It took me a bit to get home tonite--work went a little late, traffic was a little bad... but eventually I got to our abode.

A friend showed up for a cuppa LEGO and went on his merry...

Then I was alone--Sandy was running errands and wasn't due back to later in the evening.

So I sat in the living room, and just looked out at the bird feeders.

I'm sitting there for a bit, just ruminating about life in general, when I hear this rustling and a faint chirping.

I look out the sliding door--there's a cat back by the fence, clawing and biting at something.

Chirp chirp!!

A bird!!!

Well, immediately the shoes go on and I flew out the back door. The feline, guarding his or her prey, didn't budge--just glared at me.

Well, not daunted--"Shoo!" and I step towards it.

Thinking that retreat was the better part of valour, the cat scampers off to a safe distance and just sat there to watch what I was going to do.

I see this cardinal in the grass. Wasn't moving much.

Nature in action.

However, not wanting 'nature' to win this time, I took an active role--this bird deserved a decent burial.

Of course, you NEVER should touch dead things, so I retrieved a planter plate and a stick to 'scooch' the dead bird onto the plate--to transport the poor thing to a burial locaiton.

The cat was still watching me, waiting for its dinner, I presume--not tonight you silly feline!

I get the bird onto the plate--it's kinda laying on its back--clawed feet in the air.

I've seen this numerous times, so I wasn't surprised--just a little sad.

I start walking to the house for the shovel when I saw movement--the bird flipped over!

Right there on the plate, the Cardinal was now back on its feet and blinking at me.

With a quick shake of its head, it hops off the plate and flies off!

Wow! Didn't expect that, but now I don't have to find a shovel!

So here's the quick lesson--you do what you can. If I had sat there in the living room, trying to come to a consensus as to what to do, there would be a dead cardinal and a full cat.

Yeah, I know that this is how it works 'out there' in nature--creatures eat other creatures just to survive, and, more than likely there were millions of birds today that lost their lives in this continuing 'circle of life', so why bother trying? What kind of difference am I making?

Well, as I derived from a similar ancedote, I made a difference to that one cardinal.

I think that's pretty good--I'm happy with it.

A friend and former professor of mine, David T. Koyzis, had this to say on his blog entitled, "Artificial happiness?--

And I fully concur with my professors position on the matter.

My friend's daughter was born without any skeletal framework in her thumb. The doctors operated pretty soon after the birth--removing her index finger, twisting it 90 degrees and attaching it where the thumb should be. The daughter is now walking and talking (I have no idea how old she is--guys never pay attention to that kinda stuff, but she's probably around 4ish) and she's getting along 'perfectly well', as daddy puts it, with her 'fixed' hand.

We have no issues with these types of medical treatments (unless one is a Jehovahs Witness, but that's a whole other story for another time)--medical treatments due to the absense of something in the body at birth. Over the years, medical science has replaced many 'deficiencies' in persons--parts missing or incomplete at birth were added or supplemented, to the gain of the patient.

If we realize that body parts 'n pieces can be deficient or missing at birth, why would we not take that realization and apply it to the chemicals and functions of the human body? If a person can be born without a proper thumb, why couldn't a person be born without the proper mechanism to produce the 'right chemicals' to make the body and mind function properly?

Using the example from professor Koyzis--a diabetic has a deficiency--the body isn't producing 'something' that is required for the body to function properly. We have the ability, thanks to the medical profession and the continuing research thereof, to help diabetics restore the balance in their bodies--to help the body function properly.

So again, as he extends that example, so do I--why wouldn't we then look into a medical cause for emotional imbalance? We're not saying that drugs will fix everything and that everyone requires medication--this isn't some George Lucas film. This is legitimate help for legitimate issues. Shunning or belittling the issue of 'emotional illness' and not pursuing remedies for these types of illnesses with the same vigor as we look for, say, a cure for diabeties is just going to compound the issues--people with emotional illenssess will become more ill. Ignoring the missing thumb wouldn't make the baby's life any better--for the child or the parents. What was done is what had to be done. The doctor "made" a thumb--the issue was fixed.

Just as doctors and researchers are doing something to 'fix' or help with emotional illness. And I applaud their efforts and support the continuing of same.

I have a friend who recently wrote a blog about this, but I can't find it right now. If I recall, she stated something very similar. And I ask the question, 'Why do most of us not have any problems with resolving or dealing with medical conditions regarding the body, yet we have this huge 'stigma' when there are mental issues?' To me (and to many people), the mind and the body are pretty much inter-related--one can't work without the other. And both can suffer from deficiencies, and both can be helped by the medical profession.

If you feel that you need help with depression or other 'emotional issues', never hesitate to reach out to a bonafide practitioner--they are there to help you.

And never--ever--listen to those that scoff at the idea of getting help. All of us need some sort of help at some point during the course of our lives. Reaching out is the right thing to do.

But with everything else regarding 'healing the body and mind', it is up to you to make sure that you get the help you need, and not some sort of placebo--there are many people wanting to scam you out of your money and not care if you receive any help at all.

Take care of yourself--body and mind.

- - -

Update:

Janey posted the link to her blog about this issue in the comments--

Society's Intolerance - Secret Shames. It's a good read--have a look.

But I think some remembering of 'The Good Word' may be in order for some of you 'preachers' out there.

I was driving home from Ottawa the other day--is a 5 hour drive to 'Steeltown' so I had to endure finding different radio stations every once in a while as I left their broadcast zones.

Well, at around Kingston I was drifting away from some classic rock radio station, so I went searching across the dial.

I happened across a 'Christian' radio station, and, being always one to appreciate a healthy discourse on the merits of Christianity, I stopped for a listen.

Well, pretty much should have continued up and down the dial.

Here's a snippet of what I had a listen to--

A radio spot for attending church. It started off quite appreciatable (did I just make up yet another word?)--revolving around the idea of an 'elite church' in which, to attend, you have to fill out a questionaire. The questions are direct--have you ever had 'impure thoughts', have you ever thought about stealing, have you ever used the Lord's name in vain...

Any question answered 'yes' would immediately disqualify you from attending this church.

The gist--this church doesn't allow 'sinners' to attend. And the church, as we find out thru the course of this radio spot, is empty--no one is in it. You already know why this 'elite church' is empty, but they do the voice over anyway--we're all sinners--each and every one of us. We take from this message that this church of non-sinners can never exist.

Sound Christian dogma there.

Then the producers of this radio spot go way too far. I'm not talking too far as out in left field--I'm talking out of the ballpark and across the county.

We went from sound Christian doctorine to blatant anti-biblical teachings in the space of a conversation--

Right after we find out that the 'elite church' is empty, we hear two people having a conversation regarding 'good churches'--"I have a friend who says he won't go to church because of the hypocrites at the church"

"Well, know what I say to that? At least the hypocrites are in church--they are closer to God than your friend."

I almost had to pull over the car.

Closer to God??? Because they are in church????

Forgetting the title of this little blog entry (but that should remind you of the stance Jesus took of hypocrites at 'church'), I have a brief ancedote--

There is this family. Some, including me, would say that this family is 'salt of the earth'. This family has always been there for friends, family, and community. They have 'the least' but give the most. Through the years, they have seen the various issues in the small community in which they live and they have toiled to help and to resolve. They have taken care of the widows, they have given food to the hungry. When people are in need, this family has freely given--time and resources, money and charity--without thoughts of recompense, without thoughts of glorifying selves. Even the birds and animals and forests and fauna are not exempt from their caring and giving nature.

And I say, here and now, that this one family is a true example of God's word. And I'm not the only one who would--there is a community of believers who would state same.

Yet this family doesn't believe.

Staunch Athiests.

Talking with them over a bite of lunch, you may hear about the 'politics of the day'--The world, so say they, would be a pretty sight better if religion was kept personal instead of political/provincial. And reading the papers and watching the news of the day, how could one argue against that?

So to that radio station running those spots, and to anyone who believes that just by attending church, that one is closer to God. You can believe that sitting in a pew on Sunday morning absolves you from the prior profane 6 days.

But deep down, you know better. Deep down, you know that it's not the building, nor the congregation you're a member of, nor the 'good book' that makes you a shining example in God's eyes.

Who did 'God' evict from the temple? The hypocrites--people using 'God' and His temple to perform selfish deeds.

Who was 'God's' shining example? Well, one was 'The Good Samaritan'--a parable to be sure, but used to exemplify a non-believer following God's law.

I'll look to the shining examples of God's word, whether they are believers or not, for my role models. And if you think that your high score in church attendance automatically qualifies you--well, not so much.

42 may be my favourite number--so much so that when I went to buy a house, I tried--I really did! But I ended up at 43--so close and yet so far away--I'm living beside the answer to 'Life, the Universe, and Everything'.

Today, however, we find ourselves 8 days from our wedding day.

And I was thinking about the number 8, and how, for one single digit, it looks whole, it looks complete.

I'd say, for a single character in the realm of our written language, the 8 pretty much has it all together.

And yet it is made up of two individual circles, coming together--joined, as it were...

(and y'all can see where this is going, can't you...)

I won't pull in any quotes from 'Jerry Maguire', but the more I think about what's going to happen in 8 days, the more I think about being complete.

8

So I'm in Ottawa yesterday--doing some actual work for my company--surprise, I know.

Anyway, I'm talking with one of my close friends and she's asking about the wedding. I let her know that I'm excited about it and that things are going well.

A woman overhearing the conversation pipes in--"Getting married?"

"Yep!" I says.

Then right out of left field--"You'll be sleeping around within 3 years..."

Excuse me?

I'm all polite and political now and reply, "Well, I really don't think that I'll be doing that..."

"Talk to me in 3 years," she snips back, "You'll have yourself an affair."

K, well I decided that the best course of action was to not pursue this conversation.

But I was pretty much peeved. I mean, seriously--hey lady! I know that life sucks sometimes, but here's a guy, nine days from his wedding, and you yap about cheating on spouses--Give your head a shake!

It's pretty much a guarantee (you can bet the farm) on the fact that I'll never have an affair. How can I be so sure? Well, first that kinda stuff goes against my fundamental lazy nature--with 'affairs', there's sneaking around, making up stories, covering one's tracks... That's too much work.

But more importantly, having an affair hurts the person I love the most--under no circumstance can I abide by that. Deliberately inflicting pain on anyone is deplorable. Inflicting pain on those you love is reprehensible.

Wanna know how I know? See, there's this thing called 'character'. I'm not talking 'Daffy Duck' or 'Calvin & Hobbes' characters, I'm talking about that which makes up a person. Spock talked about it in an original series episode (paraphrased)--"When I release a hammer in a positive gravity environment, I do not have to see the hammer fall to know that it fell." Character is that which, when a person is faced with a situation, makes the person react in a specific way. Much like the hammer has little choice in falling, my character is set up to, well, not have affairs. And I'm pretty much good with that.

What's icing on the cake is that I've had the greatest in fortunes to have surrounded myself with those that have this similar character trait. That, of course, makes my life so much easier.

But again, even if they did, it's much like the 'non-drinking' character flaw of mine--it doesn't matter how many people consume alcohol around me--I'm just not going to bother.

And the smoking, and the gratuitous use of profanity, and, well, the list goes on. I've made it thus far--my character has gotten me to this point--a point, I might add, that's approaching 40 years. Why would my character undergo a radical change now?

In the end, to that woman who was obviously hurt in the past by some guy with what I'll call no redeeming character traits, I'm sorry you were hurt by him.

But that does not absolve you from inflicting pain on others by your judgemental attitude. Grow up, be a bigger person, put the 'bad man' (or men, whatever) behind you, and move on.

We now return to more fun stuff... (hopefully)

There are relatively few things that I've done in my life that I felt the overwhelming 'need' to come out and apologize. Sure, I've made a few whopping mistakes in my past, but, for the most part, when I do something exceedingly stupid, the net loss for the world is solely on my shoulders (and I refuse to apologize to myself, no matter what John Tesh says... "Dave, I'm sorry I did that..."--see? doesn't work very well!)

Anyway, I'm going to take this semi-public venue and make a heartfelt apology. A real one--not one of these 'Pope' apologies--"I'm sorry if you were offended by my words--I didn't mean to offend!" That's no apology--only IF you were offended will I really apologize--what's that?? A mathematical statement of apology?? If you really mean to apologize, then do so--none of these additional riders on it, making a 'pseudo-apology'.

So all that to get to this point--

I'm sorry.

This is directed to some of my uncles and aunts.

I'm truly sorry that I didn't add you guys on our wedding list when we were first setting it up.

Now here's the non-excuse--I don't want to excuse what I did, but an explanation to further my 'sorryness'--I was too busy 'crunching numbers' and not thinking about who I really wanted at our wedding.

Note to anyone planning a wedding--if you really want someone there, don't cave into the 'Well, we don't have the space/money to have them there'--it's crap--if someone's that important, make the effort to get them there.

See, growing up was an awesome time for me, even thru the 'family issues' (those I won't dwell on here--neither the time nor the place), mostly because of family. My uncles and aunts (some of whom are just a few years older than me) were always there and we had great times--camping, hiking, visiting on Sunday afternoon... Good times, people! Good memories that I'll always hold dear to my heart.

So to Uncle Thomas and Aunt Lisa, Uncle Steve, Aunt Sue and Uncle Rob, Uncle Ray and Aunt Daisey, and Aunt Myrna and Uncle John--I'm sorry. I was too busy looking at the space issue when I should have been focused on the true bottom line--family. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for you guys being there for me, well, always.

Sandy and I have endeavoured to rectify the situation 'off-line', so we'll leave that bit there.

In the end, I screwed up--Sandy even said from the beginning that we should have invited everyone (see, this is why she is waaaay too good for me--she's a class act and points out what's right)--and I apologize.

WASTE-TO-FUEL TECHNOLOGY THRILLS SPECTATORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD AT WASHINGTON DEMONSTRATION

Over the years, I've heard these claims--"We can take your garbage and make this great stuff!! No more landfill!! Better to the environment!!!"

Yep, I've heard them, but, as yet, landfills continue to grow and little to no movement on the 'world changing' level.

But if this company can really take ordinary household waste and make diesel fuel, well then, my next vehicle will have a diesel engine!

As Mic would say--

"C'mon!! Whattre we waitin' fer????"

Let's get this set up!

Cardinal

Here are a few pics that Sandy and I recently took of our 'bird sanctuary'.

Nuthatch on the peanut feeder

Goldfinches

Chickadee scoping the smorgasboard

Dove looking like a giant in the playground

Wonderful pic (by Sandy) of the Downey Woodpecker

That's no bird!! Hey you stupid squirrel!!!

These are just a few of the backyard visitors that have been blessing us with their showing up on a daily basis.

We'll keep on trying to keep God's little furry and feathery creatures safe and well-fed.

See more pics of birds taken in 2006--2006 Birds

Bloggermann by Keith Olbermann

or

9/11 Special Comment - Keith Olbermann

or

Keith Olbermann: This Hole in the Ground

Bed

Sleep!

So now we have a whole Ikea bedroom--from the floor on up, Ikea's the way to go.

I'll keep the story short 'cause I wanna sleep in our new bed and it's late, but I went to Ikea after work and picked up this bed.

Is a nice bed, isn't it?

So now, besides the few pictures we have to get up (and a new dresser for me (also an Ikea purchase sometime in the future)), we're done!

That's about it, really.

See? Short

G'night!

Look.

I ain't perfect, nor do I really have a problem with that.

But here we are, in the 21st century, and I hear things that just make my mind boggle.

Supposedly there's people that have far more intelligence than I that make 'da rulz' and pass the laws that we all must obey.

So we--well, at least me--put our trust in these people that are supposedly looking out for our best interests.

Here's the story--

Friends of ours are expecting their first baby. Little 'David Johnathan' (not the real name, but isn't it a nice one?) will be arriving, God willing, in a few months.

Our friends are getting ready for the arrival--they're buying baby clothes and all related baby paraphenilia.

One time they nipped across the border to the good ol' US of A and bought baby stuff, including (and here's the actual issue) a car baby seat.

They bring all these 'Made in USA' items back across the border, being perfectly happy with their purchases.

Then they attend an 'expecting baby' class--La Maze class--whatever.

Anywho, they bring in their car seat.

"Oh no!", states the instructor, "that seat doesn't meet CSA approval! You can't use it!"

Turns out that a brand new car baby seat purchased in the USA cannot be used in Canada. And if you were using said baby seat and you got pulled over by a law enforcement officer and he or she noted that it was a USA baby seat... well... lotsa money for a ticket and licence demerit points.

Demerit points??? for a USA baby seat???

K, now I know that legislators have waaay too much time on their hands, or that Canadian baby seat manufacturers are 'paying for' this particualr legislation.

Seriously--what brain dead politician would even think that USA approved baby seats would be harmful for Canadian babies? I'm all for Canadian sovereignty, but there's a line--and stating that only CSA approved baby seats are the only ones that are lawfully allowed to be used in Canada is ludicrous. Basically that law is stating that Americans are willfully putting their babies into harms way when they use "Made in USA" baby seats.

And don't we have enough issues with people 'breaking the law' that are really putting people's lives in danger--such as idiot drivers who don't understand what that little 8 sided red thing with 'Stop' written on it means?

I have a message for all you legislators--Stop passing idiotic legislation!! A child's safety should be a parent's top priority. As such, government should take a 'back seat' and stay out of it, especially in this regard--a child seat made in the USA is a perfectly viable alternative to one made here in Canada.

At least, that's my opinion. If you think I'm wrong, find some stats to prove it.

Things that make me go, 'Hmmm....'

I bought a house a trillion years ago.

In the process of getting said home, and for the sake of staying in contact with friends and family (for who knows what reason), I ordered a phone line.

Got the line, but at the time of activation, the Bell rep. on the phone stated that I was not able to put as my address-- 99-999 Something Road, Hamilton, Ontario. In fact, I had to have 999 Something Road Unit 99, Hamilton, Ontario. It was 'da rulz' and there was no way around it.

So I lived with it, even though I hated seeing the 'Unit 99'--never liked being a 'unit'.

Jump to now. Getting married and working things out so Sandy and I are 'co-owners' of, well, everything. This would mean that a call to Bell would be in order.

Called Bell today--

(after speaking to a machine and mashing a bunch of buttons, I got an honest to goodness person on the line)

"Hi, I would like to change my billing information--instead of being billed to "David Koudys", I would like it to be billed to "David and Sandy Koudys".

No can do! Says Bell.

Wha--?

See, David and Sandy doesn't work for them--billing has to go to an individual person, not to more than one.

Huh?

I could, as they informed me, attach another person as 'owner', but that second name would not show up on the bill.

Why?

Because the computer won't allow it.

"K then...

Once again we're at the mercy of bad programming. The computer won't allow it???? Well, give your programmers a kick in the heinie and make them change it so our bills can say 'David and Sandy Koudys'. The other companies we've been in contact with have no issues whatsoever with that. But Ma Bell--they have to get persnickity programmers.

Anyway, we'll leave it as Dave' for now.

Here's the treat--I asked the Bell rep. if I could change my address.

"To what?", she asked.

I said I'd like 99-999 Something Road, Hamilton, Ontario.

"Not a problem!" she stated and proceeded to change it.

Well, one battle won.

We'll see about the next one.

Most times I really don't know what I'm doing--I'm pretty good at faking it, though.

That said, when it comes to picking and choosing my friends, let me just say that I have the world's best!

So John got stuck being my best man. John also got stuck with being the only guy in our wedding party (besides me, of course)--we don't have groomsmen or ushers--Sandy and I wanted to keep the ceremonial stuff pretty small.

That, of course, means that all the stuff that goes with being in wedding parties ended up solely on the shoulders of both Lydia (for 'da girls side' of it all) and John (a.k.a. Sparky) for us guys.

We went the route of total 'Status Quo' for 'our side of the lake' (all these 'in' expressions--hope y'all can keep up) when it comes to the wedding stuff, which means that I really, really, REALLY wanted a 'Stag 'n Doe' (which all of you were invited to if ya read the blog about it a few weeks back! So don't come telling me that you weren't invited or that you didn't know about it--read this blog more!! :p )

Anyway, John took the responsibility of planning, organizing and running 'Sandy and Dave's Stag 'n Doe'. It all came together on Saturday night and I'll say right now, I had an absolute blast! Time of my life! Possibly second only to our upcoming wedding (but I'll tell ya that later).

John enlisted the help of Mark and Rick, and a whole bunch of other friends and family were called in for bringing food and raffle prizes--all completely appreciated.

And, of course, Tracey, ever supportive and extremely good at getting things done, was there for the whole planning and executing of the spectacular evening.

Sandy and I were both overwhelmed at the enthusiasm showed by, well, everyone--friends and family alike--for our little celebration on Saturday. Alisha was wonderful at getting the various tickets sold (Thanks 'Lish!)--Billy-Bob and Walter were perfect for manning the gambling tables, Rick brought the music (something that both he and I have done in the past for other Stag 'n Does) and Mark manned the bar. And the list of people donating food was huge!! We thank you all!

Hopefully Sandy and I got to talk to everyone there at some point in the evening. We both realized pretty late that we never got to thank everyone for the work and effort, and for just being there.

So we're thanking all of you now--it's not as good as me standing in front of a mic being all cute and stuff, but it's the best we got.

Thank you.

Sandy and I are deeply touched by the kindness and enthusiasm shown by all of you in support of our upcoming union.

Again, as stated at the beginning, we are the most fortunate two people we know for the friends and family that we have.

Spark--The Stag 'n Doe was absolutely perfect--it was a fun time shared with those we love. I'm sorry that it was stressful to get it all done by yourself (next time I'll have a bigger wedding party. Next time???) I hope, if I ever am in a position to have to run one of these things, that I can do half as good a job as you did.

Thanks!

I won't go on.

Just saying right here, right now, 'Live Long and Prosper, Star Trek!'

It was 40 years ago today that 'The Man Trap' debuted on NBC.

40 years of the Enterprise boldly going where no man--where no one has gone before.

I don't know what the next iteration of Star Trek will be, but if the producers adhere to Gene Roddenberry's origional vision, I'm sure that I'll appreciate it.

The 'Great Bird of the Galaxy' touched a generation 40 years ago, and then he recreated the magic with The Next Generation. And through all the various franchises, through all the books and movies, I have always believed that the Best of Trek happened when Roddenberry's ideals came shining thru--we are better working with one another than against one another. We are better when we reach for a common goal, helping one another, than fighting with one another. We will achieve greater things when we put aside the pettiness, the greed, the maliciousness parts of our own human nature.

That's what Gene showed us 40 years ago--even with an episode as bad as 'The Man Trap'

Thanks Gene! Your dream will live on as long as there is at least one person who dreams of a better future for humanity.

Dirty floor

You can't believe the amount of dirt and dust that accumulates under the carpet after years of use. This is why we went to the laminate floor.

After a good long weekend, we're pretty much done.

The closet's all done

We did the closet first, then we added the closet organizer that we purchased on sale from Canadian Tire.

Closet organizer

Cut to the end of the story--here's the whole floor, all done

Finished

Then we moved our stuff back in

And set up

We ran into a few small issues--I damaged a few floor plankings in the process of putting them down. As well, since we started from the existing doorway, we had an issue with things getting a little out of square. Thankfully we compensated and the floor looks spectacular.

Eh, everything's a learning process.

See all the master bedroom goodness here--Master bedroom reno

Sandy doing some sanding

Sandy and I finished the drywalling fix-ups through the week. The start of this long weekend was left for the painting.. (the floor installation will happen later in the weekend)

First we painted the celing.

Sandy doing some painting

Then we painted the walls

First coat done

Pretty good, huh?

Of course, with every new room we tackle, we have to rewire 'cause the cheap contractors who built this joint used copper rated fixtures with aluminum wiring.

Doing the electrical fixin'

Wanna see why we're putting in the effort to fix the (insert really bad word here) bad wiring? Here's a series of pics--

A look at the socket with the plastic cover removed--Sandy got a shock when she took off the cover

Check out the white wire--see the blackened end--think that's good and safe??? And this was from the 'good' plug--I wish I kept the other one

Blurry photo showing the start of what could eventually be a fire hazard. Yeah, I'm a little miffed. But we're fixing it.

Anyway, on a happier note, the paint job is done and we're sleeping in our new room!

Finished painting.

Finished painting.

Right now I feel as if we're living in some sort of Dean Jones movie--the one in which his house was completely robbed and he and his wife ended up sleeping on just a mattress on the floor.

So that's how we're living (or sleeping) until we get the floor done--but that's tomorrow's job

See all the master bedroom renos (thus far) here--Master Bedroom changes