I am a Jerk

I, Ben Foreman, am a jerk. Most of you who know me realize this. I, for the most part, realize this as well. But I have just come home from night class, I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. And I come into my room and find some neo citron, vapor rub, orange juice and a nice card all on my perfectly made bed. This would be the work of my lovely girlfriend Jacquelyn. To whom I have been cranky with all week. This is the difference between her and I. She had this bug before me and carried on like normal, working all her jobs and putting up with me with little support or care from me. And then I catch the bug and crash (I'm a real baby when I'm sick) and get all grouchy. Her responce to that: she takes care of me and is.... just wonderful like always. Man I'm a jerk, especially when you put me next to someone like her. Oh well, she's stuck with me any how! I'm gonna take some Neo with some Nyquill and I'll talk to you again in about 14-16 hours!
Good Night!

Sick

Well I've finally caught whatever this bug is that is going around and man it sucks. It totally frigs your sleep and your day. I woke up yesterday with this cold and since then I've gone through about 3 boxes of Kleenex. My nose is right raw. And I hardly slept at all last night because I couldn't breathe. It was one of those nights where you get to see each hour that passes on the clock. Don't you just love those? It makes me even less productive than normal. Oh well, what can ya do? Everyone gets sick. Well that's enough griping for now. Have a good one folks, I'm taking a nap! And by nap I mean I'm going to go lay down and continually flip form side to side at a pace determined by how fast each nostril plugs.

But you're a jerk and I still like you...

It would seem in life sometimes no matter how much you care or how hard you try some people just don't like you and there isn't a thing you can do about it. For whatever reason it is you have done something to this person or maybe they have just been informed about what kind of a terrible person you are and that's that.

Well I would like to offer this. I cannot dislike, or like for that matter, a person I do not know. If you are going to dislike someone it should not be based on an islolated incident or a first impression. If you're gonna dislike someone, get to know them first and then really dislike them!

Not to say that I myself have never made a snap judgment about someone on a whim but as someone who is often misunderstood and terrible at first impressions I plead with you to hold your judgment and also to be pleasant either way.

AND... Before I come down of this soap-box I would like ask that if you have a problem with someone that you just approach them to work it out. Don't just gossip about it! Too often the last person to hear of the trouble is the person the trouble is with and rarely is it brought to that person by the one offended! If you have a problem with me, come to me first. If I have a problem with you, I will come to you first. Ok? Ok.

I mean, I don't gossip myself. But the people I tell tell everyone!

Shooting A Sacred Cow

What happens to people who shoot a sacred cow? What else? They get lynched! Beaten! Crucified! Or beaten up, lynched and then crucified! You see what I’m getting at? It’s not a great plan. Though the change itself may be beneficial in time, those who hold that cow dear are going to take the lead person of this cow-killing brigade and… well, you know.

And that is what I have been asked to do. No not an actual cow! With a group that includes myself and two others we have the assigned task of “fixing” chapel. You see, Maritime Christian College (where I attend) has had a midday service on Wednesdays since time began. Some think it’s for the students, some think it’s for the supporters, I think it has become a performance and I can also tell you who it is NOT for… God.

Now as I melt for having blasphemed let me say this: I do not think we need to abolish chapel at all but before we can “fix” chapel we need to know what the purpose of chapel is! If it’s just something we do because that’s the way we’ve always done it than fine, let us keep on with this charade. But if this is something that is, as I understand the intension of it, supposed to be something to refresh, refill, and encourage the student body of MCC in the Lord, then we need to kill this cow and start from ground level.

I really think we could make it something to look forward to and something that would make a difference. So in this group we are going back to the drawing board and going to create something that is not just a well intentioned service which no one is certain who it is supposed to edify. But something that could reach people, encourage people, and perhaps bring people to a point where their lives could change.

And once that is finished we just need to see if we can get through the barn door… we’ll see.

A Clean Slate

If you're like me you're a weird-o. And if you're like me you also cannot work in a messed up environment. Well my room since the time I moved into my new apartment has been an absolute pig-sty! And I just can't get my work done in that kind of place. So after chapel today, I went right to work and cleaned my room until it was SPOTLESS! Which also prevented me from getting work done... And now I have no excuse for not doing my work!! Oh No! What have I done!!! Oh well, I really can't stand the mess.

The next project will be the big hall closet. arg... Its never ending. Oh well. I should get to that sometime but not right now... Why not now? I'm busy! Doing what? Umm... None of your business!!! Forget it Ok? Ok.

20/20

For all of you who pulled in by the catchy title of this post I regret to inform you that it is not about my sight as I have 20/40 vision and I also apologize to all you Barbra Walters fans as this is not about the TV show 20/20... Is that even on anymore? Probably not, and if it is, that sucks! But none of that has anything to do with what anything so lets just forget it and move on! OK? Ok.

I'm just sharing with all you faithful checkers of the sidewalk (which is likely just me and my girlfriend because I make her read it, and perhaps my mother) that yesterday I turned 20 on the 20th. My champagne birthday. Although I didn't drink any champagne... Maybe next time... wait. So yeah, not a teenager anymore. Man do I feel old! Yes, I'm finding as I've found many times that somehow I'm not as in touch with everything as I was. Holy Cow! I'm only 20 and my youth group kids talk about bands and TV shows and other pop culture and I don't have a sweet clue what they're are talking about. Most of the time I write it off as them being simple (cause there is NO WAY its me!) but I'm realizing, I need to pay more attention.

This is all very random really... When I sat down I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to write but this isn't quite what I was going to do. I sound like I just turned 40 or something. Its funny, because honestly, I don't feel any older really. And people have mistaken me for being much older than I am for quite a while. It could be because I never really fell, in my own opinion, into that teenage niche. I never really ever reached the point where I felt I was "cool." I didn't think I was a loser, which may have been a mistake too! But I never did get to the point where I was "too cool" to participate in things, or hang out at my grandparents place or tell my parents I loved them regardless of who was around before heading out on a school trip. I just never got to the point where I was that kind of "cool."

But either way, I am now 20 years old and still NOT COOL! haha, maybe there's still hope and I'm a late bloomer... or maybe I am a loser! One way or the other I am 2o years old, turned 20 on the 20th and it has likely taken you 20 freaking minutes to read all this!

Wow, you just read this whole random thing even though its really long and about nothing and I'm the loser? I may not be the only one!

The Opening Kick-Off

Well we've had our kick off sleepover at Canoe Cove for Sherwood youth group and we're ready to start up another year. We played games that the youth actually played and they listened when Dan spoke. That is amazing for our group! I was very impressed. We had a great time and I hope this sets the tone for the year. There are so many things that God has done for, to, and with us all over the summer and I really hope we can all be open to his leading this year.

This weekend we also had the opportunity to make another one of our great youth group videos. And in the process I got to watch one of our Sr. High youth fall off a chair on to his butt while kicking the chair out from someone else!! TOO FUNNY! And we've got it on tape! Life is good.

But on a sad note, we are saying Good-bye to one of our leaders. My brother Dan is moving on to New Glasgow to see what he can get going there. Well, I say "WE" but I really mean the youth, because... Lets face it, I live with the guy! I wont miss him, I see him every freaking day!! In fact, sometimes I wish he WOULD leave!!! Not really, we're great pals and I'm just trying (unsuccessfully) to be funny so we'll end with that! Good kick-off, hope it's a good year!
Prayers are always appreciated!

Led To Lead

So we had our second Leadership class of the semester tonight and it is rapidly becoming my favorite class. Our Profs are Tom Marshall and James Nicholson. And as we discuss the attributes of leadership and talk developing those qualities and gifts my mind wonders to how I came to think that I could ever have been a leader in the first place. How is that? Where along the line did I think it was something I could pursue? But it occurs to me as I learn to lead that it was because someone took interest in, mentored and LED me in this way that I am able to contribute to this class. I had a great Mentor, Murray Spencer, who took interest in me and really showed me what it was to be a Christian and how to (try to) show others. We are in a great class with people I would very willing to follow but I as I sit there I remember the one who set the example to me that if you want to learn to lead you have to follow sometimes and if you want to be a leader you have to be a servant. The way Christ did it, and the way it was shown to me and I still need to be reminded of.

Now that we are coming to the point where we are taking the roles of leadership (my generation) I hope I can fill the duty to someone else the way it was done for me.

Hockey Players Need Your Help

HELP...

Since September 11, 2001, Americans and Canadians have come together as never before in our generation. We have banded together to overcome tremendous adversity. We have weathered direct attacks on our own soil, wars overseas, corporate/government scandal, layoffs, unemployment, stock price plunges, droughts, fires, mad cow, SARS, high gasoline prices, and a myriad of economic and physical disasters both great and small. But now, we must come together once again to overcome our greatest challenge yet.

Hundreds of Professional Hockey players in our very own nation are going to be locked out, living at well below the seven-figure salary level!

Astonishing? Yes! But if that wasn't bad enough, they could be deprived of their life giving pay for several months, possibly longer, as a result of the upcoming lockout situation. You can help!

For only $20,835 a month, about $694.50 a day (that's less than the cost of a large screen projection TV) you can help an NHL player remain economically viable during his time of need. This contribution by no means solves the problem as it barely covers the annual minimum salary, but it's a start, and every little bit will help!

Although $700 may not seem like a lot of money to you, to a hockey player it could mean the difference between spending the lockout golfing in Florida or on a Mediterranean cruise. For you, seven hundred dollars is nothing more than a month's rent, half a mortgage payment, or a month of medical insurance, but to a hockey player, $700 will partially replace his daily salary.

Your commitment of less than $700 a day will enable a player to buy that home entertainment center, trade in the year-old Lexus for a new Ferrari, or enjoy a weekend in Rio.

HOW WILL I KNOW I'M HELPING?
Each month, you will receive a complete financial report on the player you sponsor. Detailed information about his stocks, bonds, 401(k), real estate, and other investment holdings will be mailed to your home. Plus, upon signing up for this program, you will receive an unsigned photo of the player lounging during the lockout on a beach somewhere in the Caribbean (for a signed photo, please include an additional $150). Put the photo on your refrigerator to remind you of other peoples' suffering.

HOW WILL HE KNOW I'M HELPING? Your NHL player will be told that he has a SPECIAL FRIEND who just wants to help in a time of need. Although the player won't know your name, he will be able to make collect calls to your home via a special operator in case additional funds are needed for unforeseen expenses.

YES, I WANT TO HELP!
I would like to sponsor a locked out NHL player. My preference is (check below):

[ ] Forward [ ] Defenseman [ ] Goaltender [ ] Entire team (Please call our 900 number to ask for the cost of a specific team - $10 per minute)
[ ] Jaromir Jagr (Higher cost: $32,000 per day)

Please charge the account listed below $694.50 per day for the duration of the lockout. Please send me a picture of the player I have sponsored, along with a Jaromir Jagr 2001 Income Statement and my very own Bob Goodenow (Executive Director of the NHLPA player's Union) pin to wear proudly on my hat (include $80 for hat).

Your Name: _______________________
Telephone Number: _______________________
Account Number: _______________________ Exp.ss [ ] Other Signature: _______________________
Alternate card (when the primary card exceeds its credit limit): Account Number: _______________________ Exp.ss [ ]
Other Signature: _______________________

Sorce Unknown

It happens at Midnight

Well, for those of you who are hockey fans like myself, today is a dark day. Not because Canada won the world cup... That's GREAT! It is a bad day because as of 12:00 tonight the Lockout for NHL hockey players will be in full swing and there will be no NHL hockey for a good long while. AND THAT SUCKS!!! This is NUTS! I just don't understand how something like this can happen inside an organization that handles this much money. The owners are losing money and can't afford to continue with player saleries so high so they need to cut the saleries down a notch. Fine, so do it. But they can't because the players have contracts that say that money is owed to them and they wont take a penny less! It makes me wonder if it ever dawns on these people... That they are paid a TREMENDOUS amount of money to PLAY HOCKEY!!! Most, if not all wouldn't even have to change their spending habits much because so much cash is at their disposial anyways. It blows my mind. The game has already gotten to the point where the average person can hardly afford to go to a game but this is crazy! To actually believe that they are worth the money they are paid is crazy. I've only seen one player who was truly worth all that... The Wayner! And since him, no one is even CLOSE! And HE would take less money! When he went to Los Angelos he didn't take the first offer they gave him because it was TOO HIGH and these players wont budge! That makes me sick!

Come on guys, who needs that kind of money anyways? You're paid and paid well to Play hockey. I pay 10 bucks a night at 10:45 PM to play. Take the cut and play the game you love to play. Don't do to the NHL what was done to the MLB. Remember why you started playing in the first place! Come on! What else am I gonna do on Saturday Night?!!!

What was that?

Today's lunch was brought to me in part by: McDonald's. Ahhhh the time of year when you buy one and get one free no matter what it is. Well I'm waiting and wishing that if I had a clue that I might have been able to pass the second one on for free to the person in front of me. It seems now that some people from the schools are unable to remove their headphones from their heads... EVER! Maybe if they do they'll die. I can just imagine what is playing on those things now... "breathe in, breathe out..." Anyways, this young, exemplary, hero of a citizen made his attempt to order but was unable to hear the lady at the cash because he had those freaking headphones on. I stood there and chuckled to myself and thought, "what a meat-head." But its funny how we do that in our own lives. This boy wanted his lunch but he wasn't willing to remove his headphones and it was quite a lengthy process. He wanted to get to the goal but didn't want to make the sacrifice of getting there. Sometimes we do that too. Whether it's a relationship we want to further without putting the time in. Or a goal we want to accomplish without putting the work in. So the next time you're in line waiting for your Big Mac, remove those headphones buddy and get it. If not for you're own sake, then for mine... I really hate waiting.

Hockey's on and I've got Class!!!

Well the world cup is on, Canada is doing well, and there is play-off atmosphere going on! What could go wrong. Well, incase you are reading this and don't know me at all, the title hardly suggests that I am a classy individual. World cup final game is on tuesday night and so is my first Psycology class! Yeah, a 3 hour night class! Lucky me. Not to mention that this is the last hockey we're gonna see for a while folks. The looming lock-out is still upon us and is GOING to happen. Does that ever suck! Man, nothing is going right in my life! Ha ha, just kiddin... mostly. Anyways i'll need a whole new post to gripe on that one. So GO CANADA GO! I'll be supporting you from Class unless i skip class... theres an idea... may sleep on that one... Goodnight!

It's Been A While

It really has been a while since I have last written on this blog of mine. I haven't really had much access to the web since i moved from Toronto. I just got my phone hooked up in the new apartment but the internet is gonna take a while. Though, working with Alient, I'm just glad i have a phone! There will be a grip fest later to come about alient when my high-speed finally gets in. Not really a lot of excitment going on right now. Just started school at MCC again and we have a great bunch of new students so that is exciting. And just getting settled into the new place now that our fridge has arrived. I guess thats all for now, bu-bye!