Christmas Song

Here I am driving to work, wondering where all the snow is. This has been a very unusual year as normally by this time we are knee deep in snow; trying to find a place to shovel it all. However this year we have little to no snow. I think our first snow fall was in late November and it was all of 2cms. As the unusually warm temperature continued, what little snow we had melted leaving a thin layer of dust and dirt everywhere.

I stare at the barren landscape to each side of me and think to myself “How am I going to get myself into the Christmas Spirit?” Then like a sign from Santa Claus himself, my favourite Christmas song starts to play…Mary’s Boy Child, by Boney M. I start to sing along as it plays…

I remember the first time I ever heard this song; I was in grade 6. My teacher was Ms. Price; she never married and was obsessed with Don Johnson. We were in a split 5/6 class in a portable right beside the playground. On the back of our portable door, Ms. Price had a life sized poster of Don Johnson. She was the coolest teacher!

We had a Christmas concert coming up and because we were the oldest in the school she wanted us to be the coolest group to perform. The next day she brought in a ghetto blaster from home with the Boney M cassette tape and played it for us. She had all kinds of instruments on the table at the back of the room. We were all pretty excited to get started!

I remember my friend got to play the triangle and of course because she was playing one I wanted to play one as well. But there was only one triangle to be played; I got stuck with what I thought was the worst instrument. To this day I have no idea what it was called, I just know that it was wooden and I held it in my hands and hit it together. I remember thinking that this is the lamest instrument ever. But looking back on it now, I realize that 1) it was the loudest instrument and 2) I played to the beat of the song…meaning that I had rhythm and could keep a beat. I should’ve actually felt honoured. I've attached a photo below, but it didn't have the ridges, it was smooth and you just hit the stick thingy (technical term) to the instrument itself.

After a month or two of practicing, we were the best performance at the Christmas concert. I remember thinking how cool I was standing there playing that instrument. I also remember getting over the fact that I was playing that instrument and played throughout the whole song and my girlfriend who I was jealous of only got one part in the song. Funny how we think…

To this day this song is my absolute favourite Christmas song and part of that reason I think is because of how cool Ms. Price was. Just thinking about that Christmas concert has definitely gotten me into the Christmas Spirit…I love this song!

Reliving the 90's

I drive an older car that is just about to turn over to 200,000. I acquired this car at a great price; it was one of those ‘right time right place’ deals. Anyhoo, like I was saying it is just about to turn over to 200,000 and for the past week I’ve been diligently watching the odometer. As each day passes I see the odometer turn over a new year…

It started with 1990 and I drove and thought back to where I was at that point in my life. I remember being in grade 10, loving everything about life. Then the next day I was reliving 1991, where I was finally able to go out on my first date. The next day was 1992, when my love for dance music (thanks to Much Music’s Dance Mix CD’s) was born. The day after was 1993, when I graduated and moved back home just because I could. 1994 was the year I decided to go back to school just so I didn’t have to decide what I wanted to study in college. 1995 was the year that I had my very first serious relationship (I think?). 1996 was the year that I got my pink car! 1997 was the year that I decided to explore new things about myself. 1998 was the year that I finally decided to make some roots for myself and moved out west for the last time. 1999 was the year that everyone thought that the world was going to end and then we went into the new Millennium.

That’s kind of how I felt about my car; I felt like it was going to move on to a new stage in its life. I loved that I could drive to and from my destination every day and re-live my life. I was enjoying the nostalgic feelings so much that I decided that I would listen to my 90’s station all week just so that I could remember all of those memories that I created for myself.

On that last day before the odometer turned over, I carefully watched the odometer and tried to imagine where I would be. Turns out I was on the highway and was able to pull over so that I could take a picture of it to always remember my week of 90’s memories and share something very special with my car…because I know it won’t be with me forever.

Hometown Obligation

Last night at a family gathering there was a hockey game on TV. Our home town team was playing and of course we were cheering for them as loudly as we could. That got me to thinking, if you have a professional sports team in the town/city that you grow up in; does that mean you have to cheer for them?

It’s as though the fate of the team you cheer for has to be pre-determined. You don’t really get a say in the matter, you cheer for them by default. Is that really fair? In my particular case, I’ve cheered for my hometown team all my life…but I’m not sure why? It’s not like that are known for their defense, offense or goaltending; I’ve just always cheered for the, and don’t know why.

I don’t plan on becoming a fair-weather fan, but I just want to have the option to choose who I cheer for. I know it’s too late for me to switch who I cheer for as it’s tradition. But maybe we’ll let the kids decide who they want to cheer for in the future.

Knowing When to Stop

It happened on Sunday during out ‘A’ final game. A hard hit line drive was coming my way and dropping fast. I thought I could catch it (silly me); as soon as that ball hit the inside of my right ankle, I toppled to the ground like a ton of bricks.

The pain was so intense; I think it had a heartbeat all on its own. I needed a minute or two to get adjusted; two outfielders helped me to the bench. I can’t believe how much pain I was in, I decided to keep score so that I could try and distract myself from the pain. Needless to say that didn’t work and I immediately started to shake uncontrollably…which I now know was shock.

So after the game and winning the ‘A’ championship; I drove home…lifting my leg with my hands of course as I knew I was injured but I wasn’t sure to what extent. The next day in the hospital I thought maybe it would be ok and it was just badly bruised…on a side note the only reason I was at the hospital was because I couldn’t put any weight on it all day. After some x-rays it was determined that there were NO breaks, thank god! But the smallest piece of bone on the front of my tibia had started to flake off…luckily it was still attached but it looked like a cat’s claw just hanging there. Despite my protests and promise to stay off of it (like that would happen); the doctor put a plaster cast on me. I had to wear it for 2 weeks and then we’d see about a walking cast.

So as I sit here staring at my casted leg, I think it was the universe’s way of telling me to slow down as I was just starting a course, working full time, still playing ball and getting ready for Halloween…that’s not even including the time I devote to my family, friends and specifically my mom. (which is a lot) I stared at the black plastered cast that I had requested and thought “…maybe I should slow down and focus on what’s going on right now in my life.”

It’s weird how things happen that you realize afterwards why it did happen. For me having the cast on my leg really helped me to get some outstanding work projects out of the way. Plus I was able to focus on the course that I was taking, I’d actually been dreading taking this class but because I was able to focus on it, it wasn’t that bad. So despite me being house bound for a month; I got a lot done and am thankful every day that it was only a tiny chip and not a break.

What Do You See?

While driving through the mountains, I find myself looking at the shapes and textures of the mountains to see what shapes I can make out. Sometimes I see a silhouette of a face or someone sleeping or even I think…maybe there are dinosaurs buried in those mountains. (LOL) Then my mind starts to wander and wonder how big the dinosaurs would be in comparison to the mountains. Then I start to envision the shapes of the dinosaurs and think that the shapes of the mountains are very similar. Then I laugh…

We drive a bit further and I focus on the mountain dead ahead and I can see the shape of a woman’s face and can see where the eyes would go, where the mouth would go, even where her nose is. We keep driving for another 5 minutes and take a slight turn in the road and that exact same mountain that I was staring at and seeing that woman’s face in has now completely transformed into something exponentially different.

I do a double take and blink my eyes a couple of time to ensure that I’m staring at the same mountain and low and behold I am; but I’m looking at something completely different. It’s amazing to me. I kind of feel like I’m staring at one of those pictures where they ask you if you see two faces or an hour glass…it’s the same picture but two different pictures.

As we continue to drive I am constantly reminded at every turn that it’s something completely new and can’t wait to see what the mountains have decided to share with me today. The next time you drive through the mountains, just stare at the mountains (don’t drive while doing this!) and see what lovely pictures the mountains are revealing for you.

Old is New Again

I’m listening to my satellite radio and usually they are the first to play any ‘new’ hit songs and then about a month or so later the regular radio stations follow suit. I’m somewhat excited as they just announced that they were going to be playing three “brand new” songs back to back.

I prepare myself and turn the music up a little louder so I don’t miss anything. The first song they played was ‘Buzzin’; which is a complete and total rip off of an 80’s song called ‘I Can’t Wait’. Then the next “new” song to come on the radio was called ‘She Ain’t You’, which is clearly another rip off of a song released in the 90’s called ‘Right Here’. Then the last “new” song to be released was called ‘Alone’; which was a huge hit in the 80’s…this was a clear remake.

I have to tell you I am quite perturbed; because the radio is saying that these are new songs and clearly they aren’t. This is completely ridiculous!

It makes me wonder if we’ve run out of new and creative ideas. Or if what they say is true about this generation and them being lazy?? I guess I’m just curious as to why they can’t come up with their own music?

Will That Be Me?

I’m sitting at a 30^th wedding anniversary and it is such a lovely event. The dinner has just finished and the speeches have begun. It’s amazing to see how the bride and groom have changed over the years. They even invited the ring bearer, who by the way is 35 years old and has a family of his own.

It was so nice to walk down memory lane with this couple and to see that they are just as in love now as they were back then. We’re all sitting around the table listening and the emcee is cracking jokes and playing a few tidbits from songs from their era. Now I’m now an expert in music but I do know most of my music. But these songs are not even recognizable…even to me.

I don’t really take too much stock in it as this is just the music between jokes and speeches etc. I think to myself that I’ll know the other songs once they come on during the dance. As the speeches finish up I eagerly anticipate the music that will be played. I watch the DJ get set up and ensure that everything is in order and then I wait for it.

He plays the first song and it’s a song that I’ve never heard of…then the second and third song and to my amazement I don’t know any of these songs. There is hardly anyone on the dance floor and I start to think to myself…will that be me for my 30^th anniversary? I’ll be playing songs that no one knows…but those songs will be near and dear to my heart.

I start to wonder more about that and then see the happy couple dancing to the songs that no one really recognizes and see how happy they are and realize that if the songs make them happy then I have nothing to worry about.

Cold Water

It’s a nice hot July day; the sun makes everything hot and sticky. Even the breeze (that’s supposed to cool us down) isn’t. I head inside for a glass of ice water, as I don’t like warm water. As I fill my glass right up to the rim with ice, I then add water and watch it fill every little spot it can get into. Then as I put the glass up to my lips and take a large swig of ice cold water…I feel refreshed. I stare at the glass and literally watch the ice cubes melt in the hot sun and start to wonder why I like my water so cold.

I tried to think about it awhile longer and then remembered why I enjoy cold (and I mean cold) water. As a child we use to spend a lot of time at my grandfather’s farm, he didn’t have any power or plumbing in his place. In the winter time the well would sometimes freeze, despite how deep it was. So the alternative was to collect snow, nice clean snow into a rain barrel and it would melt and then there was your water.

I remember we would have to go to the highest point in the yard and find the cleanest place and then we’d truck the snow back and forth and back and forth…for what felt like a whole day. But once the barrel was full, our job was done. By that time we’d be parched craving water and then it was our turn to enjoy the fruits of our labour. We would put the scoop in the barrel and pour it into a glass and drink the ice cold water. It felt so good going down and quenched that thirst so quickly that I realized from then on I liked my water ice cold.

The funny thing is that I also drink tea (thanks to my grandfather); again I like it piping hot. I think it was for the same reason as he didn’t have heat either. But when it comes to hot drinks, they need to be piping hot and for cold drinks they need to be ice cold. Weird how I got that from my grandfather…

I come back to reality and look at my already melted ice and head back into the house to fill it up again and smile just a little as I feel a sense of my grandfather in me.

Is It Wrong to Keep Photos of Your Ex?

Today on the radio there were having a conversation about keeping photos of your ex. Is it right or is it wrong? There were so many opinions about this and personally I think it’s wrong.

I use to date this guy who kept albums of all of his ex-girlfriends. In fact I think about a year into the relationship; he actually sat me down and showed me all of these albums. I thought it was very weird and honestly couldn’t figure it out. I sat through roughly 2 hours of him describing each and every detail of past girlfriends; where the pictures were taken and what significance this played in his life. At first I thought “Wow, this guy is open and honest and sharing all of his past experiences with me.” I continued to sit there and listen to him as he went on about each and every one. I thought, ok he has nothing else to hide and we should be good.

Then we moved in together as all young couples do. As we were moving boxes of his stuff into my place, I noticed one labeled ‘Photos’. I thought to myself “I wonder if he’s bringing the photo albums of his ex’s into our place?” I kept a pretty close eye on that box and when it was time to start unpacking, I headed for that one first. Low and behold all of those albums were there and not only did he want them unpacked he wanted them on display for ‘easy access’. I thought, “Easy access for what?”

As time went on and we continued to ‘share our lives together’, I thought great, the first thing to go will be those photo albums. But no, if anything he actually started to document our relationship more and more and loved having it in photo albums. Then he started an album just with pictures of me. Honestly, this was starting to sound like a horror movie right? This is when I started to really wonder if this was just me that found it weird OR was I making a big deal out of nothing.

At this time we were having problems in our relationship and I could see it falling apart at the seams. I was trying to work things out and here he was taking more and more pictures of me and putting them into an album. I honestly never thought too much of it until a friend of mine had mentioned that he (the b/f) thought we were on our last legs and that he was taking as many pictures of me as he could to remember me by.

As I thought about this more and more, I realized that those photo albums didn’t just represent a time in his life but that he was using them as some kind of trophy. Once I discovered this as it got closer and closer to our break up I started to collect all the pictures of me. Yes, I know this sounds odd, but I didn’t want to be sitting in a photo album like another conquest. Never mind having his new flame have to sit through an additional hour of him describing ‘all about me’. So when we broke up I took every picture of me out of the house, I even took the negatives…I am NOT going to be a part of a trophy collection…hence the reason I disagree with keeping a photo of an ex.

If you're wondering if I ever kept any pictures of him...I've attached one for your viewing pleasure. 

The 80's Are Alive!

On my way to my mom’s place tonight, I passed my old Junior High School. I was a student there in the 80’s and loved every minute of it…well except the hairstyles and fashion. I thought to myself, wow we were idiots for thinking that our hair teased as high as possible and the gaudy neon clothes we had to wear actually made us look good. Yuck! What were we thinking?

No sooner did I say that to myself and I turned the corner to none other than a group of kids; dressed head to toe in neon shirts, hats and pants were standing there. I marveled at how the 80’s fashion has come back with a vengeance. I smiled a little to myself as I realized those kids are more than likely going to have the same ‘Ah-ha’ moment I had just had.

I turned up my radio to try and drown out the memories of my pink spandex cycling shorts; then I realized that it was on none other than the 80’s station…I think Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’ was playing. If that wasn’t bad enough I passed a guy who had a HUGE mullet, I mean this trip down memory lane was going a little to the extreme.

Just when I thought it was over and I was safely in the confines of a grocery store, where there couldn’t possibly be any way the 80’s could revive themselves…I walked down the pop & chip aisle. Then there they were, on the shelf, so close together…if they could’ve they would’ve been holding hands. I mean seriously!

The ‘New’ bag of taco flavoured Doritos; the company not only brought back the flavour but they went so far as to package them the exact same way they had when they first came out…in the 80’s. Then sitting on the same shelf with a sign that said ‘Take a Walk down Memory Lane’; was a case of Pepsi…not just any regular old Pepsi, but Pepsi ‘Retro’. Again the company had decided to put their old logo on the cans; pretty much from the same era of the 80’s.

It honestly was a little cool, I had to admit. I kind of felt like a kid again, I remember shopping with my mom and buying both of these items in the exact same packages. I don’t know why it was so important for the universe to transport me back to the 80’s but it kind of was TOTALLY RAD MAN!

I Forgot What Peace Sounded Like

It’s a beautiful April day and I’m on my way to the lake for a nice quiet weekend. It’s that time of year again where the world is coming out of its winter slumber. The leaves on the trees are all buds and trying their hardest to sprout a leaf. I eagerly hope that one of those little trees will indeed sprout a leaf so that I can witness the awakening of Mother Nature.

I know that we are still a little ways away from the full effects of spring, but secretly I like this time of the year as it’s so quiet as no one has risen from their hibernation. I have the country music playing softly in the background as I take in all of the beauty nature has to offer.

The sun is shining, my phone is shut off, the car is humming along and I continue to sing whilst enjoying the peacefulness that Mother Nature is sharing with me.

A Year Without Resolutions...

Interesting how I am following up with this blog as the one before (January 1, 2011 A Time for Thinking or A Time for Guilt?) seemed so inspiring and positive that you would’ve thought that I would’ve been ‘chomping at the bit’ (so to speak) to make some New Year’s resolutions…however I didn’t.

After showing just how easy it was I wasn’t sure if I even needed to make any resolutions this year. After 25 days of no resolutions, I decided that yes the freedom to not worry about breaking them has been awfully nice. But the feeling of actually sticking to them is even better!

I decided that I would come up with a few resolutions of my own to see if that would motivate me a little more. Oddly enough they were very simple to come up with and somewhat achievable. The first one was to join a gym again, check! The second one was to work out more often, check! The third one was to read one book a month, check!

Once I got the hang of it, it was pretty straight forward and almost inspiring. It’s almost like I needed to have the resolutions in place to motivate me...it’s odd I know but once I got those bad boys down on paper, I actually felt like I was more inspired to complete them.

Once I used my new found knowledge of how to actually make a New Year’s resolution that was actually achievable, I ran away with it. The three resolutions that I have listed are not the only resolutions that I made. In fact I think I made about 8 in total…all realistic and achievable. They are listed below:

• Join a gym
• Workout more often
• Read a book once a month
• Wear a skirt to work once a month
• Keep in touch with family members outside of the province
• Work on my 'To Do' list
• Take more pictures
• Eat less take out food

They seem pretty reasonable and not to narrow, you would think that not having resolutions would be more appealing to me. However here I sit writing them down for all of the world to see, so maybe I will be much more motivated.


So get off your butt and make some resolutions so that we can all be motivated!

A Time for Thinking or A Time for Guilt?

We all know what day this is…this is the day that we go back to look at the New Year’s Resolutions we made last year and feel guilty for all the ones we didn’t keep. We then torture ourselves a little more by adding those same resolutions to this year’s list, insisting that we’ll uphold them this year. Despite not having fulfilled them time and time again we try to fool ourselves into thinking this year will be different.

So why is it we torture ourselves this way? How do we break the cycle? Well there is the obvious, stop making resolutions OR we can make our resolutions realistic. I think if we made the resolutions closer to something we can achieve, we will actually be successful in fulfilling them.

I decided to do just that, I made a resolution that was more realistic. Initially the resolution was ‘get a whole new wardrobe’; I tweaked it to be that I would ‘purchase one new item each month.’ Believe it or not I actually did just that; I think the reason I stuck with it was because I didn’t find the task so daunting. To find one classic piece of clothing to add to my wardrobe really wasn’t that hard.

I found that if I made the task smaller, it didn’t seem completely unattainable. This tiny task has helped me to get closer to my overall goal. This is how I think that we all should make resolutions; we might actually follow through with most of them. I think if I continue to make my resolutions like this I will continue to feel a sense of accomplishment.

I’m almost excited to get started on this year’s resolutions!!