Movies with Subtitles:

You may have realised by now that I love movies. I love all types of moves, but sometimes I struggle with movies that have subtitles. Part of me likes movies with subtitles because in a way it adds a totally different element to a movie, but I think that it should be put on the advertising more clearly. Recently I have watched a few movies that even though I scanned the DVD case I was unaware until I got home, sat down, started to relax, and put on the DVD that it was subtitled. When I go in to pick a movie I usually think about what sort of a mood I am in and that will decide what type of movie I want. This night I decided that I wanted a no-brainer night in, with no thinking just relaxing. Wasn’t I wrong when I heard a Spanish voice and words started to appear on the screen!

I sometimes struggle to watch movies and read at the same time. Often I get wrapped up in what is going on with the scene that I forget to read. By the time I start to read again I don’t know how many lines I have missed. Sometimes I think I have ADD…..

The other issue I have with subtitles is when there is swearing in the sentence. I think when I am watching a movie that doesn’t have subtitles I don’t notice the swearing as much as I should. When you are watching a movie with subtitles you are ultimately reading the script. When you read the bad words does that mean that I am swearing as well? Does that mean that it is doubly bad? (if doubly is a word)

Movies with Subtitles: Carandiru; Hero; Motorcycle Diaries; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Movies with subtitles are like combining reading a book and watching the movies (seriously I hear you say in a sarcastic way) when you are reading a book you add your own ideas, you imaging what is going on and you can add your own style to the conversation. Doing this while watching the movie is fun. A great movie to do this with is the most recent movie I watched with subtitles, Motorcycle Diaries.

Let’s raise a toast to subtitles, but only when you are clearly informed by the poster or on the DVD case.

Holy Week

One thing that I love about Good Shepherd Church is that they follow the Christian Calendar, and for us, this week was Holy Week. This has been a great week because each night there has been something different on in the church where they build up to the Easter Weekend.
Monday: Paul Johansen (pastor) read to the church a short story that he wrote.

Tuesday: We watched 'The Passion of the Christ' movie.

Wednesday: Was a healing service where ("recording artist") Glen Soderholm came and led worship and shared a message.

Thursday: Foot washing service. For many this sounds weird and gross but thinking about it I don't know why churches don’t make this a regular event. For me this is the best example of community living, how we come together as a church and serve one another. Plus we are instructed to do it (John 13: 14 - 17)

Friday: This was the Good Friday morning where we think about Jesus' death and what that means to us. In a way we take on the grief and sadness, we reflect on the reasoning behind this event.

Sunday: Easter Sunday is a morning of praise. We started off with an Easter Breakfast where the church gathers together to share a meal with each other. The atmosphere is very different from the Friday service, rather than being reflective and sad is one of joy, and peace. We don't forget about Friday and what took place but we look to the fact that Jesus is no longer dead, but is alive.

This whole week is a great week of reflection, gathering as a community of believers and together we rejoice over the miracle of the resurrection and together think about the reason why this event had to take place.

I always look forward to Holy Week.

Got to love Jack Handy

I hope if dogs ever take over the world, and they chose a king, they don't just go by size, because I bet there are some Chihuahuas with some good ideas.

Better not take a dog on the space shuttle, because if he sticks his head out when you're coming home his face might burn up.

If you go parachuting, and your parachute doesn't open, and you friends are all watching you fall, I think a funny gag would be to pretend you were swimming.

If you ever catch on fire, try to avoid looking in a mirror, because I bet that will really throw you into a panic.

If you ever fall off the Sears Tower, just go real limp, because maybe you'll look like a dummy and people will try to catch you because, hey, free dummy.

Disneyland Funny

One thing kids like is to be tricked. For instance, I was going to take my little nephew to Disneyland, but instead I drove him to an old burned-out warehouse. "Oh, no," I said. "Disneyland burned down." He cried and cried, but I think that deep down, he thought it was a pretty good joke.

My Hero! 

What is mankind

Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words - "mank" and "ind". What do these words mean ? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.

See you in Ireland Pim

Now this was a fun week. Everything from going to the gym, being successful at getting U2 tickets and a great end to the week with St. Patrick’s Day.

Yes I am going to the gym. I know that you are probably thinking "why is he using the gym, I didn't think you could improve on perfection?" I know, I also think that.... lol.... I am actually really enjoying using the gym and in the two weeks that I have been using it I have realised a big difference in my fitness levels. (Jonny I am only doing Cardio, I am not bulking up)

As I mentioned on a previous blog Chris Schryer was successful in getting U2 tickets. What a guy.

And the end of the week was spent in a little bar called Quigley’s with Chris, Erika, Pim (Erika’s dad), Jamie and Shawn Miller. This was a great night of stories, food, Guinness, all the prizes that we sort of won and the random Scottish Pipe Band that played in the bar. Who knows why there was a Scottish Pipe Band on St Patrick’s Day.

I think the highlight of the night was when we found an old International phone card and decided at 10.30pm (3.30am in Belfast) to see if it worked. I would like to thank my brother for letting us test this phone card by phoning him. He always says that he is glad to hear from his little brother. On this occasion I don't think that this was entirely true. We did laugh for quite some time over this. Jonny was kind enough to text us Julie (his wife to be) number as we also wanted to call her. Unfortunately her phone was off and we left a message on her voicemail. Pity that...

This was a great night not only for what I mentioned above but because I got to spend the evening with Pim. Pim is a great guy and I have really enjoyed getting to know him over the past number of years. He left on Friday morning to drive to Halifax where he is shipping his car over to Europe where he is spending the next 6 months - 3 years travelling and visiting his friends and family. I wish you all the best on your travels Pim.

I promise that my next blog will give you something to smile about... And no it is not me naked.

Chris & Erika are the Best! 

U2 in Toronto..... i will be there

I couldn't believe it the other night when sitting at the table and Chris said "don't worry buddy i got your back for th U2 concert in Toronto" I had heard the news that because it was an indoor gig in Toronto that his membership was only valid for 2 tickets not the 4 that i thought he was valid for. I was preparing for the frantic rushing around on Thursday to scramble a ticket or two. I also have to give props to Erika (his fantastic wife) as she is the one who gave up the ticket. You guys rock!

Major Shrinkage

The trip to Montreal was definately interesting. The hotel that we stayed in was miles away from anything and with the -31 conditions we had both days it definately encouraged us to not go outside. The camp fairs were fun even though the first night there was literally no kids but we did manage to recruit a staff member. But the second night was great we made some great contacts and connections, i got to meet some folks from other camps and one kid that we talked to went home and immediately signed up for two weeks.

That is all my travels for a while. Come on Summer 2005.

Happy Birthday Paul Clarke

Have a wonderful birthday Paul.

I love my job

So what have I been up to? I finally left cold Belfast to arrive in an even colder Toronto. There are differences in the cold that you feel in these two locations. For some reason the cold in Toronto is more bearable and maybe that is because you just wrap up and get on with it. In Ireland the cold seems to go deeper than any 10 layers of clothes can and your bones hurt. I think it is referred to as a damp cold. Anyway. . .

I was no longer in the country than I was back in a plane heading 3 hours west to Youth Quake in Saskatchewan. I attended the conference 2 years ago and my expectations for this trip were high and I can say that my expectations were fulfilled. Over 3000 youth from all over the world came together to connect, to be challenged and to worship. It was a great trip. I met some amazing people and connected with people I haven’t seen in years.

We were extremely fortunate to be issued with a VIP pass for the weekend. This was great when it came to meals (free), snacks, getting back door access and meeting the actual VIP people who truly deserved being VIP. I also got to hang out with some really amazing people. Folks like 321improv. These guys are sooo funny. Nothing I can write will do justice on how funny they actually are, on and off the stage. The Flying Wallendas who amazed us with their circus skills, Derek Selinger who is a Master Illusionist, bands like Pillar, Downhere, Stereotrap and my favorites of the weekend Gaetz Ave.

The weekend ended with a stop off at a greasy spoon restaurant for a good feed before we get the flight back. This was definitely a trip to remember. Room 106 definitely was the party room in the Pilgrim Inn.

Settling back into the woods has been great. I love and appreciate that Muskoka Woods give and trusts you with what you need to get settled back into things. I have moved down into the basement of the office and I love it. I get to play my own music and think without any real distractions. I love the job that I have and how that I get to be creative and use my skills.

Tomorrow myself and Paul Clarke fly to Montreal for a few days. We are working at a camp fair. Not really sure what that is but I think we are trying to encourage kids to come as guests for the summer. Montreal is really nice, I was there a few years ago. I will let you know what went on in my next blog. Thanks for reading…

the winner is....

Taylor Neill, congratulations. Taylor was the winner with the most correct answers. You will get your prize when i see you next.

The answers

a. Sponge
b. The letter M
c. Banana
d. A candle
e. F
f. A river
g. A keyboard

My little house

This was my little house the other morning.

Let the games begin ! ! !

Competition of the Week!

I am not actually saying that this will happen each week, but i am offering a prize total of £2.50 or $5 to whoever gets them all right. (or the person who has the most) Seeing as there is a total of about 2 people that actually read these you have a pretty good chance. Send your answers to pk@muskokawoods.com. Don't post your answers in the comments as others will use them.

Let the games begin

* * * * * * * * *


I have holes on the top and bottom. I have holes on my left and on my right. And I have holes in the middle, yet I still hold water. What am I?

What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?

Cross out six letters so that the remaining letters, without altering their sequence, will spell a familiar English word. BSAINXLEATNTEARS

I was carried into a dark room, and set on fire. I wept, and then my head was cut off. What am I?

What letter is immediately to the left of the letter three to the right of the letter immediately to the left of the letter three to the right of B?A B C D E F G H

What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?

What object has keys that open no locks, space but no room, and you can enter but not go in?

Can’t fight, fly or crow

I have been thinking about my favourite scenes from movies and this was one of the first ones that came to mind.

It is a scene from the classic movie Hook, starring Dusting Hoffman, Robin Williams and Julie Roberts.

This is the scene where Peter Bunning (Peter Pan) meets Rufio (King of the Lost Boys) for the first time. Peter Bunning doesn't even believe that he is Peter Pan so Tinkerbell is trying to convince him and the rest of the Lost Boys that it is true. Back and forth they go from Peter’s side over to Rufio’s side not knowing who to believe.

A little boy has been left standing looking up at Peter. He motions for Peter and he gets down on his knees so that they are at eye level. Slowly the boy takes off the glasses and puts them in Peter’s pocket. He spends the next minute or so squeezing Peters face in all directions, raising his eyebrows, and pulling his hair back. Finally he takes his cheeks and pushes them backwards making his skin tight. A smile comes on his face and he says quietly, “Oh there you are Peter!”

One by one the boys come over and see for themselves that this is indeed the Peter Pan they once knew and loved.

One boy says, “Peter you’ve grown up; you promised you would never grow up,”



This type of scene makes me think of peoples identities. How that over the years and through different circumstance they have slowly changed into something that they never really wanted to be. Do we need what Peter Pan needed, someone to do a little poking and prodding to really see who we are? I am sure Peter Pan never really wanted to forget who he was but over time he did. He had allowed other things to take his focus off his passion and his dreams.

If you look back in the movie you can see slight traces of the original Peter Pan in his life. You can see this in the way he walks and stands as he sometimes takes the stance that Peter Pan is famous for. In this case he had forgotten mentally who he was but deep down at the core this was his foundation.

I think of who is the Tinkerbell in my life, that someone who hasn’t forgotten the potential I have, that can see the real me and will do their best to never let that disappear. That can bring me back to Neverland that I can rebirth the real me.

DO I have that kind of a kid in my life that will get eye to eye with me? Who will look me in the eyes knowing that there is something more and deeper inside. Knowing that with the right stretching here and there that my true character will be revealed. Pushing me in the right directions to help me discover who I was created to be.

And that my friend is why I love that scene from Hook.

How cute is Cassey?

Chris & Erika Schryer wedding

What do you think?

I've Lost My Marbles

I have been in Ireland now for a month and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed my time here. It wasn’t my choice to come home this time; the decision was kindly made for me by the Canadian government. For once I wasn’t apprehensive about coming home as I knew that I had a lot to accomplish while being here.

One area of my life I have struggled with (and I thank Carol Smith for pointing this out) is my memories. I have a terrible memory, whether it is birthdays, where I have just left my wallet, or events that have happened in the past. I have talked to Carol about this before because she says that you should be able to remember back to when you were 5 years old. I can hardly remember back to 5 minutes ago.

Being home has brought back a lot of memories. This is the main one.

While I have been back I have been fortunate to have job. I have been working as a classroom assistant in Dundonald High School. This is the school that I used to attend. Walking around has make me think of times that I was at school. Teachers I liked, friends I used to hang out with, parts of the school that we used to love to go to but now don’t seem to interest them and most of all the smell of the sausage rolls from the canteen. I must confess I did have one for old time sake. (It was gross)

School has definitely changed since I was there and I feel bad to say it but it has gone down hill. I feel bad for the quality kids that are in the school, the ones that want to learn but they seem to get out shadowed by the kids who have no desire to do anything other than disrupt the class, torture the teachers and vandalise the property.

All the staff that I was working with were amazing. They do such a good job. I feel that they are under appreciated. I don’t know how I survived being the only male in the staffroom.

The class I was working with was a year 11 class and they were great. At times they were noisy but they were nice kids. Every one of them is unique in their own way. With their own gifts, talents, humour. They would probably hate to hear this but even though they try to be annoying, and do as little amount of work as possible they are a great. In their uniqueness they work and function well as a team, and they look out for each other.

Some things haven’t changed though, and it is a very Northern Ireland thing. We are quick to criticise and extremely slow to encourage. We would rather encourage and build each other up with our sarcasm than actually say well done or congratulations.

And now I am on my return back to Canada. I will take these memories with me and definitely arrange a time with Carol to meet up and tell all. I have finally been approved with an 8 month visa so the next time I will be home to Northern Ireland will be for my brothers wedding on the 29th October 2005 – exciting.

I feel like the grandfather out of the movie Hook who has just found his marbles. Great to have some memories back.


Tootles from the Movie Hook

Who would have known?

The year is 279AD, you’re in Rome and you've just met the love of your life. There is one problem, marriage has been banned and all the single men are being packed off to the army.

Now there was a priest called Valentine. He was a Christian and he knew that marriage was a gift so he had been secretly marrying couples. On Feb 14th he was caught and executed, although he did manage to leave a note for the jailer's daughter before he died. Since then lovers have been exchanging notes, cards and gives on this day and so it has become known as Valentines Day.

I used to just think that Valentines day was a day that Hallmark made up to make even more money, or a day that the owners of flower shops got together and decided that they would all jack their prices up 300% on the same day each year.

Who was to know?

Happy Valentines Day everyone!