Thoughts, Thinkings, and Ideas!
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Looks like I'll be getting some box seat raptors tickets for tonight's game. Anyone up for it? Let me know ASAP.
Sigh, so mah fan.
I took 4 tickets, but I might give them back because I don't seem to be able to get a hold of anyone. Does no one want to see the Raptors? (Id' seriously have called you Justin, but you got LCCF) Honestly!
Nehow I got enough people to umm, actually go. But I'm probably going to have to waste a ticket. You know this sucks, I got all these opportunities and no one to share them with. I should create a list of people I can contact when this happens. I didn't expect it to happen again after the leafs one. I don't know if I'm real lucky or I'm being mocked.
After reading some blogs seems people are lenting for Ash Wednesday. I can't lent sleeping in because well... I wake up at 7 every morning. Even on weekends my sleeping habits won't let me sleep in. Nehow, it's an interesting concept.
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Well, reading week is over. Atleast for the majority of people. It was fun while it lasted, went out and saw a lot of those people that were away and it was fun. Lots of spontaneous events. That's the most I've been to chinese plaza's in months. Now everything is back to normal routine. Missed another birthday party in loo and I'm going to miss lifesong too. It's alright though, I think I gotta stop thinking about the stuff I miss. The NT peops say I dumped them for the Laurier peops. As in the "better" friends. *shrugs*
At any rate, I gotta start hunkering down. My correspondance course started at the beginning of February and I haven't even touched it yet. Which means I'm a month behind in a course! I think I'll be taking it to work so I can get some done. Honestly if I didn't work during the day I don't know how I would be on pace with this bible reading thing . Half of the book of Numbers is just plain boring. The other half is pretty cool though. I'm glad I caught up as reading week actually pulled everyone else a week behind. This bible reading group idea was awesome. Again props to G for putting it together! Oh, we're supposed to be on week 9 right now guys, so hurry up and finish week 8 because I know you are all still on week 7.
Friday, February 20, 2004
Alright, so when I went to retreat the first question I got asked by everyone one by one was How's work? On ICQ when I talk to someone they ask How's work? When I go out for dinner with church friends the first thing they ask me is How's work? When talking to people through e-mail at work I get the question How's work? So.... to shotgun these questions and save me precious time from repeating the same rotated answers hundreds or thousands of times... I shall just give you all my answers here.
1. It's alright.
2. Oh you know work is work.
3. How's school?
4. It's tiring.
There, now you don't have to ask anymore. Those are all the answers I ever give and rotated. If you seem to notice I give you the same answer then maybe you shouldn't ask me let's say everyday! heh. Oh but I'm glad you guys care enough to ask though!
And just so you guys don't think I'm too neurotic I"ll give you some substitute questions!
1. If you had a super power would power would it be, mine would be.... (enter your own answer here)?
2. Do you want something free? (free stuff is always good).
3. How is life treating you and name examples! (start by answering the question yourself first becuase I'm just going to ask you anyways, and if you give me a cheap answer ... alrite.... then I'll give you a cheaper answer ... okay .... )
4. Just for you people who want to say hi but not get into long deep conversations I'll still accept the standard wassup dawg type of comment. But don't expect too much as these converations usually remain superficial (of course that might be what you want) and I can probably copy and paste my answers from my history for these. Unless this is a set up for something really interesting! Like Wassup, just wanted to let you know I became the President of Microsoft, any suggestions?
Again, still appreciate that you guys take the time to talk to me at all. Like I mean why waste time talking to someone so boring. Yawn. I wanna sleep but things here at work keep breaking. Why do all the problems occur when my manager is on vacation!
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
There's a lot of buzz going on about this movie (Passion for Christ) that I've heard of. Mel Gibson producing a real life gory version of the crucification. How the actor who played Jesus got struck by lightning twice on film. Also the worries of promoting antisemitism from the depiction of Jews in the movie. Probably a bigger worry is the fact that people it is seen as a depiction of truth that has been fragmented and might be taken out of context. (afterall Jesus's life condensed to a 2 hour movie had to have tons of stuff left out. Something like Just shows Jesus being a good man and then tortured by Jews and Crucified with no reasoning behind why they might want him dead and so on.)
Well, I so happened to watch an interview with Mel Gibson and Diane Sawyer. I must say that I'm quite surprised at the amount of theological knowledge that Mel has. His intent is obviously good, as he puts in his own 25 million through mass criticism to fund this independent movie. The slander of the wedge people tried to take by trying to cause arguments with his father on their point of views and the close eye people have on him on everything he says and does. From what I've seen this movie is different in the sense that it is not meant to be fictional it is meant to be the truth. It is based on the the 4 gospels and a lot of background reading was done from other credible sources. I'm quite impressed by the guts Mel has done and he even gave his testimony with Diane Sawyer.
He's a traditionalist Cathlolic. (Hardcore) and although he simply stated that the reason he's traditional, as in he doesn't follow the cathlolic church as it was after 1960 when certain policies were instituted, is because things are so confusing with all world views that Paul (Pretty sure he said Paul) said then when your confused you should rely on traditions.
All in all, the demand for the movie is being pushed by the Christians as a vehicle to evangelize, afterall taking ur friends to a movie with strong critical acclaim to promote discussion in the topic seems too good to be true. (as opposed to trying to get them to watch Left behind).
Nehow that's what I got from the interview. Here's what I think...
A movie like this that is both graphic and pushes the envelope is pretty gutsy. Like I mean you don't get much political correctness but a simple depiction of the gospels not really any censorship or changes in the matter to appease society to feel good. A taboo movie but not taboo in the normal sense of any physical issues but instead spiritual ones. However, I wonder what God thinks? Either he's happy that people are trying to use such a commercialized vehicle to promote His Message or He's pissed because they are commercializing his sacrafice and even grossly misrepresenting it. However, that point of view is yet to be seen by how it's received and the results of it. As I said it's a gutsy move, and I really hope it pays off. I definetely respect Mel Gibson for trying though, afterall evil thrives when good men do nothing. He pretty much put his integrity on the line to follow what he thinks is what the Holy Spirit wants him to do. So his means and cause seem to be good, now we must await the results and ends. It's actually being released in over 2000 theatres across North America which is astoundingly huge for an independent movie. GUTSY!
Monday, February 16, 2004
(I don't even bother writing creative titles)
Nehow this weekend went to Guelph for our LCCF retreat. It's interesting how so many universities were holding their retreats at the same time. I know York, Queens, and Waterloo were. Nehow got lost on our way up... but on the bright side so did everyone else. Now that place is nice. The only complaints I heard were that it was too nice.... and the food gave quite a bit of gas. At any rate, it was a fun time. Sharing was definetly the best, we can actually have time to hear from everyone. (Some sharings have 50+ (10 minutes to pass around the sharing item when no one even shares) people, but since we had like 25 it was perfect!).. I think the best thing of this retreat was the fact that we could get to know everyone, have more of a closer, intimate feel. Like during sharing we were all passing snacks and eating our kimchi and it was such a comfortable feel.
Basically we had 3 cell groups, Best team EVER, Team Amazing, and Team Jesus. Lots of interesting games, which were quite creative. Also, very well planned out workshops. Very impressive PC!
Funny moments:
1. Our whole fellowship grouped around several small tables playing 3 games of speed scrabble and two games of MJ. While all the old people from the other retreat group sharing the location were playing air hockey, jitz, and ping pong at the other end of the room. Talk about age confusion.
2. Jello eating contest out of those plastic containers with no utensils .
3. Chocolate whip cream eating contest with no hands.
Lessons:
1. About our Heart, Soul, and Mind. They are all linked and our soul is neglected, while our mind needs to be constantly revamped to keep it in the right attitude.
2. Have to remember that we are a community of broken people and we have to always remember that.
3. Only tell the cooking staff to make a quarter of the normal food for breakfast after the last night.
4. Ford Focus most reliable car of the year 2000? Hah! That car breaks down more times then Brittany Speares says Oops.
Nehow I'm back and work now. I'm forced to try to debug these macros to adapt to the XP system from the NT system. Something about Sybase version type being wrong. Too bad I have no idea how macros work so debugging them seems kinda... umm hard. Hope you all enjoy your reading week while I'm here stuck at work. 8<
Thursday, February 12, 2004
Well when I was really sick I had to miss fellowship and hence caught some TV. I saw Ed, and to my surprise he got married to Carol. (think of it as the whole premise of the show was Ed was chasing Carol and the will they won't they) Which immediately signalled me to the fact this must be the last episode of the series. Which it was. Sigh. Ed was one of those higher levels of programming not trashy, and clever, witty, and quite wholesome. Hence not great in ratings... but it made 4 seasons and now I'm trying to download the episodes. Stupid NBC doesn't even run reruns for dramas anymore because they say the ratings are way too long on reruns for plot sequential dramas. I also caught Joan of Arcadia which seems to also be a pretty good show. But still Ed is just another slew of good shows that is being dumped for... dare I say it! Cheap programming.
Reality TV? I must admit it's addictive, but frankly, the quality of the show is rather low. It's more about peeping into people and watching the cheap thrills that is built up in it. Honestly like 7 survivors, 3 american idols, 3 amazing races, 3 batchelor/batchelerettes, and a slew of other spinoffs really make you wonder. Dang, I stopped watching television and I haven't missed much. (PS other shows that I dislike for it's cheap superficialness are: Smallville, OC, perhaps even Gilmore girls, and so on. Also anyone notice the 20 or so law and order / crime investigation shows out there now? )
Oh and the shows that are more superficial appear to be more popular. So I'm very disappointed in you all!
I think it started with the downhill of saturday morning cartoons. Now the only way to get kids excited is to import them from Japan.
At any rate, the real issue I think is television a projection of how messed up and trashy our society has become? Or is it more of does television corrupt us and make us more trashy? I personally think it's more of a love to hate thing (Hate to love?). Must admit even Friends is pretty wrong...
Solutions? I don't think there are any. Unless we become network execs and start drastically changing things. I don't think boycotting TV is realistic. Hmm perhaps the techies can just invent something to phase TV away like TV phased out movies (not completely)... ? Just a thought.
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Firstly, Emily where's your blog, and I still can't picture you working full time.
Nehow, yesterday we did the phone interviews for the coop position. I came up with some questions and my manager came up with some and we each asked our questions. (If my manager wasn't there I would have asked some really messed up questions. In the end I just went for the semi messed up ones. heh). Then we both gave scores and you know he had the final say. They were phone interviews since we couldn't waste a whole day going down to waterloo. (sucks) It was pretty fun. I like how they would go on about their degree and courses they took. I would make a comment about the course, like the course number and then I'd notice they'd stop talking about courses. (CP102 pshhh, did we really learn extensive excel in stats?) (I think they realize that I actually know what they are talking about, so they can't talk it up). I still think there is a real mean question on "What was our most profitable division last Quarter?" Firstly, I don't think anyone even knows what the divisions were, let alone which one was most profitable. So if you ever have an interview here. These are the divisions, so you atleast can make a good guess. (Most people answered Technology... which is a sector of the market but not a division of the company). They are Investment Banking, Equity, Fixed Income, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Research. (Well I'm pretty sure those are it, I'm wary about the last two since we don't have those divisions here in Canada). Nehow the most profitable for the last year was Fixed Income! So heads up there.
I'm working hard to recover so this weekend will be really good at the retreat. If anyone talks to Rani remind her to bring the taboo game piece I left at her house.
Oh and someone please give me the details. It'd be nice to know what I need to bring, what time to be there, and err where exactly it is?
PS. You better all be planning stuff during reading week nights like parties and get togethers! Let me know!
Monday, February 09, 2004
A few posts ago I stated how I felt sorta sick. Well, at that time I was thankful the only symptoms I had were the aches and pains. Well, it seems the rest of the symptoms were lurking and waiting because the rest hit me this weekend. Boy we really take it for granted we can breathe and talk without hacking into uncontrollable coughs that literally give you headaches. I have a tissue mountain by my computer that scares me. And my voice went atleast 2 octaves lower or so. At any rate. Just be glad you're all healthy.
On another note. Got a lot of news this weekend in terms of things. One of which is good, but I'm not sure if I can say as of yet. But I'm sure you'll find about soon. Some shocking news is that our English Pastor Can decided to resign. That announement at service caught a lot of people off guard. He'll be leaving at the end of March. He feels that God's calling him elsewhere though he's not sure exactly where. It's too bad, he was a great deal, we got him and his wife Mylene all on a one pastor salary. However, by now I'm used to the wheel of time turning, and the comings and goings of people in this age. You gotta do what you gotta do right? Wonder what else the future holds?
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
Whoot! I actually get to sort through resumes and suggest who gets interviews for my position next term. I also "suggested" too look at the resumes that applied for the other position at Goldman Sachs. It's always interesting reading people's resumes and figuring out what they really are saying. It's funny when I've taken the courses and I know which ones are actually hard and which ones I don't understand how they did so poorly. I'm also a bit skeptical on some of these club titles. At any rate it's pretty cool. Basically I choose 5 I like and my manager chooses 5 and then we go from there.
I must say that the number one job experience people have is retail. Which really isn't useful in any real job... except sales. Nehow, it's still pretty cool. And you can actually suggest friends. Because, if you know the logic, if you know the person is a good worker why not give them an interview. (knowing the person is better than having a good resume) at any rate. I guess I'm getting corrupted with power. Muhaha. But it's fun. Man resumes sure are wordy... hahah word of the day is proficient.
Monday, February 02, 2004
Fame seems quite interesting. You have perfectly normal people who become icons and idols. If you meet them on the street it's perfectly a non-event but if you see them on a television all of a sudden these people must be important? Media goes along with this by giving us tid bits of their personal lives and more air time about them. You know what? I admit I'm pulled in sometimes, and it leaves you with an empty feeling. Like I mean the media wants you to care about people you don't even know or will have a chance of ever knowing? (Very different from knowing about people, and having a chance to make a difference in their lives by the way) This is what I call annoying. And I'm pretty sick of it. Also I don't like the fact of these celebs getting full of themselves. They aren't exactly good role models not that anyone cares anymore. Which brings me to the theory that people only care about these other people simply because they don't want to deal with their own very real problems.
Which might be the case, but sometimes I find myself hoping that something will happen to shock back everyone into reality. Care about what's actually going on. Who cares about movies and who got ousted on Apprentice or about the new Survivor show. No one will care what happened in the super bowl or dare I say it? Who cares if the Leafs win the Stanley Cup. Well, that might not be anytime soon as the world loves to be distracted. I think this is why I seem to be wishing more often or not for Thy Kingdom Come.
Perhaps, I'm just jealous of famous people. Like I mean everyone loves them, and they are filfthy rich. However, you can't help smile to think about how their faces look when they discover they are nothing but goats. On the other hand someday I'll be able to meet all the real famous people worth meeting. Something to look forward to. Helps me get through the days of annoyance when I hear what elucid promotion scheme or child molestation some celeb has recently embarked on.
Seems I'm quite bitter!
