October 19, 2011
Tomorrow starts the first day of my fast.
I'm looking forward to it. Yesterday I stopped at London Drugs and did a blood pressure test. It's not very encouraging (151 over 89). I'm looking forward to seeing what improvements the fast will have on my blood pressure, and likely will also affect my migraines.
The vegetarian diet I've had in the last week has also been enjoyable, actually. My wife has dug up some really good recipes and we've enjoyed the change. As well, since she's a diabetic, her sugars have behaved better while on a vegetarian diet.
Tonight I'll be going out for supper with my grandparents and that will be my last meal for a while. You might think I'm crazy, but I can't wait! There are so many benefits to be had. And I'm going to try and document as much quantitive data as I can.
I've read that once the brain switches from using glucogen for fuel to ketoacids, the brain's efficiency jumps to 200%. I wish I knew of a way to accurately measure that. To see if it changes my IQ or some sort of mental performance benchmark.
Anyways, more to come!
Travis Penner
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
A new adventure
October 17, 2011
It's been a while since I wrote. And exactly a year since I started this blog and was unemployed. Alot has changed in a year, alot has been learned.
I've gotten involved more in theater. I've gotten my A+ for computers. I've learned more about our marriage and how much I love my wife, and our life together. We've learned how to trim down our budget. We've changed our plans in a heartbeat when we were told of our little girl's impending arrival. And best of all, we've learned some things about parenting and love our daughter more every day.
It's been a very good year,and I'm looking forward to the next.
In two more days I'm going to begin a fast. For those of you who don't know what fasting is; it's the cessation of eating food and drinking ONLY water. No juices, no nothing. Just water, and that's it.
Fasting has numerous health benefits. So many that I couldn't even list them all, as I don't know ALL of the possibilities that fasting can bring about.
Simply put though, fasting allows your body to rest and repair itself. The heart beats easier, the stomach rests, allowing the kidney and liver to purge itself of toxins that have accumulated. The arteries soften allowing plaque to be purged. Massive amounts of salt is urinated, and your body's salt content can finally be moved, swiftly, from the body.
Contrary to popular opinion, fasting does not kill you. Fasting is also, NOT starving. At any time you are eating less than your required caloric intake per day, you are starving. However, to cease eating, is completely different. There are metabolic functions that can only happen when the complete and total cessation of food has occurred. When those metabolic changes occur - your body chooses to break down FAT, and NOT muscle. Only when the fat stores have been completely exhausted, will it then turn to muscle.
However, science has shown that even a person who is NOT obese, can go up to 90 days without food.
Rest assured, I will not be going THAT long.
I say all this to help you understand that I'm not on a suicide mission, nor am I in a protest. But should you be interested, I'm not the first person to fast. Gandhi, and many other historical figures have fasted. Fasting has been part of history and religion LONG before this culture of excess. It is only in the last 100 years have we become a culture of fast food, and supermarkets. Food is plenty in our western society. Even our bums eat better than the pioneers, paupers, and serfs of the past. And infinitely better than people in parts of 3rd world countries.
It's my personal opinion that everyone should fast, regularly. No matter how healthy they are, if they want to continue good health and many years of well being.
That being said; why am I choosing to fast right now?
My primary reason is to get rid of migraines. I've had them since I was a boy of 10 years old. I can remember filling a sink with hot water just to dunk my head into it and relieve my migraines. I can remember deciding what I want to read, based on how big of a headache I had... an Archie comic is MUCH easier to read than a Sci Fi novel when your head feels like a dozen hippos doing a conga line inside it.
And here are some other reasons;
-Lower blood pressure
-Sleep better (mild sleep breathing disorder)
-Lower triglycerides and improve my blood's condition
-Prevent Alzheimer's
-Improve vision, and to safeguard good vision for a long time
-To get healthier so I can enjoy working out more
-Increased energy and stamina
-Improve my heart and reduce risk of heart attack
There are probably more reasons that I have not yet listed. But also, I've studied fasting for quite some time, and I'm fascinated by it. There's very few people who have done it, and no one I know, besides myself, who have ever done a long term fast. I've done 11 days, ten years ago, but this time I plan to fully experience it, and make a record of it. If you're interested, check in here. I will be documenting it as much as I can.
I truly think fasting is one of the greatest tools nature has offered us, and has long been neglected. My goal is not only to improve my health, but also to prove to myself and others, how infinitely precious this gift is, and how essential it is to everyone.
Can similar results be achieved by exercise, good eating, and drugs?
Yes and no.
Drugs never really heal you. They usually only correct the symptom but never the underlying cause. I truly believe, that when we fast, we allow our bodies healing abilities to finally have the opportunity and time to fully remove the underlying cause.
While exercise, and good food are great, they will never be able to protect, prolong, and restore the body to optimal condition.
Think of fasting, as a renovation. Which it essentially is, it's a chance to clean your house, and allow the contractors to come in and update things and make it as best it as it can get!
One last thing. If you're interested in this, feel free to read and join me on this journey. If all you want to do is treat me like a head case and try to talk me out of it, don't bother. If I have to, I will close off this blog and make it private if it comes to that. I'm open to questions, and genuine interest, but I've heard enough BS from people who still believe that FOOD is life.
Finally I leave you with this;
Matthew 6:25: 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
And the best of them all;
Isaiah 58:6-12
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness[a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
It's been a while since I wrote. And exactly a year since I started this blog and was unemployed. Alot has changed in a year, alot has been learned.
I've gotten involved more in theater. I've gotten my A+ for computers. I've learned more about our marriage and how much I love my wife, and our life together. We've learned how to trim down our budget. We've changed our plans in a heartbeat when we were told of our little girl's impending arrival. And best of all, we've learned some things about parenting and love our daughter more every day.
It's been a very good year,and I'm looking forward to the next.
In two more days I'm going to begin a fast. For those of you who don't know what fasting is; it's the cessation of eating food and drinking ONLY water. No juices, no nothing. Just water, and that's it.
Fasting has numerous health benefits. So many that I couldn't even list them all, as I don't know ALL of the possibilities that fasting can bring about.
Simply put though, fasting allows your body to rest and repair itself. The heart beats easier, the stomach rests, allowing the kidney and liver to purge itself of toxins that have accumulated. The arteries soften allowing plaque to be purged. Massive amounts of salt is urinated, and your body's salt content can finally be moved, swiftly, from the body.
Contrary to popular opinion, fasting does not kill you. Fasting is also, NOT starving. At any time you are eating less than your required caloric intake per day, you are starving. However, to cease eating, is completely different. There are metabolic functions that can only happen when the complete and total cessation of food has occurred. When those metabolic changes occur - your body chooses to break down FAT, and NOT muscle. Only when the fat stores have been completely exhausted, will it then turn to muscle.
However, science has shown that even a person who is NOT obese, can go up to 90 days without food.
Rest assured, I will not be going THAT long.
I say all this to help you understand that I'm not on a suicide mission, nor am I in a protest. But should you be interested, I'm not the first person to fast. Gandhi, and many other historical figures have fasted. Fasting has been part of history and religion LONG before this culture of excess. It is only in the last 100 years have we become a culture of fast food, and supermarkets. Food is plenty in our western society. Even our bums eat better than the pioneers, paupers, and serfs of the past. And infinitely better than people in parts of 3rd world countries.
It's my personal opinion that everyone should fast, regularly. No matter how healthy they are, if they want to continue good health and many years of well being.
That being said; why am I choosing to fast right now?
My primary reason is to get rid of migraines. I've had them since I was a boy of 10 years old. I can remember filling a sink with hot water just to dunk my head into it and relieve my migraines. I can remember deciding what I want to read, based on how big of a headache I had... an Archie comic is MUCH easier to read than a Sci Fi novel when your head feels like a dozen hippos doing a conga line inside it.
And here are some other reasons;
-Lower blood pressure
-Sleep better (mild sleep breathing disorder)
-Lower triglycerides and improve my blood's condition
-Prevent Alzheimer's
-Improve vision, and to safeguard good vision for a long time
-To get healthier so I can enjoy working out more
-Increased energy and stamina
-Improve my heart and reduce risk of heart attack
There are probably more reasons that I have not yet listed. But also, I've studied fasting for quite some time, and I'm fascinated by it. There's very few people who have done it, and no one I know, besides myself, who have ever done a long term fast. I've done 11 days, ten years ago, but this time I plan to fully experience it, and make a record of it. If you're interested, check in here. I will be documenting it as much as I can.
I truly think fasting is one of the greatest tools nature has offered us, and has long been neglected. My goal is not only to improve my health, but also to prove to myself and others, how infinitely precious this gift is, and how essential it is to everyone.
Can similar results be achieved by exercise, good eating, and drugs?
Yes and no.
Drugs never really heal you. They usually only correct the symptom but never the underlying cause. I truly believe, that when we fast, we allow our bodies healing abilities to finally have the opportunity and time to fully remove the underlying cause.
While exercise, and good food are great, they will never be able to protect, prolong, and restore the body to optimal condition.
Think of fasting, as a renovation. Which it essentially is, it's a chance to clean your house, and allow the contractors to come in and update things and make it as best it as it can get!
One last thing. If you're interested in this, feel free to read and join me on this journey. If all you want to do is treat me like a head case and try to talk me out of it, don't bother. If I have to, I will close off this blog and make it private if it comes to that. I'm open to questions, and genuine interest, but I've heard enough BS from people who still believe that FOOD is life.
Finally I leave you with this;
Matthew 6:25: 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
And the best of them all;
Isaiah 58:6-12
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness[a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Full Circle
Well it seems I'm no long unemployed. Starting Monday I'll be working again. Now that I have my beautiful daughter, plans needs to change.
I really tried to get into IT. And if I wasn't a parent now, we could still afford it. Not that I regret anything. It just means some dreams need to be put on hold for a little while. And that's ok - my daughter is worth more than any IT job I could take.
The hardest part of going back to work, in fact, is not being able to see her all day every day. She and I have gotten pretty close in 2 and half months. She smiles at me easily, and just picking her up calms her right down. I love it when she clings tightly to me. She's daddy's girl.
So, I'm grateful for the last few months since I lost my job. I've done a few plays. Gotten to build great friendships with people. Explored some dreams of my own, and had time to think some pretty deep thoughts. In fact, I know myself better than I did before. I think I'm happier and more at peace with myself than I have been in years.
I know for sure my marriage is far far better than it has ever been. So I have to say - I can recommend, in fact, I highly recommend, losing your job! Every 10 years in fact, everyone should take time to reflect and get to know themselves again.
Of course, not everyone can do that. So in lieu of job losing; take time to make friends with yourself. Too many of us bury ourselves in work, play, and life and forget that there's a person deep inside each one of us, if neglected too long, can get pretty damn cranky.
So lastly... I'm going to get a little religious here. If you're not into that.... take off.
So yeah, deep thoughts.
I've spent alot of time in the last few months, talking to the Father, and to Jesus, and getting to know them pretty well... I've read the Bible since I was a kid, and know it VERY well. So I don't always have to read it to hear them. Sometimes, a verse will come to mind. And then again; sometimes Biblegateway.com can be pretty handy too.
I've had some deep questions, serious questions. About so many things. Loving your wife. Does God change? What does Jesus really say about homosexuality? Who's saved? Are Paul's writings scriptural, that is to say, are they the words of God? What does Jesus want from us? and so many more.... I love it. Since I've been through 2 cults, raised extremely conservatively, and all the religious crap that I've had in me forever... It's GREAT to have the freedom to really pull things out and seriously question them.
The only time that it's HARD, is if you're afraid to let go of your preconceptions and are unwilling to change your beliefs. Otherwise, it's exciting. It's breathtaking... and I LOVE IT. In fact, so many beliefs I've held for a long time have changed. I believe, that so much of what we believe has been tradition handed down from the time of Constantinople, and through the ages til now. And if we fail to question those beliefs...
Then how can our faith even be real?
Anyways... Those are my thoughts today as I spend my last Friday of unemployment. Take care; have a great summer - and I promise, I'll keep writing.
Travis Penner - Cadman and Seeker
I really tried to get into IT. And if I wasn't a parent now, we could still afford it. Not that I regret anything. It just means some dreams need to be put on hold for a little while. And that's ok - my daughter is worth more than any IT job I could take.
The hardest part of going back to work, in fact, is not being able to see her all day every day. She and I have gotten pretty close in 2 and half months. She smiles at me easily, and just picking her up calms her right down. I love it when she clings tightly to me. She's daddy's girl.
So, I'm grateful for the last few months since I lost my job. I've done a few plays. Gotten to build great friendships with people. Explored some dreams of my own, and had time to think some pretty deep thoughts. In fact, I know myself better than I did before. I think I'm happier and more at peace with myself than I have been in years.
I know for sure my marriage is far far better than it has ever been. So I have to say - I can recommend, in fact, I highly recommend, losing your job! Every 10 years in fact, everyone should take time to reflect and get to know themselves again.
Of course, not everyone can do that. So in lieu of job losing; take time to make friends with yourself. Too many of us bury ourselves in work, play, and life and forget that there's a person deep inside each one of us, if neglected too long, can get pretty damn cranky.
So lastly... I'm going to get a little religious here. If you're not into that.... take off.
So yeah, deep thoughts.
I've spent alot of time in the last few months, talking to the Father, and to Jesus, and getting to know them pretty well... I've read the Bible since I was a kid, and know it VERY well. So I don't always have to read it to hear them. Sometimes, a verse will come to mind. And then again; sometimes Biblegateway.com can be pretty handy too.
I've had some deep questions, serious questions. About so many things. Loving your wife. Does God change? What does Jesus really say about homosexuality? Who's saved? Are Paul's writings scriptural, that is to say, are they the words of God? What does Jesus want from us? and so many more.... I love it. Since I've been through 2 cults, raised extremely conservatively, and all the religious crap that I've had in me forever... It's GREAT to have the freedom to really pull things out and seriously question them.
The only time that it's HARD, is if you're afraid to let go of your preconceptions and are unwilling to change your beliefs. Otherwise, it's exciting. It's breathtaking... and I LOVE IT. In fact, so many beliefs I've held for a long time have changed. I believe, that so much of what we believe has been tradition handed down from the time of Constantinople, and through the ages til now. And if we fail to question those beliefs...
Then how can our faith even be real?
Anyways... Those are my thoughts today as I spend my last Friday of unemployment. Take care; have a great summer - and I promise, I'll keep writing.
Travis Penner - Cadman and Seeker
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Harold Camping, False Prophet = Satan's Henchman
Ok, I have to warn you, this post is going to get a little religious. This whole Harold Camping, end days thing has a burr up my ass.
There are two things I hate above all. Con men, and Cults, and I think both kind of go hand in hand. Both are out to get your money and both devastate family, friends, and the person's own soul and being. Jesus had plenty to say about these people back when he was on earth. They were called Pharisees. If I could, I'd have em all drawn and quartered right here, right now. Kip McKean and Harold Camping would be at the top of my list.
After hearing about all these people who gave up their jobs, their bank accounts, and left their families to follow Harold, not unlike myself 13 years ago, I had to ask... Are they just gullible? Some, sure, but not all. Some I think are fairly intelligent. I hesitate to think of myself as an idiot as well, after all.
I'm intuitive with computers, I can hack my personal electronic devices, set up a network, build a computer, do banking, plan a vacation, seduce my wife into marrying me, and adopt my first baby, so maybe I'm not entirely mentally handicapped. And maybe, just maybe, they're pretty smart too.
So then, it begs the question - why? Why in God's name, would you follow someone who's giving you a bill of sale for heaven's gates?
I think people really are disillusioned by what present day christianity has to offer. Please understand, I'm not going to make blanket statements here, but I am going to say, a large number of institutions (I refuse to call them churches) I've been to are check in spots.
Check in at 10:45am and checkout at 12:00 after the pastor's sermon has finished. There ya go, your passport has been stamped, another couple hundred of those and you'll get into heaven and God'll be proud o' ya!
And people see right through that. Why in god's name would sitting in a pew, listening to some blowhard talk about something that I can't even relate to, much less CARE about, make a difference in my life, here and in eternity?
What good is being part of this institution? When we care more about voting on the color of pew our group is going to buy than we do about the homeless sitting on the streets a block away?
I have something to say about that too. Those institutions that call themselves Churches. If Jesus was the example, then they're doing a crappy job of following it. Jesus never came to set up an institution. They all met in people's homes. The Church was a bunch of believers hanging out, and having a blast. The institution was the synagogue of self righteous people who thought they had a bill of sale saying they were Abraham's descendants and they'd be going into heaven. God save us from those sinners up the block, drinking wine, eating good and hanging out with that bum they call Jesus.
Yeah, I have a problem with that.
And I think most other people do too.
So when some guy seems genuine, loving, and offers you the most amazing thing; a relationship with Jesus that seems authentic....
It doesn't matter how out of joint he twists the bible. They'll believe him, and like little sheep, they'll docilely follow him into the slaughter.
James 3:1 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
And since we're on the subject, let's address some of what Camping says;
Matthew 24:36 - 44
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
There are two things I hate above all. Con men, and Cults, and I think both kind of go hand in hand. Both are out to get your money and both devastate family, friends, and the person's own soul and being. Jesus had plenty to say about these people back when he was on earth. They were called Pharisees. If I could, I'd have em all drawn and quartered right here, right now. Kip McKean and Harold Camping would be at the top of my list.
After hearing about all these people who gave up their jobs, their bank accounts, and left their families to follow Harold, not unlike myself 13 years ago, I had to ask... Are they just gullible? Some, sure, but not all. Some I think are fairly intelligent. I hesitate to think of myself as an idiot as well, after all.
I'm intuitive with computers, I can hack my personal electronic devices, set up a network, build a computer, do banking, plan a vacation, seduce my wife into marrying me, and adopt my first baby, so maybe I'm not entirely mentally handicapped. And maybe, just maybe, they're pretty smart too.
So then, it begs the question - why? Why in God's name, would you follow someone who's giving you a bill of sale for heaven's gates?
I think people really are disillusioned by what present day christianity has to offer. Please understand, I'm not going to make blanket statements here, but I am going to say, a large number of institutions (I refuse to call them churches) I've been to are check in spots.
Check in at 10:45am and checkout at 12:00 after the pastor's sermon has finished. There ya go, your passport has been stamped, another couple hundred of those and you'll get into heaven and God'll be proud o' ya!
And people see right through that. Why in god's name would sitting in a pew, listening to some blowhard talk about something that I can't even relate to, much less CARE about, make a difference in my life, here and in eternity?
What good is being part of this institution? When we care more about voting on the color of pew our group is going to buy than we do about the homeless sitting on the streets a block away?
I have something to say about that too. Those institutions that call themselves Churches. If Jesus was the example, then they're doing a crappy job of following it. Jesus never came to set up an institution. They all met in people's homes. The Church was a bunch of believers hanging out, and having a blast. The institution was the synagogue of self righteous people who thought they had a bill of sale saying they were Abraham's descendants and they'd be going into heaven. God save us from those sinners up the block, drinking wine, eating good and hanging out with that bum they call Jesus.
Yeah, I have a problem with that.
And I think most other people do too.
So when some guy seems genuine, loving, and offers you the most amazing thing; a relationship with Jesus that seems authentic....
It doesn't matter how out of joint he twists the bible. They'll believe him, and like little sheep, they'll docilely follow him into the slaughter.
James 3:1 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
And since we're on the subject, let's address some of what Camping says;
Matthew 24:36 - 44
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
And in case THAT isn't clear enough;
Luke 17:23-24
23 People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. 24 For the Son of Man in his day[a] will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other.
There...'nuff said. I think I'm preached out for today. I have much more I could say, but "since brevity is the soul of wit; I shall be brief."
Travis
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Hurrying up and waiting
Sorry I haven't been keeping things up to date on here very much. I don't really know if that many people actually READ this; so I'm not always motivated to keep it updated.
But alas; two of my friends who shall remain unnamed (Kristi, and Jen) bug me about it from time to time, as does my wife occasionally, SO - I shall write.
Here's the scoop. I have my A+ exam coming up this Friday; so I've been studying about 6 or 8 hours a day just to make sure I pass... I'd rather not have to shell out $300 to take it again, so if I fail, I'm going to be rather upset.
Not to mention the baby is due by April 6th, so when she shows up on the scene, I highly doubt I'll get much further studying in.
Things have been going well though. We've been getting to know the birth mother and bringing her food at least once a week, she's absolutely exhausted as she nears the end of this pregnancy. I think she wants to see the baby out as much as we do.
In addition to me studying, my wife has also been hitting the books. Her exams also come up in April, and the two of us have become surly as constipated dragons guarding their horde, she has very nearly bitten MY head off when I suggest getting together with other people. SO, call her at your own risk.
Oh! And in addition to all this excitement, I shall be getting a hearing aid on my left ear. It seems that people who wear hearing aids (even if they ARE deaf) tend to get put higher on the implant priority list than those without... which sucks. BUT, on the bright side, my audiologists tells me that our ears, magically mysterious things they are, still process sound and stuff even if it ain't ALL getting to our consciousness. So piping sound into my left ear will keep it healthy, and prepared for implantation.
Now if only sticking a hearing aid in it will magically revive my ear to working order once again... We can all hope for miracles. :P
Oh and for those who've asked. The job sitch.
Well Jana's going to be starting her mat leave in July. As such, I've let any potential employers know I will not be available til then.
The one that I was talking with a little while back, was fine with this; and ask that I let them know when I'm back and able to work full time. While not really a job offer per se, it's an encouraging step in that direction.
Hmm... I think that's it for updates. Tonight I'm off for another night of rehearsals for Joseph's Technicolor Dream coat. I hope I see some of you there at the show!!
Travis Penner
But alas; two of my friends who shall remain unnamed (Kristi, and Jen) bug me about it from time to time, as does my wife occasionally, SO - I shall write.
Here's the scoop. I have my A+ exam coming up this Friday; so I've been studying about 6 or 8 hours a day just to make sure I pass... I'd rather not have to shell out $300 to take it again, so if I fail, I'm going to be rather upset.
Not to mention the baby is due by April 6th, so when she shows up on the scene, I highly doubt I'll get much further studying in.
Things have been going well though. We've been getting to know the birth mother and bringing her food at least once a week, she's absolutely exhausted as she nears the end of this pregnancy. I think she wants to see the baby out as much as we do.
In addition to me studying, my wife has also been hitting the books. Her exams also come up in April, and the two of us have become surly as constipated dragons guarding their horde, she has very nearly bitten MY head off when I suggest getting together with other people. SO, call her at your own risk.
Oh! And in addition to all this excitement, I shall be getting a hearing aid on my left ear. It seems that people who wear hearing aids (even if they ARE deaf) tend to get put higher on the implant priority list than those without... which sucks. BUT, on the bright side, my audiologists tells me that our ears, magically mysterious things they are, still process sound and stuff even if it ain't ALL getting to our consciousness. So piping sound into my left ear will keep it healthy, and prepared for implantation.
Now if only sticking a hearing aid in it will magically revive my ear to working order once again... We can all hope for miracles. :P
Oh and for those who've asked. The job sitch.
Well Jana's going to be starting her mat leave in July. As such, I've let any potential employers know I will not be available til then.
The one that I was talking with a little while back, was fine with this; and ask that I let them know when I'm back and able to work full time. While not really a job offer per se, it's an encouraging step in that direction.
Hmm... I think that's it for updates. Tonight I'm off for another night of rehearsals for Joseph's Technicolor Dream coat. I hope I see some of you there at the show!!
Travis Penner
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Upward and Onward
So - I was going to write pretty soon after my last post. I was just waiting for that recruiter to call me.
Well... She didn't call until just last Thursday.... 2 weeks since my original interview.
So now I have a second interview for Monday morning. Tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it; but not the part where I have to say "I'm unavailable until July."
Uhm... yeah. 3 months :P But there's nothing to be helped for it. The baby is pretty much ready to come out any day now, and the wife can't take her mat leave until July.
Oh well - that's the ride, called life. Always something going on.
In the meantime we've been busy getting the house ready for babyhood. Jana's been exposing the animals to as much baby stuff as possible to acclimatize them to babyness. We think our dog is really going to have a jealous fit after the baby comes.
Aside from all that excitement; I've been busy working with the cast on Joseph. 4 weeks left to get everything prepared. We move into the theater April 9th, which in itself shall be interesting - the baby should be here by then.
Oh and on March 25th, I take my A+ exams. Which I'm fairly confident about, I think if I took them right now, I'd get 90%... good thing. I don't want to fail when it costs 300 bucks each time I take it. :P
Sorry for the disjointed blog this time. Not too much really has changed. This one's just an update... really. I'll probably have lots more to say in the coming weeks though.
On more interesting thoughts and recollections.
Friday night I was at a friend's birthday party. It wasn't bad at all. Not long after we arrived we were attempting to make a margarita using a blender... I'm not sure what recipe the girls were using, but apparently it turned out pretty foul. In an attempt to make the birthday girl happy, Jana and I went out to pick up a few things, and a martini shaker for her.
I don't know if they ever used it, about an hour or two later we left. Jana was just too wiped out to stay much later. However, I was quite piqued with the idea of making my own martini. My lovely wife bought me a martini shaker yesterday, apparently it was on sale. And it's quite nice, it has different recipes for making different drinks all engraved on the side of it.
So that's my plan tonight. I'm going to see if I can make a James Bond Martini... however I can't remember... was it "Shaken, not stirred" or was it "Stirred, not shaken"?
And really... how can it taste any different anyways?
Also interesting, Friday night I got to talking to birthdaygirl's brother. Really easy fellow to talk to, we had fun. Especially interesting was our conversation about Zeitgeist.
Now I've heard of these films before, but the last person I spoke to about it, was a bit sycophantic about it. Which really turned me off of the stuff (if you're reading this dude, sorry, but it's true) Anyways, her brother actually made it sound interesting, and rather than fearing the image of a demented prophet foaming at the mouth screaming the injustices of government and modern society, he made it sound like a reasonably interesting documentary.
Perhaps when I have some free time I might check it out.
What do you think? Have you seen Zeitgeist or any other documentaries that have changed your world view? Or even influenced your understanding of God and faith?
Travis Penner
Well... She didn't call until just last Thursday.... 2 weeks since my original interview.
So now I have a second interview for Monday morning. Tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it; but not the part where I have to say "I'm unavailable until July."
Uhm... yeah. 3 months :P But there's nothing to be helped for it. The baby is pretty much ready to come out any day now, and the wife can't take her mat leave until July.
Oh well - that's the ride, called life. Always something going on.
In the meantime we've been busy getting the house ready for babyhood. Jana's been exposing the animals to as much baby stuff as possible to acclimatize them to babyness. We think our dog is really going to have a jealous fit after the baby comes.
Aside from all that excitement; I've been busy working with the cast on Joseph. 4 weeks left to get everything prepared. We move into the theater April 9th, which in itself shall be interesting - the baby should be here by then.
Oh and on March 25th, I take my A+ exams. Which I'm fairly confident about, I think if I took them right now, I'd get 90%... good thing. I don't want to fail when it costs 300 bucks each time I take it. :P
Sorry for the disjointed blog this time. Not too much really has changed. This one's just an update... really. I'll probably have lots more to say in the coming weeks though.
On more interesting thoughts and recollections.
Friday night I was at a friend's birthday party. It wasn't bad at all. Not long after we arrived we were attempting to make a margarita using a blender... I'm not sure what recipe the girls were using, but apparently it turned out pretty foul. In an attempt to make the birthday girl happy, Jana and I went out to pick up a few things, and a martini shaker for her.
I don't know if they ever used it, about an hour or two later we left. Jana was just too wiped out to stay much later. However, I was quite piqued with the idea of making my own martini. My lovely wife bought me a martini shaker yesterday, apparently it was on sale. And it's quite nice, it has different recipes for making different drinks all engraved on the side of it.
So that's my plan tonight. I'm going to see if I can make a James Bond Martini... however I can't remember... was it "Shaken, not stirred" or was it "Stirred, not shaken"?
And really... how can it taste any different anyways?
Also interesting, Friday night I got to talking to birthdaygirl's brother. Really easy fellow to talk to, we had fun. Especially interesting was our conversation about Zeitgeist.
Now I've heard of these films before, but the last person I spoke to about it, was a bit sycophantic about it. Which really turned me off of the stuff (if you're reading this dude, sorry, but it's true) Anyways, her brother actually made it sound interesting, and rather than fearing the image of a demented prophet foaming at the mouth screaming the injustices of government and modern society, he made it sound like a reasonably interesting documentary.
Perhaps when I have some free time I might check it out.
What do you think? Have you seen Zeitgeist or any other documentaries that have changed your world view? Or even influenced your understanding of God and faith?
Travis Penner
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Almost the end of the unemployment era
It's almost 3 o clock, and I'm kicking back in Starbucks across the street from Metafore where I just had an interview.
It went really well, thanks to my friend Kenneth who got me in the door. I had a really nice visit with the recruiter. This is the first time in my life I've ever felt passionate about working in any industry. Like I said before, drafting was never anything I really loved now that I'm looking into getting into IT, and really really trying my damnedest to, I'm excited about it. Hopeful too.
Kimberly, the recruiter, and I talked for nearly half an hour. I think it went really well, especially as she says the next thing she's doing this afternoon is calling some job sites and seeing if she can place me right away. She's going to call me back tomorrow and let me know how it goes.
I'm torn though. The baby comes along in 5 weeks, and my wife can't take mat leave until July. If she gives me a job tomorrow, do I take it and end my EI? Even if I can only work full time for 5 weeks, and once the baby comes; stay at home for nearly 3 months before my wife can take mat leave?
I guess I'll wait and see what happens tomorrow when she calls. Worse comes to worse, I'll have to tell her I can't effectively work until July. We certainly can't live without the added income for 3 months.
This is all what's going through my mind right now... while I'm very excited that the interview was so positive. It looks like I may no longer be getting up and staying home every day. That, in a way, is a relief. I've enjoyed the time off from work, no question, although it's been less of a vacation, and more of an internment of studying and house errands. In fact, except for Christmas break, I've barely gamed at all.
It's a good thing though, I've spent more of the last several months involved with people and life than I have in years. Thank God. It's nice to know that not everyone in life is out to suck me into a cult, or treat me like the office idiot. The impression I got from Stantec. :P
And yes, the baby is 5 weeks away. We've pretty much gotten everything we need in preparation for her. I've even set up a web cam in the baby room that we'll be training on the crib so our out of town family can see the baby. And so can I, if I'm in another room. Who needs baby monitors? My laptop IS a baby monitor!
I'm almost finished studying for my A+, theres not many pages left. Tomorrow I'll probably look into booking the exam, I definitely want the certification well before the baby comes, and hopefully before I'm actually working.
Aside from work, study, and the baby, I've been helping out on the rehearsals for Joseph's technicolor coat. As always there's drama, and situations. But it's fun, 7 weeks to go before they perform! And there's alot to squeeze in those 7 weeks!
Anyways, another half hour before I head out to go get the wife from work. I think I'm going to get a little bit of studying in before that.
Keep in touch, I'll write more soon!
Travis
Ex-Cadman
It went really well, thanks to my friend Kenneth who got me in the door. I had a really nice visit with the recruiter. This is the first time in my life I've ever felt passionate about working in any industry. Like I said before, drafting was never anything I really loved now that I'm looking into getting into IT, and really really trying my damnedest to, I'm excited about it. Hopeful too.
Kimberly, the recruiter, and I talked for nearly half an hour. I think it went really well, especially as she says the next thing she's doing this afternoon is calling some job sites and seeing if she can place me right away. She's going to call me back tomorrow and let me know how it goes.
I'm torn though. The baby comes along in 5 weeks, and my wife can't take mat leave until July. If she gives me a job tomorrow, do I take it and end my EI? Even if I can only work full time for 5 weeks, and once the baby comes; stay at home for nearly 3 months before my wife can take mat leave?
I guess I'll wait and see what happens tomorrow when she calls. Worse comes to worse, I'll have to tell her I can't effectively work until July. We certainly can't live without the added income for 3 months.
This is all what's going through my mind right now... while I'm very excited that the interview was so positive. It looks like I may no longer be getting up and staying home every day. That, in a way, is a relief. I've enjoyed the time off from work, no question, although it's been less of a vacation, and more of an internment of studying and house errands. In fact, except for Christmas break, I've barely gamed at all.
It's a good thing though, I've spent more of the last several months involved with people and life than I have in years. Thank God. It's nice to know that not everyone in life is out to suck me into a cult, or treat me like the office idiot. The impression I got from Stantec. :P
And yes, the baby is 5 weeks away. We've pretty much gotten everything we need in preparation for her. I've even set up a web cam in the baby room that we'll be training on the crib so our out of town family can see the baby. And so can I, if I'm in another room. Who needs baby monitors? My laptop IS a baby monitor!
I'm almost finished studying for my A+, theres not many pages left. Tomorrow I'll probably look into booking the exam, I definitely want the certification well before the baby comes, and hopefully before I'm actually working.
Aside from work, study, and the baby, I've been helping out on the rehearsals for Joseph's technicolor coat. As always there's drama, and situations. But it's fun, 7 weeks to go before they perform! And there's alot to squeeze in those 7 weeks!
Anyways, another half hour before I head out to go get the wife from work. I think I'm going to get a little bit of studying in before that.
Keep in touch, I'll write more soon!
Travis
Ex-Cadman
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