Lately, I've been thinking real hard about this whole Facebook thing. About how I interact with it and how it "supposed" to interact with me. I think I got caught up on the whole "I need friends and I need them now!!!" type of thinking. Looking at some of my "friends" in my friends list, I've noticed that some have over 200 some even in the 300's... why? Do you really know ALL those people and do they even really know you? I know I'm on some of those peoples friends list just as a number, 300 people... how do you even keep track? I have 70+ and I couldn't even tell you whom most of those people are/were or how often I've written on their walls or checked out their pictures if any were posted in a while.
I've also thought about how I interact with the people closest to me and how easy it was to just send a message here or there and find that I don't really get much in return except the odd wall-to-wall post or a message here or there. I do agree though, that it's an easy way to keep in touch and if pictures are there, easy to post and easy to view. Although I do find that, the people on my friends list that I contact most of the time are someone I would call to see how their doing or someone who messages me quite a bit.
I will be doing a half decent purge here right quick because... I just don't know who some of the people are anymore. I don't associate with them, nor do I even... I'm not going to say care but, I don't talk to them, I don't show any interest as to how their doing, even though I'm sure their doing OK but it's been so long with some of these people that I don't know who they are anymore as some of them... it's been almost 5 years since I've seen some of them.
There's another reason I bring this up. My interest in Facebook itself is starting to diminish. I've had my fun with it, done my time and I think, like some of the very few friends, will contemplate cutting my account all together. Although very drastic, I doubt that will happen, there are still some people that I converse with and I like to share some of the photo's that I rarely put up on there. I'm also finding that I rush home to play a few applications and a few games on there but the funny thing is... I don't really care. That's not the reason why I'm on Facebook really, and it's not what I want to do on there anymore. Hence again for a big purge.
So, I share this blog with my Facebook account, so if you get to read this, consider yourself lucky enough to read it as you've made my cut...lol And I'm sure when I've gotten rid of some of my Facebook applications, my computer usage will almost be cut in half.
I guess, even though I like my cell phone and I like the Internet connection... I'm almost just not that interested in being all that connected anymore. My life has changed for the better, and I'm tired of just spending time on this blasted thing now and not doing like... chores in the house. It's stuff I'll get figured out.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
True value of someone's word...
So, I've made the next leap... what's that? I'm changing career's again???!!?!?!!! Yes. I'm having a bit of a hard time with this one because I really liked a lot of the people I worked with, and a lot of the people who worked for me and worked hard for me. Being a purchaser is where I learned what your name and word really meant and how you deal with people you deal with for product (no matter how small or how big).
I'll say this, I'm no salesmen (sales-person for those whom are politically correct out there) where I have a conscience and have feelings about how I treated my vendors. I've enjoyed the past 13 months buying stuff, getting the deal, working for the deal, feeling the pressure and the stress that this career has given into me. I've learned that everything is built upon relationships with the people you buy from, from the smallest nut and bolt to the largest component of a drilling rig. I've found that even sometimes the quickest of business lunches is the best way to build that relationship where you are able to buy stuff with out a purchase order BECAUSE you have that relationship with the vendor and your name and word DOES mean something.
Growing up, my dad wasn't around much defending the country of all the evil do-er's that want to do wrong in this world, but when he was around, one of the many things he did teach me was that the only thing you have in this world is your word and your name. A good farmers way of living where all he had was his word, and stuck to it. And that's how I treated my vendors and the company I worked for. Unfortunately this wasn't the case for the company and some of my other vendors where all they wanted was the sale/product. Well, I can't say EVERYONE worked the way I worked, but I will say that most of them did.
I found that, the true measure of a person, when all he has was his word (and a PO...lol) is that my last few days, even the vendors I've only ever talked to 3 times, came in or called or emailed saying "good luck" "all the best" etc. Some I'll be in contact for a while after I leave as I've built more than a buying relationship with, but I'll miss making those contacts, those relationships, going for those lunches to build that trust with a vendor. I've had to lean on a number of my vendors to get product out to me, to hurry a purchase, to get it to my door ASAP (that STILL isn't a date on the calendar).
I'm going to miss it. I'm NOT going to miss the b/s but I will miss the talking, the networking, getting the best deal, sharing what we did on the weekend building that relationship even better. I might get back into it, but then again... I probably won't... who knows. All I know is that I had fun and enjoyed myself.
I'll say this, I'm no salesmen (sales-person for those whom are politically correct out there) where I have a conscience and have feelings about how I treated my vendors. I've enjoyed the past 13 months buying stuff, getting the deal, working for the deal, feeling the pressure and the stress that this career has given into me. I've learned that everything is built upon relationships with the people you buy from, from the smallest nut and bolt to the largest component of a drilling rig. I've found that even sometimes the quickest of business lunches is the best way to build that relationship where you are able to buy stuff with out a purchase order BECAUSE you have that relationship with the vendor and your name and word DOES mean something.
Growing up, my dad wasn't around much defending the country of all the evil do-er's that want to do wrong in this world, but when he was around, one of the many things he did teach me was that the only thing you have in this world is your word and your name. A good farmers way of living where all he had was his word, and stuck to it. And that's how I treated my vendors and the company I worked for. Unfortunately this wasn't the case for the company and some of my other vendors where all they wanted was the sale/product. Well, I can't say EVERYONE worked the way I worked, but I will say that most of them did.
I found that, the true measure of a person, when all he has was his word (and a PO...lol) is that my last few days, even the vendors I've only ever talked to 3 times, came in or called or emailed saying "good luck" "all the best" etc. Some I'll be in contact for a while after I leave as I've built more than a buying relationship with, but I'll miss making those contacts, those relationships, going for those lunches to build that trust with a vendor. I've had to lean on a number of my vendors to get product out to me, to hurry a purchase, to get it to my door ASAP (that STILL isn't a date on the calendar).
I'm going to miss it. I'm NOT going to miss the b/s but I will miss the talking, the networking, getting the best deal, sharing what we did on the weekend building that relationship even better. I might get back into it, but then again... I probably won't... who knows. All I know is that I had fun and enjoyed myself.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Trade Winds Blowing Again???
I have come to realize that it's not just me anymore. I had a freak-out about 3 weeks ago, about what I was doing, why I was doing it and just.... why in general. I also have to say that I love Erin to death. I love the fact that we have very open communication between us, we talk things out, we worry together, we think together and keep our eye out for each other. My little freak out I had a few weeks ago was basically a brake down in my communication with her. Erin made me realize that it's not "me, the single guy" anymore, who can just make snap decisions about stuff like a job... or a career for that matter, that with every decesion I make has an impact with her, and the family. We sat down and talked things out and made sure that it wasn't the job itself, just a few people AT the job that I wasn't enjoying. So, I'm in it, for the family, for Erin.... for me. I may not love my job, and I may not enjoy everything about it at certain times but I have to deal with those days and really... put my big boy pants on and deal with it.
The other reason I love her, she's always thinking about us and about me, putting us before herself a lot of times. I look at her, working a job she's not so happy with at the moment, and talking to her and listening to how frustrated she feels when she comes home, I'm surprised she hasn't had a freak out and has actually left (puts a lot of things into perspective for me and where I sit every day.) She's helped me figure out that sometimes you just have to deal with it, keep driving in every day and do your job and go home. I've now realized that it's best to talk out what I'm feeling, and how I'm feeling as well (I know, guys talking about feelings *SHOCK*, right?). It's part of the open communication that I love about us.
So, back to the title of the Blog (the previous was just a lead up to what I had in mind). Erin brought an idea to mind a few days ago. Now, it's quite an interesting idea that I haven't thought of before and has made me think, go through the pro's and con's in my mind (this will be the "open communication" part between me and Erin) about this budding opportunity. Now, I may not be 100% sold about where I'm working now but I do enjoy a lot about what I do, and if/when I DO jump to something else, I have to be ready to stick with it for longer than 20 months. See, I'm still trying to figure out what to do when I grow up. I've pretty much re-invented myself 3 to 4 times and I'm getting tired of trying to figure it out really. I can't complain about what I've done in the past, it's given me a lot of great skills that I wouldn't have gotten by just watching TV saying "Gee, that would be cool to learn a little bit about..." I've also met a lot of great people in those 3 to 4 events, that have taught me that sometimes you just need to make a jump, and that there is something for everyone. And also, every opportunity always leads to another at some point in time.
I'm open to learn more, I'm open to change (so to speak) and I do enjoy a challenge as well. I do know a couple of guys who were my age a few years back and had, I'm assuming, the same talk with themselves to see where things were going, how things were going and where they were heading. I do have to remember though that, this next change will have to be my last for a long time because, I know myself that I just can't be job hopping for no more than 12 to 20 months and expect things to come out alright. Eventually, it will bite me in the ass.
But, whatever happens within the next 3 months to 3 years, I'll have that family unit at home to talk things out, vent my frustrations and have someone in my corner, someone to hug when I've had a hard day and kick my ass when I need it... And this is one of the MANY reasons why I love Erin.
The other reason I love her, she's always thinking about us and about me, putting us before herself a lot of times. I look at her, working a job she's not so happy with at the moment, and talking to her and listening to how frustrated she feels when she comes home, I'm surprised she hasn't had a freak out and has actually left (puts a lot of things into perspective for me and where I sit every day.) She's helped me figure out that sometimes you just have to deal with it, keep driving in every day and do your job and go home. I've now realized that it's best to talk out what I'm feeling, and how I'm feeling as well (I know, guys talking about feelings *SHOCK*, right?). It's part of the open communication that I love about us.
So, back to the title of the Blog (the previous was just a lead up to what I had in mind). Erin brought an idea to mind a few days ago. Now, it's quite an interesting idea that I haven't thought of before and has made me think, go through the pro's and con's in my mind (this will be the "open communication" part between me and Erin) about this budding opportunity. Now, I may not be 100% sold about where I'm working now but I do enjoy a lot about what I do, and if/when I DO jump to something else, I have to be ready to stick with it for longer than 20 months. See, I'm still trying to figure out what to do when I grow up. I've pretty much re-invented myself 3 to 4 times and I'm getting tired of trying to figure it out really. I can't complain about what I've done in the past, it's given me a lot of great skills that I wouldn't have gotten by just watching TV saying "Gee, that would be cool to learn a little bit about..." I've also met a lot of great people in those 3 to 4 events, that have taught me that sometimes you just need to make a jump, and that there is something for everyone. And also, every opportunity always leads to another at some point in time.
I'm open to learn more, I'm open to change (so to speak) and I do enjoy a challenge as well. I do know a couple of guys who were my age a few years back and had, I'm assuming, the same talk with themselves to see where things were going, how things were going and where they were heading. I do have to remember though that, this next change will have to be my last for a long time because, I know myself that I just can't be job hopping for no more than 12 to 20 months and expect things to come out alright. Eventually, it will bite me in the ass.
But, whatever happens within the next 3 months to 3 years, I'll have that family unit at home to talk things out, vent my frustrations and have someone in my corner, someone to hug when I've had a hard day and kick my ass when I need it... And this is one of the MANY reasons why I love Erin.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
I can't wait!!!
I really can't. Erin and I are looking at buying the house we're renting and I can't wait for the responsibility of owning a home. We're in discussions with the landlord now about price and such and I can't wait.
What can't I wait for? The ability to start to work on something, do build equity in the home, to do handyman type jobs to learn how to do certain things... just the ability to soak in any knowledge that anyone is willing to give me on how to work on the house and maintain it. Erin and I are now talking about where to put money, how to spend it wisely, and how to best get the most of our money with the biggest return.
I will admit, the house was built in 1938 and has a few owners in its time and has had a lot of "handyman specials" done to it. We're quite lucky in the fact that good friends of ours are licensed electrician and plumber so I want to soak up as much as I can.
Why am I talking about this? Well, I did a small little project for Erin's flowers. She bought a lot of flower stuff off of her friend and had to make some shelves for the paint she newly acquired. Well, even though it was just a small little thing, put some screws in the wall for some brackets to put some hangers off of it and put shelving on it, but man.... it was great. The fact that I was working on something, building something and having it be useful felt almost.... empowering. Our friends had come out this morning to take a look at the house to give an honest opinion of what they figured about the house. Things sounded good, had some laughs and some good advice. Sounded good so now our heads are swimming with ideas, what to do, where to do it and what's best to do.
I can't wait.
What can't I wait for? The ability to start to work on something, do build equity in the home, to do handyman type jobs to learn how to do certain things... just the ability to soak in any knowledge that anyone is willing to give me on how to work on the house and maintain it. Erin and I are now talking about where to put money, how to spend it wisely, and how to best get the most of our money with the biggest return.
I will admit, the house was built in 1938 and has a few owners in its time and has had a lot of "handyman specials" done to it. We're quite lucky in the fact that good friends of ours are licensed electrician and plumber so I want to soak up as much as I can.
Why am I talking about this? Well, I did a small little project for Erin's flowers. She bought a lot of flower stuff off of her friend and had to make some shelves for the paint she newly acquired. Well, even though it was just a small little thing, put some screws in the wall for some brackets to put some hangers off of it and put shelving on it, but man.... it was great. The fact that I was working on something, building something and having it be useful felt almost.... empowering. Our friends had come out this morning to take a look at the house to give an honest opinion of what they figured about the house. Things sounded good, had some laughs and some good advice. Sounded good so now our heads are swimming with ideas, what to do, where to do it and what's best to do.
I can't wait.
Friday, March 20, 2009
To all my sheet metal bretheren, I appologize
I want to help my sweetheart with her flowers, I want to feel included, but... me and flowers don't really mix and well... Erin is a one woman show really. So, anytime she asks me to help with something or build something or something to modify for her business, I'm right in there like a dirty shirt.
Well, this evening... not even a wobbly pop in me (well, one with supper but I'm not counting that) I get to business. I go to Canadian Tire and got a hacksaw blade to help cut down these garbage cans so she can create arrangements inside these baskets without seeing the top of the garbage can. Found the right blade, did the typical Canadian Tire look around to see what's there (found the new toolbox of my dreams...lol but at a small $1700, it's going to stay a dream, considering Costco has one for $1000 top and bottom).
So, out I get my drill, the biggest drill bit I could find (found out that 1/4" isn't big enough for a hacksaw blade), measured all around the basket and totally butchered it. I didn't take any pictures because, well, it is quite embarrassing. It was all over the place, up, down, huge cuts down the side, change in directions... UGH!! SO... next one I was able to think through and just started to drill holes all around the garbage pail but what aspect of that did I forget?? The little knobbies that are left after cutting the top off, and my tools are still packed, and tools meaning, files. *sigh*, so anyway... it worked a LOT better than just cutting, but the finish isn't all that great.
I know it was just plastic and no one is going to see it, but I know it's there and looks like crap...lol When she's done that wedding I'll pull out the files and give the pails some fit and finish. And man... just thinking about it... I had a Dremel tool that I could have used to cut that cleanly... man... I'm totally not thinking, maybe I SHOULD have had a few wobbly pops!!
Anyway, that's enough from me for now...
Well, this evening... not even a wobbly pop in me (well, one with supper but I'm not counting that) I get to business. I go to Canadian Tire and got a hacksaw blade to help cut down these garbage cans so she can create arrangements inside these baskets without seeing the top of the garbage can. Found the right blade, did the typical Canadian Tire look around to see what's there (found the new toolbox of my dreams...lol but at a small $1700, it's going to stay a dream, considering Costco has one for $1000 top and bottom).
So, out I get my drill, the biggest drill bit I could find (found out that 1/4" isn't big enough for a hacksaw blade), measured all around the basket and totally butchered it. I didn't take any pictures because, well, it is quite embarrassing. It was all over the place, up, down, huge cuts down the side, change in directions... UGH!! SO... next one I was able to think through and just started to drill holes all around the garbage pail but what aspect of that did I forget?? The little knobbies that are left after cutting the top off, and my tools are still packed, and tools meaning, files. *sigh*, so anyway... it worked a LOT better than just cutting, but the finish isn't all that great.
I know it was just plastic and no one is going to see it, but I know it's there and looks like crap...lol When she's done that wedding I'll pull out the files and give the pails some fit and finish. And man... just thinking about it... I had a Dremel tool that I could have used to cut that cleanly... man... I'm totally not thinking, maybe I SHOULD have had a few wobbly pops!!
Anyway, that's enough from me for now...
Monday, March 16, 2009
We're struggling, but it's not what you think...
Erin and I are trying to buy a home. We've been looking, we've been finding and loosing all at the same time. It's funny, when we could have bought a home (about 6 to 10 months ago) with the 0% down, 40 yr mortgage, the housing prices where way beyond what we could have afforded. Now, we can afford something... but there's nothing worth buying.
We've just gone through our final mortgage broker (first was a bank, second was a mortgage broker) and all we want is service. We're also done going through, basically, our 3rd and final personal audit on all of our debts and finances. I'm hoping the 3rd time's the charm because I'm tired of applying and hoping and looking and hoping and finding nothing.
Trying to find a place in town here is almost impossible. There are a lot of other people in our price bracket that, homes going for our price point are going with in days. We have been looking around and have found a couple of places, but, not REALLY priced beyond what we can afford, just the homes aren't going to come down. We've found a really nice duplex, brand new, been on the market since it was started to be built. We asked our realtor to pass along a number to see if he'd be willing to entertain... nadda. Oh well... hence our 3rd attempt trying to get a half decent mortgage. What we're hoping is that this 3rd attempt will give us a better price to be able to make an offer on the nice duplex. We'll find out tomorrow... just frustrating is all. Ah well... We've waited this long... whats one more night...lol
We've just gone through our final mortgage broker (first was a bank, second was a mortgage broker) and all we want is service. We're also done going through, basically, our 3rd and final personal audit on all of our debts and finances. I'm hoping the 3rd time's the charm because I'm tired of applying and hoping and looking and hoping and finding nothing.
Trying to find a place in town here is almost impossible. There are a lot of other people in our price bracket that, homes going for our price point are going with in days. We have been looking around and have found a couple of places, but, not REALLY priced beyond what we can afford, just the homes aren't going to come down. We've found a really nice duplex, brand new, been on the market since it was started to be built. We asked our realtor to pass along a number to see if he'd be willing to entertain... nadda. Oh well... hence our 3rd attempt trying to get a half decent mortgage. What we're hoping is that this 3rd attempt will give us a better price to be able to make an offer on the nice duplex. We'll find out tomorrow... just frustrating is all. Ah well... We've waited this long... whats one more night...lol
Thursday, March 12, 2009
I miss my car....
Ok, so this touches the whole hobby thing again... but I'm not going to go through the whole thing AGAIN as I've done in previous posts, I think I've flogged that horse to death... twice. This is a lament to my car... no, not just ANY car... my 1966 Chevy II. My 4 door coach.... or as in Chevy II/Nova lingo... a Moredoor.
In plain terms... I miss it. I miss the smell (it's had the same smell since dad picked it up in '83 and a quick look of it last Dec 26 years later... yup... same smell), I miss the feel of the 60's era bench seat, the fact that it turns heads and feels great. I remember driving it when I was home for the summer during college in the summer of '98 and enjoyed it then. Now I go home and every time I go to the garage for some small errand my parents need me to do, I see it... sad, under a bunch of stuff where dad has no more storage except... on the car.
My goal for this car is to be able to drive it again. I want to be able to commute in the summer with it, drive it every day, I want to be able to go on road trips in it, go to car shows and show it off and have fun meeting other people and other Nova/Chevy II owners and discuss our trips and plans for the past and future.
To be able to build memories in that car would be my dream. Spending time with the family (right now it just includes a dog, but it'll get bigger in time for sure!!) and bonding. I want to be able to show my kids (I'm hoping they have the bug to be mechanically inclined as I got from my dad) how to replace a tire, change the oil and maybe... just maybe teach them how to do some body work and some welding when they're old enough. I want to be able to have that bond with my future kids, and oh yea... have the old dog follow me where ever I go and lay down and nap when I'm doing whatever I'm doing.
Not to wish for the future to happen tomorrow, but I can't wait. The car wins in the ultimate quest for a hobby, mostly for the events that I've just told you... the money isn't a HUGE issue as it's a passion for me to complete when I've got the time. I've got some good people around me that support me to help eventually make that happen, plus a loving supporting fiancee who understands that I want to do this for our future... and well, for my sanity as well...lol
But that's it for now... Just letting everyone know that... I can't wait......... well, I CAN... but I can't...lol
In plain terms... I miss it. I miss the smell (it's had the same smell since dad picked it up in '83 and a quick look of it last Dec 26 years later... yup... same smell), I miss the feel of the 60's era bench seat, the fact that it turns heads and feels great. I remember driving it when I was home for the summer during college in the summer of '98 and enjoyed it then. Now I go home and every time I go to the garage for some small errand my parents need me to do, I see it... sad, under a bunch of stuff where dad has no more storage except... on the car.
My goal for this car is to be able to drive it again. I want to be able to commute in the summer with it, drive it every day, I want to be able to go on road trips in it, go to car shows and show it off and have fun meeting other people and other Nova/Chevy II owners and discuss our trips and plans for the past and future.
To be able to build memories in that car would be my dream. Spending time with the family (right now it just includes a dog, but it'll get bigger in time for sure!!) and bonding. I want to be able to show my kids (I'm hoping they have the bug to be mechanically inclined as I got from my dad) how to replace a tire, change the oil and maybe... just maybe teach them how to do some body work and some welding when they're old enough. I want to be able to have that bond with my future kids, and oh yea... have the old dog follow me where ever I go and lay down and nap when I'm doing whatever I'm doing.
Not to wish for the future to happen tomorrow, but I can't wait. The car wins in the ultimate quest for a hobby, mostly for the events that I've just told you... the money isn't a HUGE issue as it's a passion for me to complete when I've got the time. I've got some good people around me that support me to help eventually make that happen, plus a loving supporting fiancee who understands that I want to do this for our future... and well, for my sanity as well...lol
But that's it for now... Just letting everyone know that... I can't wait......... well, I CAN... but I can't...lol
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Still trying to find my hobby, STILL
So, this has been a long drawn out process and as of now, I'm a Hot Rod buildin', R/C playin', beat creating junkie who has too much time on his hands and can't figure out what or where to put his "hobby" money into...lol
The whole beat junkie thing, the more I think about music, the more I want a set of turntables, a sampler (Akai MPC-2000 if you must google it) and a good set of headphones and a half decent laptop to make my music. I'd like to start doing my own rhymes, doing my own samples, kinda Halifax style (take a look at Classified, that cat has some good tracks and he's only gettin' bigger). I'm not too much into that new crap that's hitting the waves, so every time I hit up my fiance's truck, I whip it over to the old school and mid 90's rap/hip hop stations and reliving the old days. The old days being, back in college with my buddy Shannan and listening to him hittin' up the beats and I was really getting into it. Going WAY back to when WinMX was around, I was scouring the searches for the one off mix making some bootleg mix tapes. It some weird way, I miss sittin' in front of the computer mashin' out a good mix to put it out on a CD and try to sell it up. My best mix took me 6 months to make, and another 4 weeks to create an intro and extro. Dunno where those files ever ended up.
I still have my '66 Chevy II sittin' up in Edmonton in my Dads garage. I still am lacking space and money to actually work on it. If you keep reading, you'll understand.
Then... there's R/C. This hasn't really come back, but it's always been in the back of my mind but it's more of a summer thing. Spend all winter cleaning everything, thread-locking every nut, bolt and screw so it doesn't vibrate apart (google RC10-GT). It's a small little R/C truck that runs on Nitro Methane, a tiny little 2 stroke diesel type motor that runs pretty quick!! I was racing actual cars once. I may just end up selling this thing because I'm really not using it and now I have to buy a new motor for it 'cause the last brand new one I bought seized on me. I got it running but I have to take it all apart, clean it all up and you'll never guess what I'm lacking... again. Yup, that good ol' money and space B/S. I've got the space, but this summer will be quite limited with Erin's flower business taking off. The only place I've got to work on this is down stairs, and she'll need the space to make her flower bouquets and other flower stuff. And this now brings me back to.... money. Arg, that green stuff can't fall from the tree fast enough I tell ya!!
I'm trying to keep an open mind, but right now I feel like I'm a 7yr old girl who, last year did ballet and this year is doing tap dance lessons and the year after that I might try gymnastics. Don't get me wrong... it's not like I haven't thought about any of this stuff, the only thing I jumped into with both feet was the R/C truck. So far, that truck has cost me $1400, not including this 2nd motor that I have to buy. I'd like to get into the music thing, but man... that shit ain't cheap either... even used most of that stuff still weighs pretty heavy, and don't get me started on the car. I'm afraid to even start getting into that because it's almost once I start some of those projects on that car you can't stop. Plus I don't have the space to do it.
Now, the car thing can wait. It's been sitting in the family since 1966, it can wait a few more years. These other hobbies, the R/C truck I may end up selling just to get some cash back out of it. It was something that I THOUGHT I wanted to do, but ehh... interest went away after I blew the very first motor in it and really... I only got one good season out of it, and if I remember right, that one season.... was only 3 or 4 rides.
I could got back to bikes... they're cheap enough... but again.... space. I'm sure I'll figure it out sooner or later, but I think my next biggest hobby is going to be house. Yea, that's right, Erin and I are looking at homes, and I'm sure once we get our OWN place and get settled, we'll find space and I'll have a tonne of other things to keep me occupied...lol I'm sure I'll figure it out, just listening to the old school hip hop and rap this afternoon got me thinking about it, then watching a documentary on DJ's with real records... ehh... It'll call come into place some time I'm sure... for now, I can't wait to buy our first home!!!
The whole beat junkie thing, the more I think about music, the more I want a set of turntables, a sampler (Akai MPC-2000 if you must google it) and a good set of headphones and a half decent laptop to make my music. I'd like to start doing my own rhymes, doing my own samples, kinda Halifax style (take a look at Classified, that cat has some good tracks and he's only gettin' bigger). I'm not too much into that new crap that's hitting the waves, so every time I hit up my fiance's truck, I whip it over to the old school and mid 90's rap/hip hop stations and reliving the old days. The old days being, back in college with my buddy Shannan and listening to him hittin' up the beats and I was really getting into it. Going WAY back to when WinMX was around, I was scouring the searches for the one off mix making some bootleg mix tapes. It some weird way, I miss sittin' in front of the computer mashin' out a good mix to put it out on a CD and try to sell it up. My best mix took me 6 months to make, and another 4 weeks to create an intro and extro. Dunno where those files ever ended up.
I still have my '66 Chevy II sittin' up in Edmonton in my Dads garage. I still am lacking space and money to actually work on it. If you keep reading, you'll understand.
Then... there's R/C. This hasn't really come back, but it's always been in the back of my mind but it's more of a summer thing. Spend all winter cleaning everything, thread-locking every nut, bolt and screw so it doesn't vibrate apart (google RC10-GT). It's a small little R/C truck that runs on Nitro Methane, a tiny little 2 stroke diesel type motor that runs pretty quick!! I was racing actual cars once. I may just end up selling this thing because I'm really not using it and now I have to buy a new motor for it 'cause the last brand new one I bought seized on me. I got it running but I have to take it all apart, clean it all up and you'll never guess what I'm lacking... again. Yup, that good ol' money and space B/S. I've got the space, but this summer will be quite limited with Erin's flower business taking off. The only place I've got to work on this is down stairs, and she'll need the space to make her flower bouquets and other flower stuff. And this now brings me back to.... money. Arg, that green stuff can't fall from the tree fast enough I tell ya!!
I'm trying to keep an open mind, but right now I feel like I'm a 7yr old girl who, last year did ballet and this year is doing tap dance lessons and the year after that I might try gymnastics. Don't get me wrong... it's not like I haven't thought about any of this stuff, the only thing I jumped into with both feet was the R/C truck. So far, that truck has cost me $1400, not including this 2nd motor that I have to buy. I'd like to get into the music thing, but man... that shit ain't cheap either... even used most of that stuff still weighs pretty heavy, and don't get me started on the car. I'm afraid to even start getting into that because it's almost once I start some of those projects on that car you can't stop. Plus I don't have the space to do it.
Now, the car thing can wait. It's been sitting in the family since 1966, it can wait a few more years. These other hobbies, the R/C truck I may end up selling just to get some cash back out of it. It was something that I THOUGHT I wanted to do, but ehh... interest went away after I blew the very first motor in it and really... I only got one good season out of it, and if I remember right, that one season.... was only 3 or 4 rides.
I could got back to bikes... they're cheap enough... but again.... space. I'm sure I'll figure it out sooner or later, but I think my next biggest hobby is going to be house. Yea, that's right, Erin and I are looking at homes, and I'm sure once we get our OWN place and get settled, we'll find space and I'll have a tonne of other things to keep me occupied...lol I'm sure I'll figure it out, just listening to the old school hip hop and rap this afternoon got me thinking about it, then watching a documentary on DJ's with real records... ehh... It'll call come into place some time I'm sure... for now, I can't wait to buy our first home!!!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
How Life Moves On...
So, it's been a while. A LONG ass'd while. I've been meaning to add another blog to let you know how things are, what's been going on, how life has progressed since... well... March 2008. Yes, it's almost been a year. A lot has happened this past year, a lot of good things, things that have made my life so much better and fulfilling being with the right person.
Looking back through my previous entries, I've noticed that I was a giant bitter, depressed person with nothing really to look forward to and really had no future as to where things were headed, where I was headed really. I can honestly say that things weren't good then. I had stagnated, I was in a place where I thought I knew where I was headed and going but just not getting there. I used to enjoy doing "nothing," and just sitting at home watching TV, going out the odd time to my buddies for a fire in his back yard for a beer and a bit of food. Wendy's had consumed my diet for most of my single life, as had the odd beer or two. Sitting in front of my computer talking to like minded people, people that were in the same frame of mind, same place in their life and really had nothing to look forward to (in my case, a new porn video to download and some more Internet dating on Plenty of Fish or eHarmony).
It took a while for me to get out of that place, doing something for me finally, getting out of a rut, getting into some debt for me, to make me feel better. I bought my truck, 2000 Ford Ranger, then myself a queen bed to help me sleep better. I had felt a lot better, then... my Erin came along. I had cursed her for a few days telling her that I had finally started feeling better about myself, about who I was and a new passion to get out of what I was doing and help me get out of my stagnated rut. But little did I know then, that she would help me more than I ever thought.
So, what's my outlook on life now??? A lot better. So much better in that, Erin and I are know engaged to get married in Aug 7, 2010. An evening wedding down on her dad's doc at sunset. I've got my big screen TV now, something I've wanted for a while. We're going on a trip to Mexico for a week with Erin's friend and her husband for a much needed vacation. When we get back, we're going to hopefully put an offer on a house. I bought myself a new car to commute from Olds to Red Deer everyday (mind you, I still profess that I miss my Ranger...lol Erin just rolls her eyes at that). Erin and I have made plans for our future, something that I've longed for but never was able to complete or see it completing. I've got a new career, a new job with some future in it... just need to kick my ass a bit more to get it going further (ie school... try and get my job to help me out with that). I'm going to get my little 1966 Chevy II from my dad and start working on it to make it a nice little hot rod cruiser and take it on road trips on weekends to various car shows, events or heck... just a road trip. Most of the stuff I'll do on my own, the house we're looking at has a huge shop so I'll be able to complete most of my tasks in that shop.
I really can't complain, and nor am I, except this once...lol There are a few people who don't relish in my new found happiness stating in a conversation "How's your puppy? Are you still with that girl??" Well, um... Yes, and we're quite happy if you haven't figured that out already. Most of these conversations had taken place through Facebook so I'm sure that had there been a change... they would have known about it, or not if they just didn't care at all. Plus the fact that they would even ask about the dog before they'd even ask how Erin was (she does have a name). They miss the old Chris, the bitter, depressed, the lonely Chris with nothing to do on a Friday night and wouldn't have anything better to do than be lonely or miserable with someone over vid cam. I can tell you, I don't miss those days, and for a long time now, I don't miss those people either.
I love my new career, I love my new job. I'm enjoying making new acquaintances and people through work that can help me help them. I really have nothing more to complain about, nor feel sorry for. I love my fiancee, my future wife, I love my dog I love where things are heading and can't wait to see what comes for us next.
As my buddy Bob would say.... "Life's Good."
Looking back through my previous entries, I've noticed that I was a giant bitter, depressed person with nothing really to look forward to and really had no future as to where things were headed, where I was headed really. I can honestly say that things weren't good then. I had stagnated, I was in a place where I thought I knew where I was headed and going but just not getting there. I used to enjoy doing "nothing," and just sitting at home watching TV, going out the odd time to my buddies for a fire in his back yard for a beer and a bit of food. Wendy's had consumed my diet for most of my single life, as had the odd beer or two. Sitting in front of my computer talking to like minded people, people that were in the same frame of mind, same place in their life and really had nothing to look forward to (in my case, a new porn video to download and some more Internet dating on Plenty of Fish or eHarmony).
It took a while for me to get out of that place, doing something for me finally, getting out of a rut, getting into some debt for me, to make me feel better. I bought my truck, 2000 Ford Ranger, then myself a queen bed to help me sleep better. I had felt a lot better, then... my Erin came along. I had cursed her for a few days telling her that I had finally started feeling better about myself, about who I was and a new passion to get out of what I was doing and help me get out of my stagnated rut. But little did I know then, that she would help me more than I ever thought.
So, what's my outlook on life now??? A lot better. So much better in that, Erin and I are know engaged to get married in Aug 7, 2010. An evening wedding down on her dad's doc at sunset. I've got my big screen TV now, something I've wanted for a while. We're going on a trip to Mexico for a week with Erin's friend and her husband for a much needed vacation. When we get back, we're going to hopefully put an offer on a house. I bought myself a new car to commute from Olds to Red Deer everyday (mind you, I still profess that I miss my Ranger...lol Erin just rolls her eyes at that). Erin and I have made plans for our future, something that I've longed for but never was able to complete or see it completing. I've got a new career, a new job with some future in it... just need to kick my ass a bit more to get it going further (ie school... try and get my job to help me out with that). I'm going to get my little 1966 Chevy II from my dad and start working on it to make it a nice little hot rod cruiser and take it on road trips on weekends to various car shows, events or heck... just a road trip. Most of the stuff I'll do on my own, the house we're looking at has a huge shop so I'll be able to complete most of my tasks in that shop.
I really can't complain, and nor am I, except this once...lol There are a few people who don't relish in my new found happiness stating in a conversation "How's your puppy? Are you still with that girl??" Well, um... Yes, and we're quite happy if you haven't figured that out already. Most of these conversations had taken place through Facebook so I'm sure that had there been a change... they would have known about it, or not if they just didn't care at all. Plus the fact that they would even ask about the dog before they'd even ask how Erin was (she does have a name). They miss the old Chris, the bitter, depressed, the lonely Chris with nothing to do on a Friday night and wouldn't have anything better to do than be lonely or miserable with someone over vid cam. I can tell you, I don't miss those days, and for a long time now, I don't miss those people either.
I love my new career, I love my new job. I'm enjoying making new acquaintances and people through work that can help me help them. I really have nothing more to complain about, nor feel sorry for. I love my fiancee, my future wife, I love my dog I love where things are heading and can't wait to see what comes for us next.
As my buddy Bob would say.... "Life's Good."
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