tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11652078476519455242024-03-19T03:15:45.508-07:00βιογραφίαrandom rambling of my life be they trivial or profound...Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-10966651863068410872007-08-30T17:10:00.000-07:002007-08-30T17:23:59.526-07:00the one and only August post.Well, life has been crazy. I moved back to Cranbrook - "Cranberries or bust as some may put it" (They know who they are :)<br />I lived with some friends for 3 weeks who had no internet and since I am no longer a paper pushing junkie I no had no access to a computer with the net for a while. Defiantly a liberating experience once I realized what a junkie I really was "Death by e-mail" as another unidentified group may put it.<br />Then the craziness of the new job which involved an encounter between a grizzly and my dog 3 days ago.... More information to those that request it.<br /><br />My new project now is to try to get some local control of local land. Why should some people have exclusive right to land and to having the life that they want simple because they have the cash to make the rest of us their "labour market"??<br />Seriously: what is that??<br /><br />My time is not a commodity to be traded by some person that I don't even know. I just realized in the last few day (listening to the early business show on CBC) that the middle class person is regarded as simply an input into the economic well being of those better off than themselves.<br />Anyways, enough ranting.<br /><br />I was thinking lately, upon reading Dorothy Day, that maybe I should just become an Journalist exposing the evils of today's societal norms rather than having some job that is simple a random input into something that doesn't even matter in the scheme of things and selling my time to some company for a messily $20/hr. I know that may sound like a lot to some people but really think about it: is your life really worth only $20/hr?? If it isn't then why do you work for so little. Why can't we make business work for the people instead of people being sold to corporate entities for the whole of their life (minus when they are old)??<br /><br />Must go, I am in the middle of a double move. Talk to you all more in September.Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-32100987123346512992007-07-17T16:36:00.000-07:002007-07-17T17:08:34.070-07:00Fullness of Life vs. Personal Security"The most extreme example, perhaps, of closed groups, are what we call sects. Sects are initially seductive and attractive to very lonely and insecure people but, once they surrender their personal freedom and conscience, such people suffer the terrible fear of leaving the group. Outside, they could fall into even greater loneliness, insecurity, and anguish.<br /><br />I bring up sects because, while most of us abhor the more extreme and obvious manifestations of sects, we can be blind to the innocuous sects that are a part of society. Our places of work, for example, can become like sects, where we have to sacrifice our personal consciences in order to keep our jobs, have a good salary, gain a measure of security. We need to be vigilant of any situation where it is necessary to obey blindly. Rigidity, a demand for ideological conformity within a group, is rarely necessary; it is not, I think, the sign of a healthy group. Not only that, but the price that we pay, as a society, in the repression of individual growth and the denigration of individual creativity, it too high."<br /><div style="text-align: right;">- Jean Vanier in his book "Becoming Human"<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />(Jean Vanier is the found of L'Arche communities around the world that embrace the intellectually handicapped persons of society that are all to often marginalized by our society.)<br /><br />I highly recommend his book to all <span style="font-style: italic;">Homo sapiens</span> who want to become human.<br /></div></div>Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-55146155350052999162007-07-14T11:23:00.000-07:002007-07-14T11:51:06.188-07:00A Rocha - Creation GroaningA Rocha - "Christians in Conservation" held a seminar at Regent College in November 2003. All the lectures are on A Rocha's website at http://en.arocha.org/bible/index2.html<br /><br />Sir Ghillean Prance, the director of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew England gave a wonderful lecture titled "Creation Groaning" in which he explores the declining state of the environment all around the world.<br /><br />Then if you don't want to listen to all of the lectures Peter and Miranda Harris (the directors of the first A Rocha center in Portugal) in their lectures "Creation and Community" - Miranda Harris and "Creation and Gospel" - Peter Harris, give a wonderful summary on what A Rocha does and how God calls us to live as Christians. Peter also explores the idea of "Natural Resource Management" and what kind of relationship we as Christians, and indeed as people, are called to foster with the environment.<br /><br />A Rocha has field study centers in 20 countries all over the world. There are two centers in Canada one of which is in South Surrey (the other is in Manitoba). I have visited the South Surrey center and strongly encourage all of you to visit if you get a chance. It is a wonderful place.Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-32232526947382524632007-07-10T18:08:00.000-07:002007-07-11T09:16:11.964-07:00God is GreenWhat does the scripture say about creation care??<br />Check out Mars Hill's latest teachings. They are currently in a series called "God is Green"<br /><br />http://marshill.org/teaching/index.php<br /><br />post your comments :)Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-13060937367200884562007-07-09T14:07:00.000-07:002007-07-09T14:24:11.942-07:00North Coast near Prince RupertHere are some pictures from those few days that remind me why I took this job.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wiL1T9USn8ns51oRHyVsyOwlp4synjUZ-DAc1FFm4F6kH5HDpw8pojZHcA4sWwO5G-q9lcu_aUr11DUcZp3bmqfou4os7bzXdgTu4zrgmQbylUxw4keNTqYMwIL3eU7NeucPSyF4IeQ/s1600-h/Brown+Lake+Helicopter_3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085309095152626146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wiL1T9USn8ns51oRHyVsyOwlp4synjUZ-DAc1FFm4F6kH5HDpw8pojZHcA4sWwO5G-q9lcu_aUr11DUcZp3bmqfou4os7bzXdgTu4zrgmQbylUxw4keNTqYMwIL3eU7NeucPSyF4IeQ/s320/Brown+Lake+Helicopter_3.jpg" border="0" /></a>On the ground as the helicopter comes in to pick us up. </div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuwOiYaveKsC74uMX8XxvBV1Gu0HRYDaHzMGXYlV5pFmGeeb7re4DfEZZi7vahmTO38fzUuFUjzlRj19t80RW7gErRIxK_6sGZEtogqjSgOh1qsfhBdghmjclnRgIAGV7S_zJbEDMbYE/s1600-h/P1010053.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085308893289163218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuwOiYaveKsC74uMX8XxvBV1Gu0HRYDaHzMGXYlV5pFmGeeb7re4DfEZZi7vahmTO38fzUuFUjzlRj19t80RW7gErRIxK_6sGZEtogqjSgOh1qsfhBdghmjclnRgIAGV7S_zJbEDMbYE/s320/P1010053.JPG" border="0" /></a> Looking out the front window of the Helicopter.</div><div align="center"><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnR5UfCRWypCEIdbvrG7NdYd3MC7sBuLsLuKCN_l6o9NllN9-DHtKp_t8_Et-Z4Oi2Xw7VPdbQbCZ5JUb8KVTaCv2ALDNqVIJ6I6LLOx7OO0qz0ncc5qmkFk4OUAkdyM_rmDTwRq4ilzA/s1600-h/P1010056.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085308034295704002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnR5UfCRWypCEIdbvrG7NdYd3MC7sBuLsLuKCN_l6o9NllN9-DHtKp_t8_Et-Z4Oi2Xw7VPdbQbCZ5JUb8KVTaCv2ALDNqVIJ6I6LLOx7OO0qz0ncc5qmkFk4OUAkdyM_rmDTwRq4ilzA/s320/P1010056.JPG" border="0" /></a> Steep Bedrock is the trademark of the North Coast.</div><div align="center">Slides often leave only bare glacier smoothed bedrock in their wake.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwjRYYGbaMPA7CtpH7X3gdAQIEzloFrDfeW9bbNA9AC3iwS90INmf2wYBV8anWVqdF6MBtRb6wDl-vzr3gvNa-d-R9OhG526NwqLtRaHxfr01-K0UKXZSSIyLd1nnv_SVwv0Zv6yzVM8/s1600-h/P1010060.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085307785187600818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwjRYYGbaMPA7CtpH7X3gdAQIEzloFrDfeW9bbNA9AC3iwS90INmf2wYBV8anWVqdF6MBtRb6wDl-vzr3gvNa-d-R9OhG526NwqLtRaHxfr01-K0UKXZSSIyLd1nnv_SVwv0Zv6yzVM8/s320/P1010060.JPG" border="0" /></a> Beautiful Wilderness Basin.<br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085307583324137890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JY6E1_Mcxg-9j-HcSPZewff-am5ov8iD8NrXpWmzE4KCBilVdO5s5bTGKgBc5flyLlpynPtEEknpntjbndkZ5j-6wjMROxuLPi_5iqsylI5eVi-S9LSHiB8L10C5umAnzFPRkPpdd7Y/s320/Shore+of+the+Skeena.JPG" border="0" />Shores of the Skeena at its mouth.</div><div align="center"><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qPMQ74C8WqxE1MendaCWNCyMM9BF40hI9kNq5l5h3MqZJgb08C-3rhroemH9RcGXesVsxrDEyMc6FRnFwpj0XQhGqyZrQphwJIvzfxFTr4FlaLLDpULb-Z5g4Xx8RFdhferudUmM9C8/s1600-h/P1010080.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085307321331132818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qPMQ74C8WqxE1MendaCWNCyMM9BF40hI9kNq5l5h3MqZJgb08C-3rhroemH9RcGXesVsxrDEyMc6FRnFwpj0XQhGqyZrQphwJIvzfxFTr4FlaLLDpULb-Z5g4Xx8RFdhferudUmM9C8/s320/P1010080.JPG" border="0" /></a>The grain port out at Port Edward<br /><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-4510314659779262862007-07-02T10:03:00.001-07:002007-07-02T10:24:36.892-07:00What's Happened to the Church??One of my favorite bands, Po' Girl, a folksy band from Vancouver recently put out a new album "Home to You". One of the songs on the disk is called "To the Angry <span class="boldsubtitle"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Evangelist</span></span><span class="content">" I'll share some of the lyrics with you, the full song lyrics can be found on their website (http://www.pogirl.net)<br /><br /> </span><span class="credit"></span><span class="content"> "</span>Don't sing to me of turning my cheek<br /> Don't sing to me the virtues of meek"<br /><p class="content"> "I'm sick of someday soon things will be better<br /> That creed kept slaves, slaves of my ancestors<br /> Faith it has beauty but not when it blinds us<br /> Blinds us and folds us to crimes of excess<br /> Never to lead but always to follow<br /> Follow sad mad men to shame worse than death"</p> <p> "Don't sing to me of joy on the other side<br /> Don't sing to me of waiting to die" </p><p><span class="content"> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">russel</span> - Po' Girl)</span></p><br />as I was listening to it and reading the lyrics I was disturbed at how these women see the modern church, what has happened to us?! Towards the end of the song they talk about what they want out of life - their gospel.<br /><br /><p> "I want joy in this life, my joy loves company<br /> Don't sing to me that war is our destiny<br /> This is my gospel i hope you'll share it<br /> Stand for each other don't let greed be our measure<br /> Put down your gun and put down your bible<br /> Hold out your hand, we'll build a new temple"</p><p>Those things are exactly what I, a card carrying Christian, want in life too!! (except that for me the teachings in the bible have reconfirmed those desires in me)<br /></p> <p>All of those things (minus the putting down the Bible) is exactly what the bible teaches! That fullness of life is what Jesus came to bring us. Those things are at the heart of Jesus.</p><p>Obviously they don't see joy, loving community, caring, and peace in the church. How do we change that? (Quite frankly neither do I a lot of the time, have we lost the heart of Jesus?!)<br /></p><p>What has gone wrong in our churches? Where do we go from here?<br /></p>Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-61961350094073875402007-06-29T11:09:00.000-07:002007-06-29T11:23:55.107-07:00Laodicea, Pharisee or Sinner?<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span>, here is something to think about. If your church has a decision to make and there are 2 options. One option is going to get a lot of people in your church really mad and the other option is going to cause people outside of the church to be totally turned off church.<br /><br />Which do you choose? I am not talking about preaching down damnation on people, but just your simple actions will cause people to be offended; I am sure a lot of "church goers" can empathise, as well unfortunatly some recent church protagles that I know (and empatheise with). God loves people, all people both "sinners" and "pharisees". Which do you choose?<br /><br />It may be possiable to just make everyone comfortable but often that is at the risk of becoming the church of Laodicea. Is that the right option?? If not, you need to decide between either the "pharisee" or the "sinner"Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-45402392436682036362007-06-25T20:55:00.000-07:002007-06-25T21:15:18.664-07:00Life is HUGE!!How do you foster a deep and real connection with your spouse to the fullest extent of what God intended that to be (since that is something we can't really make up for after the redemption of creation) and still maintain a level of caring and loving others to the fullness that God calls us to? Do you need to compromise one to live out the fullness of the other? is this what Paul is talking about in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35?<br /><br />I for one don't see how I could possibly do one much less both in all their fullness and still have time to watch the latest movie, surf the net, and continue battling the ever growing reading list (it's all about priorities)... jk.<br /><br />Seriously though life is extremely overwhelming. Just the idea of studying the bible to the extent that I now long too is over whelming me with the realization that it would take lifetime upon lifetime to do as much as skim the surface. So now that I have dedicated my next two life times to skimming the surface of the scripture how am I possibly going to find the time to implement what God is calling me to do?? Now add on top of those untold centuries the idea of having to love and care for a spouse, (an opportunity that is only available in this life time I might add), in a relationship that mirrors Christ and his church!! Just to top it all off your marriage might just probably lead to children who you are then charger to love and care for in the same way that God as Father cares and loves us his children... talk about overwhelming.<br /><br />Oh and the final thing, be a tent maker to earn a living while you are up to all this God stuff. Ok God seriously who do you think I am?!?! Elastigirl?!.....<br /><br />Life is one very seriously high demanding yet utterly rewarding journey. Is it possible?? has the fall reduced us to just wallowing in overwhelmededness the majority of the time, whilst covering our head with a blanket and staring out blindly at the task that God has laid before us, brought to tears just thinking about the countless failing's that I know are inevitable??<br /><br />Feeling overwhelmed here God!!!Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-42239087061585047452007-06-24T18:01:00.000-07:002007-06-24T18:08:28.110-07:00The Depth of "One Flesh"After returning from church this morning I began reading "A Severe Mercy" by Sheldon Vanauken. The first 2 chapters brought me to tears. The literary display of this couples building of their love is some remarkable. Their love was made complete and full by a dying to self and a becoming more like the other that both of them under took and were very focused on during their short time together. It is a story of profound and true marriage love lived out by a couple who interestingly enough was initially set firmly against Christianity. I recommend it to anyone especially those married or engaged, or just those craving such a profound connection with another person (like me).Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-35879171662219424152007-06-06T08:24:00.000-07:002007-06-06T08:31:02.674-07:00The light at the end of the tunnelI'm going, or coming (depending on who and where you are), home today. Actually that is not entirely true. I am leaving this evening and have to overnight in Van. Lots of time for knitting and reading.<br /><br />I believe that I am nearing the end of my time in Rupert. I'm not running away from anything (just to get that clear). I have had lots of time to read and reflect and contemplate where I am and where I want to go with my life. Now that I have done that re-evaluation and<br />learned a lot ad read a lot. I am ready to go back home and define my community and become rooted for the long term.... aka COMMITMENT (the continuously unpopular idea of our modern age).Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-53453104712310217372007-06-06T08:16:00.000-07:002007-06-06T08:24:44.666-07:00More Must Read Book by Wendell BerryJust to add to the list of absolutely amazing books by the very talented Wendell Berry. Here are some more you can read if you can't find "Sex, Economy, Freedom, and Community" or if you just really liked that one and are looking for more.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.designedlearning.com/WhatArePeopleFor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.designedlearning.com/WhatArePeopleFor.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ncheritage.org/unsettli.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.ncheritage.org/unsettli.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ecobooks.com/images/crank.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.ecobooks.com/images/crank.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>"Another turn of the crank is all about forestry and agriculture and people's right and wrong relationships to the land.... I know someone who that might apply to in a very practical sense!<br /></div>Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-18209357604795170712007-06-04T17:29:00.000-07:002007-07-13T11:54:37.615-07:00Promised and Long Overdue<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Ok, here goes:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJCAf0DIqMaJLIN0qah8YdXZhtiAoxI5MYUTWrSS9V-ybNovNiJLk0E2dHZBBTxKioy7OajMQMTDWHwY4yTA3LQEmkLzu_ufjo3r-iCQUQUXJ7a3fG1IdIk1FXcBmkBUDycFD-Eua5Lc/s1600-h/P1010003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072374980852266722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJCAf0DIqMaJLIN0qah8YdXZhtiAoxI5MYUTWrSS9V-ybNovNiJLk0E2dHZBBTxKioy7OajMQMTDWHwY4yTA3LQEmkLzu_ufjo3r-iCQUQUXJ7a3fG1IdIk1FXcBmkBUDycFD-Eua5Lc/s320/P1010003.JPG" border="0" /></a>The Machine we flew down: a Bell 206L Long Ranger.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0tyPgTOnXtUS2rnsmxBpxWpqjTu3q9OmqrWD7icomowYnoj8_16Njwg5WspjRdfE-zDXYN-SWODG_0SdCT4drw24O8LiZUWo_cLbteKVGlIdxw7CssKvJa_IFckujjhOzeWgiHce1Kg/s1600-h/P1010002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072374748924032722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0tyPgTOnXtUS2rnsmxBpxWpqjTu3q9OmqrWD7icomowYnoj8_16Njwg5WspjRdfE-zDXYN-SWODG_0SdCT4drw24O8LiZUWo_cLbteKVGlIdxw7CssKvJa_IFckujjhOzeWgiHce1Kg/s320/P1010002.JPG" border="0" /></a>Full body shot....<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyDxK06u-MAwPyqbp6jZApYx6K4Ne96pF0wPbgXRljPDpckW1MKFQ5O5zYWFSs7GeUFu0-NWCHJOvigCswvysn6elHYJJRTrCCQJ2M15qy0osdkHAfB3i4kr659nIR4YDVV7TnYLQOFM/s1600-h/P1010005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072374452571289282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyDxK06u-MAwPyqbp6jZApYx6K4Ne96pF0wPbgXRljPDpckW1MKFQ5O5zYWFSs7GeUFu0-NWCHJOvigCswvysn6elHYJJRTrCCQJ2M15qy0osdkHAfB3i4kr659nIR4YDVV7TnYLQOFM/s320/P1010005.JPG" border="0" /></a>Waiting for the pilot in Prince Rupert (while the weather was still good).<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9TmmImI1Ft2DDLVoXIjdewjffFTJVhMt6-huNoHmkxBIAk5nd3UdcPH7BZIR3VqR8qvzEe9AAMjIw-PElFCGhSFW_0MfCTjAgjkCkPhVag1pZCbdHewFehCuZ69K3MDVcEeBE2rUFtE/s1600-h/P1010007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072374216348087986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9TmmImI1Ft2DDLVoXIjdewjffFTJVhMt6-huNoHmkxBIAk5nd3UdcPH7BZIR3VqR8qvzEe9AAMjIw-PElFCGhSFW_0MfCTjAgjkCkPhVag1pZCbdHewFehCuZ69K3MDVcEeBE2rUFtE/s320/P1010007.JPG" border="0" /></a>Featuring the full surround visibility. Despite popular opinion smaller aircraft especially helicopters are not particularly water proof and water leaks in when you are flying through heavy rain, hence the drain hole at my feet... to avoid a puddle.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LfaNJR-9kS1uBZM2ZGgIh-vit1X6mdX7grUZJWKb5kSfCnMn6krK8HtgDLQIlvgXqxM-D7oacogRXDW4gJqm9o1BfIe-bXoQEwtWgTYKvnkGoz4mAZZ2OMfA8qJFLr08xHxbveJ7Cs0/s1600-h/P1010008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072373937175213730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LfaNJR-9kS1uBZM2ZGgIh-vit1X6mdX7grUZJWKb5kSfCnMn6krK8HtgDLQIlvgXqxM-D7oacogRXDW4gJqm9o1BfIe-bXoQEwtWgTYKvnkGoz4mAZZ2OMfA8qJFLr08xHxbveJ7Cs0/s320/P1010008.JPG" border="0" /></a>In bad weather east of Port Hardy.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyMP0W3n8OWRpPC152t2LA0FLJJHScKbFTl1uNhj3U-BzVc4Ub3hx0L5Cxs0xujJRJNu9_einpbAnSmzOZtU0TADJMGTrFQJzTsuUrYpfgrScaOK7icd5o6vtUrbHwDHEPhcxw7aLV3E/s1600-h/P1010009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072372717404501650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyMP0W3n8OWRpPC152t2LA0FLJJHScKbFTl1uNhj3U-BzVc4Ub3hx0L5Cxs0xujJRJNu9_einpbAnSmzOZtU0TADJMGTrFQJzTsuUrYpfgrScaOK7icd5o6vtUrbHwDHEPhcxw7aLV3E/s320/P1010009.JPG" border="0" /></a>One of the Atlantic Salmon fish farms in a small bay.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_YJLH9V3wuuoiEVleWpxY9wqoYIHDlmKfbTQojK1u378gelDO9MpmkslIAyoCNv8m9IC9zfs5SHnR9MBCxjmUwb-m7e1MULExdeBPfq_hOGlUANvSHmyIIHVKfqVyIrUDWHLhr3ZGt8/s1600-h/P1010010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072372472591365762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_YJLH9V3wuuoiEVleWpxY9wqoYIHDlmKfbTQojK1u378gelDO9MpmkslIAyoCNv8m9IC9zfs5SHnR9MBCxjmUwb-m7e1MULExdeBPfq_hOGlUANvSHmyIIHVKfqVyIrUDWHLhr3ZGt8/s320/P1010010.JPG" border="0" /></a>This fish farm is especially full. We could see the fish jumping from the helicopter. If you look at the picture in a larger view you will see small white spots in the squares which are the splashes from the very active salmon.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxfj9EHq0xXGJW1fvZflQ7E_Yd5Zmw2xe9LYvghJEY-O5QHiCOcowmGrk_PIuIDrnp1OXnusRN2E_UQc75hhvByuspqJCrN-Nwkq2hSWECjlr7dO0tnAr1NrPl8Yt1Ldn1j2w7ucsV0U/s1600-h/P1010011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072371716677121650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxfj9EHq0xXGJW1fvZflQ7E_Yd5Zmw2xe9LYvghJEY-O5QHiCOcowmGrk_PIuIDrnp1OXnusRN2E_UQc75hhvByuspqJCrN-Nwkq2hSWECjlr7dO0tnAr1NrPl8Yt1Ldn1j2w7ucsV0U/s320/P1010011.JPG" border="0" /></a>Approaching Vancouver.<br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Thats it! Unfortunately the weather was not exactly conducive to picture taking. </div>Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-6029559174418166142007-06-03T07:07:00.001-07:002007-07-13T15:35:54.254-07:00The Lot of Land StewardshipAnother must read book if you care at all about the lot of the remaining natural spaces on earth. To peak your interest<br /><br />"If in order to protect our forest land we designate it a commons or commonwealth separate from private ownership (side note by Marta: this is the current model that we have in BC), then who will care for it? The absentee timber companies who see no reason to care about local consequences? The same government agencies and agents who are failing at present to take good care of our public forests? It is credible that people inadequately skilled and inadequately motivated to care well for the land can be <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">made</span> to care well for it by public insistence that they do so? The answer is obvious: you cannot get good care in the use of land by demanding it from public officials. That you have the legal right to demand it does not at all improve the case.... Our present idea of conservation and of public stewardship are not enough. Duty is not enough. Sentiment is not enough. No mere law, divine or human, could conceivably be enough to protect the land while we are using it."<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"><br />- Taken from an "Private Property and the Common Wealth" an essay by Wendell Berry from the collection "Another Turn of the Crank"<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Please note: I am not intending for this to become a book review blog... I wanted to share this because Wendell Berry is much more articulate than I am.</div></div>Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-53046536494207861242007-05-30T21:15:00.000-07:002007-05-30T21:25:16.880-07:00Careers are OverratedThink about it. Unless you love what you do and are seriously passionate about it. Do you really want to sell your life to some company for $20/hour, and a one night retirement party after which they all promptly forget about you and you are replaced in 3 weeks time.<br /><br />Most people work the standard 5 days a week during daylight hours, that is 71% of your days for your whole of your working life (which also often are the years of the most abundant health, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">raising</span> a family and self discovery and development.<br /><br />I for one think that is stupid. (Please don't miss understand, that doesn't mean that I just want to sit on my butt all day doing nothing). I want to live, live a full life and find ways to provide for myself doing meaning things that I care about. I want my life and my work to become one, not because I am forced to work evenings and weekends, but because my work is my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">existence</span> within and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">experience</span> of my community.Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-54709637214139844002007-05-05T07:11:00.000-07:002007-07-13T15:45:57.010-07:00A Night at Logging Camp<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-F66Z27AzkMzZ_E2Xo-5WGiXrNihXzd5B-qxDCWPIqFDw-p_jxiWUTDdIGNruPt27PgQzbgbcPvbz-q-5BreYTqEiR3QluNHqZOcuWA1vSL0BPVNnYOvQ5YuMK6_2mQkH_GAieqA3Bs/s1600-h/P1010018.JPG"><span style="font-size:0;"></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061080646574809186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-F66Z27AzkMzZ_E2Xo-5WGiXrNihXzd5B-qxDCWPIqFDw-p_jxiWUTDdIGNruPt27PgQzbgbcPvbz-q-5BreYTqEiR3QluNHqZOcuWA1vSL0BPVNnYOvQ5YuMK6_2mQkH_GAieqA3Bs/s320/P1010018.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />The North Coast Forest.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Well I had an awesome sleep last night after spending 2 hard bush days and one night in logging camp. My body is bruised and aching. The bush hiking is a definite workout. Slopes are 100% and covered in mossy and slimy logs.<br /><br />You can kind of get an idea of what the hillside is like from this picture. You are usually hanging onto branches, roots, or saplings to pull yourself up. It is basically full body hiking. I had a few instances yesterday where I reached out to grab a branch to stable me only to discover that is was actually a leafless stock of devils club. It is beautiful hiking and the forest is full of birds. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Nwnfn_9QCuWb2vKgw6PDzimGzdiNU-mQJGKr8kIHo673i1mdcGyW60o9BH5g3zJv-BQ3h1k6OAVJE9XGd3BcFBMRzo5GxnFEbeQpTc7hKxu-oX2PDrUrXm3ZG1u6RSC489R0YoVDeh4/s1600-h/P1010024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061082540655386754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Nwnfn_9QCuWb2vKgw6PDzimGzdiNU-mQJGKr8kIHo673i1mdcGyW60o9BH5g3zJv-BQ3h1k6OAVJE9XGd3BcFBMRzo5GxnFEbeQpTc7hKxu-oX2PDrUrXm3ZG1u6RSC489R0YoVDeh4/s320/P1010024.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yesterday I even saw a humming bird stick his head out around the side of a tree to see what we were up to and then scoot off. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gtDyzjO1rhcJofC_rdHFTQUelEX9SOP2mTBQ1e8sXfm67vQNZsrbN2GJxixRYyNONChJgyQR4keb57WwGoRGfYPGUkNHvdeHg42_Ll3J17Y_ZdUCU5MWUX_ocN_jz5JQTzT6vX46sTM/s1600-h/P1010026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061082098273755250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gtDyzjO1rhcJofC_rdHFTQUelEX9SOP2mTBQ1e8sXfm67vQNZsrbN2GJxixRYyNONChJgyQR4keb57WwGoRGfYPGUkNHvdeHg42_Ll3J17Y_ZdUCU5MWUX_ocN_jz5JQTzT6vX46sTM/s320/P1010026.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />At the end of the day the helicopter picked us us from the top of the ridge. The view up there was incredible!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKE09pA1-g0X7Y-9H_DPgp9NcV75ie0g5Gl-SwhSxKm1JXJFo65g4sEhe1l1mo8HQQSk1MkSyPqjy_rn9xaV42hUtXx1SWFkI6ry51vra3J_ysDU17T5YMWisrEpnh7dLAH219SIjtn8/s1600-h/P1010023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061082901432639634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKE09pA1-g0X7Y-9H_DPgp9NcV75ie0g5Gl-SwhSxKm1JXJFo65g4sEhe1l1mo8HQQSk1MkSyPqjy_rn9xaV42hUtXx1SWFkI6ry51vra3J_ysDU17T5YMWisrEpnh7dLAH219SIjtn8/s320/P1010023.JPG" border="0" /></a>Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-35580925261353925222007-05-02T17:30:00.000-07:002007-05-02T17:41:43.844-07:00Must Read Book...ok, I got this book out of the library yesterday, I have been meaning to read it for a while. Anyways, I got it yesterday on my lunch break and I am already 100pgs through. That says something! I do ready but not usually that fast. Here it is:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.brtom.org/wb/books/pix/sefc.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 351px;" src="http://www.brtom.org/wb/books/pix/sefc.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />It is a collection of essays:<br /><ul><li>The Joy of Sales Resistance</li><li>Conservation and Local Economy</li><li>Out of your Car, Off your Horse</li><li>Conservation is Good Work</li><li>A Big Bad Idea</li><li>The Problem of Tobacco</li><li>Peaceableness towards Enemies</li><li>Christianity and the Survival of Creation</li><li>Sex, Economy, Freedom and Community</li></ul>They are all very readable and not too long. I am already on the second last one, "Christianity and the Survival of Creation," and like I said I am only 100 pgs in.<br /><br />If you have already read this book please post any comments you may have. If not head down to your local library!Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-29621312481969742982007-05-01T08:12:00.000-07:002007-05-01T19:37:32.131-07:00Kingdom of Heaven (NOT the movie)I have been thinking about life and thought I would share a thought with you all (and maybe even get some feedback...)<br /><br />I really want land. I want to live a simple life: grow my own food, build a sustainable home, live in community, care for the people and plant/animal communities around me and teach others about making peace with creation.<br /><br />Yesterday I was listening to a Mars Hill Sermon (April 22, 07) Rob Bell drove home the point that I have heard <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rikk</span> Watts say <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">again</span> and again. Heaven is not some place else, heaven is a redeeming of the earth. Heaven is coming here.<br /><br />This got me thinking about my desires of caring for creation, living simply and living in community. If heaven is a restored and redeemed creation don't my current desires fit into that. Is is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">possible</span> that dream is not a dream for my life right now, but rather an inner longing and dim reflection of a life that will be realized in all its fullness in heaven (i.e. a redeemed creation). And, that any sort of manifestation of that dream in this life is not a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">fulfilling</span> of my desires, but rather a sign of the kingdom of heaven; obviously not perfect, but a dim reflection.<br /><br />If this is the case, where does that leave me? What do I pursue? what do I strive for? How do I live my life in light of that?Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-29666457927960993262007-04-17T16:45:00.000-07:002007-04-17T16:54:58.674-07:00My Exciting Thrift Store Find<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoouAEnIMFkjDoY6qSIB_hQ3zh8trWZxqq38G503XFKlWov2CRJDLHjmQQ87J7Q3_koF1ipmt6tKZoR-051pzfQcIzs50zqvsFB_QAw4S8n5qaThw8N3TCpQ4jOt7EFzCUq9A8yi-Lt8I/s1600-h/P4180004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoouAEnIMFkjDoY6qSIB_hQ3zh8trWZxqq38G503XFKlWov2CRJDLHjmQQ87J7Q3_koF1ipmt6tKZoR-051pzfQcIzs50zqvsFB_QAw4S8n5qaThw8N3TCpQ4jOt7EFzCUq9A8yi-Lt8I/s400/P4180004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054549608562586962" border="0" /></a><br />Hurray, I have found a cheap sewing machine!! Time to perfect some of those skills I learned as a little girl.Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-28186119619365814702007-04-10T19:01:00.000-07:002007-04-10T19:12:44.049-07:00Art from the Street<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Painting #3 by Ronnie</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(homeless artist from Boston)</span><br /></span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKTfB27ruLXZOxKYM9U5ZGzYTGQ3PvV3On9CijCM4vTOVCBEZiuH6rya0ZFmaKvNkDYb1OPipWZZGXqO44Pi8iL3N6x59oSaIXPpfzMNVLx6RkAOYOSvlV41NJomhxKgY1u4d90xtzvM/s1600-h/P4110003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKTfB27ruLXZOxKYM9U5ZGzYTGQ3PvV3On9CijCM4vTOVCBEZiuH6rya0ZFmaKvNkDYb1OPipWZZGXqO44Pi8iL3N6x59oSaIXPpfzMNVLx6RkAOYOSvlV41NJomhxKgY1u4d90xtzvM/s400/P4110003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051985285453608242" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a painting that I found at a art sale, featuring homeless artists, in a downtown Boston in the community hall of a church.Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-13529536809100145852007-04-10T17:03:00.000-07:002007-04-12T07:36:26.046-07:00Science Nerd meets Art in......<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>Erythronium gradiflorum</span> in April</span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3hEodM_hE743-r7yG_rZKaIgKqn_S5cjSLHYIdiyCRouKa1603jB8mRCSDsOZhYhZveGluwv5psdygxqDuLBS4AL5YYOeGLJ54IN4QUDDSjH2O52_R1ZxkV8sw_jrgCbRmFUEqEpiSY/s1600-h/P4110029.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3hEodM_hE743-r7yG_rZKaIgKqn_S5cjSLHYIdiyCRouKa1603jB8mRCSDsOZhYhZveGluwv5psdygxqDuLBS4AL5YYOeGLJ54IN4QUDDSjH2O52_R1ZxkV8sw_jrgCbRmFUEqEpiSY/s400/P4110029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5052550176732247362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Here it is, how I spent my long weekend. When I looked at the final product I had to chuckle to myself; only a science/math/forestry tech would paint a picture of a flower and include in it the associated underground life.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ></span></span></div>Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-7536519488948666972007-04-09T14:50:00.000-07:002007-04-09T14:53:27.968-07:00A Weekend of CreatingThis Easter long weekend has been a wonderful weekend of renewal and creating. and of course sharing an awesome meal with friends.<br /><br />I will post a picture of my "very exciting" first acrylic painting tomorrow.<br /><br />check Back. :)Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-78243500380880181352007-04-03T16:49:00.000-07:002007-04-03T17:05:03.598-07:00Welcome to my House...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" >New never seen before pictures of inside Marta's home!!!</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Self explanatory I should think:<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUyJI9wkMwDsT1tpUm1E2F202Ni4CLxqiHIEU32ZKFn6jca_X0zKZy_tWpDpgB3h-jxKm8_BTQb10ak8KxwTi_zkExj6iI-9FJILNHcMdRPg1KnrMLReKVYr0HMcHSrcZ9OmIuvU76yY/s1600-h/livingroom3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUyJI9wkMwDsT1tpUm1E2F202Ni4CLxqiHIEU32ZKFn6jca_X0zKZy_tWpDpgB3h-jxKm8_BTQb10ak8KxwTi_zkExj6iI-9FJILNHcMdRPg1KnrMLReKVYr0HMcHSrcZ9OmIuvU76yY/s400/livingroom3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049356822554529762" border="0" /></a><br />Sorry for the mild blurriness, I can't get my portrait pictures to load normally<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8SnvuntIYgj4OGurm0l6bsAfXaX08B2guaOroDDtcQgfFHo6uGa4E3xJ40sBWpKv6YEPgSy-xounLlWnX3ohsEHTIRyVbo0LDq5n9XhKecE_pt5ENqzcST9WphSRbMVGtmfcdkTwaZ78/s1600-h/computer:table.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8SnvuntIYgj4OGurm0l6bsAfXaX08B2guaOroDDtcQgfFHo6uGa4E3xJ40sBWpKv6YEPgSy-xounLlWnX3ohsEHTIRyVbo0LDq5n9XhKecE_pt5ENqzcST9WphSRbMVGtmfcdkTwaZ78/s400/computer:table.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049356706590412754" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUtuoumMAip_8WoYSRQQrAGJbm3EMd9_dg_xHySYgYVdpCFj2xZrKxKGFL8PyKmNj4cFheg5NajPBwY1oJH7LeHtCmtYQlrf34HiU46f4STh24uXF9XBzIm-6oavsWSbh8zWNTL0h5MY/s1600-h/kitchen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUtuoumMAip_8WoYSRQQrAGJbm3EMd9_dg_xHySYgYVdpCFj2xZrKxKGFL8PyKmNj4cFheg5NajPBwY1oJH7LeHtCmtYQlrf34HiU46f4STh24uXF9XBzIm-6oavsWSbh8zWNTL0h5MY/s400/kitchen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049355826122117026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiEJT9vt3bQnBPF1AOHIkEP26K4CwHhmEDV6ryPf7wDhQaLwW86D9opfe6wit6N2SZd-PrN9aJG5IEKeNsddTklMiyeYrxkyGGT0L_AWD8kIa1785wxWXEZDoGCqBI_2ZQ02NM6YI_d8/s1600-h/enterance_inside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiEJT9vt3bQnBPF1AOHIkEP26K4CwHhmEDV6ryPf7wDhQaLwW86D9opfe6wit6N2SZd-PrN9aJG5IEKeNsddTklMiyeYrxkyGGT0L_AWD8kIa1785wxWXEZDoGCqBI_2ZQ02NM6YI_d8/s400/enterance_inside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049354099545263954" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aBhD0yyYB4HTZJBNZR0CYdXYWws_-QqizFuNN2_erQEbMkwP98bVD2zTca13H21T4-FFBWWwjRfo4MeBR_rQUW6zhDfrPStEneTERgijzrKcwUmUU3ZC66oVdL9q_jXKsWtUio-ob6U/s1600-h/bedroom1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aBhD0yyYB4HTZJBNZR0CYdXYWws_-QqizFuNN2_erQEbMkwP98bVD2zTca13H21T4-FFBWWwjRfo4MeBR_rQUW6zhDfrPStEneTERgijzrKcwUmUU3ZC66oVdL9q_jXKsWtUio-ob6U/s400/bedroom1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049353927746572098" border="0" /></a>you are welcome to come visit if you don't mind sleeping on my futon.<br /></div>Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-32448476740249105952007-03-26T17:40:00.000-07:002007-03-26T17:49:52.363-07:00My Life is SOOO Random.....<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span>, so this is what happened. As you all know (because you read my blog so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">diligantly</span>) I ended up stranded in Detroit / Grand Rapids last weekend on my way to Boston because of the snow storms on the East Coast. Well just to finish the trip strong I had more travel problems on the way home also. Caroline and I went to the Boston airport at 2 pm last Saturday for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Caroline's</span> 4 pm flight (due to being a cheap travelling <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">pseudo</span>-student type I opted for a flight 2 hours later to save some cash). Caroline got on her flight and it left no problem. I hang out at my gate reading a book waiting for my flight. I landed, unloaded and was getting very close to boarding time when they announced that the oil light had some on at landing and when they checked it out they found metal filings in the oil. Disturbing..... So the cancelled the flight. I had an extra night in Boston in the ritzy hotel airport, went back into town for another bowl of clam chowder and some wine and meet some locals.<br /><br />Then yesterday I travelled from Boston through Salt Lake City to Vancouver. The bonus: I didn't need to take a bus from Seattle for Vancouver. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Unfortunately</span> I did not have a passport and didn't even think of it until I was boarding in Salt Lake as I had <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">originally</span> planned to go back to Canada by land. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Fortunately</span> they let me go without much trouble but told me I wasn't allowed back in the States, BANNED.......<br /><br />So there you have it. More random <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ramblings</span> of my obscure life :)Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-77430139891977888552007-03-23T07:21:00.000-07:002007-03-23T15:47:16.126-07:00Manhattan in a Day<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">That's</span> right we did Manhattan in a day. We are having a slow morning we were very tired last night and still have sore feet.<br /><br />We rose before the sun yesterday morning and caught a China Town bus to New York. We caught what sleep we could on the bus and arrived in Chinatown, Manhattan<br />at 11am After a bit of disorientation we began our walking tour. First we went to lower Manhattan and saw all the classic touristy things: ground zero, statue of liberty, the court house, Wall street, the New York Stock Exchange and the Korean and Vietnam war memorials.<br />Next we started the long trek to downtown Manhattan located mid island. We passed through <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Chinatown</span>, had a bite to eat in Little Italy and headed on up to see the UN, 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> Ave, Central Park, Grand Central station, the Empire state building and Times Square. Then we took the subway back to Chinatown and ran to catch the 9pm bus back to Boston. We arrived at the bus depot at 1am caught a taxi back to the hotel and got to bed by 2am. Needless to say it was along day.<div style="text-align: center;">Now, here are the pictures:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHafdChz1D3xhplU81g_VrmhAJRx_cPm2Q1AFpwKfOQxTtkFIVE-eG6ZhbXoZMm8KAGOkh90C2k0IAhh_XjazgJubEEdyeNejEQCZFnojiYP0mEOOpYZnLqXZ9z-Ck4-fo_31dsJV61A/s1600-h/HPIM2290.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHafdChz1D3xhplU81g_VrmhAJRx_cPm2Q1AFpwKfOQxTtkFIVE-eG6ZhbXoZMm8KAGOkh90C2k0IAhh_XjazgJubEEdyeNejEQCZFnojiYP0mEOOpYZnLqXZ9z-Ck4-fo_31dsJV61A/s320/HPIM2290.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045128702930405202" border="0" /></a>Chinatown in Manhattan.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfsmiNcMIdP2ClM-2rkPzt8LNl2ULK0NROKLADvkwEzylSF9x9wu_8qBJjMtO2EjPVqv1shGXZjTCwQvg6pCCJ6FoRXSOC6qZpJAZC3IWhhujVhnRLeXDdalfcch9xE4-5ub2tX7CbuY/s1600-h/HPIM2291.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfsmiNcMIdP2ClM-2rkPzt8LNl2ULK0NROKLADvkwEzylSF9x9wu_8qBJjMtO2EjPVqv1shGXZjTCwQvg6pCCJ6FoRXSOC6qZpJAZC3IWhhujVhnRLeXDdalfcch9xE4-5ub2tX7CbuY/s320/HPIM2291.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045134105999263634" border="0" /></a>Me in Chinatown, we thought the sign above my head was interesting. you can't really read it, but it says "no standing allowed, except for trucks."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbl_lv2F-7Ay9U8NxSgLGJgVAHvh3rOKbffBCEXJ2jTOrvRbN7Qep8MapDY3deMSp5EeqDukqxBx-l8wvVGwapHDzXTWtc85NBBZEpboq-aJNbaAaj-T8qTHbRDFR1AnyejIpsdRGL1k/s1600-h/HPIM2294.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbl_lv2F-7Ay9U8NxSgLGJgVAHvh3rOKbffBCEXJ2jTOrvRbN7Qep8MapDY3deMSp5EeqDukqxBx-l8wvVGwapHDzXTWtc85NBBZEpboq-aJNbaAaj-T8qTHbRDFR1AnyejIpsdRGL1k/s320/HPIM2294.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045130270593468274" border="0" /></a>Caroline at Ground Zero.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNp9no-AN9GVffwbjeuzIqYcfdUIqSSMcHht-prXNhUG6_m9Vo149pLPLi0590Y-BrnJ8nyutRXjOzeekADTFVgBbhPCwabIOWDjjeBG9p-00Fxq43EWWvWc09_HlrLUQDPLCCQRB64ko/s1600-h/HPIM2325.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNp9no-AN9GVffwbjeuzIqYcfdUIqSSMcHht-prXNhUG6_m9Vo149pLPLi0590Y-BrnJ8nyutRXjOzeekADTFVgBbhPCwabIOWDjjeBG9p-00Fxq43EWWvWc09_HlrLUQDPLCCQRB64ko/s320/HPIM2325.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045133307135346562" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4UzolYGkWaHwh8MlImGT6RZ_1NFVhwjgVbz0v7l4A4QsYMu9pjRedZ2vR9N7i28pKdyj3uhVqo2RaBnx_58GQW35IJ95LaZE-ZAcpWUp7BMr9bGAIcEx88pcNDN0M8Z0FwrCD8ARnJs/s1600-h/HPIM2380.JPG"> </a>The Statue of Liberty <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">from the</span> Staten Island Ferry. We felt no special ties to Ellis Island so we opted for the less expensive option.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDDeL4__9lble9Kfksy34Mgofk8E5gzLaWIj7C0ihdsLtmRWfOEdXm_p4sGsRh-Fvvn91yj7eyTGKL7EuqoYuhjP7AXnqrJSiQzTitxEHgT7ykYQ5xItxhbIGvqzpnTprLjaJ0PHazT8/s1600-h/HPIM2335.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDDeL4__9lble9Kfksy34Mgofk8E5gzLaWIj7C0ihdsLtmRWfOEdXm_p4sGsRh-Fvvn91yj7eyTGKL7EuqoYuhjP7AXnqrJSiQzTitxEHgT7ykYQ5xItxhbIGvqzpnTprLjaJ0PHazT8/s320/HPIM2335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045134904863180706" border="0" /></a>The view down Wall street.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXalW4b9c4Dxh2R-3c4-yaOOxqTtgl8G6TzErzPWpGsurwpz7IqHjLdoDBS4IfkjoIcWY5gyinIk4Fov0KTk3GXtvU-WyiPPo4vJnpymmd6TRNKCnuHeQdIypSK6OwowOOSBdUCdi81pk/s1600-h/HPIM2341.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXalW4b9c4Dxh2R-3c4-yaOOxqTtgl8G6TzErzPWpGsurwpz7IqHjLdoDBS4IfkjoIcWY5gyinIk4Fov0KTk3GXtvU-WyiPPo4vJnpymmd6TRNKCnuHeQdIypSK6OwowOOSBdUCdi81pk/s320/HPIM2341.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045135574878078898" border="0" /></a>Caroline walking up the Brooklyn Bridge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AArdOReSx5iGhWmvAgWHKbz06bSM3etToWbXjI-yFrDdvKR3bI4U-3HJvocm9-LDF-1Nqc1P6HaXv9mk9j4qjl7vt18eWX1BfRj865xsAfer-FuCcmlTFgDenEjNyFovHQODk6rbkzw/s1600-h/HPIM2351.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AArdOReSx5iGhWmvAgWHKbz06bSM3etToWbXjI-yFrDdvKR3bI4U-3HJvocm9-LDF-1Nqc1P6HaXv9mk9j4qjl7vt18eWX1BfRj865xsAfer-FuCcmlTFgDenEjNyFovHQODk6rbkzw/s320/HPIM2351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045136193353369538" border="0" /></a>Caroline in front of the UN plaza of nations.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeGhH376mdKJU-09HqWiwsOT7cs7SyqMePS0YWougkQw1ctS8wtvKzR4blZpUMln-qayJftzWx3bu-_teApD6cPOqqk8HzglWS8qBj3XvNIRcIE7hKAEidvlwuSJ4ugPTVmQsYyPSyys/s1600-h/HPIM2360.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeGhH376mdKJU-09HqWiwsOT7cs7SyqMePS0YWougkQw1ctS8wtvKzR4blZpUMln-qayJftzWx3bu-_teApD6cPOqqk8HzglWS8qBj3XvNIRcIE7hKAEidvlwuSJ4ugPTVmQsYyPSyys/s320/HPIM2360.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045136914907875282" border="0" /></a>Me in Central Park, from here we went to see Strawberry Fields and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Shakespeare</span> Gardens.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHZGGumIfERv543c-qoKzCDU8JgB2NhKwpJyWaoKCy1GO3TnmJmSx7ogpudk5p8ulXTLMVbr0ksbD1QBC_gi4bzxSbvfa0331hcROS2Hnj-4JJd8zJ87Jd2UJzSBiKOF4pVH2lkeTLDs/s1600-h/HPIM2380.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHZGGumIfERv543c-qoKzCDU8JgB2NhKwpJyWaoKCy1GO3TnmJmSx7ogpudk5p8ulXTLMVbr0ksbD1QBC_gi4bzxSbvfa0331hcROS2Hnj-4JJd8zJ87Jd2UJzSBiKOF4pVH2lkeTLDs/s320/HPIM2380.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045140080298772466" border="0" /></a>Me in Times Square.<br /></div>Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165207847651945524.post-76010051102158909892007-03-23T06:51:00.000-07:002007-03-23T07:20:10.018-07:00Art Museums in Boston<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span>, now to finish off what I started yesterday morning.<br />After we walked down the shopping street and went to the homeless artists art sale, we got on the subway (also known as the T) and headed out to the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.<br /><br />We went to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum first. Caroline had been there before on an English tour of New England last year. However, for me it was a first <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">time</span> visit. The museum was amazing! It was an art museum, but had the atmosphere of walking through a house. Lots of paintings and sculptures were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">tucked</span> in corners or aligned in a row right at the top of the wall were it meets the celling. Everywhere you looked there was something that you hadn't yet seen. The museum boasts some very famous European Masters such as Rembrant and Machelangelo, which I am not used to seeing being from the Westcoast; most all the famous European artists were sealed in museum collection long before the west coast was in a position to look at developing museums.<br /><br />The other very cool thing about it was that very few peices of art, be they sculptures, paintings, books or historic artifacts, were behind glass. There was just like a sculpture from the 6th century right there; you could reach out and touch it. Of course they had gaurds in every room to ensure that people weren't touching the art work or lounging on antique sofa.<br />In total there were 3 floors of art work and in the middle of the building was a beautiful garden.<br /><br /><br />Next we headed over to the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA). We started it and will finish on Saturday before we fly back home. I will write more about it then. I'll just say for now that after going to Isabella Stewart Gardner it wasn't nearly as excitting being in the MFA; everything was beind plexy glass, the rooms had bright lighting with bland coloured walls. Not at all arranged in a pleasing-to-the-eye fashion. Nevertheless, it does contain marvilous works of art as well.<br /><br />Sorry, I am trying to attach some pictures, but blogger doesn't seem to be working very well right now.Martahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08407649161766866964noreply@blogger.com0