Back In The "Saddle" Again!

Howdy y'all. Big T" is back; with a vengeance! It has been just over a year, and life has brought many changes. The Myth man and I now reside in the metropolis of BelleVegas. We have a 3 level condo, and it is wonderful. A lot less rooms to clean, and an only 12'x12' yard means not taking 3 days to cut the lawn. The two 12's are adjusting well to their new school, and coming up quickly to being teenage twits...just kidding!

Shane is in his last year of College, and has carried out his master plan to overthrow my rule of Loyalist College. Three scholarships, an on campus job, and a 92% avg later, he is well on his way to success in the advertising world. His internship is next, and I hope he gets that big opportunity that I once had...doors will open, I am sure of that.

As for me? Well, life handed me lemons, and I made a chiffon cake! To start from the beginning, or at least where I left off, OPG did not pan out (four interviews later!!!), and I found myself completely dissatisfied with arresting 72 year old men for stealing cat food and bulk candy. Four months of self loathing later, I landed my derriere in a very familiar place; a call centre, or as I like to call it , a "Communications Group". Teletech for short. Meh; the pay is good, the people are great, and the hours give me the chance to be home with my family, which was the conundrum in the first place, right? I have many responsibilities there, and often get the chance to prove that even the smartest of individuals can come off looking like idiots if they try hard enough...tech support; enough said.

This new year will, I hope, bring even more change to the Thompson/Woodward Dynasty. We shall see what becomes of me and my brood in 2008, but rest assured, I will try to keep everyone up to speed with the twist and turns that life brings my way. The family circus remains intact and ready for whatever comes, and for that I am truly thankful.

Home Bound!

That's right LUH readers, I am coming home. I have taken a new position with Loblaws Companies Ltd. as a loss Prevention manager for the Eastern Ontario Region. Pay is good and benefits are awesome, and best of all, the stores are local enough that I can sleep in my own damn bed every night!

It has been a challenge to be up in Ottawa all this time, and I can honestly say, I have had enough shit and abuse I can take from the Capitol Region. Even though I am nervous about making my first arrest, and concerned that the pay cut might put me back in the hole, I am very happy with the decision I have made concerning my career change. My children and the Myth Man need me now more than ever, and I need to be home for personal peace of mind.

Who knows what the future will bring; December 4th brings an interview with the Ontario Power Generation for a Security Advisor. All fingers, toes, and limbs crossed for that one, but for the time being, I will enjoy my time with my family, and maybe catch up with a few friends!

A University professor at a well known institution of higher learning challenged his students with this question: "Did God create everything that exists?"

A student bravely replied, "Yes he did!"

"God created everything?" The professor asked.

"Yes sir, he did," the student replied.

The professor answered,

"If God created everything; then God created evil. And, since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are, then we can assume God is evil."

The student became quiet and did not respond to the professor's hypothetical definition.


The professor, quite pleased with himself, boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth.

Another student raised his hand and said, "May I ask you a question, professor?"

"Of course," replied the professor.

The student stood up and asked, "Professor, does cold exist?"

"What kind of question is this? Of course it exists.
Have you never been cold?"

The other students snickered at the young man's question.

The young man replied,

"In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy.
Absolute zero (-460 F) is the total absence of heat; and all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat."

The student continued, "Professor, does darkness exist?"

The professor responded, "Of course it does."

The student replied,

"Once again, you are wrong, sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study but not darkness. In fact, we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."

Finally the young man asked the professor, "Sir, does evil exist?"

Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course, as I have already said. We see it everyday. It is in the daily examples of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.

To this the student replied,

"Evil does not exist, sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat, or the darkness that comes when there is no light."

The professor sat down.

The young man's name -- Albert Einstein.

A true story.

TASTE THE RAINBOW...

PLEASE!!!

Do you ever think about the future?

What do you see? ...A nicer home, a new car, more money, travel?

What about personal accomplishments?

...A new career, awards won, political achievments?

What is on your canvas when you paint a picture of future years to come?

If it were only that simple. To put all of your hopes and dreams into one pretty picture that encompasses everything you want out of life. If you would have asked me what I saw in my future 6 years ago, I would have told you a much different version than I would have 2 years ago, or even today. The truth is, the here and now is not that bad; I have unconditional love, health, "financial stability" (if there is even such a thing), passion, family, friends, hobbies, and most of all a partner to share it with.

I'm told on a regular basis "don't sweat the small stuff". What the hell does that mean? What seems minor to some, could be a huge deal to others. Take for instance, me not being home throughout the week; family and friends share that they do not agree with this decision, and that it is not conducive to my personal responsibilities, but those on the "outside" see it as a necessary evil in the big world we live in. Go or stay; the answer ever so elusive...

In just a few short months I will have made this sacrifice for almost a year. How do I feel about that? ...I don't.

Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink'

Life in the fast lane sucks. I am writing now because, as I had mentioned before, this is supposed to be healing of sorts. Well, hello blogger, I need a cure. While working in Ottawa/Gatineau is challenging and rewarding, there are just some things, that at this time, seem too important to miss. School Fun Fairs, Dentist appointments, quiet nights in front of the fire, SLEEPING IN MY OWN BED!!!

I am torn between success and reality; it sucks. I have said in the past that I would live in a box, if it meant not losing Myth and my babies; why is it so hard to make that jump into cardboard utopia? I am finally at the top of my career game for once in my life, and it does not matter in the long run. Am I crazy for wanting to let it go?

I am tired of the city, I am tired of the people, I am tired of the traveling. I have not spoken to most of my friends in a year, and I have guilt. My life is in a worm hole, and I'm looking for an exit. What I am afraid of is my exit will be a place with no one around to join in my adventure. My crew is suffering, and I think it is time for me to take some shore leave. Captain, she can't take much more of this; her injection coils are over heating, and I think she's going to blow!

Aunt Leona; Photographer Extraordinaire!

Thanks to A.L., LUH now has many photos to share with all it's members. She has graciously provided a few links to cherished moments in time for the Thompson/Woodward family. Feel free to click away, and enjoy the kids as I do every moment I get. Thanks Ohnut!

News on the baby front; Trystin Hazel Alexandra Nasralla (girl) was born on September 1st weighing in at a little more than 4 lbs. Early, she came into this world with a head of black hair and a nose like her daddy. Trelaine and Wafik are doing great, and T#4 is already home. Finally, a baby I can cuddle and give to someone else when it poops!

Mother Thompson is doing great and in KGH recovering well. They are sure that they were able to remove all of the cancer, and even though we "lost her to light for a while", she seems to be in good humour. She claims she saw Duke, and he looks happy and well...Yep, that's my mother! Thanks everyone for all your support and kind words these past few weeks. It has meant a great deal. A great big shout out to the Myth man, cause without him I would be in a nice white coat somewhere with paded walls!!! And for all of you I have not seen in EONS...I'm working my way through the phone book; Stand by!

Two Ships Passing in the...Night?

Well, as some of you already know, I now employed by Environment Canada as an NCR Security Administrator. I work in the Minister's office in Gatineau, QC. While it is a great job and a wonderful opportunity, I am forced to be away from my family from M-F, and that truly sucks. Shane has recently enrolled in the Advertising Program at Loyalist College, and I couldn't be more proud. We are both on our way to becoming "working professionals"...scary thought. I miss Shane and the kids so much that I go a little insane at times, and unfortunately Shane gets the brunt of most of it. He takes it all in stride, and for that I am thankful. Wedding plans are on hold until further notice, but are still in the works. Once life slows down a bit, I'm sure we will live happily ever after, but for now we remain at an "intersection".

Secret Agent Owen

This is my favorite picture in the whole world, and I just had to share it with everyone. This is my little guy, Owen, having a blast with Aunt Leona's camera. The kids never miss a chance to experiment with all the cool stuff Aunt Leona brings on her visits. Thanks to "AL", this picture will now serve as an everlasting example of Owen's artistic abilities...this, and the life size blue-marker shark he drew underneath Ethan's bunk bed! Ah, the Owenator!

Entering the blogging revolution!

Hey there all,

I am now an official blogger! Some say it is healing, some say it will stimulate my creativeness; whatever it stimulates, it gives me an outlet to "communicate" with my friends and family, which is long overdue. I hope to give you all insight into the life and times of "T", so you all may laugh a little, cry a little, and remember who the hell I am!!!

Cheers!