AR on the Journey

Final Entry...

2011-06-26T11:45:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone. Hope all is well with you. As the subject line of this entry indicates, this will likely be the final entry in this blog of mine. I am currently working on a personal website which will have a blog component, so I think I'll be ending this blog in fairly short order. If anyone is interested, I'll be putting the address of the site here when it's ready to go.

Just by way of a quick update, there have been a few things going on. First and foremost, Ari is doing quite a bit better and I am very excited about this! We have had a bit of a week with some device malfunctions around the house (door and hot water tank safety switch) as well as a few other unexepcted surprises, joys of owning a home (by the way, anyone in the market for a 1/2 duplex? It's actually in pretty good shape overall and if you're thinking of getting your own place, or getting into the rental property business, it's a great property for that). But on the whole things are getting better. We are looking to plan a few days in July for a bit of a holiday, so we're excited about that. We likely will still not be able to go very far, but hoping to get out of the city at least for a bit.

For those of you that weren't privy to my excessive Tweets and Facebook posts, I met some very cool people over the last two weeks. I had the very good fortune to attend the Calgary Comic Expo 2011 and got to meet William Shatner and Jonathan Frakes (Capt Kirk and Cmdr Riker from the Next Generation). Had some very strange looks in the office this week, but this was very much the fulfillment of some long term / boyhood dreams. Therefore, I took this one time opportunity. I've got some pictures to show too...

I am planning to attend the Star Trek Convention in Vegas in August and will be getting similar pictures with Leonard Nimoy and George Takei, so looking forward to that.

Also for those of you who weren't aware, I had a bit of a medical issue (again) in late May. I had another bout of Atrial Fibrillation and had to get cardioverted (take a ride on the paddles) again. Once every 5 years isn't so bad. It took me a bit to get back up to speed, but I am more or less my physical self again (except my hair which is still disappearing apace). I'm supposed to be going for a visit to a local internist and we'll look at possible ongoing treatment options at that time. I am very happy to hear though that my blood pressure is right where it should be and my cholesterals are low, so...that's good. Plus my back has been relatively good and my knee thing that I had going on is feeling quite a bit better.

We are moving along here. I guess as part of my final post here I would like to say a few thank yous and I'm sorry(ies) to folks. First, I'm sorry to those folks, friends and family around, who have been a bit neglected by me over the last little while. I know I haven't been around or accessible very much, and Ari and I haven't had much in the way of opportunity to visit. Hoping that this is going to change in the coming months. I am hoping to reengage with the world a little bit in the months to come. How that is going to happen is going to be a bit modified though. Although I cannot say too much right now, there is going to be a bit of shifting in priorities over the course of the summer in terms of my activities. There may be some new expressions of engagement on my part, and in conversing with Ari, it has been decided that some of the activities I have been involved with are likely not going to continue into the Fall. Stress and time constraints have been the two biggest deciding factors in all of this. However, more to come with this...

I would also like to say thank you to friends and family for their understanding and patience over the last little while as well. I know that I have not been there or able to show my support to various people in the way I would have liked to (e.g. City Council races, coffee / movie nights, visiting). Please be assured it is nothing personal and am hoping it will all change for the better in the months to come. Thank you for the support, it is appreciated.

Last but not least I would like to thank Ari for all her support with my medical stuff and everything else, I love you.

Anyway, I will make a post here eventually for the new address of my site, as I mentioned. I wish everyone a joyful summer.

Cheers

BAZINGA!

2011-04-01T11:00:00.001-07:00

It being close to 12PM I must now indicate the following: BAZINGA, Happy April Fools Day! No PhD for me. Thanks for the flowers though.

It's done...

2011-04-01T07:26:00.000-07:00

Good day everyone! Hope your Spring is progressing well and that you are starting to see signs of sunshine and warm temps.

Well, it has been a bit of a long road, but one which has been very rewarding. Up until now, I haven't said anything to most people I know about the latest adventure I found myself on. But now that I've jumped over a few big hurdles, I feel comfortable sharing with people.

About two years ago I embarked on my latest piece of education. Unbenounced to most, I started my PhD program in 2009. Late yesterday afternoon...I'm very proud to say...I passed my Comps (Comprehensive Exams!) That means once I finish my dissertation, I'll have a new honourific and post-nomial to attach to my name!

I have also submitted my detailed Dissertation Proposal this month and it was given a green light! The topic, "Our Postmodern Lives: A Portrait of Hansian Socialism Portrayed in Star Trek". This is part of the reason you've seen so many strange postings from me lately about Star Trek related activities/events. I'm doing research at various conventions and exhibits this summer as part of my doctoral work.

So...there it is... I want to thank everyone who has thus far helped me in these endeavours. Talk soon!

February rolls on...

2011-02-10T16:25:00.000-08:00

Today I realized that it has been a couple of months now since I updated this thing, so here I go.

January and February so far have been really positive months in several ways. Ari started Karate back in January and she seems to be feeling so much better since she did. It is great to see all the things she is accomplishing and her hopefulness so present. It's wonderful and really gives us both the sense that she is on her way out of the woods! Sensei has been absolutely wonderful, as have all the people who have helped Ari along the way.

Last week we returned from Calgary where Ari saw the neurologist and another specialist. The neurologist is great and if you ever have cause to see one, God forbid, Dr. Busch in Calgary is great. It's clear there is a new breed of physicians out there who have a totally different view of practicing medicine away from the "I'm God and you're not" mentality prevalent (although certainly not always) in the past.

Ari is trying a few different things to get back up to speed and it seems to be working, so I am really thankful for that.

While in Calgary, I also had the opportunity to continue the long march out of the Army. Aside from a tac vest I gave back in Petawawa, which they didn't take off my clothing documents, I have or will be able to turn in all my army kit. What's interesting is that they let me keep my Dress Uniform...so I have a souvenir of sorts! The medical people are still giving me a rough time. They keep calling me back for follow-ups and release medicals. However, now that I have been confirmed this week as being officially placed on the Supplementary Reserve list, I'm not obligated to do so.

My book continues in earnest. I am now at 19,283 words as of today, so it is coming along fine. I anticipate at this rate Part I of the book will be done by early spring and then it should be relative smooth sailing to finish it off, hopefully by fall.

The beginning of 2011 has proved enlightening for me on my quest for identity as well. Last week I had an experience which really set me back emotionally, but I think will be ground to build on. Kevin Taft, the former Leader of the Official Opposition was in Lethbridge on an MLA tour. For a couple of years Kevin also happened to be my boss (or one of my bosses I guess) at the Alberta Legislature. Kevin was in town and I caught up with him to say hi...except...he didn't know my name! He knew who I was (vaguely) but couldn't remember what my name was. As I posted on my Twitter and Facebook account, my street cred must have dropped more than I thought it had in the last couple of years for a former boss I did a ton of work for to forget my name.

The experience has really been present in my thoughts this week and has confirmed some things I had been already thinking of. One of these things is that perhaps it's time for me to stop swimming against the stream of my experiences since moving back to Lethbridge and take a breather on the shore side. When I returned to town, I had some goals and expectations which I wanted to meet for myself. All but two (that of course meeting and marrying a wonderful woman and having a good and steady job) have fallen on their ass a bit. One of my big goals was to be able to start teaching (at least part time) at the Uni or the College. However, I've come to the realization in the last couple of months, that dream is likely to go unfulfilled. All sorts of people around me, both friends and acquaintances, have gotten teaching positions in one form or another at post-secondary institutions in town, both public and private. However, even begging, borrowing, pleading, and stealing, my efforts haven't really amounted to much. So, I think it's time to leave that goal aside for the time being. I've done this before with my fortunately ill remembered adventures as a Combat Arms Officer with the Canadian Forces some 12 years ago, so this isn't really new. But I also remember when I put that goal aside before, new opportunities arose. This is a source of hope for me too. Isolating myself may not be the best approach, but I think to help reclaim my personal identity I need to stand still and let the stream pass me by.

I hope that 2011 will continue as it has started: Ari getting better and me discovering my true identity and self again.

Hope all is well out there. Enjoy the remainder of Winter!

Another door closes...

2010-12-05T19:32:00.000-08:00

Hello all who are reading this. Had a very profound weekend personally, so I thought I would share a little bit on the old blog here.

I just got back from Edmonton where I was very happy to see my good friend Roger become Father Roger. I went to the ordination on Friday night and it was wonderful. I think the Archdiocese of Edmonton is very blessed to have Roger as its newest priest. He was clearly joyful and content, which is how it should be!

This weekend also afforded me the chance to catch up with some of the guys from the seminary. Although I did not get a chance to see everyone, it was good to see how people's lives are unfolding.

On a more personal note, I came to a realization this weekend that I think has been a long time coming. At the beginning of 2010 I had posted on this blog that I thought this year was going to be one of big change. As we are nearly at the close of this year, I have come to feel that it has not been a year of change so much as one of closing doors. Of course, Ari and I have experienced some profound changes this year with her health. However, for both of us, in terms of us moving into a house, preparing for a Convalidation, and in other matters, I think closure is a bit more appropriate as a description.

For myself the military thing was cleared up this year (by the way I believe I'm on the Supp Reserve list now). The house is more or less finished the "big" projects that needed to get done. But I think this year has presented me with closure to a chapter of my life which has loomed in the background for the better part of three years now. On December 27, 2007, I returned back to Lethbridge to live after my 3 1/2 years at St. Joseph Seminary. The seminary experience had such an effect on me that it took until about July/Aug 2008 to really start sorting my head out and readjusting to "life on the outside".

I can remember Fr Shayne, the Rector, telling someone else who had left that it takes the better part of 6-8 months to "deprogram" after one leaves the Seminary, and it certainly did for me. My first half year back in town was a bizarre one to be sure, and I know did not endear me to many around, because I came across as quite bizarre at time (although in fairness, I always have to some people). I had thought things were fairly sorted out in my own mind, until this last week when I made my venture to Roger's Ordination. I don't think I had ever really stopped identifying myself with that life I had led, which in part explains some of my confusion and frustration with other elements in my life. But I think I'm there now...and I liberated.

This visit to Edmonton marked the first time I had been around my Seminarian friends for over a year, and something was strangely different...there aren't really all that many left who haven't moved on either to ordination or other vocational pursuits in life. I realized, really for the first time, that that life I had led is indeed in my past, it didn't continue on after I left. Indeed, when I go back to Edmonton as of this summer, except to say hello to some of the formation team members perhaps...there really isn't a reason for me to visit the seminary...because the vast majority of those I was closest too are gone. It's kind of sad in a way, but it actually feels joyous for some reason. That seminarian life is only a memory.

Similarily, I went into the brand new seminary and for the first time since 2004, walking into St. Joseph's, it was no longer a "home" to me. It was a totally foreign building with largely unknown people in it. Beautiful to be sure, but not part of my heart.

These two elements lifted an enormous weight off of me to begin with. But there were some experiences which were even more "liberating" in a sort of strange way. As I expected before I got there, I was yelled at and scowled at by people who were once very close. This reaction of course brought about by choices I have made for my life which, these people, perhaps more than others, had difficulty with. At first I felt stressed and shamed...but something happened yesterday...I felt even more liberated. For the people around me this weekend I am and was identified by them as "Former Seminarian Aaron Roth". All well and factual to be sure...but I realized finally, that fact no longer defines me as a person...I am, so that all may see and hear: Aaron Roth, plain and simple. Once upon a time I was a seminarian (a memory and and an experience I will always treasure), but that is part of my past. As Roger was so confirmed in his calling this weekend, so I was again confirmed that priestly ordination is not my calling, and I feel the same joy and liberty that he expressed on Friday and Saturday, and will "Lord will'in the creek don't rise" his whole life. I will define myself from now on, who I will become and what I will do.

There will still be some "edges to smooth out" with some people to be sure. There are some people, based on their reactions to me this weekend, I really do not care whether the edges are ever smoothed. But I give thanks to the overwhelming number of friends and family who have been so supportive and kind to me and Ari these last couple of years.

A Long overdue update...

2010-10-31T14:39:00.000-07:00

Hello all. It's been about 7 months since my last posting on the Blog here, so I thought I would give everyone an update.

There has been an extraordinary number of things which have gone on since I last posted, which is one reaons why I haven't posted sooner. Where to begin...

Well, as many may know, but others might not, it has been a difficult summer for Ari. Just after my last post on here, Ari came down with severe pain in her neck and her back which later translated to nerve pains and other issues throughout her body. She has been off work since about April, and it will likely be sometime before she gets back. Unfortunately, this meant we had to cancel our planned honeymoon in June, and not much else happened this summer. We have made numerous trips to Calgary to see specialists, and will likely be going to Edmonton next week to meet with a Neurologist.

Things have been steadily improving over the last couple of months, and she is more mobile than she previously was. Will likely be posting closer to Christmas as to an update in this area.

In other news, I am continuing my term on the Lethbridge College Board of Governors. I have had some wonderful experiences as a Board member and met some very interesting people. In June I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a conference in Niagara Falls, ON. Quite a place. Most recently I was able to attend U of L Convocation as a representative of the Board, and was very proud to do so.

In late April of this year I returned to a long time joy in my life, which I took about a 13 year break from...Karate. After a couple of months of retraining to remember what I had forgotten, my Sensei was gracious enough to allow me to wear my black belt again. Since then I've not only recovered much of what I had forgotten but learned several new Katas and techniques. Honestly...I should have started again when I moved back to Lethbridge. It has been wonderful not only for my back and physical health, but also my emotional and spiritual health as well. Which leads me to more news...

In June I began a new long term project which I am hoping will be completed within the year...I have started writing a book. As of today I have written over 13,500 words and I still have several chapters to complete before I finish Part I of the work. The book is about spirituality and helping others find their spirituality by introducing various spiritual topics and providing examples. For the moment, the book is entitled "At the Crossroads: A Guide to Developing Your Spirituality".

Many are going to ask this question, based on my background...is it a book on Catholic spirituality? The answer to that is no. It is a work which takes examples from numerous traditions throughout the world and attempts to introduce them without a particular faith perspective, so that the reader can meditate on the themes and examples provided to discover their own spiritual path. I have no doubt that this will raise the eyebrows of more than a few readers who have known me over the last half decade. However, as one may discern out of the title of the book, it is called "At the Crossroads" for a reason. But more to follow on that down the road...

I'm hoping that I will be able to provide an update on events down the road here. As you may have guessed, it has been a challenging year this far. However, I feel blessed that Ari and I have reached our first year of marriage together, on September 26th. I am also encouraged that we seem to be making our way out of the woods together. Hoping that we will get to go on our honeymoon in 2011, and...hang on everyone...Ari may even come to Vegas this spring. Madonna is apparently going to setup shop in Vegas for a five year stint. Ari has always wanted to see Madonna in concert, so we may be going.

Anyway, hope all is well with everyone. Will chat soon.

Changes coming...

2010-04-01T07:06:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Well, some of you may have noted that I am not running for Lethbridge City Council this upcoming year. A significant reason behind this was that I received an offer which I can now speak about. In October, I will be nominated to fill an upcoming vacant Senate seat for Alberta in 2011. In order to qualify I had to be 30 years old as well as fulfill certain other criteria.

So...look forward to keeping you all updated on this score!

Best
a

City Council Run...

2010-02-24T20:46:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. I thought I would pass this along to you who have supported me...

It's with mixed emotions that I must announce I will not be seeking a City Council seat in the 2010 municipal elections. While I am still interested in running one day, there are a few reasons why I must withdraw myself from consideration. Primarily, the issue is financial. Ari and I have just moved into a new home and I will not be able to retain my current job if I were to be elected to Lethbridge City Council. City Council members make about $26,000 a year which is certainly not sufficient at this time, and making up the difference from what I am earning now with an additional job is likely not possible due to time constraints with committee work etc.

There are other reasons in the mix as well, but this is the primary one at this time. I thank you all for your support and hope you will understand my reasons.

All the best to you in the future.

Aaron

Onwards...

2010-02-24T17:11:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been about a month since I've updated the blog, and there have been a few things to report. First, I got elected to the Board of Governors of Lethbridge College as the non-academic staff representative. I found out this morning that I had won the election, and I guess now I need to be appointed by the Provincial Minister of Advanced Education. This is a big responsibilty and will certainly be an interesting term as we continue to navigate the budget/economic situation here in Alberta. More to follow as time goes on...

Second, I had an opportunity to do some presentation/teaching in a post-secondary class. Harold Jansen asked me to present to his Alberta Politics and Government class this morning on the imbalance between opposition and government in Alberta. I really enjoyed being in the class, it was a great experience.

Third, Ari and I are going on a honeymoon! Looks like we'll be headed to San Fran. in June. Never been there before, but I'm looking forward to it. I hear that it is really pretty down there.

Anyway, those are the major things right now...more to follow in the coming days I'm sure.

It finally happened...

2010-02-03T20:39:00.001-08:00

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.

2010-01-27T07:49:00.001-08:00

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...

2010-01-03T11:34:00.000-08:00

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... :)

2009-09-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-31T22:47:00.000-07:00

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.

A Long Overdue Update

2009-03-21T12:18:00.000-07:00

Hello my friends. Well...it has been quite a while since I've updated this thing and there has been quite a bit that has happend.

Most important, Ari and I have selected a date (Sept 26). We are very much in planning mode still. She has her dress, we have bought the cake, reserved the location, got our photographer all setup, and the reception point has been picked. Thanks to my Dad and Darlene, who have very graciously offered to help with food, we also are finalizing nummies.

Just got back from Vegas (round II adventure) just under a month ago. My friend William and I explored up and down the strip pretty good. We went to see a Cirque du Soleil show: Ka, which was really cool. As impressed as I was with the acrobatics, I was just as impressed about the engineering of the stage. Got to see some things I didn't the first time I was there. Visited Las Vegas Paris, the Hilton, and the Belagio. Really impressed by Paris and the indoor sky. Also got to see the Mirage Volcano. I will put some pictures up of the trip.

Let's see...I am presenting at the Religious Studies conference at the U of L the weekend of May 2-3. I'm presenting a much abridged version of my MTS Thesis: "The Implications of Theological Anthropology on a Catholic Theology of Political Participation". Should be interesting as it is my first time doing this :) This, honestly, is the first positive academic response I have gotten since I left school last December (outside of my thesis). So it has me thinking about my future direction and the discipline I would like to eventually explore in the PhD realm. We'll see how it goes I guess. University of Calgary actually got back to me when I inquired about their religious studies program and indicated that my background should be sufficient to apply and complete their doctoral program, so long as I learn a little bit more about Eastern Religions and pick up some knowledge of a language or two. Memorial University in Newfound land has had a similar response. I'm beginning to seriously think about saying goodbye to political science and concentrate further on my education in religion. Much better response, which resembles a guiding hand...hmmmmmmmmm...

For you Edmonton folk, I will be in town next week 24-28 March for the Farm and Ranch show. It's a recruiting gig for Lethbridge College and it will be a very very big event I guess. In the 10's of thousands of people. Anyway, I shut down at the show at 5PM each night, so it would be great to see people while I'm up there.

Anyway, that's about all for now. Hopefully be back soon.

He's going back...I've always wanted to live in a pyramid...

2009-01-24T14:15:00.000-08:00

Going for an early bachelor party...he's going to live in a pyramid for 3 nights (23 to 26 Feb)...anyone want to come? Prices right now are super cheap. I got my hotel and flight for under $300. Not bad, not bad at all.

Staying at the fabulous Luxor Resort in Las Vegas, Aaron, William, and anyone else who wants to come, will be enjoying, once again, the land of many things and stuff. Although the Star Trek experience is now closed, I plan to enjoy some good food and good sitting by the pool time.

Come on, you know you want to come :)

A Fond Farewell...

2009-01-23T09:37:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, I am a great fan of "Great Moments in Presidential Speeches" on the Late Show with David Letterman. However, it has come to an end with the Bush Administration. Here is Dave's farewell. I've started a fan page on Facebook for it. As well, I've put in a reqest to CBS to put them on DVD for purchase. Enjoy!

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-KogebxJkHig/late_show_farewell_to_great_moments_in_presidential_speec/

One hell of a way to get things rolling...

2009-01-17T07:53:00.000-08:00

Well everyone, it begins. The campaign for City Hall 2010.

http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/content/view/23498/26/

Here we go...

2008-12-30T16:31:00.001-08:00

Ok everyone, check it out:

http://aaronrothforlethbridge.blogspot.com/

Photos

2008-12-16T17:26:00.000-08:00

No It's Not April Fools, I'm Serious...

2008-12-13T19:57:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone.

So....to get this out of the way, what I'm about to say is 100% true. No April Fools, no joking around. I'm Engaged to my beautiful Ari. We did a recreation (very brief due to -35 degree temperatures) of our first date. We then had some cool pictures taken.

More to follow when we are looking at getting married. Fall is what we're talking about right now, but will definitely keep everyone informed.

Cheers

Many happenings...

2008-10-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Once again it has been a long time since I have posted on the blog. However, that does not mean that things have been quiet. Quite the contrary in fact.

School has begun, as has my road trip season for recruiting junkets. Last week (Sept 29 - Oct 2) I was in Assiniboia, Swift Current, and Maple Creek. The Starlite Motel in Assiniboia is...interesting. However, the Cypress Park Resort Inn in Cypress Hills is phenomenally beautiful. Imagine...trees and lakes in Saskatchewan (southern SK at least :) ... sorry Travis :))

I am making the trek to Edmonton in about 1 1/2 week's time for my convocation from my second Master's degree and a recruiting junket in Edmonton. This time it is my MTS (Master of Theological Studies). My area of specialization was systematic theology and my project title was "The Political Implications of a Catholic Theological Anthropology." All in all a 50 page summation of what a lot of my work has been in over the last 6 years or so :) Next degree...philosophy :) We'll see :) I would still like to do a PhD at some point.

Perhaps my biggest news in the last 2 months is in the area of my love life. I have met and have been dating a very beautiful, intelligent, thoughtful, caring, and creative psychologist from the College. Her name is Ari. For those of you who will be at my convocation, she will be coming as well. Many things to tell but we can chat in person :)

Here are some pictures of her and I here.

In other news...I have moved into my friend Jerico's place on the west side of Lethbridge. Nice area of town and fairly quiet house. RCIA is now in full swing. I have four candidates at this time on the journey, perhaps with more to come. Additionally, it looks like I will be teaching a course at the College (non-credit) in January entitled "Introduction to Catholicism." I'll keep you all updated about that. Still no other firm teaching leads, but hope springs eternal :)

Take care everyone.

A Month of New Goings On...

2008-08-07T19:54:00.000-07:00

Well July and August so far have been quite the months. To begin, perhaps one of the proudest moments in the last 10 years, I got a very nice document from Queen Elizabeth II via the Governor General of Canada. My Commissioning Scroll as an Officer in the Canadian Forces has finally arrived. The date on it...September 1st, 2006. Oh well, good things come to those who wait I guess :)

Let's see...oh yeah that's right...went to Vegas for a weekend. Can't really say too much about that because if you haven't been...there is no earthly way to describe it. You can look at all the pictures you want, but it won't help. Anyway, enjoy some pictures :)

The Big News At Last...and No I Haven't Really Been Named Asst Clerk of the House of Lords...

2008-06-13T22:11:00.000-07:00

So it has been quite a while since I updated this thing, and I figured now is the best time given a few different events.

First, the biggest...I have indeed purchased a brand new car :) And it runs pretty good. Fully loaded, 2008 Chevy Aveo . I particularly enjoy the sun roof and the MP3 player. Here's some pictures.
This was a big move for me, but it was definitely time. The old 1988 Mercury was beginning to fail me so...off it went to the auto wreckers.

Additionally, I've become rather domestic in a yard work sense lately too. Cut down a tree in my roommate's back yard and built a fire pit.

On other fronts, the job has been very very busy the last three weeks. About 80% of the students I've seen, at least, have been upgrading students. Most of them have no idea what they want to do with their lives and so need to be walked through different things. But it's certainly rewarding in its own way. Kind of like my dating life recently :)

On that front, to please all the Italian Mamalionis out there who are concerned for my love life: to put it succinctly, I'm in a holding pattern right now. More specifically, I'm waiting...and waiting :) Not getting into details but I suspect nothing major will develop within the next 6 weeks at least. So...trying to concentrate on other things, even though it is particularly difficult for a variety of reasons. Pretty cryptic but it's a long long long...long story and one which I'm honestly getting tired of reliving. I also recently found out that someone I had been dating a while ago now had replaced me with someone who was more than a recreational hard drug user, a far better catch apparently. Go self esteem :) Oh well, we get better. And I assure you I have been taking a few different tacks these last couple of weeks which are going to be beneficial.

Ummmm...what else. It's been raining in Lethbridge for about 2 weeks straight. I have never seen this place so green. Kind of nice, but looking for sunshine now.

Oh...the thesis front. Well the first draft is almost done reworking and I suspect I will be submitting it again in the next couple of weeks. The road there is almost over. Planning to graduate in October with my Master of Theological Studies. Then...I'm calling it quits for school for a while. 11 straight years is enough for this guy.

Super sleepy now and must rest. Going to a pancake breakfast tomorrow for the Chuck Wagons. Later...

I think I owe some people an "I'm sorry" :(

2008-04-09T20:55:00.000-07:00

So I guess, while the first post on the blog spread quickly, the second post didn't. For the record...no I'm not a Father (biological or other). I'm sorry if anyone took the post seriously. Honestly, I thought this up in the shower on April 1st, April Fools Day.

That being taken care of, there is some cool stuff going on. I bought a BBQ. It is a 48,000 BTU 3 burner inside, 1 side burner BBQ from Superstore. It's really cool. So, I'm going to be doing a BBQ season kick off really soon. Here's some pictures...

Happy April Fools everyone...

2008-04-01T09:04:00.001-07:00

It's time to tell everyone why I really left the Seminary...As of 1217 this morning, I'm a Father...and not the priest kind.

2008-04-01T06:53:00.001-07:00

Well it's time to come clean with everyone...my daughter Jessica Lea was born this morning at the Riverside Ottawa Hospital to her mother and I. Rivera (the mother) is a foreign policy advisor at the Philippines Embassy. I'll be flying out tomorrow to go and visit the newest member of the Roth-Maclopinlo family.

Thanks for all your prayers and support.

It's been a while...

2008-03-22T17:19:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Well, it's been a while since i've posted on here so I thought I would touch base. If you're on Facebook, I update that a whole lot more.

Anyway, I'm nearing the end of my first three months out of the Seminary and back in Lethbridge. The job is going well. I'm coming up for my first review already. I'm actually on probation for a year. I've learned a great deal about being an advisor at Lethbridge College and I still have a lot more to learn for sure. I've been seeing students on my own for some time. I've also done some recruiting events at high schools and trade shows like Ag Expo. My office is taking shape and I'm kind of making it my own space.

In terms of what's going on Church wise: I am a parishioner at St. Martha's in West Lethbridge. It's a nice little church. I've already been Eucharistic minister and have done some teaching for the First Eucharist class. Fr. Dennis has asked me if I would become the RCIA coordinator this up coming year. He's also asked...and get ready for this one...if I'd be willing to be on the formation team for the Permanent Deacons. I haven't heard anything more since he asked, but that's pretty cool.

I am about 1/4 finished my MTS thesis. I hope to actually have it written by the end of April at the latest, so hopefully that will be. Just so everyone knows, because some people have asked me, yes I am repaying the diocese. It's monthly payments and it will be for a while, but I feel it important to do so. The Archbishop was very kind when I spoke with him, and he didn't even ask me about it. But like I said, it's something I feel I have to do, so I'm doing it.

Let's see...several people have come to visit me or are coming to visit me. Travis M, Jon O and Paul B came to see me a few weeks ago. It was a lot of fun. We went to Waterton for the day and hung out around Lethbridge. Roger R is coming down this week and Fr. Marc Cramer is coming down in April.

Still haven't bought a new car. Still trying to find my feet financially. Perhaps in the summer, we'll see. My living arrangements are still cool.

My social life is improving. I've met some very cool people here and reconnected with some old friends. Things are leveling out. The question is burning on several people's minds I know...so...I'll answer it...yes I have been on a couple of dates since I've been back. Nothing serious, and I don't anticipate anything serious in the near future. I'm still trying to find out exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. But God will unfold things on His timetable.

What else...well I wasn't involved in the election all that much. I really don't have a lot of energy to work on them right now. I've actually got something cooking in the pot on this, but we'll see. No other teaching opportunities yet either. I'm hoping to become a sessional in the next year or two at either the U or the College, so we'll see.

Anyway, here's some pictures. I will try to keep up more often. But like I said, check out facebook. It's actually a really good way to get ahold of me.

All the best.

The Journey Continues....

2008-01-06T20:57:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! Happy New Year to you all. Hope you all had a great Christmas. Well...I have begun my new job here in sunny Lethbridge, AB. It seems to be going really good so far, and I'm enjoying working at the College. I'm the only guy in my area of the building. There is another guy down the way from me but otherwise it's all gals. It's a cool shop to work in and I can't wait to fully sink my teeth into it. It's really busy because all the students are coming back to school. I worked my first weekend (Sunday afternoon) this weekend.

I've also fully moved into my new digs. I've got some pictures of the house and my new office as well. I'll keep ya updated as things progress. Cheers.

The newest academic advisor at Lethbridge College...

2007-12-17T19:33:00.000-08:00

My friends...it is official now...I got the call today from HR at Lethbridge College. I got the job at Lethbridge College. So, I'm going to be moving down south this week / next week and I begin on the 2nd of January. I'm really excited about this so it should be really cool...more to come.

It's all zipped up...well not really...

2007-12-14T17:47:00.001-08:00

You know those stories that endear people to others...well...here's mine. I went for my job interview today in Lethbridge. It was ok, I was told that I had some good answers. So I'm looking forward to hearing back on it by Wednesday. Anyway, my story...well I bought a new suit just for this interview. I had it altered and tailored and cleaned, and I got it back Wednesday afternoon. So I wear my brand new suit to my interview. Of course, it's a good idea to go to the bathroom before you go into an interview. However, what really makes one really self conscious is when the zipper breaks...and you try to fix it for like 5 minutes and it's not working. So...you end up going through the interview with a broken zipper which makes it look like you're fly is down...ahhhhhh...oh well. Perhaps the interview committee will chalk it up to be one of those endearing stories. Or perhaps they won't :(

Anyway, keep ya updated. Old Testament Prophets is next with that great old Hebrew alphabet!

The lid is totally off...

2007-12-11T13:58:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. I hope this finds you well. Well...the big announcement has been made. I am leaving the seminary effective next week. There are a few reasons why this is happening (medical etc.) but I know that after some time in reflection and finding my feet again, things are going to work out just fine. I have every faith that this is true. What the future holds in the long term is still a little up in the air, but for the time being I have some irons in the fire for my immediate future. I am really hoping actually to go back home (Lethbridge) for a certain period of time. There are a few reasons for this too. I have an interview this coming Friday, so I hope that works out OK. The journey isn't over yet, and I remain open to whatever is in store for me in the great plan of God. Who knows, it could take a weird and yet again totally unexpected form. I am hopefully going to be continuing in ministry in one form or another where ever I go. I am still an instituted Lector and Acolyte and am hoping to really get involved in catechetical programs like RCIA in the long term. Actually, I'm thinking of writing a textbook for the program to help instructors and journeyers really learn about their faith. How the school thing is going to play out is a little unclear at this time. I have a certain direction I'm wanting to go, but we'll see what happens.

I am still waiting to hear from the cardiologist. I will be meeting with him on the 19th of December. Last week I completed my final test, wearing a heart monitor for 24 hours. This is after my echocardiogram, stress test, and resting ECG. I will definitely let everyone know about that too.

Things around the seminary here are wrapping up for the year, and final exams are now underway. I'm officially finished two of my four courses this semester, with Theological Anthropology and Old Testament Prophets to go.

Anyway, I will definitely keep in touch.

Blessings
A