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June 18, 2000
Well if you read the Seadoo page, you know a bit of what happened on my weekend so far. I rode to Red Deer on saturday
morning to be at some place for 9:00 am to take my Boat Operator's Proficiency Course, offered by a member of the
Canadian Power and Sail Squadron. It took us until about 2:30 but everyone passed and got their certificates. Its such
a minor cost, considering what you learn and the fact that your card never expires. So immediately after that was
completed, I rode over to Turple Brothers where I proudly presented Jane with my sheet showing I passed the course.
I think she was almost more excited than I was. We went to her office and figured out some more of the paperwork,
and now all that's left is that I have to send several forms out to the insurance company tomorrow with a cheque and
as soon as they get their material together hopefully they can fax back a copy of the insurance papers to Jane so we
can finalize the paperwork, and take that baby out of there! Its going to be close, this insurance and course have
set me back quite a bit financially, but it is still doable for next weekend. And I believe the one after that is a
long weekend so that's even better, although I believe that's the weekend that Raychel is comming to Calgary so I
might not go out with the Seadoo or perhaps only for a day because I do want to see her for a bit. I know she wants
to go to the Stampede with Jaimee and I, so that's probably what will happen. I think that's the weekend with the
Stampede, but I really have no idea -- I've never been to the Stampede before. But anyways, at Turple I took several
pictures of the Seadoo from every angle and I hope the film turns out because I am not even sure if it loaded
correctly, I borrowed the camera from Jason and have no idea if I did it right. We'll see though. After Turple I rode
over to Sylvan Lake to visit Pat, one of the guys I work with, and although I found his car and his campsite, there
was no sign of him or his fiance, so I stuck a Pine Lake brochure under his windshield wiper because I know he'll
realize who it was from. Then, I decided (at the last second) to go to Pine Lake and see about making docking
arrangements for the summer for the Seadoo, and went of course, to Green Acres first. Well their prices on EVERYTHING
were right through the roof, so I went over to Sandy Cove and discovered that their prices were much more reasonable
and doable, and so that's where I'll be keeping my boat for much of the summer. I took several pictures there as
well. After that, I went down to Three Hills, (And got a speeding ticket on the way there... My first one ever) But
you know, I learned several lessons by that ticket, and not just "Not to speed." God revealed to me several spiritual
truths about laws and responsibility, consequences and accountability. "Everyone obeys the law when they are being
watched, but its when a man is alone that his true nature comes out." I realized how unfair the world is in yet
another regard. Motorcycle (and car, for that matter) manufacturers (Boy was that spelled wrong!) create these bikes
that are capable of doing THREE TIMES the legal speed limit. My bike, made in 1988 for example, has a top speed of
280 kilometers per hour. Given that the highest speed limit in Alberta is 110 km/h, theoretically, for me to do the
speed limit does not bring my bike to even half of its operating capacity. So why do these companies make these
machines that are capable of far more than the legal speed limit? To tempt us. In much the same way, we were created
with an incredible potential. Potential to do almost anything in time. Potential to praise God, potential to curse
God. Potential to live righteously with His help, potential to sin every sin imaginable. Yet there is a law, much
like a speed limit, that tells us what we can and can't do. Were there no law, there would be no limit. If there
were no speed limit, I would be free to test the limits of my bike and go as fast as I liked to. In the same way,
if God had not set down laws, I could be free to explore every whim and interest this sinful body of mine could
entertain. Not to say that there may not be consequences under either of these conditions, however the point stands.
We are given fast bikes in a place with a set speed limit. And if we obey this limit, and the other rules of the
road, we stand a very good chance to ride safely and arrive alive. I just don't think its fair that those companies
can put out bikes with such a ridiculously high top speed, when we live in a place that doesn't allow people to
drive that fast. That is all I have to say for now, I'm off to my parents' to celebrate Father's Day with my dad.
June 07, 2000
Well its been nice the last couple of days, and I've been out on the bike quite a bit. Its been giving me some
problems lately though, but after my ride today I don't think its anything too serious. Still I don't know,
I could be seeing a symptom of a much bigger problem. We'll see. Sabrina asked me to go for a walk with her today
so I was happy to oblige. We went up Nose Hill and then stoped in at Market Mall to try New York Fries's Poutine.
I had her try the one from the KFC in Red Deer, where I believe the best poutines in the world are sold, but she
still believed that her New York Fries Poutines were better. It was allright, but I still like the KFC ones
better. The gravy I think is what makes the difference, and maybe the fries a little bit. KFC's gravy is a light
brown, and thick. Sometimes even chunky. New York Fries's gravy is dark brown and very runny. Its like water its
so thin. I don't know, I like KFC's better. But still we had a good time. It was funny though, because I ran into
not one, but two old friends at the mall where we were eating. First I met Chris, who I had known partly through
my cousin Christy and partly through the week we spent together at Camp Chamisall. He works in that mall. Then,
later on, I ran into Sarah, a classmate from my grade 12 year. We had been quite good friends in high school so
I thought it only right that I go and say hi to her at least. She was there with her younger sister and father.
I heard a bit of news from her, and I guess her little sister was sure she had seen me in a theatre somewhere but
couldn't remember where or when... Its possible, I have been in a theatre on more than one occasion... She too
(Sarah, that is) works in the mall. Its such a small world. Anyhow, I am going to go work on my mix now since I
haven't really touched in a while and am feeling rather creative. Here endith the lesson.June 03, 2000
I got to sleep in this morning, which was nice for a change. Normally I can not sleep in, no matter what I try. Last
night was my cousin Christy's graduation banquet, and we put together a video for the occasion. It was very funny,
and I believe I can say that everyone really enjoyed it. She went around her class with a video camera and asked her
classmates various questions. We then took the video and using my computer, changed the questions so they appeared
to be answering a different question. Combined with various songs throughout, it made quite an amusing presentation
and I was glad to see that it went over well. I left the banquet around 9:30 because it was raining quite hard and I
wanted to go before it got dark. Not because I didn't like riding in the rain at night, but because I had to try and
find Sabrina's friend's house in an unfamiliar neighbourhood. I did get to see an incredible sunset as I rode down
the hill of COP though. Anyways, by the time I got to Stephen's house I was soaked. I pulled up to the house and found
it was packed with people, and was greeted at the door and asked if I was John. I was directed to go downstairs where
I found a much less crowded atmosphere consisting of 3 people, Stephen, Cheryl (I'm not sure if I spelled that
correctly) and of course, Sabrina. Sabrina was surprised to see me because the last time I had talked to her it was
understood that I wouldn't be able to make it. However, through a telephone mixup I talked to Cheryl and she gave me
directions to the house and we agreed that if I did make it out that it would be a surprise for Sabrina. When I got
there, Steve gave me a (dry) pair of pants to wear while I dried my pants and socks which were of course, soaked.
Anytime the bike goes through a puddle, the front wheel cuts the water at precisely (I mean precisely! It could not
be more exact if it had been designed this way) the right angle so as to direct high volume streams of water at
both of the driver's feet. In fact, on the way home last night, a puddle successfully blew both my sandals off! They
were dangling by my ankles and I had to stop and pull them back over my feet. Its quite fun really, as long as its
not too cold. But anyways, we played pool, ate pizza, and drank some juice, but it seemed that both of us were pretty
tired. Steve and I talked about our bikes, and no doubt we'll have to go for a ride sometime together. It was still
raining when Sabrina and I left for the night, and by that time several puddles had accumulated. I wasn't five
minutes away from their house when I had that little experience that was just mentioned there, so my feet were
soaked to begin with. Then I had to ride down Glenmore and all the way up Deerfoot and even along 16th Ave. My feet
were quite effectively numb by the time I got home. I took off my wet pants and wet socks and flopped on the couch,
trying to decide if I should take a bath at 1 in the morning, when my phone rang. It was Sabrina wanting to know if
I had made it home safely. I felt special. We talked briefly before going to bed, and I slept in till now. And
that's pretty much what has happened up till now, except for the bit about the Seadoo, but I wrote about that on
the Seadoo page. I will write again soon.BACK to Journal Index |