Confessions of a TVholic

I love TV.  I watch lots of TV.  Probably more TV than I should.  I am pretty sure that there are better things that I should do with my time, but I don't.  However, that aside, the last two weeks have been premier week.  All the studios have released their new shows for us TVholics.  I remember a few years ago when I discovered the high attrition rate of new Television shows.  You find something you like and then two weeks later it has been canceled and replaced with something else.  That said there was one new show that I watched this last week that I liked.  No Ordinary Family is the story about a family that is falling apart and no longer connects with each other.  While on a family trip to try and 'reconnect' and build a stronger family they end up in a plane crash and all receive super powers.  Think The Incredibles but as a live action show.  As a TV show it is alright.  It isn't great... maybe slightly above average.  What I found most interesting is the portrayal of the Dad.  Dad's are not liked by mainstream television.  Think Peter from Family Guy, Hal from Malcom in the Middle, and by far the funniest, but also maybe the worst father, Phil from Modern Family (This is just a snapshot, the list goes on forever).  It isn't just comedies either.  Shows like Private Practice and Grey's Anatomy also tell stories of fathers who have been absent from their children's lives and are completely clueless.  This is where No Ordinary Family is different.  It is the father character who has been holding the family together.  It is the father who knows what is happening in the kids lives.  The father in No Ordinary Family is a genuinely good guy who loves his family and wants them to be together.  It is refreshing to see a good father on TV.  I really hope that this is something that we will see more of and that this show isn't canceled next week.        

Gonna Be A Daddy

Nope this isn't April Fools, though the day of announcement is intentional because it makes me laugh :)
But I am going to be a dad! For the whole story check it out on Niki's Blog HERE

At Cedarwood

Right now I'm maxin and relaxin in my speakers suite at Camp Cedarwood. I'm speaking at the Winkler EMMC Sr. Youth retreat. So far I just have a few things to say.
1) Camp Cedarwood is one of the most beautiful camps I have ever been to. The lodge is unbelievable!!! It is so plush, I just couldn't imagine being a camper (or staff here). I'd heard good things, but words just don't do it justice.
2) I am constantly amazed at how the Holy Spirit just comes in power and uses a broken vessel like me. I find this every time. Whether I am preaching or speaking or doing a Bible study, I always get so nervous before speaking. I go over my notes a million times I think, well it's ok, but not great. And then when it actually comes time to share it seems like the Holy Spirit just comes and takes over. I love it when God does that. He is just beyond anything I can think or say.
3) I like being the speaker. It's really sweet not having to organize stuff or worry about the schedule or anything. I just speak couple times and then it's up to me how I spend the rest of my time. It's actually really relaxing.
4) I miss Niki like crazy!!! She went to Saskatchewan on Wednesday so now it's been 4 days, and I am officially at the point where I want to see her so bad it actually makes me almost hurt.
Well I guess that's all for now from beautiful Cedarwood. Thanks to all of you who are praying I really know that they are making a difference.

Some Pics

So a couple weeks ago I got two new pairs of glasses, so I thought it was about time to put some pictures of them on. I got my dark "Rob Bell" glasses (as I like to call them). I figure it's a good idea to try and follow in the steps of such a brilliant guy. Then my other pair are more... normal? Sure that works. Well all I know is that I'm looking forward to looking back on these beautiful glasses in 15 years and going, "YUCK!! I can't believe I wore those and thought I was cool!" Oh fashion, how you make us all look like dweebs... speaking of being a dweeb, let's not make any comments on the cheesy myspaceish poses ...

I also have a few pics of when my parents were out with their dog, so it's Lennox and Sheila running and playing on their walk.

Happy Birthday

That's right, today is Lennox's First birthday!!!! He has been a great part of the McCorkindale House. Two pics of him (the first from last fall when we Got him, and the 2nd from just a few days ago.)

Saturday

This Saturday Niki and I decided to do something a little different. We drove into the city, and bought canvas, paint, and brushes, and tried our hand at painting. We've been talking about the need for a hobby for a while, so it was nice to do something... and for our first time I think they even turned out all right.

The Painting Pics

Family Tradition

So this last week Niki and I have painted my office. I have to say it's pretty sweet. I'll post some pics later.
But as we were painting I thought it would be cool to paint my McCorkindale Family Crest on one of the walls. Which took me on a little search of the history of my name. And all I have to say is, SWEET! I have a pretty sweet last name... not that I want to rub it in, but being of a Scottish persuasion kicks butt!!!

Anyway this is my family Crest! The root is from the ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name McCorkindale is the Gaelic word Mac-Thorcaill which was created from the Old Norse personal name Thorketill, meaning "Thor's cauldron."
Spelling variations of this family name include: MacCorquodale, MacCorquindale, MacCorkindale, MacCorkill and many more.
First found in Argyllshire where they were seated from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Archibald McCorkadale, who arrived in Jamaica in 1685; Duncan McCorquadale, who came to Jamaica in 1758; Christian McCorquodale, who arrived in Virginia in 1792.
The McCorkindale Motto is Vivat Rex which is Translated: Long live the king.

Now all crests have their own meaning, and this is the meaning to this one is this
First is The Stag. It stands for Skillful, Politic, lover of harmony. In Ireland the Stag was one of the most ancient of charges and was regarded as the most handsome. The Stag represents the very ancestors of the Celtic race.

Next is the layout of the shield. This particular layout signifies the Military Belt and represents Honour.

Then comes the colors.
The Yellow stands for Generosity
The Red means Warrior, Martyr, Military Strength

Finally as far as I can tell the wavy lines mean ground, land, earth.

I thought this was pretty sweet. So cool to come from an awesome background with so much depth and history.

A few thoughts before leaving

So here is a great game to test your typing skills. It starts sort of slow, but pretty soon I was all tense doubled over my keyboard, so check out Spell fast or Die.

So I'm leaving for a week today, off to Charlotte NC, of course today we have the worst weather of the year so far. But we'll go slow, and eventually we'll get away from all the snow. I have some mixed feelings about going. One minute I am bouncing off the walls I am so excited, and then the next I feel very guilty for leaving my wife alone for a week. I really hate leaving Niki. My times with her are the best part about life... and I'm not just being stupidly romantic or anything, I actually believe it.

So I took this video the other day, and I thought I would show you what Lennox does every morning when I come home from work. This dog gets so excited to see me!!! This is why people have dogs, it makes them feel so great about themselves.
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