Under my Umber-ella
October 31, 2008
Good idea:
If it rains, bring big black umbrellas and get some pictures in the rain - romantic, huh? Great idea courtesy of theknot.com
Click the image for the original post of 14 Photography Tips.
I’ve gone on so many walks and dates in the rain, that this might just be the perfect wedding day solution in case in rains – take pictures outdoors with a giant umbrella.
I don’t quite know what the photographer would do, though.
The Checklist
October 31, 2008
Theknot.com has a handy dandy checklist.
Nice, eh?
Only problem is how incredibly detailed it is.
In one month, for example, I should INTERVIEW potential florists, SEND in a deposit, THINK about flower arrangement styles I like (???), RESEARCH what flowers will be in season for your wedding day, DECIDE on a floral scheme (???), and NEGOTIATE prices with the florist. Oh, and SIGN a contract with the florist.
I would’ve just put, “Flowers,” and then link to a helpful article on dealing with florists, rather than include all that in the checklist.
I don’t have to do most of those things, because I want roses (in season all year round), and ivy. Also, I hope to get my flowers from Costco…
…because the woman who I bought my wedding dress from told me she went to the library, taught herself how to arrange flowers from a book, and then got all her flowers (roses) from Costco.
Pooch Cafe
October 31, 2008
My newest favourite comic is the consistently hilarious, Pooch Cafe. Well drawn, well-coloured (like Bizarro), but so so so funny. Get Fuzzy, Non Sequiter, Bizarro, and Pooch Cafe, are probably my latest greatest favourite comics. Then of course there are the online ones, and the older ones… Sherman’s Lagoon, Dilbert, etc. BUT ANYWAY…
I love comics.
Here is the latest from Pooch Cafe, a couple removed to keep with the theme of the pigeon narrative. I love this pigeon character.
My Doubt
October 30, 2008
This has been developing for a couple years now: I doubt my abilities as a small group leader. I’m not sure if this is me coming to a realization about myself, or if this is just insecurity. This could just be me recognizing my strengths, and enable me to move beyond a role I’m used to but doesn’t fit well. Or this could be doubt that is going to mess up my ability to be used by God.
With small groups (Bible studies, discussion groups, seminars, etc.) I am a very talkative, very incisive, thought-provoking contributor. I’m often complimented for being relevant and insightful. I’ve been called wise.
And thus, feeling rather confident in my ability to understand scripture, concepts, literature – whatever it is – I have lead many a “small group.”
But I always feel like when I start talking, people shut up. I don’t seem to instill comfort or inspiration when I talk to people, I feel like I confuse them. Where I would be quick to say what I felt, others don’t open up. I feel like the answer is perfectly obvious, that the solution is right there, but I can’t spell it out for them, so I try to ask questions that bring about a certain answer, or any answer – but those questions end conversation rather than spur it on. This has happened to me in seminars, and in Bible studies… I hate the feeling when the words out of my mouth fall flat. They zoom out into the center of the room, and no one grabs onto them, they’re diseased, foreign, and dissolve into meaninglessness.
This doesn’t always happen. I’ve lead some great Bible studies but let’s be honest: it has a lot to do with the people in the group being willing to carry the conversation. What kills me is the talkative groups over the years that I’ve managed to dumbfound.
I wonder if my abstract thinking, and zeroing in on certain points or ideas, aren’t well suited for leading group discussion. My understanding of laissez faire leadership is stepping back so that people can step up, but nonetheless being the guiding force. Those questions that help people answer problems themselves, is laissez faire. I don’t think I’m good at laissez faire. I judge success based on whether or not people talk (a good qualifier for success, I think), and whether or not they get to the solution I had in mind. I think in small groups, people have to feel open to exploring their own ideas, and I’m probably too much of a “let’s go from point A to point Z, oh, and let me tell you about BCDEFGHIJKLNOPQRSTUVWXY.”
I think I would like to preach one day, but be one of those teaching pastors, that doesn’t have to do that one on one counselling, or lead Sunday School.
Delicious Food
October 29, 2008
I keep getting asked what I’m having for food at my reception, and to be honest, it’s been a month since we made the deposit to secure our date, and I haven’t looked at the proposed menu since.
Tonight I pulled up the tentative plan… most of these were proposed as popular brunch choices, but I made some changes to better reflect my (and my guest’s) taste.
I’ve arranged them according to how I would eat them:
- WELCOME COCKTAIL – *1/2 Flute Mimosa (alcoholic and non) UPON ARRIVAL
- CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
COFFEE, TEA, FRESH JUICES & SPA WATER
FRESH BAKED CROISSANTS, MUFFINS & SCONES
with WHIPPED BUTTER & HOMEMADE PRESERVES
SEASONAL FRUIT PLATTER - ASSORTED SANDWICHES
MAY INCLUDE;
Tuna Salad, Egg Salad, Grilled Vegetable with Goat Cheese + PB & J - CRUDITÉS with VARIOUS DIPPING SAUCES
- GRILLED CHEESE HALF ROUNDS with AGED CHEDDAR ON CHALLAH
- BANANA PANCAKES with CHOCOLATE SAUCE
- FRENCH TOAST with SMALL BATCH MAPLE SYRUP & CRÈME FRAÎCHE
- MINI LEMON MERINGUE TART
- MINI SEASONAL FRUIT TART
- ASSORTED LARGE CUPCAKES-Personalized
Decorated w/ IVY leaves or initials
The pancakes and french toast and grilled cheese are “passed” – which means a server comes around with them on a platter. The rest are at “stations.” I believe the proper term for my little reception will be a “strolling brunch.”
Oh, and “crudites” or KROO d’tays, are cut up veggies.
Not gunna lie, I’m pretty excited.
Wishlist
October 29, 2008
These are the books I wanted circa 2004, about the time I first discovered the joys of the Chapters.Indigo.ca wishlist.
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I still don’t have any of these books, but the initial fervor I had for them has faded over time. It’s amazing how, when you go without something for so long, you cease to want it.
I have a renewed interest in the Bernie Mac book since he died… and I will always love the Giving Tree, but I must admit… the other books were “cool” to me once, and are no more. Great books… but were definitely fads for me.
Copying Beth
October 29, 2008
Copying Beth isn’t something I really try to do, but she posted some pretty frickin’ sweet links and I wanted to share another one because this time, it’s from Toronto! The big ol’ T-O! Now that’s some local merchandise, EH?!
Not only do I think this underwear sounds great for all my underwear-wearing friends (you know who you are), but I was also thinking it’d be a lot of fun as a shower gift, or as a bride who wants to remember the day of the week she got married every time she wears a certain pair…
I would so wear these on my wedding day.
(I’m getting married on a Saturday)
Pumpkin Pancakes
October 29, 2008
The receptionist/baker at my work has a pumpkin cake in the oven. It smells divine.
Here is a link to a recipe I’ll be trying soon, combining two of my favourite things: pumpkin pancakes.
Ah yes, and to give credit where credit is due, I thank Beth for posting the link to the NY Times pumpkin recipes.
Autism
October 27, 2008
Tonight on The National, I watched a 20 minute (or so?) documentary clip on Autism, basically stating that its atypical behaviour isn’t a disability or disease that needs curing so much as something that many sufferers just want to be accepted for. And it’s not that they’re suffering due to their disability, they’re suffering because people do not accept them.
It really was quite an eye-opening piece, and reminded me of the story of Jesus and the lepers. We really are afraid of others, especially those different from us, especially those who threaten our ivory towers of normalcy. I think we have more in common with the autistic than we’d like to think. At least, I do.
Here’s the blog of Amanda, one of the Autistic persons in the mini-doc. You may have seen or heard about her YouTube video, “In My Language”
Watching this little segment, and basically seeing how Autism, for people like Amanda, makes the world “infinitely rich” in experience, helps me understand better how we are to better live our lives. To enjoy the presence of a pet, to live in the moment, to recognize our interdependence, etc.
I think that the world is pretty much infinitely rich and that different people can interact with different parts of it. And not a single one of us can possibly ever even approach how much there is to it overall.
- Amanda
Pictures of Obama
October 27, 2008
Really really good photo-journalism.
Obama's Shoes. I think this is my favourite shot of him. Although, the ones with his wife are pretty awesome, too.
