Why my daughter fears butterflies...

Cooling Off..

Well with temps finally nearing what they should be this time of year I thought it appropriate to share this inspiring water slide video - enjoy!

Youth & Stupidity

Some Facebook Mocking...So True!

Extreme Swinging?

Anything's Possible!

Bloodthirsty Loons...

So I read an article in the Free Press the other day that a Loon can actually be a pretty aggressive bird when another Loon encroaches their territory. I came across another article online that says the same thing - I had no idea! I'll never hear the call of a loon as being that of a cry out to a lost lover as has also been surmised. It may be in fact a call to war! Loons have been known to fight to the death - piercing another loon through the chest and into the heart. I'm not sure I can look at a Loonie the same way again either.

Quote a Three Year Old - Amazing Stuff!

Our little AJ has some amazing quotes: today she told me I should maybe close my laptop so it doesn't get dried up. "Don't get it all dried out daddy - because then you can't press things." I asked her why i wouldn't be able to press things & her response was, "Because God made it, painted it, cleans stuff for us too, and makes stuff for us, and papers for us to draw on, boots, Dora,..." I'm not sure how the two are connected.

Carpe Diem - Harvest the Fruit - Seize the Day

iPod Game

Okay so here's the classic inspired by a former classmate - pull out your iPod & advance your shuffled playlist for each question.

1. What does next year have in store for you? Closer to You - The Wallflowers. This definitely is a song about intimacy & introspection. Sounds good to me!

2. What do you say when life gets hard? Race against Time - U2. This track has an amazing bassline that just drives & builds. This song is almost unknown instrumental with one real line "race against time" - I can hear me listening to this song while road-biking; good pace! As a side note - the song was originally released as a B-side for Where the Streets Have No Name.

3. What does your love life look like next year? Into Your Hideout - Pilot Speed - cool indy band I saw & heard open up for MuteMath in the fall. The song is about tearing walls down which I'll equate to continue to getting to know my lovely wife better and better.

4. Song that reminds you of good times? Out of Time - Jason Collett - another indie artist who I heard through Paste Magazine which sends me good music monthly along with an alright rag. This song fits in the rock-americana vein - a modern day Springsteen (definitely some Dylan influence) - good bass line here too. Reminds me that the good times are fleeting.

5. What do you think when you get up in the morning? Watch What You're Doing - Larry Norman - I loaded up some classic rock from the 70s after Norman passed away this past month. Classic blues rock song and great reminder to think before acting - especially as a teacher. If you know the song - amazing humour & great guitar tone.

6. What song will you dance to at your wedding? From West Texas - Explosions in the Sky - amazing song that drips with emotion, reflection, but I'm not sure it would be the best song to dance to - definitely would be a slow dance.

7. Song that reminds you of your first kiss? No One Like You - David Crowder Band - ha! I love it - it's actually a worship-type song that praises Yahweh with how Beautiful He is! I would say our first kiss was a God-inspired moment so it fits. I find a lot of love songs reflect well my relationship with the Creator. "There's never been anyone like you!"

8. Your favorite saying? We Are the Sound - The Afters. Hmm, it's a great song - I suppose it's somewhat about speaking up & about not giving up. It's not my favorite saying but I'm all for speaking up and not giving up.

9. Favorite place? Natural Beauty - Neil Young. Talk about eclectic and an amazing acoustic song by the legend from Winnipeg. This is a sad song and I have to admit being in that place is normally not where I'd like to be but I do know I learn from such circumstances. It seems my songs are all about seizing the moment - carpe diem.

10. Most Missed Memory? Norwegian Wood - The Beatles. Wow, trippy & reflective - gotta love the fab four. Admittedly this one takes me back to high school & the flirting in the hallways. Talking to girls, holding hands, etc.

11. What song describes your best friend? Jump - Van Halen. What? How'd that get in the mix...let's put our hands together for the Winnipeg Jets! Memories of a high school dance that wasn't was but was, seeing VH in the Winnipeg Arena twice...how does this describe my best friend? Well I have a few...I won't mention their names but it does capture the thrill of adventure we've experienced in life!

12. What song describes your ex? Good Intentions - Toad the Wet Sprocket. I think we both wanted things to work out but mistakes were made and the relationship died. Song is fitting - linked to era. I actually don't have too many regrets though years later as it all led to future decisions that has forever changed me. Oh and I skipped a couple tracks to get to this one...somehow the Hounds of Winter by Sting or God's Gonna Cut You Down by Cash didn't seem appropriate.

13. Where would you go on a first date? Ride - Cary Brothers. Great song that is all about escape - riding in a convertible with the top down is the picture I get or riding horses on some wooded trail.

14. Drug of choice? Hurt - Johnny Cash. Wow what a song. In my top 5 for sure - which is why it shows up on my iPod. This is a song about trying to escape but seeing the reality of hurt. My drug of choice has always been escape - usually on two-wheels or for a paddle - there is nothing like the high of surfing a wave or weaving through perfect single-track.

15. What song describes you? A Dream Like Mine - Bruce Cockburn. Hmm, again a bit of a Carpe Diem feel - imagining what could be. Love St. Bruce - seen three or four times and his lyrics ooze with depth & symbol. Great drums & bass - I love the subtleness of the surf guitar in this song.

16. What is the thing you like doing most? Synchronicity - The Police. Okay I saw these guys live back in November in Atlanta - they nailed this song! I love connecting things together when I teach - abstract things that somehow fit. I love connecting people together - & reconnecting people who have struggled in conflict. The thing i love most is teaching and so in a sense this song affirms that. Cool - I'll never look at this song the same.

17. The song that best describes the prime minister? Doomsday Clock - Smashing Pumpkins. Umm, okay that's a little freaky & no I didn't cheat on this one but I will say...I really haven't ever liked any politician anywhere. I don't think our prime minister is as scary as some country's leaders but can the power of leading any country be healthy? I definitely don't envy the responsibility that comes with such power.

18. Where will you be in 10 years? Typical - Mute Math. Ha! Okay I'm motivated by being unique and so my pet peeve is the typical. I love the music in this song and these guys put on an amazing live show!

"Come on, can’t I dream for one day
There’s nothing that can’t be done
But how long should it take somebody
Before they can be someone"

19. Your love life right now? Drunk With The Thought of You - Sheryl Crow. Okay, I'm laughing again. I love my wife and no she's not leading me to getting drunk - but I love the song's attempt at capturing being giddy with the thought of someone special - I think it is very Song of Solomon'ish. Love makes one do crazy things! Although I don't think this isn't a simple song about love & alcohol - it seems to be a song of unspoken love. I think in the busyness of being a dad, husband, & teacher - there are things unspoken & definitely times for escape! The song I wish I hit was Derek Webb's I Wanna Marry You All Over Again - great tune!!!

20. What is your state of mind like at the moment? The Book I Write - Spoon. I absolutely fell in love with this song when I heard it in the Stranger Than Fiction movie. This is the book I write - great line and absolutely apt.

21. How will you die? Bottom Line - the 77s. Okay hilariously there is a line, "I fall down every mountain I try to climb" that sounds pretty ominous. The bottom line is about "I'm going to live forever", about "I've got someone to love me forever" - interestingly these two lines are echos not captured in the liner notes. The bottom line for me is that I want to live my life to the fullest!

Ukuleles

An amazing song by the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain - got to love how a basic song structure can be used again and again. Did I ever share the story of taking ukulele lessons in Hawaii? I didn't go far in that scene but the ukulele is one of the many stringed instruments I've played.

Grocery Store Wars

Okay this is a little cheesy but I chuckled so I'm guessing you might to...enjoy!

Bad Day At The Office

What makes this clip is actually the song...enjoy!

Scary Mary

Mary Poppins re-imagined as a thriller - tis the season?

Some Helpful Information

Every now and then I come across something that makes me chuckle in a way that only the Far Side can. Which is why I own the entire collection hardbound. However, this is not Far Side but with such wit that I take pleasure in sharing the following and I believe helpful information concerning the preparation of kiwis.

Explore: Toogle

Okay if you want to waste about 5 seconds minimum of your time creatively check this site out: Toogle - type your name and see what happens. Actually you can type in almost anything - here are some images created.

"Garth" - my Wayne's World nemesisMy bike: "Giant Anthem"

Bike Eating Tree

Remember where you park your bike! Next time I lean my bike up against a tree - I'm going to remember this picture!
On Vashon Island (near Seattle, Washington), a tree grows carrying a rather unusual passenger - an old bike. Apparently some kid chained a bike to the tree decades ago and never picked it up, leaving the tree no choice but to grow around the bike.

The tree and island gained some level of notoriety when Berkeley Breathed, creator of Bloom County, wrote a children’s book inspired by the bicycle eating tree entitled Red Ranger Came Calling.

Remember the Ginsu Knife?

In Japan, the hand can be used like a knife...but it can't cut a tomato!

Ginsu became one of the most popular and widely-marketed products in history, even attracting a celebrity clientele.

How much would you pay for a knife like this? Don't answer, because...

Despite the Japanese-sounding name, Ginsu Knives were actually manufactured in Fremont, Ohio by the Quikut Division of cutlery manufacturer Scott Fetzer.

Nothing better than the cheese of slick advertising eh?

But WAIT, there's more...

Rumor has it our snow is going to start melting and I for one can hardly wait. How's that for a random musing about a retro commercial from the 80's???

Aimee my little ninja mixing up a little trouble in the kitchen!

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!

2007 Bikes For Under The Tree

March seems so far away right now...

Why is Music Legal?

Okay - you have to check this site out...The Dilbert Blog - very funny stuff! A hilarious rant on how music is a mind-altering drug...so true! I better listen to some Tragically Hip! Oh by the way - I've officially become a part of a community rink in the empty lot next door! My neighbour put up some boards and we are in the process of flooding it - I have to make some use out of this -21 degree weather - why not make ice!!!