Focus Features

My car is about 8 years old... 228 000 kms... It's getting almost past its peak.

But last night it made it home in a terrible storm. It got me back, nice and warm, safe and sound.

It's not a flashy car or one that most would consider cool, but it has served me well, and I'm pretty grateful for its reliability... no matter how much I complain about it!

Coffee Spoons

So, I like surprises... and I like coffee. And when the two come together...

One of my favourite people from work has surprised me for the last four weeks in a row with a delicious Starbucks coffee every Friday. It's honestly been the best start to my day.

She knows exactly what to get me... and I really appreciate her thoughtfulness.

Poker Face

I'm not that great at most card games. Ok, I'm pretty bad at all of them. But I definitely enjoy playing cards.

Big poker game today-- who can't love a game that involves bluffing?

Truly Madly Deeply

This commercial is pretty amazing

Bust a Cap

I have been quite partial to my H & M cap lately.

I think it makes me look more British, which is a definite goal of mine.

In fact, I was surprisingly pleased when a colleague told me I looked like a London newsboy off of the fifties.

Freshen yer drink, gov'na?

Ask the Hoff

Oh David Hasselhoff...

He cracks me up because he takes himself so very seriously. In magic eightball style fashion, there's an iPod Touch App called "Ask the Hoff" which answers yes or no to burning questions.

It's pretty funny and pretty ridiculous... and it actually helped me out today.

Thanks, Hoff.

Sweet

I now prefer Sweet Potato Fries to regular fries.

Just thought I'd give that update.

That Song

Sometimes a song totally encapsulates everything you're feeling at a precise moment in time.

It's rare, but it's pretty cool.

It happened today for me. It's almost comforting to know that someone else out there felt the same way once.

And, no, before you ask, it wasn't a song by ke$ha or Nickelback :)

From a Land Down Under

I have some friends that I met on a trip to the UK a few years ago from Australia. I met a lot of really amazing people on that trip, but a few really stood out. One girl I met I absolutely adore. She's like the little sister I never had, and just thinking about her makes me smile.

I got mail from her today... and it was a photo album of all the time I'd spent with her, her boyfriend, and our other one friend... all of whom are amazing. It was literally the best ending to what has been a very trying week for me... and it just made me so happy.

I'm so sorry that she lives half a world away, but I'm so happy she's in my life.

Going Local

I'm a fan of corporations, generally.

Well... not really... but I've been known to love retail corporations. I'm not a "one off" kinda guy. I like mass produced, high quality stuff.

Most times.

I do like shopping for food locally, however. I wish I lived in a place where I had easy access to my own butcher, bakery, farm stand, etc... all year round, where they know my name and I know them... but I don't.

Today, however, I stopped at a bakery which is on my way home from work. I really enjoy the place. They always help me out when I need it, and they serve fantastic carb-laden treats which make me quite content.

I needed that delicious end to a long day.

Easy Silence

Didn't have the greatest day yesterday... but I realized how much I can appreciate those quiet moments... sometimes it's nice to de-clutter and just gather one's thoughts in silence.

I'm fortunate to have that time.

String Quartet Tribute

I wish I could say that I was a major fan of classical music... I don't know much about it-- it's not like I can really tell one instrument from another or anything like that. I know "Canon in D" by Pachabel (sp?) but that's about the only piece I can identify. I generally find it relaxing to listen to, but it's rare that I would purchase a classical cd... I think the only one I have in my collection is "Cinema Classics".

It sort of changed a bit, however, when I discovered String Quartet Tributes... This group (groups? collection of people? I really don't know) covers modern rock tracks solely with strings. It's quite lovely to listen to, and I like that I can recognize the song.

I find it a bit calming too-- always a plus in my day :)

We Are the World

The Olympics have brought the world together for a brief moment again, as happens every two years... and even though it's in the spirit of competition, it's always so positive. More stories of compassion come out of the Olympics than stories of hate. Always.

It's interesting to me that NBC used the opening ceremonies to premiere the new, updated version of "We Are the World" in order to benefit Haiti relief. It makes total sense when you think about it-- more people will be watching tv at that time than normal, so it stands to reason that more people will consider donating some cash.

It's an interesting cover... some rap, some Bieber... many faces I didn't recognize... and a highly enjoyable section by T-Pain.

They've created a charity single in the UK too... and quite frankly, I prefer it :)

Gold

And the drought is over...

So Canada has been the only nation to ever host the Olympics more than once and NOT win a Gold medal on its own soil.

Tonight, that finally changed when Alexandre Bilodeau won gold tonight in Men's Moguls.

I actually stood up and started cheering in front of my friend's tv. I rarely do that.

I think I feel more connect to my fellow Canadians, knowing that we were all cheering him on. And I hope this takes some of the pressure off of the other Canuck athletes. They all do us proud, and I think the added pressure of "never won gold on Canadian soil" has been a lot for them to carry on their shoulders.

Congrats, Alexandre.

Congrats, Canada.

Def Poetry Jam

After the opening ceremonies last night, which I found to be pretty great, one of the stand out parts for me was the "We Are More" poem by Shane Koyczan. I think it really made people stand up and take notice.

We really are more. Thanks, Shane, for expressing it so well:

We Are More
by Shane Koyczan

When defining Canada
you might list some statistics
you might mention our tallest building
or biggest lake
you might shake a tree in the fall
and call a red leaf Canada
you might rattle off some celebrities
might mention Buffy Sainte-Marie
might even mention the fact that we've got a few
Barenaked Ladies
or that we made these crazy things
like zippers
electric cars
and washing machines
when defining Canada
it seems the world's anthem has been
" been there done that"
and maybe that's where we used to be at
it's true
we've done and we've been
we've seen
all the great themes get swallowed up by the machine
and turned into theme parks
but when defining Canada
don't forget to mention that we have set sparks
we are not just fishing stories
about the one that got away
we do more than sit around and say "eh?"
and yes
we are the home of the Rocket and the Great One
who inspired little number nines
and little number ninety-nines
but we're more than just hockey and fishing lines
off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes
and some say what defines us
is something as simple as please and thank you
and as for you're welcome
well we say that too
but we are more
than genteel or civilized
we are an idea in the process
of being realized
we are young
we are cultures strung together
then woven into a tapestry
and the design
is what makes us more
than the sum total of our history
we are an experiment going right for a change
with influences that range from a to zed
and yes we say zed instead of zee
we are the colours of Chinatown and the coffee of Little Italy
we dream so big that there are those
who would call our ambition an industry
because we are more than sticky maple syrup and clean snow
we do more than grow wheat and brew beer
we are vineyards of good year after good year
we reforest what we clear
because we believe in generations beyond our own
knowing now that so many of us
have grown past what used to be
we can stand here today
filled with all the hope people have
when they say things like "someday"
someday we'll be great
someday we'll be this
or that
someday we'll be at a point
when someday was yesterday
and all of our aspirations will pay the way
for those who on that day
look towards tomorrow
and still they say someday
we will reach the goals we set
and we will get interest on our inspiration
because we are more than a nation of whale watchers and lumberjacks
more than backpacks and hiking trails
we are hammers and nails building bridges
towards those who are willing to walk across
we are the lost-and-found for all those who might find themselves at a loss
we are not the see-through gloss or glamour
of those who clamour for the failings of others
we are fathers brothers sisters and mothers
uncles and nephews aunts and nieces
we are cousins
we are found missing puzzle pieces
we are families with room at the table for newcomers
we are more than summers and winters
more than on and off seasons
we are the reasons people have for wanting to stay
because we are more than what we say or do
we live to get past what we go through
and learn who we are
we are students
students who study the studiousness of studying
so we know what as well as why
we don't have all the answers
but we try
and the effort is what makes us more
we don't all know what it is in life we're looking for
so keep exploring
go far and wide
or go inside but go deep
go deep
as if James Cameron was filming a sequel to The Abyss
and suddenly there was this location scout
trying to figure some way out
to get inside you
because you've been through hell and high water
and you went deep
keep exploring
because we are more
than a laundry list of things to do and places to see
we are more than hills to ski
or countryside ponds to skate
we are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can't wait
we are first-rate greasy-spoon diners and healthy-living cafes
a country that is all the ways you choose to live
a land that can give you variety
because we are choices
we are millions upon millions of voices shouting
" keep exploring... we are more"
we are the surprise the world has in store for you
it's true
Canada is the "what" in "what's new?"
so don't say "been there done that"
unless you've sat on the sidewalk
while chalk artists draw still lifes
on the concrete of a kid in the street
beatboxing to Neil Young for fun
don't say you've been there done that
unless you've been here doing it
let this country be your first-aid kit
for all the times you get sick of the same old same old
let us be the story told to your friends
and when that story ends
leave chapters for the next time you'll come back
next time pack for all the things
you didn't pack for the first time
but don't let your luggage define your travels
each life unravels differently
and experiences are what make up
the colours of our tapestry
we are the true north
strong and free
and what's more
is that we didn't just say it
we made it be.

Olympics

Not much to write tonight-- watching the Vancouver Olympics Opening Ceremonies has made me pretty proud to be Canadian though.

True North.

The Air Up There

I spent my afternoon watching a pretty intense basketball game. Live. It was a school game where I work, and it was fantastic.

I like watching some sports on tv for sure... but there's nothing quite like watching something live. It's way more exciting and exhilarating. I think when you're so close to the players that you can see their facial expressions, the grit, emotion, and thought they put into their plays, that it heightens the audience's enjoyment of the game.

Today's match featured several players I know pretty well and they played quite fantastically.

Coincidentally, it made the afternoon fly by-- also a bonus!

The Invitational

I live quite a distance away from the majority of my friends. Ya, I have one or two friends in my community, but the people I feel closest to live at least 45 mins-1 hour away from me. This is true, as well, of people in my social periphery.

Because of the time/distance, I generally don't get out too much... especially during the work week. It's not like I don't want to go out with people... but when one combines the drive with the time, throw in some bad weather... and the necessity of getting up the next morning for work... well, it just adds up to a difficult time.

That being said, just getting invited to things is a pretty damn nice thing. I sometimes feel bad that I can't attend for the above mentioned reasons, but the invite is nice.

Today I got an invite to a poker night which I probably won't be able to attend since it's an hour away from me on a work night... but it was from someone who I never thought would include me.

Those sorts of mini surprises are unexpectedly nice.

And appreciated.

Anticipation

This Friday, Canada will host the Olympic Games in Vancouver, BC. This is quite far away from me (in fact, I believe the Salt Lake City Games of 2002 would actually be closer) but it's not about geography.

I remember when the announcement of the 2010 games was made. I was working, and we all gathered to watch on a computer. It was almost euphoric-- we cheered and celebrated even though it was an event that would be seven years and a 5.5 hour flight away. Still, there's something to be said for national pride and spirit. I can see how excited people are about the Olympics, and we all have such great hope for our athletes.

I can't wait to see what the opening ceremonies entail. I know Canada will do a great job of hosting, and I know that even without competing, we'll be proud of our athletes.

Above it all, there's something pretty cool about positive anticipation.

Peppermint Twist

So, although I feel I may be betraying my national identity, I'm not a huge fan of Tim Horton's. I think their coffee smells like skunk (I know... I'm going to be pelted with beaver tails and maple syrup) and most of their other beverages don't do it for me.

But it's pretty hard to screw up tea. So I tend to get tea when I must go to TH. More recently, I've been enjoying the TH peppermint tea-- a large, in fact, with two sweeteners. It's surprisingly delicious and refreshing. I also like the fact that it's double cupped... since they don't have the Starbucks-esque sleeve.

Anyway, I digress... On a cold winter day, when I can't make it to my beloved Starbucks, a TH peppermint tea will suit me just fine... in a pinch ;)

867-5309

Dane Cook does this bit in his act about sounds-- sounds that make you happy (for him, it could be laundry in the dryer) and sounds that make you "want to punch babies" (he's not a fan of car alarms in the middle of the night. The whole thing is pretty hilarious... and it got me thinking about sounds I like.

For me, one of the sounds I enjoy the most is that of my text message ring tone. It's nothing special-- nothing funny, nothing uproarious... it's actually pretty professional, as far as mobile ring tones go.

It's less about the actual tone, per se, however, than what's behind it. People get excited when they get a text or a phone call on their mobile because it means that someone is thinking of them and wants to communicate with them. I think a basic desire we all have-- maybe it's a basic need-- is that we all want to feel wanted and cared about. We want people to want to talk to us, to communicate with us. That little ring or beep in your pocket indicates that.

There's nothing quite like an unsolicited beep or vibration to connect you back to one's community.

Connect.

To Be With You

I heard "To Be With You" by Mr. Big today, and all of a sudden, so many memories of the early 90s came flooding back.

I remember listening to that song religiously in our car every night on the "Top 7 at 7" with "Tarzan Dan". 680 am was a preset on our dial, and I used to love running out to the car each night to check out what would be number one.

Upon reflection, 680 was a pretty good station-- Jesse and Gene in the morning (my favourite segment was "Wreck a Wedding Wednesday" in which they'd call some unsuspecting bride and lie to her about something like her dress being burned in a fire just days before the ceremony... major lols) and then Tarzan Dan at night.

The song "To Be With You" is, to this day, probably one of my favourite one hit wonders. I remember being genuinely confused as to whether the singer was male or female-- and the video didn't help solve the mystery (thank you 80s hair). One of my friends and I argued over that so much-- but neither of us was honestly totally sure.

I don't know why, exactly, that song was so popular to me. It just was mellow, I guess. Hearing it today made me feel a bit mellow too... smiling about a time when things seemed so much simpler, when the highlight of my day would be running out to the car on a warm summer evening to hear the top seven songs of the day counted down by a guy named "Tarzan."

I wish I could go back to that time with the knowledge I have now. I wonder how different things would be.

The Insider

Yep, as you can tell, I'm a total foodie. I'm definitely an addict, and I do have to watch myself. I enjoy cooking, baking, dining-- I love it all-- even grocery shopping.

(Sadly,) this is why I get so excited four times a year when the President's Choice Insider's Report comes out. I love it-- I go absolutely crazy for it.

Let's be honest: President's Choice is the best food brand in Canada. I'm sorry "Compliments" and "Irresistibles" and "No Name"-- you just don't cut it when compared to PC. Not even close. Some of my favourites include their Kettle Chips, jams and jellies, couscous, frozen entrees... I could go on and on.

So today, I was particularly grateful to go through my fliers and come upon a new Insider's Report! I didn't expect one so soon as there was a rather large one at Christmas-- hence the surprise and the enjoyment derived from it. This one features many healthy alternatives which makes my impending PC splurge more guilt-free :)

God Bless Gaelen Weston.

Nothing but a t-shirt

I think most of us have a favourite tshirt. It's one that's worn in, fits just right, and seems to mold to our shape when we put it on. Maybe it's a reminder of the best concert we attended or a great vacation-- whatever the case, it ends up being a favourite.

Whatever the case, t-shirts can be so comfortable. And while I don't have a major affinity to tshirts in general, I must say that there's not much I enjoy more than my tshirt sheets. They are cool when it's hot out; they retain heat in the winter. I find them soft and just the best things to happen to sleep since the bed.

Thank you, tshirt sheets designer. I owe you one.

Scrabbulous

I'd never really been a fan of the board game "Scrabble". I mean, it's alright... but it's no Scattergories.

That all changed when I started playing Scrabble online. Wow. It's so much fun. I enjoy the think time and the fact that there's no one across the board staring, pressuring me to move more quickly.

I've won a few rounds here and there... and I'll even (sadly) admit that I've used the Online Scrabble Word Finder on occasion... but the sweetest victories are the ones that come from just trial and error... sans online generator.

I think it's a nice way to expand the vocabulary and use my (limited) word knowledge.

Let them eat (fruit) cake!

In some ways, I think that I'm becoming a senior citizen. No, I haven't started stashing pocketfuls of Werther's Originals around, nor do I almost break a hip when I see the Trebor "Pick N' Mix".... but one of my favourite things right now (well... from December up to the present) is fruitcake.

Seriously. How old am I?

I remember going to weddings when I was younger, and the signature favour was Fruit Cake, and I was so disappointed. "Boo-urns to Fruit Cake," I'd say.

Then, I had a slice of the Claxtons (sp?). My life changed. It was more fruit than cake, more sweet than briny, more delicious than gross.

I was given a Claxtons Cake for my birthday, and I've been keeping it in the freezer... slowly but surely eating a slice here and there. Highly enjoyable.

So bad for me, by the way.

But so good.

Monster Mash?

I hadn't really heard the term "Mash Up" until watching an episode of Glee which featured the concept of two songs being mashed together. Now, I can't get enough of them.

In fact, I had to do some advertising for an upcoming event and made my own. A little DJing, if you will. I think I've got a future in this career-- ha!

Seriously, though, the only way to make two amazing songs even better is to mix 'em up. What a great concept. There's some DJ (Earworm, maybe?) who puts together a mash up of the top 25 songs of the year at the end of the respective year. It's pretty impressive-- almost like a musical snapshot of 12 months.

You Can't Handle the Truth

I think that we, as a society, sugar coat things too much. Sometimes people need to hear the honest truth. I like to know how people feel about me or things I've done-- good or bad. Yep, people avoid saying what they really feel because they don't want to hurt feelings or offend someone... but I'd much rather have to deal with a bruised ego for a bit than find out months later that someone said something nasty about something I'd done or about me. Here's the thing: people always find out things you've said about them. Always.

I think it's rare that we hear the truth.

Today, I heard some truth. It's not the easiest thing to take-- definitely bruised by it all. But I'm so thankful that I have a friend who was willing to tell it to me. That's a true mark of someone who cares-- it's not always easy being a straight shooter.