In Memory of Ruth Bernard

My mother-in-law Ruth passed away suddenly on Saturday, June 16, 2007. While she had been diagnosed with leukemia last year, she had undergone treatment and had made it through the initial period of time after diagnosis.

On Saturday, she told her husband Joe (Cheryl's Dad) that she wasn't feeling well. Joe took Ruth to the hospital and she passed away that morning.

Ruth always had a kind word and a smile for everyone in her life. She was also tough, much tougher than I would probably be, given the same circumstances. I think she would like to be remembered as a mother and grandmother who loved her family more than anything in the world.

Here is the text of the last e-mail she sent to us, on May 29, 2007. It is particularly moving, considering the short time she had left with us after she sent the e-mail out.

"Let's see if you read your mail.

What would you do if every time you wanted someone they would never be there?

What would you do if for every moment you were truly happy there would be 10 moments of sadness?

What would you do if your best friend died tomorrow and you never got to tell them how you felt?

So, I just wanted to say, even if I never talk to you again in my life, you are special to me and you have made a difference in my life.

I look up to you, respect you, and truly cherish you.

Send this to all your friends, no matter how often you talk, or how close you are, and send it to the person who sent it to you.

Let old friends know you haven't forgotten them, and tell new friends you never will.

Remember, everyone needs a friend, someday you might feel like you have NO FRIENDS at all, just remember this e-mail and take comfort in knowing that somebody out there cares about you and always will.

In times of trouble,
In times of need,
If you are feeling SAD,
You can count on me.

I will give you a wink,
Until you smile,
Give you are hug,
And stand by your side.

I'll be there for you till the end,
I'll always and forever, be your friend!"

We love you and we miss you, Ruth.

Snakes & Arrows

Just thought I'd write a quick note about the new Rush album, Snakes & Arrows. After hearing the first single, "Far Cry" on the radio, I wasn't sure if I would buy the album when it came out, but then the Rush completist fan in me prevailed, and here we are (plus the $11.99 price helped in the decision-making process).

The album is better than I thought it might be, but not as good as I hoped it would be. It has 13 songs; most of them sound similar to one another, although the 2 instrumentals are kind of neat (I wish one of them had been a drum instrumental instead).

The coolest part about the album is the artwork in the liner notes, which is not a great compliment. I guess I like the album overall, but I stand by my earlier comment that I made to my brother-in-law and sister-in-law (both Rush fans, she is actually nicknamed The Rush Goddess) that the album probably didn't need to be made. Snakes & Arrows sounds a lot like Rush's last few albums, which have been fairly ho-hum. This is too bad, considering their first decade was amazing, their second decade was good with a few so-so moments, while their third decade has been largely disappointing (to me).

OK, I'll say this much: At least there are no lyrics like the song Virtuality (on the album Test For Echo). Good music on that album, uninspired lyrics -- sorry Neil. That chorus of that song is second only to the rapping on Roll The Bones as Rush's Worst Moment Ever for me (and I like rap, I just think that middle-aged white Canadian guys shouldn't do it).

I'm going to give Snakes & Arrows a 6.5 out of 10, which is a solid C. I wish I could give them a higher mark, but they didn't show their work. (Math class joke for you out there) ;-)

On a brighter note, I also purchased a photograph print retrospective that was autographed by Neil Peart. I am lookng forward to receiving it and putting it up on the wall.

Rock on!

Same Sex Marriage

Here is a new article on a very serious matter facing the Anglican Church.

It appears that this response will anger those who are on polar opposite sides of the debate. The bishops either (a) went too far in recognizing same-sex relationships or (b) didn't go far enough in recognizing same sex relationships.

To me, the response seems right. No one should be excluded from taking communion, nor should any child be declined baptism simply because of their parents' relationship: gay, straight, married, divorced, whatever. The fact is that we are all God's children and we all deserve the relationship with Him. On the other hand, it is fairly clear in Scripture that marriage is for a man and a woman and one of the primary purposes of marriage is to have children. Therefore, same-sex marriage is not Scriptural.

I think the main purpose of marriage is for two people to become one and build each other and help each other become more Christ-like, better people. Having children is an excellent way for parents to join together, because sooner or later, your kids will outnumber you! ;-)

Seriously though, anyone who has children recognizes (or should recognize) that they are a blessing to parents. It is normal and preferable to have children, and it helps one to achieve self-actualization. Someone who has no children cannot fully understand the concepts of sacrifice and altruism. There is a deep-seated pull to give of yourself for your kids that is unlike any other relationship. This also gives one a better understanding of God's relationship with us as our father in heaven. How much did He sacrifice to give His son to us, so that we might live in eternity with Him? How much did He suffer, to give Jesus up to suffer for our sakes?

Jesus is the type for us. He is the best example of how we, who are created in God's image, all have the capacity to become like Christ, to reflect God's image, to love God and to love one another as Jesus commanded in Matthew 22:36-40 (NKJV):

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

It is the very reason that we should all strive to be more like Christ that no one should be denied communion simply because of their sexual orientation. None of us is perfect, we all fall short in the Judgment, even bishops! Yet it is because of God's grace and our relationship with Him that we can be saved. It is not our place to judge others:

John 8:7 (NKJV) - So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."

Matthew 7:1 (NIV) - Do not judge, or you too will be judged.


All of us sin. All of us need forgiveness. All of us deserve a relationship with God. But all of us must live in a manner that is in accordance with how God wants us to live, and that is without sin. All of us must all try every day to become more like Christ. I pray that all of us are given the strength to do so. Amen.

The Last 20 Years!

1987
1. How old were you? 17
2. Where did you go to school? Cole Harbour District High School
3.) Where did you work? Kempton Appraisals Limited
4.) Where did you live? With my parents and sister in Seaforth
5.) Where did you hang out? Home, Richard Saurette's house, rugby field, Burger King
6.) Did you wear glasses? No
7.) Who was your best friend? Richard Saurette
8.) How many tattoos did you have? None
9.) How many piercings did you have? None
10.) What car did you drive? 1981 Chev Malibu
11.) Had you been to a real party yet? Yes
12.) Had your heart broken? No
13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter: Single

1992
1.) How old were you? 22
2.) Where did you go to school? Saint Mary's University, graduated with B.Comm.
3.) Where did you work? Kempton Appraisals Limited
4.) Where did you live? Halifax, Sigma Chi Fraternity house on South Street
5.) Where did you hang out? Sigma Chi house
7.) Who were your best friends? Alistair Croll
8.) Who was your crush? My girlfriend at the time
9.) How many tattoos did you have? None
10.) How many piercings did you have? None
11.) What car did you drive? 1991 Plymouth Laser
12.) Had you had your heart broken? Broken heart from not seeing my son every day after the divorce
13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter? Divorced and I'll admit to being bitter

1997
1.) How old were you? 27
2.) Where did you go to school? Associate of Insurance Institute program
3.) Where did you work? Kempton Appraisals (I sense a trend)
4.) Where did you live? A condo in Dartmouth, the first place I bought
5.) Where did you hang out? My house, Sigma Chi house
7.) Who was your best friend? Alistair Croll
8.) Who was your crush? Married again at that point
9.) How many tattoos did you have? None
10.) How many piercings did you have? None
11) What car did you drive? Still the Laser
12.) Had your heart been broken this year? No
13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter? Married

2002
1.) How old were you? 32
2.) Where did you go to school? Was working on my AACI appraisal designation
3.) Where did you work? OK, OK I've only worked at one place, all right?!?
4.) Where did you live? Jeep Crescent in Eastern Passage
5.) Where did you hang out? My house, Cheryl's house on Caldwell Road
7.) Who was your best friend? Cheryl Atwell
8.) Who was your crush? Cheryl Atwell
9.) How many tattoos did you have? One
10.) How many piercings did you have? None
11) What car did you drive? 98 VW Golf
12.) Had your heart been broken this year? Hmmmm
13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter? Taken

2007
1.) How old are you? 37
3.) Where do you live? Violette Court in Cow Bay, we built it last year
4.) Do you wear glasses? Only for distance, when I think of wearing them
5.) Who is your best friend? My wife Cheryl
6.) Do you talk to your old friends? I try to make the time to call them
7.) How many piercings do you have? Still none, no plans to do so
8.) How many tattoos? Still one, no plans to add any more
9.) What kind of car do you drive? 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
10.) Has your heart been broken this year? Nope, no plans for that either
11.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter: Married to my best friend, we have 5 kids, life is good!

Ron Burgundy Anchorman 300

This video is just awesome.

VoodooAppraiser.com

I work with a guy named Paul. One of my nicknames for him is The Angel of Death. He holds the dubious distinction of having more than one of his clients dying within a month to 6 months of his appraisal of their property. His power doesn't stop at real estate. Back in the 90's, his old band closed down rural NS bars. In fact, their ability to kill a bar was so great that once when they travelled to Kentville to play at The Wooden Nickel, and when they got there, they found that it was closed. Closed as in chains across the front door. They had rented a PA and spent money on gas, etc. so they decided to head to The Anvil in Wolfville and try to convince the owner to let them play there so they could recoup some of their costs. Somehow they convinced him to let them play there, and I think he must have built up good karma by doing the band that favour because The Anvil is still open.

Want to bump someone off? Get Paul to appraise their house.

He is the Voodoo Appraiser.

I need to set up a website VoodooAppraiser.com!

Government departments

Here is an example of government efficiency. I think it is next door to the Federal Department of Redundancy Department.