the ski trails. Must be karma from marking too many exams at Christmas or something?
Chelsea & I went for a short little hike.

Post-Christmas was spent at the Star Lake escape residence known as "the cottage" or for those less-refined "the cabin." Skiing the West Hawk loop or my Dad's groomed trail on Star Lake was absolutely fabulous.
Self-portrait taken on a good 12km ski-trail...

Off-piste'
I also spent some time shoveling the 12" dump of snow from our formerly cleared skating rink ala lake. Ironic, seeing as my skates are still in need of repair and sitting in my garage in some cardboard box. I did a little snowmobiling with the girls as well but I've come to prefer more "natural" sports.
Dad exploring play on his Arctic Cat.

I think I must have put on a good 20kms skiing over the course of our escape and now that I'm back home in Steinbach I've put on a few kms on the local golf course after a moonlit ski last night and a 8.5km loop in the Sandilands as well today. This skiing thing is becoming almost as habitual as mtn biking - great for the body, mind, & soul! Exercise for me has always brought balance to the rest of my life!
A little bit odd of an exposure but it captures a moment.
All ready to ski at sunset.
Chelsea enjoying her second year of being a skier!

By the way the word "schussing" actually refers to hurtling down an alpine slope which generally doesn't happen much on cross-country skis but it is a cool sounding word for in a title and in some ways the end of the year involved some speeding down hills.

I also had the opportunity to do some skiing with Jay - a friend from my Prov days, fellow musician, and someone I don't get to see often as he lives out East. Anywhoos - here's an entertaining video that captures a few moments of skiing!