The other day, I watched a video that someone put together for a school project and it incorporated the song "Baba Yetu", which is an adaptation of the Lord's Prayer done in Swahili. It's a very well done song, and it's made me want to sing in a choir again... I've almost purchased the choral music for it just because I really want to see it happen.
But this song is also the opening song for the game Civilization IV, which I picked up today finally for $20 from Best Buy (it was priced at $27, but they beat Future Shop's price for me, so I was OK with that.) This is also the only "luxury" purchase coming from my tax return.
I've probably had various other posts through the past 5 years regarding the Civilization franchise and how it's my favourite game franchise of all time. I know of many others who would agree with me.
And now, time to play.
30.3.09
28.3.09
relocation, relocation, relocation
In a month, I'm moving (again). This will be the 5th time in 3 years (12th time in 6 years including all the times back and forth to school after the summer). I think I'm probably good with all the moving supplies I'll need, but being as it'll be the first time I'll be living by myself, I'm in need of a few supplies that I haven't had a chance to obtain because other people have had them already:
- Microwave
- Pots
- Kitchen Table and Chairs
- Couch / Futon (in good condition)
Those are the large things that I know will be very useful for me after moving, especially the first two.
A few other things on my wish list, not necessarily related to moving:
- Snow tires and rims
- Queen size bed (or maybe just a double. I'm currently on a single and it's starting to feel a bit short)
- Nikon DSLR Camera and garb
- Automotive GPS Unit
So, if you happen to have any extra of the items on the above lists, feel free to let me know.
Also, if you're willing to assist in the moving process, feel free to volunteer. It should only take 2-3 hours and will be sometime between April 25 and April 30, pending on when the current tenant moves out. With 4-5 people, it should be a breeze. Because of the amount of time living with other people, I haven't had the chance to accumulate much stuff, with the largest items I own either being the bed or my desk.
- Microwave
- Pots
- Kitchen Table and Chairs
- Couch / Futon (in good condition)
Those are the large things that I know will be very useful for me after moving, especially the first two.
A few other things on my wish list, not necessarily related to moving:
- Snow tires and rims
- Queen size bed (or maybe just a double. I'm currently on a single and it's starting to feel a bit short)
- Nikon DSLR Camera and garb
- Automotive GPS Unit
So, if you happen to have any extra of the items on the above lists, feel free to let me know.
Also, if you're willing to assist in the moving process, feel free to volunteer. It should only take 2-3 hours and will be sometime between April 25 and April 30, pending on when the current tenant moves out. With 4-5 people, it should be a breeze. Because of the amount of time living with other people, I haven't had the chance to accumulate much stuff, with the largest items I own either being the bed or my desk.
23.3.09
the sopranos
No, this is not a post about some overly-hyped television show. This is the story of my day.
In preparation for tomorrow's Taize service, we had a practice today. The first bump came this morning around 10:30 when one of the sopranos came to me and with croaky-voice told me she wouldn't be able to sing tomorrow. I said, that's OK, we'll figure something out. The second bump came about 2 hours later when the fiancée of the other soprano came to me and told me that she was sick. So, I was left with 3 parts, just like in high school, except the Basses were in full force and the Sopranos were getting over the plague.
So, I get to practice and there is everybody less the sopranos and I'm freaking out trying to figure out what to do, when one of the instrumentalists asks me if I want them to sing. So I say sure, for practice, and within 10 minutes, the flute and cornet players were singing for sure today and tomorrow and we were back up to a full octet.
Sigh.
In preparation for tomorrow's Taize service, we had a practice today. The first bump came this morning around 10:30 when one of the sopranos came to me and with croaky-voice told me she wouldn't be able to sing tomorrow. I said, that's OK, we'll figure something out. The second bump came about 2 hours later when the fiancée of the other soprano came to me and told me that she was sick. So, I was left with 3 parts, just like in high school, except the Basses were in full force and the Sopranos were getting over the plague.
So, I get to practice and there is everybody less the sopranos and I'm freaking out trying to figure out what to do, when one of the instrumentalists asks me if I want them to sing. So I say sure, for practice, and within 10 minutes, the flute and cornet players were singing for sure today and tomorrow and we were back up to a full octet.
Sigh.
20.3.09
four parts
Somewhere on my long journey through puberty, I woke up one morning and when I tried to sing in church, it didn't sound horrible. So, I joined the choir near the end of High School. My voice was low, but for some reason, the arrangements we were made to sing only had high male vocal parts. Because I couldn't comfortably sing at this range, I dropped the octave, which made a few of the more "snobbish" choir-members really upset with me, but there wasn't much I could do, because I could carry a tune and really enjoyed this new-found ability.
Through many of my growing-up years, we had a gentleman at our church who sang in the local barbershop chorus in Sarnia - the Bluewater Chordsmen. I was always enthralled by the harmonies and to this day the only thing keeping me from joining the local barbershop chapter is the cheesy actions and outrageous costumes. But they have a place for all ranges.
Enter my EBC years. I learn about this style of music known as Taize, which was founded in a community in France, where they sing simple melodies over and over again in four part harmony with instruments and soloists alongside to create beautiful music, and I'm not talking in innuendo here, it's actually really good music to listen to, and really fun to sing. So, since I like this type of music, and think that other people should learn about it, I've offered it in chapel at the school, with my third time coming up on Tuesday. 8 vocalists, piano, flute, and cornet. It'll be great.
Here's the recording from the last time we did it. And I hope to record the one coming up this week too. It's the one I've put the most effort into arranging and I think it's going to be good.
Through many of my growing-up years, we had a gentleman at our church who sang in the local barbershop chorus in Sarnia - the Bluewater Chordsmen. I was always enthralled by the harmonies and to this day the only thing keeping me from joining the local barbershop chapter is the cheesy actions and outrageous costumes. But they have a place for all ranges.
Enter my EBC years. I learn about this style of music known as Taize, which was founded in a community in France, where they sing simple melodies over and over again in four part harmony with instruments and soloists alongside to create beautiful music, and I'm not talking in innuendo here, it's actually really good music to listen to, and really fun to sing. So, since I like this type of music, and think that other people should learn about it, I've offered it in chapel at the school, with my third time coming up on Tuesday. 8 vocalists, piano, flute, and cornet. It'll be great.
Here's the recording from the last time we did it. And I hope to record the one coming up this week too. It's the one I've put the most effort into arranging and I think it's going to be good.
14.3.09
writing... erm... typing
I have my first University paper due on Tuesday, so I figured, seeing as it's my only class, that I could have a rough draft finished for Feb 17, and then have a month to get my thoughts on it in order so I could finish peacefully and have everything printed off and ready to go for Tuesday. I'll have everything finished off for Tuesday, but the Feb 17th thing was a dream...
I started research just over a week ago, and judging by the amount of time it was taking me, I figured I was doomed. Thankfully, once I had that done, writing the paper itself turned out to be easy. Within 3 hours, I had my rough draft finished and printed off ready for editing. 2900 words / 9 pages. That's a pretty good pace, if I do say so myself.
Now here's hoping it actually makes sense when I start going through and editing it. And maybe tomorrow I'll actually be able to come up with a better introduction and conclusion than what I have. I can dream, can't I?
Still need to put in footnotes and page numbers and such, but that wont take too long.
I started research just over a week ago, and judging by the amount of time it was taking me, I figured I was doomed. Thankfully, once I had that done, writing the paper itself turned out to be easy. Within 3 hours, I had my rough draft finished and printed off ready for editing. 2900 words / 9 pages. That's a pretty good pace, if I do say so myself.
Now here's hoping it actually makes sense when I start going through and editing it. And maybe tomorrow I'll actually be able to come up with a better introduction and conclusion than what I have. I can dream, can't I?
Still need to put in footnotes and page numbers and such, but that wont take too long.
12.3.09
fo-to
A few months ago, the chapel schedule went around and there was a week about the arts in worship that had a few openings for speakers. So I volunteered to do something on Photography. After much thought, I came up with the concept of "A Thousand Words: One Image | Many Stories" and talked about the saying A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words and how sometimes we can see all the pictures in the world, but we rarely to never take the time to stop and actually look at the picture for what it is and what's behind it and why it is meaningful to the photographer.
In the process of preparation, I ran across a number of quotes on Photography, a few of which I used today:
"Buying a Nikon doesn't make you a photographer. It makes you a Nikon owner." - Author Unknown
"Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter." - Ansel Adams
"I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it." - Unknown
"There will be times when you will be in the field without a camera. And, you will see the most glorious sunset or the most beautiful scene that you have ever witnessed. Don't be bitter because you can't record it. Sit down, drink it in, and enjoy it for what it is!" - DeGriff
In the process of preparation, I ran across a number of quotes on Photography, a few of which I used today:
"Buying a Nikon doesn't make you a photographer. It makes you a Nikon owner." - Author Unknown
"Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter." - Ansel Adams
"I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it." - Unknown
"There will be times when you will be in the field without a camera. And, you will see the most glorious sunset or the most beautiful scene that you have ever witnessed. Don't be bitter because you can't record it. Sit down, drink it in, and enjoy it for what it is!" - DeGriff
8.3.09
getting medieval on you
This afternoon, I went with a number of other people to Medieval Times in Toronto. I've been once before on a choir trip in grade 12, so it was interesting to see what I remembered and what had changed in the awe factor.
We were put in the Green Section, which according to the story was the visiting delegation from the country of Leon, however we soon found out that Leon was hated by everyone else and our knight ended up being the bad guy.
Long story short, we were guaranteed second place in the tournament, but not first, so the story was stacked against us. Oh well.
There's a two for one deal on right now, supposedly, so if you're thinking about going, now may be a good time. $40 is much cheaper than $75.
No pictures. I went for dinner and a show. It was tasty, although I doubt I'll be having chicken for a while now.
We were put in the Green Section, which according to the story was the visiting delegation from the country of Leon, however we soon found out that Leon was hated by everyone else and our knight ended up being the bad guy.
Long story short, we were guaranteed second place in the tournament, but not first, so the story was stacked against us. Oh well.
There's a two for one deal on right now, supposedly, so if you're thinking about going, now may be a good time. $40 is much cheaper than $75.
No pictures. I went for dinner and a show. It was tasty, although I doubt I'll be having chicken for a while now.
7.3.09
lent and stuff
Here's an interesting article on technology and giving it up for Lent.
I'm just a trendsetter, that's all.
I'm just a trendsetter, that's all.
4.3.09
s... ick.
Not sure how it happened, but I'm not feeling so great... well, I think I know how it happened. 3 people on the trip last week were sick, so it's probably just spreading to me. Oh well, it's been a while since I've been sick anyway. Nothing too unbearable, just an upset stomach and a bit of a fever. Nothing a little ginger ale and Tylenol won't cure.
That's all.
That's all.
1.3.09
picture time
And now for some pictures. As mentioned earlier, I didn't take many pictures this trip because it wasn't my primary intent for being there. In total, I only took about 32 pictures for this trip, compared to over 600 while in Europe last summer. Most of the ministry sites we were at weren't very conducive for pictures, and I didn't want to have to go through the process of asking if I could take pictures. I was there for the experience anyway and the memories and lessons will live through that.
But for those that I do have, they're from the Prayer Tour on Monday and some time we spent at Grand Central Station on Tuesday.
The view of the statue of Liberty from Battery Park in South Manhattan. It was chilly. We were making fun of our host for bundling up (he was from California), but there was a brisk wind going that morning.
I was there. If you look just above my nose, you'll see the Statue.
Times Square. While here, we had to ask a few people what they thought about the Homeless situation in New York and what should be done about it.
The only part of Central Park we saw was this very bottom corner (South-east corner).
You're fired.
"Ground Zero" - The World Trade Centre site. They're starting to erect the steel for the replacement towers and memorial site.
The last part of the Prayer Tour was spent walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Looking toward Manhattan from the first support pier on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Toward Staten Island and the Statue of Liberty
The view of the second pier on the bridge.
We had papusas for dinner on Monday night. This picture is really only for the receptionist at work, but it was still very tasty.
This is one of the students who misbehaved, so we put her in the corner. In actuality, it's the "Whispering Chamber" at Grand Central Station where you can stand in one corner and talk very quietly and the person who is doing the same in the opposite corner will hear you clearly as if you were standing right next to them.
The front of Grand Central Station.
Inside Grand Central Station.
This is Jody (other leader / driver) sitting beside the stove. We weren't cooking anything on the stove, but the burners were on to help heat up the kitchen. The church we stayed at was old and didn't hold heat all too well. I was much better the second night when I grabbed an extra blanket that CSM had laying around.
But for those that I do have, they're from the Prayer Tour on Monday and some time we spent at Grand Central Station on Tuesday.
The view of the statue of Liberty from Battery Park in South Manhattan. It was chilly. We were making fun of our host for bundling up (he was from California), but there was a brisk wind going that morning.
I was there. If you look just above my nose, you'll see the Statue.
Times Square. While here, we had to ask a few people what they thought about the Homeless situation in New York and what should be done about it.
The only part of Central Park we saw was this very bottom corner (South-east corner).
You're fired.
"Ground Zero" - The World Trade Centre site. They're starting to erect the steel for the replacement towers and memorial site.
The last part of the Prayer Tour was spent walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Looking toward Manhattan from the first support pier on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Toward Staten Island and the Statue of Liberty
The view of the second pier on the bridge.
We had papusas for dinner on Monday night. This picture is really only for the receptionist at work, but it was still very tasty.
This is one of the students who misbehaved, so we put her in the corner. In actuality, it's the "Whispering Chamber" at Grand Central Station where you can stand in one corner and talk very quietly and the person who is doing the same in the opposite corner will hear you clearly as if you were standing right next to them.
The front of Grand Central Station.
Inside Grand Central Station.
This is Jody (other leader / driver) sitting beside the stove. We weren't cooking anything on the stove, but the burners were on to help heat up the kitchen. The church we stayed at was old and didn't hold heat all too well. I was much better the second night when I grabbed an extra blanket that CSM had laying around.
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