Bart Blair

Arrived safely in Oregon today. Here for Jeff Haley's wedding. Woo hoo! Sitting in the hotel drinking Oregon Syrah, eating chips and bean dip. The same kind of dip I put in my brother's eye when we were kids. Ouch! That burns!!!!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

St. Jude's Christmas Program

On Wednesday of this past week, Silas and Ephraim participated in the St. Jude's Academy Christmas Program.  They both did a great job.  Ephraim played a little prince and a kangaroo.  Silas was a narrator.

 

Christmas Tunes

Did you know you can download some of my Christmas music on iTunes?
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hallelujah-glory/id5021645

Top 10 of the Last 10

As the decade rolls to a close, here are some of the defining moments of my life which took place over the last 10 years:

10) I turned 40 (2009): Yes, I know, at some point I need to get over it, but it's still a reality I'm not ready to face.

9) I went Mac (2007): And I'll never go back.  'Nuff said.

8) I joined the Meadowvale West Tennis Club (2006): Hadn't played tennis in years.  This was not only good for my physical health, but I've met a lot a great people in the process.

7) Lending all my power tools to Sorin (2005): Some people are made to saw; others to sing.  I'm a singer.  Plain and simple.  After years of botched attempts at household reno projects, I finally came to terms with the fact that I should let other people work on my house.  Sorin is my neighbor who is quite good at these times of things, so I let him hold my tools for me and in exchange he helps me out with occasional chores around my house.  Great neighbour!  Great arrangement!  Maybe when I get to Heaven I'll try again, but certainly not in this life.

6) Nike Sasquatch Sumo² (2008): It's like swinging a stick with a toaster on the end, but nothing has changed my golf game more than adding this club to my bag.

5) I learned to play the guitar (2000): It was the spring of 2000 that I borrowed Aaron's Simon & Patrick Pro Maple Flame.  Learning to play the guitar has probably changed my life experience as an artist more than anything else I've ever done.

4) I resigned from Aerotek (2001): The 6 years I spent with Aerotek were incredible.  I learned so much.  Made some fantastic friends.  Discovered a lot about myself and my talents that would have likely gone undiscovered had I stayed in the performing arts scene my whole life.

3) I joined the staff of Grace Community Church (2002): To those who don't know me, taking a 6-figure pay-cut to leave a promising career with a multi-billion dollar, multi-national company may seem silly.  Bot honestly, to me, NOT taking this opportunity to work in the arts with a group of people who share my passion for God would have been silly.  Yes, it was challenging to make the money part work out.  But not impossible.  Jehovah Jireh.

2) I became a dad: In addition to becoming an instant father (to Sarah) when Elizabeth and I got married, the births of Silas ('02) and Ephraim ('04) were monumental.  I would never go so far as to say that I live for my children, but having children has certainly changed the way I live.

1) I married Elizabeth: After moving to Canada and finding myself "single again" I had may discussions with God about how things were going to play out in my life.  I voiced some pretty strong concerns and desires about finding a person to spend my life with.  God gave me just what I needed.  I have a wonderful wife, best friend and life-mission-partner.  Thank you, God!

I'm not saying she shouldn't try, but I don't quite understand how Elin can renegotiate her "prenup" with Tiger. Isn't the whole idea with a prenup that it's "PRE-nup?"

Gen-X Heroes That Died in '09: Not Including Michael Jackson

The world lost a number of iconic stars in 2009.  Here are a few and what I will remember most about each:

David Carradine: 1936-2009

"Kwai Chang, what will you do now?"

"Wait.  Wander.  Rest when I can."

I never got to watch Kung Fu as a kid (I was only 6 when the series ended), but I remember this verbal exchange from the commercials.  Truth is, I may not even have the quote correct.  But that's how I remember it!

Ricardo Montalban: 1920-2009

"Smiles.  Smiles, everyone.  Welcome to Fantasy Island."

As a kid, my parents were pretty good about filtering my television viewing.  But for some reason they never stopped us from watching Fantasy Island on Saturday nights - at the Galbraiths on hamburger night!  Of course, we were watching this show right after we'd watched Love Boat.  Hmmmm.

Ricardo will also be carved in my memory as Khan (1982).  Who can forget that?!

Ed McMahon: 1923-2009

It was my generation's American Idol; Star Search was our chance to see the future of American talent!  With categories like "Male Spokesmodel" and "Teen Dancer," it was a thrill!  The voice of Ed bellowing, "Three and a half stars!" is as fresh in my memory as if it happened yesterday.

A few notable celebs who made competitive appearances on Star Search (during the McMahon era):
- Rosie O'Donnell, 1984 (Comedian)
- Sinbad, 1985 (Comedian)
- Sharon Stone, 1984 (Spokesmodel)
- Alanis Morissette, 1988 (Singer)
- Christina Aguilera, 1990 (Singer)
- Britney Spears, 1992 (Singer)

John Hughes: 1950-2009

Although most of us probably had no clue who he was, nearly every teen in America between 1984 and 1989 would have been influenced by his persepctive on the world.

Personally, I would have to say Breakfast Club was probably the most important film he made, but I was a Weird Science kind-guy myself.

Patrick Swayze: 1952-2009

While I'm sure the marjority of Swayze's fans (currently 40-something women) will point to Dirty Dancing and Ghost as his greatest flicks, any red-blooded boy of the 80's would have to give shout-outs to The Outsiders and Red Dawn.  Once we got to college, we jumped to the Point Break bandwagon.  It was all pretty macho stuff. 

What more would one expect from a Texas-bred ballet dancer!?

The rest of the list:

Bea Arthur, Dom Deluise, Farrah Fawcett, Les Paul, Lou Albano, Steve McNair...RIP

7 Ways I Wasted Time in '09

1) Fishing

2) Golfing

3) MMA - watching - not participating

4) Playing a season of Madden '09 on the Wii (14-2, Superbowl Champs!)

5) Watching 3 seasons of 24 on DVD

6) Facebooking

7) Cleaning the basement; 'cause it just got messy again

10 Most Played Songs On My iPod (in '09)

10. Brenton Brown: Everlasting God

9. Planetshakers: Hear the Sound

8. Matt Redman: You Alone Can Rescue

7. Joel Auge: Glory Glory

6. David Crowder Band: Everything Glorious

5. Karen O and the Kids: All is Love

4. Griffin House: I Remember

3. Remedy Drive: All Along

2. Joshua Radin: Brand New Day

1. U2: Magnificent

The Next 20 Days

10 Things That I'm Looking Forward to in the Last 20 days of 2009

1. Setting up the Christmas tree

2. 20 more advent readings with Silas and Ephraim

3. Sarah's report card ;0

4. Dad's visit to Mississauga

5. Christmas Eve Service at Grace

6. Watching "A Christmas Story" with Si and Eli for the first time

7. Jeff Haley's wedding in Oregon

8. New Year's Eve with my neighbours

9. The Mortgage Edge Christmas party

10. The Cowboys at the Saints