Changing of the guard

As with many communities throughout the area and the US, following the spring municipal elections, new civil servants are about to be sworn in. Before that happens, how about a shout out to all those who's terms are coming to a close. In particular, I'd like to share a shout out I gave to our city council (about our senior first ward Alderman) tonight.

(edited)
Hi, My family and I have been residents of the 1st ward for about 10 years.

I believe that this may be one of the last council meetings before our new alderman and officials are sworn in. So I wanted to take a minute to publicly acknowledge and thank our current senior 1st ward Alderman. Alderman .

Except for the 14 of your up there, I don't think that most people realize the time and effort out Alderman put in for us. With all the letters, phone calls, emails, and meetings. It's not a job that can be done well or effectively in the margins. I doubt most residents fully grasp the toll being an Alderman really takes.

I may not speak for all the residents of the 1st ward, but I undoubtedly speak for the majority when I say "Thanks you Alderman for your years of dedication, your integrity, and for the sacrifices of your time in caring for the needs of the 1st ward."

I know these words may not make up for all the ugly phone calls, letters, and experiences, but we hope that it helps to know that we appreciate all you've done. Thank you Alderman and to all of you that have served our city and community.

Its coming.. Its coming..

Step outside your comfort zone. Give a break to someone you don't know across the globe. Its not a perfect concept or implementation of a program, but its also not terribly bad either. It does do good. You can read about it. My family and I, we've seen it first hand in three different countries on two different continents.

May 9th, 2009 is "World Fair Trade Day".
http://www.fairtraderesource.org/wftd/wftd-09/

Take a break. Have a Cup of Joe.. Have it "Fair Trade" Style.
Coffee not your bag? If you live near a Trader Joe's, stop in and pickup a Fair Trade Chocolate bar. Just be sure to look for this logo.

Just one Knight...

It been out there for a long time. A curiosity that would creep up every so often. Going back for years. Ok ok, so I'm also a Medieval and Arthurian Legend nut. Heck during the "single" years I ran with a group of guys that LIVED at a place call "Medieval Inn".

As I got a bit older, the curiosity developed. One thing led to another. I talked to a good friend of mine, and he spoke of it. During one of the Lenten fish fries J and I bumped into another parishioner. Turns out he spoke of, in fact he was "Grand Knight". Whatever that meant.

My community service has been a bit nonexistent since the demise of the City Jaycees. Our family certainly is proactive in seeking to help others. But as I wrestle with how my place, my faith, my talents fit into this world, I discovered there is room for more. More what? I wasn't (and I am still not 100%) sure. But room for something service/community related. Maybe this was it...

So on that Friday, while eating fish fry, things just sort of aligned. At least for the time being. A "Major Degree" was being held (whatever that meant). I attended, what could it hurt. Turns out it was pretty interesting. A bit out of my comfort zone, but definite possibly. So you know, why not. Give it a try. Maybe it can be a catalyst for some growth. If nothing else, it might provide some more opportunity for fun, and to just hang around with similarly minded men.

So what this all about? Well I've become a Knight. Not even just any Knight, but through the Major Degree ceremony, I'm now a 3rd degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus.

Who are the Knights (for those of you wondering specifically what they are about)? There is a decent Knight of Columbus Wikipedia page.

The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus and describes itself as being dedicated to the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. There are more than 1.7 million members in 14,000 councils, with nearly 200 councils on college campuses. Membership is limited to "practical Catholic" men aged 18 or older.

So stay tuned for KOC related posts. I'm pretty excited about getting invovled. I guess you can never learn with the road will take you, unless you get moving forward on it.

vivat Jesus!

"Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me."

Its Holy Thursday. While not so obvious to perhaps many, its one of the greatest days in history. But to you who are Catholic out there, you know what I'm talking about. And for those who aren't in the know. Its a Celebration and remembrance of the Last Supper. What is so special about this day? Jesus provided a direct example of how we are to live our lives (in service to each other). And more importantly, he gave us himself. In the form of bread and wine. In the institution of the Holy Eucharistic.

On a more local note, I'm quite excited, as I was called by our Church to see if I was willing to partake in the ritual (I think that's an appropriate word) washing of the feet. I can't help but wonder if there is a deeper meaning, aside from the obvious "service" message that is trying to be shared with me. In anyway, I'm excited, and I think E1 and E2 will get a kick out of it.

Reading of the Day...
John 13: 6-10

"Master, are you going to wash my feet?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"What I am doing, you do not understand now,
but you will understand later."
Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet."
Jesus answered him,
"Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me."
Simon Peter said to him,
"Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well."
Jesus said to him,
"Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed,
for he is clean all over;

Peace today, and during this beginning of the Holy Triduum

Final Push..

Its the last week of Lent. Today is Palm Sunday. Easter is next Sunday. Outside of the Advent, its the biggest, most important time for all Catholics, or perhaps even most Christians. I don't want to dwell on the religious.

Lets touch base about the Lose 7 lbs in 40 days. I've got 7 short days left. I've not posted to many updates on the topic, but I've been making progress. A combination of getting more dedicated in my exercise, but also eating better (and less). Will I meet my goal of 7 lbs? you'll just have to wait on see.

Most to coming tomorrow or Tuesday. I've met to follow up the "Night, Nite, Knight..." post, but its slipped my mind. That's coming very soon. Wednesday at the latest as there will be more related news along those lines. Stay TUNED!

Peace

The last registration is in..

I just registered for the 2009 Aspirus Keweenaw Copperman Triathlon. So the event schedule is now locked and loaded. Should be a fun event year.

I'm looking forward to easing back into the triathlon routine. I've hit the pool three times already (missed this past Sunday however). And I'm on the trainer between 5 and 7 times a week in the basement. While nothing will substitute for taking the bike on the road, at least I'm rebuilding my comfort level to being on the road bike, and being in the aerobar position.

I'll keep you posted on that stuff... and I've got some more news I'm waiting for a few spare moments to post about. Namely something regarding the previous post.

Peace

Night, Nite, Knight... (part I)

A homophone is a word that is pronounced the same as another word but differs in meaning. Ok, so maybe Night and nite are really the same word, and are not homophones. But I thought it made the post more fun.

Dictionary.com list the following for night

1.	the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

2.	the beginning of this period; nightfall.

Dictionary.com list the following for Knight:

1.	a mounted soldier serving under a feudal superior in the Middle Ages.

2.	(in Europe in the Middle Ages) a man, usually of noble birth, who after an apprenticeship as page and squire was raised to honorable military rank and bound to chivalrous conduct.

Night closes out each of our days. It begins a period of rest and recovery. It prepares us for the new beginnings that the following day will bring up. Long gone are the days of Knights (at least in the medieval sense), or are they? In today's society Can an individual learn to serve from others (e.g. page), begin to assist (e.g. squire) and eventually transform themselves and their behaviors, attitudes, and conduct for the betterment of the greater society (e.g. Knighthood)?

Perhaps yes, Perhaps no. But with something cooking in the medieval kitchen, you'll just have to wait for the next installment...

Peace

The Juice Cleanse

Always looking for a way to do something a little different, or to approach a challenge a little off center. I found this snippet from a periodical called "The Bottom Line". It was within a larger article that dealt with eating healthy, and eating varieties of food.

Given that the blogs name has "Sacrifice with purpose" in it; its lent so I'm already fasting on some days; the article seemed like an easy way to incorporate an extra "fast" day into a monthly routine. In America we don't fast enough, so much so the benefits are just not apparent to most.

Enough said... now about the "The Juice Cleanse"

Juice fasts allow the digestive tract to rest while promoting detoxification, reducing inflammation and dramatically increasing energy. One study even found that people who fasted once a month were 39% more likely to have healthy hearts than nonfasters. Once a month, consume nothing but juice for an entire day. Use a juicer to combine a variety of organic vegetables, such as spinach, carrots and broccoli. Add a small amount of apples, cherries and other fruits as a natural sweetener. ...

Peace

Its progress.. (more)

With spring in full swing. Yard work needing to be done, hopefully work can continue to proceed on the basement. I did spend a bit of time on some more framing. I would say the rough carpentry is about 70% done. I got a little bit let on a the wall. I need to frame up a pre hung door, and build a small soffit around some of the newer plumbing from the remodel. Once the wall are up and I got the door framed, I'll snap a picture.

hope you all have a great week!

Any way you can get it!.. (right?)

So after being knocked out a few days fighting something off, I suddenly find myself much closer to my weight loss goal. Yeah yeah, I know, just because I didn't eat a few days, that doesn't really count. Well consider it motivation...

I've got a few more projects added to my pile at work, so the 6 week honeymoon is over and its time to deliver. With enough of my plate to last a long time, deadlines suggest it all needs to be done by the end of may. Yikes!

Basement framing, hoping to get some more done this weekend.

Lastly I'll close with a quote from a Lenten Calendar that provides daily and weekly reflections. I thought this was pretty cool.

Sometimes I get sad, but then I feel comfort when I ask God for our health and our children's health. That's a gift from God.

- Margarita, Nicaragua

Do me a favor. Smile to a stranger today, and also Have a Great Day!!

Peace