To Learn A Song and Craving the Road...

I’m learning how to play the song “Heal the Wound (But leave the Scar)” originally performed by Point of Grace. Basically I’m pumping the music into my brain via my MP3 player powering my new Phillips SHE9700 High Definition Ear Canal Monitors. High powered ear bud earphones in other words with natural outside noise cancellation properties. Not exactly Shure quality (industry standard) but good enough for a guy who can’t shell out $200 for ear buds at this point in his life.

I set the song to repeat and let just let it play over and over again until I catch it playing in my head the next day. Embedding no? I now have the melody in my mind which I can then “feel” as I play my saxophone. This might be an unconventional way to learn how to play a song but I find it works. Also it speeds up the learning process and I only have a few days to come up with an instrumental version of the song because I’m playing it this coming Sabbath for church.

It is now that time of year when the mornings are crispy, sunny, and the air is new. That can only mean one thing: it is time for the cycling community to hit the road! I can’t express in words how envious I am when I see a “kitted” out cyclist in full flight on the side of the road. I think this envy grows even more when I am in Banff and I know these individuals are riding some of what I consider to be the best roads in North America.

There is a stretch of road that winds around Lake Miniwanka that I am totally craving to ride. (This is the stretch where Tess and I took our pseudo engagement pictures.) This road is awesome to drive on and the views are indeed breathtaking but I can only imagine that the experience is increased 100 fold when you do on the back of a performance bicycle.


I have a made the vow that before I leave Alberta, I will do that stretch on a high performance road bike. I figure if you simplify your life to simple and straightforward goals such as this one, you have a greater chance of accomplishing them.

Anyway I am going to “fire up” the saxophone for a good hours practice before I do my daily workout.

One

Irritation of The Taco Deprived...

Everyone who knows me knows that I have a love of Mexican food. I think I gained this love during my years in Fresno, California. Of course to truly appreciate Mexican food you gotta be close to the source and we sure were during those Cali days.

Having said that, Taco Bell is a poor replacement for the real deal but it does suffice when I get the craving for all things... Well... Taco... The Nacho Supreme is pure genius! I even have to thank Majoire Santos for turning me on to original creations like the Crunchwrap which I love in both the beef and chicken versions! I still miss those weekend runs to the Taco Bell over there in Brampton, Ontario with the WBFM crew.

I was really quite shocked when I realized that Red Deer does not have a Taco Bell! Horrors! But then Dad informed me that we had Taco Time... I laughed because being a closet Kim Possible fan, I knew that her and Ron Stoppable would chill at a local establishment by the same name.

"So there really is a Taco Time?"

Many people claim that Taco Time is better then Taco Bell but I dunno.... I kinda like the latter better. But with the absence of the former... I'm finding a few dishes that I dig on. Hey a place that puts out light tortilla chips with a generous serving of guacamole and sour cream gets an A in my grade book.

So when Tom showed up at Budget a month or so ago I was instantly intrigued when he informed me that he was the manager of the Taco Time in town. This was during the time when we were first implementing the Wizard rental system and every possible technical issue that could go wrong did. I could tell Tom was itching to get himself on the road and thankfully I realized that even though we had him reserved for a mid size car, we had none available so it meant a free upgrade to an SUV. He was genuinely surprised and quickly forgot about his long wait.

Fast forward to last Wednesday. I was having a tough day. Our supervisor, a person I'm really having a tough time working with of late, (Cue voice of mom. "She is your sanctification!")
was being extra difficult and I was literally counting the minutes till I could escape for home. Tom shows up and once gain he is reserved for a mid size and once again all I have to give him is an SUV. This time he is even more pleased because I just made his 2 week trip to the States that much more fun filled especially for his kids. (The SUV had a DVD and Playstation hookup in the back.)

"You like Mexican food Romil?"
"Yes sir I do!"
"Well let me hook you up with free meals at Taco Time!"
"Right on bro!"

The rest is Burrito history...

Well the sabbath is fast approaching and I'm thankful that I've got today and tomorrow off. It gives me a chance to relax and realize that there is more to life then getting up for work at 6 am and dealing with difficult people. It amazes me how God can truly love all of us when we truly are at times an unlovely bunch. Honestly when I first think about this reality it is usually motivated by the ugliness I seen in others. But to truly be real, a lot of the ugliness comes from me too.

Heavy thoughts at the tail end of this blog entry. But to tie it in to the early lightheartedness: I am glad He gives us light moments to break up the growth stages of our lives. I'm grateful that God fully realizes how to motivate us and grant us the hope we need to press on when we need it.

A lot can be drawn from a free Taco!

So That I May See Your Face...

Being around photo albums and a basement full of old memories often causes me to reflect on the last 33 years of my life. Sadly this reflection is filled with regret. I chide myself for wasting so much precious time on insignificant pursuits. Love of the wrong person, a field of study I had no business pursuing, and financial irresponsibility. There are many.

The same thing happens when I’m assigned wash bay duty at work. I wonder how a guy with two university degrees can end up brushing dirt from the carpet of cars and mopping muddy floors.

What is even worse is realizing just how it all happened.
No one to blame but me.

My father has been gently offering insight into my thoughts by reacquainting me with the things that promote self worth and personal value. He is quick to point out that it is the simple things, (the tiny details that we tend to neglect because we think that these are the things that waste time) that over time will make the difference.

I listen, I digest.
I’m scared it won’t work.
I don’t know if I have it in me.

Then the words of comfort come.
The One who has been there since the beginning speaks.


I am valued by Him.

The beauty of the value that God places on us is that it is not based on anything we can do – rather it is based one truth. We are His children. Simply being his child means we have a purpose, possess incredible value, and are loved enough to motivate the greatest sacrifice a parent can ever make…

The death of His beloved son…

As Tess and I make plans for the future there are more questions then answers. Many hills block the promise land.

I often cannot see your face because darkness blocks the light.

But then I pray.

I pray you remember the little boy who lay in the field many years ago with his dog at his side. His eyes looked heavenward and his hands reach out to grab a passing cloud that resembled a hand.

Your hand.

And you promised you would never let me go.

Picture: Natalie Kalovoda Subject: Calvin & Lily

The Hopia Chronicles

“You know dear, even if I’m mad at you and I feel like giving up, you should know just because I’m mad doesn’t mean I don’t love you. I always love you! I really really love you!”

People are asking about details. Simply put, these are the words that won my heart.