Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Tur-duck-en

Yep, that's right! The holiday treat everyone is looking forward to. "Turducken" - a chicken stuffed in a duck stuffed in a turkey . . . or something like that. Here's the "Turducken" song. And for those of you who are more adventurous, you might want to try the "Calamben" - that's right, the chicken stuffed in a lamb stuffed in a camel holiday recipe!

Monday, December 19, 2005

Mad Skillz for X'mas Parking at Chinook

Alright, I'm already late for a meeting with someone at Chinook Centre. I pull into a gridlock of X'mas shoppers. I've got this 15 minute theory that if I orbit long enough, I should be able to find "prime time" - any space close to wherever I'm headed. Today, I am in a rush, so I just head to the back of the lot - parallel to MacLeod Trail. Fortunately for me, court vision kicks in and I spot a lady cutting through the rows heading towards "the spot". I fast break! Once I get there, she steps into this PHAT Denali. I got my signals on, take a breather, this should be a cinch. But then I notice, not all my angles are covered - as she backs out, there are other cars that don't see me. Wassup, I got there first! Do I wait for her to back out OR do I drive for the "lay up"? I got drivers in the line waiting to score on me. HA! She's bigger, think SHAQ, she backs up sets the pick, I read the "D" and squeezed in for the deuce! Boom-shock-alaka! It's all about the "D" - 'nuff said! *Note to self: next time must give props for assist.

Peace out.

Saturday, December 17, 2005

The Zen of Vacuuming

"House keeping" calms me down and helps me focus. It recharges me and makes me feel strong. Then when I'm done, I find that speck of mud or dirt . . .

Friday, December 16, 2005

I watched the debates

It's Friday night . . . and I'm watching the debates on CBC. Apparently this is also the one Friday night in all of the year with the most parties. Yes, I am watching the debates. It wasn't all that bad, I caught the end of King of the Cage: Edmonton on TSN.

Click here to test where you stand.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

"Truth and the New Kind of Christian: The Emerging Effects of Postmodernism in the Church"

Hopefully I'll get to review this book soon . . . someday . . . sometime . . . soon.

Epic 2014 - the Evolving Personalized Information Construct

I thought I'd post this since I referred to it in my sermon this past Sunday. Created by Robin Sloan and Matt Thompson. Check out Epic 2014 or Epic 2015 (known as "the update").

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Good Cheap Eats #1

I thought I would punch out a few Good Cheap eats that Carolyn and I have "dived" at:

Gray's Papaya 2090 Broadway & 72nd Street (NYC, NY) - just a few blocks from my sister's apartment, they had tasty fruit juices (pina coladas, pineapple, papaya, orange, coconut) and okay hot dogs (Costco dogs are hands down on $ and taste), but then again who can beat a 75 cent hot dog?

Nathan's Famous 705 8th Avenue between 44th & 45th Street (NYC, NY) - we hit this joint right before seeing Mel Brooke's "The Producers." Killer dogs - but perhaps the chili masked the flavor. I also had either a super cheese or a bacon cheese burger - since we were with my siblings and their spouses, I think I tried the best of the menu. Especially liked the condiments, grilled onions soaked in some kind of bbq-tomato based sauce.

El Toro Meat Market 142 North B Street (San Mateo, CA) - both Carolyn and I are avid burrito connoisseurs. Four words for you: Carne Asada & Pollo Asado. Opps 1 more to go with that: horchata! We LOVE this place. It's a market with a taqueria in it - you wouldn't even know. B Street in San Mateo is like "Burrito Alley" - taqueria's everywhere!

Duffins Donuts 4898 Main at 33rd & Main (Vancouver, BC) - yeah they say Donuts, but it's all about their TORTAS! You normally get to choose which fillings you want with your burrito or taco, but when you want that with a sandwich - you got a TORTA! Down the street from Andrew & Julia's, we hit this joint by accident on our trip back to Calgary. It's just a few blocks from their house - how could I have missed a treasure as such! We always make a pilgrimage each time we are in town.

Submarine Center 820 Ulloa St at West Portal (San Francisco, CA) - the best baked sandwiches I have ever had! Whatever you want - roast beef, corned beef, whatever. The original Italian baked sandwich shop SF Style! One bite and you get it all - no tearing or pieces of meat being dragged out of your mouth, the baking is superb and each bite is clean.

Billy Goat Tavern and Grill O'Hare Int'l Airpot Terminal 1 (Chicago, IL) - the BEST rib eye steak sandwich I've ever had. Kick in a Corona and you are talking the high life. Nice bits of rib eye steak with evenly sliced onion - oh so heavenly. We even had the 2 kids with us. Carolyn had the Philly Cheese Steak (yeah, I know in Chicago) - nevertheless, it was grrreat! Don't forget to grab a slice of Eli's cheesecake - it's cheaper if you get it from Chicago Hot Dogs or Vienna's.

"meanwhile back at the ranch"

The last time I posted was in 2002 - needless to say, I deleted the blog. I'm hoping on this pass that I'll track my thoughts and journey via "blogger."

I just finished 4 weeks of a 6 week preaching stint at Calgary Chinese Evangelical Free Church. I picked up a series I did a few years back "Spiritual Viruses" (originally created by Ken Baugh while he was still at McLean Bible Church). This time around, I pieced together powerpoint and graphics in hopes of enhancing the series. I ripped apart the original material and "re-aligned" everything to reflect my state and condition. It was a good experience - I am thankful. This past Sunday, I talked about "rest" - the concept of Sabbath (Day, Year, Year of Jubilee) and its implications (for humankind and creation). We exist in a culture that consumes more than it needs, how can rest resonate with followers of Christ?

The peace of Christ be with you.