for what its worth....

schools out for the summer...

2009-06-13T08:59:00.002-05:00

I realize it has been way to long since I entered anything here and many of my fellow wannabe writers may have given up on checking out my page but here I go again... few and far between.

I finished up the school year as of Thursday. I remember long ago when my dad would sing this song by Alice Cooper on the last day of school. Its always nice to have summer holidays. Don't get me wrong... I still work in the summer its just different, a nice different. I'm not one who hates winter but I do enjoy being outside when its warm. I have a yard to keep up with now and a house as well, both of which I want to look good and fit in with our nice homey community. I used to do landscaping and basic yard upkeep for a living and I never really liked it, but since its MY house and not some rich dude who was too lazy or "busy" to do it himself, I quite enjoy it.

To add to my new yard and house I was given a generous gift last week. A good friend of mine who's dad had bought a new grill won another new one in some sort of raffle. This friend thought of us and now I have a bran new BIG grill sitting on my deck...

This summer doesn't hold as much as the summer of '08 but it will have its high points. Going to the homeland in a couple weeks will be a highlight, being with family and old friends. Longboarding with my 2 year old dog and wife and friends.... always a good thing.

Hopefully I'll be more regular on here, if not it just means I'm outside... doing yard work or grilling.

fire vs. fighter

2009-04-08T11:51:00.003-05:00

I spent the majority of my day Monday fighting a wildland grass fire. This was no ordinary fire. It was intentionally set by an arsonist. Just north of where our house is there is a 1500 acre Government owned grassland. The whole thing went down in flames. I was stationed at a residential acreage for protection purposes. We could see flames a couple hundred yards away and were in pure "ready for action" mode. We were fine along with the house and dog... Not a lot of "fun" for us.

A little more about the arsonist. This person decided that he would shoot Roman candles out of his window and drive off into the distance. Not knowing his outcome, he sped off and thought he got away scot free. The biggest problem he faced was that he was a local firefighter. No idea why he did this maybe he was getting bored of not seeing any big action recently. He was arrested on scene in a firetruck fighting his very own man made fire.... not only is he facing felony charges he is accountable to all the fire departments in the county.... which is a heck of a lot.

This is more than embarrassing... stupid and a whole lot of other words come to mind. He will be in jail getting"treated" for his stupidity I'm sure.

Random pastimes.

2009-03-04T11:22:00.003-06:00

I haven't been ignoring this blog writing ordeal, I just rarely find the time to sit down and write. However, I have still enjoyed reading the writings of those friends of mine listed on the right. So I threw in a few paragraphs of completely random things that have gone either in my head or in real life in the past couple months.

A few things to note first. I have kept my "healthy" lifestyle choice from my last post by working out daily and eating right. I passed a couple tests for the Fire Dept. which was a must do situation(only 2 more to go). I have fought 2 fires as well. An apartment car fire and a housefire. I was the 2nd crew into the house and fought it well and came out alive. The garage however suffered severe loss. Everything in it was gone including 2 vehicles that were unidentifiable.... I love this new gig.

I also had my first crack at a Heart patient. Up till 2 Mondays ago I had only experienced CPR on a dummy called Fred the Head. This was the real thing. I did compressions and breathed for this man having a heart attack on his kitchen floor. I was scared crapless but somehow all my training came back to me. As I pounded his chest I prayed for him, and his wife in the other room. I didn't sleep that night just thinking about what happened and whats to come for him. I don't think I'll ever forget that night. He lived to tell the story which wouldn't have happened without my assistance and prayers, I believe. Not to blow my balloon up over myself whatsoever but I was proud of myself that evening. I was honored to receive thanks from his wife and family.

I have recently been thinking of furthering my career in the Emergency Services area of the workforce. Police officer, Firefighter, EMT have all come up in my head. I have a friend who is a Police officer here and is on the Metro SWAT team. His stories have tuned me in for months now. He showed me his gear and all his toys that go in his gears pockets. Instantly I was in total focus. I couldn't have been distracted by anything. So now I find myself researching schools to go to SWAT EMT training. I think I might like this.... I need an adrenaline rush to satisfy my ADHD...

On the more stressful side of things. Its trade-deadline day in the National Hockey League. I never cope well on this day. No one is safe on this day even the ones you think might be franchise players... you never know.

Like I said....random.

'08-'09

2009-01-13T11:39:00.002-06:00

There's been a few writings here concerning resolutions for this year and others highlighting the past one. Thought I might follow suit:

2008 in order and in a nutshell:

- Started year off in Canada, the greatest of the countries I've been to.

- Spent time on the high seas of the Caribbean and south Florida.

- Spent time with my elder of the 2 brothers both in the Phoenix desert and beaches of San Diego.

- NYC. Taking in all the touristy sites including The House That Ruth Built in its final year.

- The Canadian Prairies. Nothing like the WIDE open road with smokes, 2 rented cars, camping and 6 good fellas including Murray.

- Los Angeles. Experiencing more "left coast" beaches as well as Jay and Kev on the Tonight Show.

- Christmas in the best house on the best yard. Sitting by the fireplace smelling the sweetness of burning Birch wood while watching the classic How The Grinch Stole Christmas and the Christmas tree at the same time... Playing the Judds Christmas cassette over and over, falling asleep to them soothing my soul.

- Ending '08 with some Guitar Hero Word Tour. Ringing the new year in with a kiss from the woman I love all while watching Robbie Canevil jump a flaming barrel.

Resolutions for '09:

- Be healthier. I need to work out more and lose some "chunk". Eat right and feel good.

- Read books. Good ones, including the Bible (more).

- Pass my Fire tests. There's a few hoops to jump through... I need to get through the hoops.

- Get involved in my new community. Both for ministry and simply getting to know the people I share life with.

- Value others.

'09 I'd like to call the year I get "Stretch Marks. Not gaining weight of any sort, I mean get out of my comfort zone and move into some "uncomfy" situations. These will make me a better person and more importantly, Christ Follower...

Good Riddance '08

CHRIST....mas

2008-12-05T10:42:00.004-06:00

Christmas means many things to many different people... heres a few of my own...

I hung Christmas lights for the first time in my life yesterday. Well at least for my house. When I was somewhere between elementary school and High school my dad made this traditional star full of lights that he wanted up on our roof. So me being the "less afraid more than anyone else" guy I got the job. We had one of those old TV antennae things shooting 20 feet off our already 2 story house which my dad thought would be perfect placement for this star. So each year I climbed with this structure (that was about 5 feet in diameter with big boots and winter wear to break the wind) up this lengthy tower swaying back and forth in the wind scared to death but acting like the tough/brave kid everyone seemed to think I was and hung it by a few coat hangers.

I like Christmas. I don't mind going to the mall and walking around at all but this time of year its always fun for me to be out in public. Music is playing everywhere and generally for the most part people are happy. I like Christmas music in my house and leaving the lights on and tree lit and sipping on hot chocolate in the evening. Feeling cozy by my fireplace and chatting with my dear wife. We started our own tradition of lights and music and I couldn't be happier. We finally are getting a REAL tree in the house and I can't wait for the smell of fresh "tree" everyday for a few weeks.

I am going home in 2 weeks to celebrate with family and relive the memories of the Christmases of old. I'll roll in while its dark and I will see the star thats still lit high above anything else on the farm. The same tradition that was started 15+ years ago. I will think of my father who I'm sure one day will fall from the heights of the house because no one is there to make the treacherous climb in his place.

The star is obviously a symbol of tradition for me as well as a reminder. The same light(I like to think kinda) that I can literally see for miles that guides me home for the holidays guided people from hundreds of miles away to see this "kid" everyone was talking about. I would have probably "filled" my pants when the angels showed up to the shepherds in the field. I don't get why people read this story as if it were an everyday thing. We still read it traditionally before opening gifts or at church. We all know the story and could say it in 5 minutes just to get it over with for the year but I am hoping this year will be different for me. Its my favorite time of year for a few reasons but number 1 on the list should always be because it was the beginning of Jesus saving me...

So I encourage you to follow old traditions and start new ones this year. Think of the memories you already share and will share. Remember that if it wasn't for this day the world would be in a lot more hurt than it already is. And finally, when you read the great old story to family and friends, read it with some oomph. Read it like you were there and actually did fill your pants. Just don't really fill them.... seriously.

Barry vs. John

2008-11-06T10:53:00.002-06:00

I was in Los Angeles over the last 5 days. But I'll write about my experience later... first this:

I wasn't going to write about this but many people ask where I stand being a northerner and slightly hippy. Some of you will disagree with me which is fine, I'm entitled to my opinion and you to yours. Hopefully we'll still be friends....

I was sitting on a plane when the news broke that John called Barry and said "You win". I wasn't surprised although I wasn't pulling for Barry to take over the most hated job(by me) in the world. I'm not sure where to sit with it. I at times have been quoted to say I hate politics. Which I do in a sense. I think we as people get severely bent out of shape with whom will represent us in the world. I say to them it could be worse. We could have Hitler for instance. Only time will tell if Obama does a good job or not. I feel like there will be people who voted for him who wish they wouldn't of. I like big John. He's got more experience in this world than anyone I've heard of. I think he would have made a good leader. I've seen Canada on a downhill slide that started as capitalism and slowly turned into a socialist environment. I guess I'm frusterated that not everyone sees abortion and homosexuality as big of an issue as I do. People put to much emphasis on taxes and crap that we're all going to pay in time anyway rather than issues that could drive their country into eventual communism. I've seen it first hand and am saddened. Where did we as Christians learn to rely on the President over the Bible? Its really the only constant left in this world. Obama getting the next 4 years is no surprise to God at all. He knew it when Jesus was around. But I do understand where these hippies are coming from. I see their side I just differ in terms of priorities and views. I am by no means a rich wealthy Republican but Old Ralph Nader is starting to look mighty good.

Who am I to talk? This Canadian can't even vote.... suckers.

Saturday Night

2008-10-10T08:54:00.003-05:00

The longest running sports program in the history of radio and television is Hockey Night In Canada. Due to my wifes incredibly good nature and love she somehow graciously moved around our budget and found a way to give me the gift that keeps on giving almost every night and for sure every Saturday till June. I will now be joining my fellow Candians in watching this incredible program where Ron and Don will battle once again in the midst of the 1st and 2nd periods.... Thank you fellas, I didn't realize how much I'd miss you.

The one bummer is that of the nations 2nd anthem. The HNIC theme song. Dolores Claman wrote that song and with the "help" of her attorney are now pulling it from the airwaves, claiming that the CBC has improperly used the tune. We now find ourselves looking for a new theme song. What ever happened to tradition? My kids will never know the tradition of the "bumba dundadah" that came on at 6pm every Saturday. This affects the nation and all Canadians who find themselves humming the tune at work or along with Ron getting ready for another Saturday evening of the game. I've been keeping up to speed with the new final 2 songs on the internet. I put my vote in cause this affects the nation in a much milder and different, yet interesting way than that of the election on the 14th. The finalists aren't bad but there will never be another tune like the one Dolores pulled together that made a nation come together once a week.

Thank you little old money hungry lawyer who ruined the beginning of the nations big once a week party.

NYC (long time comin)

2008-10-09T11:40:00.004-05:00

As promised: NYC in a nutshell.
New York has become one of my favorite places I've ever been to. Its like no place I've ever seen or been to. Even from the air it is amazing to see the skyline. Got a little hockey inside info from Colton Orr(NY Ranger fighter/tough guy) Sat next to him on the plane. Told me Jagr and Avery weren't stickin around before Jay Onreit and TSN could even get the news. Made me feel like I should work for TSN. Coltons a good Winnipeg fella. Talked some Canada some hockey some tattoos some life...He's a good dude. Anyways, onto the city.

We stayed near Times Square so we kind of made that our main spot. Its always busy. We were there at 12 midnight and it was shoulder to shoulder people for blocks. Insanity really. We also took the Subway everywhere which was probably the coolest part of the week.

Chelsea and I got on the Today show as some of the crowd and saw Matt Lauer. A little claim to fame maybe. We went to the broadway show "Chicago". It was good and fun. Not something I would've normally spent my cash on but it was part of the NYC experience.

We went to the club where Jerry Seinfeld is filmed at the beginning of the show. A tiny little club. We saw where the famous Beatle, John Lennon was shot. A beautiful old apartment complex alongside Central Park West. Looking over into the huge and geourgous park. His lovely bride Yoko still resides there. Wish we could have seen her.

We hopped the rail up to the Bronx and saw the House That Ruth Built(Yankee Stadium) Took part in one of the biggest rivals in sports. Boston vs. NY. The Sox won 7-0. Incredible to see the place even if the game wasn't all that. Worth the ticket price of 80 bucks a pop as well. Especially now that it will be destroyed.

Went to Ground Zero. Nothing really there but construction. Interesting to see pictures now and relate the buildings to the ones still standing. But not a ton to see. Onto the Statue first from Battery Park. The park at the southern tip of Lower Manhatten.

Took a boat ride around the Island of Manhatten. The Hudson River around to the East River. Overlooking Brooklyn and Queens. Got great views going under the Brooklyn and the Manhatten bridges. The boat also took us out to Liberty Island where we got a great close up of the statue.

So much more I could tell but we'll stop there. My biggest encouragement is to save up and go. Its worth the money anyday.... I'll be back NYC you can count on it.

My bad

2008-09-17T09:03:00.002-05:00

I decided that I'm now a terrible blogger. The past month has been a whirlwind as I excpected it to be. I did not know it would take me this long to write a simple few paragraphs. This one won't be much due to sharing a computer a work and I'm not the primary user.

Few things of interest.

I had a great summer. Toured a lot of the continent with great friends and some family. Camping in the Blackstrap with the boys of summer where dirty Marty returned for 5 days, trying to fit in in NYC with the locals (which I still promise to write more about soon!), cruisin the beaches of San Diego with my older, much skinnier brother. A lot went on and it was good.

Big news on the homefront. We bought a house. We will move over the highway into a small town called Centerville. Its a great little place. One of the first towns settled in the state. To top it off its settlers were French Canucks. Makes me feel little closer to home. We're excited but kinda nervous having such a thing on our records now. Overall its good. Please I beg you, come visit. We have a room for you, 2 if you need.

I'm done Firefighter training end of October which is about time. It will be a year at that time since I started. 2-3 days a week for the past year really makes for a busy schedule.

For now thats it. When the time is right which I'm hoping it will be sooner than later. I'll touch on a few highlights of summer and tell some stories cause you'll want to hear some of them.

Hiatus

2008-08-04T10:21:00.002-05:00

I apologize for my recent hiatus in the blogosphere. I have been in numerous areas of the continent in the past month and have finally returned to being around a computer somewhat regularly.

First and foremost I have to extend a very happy birthday to my wife of 6 years. She is now 27 and my elder by 6 months. I love you deary... Wouldnt want to be with anyone else. I bought her a backpack for her day today. You may be thinking "lamo and the gift Marty" but I assure you that she loved it and she'll be the hippest 27 year old nursing student on campus... I made sure of it.

I have much to touch on but most of my readers experienced my last few weeks with me. I attended a wedding of a good Mennonite friend and was honored to be next to him as he entered into a new stage of life. I spent a few days prior to this with old, very good friends camping and driving across the great open praries of Canada. "Dirty Marty" even made an appearance for 7 days and it felt good to be in the presence of other dirty rotten scoundrels... like I said, good friends. Thanks gentlemen.

Thats it for August. I got nothing. I'll touch on more if something worth writing about comes up. I'll write about NYC soon. THats a novel in and of itself but my tim now is running out.

FDNY

2008-07-02T06:28:00.002-05:00

I'm in New York as I write this. It's been a weird experience. NYC has always been a "neverland" type place to me. I see it in movies, tv shows, etc.... Now I am here. Theres obviously a lot of stories I could share and I will in the near future. For now here's a few:

An Egyptian man drove us from the airport to our Midtown Manhatten (Hells Kitchen) Hotel. We walked the about 45 blocks and saw things like Times Square, Ed Sullivan Theater, The Dakota Apartments (I reenacted how John Lennon got shot) Central Park, And even that little comedy club that you see Jerry Seinfeld doing stand up in at the beginning of the show.

A highlight so far was seeing Ladder 21 and Engine 34 Fire Station. I bought an authentic FDNY tshirt, from that specific station. Now I'm not a cop out like those who buy it on ebay. I got the real deal from the real deal. A random Firefighter came up after we watched them get back from a fire call with a thick NYC accent and offered to help us out with our shirts. He was as kind as one of those stories with the cat in tree children's books you read. On the outside of the station were 7 plaques with Firefighters names that were lost in the 9/11 attacks. These sit above a steel cross formed from the rubbish of the World Trade Center. The station is right by our hotel which is a few blocks from Ground Zero. That's the only thing that would ever get me to live here. Those guys were beauty.... like I said, the real deal..

Theres a lot more to see yet over the next couple days and Theres stories for all the above places which I will share. But, I must go and hit the city some more....

My Home and Native Land

2008-07-02T06:26:00.002-05:00

It is necessary to extend a g'day to Canada. I can't imagine being from anywhere else. From a Canadian attempting to live in the US I realize that there is no country like the Maple Leaf. Happy Canuck to the fellow northerners.

boyhood dream

2008-06-20T08:36:00.002-05:00

I forgot to say one thing. The other day I got to do what a lot of young boys dream of doing. Drive a Fire truck. It was long and huge.... but very very fun. This will be a good adventure. Should be interesting when I start running into a building with flames.... Kinda scared to be honest.

in and out....

2008-06-20T08:21:00.003-05:00

I apologize for my hiatus from the blogosphere. I tend to take it very easy in the summer months. My posts will be few and far between over the next couple months. This is due to me being all over the country and also that we lost internet access in my house. I'll be sure to let you know where my wedding travels are taking and have taken me over the course of the summer.

Thank you for understanding.

new fave writer

2008-05-28T09:09:00.001-05:00

Check this dude out. He is a genius. At least tries to be.

A little gusty....

2008-05-27T10:42:00.002-05:00

I was involved in something I've always wanted to be in but thought it would never happen. A tornado. I've come through hit now thinking that I never want to be in one again. It wasn't like I was in the eye of the funnel but it ripped through my backyard. I am actually rather fortunate to be alive today.

Story time.
I was out rollerblading with Oliver(my dog) and it was extremely black to the north. It began getting closer so I decided to turn around and go home. Literally as soon as I put my put my foot in the door it started POURING rain. I mean torrential pouring. With this came with wind blowing up up to140 miles an hour. I watched as things like garbage bins, tiki torches, barbeque's, siding, etc. began to blow around the neighborhood. I should say flying around the neighborhood. They were definitely airborne. I've never been in anything louder in my life. I've experienced things from concerts to kids screaming in my ear and this took the cake. They say it's like a freight train going through your living room and it was exactly that and more. I couldn't hear Oliver barking in my face. Plugging my ears, I looked across the street where an elementary school sits and I couldn't see it at all. I went and looked out at the backyard and there it was....a massive F3 twister ripping through everyone elses home but ours it seemed. I watched in utter amazement as I almost crapped on the floor from fear. Within seconds it was gone and dissipated into nothing.

Then the hail. It started similar to a sleet or frozen rain in the fall minus the 140 mile an hour winds. Then it was golf ball size falling from the sky. I've seen it hail before but mostly its mixed with a bit of rain. This wasn't. It was ALL hail. I looked out the window and couldn't see anything. At this point I picked up Oliver who is about 100 pounds and waddled down into the garage storage room where I sat for 15 minutes until I couldn't hear anything anymore. I walked up stairs to find my house fortunately still intact and to a very wintery January like outdoors. My car was pelted and looks like someone dropped a ton of marbles on it as does everyone elses. There were car alarms all over going off and people were out surveying the damage. The holes in everyones homes looked like they were attacked by the mob with machine guns....windows out siding out you name it...

There is a lot of negative from a tragedy like this. There was one death. A boy who was lifted out of his home and thrown into a pond down the street. It was a family from our church. 5 other families from our church lost everything and homes are flattened today. There were 400 homes evacuated from the area, we were at the cutoff point. 150 homes are destroyed 50 of those flat on the ground. 20 people injured including the family that lost their 5 year old son. Suddenly my car didn't seem so bad.

We do however have to dwell on the positive. Never In my life have I seen a community come together than I did Sunday night. Emergency service workers from all over the metro area came to assist. 4 helicopters 2 of them medical flew overhead incase they were needed. There were pizzas, subs, burgers etc. all delivered to the evacuees. Chels and I asked if we could volunteer and they said they had enough right then, which is a good thing. Still today there are people helping the community pick up whats left of their life.

Theres a long road here ahead of Hugo, Minnesota, and I have to look to see where I can make a difference....

Look here Everything you see is literally a stones throw away from my backyard.

Colour.....

2008-05-13T10:14:00.002-05:00

We've been living in our home for almost a year now and my wife finally snapped. After living 6 years in 4 different places she (and I a little bit) got sick of white walls. We enjoy our home right now, rent is cheap, its a great community and we have our very own front door which our dog Oliver can sit at and let passers by know he's in charge....which he is of course. Our home has almost everything we need... except colour. Not that we need it but it would look nice.

After a brief phone call to the landlord who said she would pay for the paint we couldn't really pass up the oppurtunity. So now I'm in the middle of the part I really don't enjoy. I don't mind painting for the most part, the part I hate is the mess it brings. The house is in total disaray. Everything is everywhere its not supposed to be and we're only closing in on halfway done. But... I am grateful for a home which I can paint and make look pretty and everyone keeps saying it'll be worth it....which it will be Im sure. It does look good so far if I do say so myself. The Dycks will no longer be with white walls and it only took 6 years to overcome.....

Needless to say, we're going to be living here for a while longer, so stop in and see our attempt at putting some colour into our lives for the first time.....

Blissfulness

2008-05-06T10:49:00.003-05:00

Weddings always remind me of my wedding day. I attended the wedding of my good friend this past weekend and it made me realize what a joy it is to be married to my graciously loving wife. We have the typical ups and downs of any relationship. I feel that I fail her daily but at the end of the day I wouldn't want to do ups and downs with anyone else. I love that she loves our dog Oliver almost with as much passion as she would a human being. I love her passion for ministry and caring for youth. The list can go on for pages.... but those are 2 of my favorite....

She is the joy of my life and I love that I get to keep her for eternity....

Love you girlfriend.....

back in action

2008-04-29T12:56:00.002-05:00

I'm back from the Caribbean. I sailed the northern side of the southern Atlantic Ocean for 7 days. The vastness of the ocean is incredible. I've never been sorrounded only by water, and I was somewhere between North America and Africa. Coolest thing I saw was whales jumping out of the water and slamming down with a bigger splash than you could imagine. It was creation at its finest. But I thank God he didn't make me a whale.

I never saw any Pirates Of The Carribean but we did hear of some near the Bahamas. I doubt they looked like Jack Sparrow but it was weird to hear that people still do that sort of thing.

I ate more food than I've ever consumed in my life here on earth. It was all open buffet cause I prepaid for it. I now know what its like to be full for a week straight, my stomach never emptied it seemed.

Life is good on the Caribbean. The locals in Bahamas made me want to stay. They didn't pressure me into buying anything but just kindly offered. So I bought.... it was nice....

In Miami I met Yogi. He's the apprentice tattoo artist on "Miami Ink" on TLC. He wasn't as nice as I had hoped. Funny guy but I think fame has taken a bite out of his life.

Chelsea and I were talking yesterday and it seems that we both love holidays. We decided it would always be fun to have holidays but working for the man makes it seem that much better, until this:

I returned home actually in the plane on the Miami airport tarmack yesterday. I was in shorts and flip flops or flippers as I call them sometimes and I heard the pilot. "Twin Cities weather is overcast and a balmy 34 degrees sitting just above freezing".

I could've shot him.....Welcome home Dyck Family.

the whole truth....

2008-04-16T09:11:00.003-05:00

I was somewhere I never thought I would ever be yesterday. Court. I was a witness on the prosecuters side of a story. I'm not going to go into it to much but a kid at work kicked my coworker and Mom and Dad got upset and said it was an act of self defense.

Stuff like this happens all the time where I work but for the most part the parents accept what happened cause they know their kid is a lunatic. He would be in a "Normal" school if he wasn't.

So I stepped up to the stand, raised my right hand and swore to tell the truth and away we went. These parents had hired an attorney that I knew of. I knew of him not because I have been in trouble with the law but because I have seen this man on a TV commercial. My guess is that they just hired off of the 1-800 number on the screen cause they had no idea of who to go with or how to find the right guy for the job. Jon (coworker) and I had a great laugh more at him than with him as he was dressed in a deep purple, pinned strip suit with hair done to a "T". I thought I was in a movie. Altogether it was approximately 4.5 hours we waited and chatted and testified. It was a long process for something that will maybe get him 25 hours of community service. I would like to ask the kids parents who are the real people to blame if it was really worth it. I know they emptied their chequebook hiring off the television.

I answered the questions honestly and to the best of my knowledge and I'm very confident that justice was served in the respectful way although a massive waste of me the taxpayers money. No thanks to Steve Meshbecher Purple Suit...

ESPN

2008-04-14T10:29:00.003-05:00

I enjoy football, baseball and even basketball at times. I even had a rim in my basement for years as a kid. Then at 22, I moved to the USA.

I found early on that ESPN and every other sports station would rather show "classic" NFL games during the so called "off-season" than a few hockey highlights from the NHLs Stanley Cup playoff run. I can only take so much football from February till September. Does it take the rest of February to break down what happened at the Superbowl? And who cares about how the Dolphins will do next year. We already know. They're going to suck......again. They're doing a thing right now called "30 teams in 30 days". As if listening to a bunch of has been or no name players is going to change the season the 49ers or the Texans are going to have. A team a day? I could do it in less than a minute.

As you may be able to tell I have a bad taste in my mouth about ESPN. I'm just sick of it. Is this what really sells in America? It's April for cryin' out loud. Last time I checked the NFL doesn't start till September. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy the sport but seriously is this really neccassary? I'm not ranting just cause they don't show more hockey although I wish they would. I just get sick of the same fricken thing day after day after day.

Sorry but this has been boiling for a while and it finally went over....

stress

2008-04-09T12:03:00.002-05:00

I always get stressed this time of year. The NHL does their annual quest for Lord Stanleys Cup. This year there are only 3 Canadian teams who most of the nation I would think will be pulling for to bring the cup home north of the border. Should be an interesting ride. But again, a stressful one.

Tonight the puck drops and I will be glued till June.....Go Flames, Sens and Habitants....

spring....

2008-04-01T10:48:00.002-05:00

Spring greeted Minnesota a couple weeks ago with warm temperatures and lovely smells of freshness as snow melted away. But for some reason March went out like a lion. Yesterday winter came early and we were covered in 7 inches of geourgous white snow. It looks like Christmas should be around the corner. Its a good thing the Twins play ball inside cause it woud've been Lambeau like conditions out there. To top it off my uncle and cousin are coming to visit today and they're from the sunshine state of Florida. Should be interesting for them to see this and for me to see them in snow....

I am ready for summer. The first pitch went out across the MLB and the signs of spring, summer and warm temps in general will approach us sooner than we think.

It's about time...

easter weekend

2008-03-25T09:12:00.001-05:00

I'm not sure what it is but I don't get into Easter as much as I should. Its funny to me that Christmas is taken to apoint of being out of control. Trees, presents holidays....etc. Its sad to me that I fall into this category with the rest of these folks. Easter is the rock weekend of my Christian beliefs but I have a hard time seeing as more than Good Friday and Easter Sunday church. Maybe I need some sort of "worldy" symbol such as the tree is to Christmas.

I hope this passes cause it kinda gets me down. I know Jesus went through brutal excecution for me and more importantly shot back out of the tomb 3 days after. I know it all. I've read and heard the story over and over and it still amazes me that he would do that for humankind. I do believe and always will that this event did take place and I will always try and follow the steps of Jesus. Again, maybe I just need a symbol....

My church did some neat stuff to make this an important time of year to spread the word of the Lord. They did very well. Another church here I went to on Good Friday did an incredible description of the death and beatings Jesus went through. It to was incredible and well played. But again I just didn't feel like it was "all that".

I realized I have a symbol all along. All year, not only Easter season. The Christmas tree comes and goes every year but the Cross I wear around my neck is everyday....

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe....Sin left a stain and he washed it white as snow....

Relax....

2008-03-25T08:22:00.003-05:00

Whenever I go home to the greatest small town on earth theres nothing to do. The beauty of small towns so far from the city is that everyone leaves at some point. All of my friends have now moved to some city that is far away from home. Don't get me wrong I love spending time with my friends when I'm back there but it seems that its only occasions such as Christmas that we go to the old Sports Lounge for a round of pool, a smoke in the wintery outdoors and a few enjoy a pint of some sort of ale. We're only all together for a short time out of the year. I love that time of year to see old friends and catch up on old times and the recent happenings. But every other part of the year my visits are nothing of the same.

What I'm talking about is the peace and quiet of Smokey Hollow. I grew up on the Smokey Hollow farm and there isn't much to do except go for walks to the river, hike through some cattle trails along the flats, eat some delicious home made food, etc.... This is my favorite part of Smokey Hollow farms. There is nothing "city" about it. No cars, no lights except stars, coyotes howling at the moon, my dog howling back, no traffic, no people, nothing..... Its incredible. I use it as sort of a retreat center for me to just go and relax. I find that I'm so relaxed and care-free that I just rest. I sleep in, I take naps and I don't feel bad about it. There truly is no place like home. At least for me anyway....

I went to Winnipeg next. I feel that I get into a different mode when I am there as opposed to Smokey Hollow. I want to see all the old and dear friends that once were deeply involved in my life. Its hard to see them all but I try my best. This time around I spent quality time with a few good folks. It was good. Old friends teach me new things I find. The time was well worth it.

Weary of traveling woes and the hatred I have for leaving my family and saying goodbyes I have returned to the working world. I like my job but I'd rather be there. It was well worth the 15 hour drive and tired legs. I'll do it again anyime.....

Red and White

2008-03-13T08:47:00.006-05:00

I have a good friend named Dave. He is my rock when it comes to CFL news and the happenings in the NHL and Junior levels of hockey. Dave is a Canadian from the east coast. Growing up in Halifax he had the oppurtunity to see Sidney Crosby at a young age. Daves cousin had the oppurtunity to be schooled by Sid. Anyway, a little background and an interesting fact I thought...

Dave has now been here in Minnesota for 7 years as a resident, Meaning that he is up for his right to apply for citizenship of the US. Like me his wife is from here.We were talking last week about the oathe you have to take after you've passed thier tests and what not and he read that in his oathe he would have to "give up" his rights as a Canadian citizen. The term "dual" doesnt mean anything anymore unless you are born dual. He could not do it. He couldn't ever denounce or "forget" his dedication and patriotism to the country he will always call home.

Like Dave, I will never give up my country. I will fight for peace and love which I believe Canada is well known for. Regardless of my geographical location I will never be or ever want to be from anywhere else.

I don't care what people say about me living in the US. You can still be Canadian if your not on thier soil we are all over the world, us Canucks. I have gotten flack and crap from people over the years for moving south of the border, but when It comes down to it I am more Canadian moving here than I was up there. I realized what my country has and wouldn't have seen it if I didn't move out. People don't seem to mind when fellow Canadians move to any other country but when its the US they seem to raise a stink. It doesn't mean I support its ways. I don't have any say in anything here. Its funny to me that people call me a sell out to Canada. I don't care. Think whatever you want.

Regardless, I do miss it dearly and someday hope to move back home but for now I am called here for whatever reason and if its to keep the peace, so be it.

Oh Canada, my home and native land.....I stand on guard for you....

Pure

2008-03-10T12:57:00.002-05:00

Chelsea and I have a couple youth kids going through a mess of a year. Its their senior year of High School and they have been thrown a lot to make it very tough on them. And as I found out quickly, your senior year is meant to be the best of your years to date. These 2 had every intention of it being the year to remember but it has been stripped of them. For those that are reading this maybe just throw a quick word up for them. They could use it even if you don't know them.

Thats the beauty of this relationship we have with our creator...

Timing Change....

2008-03-10T12:42:00.002-05:00

Usually Daylight Savings doesn't have much affect on me. This morning, 2 nights after the switch I came to work to see all the clocks reading 6:15am. That hurt. I was instantly tired again. Its funny the way the mind works and how it can dictate our moods or thoughts or the way we want to feel or think we should feel. I thought it was worth writing down.

a few good things

2008-03-03T12:42:00.002-06:00

Theres a few things on my mind right now. Just thought I would get them down on screen so I could physically see them and show them to my viewers (you).

Im going to New York City in July. I've been looking at this massive mertropolis on Google Earth. It is confusing and sureal to me. I still often see it as a fairytale land. I have a hard time seeing it as "real". I see it in movies and books and hear about it all the time on the news and TV but it still just seems like its Never Never Land. But alas, it does exist. I mean it better, I have a hotel room I paid for.

Before this I go on a cruise to the Carribbean. Should be fun. Even if its during the playoffs. Not sure if I was thinking straight. My wallet is lighter for it too. But I'm sure the raging seas of the Carribbean will be worth missing the first few games. Hopefully my cell phone works. If not, I better see a pirate.

Even before that, I pay a visit to my beloved and blessed Province of Manitoba. First a strole down Main Street in Swan River to soothe my soul. Where the winter prolongs any summer activities till July. But that means we see Hockey longer which outways anything else. On to the Golden Boy where it always seems to be busy with old friends and neighbors that always take me in as thier own. Carnival Cruises show a good time but they Obviously have never been to Winnipeg.... not that they could get that thing on the Red...

White Collar

2008-02-26T08:55:00.002-06:00

Today is a nerve racking day for me. At 3pm eastern time the NHL must halt trades. I don't like this day. There are always some big deals that I hate seeing. Last year brought tears to my eyes when Ryan left the oil field. After that, anything can happen. We'll see what goes down today.

I've always struggled with the whole "get a player for the playoffs" idea. I mean I won't complain if a good player comes to my team but it just seems kind of fake or a cheap way to win. Enter Mats Sundin. There was massive talk about this fine gentleman waiving his no-trade clause. I have always liked Mats but wasn't sure exaclty why. Yesterday he proved to me that he is an upper classman or white collar citizen. He will stay a Leaf. He too has never liked the idea of a "Rental Player". That statement was bold he is now truly a franchise player. To pass up an oppurtunity to possibly win a Lord Stanleys Cup this year which he has never done before is true dedication. How can you rebuild a team without incredible leadership? You can't.... you simply can't.

The Maple Leafs fan base increased over the weekend I'm sure. Mats personality is ranked #1 in my book. Not that I keep a book, cause that would be nerdy.....

Godly Ink...

2008-02-20T09:56:00.002-06:00

I got another tattoo yesterday with some birthday money. I don't think the poeple who gave me this money will be all that impressed with how I spent it. So I won't mention any names, but thank you for your generosity. I don't have a picture of it yet so you'll have to see it another time.

Its the word "truth" on my left wrist. Which hurt like he**. I wanted to be able to see it all the time for 2 reasons First, so I could learn to be more honest. At times its so much easier or in a way quicker, to tell a little lie and get out of a situation, or even in one. Therefore I want to tell the truth. Afterall, honesty's the best policy. The second is that Jesus is the truth. I have a cross on my other wrist and it reminds me of forgiveness. So now I have Jesus who is truth and who forgives me. Lord knows I need to be forgiven every once in a while. My next plan is showing that Jesus is also the way and the life which I hope will be apart of me sooner later.

We'll see. Its not like its a massage....

wam bam fam...and mickeys

2008-02-20T09:47:00.003-06:00

I had a family visit this past weekend. It was as always, pleasant. My brohiem and his wife also attended the weekend at my house in Minnesota. We did some of the usual touristy things like the Mall of America, Ikea etc. We also went to Mickeys diner. Mickeys is an old school dining car thats been open since the 1940's. Its my favorite place I think in Minneosta. Downtown St. Paul is slow and kind of Canadian like. A little more relaxed than Minneapolis. Thats why I like it.

We went in and sat at the bar overlooking the cook and the hustle and bustle of the late night crowd. We had the typical milkshakes, some strawberry some chocolate. It was heaven in a diner. The cook made us 6 pancakes. One for everyone after overhearing us on how god they looked. He was a kind, greasy young guy who obviously loved his duty there.

If you come down, we'll go to Mickeys Diner. Open 24/7/365. Maybe Christmas dinner.

elderly...

2008-02-15T09:39:00.002-06:00

There was birthday yesterday. My birthday. I am now 26 years of age and I feel it in my bones. In complete honesty I don't feel like I did in high school or even early years of College. But I do feel good. Last year was tough however. The 25 spike was a tough one. But for some reason this year I feel alright about 26.

My mother always calls me her "Love Child" due to to Valentines day greeting I gave her 26 years ago. Many people say it would be cool and I agree in a way. There is one thing however that I get stuck on. You see growing up I always recieved gifts and presents and parties and what not. I got used to this way of life on the 14th of February. Then I got married. I'm doing OK now but for the first few years I slacked. I got stuck in the rut of people buying me things not the other way around. But I have redeemed myself over the more recent years.

My wife wrote me a message in the snow across the pond in my backyard. She is good that lady of mine. I wouldn't want it it any other way... Regardless of my forgetfulness she's an incredible wife and mother to Oliver.... the dog.

Cheers to 26, but lets slow down a bit this year. I'm a little worried about 27.....

Revolutionary....

2008-02-11T09:15:00.001-06:00

I arrived home last night after a youth retreat very satisfied. There are many things I enjoy about High Shoolers and I enjoy them immensely.

The annual winter retreat is called Revolution. Its a time of new beginnings for some and refreshers for others. Full of fun and games and frigid weather, it was a massive success. These youth put the fear of God in me I think. They are passionate and care-free of what others may think of them for some reason. I was different than them when I was thier age. If I could go back 8 to 10 years I would hope I could live like these students. Nevermind all the "worldly" garbage that I found myself partaking in. These kids got it goin on.

The one thing I never thought would hit me so soon is how much older I feel when I'm around them. The lingo, the dress code, the music never were in my hands at that age. Just different, not necessarily wrong. They keep me young what with the late nights, the odd practical joke and the loud singing and dancing during a worship set. It all equals an immaculate weekend.

We tend to forget, I think, that these people are going to be our church leaders, pastors, missionaries, etc, one day. So the least we can do is try and give them a good message and example. For the most part I know they arent getting much Biblical knowledge from home.

Thats why I love these students. And all the ones from the past. This age never ceases to amaze me. They teach me more than I teach them. This I know for sure. This is why I put so much time and energy into it and never get tired of it. Its my part time job right? Except without pay.... but I don't care about that.

To the youth of our day...

world recorded

2008-02-08T13:28:00.000-06:00

I participated in a gruelling street hockey marathon for the record books May of 2007 . It was a tough journey of blood, sweat and tears all three of those very literally. Its a long story, so check out the world record link on your right.....I'll just say if you can beat 100 hours 2 minutes....good for you.

After many days of patiently waiting we got word from London(Guinness Book).......we did it. After all the pain and endurance, the deed is done and we will be in the books, hopefully for a long time cause I'm not ready to do it again anytime soon...

Men of "Team Red Gloves", hats off to you..... It was an odd, incredible journey.

2 things

2008-02-06T08:43:00.000-06:00

First. Today is the day after Super Tuesday. I honestly have no idea what this means. I am at the point of hating politics. I've never really been into them but this time its just pure hatred. I can't vote here in the US because 1. I dont want to and 2. I'm not allowed. I'm not a criminal or anythng, just devoted to my home country. A friend of mine said US politics is like a reality show. That put it in perspective. They have been showing campaign commercials for over a year now and the election is in November. As if thats not enough to drive me batty. I would consider myself more conservative but I'm looking really hard at Nader and the Independants. I mean if I could vote....not that I would want to...
I dig how Canada does it. Theres more than 2 parties that battle it out. They don't use glamour or fame they just say it like thier going to do it and pray the public gives them a chance. Harper is in now for a while. I try and keep a few tabs on him and his political power. I like Steve. I think he's doing good things for the Maple Leaf. SOme may disagree but I stand where I stand. Besides, he's a good western boy. And to top it off, he goes to hockey games on the side. Both his sons and a few NHL. Good for you Steve.

Second. Today is Ash Wednesday. The start of lent. I've given up things in the past but I am unsure on what to do(or not do) this year. A few years back a bunch of us fellows gave up the razor. It was hairy but beauty to say the least. I could give up the usual like pop, bad food, ipod, tv, etc.... but I'm stuck on the rut of not wanting to. Or the rut of comfortability. I was talking to a friend and we decided that some things are simply to hard to give up cause we're so dependant on them. In the long run we could due without but for some reason there is a stronghold. Aren't these the things we're expected to give up? I mean its only 40 days out of your year.
I'm going to think of something today....Easter never looked so far away right now. Pray for stamina and strength friends.... We're all in this together. Well, hopefully.

tennis ball...

2008-02-04T08:39:00.000-06:00

I spent a few days up in the northern part of the state over the weekend. One of my favorite parts of the country. We have friends/family up there and decided it was time for a break from city lifestyle (which I don't like) to the more secluded small town lifestyle (which I love). This town, Two Harbors, is a georgous town on Lake Superior. A massive body of fresh water. The biggest in the world in fact. It resembles the ocean as you look out over it and see ships passing by on thier way to deliver. Needless to say, a very unique setting.

Saturday afternoon was time for hockey. I was itching to play outside since doing so at Christmas time in my hometown of Swan RIver, MB. Its never the same playing hockey outside as it is inside, its way better. The ice is always a little rugged after a few minutes , you can see your breath, and you play even if its -30 outside and in some cases break a sweat doing it. It cant get better. Matt (friend) even took his hoodie off to play in a t-shirt. It was that good.

After a few minutes of warming up, some younger fellows came out and wanted to organize a bit of a match. Getting a lighlty bigger head as a hit more and more posts(for which I aimed for during warmups) and having the greatest hockey country (and country for that matter) on my side I felt that, I could show these American punks a thing or two on this game. So we obliged thinking a fun, vigorous game of puck was on our hands. Then something happened. At the opening face off one of them pulled out a tennis ball. "A tennis ball?" I thought. "Who plays with a tennis ball? I was instantly out of my league. Maybe humbled is a better word. As many of us know, tennis balls, well...bounce. And bounce it did. I didn't have one shot in the hour and a half we played. These high school "punks" were in my mind, phenoms at this "new" tennis ball hockey. I mean I've played it but not on skates or not on skates on ice. I was running down a street as a kid making cars turn around and go the other way, but not on skates. I mean c'mon....

Don't get me wrong, I did have fun. I mean I was outside playing the greatest, fastest game on earth. What could be better?

Well a good, hard, solid puck of course...

The Coronel

2008-01-22T13:19:00.000-06:00

There is a man in my home town called the Coronel. He has been there for longer than I have been alive. He is called the Coronel because he looks like one. He has a big white beard, longer white hair and thick rimmed glasses. The other reason is that no one really new his full name. The interesting thing about the Coronel is that he is a squatter. He has lived in an 8 by 8 shack down by the river in the bush just outside of town for most of his life. He never had a job and family disowned him years ago. When he needed something to eat (cause he never needed anything else really) he goes into town with a little red wagon and collects things people have thrown away. You often see him trucking into town pulling his wagon behind a resteraunt seeing what goodies he can get his hands on. He collects enough food for about week and he dissapears down into the rivers ravine into his little shack of a home. No electricity, no insulation and obviously no air conditioning. No address or even notion that he is alive and exists other than that people in Swan River have seen him in the flesh. He has a wood stove that no one knows where he would have gotten it, that he uses for heat.

One day a good friend of my dads Don, decided its time the Coronal should recieve the love of Jesus. So he trugged through the snow one chilly day and knocked on the door to the Coronels shack. He came out with a gun and threated to shoot Don and anyone who comes close. Don complied and went away. Over the next fews days Don was determined to get through to him .So he was persistent and after a few weeks the Coronel let him inside the shack. It was horrible, but Don had made a friend. The Coronel had not showered in what seemed to be years which turned out to be roughly 15 to 20 to be axact as Don found out later. He had worn the same clothes for about the same length of time as well.

After a few months that turned into almost 2 years, Don went down to the river just as he had for weeks on end. This time it was different. He went into the shack and found the Coronel had fallen asleep by his fire on a blistering cold day and had been severely burned. Unable to walk up the hill and find help bnot that he even want it really... Don called 911 on his cell phone but the problem was that they needed an address. Even though everyone knew where he was the disptch in Winnipeg had no idea. So Don lugged the Coronel up the hill and into his car to get help. After a few weeks treatment the Coronel was back up and running in his regular lifestyle.

Another couple years have gone by and Don found himself in the hospital last week with the Coronel now a believer in Jesus. He had not been healthy so Don took him in. Turns out the majority of his body was dying of cancer. The hospital gave him a few days at most. So my Dad being a servant heart sat with him till 1:30 this morning. Soon after he had left the Coronel was promoted to Glory.

I wrote this story not only because its true but its an example. We don't have to be extreme like the Coronel but a life of simplicity can be done. He didn't have the ipod, computer, tv, etc...he had everything he needed to stay alive and we call him the weird one for not entering into this thing we call reality. It took him over 70 years to find the one true gift of Jesus in his life, but when he did there was a party upstairs like there always is.

So I'll take a shower for you Coronel....and try my best to keep it simple....Enjoy heaven old friend, I'll meet you at the gate...

Marty

The Senate

2008-01-13T12:59:00.000-06:00

It was a battle of the best last night. Despite the All-Star Heatley banging to hard into the boards and losing him for a month or more, the Senators still came out on top...Hats off to you gentlemen...

p.s.....

2008-01-11T10:31:00.000-06:00

I coach hockey for an inner city ministry downtown. These kids are primarily black, Asian or Hispanic. I was helping one of the mite teams one day getting ready. There was a little black boy named Devante , age 6, who had a very large afro which I had to squeeze into a men's old school Cooper Mark Messier helmet because his hair was just that big.

Devante had never skated before let alone suited up in hockey gear. And I had never seen a hockey player with as much hair as Devante. There are firsts for everything I guess. After a lengthy session of showing him how to put everything on and in what order they should go, we headed to the ice surface. As we looked out over the ice as the zamboni finished up I said "Ok bud, lets go shoot some pucks." Devante looked up at me and said "Coach, please don't let me fall in." It took me a couple seconds to realize that he thought this was a frozen lake or "sea-man pond" of some sort. I realized the only ice he had ever seen was when one of the many lakes or ponds or even puddles freeze over in the winter. So really, this was a fair thought to say. I grew up in a hockey crazed small town in Canada, knowing that there wasn't a pool underneath the Centennial Ice Arena where I played. I had never once thought of it this way.

So I chuckled and gave him my trust that yes, I would save him if the ice cracked and he went in before me. "But" I said "If I start going in before you, you have to promise to me that you'll pull me out." He looked at me with his hair sticking out of every hole in his helmet and with a big smile and huge white teeth he said "Your to big!!"

The ice didn't break that day, we both made it out safe...and dry.

beginner

2008-01-09T10:44:00.000-06:00

I like to write I guess. I joined this blogging scheme to connect with old friends partly but also to get some thoughts on paper(screen) I think more than I thought I would about certain issues. Living In the United States has been a big change from my more socialist up bringing in Canada. This sparks discusions wherever I go these days. And I have been "forced" (for lack of a better
term) to be involved in these talks. Don't get me wrong, I'm more socialist than I am whatever it is they call it down here....

I also think about other things: Hockey, football and life in general. I miss my country, my friends and family but for some reason I'm here in the US and I need to find out why Gods brought me this place...

Thats what I'll be writing about. Enjoy...