I think good gets better...

2010-09-08T02:46:00.000-07:00

Go HERE - It's the place to be.

My life in England, so far...

2010-04-15T05:42:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone...

Putting this together took me much longer than I had hoped, so I apologize to anyone who has been wondering what happened to me, and why I didn't really stay in touch. Turns out, moving your life to another country is a little bit more hectic and time consuming. Though, the transition for Lou and I was rather smooth, all things considered...

I'm not exactly sure how to sum up the last 3 months, so I guess it might be easiest to go back to beginning...

We arrived in England on the 22nd of January - tired, and sleep deprived. Our first few days were spent with Lou's friend, Carly - a fellow Australian who Lou met while working in Canada. We took some time to explore London, but the majority of our first week was spent recovering. The jet lag hit me pretty hard, and I got pretty sick for a few days there... We did fit in some of the sights though - Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square.

View from the bridge. London Eye on the left, Big Ben & Westminster Abbey on the right.

Liverpool Street Station - one of the many Tube stations in the city. I actually got stopped by the police on day for having my camera out at the Warren Street Station. Suspicion of Terrorism was the reason for the search and record check!

Big Ben.

Buckingham Palace. Not all that interesting, though I guess inside might be...

Guard marching.

My favourite might have been the stop at King's Cross station to see platform nine and three quarters.

Turns out, I'm not a wizard.

After 5 or so days with Carly, we made the move to Pam and David's house. Pam is my uncle Ed's cousin who lives in Colnbrook, a small village not too far from Heathrow Airport - about an hour or so from Central London. We spent close to a month staying with Pam and David - and are thankful that they were willing to put up with us for so long. Colnbrook is a great little village, though, regretfully, I have no pictures to post. Just down the street f rom where we were staying is the Ostrich Inn - an awesome little restaurant, and what claims to be the 3rd oldest Inn in England. Historical records show that one of the original inn keepers was hanged when found guilty of murdering many of his guests. The murderous inn keeper would put his victim in his 'best' room for the night, and while they slept, he would pull a lever which caused the foot of the bed to drop into the floor, sending the victim sliding out of the bed and into a cauldron of boiling water. Creepy...

For the most part, we spent our first month looking for work and a place to live. Lou found work during our second week here, and so she had to jump into the daily grind fairly soon after our arrival. While Lou was at work, I spent my days wandering the areas near Colnbrook looking for work and housing opportunities. After a few days in London, we were pretty certain that we wanted to live a little ways away. Far enough to get a way from the hectic life within the city, but close enough too, so that we would be able to take the train in when we wanted to do so... After some research, we decided that Windsor was the place - less than an hour from London, contains the most famous castle in England, big enough so that there is no need to leave - and an easy commute to work for Lou via the South West Train Service. Lou, by the way, works at the West Middlesex Hospital, in Richmond - funny how she came from a job in Richmond, B.C.

Though it took some time to get everything sorted, I soon found myself a job at a little restaurant called Gourmet Burger Kitchen - though, it is part of a chain of about 50 or so other locations across the U.K. Work keeps me busy, and the restaurant is about a 5 minute walk from our front door, so convenience is a plus for sure! Oh yeah - we also found ourselves a little studio flat in Windsor. We are just around the corner from the castle, and right across the street from a nice park - they just started turning the fountains on too, kids are already running around in bathing suits even though it is just starting to get warm enough to be out in a t-shirt. They really like to take advantage of nice weather while they have it I guess... Here are some pictures of our little place...

Our tiny kitchenette.

Our bed - about 2 feet from the kitchenette!

View from on the bed - we even have a table!

Though we haven't done too much in the way of serious travel yet - we have been using our days off to see what we can, within a day or weekends reach of Windsor of course.

Stonehenge.

Two Ladies Sitting - this was at the ancient Roman Baths - in Bath. Only interesting because the place was so busy, and I somehow caught these two in the clear, looking rather confused.

We took a trip to Oxford in March - though we would like to go back once the weather warms up a little more - rent some bikes for the day maybe... Oxford is special because they filmed a lot of Harry Potter there at Christ Church College. I didn't tell Lou this until we were there...

The great hall at Christ Church - just like the great hall at Hogwarts!

We also spent an hour or so at one of the many museums in Oxford. The museum of Natural History. Pretty awesome, though we could have used more time I think. I also found this little guy in one of the mammal displays...

Bedes?

Though we have yet to do any big trips - we did make it up to Sheffield and Nottingham for a weekend away. Lindsay Bales, an old friend of mine who now lives in Sheffield, showed us around town - took us by the office of the clothing company she works for (Dropdead Clothing - a pretty impressive clothing line started by a teenage guy. Now his entire family helps run the company). After lunch and a movie at Lindsay's place, we hopped on train to Nottingham to see some more of my old friends. A band called Moneen, out of Ontario, whom Lights Below did a little bit of touring with back in 2007, was playing in Nottingham, and it was great to see them play again - they were amazing as usual! The next day was spent exploring Nottingham. Though we didn't have time to make it to the Sherwood Forest, we did visit Nottingham Castle, and learnt a lot about the legend of Robin Hood.

Robin Hood statue near Nottingham Castle.

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem - the oldest inn in England! Essentially, this inn is built into the cliffs upon which Nottingham castle stands. There are caves and passages all around under the castle, and the inn connects to many of these cave networks.

Our most recent trip was over to Wales for the weekend. Karly, a friend whom I used to work with, has also relocated to England. After meeting them for dinner one Thursday night, we made plans to rent a car with her and her husband Shaun - and spend the weekend road tripping around Wales. There is a bakery called Gregg's over here, which makes me smile each time I see it - but, what I saw at Gregg's in Cardiff, Wales was just a little bit too strange...

Notice the first four and the last four letters on the sign...

After the discovery I made on the sign, these fine Welsh lads demanded that I take their picture. They were drunk.

Somewhere along the coast of Wales.

In Cardiff, on our first evening, we went on the Llandaff Ghost Walk. In a group of about 15, we were led through what we're told is one of the most haunted areas of the United Kingdom. Through cemeteries, past catherdrals, and alongs rivers we walked as our host told us stories of hauntings and strange happenings - many of which have been witnessed on his walks. At one point, I thought I heard a ghost peeing in the bush beside me. Turns out, it was just a cat - but one who happened to look a lot like my cat at home...

Pretty Lady!

Path through the old part of the cemetery.

Llandaff Cathedral at night.

So, that about brings things up to speed. The interesting things anyway...

Next weekend, we are going to Switzerland. Zurich to be precise. Lou has a friend there, who has offered us a place to stay. We would also like to make it to Lucerne - about 45 minutes from Zurich. It will be a quick trip - just for one night - but it will be great to finally get away!

I hope that from now on, I will be a little bit more organised with my pictures and with regular updates. I have also been working on a rather interesting project with my 'Kiwi' mate, Stefan - we plan to launch the website for this project in the next week or so. Ideally, it will involve us, the Queen of England, and a lot of tea... I will explain soon!

Until next time...

Pictures!

2009-11-15T04:05:00.000-08:00

So the first part of my world tour is coming to an end fairly soon. We will be back in Canada after a short stop in Singapore - before moving on to the UK and Europe after christmas.

I have yet to post anything on here, partially due to lack of time and accessability... but mostly because I didn't want to spend too much time writing about my adventures, leaving more time to get into new ones.

I have uploaded a few of my photos, but I don't have any of the right programs to really go to work on them all... nor can I really do much touching up.

I tried hard on this trip to capture real moments, more than the ever so cliche 'tourist' ones - therefor, rarely are Lou and I in the pictures. I just kind of walked around snapping anything that seemed interesting...

(Monkey business - Kyoto, Japan)

(On of many deer in Nara, Japan)

(Workin' hard - Chiang Mai, Thailand)

(Dancing...maybe - Nara, Japan)

(Old car - Middle of Nowhere, Australia)

(Angkor Thom - Siem Reap, Cambodia)

Goodbye. For now...

2009-08-16T13:42:00.001-07:00

Japan. Thailand. Cambodia. Vietnam. Australia. Singapore. Europe. Africa.

I leave in 14 hours - and though I have a lot of loose ends that still need tying - the reality has yet to really hit me.

It has been a long time since an update on here. Maybe I got a little lazy. Or maybe just busy. Or maybe both. I guess I phase in and out of periods of productivity and motivation. Though, I think it is safe to say that motivation and productivity will have to be on my side for the next while. I hope they are at least.

I will be keep a journal, each day hopefully. And I will do my best to update on here when I can with any worthwhile stories or photographs.

To anyone who might read this - if I didn't see you before I left, I apologize. It does not mean I will miss you any less.

See you in a year, or three...

Goals for the week...

2009-05-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

I had intended to post this on Monday - but sometimes things get a little busy - and sometimes I get a little lazy. Either way, here it is now...

- Swim 4 times this week.

- Do something each day to help someone out. This cannot be calculated, and must be of no immediate benefit to myself.

- Vote.

- Fix the windshield wiper on my car.

My progress so far is good.

I took Wednesday as my rest day. Monday and Tuesday I swam after work - getting in half of a kilometer each night. Today, I swam on my break from work and pushed it up to three quarters of a km. My hope is to be doing 1 km non-stop before the end of the month...

On the subject of my 'random acts of kindness' - on Monday I returned that purse. On Tuesday night, I was closing up at work and about 25 minutes after we had closed, a man came in who seemed really disappointed that he had come too late. Rather then turn him away, fish and chip-less, I fired the fryers back up and cooked his meal. He was stoked. Last night, a similar situation. Customer enters, we are closed, he is bummed - only last night we had some leftover fish and chips that had been sitting for a few minutes. I crisped those back up and gave them to him on the house. He was really stoked.

I am not sure what I will do today - but hopefully an opportunity presents itself before the day is done...

And I voted too - only, I can't say that the election produced either of the outcomes I was hoping for...

And as far as my windshield goes - I can't replace the part apparently. Plan B = fix it my way - with glue and/or tape. Plan C - try to find the part at the auto wrecker.

Back to work now!

Yes Man!

2009-05-11T22:49:00.000-07:00

Lou and I watched 'Yes Man' last night. A little bit cheesy, but that was expected I suppose. Not bad though. It got us to thinking, or me to thinking anyway, about how difficult it might actually be to say 'yes' to every opportunity, even if just for one day. Maybe I will try it... Not today though.

This morning was the shits - but tonight, I am feeling pretty terrific. Just goes to show how much situations and moods can change in the span of about 13 hours.

I was able to make it to the pool after work and got in a quick 1/2 kilometer before the pool closed. I feel good about that. I also plan to have a second go at waking up at 7am tomorrow, without Lou, for a pre-work swim... I feel like I might actually make it this time!

I also drove over to the capitol hill area to return a purse and wallet to a customer who left them behind tonight at Ol' Cockney Kings. I was not able to get a number from anything left in the purse - but her license lead me to her house. She was not home when I got there, though I found her husband and he seemed quite relieved as well upon the return of what may have been keys to his truck... I think this can slot nicely in as part of that homework assignment where I wanted to do something of no immediate personal gain in the interest of helping someone else. Let's make this week the week for that to happen for real - Monday down and one random act of kindness in the books. I will update tomorrow, or later in the week at least with my progress on that front.

On a completely unrelated side note - the Canucks lost tonight, bringing the best playoff run they have had since 1994 to an end. I really thought this was our year... but, it looks like that is not the case. For what it's worth though - I want to commend those boys on their effort. They did well, they almost had it tonight, but it slipped away. And unlike most other band-wagon jumpers, I'll take this loss and feel pretty good about it. The thing I figured out tonight is this: The only thing Vancouver loves more than the Vancouver Canucks, is hating on them when they lose.

So fuck each and every person who ended tonight with words and feelings of hate towards our hockey team. I might not play hockey anymore, and own a jersey, or a hat or shirt, and I don't have those ever popular Canucks flags on my car - but god dammit I am a better fan than you are...

That is all tonight. Time for bed!

Failed... kinda.

2009-05-08T14:23:00.000-07:00

No 7am Wednesday morning wake-up for me. A failure in once sense, yes. But I'll call it a necessity - a conscious decision made in the name of extra rest. And realistically, I think I needed that extra bit of sleep - I have been a little grumpy this week.

In lieu of missing my Wednesday swim, I swam extra hard on Thursday. Done deal. I am now up to 500m non-stop. I hope to push that to 1.5km and beyond maybe. 1.5km is the standard distance for an olympic distance triathlon - which I have been thinking might be a new addition to the 'to-do' list... If I could run, I might consider giving Ironman a shot someday. Not soon though...

Today has been super productive so far. Despite a shitty start (due to news of a fuck up at work), I was up at 6:30 to take Lou to work. Hit up the passport office shortly before 9am (my new passport will be here in roughly two weeks). Ate breakfast and read the newspaper. Stopped at Canadian Tire. Took an hour long nap in my car. Saw Andy down at Sacred Heart about a new tattoo that is now in the works. Had lunch. Made a deposit at the bank and stopped at the library to pay old fines, get a new library card, and borrow a book that will hopefully help me fix some small issues with my car. The most important being my broken windshield wiper. In Vancouver, that can cause some issues...

All of that, and its only 2:32pm. Work starts in 28 minutes. Tonight will go well I believe. And I serve for Amy tomorrow morning. As much as that sucks on my day off, it is a bit of extra money in the bank, which is a good thing for sure.

The test...

2009-05-05T22:15:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning I plan to wake up at 7am and go for a swim - as I usually would. Only, Lou is not here tonight, nor am I staying in Kits at her place. Without her to wake up with, and considering too the amount that I enjoy sleeping, this will surely be a challenge...

I will update tomorrow. Pre-work. Post-swim?

We will see...

It's a girl!

2009-05-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

So - I realize I have (yet again) fallen short in keeping up with regular Sunday updates. To remedy the 3 week draught, I will combine the past 3 updates into one, keeping things as concise and to the point as I am able.

On the subject of health and what not - I am now swimming quite regularly. I think it is safe to say that I am past the point where forcing myself to go is a difficult thing - and that in itself feels pretty good. It's almost as if my body equates feeling good to starting my day with a swim - therefor, it kind of craves it. Another incentive is the fact that in order to get my money's worth (being that I bought myself a four month pass) - I need to swim at least twice each week. In the last month, I have been to the pool 15 times so I am most definitely on track. My next goal is to incorporate the gym into the mix - though I think I need to learn how to work out first...

On a different note - I passed my road test and now have my class 5 license. It was long overdue, and as strange as it my sound, it feels good to be done with. I guess being lumped in with today's 'new' drivers made me feel a little bit lame - and lazy too, being that I have been eligible to apply for my class 5 for almost 5 years now. Anyway, it's in the bag - and apparently my face will be in hologram form on my new license! How cool is that!

I have been thinking more about the book I intend to write. I wouldn't say I am much further along though. But realistically, I have no intentions of writing it soon. It is just something I want to keep in the relative forefront of my mind when I am able to. To give it thought, and take note of ideas I may have, be it ideas about structure, or about content... I also may look into what it costs to print books on your own. Much like we did in Lights Below, without a label or publicity. Does that ever happen with books? Independently printed and distributed? It's an idea for sure!

And I guess I have saved the biggest event for last. In regards to the blog's title - Ashlee and Tony are now the proud parent's of baby Aven Iris Anne Patrick. At least I think that is her full name... haha! It was definitely an experience, being there and all. Not that I saw it happen, I waited in the hall of course, but something about hearing a new person be born into the world sends a shiver down your spine (the happy kind of shiver!). She is amazing, so far as I was able to tell in the 5 minutes I spent with her. But Ash and Tony will be out of the hospital tomorrow morning, and regular visits will soon begin if my mom has anything to say about it. So far, being Uncle Greg is pretty neat...

How I plan to change the world...

2009-04-17T13:57:00.000-07:00

I've realized that in some ways, my blog has become a summary of my life. Not a bad thing really, but maybe not exactly what I set out to do. I'd like to make an attempt to steer it back to where it started - not as a space to share everything I do with my time - but more of a place to showcase the exceptional things in an effort to inspire people who read this, or maybe just to inspire myself...

Maybe both?

Anyway. Some notes about the past week and a half...

- I purchased a gym/pool pass... weird right? Great deal though - and with that in hand, I have been swimming regularly for the past month or so - 4 to 5 times each week. And in swimming before work - I am slowly becoming more of a morning person, which is cool too - or, maybe not cool - it's just a change for me, and I welcome change with open arms these days. I want to start working in gym days - but I'll need a bit of guidance there, as me and weight lifting don't know each other too well...

- Lou and I went snowshoeing on Monday. Awesome! Not awesome is the fact that the mountains are closed now...

- I have decided to write a book. This is something I have thought about for a while - years maybe. I have never really given it some serious thought though, and I plan to change that. I don't know what kind of book I will write - but I know I have a lot of ideas and I am hoping that I can take the idea behind this blog and adapt it somewhat. A collection of ideas aimed at inspiring people to change the way they think and live. Not that I have the answers to everything, I just think I have taught myself to have a pretty good and positive outlook on life, and more people might benefit from something like that... I'll do my best to keep this up to date with the progress - but keep in mind that this is not something that I intend to do soon. Either way, I will keep you posted.

Your Homework:

For anyone who reads this and has 2 hours and $12 dollars to spare - go see 'One Week' - great movie, amazing ideas, lots of inspiration. And on a similar note - rent 'Heartlands' - or buy it, as it may be hard to find at a video store.

My Homework:

I have been considering an idea for a few weeks now - where I would do something each day that is of no immediate benefit to myself, but that might help someone else - ideally a stranger. I know that this might sound strange - and that I might provoke some indifferent reactions to the random acts of kindness - but I think the world needs more of that. Maybe I will buy someone a flower. Or a sandwich. Or maybe I will wait extra long to hold the door for someone. I just know that I want each act to be independent of the others, and I want it to be spontaneous, not planned at all.

I can recall a time when I was young, and I was at the corner store buying candy after school. There I witnessed a lady who was told she owed 12 dollars in late fee's on her video rental - and upon hearing this, she began to cry. Clearly, she wasn't upset about the video rental or the fact that she couldn't afford to pay the late fee, or about the fact that she didn't even have time to watch to movie, which came out between sobs... it was something far more real than that. Looking back, I wish that at that in that moment, I would have offered to pay the fine for her. Maybe it wouldn't have done anything. But maybe that small and seemingly insignificant interaction could have made things better for her somehow...

See, we can never be sure how our actions will effect the people around us. We can assume though, that positive actions will be rewarded by the same - and at some point in time, that positive energy will come back to us. Call it karma, or 'paying it forward', or whatever else you like - and believe that it is real, because it is...

When you're sitting in the Strawberry Swing...

2009-04-06T00:16:00.000-07:00

A three day weekend is always a good thing!

I didn't plan on it, but presented with the opportunity to take Friday off as well, I did so, and gladly I might add.

I wasted my Friday, in one sense... being that I did almost nothing. But - I needed that I think. A day to rest my brain, and update my iPod - which was much needed also...

I have been sick all week, mildly though. Still trying to shake it off, so the extra day to rest helped hopefully.

We've finished up the first level of our Lindy Hop lessons. Now, onto 'Advanced Beginner'. It feels like we are actually dancing now...almost! It's kind of funny - looking back a year, or two or three... I don't think I would have ever imagined myself in swing lessons, much less enjoying it! Life changes a lot, and quickly sometimes...

And continuing in my pursuit to stay active - today was a good day! Lou and I walked for a while in the trails at Pacific Spirit Park near UBC. And tonight we went to the pool for our Sunday night swim. I also bought runners today - only of particular interest due to the fact that I have not owned or worn a pair of legitimate running shoes in 12 years or so. I went through high school gym class in skate shoes!

I spent a lot of time this weekend thinking about how spoiled the world has become. I guess my pal Louis CK prompted a lot of this introspection... but he is so right in the things he says in the video I've posted below. As a group of people, we (human kind) are fucking shitty. We are disrespectful and ignorant. We do what we want, and we give little thought to what effects it will have. And all the while, we take for granted how amazing our world is. I am hesitant to elaborate. Partly because I'm not sure I have the words in my sleepy state, and partially because I don't want to sound too preachy. But shit - we need to stop being so ridiculous. The world we live in is pretty amazing, even when considering the simplicities. The ability for trees to bloom in the spring. Think about that shit for a while. It's amazing really...

I won't get too far into the rant right now, because I can feel it coming off as a negative thing. But really, I am just pushing myself to appreciate and enjoy things more. And I think that in doing so, I am noticing more how ignorant and shitty some people can be. Nobody in particular really, just people in general...

So. I don't know. Take a minute to enjoy the world. Each day if you can. Just stop and find enjoyment in something you can see or hear. Find inspiration in something simple - something that you pass by each day, but don't take the time to notice or appreciate. I think that if we could all do this, things in the world might just begin to fall into place a little easier...

Everything Is Amazing & Nobody's Is happy...

2009-04-03T17:29:00.000-07:00

Louis CK is a smart and funny man...

One Year - No Booze - It's Official...

2009-03-30T00:43:00.000-07:00

It's been a year... and I figure I should give this topic some exclusivity as, in reality, it has been the most drastic change I have made in the last 365 days.

It's kind of funny when you don't drink. Sometimes people are surprised. Sometimes people are almost insulted. I wonder how it came to that? When declining an offer to drink has the ability to piss someone else off - make their entire night less enjoyable even. Strange times we are living in... strange times.

Anyway - I guess I can sum the whole thing up with 2 main points which should hopefully provide sufficient insight into the reasoning behind my choice to eliminate 'the drink' from my life - at least for a while...

One - The majority of the things in my life that have caused me feelings of affliction, have been a result of alcohol. I wouldn't go back and change any of those happenings, for, it is those things that have really helped to shape the person I am today.. We make mistakes now and again, some worse than others, but, the hope is that we will learn from these mistakes. Whether they are mistakes that we have had to face head on, or ones that we can sort of sweep under the rug, so to speak, we still have to face them, some way or another. I just came to realize that I had done things that way for long enough - and I needed a break. A period of true clarity in my life...

Two - I was beginning to realize that when I went out drinking, I generally did the same thing. Over and over. In the end, it just was not fun anymore. And really, what is fun about going out to a loud place where you don't know anyone; where you can't sit comfortably or hear your friends talk; where, more than likely, some douche will give you that, 'I am going to try to fight you at some point tonight' kind of look - whether he tries or not is a different story I suppose. And on top of all this, your night will likely end with you spending way more money than you can afford to, all by the magic of a small plastic card you keep ever so conveniently in your wallet, for nights 'just like these'. And then you lose your friends during your exit from the bar, only to be left downtown alone, with a dead cell phone, and no other means of contacting anyone - so you wander around until you find a bus stop, where, during your wait for a bus that is not coming, a homeless woman offers to pleasure you orally in the nearby alley way. Following your decline of said homeless woman's offer, you realize that your bus is not coming, nor would it even take you remotely close to home if it were coming, and you manage to wave a cab down, whose driver feels sorry enough for you to drive you home. A $40 dollar cab ride later, and you are walking the 2 blocks to your house, vomiting at 20 foot intervals in the middle of the road - all because you were too drunk to realize that you weren't actually at your house when you told the cab driver to stop and let you out.

And then you spend the next day feelings like shit.

Sounds fun right?

Well, that explains it... And I think more people could use a break really - because I don't think I am the only person who can relate to those two aforementioned statements... That's not to say that I think everyone should stop drinking, or that drinking is a bad thing per se... I just think that more people could benefit from a little time spent in the clear, ya know? Some time spent without distraction, or regret, or embarrassment, or hangovers - some time to figure out who you really are, and who you really want to be. I can say without a doubt that I have experienced more personal growth, on so many different levels, than ever before in the last year of my life. And some of the changes I made have lead me to great things. To new jobs and back old jobs. To financial stability (investments, and RRSP's, and money to burn!). To better health. To organization. From travel aspirations, to booked flights. And to the best girl in the world, who I found on a mountain top... actually.

So try it. Or don't. You decide...

Public swimming = too much old man penis...

2009-03-23T00:37:00.000-07:00

In keeping with the Sunday updates, I figure I better write something before I pack it in for the night!

Lou and I swam again tonight. It was good times... mostly. I have concluded however, that you see too much old man penis at public pools. It's unavoidable! In the past two weeks, I have witnessed men moisturizing their junk more than once, and several questionable drying techniques - including fanning with the towel, and the always horrible standing on the bench to dry your shit while its at every one's eye level. Not good times at all.

Goal for the week: hit the pool 3 times while minimizing the amount of old man penis seen.

This past week and weekend went pretty well too. Work was a little tough at times, but the week ended, just like every week does... And I guess a tough week at work is nothing to get bent out of shape about. It's work. It's not always supposed to be easy. Right?

We got a lot done this weekend too! I was able to do a lot of clean-up and what not with my morning off on Friday - so that made the weekend's start a little less pressured, which in turn made for a ridiculous amount of sleep. I'd say it was needed though... Picked up our 'Coldplay' tickets too.

There is something about holding the tickets in your hand that makes the idea of seeing a great band a little more exciting!

At it's most exciting moment, this weekend had me aiding a man who had fallen at 'Montmartre' - a little french place that has awesome Chai on Main Street. Upon realizing that nobody else was going to do much - I tried my best to help - though I became instantly aware that my first aid skills are in need of brushing up. Turns out the guy was just pissed, and fell down drunk - but I wasn't sure of that, and I guess you can never be too careful. After keeping him comfortable, and seeing him off to the ambulance, we made our exit. Back at home, Robbie, Meaghan, Lou and I capped off the night with a pretty sweet game of 'Scene It'. The girls won, but the race was a tight one!

In other news - I am nearing a full year of complete sobriety. I'm not sure why this feels like a blog-worthy mention - I guess though, this has been the most substantial challenge I have faced over the last year. Not in terms of difficulty really, just in the sense that I was a big change, and the one that was perhaps most often questioned and scrutinized by those around me... I don't think I intend to continue with it completely - but I think that, overall, it was a good challenge for me. In an effort to remain as open minded on my world travels though, I don't really want to close the window of opportunity to sample some good wines in Italy, or enjoy a cold one with Lou's dad. I wasn't a heavy drinker or anything - I guess drinking just wasn't very fun anymore. Which in turn had me questioning why I continued to go out and get pissed like my friend at 'Montmartre' - though I can say honestly that my drinking habits only once landed me in a hospital... with a broken hand - but that, my friends, is a blog topic of its own...

Oh yeah...

2009-03-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

Lou and I bought tickets for these guys...

It's funny because over the years, my tastes in music have changed so much. I can remember a time when hearing Coldplay on the radio prompted me to change the station.

Years later, in my re-discovery of what I now might consider my favorite band - I find that their music has actually changed me. I always believed music held this ability, though I think that in the past, I didn't quite understand it. When I thought the music that I loved was changing me - I'm sure now that it was more likely just making me become myself even more.

Somehow, Coldplay actually created real changes in me. The songs almost take me away someplace else. And upon my return to reality, I realize that wherever it was that I just went in that song - I need to get to in real life. It's like they have become the soundtrack to my life.

I am on a journey with the hope that I will find myself someplace better - as a greater person than I am today...

Productivity is neat.

2009-03-15T13:24:00.001-07:00

While at times complicated and frustrating for people around me, this week has been an excellent one.

I think that sometimes, those weekly challenges that seem ridiculous and impossible, they are just what we need in life. If life never felt like it was going to shit - then life at it's best wouldn't be all that good. The experience of the highs and the lows that life can throw at you creates balance... it makes life interesting. Right?

Anyway. I had an ultra-productive week. Made it to the pool twice. The moisturizing habits of old naked men aside - I enjoyed the swims, and plan to hit the pool 2-3 times in the coming week. I cleaned out my car, and fixed the side view mirror. Booked my road test - I figure its about time I got rid of the old 'N' (that has not been hanging in my window for the last 5 years as it should have been). I made it out to the media club to see Cody off on his 2 week tour with a band called 'Beat Kids'. Saw Sean and Carol-Lee there too (which prompted some interesting thoughts on how people and relationships change so much over time - even over the course of the last year alone. I think that with the split of LB - we were all forced to do some serious 'growing up'. In doing so, we have grown apart somewhat, but the maturity we have all gained has grounded us all a little more than we once were. I believe that grounding alone has allowed us a better understanding of our relationships with each other - the result for me was the feeling that I missed them more now than I did before...)

This weekend allowed me the time to finally sort out my investments at the bank. Though I opted to invest with minimal risk, I stand to make close to $1000 over the next 3 years on my RRSP's alone. I also opened up a TFSA (tax free savings account), which is set up as a 15 month term deposit. Now that this is all taken care of, I feel a little more prepared to focus my savings on our trip and nothing else...

Life in Technicolor...

2009-03-09T17:30:00.000-07:00

I spent a lot of the last week feeling grumpy. But the kind of grumpy that you can't hide, nor can you quite explain it to the people around you. Everyone at work could tell. I was short with them. Irritable.

I'm still not quite sure why... Lack of sleep perhaps?

Anyway. I came into the weekend with high hopes - and it delivered for the most part. Slept in. Good food. Swing dance lessons. Spent time with the guys and girls - and 'Bud' the dog (who took an unusual liking to me and my feet). Slept in (again). Got organized. Watched movies. Ate ice cream.

Good gets better right?

You're damn right it does.

And all this for only $29 dollars between Lou and I.

It's funny how the moment we booked our flights, we both became two of the cheapest individuals I have ever known. This is a good thing however. We need all the money we can scrape together to fund our adventures. And it makes more sense to put it away now, rather than creating any sort of dependance on our work situations in the U.K. come December 2009. With little or no certainty how that will all pan out, I am hopeful that we will both have sufficient funding to support ourselves during our time there, in lieu of our income while we are there.

I'm not sure what else I have to touch on at the moment. Work is good, and well on its way to better. Finances are good, and improving each day. This week will be a good one - my mild headache which seems to return nightly aside. I think I'll go swim it off...

7 weeks behind...

2009-03-01T12:23:00.001-08:00

I have been terrible at keeping this up to date - though sometimes, as it has in the past, life just gets too busy. That, or sometimes I just get too lazy.

The 7 weeks since my last post have all been excellent. Stressful at times, but I think that stress has a unique ability to bring relaxation and contentment in its wake.

Work tends to take up most of my time, as it has for the last year and a half of my life. Weeks fly by however - and while some weeks seem to get to me more than others, I can finally see things moving towards where I have been trying so hard to move them. New staff - and good new staff at that - hopefully the schedule will come together well and without issue. Taylor is working out well - picking it up quickly.

I haven't seen Loni in a week or so. He owes me 30 bucks, which sometimes I wonder if I will ever get back, and other times I assure myself that it doesn't really matter, and that in reality, he needs the money more than I do. Loni, is my (quasi-homeless) friend who frequents the plaza where I work, and comes to me looking for odd jobs, recyclables, and loans. I deliver when I can. He also built me a bicycle once, upon learning that mine was stolen. He is a good man, down on his luck. I guess sometimes in life, you just dig yourself a hole just a little too deep. I know he can see life on the outside - he's told me that he can - he just can't quite get himself out. It's funny, the way that he will do his best to return what I give to him. Most times, he does come up with the cash, if it is the loans we are referring to. Other times, he brings gifts - usually in the form of new bikes, hoping that one day, he will bring me something I can actually ride. Other times, its flowers to give to Lou. Regardless, he makes good on his word, to the best of his abilities - and that is definitely more than you can expect from most individuals in situations similar to his.

I've purchased my first RRSP's. I've yet to invest them - but they are holding in an RSP savings account until I can decide how I want to invest the money. It's all too complicated and new to me I guess - makes it difficult to choose which investments I want to make, when I know so little about the difference between them. A little confusing, but awesome in that the $10,000 tax write off has a $3,000 tax return coming my way in 2 weeks time.

Swing dancing has started, though I guess I haven't touched on that yet. For Lou's birthday, I signed us up for swing dance lessons. I'll preface this by saying that I don't dance - though I believe that deep down, I do have the ability. First lesson was good, interesting, but good. I think I am getting the hang of the basics - but it would be nice to get to dance with Lou more (being that they are constantly rotating partners).

And now, to the big news of the past few weeks.

As of August 17th, 2009 - I will be gone. We fly out first to Tokyo for one week, then onto Thailand. We will travel Thailand for 3 weeks by land, then make our way through Cambodia for 1 week, and spend the final 2 making our way up through Vietnam to Hanoi. On October 3rd, we fly from Hanoi to Brisbane, where we will be until November 22nd. Following our time in Australia, we will fly to Singapore for 5 days before returning to Vancouver. After that, its off to the UK.

It all feels real, finally. And I couldn't be more excited, or more ready to leave home for a while.

Next on the list:

- Vaccinations for travel.
- Purchase travel insurance.
- Learn to play 'Lost' by Coldplay on the piano.
- Get rad at swing dancing.

Time to see the world...

2009-01-12T23:54:00.000-08:00

Lou and I saw a travel agent on the weekend...

This shit is happening. For real. We have not booked anything quite yet, but the plans are coming together. We have another meeting with another travel agent this Saturday, so things will continue in their progression.

It looks like we will be flying out around the 28th of August for Tokyo. After a week to 10 days in Japan, we will be flying to Bangkok, Thailand - after 2 days in Bangkok, we will take the train south to Phuket. Five days in Phuket will see us checking out the beaches, riding elephants, trekking through the jungle, amongst other awesome things I am sure. After Phuket, we will be traveling to Ko Phangan - and island of Thailand's east coast. We plan to spend 4 or 5 days there, staying in a bungalow on the beach for less money than it costs to take the bus here in Vancouver...

Some sweet HDR shots in Thailand

After Ko Phangan - it's back up to Bangkok for another 2 days before flying to Hanoi, Vietnam. In Hanoi, we will take in the city for a few days, check out Halong Bay and probably take a trip up to Sa Pa, in Vietnam's northern countryside. There is an awesome eco-lodge just outside of Sa Pa where we want to spend a night or two - but the town itself is relatively unchanged by tourism. It's starting to have its effects, but it is not like much of the rest of the 3rd world tourist destinations - here you can even set up home-stays with local families... that may still be an option for us...

Countryside in Sapa, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

All of this will bring us to early October, when we will be making our way to Australia. We've got a wedding to attend, and I've got family and friends to become acquainted with... this is a little bit nerve racking, but I am ready for it... excited even. After a month of taking it easy, we will be driving up to coast to Cairns. Our road trip will take about 2 weeks - and I plan to make a stop in Rockhampton to see Shane. Hopefully he is around...

What will be my home in Australia - Brisbane...

Upon returning from our journey to the north - we will be flying to Singapore where we will spend 7 days. The details of this stop have yet to be researched, but we are both confident it will be sweet.

Singapore at night...

This is about as far as our planning has taken us as of this moment. We plan to fly back to Vancouver from Singapore - taking a few days to a week to visit, rest, unpack, organize, repack, and find ourselves a cheap flight to London. From London, we will take a train up north to Scotland - where in Scotland we are not sure yet... I want my time in scotland to be something different though, so different from the life I know and am accustomed to here in Vancouver. I want a tiny apartment. I want a brick building. I want no furniture - just a mattress in the middle of the room, and enough cookware to make a meal. I want to eat right out of the pots and pans if we have to. I don't want computers, or internet, or tv. I don't want anything...

From time to time - I ponder the fact that we have all become so attached to commodities. To things that we do not need. I am the worst for it. I am falling victim to it as I type this... I while I believe that it is possible to cut back... to use these commodities less if you make an effort to enjoy other things - I also believe that it would serve better to start fresh. I want to reinvent myself on this trip. Maybe not with the hopes of changing forever - but with that hope that in an entirely new environment, I might be able to make such a change to the things that I depend on, and hopefully this change will help me to appreciate the little things in life even more. Hopefully it will spark something new in me that will have even a small change when life resumes its normalcy. Or maybe life won't resume as I know it now...I guess I really can't say right now.

I've also started to consider the idea that it may be impossible to be sure where we are happiest in life if we never leave home. I am watching my friends find contention in what is comfortable. What is easy. They get married, have babies, buy houses... and while that is great and wonderful, I don't think I could do that... I always have assumed that Vancouver is my home, but really, I have no grand attachment to this place anymore. I feel like this trip will help. Maybe we will find someplace new - someplace that feels more like home than this city is able. Or maybe we won't, and this place will suddenly feel more welcoming that it does now. Either way, I am happy to take some time to find out. I guess this is my big thought for the week... and while it is technically 2 days late... it will have to do.

Take some time to think about it. We know everything in life through experience. Whether it is our own, or through the experience of another - we only know what we can see and feel... We spend our lives not trying to figure out who we are, but learning who we are not. Our experience of the things, the people, the places that we don't like - those realizations govern our knowledge about the people, places, and things that we do like. See, I don't often look back on the things I have done thinking ' man, that made me feel awesome' - it would seem that the actions which made me feel terrible are the ones I hold dear. It is those experience ,where I could stop and think to myself, 'this is not me, this is not who I am' - those are the things I remember, and those are the moments that make me who I am.

So the concept of home really does follow those same principles...

We know our home because it's what we have been taught, it is something we don't usually question. But how can we be sure it is really 'home' unless we leave it for a while...

So - I am going to leave it for a while and see what happens...

Coney Island...

2009-01-04T23:37:00.000-08:00

I am in the market for a new camera...

I intend to purchase a Digital SLR camera in the coming months, so that I might have the ability to take some half decent pictures while I travel the globe. Thanks to the insight of a friend named Joe, I have become enthralled by the potential to get into HDR photography. It's funny, because I usually prefer things as they are. To find art in something untouched. But as of late, I have seen some exquisite photography done using the principles of HDR - and I am sold. Completely. While I can understand that it has its place - I think, as far as scenery & architecture photography is concerned, it is magical. It makes the shots so much more vivid - as if you could almost climb inside them. I want to perfect this art before I leave, as I intend to leave each country I visit with at least one HDR shot worthy of printing and framing upon my return.

While I have some research to do - as well as the collection of some of them "book learnin' smarts" - I have my eye (and mind) somewhat set on the Nikon D80. Affordable, and from what I have seen, it takes some awesome pictures... while in reality I know very little about camera's at all - it seems like it might be a starting point that will do well for me.

In the mean time - I have spent some time messing about on Photoshop. I read a few tutorials on the ability to mimic HDR using CS2 and any regular digital image.

I may have strayed a little from simply mimicking HDR - but I came up with what I think are some pretty sweet results! Have a look!

In other news, I have decided to make a resolution that relates directly to this blog. When I began last May, my intention was to post each day. This ambitious task became unrealistic - to the point where I rarely posted at all. I have given it some thought and will make Sunday's my official 'blog day'. It's a realistic goal I think - and I like the idea of continuing to push myself to express ideas and what not. I figure a weekly push might keep things consistent!

2009...

2009-01-01T23:44:00.000-08:00

I can honestly say that this past year has been on of the most productive of my life.

This last year began with a desire to better myself. I had spent a few months off tour, and began to realize that the person I felt myself becoming really wasn't the person that I felt I am meant to be. Upon this realization - I began to make some changes.

Last years resolutions revolved mostly around my physical and mental health. Not that they were suffering - but I think after so many years in pursuit of musical stardom, I realized that I had developed a habit of focusing all my energy on the destination, and had forgotten how to take care of myself during the journey. I decided to erase meat from my diet completely - and I feel that the transition from 'pesceterianism' did me well. I stopped drinking alcohol, for the most part anyway. As of this moment, I haven't been 'drunk' in 368 days, and have gone 9 months without a drink. Not that I denounce it's consumption really.. I just think that in the interest of self discovery, it makes more sense to discover while in a pure and un-altered state of mind. Since this last year has been all about my desire to really figure out who I am exactly, and where I want to go in life - it was a choice that just made sense. Lastly, I began last year with hopes to become more physically fit. While I made good efforts, I think this one will carry over into 2009...

And with those high hopes of self discovery, came the unexpected addition of a wonderful girl to my life. A girl that has not only helped me dig deeper into myself, but has shown me what it truly means to be happy and balanced with another person. While I had spent much of my time looking back on past love with the regret that I had lost it - I can now look back with a new appreciation for everything that this love taught me about who I am, and all that she did to help shape me - for, today, as I am now, I look forward to opportunities that wouldn't lie ahead if it weren't for the path that our break-up sent me stumbling down. And more than that, I stand in front of these opportunities hand in hand with someone new, who's path in life seems to trace my own path exactly - for as far as we can see anyway...

I think I kind of lost myself in 2007. And after some time to reflect, 2008 seems to have been very much about transition for me. And all of this time in transition has brought me to today - where I sit and type as a very different person that I was the same time last year... I am happier now. Healthier. More confident. I am more organized and less cluttered. I am optimistic. I work harder. I spend less and save more. I laugh harder. And I love with all of my heart.

I am ready for 2009. I know who I am now and I am ready to become that person even more. I am ready to experience - and to focus on the journey, with no real destination in mind. I am ready to appreciate the things that I once failed to notice.

This past year taught me that good really does get better...and I will start this year eager to discover what exactly it is that better gets...

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T23:25:00.000-08:00

It's been a while hey?

The last few months have been busy busy busy... I sat down to write on here a few times, but couldn't find the words I guess. My lack of expression aside though, the last few have been good months!

Quite overwhelming a task to summarize them all, so a point form list of sorts will probably serve best in this situation.

October: Sat around. Recovered from surgery. That is all.

November: Work, work, and more work. Trip to Victoria with Lou = Awesome. Trip to Whistler with Lou = Also awesome. Lou goes home for 5 weeks = Not awesome.

(Parliament Buildings in Victoria, B.C.)

(Milkshakes!)

(Mountains/Sunset on the way back from Whistler, B.C.)

December: Work more. Snow! Scramble to get Christmas shopping done.

Snow related transportation panic aside, I did god this Christmas. Dad has a new Serius Satellite Radio package. Mom has an upright grand piano. I've wanted to get her a piano for a while - I've also wanted my own piano for a while... we both win!

Lou's gifts have been some of the most ambitious projects I have taken on in a while. For fear of premature discovery though, I can only mention the one which she has already received - the others have to wait until her return on January 6th. Waiting in her email on Christmas day was a song that I recorded for her. I recorded a cover of Coldplay's 'Till Kingdom Come'. The song is awesome, and the lyrics hit my feelings for that girl right on the nose... This also gave me the opportunity to record something with my banjo and harmonica - both have been intentions of mine since last Christmas. Considering the fact that this was my first musical endeavor since LB's split, and also the first time I have recorded anything that was not part of a collective effort, I feel my end product is something I can be pretty happy with. Take a listen - I have posted to song below!

So thats another Christmas in the bag. This one has left me feeling accomplished and excited for the next one, which will ideally find me and Lou living somewhere in Scotland. The big man also left me some items to prepare me for the trip, including some awesome travel books/guides and a travel backpack. Ashlee got me a sweet journal as well, so I can take record of my trip! I'll update again around new years, with some sort of attempt to reflect upon this last year and look forward to the next one!

Peace G's.

I'm UNCLE Old Gregg!

2008-10-03T10:53:00.001-07:00

So. This last week has been an eventful one to say the least. As such, I figured a little update on this thing would be in order.

Tristan and Lizanne had a baby girl! Eva Bean Federico! I am an uncle - an honorary one anyway! Pretty exciting stuff!

On wednesday, I had surgery to fix my hernia. My operation time was bumped and I waited around the hospital all day - but Lou and I managed to keep busy, and win $14 on 'scratch and wins' in the process. Pretty sweet. The surgery went off without any problems - though I am now sore as shit, and have three holes in my mid-section. No fun. Extra no fun being that I will have to miss the Turkey Bowl this year. Stupid hernia. But check out my holes!

Lou got me an assortment of gifts to help with my recovery. Included were several sweet games and old movies to watch. We watched Guys and Dolls last night. Sinatra was great, and his songs definitely took the cake, but I found myself a little more partial to Marlon Brando (or his acting anyway) in the end. Pretty awesome though. Tonight, we will watch Casablanca! Also amongst the gifts was a RUBIK'S CUBE! You may notice that the completion of said cube has been sitting idle on my 'to do' list. Well, it's status is idle no longer. I am by no means a master of the cube, but 3 completions in one day means I am well on my way!

Now... here is the big news! Ready for it.

Honorary uncle status aside... As of May, 2009 I will be Uncle Old Greg, for real. Ashlee and Tony broke the news last night! Everyone is super stoked, which is rad! I will be honest though, I didn't think this would come so soon. But it's come, and we are happy. I guess I best be brushing up on my baby skills - at least a little bit!

Cash money...

2008-09-18T21:44:00.000-07:00

So. $15,000.00. In the bank.

Stoked!

Now I can return to university when I am ready to do so...stress free. Well, money related stress anyway!

That is the first checkpoint in my money saving adventure - though I think I have modified it some since I have made my plans to travel the world.

The next checkpoint is at $25,000.00 - which I am hoping (optimistically) to have saved by the end of the year. I think that additional 10 g's will go into RRSP's of some sort.

Come January, all my money will be going into the travel fund. Hpefully, I will be able to save up another $20,000.00 from January 2009 until the end of August 2009. It will take some work, but it is plausible, as long as I budget properly and avoid frivelous spending...

Anyway. I am proud of myself. This is the most money I have ever had. It feels great!

Oh, and before I forget...

2008-09-04T13:52:00.001-07:00

Step one: Open Limewire (or your equivalent music downloading program).

Step Two: Search: Artist - Coldplay / Song Title: Living in Technicolor.

Step Three: Listen to song while imagining yourself doing something you have always wished you could do.

Step Four: Do it. For real.

If this song can inspire someone else like it has inspired me, I have a duty to help make that happen.

goodbye canada!

2008-08-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

It is amazing how good it feels to smile.

While at work two nights ago, I made an effort to cheer 'grumpy cody' up as he sulked around the kitchen for no apparent reason. The contest: See who can smile for longer. It was funny at first. Funny because we were all forcing ourselves to look content... happy even. But with each glance into the kitchen I saw Cody, washing dishes, with a huge - though presumably forced - smile upon his face. The more I saw this, the more my smile became genuine. The more people noticed that my forced grin had become real, the faster theirs followed suit.

Within minutes, the attitude of the entire kitchen had changed. Work was fun. Fun to the point where I've had the staff that was on that night calling me each night since, asking if anyone wanted the night off, as they wanted to come into work.

And work aside, I find myself walking down the street these days, my face adorned by a toothy simper, or I find myself driving, too or from Lou's most often, just beaming... about nothing and everything at the same time.

I just read all of that back to myself, and I realized how lame it actually sounds. The truth is though, that I really don't care. My mood as of late, and my choice and willingness to be happy, and let everyone know this through my facial expression - it feels fucking incredible. It feeds off itself.

Seriously.

Try it.

Spend one day smiling. Even if you aren't happy. Just smile. Force it. It'll take hold eventually, and you will see the change - in people around you, in how people approach and talk to you, and then, in your own mood. I really do believe that happiness is contagious. So I will do my best to spread it around when I am able.

On a completely different note. I will be leaving the country... for a while.

Lou and I have decided to go away, for a year, maybe longer.

The details of the trip are in the works, and we have a lot of ideas to hash out. As well, we have some immigration issues to tend to - in terms of her status in Canada, and what effects that leaving will have on her visa here, as well as her eligibility to return to Canada after our trip, if we choose to do so.

The plan as of right now. Leave at the end of next summer - spend two weeks in Japan, one week in Thailand, and one week in Vietnam - before ending up in Australia. Two months in oz - the first in Brisbane with Lou's family - the second traveling about the country. We will then return to Canada for a week or so, in order to re-group, re-organize, and re-pack, before taking off to the U.K. Our plan is to settle somewhere there for the winter months, securing work and accommodations. While much research is left to be done, we are leaning towards Northern England or Scotland. Maybe Edinburgh.

If all goes well, we will hopefully be able to save a bit of money during the winter, and come mid-March, we will hit the rails.

Our goal is to visit every country in Europe. This will take a few months.

After our European travels, its off to Africa. There are some great opportunities to do volunteer work in Africa. We plan to try to set up work there first, however their are opportunities through an organization called CADIP to help out with different projects all over the place. It's awesome too, because they don't all focus around building and development. Many of the projects are aimed at increasing awareness of the issues within a given environment, and some focus on cultural exchange, where you are working directly with youth.

Anyway, that is the plan as of this moment, it is bound to change some, but I think we're pretty set on most of the things I have mentioned. Stoked. But now I must return to work, I've got a smiling contest to get back to!

a month in review...

2008-08-06T00:23:00.000-07:00

When you look into the mirror...what do you see?

The reality is that we look into the mirror numerous times each day. The question is...do we pay any attention to exactly what it is we are looking at?

More importantly - do we understand WHO it is that is staring back at us?

I looked into the mirror tonight and realised that the person staring back at me is someone so incredibly different than the person whom would have been staring back as little as a year ago...

I am proud of that.

I feel that I have progressed so much as a human being in the last 10 months that it is almost hard to comprehend. I look different. I act different. I feel different. I am different - all in the best of ways.

I set out to makes some changes. Though, when I set out, I didn't quite know what changes those would be exactly. Changes to my lifestyle have given way to changes to my diet and overall health. These modifications to my diet and overall health have given way for changes to the way I think. And changing the way I think has had an immense effect on my personality. I have, in some way or another, created a cycle of optimism and positivity that feeds off itself.

My life is amazing.

It would be much too daunting a task to re-cap everything of significance since my last post. And touching quickly on the fact that it has been exactly 36 days since that particular post - I have learned something quite important. When I set out with this blog, my intention was to force myself to update daily. I suppose my logic was that a daily post would ensure that I was pushing myself each day towards a new experience. I think that sometimes, when you just let go a little, life can kind of whisk you away for a while - and if or when this happens, you must let it whisk away. You cannot ask it to hold on, while you share stories of the whisk. Nor can you ask it to slow its pace you can take it all in. You just let it whisk. And, if everything goes well, you sit down afterwards and reflect a little (or a lot). I think now that I understand this I won't need to strive for a daily update. Perhaps just when I feel the need (though, for the sake of consistency, I will try for once a week as best as I am able).

The last month of my life has definately been one of those 'whisks'. And I think a blog of written reflection based around the last month of my life might actually take the NEXT month of my life for me to write - but I'll do what I can.

In the last month: I climed a mountain. I fell down that mountain. I painted a picture. I became a brother in-law. I gave a speech. I said I love you. I went on a road trip. I surfed. I laughed. I bonded. I learned. I saved and I spent. I worked. I relaxed. I made a list. And I flew a kite.

I took pictures too...

A week in review...

2008-06-30T14:07:00.001-07:00

While I guess I have failed at keeping this blog current, I have most definitely not failed when it comes to the purposes of keeping this at all.

I have not posted anything since last weekend, but I will do what I can to get this up to date right now, I will re-group, and I will take yet another stab at posting daily.

Anyhow, here goes...

Last Sunday's challenge was a quest to hunt down some items on Lou's list of things that are abundant and available at home in Australia, but near impossible to find here in Vancouver. Items to find: self raising flower, loose leaf black tea, milo (chocolate drink mix), ginger nut biscuits & mint slices (or the closest alternatives). I found them all - done and done.

The week was a bit of a blur, and I don't recall anything too interesting that is completely worth re-telling. I did however put my cooking skills to work more than once. Lou was impressed I think! I hired a new busser at work, and am quite pleased so far at here attitude and effort. Nothing is worse than a new hire who sucks shit...

Lou met me after work on Friday night and we went out for a bite to eat - I proceed to aid in making her an hour late for work on Saturday morning. Though, today will be her last day at Mantique, so it was not much of a worry for her.

With Saturday came a good challenge. We laid the tiles in Shaun's kitchen. When I made it out there they were nearly half done. After a bit of a break and a trip to home depot for additional mortar mix, we finished the floor off. I was quite pleased with out handy work once again, seeing as none of us had really done such work before. Saturday night concluded with a BBQ at my place with Ashlee & Tony's friends - in anticipation for the wedding I suppose. Good times.

After seeing Lou off to work on Sunday, I took off down to bellingham for a few hours with Cody. We didn't find him an iPhone - but we had a good time none the less. I bought some Abba Zaba's so I am more than content.

I will conclude with Sunday night - easily the best night of my week/weekend. As of today, Lou and I have been together for 1 month. While I don't usually wish to make too big a deal out of this 'milestone', I did want to surprise here with something. Flowers and a Futurama game that I found in the states did he trick I would say. We had an awesome night together walking through kit's to Granville island. A nice meal at Bridges right on the dock. A walk along the beach on the way back. Back at Lou's I got my Vegemite fix and watched Juno.

Though I stayed a little late, not arriving home until nearly 5:30am - I would say my sleep deprived self today finds that the late night was well worth it.

I guess the week as a whole wasn't all that challenging, but within my endeavors laid those small and unique challenges that you often over look. In the end, I feel great about the last week, and am excited for what is to come!

I think though, in my tired state, my ideas may not be as coherent as I am hoping, so I am going to end this here.

Bike Ride #2

2008-06-21T16:38:00.000-07:00

For the second Saturday in a row now, I have gone on a bike ride. Today, I got Cody out with me!

Today I rode from home, out to North Van to meet Cody, then we continued on through to West Van, across the bridge and through Stanley Park, to Kitsilano, then home. Much the same as the ride Robbie & I did last weekend, though I started from home rather than West Vancouver.

I am tired. My legs are a little sore. I feel incredible.

In total the ride was about 31 miles, or 51 km's. Needless to say, I am pretty pleased with myself. Thats one step closer to doing a 100 km ride before the summer is done with. Below is the route I took - points A & I are home...

Robbie and I now have plans to ride out to Matt's cabin in Deroche, hopefully soon. That trip is around 80 km's. Though, judging by the way my legs feel currently, I think that I may need to do a little more training before we take it on.

Helping People...

2008-06-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

So. Today is my birthday. Usually a fairly uneventful day for me. Today has been good though. A lot of birthday wishes have come my way, and its not even half over yet. Robbie even made me a card and taped it to the door of my work this morning along with a slew of balloons. That made my morning!

Something happened yesterday though, that really moved me, and that it what I want to share with you right now.

There is a fellow named Loni that frequents the plaza where I worked. I don't know for sure if he is homeless or not, but I would assume so. We have been helping him out for some months now, actually, perhaps years, as he used to come around when Norm owned the restaurant. Anyway, he pops in from time to time, and we have him what pop bottles and cans we have accumulated. I have always felt like there is something that sets Loni aside from most other homeless people you might come across. He is always extremely polite. He waits in the lobby until all the customers have been helped before letting us know he is there. He often brings in what change he has saved up to buy a drink or something to eat, when money is good of course. It's as if the hard times in which he lives his life have strengthened his moral values. He hasn't become cynical or jaded like most do, but has become more appreciative and thankful for everything people do for him.

When I can, I try to hook him up with lunch, if I've got food to spare. I did so yesterday when he came by for the bottles. He did his usual tip of the hat, while he touched his chest, showing me his gratitude, and he was off. Only yesterday, he returned a few minutes later, and handed me a note. I've posted it below.

It's nothing too profound, but the simple fact that he took the time to write that and bring it to me meant a hell of a lot. There, on that paper, is solid proof that going out of your way for another person really can have an effect on their life. That display of gratitude was that best (early) birthday present I could have asked for.

BIKE RIDE!

2008-06-14T21:32:00.000-07:00

So. In place of our postponed hike in Chilliwack - Robbie and I decided we should go for a bike ride. Our first choice would have been to head out on road bikes, but due to some needed repairs, we opted to trek out on our BMX's. We started in West Van after taking my mom the truck so she could get home after shopping. We went from Park Royal, over the Lions Gate, around the Sea Wall, through English Bay, over to Kits - down to Jericho Beach... after a quick stop to see Lou at work, we made our way home. All in all, a GREAT ride. A little tough on BMX's, but thats alright! Close to 36km's in total! And our ride home from Kits only took an hour and a half, including a stop for a burrito at budgies. Good times! A challenge though for sure! Next ride, we want to hit 50 clicks... and by the end of the summer, we're hoping to have tackled a 100km ride!

In other news, our rental car is booked for our trip to California in July. Matt, Robbie, Taylor and I - 10 day road trip - can't wait! Now we've just got to plan out what we want to see and accomplish on the trip! I've seen my fair share of California, but not really had a chance to see it with those guys, and also not been there off tour in a while. July is going to be an incredible month! And Lou is going to come with me to Ashlee's wedding earlier in July, which is pretty awesome as well. Robbie and Matt will be there for the wedding too even.

I'm feeling like I should paint something. Strange because I've never painted anything before. Cody has some paints and some canvases laying around at his place. We're going to paint some stuff soon. It's going to be rad!

Also - Cody finished the Broadway Calls kit. It looks incredible! Go peep that shit!

CAMPING!

2008-06-10T13:24:00.000-07:00

So this weekend we went camping for Tony's stag. Good times. Not the best weather, but it didn't rain too much, so that was something to be thankful for I suppose. We spent our time doing man things. Throwing knives. Shooting guns. That sort of thing. I made a deal with Christian - he had to light one of his farts on fire. He succeeded...therefor, I went swimming in the river. It was cold.

I came to a realization on this trip. Actually, that is a lie. This is something I have known and been confident in for some time now. I am referring to the importance of balance. Balance in every sense of the word, and balance applied to everything in our lives. I cannot and will not say that I know the point to this life we are living. I will say however, that the key to living well and being happy is balance. A balance between fun and responsibilities. A balanced diet. A balance between giving your time to others, and saving your time for yourself. Balance is the key to everything in life - or at least that is how I like to think of it. Try it! Focus on keeping things balanced. Budget your time, and leave yourself with the ability to control you time a little more. Make an effort to create a balanced lifestyle, avoiding doing anything in excess for it may cause the scales to tip and create unwanted stress.

I am not exactly certain what about this past camping trip brought me to this conclusion, but something about taking myself away from the usual things that take up my time - work, friends, family, technology - it just shifted my focus if only for a moment. It was enough to bring this idea back to the forefront of my mind - and I think I want to push a little more towards balance when I can.

Anyway - the hike this weekend might be pushed back a little. Too much snow still. Its June! Whats with the snow! Geeze!

Here are some are a couple pictures of the weekend. The fire made for some good fun with pictures and slow shutter speeds!

Word.

Meet The Parents...

2008-06-04T12:50:00.000-07:00

Well. Just one of them actually...

Lou's mum is in town for 2 weeks, visiting Vancouver for her first time. Tonight, I will meet her. I am excited, but a little nervous too. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that Lou has made a fairly overwhelming impression on my family. They really like her. Not only do I need to impress Lou's mom, she will be my only link back to the rest of the family. Her impression of me will directly reflect that feelings that her dad and two brothers will develop - and being that her brothers are, well, my age, a little caution in accepting their sister's new boyfriend is inevitable.

Tonight, I will take them to Sweet Revenge for desert and tea. Lou liked that place a lot, and figures her mum will enjoy it equally.

Anyway!

With a lot of my time being spent out and about lately, I am finding it hard to keep up with this blogging business (as I touched on previously). I figure it better though to slip on the blogging, and really enjoy my free time. It's a fair trade I would say. The challenges I am presenting to myself sometimes get masked in my day's activities, to the point where I am spending the last few minutes of my day in reflection, trying to recognize those things that were a challenge, and to extract what positive lessons I can from them.

Saturday - I finally got my shit together and began (once again) working towards getting the VW tuned up and road worthy. I got it started at least, so I know it runs. Though, I am still working through some electrical issues... My bigger challenge for the day went as follows: I realized, with Lou's help, that I rarely try new things when it comes to dining out. I frequent the same restaurant's and order the same dish quite often. I stick with what I like. So Saturday night, Lou and I tried something new. 'The Reef' - a Caribbean style place on commercial drive. Not bad. I'm not in a hurry to go back per se, but I'm sure I will make a return at some point. Lou's challenge for the day - try to deal with the spiciness of Caribbean style food. She did pretty good! We are now on a mission to discover a new restaurant to take everyone out to. Matt and Lindsay tend to make most of the discoveries. It's our turn bitches!

Sunday - I accompanied Lou to work on the bus. Though our timing was a little off, and I resorted to calling a cab for part of the trip, we got her there on time... early even! While Lou got started, I made it my mission to get her breakfast. I realized something in doing this. Life has become so fast paced, that we as a society gravitate way too much towards things that are convenient. Things that are quick and 'easy'. I hate this. It's unsettling that there are intersections in Vancouver where 2 out of the 4 street corners are home to a Starbucks. In my hunt for breakfast, I refused to walk the 15 steps to Walmart for a muffin, some green tea, and a banana. Instead, I purchased the fruit and tea from a small asian produce market, clearly family run - the muffin from a small bakery further down the road, and made a stop in search of Vegemite at an Iranian grocery store. The man there was very nice, and told me they did have Vegemite. He was confused. They did not. Bummer. My last stop...Starbucks. I had the girl give me a cup and some hot water, for free, which I then brewed my own tea in, while she watched. Stickin' it to the man!

Monday - during a day of work, it is far too easy to become lost in routine. While my day was productive, it really didn't find me any any new or interesting situations. My challenge, however, was to confront my boss on his shoddy clean up the night before. I let things slide a lot. I prefer to put in the extra work myself, and avoid the confrontation. Today, I let him know that I need it to be more organized and tidy in the morning, or doing my job well becomes much more taxing. He appreciated my honesty, and will do better. Silly Dan Turner.

Tuesday - work, again, was the same. Productive, yet uneventful. Though, I must find a new way to deal with Marco. A good worker, who makes a good effort, but falls a little short. I don't believe that he isn't trying, he just needs more focus. My goal for the week, figure out a new way to energize the guy. I'm growing frustrated of working with him, and it shows in me being a bit of an asshole. I don't like being an asshole, so to the drawing board I go. Also - the post work bike rides have begun again. I took some time off to nurse my quads back to health after running down the chief.

That about brings things back up to speed. This weekend, camping for Tony's stag, and dinner with Lou and her mom. The goals: Build a sweet shelter while camping, and find a great italian place for dinner on sunday. I'll keep you posted on my progress, also, expect pictures. Oh, and the next hike: June 14th, Mt. Cheam. Peak = 2112 meters. 9.5km round trip. STOKED!

Rain City Custom Drums!

2008-05-30T22:29:00.000-07:00

So. I've been letting my blogging responsibilities slide. I will do better from now on, I promise.
I guess staying out until 4am with a certain pretty girl has kept me away from other things, but she's more than worth the lack of sleep!

Anyway. I have a creative endeavor to share! My very good friend Cody Beer has started up a custom drum company. I think this is exactly what he needs. I think it may be his calling, and I am extremely excited to see the places that he takes this whole thing! I put together a little logo for them, and was quite pleased that all persons involved loved it. So much in fact that you may soon see it on kick drums across the world!

This shit is going to be huge. I can feel it!

The Chief!

2008-05-25T22:39:00.000-07:00

So we hiked The Chief in Squamish today. It was a pretty tough hike, but it wasn't as long as I had expected. The view from the top was incredible - I recommend going if you have the opportunity. Robbie and I decided to run our way back down from the top. The trip up took just over an hour... Our run down took us about 20 minutes. My legs hurt. I swear, the more I do this working out/active living thing, the better I feel. I can honestly say that I'm in the best shape of my life right now and it feels amazing!

Here are some pictures fools!

Good really does get better...

2008-05-25T19:59:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been really trying to appreciate the little things in life. Those wonderful simplicities that are easy to overlook, but the ones that, when you take the time to appreciate them, they make you feel amazing. So yesterday, I took a nap in the park. Like Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn would have most certainly done, I found comfort in the shade of a tree, and got some rest. I tend to feel on weekends like I should spend all of my time doing something. Yesterday, I took just a little bit of time to do nothing at all.

This weekend has been great. Lou and I are hanging out more and more, and while I am doing my best to take all of this as slow as possible, I cannot help but feel that this could really end up being something great. As scary as it is, being that her home is on the other side of the world, I can't find a reason to not let this play out as it will. My friends seem to like her. My family likes her. She's perfect! And she's gorgeous to boot! Hiking in the Lynn Canyon was the best idea I've had all year.

Moving on...

2008-05-25T19:28:00.000-07:00

For the last 624 days of my life I have kept a picture in my wallet. This picture was a reminder of the time when I last felt that life couldn't get better. It was of a girl, who at a time, I felt I would be with forever. I was almost certain of this. But then everything changed... She broke my heart... not because she wanted to do so, but because it had to be done.

Today, I took that picture out of my wallet. Not because I am ready to forget, but because I am finally ready to move on.

It's about time I'd say.

Good energy = Good times

2008-05-24T04:13:00.000-07:00

This week has been pretty incredible. I can't lie.

While my intention is not to make this a space for me to gush, I think that I must recognize how good I have been feeling lately. It is becoming more and more evident to me that positive thinking and physical well being both relate directly to a positive and healthy reality. I'm realizing that doing something as simple as focus on positive energy all the time tends to create a positive energy about you - and this really does affect everyone you come in contact with. But now I'm starting to sound like some sort of spiritual health guru, which I am not. I have taken the last few days off from really challenging myself in a specific sense however. Or, I suppose the challenges haven't stopped, I've just been too busy to reflect upon them. Which still goes again this blog's purpose in more ways than one. I don't think a recap of this weeks happenings will do much for anyone but myself as well. SO. I take this as a lesson and a push to pick it back up again.

(It's kind of funny how I tend to write this as if I am writing to an audience... When really, I don't make a large effort to see that anyone reads it...)

Here is an interesting idea though, that I think goes hand in hand with a lot of the goals behind me doing this whole blog deal. Each night when you go to sleep, take a minute to recap your entire day, making a mental (or physical) list of everything good that happened to you. They can be a simple or as grandiose as you wish, just make a list, and make it positive. Try it!

I also hope to fill tomorrow with new experiences. As many as I can. Expect a barrage of blogging action soon. It's definitely on it's way.

To cap this one off. Here is today's list (even though it is now 4:29am):

- I was on time for work this morning.
- Everyone at work was in a good mood today, which made for a pretty good day at work.
- I got to see my sister on my break today (which was rad because I don't see her often enough)
- The night at work went smoothly - clean up was quick and good.
- Went on my 2nd date with Lou tonight and had an amazing time.

Word.

I've just seen a face...

2008-05-22T02:55:00.000-07:00

Life. is. beautiful.

I am stoked.

Goodnight!

first date.....maybe?

2008-05-20T23:58:00.000-07:00

So. I didn't post anything yesterday.

Working for 12 hours straight after having the weekend off is challenging enough for me however - so we will call it even.

I'm not sure that I even had a particular 'new' challenge today even. I did ride on my bike twice today though. Half an hour on my break from work, and half an hour after I got home. Being active is becoming more and more addictive it seems - which is a good thing, considering I would like to keep the activity up in lieu of being messy and out of shape. Feeling like shit sucks!

I have been in an incredible mood...since Saturday I suppose. It's funny how sometimes, certain social situations can cause you to act unlike your usual self. As shy as I tend to be, I managed to meet a really rad girl, and get her number no less, all while on a hike with Cody. After a night at the beach with her, Justin, Cody, and Dani, I am more than excited to see her again. I don't want to jump the gun here of anything, but you know how you get that feeling about someone sometimes? Well, I've had it once before...and I think I might be getting it once again. I guess I'll have to just wait and see!

I'm taking her to see Coheed & Cambria at the Commodore tomorrow night. Stoked! This is one of those night where I want to go to sleep just so tomorrow comes faster! Off I go!

Tour Jumping Pictures!

2008-05-19T00:11:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting for these for some time! Thank you Harris!

So - This blog is a challenge to share with you an experience. One that means more to me than I might be able to put into words. Therein lies the challenge of it all.

On the U.S. tour Lights Below did - we crossed paths with one of our favorite Canadian bands: Moneen. We had played with Moneen once before. Our 2nd or 3rd show after Taylor joined the band. Our 5th show (maybe) as a band. Our first time playing out of town (the show as in Kelowna). This was monumental for us. It was our first 'big' show. Our first time playing along side a band that had recognition. Our first time playing with a band that we all had come to like, not ever thinking that we would get an opportunity to play along side them.

Fast forward 4 years. We are in Long Beach, California. We are staying with a girl named Sarah, who also houses a band named Damiera on our second night with her. Damiera not only is signed to one of our favorite record labels, but just so happens to be touring the U.S. with Moneen.

Rad dudes. Good times. We depart. That was that.

Now, weeks later in Austin, Texas it just so happens that Moneen and Damiera are playing in Austin as well, on the same night, around the corner from the venue we are playing. We cross paths a second time, and hit it off. We spend the night haning out, they all come watch our show, we have drinks. Relationships being to form... In our talking, we find that our tours will cross paths once again. A week later, after the wonderful boys in Moneen pull some strings for us, we are opening for them in Augusta, Georgia.

This is where I get serious. That night was amazing for me. A bit of a speech was made by Kenny, Moneen's singer, about our band. About our ambition. About our willingness to say fuck it all. Fuck managers, fuck labels...or the lack thereof I suppose. We were out there, on our own, touring North America. We built ourselves an empire, as small as it was. But it was ours, and nobody else's. We then joined them in singing one of their songs.

This may not sound all that exciting. But for me, being that far from home, that far from comfort and familiarity, for that night, I felt at home somehow. I felt like I was EXACTLY where I was meant to be in life. For those moments, nothing else existed to me. It was perfect. Everything was perfect.

If you have ever had a moment where you have no doubt in your mind that you are in the right place; When somehow, everything in your existence comes into balance; When everything just feels as it should be. You cannot help be feel overwhelmed. That is how I felt, for only the 2nd time in my life. I realized that night that doing what makes you truly happy is the only way to go through life. Follow your dreams. Take chances. They will pay off as long as you see your endeavors through. I hope that everyone in this would gets the chance to feel this way someday. It truly is one of the greatest emotions I have had the pleasure of feeling.

As fate would have it, we would join Moneen and Damiera yet again, weeks later in Dewey, Illinois, for the last show of their tour. A tradition carried on tour after tour by Moneen is to take pictures of each person in all of the bands 'jumping' following the tours final show. It can be as simple or complicated as you wish, you just have to jump. Enjoy the creations that the night brought forth. We jumped our asses off. Peace out.

Today was great!

2008-05-18T02:52:00.000-07:00

I think I can say that today was the best day I have had in a long while. Cody and I went on a great hike. 6 hours. 15.5 kilometers. A 714 meter elevation gain. 921 meters at the highest peak. AWESOME! We also made some new friends at the top of the mountain - who joined us at the beach tonight! Sometimes, the way things happen is too strange to describe with words. The circumstances that can bring people together, or create a meeting of strangers - I just can't do it justice in this blog. Though if the words have strike me, I'll be sure to update this. For now, enjoy some pictures!

Good Friends.

2008-05-17T09:48:00.000-07:00

So, I guess this one is a make up post for the one I missed yesterday.

Friday wasn't a bad day, side from being pretty sick... I had to wake up extra early to help my dad with somethings, so I hit the bike for a while before work. I really woke me up! Made for a much easier start to my work day...

The show we played last night was a bit of a joke. Cody did well on drums however, given the amount of time he had to learn our songs and get it all together. Keenan and I took our pants off in an effort to 'out naked' Dan Ball and Acres Of Lions. We took each others pants off actually...while playing. I didn't feel like the show was a great representation of our band and music in the end, but I don't think that the show itself was a very good representation of a 'show' either. I think I've grown very tired of what most people feel being in a band is about. It is a little trying when you have no choice but to associate with a large amount of people whom, when it comes down to it, have no real idea who you are or what you stand for, nor do they really have the desire to find these things out.

Last night was an exception however. We played with Acres Of Lions - Jeff and Dan's new band - who are all equal in sincerity and all around sweetness. We met Jeff and Dan for the first time 4 years ago or so, in Revelstoke B.C. Their band was, at that time, called Destined For Nothing, and they played a mean Taking Back Sunday cover if memory serves... The show that night was more of a joke than the show last night, and the party to follow was equally ridiculous; but the friendship that formed that night has brought all of us back together over and over again over the years.

After 4 years of constant touring, and trips taking us from BC, to Nova Scotia, to California, Texas, New York, and everywhere in between - I can literally count the number of 'good' friends I have made on two hands. Jeff and Dan do, and will always be two of those raised fingers. The things we have done mean nothing, and bragging rights don't exist when we are with those guys. They make music for the same reason we have always made music... because it is fun. I heard Keenan say that the highlight of last night for him was hanging out in the park, playing catch, and sippin' on pil's for those who were so inclined. It really was though. The show was fun, don't get me wrong. But there is an amount of obligation when you are playing a show to be one of those guys in that band. The obligation doesn't capture me like it once did, but it doesn't ever really go away. The things I will catch myself saying to people make me laugh sometimes. I am playing the game, regardless of my wishes not to do so. I think that the fact that I can recognize this must count for something though. I just know that when I spend time with people like Jeff and Dan, and when I am with the rest of my band and everyone is in good spirits, that the idea of giving it all up scares me a lot more than it does at other times. I think that topic would be a blog of it's own however.

I've strayed a little from my point though. So back on track we go. What I wanted to conclude was that nothing can tarnish a genuine connection between people. Not time, not disagreement, not anything. When we see Dan and Jeff, there is no bullshit. It is just good times. A year could pass before we see them again (though their relocation to Victoria makes our meetings ever more frequent) - but when we do see them, everything feels the same. We have created a friendship with them based around our most honest and unfeigned selves, and the way I see it, the person who you 'really' are never changes, you just spend life coming into yourself even more. Much the same as Matt's trip to Australia - after a year - our reunion was anything but exciting. In a good way though. He had done some cool stuff, I had done some cool stuff, and a year had passed. But as soon as he arrived back home, everything went back to normal. Stories we shared of course, but, Matt and I are the same person in a lot of ways, and I think we spent that year becoming ourselves even more. After he got back, there was really nothing to do but pick up where we left off, like we didn't even skip a beat. And...I guess we didn't.

In summary. I challanged myself to a pre-work bike ride. Felt great. I also have recognized a lot about genuine friendship. I think it is important to think about from time to time. We must always reflect upon ourselves and our relationships, taking note of which ones need work, which ones can be set aside, and which ones need preservation. Those that need work, must be tended to. Those that can be set aside, should be set aside, though perhaps not forgotten. And those that need preservation have already found it through the genuine connection between two souls. In their sincerity, they will preserve themselves.

Now, I'm off to go hiking with Cody Beer. Guess what my next post will be about?

I have a hernia...

2008-05-16T00:46:00.000-07:00

I've had a hectic day. My mind is currently numb. However, saying such things goes again the point and purpose of this blog page of mine now doesn't it.

I want to opt out of anything too involved of deep for tonight - but before I call it a night, I just wanted to touch on something quickly.

Does anyone notice that things always seem to work out as they should?

I've always felt this. Always. Whether the dilemma at hand is a big one, or a minor one, things will just work themselves out if you allow them to.

I have had found far too many times in my life that when things seem to be headed toward disaster, or even a fate much less disastrous, lets say things are just headed towards inconvenience. If you don't try too hard to force a certain outcome, things will just work out. It always seems to happen.

And I suppose it may take some time to realize this, in certain instances...

I also realize that this position on life may be due largely in part to my positive and optimistic outlook on everything. But for real, try it out. Just live your life each day like things will work out for you. And they will!

Today it was minor things that focused my thoughts around this subject. And I also found out that I DO in fact have a hernia - so I am wondering now why my overall mood at the end of the day is a good one. I'm not sure I can answer that though. I just know that things feel like they are right where they should be today, all annoyances and health issues aside.

But, the nyquil is telling me that it is time to sleep. I must succumb.

It's been a long time now since I've seen you smile...

2008-05-14T22:44:00.000-07:00

Ride number two today! Another hour. I may consider cutting back my original goal of an hour a day however. My mom talked to me about a better schedule that spends a little more time working my way up to longer more frequent rides. My sore ass and left knee like that idea. My dad also got me proper pedal clips and shoes so I can clip into that bad boy. He's also going to adjust everything tomorrow so its set-up better for my height and what not. Stoked!

So tonight I worked on a little photo project that I had been meaning to complete since last spring.

While on tour in....I don't even remember where we were actually. We stopped at a gas station/rest stop just as the sunset was coming to a close. We took a little time to hang out. I don't know where it was - and to be honest, I don't really remember how I was feeling that night. I am fairly certain that I was feeling reflective though. I pulled out my camera and starting taking shots while I turned slightly each time - trying to put together a makeshift panorama of sorts I suppose. Anyway, I never took the time to piece all the pictures together...until tonight.

It's nothing too exciting - but it does a lot to bring back memories of life on the road. My feelings about life on the road are another matter... though they neither favor, nor denounce it...

On a completely different note - go listen to/download 'Nantes' by a band called Beirut. I just discovered this band tonight, by the advice of a close friend - this song makes me want to ride trains all around Europe...right now.

I think I'll just leave it at that.

Tonight We Ride!

2008-05-14T00:13:00.000-07:00

Since New Years, I have been on a bit of mission to get myself back into shape. After having to stop playing sports due to a problem with my hips, I didn't really do much to compensate for the lack of physical activity. That makes almost 10 years of laziness now. About time for a change I'd say.

My biggest set back is the fact that I don't really have a lot of time outside of work during the week to do anything at all, let alone go to the gym or do some other form of activity. So the other night I had my dad set up one of his bikes on a trainer in my room. Basically, it turns a road bike into a stationary exercise bike. No excuses now!

I did my first ride tonight. 1 Hour. My resolution as of today...ride for one hour each day. I may try getting up early tomorrow morning to ride before work. I figure I'll settle into some sort of routine, riding before work some days, and after work on others.

My mom always tried to push me to be more active. I didn't ever make too much effort though. Last week, she ran in the Vancouver Marathon...42km's. 5 Hours 3 minutes of running. Needless to say, I'm inspired. My days as the messy fat kid are over!

expand your mind...

2008-05-13T00:40:00.001-07:00

Today was busy - but I made some time to dig up some interesting reading material.

One site in particular...

This is a site dedicated to what they call "The Ten Big Questions" - They tackle everything from the big bang theory, to the meaning of life, to the possibility of the existence of extra terrestrial life, and more. Definitely some interesting ideas to explore. I'll dig through it more when I can, maybe I'll come up with something profound!

Goodnight.

i like the way that lights will dance at night.

2008-05-12T01:19:00.001-07:00

I used to really like taking pictures of lights at night. I remember driving to band practice, when we first started the band. I would just stick the camera out the window while Tristan drove and click away. It's nothing too profound...but its a start. I also think that its time I upgraded to a better digital camera... or I could pull out mom's old 35mm. I don't think I've done that since photo class in high school.

Bed time...

Are we really happy with who we are right now?

2008-05-11T22:17:00.000-07:00

Relationships fail because we forget to tend to them. They become comfortable. So comfortable that we begin to take their existence for granted. There used to be a person in my life who meant more to me than anything else in this world. A lot has changed since then... and with that change has come the conclusion that if I could have the chance to do things over again, I would do something new every single day to show her how much I loved her. Something new, every day. Brand new.

Apply that to yourself...to your relationships... Do you take them for granted?

Now apply that to your life.

That is the basis for this blog, in a roundabout kind of way. Everyday. One post. One challenge. The challenge to capture a moment, to capture or share an idea, to create, to imagine, and to inspire. Something new and fresh everyday. And with each day...the willingness to share it with you.

My plan is to use this as a space to document new experiences, to showcase creative exploits, and to share ideas and thoughts that I may have. This is for me... but this is for you too. I hope to keep this space free of rants and raves - unless of course I feel that those rants and raves are of a useful nature. I don't want to write about how bad my week was, nor do I wish to use this as a storage space for self loathing or self pity. This is a place for solutions and inspiration.

Now...where to start...