CCSA Banquet, Ben and Audrey and Church

Hey everyone:

I had an awesome past weekend and just wanted to write about it (since I had time to spare)

1. CCSA Banquet:

First of all, thanks Fran for reminding me of it (I am so glad I went because it kept my mind off work and so many other stressful things) I had fun and actually saw a few old university friends there! The food was good (Although I have to admit I was not a fan of the pasta at the hotel) I am also glad I met a few new people...yes and yet another funny conversation about banking and service charges.

It was fun as the night rolled on all types of teams in the divisions were mentioned (I was originally in the roster for Vertias--originally a Knight myself) I ended up not able to play due to work...and then at the corner of my eye there was Alison, Derek and Hannah!! LOL it was good see you guys again from CCF.

And when the speech by the presidents of the league I heard a team called "A sac of rice"--wait did she just say "A SAC OF RICE"?! it left me wondering until the other presenter said--yes, "SAC of RICE...say it fast Sacrifice" The one thing that knocked me out was the headache I got from sitting a few tables away from the loud speakers. (they were doing singspiration)

Congratulations to Brian and Darwin on receiving awards for MIP and MVP respectively. There was unfortunately no dancing (but everyone else was decked out in semi formal attire)

2. Ben and Audrey married:

Congratulations to you two!! Thank you for the invite Ben, and it was an honour to be there to cheer you on =) I have to say it was a beautiful wedding (despite it raining all day) and it was a wonderful reception, I am glad I also got to meet a few more new people. The St. Pauls Anglican Church was breathtakingly beautiful (it's the largest Anglican church in Toronto)

a picture of it could be seen here: www.benandaudrey.ca

St.Paul's: http://www.stpaulsbloor.org/

The wedding reception was also very nice it had an open bar (shame I quit drinking a long time ago) but all the speeches and games made the wonderful evening a blast--by the way, Rie it was a pleasure meeting and dancing with you =) Thanks for making my day.

The reception was at Liberty Grand: http://www.libertygrand.com/centennial-room.html

And of course last but not least, Thank you Steve and Vicky for the Pre-Party at your home..sight this is where I should have thought to have brought a camera between Sam making *ahem* comments about men on the team...uh...yeah... and me actually dancing around at the reception =P

Note to self: do workout...but not a good idea to do 53 pound bench-presses in quick reps at the gym after running for 30 mins on the trendmill! LOL (by the time we were at the reception my arms got tired and sore as soon as a conga line formed) Thank you Justin for driving me from and to events that weekend and Thanks Rex for helping me for Sunday services the following morning! =)

P.S. Darwin, do you have those pictures of the four of us looking silly down at Steve's garage?? Yes, Rex that picture of you "hugging" Justin does look "interesting" LOL (okay I am kidding!) But yeah I need some pics =) please send them by my box. And oh yeah, Darwin remind me the next time you go to a party to expect hours and hours of getting "Up,up,up and gettin down" ;)
(while me Justin and others wait in the car LOL)--Darwin, you are one heck of a partying machine!

3. Church--St Christopher's:

Hm...how I miss being here, it's so good to finally return (even if I am in and out a lot) I had so much here...and it made me wonder why I didn't come here when I was younger...here I fought my own battles and got advice from my friends, developed friendships, renewed my faith and actually came back to it.

A lot more things happened when I was not around...and by the time I came back the church itself is restructuring...I think that St Christopher's had taught me to basically cool down and mellow as a person and taught me what being Christian should entail...not so much just the aspect of faith, it got me to think about getting baptized and while I still have not decided that next step, I am always trying to understand my faith as I move on with life.

I will always be guessing, but it was thanks to this church I was able to climb forward and look for something new...it taught me to look within myself and at times reminded me that I need to be stronger. (If not physically, spiritually I knew I was lacking)

There is always a difference being merely a person who follows the world and the person who follows God...In a way, I am that one person who could not decide to which world I belong.

I always felt like a strange wildcard...outspoken, and usually quick to judge but not necessarily bright.

I found that being a man who conforms to a pattern is easy, but being a Christian who is humble is so difficult and yet, I always found myself returning to faith.

4. Sidenote: Meeting up with Nick

Well, what can I say old friend? You always did make me laugh and always pointed me right, it was good meeting up with you for lunch...and to answer your question/observation: "nope. I am not broken"

a little battered mentally or emotionally maybe...but I can't remain broken...I know you were saying: "Thomas you are laughing a little too hard, so it's something really bad?"

Well, I guess bad is a matter of perspective, but I tend to hope that I see the positive in my experiences--even if I tend to have the worst timing or luck. I'd like to think that no matter how bad things are, I always pick myself back up and move on...even if I don't feel "great" I always needed to be stronger, and laughing is just a way to break tension and stress. And believe me, I've been through worse things in my time, I am just glad I am still alive, and that's a start.

Signing off,

TKO