On the Stockholm Syndrome [Part Two]: You Say Party! We Say Die!

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In my attempt to attain the goal of a post every 3.67 seconds; I do post.

My list of music that I don't have but want is growing:

• Raised by Swans
• Stabilo
• Caledonia
• In-Flight Safety
• Beat Chemist
• The Joel Plaskett Emergency

All of these (but Stabilo) are Canadian. Jeff: you might like Beat Chemist.

PAulm

On the Reality of Idealism

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Hi.

The details of the plant will come as they come. We are currently working stuff out. In the mean time I have another sorry (11) and an assignment for you all. That's right. By virtue of you reading this blog you must now do this assignment. It's in the fine print...somewhere...

The reason for this is because I have been thinking as of late. Our fellowship has seemed to (to a large degree) lost he vision of God. We seem to have settled for something less.

So I ask of you: (In whatever situation you are in today, or find yourself tomorrow) Will you work to keep the vision of God alive? And work towards it?

So there you have it. It is a simple question, but with big consequences. You may ask what the vision of God is. Here's the assignment (stolen from Jim):

God's Vision for the Church: A Bible Study

Read each of the following passages of Scripture in context. Note what each says about what God envisions for the church and the part we play in his plan. Set aside some time to meditate on the meaning of all of this for your life and our life together in the church.

What is the prophetic vision of the Old Testament concerning the coming Messiah and his kingdom?
Isaiah 11-12 / Daniel 2:24-45 / Daniel 7:13-14

What was Jesus' vision for his mission in the world and for the kingdom he came to establish?
Mark 1:14-15 / Matthew 13:31-33 / Luke 19:10 / Luke 24:45-49 / Acts 1:8

What part are Jesus' disciples to play in his vision for the kingdom?
Matthew 9:35-38 / Matthew 28: 18-20 / John 4:34-38 / John 17:18; 20:21 / 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 / 2 Corinthians 5:18-21


11. The Sympathetic Sorry

This variation of "I'm sorry" can only be properly performed if you have a good understanding of what the Germans mean by schadenfreude. It is always used with a modifying "so" in the middle. And always at times of great pain and loss. For someone else.

Eye contact: Constantly.
Examples: When a co-worker tells you he's just been fired; when an old flame arrives at your door at two o'clock in the morning crying her eyes out; when a neighbour tells you he has just discovered he is going to be audited.
Correct pronunciation: Rising inflection on the first word, falling inflection on the second word, a flat inflection on the last word.
Sample sentence: "I'm...so...sorry."
Actual meaning: "I'm so happy that this is happening to you and not me. I revel in your downfall!"

PAulm

On our uTOpia

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Hello. I plan on answering all your questions.

And now for something completely different.

Actually not that different. Today is the launch of a new blog. A collaboration of crazy amazing proportions is upon us. Jeff, my sister and my self have joined forces to write in a blog. For what would Jeff, my sister and myself write about? Why Toronto of course.

So mosey on over and see what all the talk (yes, all the talk) is about. You can find us here.

Our first entries are on the topic of Toronto's greatness. Here.

With an easy url! ourutopia.ca

If you didn't get that; it is here.

No, what you were going to do right now is not as important as seeing this.

That's right, this.

Ok, here's the deal: I will pay you $5 (five dollars CAD) to go here.*

PAulm
*Please note that while did say that I would pay; I won't.

On Euphoria Firefly Rabbit in the Moon's Divine Gothic Disco Mix

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Hey. Long time no post. Rectify that now do I.

So there is development in the town that is Paul. Remember all that stuff about: school/no school/what school/work/what work/plant/other work/give up on life and go live in a hole somewhere?

Well I've decided not to do that later. Instead there is an exicting new operation unfolding here in Ontario. Something that has not happened in about 50 years is about to become reality. Something that I am really really passionate about. Do you know what it is?

A church plant! A group of folks and myself are going to plant! (warning: from here on in, at the end of most sentences I am going to be using "!". This to signify my extreem exict-id-ness (and while I generally stay away from using the aforementioned "!", this post is an exception))

Details!

• Official start date: Jan 1st, 2007
• Est. date of first service: June 2007
• Unofficial start date: Now (trying to get stuff ready, people, funds, resources, moving, etc, etc, etc)
• Where: Cambridge, Ont. (very beautiful city, I will post some pics soon)

For those perhaps remembering; I have not lost any of my passion to plant in Toronto. That is why my montra currently is: 2007 Cambridge, 2010 Toronto The plan is to plant in Cambridge and then at (or around 2010) plant in Toronto using the success of Cambridge (and/or learning from the mistakes).

So this is how Paul's life seems to look in the near future:

• Summer 2006 continue work with Fenwick C of C
• August 2006 go on fund raising trip through Canada and southern US
• September 2006 move to Cambridge and get social work-type job
• by Jan 1st 2007 hopefully have enough funds to go full time with the plant/all of the plant members move to Cambridge (some will have already)
• prepare big time
• launch first public worship service in June 2007 (with bang)

Is that not cool?!

I will not be abandoning school. I will go part-time with HUGSR. This means that it will take a while for me to get a degree; but it is worth it.

So what do you think? Again I say: Is this not cool!!! (whoa...multiple ones...I should stop before getting carried away)

PAulm
p.s. Lissa you want to know what Jeff, Cynthia and myself have in common? It's coming...

On 1701

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Randome things:

On Movies:

• This movie is great. Also important for our current situation. (Also Capt. Kirk is in it)
• This movie is also great. History has a habit of repeating.

I found this list in a book:

• Dec. 31, 1775
  The American invasion of Canada fails because the French settlers neglect to back the Americans, opting instead to mock them and insult their wine.
• Oct. 13, 1812
  The Americans are foiled yet again in their invasion attempt, as the War of 1812 leaves Canada in the hands of the British. Adding insult to injury, Canada burns down the White House and conquers Detroit (Being good sports, they give it back.)
• May 9, 1871
  After two unsuccessful attempt at invasion, the U.S. simply asks Britain to give them Canada. Britain declines, but hey, the Americans still end up with the Treaty of Washington, granting them fishing rights in Canadian waters.

At least three uses of "eh":

• This is just my opinion, but don't you agree with it?
  Non-Canadian Statement: "The weather sure has turned chilly, don't you think?"
  Canadian Statement: "Cold, eh?"
• This is a fact to which anyone would acquiesce, so I'm being rhetorical here.
  Non-Canadian Statement: "I can't believe you bought that girl a drink and she didn't even give you her number."
  Canadian Statement: "That's cold, eh?"
• You know what I just said? I actually believe the exact opposite.
  Non-Canadian Statement: "Yes Bob, I agree it's very hot in Penticton today. I'm positively burning up."
  Canadian Statement: "Right, cold, eh?"

Canadian paragraph:
Ah jeez, I don't know about (a-boot) Pierre, he's been on pogey (poe-gee), won't get a joe job, and has no jing to go to the peelers. I mean, I've been feeding the hoser CCs at the pub so he won't put cheese in his coffee, but I think he's been spending a lot of time outdoors (oot-doors) without (with-oot) a toque (tewk). Either that, eh (ay), or his gonch is too tight.

American translation:
Goodness gracious, I'm worried about Peter, he's been on unemployment, won't get an entry-level position, and doesn't have money to go to the strip clubs. You see, I've been buying that goof Canadian Club whisky so he won't go completely crazy, but I'm afraid he's lost the capacity to think. Perhaps the circulation to his brain has been cut off somehow.

Granted this reflects Strange Brew more than Canada, but funny.

PAulm

On Anchorage

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Considering the comments:

• First, Julie's question a long time ago: It is a myth that the corner of Portage and Main in Winnipeg is the coldest intersection in Canada. It is not true (but still referred to in jest). For more information see this.
  
  
• The reason that the Gospel Herald is unappealing to those under 70 is two fold: (1) the subject matter; (2) the structure. In short it reflects the Canadian and Church of Christ culture of the 50's and not the current culture. I am one of the very few that get it voluntarily of my generation (or the one before...) and I do agree with most of what it has to stay (most is used *ahem* loosely here).
• In this congregation it is sent to Christian and non-Christian alike. All the addresses on the list. Those who regularly attend and those whom haven't in decades.
• It is kinda like door knocking. My main criticism of door knocking (esp. in Canada) is that it (1) is a waste of time and resources; (2) offends people; (3) gives a false sense of evangelism. It is my opinion that this also does 1 and 2 but not really 3. I don't think this is thought of in an evangelistic way. So replace 3 with "illegal."
• I was embellishing with atrocious descriptive words (that was the only one, I think).
• I agree that their motivation was a good one. But that does not excuse the execution of this. Remember the vast majority of the congregation doesn't know that they are getting this. When it shows up in their mail they don't know the motivation. All they know is that it is unsolicited mail. Normally gifts are given (at some point) person to person. If it was done person to person (so the recipient could consent or not) then it would be all great.

10. The Unrepentant Sorry

This extremely sophisticated variation of "I'm sorry" is used to fend off any justified criticism you might encounter. Formal usage works best, although politicians are starting to experiment with the diminutive version with great success.

Eye contact: If necessary, but not necessarily eye contact.
Examples: When you say something stupid, and then you pretend you never said it, but the a reporter had their tape recorder running and now you're busted, and everyone is asking you to clarify your statements; when you have to go on television and explain why you used taxpayers' money to cover your legal fees; when you park too close to another car and open your door so hard that you put a dent in the other car and the owner of that car happens to be standing right there and says, "Do you know that you just put a dent in my car?"
Correct pronunciation: Downward inflection, slight breath between the "I'm" and the "sorry," can be supported by slight shrug of shoulders.
Sample sentence: "I'm, um, sorry..."
Actual meaning: "I'm not sorry for what I did, I'm just sorry I got caught."

PAulm

On The Reasonable Patio

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Second Rant: A congregation that will go nameless has done this atrocity.

There is Church of Christ publication called Gospel Herald. While this publication perhaps was useful in times past it has a very limited use currently (esp. amongst those under 70). The usefulness of the publication is not, however, at issue here.

Someone had the bright idea to give this congregation's entire membership list to the Gospel Herald (without the consent or knowledge of the members) and then pay for the monthly publication to each member's home.

I have three issues with this:

• Given the limited usefulness of the publication what does this accomplish?
• There is an ethical issue here. One of the basic principles of Christianity is that it is never forced on a person. So to for someone to decide that another needs this without the recipient's consent or knowledge is quite unchristian.
• There is a legal issue. Protection of Personal Information in the Private Sector (PIPEDA for short) is the Act that applies here. (There is currently no Act in Ontario concerning privacy in the private sector, however, as of Jan 1st 2004 PIPEDA applies to all provinces if no Act exists. This is important because in Canada jurisdiction actually matters. No interstate commerce for us.) Without getting into the details of PIPEDA (notice 4.2 to 4.5, all of these apply to this situation); it is illegal for an organization to give personal information away without consent.

In conclusion of the situation: This is illegal, unchristian and doubtful it will have a positive effect.

There was a meeting to consider this. I was the only one having difficulties with this. When I objected I received this (paraphrased) response: "You're nit-picking. Besides, who can keep up with the laws now-a-days?" These are the same people who would agree that to drive above the speed limit is a sin. Nice selectiveness.

9. The Mythical Sorry

This "I'm sorry" is used to support a personal recollection or anecdote. Any variation or usage could potenially work, although the simplest, most straightforward version will also be the most effective. Can be used when talking to a group of people or an individual friend or acquaintance.

Eye contact: Penetrating.
Examples: When you are describing a recent bout of bad service; when you are talking about a fight you just had with your boss; when you are telling someone about a recent minor traffic accident.
Correct pronunciation: Rising inflection, huge emphasis on the first syllable of "Sorry." You can also snap your fingers dismissively for further dramatic effect.
Sample sentence: "So I looked him in the eye and I said to him, 'Look, I'm sorry, but this is unacceptable.'"
Actual meaning: "I didn't say anything. I'm a fraud. I backed down. I chickened out, and my greatest fear is that you will figure out what a coward I am. Please oh please, just put me out of my misery Sob."

PAulm