Powerful

Check out this moving video about a very powerful project.



Project Unbreakable from Nino Gallego on Vimeo.

Kick At The Bieber 'Til He Bleeds Rainbows

Created by Oatmeal

Getting Horny?

I'm thinking about joining a cult...

 

http://cultofunicorn.com/

Yeah, a fake unicorn cult made up by the good people at Archie McPhee. I think before I join I have to acquire one of their totally non-scary unicorn masks...

Yup, totally non-scary. Clearly something I need to own.

Anyone else want to join?

Bucking The Trend

Happy Thirty-First Anniversary Mom & Dad!

These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things

Quatchi (whom I cuddle with every night, who is in many forms stuck to the back of my car, whose picture is on the fleece blanket adorning my bed, who is in postcard form a few times in my collection, who has been coloured by me and some crayons on many occasions) and Prince Charles (whose hand I shook last week) together. Oh. My.

(many thanks to Dad for pointing this out to me)

We Will Survive

From Monkey Goggles:

How to Survive the Bacon Apocalypse

Bacon is fallen. The salty paragon has enjoyed a terrific burst of stardom these past few years — bacon martinis, bacon-filled chocolates, bacon-flavored mayonnaise and other culinary landmarks almost too wondrous to describe — but the recent outbreak of Swine Flu has taken the sizzle off the strip. Baconnaise has become a favorite Jon Stewart punchline (despite the fact that it contains no actual bacon), and in a May 2009 Stranger article titled “The End of Baconmania,” writer Erica C. Barnett declared, “(I’ll take a) fresh radish dipped in butter … over a fatty, greasy hunk of bacon any day.” (lstew's note - I'll be tracking Ms. Barnett down and promptly punching her in the neck and then eating a package of bacon in front of her while she tries to get up)

Thus are the fatty excesses of Baconmania condemned to the freezer-can of history. Radishes. Wow.

I could never give up on bacon. It occupies a dedicated place in my heart that’s both spiritual and potentially life-threatening. Granted, I didn’t jump into the frying pan with the rest of the baconistas – I consider bacon “martinis” to be an abomination of both the breakfast and cocktail hours – but I can’t imagine a hearty breakfast without bacon, and I don’t want to. I love it lean or streaky, smoked or peppered, chewy or crispy. I enjoy simply looking at it – one long, gently bowing strip on either side of my eggs and toast, like edible parenthesis.

However, I completely understand if you’d like to keep your own passion for bacon in check until this plague of Hamthrax has passed. Perhaps you’re leery of blurting out “Hey, howzabout that bacon?” at social functions, where the mere mention of pork-barrel politics could render you suspect as a motorboat riding the wake of a supertanker — a possible baconeer.

It is at that moment, when the eyes of your peers are upon you, that you should burst forth with “Hey, howzabout that mac ‘n’ cheese?”

An electric pause will hang in the air as heads swim and eyes roll in expressions of naked ecstasy. Yes, of course! What better to replace one cholesterol-heavy dish than another, even more cholesterol-heavy dish? A dish that evokes childhood happiness as well as adult rebellion? A dish that could be made at home with store-bought ingredients, or enjoyed in hoity-toity restaurants with the same ingredients at three times the price? What indeed?

And like bacon, thee possibilities for hybrid mac ‘n’ cheese creations are virtually limitless in number. I’ve already seen deep-fried mac ‘n’ cheese balls in some of the finer establishments, and it’s only a matter of time before mac ‘n’ cheese salads, mac ‘c’cheese ice cream and even mac ‘n’ cheese martinis make their appearances. And through it all, we can continue to live the bacon adventure in what will become a judgment-free environment, while also enjoying what a mac ‘n’ cheese renaissance has to offer.

Not convinced? Then consider this: Late at night, behind locked doors and drawn curtains, we can even put bacon into our mac ‘n’ cheese. It’s as perfect an expression of Yankee ingenuity as you’ll ever taste.

Hmm. Now that I’ve said that, it seems like an awful lot of fat and calories to put down in one sitting. You may want to eat a vegetable of some kind afterward to keep yourself from going into shock. A radish, maybe.

I Think We've All Been There

http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

(thanks to my Dad for drawing my attention to this)
(ps - happy birthday Kathy...snicker)

Duck, Duck...

He Is Risen

Loads Of Truth

I use iGoogle and one of my gadgets there is the quote of the day. There are three of them in a little box all together.

The other day these three were together and I loved them all:

I base my fashion taste on what doesn't itch.
- Gilda Radner

The purpose of life is to fight maturity.
- Dick Werthimer

A committee is a cul-de-sac down which ideas are lured and then quietly strangled.
- Sir Barnett Cocks

The Continuation of Good Things

Oct 30 - discipleship class
Oct 31 - Caesar & Cleopatra @ Stratford
Nov 1 - sung in choral concert concert
Nov 3 - choir rehearsal
Nov 5 - Cardus launch/Zylstra lectures
Nov 6 - discipleship class
Nov 7 - Romeo & Juliet @ Stratford
Nov 8 - singing in choral concert
Nov 9 - Emilia Galotti @ Stratford
Nov 10 - choir rehearsal

I Wanna Get Cultural, Cultural

Yesterday: The Taming of the Shrew at Stratford
Tonight: Choir rehearsal
Tuesday: cocktail reception for artists participating in London's "In Good Company" festival
Thursday: Jays vs Yankees
Friday: housewarming party for classy friends in London
Saturday: Fuente Ovejuna at Stratford
Middle of next week: The Pirates of Penzance at the Grand

Swine yes, uncultured, no.

Plaque Build Up (But Without The Gingivitis)

I'm not sure if I actually owned any plaques before, save for the one that you put your little 4-H bar thingers on. But by the end of this week I had two presented to me.

On Wednesday at closing convocation myself and this guy (Mark DeVos)...


...won the Student Life Award(s)


You may not be from the RUC community. And therefore you would have no idea what I'm talking about. The following is from the Redeemer daily newsletter - The Student Life Award is given annually to one female and one male student who exemplify the following: A Christian commitment expressed in all areas of university life; academic diligence (not necessarily resulting in high grades); involvement in extra-curricular activities such as choir, theatre, yearbook, the Minstrel, Student Senate and athletics; a concerned individual who cares about and influences campus culture; and a person who is respected by peers, faculty, and staff. Individual students, staff and faculty can make nominations for this award.

It was pretty dang cool to be the recipient of this award and to share the stage with Mark, 'cause he is one very awesome young man. We got a standing ovation. It was such a neat sensation to stand there on the stage and look around at the faces that you knew you had a connection with, be it staff, faculty or student. Needless to say, that was a big boost to my week and to my healing process.

You'll recall the last post talking about my last concert as a concert choir member happening on Friday. It went really well, and I know many prayers were sustaining me through that night. I especially know that because I could breath the best I have in weeks, on Friday night. I went to sing in church this morning and I felt like I was singing and jogging - it was that hard to get enough air. But the concert went really well, the solo-y thing went really well, and yeah, great music was sung in German, Latin and English.

After the concert, back in the choir room, I was presented with this -


It reads: Presented to Laura Stewart In recognition of her record number of years of involvement in, and dedication to the Redeemer University Concert Choir - 2008. I had no idea it was coming and I have to thank Kevin and John for making that happen and making me smile. Oh 6 years in concert choir. Obviously both plaques will be hung with my diploma (the one I'll be getting in 6 weeks).

Here's a shot at the Egg & I (had breakfast with Ma and Pa there on Saturday morn) with the booty -


I kinda just look at both plaques and think - wow, look at the work God has done. Look at the young punk who entered Redeemer and the concert choir 7 years ago and is leaving a young(ish) woman. Look at the journey He has lead me through. These plaques are an indicator that God is good, He is good indeed.

Sometimes...

Sometimes Monika, Chelsea (and maybe Tashley) and I are leaving for New York City this evening so that we can take in the International Artists Movement encounter (aka conference). This promises to be a weekend filled with meeting artists of all kinds from around the world - a chance to share, learn, discuss, be challenged and be inspired. And hey, any place that Fujimura's at, or that he created, can't be all bad.

Exciting times people, exciting time.

It Just Keeps Getting More Exciting!

My Mom sent my blood donor card to me in the mail. I am O positive. And according to the nice letter Canadian Blood Services sent with the card, and then their website (which I went to on my own), this is the most common blood type in Canada. It is also one of the most versatile as it can be given to anyone with a positive blood type.

Whoot!

Blood, Its Been In Me To Give

I have been trying pretty regularly, and generally wanting, to give blood since I was 17. The following are some of the reasons why this goal was not achieved:

• 7 piercings
• 1 tattoo
• one trip to Africa
• the vaccinations for that trip
• one trip to Indian
• the vaccinations for that trip
• 2 periods of anti depressants
  
• a bunch of periods on migraine maintenance drugs
• low iron
• and a host of random illnesses

That spells almost 9 years of non-blood giving. Every time I see those commercials/billboards/, etc "Blood its in you to give", I shout back, "yeah, well, then freaking take my blood!" And then I shake various body parts.

I got a notice in my mailbox at school saying the blood clinic was coming. And I thought, this time, this time I will not be defeated. I evaluated things from a female cyclical iron point of view, looked at my schedule and decided to make an appointment. I upped my water intake, started taking my vitamins again, ate meat, ate all my meals, etc - all in preparation. Essentially its like I studied for the iron test. And I passed. What what!

I also got through the screening, I wasn't on any random drugs, or had had dental work, or played with monkeys. So I made it to the bed. This was the farthest I had ever been. But there was still drama - there were no veins in my left arm (that could be used). I was seriously going to call my Mother and curse her genetics if I couldn't give because I had inherited her tiny collapsing veins. But, Dad's genes pulled through and the nurse found a nice juicy one in righty. We went for it.

Seriously I was so excited. Nine years of waiting to do this simple act - like I have felt guilt for getting a piercing because I knew it would put me out of potential for 6 months. But I was a little worried too - I've passed out for random reasons before, I'm generally shaky and light headed - I didn't want to be a blood donating passer outer. Things weren't helped by watching a young woman who in the words of another student waiting to donate, looked "like a corpse" - so much wrapping her in cool cloths and getting her feet up. I didn't want to do that.

On the good side I also heard a good conversation about how much of the tension and fear about donating or while donating is mental. Mental - I do mental well - so I began to psych myself up - I've had enough IVs in my life, and lots and lots and lots of blood taken for tests, 2 needles weekly for over a year for allergy shots, acupuncture, and pain, well heck, most of the time I'm simply in pain, I can handle "a little discomfort" from giving some blood and I can distract myself by singing German love waltzes in my head.

It took 7 minutes for me to fill the bag, which apparently is pretty good for a first time giver. And I didn't feel terrible or anything. I still feel good, I have to admit that I did not follow very many of the nurse's instructions for post donation (you can talk to Mrs. Laarman or Mrs. Smith about that).

I called my Mom just to tell her and my Dad that I finally go to donate. Mom said that nobody has every been as excited as I am about having given blood. But seriously, I'm excited to get my donor card in the mail and to set things up so that I can give again. I will travel, and I will get another tattoo (sorry Ma), and I will be on various drugs again, so I will take these times when I can get them.

Blood, its in me, I gave.

Dashing Through The Snow

We went tobogganing. I think Chelsea had a good time.

(Warning this video may not be suitable for work as it contains the word 'ass')

Just In Case...

Just in case you thought you might be bored next weekend:

Friday, December 7 - Redeemer Concert Choir and Sinfonia - Christmas concert - 8pm in the auditorium

Saturday, December 8 - Chelsea Schinkel's senior art exhibit Marked Places - 7/8pm in the art gallery

Sunday, December 9 - Church in the Box, featuring responses from John Terpstra, Dr. D. Bowen, Dr. D. Zietsma, Jeanette Lodewyks, and Micah Van Dijk

Milestones, Not Just A Restaurant Any More

Guess what this is?



Yup. Who'd a thunk that way back in January of aught four I'd be making this milestone. 1000 pieces of narcissism up here on the world wide interweb for all to see.

For every post be assured that there is one other post that was brilliantly thought up while I was in the car, out for a walk, pretending to listen in class, etc, etc, that were forgotten before I could find a computer. Just imagine if I had been able to write all of those down too! Wow.

I had wanted to make this a much bigger deal - 'cause there is a special announcement coming down the tubes (toobs) but I just haven't had enough time to refine some of it, and I want it to be really special for you guys. So I'm compromising this milestone for what may prove to be an even bigger one.

I'd like to thank the many faithful readers all over the world. I'd especially like to thank people who comment. Its the commenters who keep me going on the tough days. You know who you are. Thank you.

I feel like I should leave you with a nice picture...hmmm Ok...I looked around. This is my favourite cupcake in the world. Sarah Moerman made it for me. It has blue icing because she made me blue icing. She made me pretty cupcakes with blue icing because she loves me. So this picture is not just a delicious cupcake, but it is also love.

This Too Shall End

The internet (with phone) returns on Saturday. I'm heading to the Ottawa valley for Sarah and Tom's wedding. And oh man, when I get back there is going to be such an onslaught of blogging. I have a lot of time to think at work and therefore a lot of blog ideas and oh man guys, I have so much to catch you up on. There are a million photo essays to do - more New York, heck more birthday, this wedding, baseball, my new place, plus the aforementioned bridal post and the girl band post. Everything has been brewing in my head.

Thank you for your patience. Some of you have expressed in person or by email that you will be happy to see regular posting resume. So will I baby, so will I. You had better hope that next week is a light work week 'cause you're going to have to spend a lot of time on here catching up with my life, its gonna be like 3-a-day posts. Oh wait, I mean, you better hope you don't have a lot to do in the evening, because I know none of you read this while you are at work because I have a site meter that tells me how many hits I'm getting and when and bosses everywhere, there are none during the 8am to 6pm range. Yes, everything is in the evening, noone reads this during the day. Cough. Sorry, allergies.

Ok, I'm back outside to keep filling drought cracks with soil. A special and very large thanks to my boss for letting me use her husband's computer all this week. She is a fellow internet/email/communication addict. And really, I think she felt that the cold sweats, shakes and possibly that I was passing out in the middle of the lawn due to lack of internet, was really taking a chunk out of my productivity. So really, it was in her best interest to help a sister out. Anyway, thanks Yvonne for helping to stave off death and other terrible things!