Hybrid Thoughts

Candle of the LORD

2012-02-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

I'l have my geese well done thanks

2012-02-28T06:02:00.000-07:00

grazing in the field

A Sunday afternoon drive in the country is something we haven't done in a long time. This past Sunday we decided to grab a quick bite to eat and head out. Wendy had a specific area she wanted to see - and area near where she lived as a teen. So off we went. We stumbled across a marshy area where I saw hundreds of geese grazing and thought I might get a couple of good pictures when suddenly a thunderous noise arose from across the field. Hundreds of geese took the air, and with that their honking filled the air.

Just the noise of their wings was deafening - but when you add their calling each other it was an amazing spectatcle. I changeed the settings on my G10 to record video and tried to capture this unique event. I am not sure it really does it justice but you can get some idea of what it was like.

the V formation

Not many people like Canada Geese - especially in this neck of the woods where they cover the parks, chase small kids and dogs and are a general nussance. Yet they are majestic birds in flight with a bold appearance.

I've often wondered - what would they taste like if we hunters of Canada Geese?

Happy Birthday Philip

2012-02-27T07:55:00.001-07:00

2005- Kananaskis

Phil is far north today - north of Peace River AB as he works on a oil & gas site today as an EMT. Though he`s far away he`s on my mind today. Both our boys are now grown men - married and living independent lives.

I want to say how very proud we are of Philip - who is a very determined, disciplined young man. He`s accomplished a great deal for someone of his age and continues to demonstate a high commitment to personal and professional development. When he was in school we struggled to get him to class, to study, to read ...to be engaged in learning. Somewhere along the way he decided - determined - to be a life long learner!

Phil loves the outdoors and is active in the mountains where he lives. He is a skilled carpenter and has demonstrated on a variety of levels that he has considerable math skills, is creative, and is able to teach complicated concepts in a relaxed and understandable manner.

Married to Amanda - they make a great team and I can only imagine what they together will accomplish!

So happy birthday Phil - be safe, keep learning - and remember how mush your family loves you! Remember how much I love you.

Playbook 2.0

2012-02-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

BlackBerry released it's 2.0 OS for the Playbook while I was in Texas. The download was quick and easy and a few changes were evident immediately. I like the interface, the new look of the Apps page and of course they were kind enough to throw in a couple of free apps for a limited time.

What I'm not sure about is that one of my apps disappeared. I've been using my Playbook for recording meetings - especially where I want a record for minute taking/keeping. Somehow that app is gone. The voice files are still there but where's the app?

Second I'm having trouble downloading apps. Now this may be where I was and the fact that our internet service was a bit sketchy. That being said I didn't have trouble uploading photos to my blog or using gchat. Being home will give me a chance to see if I'm just having some hiccups.

As for my Playbook I'm really enjoying it - finding the size to be a great advantage. The quality of the camera is excellent and the sound recording superb. With the new OS the PlayBook will be able to run Android Apps. Someone said to me - that sounds like a game changer - the jury is out on that but it certainly addresses the significant weakness of the PlayBook. I read recently that PlayBook is now up to 35% of the market share in North America with the price reduction on the Playbook and it is the younger crowd that has embrace it.

It was that group that launched Apple into success with their purchase of the iPod. Will they do the same for BlackBerry?

Sunday Smile

2012-02-26T05:30:00.000-07:00

A new adventure

2012-02-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

I have embarked on a learning journey - this past week I've been in Texas with Arrow. I've grabbed some photos - and putting more down here in the coming days. Right now I'm just sensing God's working in my life.

I hope you sense his working in your life.

In the San Antonio airport (Feb 19) I watched about 40 or 50 young men in US military uniform gather - they looked very young. In fact I thought they didn't seem old enough to drive. It made me feel sad that young lives like theirs need to be put on the line. I'm sure the LORD would prefer us to be at peace. The world is not a safe place and in North America I sometimes wonder if we have a false sense of security. We likely won't live this way forever.

And yet our faith journey continues trusting God for the present and the future.

A great new quote for today from Henri Nouwen who I am rediscovering.

“I know that I have to move from speaking about Jesus to letting him speak within me, from thinking about Jesus to letting him think within me, from acting for and with Jesus to letting him act through me. I know the only way for me to see the world is to see it through his eyes.”

― Henri J.M. Nouwe n

Texas - San Antonio

2012-02-24T15:00:00.000-07:00

Texas thoughts

2012-02-23T22:02:00.001-07:00

Tonight I'm sitting on a large wooden porch looking out on the green grass of the T Bar M Ranch just outside of San Antonio Texas. The sun has set and the lights of the grounds are gorgeous as they reflect in the leaves of the trees. The night air is warm and moist - the crickets are chirping. People are in the hot tub. It sure doesn't feel like winter.

My re-entry into cold, snowy Toronto tomorrow may be a bit painful.

Apparently a few folks have seen an Armadillo on the grounds - they are nocturnal.

This is the end of week one of the Executive Stream of Arrow. Some good learnings, some great new friendships, and a fresh blowing of The Spirit in my life.

I've been reminded of the truth "Leadership isn't above you - it's within you." - that's my quote by the way! I've been grateful for this opportunity. I would be happy to tell you more if you want to have a conversation.

Blog time out

2012-02-20T06:26:00.002-07:00

Friends- this is very unusual for me...but I'm off line for this week. I'll be back on the weekend!

God bless you.

Sunday Smile

2012-02-19T11:08:00.000-07:00

Fault finding and effective leadership

2012-02-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

Whether it is in a car or in the office or for that fact in our homes - we tend to see problems and associate blame with others. Even the disciples of Jesus 2000 years ago viewed problems as someone's fault..."Rabbi, whose sin caused this man to be blind?" was their question.

I wonder how often we tend to look at our own behaviour, at our own place in relation to the issue at hand. It isn't easy and it isn't always possible. Sometimes our own blind spots get in the way - we need feedback from another party.

If you're married you know our spouses are often the ones to help us, and point out that we too exhibit some of the very behaviours we find we dislike in others.

Feed back is critical to our growth and success - especially if we lead or work in a team. Of course many of the leadership books will tell you that depending our your role, if you're a leader, it is hard to get honest feedback. The first step in getting good feedback is in inviting it - and having received it not defending or appear to defend your actions or words. Listen - look for the golden nugget of truth and build trust with your team mates.

Without honest feedback you'll never know when you have been an effective leader.

The pBone

2012-02-17T11:19:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday Susan and I went to a couple of music stores. Susan pointed out the new pBone - a plastic trombone. Very pcool - different pcolours - very plight - and less than $150! Have to say I was ptempted. Imagine me showing up to band practice with that...I wonder what some of the bm's would think? Well you never know maybe one day.

Here's how it sounds! And then a video comparing it to the usual brass trombone!

The guy talking on the test below...Paul the trombonist...is kind of weird but the video demonstrates well the two videos!

So at the end of viewing - would you buy one?

WE BELIEVE

2012-02-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Getting the "I'm OK" message

2012-02-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

At some point Phil may tell you on his blog about his SPOT meter - a GPS unit that sends out a signal to let his contact list he is either a) in need of help or b) is OK! Technology doesn't replace common sense, but it is an amazing tool.

I've had two signals from him and when I click on the link I am taken to a map and receive a message. See below for where he's been out in the mountains. He and Amanda are very fortunate to live where they do!

Watching Pixar

2012-02-13T18:30:00.002-07:00

Saturday evening Rachel had been put to bed but it seemed she wasn't that interested in going to sleep. So her Dad brought her out and put on a Pixar short film which is on the UP DVD. Rachel thought it was so funny I grabbed my camera and she watched it a second time. She didn't laugh quite as much but you can see that she really enjoyed it! She really loved DOUG the dog.

Protect our children

2012-02-12T05:58:00.001-07:00

There are few things, or few people, that bring as much joy to my heart like Rachel does. Family has always been important - we love our kids (which includes their spouses...I think they're OUR kids too) and our parents, siblings etc. But Rachel has brought a new magic in our home.

Part of it is her innocence - she comes with a purity that is quite powerful. Innocence is powerful. I hope she'll remain innocent for a long time. Of course in time she'll face other people - likely other kids first who'll expose her to hatred, prejudice, selfishness - she'll see what happens when people prefer power over love, jealousy over care, pride over humility. She'll be exposed to the dirt of our culture and will have to decide herself what she will value.

For our part we will be loving her, praying for her, giving her every encouragement all the way to retain her integrity, value selflessness and to be a citizen of heaven before she becomes a member of our warped way of living.

I think her purity is what brings us such joy. Like new fallen snow she still seems untouched by the world.

Maybe that's why Jesus loved and valued children so much.

Maybe that's why he warned the adults of His day that bringing any kind of harm to a child would bring a harsh punishment by our Heavenly Father.

She's a lovely little girl.

Dear Jesus - protect her innocence. Protect all our children

Sunday Smile

2012-02-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

Rachel's many expressions

2012-02-09T20:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday - Listowel - Rachel - camera - need I say more?

The Whole Church

2012-02-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

Sunday Smile

2012-02-05T05:30:00.000-07:00

Grandpa's photo shoot

2012-02-04T20:52:00.000-07:00

Wendy and I found ourselves being called into action - to come to the aid of Jason and Susan for a couple of hours. Drive two hours for a two hour stay you ask? You bet your bottom dollar if Rachel's at the other end!

Of course we didn't stay just for a couple of hours - we spent the day there - but this morning I decided to get down on the floor with Rachel (where Grandpa's belong...in their play clothes) and to see if we could get some good photos. Here's our first batch - more came later!

Hi Grandpa

Is that your camera Grandpa?

Can I eat your camera Grandpa?

I got it!

I'll start with the strap

Let's see the rest of it

It doesn't taste too good

/Could I have some real food?

Happy Anniversary

2012-02-03T05:30:00.000-07:00

Thirty three years ago Wendy walked down the aisle on her Dad's arm and into my arms! I was nervous yet confident this was the right thing, at the right time, to the right person. I'm still confident of all those things. We've established a home, raised two boys, seen the loss of family members, laughed at family celebrations, wept in difficult days and grown more deeply in love than ever.

When you're young you naturally feel that you're in love - the romance is strong as Hollywood portrays. Over time as tensions grow, finances are short, interests are different, challenges get heavier is when you prove that you're in love.

We've done that a hundred times over. We've watched other relationships fail, watched others decide to change partners...not us. It isn't that we haven't had our moments - far from it. What we've discovered is that in those moments you can push away or pull together. You can determine to see your own side or attempt to see the other.

Not all relationships are good, not all partnerships should remain. For those who do and flourish in each others company I can only tell you what I've discovered, that I am a better person today for what Wendy has brought into my life, for what she has added to who I was, who I became, who I am becoming.

So Happy Anniversary Wendy.

If I had to do it all over again I would still choose you!

Facebook Pension - maybe?

2012-02-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

Facebook is a funny creature. I joined when it was about 70 million in users. That year was 2007. As an aside comment Google offered 1.4 billion dollars to purchase it. They were turned down flatly. Today's news is that there will be an opportunity for us all to give Facebook more money - to own a piece of it.

The suggestion is that Facebook will make 100 billion dollars on this stock offering. What will the return be? And what is Facebook really worth? Remember NorTel?

Hmmm, I'm wondering, can I buy $50 worth, and will that be a better investment than the $870 I paid out to CPP last year? What if I could buy $1000 worth of Facebook stock each year in lieu of CPP until retirement - what kind of return would that give me? Just a thought. What do you think?

At the Table

2012-02-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

Great quotes don't diminish over time

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

I've mentioned that I subscribe to Michael Hyatt's blog - this quote from January 30 caught my attention on his blog. Great quotes don't diminish over time.

The heart is but a small vessel; and yet dragons and lions are there, and there likewise are poisonous creatures and all the treasures of wickedness; rough, uneven paths are there, and gaping chasms. There also is God, there are the angels, there life and the Kingdom, there light and the apostles, the heavenly cities and the treasures of grace: all things are there. St. Macarius the Great (d. 392), Homily 43:7