tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85873107198867526942024-03-13T07:53:13.927-07:00samatlargeSam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-43901139466920624822008-08-06T21:14:00.000-07:002008-08-06T21:17:02.819-07:00Changes, changes and new blogs<strong>It has been way, way too long. But I've decided to retire this blog and use my own domain (seeing as I've shut down the graphic design business).<br /><br />From now on, find me at:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.samuelkirk.com">www.samuelkirk.com</a><br /><br />I look forward to seeing you all there!</strong>Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-9979461916639147352007-12-24T09:47:00.000-08:002007-12-24T10:16:05.120-08:00Best fime of yearI really enjoy this time of year. I don't have any awful baggage that clings to me when I think of Christmas. I feel like that frees me up to just rest and enjoy my family. Unfortunately, I don't have my sis and bro-in-law around this time. I'm going to miss out on doing the sibling tradition of the first one awake jumping on top of the other in the midst of dead sleep and yelling, "It's Christmas! It's Christmas!" I've been reigning champion for about 10 years now. The look on my sister's face is the best payoff.<br /><br />I do have two extra guests with me this year. My friend Judith has left her dogs with me for a week while she visits family overseas. They're a handful, but I'm enjoying having them around. No crazy dog-soiling-bedding stories so far and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the rest of the week.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-41460997382777629562007-12-17T22:03:00.000-08:002007-12-17T22:46:20.106-08:00Putting Down Some RootsI've been taking a lot of time to look at my life and my surroundings and I've come to this conclusion: I have put down very few roots.<br /><br />The more I think about it, I wonder if that is the most important thing to be worried about at this point in my life. It also begs the questions of whether I need any roots. That's the academic in me. The pragmatist in me says that the answer is yes, I need roots.<br /><br />In the last two places I've lived I have almost refused to unpack everything or to put pictures on the walls. Not consciously. I just couldn't be bothered to settle in. In short, I haven't made the places I've lived in feel like a home. What's with that?<br /><br />But this week I've been feeling very unsettled about being unsettled. I've looked at my apartment and I wasn't feeling good about passing by the assortment of boxes and clutter that were strewn about my home. So I had some help yesterday in getting some new furniture and unpacking the last few remaining boxes. My place isn't exactly where I want it yet, but it's a damn sight closer to the goal. I actually feel like I want people over. I actually feel like I have some permanence that I want to share with those around me.<br /><br />I think that previously I had been feeling like the bottom could drop out of everything at any moment and it was best not to get too attached to my living space in case I had to run at a moment's notice. Very odd, considering that I lived at my last place for almost 8 years and I have no reason to think that I'll be leaving my current place any time soon. I suppose it has to do with the uncertainty I have felt about my life for a number of years now. It's uncertainty about friendships, relationships, work, profession, church, etc. But I'm finally coming to the realization that I don't have to actually embody uncertainty in the midst of the uncertainties that swirl about me.<br /><br />How do I live that out? I start by unpacking some boxes and making a home for myself. I start by putting down some roots.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-73200556613196244912007-12-04T13:45:00.000-08:002007-12-04T14:16:25.362-08:00My local coffee shop needs new ventilation systemsI don't know how many of you have had the new hot breakfast items from a certain coffee shop from an un-named city in the Northwest of the United States. They're really very tasty. Essentially, they are gourmet egg muffin sandwhiches with names like "Peppered Bacon, Egg and Aged Cheddar" and "Eggs Florentine with Baby Spinach and Havarti." Delicious! However...<br /><br />I was just in the store across the street from my apartment to have a coffee and to read <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/E-myth-Revisited-Mich-Gerber-Michael-Gerber/9780887307287-item.html?ref=Search+Books%3a+%2527e-myth%2527" target="_blank">The E-Myth</a> (an amazing book that makes me feel like the author just observed my last few years of running a business... but enough on that subject today). I came to a realization that I'm not enjoying the in-store Northwest Coffee Chain experience as much as I used to. And it's because of the hot breakfast items.<br /><br />I used to come to the stores to enjoy the smell of the coffee beans freshly ground and espresso freshly pressed. Now, all I smell is the breakfast items... no matter what time of the day it is. Perhaps the company could vent the ovens outside. All I know is that it's impacting my in-store experience and that's pretty much the entire reason we all go and buy our coffee from them.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">______________<br /></div><br />My parents are in Mexico right now with some friends. Let me just check off the traveling they have done this year: Christmas in Edmonton... check. Numerous trips to Kelowna... check. Switzerland for a month in August... check. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico at a luxury resort... check, dammit!!!<br /><br />Take a look at the view from the house they're living in. Absolutely sick. Have I mentioned the shitty weather we've been having??? I hate my parents this week.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8lILUH1Xt-U/R1XRT7QnXWI/AAAAAAAAABc/LeoA3kn6fyg/s1600-h/mexico.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8lILUH1Xt-U/R1XRT7QnXWI/AAAAAAAAABc/LeoA3kn6fyg/s320/mexico.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140244689968389474" border="0" /></a>Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-31493342291532497322007-12-03T22:11:00.000-08:002007-12-03T22:29:07.681-08:00Oh, how I love the weather here!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8lILUH1Xt-U/R1TzXLQnXVI/AAAAAAAAABU/XuOOJZL8z1s/s1600-R/DSC00011.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8lILUH1Xt-U/R1TzXLQnXVI/AAAAAAAAABU/jp026VypGDw/s320/DSC00011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140000654221598034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was so nice and peaceful this weekend sitting on my couch and watching the snow fall. Until last night, that is. That's when the rain rolled in and turned it all to the grossest slush that can only be described as slurry. It was disgusting.<br /><br />The snow is mostly gone now thanks to the rain. But it did leave one lasting impression with me this morning.<br /><br />I was on my way to meet Will at Starbucks across the street from me and I was finding it hard to get off the sidewalk without stepping into some snow. My right foot got a little wet, but I quickly jumped out of the slush.<br /><br />I then crossed the street and realized that I was going to have the same problem all over again! How was I to get onto the sidewalk without stepping into the melting snow? What was that I saw? Oh, it was the entrance to the parking lot! There's no snow there! Oh wait... there may have been no snow, but there was a 3 ft. deep lake erm... puddle. Hmmm... must find another way.<br /><br />No other way presented itself so I stepped into the snow... and right into another 3 ft. deep puddle beneath the snow. As my sister would say, "Good times."<br /><img src="file:///Users/skirk/Pictures/DSC00009.JPG" alt="" />Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-11985550099910483222007-11-28T22:24:00.000-08:002007-11-28T23:14:04.873-08:00Back onlineI last wrote on this blog in early September. Jordan Bateman and I had just finished a large 15th anniversary corporate retrospective for Phantom Screens of Abbotsford. It was definitely the largest project I had ever worked on. 130+ pages of text that was laid out and formatted. A few hundred photos to colour correct and resize. Some very particular clients with a lot at stake. It was fun and I'm incredibly proud of the project.<br /><br />It was that project that illustrated for me how out of whack my professional life had become. We made a profit... in fact, it was probably the first project I have made a real profit from. That really opened up my eyes.<br /><br />I'm going to be a bit harsh on myself for a bit. But, bear with me because it has a redemptive ending... well, the ending hasn't happened yet, but the path seems to be turning out to be redemptive.<br /><br />In addition to my design work, I had been struggling for 2 years with a high-tech marketing company that a friend of mine and I had been keeping afloat by sheer will alone. It was taxing every fibre of my being, my bank account, my health and in August I was ready to just run from everything. That's how bad it had gotten.<br /><br />So at the same time when I was actually getting a project right for a change, the high-tech company got some new partners and a new lease on life. Suddenly, I didn't feel like I had to carry the whole operation on my own shoulders. I had help and support. We got investors. We started doing intensive planning and dreaming. It was like a real business.<br /><br />In the space of a few weeks I feel like I went from being a pretend businessman to being legit. I found the ability to ask good questions and make good plans... I went from wanting to cut and run to being ready to build something amazing. I have found resources inside me that I somehow knew were there, but I didn't know how to tap into them.<br /><br />So, starting December 1st, I go full-time in partnership in a new company called <a href="http://www.broadburst.com/" target="_blank">Broadburst</a> that I have been helping to incubate for the past 2 years. It's going to fly and my partners and I are going to be wildly successful. It's a little scary. It means that I'm leaving graphic design as a profession for a time so I can build something that will allow me to build whatever I want in the future.<br /><br />The other week I had a burst of creativity for myself and I made simple desktop wallpaper. It didn't have any corporate logos or attempt at self-promotion. It was just for me and my desktop so I could remember what I was feeling at that moment. Even though I did the art on my computer, it felt analogue. Here were the words:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >"i keep looking around the room and i wonder how i got here. is this me? did i plan this? did god plan this? how come he didn't tell me? what if he did and i didn't listen? so many questions and the future is pretty ambiguous on the ultimate ending. what ending? it doesn't end. why would i want it to? isn't this interesting? isn't this what i wanted? isn't this as far away from boring as i could get? yes. i think this is what i wanted."</span>Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-5235496572592466362007-09-14T09:24:00.000-07:002007-09-14T09:29:45.459-07:00Anticipation after hard workTomorrow is the unveiling of a project that my business partner and I have been working on for about 6 or 7 months. It's certainly the largest project I've ever worked on and I can't wait to see the looks on the faces of the people it's being presented to -- they have no idea this project was being done.<br /><br />I can't say any more until after tomorrow because they could inadvertently read this and find out and spoil the surprise. But, the event tomorrow is really one of the reasons I got into this business in the first place. Seeing the tangible results of your creativity and the joy it brings to others is a feeling like no other. I would often get the same feeling after performing in a play where you could feel the audience being drawn in to the world you have created and then applaud a the end. No feeling like it in the world!<br /><br />After tomorrow, I'll talk more about the project.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-88211417826154762392007-09-11T18:02:00.000-07:002007-09-11T19:22:22.545-07:00Remembering my grandfatherI've been a little distracted in life lately. So much so that I've forgotten to keep a log of my life here on Samatlarge. And, quite frankly, I've taken all sorts of abuse for it (ahem, Tex...) and I'm going to remedy the situation.<br /><br />However, it won't be the most joyful post because I'll be taking this opportunity to talk about someone who recently passed away: my grandfather.<br /><br />I'm sorry that this post is so long. But, this is my way of sorting through the thousands of thoughts and emotions that have been swirling within me for the last two weeks.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*</div><br />I don't really remember what my first memory of my "Granddaddy" was, but I think it had to do with my grandparents taking care of me while my parents were out of town.<br /><br />But, I really remember going to see my grandparents as my family would drive up to Kelowna on long weekends or for our yearly vacation at "The Lake." The Lake was the property that my grandfather had bought in 1959 as a place for his kids to learn how to build things for themselves while inadvertently building their character at the same time. This property holds an incredibly special place in my heart and I never, ever get tired of going there. For me it's become a place of rest. More on that later.<br /><br />On those trips, I would perhaps see my grandparents once a day over the two weeks. It wasn't until I was older that I realized how little I really knew about by grandfather. It wasn't that he didn't talk. It was just that he rarely talked about himself. What I've since come to know of my grandfather has come through stories from my dad and his siblings as well as what I can make out from old photos.<br /><br />However, what I did get to know firsthand was how stern he was and how important it seemed for me to have his approval. If my hair was too long, my folks would wonder what granddaddy would think about it. When I chose Theatre as my major in college, I subconsciously wondered if he would approve. I would tell him of my next solid, well-paying, stable, boring job in the hope that he would give his brisk little nod of silent approval.<br /><br />I would watch my own father bear the weight of these very same pressures. Although, I think it was always much harder for him because he wanted my grandfather to approve not only of his life choices, but of how he cared for his own family.<br /><br />I'll never forget this one time that he got upset with me. I was about 10 years old and my sister and I were staying by ourselves with my grandparents for a week. One day they took us to this amusement park and treated us to mini-golf. During our lunch in the eating area, my grandfather remarked on seeing something off in the distance. I turned to look at what he was indicating, but I couldn't see it and I said so. "Don't you contradict me," he burst out. Quickly, I looked again and "saw" what he was indicating and rapidly agreed with him, although I really didn't see anything. I learned quickly that you didn't disagree with him. That was my first indication that perhaps he wasn't the warmest man I ever knew.<br /><br />While he was sometimes a tyrant in his home and over his family, do not take away the impression that he was an awful man. He wasn't. Like all of humanity, he had his warts on top of his beauty.<br /><br />I mentioned the family property. He bought it grow his children into people of character. Nothing was more important to my grandfather than people with good character. It was at the property that he taught his kids how to swing a hammer, use a saw, drive a boat, build cabins, water ski, swim... It was with vision that he put all his life's savings into that piece of land on the Okanagan Lake. A consequence of his vision is that his grandchildren also were taught the same things on the very same land. It was where I learned to do the exact same things as my own dad. It's where my father taught me to work hard, but also to play and to rest.<br /><br />My grandfather was also incredibly generous. When my parents struggled with their finances, my grandfather was overwhelming in his help. When our car died, he found us a replacement and bought it for us, no strings attached. At family visits, he would insist on paying for everyone. He would help friends in times of need. In his later years, he volunteered at the hospital because he knew that he was fortunate to have his health and that others needed assistance at their most vulnerable time.<br /><br />He loved nature and the outdoors. It's what led him to become one of BC's top forest fire fighters and then be put in charge of training a whole generation of men to take care of BC's forests. My grandfather is, in fact, the man who started the water bomber program that is still used today and has become the the textbook that countries around the world use to develop their own programs.<br /><br />He was strong. He once was a part of YMCA gymnastics teams during the Great Depression. I'm talking about the teams that create those shapes by standing on each others shoulders. You could only become a part of that team by first being able to walk up and down a long flight of stairs solely on your hands. He could still do that up until his late 30s. He used to lead his Forest Ranger trainees every morning in exercises and runs. He could still outrun 20 year olds when he was into his 50s. <br /><br />For all that, he was a limited man. My grandfather has seen his children succeed him in their work endeavors. He saw men that he himself trained pass over him in promotion and become his boss. He never got further than being the 2nd in command despite his skills and talent. In fact, it was these limits that nearly broke him apart in his 60s. I realized later that he suffered from serious depression for much of his life.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*</div><br />His death on September 3, 2007 has given me the opportunity to examine his life as well as my own. Like him, I suffer from depression. And honestly, there are times when I wonder if I'm a limited man, myself. I don't want to be and I think the real truth is that I'm not. It's amazing, though, how powerful our family histories can be in forming and forging our view of ourselves.<br /><br />There are times when I despised his sternness and his "come no further" manner. Over my lifetime, I saw a very angry man and his whole family walking on eggshells around him.<br /><br />But, at the funeral this past weekend, I heard many of the good, amazing stories of his life. Some I shared above. But, there are so many. It was then that I realized how much I owe Arthur James Kirk for the man I am today. There's some good stuff that has been passed on to me from my father that he learned from his father -- I am a strong, passionate, caring man because of the values and ideals that my grandfather held dear and taught his children many years ago.<br /><br />This realization brought me to tears. I am who I am because of every good, bad and ugly decision that that 94 year old man had made over his lifetime. I realized that the crap that stains all of our lives is often the most easily remembered by those that we come into close contact with. But, I also realized that it is so worth digging deep to remember the kernels of greatness that also marks each one of us.<br /><br />Remembering the bad is easy. Remember the good, however, is harder but is much more valuable. Much like in our lives, it is easier to take the road most traveled -- the road of least resistance which is often full of lies and deception and, ultimately, grief. But, the road less traveled... that's a whole lot harder to stay true to, but is the road that good character and wisdom is found on.<br /><br />I think my grandfather took the road less traveled most often in his life and he has indirectly taught me to do the same.<br /><br />I will miss him but he is now at peace after 6 years of battling Alzheimers Disease that ultimately left him weak and broken.<br /><br />Arthur James Kirk, 1912-2007.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-31056966536632525522007-06-23T21:40:00.000-07:002007-06-23T22:18:42.510-07:00Takin' the Yellowhead Pt. 2On Wednesday morning, Jen and I had a great breakfast with our grandmother and then we finally got on the road.<br /><br />The plan had been to find an IHOP because Jen had a craving for pancakes or something. I love breakfast out -- definitely one of my favourite meals to go out for -- so this didn't seem like a bad idea. But, my grandma had a carton of eggs and a ham and a loaf of bread on the counter. I suddenly realized that she had just gotten them the day before and had been telling my uncle that we were coming... yeah, she had bought the breakfast stuff just for us. Jen and I quickly abandoned the IHOP plan for two reasons: 1) my grandmother was expecting us to have her breakfast, and 2) she's just such a sweet old lady! Clearly, breakfast was to be had at home. Don't get me wrong -- it was tasty.<br /><br />However, Jen still had her hankering for pancakes so we decided to find the IHOP in Kamloops and have a 2nd breakfast... as you do.<br /><br />We pulled in Kamloops and began the search for the IHOP... Ok, it wasn't at the top of the hill. Maybe it was down in the old part of town? Nope. How about on the highway just east of the city? Not there either. A quick check of the yellow and white pages proved there was no IHOP in town. What was this? Prison?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650167_6802.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 146px;" src="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650167_6802.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650163_5659.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 146px;" src="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650163_5659.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div><br />We made do with Denny's. You have to understand that this is kind of funny because Jen and I have a long and distinguished history with Denny's. During college, I drank many a late night cup of coffee and smoked numerous packs of Benson & Hedges at the location at North Rd. and Austin Ave. Jen did much the same at the Langley restaurant. So, needless to say, it was pretty comical find ourselves looking at the menu and deciding on ordering Moons Over My Hammie.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650174_8777.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 119px; height: 91px;" src="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650174_8777.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The rest of the day was spent driving and avoiding bugs. Or not avoiding them, actually. We must have washed that windshield about 100 times. We'd no sooner get back on the highway and we were navigating via bug guts.<br /></div><br />You probably think I'm kidding how bad it was. But, the front of the car was a mess! On the bright side, though, was the extra protein available to us when we were feeling a might run down.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div>I haven't eaten so much crap in quite some time. And it was awesome! I recently discovered beef jerky and that seems like the absolutely perfect road trip food. It's low in fat, high in salt, very savoury, hard to chew and comes in bags with names like Oberto and McSweeney's. How road trip is that? Jen even got a Hostess King Dong. Yes, it is as nutritious and filling as you'd expect from Hostess-Frito Lay, that paragon of healthy eating.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div>Around Jasper we saw this massive elk and Jen stalled the car in the process of stopping. It's called a clutch, my dear.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650182_1120.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 173px;" src="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650182_1120.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />I ran across the road and took photos. I felt like such a tourist. And the actual fact that I was acting like one was confirmed when an entire tour bus pulled over a minute later and offloaded a bunch of holidayers with cameras in hand.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650184_1714.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650184_1714.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650186_2326.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650186_2326.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650185_2013.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 150px;" src="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650185_2013.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />We then helped to perpetuate our tourist persona by taking pictures of ourselves.<br /><br />More later...Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-78816347263145479772007-06-22T11:37:00.000-07:002007-06-22T12:11:52.768-07:00Takin' the Yellowhead Pt. 1I love my sister, Jen. She's so fun. And you don't have to talk much because she takes care of that for you.<br /><br />So a couple of months ago, she calls me and mentions that she's coming down from Edmonton to Vancouver for a wedding with her mother-in-law. The catch is that she would have to drive back to Edmonton by herself. Would I be interested in driving back with her, hanging out in The Chuck for a few days and then maybe fly home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650143_9965.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 170px;" src="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650143_9965.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>So, on Tuesday we packed up the car and began our road trip. Work-wise, it is the absolute worst timing, but I have so needed a break. I think you could see that from my earlier posts. I was starting to go crazy with work and a little holiday was becoming far too necessary.<br /><br />We drove first to Kelowna for one night (Sorry, Tex, that I didn't call in again) to see my grandparents. My grandfather is in the late stages of Alzheimer's Disease in a care home and Jen hadn't seen him for almost 2 years. My grandmother lives alone now so she was tickled pink to have us stay with her.<br /><br />My grandfather is 94 and on previous visits he recognized me. But, this time he was really confused. It's so hard to see someone who was so vibrant and active in life (he was a forest fire fighter and at 50 years old could outrun 25 year olds) be confined to a wheelchair and not be able to make his brain work right. When I told him our names and who our dad was (his son), he just looked confused and then haltingly said, "I... I can see... but... you try to... but you can't make it work." He was almost ashamed that he recognized that he should know us, but couldn't remember why and just couldn't put the pieces together.<br /><br />As we were leaving, he left us with some parting wisdom. "I do know that three things are really important: 28, 29 and 30." He then paused and finished with, "but sometimes 27." If it wasn't so sad, I'd probably laugh a bit more.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650156_3688.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 165px;" src="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650156_3688.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>My grandmother is 95. She's starting to forget things, too. But, I can't really fault her that when I see how old she is. She's about 4'11" and the daughter of Irish parents. She's very fun, but definitely not as spry as I remember her from my childhood.<br /><br />When we arrived, she made us some tea and I noticed her kettle didn't shut off. So, Jen and I went to the store and bought her a new electric kettle and brought it back. Mostly we were concerned that she'd boil it dry one day and start an electrical fire. But, how do you tell your grandmother, "Look, Grandma, we think you'll forget about the kettle one day because you're old and forgetful." And what if she really, really liked the old kettle for sentimental reasons?<br /><br />As we opened the box, she was rather ecstatic. "Oh, how nice! I never liked that old kettle anyway." Ok, then...<br /><br />Jen and I had this fantastic dinner at a lakeside hotel and it was so beautiful out. We had wine and coffee and watched the sun begin to set and talked about stories that I know I've told my grandmother several times before. I don't know how many more of these times I'll get with her and I know that it was very special for Jen and I.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650161_5101.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 161px;" src="http://photos-510.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v98/74/68/636870510/n636870510_650161_5101.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>These two people are the only grandparents I have. My mom's parents died when she was in her teens. So I only have stories. These two people are living have a special and interesting place in my heart and I have some great and not-so-great memories of them. It's these times that I'll remember most when they both are gone.<br /><br />The next day... it was on to Edmonton...Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-414210144637730722007-06-12T21:41:00.000-07:002007-06-12T21:48:27.320-07:00Coffee Table BooksI'm about to fall asleep on my feet, but I love what I do. I just wanted to say it in case anyone thought I was complaining too much.<br /><br />I'm designing a company retrospective book for a local firm and I'm really excited about it. I get to work with some <a href="http://saturatedspaces.blogspot.com/">wonderful</a> <a href="http://www.outlawedwonderings.com/">people</a> on it and it feels so much like what I need to do for the rest of my life. So, I will.<br /><br />I think that some of the work activities I'm involved in could end up being distractions in the future, but I've made commitments that I can't back out of. At the same time, I'm also excited about what I'm building in those activities. But, I can honestly say that I'm a designer and I cannot forget that. I'm forging ahead to put worthy people into the Limelight.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-4054392341633988692007-06-10T23:10:00.001-07:002007-06-10T23:26:56.623-07:00OptimismI have an optimism for this week that I can't readily justify yet... but I suppose that's what optimism is, right? I could so easily tack over to pessimism, but I'm not really geared that way. Not to say that I can't be pessimistic. I just naturally lean toward optimism -- it's so much healthier for the stomach and the shoulders and the brain.<br /><br />Last week was completely crazy. But, while one half of my working world seemed to be in flames, another was getting wings. In the end all of the crappiness with work will disappear as problems get resolved, but it's so heartening when good news comes in the middle of crisis.<br /><br />I know this isn't terribly detailed. There's just some things that are better left unsaid on a blog for many reasons... most of which are legal reasons. I don't relish losing business or getting sued by saying something I would regret later.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div>The sermon today was about suffering. The book has been I Peter and suffering is the theme. But I had some revelations today about the life of faith that I have chosen.<br /><br />When I chose to follow Christ, I began a journey that was about endeavoring to be more Christ-like. That meant (and still means) striving for righteousness and being like the Father. When I lived as an unbeliever (which I did for a while), I could do whatever I wanted and there was hardly a decision to be made. I just lived for myself, doing exactly what I wanted to do.<br /><br />When I decided again to follow Christ, I made a commitment to live differently. To do so involves sacrifice -- I no longer got to live for just myself; I was choosing to live as Someone else told me to live. That's not easy and most of the time I fail miserably at it. <br /><br />This denial of the easy life -- the seemingly innate way of doing things -- is a form of suffering. It's hard. I may even be abused for it by those around me. I may even hate it. But, it's a choice. It's a choice to live right instead of easy.<br /><br />If I ever hear another evangelist say something to the effect of following God makes life wonderful and... whatever.... I'm going to vomit. This life of following Christ is hard. It's not easy and very often not fun. But it <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> right. It <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> true.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-52779450353152372052007-06-08T22:53:00.000-07:002007-06-08T22:54:40.891-07:00Paris Hilton Fans Devastated by RulingGet a life, people.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-30068577369877868832007-06-08T09:57:00.000-07:002007-06-08T10:03:45.245-07:00Tired, exhausted, sleepy...Work has been hectic. I think I must sound like a broken record to many of friends when I tell them how busy and crazy work is and how much time I'm putting in. And there are no sick days.<br /><br />I could have taken one yesterday, that's for sure. I was talking with my friend Jordan today and he was saying how much it sucks that when you're not feeling well, you can' t just take the day off when you're self-employed. Well, you can. It just means that the work doesn't get done and you're probably worse off than before in having to catch up! I was in complete agreement with his observation. Then I said, "I guess we've made our choice, though." And I have made the choice.<br /><br />I like the flexibility. I like the variety of the work. I like being involved in my livelihood. But, this week HAS been nuts. I think I've had about 3-4 hours sleep on average for the past 5 nights. And I don't even have children!<br /><br />I'm tired. I'm exhausted. I'm sleepy. But, I like what I do. It's exciting. It's stressful. But, it's rewarding.<br /><br />Well, back to work.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-544079908071877882007-06-05T09:41:00.001-07:002007-06-05T09:44:12.066-07:00Days like this...Lately I've had to put in a lot of middle of the night sessions for one of my companies. I don't like doing this. I'm tired. I need to pack up my house. I need to get some work done. None of that is happening lately.<br /><br />However, I had an amazing weekend of sunshine and heat in the Okanagan. I was at a family wedding and I got to sit by the lake, soak up some sun, visit with uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents... it was good.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-956571825572945832007-05-30T19:12:00.000-07:002007-05-30T20:30:16.187-07:00Stuff You May Not Know About MeDamn you, <a href="http://thefrontlawn.blogspot.com">Amanda</a>!! Tagging me with this crazy quiz!!<br /><br />Every now and I then I wander over to the blog of my good friend, Amanda Regier. The other day <a href="http://thefrontlawn.blogspot.com/2007/05/you-dont-know-me.html">she has this post</a> about stuff I didn't know about her. <br /><br />"Cool," I think to myself! "Let's read the things I don't know about Amanda!!"<br /><br />Then I get to the end and she's tagged me. Damn. Here's how it works:<br /><br />1: Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.<br />2: People who are tagged, write a blog post about their own 8 random things, and post these rules.<br />3: At the end of your post you need to tag 8 people and include their names.<br />4: You may need to leave them a comment and tell them they’re tagged, and to read your blog<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">There Really Are People I Genuinely Do Not Like</span><br />I know this is hard to believe, but it's true. "But," you say to yourself, "Sam, you get along with everyone! What are you saying?" Well, my dear, I'm saying that I'm a highly skilled actor who is also adept at politics. I can smile at you, but I may not even like you.<br /><br />Wow, this has started off really, really mean! Let's keep going!!!!<br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">I Almost Exclusively Read Mystery Fiction In My Spare Time</span><br />I can't help it. My mother got me into it at a young age and I can't stop. And it's not just any mystery fiction. I have about 3 or 4 authors I like and their books are the only ones I read. These authors have a way with dialogue and characters that is really insightful -- it makes for good reading. Of course, only having 3 or 4 authors to read means that I've read many of the same books many, many times over. And I still like reading them again!<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm Now A Sort-of Anglican</span><br />I've recently been attending an Anglican church. And I love it. I even went to the Newcomer's Lunch a few weeks ago. I don't know if there's some sort of blood rite I have to do to not be "sort-of" anymore, but I'll probably do it soon.<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">My Secret Ambition Is To Be A Radio DJ</span><br />When I was a kid, my sister and I would pretend to be DJs on the radio by having a blank tape in the recording side of the dual tape deck. I would have all my music tapes queued up to the songs I wanted to play on my radio station (Radio K-I-R-K. Snappy, huh?), put them into the play-only side and then I would turn the external mic on and off to do my segues into and out of songs. As I grew up, I loved morning drive-time radio and I wondered what it would be like to host my own show. Maybe I'll start doing podcasts. The only thing now is that I don't know what I would do my show on if I was to become a DJ! Stupid growing up!<br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm a Complete Chicken When It Comes to Girls</span><br />I know I come across as confident and well-assured. But, I'm really not when it comes to asking girls out. So, if you're a girl and I asked you out on a date at some time in my life, then count yourself really lucky that I actually got the courage up to do that. Or not.<br /><br />6. <span style="font-weight: bold;">I Miss Being a Musician and an Actor</span><br />Not enough to actually drop everything and start getting my chops back, but enough that I get a bit jealous when I go to concerts or plays where friends I used to play/act with (and who, quite frankly, I was way better than at one time) are on stage. Part of me wants to be loved by all and I want you to love me while I'm on stage!! It's one of my tragic flaws. If this was Shakespeare, the play of my life would end with me getting killed by my bastard step-child/half-brother while giving my final, yet most amazing, performance in front of the whole world.<br /><br />7. <span style="font-weight: bold;">I Smoke... About Half a Pack a Day</span><br />A few of you know I smoke. Some of you may have no clue. I love smoking. I'm addicted. But, I'm getting older and my intellect is starting to win out the battle from my nervous system and I'm soon going to quit. I don' t have a day picked yet. That would be too organized.<br /><br />Taking a cue from Amanda, my last one has something to do with public exposure.<br /><br />8. <span style="font-weight: bold;">My Friends Drove Away As I Was Peeing On the Side of Hwy 1 Near Swift Current, SK </span><br />This may not sound like a big deal, but you know that once the seal is broken you can't stop the waterworks and moving in mid-flow wasn't really an option. Needless to say, I had to continue standing where I was (very near the side of the road) with my Block & Tackle (or whatever you may call it) exposed while I finished my business with cars roaring by one early summer morning as I was driving home from Regina. I was 16. Funnily enough, I wasn't that embarrased. I laughed pretty hard, to tell you the truth.<br /><br />Well, that does it for me. Now I need to pick 8 people to pass this on to. Hmmm...<br /><br />I pick <a href="http://sethearl.wordpress.com/">Seth</a>, <a href="http://www.jameswoller.com/">Jamie</a>, <a href="http://kobayashimaru.ca/">Eric</a>, <a href="http://www.xanga.com/joytothehurled">Joy</a>, <a href="http://www.xanga.com/olivelife">Kara</a>, <a href="http://www.xanga.com/cmgroot">Christina</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/lauramariesolberg">Laura</a>, & <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jimboraas">Jim</a>.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-59276198778895663112007-05-28T23:29:00.000-07:002007-05-28T23:43:58.139-07:00Snappy Dressing, The Basics Pt. 2 - The RobeIn our continuing series on Snappy Dressing, we turn again to <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">How To Dress For Every Occasion, by the Pope</span>. In Part 2, the Pope discusses The Robe.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div>Ok, let's not make jokes -- you know we're not talking about the bathrobes you already own!! Bathrobes make you look sloppy -- like you don't care enough to put on anything special, just an ordinary bathrobe. The shinier the fabric the more of an impression you will make each and every time you wear a robe. The adjective in your head when you look at the robe should be "regal." Regal or Royal is not just who you are if you're in a very important position -- it's the outfit you have on. And the robe is <span style="font-style: italic;">very key</span>.<br /><br />Note also the stitching. There should be fancy patterns and particularly beadwork. Let's face it -- handstitching is the best!! But of course many people can't afford it and they can't find it either. Quite frankly, the answer is: Save up. Because a cheap robe is just going to look like a cheap robe, and it wil change the "mental adjective" to: cheapie.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div>I put my time in at the newspaper today and Friday. It's not the most stimulating job in the whole world. It's really just production design and we don't really get a lot of time to be terribly creative. You try your best and see what comes out in quick flashes of instinct. Sometimes you're right on, sometimes you fall flat on your face.<br /><br />Sometimes you come across some fantastic text that you just can't forget. Case in point: I'm working on a real estate ad and I'm typing in the text. Often, I don't really think about what I'm typing. It's just text and there are a lot of listings to do so you just power through it and maybe read it later.<br /><br />On Friday, I decided to actually read one of the listings and this gem popped up:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"...large backyard with room to build shop, kids and pets."</span><br /><br />I'd say that the opportunity to become your very own god is cheap at the $400,000+ they were listing the property at.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-33530166532102612212007-05-27T17:12:00.000-07:002007-05-27T17:22:11.567-07:00Snappy Dressing, The Basics Pt. 1 - The HatFor my birthday, my very good friend Judith gave me an excellent book called <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How To Dress for Every Occasion, by the Pope</span>.</span><br /><br />I have to say that my snappy dressing skills have increased in exponential amounts thanks to the simple, yet effective, tips from the Pope. Over the next while, I will endeavor to share some of these tips with you.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE BASICS</span><br /><br />Ok, now you're saying, "I'm ready, the Pope! Tell me everything!!!" Well, hold on!! You just can't wake up one morning and be a better dresser for every occasion. A journey begins with a million steps, and the first step is the step I like to call "The Basics." In this chapter we'll learn all the Basics of dressing so we can know what we're talking about!!! (In the other chapters.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Number One: The Hat</span><br /><br />First off, get a big hat as shown. (<span style="font-style: italic;">ed</span> - sorry, i haven't scanned the illustrations, but the pic is your classic pointy Pope.) If you're going to dress well from head to toe, WHY NOT START WITH THE HEAD??? A big hat on your head says to everybody, "Guess who's in charge?" I'll give you a hint: It's you if you're wearing an impressive hat. Hats come in all sorts of shapes, but this shape is best. Hats keep you hot in winter and shady during the summer due to the unique fabric. I get my hats personally from a catalog but don't be shy -- shop around!!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div>You see, this is some good stuff. I'll share more in the future.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-5668921730095616302007-05-22T18:46:00.000-07:002007-05-22T19:04:32.392-07:00Jen, it's time.My sister and I have this "thing" we do. I can't remember exactly how it came about, but I'm sure Jen will remind me once she reads this post. Anyway, it's this stupid "thing" that I still, to this day, find really funny.<br /><br />I would go up to Jen and give her this really, really stern look and then I would say: "Jen... it's time."<br /><br />That's all. And my sister would scrunch up her shoulders and run away screaming.<br /><br />It's really a Pavlovian thing because the first few times I did it, my simple statement was accompanied by my putting my hands close together and making a sudden movement toward my sister as if I was going to choke her. Then she ran away screaming with shoulders trying to prevent my hands from going around her neck. Later, all I had to say was, "Jen, it's time," to produce the same results.<br /><br />I didn't <span style="font-style: italic;">actually</span> choke her or even put my hands on her. It was just the motion of doing so. Then the two of us would break out laughing... and do we two know how to laugh!<br /><br />Why am I telling you this? The answer is simple. I despair that only my sister understands this quirky "thing." I wish one of my clients understood. Then, when I suddenly went silent on the phone and then said, "it's time"... well, they would understand and run away screaming and leave me alone.<br /><br />Today was such a day. That's all I'm going to say on that subject.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div>My shoes are still drying out. Sunday it rained so hard I thought it was winter. That's not good when you're trying to show out-of-towners around the most beautiful city on the planet. But, I ended up at places I'd never been before like the Museum of Anthropology and the Nitobe Gardens. I felt a bit like a lame Vancouverite having never been to these places before.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pssst! Between you and me, I didn't even know that the Nitobe Gardens existed until we drove up to them. Not good. I need to get out of Langley more.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div>I'm moving soon. I have a really, really cool new place. But, I need a nice couch. I have to work on that.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-32660357797533234812007-05-12T17:13:00.000-07:002007-05-12T17:44:19.234-07:00I Have A Good Mother<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8lILUH1Xt-U/RkZaG8bgYdI/AAAAAAAAABE/oUDEQ4-DQJk/s1600-h/P1020616.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 183px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8lILUH1Xt-U/RkZaG8bgYdI/AAAAAAAAABE/oUDEQ4-DQJk/s320/P1020616.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063833906371912146" border="0" /></a>I thought I should talk about my mother as tomorrow is Mother's Day.<br /><br />Judy Kirk has been my mother these 32 years. She didn't actually start out to become a mother when she and my dad were first married. In the early 70's, she was a nurse fresh out of school and had recently seen her mother and father succumb to cancer. She saw a lot wrong with an over-populated world and thought that it would be extremely unfair to bring another child into it to experience pain and suffering.<br /><br />But, in 1973, she had a life-changing experience of meeting Jesus Christ and her whole worldview changed.<br /><br />In 1975, she gave birth to yours truly and named me Samuel. My mom had had a very vivid experience of being drawn to read the book of 1 Samuel and the account of Hannah naming her child and giving the long-awaited baby to the service of her God. She named me Samuel in the promise of giving me to God.<br /><br />My mother was tough, but fair. She made all sorts of mistakes with me, but she never once let me down. I think I turned out pretty well. Although, she certainly had her hands full with my sister... but she's turned out very well, too.<br /><br />Judy has this really offbeat sense of humour which seems to have been passed on to me and Jen. She's quick with a joke and loves to laugh at herself. But, she's not cruel. Not one bit.<br /><br />She cares about those around her. She sees all sorts of pain in her work in a doctor's office, but she also gets to see many of them become well. She sees the hurt and the broken become transformed into the whole. In her spiritual life, she also has striven to see the spiritual and emotionally broken become healthy again and she has a righteous anger about those who don't strive to see the same thing in those around them.<br /><br />My mom has walked with me through some very hard personal times. Not mollycoddling me. She challenges me when I'm trying to take the easy road of avoidance. But, she's always there to give the advice that comes from being on this earth for a long time.<br /><br />My mother has come a long way from the time when she felt that she had nothing to offer children but a life of pain and suffering. She has loved her children unconditionally and seen them grow into adults that are very much like her -- and that's a good thing.<br /><br />She should be proud of what she has accomplished in her years of mothering. I could never imagine having anyone else that I would want to bestow the name and love that a child gives to the woman who bore him. I'm proud of the mother, and now friend, that God gave me all those years ago.<br /><br />Mom, I love you. Thank you for all you are.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-91928119459435846852007-05-10T21:04:00.000-07:002007-05-10T23:19:45.700-07:00I've been reflectingOne of the things I miss about my old Xanga blog and I wish that Blogger had was that nifty feature of being able to show what you were listening to/watching/reading.<br /><br />Currently listening to:<br /><strong>Jamiroquai: High Times Singles 1992-2006</strong><br /><br />I'm such a moody kind of person. My friends would probably say this isn't true and that I'm always pretty fun and sunny and positive. But, I'm also an actor -- I went to school for that -- and I'm pretty good at keeping the conflicting and varying emotions under wraps. The reason I say this is because the music I've been listening to lately has been upbeat, funky music to keep myself buoyed above the flotsam and jetsam... that said, you should get this Jamiroquai album.<br /><br />The sunny days have also helped immeasurably.<br /><br />I've spent a lot of time lately pondering my motives for doing things, my ambition level (or lack thereof), my situation in life, my work life, my love life (or, again, lack thereof), my spiritual condition... Pretty much I've been thinking about everything.<br /><br />Lately I've been a little disturbed with what I see in myself. I want change. I think that's what has driven me back to <a href="http://www.stjohnsshaughnessy.org/">church</a>. I have had 4 mornings getting back into God's Word and really good days.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div>I have this group I'm a part of. It's a Virtual Office. It is such a funny part of my life right now and I can't imagine not having the 30+ emails I get every day from these genuinely hilarious people.<br /><br />Although, the emailing goes a little far. Yesterday, my real (and virtual) officemate, Keela, sends me this email:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Sam, can you help me with something? I don't want to disturb.</span><br /><br />Ok, this woman is no more than 10 feet away from me. She could have just asked, I wouldn't have minded (and I did tell her that). The funny part is that I don't think I was really that busy. I'm pretty sure I was on Facebook sending a poke at <a href="http://saturatedspaces.blogspot.com/">Andrea</a>.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />*****<br /></div>The game Scruples (or is it The Game of Scruples??) is hilarious.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-17082113010701625702007-05-07T09:12:00.000-07:002007-05-07T09:18:45.238-07:00Ever feel a little overwhelmed?I do. There are times when the amount of things going on just seems to overtake you and there's hardly anything you can do.<br /><br />I'm kind of feeling that way right now. I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I DO have to run toward it because to stay in this place of confusion and unrest will undoubtedly prove to be too much.<br /><br />But, like I said in my last post, I have good friends and I'm learning -- slowly -- that I can lean on them and I don't have to do this all on my own.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div>I'm really, really loving <a href="http://www.stjohnsshaughnessy.org">St. John's Shaughnessy</a>. I love the liturgy. I love the solemness. I love the teaching. I love the friends I attend with. And I quite enjoyed the food at the newcomer's lunch yesterday. The church is a lot more formal than I've ever been used to, but I'm finding it is the very thing I need right now.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-46509137646504542572007-05-03T22:29:00.000-07:002007-05-03T22:45:23.849-07:00Canucks do NOT rule...Damn sports and the hype and the emotion that I get when the home team gets into the post-season.<br /><br />Honestly, I'm not too sad as it really seemed inevitable with all the injuries we had over the last 12 games. Ah well. Next year! Next year, we have the best goalie in hockey and some great defensemen... now we just need some scoring!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div>Yesterday, I had to go to downtown Vancouver to work at a BlueCasting installation. I parked on this street, plugged the meter and then went into the location. Well, I was there a lot longer than I thought I would be and I was a tad concerned about not having put enough coins into the meter. If you've ever parked in the downtown core, you know that my concerns are not unfounded! Vancouver's meter maids are only just below the level of evilness that is attributed to the Langley City Parking Nazi.<br /><br />So, I come around this building carrying a full computer (which made me look like I had stolen it from somewhere... but really, I own it) in my arms and I notice that the once-full curb is now virtually empty of parked cars... except for mine and two others. I suddenly realized that it was after 3pm on a rather busy arterial road... a parking ticket could be the least of my worries.<br /><br />Sure enough, there's a tow truck just behind my car and I started to run down the street... with a computer in my arms...<br /><br />The tow truck was for the car behind mine. Let me tell you, I have never moved out of a parking space so quickly in my life. That Buster's Towing are merciless and I didn't exactly feel like hiking all over hell's half-acre looking for the impound lot.<br /><br />I dodged a bullet.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div>Good friends are amazing. I have many and I have to remember how rich that makes me when the pressures of life feel like they're going to overwhelm me.<br /><br />I don't have to take on this life all by myself. But, I forget that when I've lived pretty self-sufficiently for most of my life. I have some excellent friends.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-28842457710993289552007-04-23T21:00:00.000-07:002007-05-03T22:42:20.469-07:00Canucks Rule!They do! They do, indeed! Although, I thought I was going to chew off my fingers in the third period before Pyatt got the insurance goal... phew...<br /><br />I love hockey. I love it! And I'm so stoked about the playoffs! Go Canucks Go!!<br /><br />(not a terribly intelligent or coherent post... my apologies)Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587310719886752694.post-31924462761870317332007-04-23T00:12:00.000-07:002007-04-23T00:48:32.071-07:00A renovating weekendI'm stiff. I'm sore. I helped to renovate.<br /><br />My folks are in the middle of some <a href="http://samatlarge.blogspot.com/2007/01/you-dirty-rat.html">rat-induced changes</a> to the main floor of the house and I was up early on Saturday to assist. We were in a destructive mood and for a second, at about 10am, I was tempted to quote <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OcVEvG4L9Y">Ronald Reagan</a>: "Mr. Kirk: Tear down that wall!"<br /><br />Well, the wall came down and the house is now quite the open concept. When the paint goes on and the wood floor is laid, Casa del Kirk will be all dickied up with its swanky pants on.<br /><br />Needless to say, I was pretty tired by the end of the day and I missed Sessions at the Sylvia. Kara & Joy, my apologies on my absence and I shall attend your future events!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">* * * * *<br /></div><br />I had a very moving experience this morning as I took in my first <a href="http://www.stjohnsshaughnessy.org/">Anglican baptism service</a> with <a href="http://saturatedspaces.blogspot.com/">Andrea</a> and Kady. It was inspiring in the participation that is required of those close to the family and to the rest of the congregation. My own baptism experience was at about 8 or 9 years of age. I was very excited and it truly did mean something to me at the time, but I think the significance has faded somewhat over the years.<br /><br />At my baptism, I know my parents were there watching and praying as was the pastor who did the dunking in that bathtub/pool that my church had. But the St. John's service was different. The family and friends who were standing with the people being baptized were asked to renounce their sin and to affirm their faith in God and the congregation was asked to support those being baptized in staying true to their faith.<br /><br />It would be so easy to brush off the call and response as just boring, ancient liturgy. But, when I take it seriously and really think about what I'm saying, it becomes obvious to me how important we are as brothers and sisters in Christ to each other; it's our responsibility to urge each other on in that most excellent of journeys. And I don't think I'm referring to the one Bill and Ted took.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">* * * * *<br /></div><br />F440 Racing Challenge. I'm going to do that this summer and I'm going to pay the big bucks to take those extremely cool 125cc cars out on that track. We took a detour on the way back from church to see the place -- it's a ways down this really bad dirt road, but it's got cars that will go fast and will help me satisfy my conviction that my life has been wasted and that I really should have been a top race car driver.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">* * * * *</div><br />Facebook = Internet Crack. But, it's good Crack. Sort of like the Irish Craic, which equals a whole lot o' fun.Sam Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789051020308900115noreply@blogger.com0