Pastor Painter dot com

Back Again?

2010-11-07T14:04:00.001-04:00

I may begin using this blog site again. I'm just testing it out from my iPad.

I just like that image.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

PIE FACE

2008-02-08T19:21:00.001-04:00

Thanks Mom and Dad for never buying this! I love you.

HIATUS

2008-02-06T13:20:00.000-04:00

I believe this site will be on hiatus for a while, I will be using Wordpress for the time being.

I hope thank Blogger for all the joy I have had these past 3 years, but it's time for a change.

Go to the "Other" site atm.

2008-02-06T10:28:00.001-04:00

http://pastorpainter.wordpress.com/

The Anglican Communion

2008-02-05T10:22:00.001-04:00

I'm proud to be called to this small part of the greater Church. Amid all our debates it's a blessing to be an Anglican.

Last Sunday of Epiphany (Sermon Update)

2008-02-02T14:32:00.000-04:00

This may be the last time I post Sermons and the Bulletin in Blogger, please keep following both Pastorpainter.com and http://pastorpainter.wordpress.com/. I may be able to make the migration on Monday or Wednesday. At that point pastorpainter.com will look different yet be the main way to get information from this silly priest.

Bulletin: EpiphanyLastAFebruary32008.pdf

Sermon in Glassville: EpiphlastA2008gl.mp3

Sermon in Florenceville (the Teens cause a change)EpiphlastA2008f.mp3.

Site Re-Design: A Slow Process

2008-01-31T17:00:00.000-04:00

I've spent the past hour with Flickr and looking at my GoDaddy host File Manager. This site might go through some outages in the next few weeks for bear with me.

In no way is http://pastorpainter.wordpress.com/ the way the "pastorpainter dot com" site is going to look, but it's close.

I'm advising everyone who visits to check there as well for the time being. There is a post up about Pippa.

Cheers, D+

Here Comes Trouble: Blog Trouble

2008-01-30T12:23:00.000-04:00

OK don't panic just yet... see below:

http://pastorpainter.wordpress.com/

Apple UK

2008-01-29T15:29:00.001-04:00

This one is for Spacemonkey!

Super Smash Bros Brawl Japanese Intro

2008-01-29T15:18:00.001-04:00

My kids can't wait for this! Seriously they can not wait.

Funny and True

2008-01-29T15:13:00.001-04:00

I bet the pen is $3000

Not Right: Shouldn't this be Tuna?

2008-01-29T15:03:00.000-04:00

Thanks for the link Gizmodo

Happy 50th Birthday Lego

2008-01-28T18:40:00.001-04:00

thanks Boing Boing

For MacBook Air H8trs

2008-01-27T16:18:00.000-04:00

For all those whining about how too thin the "Air" is and how few port are in the machine... frankly my criticism is the price more than the ports or power.

Lets face it, one thing Apple does is set the standard. They are always ahead of technology, function and form. I am overjoyed at both my iMac and my IPod Touch, the latter being more like a PDA/Micro-Computer. I won't get an Air, but thats price, but in the future, Car-Willing :-) , I'll get a MacBook, by that time it will be thiner and with that awesome trackpad.

This Picture just makes me laugh and laugh.

Epiphany 3 (Sermon Update)

2008-01-26T11:59:00.000-04:00

Bulletin: Epiphany%203%20A%20January%2029%202008.pdf

Sermon: Epiph3A2008.WMA

The Car

2008-01-26T11:28:00.000-04:00

What fun, owning a vehicle.

Yes I love my little red car, but it seems that it does not love me so much. Yesterday Sherry went to drive Liam to school, given his ongoing recovery from the pneumonia, when she called to say the car was dead. Dead it was. It didn't appear to be the battery but "multiple misfiring" particularly from the 4th cylinder. After getting the plugs and wires replaced, the fuel line filter replaced and an oil change I feel that my walet needs to be replaced... though I must say the car felt like a million dollars, it was smooth and handled better that it had for months. Oh ya did I mention the rattling from the windshield? Yes after getting a ding, the lower windshield cracked about 2' across quite low to the dash... it's rattling now.

$360 later... and we found ourselves waking up to a call from Andrew, who had spent the night at the United Church Youth Group all night movie night, asking for a lift home for himself and all his friends.

/sigh

So what happens, yes the car wouldn't start... like nothing, like not a sound, like not even like a click, like nothing.

Well needless to say I don't "like" my car very much today. Ben, our local mechanic was gracious to come over on a Saturday morning and see what was going on. What fun.

Nice, but still Look at that Hat?

2008-01-25T17:27:00.001-04:00

I'd be more worried that I would get confused and put the computer on my head. OH, what is it, you ask? Well it is a cure for Alzheimers.

Snow and The Arrogant Dog

2008-01-24T15:00:00.000-04:00

Yes lots of snow, Tempest seems to be enjoying it with Liam, but Guinness seems to prefer laying back on the table as if at some Ancient Greek feast. I do believe after asking him to leave the table top he stuck his tongue out at me.

DeEvolution... Pen-Knife

2008-01-23T12:57:00.001-04:00

What can I say but, "I think I'll use my hands"

... And I Love My Burgers Too

2008-01-23T12:22:00.000-04:00

gizmodo!

Cod Help Us

2008-01-22T15:51:00.000-04:00

Let's not forget the documentary "Cod Help Us" a story of the fishery moratorium of 2003. For those who haven't seen the film here it is, and yes I do figure in some of it; I still cry. Two of those younger men, both brothers, Chris and Randy, have since passed from this life, both expressed their worry about having to move from home.

God Bless "the Coast"

http://citizen.nfb.ca/cod-help-us-0

Apple Site is Down (update)

2008-01-22T09:19:00.001-04:00

Now if this sign was for Windows, all would be nervous or mad, but with Apple this sign warms the cockles of many a heart. Why? Well it indicates new stuff. Everyone loves new Apple stuff. Some have speculated that it might be a Canadian iPhone. I have a contract with the Parish and so my "Q" belongs to the church, but I must say even though I don't need another cell, it is tempting. Funny, is that Canada still doesn't have the phone when almost everyone else has it. The type of cell technology is GMS... as I recall and that requires a "sim"... which looks like a SD card. For us in Aliant-land they don't have that technology. So the only option to have a Canadian iPhone is Rogers, and frankly they suck. yes, you read that right and they do!!!

The other problem in Canada is our cell phone data plans are so very expensive that it makes having a "smart-phone" (it has a mini-keyboard, goes online, you can get your e-mails and surf the net) not too smart. It's $20 for 4 Megs... yes that's Megs not Gigs!!!! OMG we are so far behind the States and worse Korea who has great speeds. Our main problem with cell phone providers are that there are too many monopolies and we end up paying the price. I hope when the iPhone shows up in Canada, a data plan will be affordable to a majority of people and not just the business sector.

WELL... it's back up and the only update is a Pink Nano... celebrate Valentine's Day with Pink ... and possibly support the Breast Cancer Society will at it. Sorry Canuks, no iPhone... those data plans must be the impediment :-( they are just too pricey to make the iPhone actually functional. Stupid Rogers, stupid monopolies.

Liam-Be'am is Ill :-(

2008-01-21T20:24:00.001-04:00

Liam has pneumonia, please keep him in your prayers. Though he is able to go to school... still the coughing is really horrible.

HD DVD? Don't (digitalbits.com Update Graph)

2008-01-21T11:56:00.000-04:00

I'm not a Sony fanboy, I liked the PS1 and the PS2, but I never was a Betamax fan, nor a fan of Trinitron, nor even for their many freaky closed system proprietary cameras and flash memory. Sony is notorious for being solitary and expensive, some might even say self absorbed. Well unfortunately they have won a victory early this 2008; their PS3, which was too expensive and floundered had one selling point the Blue ray Disc Player and that format has won out.

HD DVD, a Toshiba development, had promise, and with many problems with the price of the PS3 and the contracts with studios, it seemed that Blue ray might lose out. But alas at this year's Computer Electronics Show (CES) some studios abandoned HD DVD and bang this "format war" was over. Booom. Done.

So if you own an HD DVD drive, well I'm sorry. I don't own an HD TV and won't until next Christmas. Early adopters often get shafted and with something so expensive waiting is always the better option.

Personally I don't see the point of buying DVD's or any media that spins. They damage and they will be obsolete soon as optical media will be replaced in the next 5-7 years with solid state drives that will be able to hold media well and not scratch or spin and skip. Even then, why buy movies? Why not just rent? I can see owning a music collection, but I can't see the same for movies. I have a few movies on my computer, Monty Python stuff... I've watched them once.

Anyway you might be interested in this topic and well, my judgment is don't get any HD DVD equipment, get Blue ray... or just wait until the next movie distribution comes along, that will be more stable and long lasting, trust me.

For more educated info go here.

iTeach

2008-01-21T09:44:00.000-04:00

... Maybe even iProclaim, either way, this program is a very clever way to market a course on Ephesians with a very contemporary and positive modern icon.

I found this gem after a sarcastic report on gizmodo.

You might want to check out the PDF program at the Highland Meadows Christian Church website.

*I have not checked the theology of this site and so I can't endorse it, but innovation is always good to check out.

Epiphany 2 (Update)

2008-01-19T14:24:00.000-04:00

Bulletin: Epiphany2AJanuary202008.pdf

Sermons (each slightly different in focus)... lol ooops I'm a year to late with one, sorry hehe.
Centreville:Epiphany2A2007c.WMA
Florenceville:WS_30038.WMA

GoBible

2008-01-18T19:49:00.000-04:00

Interesting concept. Though you can download the Bible in MP3 format, this devise lets you search by word etc, neat. GoBible

Intelligent Community of the Year Award

2008-01-18T16:55:00.000-04:00

Our beloved, city-next-door, Fredericton, has been short listed for the Intelligent Community of the Year Award. Why? Because they provide residents with free WiFi access.

Why do I want a laptop? Blame Fredericton. Why do I have an iPod Touch, which servers remarkably well as a portable computer, blame Fredericton. Why might I continue to live in New Brunswick? Blame Fredericton. This little thing called the internet is like having a library and post office around. Whether I am in the Mall or downtown at a cafe... more than likely Luna Pizza... or when rich the Blue Door... I can gather information, get my news, get my e-mail and open Google Documents up. Soon, God-Willing, I will be able to blog from Fredericton.

Why so important? Because the office is portable, people today ... are, well, portable... and Fredericton understands that you can't rely on others to "open" their WiFi.

I think they are brilliant and well deserve some acknowledgment of their innovation and forethought. Well done Fredericton!

Read it here

PS other "Big Communities" catch up! It makes a difference. Internet Connectivity is here to stay.

Wii Love the Queen

2008-01-18T10:00:00.000-04:00

... and apparently the Queen loves Wii. There is something very cool about this story. Check this out.

Happy Third PastorPainter dotcom

2008-01-18T08:06:00.000-04:00

I had been planning a celebration of this site for the past few weeks and even on Wednesday I was beginning to fool around with the way the site looked in order to reveal something yesterday and I became so busy I forgot all about it.

Well it is our 3rd Anniversary here on the web and I must say it's been a joy, chore and a blessing. 22844 site loads is nice for a small website and I am overjoyed that some find this helpful both spiritually and techilly... new word I'm sure ;-)

The coming months will see a change as I prepare for the latest changes in webtools. Especially given the iPod Touch / iPhone and the impact that that is having not only on website creation but also on blogging tools. My hope is to be able to blog on the road with my Touch. If i can do that I can save myself $1800 as that is really the reason I would get a laptop this year.

I have very serious questions to ask...

1) How often to you use the archives?

and

2) What changes would you like to see, or have seen already?

iPhone / iPod Touch Icon

2008-01-16T15:57:00.000-04:00

If you have an iPhone or an iPod Touch you may move the Pastorpainter site icon, or "webclip," onto your homepage. Just Use Safari go to this website and press the "+" sign in the middle of the bottom of the page and select add to homepage.

If you want to make a Webclip do the following in photoshop, photostudio, gimp or any other image editor. Then I vectorized it here http://vectormagic.stanford.edu/ saved the file as a png file and named it as shown below.

* Create a 57x57 PNG.
* Name it "apple-touch-icon.png"
* Throw it in the root folder of your website. (Not the root of your server, the root of your web documents.)

and here it is:

Melt that Snow Away! Ouch

2008-01-16T14:24:00.001-04:00

Vlog-Jan16 2008

2008-01-16T14:08:00.001-04:00

OK so here's my take on my iPod Touch $20 update.... and if it's worth it.

I forgot to show how the icons jiggle when you hold them to change their positions, cool and works but not too important.

Air is Bad for Regular Laptops

2008-01-16T13:16:00.000-04:00

yes, the plus size, and even regular size, notebook computers are feeling, well... feeling... just watch:

Air Case

2008-01-16T13:01:00.000-04:00

Yes that's right only $300 for the case LMAO, hahahahaha that is funny!

But wait, I may need a Mortgage....

2008-01-15T15:23:00.000-04:00

Ummmm ok now about the environment, taking care of it will cost you the price of a small used car.

Select your MacBook Air.

* Intel Core 2 Duo processor
* 2GB memory
* 80GB 4200-rpm PATA hard drive1
* Built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi2 and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR

Ships: 2-3 weeks
Free Shipping
$1,899.00

OR...

* Intel Core 2 Duo processor
* 2GB memory
* 64GB solid-state hard drive1
* Built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi2 and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR

Ships: 2-3 weeks
Free Shipping
$3,248.0

never the less, I dream

Good Stewards?

2008-01-15T14:30:00.000-04:00

On page 285 of the BAS Ash Wednesday service one of our penitent petitions reads: "For our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us." Well if you want to be a sensitive eco-friendly Christian hold on to your Apple socks cause:

"... It’s got an Aluminum case, and a mercury-free and arsenic-free glass display. The circuit boards are BFR free and PVC free. The packaging has 56% less volume than the regular MacBook." Jason Chen, Gizmodo

The MacBook Air

2008-01-15T14:18:00.001-04:00

OK so to all who love me start a dp Apple fund 'cause I like, I lika alot :-)

So Much New Stuff So Little $ [updated]

2008-01-15T13:24:00.000-04:00

OMG it's True a MacBook Air

oops a presentation glitch from Flickr, but trust me you can play your photos on this devise on your TV.

Lam & Chen had the best and fastest reporting on the Event, thanks Gizmodo.com . All pictures copyrighted and belong to Gizmodo.

Ooo I get this for free with my iPod Touch :-) NO I FREEKIN DONT!!!!! It turns out that I have to pay $20 for it. BLAH!!!!! I would use it for what? The map? well if I'm in Fredericton I know where I am. Mail? No cause i used web based mail, g-mail. Stocks? I might need that soon cause I need money to buy the mac so maybe an investment here or there LOL stocks, for me that will be the day. The other stuff is forgettable... ho hum. I do like the Apple TV, and have for a while. No more retails, no more $6.00 star choice rentals, I'll probably just rent to my Mac, but unfortunately in Canada we have to wait for rentals.

Careful What You Download

2008-01-15T12:34:00.000-04:00

MacWorld 2008

2008-01-15T10:02:00.000-04:00

Stevie-boy, the fearless, and if all reports are right the arrogant, leader of Apple gives his "Keynote" address today. Why so important? Well one personal and one not so personal reason.

1) Steve Jobs may very well be arrogant but to produce the quality and ascetically pleasing electronic gadgets that Apple creates requires some gusto.

Millions around the world look forward to this event mainly because Steve always announces something. And with Apple on a roll with the iPhone, Macs and iPods, Apple is poised to take a big bite out of Microsoft.

This year the big announcement may be an ultra-thin / portable Laptop, similar to the MacBook, but with styling similar to the new aluminum iMacs. Many have speculated that it may just be something larger yet similar to the iPod Touch / iPhone in a laptop style with touch responses.

One thing Apple is good for is keeping a secret and hyping up their audience, to such an extent that the general public also begins to listen and take note.

2) Last year, after years of craving a Mac, I got one, as many of you know, i would never go back to Windows now. Honestly Apple produces some fine products and their software just works. Spend a day with an Apple and you will not go back.

And this is my reason for paying attention today, as a "Switcher" I care about their products and since I am looking for a laptop replacement within the year, this announcement may help in my decision making.

One thing is for sure, laptops may bottom out at around $300, but I wont budge, for my mac will work when I spend my $1500, the nameless cheappie wont for long and it's OS is flawed.

Think of it people, I have had my Mac for 6 months, downloaded many things off the internet, opened all attachments with no anti virus, no spyware software, and every time I plug something into my machine I don't need software, it just knows what it is. Imagine, just turning on your computer and 30 seconds later you're doing what you intended...

the motto today is "there's something in the air" lets see what that means.

Baptism of the Lord

2008-01-14T17:03:00.000-04:00

Bulletin & Readings: BaptismLordAJanuary122008.pdf

Sermon: WS_30036.WMA

Alternate sermon from the earlier service in Glassville: WS_30035.WMA

CHRISTMAS a retrospective of sermons:
Christmas Eve 2007: WS_30033.WMA
Christmas Day 2007:WS_30034.WMA

O The Good Ol' Hockey Game ...

2008-01-14T09:34:00.000-04:00

On behalf of the Anglican Parish of Wicklow, Wilmot, Peel and Aberdeen, I would like to thank the entire Anglican Parish of Woodstock for their support and initiative in making this Hockey event possible. Sandra, Lorna and many many others lead the way with planning, cooking and the logistics, securing the use of great facilities as the Hartland Arena and the New Hartland High School. In our parish I express particular thanks to Margaret and Cathy and all those who came out and supported our team, especially our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters who came out and helped in building our numbers so this event could happen.

It was a wonderful afternoon and evening as the below pictures will show. All involved had a great time as we took up the challenge from Woodstock and met for fellowship and a good game, and indeed we did have a good game.

I pray that next year we will host this event, did I hear someone say basketball? In that case I might be able to play, but hockey and my ankles have not spoken in over a quarter of a century... and my boys are not keen on the national pastime. Cameron though is interested in economics, which will become apparent below.

Enjoy the many many photos:

Our 4th goal celebration

The final score... one point for each of our parish congregations

A good natured game with wonderful sportsmanship

The "Guests" won this year, can we make it two in a row when we're home?

What a team, but I do see a number of "Roman Ringers"? Couldn't be ;-) Blessings guys!

The happy locker room

Keaton, a very proud parishioner.

Archdeacon Williams, always a great MC.

A great crowd came back to the New Hartland High School to indulge in fellowship, fun and lots of food provided by the Anglican Parish of Woodstock.

The presentation of the Trophy, it seems that the Reverend Father had plans to run it back to St. Gertrude's for safe keeping.

Our winning goalie, Jack, along side his priest, who didn't play but took the glory just the same.

Fr. Bill Brennan, Priest in the Roman Catholic Parish of Woodstock, was a wonderful speaker and member of the "Flying Fathers" a group of fund raising Roman priests. He was engaging and ... generous (see below).

Fr. Bill offers $20 for any child to recite his story... yup that's my boy taking money from the priest!

Fr. Bill, myself and Fr. Walter with the "Saunders Stewardship Trophy" named after Sandra the initiator of this wonderful inter-parish event.

Careful What You Ask For

2008-01-14T09:33:00.001-04:00

http://view.break.com/399018 - Watch more free videos

Written in Blood?

2008-01-14T09:13:00.001-04:00

As you can see I am fascinated by the bazaar on this "Net" of ours. The above is scary and oddly intriguing at the same time... brought to you this time by gizmodo.

USA: The Right to Bear Eggs

2008-01-13T19:47:00.000-04:00

oh you laughingsquid.com

Holiday Pictures: Tardy Moi

2008-01-12T10:39:00.001-04:00

You turn 43 and you get forgetful, sorry ppl I thought I had posted these. Basically here are some photos of Dec 25 through to Jan 9th, in our home these are the 15 days of Holidays: Christmas, New Years (with Haggis), Guinness' Birthday, Liam's Birthday and my birthday.

Ummm, Can We Say, Heretical?

2008-01-09T09:56:00.001-04:00

Debate: http://www.religion-online.org/showbook.asp?title=523

Outsourcing: Business to Church Model?

2008-01-09T09:47:00.000-04:00

LOL I wonder if the Church thinks in this way about it's ministry? I also wonder if we don't have something to learn from this especially with so many priests, pastors and ministers of all calls suffering from burnout and going on stress leave.

Anyway check out the IT humour site http://www.doubtsourcing.com/

OMG: .. And the Stupid Award goes to

2008-01-07T21:07:00.000-04:00

doh! A Little too Late ... A Flu Detector

2008-01-07T17:17:00.000-04:00

12 Kinds Too!

The Webby Web

2008-01-07T16:53:00.000-04:00

An interesting Vlog on The Web by the commenter, Howard Rheingold.

*after an afternoon nap, I'm pooped, but no pains

:-/

Weather Within

2008-01-06T19:07:00.001-04:00

No longer under the weather the weather is within and it ain't pleased. Maybe it's a category 4 Hurricane, at least that's the way it feels.

Yesterday afternoon it hit landfall. After 2 days of just feeling dead tired and sick, it reached what it effectively was going to do all along, sideline me with a good dose of gastro-flu. No details, but I can tell you that I hate, hate, missing Church but Sherry made the right call by encouraging me to ask the Lay Readers to cover me. If yesterday was the running day, today was the ache and pain day. I have had so much pain in my tummy and head I thought both would explode at one. Then my chest started hurting, stress of course. Anyway...

I'm feeling terrible still. I checked mail today and laid down and that was enough. I'm up again, but I need to lay down again. BLAH! And on the Birthday-Eve. Forty-Three... not as poetic as forty-four so no big deal that I'm sick for it. I guess my candles will need to float on the broth.

Blessings and be back in the Swing soon.

Under the Weather

2008-01-04T11:04:00.000-04:00

I've got some bug, no energy, sore throat, coughing and some other stuff. But I moan... look at this site. I bet they never moaned about being ill, cause they got over it... in a big way. http://www.markstoryphotography.com/

CNHS Choir: Andrew

2007-12-31T11:20:00.000-04:00

Snow Angel Day

2007-12-31T10:59:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago Cam & The Pie made snow angels. One of my favorite pictures of Pippa is here in this set.

Lessons & Carols Reader's Copy

2007-12-30T09:37:00.000-04:00

Christmastide%20Lessons%20Carols%202007.pdf

Cute Prayer

2007-12-30T08:43:00.001-04:00

Thx Dad.

Christmastide Bulletins

2007-12-29T22:08:00.000-04:00

I was just too busy to get these too you. The bonus is in one you'll see the draft version after the first two pages. That I think was the bulletin for the morning BAS services. Enjoy

Christmas Eve: Christmas%20Eve%20A%20December%2024%20BCP%202007.pdf

Christmas 1 Carol Service: Christmas%20Lessons%20Carols%20Dec%2030%202007.pdf

48 hour Dash Cleanup

2007-12-29T17:23:00.001-04:00

Whirling dervishes! At least that's how it feels as we prepare for the Rectory Christmas Party tomorrow. Much is being done and thus not much posting I'm afraid. But it will, stay tuned.

Got to get back to work before the boss notices I'm hiding in my office... 'sposta be a cleanin' it.

News: Peace, Goodwill toward Men?

2007-12-28T09:46:00.000-04:00

This is one of those sad stories. Priests brawl at the site of the Nativity. I want to laugh for it's so typical... it's a good thing His birth leads to the Cross and the Resurrection for we'd be lost without it.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T17:05:00.000-04:00

Much love to you all this blessed time when we remember the precious birth of the Incarnate Lord of light and life.

Peace, Goodwill Toward All... love and be loved.

I'll write tomorrow. Blessings from our family to yours.

D+

God Bless our Queen

2007-12-23T12:49:00.001-04:00

Anglican have an affinity with Queen Elizabeth II, she's the head of our mother church, she has been the head of our country and still of the commonwealth, but many of us, and the whole commonwealth, know her best for her Christmas Message. This year marks 50 years since she started these messages on television, but this year she will also be doing it on Youtube! Yes, YOUTUBE! WOW this internet thing is catching on. For some reason this event seems to give the internet some credibility.

I'm a big supporter of free WiFi connections as it seems to me that most people are simply checking mail and doing library type searches, gathering news etc. The Queen's appearance on Youtube marks a type of validation that we should have access to the internet as a right and not a privilege. This now is the same as getting CBC on your TV, no matter if you have satellite, cable or nothing... information is a right.

Anyway, getting back to the matter at hand, check out The Royal Channel here at YouTube.

Human Calendar

2007-12-21T20:16:00.001-04:00

This is just plain fun!

Vlog Dec 21 07

2007-12-21T15:25:00.001-04:00

Non-Christmas Movie Recommendation and boring old stuff from "The Elephant"!?! What an unfortunate tee-shirt.

When Halloween meets Christmas...

2007-12-21T14:33:00.000-04:00

So very very bad... this is when "the HOLIDAYS" takes away any understanding of season... funny yes, bad taste yes, appropriate.... no way!!!

thank you Gizmodo I now want Deer for Christmas diner.

B A C O N

2007-12-21T13:35:00.001-04:00

Yes... boingboing.com again...

I Love Photoshop

2007-12-21T11:43:00.001-04:00

http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

CNHS Choir Christmas 07

2007-12-19T14:34:00.001-04:00

The Choir was a highlight of the evening... Sherry and I are very proud of Andrew... and his gang LOL.

Firefox Use = Detention ?

2007-12-16T17:16:00.000-04:00

Yes this smart High School student was using Firefox as his browser instead of the very virus susceptible IE (Internet Explorer). I still can't believe the idiocy of this school. They have never heard of Firefox? Are they under an internet tree? For the common internet user it is possible not to know about Firefox, but an educational institution? Someone, one teacher should have known better. This is ridiculous and exposes terrible judgment, trust and ignorance.

Check out the article at Gizmodo.com

Advent Calendar: Nano

2007-12-15T20:38:00.000-04:00

Enough with this storm that hasn't hit yet...

Nano is small, very very very small, and those smart Germans have made a very very very small Advent Calendar.

Check it out

The Third Sunday in Advent

2007-12-15T16:14:00.000-04:00

Pink / Rose Sunday, Gaudate or Joyful Sunday if you will: Rejoice! It's a bit of a break from the austere, penitential, time of Advent. Pink is also used one other time and that is the middle Sunday during Lent, marking the halfway point.

One day I'll get a pink stole to wear over my plain white chasuble to mark the day.

Here is your Bulletin for tomorrow: Advent%203%20A%20December%2016%202007.pdf

So it's going to be stormy, very stormy. How much snow? Does it matter at this point. So in the interest of those I love and shepherd I have decided not to place any added stress and postpone the Carol Service to Dec. 30th at 11 AM at St. Barnabas, Greenfield. Following the service a reception will be held at the Rectory.

Vlog Dec 14 07

2007-12-15T13:45:00.001-04:00

Storm Watch... recorded Friday Morning.

Christmas Mailing

2007-12-14T17:41:00.000-04:00

Here is the Christmas mailing for the Parish of WWPA.

Winter Schedule: WWPA-Sched-Winter2008.pdf

Christmas Letter: WWPA-Chrismas%20Letter%202007.pdf

** I'm debating canceling the Advent Carol Service set for 4 PM this Sunday and of course the Rectory Christmas Party that follows. There is a major weather system coming in and it should arrive that afternoon. It looks like no school on Monday as well.... but lets see. At lest it looks alot like Christmas :-)

Hot or Not

2007-12-13T19:05:00.000-04:00

This title is usually associated with less than upstanding sites but in this case control shift 3 compares web sites. It's so much fun that i have just spent 45mins playing along. It's a great way to see what 2.0 web sites look like. If you want to get an insight as to why I want to change my website look at some of these.

Greenfield Christmas Party

2007-12-13T17:56:00.000-04:00

A much anticipated annual party from very dear a devoted parishioners and guild members. It was a truly blessed night which ended with large and light snow flakes.

Cameron Cookies

2007-12-13T17:49:00.000-04:00

Cam made Pippa-pie gingerbread cookies, why? Because she demanded it be done: "make it so."

An Andrew Concert

2007-12-13T17:34:00.000-04:00

Yes the definite article is missing in the title, mostly because Andrew seems to have a non stop concert series so there is no particular Christmas concert to focus on. Here are a couple of picture at the United Baptist Church from last Sunday's concert with the Tuesday Night Singers.

BTW I can not say enough about Peter McLaughlin the musical director of the Tuesday Night Singers and the Northern Carleton High School. He is not only a gifted musician, he is a great educator, friend and a benefit to this community.

Colourful Shower

2007-12-12T19:32:00.000-04:00

Now that is cool, or hot, if you like.

LINK

Dictionary Word of the Year

2007-12-12T15:58:00.000-04:00

Can you think of "a work of the year?" Didn't think so, so here I am to help you out so that you too can be a cool internet person.

w00t

That wasn't a comment on your prowess as an internet know it all that actually is the word of the year!

See "Merriam-Websters"

My money was on LOL but alas that isn't a word, or is it?

Oh So Bad: Star Wars Figures

2007-12-12T14:22:00.000-04:00

I so would have wanted these :-) I almost died laughing when I saw these at Gizmodo.

Fashion: Hun?

2007-12-12T09:53:00.000-04:00

While I sit here, listening to football, yes that worldie type, and watching my screen flicker (if I were cool I would have written "flickr") as I print off the 450 odd pages for the mailing due to hit parishioners mail boxes sometime in the next 24-48 hours... I found this little fashion gem.

Yes, truth be told, I love FT, "Fashion Television," I could name a Stella McCartney, Lagerfeld and Fendi while knowing what Jeanne will ask Cavalli next episode... oh ya did you know Isabella Blow committed suicide this past spring? She'll always be remembered for her hats... OK so you get the point, tech is not my only passion.

Well this came across my RSS reader this morning. "My Virtual Model" is for all you ladies, and fashionable men, who greatly desire how that would look on you :-) It seems fun and a complete waste of time... so go and do that instead of reading this tripe from your bestest church secretary-priest. Did I mention that the printing fumes are making me silly?

Blessings

Church Divorce?

2007-12-12T09:20:00.000-04:00

Which Party Wants a Divorce? In this negative climate of Church politics pundants come out on one side or another with pithy arguments, I found one the other day that I wished to share. It made me think and re-think.

Church Times Article Link

Busy Week: Not Many Updates

2007-12-11T16:35:00.000-04:00

Well the post count will be down this week, yup I did my posting last week. This week I'm overwhelmed by the amount of photocopying and printing I must do for all the services and the Christmas mailing. God willing this will be dealt with by Friday but I doubt I will be able to take my day off.

Anywho, this week will be scarce on the posting... stay tuned

Advent 2 (Update)

2007-12-08T18:27:00.000-04:00

Bulletin: Advent2ADecember92007.pdf

Sermon:Advent2A2007.WMA

Old Fashioned Weather

2007-12-07T17:05:00.000-04:00

Gizmodo brought me to this one and good on them, but I doubt that flimsy looking thing would have told me the temperature last night was going to be subzero... as in subzero Fahrenheit!

Well check out the site for this great Christmas present at http://www.weatherinabottle.com/ from the weather we have received so far I imagine that this might come in handy.

Vlog Dec 7

2007-12-07T13:35:00.001-04:00

Oh Guinnebabaas! Why oh why...

Call for Canadian Action: re DMCA

2007-12-07T07:51:00.000-04:00

I've never been a good activist, actually I really don't care much about "news" items as many who know me well know, but in this case I must rally the troops and stand tall.

Please read this full text from Cory Doctorow's blog on Boing Boing, and if you need to investigate more follow the links or google the issue. You are on the internet and I am sure you know others who are on, this issue effects us all. This is not about illegal downloading, this is about legal powers going too far where you could be guilty until proven innocent. Please write the Minister (no stamp needed) and tell him that this bill is draconian and will only lead to needless lawsuits lining the pockets of lawyers and not the Artists who they pretend to represent. There are other ways to protect digital property rights but currently the whole 19th century understanding of copyright needs to be redefined in this much different age: "We can have a sane and balanced copyright law, one that protects the Canadian public and Canadian artists." This proposed bill does not accomplish that!

Please, read below and give our country a Christmas present, write this along with your Christmas cards.

If you're a Canadian and you want to talk to Industry Minister Jim Prentice about his proposal for a Canadian DMCA, a copyright law that's even worse than the ten-year-old American legislation that resulted in lawsuits against 20,000+ Americans without stopping infringement or paying artists, now's your chance!

This Saturday, Minister Prentice is hosting an open house in Calgary at his constituency office. This is the best chance we will ever have to make our feelings known about the Canadian DMCA. If you are in or near Calgary, plan on attending this event, along with local activist Kempton Lam (sign up on the Fair Copyright for Canada Facebook group).

Dress neatly. Be polite. Be firm. Be friendly. Ask the Minister tough questions (the CBC has collected over 250 questions about this, all of which Prentice has refused to answer) in front of his constituents, the people who voted him into office (you don't need to remind him that that the last two MPs who tried to introduce a Canadian DMCA lost their jobs -- he knows!).

Prentice's open house runs from 1PM-3PM tomorrow, Saturday, December 8 at 1318 Centre Street NE, Suite 105, Calgary, AB (details on Prentice's website)

Not in Calgary? NO PROBLEM! Plan on calling the Minister tomorrow or on dropping him an email, expressing your regrets that you can't attend the open house, but letting him know how you feel. Here are the numbers:

Ottawa office - (613) 992-4275
Calgary office - (403) 216-7777
Minister office - (613) 995-9001

His email address is: Prentice.J@parl.gc.ca. Once you send an email, print it out and mail it (no stamp needed!) to:

Jim Prentice
House of Commons
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

The word is that the Minister's office is reeling from the overwhelming, national response to this badly written, badly planned bill. Bringing this legislation to Canada is Prentice's "series of tubes" moment, the point at which Canada's Internet Czar shows himself to be largely ignorant of its workings and power.

I believe that we can stop this bill. I will be calling the Minister tomorrow, and sending him a letter. I hope you do so as well. Canadians don't need to follow the US off the copyright cliff. We can have a sane and balanced copyright law, one that protects the Canadian public and Canadian artists.

Tell your friends. Tell your family. If you care about the net, this could be the most important thing you do this year. Take action and save the country.

STILL NOT CONVINCED? Read on this might compel you:

More grim news about Canada's DMCA, the coming copyright law that manages to be even worse than the disastrous, ten-year-old American Digital Millennium Copyright Act: Industry Minister Jim Prentice has announced that the public-interest questions raised by the bill will be hived off into a committee that meets after the law is enacted.

This kind of committee typically takes years to get anything done -- two years to meet, two years to consider recommendations, two years to consult on proposals, two years to introduce legislation. Canada only introduces new copyright law every ten years or so.

This means that Canadians will likely suffer for a decade under Prentice's badly thought-out legislation before anything is done to see to it that the law is balanced to take in the interests of Canada's schools, disabled people, children, archivists, artists, scholars and other users of copyrighted works. Given that Canada's arts community has come out against this kind of legislation, you have to wonder: just who is this for? The US-led multinational labels in the "Canadian" Recording Industry Association? (Remember, in the first ten years of the US DMCA, 20,000 American music fans were sued and not one penny was paid to artists as a result, nor did file sharing decrease).

Prentice has refused to appear on the CBC's Search Engine programme to discuss his bill. He's gone into hiding, spinning out unconvincing little sops like this one to try to save his bacon -- after all, the last two MPs who tried to introduce a Canadian DMCA lost their jobs.

If the introduction of a Canadian DMCA were not bad enough, sources now indicate that Industry Minister Jim Prentice plans to delay addressing the copyright concerns of individual Canadians for years. Rather than including consumer concerns such as flexible fair dealing, time shifting, format shifting, parody, and the future of the private copying levy within the forthcoming bill, Prentice will instead strike a Copyright Review Panel to consider future copyright reforms. Modeled after the Telecom Policy Review Panel, the CRP will presumably take a year or two to consult Canadians on various copyright issues. In all likelihood, the government will then take another year or two to consider the recommendations, another year to propose potential reforms, another year or two to consult on those proposals, and another year or two to finally introduce legislation. Given that Canada has historically only passed major copyright reform once every ten years, Prentice will be in his early 60s and likely collecting his Member of Parliament pension by the time Canadians see copyright reform that addresses fair use.

Um... I still have a Stocking Santa!

2007-12-06T21:17:00.000-04:00

EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE needs, yup I said it, NEEDS, Forkchops! Two Words: Sushi & Teriyaki!

Saving for Thin Mac

2007-12-06T18:45:00.001-04:00

There are many things I would love to add to my Santa list. Seriously. Such as Etymotic in-ear Earphones, a Terebyte hard drive to back up my mac, even a 1080p LCD HDTV, and sometimes I'm even tempted to get an XBox 360. But what do I REALLY WANT, something that is not out yet, an ultra thin Macbook.

By January 18th, Steve Jobs should have announce the beginning of a new Apple era with an ultra thin 13" laptop. Why am I so enamored and willing to save (ie put on credit) $2000 for yet another computer? Well because I find I need a road computer. With increasing responsibilities in the diocese and with the hope of working on the road a laptop is important. I have one, it's not too old and serves the purpose, but it's not a Mac, and though compatible in much, it is also not quite right... and it's also a PC and Windows is like going back to horse and buggie when one has a Jaguar automobile :-)

It's a want much more than a need. I have a ton of TV's in this rectory but not a HD one. But I can wait. Maybe I can't wait for those $200 earphones since I haven't walked since returning my $130 Bose ones. But once again, these are the things of fancy and delight. Ya, Sherry and I will get one, at some point. If you're wondering about a new computer, seriously, consider a Mac.

Faith! Yes faith. I talk alot about tech, maybe far too much, but lets think of it this way, it's a hobby, something that entertains and "delights". In many ways this site is here to help you who visit for the faith side to consider how technology can help you and indeed helps myself. Faith is no negotiable. And in this world that actively tries to make fun of people of faith I stand firm in my belief that I would give up all my tech for my faith, for all is vanity, all will return to the dust (in spite of what Greenpeace may tell you ;-) I am fully aware that all these expensive toys are just that. Yet at the same time I am aware that technological communication is as essential now as was the Library 40 years ago. And tech that works and is portable is like having a library with you. Think about that one.

This rant is to say have fun with tech and if your going to spend some significant cash make sure it will serve a good purpose and is not junk.

Check out the"rumour."

LOL: Truth Flowchart

2007-12-06T18:06:00.001-04:00

ok as I wrap up draft 3 of the Winter 08 schedule this came across my desktop... it's funny cause it's so true and false at the same time.

ParsonPainter

2007-12-06T17:03:00.001-04:00

Oh my gosh, I love this "parson" hat from http://www.caliqo.com/ ... hummm $150, can we say Christmas is coming LOL (7 1/4 head ahahahahaahahaha)

:-)

Looks so much better than this one:

Chauser's Parson... idk he's cute and a perfect example of a good guy, sadly in need of a Parson's Hat :-p

Quilts, History and Boing Boing?

2007-12-06T16:06:00.000-04:00

You may think these odd snippets of tech that come to me in my Google Reader are all tech related. But here is one from Boing Boing (originally on Esty) that might just perk your interest.

Here is the original Post on the Quilts!

BTW: Google reader breaks the monotony of scheduling and cut & paste bulletin publishing :-)

Apple: How do I Love thee?

2007-12-06T14:37:00.000-04:00

... Let me count the ways.

Well you all know the technical side, it just works! But there is another main reason I love Mac products. GREAT DESIGN. Simple yet oh so elegant. Even their new stores are darn sexy. They look like an Ikea for gadgets :-) And my gosh do I love Ikea: Cheap Design. But the truth is that Apple is costly design... a cost I'm willing to pay for quality. I'll never go back to PC's. I am deliriously happy after 6 months.

Check out Crunch Gear for more glorious pictures of Apple's new New York store.

DMCA: Digital Rights Management Explained

2007-12-05T11:05:00.000-04:00

If you didn't understand a word I said below on Canada's most dangerous move toward a very bad DMCA check out this site and click on the window for the next slide to appear. this slide show shows how idiotic lawyers are getting to protect their "property".

http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

Sign: Healing Ministry Here ?

2007-12-05T10:59:00.001-04:00

Phewy: Mug of Knowledge

2007-12-05T10:53:00.000-04:00

This just takes the fun right out! I don't want to know the caloric intake :-(

So Sad: Over to Top Ornament

2007-12-04T16:17:00.001-04:00

Have they lost their freekin' minds? Even though this is a satire site (please remember folks in the USA Jesus is not only our Lord, but also a great marketing ploy), this is a "real product" and some may even think appropriate. YUK.

See link

Boring: Canadian DMCA

2007-12-04T08:05:00.000-04:00

The Conservative government is planing to take away your right to do with "your" music, movies and anything that you buy under copyright as you like. They plan on taking away Canadian innovation and ultimately will reduce our country to being nothing more than a legislative wonderland for music, movie and technology US copyright lawyers. This will result in a societal change. Please read these links and consider what you might do ... not necessarily for yourself but if it passes, for your children and for our Canadian identity. It may seem "boring" but this is much bigger than we think.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071127.WBcyberia20071127170629/WBStory/WBcyberia/
http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/2419/125/

RSS via Sergei & Larry

2007-12-03T19:12:00.000-04:00

Sergei and Larry? of course silly the creators of Google!

You all know I'm a big fan of Gmail, but I have recently become an even bigger fan of RSS feeds.

RSS was "RDF Site Summary", but is more commonly known as "Really Simple Syndication". It's a very simply way of getting your favorite websites, which are regularly updated, to download to your "reader" in one page. So I like Engadget, Gizmodo and Digg. I can click on the little Orange RSS logo at the end of the URL line and load it into my reader so that every minute all of those sites can get loaded on one page instead of me looking at 3 pages. In reality I have over 20 sites I follow and this puts them all on one page listed from the latest entry to the oldest.

Google Reader is available to gmail users and is totally free and you can get your info from anyones computer from anywhere.

As you can see it's quite easy to read and navigate.

All you need to do is to go to a website that has that icon and then click it. Goto the tab and select "google".. default says something else and you will need to check the box saying to use google as default. It's as simple as that. Then log into google reader.