10 ways in which Fergus and Toronto differ from each other

Nyssa and I have moved to Fergus Ontario three weeks ago. Here are the 10 most notable ways in which Fergus and Toronto differ from each other.

1. Toronto has very few youth jobs which pay a living wage.

2. Fergus has no bike racks anywhere.

3. But in Fergus people don't steal bikes so it doesn't seem to be a problem.

4. Toronto has many well stocked Blockbuster outlets

5. Fergus has an independent rental outlet which will let you exchange, and also refund the difference, if you've accidentally rented a blu-ray.

6. In Toronto people will try to run you down in their cars if you bike on the roads

7. In Fergus they will run you down in trucks

8. In Toronto you never see people you know

9. In Fergus you can not get anything done in town without a 10min conversation.

10. Fergus has the Elora Gorge. But you can go on Saturday and visit everyone from Toronto.

Thats all for now,

- C.D. Clements.

On Summer Reading

This summer I have had a personal goal of reading more and playing video games less. If any of you are in the same boat, here are two brilliant suggestions; from one gamer to another.

Alex Garland, The Beach: It is like Lord of the Flies, except we are not in grade 10, and it is not compulsory reading. Also it is about a select group of backpackers who are trying to re-create Eden [Wow!]. You may have seen the movie, but as with many movies, the book was way better. The Beach weighs in at 439 pages, and is very engaging the whole way through.

Cormac McCarthy, The Road: Father & son survival in a post-apocalyptic America. Also a movie, but I haven't seen it yet. Some people say this is the most important fiction or non-fiction in the past 25 years. I can't come down on one side of the debate, or the other (in that I'm not well informed), but the statement certainly reveals the quality of writing in this novel. The Road weighs in at 256 pages, but you will likely read the ending at least twice.

Yours in switching up addictions,

-C.D. Clements.

On the value of being concise.

Hope my previous post was not too long.

I found this image shortly after I posted on Matthew 5.

Jokes!

-C.D. Clements

On Matthew 5

I've come across a way of reading of the Beatitudes which I've not put together before. Simply, Matthew 5:2-12 is a picture of what New Creation will be when the Kingdom of God appears in fullness. Jesus relates a present point of tension and its outcome in New Creation.

Case studies:

V. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

- In New Creation those who have had cause to mourn previously will be entirely comforted.

Or

V.8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

- Those who are pure [made righteous in Christ] will see God when the Kingdom comes in fullness.

However, these verses are not limited to a future hope. (Note the present tense 'are'!) Scripture tells us that the Kingdom of God is appearing even now. As we act as the body of Christ on earth, we can expect to see these verses being realized as New Creation happens in our lives, and the lives of those around us.

Granted there is some mystery about why the Kingdom does not come in fullness a.s.a.p. I'll leave that for a later time; more can be said, but we all know nobody reads long blog posts.

-C.D. Clements

On worth while things.

A short while after my previous post I attended a conference where the speakers made fun of different social media, including blogs. At one point an image was shown of a trendy young person typing on a mac; the caption read: "I have nothing to say, and I say it often".

Nothing to say?... I suppose we have been found out.

Although I feel the trendy mac part does not apply in my case.

Regardless, let me post this link to a modern creed which I think is brilliant. I am strongly considering adapting it into curriculum format for use in my new church. Let it not be thought that this post has "nothing to say". (Even if its significance is outsourced)

Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony.

-C.D. Clements

On Being Reformed

I recently decided that I am totally digging being Christian Reformed. I've never been Dutch, but I am now way reformed. We probably have the best tag line of all time:

"All of life, in relation to God"

Also, I just spent the past 30 minutes reading about our different positions on various issues. Not convinced? I don't believe you.

-C.D. Clements

On switching it up.

This used to be a stupid post, and now it is nothing.

-C.D. Clements

On Phish & the Olymipcs | Reposed from Phish.net

Just a few fun facts [phun phacts] about Phish on network/stadium playlists during the Olympics.

Ocelot was played during trials for the ski jump on 12/26/09.

First Tube was used in the bump to a commercial about the upcoming bobsled competition on 2/20/10.

Tweezer Reprise (a good 3 minutes worth!) was the background music for the Ono speedskating segment late on 2/20/10.

Kill Devil Falls (the version from Joy) was played over the PA at the Canada vs. USA men's hockey game 2/21/10, with about 15 seconds left in the first period. They played about 20 seconds of the chorus before the puck was dropped again.

Axilla (Part II) (from Hoist) was played with about 8 minutes left in the second period at the same game.

***

On another note loosely related to the Olympics; Skate skis are the new Downhill skis. Maximum fun + no lift ticket. Snow is becoming plentiful up Uxbridge way.

-C.D. Clements

An appeal to competitors

During time wasting activities over the past few years, I have defaulted to one game in particular: X Moto. Found natively in Linux, it is also available for Windows, Mac, and a few other OS's. A first impression might lead you to believe X Moto is mostly a nerdy game, but recent events in the Tyndale Maintenance office have confirmed what I have always suspected: X Moto has the potential of a cult hit.

X Moto is a 2D motor-bike side scroller, but with 2000 plus user generated levels, a very healthy degree of difficulty, and a wildly impressive statistic system, it leaves any competition far behind. I wish to invite you [the reader] into this game, and if you would dare, into the fiercely competitive world of Tyndale Maintenance's X Moto competition.

Walk through on how to get X Moto running on your computer:

A) Download latest version at http://xmoto.tuxfamily.org/

B) Install the game. Be sure to:

• Enable web access [Options tab > WWW tab > Enable WWW access]

• Click “Check WWW” at the bottom of the page.

  • Allow to download high scores, new levels

C) Play the game. You can select level various difficulties with the "difficulty stars" and the “Quick Start” feature on the main page. Or play through a map pack in the Levels tab.

D) Go back to http://xmoto.tuxfamily.org/ and register your username.

• Note the links bar on the main page

• Select the “Log In” link

• Create a new player account

• Enter in your profile name from the game (case sensitive), give an email & password.

E) Synchronize your game account to your web account

• Options tab > WWW tab > enter your password

• Then, Options tab > Database tab > select the Synchronize button

F) Find the Tyndale “room” and share your high scores & level replays.

• On the Web:

  • Log in

  • Select the Private Rooms link

  • Find Tyndale in the pull down menu

  • Enter your profile name

  • Enter the room's password (which is “tyndale”. Note the small case “t”)

  • Select Change of Room

• In Game:

  • Options tab > Reference Room tab > Update Room Button > Tyndale (type into the filter)

  • Select the room

  • Be sure to upload your high scores (button on right of screen)

This may seem complicated, but worthwhile. See if you can beat Nathan's score on “Toxic Waste.”

Enjoy!

-C.D. Clements

On Snow

I received some new cross-country skis for Christmas, but did not receive any snow. In fact, the weather-man is calling for a high of 9 degrees tomorrow. So it looks like my skis will have to remain in the closet until global warming ends.

With all the time I've spend not skiing, I've found time to replace the bearings & grease in my bicycle hubs. It is not every year your bike is entitled to a mid-winter tune up.

Perhaps next Christmas I'll ask for a sombrero & beach umbrella.

-C.D. Clements

Update

I found out today that my previous post referres to Uganda's recent revision of their anti-homosexuality bill. The Catholic church is seeking to distance itself from the bill, which contains wild/crazy policies such as life imprisonment or the death sentence.

I also listened in on The Current today, which sought to connect the newly revised bill to American evangelicals. As the program closed, it did not seem like Anna Maria Tremonti was happy the the position either of her guests took.

Links:
Uganda Bill as reported by the CBC.
Commentary on American evangelical involvement, from The Current.

-C.D. Clements

On funny news briefings

The other day I was driving to work and heard on the BBC world news that the Catholic church was to be taking [quote:] rear-guard actions against homosexual lobbyists. Oops!

I couldn't find this story online; but neither did I search thoroughly.

On Hipsters & Haters

When ever you like something, your joy increases when you share it with others. Here are two items I would like to share with you.
A) Derek Webb's most recent: a clever twist from what he normally releases. I feel like a real hipster listening to all these drum & bass inspired tracks. It also has a controversial track only available online! (Great marketing ploy?) Regardless, put on your coolest Kensington market purchases, and enjoy Webb's new electric edge.

B) This site is very funny. A rare look through the eyes of an individual who doesn't like Phish. (Is that even possible?) I'll concede a few points this fellow makes; but only to say they are endearing "flaws". Mind the language if it bothers you.

-C.D. Clements

P.s. C) Jesus. Bonus Link! He is also worth looking into.

On meeting with mentors

The other day I met with an old mentor of mine to re-connect. He expressed during our time together that he needs Jesus, and did so in a very sincere manner. Needing Jesus is something I often express in keeping with proper theology, or view as a well-timed phrase used to create atmosphere in church services. While neither is really a problem in my view, I want to express that it is very refreshing to “re-discover” needing Jesus in my own life. Working with God is much better than working by one’s self.

-C.D. Clements

*Special note: all graphics considered for this post were too cheesy; I trust those who like pictures within a blog post will understand.

On wise comments

I often enjoy the comments section of an online media piece, more than the article/clip/picture... etc. People take the liberty to write all sorts of crap, and are generally very serious about it. Then someone else feels a former comment is wrong in a very grievous way; and so on. With regard to this matter, my friend James used to joke that he could not sleep when someone on the internet was wrong and didn't know it. Along these same lines, I came across one of the greatest posts I have read yet. People love to argue for their operating system, and I spotted this on a review of the new Ubuntu Linux; someone posted:

StereotypeGuy
October 29, 2009 7:29pm

Okay, I'll post everyone's comments for them:

Windows fanboys: "Yeah, but can you play games on it? Who uses Linux anyway? Windows 7 is so much better at the end of the day... I mean, everyone uses Windows anyway, so why do Linux users have this compulsive need to be different and feel superior? Call me when it gets Office 2007"

Mac fanboys: "Yeah, whatever. I don't have time between trips to Ikea to learn how to use Linux. I just want something easy, simple, beautiful, and that never crashes or gets viruses and never crashes or gets viruses and never crashes or gets viruses. Plus, I don't think you can put iTunes on it, can you? Hey, wanna see my new iPhone app?"

Linux fanboys: "Well this is another blow to Microsoft and Apple OSs. When will people finally realize that open source is the future? Have fun, Winblows and Crapple owners with your bloated, slow 7 and Snow Leopard. Have fun getting viruses and paying $5,000 just to upgrade your OSX desktop. I'm laughing at you all because I'm simply better than you."

Anyway... "trips to Ikea" hehe.

-C.D. Clements

Hitler: MGMT vs. Bowie

During Halloween shows, Phish have a tradition of donning a "musical costume." This costume is another group's album played from start to finish. This year, the Phish website has an ongoing game, where the last record left "alive" will be Phish's upcoming musical costume. There is much speculation, but I found an insider video that lays the facts bare. It also stars Hitler. Take a look:

-C.D. Clements

On making mature life choices.

This past summer, I spent 22 days on northern Ontario rivers, mostly with Pioneer Camp. These days I am back in Toronto earning a living; which I have since remembered is very a mundane life. As such, I am trying to think up what to do with the rest of my life, but haven't come up with anything responsible, engaging, and preferably with rapids. Let me know if you (dear reader) have any good ideas.

***

In a former post I lamented being at camp. Just now I lamented being back in the real world* of two part-time jobs, and little to do in the evenings. I think some prophetic figure (Morpheus) once said: "Fate, it seems, is not without its sense of irony"

-C.D. Clements

*Clever allusion!

On screaming kids

There comes a time in every man's life where he is ready for camp to be over, and for September to arrive.

-C.D. Clements

On Fearing the Lord

A "hole" is a particular movement of water, which is generally found when fast moving water encounters a deeper section of a river. The effect of this meeting in the river is sort of "folding over" of the river on itself. This force creates a current which is constantly being driven to the river bed, and then circling back in on itself.

On a recent out-trip, I found myself accidentally caught in an eddy, which forced my canoe on to a hole, which then capsized me. While this particular hole was relatively small, the hydraulics caught me in an underwater swirl for [only] about 10 seconds.
After settling down, and making careful note of my error, so as to not repeat it, I was thinking about my experience, and how it parallels my understanding of the Fear of God.

The Fear of God is a very real thing; if God appeared to me suddenly, I expect I would become genuinely afraid. However, our relationship with God is not exclusively on these terms; there is also a mix of respect & honour. Even, there is an element in our relationship with God of enjoyment (as stated in my church's catechism).

While I appreciate that metaphors will break down under scrutiny, I am feeling these days like our relationship with God, and our fear of him, is something like canoing on moving water. While I find the rapids to be majestic, and certainly enjoyable, only a fool would approach moving water without deep respect... or even fear for what the rushing river is capable of.

As we relate with God, we discover him to be majestic, delighting, and commanding of our respect. However, not wanting to be foolish, we are fearful as we come to appreciate reality of who he is.

-C.D. Clements

On Northern Bushmen

On a recent canoe trip I was leading, the group asked a remote cottager in a run down shack/cottage if he knew of any good sites on the lake. He introduced himself as a retired man from the southern sates. As conversation progressed, it became quickly apparent to us that he was also the creepiest man ever.

With an apparent guise of being caring, he began asking bizarre questions, trying to get one of us in his boat so he could show us the site he had in mind, wanting to inspect our equipment, and wanting to know about our abilities to communicate with the outside world.

Since we could not pleasantly break off the conversation, we paddled away, only to observe him get in his boat to follow us.

Eventually we shook him by telling him we were going to stay on a particular “site” for the night and agreeing to go fishing with him. While he went to get his “fishing stuff” we paddled our faces off and got away.

The LIT's decided that the man reminded them of Herbert the Pervert from Family Guy. I would say I agree.

-C.D. Clements