I have been playing a lot of Spider solitaire lately. Its much like regular solitaire but more fun. As I move the piles of cards around I get a rush - and when it looks like I've lost the game and see a move I can make I get another rush. As distracted as I am this is something that can keep me busy and is very satisifying - if I lose I simply replay the same game to see if I can win it doing something slightly different or play a whole new game.
I've noticed the same feeling about my ministry. While I wait for my church to determine if I can do some work with them as my sponsor I have all of these possibilities. There is the church itself, some contact names I have in the community and another church nearby that if mine falls through might hold a possibility. Meanwhile I am working with the CRC with Race Relations - maybe something will come of that. Finally, there is a person I can contact if I am interested in talking with Classis about going into ministry. So there are options, but like Spider the shifting from possibility to possibility begins a whole new challenge. I hate not knowing! I hope to remain in the Reformed tradition but at this rate who knows? Its frustrating not getting much feedback from my proposal - well no feedback so far - I'm not even sure if it got onto the Council's agenda at this point. So patience is required.
In the meantime I have paper to finish tomorrow. And the first two weeks of March I'm off - but I have a sermon to prepare and a paper to do on a passage in Ephesians that will require a lot of work. Sadly, the work for the paper is the same work I have to do for the sermon - but a different topic.
So I have a lot of stuff I'm doing but no real direction for the summer ahead. I hate investing time in my church if I am going to have to move on.
Ultimately it is all in God's hands and he will use me somewhere!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Hospital Signs
There was a sign that my friend saw in a hospital that she thought was really funny.
Communications Department
Quiet!
As ironic as it was it did make sense - when you open up the door to go into Communications there was no lobby - it opened up right behind the switchboard operators - so if you went in laughing at a joke and they were in the process of calling a Code Blue (patient not breathing) your laughter would get picked up over the mike. Not very professional.
But Ian saw a sign a few weeks ago that really has me puzzled. Upon registering at the CT Department, he was told to go down the hall and take a seat on the blue chairs. He went down the hall saw some chairs but none of them were blue - then he noticed the sign "These are the blue chairs". This seems incredibly stupid. I can only assume the blue chairs were out being cleaned. But why not just change the instructions? I pity the poor psych patients - they already have enough problems without looking for the elusive blue chairs. Not to mention those who can't read English or just don't notice the sign.
Communications Department
Quiet!
As ironic as it was it did make sense - when you open up the door to go into Communications there was no lobby - it opened up right behind the switchboard operators - so if you went in laughing at a joke and they were in the process of calling a Code Blue (patient not breathing) your laughter would get picked up over the mike. Not very professional.
But Ian saw a sign a few weeks ago that really has me puzzled. Upon registering at the CT Department, he was told to go down the hall and take a seat on the blue chairs. He went down the hall saw some chairs but none of them were blue - then he noticed the sign "These are the blue chairs". This seems incredibly stupid. I can only assume the blue chairs were out being cleaned. But why not just change the instructions? I pity the poor psych patients - they already have enough problems without looking for the elusive blue chairs. Not to mention those who can't read English or just don't notice the sign.
Friday, February 01, 2008
I have tiny ear holes. And another website.
I finally got my MP3 player working. Well, someone got it working for me. Its great my favourite 30 songs available at any time.
Only problem is my ear holes are too small for the ear buds out there. So how do kids do it? Maybe I have mishappen holes which just don't allow for ear buds. Anyhow I like wearing my little headphones because people assume I can't hear them. I can. So far I have not intercepted anything of note but I will be sure to post anything of interest.
In the meantime here is a site my brother got me onto: passiveaggressivenotes.com Its hilarious and I have to say I'm much more careful in what I say to people - I'm sure there are memos out there that are best left filed away in some dark filing cabinet. I used to have an employee that insisted on correcting my spelling and grammar. In red. She was a pain in the butt and she finally quit on me in the middle of shift. Turns out she was thinking she could quit and get unemployment. Smart girl hadn't kept up with the news that the legislation had changed and quitting was no longer a valid exit strategy for EI.
Only problem is my ear holes are too small for the ear buds out there. So how do kids do it? Maybe I have mishappen holes which just don't allow for ear buds. Anyhow I like wearing my little headphones because people assume I can't hear them. I can. So far I have not intercepted anything of note but I will be sure to post anything of interest.
In the meantime here is a site my brother got me onto: passiveaggressivenotes.com Its hilarious and I have to say I'm much more careful in what I say to people - I'm sure there are memos out there that are best left filed away in some dark filing cabinet. I used to have an employee that insisted on correcting my spelling and grammar. In red. She was a pain in the butt and she finally quit on me in the middle of shift. Turns out she was thinking she could quit and get unemployment. Smart girl hadn't kept up with the news that the legislation had changed and quitting was no longer a valid exit strategy for EI.
Friday's Feast Feb 1
Appetizer
What is your favorite kind of cereal?
Ooh, I love Corn Pops. I also love Fruit Loops but only once in awhile.
Soup
When was the last time you purchased something for your home, what was it, and in which room did it go?
Hmm. Okay, I bought sheets a few weeks ago. They are still in the hall but they will obviously go on the bed. We are saving up for a queen sized bed - the double is great in the winter but in the summer I can't stand sleeping next to the human furnace that is my husband.
Salad
What is the funniest commercial you’ve ever seen?
I don't remember. But does anyone remember the Groaning Board. It had a small buffet and then you went into a room where they showed the world's funniest commercials. We went there for my husband's 30th birthday and I still remember fighting off the cockroaches.
Main Course
Make up a name for a company by using a spice and an animal (example: Cinnamon Monkey).
Basil Bear
Dessert
Fill in the blank: I haven’t ______ since ______.
I haven't cried in the Pickle Barrel since last year. Private joke for my PB companion.
What is your favorite kind of cereal?
Ooh, I love Corn Pops. I also love Fruit Loops but only once in awhile.
Soup
When was the last time you purchased something for your home, what was it, and in which room did it go?
Hmm. Okay, I bought sheets a few weeks ago. They are still in the hall but they will obviously go on the bed. We are saving up for a queen sized bed - the double is great in the winter but in the summer I can't stand sleeping next to the human furnace that is my husband.
Salad
What is the funniest commercial you’ve ever seen?
I don't remember. But does anyone remember the Groaning Board. It had a small buffet and then you went into a room where they showed the world's funniest commercials. We went there for my husband's 30th birthday and I still remember fighting off the cockroaches.
Main Course
Make up a name for a company by using a spice and an animal (example: Cinnamon Monkey).
Basil Bear
Dessert
Fill in the blank: I haven’t ______ since ______.
I haven't cried in the Pickle Barrel since last year. Private joke for my PB companion.
I now have gold coins....
The televangelist Peter Popoff is still sending me stuff started when I called his prayer line back before Christmas. I haven't send him a cent but in the past months I have received:
Miracle Prayer Water
A "vine of life"
Tiny communion wafers - he refers to it as holy bread or some such thing.
Sand from the Holy Land
A cloth perfumed in incense.
An American dollar bill
and now 2 gold angel coins.
What I don't get is that I have never once sent him any money and yet all the treats still come. If you have kids that love getting mail this is one freebie that keeps on giving. Just don't let them read the letters - I got one telling me that he had an image of me with a someone close to me standing on a sidewalk with Satan planning to hurt my friend/relative. Unless I send money of course.
The gold coins are kinda neat. I think I'm supposed to mail one back and bury the other.
We had a discussion in church about how some people think Christians are weird. Its not that Christians are weird its just that the weird ones really go to great lengths to stand out!!
Miracle Prayer Water
A "vine of life"
Tiny communion wafers - he refers to it as holy bread or some such thing.
Sand from the Holy Land
A cloth perfumed in incense.
An American dollar bill
and now 2 gold angel coins.
What I don't get is that I have never once sent him any money and yet all the treats still come. If you have kids that love getting mail this is one freebie that keeps on giving. Just don't let them read the letters - I got one telling me that he had an image of me with a someone close to me standing on a sidewalk with Satan planning to hurt my friend/relative. Unless I send money of course.
The gold coins are kinda neat. I think I'm supposed to mail one back and bury the other.
We had a discussion in church about how some people think Christians are weird. Its not that Christians are weird its just that the weird ones really go to great lengths to stand out!!
George's Mother
George Costanza's mother is going through a separation and tells George that she is now "out there". The horror of thinking that you could run into your mother in a single's bar is somewhat akin to the horror I have of thinking that my mother could stumble across my blog. Hence the name change.
There's just too much stuff that requires waaay too much explanation. Right now she can find me on Facebook and that is enough!
There's just too much stuff that requires waaay too much explanation. Right now she can find me on Facebook and that is enough!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Friday's Feast - Jan 11 2008
January 11th, 2008 | Category: The Feasts, 2008
Appetizer
What is your middle name? Would you change any of your names if you could? If so, what would you like to be called?
My middle name is Catherine. First thing I would change is how it is spelled. I like "Katherine" with a "K". I would change my last name but to what? I don't mind my first name but can't stand "Vicki" - I'm not sure why. I don't mind if people who know me call me that but as a rule I don't like strangers using it. I don't like the hard k sound in it.
Soup
If you were a fashion designer, which fabrics, colors, and styles would you probably use the most?
Raw silk is a favourite of mine and the colours would be rich creams and beiges and pewter. I like fitted with an emphasized waist. Also little jackets that just skim the hips.
Salad
What is your least favorite chore, and why?
How on earth do I pick just one. Has to be cleaning the bathroom - can't do it and we agreed when we got married that I wouldn't be doing it. Yuck.
Main Course
What is something that really frightens you, and can you trace it back to an event in your life?
I'm phobic of snakes but I can't remember any particular reason. I used to be scared of spiders and snakes and then one day I was so terrified of snakes I couldn't look at them even in the museum. I used to be fascinated by the large python in the ROM and now I can't go in the room. I sometimes try to do it because its so silly but I have an anxiety attack that I can't control. It pisses me off. It also prevents picnics, walking in the long grass and many days when I can't make it to the dock at the cottage because of the long grassy path to get there. I thought about getting treatment but it seems so stupid I hate to waste the money.
Dessert
Where are you sitting right now? Name 3 things you can see at this moment.
I'm sitting in the spare room which is also an office. I can see tons of junk - my grades from Tyndale - an A- for both Greek and OT Theology, coupons for Quiznos subs - now I'm hungry and gift catalogues from different churches. I'm going to a wedding where they would like donations in lieu of gifts.
Appetizer
What is your middle name? Would you change any of your names if you could? If so, what would you like to be called?
My middle name is Catherine. First thing I would change is how it is spelled. I like "Katherine" with a "K". I would change my last name but to what? I don't mind my first name but can't stand "Vicki" - I'm not sure why. I don't mind if people who know me call me that but as a rule I don't like strangers using it. I don't like the hard k sound in it.
Soup
If you were a fashion designer, which fabrics, colors, and styles would you probably use the most?
Raw silk is a favourite of mine and the colours would be rich creams and beiges and pewter. I like fitted with an emphasized waist. Also little jackets that just skim the hips.
Salad
What is your least favorite chore, and why?
How on earth do I pick just one. Has to be cleaning the bathroom - can't do it and we agreed when we got married that I wouldn't be doing it. Yuck.
Main Course
What is something that really frightens you, and can you trace it back to an event in your life?
I'm phobic of snakes but I can't remember any particular reason. I used to be scared of spiders and snakes and then one day I was so terrified of snakes I couldn't look at them even in the museum. I used to be fascinated by the large python in the ROM and now I can't go in the room. I sometimes try to do it because its so silly but I have an anxiety attack that I can't control. It pisses me off. It also prevents picnics, walking in the long grass and many days when I can't make it to the dock at the cottage because of the long grassy path to get there. I thought about getting treatment but it seems so stupid I hate to waste the money.
Dessert
Where are you sitting right now? Name 3 things you can see at this moment.
I'm sitting in the spare room which is also an office. I can see tons of junk - my grades from Tyndale - an A- for both Greek and OT Theology, coupons for Quiznos subs - now I'm hungry and gift catalogues from different churches. I'm going to a wedding where they would like donations in lieu of gifts.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Its Our Fault When Church Sucks
For all you non-church goers out there I apologize on behalf of those of us who should know better.
Christians like other real people fight. They disagree, they sometimes vent their anger inappropriately - some of them even are downright mean in how they express themselves. If you see that happening know that that is reality and that it happens in good families as well as in good churches.
What people outside the church need to know is that it is how individuals in a church deal with the issues that matter. Good leaders should be spiritual leaders and able to negotiate the choppy waters of discord. Mature Christians should be able to assist both sides in building bridges
Stop bitching about your church and work to heal the corner you sit in - then cross the room to the other side and do it again.
Christians like other real people fight. They disagree, they sometimes vent their anger inappropriately - some of them even are downright mean in how they express themselves. If you see that happening know that that is reality and that it happens in good families as well as in good churches.
What people outside the church need to know is that it is how individuals in a church deal with the issues that matter. Good leaders should be spiritual leaders and able to negotiate the choppy waters of discord. Mature Christians should be able to assist both sides in building bridges
Stop bitching about your church and work to heal the corner you sit in - then cross the room to the other side and do it again.
I'm so Bleah!
It got a major paper back - 77. B+ I'm used to an 85. I worked my ass off on the paper but the real problem is that he found it hard to understand some of what I was saying. I guess I can own that because I really had a problem writing it and I couldn't seem to get it under control. What annoys me is it should have been better and I know other students did better and it irks me that I can't seem to keep up with their quality of work.
My other paper was a B+ - it was really hard to write and I remember thinking that I had done what I could with it and I was going to be happy with a lower mark because he is a hard marker. But I wrote it so long ago that I can barely remember what it is about.
I keep feeling that I shouldn't be here. I can't put my finger on it - it might just be depression because I'm between churches and I haven't found a new place to serve. I keep promising myself that I will just do lots of spiritual formation work over the month so I can really hear what God is saying.
The continual grind of thinking and pondering about God is troubling too - after a while it becomes an academic exercise - I am hoping I will feel much better once I start volunteering and get away from the academics and church politics.
My other paper was a B+ - it was really hard to write and I remember thinking that I had done what I could with it and I was going to be happy with a lower mark because he is a hard marker. But I wrote it so long ago that I can barely remember what it is about.
I keep feeling that I shouldn't be here. I can't put my finger on it - it might just be depression because I'm between churches and I haven't found a new place to serve. I keep promising myself that I will just do lots of spiritual formation work over the month so I can really hear what God is saying.
The continual grind of thinking and pondering about God is troubling too - after a while it becomes an academic exercise - I am hoping I will feel much better once I start volunteering and get away from the academics and church politics.
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