And a light bulb went off...

About two weeks ago I lost my very expensive iPhone4... much to my original dismay I have since realized that it was a blessing. Sure I had to spend $750 to replace it (luckily work helped me out with that one) and it was a nuisance not being able to instantly contact people when the mood hit me. But, for the first time in weeks I did whatever I wanted on the weekend. I paid more attention to the things surrounding me.

The light bulb moments:

- How often am I talking to someone and they pull out a mobile phone to contact someone else? How does that reflect on our conversation, is the person on the other end of the phone more important? Why don’t I value the face to face time that I get with people, in the scheme of things it really isn’t that much time.

- When do I need to know about things? Is it as they happen? Does that actually increase my happiness? I am better served taking a portion of my day to get updated on the on goings of the world and to participate and be present more throughout the day.

- Learn to say “no” more. If I don’t attend everything it is okay... if I decide that I want a night at home, that is okay too! If something is important enough, someone will tell me.

- Do it without a soundtrack.... this one is really hard! I love music, it makes me incredibly happy. It can change my mood, make my day, motivate me to push myself, or distract me from reality. But maybe more reality isn’t such a bad thing. When I don’t have my headphones in I talk to more people and step outside my bubble. I am probably more polite (even though I am a firm believer in talking out headphones when in enclosed environments and when dealing with customer service people).

So what am I going to change? I am not going to listen to my iPod at least one or two days a week when out and about in city. I am going to be more present when hanging out with people in person. I am going to set aside time to “catch up on news/events.” And I am going to lower people’s expectations of electronic communication.

Wish me luck.

Off to a good start...

It was a pretty perfect start to the new year... good friends, drinks, staying in a house looking out at the ocean... I had a glorious couple of days lounging on Bowen Island. I think it may be one of my favourite places in the world. There is a set of rocks at the bottom of my friend’s property that are out above the ocean and sitting there is one of the most calming feelings. I don’t think I could ever live away from the ocean.

I have no resolutions. I still have my list of 28 things to do in my 28th year... which I will post once the list has made it to 28.

I’m back at work... it feels like I was never on vacation. I start class next week for one of my social media courses, I am taking three in Jan-Feb. I have no excuse to pig out anymore... which is good and bad. It’s time to simmer down so I can continue to fit into my clothes.

It’s currently snowing in Vancouver... I kinda hope I see people using their umbrellas to deal with it... that cracks me up. I will take photos if I can.

Happy New Year!

New found love... snowboarding

It's been a good Christmas away from home... I think when the holidays come around you always wish you were home. But because that wasn't possible this year I had a great Vancouver Christmas. Many drinks were had, lots of different groups of friends and learning how to snowboard... pretty well rounded.

I don't know if I could pick out one highlight of the holidays so far. One of the options was an orphan Christmas day brunch at April and JWo's. Brunch, eggnog and rum, Newfies and Australians and cranium. Doesn't get much better than that!

Second up is Boxing day drinking at Library Square with nine random Vancouver friends. Watching world Jrs hockey and continuing on until 1am in the morning. It was a totally eclectic group of friends (always a good start) that were up for an adventure for the day. A little bar hopping, cider and dancing. I think it was the group that made it such an awesome day... Boxing day number two at Library Square was a success!

And finally I had my first snowboarding endeavor. It was a beautiful day, fresh snow (so it didn't hurt too much when I fell on my ass). I took a lesson, spent the day up at Cypress and overall had the best time! I can't wait to go again. Sadly it is a super expensive sport, so it will have to be in moderation, but I can see it being one of new my favorite hobbies.

Heading to Bowen Island tomorrow for a pretty low key New Years, but I'm looking forward to it. Post this celebration, it is time to take a break. I start a couple of social media courses in January so that should keep me pretty busy.

Happy New Years everyone!

When did I grow up?!?

I just signed the contract for my current job to be extended... permanently. Holy scary! All of my commitment issues are coming to the forefront... I freaked out when I bought a couch, this seems bigger. I say this but I know I want to be in Vancouver, I love marketing and I get lots of interesting projects. I just never thought I would be the type to have a permanent job for some reason. Maybe it is the gypsy in me. But I am perfectly happy in Vancouver; there is so much to do, great people, and good long-term job opportunities.

Maybe this all stems from my lack of desire to grow up. Once you grow up you don’t get to go back. Someone out of my friends has to be the lagger, I have decided it will be me.

Tickets, tickets everywhere!

Tickets tickets everywhere,
tickets tickets by the pair,
tickets tickets on my bill,
tickets tickets get my fill.

Apparently delays in flights aren't good for my blog posting abilities.

This last month has been one of those times that I am super happy to live in Vancouver. A couple of weeks ago I got to go see Dan Mangan and Wintersleep in the same week. It's a hard life, but someone has to live it. I love them both. However Dan Mangan was the highlight of that week. It was my first time seeing him and I have seen Wintersleep several times but he really blew me out of the water. I had high expectations and he lived up to them and more. He would be in my top five concert tickets purchase recommendations.

This Friday I am going to see Jason Collett, someone that I have enjoyed for years. He brings me back to my first job post university traveling around Canada as a recruiter. That was when I first purchased one of his CD's. I love how a band/CD/song can bring you right back to a moment.

Another concert that I recently bought tickets to is Pete Yorn... I figure why not go see him again. However that concert isn't for a while.

And in exciting news the most recent band that announced a date in Vancouver is The Weakerthans. They are playing at my favorite venue, the Biltmore. It is the perfect size, small enough that you can see them from anywhere, red carpet, serves cider and amazing bands that should be playing in much bigger venues. Makes my heart smile.

Oh to have limitlessness money and time...

Kelowna bound again

It is a little embarrassing to say that while I am about to go to the Okanagan for the fourth or fifth time this year I have experienced very little of it. Maybe one of the 28 things I should do this year should be experience the Okanagan. Go to a winery, find the mini-horse ranch that I heard about from one of our photographers, do something on the lake...

However this trip is just another in and out all work based trip. It was also -20 a couple of days ago and is calling for -11ish while I am out there so I am going to be doing my finest to not lose any fingers.

Although, I have to say the weather in Vancouver has not been what I expected. There was a -8 day and snow. Not snow that went away once it hit the ground. Snow that stayed. Not what I signed up for! It is also calling for snow in Vancouver. Please see below:



I love that 5-10cm of snow warrants a storm watch!

That being said, it looks like it should break on Friday and next week we will be back into the positive numbers.

Happy Movember

I love this month, the month that guys that shouldn't grow mo give it a go and guys that can grow mo's look like creeps. I am deciding at the end of this week who I am donating my mo funds to. It's a hard call... but I think it will be divided for the person that most looks like they would start a bar fight and the person that is doing the worst job of growing one.

If I was a guy I would have a beard, I'm sure of this. I would also wear a lot of plaid.