It finally happened...

Hello everyone. Well...it actually happened...I got promoted. Major Mike Duguay at 18 ADR promoted me in the Mess this evening. Further, I just received word this afternoon that I will become a member of the Supplementary Reserve within days...for the time being at least, my active days in the Canadian Forces are at an end. For those privy to the story, the last four years have been an excellent experience and at the same time, an uphill battle.

Several people have asked me what this promotion means. For now anyway, no it does not mean more money, as I have not been paid by the CF since 2007. Neither does it necessarily mean that there are more options open to me as a Chaplain in the Canadian Forces. What it does mean to me is the capstone to my training, and closure. Plus it's pretty cool that, according to QR&O 3.13 I get to use the word (Retired) after my name when I address myself as Lt. Aaron Roth (Ret'd).

Honestly though, none of this may really explain why tonight was such an important piece of my life. Yes, I've been a Padre for 4 years. However, my experience with the military goes back 13 years (16 if you count cadets). Tonight is the fulfillment of a long held dream that I had as a boy and the satisfaction of some very painful experiences in my life. Being a Padre, the rank does not really matter. Once upon a time, the rank of a Padre was automatically the rank of the person they were talking to. Really, it's only for pay purposes and to designate managerial authority in the branch. However, for me personally it does represent so much more.

From the time I was about 8 or 9, I wanted to be an army officer. In high school I entered the cadets and had a lot of success and learned many things. I became a Warrant Officer, and even was the Platoon WO for 22 Platoon of Golf Company at VACSTC in 1997. Finally, the opportunity to become an army officer presented itself when I was enrolled as an Artillery - Air Defence Officer Cadet on February 11, 1998 at the tender age of 18. It all seemed to be so good. Although looking back I can see how really unprepared I was. The brick wall of life hit me hard in the summer of 1998 when I went to CFB Gagetown, NB for my Phase I and Phase II. I passed my Phase I without a great deal of difficulty and got through 1/2 of phase II when it became clear to me that the NCOs who were instructing me had recognized that I was not ready for the job...and I wasn't. I was RTU'd 5 weeks before completion of the course. All I had left to do was my evaluation on establishing a defense, a section attack, and a patrol. This was the most painful experience I had in my life up to this point. I was positively devastated. My long held dream was crushed. It was not much longer and I left the Canadian Forces for the first time in November of 1998.

The following year, I was asked by my CO, Capt. Bob Steadman, at 2296 cadet corps to become a CIC officer. So...I did. I reenrolled as an officer cadet. But because I could not get away to Edmonton for my Basic Officer Qualification course, I was not commissioned and remained an Officer Cadet for 1 1/2 years until I decided to focus on some other areas of my life, namely academics and politics.

Fast forward to 2006. I was a second year seminarian at St. Joseph's Seminary in Edmonton and the vocations director, Fr. Paul Moret, came around asking if any of us might be interested in doing a summer program with the military gearing towards becoming a Reserve Chaplain. It never even occured to me before that this was an option. After speaking with Archbishop Collins and the Rector of the Seminary, I jumped at the opportunity. I was again enrolled in the Canadian Forces as an Officer Cadet Chaplain in April 2006. I was off to CFB Borden at the end of April for my Chaplain Basic Officer Training Course (Phase I). Mindful of my past experiences, I had to pass this course, and I did. In fact I was awarded most distinguished candidate at the graduation parade in late May 2006. Eight years after making such a "balls of it" in Gagetown, I had managed to actually succeed in the military. Shortly thereafter, off I went to CFB Esquimalt to work as a student chaplain under the Formation Chaplain, LCdr John Domotor (Basic Phase II). It seemed to be going so well until that fateful day, August 8, 2006, when on board the HMCS Winnipeg, for no apparent reason and completely without warning, my heart gave out on me. Although I successfully completed the summer, and granted my Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, I was partially placed on a temporary medical category.

Not knowing this was the case, as there was no paper work on this in my medical file, Ottawa promoted me to 2Lt and off I went to CFB Petawawa in May 2007 for my Phase III. Again, on a military chaplaincy level at least, the summer was a great success (although on a personal level I had been put through the ringer for a couple of reasons). However, at the end of the course, when it came time for my medical (after they found the file which had been lost 2 times already), they would not promote me as my profile indicated that I was on a temporary medical category from the summer prior. They needed to do a medical on me. However, when they sent the file from Ottawa to Petawawa (a 1 1/2 hour car drive by the way), it got lost a 3rd time. They therefore could not promote me to full Lt. as everyone else had been that summer, and I was left to linger without unit, without contract, and on a temporary medical category that never actually existed, as I found out a year later. This went on for nearly a year. I had attempted to clear it up in 2008, but due to a scheduling error at CFB Edmonton's Medical Office, I could not get them to do my clearance medical and once again I was left high and dry.

Finally, due to a change in Ottawa of bosses and a renewed effort on my part, in 2009 I finally got in to see a Medical Officer in Calgary. All was well, except...due to a misread they said I had high blood pressure...so they could not sign off again on my promotion until I went to see my family doctor and provided evidence either of treatment or that they had messed up. I had my blood pressure taken on 6 different occasions afterward. All of these indicated that my blood pressure was just fine and that they had clearly misread the instrument when they took the blood pressure in Calgary. All was well medically.

I then had to pass my CF Express Fitness test, which I did in early January. This all led up to today. It finally happened.

The road to get to where I am right now was painful but rewarding. I thank everyone for their support and encouragement.

Typed this last night...but didn't get it posted.

Hello everyone. Yes…wow…it’s been less than a month since my previous blog update. But there has been some pretty significant developments in the last few weeks.

First…I’m getting promoted (military). I received word from my boss in Ottawa that the Chaplain General has approved my promotion to full Lieutenant. Although not retroactive, as I originally thought it would be, this brings to an end a significant battle I’ve faced for 2 ½ years. Additionally, my request to be moved to the Supplementary Reserve will likely be actioned shortly after Feb 1, 2010, the date of my promotion. This whole deal came after finishing my Physical Fitness Test (successfully I might add) two weekends ago, and the lifting of my Permanent / Temporary Medical Category in early January. Thanks to everyone who put up with my bitching about the CF medical system for the last 3 years. Apparently the promotion ceremony will be held next week. However, it is still tentative based on the local Reserve Unit’s CO giving it the OK.

Second…after a rather difficult year, I went to Saskatchewan this weekend to help my aunts and uncles pack my Mom’s house up. The farm will be sold, effective 1 Feb, 2010. This has been a major stumbling block for the last year (though I tend to think of it as an issue for my family for the last 25 years). This year marks the 100th Anniversary of that homestead being in our family, so it is a little sad to see it go. However, in my opinion, it is also a very welcome one. Although some members of my family disagree with me, it would have been nice if it had sold the year of its 75th Anniversary, as it has been a sticky issue for about that long. Mom did have some amazing accomplishments there, including the establishment of a fantastic orchard…right smack dab in the middle of the bald ass Saskatchewan prairie. But in my view, the cost of those accomplishments have been too damned high.

Third…as I alluded to in my last posting, Ari and I are nearing the point where the convalidation of our marriage in the RC Church can happen. Still waiting on the final appeal from Ottawa. However, we have talked about it and we are wanting to celebrate the convalidation in Edmonton, preferably at St. Joseph’s Basilica, or at Holy Trinity Parish in Spruce Grove. I haven’t contacted the Rector / Pastor of these parishes yet, but I believe they are on the mailing list for this blog so….

As I said in my previous blog, 2010 is going to be a year of some doors closing and others opening up onto new horizons. All three of these points have been long standing doors that needed to happen before my family and I could move forward. I still have great hopes that this year will be a fantastic one with even more yet to come.

Cheers and I’ll put some pictures up soon!

New horizons in 2010...

Just realizing that it has been over 3 months since I last published on this thing, I figured it was time for an update. I've kicked on the Enigma music video, and am chillin in our great chair. This is my version of an ongoing Christmas letter I guess :)


2009 has drawn to a close. This past year has been a great and a terrible year. I am truly delighted to be married to my lovely Ari and to have moved into our first purchased home together this last October. We have more or less finished the "big" things. We finished yesterday with putting pictures up in the house. There are two rooms yet to be painted down stairs, and a few touch ups here and there...but it is finally home. I'm looking forward to enjoying our house together. Hopefully, within the next month we will be able to have sort of house warming to welcome all of our friends.


Christmas was pretty good to us, except that I put my back out again 2 days before holidays. It is still on the mend, but is much better. It kind of limited what we could do, but we had some great visits with people and my Dad and Dar were able to come down for New Years Day! Thanks to them we have a (more or less) finished rumpas room equipped with futon and some great tools :). Ari and I also took advantage of some boxing day sales to purchase a new flat screen for the rumpas room as well as a great chair. Entertaining is now possible! This is the first time in a very long time that we can say this. Looking forward to having gaming groups over, and yes, even the possibility of a MANA or similar meeting.


My second full year back in Lethbridge has come to a close. It has been over 2 years now since I left the Seminary to return home. I have discovered that there has been some bad blood created apparently, which was never my intention. For some of my close friends in Edmonton, this whole getting married out of the Church business was a bit of a shock. I certainly did not intent to hurt anyone by that. It has been and still is our intention to be married in the Church still. We have received notice from the Diocese of Calgary that the annulment has been approved and it was sent to Ottawa about a month ago for the automatic appeal process. So, we are now starting to look at places, dates, and times for our convalidation. Hopefully, we will be able to have the convalidation in the Spring or Summer. Fr. Marc has graciously agreed to be the celebrant and we look forward to any and all who wish to celebrate again with us to attend. As for location...well we have an idea. It will likely not be in Lethbridge (and no it won't be in Vegas). More to come once we finalize some details here.

Now for the more philosophical / new year resolution stuff:

These last two years have been an absolute rollercoaster, with some of the best experiences of my life, but also some very low moments as well. I've spent some time in contemplation over the last month or so, especially over the Christmas holidays. 2009 was a year of monumental change, not just for me and my wife, but also for so many around us. Some of the changes were positive. However, especially for those around us, the changes have been difficult and in some cases gut wrenching. I knew this time last year that 2009 would be a year of ejecting the past in some ways, a transition year. I had no idea at that time that it would go beyond us to so many around us, nor that it would have such life altering effects. But I feel that the transition, if it is not already past, is now leading to a "new era". I proclaimed back in August of 09 that I could feel "spring time." Indeed so much of the two years prior from the summer of 2007 to the summer of 2009 was a great winter. In some cases utterly bitter and cold. However, I see 2010 as the dawn of new horizons. I do not know what these will be, but I am utterly optimistic about this year to come. I have already had some news about potential things to come. These are exciting things and offer great possibility. More to come as they unfold further.

In contemplation, I have arrived at certain beliefs on the coming year however. First, the home life will be able to settle from some great and wonderful changes this last fall in particular. We can begin to enjoy married life in a new home without having to worry about hauling boxes full of books and stuff, great painting projects, or racing to and fro from banks, mortgage brokers, and etc. Our wonderful day is now etched in memory behind us, so we can spend our off time enjoying each other rather than hustling and bustling to finish last minute plans and worrying about the details of a wedding. We can really enjoy married life together.

In terms of more personal elements, there will the opening of some new doors, and the closing of some others. Certainly some things will be conintued, others will fall into the pages of history, still other things which were part of my past that have in the last few years slipped away, will be reclaimed. One example of things that will fall into the pages of history is my endless "group creating". For those of you that know what I mean by this, I'm sure you'll be relieved :) I have had a tendancy over the last 5 years particularily to create groups. Some more successful than others. Well...I'm going to be making a conscious effort to cease this. There is one possible exception to this, but it isn't really a group, more of a business venture. But also more to come on that front. Rather than creating new groups, I think I will be making a more conscious effort to return to some of the old, successful ones, including MANA (in its original form). I have also already started to reclaime some of my old gaming groups which I always enjoyed, and continue to expand this into the new year!

Anyway, some of you reading this may be saying "what the hell is he talking about?" Suffice it to say, I am looking forward to some very exciting new experiences in the new year! I have a feeling that 2010 will be a year unlike one I have enjoyed for about a decade. Look forward to sharing it with you!

Well...it's official and exciting... :)

GOOD MORNING!!!!!!


Yesterday at about 1:10 Ari and I tied the knot :) We had a wonderful day with beautiful weather. There were a few wasps (and several Catholics he he he). We thank Bridget for the beautiful ceremony. We thank my Dad and Dar for the lovely Wok Box Buffet. I think everyone enjoyed it. We thank my Mom and my Aunts and my Cousins and my Grandma for the hall decor. It was really very nice. Also AJ for the DJing. Brock, William, Dave, and Jerico, thanks for being human sign posts and coordinators. Shawna and Nick...thanks for the lovely singing. I think it really helped everyone find the picnic shelter ok. We were so glad that everyone could make it down. It made it a really special day for us.

For those of you who couldn't make it, we will likely have a second go around in a couple of months. We are just waiting to hear back from the Diocese of Calgary and hopefully we will have our lovely convalidation.

In other news...we have a house (most likely). We are just waiting on the financing to get back to us, but it looks like its a go! We were preapproved twice before for much more, so we're pretty confident :) The nice thing is that we will have spare rooms, so people don't have to get hotel rooms to come and visit out of town. And the spare rooms will actually have beds, not blow-up matresses.

We are off to Waterton for a few days now to enjoy the peaceful mountain air.

A Mucho Over Due Updatio

As I sit here, getting more and more pissed off at the new neighbours and their very noisy dog, I thought I should update this thing. It just barked again...and it sounds like it's killing something.




Anyway...

So what's new and exciting? We'll I'm the new boss at work :) For a month anyway. Very interesting when people come to ask me questions like "can I leave 15 minutes early." Of course I ask for a written requisition in triplicate and pull out my NO! stamp from Staples :) Well not really. But Rose Marie is getting me gold stars to hand out :) Well, not really.

Wedding is well underway. Flowers are ordered, dishes are booked, and the music list is being developed. For the civil ceremony, Bridget Pastoor, MLA for Lethbridge East will be officiating and Ari and I are very excited about that. Still waiting for the Church side of things to be finished so we can plan our convalidation, hopefully in the fall / new year. Calgary is very different in the way they process things than Edmonton...no offence to anyone reading this...but a little slow. Not quite sure what the hold up is. Took them 4 months to type a letter. But hey, it all seems to be coming together quite nicely.

I also now have a very nice engagement / wedding ring. As you can see here.

The presentation of my paper went quite well in May. Got a chance to talk to the chair of Religious Studies at U of C. She sat in on my presentation and asked "do you teach at Newman?" She had some really good questions for me, and I think I answered them alright.

I have started having discussions with various people about going down the PhD road in the next couple of years. In prep, if I do the Religious Studies PhD, I need to brush up on my Eastern Relgions. So, I am taking a Buddhism course starting in September as a sort of independent study / distance ed course through U of L. Interesting setup, but I'm looking forward to it. It will likely be followed with a Hinduism course in the Winter of 2010 in a similar fashion. I'll likely do one or more other Eastern Courses and I should be good to go if I can get into a program. Looking at U of C right now, but we'll see. My general area of interest is media and religion. So it will have a poli sci, meets Communications, meets relgion flare to it.

Let's see...hmmmm...oh Dragon Boat festival was a success. We finished 12th out of 60 some teams, so we were very happy. Didn't get into a medal round but oh well. Likely will do it next year, as it turns out Lethbridge College has purchased their own dragon boat.

Emmmm...no more trips to Vegas recently. Was thinking of going 7-10 August for the major Star Trek convention there, but Ari and I are saving up for the honeymoon and we're going to Fernie for the weekend instead. We have rented a lovely condo from Bev Lanz and so we're both looking forward to getting away.

After this...well, a party I guess. It'll be our Wedding Shower / Bridal Shower / Stag / Stagette / Aaron's 30th Birthday / mid summer's eve party. We figure we'd roll it all into one, and with no strippers I might add, so perfectly "G" rated.

Yes I am turning 30 this year. All good things must come to pass I guess. Less than two weeks to go for that. Looking at myself in the mirror compared to last year, I'm a little shorter and a little fatter. Also a little balder...well actually not if you compare to what I looked like this time last summer.

Anyway, hope all is well with everyone. Less than two months to go until the big day so very excited. I will certainly type again before then.