Five People you Meet in Heaven

Well yesterday I made it to church. It was a great service, and afterwards I even had an opportunity to sit around and talk to a few of the folk. I found out that Stans mother-in-law is from Lethbridge and living in a retirment community close to the church. I also learned that Leanne has a new boyfriend, and that one of her daughters is moving out and the other is getting ready to head off to University next year. I also managed to get Dyron to sign my passport papers so I one step closer to a great vacation.

Now after church I was helping Dyron carry a few things out, and we were talking about being good at "receiving". I told him that I have never been a good "receiver". I dont mind giving when i can, and I dont mind having people give me something when I need it, but only when i ask for it. I really dont deal well with gifts, or charity in general, from the other side. I dont know how that conversation got onto Mitch Albom but it did. Dyron asked if I had ever read Tuesday's with maurie, and I had to confess that I had not. He made me put down the things I was carrying and he reached into one of the bags, and pulled out a book called "Five People You Meet In Heaven." It wasnt the first time this book title has come up in conversation, but it was the first time it had been put into my hands.

Everyone who knows me, knows that books are special to me. I think, books, like people come across when we need them most. Sometimes, we pass them, and their lessons by, but other times they are thrust into our faces and our lives, in a not so subtle gesture. I liked the cover of the book, I liked its size. It was small, and small books have a way of being simple, like quantum physics or DNA.

After a trip to the gym, and a quick feed of the fish, I put some pasta on the stove and jumped onto the sofa, tucked my pillow in behind my head and started to read. And I read, and I read. With Eddie I met five people you meet in heaven. I learned five lessons you learn in heaven. And then it was over. There are few books that get read in one sitting. But the ones that do, you know as soon as you put it down, that your life has been changed. You have escaped into someone elses narrative. You have felt someone elses experiences, you have shared their pain, and you have shared their frustration, but in this case you have shared their confusion and their attempt to make sense out of life. I have always said that life is chaos. And the only order you find in life, is in the past. So this books was about re-evaluating a chaotic experience, and making some sense or order of it.

This book was confusing and compelling to me, because in my narrative, my own personal narrative that I live each day, I am already in Heaven, and so with each person that I met in the book and in Eddies world, I tried to relate. I tried to ask myself, "Have I met that person yet?". And although my mind bounced around from images and memories in my life, it never came to rest on any one character. So the book left me at a loss. It was a good loss, the kind of loss that says "maybe you are not in heaven yet", "maybe it does get better than this". "Maybe there is still room for another couple beginnings."

It was definately a book about endings turning into beginnings. I will probably do some more thinking about it in the coming weeks. And if anyone has read it, and has some opinions about it, i would love to hear them.

NMZ out

A quiet Friday....and a nice certificate.

Well another week is just about done. Not much happened this week. In the workout world I have increased my daily cardio routine to just under 2hrs, and i am expecting some great results from that. In the personal world, it was Kelly's birthday on Tuesday...happy birthday, I will see you in a couple weeks for a belated birthday dinner and gift. But the real news for the week comes from the work-world.

For those of you who are not aware I have been working for the past few years on acquiring all the courses needed, in order to recieve the title of "National Construction Safety Officer'. Just prior to xmas I completed all the necessary coursework for this program. In addition to coursework, one needs to have been working in a skilled construction field for at least three years, so for the past month or so, i have been waiting for the ACSA (Alberta Construction Safety Association) to determine whether my field experience was skilled enough to grant me the title of "Officer" over the lesser title of "Administrator". Well today my certificate came in the mail, so I am now, officially a "National Construction Safety Officer" or NCSO for short.

There is something empowering that comes with certifications that trancend borders. As I am not a University graduate, these designations are the closest I come. It is nice to have transferable skills, especially ones that have a national or international backing. It would also be fare to say that I am the only, or one of a very few in canada, who is both a master fire restorer and an NCSO, so if there is ever another situation like the Kelowna fire, I could be in high demand lol. And with one more Master designation (Master Water Restorer), which will likely be happening this year, I might be given the opportunity to deal with some "Katrina" type stuff in the future, but hey, that is a long way off.

I guess from a blog point of view.....my only comment would be "Thats Ian Newman NCSO, biiioootttcccchhh"

Crystal....Poker......the COLTS

It doesnt get much more packed then my past weekend. Friday started out at 1410 with all the usual suspects from Crush. I left at a normal time and came home for a short break before heading out for the night. Crystal (Mike Gfriend) came with, as Mikey was in Toronto on business. We went with tappers and DJ dramatic to the Mynt....It pretty much sucked...not the music relax there taps....just the space, it would have been a good time with a large group, or if on a date, but for just hanging it sucked. Crystal and I bolted back to the avenue where we met up with Andy, Bish, Rob, Sandy and Linda...A few drinks at Moxies, and then off to Mugs. A few more drinks and then home for sleep as Saturday would be a long one.

Got up mid-morning saturday and started to get ready for my Poker Tournament at 6pm. Trip to the office to get additional Tables and Chairs, A trip to Safeway and Walmart for snacks. Back home to rearrange furniture and clean my room. Oh yes and Leanna came and gave me a little back wax so I wont be so self-conscious come vacation time in the pool, Anyway, 5:45 and people started showing up. Great turnout we had CJ, Mike, Luc, Daniel, Eric, Marc, Dan, Suzy, Marc, Aaron, Chris, Sadownik, Roger, Rob, Paul and of course Myself. In the End we had 2 tournament style games ending at around midnight....Game One...Marc-1st. Eric-2nd. 3rd-Mike.....Game Two....Marc-1st.....Ian-2nd.....Eric-3rd. Everyone had a good time, and with the exception of the Oilers loss it was a great night. After the game I picked up Rod from the airport, and then it was home to bed.

Sunday I tried to get up for church but after my long night it just didnt happen. Woke up around 11, quick shower and a shave and then off to visit with Cory. He is doing well, and that is all I am going to say about that....oh yes and he gave me a great recipe for some sort of Taco thing.

Sunday afternoon was all about the football baby. The Saints and Bears game was alright, nothing to write home about. But the COLTS game fucking rawked the house big time. The first half saw peyton getting picked off and some general badness on behalf of the Colts, however, after the halftime break, it was all colts baby. A quick score on the opening drive to tell Brady it wasnt going to be a cake walk, and then just good old american football. I am not a football commentator, but it was one of the best games of the year. The Colts did not take the lead till the 59th minute. It was the largest comeback in an AFC or NFC championship ever, and a game I wont soon forget.

Sunday night, a bit of cleanup, a bit of reading, and then a bit of smallville. But thats for another blog.
Newman out

A pretty good weekend

It is monday evening and I am sitting in my hotel room in Lethbridge Alberta. I am here for my monthly visit. I went for lunch with Kelly and Mel, and then it was off to do a couple of site inspections. I loaded the CSTS program into a computer at the office, and I have gone over my lesson plan for WHMIS tomorrow. So I am pretty much ready to get'rdone in the morning. This evening I went to the Golds here in Lethbridge..it was kind of small but there were hotties everywhere. After the Gym it was off to the cheap theatre to watch "flushed away", I wont get into talking about the movie, it was sort of a computer generated wallace and grommit, english-comedy-romance-save the world-cartoon. So basically you just turned off the old noggin for an hour or so.

This past weekend was pretty eventful. Friday Rod came into town on his way to Jamaica. We stopped into Morgans for a few games of pool, and were joined by Jennifer and a hottie from her school. I had to leave early as I needed to drive Rod to the airport at 630. This all went according to plan, but then Rod realized he did not know where his wallet was, and he realized this when we were already half way to the airport. Luckily after a fruitless search of Corys room, it turned up in the depths of his suitcase...back to the airport...just in time for check in.

Saturday night was a bit more eventful. A bunch of us all met up at 1410 to watch the game. Sandy, Linda, Lizz, Rob, Mike, Andy, Tom, Jessica, Steve and myself. The game sucked, the oilers lost, and I am starting to worry about the playoffs. The boys really need to pull up their socks and get'r done. After the game jeanine and leanna came to take me off on a bar hopping run. We went to the Rhino first, said some hellos, had a beer, and then it was off the the RustyCage. Now this bar was fucking hilarious. Live music with an assortment of characters that would make Irvine Welsch proud. I had a chick try to fight me cause i wasnt with the band (she got kicked out), I also drank my weight in alcohol, and I saw more stipper outfits than i have ever seen at the french maid. Luckily, leanna used to work there so we got treated pretty good, and i do recall the manager buying us more than a couple of shooters, which was nice. We closed the bar, and i was smart and went home immediatley after....from what i hear, jeanine and Leanna ended up at Dirty's with all the usual suspects...etc...etc...etc.

Sunday was a day of relaxing. Watched some great football, went to the gym, bought some new treats for my fish (little shrimp forget what there called....???), did laundry, and then off to bed.

Not much else to report. NMZ out

SHE HATES PANTS

I would like to welcome a new blogger to our midst. Her name is Julie and she hates pants. When I recently asked her about this she replied "And I do hate pants"...."I wear em - but only out of obligation" Speaking from her wooden shack in the Appalacian Mountains, where she reside with her brother "Spud", Julie seems to think the world would be a whole lot simpler without pants.

"They just get so dang hot in the summer, they make my crotch sweat too" Yes Julie, we in the blog-o-sphere have to agree with you there. Luckily, you are not required to wear pants while blogging. Welcome, to a pant free universe.

Little Mosque on the Prairie

A Satirical Masterpiece. How the writers of this new production from the CBC, were able, in less than thirty minutes, to shine a light through the prism of racism and intolerance, and expose its colorful ignorance, is beyond my intelligence. I cannot think of a better way of opening dialogue than through such a noble work as this new comedy. As you have probably guessed I love this program.

It has been said more than once that the Jewish survival over the millenium could be attributed to their sense of humour. There ability to laugh and find humor even while they were being persecuted. It would appear that the moslem community has chosen this noble ground from which to make their case, and it is brilliant. Occasionally, while laughing at this program I found myself asking "why am I laughing? this should not be funny". This is really happening, and it is destroying peoples lives. People are being imprisoned and tortured out of the ignorance portrayed by some of these characters. But, this is where the education begins.

I hope and pray that this program will continue to show us all that we are all different. That we are all children of God. Some Christian, some Moslem, some afraid of what they dont know, and some willing to make the sacrifices needed in order to build a community. A truly Canadian community.

Bravo to the CBC, every taxpayer should be proud of the role this program will play in healing wounds and building tolerance. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God"

Sorry for getting religious in the end. But for once a program lived up to its billing and I very proud to be Canadian, and this program helps define what that means. Thankyou to the CBC.

Another Blah Monday

Not too much going on today. Spent the first part of the day working on paperwork, and the second half of the day doing site inspections. A few new hires today, so I have to perform 4 orientations tomorrow, as well as some generic WHMIS training. I also booked my schooling today to get my First Aid Instructors Certificate. It is kind of a pain in the butt, i have to take an advanced first aid course which will take 3 days, on a sat/sun/mon, can you believe that. I think they do that just to keep attendance down. And after I pass that I take a 5 day instructors course, which no doubt will be the same as my Basic Instructional Technique course I just finished, but we will see. The good thing is, that when it is all done I will be able to do some side work, certifying people in first-aid, maybe make a few extra bucks in twenty-o-seven.

Aside from that I have spent a bit of time chatting with Jenny's friend Julie online. She seems pretty cool. I would think nothing less from Jenny. She works for the CBC in Washington, which is also cool cause now i have another excuse to visit that awesome city. After speaking with her, I spoke with Natasha (also in DC), and it looks like she will be back to work soon, no more freelance painting, good for you Tash. So both of these conversations made me realize that a trip in April or May would be pretty cool. Anyone else up for a trip to Washington. Hang with George W, Cruise the Smithsonian, Drink beers with Lincoln, and of course, pass out in front of the front page. Ok well maybe not the pass out part.

The Melancholy from yesterday has subsided, all it needed was a good workout at the gym, and some positive thinking. "There are plenty of fish in the sea" and this boys getting ready to do some snorkling.

NMZ out

A bout with Loneliness

Loneliness is one of those crazy emotions like melancholy, you don't know exactly where it comes from, but then all of a sudden it seems to be flowing through your veins. Now don't get me wrong I have been single for a few years now, so this is not the first time I have had to deal with a little loneliness, but it does seem that the older I get the harder it is to just shrug it off. The days of just hitting a club and sleeping with the first girl that smiles at me are definitely behind me. I guess you could say the days of the quick fix are over.

So where does that leave me. Yes, it puts me in that awkward position of actually having to try and find a girlfriend. Now this is something that has not even entered my mind for a long, long time. The song "Once bitten, Twice Shy" would make a great soundtrack for the past few years, and my attitudes toward the idea of a "girlfriend". One might even go as far as to say that I have been a little bitter to almost every girl that has even poked her head into my life, and thus it is not hard to see why I have remained single.

But low and behold it is the year Twenty-O-Seven, and well, "somethings gotta give". I love all these allusions to songs and movies they are great. Anyway one of my New Years Resolutions for this year is to find that perfect someone, and to actually try to build a relationship. And, to try not to sabotage, or ruin, that relationship out of fear of failure. The past does not have to repeat itself/All women are not evil. LOL. Just kidding, twenty-o-seven will be a year of looking at the possibility of there being a smart, beautiful, and challenging women out there, that might actually enjoy dealing with my shit. In exchange for, well, dealing with my non-shit.

Unfortunately it is never as easy as it sounds. Today marks the end of the first week of Twenty-O-Seven, and I find myself looking to my past for that perfect someone. Looking at the "what could have beens". Looking for the safety of someone I know and trust. But I guess, I must conclude, that if it was meant to be, it probably would have already happened. And that those friends are probably pretty content with the solid friendship we have built over the years, rather than chasing some crazy dream. Reality 1-Dreams 0

Lets just hope for a tie game in the near future.

Bring On Twenty-O-Seven

First things first, its Twenty-O-Seven, not two-thousand and seven. I doubt at the turn of the last century anyone said, one thousand nine hundred and seven. WHY? Because it just sounds stupid. This was brought to my attention by Trent up in the old edmonchuck, and well, it was one of the first sober things i have heard from him, and dammit, it just makes sense. So I would appreciate it, if everyone would begin to correct all of your so-called friends who are disrespecting you by using the obviously ridonqulous two thousand and seven.

A few other questions and observations that were brought to my attention over the holidays include. Wendy's square patties, whats up?: Casey, Boy? Girl? or Finnigans bitch?: Cream Soda? or Tahiti Treat?: Whats up with the Lotto? All you have to do is pick 6 fucking numbers already, its not rocket science: And finally, who said your whole life couldnt be changed by simply removing one chair from your living room.

Ok, now on a more personal note, lets talk about what happened and what did not happen over the holidays. What happened. Since my last blog, I have been to Edmonton a few times. I drove Jenny up to see her mumzy and dadski. At which time I got to see the infamous Dickens town, something which was pretty awesome, as I love Essentricity (not sure how to spell that, or for that matter whether it is a word or not). Kelly came down to C-town to join me at the Oilers Vs Flames game on New Years Eve. We had a pretty relaxed time. Leigh was also in town for NYE, so she came to church with Kelly and I, after which I treated the both of them to TubbyDog (not what your thinking). New Years Day it was off to Edmonton to drop Kelly off, and to hang with Shauna. Shauna and I enjoyed a few days of organizational bliss - as twenty-O-seven is the year of organization. We also enjoyed a couple awesome games of darts, Shauna came in a predictable but close second. However, I also heard that after I left Edmonton she challenged a few local boys to some full contacts darts, and she came out victorious BULLS AND ALL. We also enjoyed some waffles - but I am not too sure if the recipe was right or not - so to all you waffle makers out there, does 2/3 cup of oil sound like an appropriate portion, or should that have been 2/3 of a tablespoon or something? Please let me know as my belly was a little bigger than normal that evening. Oh yes, and I also got to see Suki, who is six months pregnant and expecting in April. And believe it or not, she hasnt even bought a thing for the baby. Her words "Lots of time, it will only take a couple days to get all that stuff" AWESOME.

K. What didnt happen over the Holidays. Ok, well I should tell you that Twenty-O-Seven is the year of looking forward and not dwelling on the What Didn't happen, so fuck what didnt happens.

Heres to Twenty-O-Seven. Its gonna be a good one.

Nooman out