All heroes wear cardboard armor...

On Chris Clement's "On Office/size"

2011-01-03T12:59:00.000-08:00

A few things to clarify:

1) I recently left my job at Norland. Long story but it didn’t fit me very well and therefore it was better to leave than to stay

2) I have a temporary job as the interim pastor at First Baptist Chruch in North Bay

3) I started today and commented (on facebook) on how I sold out because I suddenly had a larger office than I ever expected to have

4) Chris Clements inquired to size… and eventually led to this post about his office: http://cdclements.blogspot.com/2011/01/on-size.html

5) I would like to note I did not ever intentionally claim my office was bigger than Chris… he however asked about it’s size

This led to the question of office size and its relative ministry potential. (The classic its not how big it is but how you use it)

Here is my office layout:

I believe there is one thing which dramatically affects the ministry potential. Chris is a youth pastor (or similar title) and therefore needs an office with couches to increase teen hangout and ultimately ministry potential.

I, for whatever reason, have found myself ministering to adults which requires a different layout of space for effective ministry potential.

I submit to the readers (likely only Danielle Rourke and maybe Nyssa Clements) that both offices have high ministry potential based on the type of ministry we are engaging in.

Patman the Pat

(and mine is bigger… hehe)

Who needs a blog?

2010-11-02T16:28:00.000-07:00

Apparently I don't...

Or atleast I have little to say...

I'll work on that

Patman the long time no see

Exclusiveness

2010-04-06T00:25:00.000-07:00

Patman the Saint

This Patman always chooses the right thing

This Patman follows the good

This Patman listens to God

This Patman is faithful, honorable, trust worthy in all things

This Patman is so good that he is worthy of grace.

Patman the Sinner

This Patman always makes bad decisions

This Patman seeks first himself

This Patman offers himself to others

This Patman is a fully devoted follower of whatever feels best

This Patman is so evil that grace is not offered

Patman the Pat

This Patman is not mutually exclusive to either the Saint or the Sinner.

But this Patman is a work in progress.

Stay tuned...

Patman the Pat

Quoted

2010-02-19T07:31:00.000-08:00

"Living to make my mark is too small of a thing to give my life to. But to somehow be positioned where God can do whatever He chooses to do through me and through you that is a thing worth giving my life to." Andy Stanley

A Good Place to Be April 10th

2010-02-15T00:06:00.000-08:00

Dig it. I do.

Pmtp

Twitter feed is fun.

2010-02-12T21:01:00.001-08:00

So I didn't watch the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony tonight.

But I did engage in an interesting social or technological experiment. I knew that around mid-night my time they would light the torch. So I used that same function from below and just watched twitters about the torch lighting.

It was oddly entertaining (based on some of my friend's descriptions perhaps more entertaining than the actual event).

People were still guessing up to the last moment who would light the torch. Phrases like "Wayne who?" and "They should get Nickelback to light the torch" were fun.

But then the torch malfunctioned... Which was interesting to experience as it was reported live by those watching and twittering. As the first message came I thought is this real? Is it actually happening or some kind of joke? But as reports poured in, being updated by the second, I shared in the unique event.

It was certainly a neat way to experience the Olympics... favorite line: "Yay! Leave it to Canada to break the Olympics" or perhaps "China is laughing so hard right now"

Pmtp

On the gap.

2010-01-17T20:26:00.000-08:00

There is a wide gap in the world.

I was considering Haiti this evening. I finally decided to look through the collection of photos at The Big Picture (a news in photographs)and I was sorrowful.

I went to Google to explore what people are saying about Haiti and decided to follow the twitter* on it because it was the quickest way to hear from a wide variety of people.

The most moving pointed to the juxtaposition between my night, a Canadian (and American) night, and the night of a person in Haiti.

Canada: 24, Golden Globes
Haiti: Suffering, Death, hunger (just to name a few)

There is a wide gap in the world.

*If you are looking for an interesting view of this gap type "Golden Globes" or "24" into a twitter tracker and watch what people are saying. Do the same with "Haiti" The speed at which people are commenting is amazing, but the disappointments, excitements, cares and concerns are so different.

Lost in the Fringe

2010-01-15T20:51:00.000-08:00

Ok so I started watching Lost.

I also watch Fringe.

Both are J J Abrams projects.

J J Abrams projects: very similar. Let's compare. (I should note I am at like episode 10 of Lost so please don't ruin anything for me)

1) Music- Panicky violins, loud timpani.
These are identical. In fact at times if I am not looking I think I am watching Fringe and not Lost. The only musical difference is the occasional Middle Eastern sounding notes that come out when Sayid is on screen.

2) Driving the Plot
As Mr Abrams admitted himself during a TED lecture, have a metal box. Now I think I just saw the actual metal box or something similar but the idea is drive home the plot with an obscure object that out of the blue enters the world of the story which causes more questions. In Lost you have numerous: French communications, metal boxes, invisible monsters (and I am confident a whole lot more). In Fringe: ZFT manifestos, a half brained scientist who pieces together the past, inter-dimensional assassins (and certainly a whole lot more).

3) Something for the stupid.
Now this may sound mean to all of you out there who don't get into the question game that goes with Abrams' work. But his shows (as proven above) are clouded in mystery. The thing is that if you aren't sharp enough to come up with the questions yourself or keep track of them, JJ has something for you. Once and a while two characters will talk and ask a bunch of unanswerable questions that stand to lead us nowhere but for those trying to keep up (and can't) center the mystery. It happens between Olivia and Broyles and it happened in the last episode of Lost I watched with Sayid and Sawyer.

Now I had a few more but they have slipped my mind (perhaps as a result of fringe scientists or the others). All this is to poke fun at two great shows (likely if I went back I could probably add Alias to this list cause Rambaldi devices are a dime a dozen but I couldn't remember enough).

The sad thing is is that these elements make great shows. Regardless of their similarities I'll still watch them both.

JJ thanks.

Patman the Lost

(On a side note I saw "The Book of Eli" today and if you like post-apocalyptic stuff you'll like this)

Dating Advice form Culture's Biggest Strikeouts: Christmas Edition

2009-12-24T20:48:00.000-08:00

Well the goose is not only getting fat but is now quite fat indeed. For that reason Christmas is known to have arrived. With Christmas Eve my family sits to watch the beloved classic "Muppet's Christmas Carol" and so we sat tonight. Lo and behold my sister recommended Scrooge as a contender from which we could derive bad dating advice. Thus I reflect:

Scrooge is an odd person who seems to fail at much more than dating. From those habits and his brief relationship with Ann (or Egg or whatever her name was) let's pick up how not to pick up.

1. Hate everything
A rough starting ground but sure to give off that 'bad boy' vibe I hear is so popular with the ladies.

2. Ignore charity
Nothing says weakness like giving to the poor and women like strong men.

3. Seek the counsel of ghosts
This works for Scrooge and he does become a better person. But from what I can tell only desperate people take the counsel of ghosts and when you hit rock bottom looking for a girlfriend is low priority. Scrooge's priority: coal consumption.

4. When you are in a frank discussion about your relationship and how unfeeling you are... abruptly shove an expensive gift in her face.
Arguments are for a moment but diamonds are forever. Am I right?

5. If your girlfriend breaks into a song about love being gone. Walk away.
Its too late and frankly she sings too much.

6. two words: Catch Phrase
The ladies eat them up. "Bah Humbug" "Bazinga" "Hammer time" The list is endless and you can't go wrong.

7. Lastly if everything has gone wrong. Scrooge recommends harboring a deep hatred for Christmas. It may not get you the girl but everyone in town will be talking about you... and popularity is the fast track to singles heaven.

Merry Christmas.

Patman the Merry

Dating Advice from Culture's Biggest Strikeouts 2

2009-12-12T18:25:00.000-08:00

Tonight we examine the case of Beast from "Beauty and the Beast." Some may argue that he is not a cultural strikeout and he in fact gets the girl. I feel that regardless of this for the most part Beast was a strike out from the get go and although his strategy eventually worked for him it was hit or miss there for a while.

Let's look at his methods:

1) Abuse the elderly.
It may seem like a poor move like giving up a piece in chess but for this prince "charming" isn't central to his style.

2) Don't date till you are absolutely desperate.
See the beast hid himself away getting more and more bitter just waiting for his rose to go out and it wasn't until chance and desperation got together that he swung for the fences and brought home our beauty.

3) Over react to about everything.
Trespassers: Throw them in the dungeon!
Enter the East wing: GET OUT!
Girl leaves him: Lock oneself in the tower and become emo... I mean give up on love.

4) Dance. It's good and it works.

Now the final pieces of the puzzle where the Beast ends up succeeding:

5) Kick the girl out.

6) Let the villagers come to kill you.

7) Kill local hero.
Sure Gaston was a jerk to Belle but everyone else seemed to love him.

8) Die.
Bold move by any account.

9) Get the girl.
Somewhere between death and love the beast should have been a lost cause. But because he abused the elderly decades ago he gets the opportunity to marry the most beautiful girl in town and he does.

This is a questionable method and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone because you really need a magical curse to turn blessing and they are not a dime a dozen.

I hope you have learned something valuable about dating from the Beast.

Patman the Well-informed.

PS - I should have mentioned that the Beast also takes advantage of his friends and co-workers involving them in his curse. Again not the best strategy but very popular by today's dating standards.

Bitter

2009-12-11T10:36:00.000-08:00

So is a blog a long twitter or is twitter short blogging?

These are the questions of our time.

Patman the Pat

If Sufjan just isn't enough

2009-12-09T12:57:00.000-08:00

I saw D. Young post this link to his brother and found the greatest culmination of free Christmas music of all varieties. Check it out. It's free!

Patman the Joyous

I'm not sure how proud I should be of this...

2009-12-06T19:58:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure how proud I should be of this but five years ago I was as funny as Jimmy Fallon is today.

http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/11/neil-young-sings-fresh-prince-theme-song-video.html

Its been done Fallon...

Patman the better than Fallon.

Devoted #4: Citizens, families, and buildings

2009-12-04T20:59:00.001-08:00

Eph 2:11-22 tonight.

Considered what it meant to be citizens of heaven, part of the family of God and God dwelling in us.

It seems to me this is all about identity markers. I not Canadian first I am a citizen of heaven, I am not a Sutherland first I am part of God's family, I am not my own I am God's dwelling place.

Patman the identified.

Devoted #3: For God so loved...

2009-12-03T19:35:00.000-08:00

Given that I have maintained three days of reflection I am now an expert. A sagely guide to the spiritual. A wise-man prepared to solve all the problems one may have theologically, spiritually and relationally.

But besides that I was taken aback by another question today. I read Eph 2:1-10. And was eventually asked why does God love us so much?

Theologically I can identify lots of reasons many to do with creation (ie image of God in us, God's concern for that which he has made) and some to do with God's character (being love and all) but it doesn't always translate to my heart.

In fact when answering the question it was much easier to say why God would love everybody else rather than why God would love me. Generalizations are easy, specifications are hard.

Patman the beloved.

Devoted #2:Knowing Jesus Changes Today

2009-12-02T19:33:00.000-08:00

So today I was looking at Ephesians 1:15-23. The challenging question for me was in light of the fact that knowing Jesus more changes the way we see things what are practical ways we can live that change?

This semester I have written, read and preached on the subject of change in light of a future hope that we have in Jesus and the resurrection. Ironically when I read this question I was taken aback by the practical element.

It is easy to glaze over the abstract and say "hope changes everything" but in concrete terms it takes more thought. In one sense as well it is easy to say "we live that expected future today" by feeding the poor, offering healing to the sick and setting captives free but again in serious question is "Today what can I do?" Or "how am I today living in hope?"

It's harder to answer I think.

I need to make the abstract practical today and allow Jesus to be invasive in what I do. (Still an abstract thought!)

Patman the Hopeful?

Devoted #1

2009-12-01T20:20:00.001-08:00

A while back I heard Andy Crouch preach on purchases and practices at the Tyndale Faith Talks. All in all it was a fantastic argument for living a disciplined life over a quick fix life. I thought it was the most significant portrayal of why we do the spiritual disciplines.

And I did nothing in response.

I wanted to engage in a practiced life but I apparently forgot.

So I'm trying to do that now. Simply put I am devoting myself to personal study of the bible. I got this Bible Study guide that N. T. Wright put out on Ephesians and its a really easy and concrete 11 session study of Ephesians. I'm going to try to work through that. And to keep myself committed I am going to blog a reflection once a day in light of that time.

Today I was looking at Ephesians 1:1-14 and I struggled with the question: What ways is God calling me to bless others?

I was taken aback by the question because although I try to serve God, spend summers in a camp environment, and school years in seminary. But right now, this semester, I'm not sure I am actively engaged in blessing others. I do a few things here and there but I am rarely intentionally blessing others.

I can gloss over it and say that I am devoted to my studies which is preparations for blessing others but that's a bit of a cop out.

I need to think about it.

Patman the Thinker

Sixty-four Squares

2009-11-24T13:23:00.000-08:00

I have few past times that I call loves.

I enjoy music and playing it on my guitar, banjo and the likes.
I enjoy my studies and reading a good theological text once and a while.

But these are not necessarily things that I love. They are not loves.

Musicals I love.

And recently I have found my soul being called to a past love: Chess

I learned to play chess with my Grandpa. Before he died he lived with us and we used to, when I was younger, play a game or two once everyday or two. He taught me to love chess.

But I'll admit I stopped playing chess for many years.

However, the allure of sixty-four squares called to me and I returned to my first love: Chess.

Check and Mate.

Patman the King

Quoting is fun

2009-11-22T04:58:00.000-08:00

So I had my interview with Andy Crouch a few weeks back and I thoroughly enjoyed reading his book and talking about it.

(I did not enjoy transcription from audio to magazine)

He had some great things to offer the discussion we were having in the Canon25 and for today's blog post let me quote one for you:

"I believe that God is in the business of changing the world but I think that’s God’s business. My business is not to change the world but to create culture. It’s a different thing, because culture is always created locally. When you talk about the world it is so grand and inevitably abstract. Whereas my calling is to figure out what I can do today in my home town, with the networks of people I am connected to and that’s only a couple hundred people that I could actually collaborate to do something with. That’s where I am responsible to do something."

-Andy Crouch

Read his book Culture Making. Its well worth the read.

Patman the well... read.

With Christmas comes song...

2009-11-21T04:01:00.000-08:00

It is important each year to have a deep and passionate love affair with a Christmas song.

Sounds provocative I know...

I typically blog once a year about the Sufjan Stevens Songs for Christmas.
I do this for a few reasons:

1) Its great
2) It happens to coincide with paper writing and frankly blogging beats paper writing and Christmas beats exams
3) I am not nearly interesting enough to maintain an original or new blog idea every day let alone year.
4) Its led to a personal tradition that I wish to inspire others toward

Each year, typically through Sufjan, I pick out a classic hymn, or song dedicated to Jesus' birth and make it the Christmas Song of the Year. I meditate, sing and enjoy the richness of its meaning and allow the music I hear every year one more chance to impact me.

Previous winners include:
2006 - Lo How a Rose Err Blooming
2007 - O Come O Come Emmanuel
2008 - Oh Holy Night

The best thing about this practice is that it slow but surely is building a compilation of Christmas songs that I have let touch my soul and continue to reach me each year.

This year I have gone away from the Sufjan list...
I present "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear"

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold;
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
From Heaven’s all gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains,
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever over its Babel sounds
The blessèd angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long;
Beneath the angel strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not
The love-song which they bring;
O hush the noise, ye men of strife
And hear the angels sing.

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophet-bards foretold,
When with the ever circling years
Comes round the age of gold;
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.

There is a richness to Christmas hymns.

Patman the Rich

Today

2009-11-18T20:13:00.000-08:00

Blessing of Manwich on this fine Manwichfest.

Patman the stuffed (with Manwich)

ps photos coming soon.

Distractions 2009 #1

2009-11-14T21:24:00.000-08:00

Ok so I was working on a paper and then I wasn't because I was surfing the internet...

Found this...

Ólafur Arnalds - Ljósið (Official Music Video) from Erased Tapes on Vimeo.

Officially distracted...

Patman the calmed.

Interview

2009-11-02T23:11:00.001-08:00

I am excited and nervous. Have you ever interviewed someone? I haven't. Tomorrow I am going to interview someone. I may very well have jumped into the deep end.

A year ago or so I first encountered a book called "Culture Making" by Andy Crouch. I was caught up in its ideas and its potential. I started to read it in December and I finished it recently. And tomorrow I am going to sit down with Andy Crouch and ask him a few questions. All for the sake of that beloved project Canon25.

Have you ever thought what you might ask someone who you really enjoyed reading? I'm looking forward to meeting the man and intrigued at the prospect of an interview.

I'm just hoping my interview skills are going to bring about good discussion.

Patman the Reporter.

Spiritual Warfare

2009-10-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

There comes a time in most people's live when they have to move from flippant jokes about living to a serious discussion about serious issues.

Today is not that day.

In 2003 I was introduced to Brad Longard, average Christian, decent guy and played saxophone. Brad introduced me to at least two cool things. The first was Seinfeld. The second was "Spiritual Warfare" which is not the meaningful, complicated and maybe even alarming practice of the church but rather the Nintendo Entertainment System's answer to the age old question: What do I do at 8:30 when youth group ends?

This game has it all.

Basic Premise: You are a Christian trying to make a difference in the world. Your goal destroy the devil. But how does one destroy the devil? Well for that you have two goals.

Goal #1: Collect the armor of God. By exploring the various areas in your city (which include the park, downtown, and the slums) you will meet "bosses" and defeat them. After defeating them you will find the armor piece they had. Now these armor pieces each boost your character. For example: the belt of truth allows you to push large objects (I for one think this is a logical jump from truth to superhuman strength but you can feel free to disagree). Collecting the armor and using their various atributes you can access the dark 'under-city' where apparently the devil lives (which I think is odd because I thought the ninja turtles lived under video game cities but perhaps thats a different town).

Ok so you have managed to maneuver your way into the lair of the devil and even get to see him face to face so now what?

Goal #2: Collect the fruit of the spirit and use it to convert everyone and everything and blow up the devil. That's right your main 'weapon' in the game is the fruit of the spirit which is represented by actual fruit. You throw the fruit at everybody and they get on their knees and then disappear (or rapture). This is true in most cases but watch out sometimes they have a demon in them so throw an extra fruit just in case and get the demon too. The fruit offers great variety. You can throw apples, pears, bananas, grapes and even pomegranates and they all act in different ways. Its mad fun and its saves souls. You also throw the fruit at the Devil. I recommend the grapes because it is a triple shot in an array of directions.

Other high lights:

1- Angels- they show up and ask you trivia. Which includes a very nerd boy who smiles when you get the answer right. Which, as those of you who grew up in Sunday School know, is an accurate description of what is important in church.

2- Wrath of God- in case the fruit just isn't enough you can throwdown a vial of the wrath of God and blow up rocks, walls and people (who I think convert).

3- Hymns- In poor sounding NES quality music you get "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand" over and over and over and over again.

4 and perhaps my favorite- the Bar- You gotta be careful cause if you go in the bar you lose a piece of armor and have to buy it back at the pawn shop, in the slums, with you faith. (Oh Faith is currency you use to buy more fruit, health and is the prize from converting people and winning trivia)

All in all I'd say this is the most accurate picture of my life and faith ever produced into video game form. But like most Christian video games I think this one should be left behind.

Patman the Spiritual

Oh and here is a video if you don't believe me

Even Better I found where you can play it online

Moving on...

2009-10-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

It seems to me the natural order of things is to participate in University life at Tyndale and graduate.

After graduation you have approximately four choices:

1 Leave forever
2 Go to Seminary
3 Audit for life
4 Work at Tyndale til you die

That being said I have only personally achieved #2 but I have also created a new option: go back to the university and help run the Canon25.

That's right the magazine we all thought had a heart attack and was gone is back and ready for action.

Student publications at Tyndale has always had an awkward run. The New Apocrypha, and Canon25 have been two recent examples of what student writing can achieve but there was always this problem: how to generate content?

Strategies included:
Loud posters, consistent nagging, write something funny in hopes to get people excited, give up and publish cartoons only.

But I have found a new and exciting way to generate content. Apparently to get people to write you have to come up with the concept and then ask them to write the concept for you.

So I think it would be interesting to hear about the idea of sanctification as a means to time travel... I know that Bret Phlipt is interested in the subject. So I ask him to write up something for me on that subject.

And here is the kicker... Bret often says yes.

Content generated.

Patman the editor

Today is Classic Music Day

2009-10-18T09:40:00.000-07:00

I have embarked on a journey of musical direction.

Reminded by my mind of the days of Halo 2 and music I have set out to comprise a playlist of epic proportions including: Talking Heads - Fear of Music, Phish - Billy Breathes, Elvis Costello- My Aim is True, and The New Pornographers.

Til my paper is done this music shall ring forth for all, mainly me, to enjoy.

A dream its true...
But I'd see it through...

Patman the Waster

2009-10-07T01:33:00.000-07:00

Jim. Pam. Married this Thursday.

Blogged Down

2009-09-30T22:51:00.000-07:00

Well here I am once again confessing.

Oh great priest that hears my confession I beseech thee to forgive my idle hands, my idle mind, and my idle heart.

Oh sovereign ear be wise in counsel, slow to judge and quick to assist me in my hour of need.

Raise up again the keys of my board.

And cause me to blog again.

Oh great internet receive my earnest offering and allow me to write once again my blog.

Amen

Patman the Pat is Back

Comic Book - the Medium

2009-09-29T21:34:00.000-07:00

I am clearly a nerd.

No need to argue about it and no need to be ashamed of it.

But up until last year there was a medium of 'nerdom' that I had never given any serious thought or time to: the comic book.

I was blown away.

Now maybe it was the accumulation of all my other nerdy pass-times that thrust me, as many before me, into the genre but I'd like to think that I came upon comic books unnaturally and found them to be a compelling source of insight into art both written and drawn.

As many of you know I like television and I primarily like it for its story. Comics are no different. (allow me to clarify: I keep on saying comics but I really want to refer to graphic novels which are a collection of comics that encompass a large story)

My love affair with comics starts with Batman and technically ends there (although I have branched out to a few culturally relevant Alan Moore reads). Batman is great. I always liked Batman but then I read Batman and I like him more.

Here's the best thing about it: archetypal themes handle by a person which leads to genuine human emotion, struggle and depth. Or to say it another way amidst the absurd story lies a common theme that I can relate to. It draws out questions on morality, justice and sanity. It brings to light the complex balance of emotion and thought that one, trying to make sense of the world, wants and perhaps needs to explore.

I'm down with it.

I'm a nerd.
I'm a Batman Fan.
I'm down with it.
I'm ok.

Patman the Comic Reader

PS I would never read marvel.

I am Second

2009-07-30T11:55:00.000-07:00

Casually surfing the net. Reading things. Watching things. I found an interesting website the other day.

www.Iamsecond.com

A collection of video testimonies of famous people or just people who love Jesus. Each one explaining why Jesus is first and they are second.

I am really down with the idea.

Patman the second

New Segment: Dating Advice from cultures biggest strike outs

2009-07-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

I was watching "The Phantom of the Opera" yesterday or the day before and I realized that one can learn much from the Phantom in terms of how to approach a lady and win a date and perhaps that great joy of marriage. From observation one can only learn what is not recommended but knowing what not to do is half the battle.

Therefore I give to you...

If you want to impress the ladies like the phantom does...

1) Prey on the Naive.
Naive people are dumb that is why they are naive. Therefore you can convince them of all sorts of things that are both not true and highly unlikely.

2) Prey on preexisting errors within the person:
With Christine it was the whole my dad died and he promised to send me an angel. Become that angel and you win.

3) Become useful in their lives
The phantom taught singing which was a straight line to the heart.

4) Sing:
Somehow when a guy sings, and sings well he can sing whatever he wants to sing without creeping out the lady... I mean really try speaking the song "Music of the Night" to a girl and see how that goes...

5) (and this is where he falls off the deep end) Build a replica mannequin of the girl you desire, put a wedding dress on it and show it to the lady.
No comment

At this point if everything falls apart the Phantom recommends developing a plot to kill everyone and force the lady to love you forever.

I hope this give some fresh perspective to the dating scene out there. Good luck and God speed.

Patman the hopeless

Note: If you need a good mannequin designer I know a guy.

The Back of the Line Club

2009-07-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

Once and a while I think I have a good idea. For it to be a good idea it doesn't have to be useful, worth something or even beneficial. It does however have to waste time and be entertaining to me and perhaps you.

My most recent good idea is the Back of the Line Club.

At camp we have a long line during our meals and last year we found that as senior staff we are stuck at the back for about 20 minutes on a good day. So we joked about having a back of the line club. At the time we jokingly called to order, checked old business (of which there was none), checked new business (of which there was none) and then adjourned. It was funny and didn't mean too much.

However this year Jim and I have decided to up the ante. We now have officially formed the Back of the Line club. We have meetings at every dinner meal and record those meetings in our handbook. The meetings are generally a discussion of policy and procedure within the group. Further we have expanded ourselves building new membership and establishing an alumni.

It has been one of the best ways to pass idle time I have ever encountered. Tonight we welcome (hopefully) three new members and applications are coming in daily.

Patman the President of the Back of the Line Club
"We Got Your Back"

Where did I go?

2009-06-10T20:56:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought patmanthepat.blogspot.com was dead. It lives.

It turns out that when I finished school and was working approximately 14 hours a week my amount of time spent doing extra curricular like blogging went down hill. It lends to my theory that in order to make wasting time (play) valuable you must balance it with spending time (work). Too bad.

I would have loved to play and never work.

Patman the playfilled

A moment til seriousness

2009-05-11T20:49:00.001-07:00

So my last post was heavy (comparatively to my normal posts) and I just got back from my Camden Missions trip and I want to write about it but I feel it will be heavy. And I don't really want to write something heavy after something heavy so this is a momentary lapse til seriousness.

so what do you call a nun who can't sit still?

A roamin' catholic.

Pmtp

Is there honor amungst the thieves?

2009-04-27T21:00:00.001-07:00

I hate everything oppression takes from them...
I love everything oppression gives me...

Patman the UnJust.

...Til Somebody Loses an Eye

2009-04-25T01:45:00.000-07:00

School is done and I have time to waste.

So I have reinstated some of my old video game favorites. (this likely won't last so I will indulge while I can)

1- Elder Scrolls III- Morrowind
Nothing like battling the undead to give you that "I'm out of school" feeling. I gotta tell you as a Christian it is vital that I spend some time fighting demons and this game gives ample opportunity if only I had the courage to enter those darn Daedra shrines. But in all seriousness there is nothing like an open ended RPG. I have made myself to be a person with high sneaking abilities and uses a bow. This means I steal things and then hide and then attack things from far away without them noticing. Fun.

2- The Sims II
A far cry from the Ghostgate I have also begun reinstating some family life in The Sims. I developed a Patrick character who has decided to live the life of the politician (so true to form). I have married a nice lady from down the street and we had our first daughter who I named Nancy (for unknown reasons... well really I was having a hard time thinking and I cracked under the pressure). Life is good but its getting hectic and my wife wants to have another baby... time to build a second floor to the house and poor Patrick is getting so old. Well thats 'life'

3- Minesweeper
I've referenced this game before but if there are still mines out there waiting to be swept then we need to pick up our detectors and take them out.

4- Wii Sports
Made a return briefly at Kid's Fest this week. Always a big hit with the children.

And last but never least and likely not a surprise for the longterm reader....

5- Age of Empires 2

What more can I say. Classic.

This is all in responce to the lack of attention I had been given video games during my semester in school. Likely I will go back to my regular habits of maybe one game here and there... either way: Enjoying myself.

Patman the less than busy

If I sit calmly at my desk...

2009-04-12T20:51:00.000-07:00

If I sit calmly at my desk my work will finish itself.

Hands folded in my lap. A bit of music playing. My computer on but no text opened. A curious grin lining my face. I sit and contemplate the finer things in life. All things seem finer with a paper or two to do. I could play a game, watch a show or even work for my church but this paper is priority. And for that reason I sit calmly at my desk.

Perhaps more effort should be taken to complete my work but I always was an idealist. It's past midnight I could always attempt to sleep calmly in my room and see if my tasks will complete themselves but that's really a pipe dream compared to my sitting calmly stratagem.

I may be going out on a limb here but I am confident in my ability to work less and achieve more. Perhaps making a "crappy graph" would capture what I am trying to do. And so I will sit calmly at my desk and my "crappy graph" will finish itself.

And there it is. I have reached a new blog-o-graphic low. Good night everybody.

Patman the Accomplished

Sleepless in Toronto

2009-04-09T23:36:00.000-07:00

I know what you are thinking: "Wow! Just when I thought Pat was done with clever titles he comes up with something so original!" But hold your horses its actually a terrible title but I appreciate your enthusiasm.

2:37am- church in the morning, work in the evening and planning in the afternoon... yet here I am awake. I tried to sleep but couldn't.

I often wonder why I have bad sleep habits. It could be a lifetime of bad habits with sleeping leads to a total abandonment of all things. It could be that I just like staying up late. But I have come to the conclusion that it is often the time that I stop doing things, worrying about things, and get to blindly think about my life. It's for that reason that most of my introspective blog posts happen after 1.

No one expects anything from you at 1 am...

Oh, except maybe to sleep.

(Interesting thought: Yelling and Yawning in photographs are very similar... can you tell the difference?)

Pmtp

It has to be said

2009-04-09T08:29:00.000-07:00

(This is a strange digression but someone has to say it)

Every Christmas my mother buys be and my sisters Archie comics for our stockings (which are more of a traditional gift than anything since I only read them when young). But in my efforts to not work I picked up the one form this Christmas and I just want to say...

Why doesn't Archie just stick with Betty?

Patman the Frustrated

People I lived with: #2 Andrew Thompson

2009-04-08T17:57:00.000-07:00

(A note on above: It is always wise to post pictures of friends online particularly when that photograph is both a joke and never intended to be shown elsewher)

Now to business...

Andrew Thompson and I were roommates in 2004-2005. At the time we served as Residence Advisers for what was known in residence as 3 North. Andrew had been my previous RA and I was fortunate to have him as a partner. 3 North, under the guidance and direction of Andrew and I, followed the theme of "Where's the beef?" which was a spiritual search for depth in our relationship with Christ. The title was Andrew's idea. Andrew was still neater than me when it came to our room but he was a little more messy than Brad (I think I was a cleaner than the previous year too or at least I tried)

Important Info:
When: Sept 2004- April 2005
Where: Tyndale Residence, 3 North, room 314, ex. 2314.
Best features as a roommate*: Enjoyed late nights, pizza and movies (those three often went together), he had a car (although this isn't the top feature it is a good one), he was a much wiser man than I, "glory".
Worst Features as a roommate: Andrew worked nights at the Sheridan hotel from time to time, he was a better student than me, he also had a great ability of knowing exactly what I was doing wrong and informing me in a meaningful and engaging way (which although helpful is never easy).
Would I live with Andrew again? I would have to say yes. It went well for both of us. At this point Andrew is married and therefore it is unlikely that we would ever be roommates again.

So there you have it for Andrew Thompson.
Up next: A brief discussion on the PHOB-pad

Patman the Pat

*On the note of great features: Andrew also had an uncanny ability to trick people into thinking he was being genuine (a skill I quickly learned to see through and imitate). My favorite experience of this was a time when two keen people very impressed with their own knowledge base came into our room and struck a conversation with Andrew (attempting to win his admiration through how smart they were). Andrew listened for a while and eventually chimed in with "but what about the Hulah Mundai (a clearly fictitious document)?" And these fine gentlemen of intellectual prowess, rather than look the fools, engaged Andrew on the subject of the Hulah Mundai for a good ten- fifteen minutes. I meanwhile sat on my computer holding in laughter. Eventually Andrew gave up the ruse and these intellects never came back with something to share.

New Blog Trend #1

2009-04-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

Well its paper writing season so I figure it is apt for me to distract myself with blogging. For this season I have decided to make my dedicated topic:

People that Pat has lived with and is living with.

It is a fairly short list but full of enough character that hopefully it will be enjoyable.

First on the agenda my first technical roommate: Brad Longard (Shown Left: stealing watch)

As my first roommate Brad suffered and rejoiced through that awkward stage of figuring out what it means to have a roommate. I was a slob. Brad was not. And that conveniently divided our room directly in half. Still to this day I remember being confident on which side of the room was mine.

Important Info:
1) When did we live together: Sept 2003- Sept 2004
2) Where: Tyndale Residence, Forth Floor, room 420, ex.2420
3) Best features as a roommate: Staying up late writing papers, watching 4 episodes of Seinfeld is mandatory before bed (in fact he introduced me to Seinfeld so I owe him much) and Chris Cartel (I will say no more).
4) Worst Features as a roommate: Had a girlfriend and therefore was never present, did better in school than me, too clean for my own good and he introduced me to Yanni with a desktop background of Yanni coming out of a pool saying "Hey Baby"
5) Would I live with Brad again? Yes but not as roommates (I think he would agree). (I would note that given the option of living with Brad but being his roommate versus not living with Brad at all I would choose: live as roommates)

So Brad was the first.

Patman the Pat

Next up: Andrew Thompson

Reflection on Ireland #2: This time with some Photos

2009-04-03T21:20:00.001-07:00

In all fairness I haven't blogged because going away for two weeks in Ireland doesn't lend to significant blogging. Again being fair going away for two weeks of your life means that you have about two weeks of work to catch up on which again doesn't lend to blogging.

But being fair to others I think that I can still give reflections on Ireland (as long as the reader fully understands that these are reflections after the fact)

This reflection is on the value of good friends.

To be completely honest with you, because the internet is a place for complete honesty, the highlight of Ireland had little to do with geography. It is a stunningly beautiful country with amazing places to see, visit and kiss. But the real highlight of this trip was spending two weeks with my good friends Norman and Wendy.

If I was to look at my friendships I would say that a good ninety percent* of them took me years to develop trust, interest and love for one another. But once and a while you meet people that upon meeting you click and friendship is born on that very day. Perhaps friends at first sight. And Norman and Wendy are, to me, those kind of friends.

I appreciate their hospitality and their ability to put up with me for two weeks straight. I appreciate their sense of humor and that they get mine. I appreciate their insights into life. I appreciate the fact that although we met at camp they were able to get past my keen ability to separate myself from people and care for me.

We shared some very good times together and because of it we now have a common link for all time. They are welcome at my doorstep at any hour of the night and I know I am welcome at theirs.

Seal iontach le chéile

Patman the loved.

*Feel free to throw yourself into that 10% of quick friends friends because I love you

First Reflection on Ireland

2009-03-15T01:19:00.000-07:00

Well it has been about four days. First of all I will note I have spent zero Euros so far, which is an exciting premise. Second, I am deeply aware of the good friends I have here, particularly in Norman and Wendy, without whom I could have never come or at least would have never come.

I want to take a brief moment to describe a subtle moment of my trip so far. Being that I am taking part in the Irish lives of Norman and Wendy, who still have things like church commitments and classes to attend, for just a little bit, I have spent sometime engage people who I never would have on just a vacation. Most particular of those engagements was a walk a took the other day with Farren, Wendy's Rector (Pastor).

Wendy needed to go talk to someone and Norm was in class so Farren offered to take me on a walk to the peer. We never did make it to the peer but rather we went up Killiney hill. There was nothing particularly touristy about the walk, except perhaps the stunning view of Dublin City (photos to come at another date). But what I really appreciated was the Irish-ness of the whole experience. Rolling hills, greenery everywhere, and talking with a chap, in what I imagine as a typical Irish jacket and cap, about the little things in life. The whole thing screamed to me that I was experiencing Irish life and it was gorgeous.

This has been an excerpt of Patman's journey to Ireland so far if you wish to here more please turn the cassette to side B.

Patman

Ireland

2009-03-12T05:07:00.000-07:00

I am in Ireland and blogging.

I have officially reached "international journalist" status.

Patman the International

9

2009-02-23T14:49:00.000-08:00

Occasionally I catch onto things before the people around me do. Often I hear the word from one friend and just relay the message to others taking the glorious credit for being a 'hipster' as they say.

In this case I caught wind of something I think look phenomenal without the aid of those aware of the cultural tidal wave.

The movie is called "9" and it is based on a short made by Shane Acker. It looks like a pretty good fantasy and contains one of my favorite story settings: Post-Apocalyptic. It follows the story of these rag doll type beings that are trying to live in this post-apocalyptic world.

Anyways I like the trailer and here is hoping.

Patman the 9th

Oh! It also has Tim Burton as the producer so... yeh.

An internet fad is born...

2009-02-22T00:37:00.001-08:00

I stole it. I changed it. It started here today:

15 Thing- Untrue Edition

The way this works is that you write 15 things about yourself that are completely and utterly a lie... perhaps they are close to the truth perhaps they are far from it. Either way you write 15 made up facts about yourself and then tag 25 people who matter to you or don't it doesn't matter... tag them then they have to come up with 15 lies about themselves and then tag 25 of their own people.

This will create an internet fad.

1. I have had a nose job.
2. I am a really big fan of the original 25 things note game
3. I have already gained significant fame in the realm of Underwater Synchronized swimming
4. I am often called "Squishy" by those closest to me...
5. There is a place in my room that I call heaven and it is not located where you think
6. I attend a school that is located entirely below ground
7. I am not a Canadian Citizen but rather come from a nation not known by western civilization
8. I consistently fail at being awesome
9. Lies are harder to come up with then I thought
10. I am famous on the internet
11. I firmly believe that if purple was a flavor it would likely be raisin not grape
12. I voted for Barak Obama
13. I have often longed to live in the year 2050 (someday!!!)
14. Facebook is my life
15. I sincerely desire this to become an internet fad.

(Note this is the inaugural run of "15 things - untrue edition" help me start a fad!)

Please take this... use it on facebook... send it out to all the people who do these things and lets piggy back on the popularity of other fads and see where this goes.

Patman the liar

In honor of St. Valentine

2009-02-14T21:05:00.001-08:00

Today I played a game of age.

To Err is Human... Ug

2009-02-12T22:26:00.000-08:00

Right now I am trying to will my will in the world or at least over a situation here and there. This clearly puts me in a place of great peace, joy and humility. Wait. Scratch that and reverse it. This clearly puts me in a place of great un-peace, un-joy and un-humility.

Apparently my heart (known for its uncanny ability to strive for its own benefit) is not focused very outward, is not too concerned with reality and sorry to say it is not looking to Christ. Its bad news.

In my head I am convinced that I am focusing on the wrong things, looking to the wrong places for answer and walking a dangerous line. But I also seem to great such great pleasure out of following my heart on this one. It feels good.

Needless to say I am finding myself far too human these days...

May Christ come...

Patman the Human

I failed a course the other day.

2009-02-10T20:09:00.000-08:00

This actually happened.

I went to get my transcript the other day, most particularly because I was trying to figure out how long I was still to be in school, I got both my University transcript and I got my Seminary transcript. And there it was... an F.

It is true that from time to time I am a lazy student. I often slack off, work less then I should, read just enough to pass and disregard proper sleep patterns rather then work consistently all semester. But I don't fail. And this one took me for a surprise because out of all my courses this was the one I never wanted to have to do again: Spiritual Formation. (I would like to add that I am a big believer in spiritual formation but for a class in my Mdiv it had more work, reading and daily assignments than can be healthily done by a slacker student... and I would probably argue a normal student) That being said to achieve in the course I needed to work hard and get things in which I was confident I did.

To make a long story of worry and fear short I will say that it was an error. Somewhere one of my papers had gotten lost or not marked and never counted toward my grade. I was able to hand in a new copy and pulled off a C+. Not a great grade but I didn't fail.

Patman the Reasonably Successful

I'm allowed one...

2009-02-06T22:47:00.001-08:00

Today, as are many, I am proud of my once University.

Look here

Oh and I went to Tyndale.

Patman the Tyndalien

35 Days!

2009-02-04T19:16:00.000-08:00

As you may or may not recall I was fortunate enough to meet some cool Irish people at camp this summer. Very funny and very cool, we obviously hit it off right away. And to that end in 35 days I am going to Ireland.

This has been in the works since about July 5th, 2008 and all plans are coming to fruition. Honestly I keep expecting something to go wrong or for my Irish friends to message me and call the whole thing off... but that's only because it all seems too good to be true.

Either way I am very excited and not just because I get to visit another country, and not just because that country is Ireland and although a huge selling point its not just because I get to see Norm and Wendy again. It's the fact that I have planned nothing. I am off to a foreign country without my own itinerary. It's a mystery because Norm and Wendy have been given free reign to show me whatever they want and to take us where ever their hearts desire.

Its a grand adventure but I truly trust these friends. And for all I care we can hang out in the middle of nowhere and it would be a great trip because I get to see my dear friends.

Let me conclude by saying that I am excited. Surprise!

The Irish
(I realise that I am very Scottish in this picture but I'm sure you understand)

Patman the Irish

Back to the Future

2009-02-01T22:17:00.001-08:00

One of my favourite movies.

Also as a statement it also a very impressive insight to my life.

I really like my day to day life. Sure, if described to others it comes across boring, repetitious and maybe even pointless but it is the subtleties of my day that keep me enraptured. But I have to admit the future often scares me. There are always extra questions...

Why am I really in school?
What am I going to do after school?
What about this whole OSAP thing... do I really have to pay that back?
It's how much?!?

It is worrisome. I like my day to day life but I always come back to the future and wonder.

I was fortunate to get some news over the last little while that gives me a rare opportunity to truly live in the moment. Try it out... its pretty nice.

Perhaps someday I'll go back to the future and wonder but I think that's a little too forward of thinking for me today.

Mount and Blade

2009-01-28T20:27:00.000-08:00

Underrated, over simplified and loads of fun: Mount and Blade.

RPG, First person shooter (well swordsman), open ended quests. Its great. What it lacks in graphics it makes up in awesomeness.

Thanks to Chris Clements for the tip.

Patman the Lord of the Nords

The Library

2009-01-22T13:20:00.000-08:00

In all surprises I went to the library today. It was pretty bold because nobody approaches the library until the first paper is due which I can only assume is sometime in April. It is a fascinating place most particularly because of the grand accumulation of knowledge and the subtle tyranny of Library law (Shhh!).

Well I read books. I read a book on small group ministry. I am trying to build my small youth ministry through the art of small group ministry. Since at this point, by definition, it is a small group. This book, on small group ministry for youth groups, was speaking with wisdom on the subject and I was planning to sign it out but I left my student card on my desk. So now I have no books. And I ran from the library in embarrassment.

Patman the Bookless

Prehaps it is unfair to say this...

2009-01-18T22:16:00.000-08:00

I've gotten the sense that somewhere along the line people got it into their head that marriage was the end all and be all of life. That for the twenty-something marriage is a key goal if not the key goal if you expect to be:

a) taken seriously in life
b) make something of your life
c) be happy

I happen to know a fair amount of married people who I would never take seriously, who seem to have, through marriage, amounted to nothing more than before and, here's the real kicker, are unhappy. We all know that none of these expectations about marriage are true but as is traditional with humanity we tend to say one thing and act in a different way. I just want to rant for a moment and tell anyone who acts this way to open your eyes. The bible takes no stance in preferential treatment of marriage or the single life.

If you would like to get married fine. I personally would like to get married. However if my life's goal, my daily focus, my reason for being, or my source of strength is marriage or my significant other I have to say that somewhere along the way I may have blurred the line between right relationship and idolatry (yes your spouse can be an idol in your life). I, an obviously skilled marriage and family counselor and well versed bachelor, would recommend stepping back from your life and resetting your priorities...

or at least shut up about it.

Patman the Single

A reasonable lesson from class...

2009-01-15T20:26:00.000-08:00

Today I went to my last class of the week on curriculum development and evaluation. I was pretty excited for the class because I like talking about these things. We discussed syllabus things and reasons for attending the class in the first part. Then we went to Kairos chapel. Then we came back to discuss the purpose of the church.

The professor taught a very simple pneumatic about the purpose of the church. It can be remembered because the church is the bride of Christ it can also be called the WIFE

For the church to be fulfilling its purpose in the world it needs to:

W- Worship- bringing honor to God, praising Him and what not

I- Instruct- Discipleship, equipping, preparing and developing the body of Christ

F- Fellowship- gathering as the body, community, sharing life together

E- Express- Witness, making disciples, sharing the message and living outwardly our faith

I think it is a handy little trick to remember the purpose of the church.

I will leave you with one final thought that was given in class that "Not every ministry in your church needs to cover every area of WIFE but rather the ministries of the church need to together fulfill the purposes of the church and together make WIFE happen."

I like it.

Patman the Thought provoked.

This is me in class happy about curriculum (sans mustache)
Photo may or may not actually include me

And they prayed for my immortal soul...

2009-01-13T19:13:00.000-08:00

I learned something about my past today. Let me explain it to you in a funny story.

Many years ago I lived in a unique land. It was a hallway. But it wasn't just any hallway because within it lived different people from a broad perspective of Christian backgrounds. I was one of those people.

Now it came to pass in that land that some people believed certain activities were of the devil or demonic in nature. (Its important to note that I am not an expert in identifying which activities are of the devil and which ones are not) Either way certain people had made that decision.

I was aware of it. I also knew they liked to pray for these people and the obvious pitfalls there were falling into. Which was very nice of them to do.

Now for this story to make sense you need to know one more thing about my life in residence. I introduced the game "Settlers of Catan" to the Tyndale community. Its a fun game where you produce a small settlement on the new found island of Catan. You roll dice, collect resources and build buildings. Eventually someone builds enough to get the points to win. Its fun. Its harmless. I like it.

I also used to have a sign on my door welcoming fans of the game to knock on my door and I would introduce them to the game or play it with them. It was my way of getting to know people and early on I had no one else to play with.

Well according to a reliable source one day these two facts crossed paths. During a casual prayer walk for people in the school they prayed for people and their magic cards, for people and their Dugeons and Dragons and they got to my door... and prayed for me and my "Settlers of Catan" and my immortal soul.

Patman the Pat

The week of firsts...

2009-01-12T20:34:00.000-08:00

It seems that when you step away from life for a month everything starts back up in the same week.

First day of classes: Systematic Theology II
Victor Shepherd lectured on the council of Trent, particularly the conclusions they had on justification, for three hours. It was riveting in the way that digesting classic documents of the church is riveting. Interpret that how you will.

I meet with friends for dinner to plan community for the first time this week.

I go to my first pastor meeting.

I go to my first sunday school prayer meeting.

I go to the first "social gathering that will not be named" session.

I have other classes which begin

I am going to have sushi for the first time since I returned to Toronto.

Patman I

Ps Age of Empires is back with a vengence again. Its a timeless classic. New favorite civ: the goths.

It all starts tomorrow...

2009-01-10T22:15:00.001-08:00

I know myself pretty well. I like to think that I am fairly self-aware and that I know what to expect from me on a day to day basis but tomorrow I've broken that pattern (although I wouldn't blame me for it) and I start what I've jokingly referred to as "The Great Experiment."

I've been a member of a church, attended semi-regularly my whole life, watched people come and go, read books on the subject and seen some of the church's strengths and some of the church's weaknesses. I'll admit the church scares me.

So tomorrow morning, through the encouragement of the Spirit, the gift of Jesus and the grace of the Father, I take up a position in the church. Ok I've been working all week but tomorrow is the first Sunday and that somehow makes it the big moment.

I have rarely proclaimed that I would want to work for a church as a pastor or anything like that. And to be honest it is because the church has great potential to hurt. I believe in community, I love the idea of getting together with others but along the way people get cut so deep that the wounds last for a long time. I don't want to get hurt. Even more so I don't want to be responsible for the hurting. For that reason I am scared of the church and in that it becomes the great experiment but God wants me to try it.

I will try because mixed within the potential to hurt is the opportunity to heal. I want to act upon my fear and take up the cause for healing. Aware of what can be lost, aware of the harm I could do to others I need to step up and try. That is why I'm going to church tomorrow as...

Patman the Youth Leader

Ps Perhaps I will 'do' not 'try' because, in the words of Yoda, “Do or do not... there is no try.”

Dave Kentie will not win

2009-01-05T21:24:00.000-08:00

On Jan 5 2009 David Kentie, local blogger, decided to take it upon himself to call upon me for testimony on the diplomatic events that transpired at 493 Cummer Ave on Saturday Nov. 29th 2008. Mr Kentie describes his blog as "A plea for Patman to post on the not so recent Diplomacy" This so called plea looks more like a demand from a dictator like regime.Known Blogger- David Kentie

I, for one, do not react well to demands and I will not give in to the demands of David D. Kentie because I do not negotiate with Bloggers.

Patman the Unmoved

Here's the thing...

2009-01-04T21:28:00.000-08:00

This is the thing I hate the most...

When someone is right and I am wrong. By this I don't mean that someone knows a piece of trivia or practical information that I don't. By this I don't mean the reward of gloating that a person receives at the expense of me. It isn't as simple as bragging rights and it has nothing to do with who is right but more to do with how I am wrong.

This all started a month ago when I decided I watched too much tv and that I should probably replace my viewing with a sermon or something relevant to the real world. For that reason I got into podcasts. At the time one of my professors was particularly into Andy Stanley and recommended his podcast on leadership. So I, of course, jumped right in. I got the leadership podcasts and the weekly sunday services Andy Stanley does at North Point Ministries.

Its at this point that my desires, my wants, my greed, my obvious flaws tell me that that was a big mistake. And I, with my most conflicted self, want to claim it was a mistake. It wasn't a mistake because it lead me to somewhere bad. It was a mistake because it led me where I didn't want to go. I have a rythm to my life. I have a normalcy in my day to day life. It seems that even the things that I have to seek forgiveness for have a place in the normals of my day. And it shames me to confess that I was ok with that. Once more I was ok with that.

And so I desperately needed to hear what Andy Stanley was saying to his congregation. He asked the simplest question and opened a door into my life that I don't think will be easily closed. He says that when it comes to making decisions in our lives we often ask the wrong questions. We ask "How far can I go without getting caught?" "What is legal?" "How can I live for Jesus and still get the most from the experiences of life?" "How much can I do without feeling the negative effects of it on my life?" "How close can I get to the edge without falling off?" "How close can I get to sin without actually sinning?" And this approach is flawed. It is asking the wrong question.

Based on Ephesians 5:15-17 Andy Stanley suggests a new question: What is the wise thing for me to do? In the light of my past, and in light of what I want from my future what is the wise thing for me to do?

How can I ignore that question? How can I not look at my life and ask it? I'm not happy with this question one bit because it forces me out of my comforts, my simple pleasures and it really forces me to choose. And it is taking me where I don't want to go.

So you know what? Andy Stanley is right and I am wrong. He doesn't win a prize, he isn't better than me, and he gains nothing from being right. I, however, gain something. Although at my heart of hearts I may have known I was wrong, I can no longer escape it.

I am wrong. I'm sorry. Forgive me. Happy New Year...

Patman the unwise

PS this is a poor summary. Go to your podcast search engine, find North Point Ministries and listen to "The Best Question Ever" to get the real thing.

Un-Non-Fiction

2008-12-20T18:57:00.000-08:00

I've decided to try a new method of occasional blogging based on making up stories that are certainly not real and are not non-fiction. It is what I will call "Un-Non-Fiction" and while I was thinking about it I came upon this observation.

Why is fiction called fiction and non-fiction called non-fiction?

First let's get our definitions straight:

Fiction: A story or writing that is not real

Non-Fiction: A story or writing that is real

These are the standards by which we describe books but why is it that the things that are not real (ie fiction) took precedence to things that are real (ie non-fiction) to the extent that real writing is described as anti-fake writing... it seems odd.

For this reason I am titling my new segment Un-Non- Fiction.

Non-Patman the Pat

And yes this idea was inspired by reading the works of John Hodgeman... I don't dare think I will be as good but it will be fun to try.

Also the guy in the video about making money on blogging must clearly be an expert because he is like 16... and therefore he knows.

Just when I thought it was over...

2008-12-17T17:57:00.000-08:00

Well the Christmas season has come and its time to celebrate once again that joyous time of year when we reflect on that special day... the last day of the semester and no more school (for three weeks). That's right, it is no longer time read books, study or write papers. But just when I thought it was over: BAM! I started learning things again. Let me share with you the special things I have been learning since I came home to North Bay.

First from the TV: I learned that after "half a decade in the Disney vault The Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea" is being released to the general public. I was shocked. Has it really been half a decade? That seems like such a long time. Oh Wait! That is only FIVE YEARS its not that long. But I suppose its special to finally have this treasure released on DVD. Of course it looses its magic and wonder when it was a straight to DVD movie in the first place. Either way I know what is on my Christmas list this year: Something Else!

Second from reading: I actually learned this from the TV but then I started reading it. John Hodgeman (the PC guy in the "I'm a Mac and I'm a PC commercials") has released a new book. You may know his previous title "An Almanac of Complete World Knowledge Compiled with Instructive Annotation and Arranged in Useful Order by myself, John Hodgman, a Professional Writer, in The Areas of My Expertise, which Include: Matters Historical, Matters Literary, Matters Cryptozoological, Hobo Matters, Food, Drink & Cheese (a Kind of Food), Squirrels & Lobsters & Eels, Haircuts, Utopia, What Will Happen in the Future, and Most Other Subjects" (Known more commonly as "The Areas of My Expertise") His new book is called "For Your Consideration, The Firms of Dutton & Riverhead Books Present in the English Language: A Further Compendium of Complete World Knowledge in "The Areas Of My Expertise," Assembled and Illumined by Me, John Hodgman, A Famous Minor Television Personality, Offering More Information Than You Require On Subjects as Diverse as: The Past (as There Is Always More of It), The Future (as There Is Still Some Left), All of the Presidents of the United States, The Secrets of Hollywood, Gambling, The Sport of the Asthmatic Man (Including: Hermit-Crab Racing), Strange Encounters with Aliens, How to Buy a Computer, How to Cook an Owl, and Most Other Subjects"

I like these books.

These are just a few of the many things I am learning during the time period in which I not supposed to be learning anything. Darn you minor intelligence... one of these days I'll get you.

Patman the Pat

Oh Yeh I also learned that Batman Died!

So...

2008-12-09T22:25:00.001-08:00

Papers? Done! Exams? Done! Break? Amen

Distraction #6: An idea from Phil Kay

2008-12-02T10:57:00.001-08:00

I was in the halls of Tyndale yesterday and I ran into Mr. Kay. He said he had caught up on my blog and was looking forward to more distractions. We laughed and joked about various ways that you could distract yourself from anything. It was here that we realized that a distraction from writing papers does not need to be actually productive but just needs to give the illusion of productivity. For instance playing a video game gives you the illusion of productivity because when asked what you were doing you could respond "Saving the known universe."

It was here that Phil gave me a suggestion that is today's distraction: De-frag your hard drive. It is likely one of the most automatic processes that you could use to give the illusion of productivity.

If asked "What are you doing?"
You can respond: "I am De-fragging my hard drive."
You could even go on to describe that: "Perhaps it will need me to respond to some thing right away and so I wouldn't dare do anything else but observe this dynamic process. I don't want a computer to run my life so I must be there to run my computer. Sadly I will have to postpone my paper writing for just a little bit but when the de-frag is done we will be raring to go."

So be distracted and a special thanks to Phil Kay for the distraction #6.

Patman the Pat

An Extra Distracting Game: According to Google one of these people are Phil Kay... which one is the real Phil Kay... You Decide?

This distraction (#5) will surprise you.

2008-11-23T22:41:00.000-08:00

Blogging

Its just that simple. Sure blogging is another form of writing but it is free from the maticulous needs of the schoolarly world like grammar and spelling. Break thusly free into the writing break that is blogging.

Patman the Blogged Down in Paper work...

33 to go... very distracted week.

Easy Distraction 4: Find a Series and Watch it!

2008-11-21T13:38:00.001-08:00

This distraction is one of my favorites and forces me into many late nights.

What you do is search through your memory, talk to your friends, or search the internet to see what TV shows have existed and you have yet to watch. Then you choose one that appeals to you and you begin to watch the entire series. This can be done through the magic of DVDs or internet streaming video.

Now this may seem like a lot of work but if you find the right show and the quickest means of watching it you will never work on papers again.

Recently, that is to say over the last month, I have enjoyed watching the entire series of Hell's Kitchen starring Gordon Ramsay (via Youtube). It kept me from work, sleep and general enjoyment of life.

An average TV show will waste about 20 hours a week if you let it. Do let it.

Patman the Pat

Essay Distraction 3: Travian

2008-11-20T17:07:00.000-08:00

It may seem like video games and games are common on this list but that is because I find it most distracting to play a game.

Travian is somewhere between a realtime strategy game and a turn based strategy game. It is free and online. Basically you sign in and you have a city which produces resources which you spend on development of your city and then empire. But everything you do takes time. For instance I was upgrading my academy today and it took 3 hours. Which meant I couldn't do anything else for about three hours.

This game is ideal for distracting you from paper writing because it is a very quick distraction but satifying enough to make you feel like you did something other than writing your paper and it also lasts a really long time so you can think about it, plan and even monitor your game without losing alot of time.

I would give this about a 5-10 minute distraction every hour (depending how you use it).

Patman the Pat

Essay Distraction 2: Create a holiday

2008-11-19T14:30:00.000-08:00

I wouldn't say that I created this holiday. I was an active participant, I was present through all celebrations and I made a fool of myself for it but I love it. Yes folks yesterday was Manwich Fest 2008.

I feel this is a perfectly acceptable way of distracting yourself from paper writing because it feels legitimate but it is clearly not a real holiday.

Here are some elements of Manwich Fest that will give you an example of how to make a holiday.

1) Make sure others celebrate it:
I am under the impression that Dan and Brad celebrated this holiday in Toronto and Halifax respectively.

2) Bring others along:
Both Paul and Danielle joined me for Manwich Fest.

3) Create liturgy:
Brad wrote this poem on the Facebook event last year and I have read it before the dining begins:

Manwich Manwich please unite
Our manly souls for now apart
Bright us together for just one night
And stir the hamburger of our heart

To spring forth in song and dance
As polka occasions the chance
Until again we will all meet
For the occasion of meat.

4) Create rituals:
We dance.

5) Regale people in tales of previous celebrations of your holiday:
Paul asked about Manwich and I told him the stories. It warmed my heart.

6) Have a Facebook event that is public:
Facebook is key to being in community and putting something on facebook makes it real. So make it an event and invite friends. This may confuse people but its ok.

7) Take pictures:
Having pictures allow for credibility.

8) Get food involved:
Everyone likes food. Plus the time it takes to prepare is time well spent.

This event was an easy way of wasting 3-4 hours of paper writing. Try it.

Pat-manwich the Pat

P. S. I have 38 pages left.

A new series...

2008-11-15T15:36:00.000-08:00

I recall earlier I was commenting on the different types of blog but I have a new series to introduce (which means I will either return to other series periodically or never again).

The new series is "Things to do while writing papers or rather not writing papers."

This series will focus on the thing that I find to do while trying to avoid or take a much needed (debatable) break from papers.

Today's entry: Battle for Wesnoth.

This game was discovered by Chris Clements last year during the paper writing season. It was an instant hit amongst the paper writing scene. It is a turn based strategy game that you can download for free because it is open source.

Above: An image of gameply

It has multiplayer functions and some wicked campaigns. Since I was writing papers last night (and now) I brought it back from its un-used status, updated it and I'm deeply entrenched in a campaign called: "The Rise of Wesnoth" isn't this exciting! Some people may look at this game and wonder if the graphics are just terrible and to some extent it is true. However, the style of the game lends to this sort of late 90s feel and what it may lose in graphics it makes up in gameplay. Its fun and easy and great.

Anyways if you are looking for something to do beside writing papers I recommend Battle for Wesnoth.

And the weeks went by...

2008-11-14T17:23:00.000-08:00

So here I am November 14th. I sorta missed bloging daily for a bit in there... but I had an excuse I was spiritually retreating and vision casting for Camp Norland. More on that later.

I noticed this week that it was November, well half way through November. I also realised that I had6 papers left to write, which seemed like an excessive amount, and I imagine it is because 3 out of the 6 are for one course and really what kind of course has 3 papers due between the 20th of November and 10th of December.

However, I am not here to complain... I am here to avoiding working on said papers. It turns out I have no drive to do them. This poses many problems the worst of which is failing in light of doing no work (for that reason I will avoid that end result).

So now starts my official countdown pages to go til finished writing: 51

51! wow for six papers that seems low. Nevermind it'll be easy.

I bought a nice camera

2008-11-03T21:09:00.000-08:00

In the summer I bought a nice camera... but after the summer I rarely have time to use it. So I am going to try to take pictures and go DDOI on us all... every so often anyways.

For today I present: Quarters at angles.
Inspired by: quarters on my dresser, boredom

Patman the Photographic

The Banj.

2008-10-30T21:08:00.000-07:00

Cool people shorten words to make them more awesome. Thus, this post on the Banjo is titled "The Banj"

I've posted on the banjo before. I have referenced the banjo before. And likely, sometime in the future I will once more discuss the banjo.

I really like the banjo. I always found it intriguing and cool but until I picked it up and realized just how subtle it is as an instrument and as I spend more time listening to the world of banjo the more I want to get better.

Here is a tour of great songs on the banjo:

Dueling Banjos
The most popular culture reference to the banjo known to man. It is a scene from the movie "Deliverance." Deliverance is a movie that has very little to do with bluegrass or the banjo but will forever be known for it.

Steve Martin
Steve Martin plays the banjo. He actually plays it well. In my last post there is a link to a great video of him. Here I will post a clip of him playing with Earl Scruggs (one of the best banjo players of all time, to the extent that there is a method of playing the banjo named after him called Scruggs).

Sufjan Stevens
This was the place where my love of banjo began. I'll admit I would have never touched a banjo if I didn't hear it in this context. It brought something that seemed... well... hokie... and disguised it within the college music scene. The following song is "the transfiguration." I like it.

Bela Fleck
Perhaps the best banjo player ever. Be amazed. Be intrigued. I present Bela Fleck.

Yes that is right the last clip was classical music. It just blows my mind. The banjo is not just for bluegrass anymore. It is cool.

Patman the Hick-ish

Its almost November...

2008-10-26T21:38:00.000-07:00

...and now I'm playing Christmas music.

Technically I am playing Sufjan's christmas albums which are, in my opinion and others, universal music.

I wanted to share with you the wonderful world of Sufjan because his music often hits the spot. "What spot?" you may ask. The ear. So listen to Sufjan. He taught me to love the banjo so that has to tell you something.

Patman the Signing off

Cop-out

2008-10-24T21:10:00.000-07:00

...

Patman the intentionally wasting internet space.

Residential

2008-10-22T18:14:00.000-07:00

When I was a university student at Tyndale I lived in residence. For two years I was fortunate enough to be involved in Student Leadership as an RA or Residence adviser. It has been about two more years since I was last serving in this position. However, today I had the opportunity to sit down with the current guy RAs and discuss what my experience was like and what theirs has been like as well.

I have to admit I was a little nervous at first because I didn't really know who was going to be there, I remember what it was like to have to go to various meetings and I thought that I had very little to say. But as we began I found myself reminiscing the good old days and even missing the job.

I was most fortunate to be asked a question about the challenges of working in a diverse team that deals with intimate details of male and female life. It was presented that sometimes its hard because some of the things that we may experience as guys are hard to share with our female teamates. I agreed that the challenges were there and it is difficult sometimes to balance both the desire to be transparent with the importantance of boundaries. I was reminded of one of my favorite stories as an RA so I thought I would share it with you, dear reader.

It came to pass in my early days as an RA that events transpired that caused hurt amidst our community. This hurt happened within the male dorm and it was decided that it was appropriate to discuss the event without the female RAs being a part of that discussion. They knew something had happened but were asked to leave for our conversation. They left and we began discussing the issue. When we had finished our conversation we left to go our separate ways and as we looked out the window, into the courtyard, we saw our dear females RAs praying for our community, for us and for the event that transpired. It was beautiful and so we joined in.

That was a special event in my Tyndale experience. One which will likely form my understanding of community, prayer and compassion for much of my life.

It was a pleasure to talk with the RA guys today. It was neat to see people, much like myself four years ago, passionate for serving Tyndale and working their way through what that means. Tyndale is certainly blessed by them.

I read a book instead.

2008-10-21T20:21:00.000-07:00

I was going to blog but I read a book instead. The book I read was "Soul Searching the Millennials" by Dave Overholt and James Penner. No coincidence I have a test on that book tomorrow. Sorry Blog-o-sphere.

Patman the well read.

Heroic Blog Patterns Part 2

2008-10-20T21:08:00.000-07:00

For this segment of my blogging on blogging I would like to focus on the least creative aspects of blogging. They take it upon themselves to post what others have already posted I call this category of blogging: Re-posting... yup... re-posting.

#1: Re-posting:Video

In this category rather than writing something new you spent your time watching videos on YouTube, suddenly felt guilty remembering your abandon blog and thought "If I just post a video I enjoy from YouTube then its like I did something of value"

Elements of Re-posting:Video

1- Post a video from somewhere else

Variations:
Post the video and comment
Comment and post the video

Examples from my blog: Lewis Feels it
Examples on others blogs: Nyssa Clements, Mark Smith

#-2 Re-posting: Audio

In this category you do the exact same as above but use an audio file instead of video. This format is less popular than video (mainly because video killed the radio star)

Example from others: Mark Smith

#-3 Re-posting: Quote

This category is very common in the blogging world. You see people enjoy the prospect of having their own internet space by which people will 'tune in' to their space and read something clever. However, people are often very boring (myself included), very shy (that is to say that they don't think they are interesting) or very lazy (that is to say me). Because of this people get worked up about the idea of their blog failing because they don't post or can't write well. Somewhere in the history of blogging someone came up with the premise that saves every blog: If you post someones words, that aren't yours, on your blog they become a reflection of you. Great News!

The Elements of re-posting:quotes are identical to audio and video.

Example on my blog: To the best of my knowledge I only ever did this once... but it was a joke
Example elsewhere: Janet Nicholson

#4- Re-post: Image.

I wasn't going to name this category but as I glanced through some blogs I know I noticed that people do just post images with little comment. Often you may find people post images with no words just to show you their lives. But occasionally I found people just posting images.

Examples: Chris Clements, Will K

I imagine you can re-post just about anything if you put your mind to it so I will leave this category open for interpretation.

Well that completes this segment I cannot wait til next time.

Patman the Bloged

Bad Driving Day

2008-10-19T20:51:00.000-07:00

Another digression from my blog about blogging.

I definitely made my car's side mirror kiss the side mirror of another car today. Both freaky and ok.

They were nice and exchanged numbers. I think we'll go out for a date... not really.

Patman the Relieved

Now we interrupt with something completely different.

2008-10-18T21:27:00.000-07:00

A side bar from my account of blogging. Let me take you into the fantastical world of Patman the Pat: A hero in cardboard.

My recent exploits have led me to seek ministry opportunity. And I think, even though cliche, opportunity is knocking. About a month ago I went looking for work in the Youth and Family field (considering that is my area of study). I was lead to a specific church (which I won't name because I have yet to take up work there) and I am very excited.

They are looking for someone to come in and work with the already in existence children's program and to help develop the developing youth program. So I hope to soon embark on my first institutional church experience (at least working at one).

Patman Away!

Heroic Blog Patterns Part 1

2008-10-16T21:53:00.000-07:00

Today I am going to talk about Blogging, a subject which I occasionally comment on within my blog. Specifically I am going to run you through the basic types of blogs in existence or atleast the most popular types. This is part one in a series of blogs on types of blogs. Today's subcategory: Introduction Blogs.

Type #1: The I'm Blogging Post

This post is created to allow any person entering a blog to know why the person is blogging.
The basic elements of this post are:

Welcome
Who am I?
What am I doing here?
What are you doing here?
Welcome

It is always important to welcome people twice... This is commonly the first post on a blog but occasional culture breakers will let this overly common blog fall to a short second or third.

Example on my blog: Organized people are just too lazy to look for things
Example on other blogs: Chris Clements, Chris Lewis

Type #2: The I'm Blogging Post 2

This post is identical to "The I'm Blogging Post" but there is a subtle difference. In this post the person has taken a hiatus from blogging or has ran out of things to say. For this reason they forge new ground by starting all over again with perhaps a new look or a new title in efforts to re-inspire both readers and writers.

The Basic Elements of this post are:

Welcome back (this often has the explanation of the new changes)
Who have I become?
What am I now going to do here in light of #2?
Why are going to be here in light of #3?
Welcome back

Example on my blog: Patman: the Dark Knight Returns, I yai yai, The "I"s have it
Examples from Others: Will Kinchlea, Will K.

Well thats enough for now tomorrow we start the sub-category: Re-posting... yup re-posting

Pmtp

Patman: The Dark Kight Returns.

2008-10-15T19:28:00.000-07:00

Although probably lost on most people my title is a play on a comic book title... (I'll give you one guess which) But it is true The Patman* has returned. After a brief hiatus I have come back to the blogging world and hopefully I'll be blogging up a storm.

I have concluded, as per my new title, that:
a) all heroes wear cardboard armor.
b) I am a hero

I came to the conclusion that I am a hero as I stared into eyes of passion located on my head in the picture of me in a robot costume above. Now mind you I am not a robot and as a hero I don't intend to execute justice (or whatever) in a robotic way.

Some may say it is cocky to say you are a hero but I'm just going to go for it. In fact I invite you all to start calling yourself a hero it makes your life seem that much more interesting.

So here's the deal: I am going to try and capture my exploits as a hero, the mundane made fun-dane through the magic of writing.

Here is hoping for success!
Up, up and to bed.

Pmtp

*My new favorite thing is, rather than refer to myself as Patman, refer to myself as "The Patman." Batman does it so can I .

No Post Tonight

2008-10-14T20:56:00.000-07:00

I sat here for like an hour.
Sorry folks.
No Post Tonight

Patman the Pat

Lewis Feels it...

2008-10-13T21:35:00.000-07:00

Ok misleading title.

But if you read Chris Lewis' blog then you know that this was posted on his blog first. However, I love this too and the more who get to enjoy it the better. Let's face it it may be the best commercial ever. I think so.

Just watch it and fall in love.

Patman the heartfelt

Batman the Bat?

2008-08-05T16:24:00.000-07:00

Anyways. I thought I would say that I liked the new batman movie. I've seen it twice and I'm leaning toward a third time.

I also updated my costume.

Patman the Pat

When Irish Upon a Star...

2008-07-10T05:49:00.000-07:00

Every so often when I am in Toronto I will be asked "Where is Camp Norland?" I will chuckle a bit and try to explain that it is located in Kipling, well outside of Verner, which is outside of Sturgeon Falls, which is half way between North Bay and Sudbury. I'm not sure if people actually understand where it is but at this point they generally smile and stop asking questions.

For this reason it surprised me to no end this summer that a pair of people from Ireland came to camp this summer for a month.

Norman and Wendy are clearly two unique people. First of all they share a great sense of humor (which means, for those of you who miss the subtly there, they share my sense of humor). Second they came from Ireland to Camp Norland (again strange). Third they have that great Irish accent. Finally, they are cool people.

I have been fortunate to have been able to hang out with them and get to know them and I'm pretty sure I will be heading to Ireland for a couple weeks in the coming school season.

So today I am a big fan of the Irish.

Pmtp

This post is to proove to Will that I am still blogging

2008-06-10T06:38:00.000-07:00

I have put this post here today so that in the event that Will Kinchlea, upon reading my comment on his blog about not blogging, comes to my blog to see if I have been blogging myself. This post is the proof that I am still blogging and that I can manage to blog. Therefore he can too.

PmtP

Episode II: Attack of the Lone

2008-05-30T14:01:00.000-07:00

It seems that the last month has flown by.

So many things have happened and so few of them will I ever blog about. (how's that for vague?)

Needless to say being in this state of solitude, single space, this one on one, or any other allerative alone-time, has allowed me to reflect on much of my life.

I would like to now share with you my reflections on Solitude.

It should first be noted that I am not technically refering to the spiritual discpline of solitude since I am not attempting to discpline myself spiritually. I am, however, refering to the experience of being alone. Here are my thoughts:

1. Being alone is quiet- I have a tendancy to talk to myself when I am alone for long periods of time. This is not a psychotic reaction rather an attempt to break silence.

2. In solitude your use of Technology changes- It was funny for a while I used to drag my computer speakers up stairs to use with my mp3 player and then every night when I went to use my computer I would have to climb up the stairs and find them. I recently discovered that headphones work just as well and since I am the soul that desires to hear the music it just makes sense.

3. Being alone is different than being with others- I'll pause for a moment to let you all have a metal break after that revelation. ... ... ... I find myself sticking to a schedule. I have to do it because otherwise I'll get lost and forget to do different things. I think I would also find myself bored. For instance I can only watch TV between 8:00 and 10:00 and then I have to go downstairs. Its very odd for me to be on a schedule and so I must confess that it is different to be alone then to be with others.

Those are just a few of the ways that being alone is helpful. I find myself reading my bible more, thinking more, longing for people more, drinking water more (but I doubt that has anything to do with being alone) but however being alone changes a person it should be known that I miss the Toronto times.

I will now have a moment of silence for the experiences of Toronto: Skipping class, Star Craft with Dan, Brad and Gerry, playing Wii, Ace of Cakes, Yelling CHOWN, making fun of Penney, talking with Paul, Civ 4 with Will, New Pornographers concerts with the Clements, Dr. Mario with Jay Locke, and driving to school instead of walking... Toronto... here's to you!

(I live in the tall one)

PmtP

A funny thing happen on the way to my documentary

2008-05-17T19:14:00.000-07:00

So I hit a snag in the solitary documentary I was so excited to make about a month ago.

It turns out I have no means of transfering video from my camera to a computer.

It also turns out that solitude is even boring for the guy in solitude. This doesn't help me become passionate behind documentary making.

In conclusion I am unsure if that whole documentary thing will work out.

However I may pull up my boot straps and make it happen.

For a free sample I leave you with this:

Pmtp

(for those of you who miss that joke: its blank because nothing is happening)

100

2008-05-06T06:01:00.000-07:00

It turns out that this is my one hundredth post. That a pretty exciting concept (not only because it happens to fall on the same day as the hundredth episode of dancing with the stars) but because at times I thought I would give up on this blogging thing but yet here I am at 100.

Its been quite the journey and so today I thought I would look or at least reference my top five favorite posts and the five of my least favorite posts. For those of you who are new to my blog this is a quick way to catch up on the last 2 Years

Lets start with favorites:

5. The Real Truth About... http://patmanthepat.blogspot.com/2008/03/real-truth-about.html

Although a very recent post this one had that classic "I found something odd" feel to it and I think it represents well what I am trying to do with this blog: waste time.

4. An O-Phish-ial Sighting http://patmanthepat.blogspot.com/2006/05/o-phish-ial-sighting.html

"Fest" We Forget http://patmanthepat.blogspot.com/2006/06/fest-we-forget.html

These two posts represent shout outs to good times and good friends but also reflect my love of television. I enjoy both the themes and the titles.

3. Lemons http://patmanthepat.blogspot.com/2007/03/lemons.html

MY favorite part of this post was the graphic of my schedule. It included things like "Pizza with the Dean" "Single and Sexy" and "Pick up Frosh" That was probably the best graphic find ever.

2.Pat and the women who love him http://patmanthepat.blogspot.com/2006/08/pat-and-women-who-love-him.html

This was one of my best jabs at the expense of other people. I also enjoyed making fun of them.

1. St. Patrick's Day http://patmanthepat.blogspot.com/2007/03/st-patricks-day.html

Dan Young once told me there was nothing funnier than outright arrogance and I agree with him. I certainly am great.

In the honorable mention category:

The art of blogging:Modern Journals need more pictures http://patmanthepat.blogspot.com/2006/05/art-of-blogging-modern-journals-need.html

The Secret...No... Office life of Patman the Pat

http://patmanthepat.blogspot.com/2006/06/secret-no-office-life-of-patman-pat.html

Summer Reruns

http://patmanthepat.blogspot.com/2006/06/summer-reruns-live-from-new-york.html

http://patmanthepat.blogspot.com/2006/06/summer-reruns-live-from-new-york_17.html

Now for the 5 Worst posts:

5. The Art of Nothingness http://patmanthepat.blogspot.com/2006/07/art-of-nothingness.html

It was a joke that was for the sake of someone who doesn't read blogs. Good Idea.

4. Spy vs Spy http://patmanthepat.blogspot.com/2006/11/spy-vs-spy.html

While referencing a TV show I like this blog was rushed and didn't look very good.

3.Top Ten Great and Terrible Things about Camp so far http://patmanthepat.blogspot.com/2007/07/top-ten-things-great-and-terrible-about.html

The sheer fact that I reference Pokemon pushes this post far into the worst posts ever.

2. I am 23 http://patmanthepat.blogspot.com/2008/04/i-am-23.html

Rushed and a waste of space.

1. Humor... Comedy... What? http://patmanthepat.blogspot.com/2006/08/humor-comedy-what.html

Just plain terrible.

And there you have it. I haven't always been happy with this blog and at times I have outright loved it but yet I shall continue to pursue at least sub-excellence in every post and in that way I shall live forever on the interweb.

Pmtp

I yai yai

2008-04-18T22:06:00.000-07:00

It turns out that "I" is a terrible gimmick...

And its not because Phil Kay asked me if it was going to work as a gimmick but rather it is a terrible gimmick because it limits my writing potential. Here is the reason why...

I have a hard time writing because every time
I think of a topic
I can't find a clever enough of way of using the word
I in the title.
I have always (in my head at least) thought that
I had clever titles which usually came out of my topics. Now
I find myself throwing away valid topics for the sake of
I.
I ultimately feel that
I will avoid
I in my title and change to a new title because
I officially denounce
I.

So lets embark on a new theme. In the next two months _ will be heading to camp and while _ am at camp _ will be the only one on the property everyday. This means that _ have officially adopted a new title: Adventures in Solitude.

Pmtp

I am 23

2008-04-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Should I be worried? No because lets face it Jim Carrey is not all that scary.

Photo Above: projected Pat-looks at 47 and then 59

Happy Birthday me.

Pmtp

I think I'm in love...

2008-04-13T16:33:00.000-07:00

After the shock value of that statement has worn off I'll say it again. I think I'm in love.
Now let me explain why that is a slightly misleading title.

Heres the scenario: Last night I was writing a paper on Hosea. Hosea is a particularly interesting book about God's judgment and God's love. It has been a frustrating paper but yet now it is done. However when I finished last night I watched an episode of Scrubs. At the end of the episode one person proposed to another character. The character got down on one knee and proposed. There I was and the two images crossed and I was taken aback. God got down on one knee for us and I'm pretty confident that last night I said yes again because I realized I am in love with God.

It was interesting for me.

Pmtp

I have a new look...

2008-03-28T21:45:00.000-07:00

Did you know that items like, paint, furniture, sound systems, art and accessories can be changed to create a whole new look?

I thought I did but then we re-decorated our house.

See below:

This is what one would typically call the 'before' shot

And this the commonly known "post-before" shot

This all shows what you (and you in this case means the Penney family) can do with a little money, some creativity and a designer from House and Home magazine.

Pmtp

The "I"s have it...

2008-03-18T21:24:00.000-07:00

It seems that all my titles have the word "I" in it recently. I over analyze this in three ways:

1. I am self centered:
This, of course, is not my self-centered nature coming through (although I have a very strong self-centered nature) but rather it is because this is my blog about my life.

2. I have entered a new phase in my life:
Blogs generally run in trends. If I had a blog during the nineties I probably would have quoted "Nintendo Power" a lot and probably have vast discussions about the rules of marbles. Anyways the point is that the new trend in my blog is the 'I' titles.

3. I always wanted a gimmick:
Blogs often have gimmicks. Perhaps the blog has theme days. For instance, every Monday its the sad rant about how bad your weekend was or Thursday is the "famous pirates in history" day. If you click on Chris Clements' blog you'll see that he titles every blog with "On ____" Thus the word 'I' is my new gimmick. It isn't very flashy, it won't win me any awards but its mine.

I have also renamed my blog because of it. The new title is "The 'I' in Team" as you can clearly read above. Its a little joke.

Patman the I

(Note: If you don't get the joke about the "I" in team please seek medical help)

I was wrong...

2008-03-16T00:18:00.000-07:00

You know I always said that girls aren't funny. In fact it is quite rare to find a girl who is funny. Now mind you what I mean by funny is that more often than not they can crack a joke and people (me) will laugh. Yes most girls can make the occasional funny remark or even the rare, daring and usually not socially acceptable pun but as a whole they just aren't funny.

But I was wrong.

I have found one funny girl.

Tina Fey is a funny girl and this is well documented on the television show 30 Rock which is an underrated television show in its second season. If you haven't seen it I would recommend rushing out to your local video store and renting season one. I will let you know that occasionally (as in all comedy shows except Corner Gas) there is an inappropriate comment or reference and thus you should use your own discretion when choosing to watch this exceptional TV show.

If you would like to experience something by Tina Fey that is more appropriate I would perhaps direct you to Mean Girls which she wrote.

Well there you have it: one funny girl.

Pmtp

I saw Phillip Yancey Yesterday

2008-03-12T22:24:00.000-07:00

Yup he spoke at the President's dinner for Tyndale.

It was pretty cool. Almost inspired me to climb a mountain (almost). It was a great little experience.

I noticed something.

It seems he has a great hair style.

Two fine looking men.

I prefer me.

Patman the Stylish

I found something...

2008-03-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

I was reading through some websites I visited long ago and I found something...

http://students.tyndale.ca/tucsa/viewpage.php?pid=5

Read it carefully.

Pmtp (apparently awesome)

The real truth about...

2008-03-04T19:17:00.000-08:00

So I played a game tonight.

The game works like this:

1) log into local internet browser (this can be explorer, firefox, or any other)
2) go to a search engine (this means google... but I guess any search engine will do)
3) then type in quotations "the real truth about (blank)" (it should look like this: "the real truth about blank")
4) be surprised by what you find

Some suggestions:
You may wish to use common conspiracy theories like Roswell or the JFK assassination because these will commonly have the most crazy explanations but I am sure on just about any subject you may find something particularly crazy.

It is important to use the phrase "the real truth" because this implies that the author assumes that which is typically considered true is in fact false and must then give you the real truth... this is where crazy stuff generally happens.

If you don't find something crazy in your first hit continue down the list and you will eventually find that one crazy person who has mastered (poorly) the science of web-design.

For example:

I typed "the real truth about area 51" and about seven links down the list I found truthism.com

yes truthism (a valid source)

Now I'm not sure if this guy is a nut or just having fun. I personally prefer to believe he is a nut because that makes the whole experience funnier. This website was devoted to giving me, the unsuspecting internet viewer, the truth about everything. It was packed full of crazy things.

Top five favorite crazy things from this website:
5. The sun is a cube, not a sphere. It only appears to be a sphere because it is spinning at a high velocity. All suns (i.e., stars) are cubes.

4. The Earth is hollow, with an inner sun and a more advanced civilization than ours. In fact, all planets are hollow and have inner suns. Some of the Inner Earth people are aware of Earth's outer surface, and others are not.

3. Human beings were created (that is, invented) via genetic experiments that were conducted by reptilian aliens. These reptilian aliens, also known as the "Anunnaki" or the "Reptilians," still rule the Earth to this day.

2.One cannot travel to the North Pole or to the South Pole for two reasons: 1.) The North Pole and the South Pole do not exist. In their place are polar openings that lead into Inner Earth. 2.) Anyone en route to a polar opening is eventually stopped by Outer Earth guardsmen.

and my favorite which speaks for itself:
1)Women are ultra-impressionable beings, and therefore are easily controlled by aliens and the elite. The main purpose of women on Earth (that is, what aliens have programmed them to do) is to enslave men via relationships.

ok well have fun with my new game or just visit truthism.com

it will be fun...

Pmtp

Right?

2008-03-03T00:22:00.000-08:00

I'm wondering, as of late, what it means to be right.

It is a big deal in the church to be right. At times, it seems, you cannot be called a Christian unless you are right. We make a big deal out of everything... worship, Christian living, Christian hope, salvation and the list goes on. Arguably in many cases its important to be right... to know the truth. It is important but is it necessary in every case?

Distinctions are made between protestant and catholic. These distinctions represent diverging viewpoints on what is right. Yet I am confident people are saved on either side.

People talk about the emerging church and traditional church. The dissonance between the two is a reflection on who is right. But both are seeking to serve and love God and be His church in the world...

I'm beginning to fear that the right is leading us into the wrong. The issue of 'right' is what tears the church apart. The issue of 'right' pushes people away because they are 'wrong.' I want to ask can't we all just get along?

Now I'm not willing to bend my core beliefs and I'm not trying to open the doors to heresy. But I'm just wondering if I can be with someone who calls them-self a Christian, loves Jesus, is trying to serve Him but may be way off the mark when it comes to doctrine. Clearly I can be with them but can I be with them and not make a big deal about where they are wrong?

I think God is working in the hearts of people who pursue Him and love Him. I don't think God is as concerned with where someone is right or wrong but rather he is concerned with getting to know them and them getting to know Him.

Maybe what I'm feeling is the call to unity and understanding. Perhaps we need to be addressing the ways in which we are brothers and sisters... even though I may baptize adults and you may baptize babies.

Let's not throw the baby out with the baptizing water... rather lets put all our eggs in one basket. Right?

Peace and Unity,
Pmtp