Life with Rudy

Test

2008-02-24T16:54:00.001-03:30

Yes, I'm back to blogging, and this is a test to see if my Windows Live Writer is working.

-Rudy

Story

2006-11-13T14:50:00.000-03:30

this priest went to seminary

while he's there, he committs a sin that he soons regrets

time goes on, and this sin keeps coming back to him

graduates from seminary, goes to his first church

pastors the church, but this sin keeps coming back to him

it's eating him away inside, and he's starting to hate himself for it

so one day he's talkin to this woman in his church

the woman says to him "you know, pastor, Jesus comes and talks to me every night"

the pastor says "really?"

chum says "yes, every single night he comes to my room and i talk with him"

the pastor says "I don't believe you... there's no way Jesus actually comes to your room every night"

she said "yes he does, i see him every night... i see his scars, his white robe... everything"

pastor says "you're crazy, woman... and i'll prove it"

woman says "how?"

pastor says "tonight, when Jesus comes to you, ask him what the sin was that i committed in seminary that still haunts me to this day... then tomorrow come back and tell me, and i'll believe you if you're right"

so the woman goes on... next day she comes to the pastor's office and goes in

"Pastor, pastor, He came, He Came!... i saw his scars, i saw his robe, it was amazing!"

pastor says "did you ask him the question?"

woman says "yes, i asked Jes what the sin was that still haunts my pastor to this day"

pastor says "and what did Jesus say?"

woman says "He said..... He can't remember...."

Is this Me?

2006-11-05T18:01:00.000-03:30

Outgoing personality. takes risks. feeds on attention. No self-control. Kind hearted. Self-confident. Loud and boisterous. VERY revengeful. Easy to get along with and talk to. Has an "every thing's peachy" attitude. Likes talking and singing. Loves music. Daydreamer. Easily distracted. Hates not being trusted. BIG imagination. Loves to be loved. Hates studying. in need of "that someone". Longs for freedom. Rebellious when withheld or restricted. Lives by "no pain no gain" caring. Always a suspect. Playful. Mysterious. "charming" or "beautiful" to everyone. stubborn. curious. Independent. Strong willed. A fighter. Repost in 5 mins and you will meet the love of your life sometime next month.

This is what people with a Birthday in August is supposed to be like. Think it describes me?

Keep Lookin up

Custom Pics

2006-11-03T12:40:00.000-03:30

Phil and his 4:12

2006-10-30T22:11:00.000-03:30

Philippians 4:12 - I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: Philippians 4;

Whenever I sign my name for someone, I always add my own personal message in the form of putting "Matt 5:16" at the bottom right hand corner of my name. This is just my way of directing the person to Matthew 5:16 - my favorite verse.

But I think I'm going to start alternating now. Instead of always using Matt, I think I'm gonna start using Phil as well, and adding Philippians 4:12.

A lot of people use Philippians 4:13 as their "Favorite" verse, but it's sorta like John 3:16 - I sometimes feel bad for John 3:15 and John 3:17.

Same case here - I think Philippians 4:12 is just as good, or better, than the verse after it. Paul is making a big statement here. He's saying that he's found a secret of being content in any and every situation.

Oh really now? EVERY situation? Yep, every situation. But what amazes me most is that I can relate to Paul here. After finally letting this verse sink in a bit, I started to see MYSELF in Paul. I suddenly pictured Paul as a guy who said "I'm not particular", and that's like me. I see Paul as a guy who took it as it comes, and made best with what he had. Right here, people.

But Paul couldn't have been more right when he used the word "Secret" to describe the life outlook. Why? Because just like Paul, I have no idea how to tell you what to do in order to get this outlook on life. I really don't. I've tried it several times. I've started to explain it, but it just never worked. But I think Paul gave the best reason WHY we can look at life this way. Read verse 13.

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technorati tags:Bible, Devotion, Christian, God, Philippians, Devotion, Paul, Apostle

Steve the Geek

2006-10-28T23:05:00.000-03:30

Bush_Fox_Harper.jpg (JPEG Image, 515x349 pixels)

I seriously think this is sad. I mean, Geroge and the Mexican prez looks right spiffy, casual, and actually dressed for some fun in the sun. Meanwhile, what's Stevey wearin?? He looks like he's goin out in the dien woods instead of the Desert! Could someone please direct Mr. Harper to the wardrobe department, or at least a travel agent that actually tells him where he's going??

technorati tags:Steven, Harper, Canada, Picture

I've seen 35 Disney Movies!

2006-10-27T22:43:00.000-02:30

[x] High School Musical
[ ] Holes
[ ] Lizzie McGuire Movie
[ ] Cheetah Girls
[ ] Halloween Town
[ ] Halloween Town High
[ ] Cadet Kelly
total so far: 1

[ ] Get a Clue
[ ] Motocrossed
[ ] Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
[x] Pocahontas
[ ] Pocahontas 2
[ ] Lady and the Tramp
total so far: 2

[ ] Lady and the Tramp 2
[x] Cinderella
[ ] The Parent Trap (original)
[x] The Parent Trap (newer version w/ Lindsay Lohan)
[ ] The Little Mermaid
[ ] The Little Mermaid 2
total so far: 4

[ ] Mary Poppins
[ ] The Fox and the Hound
[x] Dumbo
[x] Pinocchio
[x] Bambi
total so far: 7

[ ] The Great Mouse Detective
[x] The Rescuers Down Under
[x] Toy Story
[x] Toy Story 2
[x] Lion King
[x] Lion King 2
total so far: 12

[ ] Peter Pan
[ ] Peter Pan 2
[ ] Fantasia
[ ] The Three Caballeros
[ ] Alice in Wonderland
[ ] Sleeping Beauty
total so far: 12

[x] 101 Dalmations (animated)
[x] 101 Dalmations (real version)
[ ] 102 Dalmations
[ ] The Sword in the Stone
[x] The Jungle Book
[x] The Aristocats
total so far: 16

[ ] Robin Hood
[x] Oliver and Company
[x] Beauty and the Beast
[x] Aladdin
[x] Aladdin: Return of Jafar
[x] Aladdin: The King of Thieves
total so far: 21

[ ] Finding Nemo
[x] Monsters, Inc.
[x] Hercules
[ ] Mulan
[ ] Mulan 2
[x] Tarzan
total so far: 25

[ ] Lilo & Stitch
[ ] The Hunchback of Notre Dame
[x] The Emperor's New Groove
[ ] The Nightmare before Christmas
[ ] Bed knobs and Broomsticks
[ ] Pete's Dragon
total so far: 26

[x] Remember The Titans
[ ] Who Framed Roger Rabbit?!
[ ] James and the Giant Peach
[x] The Mighty Ducks
[x] A Bug's Life
[ ] The Incredibles
total so far: 29

[ ] A Goofy Movie
[ ] An Extremely Goofy Movie
[x] Atlantis
[x] The Chronicles of Narnia
[ ] Around the World in 80 Days
[ ] Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
total so far: 31

[ ] A Cinderella Story
[x] Pirates of the Carribean: The Black Pearl
[ ] National Treasure
[ ] Princess Diaries
[ ] Princess Diaries 2
total so far: 32

[x] Freaky Friday
[x] Honey I Shrunk the Kids
[x] A Muppet Christmas Carol
[ ] Ice Princess
[ ] Pirates of the Caribean: Dead Man's Chest
total so far: 35

Now post with the title "I've seen __ Disney Movies!"

technorati tags:Disney, Movies, Survey

Click

2006-10-27T16:02:00.000-02:30

So I promised a review of Click along with United 93 (look down).

Click was just "aiight" for me. Yeah, that's right. I didn't really like that one either. Maybe I'm just picky. I can't remember the last time I watched a movie I couldn't stop laughing at. "She's the Man" was actually a pretty good movie. I recommend it. I say that because I realize that was probably the last "good movie" I watched.

But Click? It's not that funny. It's actually really sad. I mean sad in a crying sort of way. A few parts there, I was thinking "man, a sap like Josh would be baulin' his eyes out now".

It gives a good message to corporate America, and all those guys who work is more important than family. But please, hasn't that been done?? Maybe they thought the gimmik of the remote control would make it different, but reality sets in and you're thinking "are they trying to tell us it WOULDN'T be that great to have one of those things?"

I'm going through the movie thinking "Ok, if he doesn't get out of this, my review is going to tear this thing apart." Seriously, I would have called the studio, and complained. I would have e-mailed my thoughts to every single newspaper in North America, telling them how STUPID Click was. But that wasn't the case, obviously, and the movie ended in the same predictable way I figured it would. Oh well.

As i said, it was aiight.

Keep Lookin Up

technorati tags:Movie, Reviews, Adam, Sandler, Click

Flight 93

2006-10-26T23:10:00.000-02:30

I rented two movies tonight. "Click" starring the infamous Adam Sandler, and "United 93" starring some people I've never heard of.

So far, I've only watched United 93. I'll be watching Click tomorrow.

My question about United 93 is simple: what was the point?

Folks, 9/11 was a tragic day. It was a day when a lot of people died, a day when the most powerful nation in the world proved that it wasn't invincible. But in a tradition that started with Titanic, do we REALLY have to keep making movies bringing attention to the WEAKNESSES of things, rather than the STRENGTHS???

It's bad enough that everyone in the world has suddenly become American, but being reminded of it day after day after day, is a bit too much. They made "Flight 93" telling the exact same story. WHY did they have to make United 93 as well? Personally, I think it was totally unecessary.

Reasoning:

No one knows for sure what exactly happened on the plane
Flight 93 was enough
It's not a 'story' where you're waiting to find out what happens at the end.
Either way you look at it, the movie is painful to watch. Why would someone put themself through that?
Being reminded is not a good reason. Reminders are all around us. How much more attention do you need to bring to a tragedy?
I could go on.

Anyways, I just had to vent that stuff. If you read it, thanks. If you didn't, stick around - perhaps Click's review will be better.

Keep Lookin up

technorati tags:Movie, Reviews, Flight, 93

I feel like Noah at Christmas

2006-10-25T12:01:00.000-02:30

It's been raining for days. I'm serious. DAYS!!! Plural there, people. Actually I think we're almost coming upon a full week here now that there hasn't been ONE DAY that we didn't get rain!! Yeah, at least that long. Now I'm starting to feel like Noah. I'm sure we're set for 40 days and 40 nights. I fear that the sun has left us for good, as today I got word someone spotted slop snow on Middle Arm road. Ouch.

Speaking of snow, why in the world is everyone suddenly freaking out about Christmas, already??

I've been swamped with requests for gift ideas like you wouldn't believe, and I've actually even felt kinda rushed because of the obvious closeness of the holiday. Then I stop and realize.... WE'RE STILL TWO MONTHS AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

October 25th, DECEMBER 25th ..... that's TWO MONTHS before Christmas. We've still got Halloween, Remembrance Day, American Thanksgiving-the works! before we get to Christmas.

Yet the dollar store has kicked into high Christmas mode. Sunday School had a meeting last night expressing their plans for the Christmas Program, Operation CHRISTMAS child is due on Sunday (if we have church... don't get me started), and Josh has started his countdown next to his MSN name! This is almost as bad as when he was leaving to go to Edmonton!!

Seems that everyone is freaking out about Christmas, and I'm starting to get the feeling that we're at least in mid to late November, instead of a week from being out of October. We're not close to seeing snow yet, as last year that stuff didn't even show SIGNS of coming until the first of December, and we've still got all of November, Most of December, and a bit of October left!

Calm down people, and start focusing on Halloween first, then Remembrance day, then Christmas.

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technorati tags:Christmas, Weather, Rant

I hate the world today....

2006-10-22T20:08:00.000-02:30

... but I love this life God have given.

I really find it amazing that whenever you're 'bored' you can go, and just talk to God for a while.

That's crazy.

Imagine the thought that sometimes God actually MAKES us bored, so we'll have time to talk to Him?

Sure we could sit and complain of how bored we are, and yes, indeed we could probably go and try to find something "better" to do, but why not embrace the opportunity? I mean, isn't this how we should be living our lives? Being THANKFUL that we're bored? Crazy, I know, but imagine... actually being relieved that "OK, I'm bored now, so that's perfect opportunity for me to go spend with God."

Maybe it's just me.

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technorati tags:Devotion, Christian, God, Bored

Don't I Feel Special

2006-10-21T09:54:00.000-02:30

The Nor'wester: Mind’s Eye

Apparently the Nor'Wester has been posting my columns online since the 4th of October and I didn't even realize it! Now I feel Special. They didn't used to do that with "Thoughts of a Teen". They posted those boring columns by that young Thomas feller, but they didn't post mine! Well NOW, Thommy is gone, and no one cares about that "Burlington Bulletin" (always thought that was a lame name, myself) and "Mind's Eye" is finally getting the spotlight it deserves! HA! Anyways, click the link at the top there to view the latest column, scroll to the bottom of the page and use the drop down menu to view the previous two, and I guess keep checking back every week to see the latest.

Keep Lookin Up

P.S. I insult because it seems to actually get people to comment on my blog. Charlotte and Josh get countless comments even when they post something as useless as song lyrics and that they missed an english test. I put a video up of a guy freaking levitating, and NUTTIN! |-| Society is corrupt, I tell ya.

technorati tags:Writing, Column

Scott Levitates

2006-10-16T13:53:00.000-02:30

Nothing demonic about it, but I still don't know how he does it. Thus, as payback, I put this video on YouTube, and if anyone knows how to do it, please let me know.

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Vacation

2006-10-16T09:30:00.000-02:30

So it's the second last day of vacation. Here I sit in Scott's house in St. John's. Later today I'll be heading back to Clarke's Beach for one more night, and then on Tuesday it's back to Burlington. Oh how I dread that six hour car drive.

Friday we got here through the awful weather. I spoke in Clarke's Beach youth group on Friday night - went good. Carbonear on Saturday, then church on Sunday. Clarke's Beach on Sunday morning (different than home) and Cornerstone on Sunday night (REALLY different than home.)

Cruised the town on Sunday night (last night) and today we're headed out again to see the sights. haha Scott actually has to go to the Confederation building, so I'm gonna take my camera and act like a tourist. lol

Last night I saw Elim, and the Rooms. We went to see the Worship Centre, but we passed by it and didn't realize it. They don't have windows in there, so we missed the building completely.

So far, though, I like St. John's. Although I think it's a place I'd like to spend some time, but not live. Strange, I know, but dems da breaks.

Then again, I'm basing this on what I've seen so far. If anything changes, I'll blog more. Also, I wanna talk more about Cornerstone.

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YC 2006

2006-10-11T13:44:00.000-02:30

Yahoo! Photos - rudy.norman's Photos - YC 2006

Of course, for my 100th blog post (YAY!!!) I promised to give the pics and my recap of YC 2006.

Honestly, I thought it was just "alright" this year. I really don't feel like getting into detail about the spiritual analysis of it all, and let everyone say "well that was just you" because perhaps it was, but I'm a strong-hold Camp supporter now, and YC is pretty much just a concert now, trying to get the big name bands and the popular speakers.

Looking at it from that perspective, though, the bands were pretty good, I must say. Desperation Band was the most "worship" focused there I think, which I liked. No one else knew their songs, but since their CD has been blasting in my car for the last number of months, I knew 'em all. :D

Then Tree63 were fairly worship based after the first night, which was (to their credit) a concert. As for Starfield and Newsboys, to me, they were there to put on a show.

Pictures can be found by clicking the link below the picture at the top.

That's all I have to say about it.

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technorati tags:Christian, Newfoundland, Concert

The Day

2006-10-06T09:50:00.000-02:30

YC2006 SHOUT! :: Pepsi Center :: October 6-8 :: Corner Brook Newfoundland :: YC 2006 Info Shout

Today is the big Day I guess. In a few hours we'll be headin er to Corner Brook for YC.

If you pray, PRAY for YC. Even if you don't pray, PRAY for YC. If you don't know what to say PRAY for YC. Just say "God, I pray for YC." He knows your heart, and he knows the hearts of the people that's going to be there this weekend.

Jer came in last night on the same plane Tree63 came in on. Kinda ironic, actually. lol

Anyways, I'm off. My 100th post shall be when I get back from YC, and to make it special I'll make it my recap and post the pictures.

Keep Lookin Up

technorati tags:Youth, Christian, Concert, Convention, Newfoundland

Bang, Bang

2006-10-05T23:34:00.000-02:30

Note: This is also my column for the paper due out Wednesday, October 11th, but it's what I'm thinking about now, and how I feel.

I’m a firm believer in the fact that you should love everyone. Yes, even the ones who don’t love you back.

Although when applying that principle to my own life, there’s one person who really tests me on the matter. Someone who I admit, I have a hard time loving. But the strange thing is I’ve never met the woman in my life. We’ve never talked, never had a conversation, and I doubt she knows I exist. I e-mailed her once, but no reply back (yet) and even at that, she probably doesn’t even know my last name, address, age, or shoe size.

Her name is Rosie. Last name O’Donnell. She’s a talk show host in New York City. Back in the day she hosted the “Rosie O’Donnell Show” until it went off the air in about 2002. After that she took a break from television, and I pretty much stopped following her career unless I happened to catch her on some entertainment news program.

On the Rosie O’Donnell Show, Rosie had an image that was likeable, charming, and fun. She was funny, entertaining, and interesting to watch. This was also probably what made her show number one in the ratings. But just before Rosie took off from her show in 2002, she decided to make an announcement that would ensure her star status didn’t diminish. Rosie told everyone she was gay. It was something that many suspected and some already knew, but coming straight from the horse’s mouth, it was now undeniable.

After that, the Rosie I knew changed. The fun, entertaining, and interesting talk show host I knew every day after school was now a poster child for free speech – the bad kind.

Since 2002, Rosie has used to celebrity status as a spring board to speak out against things that pushed people’s buttons. She was suddenly a spokesperson for everything Christians didn’t like, apparently, and still called herself an American but loved insulting her political leader.

Rosie is probably most outspoken about an issue she talks about often: gun control. In light of recent tragic events, you can probably guess that Rosie had a field day. It didn’t take her long to push it in everyone’s face the top stories of the day, followed by her commentary “blame the guns, blame the guns!”

Rosie’s attacks were focused primarily on the NRA, (National Rifle Association) who are responsible for guns in America. Rosie’s main message is that it’s the NRA’s fault that so many people are being killed by guns today. She blames the government for not doing a good enough job in keeping guns under control.

I’m curious, however, if Rosie ever heard the quote “guns don’t kill people – people kill people.” It’s very true, I assure you. Sure the bullet leaves the barrel, but a gun is useless unless someone pulls the trigger. People like Rosie are quick to blame the gun companies, but yet they fail to realize they’re contributing to a society that is corrupt and fraudulent by nature.

People like that wonder why a shooting happens in a school, but yet are all for taking prayer out of the same schools the shootings happen at. I find it very ironic that amidst such a recent tragedy that met the same criteria I just mentioned, a church was opened to help students deal with everything that was going on.

Seems that people like Rosie know right where to run when something terrible happens, but don’t bother to go there beforehand, and ask it doesn’t happen in the first place.

Folks, recent school shootings in North America have been very tragic, and I’m not trying to change that fact. But people like Rosie O’Donnell are going to tell you this is a perfect example that stricter gun laws need to be in place. I assure you that the gun laws aren’t our problem. Don’t try to change the guns, change the people, and the guns will take care of themselves.

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Flock

2006-10-04T09:38:00.000-02:30

This is a brand new browser very similar to FireFox, except so far, better. WHY is this browser better? Because of it's built in features not in FireFox, such as this blogging service. I'm blogging right from my browser here. With FireFox that had to be an extension, and it was very unstable. With Flock, this is solid as a rock.

But get this one: anything you see online, all you have to do is select it, right click and choose "Blog This" and it automatically inserts what you chose into a new blog post. That's how that Flock Logo got up there. This feature, I like a lot.

It also works with some photo services, but not Yahoo! Photos, so that's a down side. Although this is still in beta, so I'm sure they'll expand. But competing with FireFox? hmmmmm Not sure how they're gonna pull that one off.

The favourites system is also different in this browser. It's all based on Stars, and they use Tags. Great feature. So far, I'm liking Flock. I really am.

Check it out... http://www.flock.com

Pros:

Built In Blogging Service, including the right click "Blog This"
Built In RSS News Readers
Built In Photo Services
Favorites System
Operates much like FF 1.x, so users won't have to adjust too much.

Cons:

Close Window "X" is on each individual tab
The Stop Button is also the Refresh Button????
Blogging Service doesn't have the alignment options in the WYSIWYG, as well as a few more options found in the Blogger WYSIWYG. Its a pain to write the HTML for it all.
Photo Service doesn't support Yahoo! Photos (Flickr only allows 20MB... Yahoo gives you Unlimited!!!)

**EDIT: Thanks to the comment of someone from Flock, I've corrected some of the cons. I'm not liking this browser even MORE, and when it's not become pretty much my Default browser. The Pro's outweigh the Cons. Good stuff people. :)**

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technorati tags:Flock, Tech

Stupid Parking Meters!

2006-09-29T19:44:00.000-02:30

First off, I notice Josh or Charlotte haven't blogged since I accused them of blogging useless stuff to get their post count up. Or at least I know Charlotte didn't. Josh posted a video they made that took 2 minutes for me to load on dial-up, so that goes to show how long it was. lol Don't sweat it guys, I'm just givin ya a hard time.

Anyways, I was in Corner Brook today, was parked down on broadway (a fine showmanship of parallel parking if I do say so myself) and turns out while we were in the store, the metre ran out, and .... yep, you guessed it... PARKING TICKET!!!

No big deal, really. Only 10 bucks. Plus, I was actually talking to the guy who gave me the ticket. Real great fellow. Or at least he seemed to be.

But the part that really got me, was when I went in the store to let Joy know I had a parking ticket, the manager of the store was there, and get this - HE WAS APPAULED!

He thought it was "horrible" that we got a parking ticket while in their store shopping. The reason, I think, was because it was THEIR fault we were in there so long. Anyways, buddy wouldn't let me pay for the ticket! haha I tried to insist, telling him it wasn't a big deal, but he was even more persistant, saying THEY would take care of it. Well God bless him. Thanks to the manager of National Shoe Store on Broadway in Corner Brook. Go check em out, by the way. Might as well try to get some business their way since they payed my ticket.

On a closing note, I watched "Inside Man" last night. My review: Don't watch it.

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NEW Favourite Secular Song

2006-09-26T15:34:00.000-02:30

That’s right, I’ve officially declared a BRAND NEW “Favourite Secular Song”. This song is currently replacing “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter.

So without any further ado… the winner isssssssssss………………….

“SAVE MY LIFE” BY: REX GOUDIE

That’s right I said it. Rex has a brand new song which is set to be released on his new album in December, and the song is called “Save my Life”. I’ve heard it a few times now, and folks, WOW.

The reason I like this song, is because it speaks out about something that I really can’t stand: EVERYONE GOIN TO ALBERTA!! Rex co-wrote the song and it’s written from the would-be perspective of a Newfie in Alberta who wants one thing: to go home.

Man, this is right up my alley. I love it! It says what everyone who thinks like me and Rex wants to say! Rex Goudie: voice of the common Newfie.

Unfortunately, legal issues prevent me from posting the audio or video of the song. But I do want to share the lyrics with you, with the disclaimer that these could change before the CD comes out. Rex wants it to be known that this is a work in progress. But here are the lyrics, as good as I can figure out:

Save My Life
Rex Goudie

Why don’t we go
Back to the home we left behind
Baby I miss the way it used to be
This room’s getting covered in dust
And I don’t seem to mind
I’m tired and I just don’t wanna clean

But at least I’m tryin
To make it better for you and me

Cause Everybody here is workin overtime
Wheels keep turning, keep pushin the line
The pressure’s on me
To Save my Life
I’m goin back to where the waters meet the rocky shore
I’m man enough to say I can’t take anymore
I can’t wait to leave
To Save my Life

(Everyday) I see
(faceless) strangers passin me by
They smile but they just don’t say a thing
Where I come from
People wave without even havin to try
Let’s just wait and see what tomorrow brings

But at least I’m tryin
To make it better for you and me

Working 16 hours, seven days a week
Just (burnin) my soul
To keep food on the table
And shoes on the feet
I can’t wait to go home

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Way Behind

2006-09-23T20:27:00.000-02:30

Josh and Charlotte are over 100 posts, and I've yet to reach 95! It's kinda sad, considering they both stole blogging from me, and they managed to pull out and past me on the post number. Although in my defence, they've opted to blog just about anything, even if it's meaningless.

For instance, I don't think Charlotte should be as high as she is, considering all of the song lyrics she posted that had no relevance at all except it was the song going through her head at the time, or playing on her Windows Media Player. If I had to do that then I'd be up to post 2000 now. I've constantly got my playlist of about 400 songs going, and if all the lyrics that I liked had to be on here, then this would be worst than.... well... Charlottes blog. lol

And then Josh got desperate in the last days before leaving Edmonton to get to 100 before his departure, so he was blogging about just about anything as well. We were pretty close before that.

Readers of my blog (I use the plural in faith) have the blessing of finding original posts, and not just useless babbling. THAT my friend, is quality.

* * *

I've decided that I need a vacation. I mean a REAL vacation. As in take a couple weeks off and have a change of scenery for that time. I'm not going to say where I'm headed because it's a secret. (Josh don't tell, since I spilled it to you before I decided to make it a secret)

I chose the location, however, because there are some things there that I've always wanted to see. I've come to the conclusion that it's a big world out there, and it's time I get out and see some of it! I'm going somewhere I've never been, and I intend to do some things I've never done. Should be a lot of fun.

Tentative date for Vacation: October 16th

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Wasting the Day

2006-09-20T14:53:00.000-02:30

I've decided that this is going to just be a "wasted day." I'm going to do NOTHING. That's right. Not a thing will be done today. Tis great. I mean, here it is, almost 10 to 3 in the afternoon, and all I've done thus far is watch my House, MD. DVD's. I don't do this intentionally that often, but I think it's a good thing to do. You should try it. Take a day that you're just going to waste, and call it your "Nothing Day." I wish you luck.

Even though today is the nothing day, tonight is going to be different. Got a meeting with the Share Foundation tonight. Looking forward to what's going to come out of it. We'll probably just talk about the concert on Monday night. To which I have an ALL ACCESS PASS. My first Rex Goudie Concert. lol

Went to Grand Falls on Monday, and came back with a nice load. Bought Rex's book, which has some mistakes in it, I might add (I'll post a review and the mistakes later) as well as the HOUSE, MD. Season 2 DVD's.

Also, I've finally got my contacts, which are proving to be a challenge, but I hope I'll get used to em.

And on a final note... I'VE GOT A JOB!! Actually, I'm still working on a placement, but if that works out, I'll be starting Monday. If it doesn't work out, I'll have to look for another place. But oh well. Still a job.

Keep Lookin Up

Video

2006-09-16T15:32:00.000-02:30

Just found an amazing video courtesy of YouTube. Click the Link below to watch it.

Video

Keep Lookin Up

Photography

2006-09-16T00:05:00.000-02:30

Yahoo! Photos is one of the greatest services I've ever seen! Unlimited - that's right, UNLIMITED - amount of photos and space. You can upload as many photos, as you want, and have them as big as you want! That's amazing. I love Yahoo now. lol

Because of this, I'm using this fine service with my new Sony DSC-H2. My albums are at http://photos.yahoo.com/rudy.norman and so far I've got a good many albums. I've grown rather fond of photography lately. Mainly stuff I find interesting. I like challenges, and the thought of "I wonder can I get a picture of that?"

Now, rest assured that the pictures in my albums are compressed and downsized. The reason? Because I don't want people stealing the photos and printing them off. This way, they're not big enough to do anything "big" with, other than look at 'em. So check out my photo album. I update whenever I get new pics of something. Also, there's a permalink in the navigation.

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Finally!

2006-09-12T21:54:00.000-02:30

The guys in Grand Falls finally got my contacts done. EVER SINCE JUNE MONTH!! Apparently, I'm a very special perscription. Don't I feel special :D Anyway, I'll be picking them up on Monday. Anticipation building.

Keep Lookin Up

Random Catch Up

2006-09-05T17:30:00.000-02:30

Ok, so I haven't really blogged a "full" blog in a while. To be honest, I kinda lost the motivation to blog over the last little while. Even though there's been plenty to blog about. Thus, this post will be rather random about whatever pops in my mind that's happened the last while. Hang tight, this is gonna be a long one.

New Look for the site

I've lost count on how many times this has been that RudsPlace.net has been made over. Sad, I know, but since I've changed to my current update method, I've yet to find a cross browser look that I like. The last two looks either didn't work with FireFox or Internet Explorer for some reason. Thus, this is another attempt. Hopefully this one will stick with me until the end. (fingers crossed).

Camp

Glenn Newman said something on the opening night of YB2 that rang true the whole week. He said, "I'm here to mess you up." Man, you couldn't be more right with that one.

For me, that's exactly what camp was - a week that messed me up. Every moment of the week it was like God was shaking me to my senses, and opening my eyes for so many things that I didn't realize before. Just about the whole way through every sermon and teaching session I found myself saying stuff like "I've never looked at it that way before..." or "wow, I've never thought of that..." I couldn't write things down fast enough, because before I got one revolutionary point written down, something else would pop out at me, and there I was trying to remember everything just long enough to get it on paper. So much information, so little ink.

Monday night, Pastor Glenn talked to us about the REAL message of Jesus. I just cosumed this message as much as I could, because to get to camp, not really knowing what to expect, and be thrown into a semon like this on the first night is a big thing. After his message, where He talked about a Jesus who OUT Accepts, OUT Loves, and OUT Forgives, it caused me to analyze myself, and ask myself if I was really trying to be like Jesus. Night one of growth.

In the morning sessions, Pastor Brad Noel brought some amazing teaching that will not soon be forgotten. Tuesday morning he talked about worldviews, and how we all have them. God has blessed this guy with a whole lot more knowledge than I have, and I think it's safe to assume, unless God works a miracle, than I'll ever have. But in my experience, many "smart" people can only have conversations with OTHER "smart" people. Not Pastor Brad. Along with knowledge, God has blessed this guy with the gift of great communication skills.

Tuesday night we heard about the great role model John the Baptist in "The Headless Witness", and learned about not being bitter even when God doesn't answer our prayers. Wednesday morning Pastor Brad continues the "Journey into Truth" teaching the truths about Homosexuality, and reflecting on Pastor Glenn's words about how we must love EVERYONE - even Homosexuals. Wednesday night Pastor Glenn delivered a sermon like only Pastor Glenn can deliver it on Sexual Standards. We laughed, some probably cried, most were heard gasping every now and then, and I'd say all (at one point or another) fell very silent at some of the harsh but very true realizations that were said. We were told very plainly - "Lights on, clothes on, sitting up right!" and yes, we even found out that "men can't handle boobies." At the end a committment was made by just about everyone there, to maintain high standards when it comes to the opposite sex.

Thursday Morning Pastor Brad dealt with more "today issues" like Abortion, Social Drinking, Gambling and Dating. (Even after Pastor Glenn's sermon the night before.) Personally, he answered a lot of questions that have been lingering in the back of my mind for a while during the three morning sessions that he did. Pastor Brad is a great man of God to say the least, and I very much enjoyed what he had to say.

Thursday night was follow up on Tuesday, with more teaching/preaching (I assume there's a difference) on Prayer. I say it was a follow up, because Tuesday night after the sermon, a couple of us went back to our room and reflected on some of the stuff we'd just heard. We started asking questions that none of us seemed to have a definite answer for. It was beginning to look like that sermon just confused us more than helped us, but Thursday night, Pastor Glenn answered some of those specific questions that we asked each other in private, just two nights before. That's what proved to me that what this guy was saying up there was not from him - God was giving him instructions straight from the throne room.

And finally, the last service of an amazing week happened on Friday night. In my experience from other retreats and stuff, and from what people have told me about camp, Friday night is always considered the “big” night. It’s the night when the floodgates usually break open, and people remember camp based on that ONE night. It’s supposed to be the final blessing of the Holy Spirit you get before you go home. This year? Not gonna happen.

As Pastor Glenn said, unless we took what we learned this week at YB, and applied it when we left, then we just had a full week of a “funky feeling.” The last night Pastor Glenn challenged us to support the leadership of our youth groups. He gave a call for all youth pastors who were there to come to the front, and had their youth groups gather around them and pray. This was possibly one of the most moving things I’ve ever seen. Pastor Glenn told us if our youth pastor or leader wasn’t there that week, then to choose the youth pastor closest to our community. As we went and prayed with one of the youth pastors I could feel the weight of this guy’s burden. I knew then some of what it means to be a person in his position. God showed me his heart, and I found myself crying out to the Lord to be with him, to strengthen him, and to guide him. After I thought about it afterward, I realized that I was passionate about his youth ministry growing, and I didn’t know anything about it. All I knew is that God was about to do something great not only in the life of the youth pastor we prayed for, but in the lives of the people of this province.

Besides the amazing speaking and teaching (again – if there’s a difference) we were blessed beyond anything to be led in worship every morning and night by Matt Howlett and a worship band consisting of people from across the province. I can’t get into everything, but the band were passionate about worship, and passionate to lead people into worship. Their amazing talents were used for the glory of God, and that’s what matters most.

And finally, I’ve gotta give props to the awesome recreation of the week. Pastor Matt and Kayla Joy did an awesome job bringing everything together thanks to the help of a few more people, and the spirit of healthy competition was evident throughout the whole week.

Looking back, it's hard to believe that this was my very first year at a Youth Breakaway event. I've been to all but one YC, and everyone I talked to that's been to both kept saying "Rudy, YC is great, but camp is amazing." Well, they all didn't say those exact words, but you get the picture. But the point, is that what all of them said was right: camp is a growing experience unlike anything I've ever experienced. Just like YC, to some, it gets the wrong impressions, but when I got there on Monday and met some of the people who were at YB for the "fun" of it, I talked to them on Saturday, and you could tell that they had experienced something that week that made them realize that Camp goes much, much deeper than just a week to get away.

Labour Day

For Labour Day we went to Corner Brook for a relaxing weekend at the Comfort Inn. Sunday morning we attended Corner Brook West Church, and Sunday night we went to an open air held by Corner Brook East. Both services went great. Had wireless High Speed internet all weekend too, so that just added to the enjoyment.

High School Musical

This is probably the cheesiest movie you'll ever find. But I love it. It's a great movie! I'm not sure if I've blogged about this before, but even though the lip syncing is terrible, and it's very predictable and corney, I have to admit that this at least on my top 20 list of Favorite Movies. I bought the DVD while in Corner Brook this past weekend. Sad? Maybe. But it's a good movie!

House Season Premiere

Season Three of HOUSE, MD. Premiered last night. Everyone know how big of a HOUSE addict I am, so needless to say I've very, very excited. Shaping up to be a great season, and I think we're going to get a lot of surprises this year. Last night, my mouth was open in shock, and my arms were in the air with excitement. It's unpreditable. Just thinking about it now gets me excited!! I couldn't find the season two DVD at Wal Mart but I'm looking again tomorrow. They were sold out, but buddy said they'd be in again Tuesday. That was Yesterday. I want it!!

Canadian Idol

Craig Sharpe made it a lot farther than he should have. That's all I'm going to say. My guess is we're getting a repeat of last year, but no one there can be as big as Rex and Melissa were last year. Craig won't get a record deal from Sony/BMG too if he comes in second. Eva won't go Platinum. Chad should have won it, but a lot of things would be better if I ran them.

Sign of the Times

2006-08-29T10:05:00.000-02:30

Taken from VOCM News on August 29th, 2006.

New Marriage Certificates Available Soon
August 29, 2006

The Department of Government Services says new marriage certificates will be available sometime next week. Same sex couples had voiced frustration that while their unions are now legal, they are not able to get the official document. The current marriage certificates use the words 'bride and 'groom' while the new ones will state the name and sex.

Sad. Very, very sad. Full report on YB2 Coming soon.

Keep Lookin Up

Playing Catch-Up

2006-08-20T17:37:00.000-02:30

This is going to be a long one, because I haven’t blogged in a while, and I have a lot to say:

Birthday Recap

Yes, I had a birthday yesterday. Overall it went pretty good. Pretty much a normal day, except for the thought that 19 years ago that day, I was born. I found myself wondering what it was like back then. What the feeling around the house was and that kinda stuff. Now it’s the day after, and I’m realizing that the anticipation was probably more today than it was yesterday. Nan and Pop probably didn’t sleep much last night 19 years ago. Everything was probably in uproar, and pretty confusing. And there I was, not having a clue any of it was going on, trying to figure out my new surroundings. Probably sleeping most of the time. Oh those were the days.

America’s Got Talent

Bianca Ryan won it, just like Piers said which tells me this is probably another show that’s rigged. American Idol, Canadian Idol, Big Brother, it’s all rigged! That magician guy should have got it. The one who was doing the tricks on the last show bringing back other contestants. THAT was talent, my friend. If not him, they should have given it to rappin’ granny. That’s all I’ll say.

Flight 93

Wow, what a movie! I was in shock all night. This wasn't the "United 93" movie, this was the made-for-TV version, but still about the same tragedy. Like I said, great, great movie, and I highly recommend it!

Yes, It’s Camp Tomorrow

I can't believe that camp is FINALLY tomorrow!! Gonna be an amazing time, I believe. I'm sure I'll get a lot of pictures, during the week, and I'll have a full report this coming weekend!

And Here's This Week's Column

The Other Way

As you go through life, I encourage you not to seek out to be a success. No need to read it again, because chances are you got it right the first time, but never-the-less I’ll say it again: as this life passes by and as time seems to evaporate ahead of us, I encourage you, and warn you not to seek out to be successful.

Most of you probably think I’m crazy and are pretty sure you have good reason to think so, but I assure you I think I’m right on the mark. You probably wish you could just stop reading right now and turn the page, but something deep down inside of you is forcing you to go on and find out why I’m saying what I’m saying. I can’t tell you for sure what that is, but something about the whole warning you against success has got you interested, because perhaps, just perhaps, the person I’m talking to, is you.

I’m willing to guess there are those of you reading this column right now and your life’s goal has been the exact opposite of what I just said. You’ve probably spent your entire life thinking it was your job to be successful. You’ve looked at others around you who have things you don’t have, who drive a nicer car, live in a nicer house, wear nicer clothes and go on longer vacations, and you’ve actually said to yourself, or maybe even someone else: “I wish I was like them.”

You’ve envied day and night over the person more successful than you, and you’ve been determined to be successful to help those you care about. Your family is counting on you to be successful, to provide for their needs, and yes, even their wants. You’re under constant pressure from society to be successful since you have things thrown in your face day after day, minute after minute, second after second that almost screams necessity success to you. But I’m warning you, and advising you right now: don’t fall for it.

We’re living in a world today where success comes too easy. We’re living in a society where the thought of success is measured by what you have in your wallet and what you know in your mind. Bill Gates and Donald Trump are considered successful because they can write a check for $50 Million dollars and not feel their pocket get any lighter. Oprah Winfrey is considered successful because she can’t go anywhere in the world and not be recognized. Wayne Gretzky is considered successful, Michael Jordan is considered successful, Tiger Woods is considered successful, I can think of two dozen people right now living in Fort McMurray who are successful. But it means nothing.

Folks, as you go through this life every single day, whatever you do, don’t try to be successful. Be significant.

Around this time of year you’ll notice heaps of teenagers gearing up to head for college and university. Student loans are approved, acceptance letters have been sent out, and the boxes of Kleenex have been bought, as mom and dad say good bye to their son or daughter who are off into the “real world”. I hate to say it, but I have to speak the truth: the majority of teenagers today are going to college and university with the state of mind “I have to be successful.” Folks, it’s an awful thing to say from my perspective, but take it from someone who’s been there and have heard the lectures from recruitment officers who visit your teenager’s high school. Take it from someone who’s read the brochures, who’s seen the catalogues, and have almost fallen for the trick they try to get you with: the idea that in order for this life to count, you need a letter after your name, you need this much education, you need, you need, you need, but parents, whatever you do, DO NOT tell your teenagers to strive for success, but set them on the right path, and encourage them to be significant.

You see, anyone can be successful. The reason, is because it doesn’t take much to reach a level of success by the worlds standards. If you make this amount of dollars a year you’re successful, if this many people ask for your autograph you’re successful, if every Tom, Dick and Harry in the western hemisphere knows your shoe size, you’re successful. Anyone can be successful. It takes someone special to be significant.

If you walk into a store with a thousand dollars in your pocket, you may think you’re on cloud nine thanks to a few pictures of the queen, but friends, I assure you that if in that same store you can strike up a conversation with someone who’s having a rough day and needs someone to cheer them up, and when you walk away from that person they’ve got a smile on their face from ear to ear, and you know you’ve cheered them up, and you’ve just made their day, THAT casts a shadow on your pocket book the size of the CN Tower. As I said, success is determined by what you have in your wallet and what you know in your mind, but significance is determined by what you have in your heart and what you know in your soul.

Your purpose in life is not to just make money, buy cool things and die. You are not here to be successful; you are here to be significant!

Some of you, like I said have probably lived your life with that thought. “I have to be successful, I must be successful, and being successful is the only way.” No it’s not. I’m here today to tell you there IS another way – a better way. A way that has a better outcome for everyone involved, but it only comes when you STOP trying to be successful, and START trying to be significant.

It’s up to you, and it’s not too late.

Baby's Home

2006-08-17T14:46:00.000-02:30

That's right. My new camera is finally here!!

To see some test shots, click here

Keep Lookin Up

Telegram Article

2006-08-11T19:47:00.000-02:30

This was in the Telegram on Wednesday, but I didn't find out about it until today. Visit www.thetelegram.com for more articles.

God is Great

Make no wonder the word teen is defined as a feeling of misery or grief, as those years of discovery — between the ages of 13 and 19 — are considered the hardest in most people’s lives.

Perhaps that’s why so many young people are turning to God and religion of late, says Pastor Bruce Norman — better known as Pastor Bruce — of Bethesda Pentecostal Church in St. John’s.

“I was a teenager at one time and one of my major struggles was ‘What am I doing with my life and what’s to life? There must be more than what I’m doing,’” says the pastor, who leads Lytehouse, a youth group with 120 members.

“I think lot of kids are looking for that direction and … you know, they’re finding that direction ultimately in God’s word.”

Dozens of groups

In Newfoundland and Labrador there are dozens of weekly church youth groups, an annual Christian rock concert and conference with average attendance pegged at 4,000 and several camps and getaways designed to teach kids how to lead a religious life.

The increasing number of young people interested in religion may seem like a fad, admits Pastor Bruce, but it may also be an indicator the church is better at reaching out to disaffected youth.

“When you mentioned church one time the word ‘boring’ came up, but I think for the most part youth groups and churches are engaging the culture,” he says.

Each Friday night, young people come together at Bethesda Pentecostal Church to hear Pastor Bruce’s sermon before listening to a live Christian rock band and having a game of air hockey or playing basketball.

“So, it’s a cool place to be as well,” Pastor Bruce says, adding there’s a bus chartered to pick up and drop off the teens.

The 12- to 18-year-olds involved in the group are not necessarily religious and their parents aren’t necessarily members of the church, Pastor Bruce says.

The Avalon Peninsula has a multi-denominational youth ministries board, in which ministers work together on everything from planning major events to figuring out ways to reach more young people.

“In some ways we have different belief systems, but we’re all on the same page in terms of our passion for teenagers — you know, giving them the correct directions in life — so it’s more than Pentecostal,” he says.

“We try to be very neutral and respect different religions. Of course we have standards that we follow based on God’s word and I try to teach kids that — not that I think that Pentecostal is better than any other religion — but they know that when they come to a Pentecostal church we’re going to teach our beliefs and our standards.”

Pastor Bruce says he’s had chats with individuals about their drug and alcohol use and though he’d never ask them to leave the youth group, he does discourage such behaviour.

“I have all kinds of kids that come here, some that are professing Christians and others that are not, and they’re at different areas of their life,” he says. “Of course, we think it’s right because it’s based on God’s word, but we have to be careful too because kids go home to their parents and their beliefs are different so we have to be very sensitive to what people believe.”

While it may be difficult to be a teen today, it might be even harder to be a teen who has strong Christian beliefs, says Rudy Norman, a devout Pentecostal in Burlington.

Norman, 19, was saved when he was three years old, though he says his parents always gave him the choice to be religious or not.

“I cut my teeth on a Pentecostal pew,” he says with a laugh. “There for a while I went out and tried to see what it was like not to be a Christian, but then I realized this is not for me.”

Norman is now thinking about attending a bible college in Ontario to complete training to be a minister.

When asked about the many temptations he’d face in a big city, he says God will lead him where he needs to be.

“I rely on God from the moment I wake up in the morning to the moment I go to sleep. Every step that I take, every breath that I take, I rely on God to give it to me,” he says. “I’ll probably be in some situations that I’ve never been in and probably stretched beyond anything I can imagine, but He’s going to be with me the whole way.”

Norman recently co-created Rock Solid Generation, a website designed to connect religious youth around the province.

“Really we’re just one big body of Christ all joined together and that’s the goal of the website, everyone just come together and realize that you’re not alone in this thing,” Norman says, adding that the curious and non-Christians are welcome, but must abide by the rules of posting comments.

As for whether Christianity is a trend or tradition amongst teens, Norman says for some it will be a fad, but for most it’s an integral part of their lives.

“I think that a lot of young people have just found something … nothing can deny this feeling that they’ve got deep down inside has something to it.”

amorrisey@thetelegram.com

Minds Eye: Traveling Terror

2006-08-11T13:21:00.000-02:30

Traveling Terror

I’ve never been on an airplane. I’m a pretty “grounded” guy, to say the least. Half of the reason is because I’ve never had reason to jump in a several thousand ton metal bird that logically shouldn’t get off the ground, and the other half, well, is because an airplane is a several thousand ton metal bird that logically shouldn’t get off the ground.

Even so, I’ve watched several planes take off and land in my day, and even though it looks relatively harmless, I’m told both events could get a bit rough, depending on the conditions, and how experienced the driver is. I think if the time comes when I have to venture on an airplane, I’ll be doing it on a nice sunny day in July, and will have a copy of the pilot’s résumé in hand prior to boarding. Oh if it were only that simple.

Despite it all, though, by air is considered the most popular way to travel. Hundreds of thousands of people all over the world at any given moment on any given day are in an airplane headed for a destination. I personally don’t have a problem with that fact, but I do find it a bit amazing that with all the negative aspects that have been presented with flying, people are still willing to show up at an airport, have a stranger scan every inch of their body looking for a fingernail clipper, sit in a relatively small seat for several hours, and endure the agony of defeat when you finally land and you’re jet legged beyond belief. Sorry, that just doesn’t sound like my idea of a vacation.

But looking at the news the last little while, one would have to wonder twice about the whole idea of flying, anyway. The media are anything but hesitant to inform us of the latest terrorist plot that’s happening somewhere on the planet, and from what I can gather, the “big” ones all have something to do with an airplane. Not every plane of course, but the way I see it, it’s fair game for every metal bird with wings these days, and this one has just as much chance as that one. Round and round the terrorist goes, when he stops, no one knows.

It boggles my mind that we’ve reached this point, but my question to you: is it really safe to fly? Are we risking our lives if we step out of the terminal and onto the most used means of transportation in history?

My answer: definitely! Flying is risky, dangerous, life threatening, and the most popular way to travel. Crazy? Not really. Traveling by car is even more risky, dangerous, and life threatening statistically. The point is, there are risks involved in anything when it comes to travel. A terrorist on an airplane is a man with a bomb, a terrorist on a road is a moose standing in the centre of the lane.

That, my friends, is what we call “Risks”. The main thing is to not let it bother us, and to live life as normal as possible. “Be who you are and say what you want,
because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

I’ll see ya on the road, or maybe in the air, but either way, let us not allow our plans and adventures be affected by some other aspect of life.

The New Baby

2006-08-07T16:06:00.000-02:30

A new digital camera was in my future. I had intended to get a video camera for a while, but then I realized that still photos are my calling. I like the video, but not for a main focus. Thus, today I claimed my new camera. The Sony Cybershot DSC-H2 (Pictured above and below)

I'm pleased with it, and I'm anxious to get it now and try it out. Hopefully within the next couple of weeks I shall have sufficient funds to bring her home for good.

Here's some more pics.

I won't go into all the features right now. But the camera has a 12x optical zoom, 6.0 megapixels, image stabalization, blur reduction, plus a whole lot more stuff which I find very helpful, which is why I chose this one. Search Google for the Sony Cybershot DSC-H2 (not the H5) for more details.

Keep Lookin Up

del.icio.us

2006-08-05T17:38:00.000-02:30

I've heard of this before, but I haven't really checked it out. Recently, though, I decided to start using an online service called del.icio.us which I heard about from Amber Mac on Call For Help a while ago.

Any sites I go on from here on in that I find interesting, I'll add it to my del.icio.us and share it with all of you.

I think it's a great idea, actually. I encourage you all to get a del.icio.us! It's easy, and free.

Keep Lookin Up

Happy Birthday Pop!

2006-08-04T11:30:00.000-02:30

I figured this was blog worthy:

Today is Pop's Birthday. 81 years old. Wow. This means there's a big supper planned for later tonight. Yeee Hawwww!!

Anyways, Happy Birthday Grandpa. Here's to many more yet!

Keep Lookin Up

O Canada

2006-08-04T11:25:00.000-02:30

Many, many moons ago, a song was written. The original lyrics written in French by a guy named Sir Adolphe Basile Routhier, it was later translated to English in 1906, slightly modified, and finally on July 1^st, 1960, fittingly so, “O Canada” became the official national anthem of this great nation we call home.

Ever since then, the song has been rung out all across the world. At the Olympic events all over this planet, the Flag has been raised, and the horns would start to play that great, great song. Forever it will represent Canada!

Tonight while watching the news, our national anthem occurred to me. I’m not sure exactly why it came to me, but it came to me. “O Canada”, I thought, as I watched the stories being covered. Mostly about the Canadian Soldiers being killed in Afghanistan. The many, many lives lost, if only just recently, not counting how many have been killed since we’ve been there. And all I can think about is “O Canada.”

That’s really a great song, you know, once you look at it. When you break down the lines and see what they each mean, you’ll realize that there’s a lot of truth in that song.

O Canada! Our home and native land!

This place is our home. It’s where we live. It’s the place where we feel most comfortable. I’ve yet to find the person that doesn’t like home. Even if it’s not necessarily the place they grew up, the place their parents now live, or anything like that. Even if it’s just their home, everyone loves home. Canada is our home.

True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

Not only is it our home, but we’re proud Canada is our home. I was told by a guy who visited some overseas countries that everywhere he went, he saw people with Canadian flags. The odd part, is that most of them weren’t even from Canada. Seems like everyone likes Canada. Not only are we proud it’s our home, but we have many who wish it was theirs too.

From far and wide, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.

When thinking about those soldiers, that’s the first lines that stuck out to me. We proclaim that we’ll stand on guard for this nation and everything it stands for. Those soldiers are taking it literally. They’ve proclaimed that no matter where it is, they will stand on guard for Canada. I commend them for willing to pay the price.

God keep our land glorious and free!

This line has caused great controversy in today’s politically correct society. But we can only hope it shall remain as a proclamation to the creator of the universe who looks down on us and sees the turmoil that some of us face, and listens to those who complain about “where’s God?” while answering “I’m right here, now please, let me help you.” Oh we can only hope, that God will keep our land.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!

And finally, one last promise to stand up for Canada. This is why I will defend Canada until the day I die. When people criticize our government, I will remind them to respect authority and accept compromise. When our government makes a decision outside what the foundations of this country were built on, I will make my voice be heard. I will stand up for Canada.

This nation has stood the test of time. Many lives have been lost over the years, and many have died in honour. Many have died, with the words on their heart: O Canada.

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The Telegram

2006-07-31T16:11:00.000-02:30

Just finished the interview with the Telegram. Went very, very well. I think it's going to be a great story. Alisha was very interested in the stuff that mattered - God! She didn't have an agenda, she wasn't trying to be politically correct, and she wanted as much stuff about God as possible. I appreciated that.

If you get the Telegram, look out in the next couple of weeks for the story on Christian Young People in the Province. Good Luck Alisha, and thanks for the opportunity to share my heart.

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Home Run

2006-07-29T12:15:00.000-02:30

Truth lies not in what you've been told, but what you've experienced. Sometimes, we've yet to experience all that is available for the taking, and thus, have yet to experience full truth.

There comes a time in everyone's life when they look back and wonder could they have done better if they did anything differently. Many believe to answer that question in their own way, and carry on, content, but the time shall come when the question will be answered, and not necessarily in the way the person previously answered it.

This is when they will realize that life threw them a curve. They swung, and missed. The only hope they have, is that it wasn't strike three, bottom of the ninth, two out, and down by one. The only hope they have is that they didn't just lose the game, and let the whole team down. But, while everyone in the stadium was watching that person strike out, there was only one thing going through the mind of the batter: that was "will there be a next time?"

For the batter that doesn't get a next time, they have the rest of their time to think about the what if, and to consider if they could have done anything better. For the person who does get the next at bat, they're now letting another thought go through their mind: of their fate last time, and how they can learn from it. Some step up for the second time and strike out even worse than before. Those people keep getting chances, and decide not to change a thing, and keep striking out. But the true player improves their ability, learns from their mistakes, gets training that will help, and steps up to blast one farther than the eye can see.

The people know the name of the person striking out because of their failure. But the person who overcame adversity, and came out bigger and better, will be known for their accomplishments, their successes, and their good.

So my point: if you strike out, improve your game, come back better, and show the people what a true all-star acts like

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Thanks VOCM

2006-07-28T17:57:00.000-02:30

I wanna send a huge thanks out to VOCM (I'd also like to know what VOCM stands for... if it's an acronym) for giving some great promo to RSG. They ran the link on their site, and ran the radio story as well, just as they promised. Also, Randy Simms treated the site really well on Back Talk in the afternoon. Thanks a lot to everyone at VOCM!

Also, I'll be doing an interview with the Telegram out of St. John's on Monday as part of a story on Christian Youth in the province. I'll get more details on it later, and of course, I'll pass 'em along then.

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A Face for Radio

2006-07-27T15:45:00.000-02:30

Just a quick one, to let everyone know I'll be on VOCM sometime in the not too distant future (hopefully) promoting Rock Solid Generation The only thing I hope is that they don't alter the interview to suit their political correctness. Seems like the interviewer and I had different agendas to where the interview was going to go. Say a little prayer for it, will ya?

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Yoda Bow-Wow

2006-07-26T21:53:00.000-02:30

Bloggin' Twice in One Day, man, I'm on a roll.

Let it be known that I'm totally against dressing up dogs. I think it's cruel and no one should put their dog through that. There should really be a law against it, if I had my way. BUT, even I gotta say this is cute.

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Is it the End?

2006-07-26T14:32:00.000-02:30

Israel

goes to war, and everyone starts freaking out. And so they should. If anyone goes to war I think it’s cause for concern, but I especially start taking notice when our friend Isreal start takin' shots. Why? Well, perhaps the fact that all this has been written about a few thousand years ago has something to do with it.

I'm not a professional on Bible prophecy by any means. I don't claim to be a professional, and half of me is saying that I don't want to be a professional. But I know enough to realize that what's going on in Israel isn't a shocker. People who know the Bible have been saying it for years and years. And what blows my mind is that there are still those who refuse to believe it.

There's some verses in Revelation that I could never understand. It talks about after Satan is bound for 1000 years, he's released one more time for one more round of temptation, and even THEN there are going to be those who don't believe. I always read that and thought "man, how can that be? After everything that's going to have happened up to that point, people STILL won't believe?" But after the goings on of today, I'm starting to see how that's possible.

I find it amazing how some people can read any book besides the Bible, and have no problem believing what's written on the page, but when the truth of the Bible starts playing out around us, they STILL think it's a bunch of lies. It's at the point now, I think where some people just don't want to believe. I don't know what it's like that, and just because I think they're all a bunch of idiots doesn't change the fact.

But with what's going on the Middle East, one has to ask themselves, "is it the end?" I mean, is this really the last few moments before the Lord comes back? Let me show you a verse in the book of Zechariah. Now, there's something you must know before we go on here. The book of Zechariah was written a nice while ago. How long ago? Chapters 1-8 were written approximately 520-518 BC. Chaptes 9-14 were written around 480 BC. The verse we're gonna look at is found in Chapter 12, so we're talking about something that was written a long, long time before Jesus Christ even showed up on the earth. The verses, though, say this: "I will make Jerusalem and Judah like an intoxicating drink to all the nearby nations that send their armies to besiege Jerusalem. On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone, a burden for the world.
None of the nations who try to lift it will escape unscathed." The Bible says that nations will rise up against Israel. If you follow World News at all, you'll know that the nations of the world are not too fond of Israel right now. Even Canada's people are against our PM for taking a stand behind Israel.

All of this, though, must happen not before the rapture, but before the Glorious Appearing. The Rapture happens at least 7 years before the Glorious Appearing, and already we're seeing signs of the things that must happen.

I personally think that Jesus has His hand on the doorknob ready to open it, Gabriel is inhailing waiting to blow that trumpet, the cloud is on stand by and the mount of olives is bracing itself for the greatest entrance and exit the world has ever seen, when it witnesses the entry of Jesus Christ, and the exit of all those who have chosen to follow him up to that point. I can't wait. Now where's that Good Ole Gospel Ship?

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651 Days, 13 hours

2006-07-21T14:18:00.000-02:30

October 7, 2004, as far as I can figure out, was a pretty big day for me. It was the day before we left to go to YC 2004 in Gander. But before we go there, let's go back even FARTHER to December 25th, 2003. That's the day I got a gift that made me feel grown up. Someone actually gave me a very cool looking blue device, that could actually be put to good use-my very first razor.

I thought it was cool, because it was electric. Not only that, it was also one of those cool ones they advertise on TV. The head (the part that shaves) actually takes the shape of your face, so it's flexible and all that good stuff.

I used that razor for a long time. Always gave a nice clean shave. I used it, in fact, until October 7, 2004. That night, while preparing for the YC trip the next day, I made some final arrangements, and did two things I was due up for: a haircut, and a shave.

Time went on. You can see in some of the pictures of YC 2004, I appear with my new haircut, and new shave, which took place just the night before. Of course, things started to grow back within time. The beard which I always kept away, started to appear again in a couple of days.

One day, while sitting in class, (no idea which class... probably English) Ashley Saunders and I were having a conversation. During that conversation, she issued me a challenge. Keep the beard growing, until Graduation, which was a little over 7 months away. I accepted.

We went on until May, and on May 13th, 2005, I realized I had met Ashley's challenge. The beard was still there, and up to that point, had not been completely shaven since that night before YC 2004.

I looked at myself in the mirror on May 13th, and prepared to remove the facial hair. But then, I realized something: I couldn't do it. This beard had become a part of me. It was now who I am. I shouldn't get rid of it. "I will Keep It!"

And so, I've lived every single day since then, with a beard. It wasn't any Abraham Lincon type thing, but it was mine, and I liked it.

The thing is, nan has been bugging me ever since that day in October when she realized I had gone longer than usual without shaving, to remove the beard. She's made it known to me, and to others - she don't like it. But like I said, I liked it and that's all that mattered.

Now to the big moment. A few moments ago, I did the unthinkable. It shocks even me to say it, but the truth must come out. Ladies and Gentlemen, I got rid of the beard.

That's right. It's gone. I don't know why I did it, but I did. It's Gone.

I now feel very upset. I want to go into hiding until it grows back. I assure you, I won't be shaving it anymore after this, but the 651 Days, 13 hours I spent with a beard now seems like they've gone down the tubes. Now I'm back to 1 hour 9 minutes. But oh well. Here's to going for day 652 this time around.

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Bloggin on da Road

2006-07-18T21:15:00.000-02:30

Well, I guess I'm not really on the road. I'm at Rob's house right now, thus I'm not home, so that's why I consider it on the road. We're watchin a movie which I brought, thus I've already seen it. So I decided to get online for a while. Was pretty bored, so I blogged.

By the way: the reason I'm here is because we're havin a get-together type thing for Tash, cause it's her birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TASH!!

I was also going to talk about my new "Wow" movie that I've seen recently, but I think I'll save it until I get all the movies watched, which could be a while yet. I'll give ya a hint... it starts with "Star" and ends with "Wars".

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CSS Problems

2006-07-16T15:35:00.000-02:30

I'm not sure why, but I seem to be having some problems with my site, and showing it in FireFox. I use FireFox, so this is very frustrating for me. I'm trying to figure out what's wrong, but I'm not a pro at this stuff, and I'm getting rather upset with it.

If anyone has any advice, please let me know.

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Away for a While

2006-07-11T01:47:00.000-02:30

Just wanted to clear up perhaps a bit of a misunderstand.

On Monday, June 10, 2006, I was on MSN, and had to take a break for a moment to record my podcast. Thus, I set my status to "Away" and stated I'd be back later.

While I was recording my podcast, however, someone came and wanted to buy my pocket bike. I had to run and deal with that, thinking I'd return, but I then ended up going to Scott's, and not getting home until now, 1:40AM on June 11, 2006.

For several hours, however, people figured I was recording my podcast, since my MSN was still left on, when in actuality, the podcast didn't get done afterall. My apologies for all those people who were freaking out at me on MSN.

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Sand

2006-07-08T19:15:00.000-02:30

April Kelly is goin down. That's right, April Kelly, I said you.

I'VE GOT SAND EVERYWHERE!!

When I say everywhere, I mean, most importantly, even in my ears. I'm here pickin sand out of my ears.

You're in for it April Kelly. Your day is comin. You wait.

Keep Lookin Up .... especially April, cause you never knows what's comin!

Professional

2006-07-06T22:23:00.000-02:30

Could someone - ANYONE - please tell me what it means to be a professional?? I mean, what qualifies it? Where's the line you cross to go into a professional?

I ask this after I bought a book today, and on the back where it talks about the author, it describes him as a "professional storyteller."

..............................................................

What's that again?

A Professional Storyteller.

Yeah, I figured it was something crazy the first time I heard it....

Anyways, I'm not even going to bother. Actually yeah, I am gonna bother. You know why? Because this is MY blog, and MY bothering!

What in the world makes a person a professional story teller? HOW, I ask you, can a person even be CALLED a professional storyteller??

At first, when I thought about it (and yes I did think about it) I figured that you're a professional when you do something for a living. But then I wondered "so that guy I saw in McDonald's today... he was a professional... burger... flipping... frying... guy..." I don't hink so.

So then I thought maybe you have to have a degree or some kinda education in the field of which you speak. But then I realized... why aren't there professional Pastors? Professional Missionaries?? Professional Teachers? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm??

So where does the professional come in? I WANT TO KNOW!

I wanna be a professional. A professional in what, I don't know, but at least I'll be a professional! Someone let me know please.

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Conversion in Two

2006-07-05T11:05:00.000-02:30

Yes, yes, it's true. In about two weeks, I'll be making the all important conversion from glasses to contacts. It would actually be sooner, but the guy who does the thing with the stuff is gone on vacation for a while. Thus, I have to wait until the 18th to get the contacts.

My new glasses although, will be picked up this week. I forget what they look like now, actually, because it's been a while since I picked them out, and I didn't put a whole lot of thought into it either. I do know, however, that they have some thing in 'em that makes things look a lot sharper. THAT, I'm looking forward to.

But we'll find out soon enough how it all works. Hopefully the contacts will work out, anyway. If they don't, then I will be rather upset.

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New Look

2006-07-03T00:17:00.000-02:30

Ok, so the truth is out. I actually hated my old look. But it was easy to operate. For all this time, I've been looking for a better way to manage this, PLUS a better look. Thus, you have this.

I like this new look. Seriously. I really do. Plus, it's going to be fairly easy to update and maintain.

The navigation is to the right, and isn't really working right now, but it's getting there. I still have a lot of work left to do on this, but it'll all come together eventually.

*Update*:About Me, What I Believe, RudCast, Friends, Links and Contact now work.

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Because Josh Inspired Me

2006-07-02T01:12:00.000-02:30

Last night I was writing in my vent book about friends. After reading Thoma’s blog, it’s brought me back to that point again.

Friendships sometimes depress me, because I’m at the point now if I’m wondering if it even matters anymore. There used to be this person who made me figure that friendships meant something. This person was above and beyond a friend on most cases, and could easily fit the description of “best friend.” Then it left. The friendship deteriorated, and now we’re more of acquaintances. It went from “yeah, this person is doin this tonight” to “hey, what have you been up to lately?”

The thought of that cuts sharper than a knife. I’m a firm believer in the fact that everyone should have someone to vent to. Someone they trust, they feel comfortable with, and they know they can tell ANYTHING to. Lately I’m finding myself keep so much stuff in. That’s why I went
and bought the vent book, and I’m finding myself writing page, upon page, upon page of venting. Only thing about it is the book doesn’t talk back.

Then friendships come and go. Or so they say. But see, I don’t buy into that! “Well, things change, people change”. Sure, maybe they do, but I don’t think friendships change, unless you want them to change. If someone wants to move, and you cut off all contact with them and stuff, and don’t make an effort to remain friends, then yes, that friendship is gonna die, but if you make the effort, I’m convinced that the friendship will not be broken!

Like I said, it hurts me on the inside when I think about this. I’m thinking I’m soon gonna have to find a girlfriend who’ll end up bein da wife, so I’ll have another “best friend.”

I think that some friendships die, but it only happens when the people involved let it. Oh what I’d give to have the time back.

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My Official Stand on H.I.M

2006-06-29T18:56:00.000-02:30

I did some research on the band H.I.M. and wrote an article on where I stand with it. It's a bit long, but I think worth the read. You can find it by clicking here.

I'll be touching on this with my next RudCast Episode, so keep an eye out for that.

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Bought a Suit

2006-06-29T16:53:00.000-02:30

For a while now the thought has been with me that one of these days the time will come when I'm gonna need a suit. Some things you go to, it's just not that great to wear jeans and a t-shirt. So today I bought a suit.

Just like my grad tux last year, this suit is all black. Consists of the coat, shirt pants, and tie. I didn't get a vest,
because I don't like the vest. I had a vest last year, and it's just
too many layers for my liking. The tie is kinda cool, because it has a bit of silver and stuff in it as well. It's nothing fancy, because I didn't want to go too fancy. I'm just not a fancy person.

But now if the time arises when I must attend something "formal", then I shall wear my suit. I just hope I don't have to attend TOO MANY "formal" things, because then I would have to buy more than ONE suit. So if you're going to ask me to come to something where wearing a suit would be good, please let me know in advance so I don't book anything else around the same time.

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RudCast: Episode 1 - Deception

2006-06-25T14:38:00.000-02:30

Yes, it's finally here. My brand new video PodCast is finally up and running.

Episode 1 is now available on YouTube. To access it, visit the RudCast section of this site.

For those of you who don't know what a podcast is, it's just a regularly released form of media that people can download, watch, or listen to free of charge. I'll be releasing RudCast every 2 weeks, because there's a lot of work that goes into making and editing a video.

Every two weeks I'll be talking about whatever's on my mind. You can watch them as often as you want. As the weeks go on, I'm sure the videos will get bigger and better, since I'm only gettin the hang of this stuff now. My promise though is that they'll all be under 10 minutes, and less than 100MB. YouTube will make sure of that, because that's the limits they put on their uploads.

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Learnings

2006-06-21T02:41:00.000-02:30

A part of life is that it just goes on. It never stops. No matter how bad it sucks, no matter how
much it hurts, and no matter how big the crisis, life never stops. Sometimes we wish it would. Some more time we pray it would. And then there are some more times we beg God that it would. But it just doesn’t happen. Life will go on without you, but it’ll also go on with you still here. It doesn’t matter what kind of situation YOU’RE in, life still always goes on for someone else.

There are about 6.4 billion people in the world. If Bill Gates gave everyone a dollar, it wouldn’t put a dent in his self-made fortune. That means no matter how rough it gets for you, chances are somewhere in the world, someone is having the best day of their life.

If I go to sleep tonight thanking God the day is over, someone else is probably resting their head on the pillow thinking “why does this day have to end?”

Life goes on.

I can’t stand when I hear someone say they can’t wait to leave this place. Even more so, I despise it when they say “who cares about this place.” Life goes on! Even for people here. Someone has to do everything. I don’t want to pick up road kill for a living, I don’t want to pump gas to put food on the table, and I’d rather keep away from behind the counter at McDonald’s, but someone’s gotta do it. Don’t down someone, even if you don’t know them, because just like you, THEIR life has to go on too.

The Bible actually says to put others before yourself, and if you put your own life going on in priority to other’s, you’re going against what the Word says. Every decision made, affects someone else. Think about what you do, and don’t let how it affects you be the only reason you do something. Analyze the situation. Realize that life goes on.

Just some stuff I learned a little while ago.

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Journal

2006-06-19T12:20:00.000-02:30

I was just writing in my journal, which is basically a blog about deeper and more personal stuff on paper, and I wrote the following. I figured I'd share with you the personal writings of Rud. lol

Sometimes I wonder if there's more to life. Obviously outside of the "God-big-guy-divine-plan" type deal, but sometimes the stuff that goes on inside my head its just way too weird. I mean more, like the physical side of things. I just went to the bathroom, and when I walked by the living room nan and pop were in there sitting down. Few minutes later when I came out of the bathroom, they were sitting in the exact same place, and in the exact same position as they were when I went in the bathroom. I wondered if that was just an act to fool me, and if they're actually top secret spies with the Canadian military, and they only appear here when I see them. I bet ya while I was in the bathroom they were on their way to a top secret mission somewhere, but had to hurry back to their spot when they heard me open the door again. I would go check on them now to make sure they're still there and not on the secret mission, but it's obvious they're gonna be there if I see them, since they don't want to blow their cover. I used to wonder if I had some big story coming my way or something. But pretty much all of those possibilities were crushed when I turned 18. Seems like they tell you everything when you're 18. That means I didn't inherit a fortune, I don't have any superpowers that I'm now ready to use, and I'm not adopted. Guess that also means I don't have a long lost sibling. Or a twin! Oh the joys of being 18.

There's more, but I'll stop it there. I think everyone's had thoughts like this some time or another. Ahhhh..... right?

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Dodgeball

2006-06-19T11:21:00.000-02:30

Last night, me, Jus, Candace and Heidi watched "Dodgeball." I was the only one there who hadn't seen it before, but the rest agreed to watch it because "it's funny."

A movie has to be funny in order for me to classify it as "funny." Folks....

Dodgeball is Funny

I laughed pretty hard. Some of the parts were hilarious, I must admit. It's predictable, but has a cool twist at the end as well. It's sorta like the sports movies you got in the 90's (oh, remember the 90's?... ahhhhhh) like Mighty Ducks, Big Green, etc. where the main team wins every time. Then into the 2000's they started alternating, so you weren't sure if they were gonna win or not. Same case as this one, and it brings you up and down a lot. But the movie isn't about the Sports, it's about the humour, which this one has. Ben Stiller is a funny guy. There. I said it. But they've also got some great "unknown" actors who are pretty funny as well.

Some sexual inuendo in it, which I didn't really like, but what can you expect? Ben Stiller is known for some of that anyway. Also, some curse words which take God's name in vein a couple of times.

But the majority of the humour is clean. "No one makes me bleed my own blood"... ROTFL!!! "Dodge a wrench, dodge a ball" hahaha Hilarious.

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Flash Timeline

2006-06-13T19:43:00.000-02:30

This Post was Edited for Content

Thom is working on the town website and as part of the updates, he's doing a timeline. Now, Thom has decided to go the image route for this timeline, and the moment I saw it, I exclaimed "THOM, NO! DO IT IN FLASH!!" Thom refused.

So that just proves that Thom doesn't like flash. WHAT KINDA PERSON DOESN'T LIKE FLASH????

Personally, I LOVE flash. It's amazing! Flash is the best thing to come along since PHP and MySql. So the other day I was sitting down at the computer, bored out of my mind. I decided to try my hand at my suggestion to Thom, and do the timeline in flash.

At first, I was going to just use pieces of Thom's image and animate them, but I decided not to. Thus, I started from scratch, and just used the info on Thom's image.

I showed the early stage version of this to Thom, and guess what. He didn't like it. Surprise, surprise. But that doesn't eliminate the fact that I love flash.

So here's the timeline so far. Some of the dates aren't done yet, because Thom isn't finished the other image that brings us up to the present day. After that's released (can you smell the anticipation?) I'll clean it up a bit, add the rest of the stuff, and conclude it with some final features I have in mind.

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My Name Is Rudy, and I have a Message

2006-06-08T23:31:00.000-02:30

Yes, it's true. I've bought a Message Bible. More later.

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Long time No Blog

2006-06-08T00:11:00.000-02:30

Ok, ok, I admit, it's been a while since I blogged. No, I don't need to be reminded that I'm almost as getting as bad as Josh. Yes, it would be appreciated if you didn't compare me to Josh any more. Thank you.

Life is flyin by like there's no tomorrow. Haven't been a whole lot out to blog about though. The quest for summer employment is now under way, and tomorrow night I have an interview in Baie Verte. *crosses fingers* I shall let you know about that.

Also tomorrow, I'm off to Grand Falls for an eye appointment. This is the first time Dr. Black (R.I.P) hasn't tested my eyes since the very first time I had them done, which was in grade 1 or 2. Ever since then, Black has done it. I'm actually kinda nervous about the other guy. I liked Black. Black worked good for me. Why fix something if it isn't broke? Then again, I guess Dr. Black, technically IS broke right now.... hmmmmm.

I've been updating the site a bit lately, especially the Rud's Score section, which I haven't touched since I first made it. Hopefully that will keep getting updated over due time. Josh is starting to complain because I don't update my site. Please don't compare me to Josh.

Also, the stuff for YC is out now. YeeeHaaaawwww! I can't believe they managed to get the Newsboys this year. That's wicked. Living legends rockin it out in Corner Brook. Crazy Stuff.

Anyways, I shall go. I'll try to blog more. By the way: Happy Birthday to James (June 1) and Joy (June 2) since I haven't blogged in a while, I killed two birds with one stone.. lol

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Taylor Wins

2006-05-25T02:50:00.000-02:30

I'm devastated. First, I've just found out that it's supposed to rain tomorrow. Then I realized that the last two hours of my life just aren't coming back, no matter how hard I try.

Actually, it was only a hour and fourty-five minutes. Guess the good Lord spared me some turmoil in allowing me to miss the first 15 minutes of the atrosity that is American Idol.

Without making this post too long, I'll tell you the worst moments of the show:

...............

You know what? It's not possible to tell you the worst parts without making this post long! Just rest assured that the show sucked, and was just as cheesey as ever.

Some comments in no particular order:

Clay Aiken has a new look-I seriously didn't know who it was.

Is Prince gay? Just a question, cause the guy was wearing high heels.

Was Toni Braxton really singing? Because I couldn't hear her.

Taylor didn't look too excited about winning. Actually, he looked like he knew. In fact, they ALL looked like they knew. It was the worst finale results-delivering so far.

I really need to work on getting that hour 45 minutes back.

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American Idol Finale

2006-05-24T14:09:00.000-02:30

Well, tonight American Idol will beofficially over for yet another season. I just wanna know who's prayerdid it!

Let's be honest here. The whole American Idol thing is just REALLYgetting too old! In 5 seasons, they've made way too many people part of a growing stereotype, and possibly ruined their lives forever.

Everyone knows that the only one who ever got anywhere with it was Kelly Clarkson, and the only reason she succeeded is because she realized that American Idol would ruin her career so she jumped out on her own, signed with another label, and now she’s a Grammy winning, international superstar.

But look at the rest of the people: Reuben and Clay were around for a while, but since they both started admitting they were Christians and wanted to focus a bit of their talent on that (Reuben made a Christian CD and Clay wrote a Christian book) their record labels dropped them, and now they’re serving gas for 6 bucks a hour. Reuben is finally trying to come back, and planning on making another secular CD to get his career going again, but I really think the damage has been done.

Season three saw Fantasia and Diana. Personally, I liked Diana a lot better than Fantasia, but that’s beside the point. Either way, I haven’t seen either of them since the finale! Fantasia already had a kid when she tried out for American Idol, and personally I don’t think someone with such a big commitment should be touring all over the country regardless. Which is why Diana should have won it. But since she came in second, sadly, she’ll probably end up posing for Playboy or something in a couple years, trying to revive her dying career.

Then last year we had Carrie and Bo. I’ve seen them around a couple of times, but their careers definitely haven’t skyrocketed. Bo is married with a kid now, so his career is put on hold to spend some time with the family before it even begins! Then Carrie is on the country scene, so I wouldn’t know who she is anyway.

Which leads us up to this season. Last night was possibly one of the worst finale’s I’ve ever seen for an Idol show. Right off the bat, let me make my confession: I haven’t really followed this season of American Idol since Mandisa got booted. I found out who was still in, probably every couple of weeks or so, but haven’t sat down and actually watched a show since the Mandisa days. I figured I would at least catch the last two shows, since those are the biggest and the brightest of them all. Are you kidding me?

This Katherine McPhee person (by the way, wasn’t there a movie called Nanny McPhee?) and Taylor Hicks are the last two left. So let me go back over the show, and offer my two cents.

Click Here to read my commentary of the final perfomance show

Lost

2006-05-21T00:02:00.000-02:30

The following items are currently lost, and believed to be in my room somewhere:

-Hillsong United: United We Stand CD/DVD
-Outer Cardboard case for HOUSE: Season 1 DVD
-Toenail clipper (I know I saw one here somewhere!)
-~~Remote Control~~
-Several DVD's
-Various Software CD's
-Titanic Model not yet put together

Moral of the story? I need to clean my room! This list will be updated in the future.

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The Squirrel

2006-05-16T15:14:00.000-02:30

I was going to blog about this yesteday, but something came up and I didn't get the chance. I want to tell you the story of the squirrel.

I had supper at Aunt Holly's yesterday, and left her house again around 6:00pm. When I got outdoors, I could hear something over by the garbage box. It sounded like something was tryin to get out, so I stopped, and I knew right away what it was. See, there's this squirrel that's been around lately. He shows up every now and then, looks for a bit of food, and then takes off. I saw him about a week ago, and I made the vow then "if he ever comes back, I'm gonna have some target practice!"

So I walked slowly over to the garbage box, looked around, but I couldn't find what was making the noise. So I thought then that it might have been my imagination, so I left again. By this time Uncle George had showed up, and asked what I was up to. I explained that I thought I heard the squirrel that's been around here for a while, but I couldn't seem to find him. I continued my journey home, but before I got to the steps, George said "Rudy, there he is!" I looked, and sure enough, Mr. Squirrel was sitting on the garbage box. I reached down, and grabbed a rock. With George giving the play by play of the squirrel, I tried to find my best shot. The poor little feller stayed there the whole time in one spot.

Attack him from behind. That's the best plan. So I walked up, and got myself in line. The squirrel had his back to me, so this was going to be perfect. I aimed, and threw. I hit the garbage box just a centimetre to the left of him, so just enough to scare him away.

George joined the hunt at this point, and we were both determined. The squirrel hid back in the garbage box, so we walked over and took off the lid. He jumped out, flying past us, and onto the fence.

Running along the fence, me and George were in hot pursuit. Along the way George found a broom, and collected more deadly rocks. Only problem was George isn't Harry Potter, and the Squirrel isn't Voldemort, and I'm not David, and the squirrel is far from Goliath.

Running up the driveway, our furry friend walked up the steps of our house, and George and I was right behind him. George started pounding with the broom, but the little guy was too quick. I never got another good shot yet, so I was mainly coach. I rejected the David strategy, and became a Ron for Harry, as I grabbed another broom of my own.

The squirrel got away, and ran under the bridge. We thought he was gone. But wait. Hear that? He's still there!!

By this time we were drawing an audience, as the neighbors were now in their door, watching. "Get the gun!" they said. But no, we prefer to do it as our forfathers did it. Good old fashioned inginuity.

Hitting the bridge, we tried to force him out. Finally, we say the eyes. He was planning a sneak escape. We'd have to chase him on foot. We're ready.

The squirrel waits for the right time, and finally, like a streak comes running. Out to the car, under the car, out of reach. Our brooms go flying, and hitting the ground he was on just mila-seconds before. Up on the bridge again, and down the driveway. We chase on foot, but he outruns us. I throw two more rocks, but hitting a moving target isn't as easy as it looks.

The squirrel gets away. But he'll be back. And we'll fight another day.

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Gregory House, MD

2006-05-16T14:48:00.000-02:30

I have completed the entire first season of House, MD which I purchased at Wal-Mart on DVD. It's a total of 24 shows, each 40-45 minutes long, since there are no commercials, thus totaling approx. 16 hours. Not to mention some fairly cool Special Features including the set tour, and some behind the scenes stuff. After watching the set tour, you literally watch the shows differently. It finally turns into a "show". Before, House seemed more of a reality. I mean, there for a while I didn't worry about getting seriously sick, because I knew last chance I'd go to House's hospital and get him to find out what's wrong. But Hugh Laurie just isn't that smart, now is he.

I don't think I had a "favorite" episode. I'll have to think about that one. The ones with the new chaiman of the board was really good, but I won't spoil anything. I sat down at times and watched three or four episodes at once. It took me 6 nights in total to get through them all. Three DVD's, but all double sided, so really it's six DVD's.

Was it worth the 55 bucks? You better believe it. I'm actually considering doing this all over again in the not too distant future!

Cofessions:

I'm slightly addicted to House. I love it. It's a wicked show, not the kind I normally watch, but House isn't any normal show. I almost got addicted to Monk as well, but that went out with the tide, so I'm sticking with House.

Some of these shows I saw before, but I watched them again anyway. Also, there was one show on the DVD I saw before and I knew I didn't really like, so I opted not to watch that one.

I don't find the first season as "edgy" as the second one. I fell in love with the second one, and I'm desperate for these final two episodes to be over, so I can get out and buy that DVD set too!! :D:D:D

A few episodes of House I didn't really like. One episode had a bit more cursing than normal, and I didn't really like that, some of the shows dealt with subject matter that I really frown upon, and some more shows I wondered if I should be watching this. BUT, on the other hand, some more shows we perfectly clean, with not a single (even minor) curse word, contained no questionable subject matter, and even censored some stuff which I was very impressed by.

Anyways, that's my story. House really is a great show. Highly my favorite on TV. Which reminds me... IT COMES ON TONIGHT!!!!! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

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P.S. What's goin on with American Idol now? Is Simon dead yet?

Blog Jubliee

2006-05-12T15:40:00.000-02:30

Jash celebrated his 50th post a little while ago. So I in turn started gettin curious about how many posts I had. I figured I was well ahead of him by a long shot, since I've been blogging longer than him (yes, he stole yet another idea from me) and I thought I blogged more frequently. But turns out, Jash is ahead of ME! That's right, this is my 50th blog entry, and I don't even have anything special to celebrate it with!

Oh well, that's life.

I do however have a book cover in the works! Travis made an amazing graphic which he's allowing me to use. Now I'm just working on gettin it all put together to make it look good. Josh is attempting to help me, but the boy isn't too concerned over feeding his family obviously, since he's working on comission!

I'm going to be soon turning over the first three chapters to my editor. There's going to be a lot of work involved in this thing! After writing is done, it has to be printed, edited, proof read, put together, before off to the publisher it goes. I'm anxious though. This is going to be my first "big" life goal finally complete. Very Exciting.

Anyways, happy 50th blog to me. Hope everyone have a good one!

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Correction: I REALLY WANT A MAC!!!

2006-05-04T15:43:00.000-02:30

I was just looking at iLife. Turns out there IS one for web development. Called iWeb, and it's the premiere program for Blogging, Podcasting, and all those other things that are taking the world by storm. I need a job. A good job. So I can buy a Mac. I might check em out when I go to Halifax this summer. I shouldn't have bought this new PC!! Then again, she's done me good so far. But I feel my calling is to the Mac. Gotta follow the calling, right?

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I want a Mac

2006-05-04T15:33:00.000-02:30

I've never actually used a Mac. I've only seen one Mac in person, and even then it was off in the distance, and I didn't actually get the chance to touch it. When the Parker Trio were doing their NL tour, their sound guy used it to show a movie on the screen.

But Mac's are amazing. I support them, and I don't even have one. The thing is, I can't get a Mac. Well, I guess I could, but it'd be hard. I'm pretty sure they don't sell them in Newfoundland. So I'd either have to order online, without a credit card, which is virtually impossible, or I'd have to go out of province.

The other down side is I'm sitting on a lot of software here, but it's all for my PC. Dreamweaver, Flash, Office, Photoshop, all those discs I have with the windows based versions will be worthless if I switched over to Mac!

But then again, Apple comes with a fair bit of software already installed, so it won't be a total loss. iLife is worth the price of the Mac itself when you see what can be done with it! Only thing is I don't think they have anything there for web development, which I'm very upset about.

So my dream would be to have a Mac, and have it set up right next to my PC. I'd never be able to fully convert to Apple, because PC has been good to me so far. But I would consider supporting both platforms.

Anyone who wants to donate me a new Mac and a bigger desk, it'd be greatly appreciated!

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Books I want to Read

2006-05-04T02:02:00.000-02:30

I have a number of books on my shelf that I've yet to read. I want to. But I can't find the time to sit and read them all, because there's a lot of pages in most of them!! I gonna post the pictures here, and if you've read any of them, let me know if they're any good. The first row I only got a few days ago, but the bottom row I've had since Christmas or longer!! It's a shame how many books I have and don't read em. But I enjoy them greatly when I DO read them. lol

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Books I own but haven't read and want to

Blogging with Firefox

2006-05-03T13:23:00.000-02:30

I just downloaded a great extension for Firefox called Performancing. See, I always found it a bit of a pain opening up blogger.com every time I wanted to blog. So then I got the blogger for Word, and loved it. Until it stopped working!! Thus, back to square one. So I continued on with the blogger.com routine, and it affected my blogging because it just took too long. Until now.

Performancing is going to make this a whole lot easier. I love it, and I highly recommend it. It's simple to set up, only 200k to download, and supports my cause for Firefox.

Performancing has a whole bunch of features (including some that blogger doesn't have) and thanks to Firefox, life is better.

Download Firefox from www.mozilla.org and go check out the extensions and search for "Performancing"

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Saviour and Lord

2006-04-29T00:18:00.000-02:30

Well, I didn't really wanna make a formal announcement yet, but I can't hold it in. I promised myself that I'd wait until the logo was done before I posted it here, which is what I did, so be thankful, people! Anyway, here it is.

I've been writing a book for the last little while now. It's called Saviour and Lord, as you can see to the left, and should be done in a few weeks or so. I've got a publishing plan already figured out, and the cost of the book should be under $15.00. HOPEFULLY! As for length, I'm not sure. My goal is to keep it around 150 pages. I want to get the message across, but do it as easily and as quickly as possible so I don't lose the readers. I'm also going to be posting the first chapter here in the next couple of days, hopefully to get some people's feedback on it and stuff. So there ya go. That's the plan. Wish me luck, and please pray for this thing!

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Da Flag Racket

2006-04-26T13:40:00.000-02:30

I can’t believe I’m joining the crowd and giving my two cents on current events. I like reading about these kinda things, but I very seldom write about them. BUT, I do want to weigh in on what I call “Da Flag Racket”.

First of all, let me make it clear: I’m a Conservative. I voted for Cyril Pelley Jr. back in January, thus, I wanted Stephen Harper to win, and Gerry Byrne and Paul Martin to lose. (I’m pretty sure I’m spelling some of these names wrong, but that’s not the issue right now) So with that being said, theoretically, the majority of the stuff Stephen Harper does, I agree with it. If that wasn’t the case, I wouldn’t have voted for the guy!! Then this whole flag thing comes along with all the soldiers in Afghanistan and the country is in an uproar with Stevey boy. That’s right, not the government-Steve!

Now, I trust you follow the news, so I would like to just jump right into this without offering any explanation of what I say.

I think recognizing these people in general on November 11th is the best way to go. If not, then I want the flag lowered for every single one of those people who didn’t come back from overseas in the last 100 years. The people in Afghanistan as paying a great price, but so did ones before them, and they didn't get the flag lowered!

Then you have to look PAST the soldiers. Are they the only ones who keep us free? What about Police Officers who help rid the streets of crime? Perhaps doctors who save hundreds and hundreds of lives every day. Firefighters who risk themselves all the time, just so we won’t have to. What about these people? They don’t even have their own day!!

As for the media coverage of the soldiers returning, bravo with that. I really don’t want to see a casket being wheeled off an airplane. It’s not exactly entertaining television seeing a grieving mother weeping over her son’s dead body. The fact that the news would even WANT to cover anything like this kinda disturbs me.

Folks, I’m very grateful for the sacrifices paid by other people every single day to make sure this country is a great place to live. I’m not trying to downgrade what the soldiers are doing, but I am saying that if these people want to be recognized, what difference is it going to make if ONE flag in Ottawa isn’t at Half Mast for a couple of days? I think all that kinda stuff does is bring way too much attention on a family that’s trying to mourn the loss of a loved one who was taken from this earth much too early.

Give Steve a break. He’s doin a good job, and I stand behind my Leaders.

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Blog War: Kissing Rampage

2006-04-23T17:06:00.000-02:30

Well, folks, Josh has really gone too far here now. I mean, it's OK to be
friendly, but this goes beyond that. Looks like he's gone on a Kissing
Rampage. That's right, he's goin after EVERYONE!!!! Now, he tries to
dress up in a disguise, so we won't realize who he is, but there's no trouble to
recognize him. He doesn't want people to see these pictures, because it
proves the rumors are true, but I think the public have a right to know what to
expect. Lock the children in. No one is safe from the menace.

First, Josh went after Oprah. What did this poor woman do to deserve this???

Then it was on to Camilla. Me and Prince Charles are gonna have your head for this one Thomas!!

This is very disturbing. I mean, sure, Michael isn't the greatest or most sane guy around, but not ever HE deserves this kind of torture!!

Poor Ruby!!!

This just reaches new heights of weirdness, and something has to be done to stop this. Folks, We are in trouble to say the least. If this goes on, there's no telling what he'll do!!

God Help Us!!

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Blog War: Jash Potter

2006-04-22T14:41:00.000-02:30

Blog War: Josh Seacrest

2006-04-22T12:50:00.000-02:30

Josh Has resorted to producing very badly edited images of me, which are totally unrealistic and dumb, as far as I'm concerned. In war, that's like shooting your enemy in the foot or something. It might hurt for a second, but the enemy still has PLENTY of energy to fire back. I on the other hand like to move in for the kill right away, and use REAL ammo, and not the rubber bullets he shoots with. Like this for example:

Lookin stylish there, sunshine.

By the way, this is NOTHING. I mean NOTHING!! Like Charlotte has already said, I have GOLD! So just try me, man. I dare ya!

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Celebrity Look Alikes

2006-04-21T15:46:00.000-02:30

Well, I was bored today, so I tried to find some cool stuff to do online. Did I succeed? Sort of. I found a web site that allows you to submit a picture and will quickly analyze it to tell you which celebrity you supposedly look like. I have no idea who this guy is. Jean-Luc Godard or something. Either way, apparently I look like him. lol Look at the shoulders. I think that's what they're talking about.

Robin asked me to try it with her as well. She disagrees with the web site, but it said it was a 71% similarity, so I think that's pretty good. Chin and cheeks are similar.

Oh yeah. Josh foolishly gave me a pic of himself as well, but didn't ask me to try the celebrity thing. I had to do it anyway, and the results were to say the least.... ironic. hahahahahaha I don't know about you, but I think it's a perfect match ;)

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Firefox Failed, and Josh was Right… can life get any worse?

2006-04-15T17:47:00.000-02:30

Ok, so I got interested, and played the MASH game online. I did it because it’s been years since I’ve even seen that game, and I was really bored. BUT, my problem was, it didn’t work!!

So I complained in Josh’s comments about it, and he suggested it was Firefox causing the problem. I tried it, and lo and behold, he was right. Yes, Josh was right. AND Firefox failed me. Folks, life cannot get much worse than this.

Anyway, I don’t think this is a fair representation, because I might not have all the same options, and I KNOW they’re not in the same order as my original lists. But, never the less, here’s my results.

You will live in Apartment.
You will drive a Blue SUV.
You will marry Camillia and have 3 kids.
You will be a Evangelist in USA.

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Tree 63 at YC 2006

2006-04-12T02:09:00.000-02:30

Ok, Ok, I've made it known lately that I'm starting to get a bit upset that I haven't been able to get any inside info on YC this year. For instance, last year, at YC 2005 I knew about Jeff Deyo, Tree 63, and Reuben Morgan all before hand, thanks to some detective work online. In 2004, I found out about Charlie Hall before hand. But this year, I had nothing! And I was starting to get a bit upset about it. Scott said that YC is keepin a tight lid on it all this year, since it's leaked the last couple of years. BUT, have no fear, your buddy Rud is here!

Turns out our friends Tree 63 are comin back this year. This is from the band's official MySpace Music section.

So who says MySpace isn't good for anything? Oh yeah... that was me....

Anyway, I'll keep snooping around, but remember, you heard it here first. Tree63, YC 2006. The only thing is on their site it says they're gonna be in St. John's, but this is a common mistake that's been made before, especially with bands that are returning.

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3 years later, and just realizing it

2006-04-12T01:02:00.000-02:30

I was browsing around the World Wide Web tonight and I came upon a picture that I recognized. This shot is supposedly of Worship Leader Charlie Hall. I recognized the picture from back in the day when Charlie was promoted to be at YC 2003. There's only one thing: THIS ISN'T CHARLIE HALL!!!!! I found the pic from an interview Charlie did, I don't know how long ago, but even so. Charlie has been Charlie all his life, so how old the interview was shouldn't matter.

I just found it funny is all. This is actually the electric guitar player in the Charlie Hall Band. Great guitar player, great back up singer, but not Charlie Hall. haha I guess the pic just looked good, so it doesn't matter about the person in it, as long as it looks good. lol Anyway, just thought this was kinda funny.

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Wanted to Borrow: The DaVinci Code

2006-04-07T15:05:00.000-02:30

Wanted:
To Borrow, a copy of "The DaVinci Code" by Dan Brown

Borrowing would be for an unsolicited amount of time, since depending on how good of a book is, I don't read that fast.

If you live outside the A0K area code, you can mail the book to:
Rudy Norman, 52 Harbourview Road, Burlington, NL. A0K 1S0.

Book will be returned in the condition I receive it in as soon as I'm done, including reimbursmant for postage you paid to get it to me. Does not matter how many times the book has been read before, as long as it's readable now.

Please contact me by e-mail, rudy@rudsplace.net, if you are able to assist me in this matter.

Reason for Borrowing: I don't like Dan Brown, and I don't want to give him my money

I just went over to GC and listened to a sermon by a guy who's a lot smarter than me, named Jim Garlow. He talked about the DaVinci Code book, by Dan Brown who I'm not going to link to, because he's just a very bad guy. BUT, Jim Garlow did confirm something that I've been wondering lately: Should I read the DaVinci Code? I mean actually sit down and read it? According to my buddy Jim, Ph.D, and a pastor of a huge church in California, YES, I should. Hence this post.

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Two Kids @ 17

2006-04-05T12:12:00.000-02:30

I was just reading VOCM News, and found out something that was actually pretty shocking to me. Read for yourself:

There'll be a fundraiser tonight to help the family of a young girl who died suddenly last month from toxic shock syndrome, linked to a body piercing. 17 year old Crystal Taylor left behind two small children, ages one and two. Crystal's cousin Jennifer Taylor says they are organizing a card and bingo party tonight to raise some money for the children's grandmother. The event takes place at the Hub starting at 8pm and admission is $3.

Now did you catch that? The girl was 17 years old, and left behind two children!! It must be hard enough to have one, but TWO??? I'd like to know how she managed. Not to mention they're having a fundraiser to help out the girl's mother. If they're THAT financially unstable, I feel very sorry for these people. Although, I've seen em have fundraisers for people who were practically millionaires, so I don't know what the case is this time. Either way, pray for that family. Looks like they'll need it.

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YC Announcement Today???

2006-04-05T00:38:00.000-02:30

I was on the YC Newfoundland site today, and I noticed something kinda interesting, but I'm not sure what it means. In Firefox, if you right click on the page, and view the page properties, it says that the page expires on Wednesday, April 5th, 2006, at 9:41pm. That just happens to be tonight. I'm wondering if this could mean anything with regard to the announcements for the bands? hmmmmmm I'll be in church tomorrow night at that time, but I'll definitely be checkin it when I get home. And if I'm right, remember that this was my big discovery for this year's YC. Last year I had three of the bands at this point, and this year I got nothing. Kinda disappointing, really.

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The Juno Awards

2006-04-03T14:53:00.000-02:30

If this is Canadian Entertainment, I think I’m moving to Pakistan. That’s right, I just watched the Juno’s. Actually, I only watched some of it, because I got trigger happy on the fast forward button. There’s something wrong with calling this show “Canadian” when the host probably can’t locate the country on a map, the two most looked forward to performances of the night are Coldplay and Black Eyed Peas. Even at a Canadian awards show they have to import acts from other countries to keep the interest level up! I’m telling ya, Pakistan is lookin better and better.

Rex didn’t win any of the awards he was up for, and since he said this publicly himself, I have no shame in admitting it either: I didn’t expect him to win. I mean, Michael Buble, or Rex? I’m not downing either, but Mike has been around the block now, and for them to even nominate Rex next to him says way more than anything Burlington has ever seen.

Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, WHY would the get Pamela Anderson to host the Juno Awards? 10 bucks says the teleprompter looked like a colouring book whenever she was on stage! I loved Jason McCoy’s comment (who’s changed since last time I saw him) when he said “I didn’t know Hugh Hefner was producing the Juno’s this year.” Bravo, my friend. That hit the nail right on the head. This show, in what little dignity it has left is supposed to showcase the best in Canadian MUSIC, not has been Playboy centrefolds. All Pamela did was offer a bunch of over the top and unnecessary sexual comments and actions. Save it for silicon valley, Anderson!

By the way, is she completely out of her mind?? Coming to Atlantic Canada, hosting a Canadian awards show, finally admitting that she’s Canadian, and protest the Seal Hunt?????? That’s Suicide!!!!! At that point the producers of the show should have realized “hey, maybe we should have got a different host this year”

Speaking of hosts, who was that Josh Palmer wannabe who used to cut in every now and then and try to rap? Poor guy, I felt sorry for him.

Anyway, the Juno’s were pretty sad, to say the least. Now I’m off to book my plane to Pakistan.

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Note to Satan

2006-03-31T14:06:00.000-03:30

This is just in case Satan reads my blog, which I hope he does. I think we should talk to Satan every now and then, and give him a piece of our minds. It’s good for the system to get some stuff out.

Ok, Satan, if you wanna fight, let’s fight. We know you’re scared, and we know you’re tryin everything possible to get at us, but it ain’t gonna work. On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, and on this Rock He will build His church, and YOU, Satan, YOU shall not prevail. You’re grabbin at thin air, and one of these days you’re gonna get the blow of a lifetime. We SHALL overcome all obstacles in our way, and we WILL have the victory. YOU WILL NOT WIN!! “Oh can you hear it? It’s the song of the redeemed. The pursuit of passion, for the one who set us free. Oh can you hear it, we’re cryin out for more. And listen to our song it’s turning, into a Holy Roar!” So take that, Devil!

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Rud

Discovery Walk #2

2006-03-30T16:08:00.000-03:30

Since I have a meeting tonight, I decided to take my discovery walk a bit earlier than yesterday, and what the plan says for the future. No big deal what time I take it, really, today is a gorgeous day all around, so makes no difference.

I ventured up the road again. This time I started my mini disc player at a random track. It happened to be a song by Chris Tomlin, called ‘Take my Life’ The song is written as a prayer-a humble prayer-to God, offering yourself to be used by Him. I believe this should be the cry of everyone, and I sang to myself with Chris, and sang those words to God, Lord take my life.

I finally met up with some people a bit farther up the road. Neither of the people I saw were saved, and I didn’t see much of a witnessing opportunity at the time, but on my return trip I recalled what Pastor Rowe got us to do last night in prayer meeting, by praying for every single house in Burlington, with it all divided up in 6 sections, and us divided in 6 groups. Those people got prayed for last night. They may be consider “unreachable” by our standards, but nothing is impossible for God. Nothing!

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Rud

Discovery Walk #1

2006-03-29T18:16:00.000-03:30

I've decided to take some "Discovery Walks", to help find myself. Not too sure how few and far between these walks will be, but I do plan on blogging about the majority of them.

I started the Discovery Walk and ventured up the road. While listening to my Mini Disk player, I figured it was best to start at track 1. This happened to be the great song from Hillsong United, "Salvation is Here." Never before has the words from this song come so alive. I started to think about everything. Church, and the amazing time we've been having lately. Rocky Harbour, and what's going to come out of that, and finally Youth Service on Friday night, and I wondered will the great move of the Holy Spirit carry on for us as well? Is Salvation finally here? I hope and pray it is.

I got as far as the intersection, and crossed the bridge on the other side of the harbour. I took the headphones off for a second, and listened to the roar of the brook. Wow. Sure, it's loud, but it speaks volume. It speaks magnitude. It speaks depth. It speaks things I can't even put in words. I marvel at creation and the things around me that I take for granted every day. I hope to Discover more of them in the walks to come.

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Rud

Mandisa

2006-03-29T12:53:00.000-03:30

I have to talk about about American Idol, and how AMAZING it was to see Mandisa stand up and do what she did. If you didn't watch it, Mandisa, a Born Again Christian, came out on stage and told everyone that despite their addictions, their lifestyle, and everything they're going through, GOD is bigger. Then she sang a song by the Christian group Mary, Mary, and worshiped the whole way through. Ladies and gentlemen, this gives me hope for the world.

I really didn't like the judge's comments last night. The way I see it, if Chris is a rocker, they're not going to object him singing rock songs. Kelly and Bucky are Country, and if they sing something with more twang than Larry the Cable Guy, they stand up and applaud them for "sticking to who they are". But if a born again Christian gets up there and sings a song based on who THEY are, then "it's not for them." I say Bravo Mandisa, and if you go out tonight, at least you'll go out in style!

Keep Lookin Up
Rudy

Char's Creation

2006-03-28T13:02:00.000-03:30

Figured this was Blog Worthy. Charlotte just showed me this picture she created. I thought it was pretty cool

Keep Lookin up
Rud

God is Moving

2006-03-26T11:30:00.000-03:30

“Holy Spirit, touch your people, teach us the ways of God, and as we live, and Jesus did, you be honoured and lifted up. There’s a stirring in the Spirit, there’s an urgency in this hour. We as children must obey, but can you hear the footsteps of God? Cause God is Moving. GOD IS MOVING! CAN YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF THE REVIVAL?!”

It’s coming. Revival I believe is on it’s way, and some of it is already here, but it’s nothing like we’re going to see. God moved in a huge way today, and I believe it’s only the beginning of the things to come. I’m way too tired to write anything else.

Keep Lookin Up
Rudy

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

2006-03-25T12:31:00.000-03:30

Text and personal thoughts and views coming soon

10 Secrets

2006-03-21T14:53:00.000-03:30

Ok, so the following are 10 Secrets, or things that very few people know about me. I trust that after this none of you will think any less of me, nor will you hold any of the following against me.

Keep Lookin Up
Rudy

Number 01:

When I was in the first or second grade I was in the principal’s office for bein out of my seat when the bell rang, but I blame it on Amie Young cause she told me the bell hadn’t rung yet. Debbie Pelley brought me, Ashley Saunders, Jeff Manuel, Pat Saunders and Frisco Thomas out in the principal’s office. As soon as we walked in, she told Jeff and Ashley they could leave, and after waiting a moment, she told me I could leave, but to watch myself from now on. She kept Frisco and Pat there, and to this day I wonder what fate they suffered. I didn’t tell my family this until about a month before my High School graduation, and they were surprised I was able to keep it from them this long.

Number 02:

When I was an age I can’t recall, but pretty young, I was at Shopper’s Drug Mart, and looking at the cards (which I still do to this day) and some how managed to rip one of the cards which had a picture of a dinosaur or a dragon or something on it. I didn’t tell anyone, but simply put it on the back where no one would see it, and walked away, scared to death I’d get in trouble.

Number 03:

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been secretly addicted to listening to the Gaither songs, which consist of most of the tunes we sing in Church, but not as cool. It’s mostly old people singing, but I actually like it a bit.

Number 04:

I check my e-mail more than 5 times a day, (usually) even if I’m not expecting something, and get a little excited when I have a new message

Number 05:

Out of the 136 contacts currently one my MSN list, there’s about 20 people I’ve either never talked to, or have been limited to 2 or less conversations, and a handful more who I haven’t talked to on there for at least 6 months.

Number 06:

I struggle at doing simple math calculations in my head. Something as simple as 13+14, would take me about 5-7 seconds to figure out. I’d go 10+10 is 20, 4+3 is 7, 10+10 is 20, ok, so 20, plus 4 is 24, plus 3, so that’s 25, 26, 27! 13+14 is 27! Notice it was pointless for me to do the 4+3, but I still did it anyway

Number 07:

There’s a lot of cool stuff in Wal-Mart, and I like shopping there.

Number 08:

There are people who live in Burlington that I don’t know. People come up and talk with me, and they assume I know their name, basic family history, and so on, but in reality I haven’t got a clue who this person is. Also, many of the people I DO know, I have no idea who their family is, and living in Small Town NL, that kinda stuff is common knowledge.

Number 09:

I have aunts, uncles, and first cousins who I wouldn’t know if I saw them on a street or something. Most of them, I have no idea of their name, or how old they are. I got a cousin on MSN a couple of weeks ago, and I had to ask him what grade he was in.

Number 10:

I start 30 or more games of solitaire every day, and finish less than half of them

"Walk the Line" aka, "'Ray' with White People"

2006-03-20T23:26:00.000-03:30

Well, blog, I have forsaken you for a while now, and for that I apologize.  Basically I just have very, very little to talk about, and it’s hard to talk about something when you have nothing to talk about.  But, after a stern talking to from Charlotte, and a reminder that Jash is now even doing better at blogging than I am, I figured I had to come up with something to say.

Tonight I cracked and went to rent ‘Walk the Line’.  Like the title says, AKA, ‘Ray’ with white people.  (Not my joke).

For me, this movie had it’s moments, and a few times I had the feeling “this is a pretty good movie”, but some more times it was just, “what?”  Basically this thing accomplishes NOTHING, except tell the very hard and confusing story that is Johnny Cash.  But, even if that’s what the purpose of the movie was, no one can tell the story of Johnny Cash like Johnny Cash, so DON’T TRY TO MAKE A MOVIE BASED ON A BOOK WRITTEN BY A GUY IT’S WRITTEN ABOUT!!!!

Although, I must say, Reese Witherspoon is amazing in this thing.  She made ME want to marry June Carter Cash.  Or maybe she made me wanna marry Reese Witherspoon……. Hmmm… I’ll have to check into that.

Either way, I give this movie a 6.5 out of 10.

That’s about it.

Keep Lookin Up
Rudy

The Gideons

2006-03-12T23:17:00.000-03:30

I’m now blogging because I’m bored.  I don’t have a whole lot to say, but at least this will fill some time.

I just got home from church.  Actually, I didn’t JUST get home from church, so I should re-word that, so it doesn’t sound like I’m lying….

I got home from church a little while ago.  I must say it was a pretty good service.  The Gideons were responsible for the service.  Let me just say that even though these people might get a bad wrap from some of the younger crowd, I really think they do a great work.  Over a billion Bible distributed all over the word-wow!

I say this, despite the fact that they sang way too many hymns for my liking, and two of the hymns I didn’t even know.  I ask you, how can you play something you don’t know? YOU CAN’T!

Anyway, I should go and prepare myself for the 8am rise tomorrow morning, as I’m headed back to Grand Falls to bring back my mouse and flash drive which aren’t operating properly.

Keep Lookin Up
Rudy

More Seal Hunt

2006-03-10T00:55:00.000-03:30

Well, Danny Williams has done it. You can save the world from total destruction, you can find a cure for cancer, or you can be the most well liked guy on the planet, but until you appear on Yahoo!’s Top 10 searches of the week, you haven’t made it in this world. That, my friends, is something Danny Williams has done.

Now, I’ve already spoke out against the actions of Paul and Heather McCartney, but I would on the other hand, like to share this photo which no doubt will be appearing on the McCartney’s next Christmas Card. To me, this photo proves that the only reason these two are at this is the publicity. I share this disturbing picture only as a reminder how messed up the world is. But, please, let me make it known, that the seal pictured in this photo cannot be legally killed, thus, there’s nothing to worry about.

Keep Lookin Up
Rudy

New PC and Seals

2006-03-04T22:16:00.000-03:30

Well today I ventured to Grand Falls and picked up my new PC. If you actually know anything about computers you can drool over the following specs, but if you couldn’t care less, just keep going pas the list.
• 3.0 Ghz Processor
• 140GB Hard Drive
• 1 GB Ram
• 16x Dual Layer +/- DVD-RW
• 17” LCD Monitor
• Futuristic looking tower case

Last night Danny Williams appeared on Larry King Live to debate the seal hunt with British superstar and former Beatle Paul McCartney, and his undoubtedly much younger and not first wife, Heather. If you want to read a transcript of the show, you can do so Here. I e-mailed Premier Williams after the show last night and told him I was very proud of the excellent job he did trying to set the record straight. Overall it was a great show. It had me laughing: when Paul thought he was in Newfoundland, cheering: when Danny brought up the chickens, beef, etc and angry: when that British accent kept cutting in and acting like she was too good to let the politician speak.

Overall, Paul and Heather were reaching out and grabbing at nothing but thin air, because Heather didn't wanna admit she's a sucker for the cute little face of a baby white coat, and Paul didn't wanna let the cat outta the bag that the only reason he was there was because he doesn't find the couch very comfortable as a result of not standin by his misses.

That's my thoughts on it.

Keep Lookin Up
Rudy

Commercial

2006-02-25T22:56:00.000-03:30

I’ve been seeing this commercial on television lately, and I think it’s one of the best I’ve ever seen. I pretty much just like the commercial because I like the song, or the way these gals sing it at least, but when I actually figured out what it was advertising, I realized it’s a great cause, and I wish I had money so I could support it. You can watch the commercial online, so just click the link below.

Click here to watch the commercial

Also, a big congrats goes out to Brad Gushue on his gold medal at the Olympics. Makin Newfieland proud once again. Great job guys.

Keep Lookin Up
Rudy

Never liked tag, personally

2006-02-20T00:17:00.000-03:30

Someone tagged me on their blog. Now, I have to do this or else all the colossal forces of nature will bare down on me, and I’ll have 7 years bad luck because I broke the mirror, not to mention what’s gonna happen after I walked under the ladder and opened the umbrella inside. Oh well, that’s life. Anyway, here’s the survey:

Keep Lookin Up
Rudy

Here's what you do: Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add your blog to the bottom slot, like so:

Queen of West Procastination
Vandermeander
Lovemom
PJ Funny Bunny
Ruds Thoughts

Next select five people to tag (only if you wanna, no pressure):
Josh Thomas
Charlotte Green
Requel Burton
Robin Lush
Laura Robinson

What were you doing 10 years ago?
Sitting in Mr. Earle’s grade 4 classroom, and enjoying life like any other 9 year old

What were you doing 1 year ago?
Takin it easy in the back of Mr. Chipp’s English class and listening to everyone talk about the grad

Five snacks you enjoy:
Carmel Log
Homemade eatmore bars
Max 5 bar
Chocolate chip cookies
Oreos

Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
Just about any worship song
Any Casting Crowns Song
Place in this world by Michael W. Smith
This Man by Jeremy Camp
Candle in the wind by Elton John

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
10% to the church for a data projection system and some new cymbals
Fulfill wishes of family and friends
Take a trip to Generation Church in Seattle and Hillsong Church in Australis
Buy a nice vehicle and house
Keep the rest for a rainy day

Five bad habits:
1-5: Procrastination

Five things you like doing:
Writing
Web Design
Relaxing with friends
Reading
Goin to church

Five things you would never wear again:
A bowtie
Those little baby booties currently on my shelf
Montreal Canadians jersey/hat/pants/socks/underwear/anything else I used to have with Montreal Canadians on it
Wool socks or mitts
N/A

Favourite toys:
Video Camera
Laptop
PDA
MP3 Player
Flash Drive

Four Jobs I've Had:
Youth Intern: Smith’s Harbour
Youth Intern: Burlington
Typist: Gordon Walsh
Web Developer: Share Foundation, WONE Youth Ministries, Burlington/Smith’s Harbour CAP Site, Smith’s Harbour Recreation, Back In Time Museum, Town of Burlington

Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over:
Remember the Titans
John Q
YC 2003: One
LOTR Trilogy

Four Places I've Lived:
1-4: Burlington

Four Shows I Like To Watch:
House… and the person who doesn’t watch House is missing out on an important part of life
Billy Graham television specials
Call for Help
100 Huntley Street

Four Foods that I Like:
I choose not to answer this one, because of lack of time

Four Sites I Visit Everyday:
www.mail.com
mail.rudsplace.net
www.rocksolidgeneration.org
www.mugglenet.com

Four places I'd rather be right now:
No where, really

Four Things I Want To Do Before I Die:
Write a book
Go to Hillsong/Generation Church
Take a tour of the Holy Land
Reach as many people as possible for God

Upset

2006-02-18T00:22:00.000-03:30

I’m going to try and explain this without sounding too technical:

I spent the whole afternoon designing the “about us” flash for the Share Foundation web site.  It’s a pretty big section, so it took me the whole afternoon.  Since it was so much work, like anyone, I saved the file every few clicks of the mouse, so I wouldn’t lose anything if something odd happened.  FINALLY, I got it done, and I was very relieved.  Since I was all in the vibe of working, I decided to get an early start on another big section, the Donations section.  Instead of starting a new page, I just deleted everything from the about us section, and started to build back up on that.  Now here’s the big one:  Just out of habit, all of a sudden, I hit the save button.  Don’t know what that means?  Plain and simple, I lost the three hours of work I had just finished.  Now to say the least, I’m very, very upset.

On another note, tonight out of pure boredom, I went to the store and rented a DVD.  It was a toss up between Batman begins and Crash.  In the end, I discovered I wasn’t in an action mood, so I went for Crash.  This is a VERY, VERY strong movie.  It’s all about racism and has various plots throughout, but brings it all together in the end.  The movie is far from a comedy, and I don’t think I laughed the whole way through the movie, but, I’ll be the first to admit that there was two or three times where my hand went over my mouth and I gasped.  Great, great movie.

Verdict:  I can’t recommend this movie.  There is WAY too much cursing in it for my liking.  How do I justify watching it?  If I had someone to warn me about it, I wouldn’t have watched it.  Now you have me warning you, so don’t watch it.

That’s it for now

Keep Lookin Up
Rudy

Curling

2006-02-13T12:14:00.000-03:30

The Olympics are on.  Yippee.  Actually, I rather enjoy the Olympics, but the fact that I haven’t managed to catch a men’s hockey game yet is depressing me.  The women are doing good.  But yet they haven’t met the US yet, so it’s hard to say.  Right now curling is on.  I have no idea how to play this game, but hearing those gals scream their head off while a red or yellow round thing rolls down the ice is surprisingly addicting.

Right now Sweden and Canada are playing.  Assuming this game is like all the rest (except golf-which I actually understand more than curling) Sweden has the highest score, so I guess they’re winning.  Too bad.  The good thing is I heard Brad buddy from Newfieland is gonna be playin later this evening.  Should be interesting to watch.  Hear the screaming in Newfineese.

Sweden/Canada game is over.  Canada loses.  Shame.

Well, I’m off.

Keep Lookin Up
Rud

Mind over Matter

2006-02-08T12:15:00.000-03:30

I just watched an episode of The Ellen Degeneres Show. Actually, I just watched about 10 minutes of it, but that really doesn't help the cause. What really bothers me is one of the guests she had on there. A guy who claimed to be able to do incredible things using just his mind. His title was a "mentalist", and seemed to be making things levitate, bend, and move using just his mind.

Do you seriously believe that Rudy? I believe the mind is a very powerful thing, and I believe that there are forces beyond this world who attack the mind and can possess you to do some very serious stuff, which to the human eye might even seem "amazing." Seeing this guy on there reminded me once again that the negative aspect of the Spirit World is very real, and all I have to say is God help them all.

Keep Lookin Up
Rudy

At Work

2006-02-03T14:16:00.001-03:30

February already? Man, that's crazy.

Well, I'm here at the CAP site, printing the newspaper. Yes, it's late again, but I'm not overly concerned. I've decided to do 80 this month instead of 50, because last month I ended up having to print more after the rest were gone, and since Josh walked out on me and left me to fend for myself that day, I figured it's best not to run into that mess again. Anyway, this is going to be a short post, because I haven't said anything in this for a while now.

Since last I blogged, two web sites have been launched that I'm involved in. www.rocksolidgeneration.org is a project I've been helping with for a while now, and it's finally picking up, since word has now gotten out about it. I'm very excited to see people getting involved, and it's been receiving great feedback from the users. Keep it up.

http://naturalbornsingers.blogspot.com is something worth checking out as well, because it involves two guys who don't mind making fools of themselves, just to get a laugh out of everyone else. Now THAT my friends is entertainment. Check it out, have a laugh, and tell your friends.

Since I've been writing this blog, I've been having major difficulties with this newsletter. Oh my. The things I do to make a living.

CA's tonight, at least that's a plus. Anyway, I should go and actually pay attention to what I'm doing.

Keep Lookin Up
Rud