Christians Open Minded?

A little old.. I forgot to push the "publish" button :) Non the less, some always fun random jabs the extreme right.


Intresting:

National Post: "'If you constantly marginalize us, that's when we could galvanized into one voting bloc,' he said. 'But really we're all over the map. We're pretty open-minded people.'"

Point 1. National Post: "One of the speakers who will address attendees today is Chris Kempling, a B.C. teacher who was suspended from his job as a guidance counsellor after writing a series of letters to his local paper that criticized same-sex relationships.

Point 2. National Post: "Mr. Emmanuel said the evangelical community is not necessarily going to fall in line behind Mr. Harper's Conservatives.

'I want to be careful not to be too critical, but I think Stephen Harper could do a better job defending our community,' he said. 'To be honest, I was shocked at his inability to fight for his beliefs and to keep the [sponsorship scandal] in the forefront of the debate.'"

Point 3. National Post: "The conference will also hear from Stephen Bennett, a U.S. radio personality, musician and public speaker who has flown to Canada to discuss his personal rejection of homosexuality. A self-professed 'former homosexual,' Mr. Bennett is now married to a woman and has dedicated himself to reaching out to 'homosexuals who want to escape the lifestyle.'"

Point 4. National Post: "Christians interested in social outreach and other 'compassionate endeavours' might have a natural proclivity toward Liberal or NDP candidates, he said. But he said it is the public disavowals of religion that push the evangelical constituency toward the Conservatives."


Finally. National Post: "But Mr. Emmanuel said he reached his breaking point during the 2004 federal election, when the Liberal government threatened the electorate with the Conservative party's "hidden agenda," which he believes was a thinly veiled attack on Christian beliefs."


Shutup. Damn crazy Christians. Here's a hint. Nobody wants to deal with uber right wings crazy christian beliefs. We as Canadians have larger, more pressing issues then the right-wing beliefs. It was the right wing that made Gay rights an issue in the last election. Anybody rember what happened? An Enourmous amout of Canadians said to their politicians, not "yes/no we support the issue".. It was more like "Shut up!, Why the hell are we talking about this? Can't you guys do something useful like end the hockey strike?"

In summary, SHUT UP.

Mid Range Gamer..

New System..

I'm building a new system this weekend. Upgrading a system based around a Athlon XP 1200 to a mid-range gamer. Unfortuanlly, it's not for me :( I haven't played with SATA or PCI-E, so I'll be curious of the results. In preparation, I'll be slipstreaming an XP CD, and using some sort of freeware to recover a missing XP serial key. Most of my time has been spent in these days has been spent in Linux, working on my mythbox, so it'll be a little of an XP refresher. I've never bothered to learn create how to create a slipstreamed version of XP. It will also give me a chance to try some of the newer games available.

• DFI LANParty UT NF4 ULTRA-D Motherboard ATX S939 NFORCE4 Ultra DDR 2PCI-E16 SATA RAID Sound LAN
• eVGA E-GEFORCE 6600GT 128M DDR3 PCI-E VGA DVI HD OUT VIDEO CARD
• AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Processor S939 Venice 2.0GHZ 512K L2 Cache 90NM Retail Box
• Maxtor DiamondMax 10 250GB SATA 7200RPM 16MB 9.0MS RoHS .98
• OCZ EL Platinum REV.2 (TCCD) PC3200 1GB 2X512MB DDR CL 2-2-2-5 184PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit

The Manitoban Online - Not allowed to recruit on campus ...

The Manitoban Online - Not allowed to recruit on campus ...: "There has been controversy recently over whether or not the Canadian Forces should be permitted to recruit on university campuses. In September, student protestors at York University clashed with recruitment officers over a booth set up for a career fair. The York Federation of Students (YSF) and the Grassroots Anti-Imperialist Network (GRAIN) believe the Canadian Forces (CF) are in direct conflict with the standards of the university regarding human rights."


Really, I've never thought about militant university students being against the CF. I suppose I'm sort of ignorant. I'll take that pay cheque from the man. However, I believe the role of a military is to be the "pointy stick" of a nation. Baby Hugging, Politics and handshaking make the international law and policies, but somebody has to carry them out. When it comes to international law, the military becomes the face of the country. Therefore, the military's actions should reflect the view of nation through it's elected representatives. So if these so called activist are protesting against the CF recruiting on campus, I believe they are saying the nation as a whole is corrupt and violates human rights. So why not attack it at the source, the body, rather then at the stick it holds?

I guess what I'm trying to say, is a common speech for me. If you don't like what your country, your military, your city, your whatever is doing, then get involved and change it. But to protest against the CF recruiting on university campus, that's just lazy. Shut your mouth, go to Ottawa and make a difference. The nation will be better for it.

Max

Max 009
Originally uploaded by prosonik.

The updates have been a little thin lately. SG arrived on the 22 Sept 05, and it's been a wirlwind ever since. We've had quite a week of traveling around, going to concerts and visting the SPCA. Well, it has all paid off, as we are now the proud adopties of "Max" (formally "Storm"). Thanks to the staff of the Surrey SPCA for their patience with us.

Harvey Danger - Little by Little now available for free via Bittorrent

Okay, Now this is cool.. Harvey Danger (Yes, the hype band of yesteryear) has released their new album via bittorrent in ogg and mp3 format. (Way to support OGG!) . I was a big fan of there "Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone?", and to a lesser extent "King James Version". I had long though that they had broken up an until hearing a mumor on Seattles KEXP that they played a small show. Anyways, I haven't heard the album yet. I'm excited to see how Harvey Danger sounds circa 2005.

Wikipedia has an exellent entry on the band. It gives brief overview 0f the band complete with discrography and what the members have been up to over the last couple years

LASAGNA CASSEROLE

As a kid, I loved this recipe. My mother used to make a couple batches, one to eat, and one for the freezer for the quick meal nights. Later one, she divided it up into small microwavable dishes, for suppers on-the-go. It was so much better then a comparble Michelina's frozen dinners.

1 Package ground beef (525 – 600 GR)
1 – 2 garlic cloves chopped 1 28 oz. can tomato sauce
2-1/2 Cups COOKED MACARONI (I usually use elbow macaroni but penne will also work or small shells) 1 container cottage cheese, salt, oregano, parsley etc. Mozzarella & parmesan cheese


Brown ground beef in skillet. Spoon of excess fat and add garlic. Stir in tomato sauce, spices and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Combine cooked macaroni, cottage cheese and sauce in a 2 qt. casserole. Top with mozzarella & parmesan cheese

Bake ½ hr. at 325 degrees or microwave approximately 15 minutes.

Mulroney to B.C.: 'Go stuff it.' - and he was right!

Everybody is down on Brian. Oh, did the former prime minster of the country do? Did he actually tell the truth? He spoke his mind. NEWSFLASH TO THE WEST: If you want a "Western Leader". Tell your neighbours, tell your friends, tell the people you hate, to pick a party - and vote for it. At the same time, have them look at the actual population of the country, and then have them notice, where the population is: Onatario and Quebec. What a concept; the majority of candians are in the countries two largest provinces. SOMEHOW, they seem to "control" the election. Go figure!
When a leader (he may be a quebecer, but he's a conservative) tells it like he see's it (and he saw it right), people jump all over him. I wonder what's worse? To be Quebec 'frog' or a Western "Cry-baby"?. The power is in the vote. The power is in the poplution. If (we) the west want our voices heard, (we) the west must find a way to unite a western voice - whether it be a conservative, liberal or NDP voice. Maybe a regional party the represents the Western Canadian voice. And before you think it: I'm not speaking of the "Reform part II" which represented a of the vote - no matter how popular they were.

Anyhow, here's some more text from the article in the Vancouver Sun.

Vancouver Sun: "If they don't vote for her, I hope somebody will have the decency to tell them to go stuff it,' Mulroney told Newman. 'If they won't support a young woman from British Columbia to be prime minister of Canada, I hope they stop talking about western alienation.'

Mulroney said a Campbell government wouldn't change 'a goddamned thing,' but he believed Western Canadians simply didn't want a 'frog' from Quebec running the government."

September Sunset in Matsqui

September Sunset in Matsqui
Originally uploaded by prosonik.

A September Sunset in Matsqui. I snapped this quickly tonight, right out my front door. The sunset lit my livingroom up with this amazing red color. It was a amazing sunset.

Technology Vrs Nature

Technology, when used properly can benefit society. Geeks do good. Case in point, in the days following Katrina, grassroots efforts across the net have popped up with invaluable information using Google earth and Google Maps. The community has come together to use both these tools to provide information to friends/family and survivors of hurricane. I came across this information like most other users. I was exploring the Google earth site, and to my delight, the community has provided overlays for use with the Google Earth software. Using Google earth, I can compare a city like Hamilton, On, to New Orleans to see just how terrible the flooding is. I can fly can pan in 3D over major land marks in New Orleans. In addition, the community has come together to release detailed post-hurricane overlays. These overlays provide with a real visual sense of where the levee breaks took place and others point to news events. Now, NASA, Carnegie Mellon University, and Google have come together to provide even more overlays. You can use Google earth to fly over much of New Orleans and view the devastation for yourself. No other piece of a software or media outlet has ever before provided so much detialed infrormation. No other media source has come close to the visual impact that Google Earth provides.

Following that discovery, I found another awesome use for Google maps. A Google map hack has begun to update information on specific sites/homes using the maps as reference. Now, a friend or family member can use the site to see brief comments on specific houses.. Comments like "the Ashley's are in Prattville AL". . So very cool. I think this has so much potential in major world catastrophes. The best part, it's a grass roots idea, supported by a major corporation and university. People coming together to help people. Geeks unite!

Katrina Information Map: "Katrina Information Map - This map is intended for the use of people affected by Hurricane Katrina who have or are trying to find information about the status of specific locations affected by the storm and its aftermath. If you have information about the status of an area that is not yet on the map, please contribute by following the instructions below so that others may get that much needed information."

Google Earth - Hurricane Katrina Imagery: "Hurricane Katrina Imagery
The Google Earth team is working on adding imagery of the impact of Hurricane Katrina. We will be posting links to this imagery for viewing as 'image overlays' in Google Earth."

U.S. Newswire : Releases : Katrina Relief Canada's Response

IndyMedia and Hurricane Katrina

If your like me, your probably getting a bit sick of this whole Hurricane Katrina catastrophe. The whole Kanye west thing. The whole "Ignoring the black people" thing. Finally, George Bush. Who can forget him?

After the Hurricane, I imagine him down at his ranch; Lying in a big bed, in children's PJs watching FOX News (You know he loves FOX). George Sr. Calls up.. "Awe shucks Daddy, do I got to deal with this?" "I'm on summer break, plus Laguna beach is on tonight". "Don't I have staff that deals with this sort of stuff?".."No Jr, you have to deal with this stuff.. Show the people that your not just a cowboy, but The Bush family actually do care about our american people" "But Daddy, I do care! I care About the American People on "Laguna beach".. They got some awful cute girls worth saving!.

Anyways, if your beliefs are center or slightly right wing, I suggest browsing the indymedia coverage of Katrina. It's some interesting left-wing reading. That being said I think "Extremist" is an understatement. If your take Indymedia for the gospel, it seems like God himself dreamed up this whole Katrina mess to slap down the black residents of the south and the only real fix would to be convert to communism.

*Note: I don't want to discount this as a tragedy. I don't mean to insult black residents of the effected states. I do believe they are being marginalized , and being used as political pawns instead of victims. It does seem that certain people are obstructing the real issue. Help people that need the help. I encourage support of the American/Canadian Red Cross, and I will be making a donation

New Orleans Independent Media Center: "Hurricane Katrina"
Hurricane Katrina- Canadian Red Cross
FOXNews.com: "Forum: Hurricane Katrina"

July-August 2005 189

July-August 2005 189
Originally uploaded by prosonik.

Another shot from the roadtrip. Somewhere between Cache Creek and Whistler.
I am finally forced to admit this: I now understand why locals call this place 'God's Country'

July-August 2005 137

July-August 2005 137
Originally uploaded by prosonik.

I did a Road Trip on Saturday.
Lake Chilliwack->Cache Creek->Whistler->Abbotford

This was taken at a pinic area in the Thompson Valley looking south down river.

National Post: "Comrades knew him as 'a soldier's soldier,'"




While this is a bit late, I did not forget the death of Sgt. Ernest (Smokey) Smith. I feel like I do not have to say much this time. I don't have to hype a Canadian legend, who by all accounts, probably wouldn't have enjoyed the hype in the first place. The Canadian media (for a change) has been amazing with it's coverage. I am so pleased to see the coverage and honor that Canada, as a nation has put in celebrating his life. As a soldier, I felt honored to be able to pay my last respects to him, while he laid in state in Vancouver on Friday. I felt proud to be a Canadian, when I was able to witness the work and detail that was put on to honor Smokey's life.

However, during the celebration of Smokey's life, I hope a brief moment can be had remembering our current soldiers. Right now, there are brave Canadian soldiers patrolling the streets of Kandahar right now. There are families in Canada missing their loved ones, hoping for the best as they conduct these dangerous patrols. As Smokey did 60 years ago, I know that the soldiers currently in Kandahar aren't doing it for the glory or the recognition, they are doing it because they are Canadian soldiers, and that's their job. So as we mark the death of a true Canadian hero, perhaps over a glass of scotch in true Smokey style, I hope Canadians can take a moment to remember the sacrifices made by it's current soldiers and families.

For SG - Stream the New Sigur Ros

In late September, I'm of to See Sigur Ros for the first time. I know SG has been a sigur ros fan for a long time. However, other then being background music at SG's house I've never listened to them. However given SG's ability to pick out amazing concerts, I put my full faith that Sigur Ros will live up to my expectations. In addition, this will be our first concert togther after she moves here from Toronto. In the meantime, I'll prep myself by stream, drinking red wine, and looking for the deeper passion in all my music.

Stream the New Sigur Ros Album

Pollstar -- The Concert Hotwire: Sigur Ros

Mmmmh. Goodness..

I love beer. I really don't talk about it enough. I'm not an addict or a drunk or anything, but I really do love beer. Sadly enough, in a great beer province like BC, I spend most of my time drink Kokanee. Anyways, back in the old country (Ontario), there is a fantastic beer called Creemore. I recommend it for anybody who desires 'the better pint and likes their beer with a bit more body and flavor.

Anyways, I was just sent this link to the brewery and a rib recipe to boot. (Ribs and beer!!)
Creemore Springs Brewery

Waiting for Winter!

I came across this article a couple weeks ago. As an ok blader myself and not-so-great snowboarder, I think I'll give snow blading a try instead (If I can find some rentals or something)
SNOWBLADING :

Mauritania???

It's been a while since my last posting. Summer seems to be flying by. In the meantime, life has keep me busy with various events like work, making jam, bailing hay, Motley Crue concerts, my vegetable garden and (most importantly) my girlfriend, Sg.

Sg moves in just under 2 months. We haven't figured out what where we are going to live. However, It doesn't really matter to me where we are going to live as I'll be just happy that we are together. We are already are planning a date to Beach 3 @ Stanley Park at Sunset. I'm truly looking forward to it. It's one of my favorite spots on the West coast and I finally get to share it with Sg.

Anyways, I haven't really been blabering too much about the news lately. It's been an interesting year so far, and I don't expect that to change. Bombings in London. The Hunt for bombers. The entire Muslim faith under a microscope. The "Is Canada next?" and "Are we ready?" debate. The plight of third world countries. Plane Crashes in Toronto. Sovereignty issues in Canada's North. Attempted Chinese takeovers of blue chip American companies. And finally, the overthrowing of the Mauritania government by it's military.

I have to admit, I had no idea that the country Mauritania even existed. However, a quick check on the CIA World Factbook reveals that it's in the North Sahara... It's also a has oil reserves, and it's (was) American friendly!.. And it is a one party Muslim state! Sound familiar? Anyways, look for your self at: CIA - The World Factbook -- Mauritania

I just read that Al-Qaida deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri threatened Britain with more attacks... As I stated above, it's sure been an interesting year.

Stacey Leaving

Stacey_Leaving
Originally uploaded by prosonik.

Songs for the Moment - The Start of Mixed Tape..

A quick 6 Song hit that express the way i feel..


Iron And Wine/Postal Service - Such Great Heights

I am thinking it's a sign
that the freckles in our eyes are mirror images
and when we kiss they're perfectly aligned

and I have to speculate that God himself
did make us into corresponding shapes
like puzzle pieces from the clay

and true, it may seem like a stretch,
but its thoughts like this that catch my troubled
head
when you're away when I am missing you to death

when you are out there on the road
for several weeks of shows
and when you scan the radio,
I hope this song will guide you home

they will see us waving from such great heights,
'come down now,'
they'll say
but everything looks perfect from far away,
'come down now,'
but we'll stay...

I tried my best to leave this all on your machine
but the persistent beat it sounded
thin upon listening
and that frankly will not fly.
you will hear the shrillest highs and lowest lows with
the windows down
when this is guiding you home

they will see us waving from such great
heights, 'come down now,'
they'll say
but everything looks perfect from far away,
'come down now,'
but we'll stay..."


R. St. Clare - Into your arms (Lemonheads)

I know a place where I can go, when I’m alone
Into your arms, into your arms I can go
I know a place that’s safe and warm, from the crowds
Into your arms, into your arms I can go

And if I should fall
I know I won’t be alone
Be alone anymore

I know a place where I can go, when I’m alone
Into your arms, into your arms I can go
I know a place that’s safe and warm, from the crowds
Into your arms, into your arms I can go

The Raveonettes - That Great Love Sound

Changing Your Strut When You Know I'm Behind You
Changing Your Ways Cause You Don't Know What To Do
I Only Wanna Tell You
How I Feel Inside
If Only You Could Listen
Try To Change Your Mind

So I Walk Right Up To You
And You Walk All Over Me
And I Ask You What You Want
And You Tell Me What You Need
Can't You Feel It All Come Down
Can't You Hear It All Around
At The Place Where Lost Is Found
That Great Love Sound

Talking To You Makes Me Wanna Shake And Shout
Touching You Makes Me Wanna Come Right Out
You Could Never Want Me
The Same Way I Want You
I'm Love Tornado Struck
I Don't Know What To Do

Gordon Lightfoot - If I Could

If I could sing like the poets and kings of this world
If I could rise like the wind or the tides of the sea
I would sing you to sleep my love with sweet melody
And let you dream away till the morning light returned again
To take you away from me

If I could speak with the tongues of the masters of old
If I could tame all the fleeting perceptions I hold
Would I stand in the marketplace before
To be shouted down without any warning at all, to be stood by the wall
And shot by the man in blue

If I could run with the grace of a sun-colored stallion
If I could fly like the great silver jets in the morning
If I caused the wind to change with one wave of my hand
And if I could play the final symphony and set it free
Would it mean anything to you

If I could stand like a rusty old man in his armor
If I could ride the steed that he rode in his time
I would turn his head away to the river
And let him wander through the meadow grass, wild and free
For everyone to see

If I could sing like the poets and kings of this world
If I could rise like the wind or the tides of the sea
I would sing you to sleep my love with sweet melody
And let you dream away till the morning light returned again
To take you away from me

The Doors - Light My Fire

You know that it would be untrue
You know that I would be a liar
If I was to say to you
Girl, we couldn’t get much higher
Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire

Time to hesitate is through
No time to wallow in the mire
Try now we can only lose
And our love become a funeral pyre

Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire

Aouh, come on!
Come on, babe!

Yeah! come on!
Come on!

Woaouh! yeah!

It was the greatest night of my life.
Although I still had not found a wife
I had my friends
Right there beside me.
We were close together.
We tripped the wall, we scaled the graveyard
Ancient shapes were all around us.
The wet dew felt fresh beside the fog.
Two made love in an ancient spot
One chased a rabbit into the dark
A girl got drunk and balled the dead
And I gave empty sermons to my head.
Cemetary, cool and quiet
Hate to leave your sacred lay
Dread the milky coming of the day.

Ah, ah, ah, ah!
Ah, ah, ah, ah!
Ah, ah, ah, ah!
Ah, ah, ah, ah!
Ah, ah, ah, ah!
Ah, ah, ah, ah!
Ah, ah, ah, ah!
Aah, aah, aah, aah, aah
Aah, aah, aah, aaah!

Time to hesitate is through
No time to wallow in the mire
Try now we can only lose
And our love become a funeral pyre

Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire

Know that it would be untrue
You know that I would be a liar
If I was to say to you
Girl, we couldn’t get much higher

Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire
Try to set the night on fire
Try to set the night on fire
Try to set the night on fire!

All right, all right!
All right!"


Neil Diamond - I'm a believer!

I thought love was only true in fairy tales
Meant for someone else but not for me.
Love was out to get me
That's the way it seemed.
Disappointment haunted all my dreams.

Then I saw her face, now I'm a believer
Not a trace of doubt in my mind.
I'm in love, I'm a believer!
I couldn't leave her if I tried.

I thought love was more or less a given thing,
Seems the more I gave the less I got.
What's the use in tryin'?
All you get is pain.
When I needed sunshine I got rain.

Then I saw her face, now I'm a believer
Not a trace of doubt in my mind.
I'm in love, I'm a believer!
I couldn't leave her if I tried.