Scotch Peppers

As mentioned in a previous blog. I like spice.

A lot.

The same goes for cooking.

I recently discovered Scotch Bonnet Peppers. They were listed on a handy chart in the grocery store as being one down from Ghost Peppers (the hottest pepper known to man). PERFECT!

Suffice it to say, Scotch Peppers began cropping up in a lot of my cooking endeavours. Especially when the recipe needed some extra... kick.

Making rice? Cook them with Scotch Peppers. Need burgers with some flavour? Fry 'em up with Scotch Peppers!

Of course, this is beginning to sound like a horror film. The main character has discovered something that brings them joy. However, soon it will deliver great pain and horror!

That climax of terror happened last Sunday. It was chilli day. Not that I have a chilli day... I was just making chilli that day....

While chopping some red onions (which was like reading a Nicholas Sparks novel) I whipped some tears out of my eyes.

Mistake.

Immediately, I couldn't see. Searing pain covered my eyes. The tears came like a flood (much like watching a Nicolas Sparks movie). I couldn't open my eyes.

Great. There go my retinas. I've ruined myself forever. All that is floating through my mind as I pour litre after litre of water on my swelling eyes.

Eventually, I realized I could in fact open my eyes. I just had to hold them open to convince my brain of that.

Why did that happen? I had been chopping Scotch Bonnet Peppers right before cutting the onion.

Moral - Don't touch your eyes when cooking.

Violated

I had a rude surprise awaiting me this morning. No, it wasn't a mess made by my cat (if it was, it would have been a shock. I don't have a cat). Wasn't some sort of dilemma facing my young child (same deal as the cat).

It was an open glove compartment in my car.

I know that doesn't sound like a big deal, but I never use my glove compartment. Ever. Why would it be open?

Better question. Why were the contents of said glove box and all other compartments... strewn all over the passenger seat?

Answer - I forgot to lock my doors the night before.

Someone decided they would "break in" (using the term loosely here) for the $1.50 I had. Thankfully, they only took the money (however, left the nice collection of pennies I haven't figured out what to do with... drat!).

I felt a lot of things when I realized what had happened.

Fear - Was this person still there? Were they watching me?

Concern - What was gone? Was it really just the money?

Worry About Being Late For Work - Great, now I have a mess to clean up before I leave for work.

Anger - They guy (or gal) could have at least cleaned up. Maybe left a note.
I'm not kidding either. I would have been less mad if they had said "Sorry, need bus fare, girlfriend left me. Thanks for the change."
I don't mind helping someone out (them stealing isn't cool, but at least I wouldn't have the nagging "why?")

Violated - This is the only feeling that I still have. This person walked up to my car, threw the door open and started going through my stuff. It's in the past. I can't do anything about it. I didn't even know it happened until this morning.

There's no real resolve to this post. I wish there was. However, I don't even have one.

It just sucks. Flat out. I know this post has a bit of a joking tone, but that's the only way I can get any relief out of the story. Trying to find the humour.

Keep your doors locked. That's all I can say.

Chris Bray - As I Fall

A couple weeks ago I had the chance to shoot another music video. This time with Chris Bray.

I had wanted to work with him for a while, we just couldn't line our schedules up! Thankfully we were able to, I'm so glad we did.

The church scenes were shot at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Barrie. What an awesome location. It was a real blessing to be able to use there sanctuary. The natural colours and lighting made it extra special.

The best part of the day (and trust me, the sets were a huge blessing) was our leading lady Shannon.

She didn't have any acting experience going in, but gave it her all and was more than willing to take direction. She even took her sandals off while walking on gravel to keep the look going. Ouch!

Hopefully you enjoy watching it as much as we did making it!

Bedside Tables

I moved half a year ago. It was one of the first major moves of my adult life. It was a really exciting time.

One of the loses with the move was some minor furniture. Namely, a bedside table.

Thankfully, I had some family that was downsizing with a bedside table to spare. Perfect.
The catch? I'd have to wait till September.

No problem... right?

I have the bedside table now.

I don't know how I lived half a year without one.

This has been a pretty ridiculous blog so far. It's not going to get any better. Sorry.

As much as I've loved the new apartment, the location, proximity to work. Everything. Something has been missing. That something was literally a bedside table.

You don't realize how much we are creatures of comfort until one of those comforts is gone... then returned.

There are people starving in the world and I "need" a bedside table. Fantastic.

It isn't even that useful really. It holds my Bible, has a lamp... box of tissues... that's about it. Yet, things are complete now. Weird.

Couch? Meh. T.V? Can live without it. Microwave? Don't own one. Bedside Table? A necessity.
Something important must have happened in my childhood involving a bedside table.

What's your "must have" comfort item?

A New Christ[mas]ian Movie

Some times my day starts with a lot of emails. Other times, I'm met with a bunch of things that need to be looked after ASAP. Others I'm greeted with the horrid feeling of realizing I left my lunch neatly packed by my door.

Today I was greeted with this.

My face melted into a cross between awe and wonder. Then to confusion. Was this some sort of awesome joke? Is that really Kirk Cameron exploding through a Christmas tree welding a candy cane and a manger?

Yes. It is.

Could this possibly be a real film and not some sort of twisted dream and/or parody?

It exists.

Is there a trailer for this sure to be wondrous film?

There is.




I honestly don't know what to think about any of this. Which is rare for me. Is the movie a documentary with a story? A drama? Over the top action?

It seems to have a bit of an irreverent tone too, which is also odd. Whether or not this makes it to the watch list has yet to be determined, however, I shall always cherish the memory of first seeing that poster.

What do you think? Watch? Pass?

To Kill A Mocking Bird

I went through Christian education. It's was great, but because of that, most of the books I read in highschool aren't the same ones you did.

Catcher in the Rye? Nope. Nineteen Eighty Four? Nada. Animal Farm. Yes actually, I did... but that was more because my Mom had a copy and I wanted to give it a read.

I've been working through some "classics" recently. To Kill A Mocking Bird was at the top of my list. 

Good thing it was too -- It's awesome.

I'm also glad I didn't read it in high school. It wouldn't have meant as much. 

If you missed out on this gem, it's about childhood. Sure, there's a court case and racial tensions and drama. However, it's not about that. It's about growing up. Kids living in an adult world. 

The thing that sells it for me, is how believable the whole thing is. Kids really would interpreter situations the way the kids in Mocking Bird do.

They would dare each other to touch the scary house, make up stories about why the cranky old lady down the road is cranky and would notice when stuff isn't right.

I loved it.

That being said, there is some mild language. FYI.

Next up - The Giver. What's a book you've really enjoyed?

Preparing For The 15th Anniversary

I'm really excited about Saturday. It's the 15th Anniversary of LIFE 100.3. I don't think it's hit me 100% yet. But, I can feel my sentiments growing.

LIFE has been a huge part of my LIFE for at least 10 years. Maybe longer. I'm not really sure when I started listening, but I have been hooked ever since.

I don't have any launch stories to share, but I have a bit of a fun one from the 10th Anniversary.

The decision to go was kinda last minute (*cough*thenightbefore*cough*). So a friend of mine, my Mom and I piled into our car and made the trek to Barrie. The show had been sold out for months. We were standing almost at the front of the line... without tickets.

As the line began to grow, we started asking people if they had extra tickets to sell. Sure enough, we managed to get everyone in! I don't recommend trying this at sold out shows. We were blessed it worked. If you can, just buy them in advance!

I remember the show really well. The lights, the booming sound at Emmanuel Baptist in Barrie.
Lincoln Brewster was the headliner. He was fantastic. If you've never seen him, he's a worship leader with a Mohawk and a habit of doing a lot of guitar solos in the middle of his worship set.

My favorite part, however was looking over at the LIFE staff and thinking "Man, I wish I was over there".

5 years later, I will be! Even as I type that, I'm reminded how blessed I am to be a part of this ministry.

O.K. Enough mushy gushy.

See you at the show with Peter Furler and Chris Bray!