Today was awesome because I wore flip-flops.
My feet need to be free. They hate nothing more than being suffocated by a sock and then shoved into the claustrophobic confines of a shoe. I would go everywhere barefoot if it weren't for human beings getting in the way, what with their broken glass, their discarded chewing gum, and their paved everything. So, one thing I look forward to every spring is the first day that it's warm enough to wear flip-flops. Feels totally awesome.
12 April 2011
11 April 2011
10 April 2011
Today was awesome because I learned how to write my name in a new language.
I work with a young woman named Yuki, originally from Japan. As soon as the shop quieted down today I turned to her with a piece of paper and pen in hand and said, "Yuki! Can you teach me how to write my name is Kanji?!"
Sweet, little Yuki took the pen from me with a smile and wrote out three characters to form my name. Below, you`ll see my attempt at writing JOZEF in Japanese Kanji.
I work with a young woman named Yuki, originally from Japan. As soon as the shop quieted down today I turned to her with a piece of paper and pen in hand and said, "Yuki! Can you teach me how to write my name is Kanji?!"
Sweet, little Yuki took the pen from me with a smile and wrote out three characters to form my name. Below, you`ll see my attempt at writing JOZEF in Japanese Kanji.
10 April 2011
09 April 2011
Today was awesome because I heard new music by one of my favourite bands, Ben Harper and Relentless7.
09 April 2011
08 April 2011
Today was awesome because of a random act of kindness.
As I mentioned, I just started a new job. A job at a tea shop. A job that requires me to wear all black. I don't own a lot of things because I move around a lot and I can only keep what I can carry on my back. I didn't own any black clothing. So, I went to a secondhand clothing store and picked out a couple of pairs of pants, a couple of shirts, and the only black pair of shoes in the store that fit me.
Tonight I went to The Fernwood Inn for a CouchSurfer's meet-up. A bunch of people from the Victoria CouchSurfing group showed up, including a guy named Dylan whom I had never met before. In spite of never having met, Dylan brought me a nice, black button-up shirt I can add to the work rotation.
As I mentioned, I just started a new job. A job at a tea shop. A job that requires me to wear all black. I don't own a lot of things because I move around a lot and I can only keep what I can carry on my back. I didn't own any black clothing. So, I went to a secondhand clothing store and picked out a couple of pairs of pants, a couple of shirts, and the only black pair of shoes in the store that fit me.
Tonight I went to The Fernwood Inn for a CouchSurfer's meet-up. A bunch of people from the Victoria CouchSurfing group showed up, including a guy named Dylan whom I had never met before. In spite of never having met, Dylan brought me a nice, black button-up shirt I can add to the work rotation.
08 April 2011
07 April 2011
Today was awesome because I locked myself out of the house.
I sat down on the front steps and waited for one of my housemates to come home. Out of my backpack I took a brown, manila envelope and a pen. On the back of that envelope I started to scribble down a country song about forgetting one's keys...
Where would I be without you?
I found out the hard way today
Sittin' alone with nowhere to go
Wishin' there was some other way
I didn't have much time
and I left you behind
I didn't mean to, but look at us now
There's a wall between us
with a door I can't break down
But I know that I'll get back to you somehow
It's getting colder out on these steps
The sun dips into the sea
Warmth is what lies behind that door
To my happiness, you are the key
I didn't have much time
I sat down on the front steps and waited for one of my housemates to come home. Out of my backpack I took a brown, manila envelope and a pen. On the back of that envelope I started to scribble down a country song about forgetting one's keys...
Where would I be without you?
I found out the hard way today
Sittin' alone with nowhere to go
Wishin' there was some other way
I didn't have much time
and I left you behind
I didn't mean to, but look at us now
There's a wall between us
with a door I can't break down
But I know that I'll get back to you somehow
It's getting colder out on these steps
The sun dips into the sea
Warmth is what lies behind that door
To my happiness, you are the key
I didn't have much time
and I left you behind
I didn't mean to, but look at us now
There's a wall between us
with a door I can't break down
But I know that I'll get back to you somehow
It's a work in progress.
07 April 2011
06 April 2011
Today was awesome because of what I saw at this open mic night.
After work (first day on the job, by the way) I met a couple of friends at the Ocean Island Inn. It's the main backpacker's hostel in town and Wednesday night is Open Mic night. Another night full of incredible music, but one young lady really stood out from the rest.
As she was called to the stage she did a little, awkward dance to get some nerves out. It was adorable. Sat on a stool, legs crossed, guitar across her lap. Toque pulled down low to her eyebrows, faux-fur around her neck, a zip-up hoody and jeans on. She spoke up to introduce herself and her first tune, an original, and described the motivation behind it. The she began to play. Then she began to sing. And as fast as the first few words left her mouth the rest of the room went dead silent. All eyes, and ears, were locked on Lily.
She played three original songs, all of which were beautiful, clever, well-written, sounded completely original, and above all else, were wonderfully performed. Her voice was her voice. Constantly changing levels with complete ease- enjoyment, even- and full of grace, grit, and soul, sometimes a little of all three at once. She also demonstrated a lot of humour, hope, and love in her lyrics and demeanor. She communicated with the audience through her music and her words but also with her often animated facial expressions.
Lily took her bow to a roaring applause. Well-deserved. She's the best unsigned unknown I've seen since moving here and I've seen many, many acts deserving of a record deal. Everyone wanted a piece of Lily as she took back her seat in the crowd. "Amazing!!" they shouted. "You're wonderful!", "That was incredible! You're a star, Lily!" they cried. Humbly blushing, Lily thanked them kindly, hugged many and showed genuine shock at all the adoration. Her sincere modesty was endearing.
A little later I noticed her leaving for the night. I couldn't miss my chance to talk to her so I jumped out of my seat and chased her down, much like a crazed fan would do, and I was. Caught up to her in the hostel lobby, introduced myself and told her exactly how I felt about her music. Know what she did? She kicked one leg out in front, fist-pumped, and made some kind of happy dance out of it. Really cute! I asked, "Where can I see you play again?" She said, "I don't know!" I asked, "Do you go to any other open mics?" A little more concerned she said, "I don't know!" I asked, "Do you busk?" A little more concerned she said, "I don't know!" Clearly overwhelmed I calmed her down and asked her to explain. "This is only the second open mic I've played," she said. She seemed like she didn't really understand all the attention she was getting. "I just work at a tea shop."
As it happens, I also work at a tea shop (first day on the job, remember?). We both work at Teaopia! I, at one location, and she, at the only other location in town. We were both a little impressed at the coincidence (although on the inside I was grumbling that she didn't work at the same one as me) and it kick-started a little conversation. Time for her to go, she asked for my e-mail address, so I wrote it down for her (and my mobile number too).
Lily left me feeling completely in awe, completely inspired, and probably just a little bit in love.
After work (first day on the job, by the way) I met a couple of friends at the Ocean Island Inn. It's the main backpacker's hostel in town and Wednesday night is Open Mic night. Another night full of incredible music, but one young lady really stood out from the rest.
As she was called to the stage she did a little, awkward dance to get some nerves out. It was adorable. Sat on a stool, legs crossed, guitar across her lap. Toque pulled down low to her eyebrows, faux-fur around her neck, a zip-up hoody and jeans on. She spoke up to introduce herself and her first tune, an original, and described the motivation behind it. The she began to play. Then she began to sing. And as fast as the first few words left her mouth the rest of the room went dead silent. All eyes, and ears, were locked on Lily.
She played three original songs, all of which were beautiful, clever, well-written, sounded completely original, and above all else, were wonderfully performed. Her voice was her voice. Constantly changing levels with complete ease- enjoyment, even- and full of grace, grit, and soul, sometimes a little of all three at once. She also demonstrated a lot of humour, hope, and love in her lyrics and demeanor. She communicated with the audience through her music and her words but also with her often animated facial expressions.
Lily took her bow to a roaring applause. Well-deserved. She's the best unsigned unknown I've seen since moving here and I've seen many, many acts deserving of a record deal. Everyone wanted a piece of Lily as she took back her seat in the crowd. "Amazing!!" they shouted. "You're wonderful!", "That was incredible! You're a star, Lily!" they cried. Humbly blushing, Lily thanked them kindly, hugged many and showed genuine shock at all the adoration. Her sincere modesty was endearing.
A little later I noticed her leaving for the night. I couldn't miss my chance to talk to her so I jumped out of my seat and chased her down, much like a crazed fan would do, and I was. Caught up to her in the hostel lobby, introduced myself and told her exactly how I felt about her music. Know what she did? She kicked one leg out in front, fist-pumped, and made some kind of happy dance out of it. Really cute! I asked, "Where can I see you play again?" She said, "I don't know!" I asked, "Do you go to any other open mics?" A little more concerned she said, "I don't know!" I asked, "Do you busk?" A little more concerned she said, "I don't know!" Clearly overwhelmed I calmed her down and asked her to explain. "This is only the second open mic I've played," she said. She seemed like she didn't really understand all the attention she was getting. "I just work at a tea shop."
As it happens, I also work at a tea shop (first day on the job, remember?). We both work at Teaopia! I, at one location, and she, at the only other location in town. We were both a little impressed at the coincidence (although on the inside I was grumbling that she didn't work at the same one as me) and it kick-started a little conversation. Time for her to go, she asked for my e-mail address, so I wrote it down for her (and my mobile number too).
Lily left me feeling completely in awe, completely inspired, and probably just a little bit in love.
06 April 2011
05 April 2011
Today was awesome because I got over "the hump."
Exactly five months to the day since I started teaching myself guitar I got up on stage and played my first open mic. Yeah-- I played an open mic!!! Thanks to my friend Matt, who really encouraged me to get up there, and accompanied me on another guitar. I played rhythm and sang, Matt played lead guitar.
The songs were:
Wonderwall, in the style of Ryan Adams
Road Regrets, by Dan Mangan
It wasn't perfect. I was pretty nervous and I messed up a few words in Wonderwall, and hit the wrong chord a couple of times in Road Regrets, but by the time it was all over and I returned to my seat, I just wanted to go up and do it again!! But better!!! I'm learning to accept that it doesn't have to be perfect, screwing up is part of the learning process, and everyone is very supportive when you're a beginner.
Exactly five months to the day since I started teaching myself guitar I got up on stage and played my first open mic. Yeah-- I played an open mic!!! Thanks to my friend Matt, who really encouraged me to get up there, and accompanied me on another guitar. I played rhythm and sang, Matt played lead guitar.
The songs were:
Wonderwall, in the style of Ryan Adams
Road Regrets, by Dan Mangan
It wasn't perfect. I was pretty nervous and I messed up a few words in Wonderwall, and hit the wrong chord a couple of times in Road Regrets, but by the time it was all over and I returned to my seat, I just wanted to go up and do it again!! But better!!! I'm learning to accept that it doesn't have to be perfect, screwing up is part of the learning process, and everyone is very supportive when you're a beginner.
05 April 2011
04 April 2011
Today was awesome because it was my younger sister's birthday.
Yes, my big sister and little sister were born on back-to-back days, four years apart. I landed on Earth right in-between.
My kid sister is not a kid anymore. Two and a half years ago she gave birth to a child of her own-- my wonderful, darling niece. Since that day, I've watched the little, bratty kid I grew up with become a beautiful, mature young woman, and the most loving mother you can imagine. Looking back, it's as if there was always this little piece missing from my sister and now we know what it was. My sister and her daughter truly complete each other.
We live on opposite sides of Canada, so I called to deliver my birthday wishes. After speaking with my sister, she put the little rascal on the phone. The sweetest, most-adorable little voice came on;
"Hi Uncle Mojo,"
Mojo! She said Mojo!!!
When I last saw my niece in October, she affectionately referred to me as "Dojo." No "uncle," and difficulty pronouncing the "M" sound (or perhaps she simply likened me to a martial arts training facility?). This was the first time I've ever heard her say "Uncle Mojo", and my heart grew three sizes!
Happy Birthday, sis. I love you. You're awesome.
Yes, my big sister and little sister were born on back-to-back days, four years apart. I landed on Earth right in-between.
My kid sister is not a kid anymore. Two and a half years ago she gave birth to a child of her own-- my wonderful, darling niece. Since that day, I've watched the little, bratty kid I grew up with become a beautiful, mature young woman, and the most loving mother you can imagine. Looking back, it's as if there was always this little piece missing from my sister and now we know what it was. My sister and her daughter truly complete each other.
We live on opposite sides of Canada, so I called to deliver my birthday wishes. After speaking with my sister, she put the little rascal on the phone. The sweetest, most-adorable little voice came on;
"Hi Uncle Mojo,"
Mojo! She said Mojo!!!
When I last saw my niece in October, she affectionately referred to me as "Dojo." No "uncle," and difficulty pronouncing the "M" sound (or perhaps she simply likened me to a martial arts training facility?). This was the first time I've ever heard her say "Uncle Mojo", and my heart grew three sizes!
Happy Birthday, sis. I love you. You're awesome.
04 April 2011
03 April 2011
Today was awesome because it was my older sister's birthday.
She is talented, really intelligent, beautiful, and one of the most caring individuals I know. We don't see each other very often because we rarely seem to be in the same country. Despite that, our friendship has strengthened over the years as we get older and continue to grow and evolve as individuals and as siblings.
Happy Birthday. I love you. You're awesome.
She is talented, really intelligent, beautiful, and one of the most caring individuals I know. We don't see each other very often because we rarely seem to be in the same country. Despite that, our friendship has strengthened over the years as we get older and continue to grow and evolve as individuals and as siblings.
Happy Birthday. I love you. You're awesome.
03 April 2011
02 April 2011
Today was awesome because a bunch of adults acted like kids again.
As the clock struck three...
"PILLOWFIGHT!!!!!"
A single war-cry signaled the beginning of the Battle at Bastion Square. There were no sides, it was every human for themselves. Pillows of various size, shape, and fill were being swung wildly in every direction. It was a bedding blitzkrieg!
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below.)
As the clock struck three...
"PILLOWFIGHT!!!!!"
A single war-cry signaled the beginning of the Battle at Bastion Square. There were no sides, it was every human for themselves. Pillows of various size, shape, and fill were being swung wildly in every direction. It was a bedding blitzkrieg!
I was in the middle of it all, absorbing blows and launching attacks at all angles.
Out of nowhere, Jean-Luc came at me with a flying, double-overhand sledgehammer.
We separated from the group and engaged in a duel. It was your classic "floral pattern vs. plain white" scenario.
He got some good shots in, but I emerged victorious-- and just in time!
...for Darth Vader had arrived and I knew it was up to me to defeat him and save Earth's pillow fights from the Dark Side.
"Vader!" I cried. "You're going down!"
"Your overconfidence is your weakness," he said.
"Your faith in your pillow is yours," I answered.
Sparks flew as our cushions clashed together. He was a worthy opponent, but in the end the Force was strong within me and peace on Earth (and in pillow fights) was restored.
 |
| Eric, Dan, Anne, Jozef, Mark, Mary, Jean-Luc |
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below.)
02 April 2011
01 April 2010
Today was awesome because I played ukulele on a sailboat.
I love life in Victoria!
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below.)
I love life in Victoria!
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below.)
01 April 2011
31 March 2011
Today was awesome because I felt the freedom of being on a motorcycle.
My housemate, and friend, Darryl took me for a ride on his Kawasaki GPz today. It's been years since I've been on a bike, and from the very first acceleration all of my fantasies of riding a small motorcycle across a foreign country returned.
As we weaved through the cherry-blossom-lined neighbourhood streets I imagined I was in Japan; riding out to the countryside, looking for the perfect sakura tree to practice Hanami under. When we reached the coast and cruised along Dallas Road I turned my head to the sea and never looked away, so I could let myself forget that there was a modern Canadian city to my left. My mind wandered to South America and I could almost believe we were riding up the coast of Chile, retracing the route of Ernesto Guevara and Alberto Granado.
One day, those will no longer be fantasies. But until then, Vancouver Island is pretty awesome.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be another awesome part of my day!)
My housemate, and friend, Darryl took me for a ride on his Kawasaki GPz today. It's been years since I've been on a bike, and from the very first acceleration all of my fantasies of riding a small motorcycle across a foreign country returned.
As we weaved through the cherry-blossom-lined neighbourhood streets I imagined I was in Japan; riding out to the countryside, looking for the perfect sakura tree to practice Hanami under. When we reached the coast and cruised along Dallas Road I turned my head to the sea and never looked away, so I could let myself forget that there was a modern Canadian city to my left. My mind wandered to South America and I could almost believe we were riding up the coast of Chile, retracing the route of Ernesto Guevara and Alberto Granado.
One day, those will no longer be fantasies. But until then, Vancouver Island is pretty awesome.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be another awesome part of my day!)
31 March 2011
30 March 2011
Today was awesome because of a warm fuzzy.
I decided to take the stairs after my meeting today. As I descended the last flight I could see a sign affixed to the door at the bottom of the stairwell. For a moment I was worried it was a fire exit. It wasn't.
Someone took the time to cut a red heart out of construction paper, glue it to another piece of paper, then tape it up on this door. And the message written upon that heart was this:
It really made me smile. Whomever put that up has probably made a lot of people smile. What a nice thing to do!
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be one more awesome part of my day!)
I decided to take the stairs after my meeting today. As I descended the last flight I could see a sign affixed to the door at the bottom of the stairwell. For a moment I was worried it was a fire exit. It wasn't.
Someone took the time to cut a red heart out of construction paper, glue it to another piece of paper, then tape it up on this door. And the message written upon that heart was this:
It really made me smile. Whomever put that up has probably made a lot of people smile. What a nice thing to do!
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be one more awesome part of my day!)
30 March 2011
29 March 2011
Today was awesome because something lost was found.
I don't wear any jewelery. I've never worn much jewelery. When I was about thirteen years old I begged my mom for a chain (chains were all the rage) and I hung a piece of steel around my neck for a while. I have an old, gold ring that belonged to my grandfather and is inscribed with his initials JJK for Jozef John Kuracina (I am Jozef Lambert Kuracina) but my bulbous middle-knuckle makes ring wearing nearly impossible. I detest the feel of wrist-watches and have not worn one since the Timex Ironman with Indiglo® I had (we all had) in the mid-nineties.
When my mom returned from visiting my older sister in Hong Kong she brought me a wooden-bead bracelet, carved with symbols of Tibetan Buddhism, tied with an Endless-Knot. A Tibetan refugee, living in Hong Kong to escape the oppressive, violent Chinese government in Tibet hand-carved the bracelet. I'm very fond of the gift, but I haven't worn it much because it's a loose bracelet and I've been afraid I might lose it.
I wore it out twice last week... and I lost it.
When I first realized it was gone, I determined that it must have come off at the beach. I bet that when I took off my sweater it came off with the sleeve. I was a little upset, but took comfort by believing that someone who needed a little peace or guidance in their life was walking along the beach and came across my bracelet.
However, as I was cleaning the bathroom today, peeking out from underneath the shag bath rug was the bracelet! Awesome!
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be one more awesome part of my day!)
I don't wear any jewelery. I've never worn much jewelery. When I was about thirteen years old I begged my mom for a chain (chains were all the rage) and I hung a piece of steel around my neck for a while. I have an old, gold ring that belonged to my grandfather and is inscribed with his initials JJK for Jozef John Kuracina (I am Jozef Lambert Kuracina) but my bulbous middle-knuckle makes ring wearing nearly impossible. I detest the feel of wrist-watches and have not worn one since the Timex Ironman with Indiglo® I had (we all had) in the mid-nineties.
When my mom returned from visiting my older sister in Hong Kong she brought me a wooden-bead bracelet, carved with symbols of Tibetan Buddhism, tied with an Endless-Knot. A Tibetan refugee, living in Hong Kong to escape the oppressive, violent Chinese government in Tibet hand-carved the bracelet. I'm very fond of the gift, but I haven't worn it much because it's a loose bracelet and I've been afraid I might lose it.
I wore it out twice last week... and I lost it.
When I first realized it was gone, I determined that it must have come off at the beach. I bet that when I took off my sweater it came off with the sleeve. I was a little upset, but took comfort by believing that someone who needed a little peace or guidance in their life was walking along the beach and came across my bracelet.
However, as I was cleaning the bathroom today, peeking out from underneath the shag bath rug was the bracelet! Awesome!
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be one more awesome part of my day!)
29 March 2011
28 March 2011
Today was awesome because I ran into a friend.
After I completed my job hunting for the day I rewarded myself with a big, three-hour walk by the sea. Down at Ogden Point I decided to wander out to the lighthouse across the big, stone blocks where I spotted a starfish the last time I was here. About half-way down I looked up and noticed my friend Mike coming towards me with his friend Kaylie. Happy to bump into each other, we exchanged pleasantries and they even joined me on my walk for a bit (or I joined them on theirs).
I've lived in Victoria for about a month now and my circle of friends is starting to grow. This was the first time I've randomly bumped into a friend since moving here. It's little moments like this that really make a place start to feel like home.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be another awesome part of my day!)
After I completed my job hunting for the day I rewarded myself with a big, three-hour walk by the sea. Down at Ogden Point I decided to wander out to the lighthouse across the big, stone blocks where I spotted a starfish the last time I was here. About half-way down I looked up and noticed my friend Mike coming towards me with his friend Kaylie. Happy to bump into each other, we exchanged pleasantries and they even joined me on my walk for a bit (or I joined them on theirs).
I've lived in Victoria for about a month now and my circle of friends is starting to grow. This was the first time I've randomly bumped into a friend since moving here. It's little moments like this that really make a place start to feel like home.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be another awesome part of my day!)
28 March 2011
27 March 2011
Today was awesome because I started reading one of my favourite books again.
As many people do, I go back and revisit my favourite books from time to time, like you do an old friend. And from within the familiar pages of my beloved hardcovers and paperbacks, such as The Count of Monte Cristo, 1984, and The Princess Bride, I always manage to come across a passage, phrasing, or quotation that feels new. Perhaps I was a little tired and my eyes were heavy the last time I was on these particular pages and the words barely registered... maybe my emotional or mental state is different than the last time I read the book in question and words that never jumped out at me before now make so much sense... or it could be that I've started relating to a character I never identified with before.
Discovering wonderful "new" bits to the books I adore is always exciting, but what I love most is reaching the moments that I love most. When Edmond Dantes first meets the Abbé Faria while wrongfully exiled and imprisoned in the Chateau D'If. When Julia slips Winston a piece of paper and he unfolds it to discover the words, "I LOVE YOU." When, after listening to Vizzini proclaim several accomplished feats to have been "inconceivable!" Inigo finally comes to the conclusion, "You keep on using that word. I do not think it means, what you think it means."
My favourite travel/lifestyle/philosophy book is "Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel" by Rolf Potts. From cover to cover it is full of the most brilliant advice, anecdotes, profiles of people like Jack Kerouac, Walt Whitman, and Henry David Thoreau, and the most inspiring, thought-provoking, soul-searching quotations by them and many other of the world's greatest writers, thinkers, philosophers, and travelers.
I love this book. I LOVE this book. I've read it and re-read it so many times. I've bought extra copies and given them out as gifts to friends whom I thought could use the inspiration, or sometimes, just because I wanted them to understand me a little bit more. (Many years ago, I even wrote a short recommendation for the book that was published on the Matador Network and can still be found there today.)
When my ukulele and other belongings arrived from Nelson, BC last week, Vagabonding was among the most prized possessions to return. I never travel anywhere without it, always pulling it out of my rucksack for an extra boost of energy on the road or to share the wisdom of its' contents with kindred spirits (or doubters) I meet along my way.
Tonight, as I picked up the book to continue reading, it flipped open to a random page and my thumb happened to land on a wonderful thought that I'd like to share with whomever may be reading this:
As many people do, I go back and revisit my favourite books from time to time, like you do an old friend. And from within the familiar pages of my beloved hardcovers and paperbacks, such as The Count of Monte Cristo, 1984, and The Princess Bride, I always manage to come across a passage, phrasing, or quotation that feels new. Perhaps I was a little tired and my eyes were heavy the last time I was on these particular pages and the words barely registered... maybe my emotional or mental state is different than the last time I read the book in question and words that never jumped out at me before now make so much sense... or it could be that I've started relating to a character I never identified with before.
Discovering wonderful "new" bits to the books I adore is always exciting, but what I love most is reaching the moments that I love most. When Edmond Dantes first meets the Abbé Faria while wrongfully exiled and imprisoned in the Chateau D'If. When Julia slips Winston a piece of paper and he unfolds it to discover the words, "I LOVE YOU." When, after listening to Vizzini proclaim several accomplished feats to have been "inconceivable!" Inigo finally comes to the conclusion, "You keep on using that word. I do not think it means, what you think it means."
My favourite travel/lifestyle/philosophy book is "Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel" by Rolf Potts. From cover to cover it is full of the most brilliant advice, anecdotes, profiles of people like Jack Kerouac, Walt Whitman, and Henry David Thoreau, and the most inspiring, thought-provoking, soul-searching quotations by them and many other of the world's greatest writers, thinkers, philosophers, and travelers.
I love this book. I LOVE this book. I've read it and re-read it so many times. I've bought extra copies and given them out as gifts to friends whom I thought could use the inspiration, or sometimes, just because I wanted them to understand me a little bit more. (Many years ago, I even wrote a short recommendation for the book that was published on the Matador Network and can still be found there today.)
When my ukulele and other belongings arrived from Nelson, BC last week, Vagabonding was among the most prized possessions to return. I never travel anywhere without it, always pulling it out of my rucksack for an extra boost of energy on the road or to share the wisdom of its' contents with kindred spirits (or doubters) I meet along my way.
Tonight, as I picked up the book to continue reading, it flipped open to a random page and my thumb happened to land on a wonderful thought that I'd like to share with whomever may be reading this:
It is easy in the world to live after the
world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to
live after your own; but the great man is
he who in the midst of the crowd keeps
with perfect sweetness the independence
of solitude.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Self-Reliance"
(from Vagabonding by Rolf Potts, Villard Books, 2003)
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be one more awesome part of my day!)
27 March 2011
26 March 2011
Today was awesome because of these two inspiring men:
The Artist
and The Humanitarian
I saw both of these videos for the first time today and I thought to myself, no matter who you are, where you are, what your interests are, or what your job is, you can find a way to incorporate art or humanitarianism, or both. If we all spend more time embracing and nurturing our artistic side, and focusing on how we can make a positive difference we will change the world.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be another awesome part of my day!)
The Artist
and The Humanitarian
I saw both of these videos for the first time today and I thought to myself, no matter who you are, where you are, what your interests are, or what your job is, you can find a way to incorporate art or humanitarianism, or both. If we all spend more time embracing and nurturing our artistic side, and focusing on how we can make a positive difference we will change the world.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be another awesome part of my day!)
26 March 2011
25 March 2011
Today was awesome because I caught up on some much needed rest.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz..........
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be one more awesome part of my day!)
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz..........
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be one more awesome part of my day!)
25 March 2011
24 March 2011
Today was awesome because of Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, and Birthdays.
We headed down to the beach around 8:30pm for a little bonfire jam and to celebrate Branden's arrival on planet Earth, twenty-three years ago. When we arrived, a fellow member of the CouchSurfing community already had a nice little fire going with a couple of his friends. Branden, Robin, and I introduced ourselves to Jean-Luc, Adam, and Shannon, and took seats around the blaze. A little later we were joined by Mike, Ellie, and Jennah. Together, we talked, we fested, we got to know one-another, we admired the elements that created this moment, and we made some wonderful sounds.
Bom-pop-pop-bom-pop-pop! went the djembes.
Plinky-plinky-plinky-plinky, twinky-twinky-twinky-twinky! went the ukulele.
Wrrrrmmm-wrrruummmm-wrrrrriinnnnn! went the harmonica.
Doof-clack-doof-clack-doof-doof-clack-clack! went the driftwood and the stones as they were bashed together.
Heh-heh-heh, ha-ha-ha! went the laughs.
And the waves crashed lightly on the shore, like echoing cymbals, the fire crackled, and the flames danced in the breeze with grace.
Happy Birthday, Branden!
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be another awesome part of my day!)
We headed down to the beach around 8:30pm for a little bonfire jam and to celebrate Branden's arrival on planet Earth, twenty-three years ago. When we arrived, a fellow member of the CouchSurfing community already had a nice little fire going with a couple of his friends. Branden, Robin, and I introduced ourselves to Jean-Luc, Adam, and Shannon, and took seats around the blaze. A little later we were joined by Mike, Ellie, and Jennah. Together, we talked, we fested, we got to know one-another, we admired the elements that created this moment, and we made some wonderful sounds.
Bom-pop-pop-bom-pop-pop! went the djembes.
Plinky-plinky-plinky-plinky, twinky-twinky-twinky-twinky! went the ukulele.
Wrrrrmmm-wrrruummmm-wrrrrriinnnnn! went the harmonica.
Doof-clack-doof-clack-doof-doof-clack-clack! went the driftwood and the stones as they were bashed together.
Heh-heh-heh, ha-ha-ha! went the laughs.
And the waves crashed lightly on the shore, like echoing cymbals, the fire crackled, and the flames danced in the breeze with grace.
Happy Birthday, Branden!
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be another awesome part of my day!)
24 March 2011
23 March 2011
Today was awesome because of dogs.
I live with a dog. A beautiful, old girl named Ruka. Today, my housemate Lacey and I took Ruka for a long walk down the beach. There's a path that runs alongside Dallas Road beach where everyone goes to walk their pets off-leash. It's a wonderful place. Everywhere you look dogs are sniffing each other's asses while their humans are shaking hands. The grassy fields are a little bit like a playful battlefield where the only things being launched are sticks and balls, and you might have to avoid a landmine or two. Dogs are amazing intermediaries: Take two people that would normally walk past each other without a word, add a couple of dogs to the mix and you've got a friendly conversation!
Young pups zipping around wildly with more energy than their little bodies can contain. Old veterans wandering from bush to bench to pole, checking out every scent along the way. People, engaging in little conversations about their companions, the weather, or anything at all. After a few minutes most people wish each other a pleasant day and continue on their walks, but I like to believe that every so often little connections are discovered and new friendships, maybe even new romances, are formed.
And we have dogs to thank for breaking the ice.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be another awesome part of my day!)
I live with a dog. A beautiful, old girl named Ruka. Today, my housemate Lacey and I took Ruka for a long walk down the beach. There's a path that runs alongside Dallas Road beach where everyone goes to walk their pets off-leash. It's a wonderful place. Everywhere you look dogs are sniffing each other's asses while their humans are shaking hands. The grassy fields are a little bit like a playful battlefield where the only things being launched are sticks and balls, and you might have to avoid a landmine or two. Dogs are amazing intermediaries: Take two people that would normally walk past each other without a word, add a couple of dogs to the mix and you've got a friendly conversation!
Young pups zipping around wildly with more energy than their little bodies can contain. Old veterans wandering from bush to bench to pole, checking out every scent along the way. People, engaging in little conversations about their companions, the weather, or anything at all. After a few minutes most people wish each other a pleasant day and continue on their walks, but I like to believe that every so often little connections are discovered and new friendships, maybe even new romances, are formed.
And we have dogs to thank for breaking the ice.
 |
| Ruka, laying down in the sea. |
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be another awesome part of my day!)
23 March 2011
22 March 2011
Today was awesome because of water.
Water is pretty awesome in general. In fact, it's probably the most awesome thing in the world. Water is 70% of our planet's surface. Water is 60% of us. Water is life.
International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. (http://www.worldwaterday2011.org/)
In Canada we are very water rich and we often don't think about how incredibly fortunate we are to be able to walk over to a tap, give a little twist, and have beautiful, fresh, healthy water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, bathing, etc. It's something that is easily taken for granted in the Western World. Today, I made sure not to take the water I drank and the water I used for granted. I appreciated and loved every drop.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments sections below. It will be one more awesome thing to add to my day!)
Water is pretty awesome in general. In fact, it's probably the most awesome thing in the world. Water is 70% of our planet's surface. Water is 60% of us. Water is life.
International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. (http://www.worldwaterday2011.org/)
In Canada we are very water rich and we often don't think about how incredibly fortunate we are to be able to walk over to a tap, give a little twist, and have beautiful, fresh, healthy water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, bathing, etc. It's something that is easily taken for granted in the Western World. Today, I made sure not to take the water I drank and the water I used for granted. I appreciated and loved every drop.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments sections below. It will be one more awesome thing to add to my day!)
22 March 2011
21 March 2011
Today was awesome because John Lennon taught me how to cook rice "the proper way."
I struggle with rice. Oh, I love rice... it's one of my all-time favourite grains... but unless it comes in a big box, proudly named after how rapidly you can cook it, I never seem to get it right.
I think it's hereditary. My mother gave me curly hair and the uncanny ability to constantly screw up boiling something in water.
After a couple of unsuccessful stove-top attempts, my housemate Darryl offered me the use of his Cuisinart Rice Cooker. "Foolproof!" he says. "Add the rice, add the water, flip the switch, walk away. When the rice is ready, the switch will automatically flip over from 'cook' to 'warm.' Enjoy."
Ok. Easy enough.
Add the rice. Done!
Add the water. No problem. I'm pretty good at this.
Flip the switch. Piece of cake, did it with one finger.
Walk away. Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot. No worries there.
When the rice is ready, the switch will automatically flip. Hm, so it did!
Now, enjoy... this mushy clump of half-raw, half-burnt rice.
Foiled again, I returned to the sofa and pulled "Memories of John Lennon, edited and introduced by Yoko Ono" on to my lap. A collection of letters, stories, photos, sketches, and poems from John's friends, relatives, acquaintances, and admirers, sent to Yoko. I was reading an entry by Klaus Voormann. An artist and musician who befriended the young Beatles in their early Hamburg days, which led to a lifelong creative partnership (including the cover art for Revolver and The Beatles Anthology). Klaus is recounting one night at John and Yoko's apartment in The Dakota building in New York. A few pages into the tale, John said, "I'll show you how to cook rice the proper way."
Really!?!? Only minutes after my own disaster, John Lennon- a man who has inspired me and influenced me in countless ways- is now going to teach me how to successfully make a pot of rice! I couldn't believe the timing. So perfect! What an amazing world!
I'll share his method with you now:
["Now, watch me very closely." Out of one of the cupboards, he pulled out a pot, in which he poured a few hands full of brown rice. "And now comes the important part!" John's face was serious when he filled me in to the art of rice cooking. "Now you have to put your hand on the rice. Like this, you see?" He moved over a little to the side so I could have a better look into the pot. John was putting his right hand into the pot on top of the rice. "Now you pour the water over your hand, but please wash before you do that!"
"You mean the rice or the hand?"
"Klaus, I ask you! Of course the hand. So don't touch the rice with dirty hands." He took a can of water and poured it into the pot. "You only pour as much water into the pot until the back of your hand is covered with water. Now watch me closely--like this." He slowly let the water run over his hand.
"By watching your face, I would assume this is cold not boiling water."
"Very well observed, my boy. Don't try to be funny now. I don't go for German jokes. Now you add a little salt, like this, and then you let the whole thing simmer and when the water has evaporated, then the rice is ready to be eaten."]
Thanks, John!!! And Klaus and Yoko for sharing.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be another awesome part of my day!)
I struggle with rice. Oh, I love rice... it's one of my all-time favourite grains... but unless it comes in a big box, proudly named after how rapidly you can cook it, I never seem to get it right.
I think it's hereditary. My mother gave me curly hair and the uncanny ability to constantly screw up boiling something in water.
After a couple of unsuccessful stove-top attempts, my housemate Darryl offered me the use of his Cuisinart Rice Cooker. "Foolproof!" he says. "Add the rice, add the water, flip the switch, walk away. When the rice is ready, the switch will automatically flip over from 'cook' to 'warm.' Enjoy."
Ok. Easy enough.
Add the rice. Done!
Add the water. No problem. I'm pretty good at this.
Flip the switch. Piece of cake, did it with one finger.
Walk away. Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot. No worries there.
When the rice is ready, the switch will automatically flip. Hm, so it did!
Now, enjoy... this mushy clump of half-raw, half-burnt rice.
Foiled again, I returned to the sofa and pulled "Memories of John Lennon, edited and introduced by Yoko Ono" on to my lap. A collection of letters, stories, photos, sketches, and poems from John's friends, relatives, acquaintances, and admirers, sent to Yoko. I was reading an entry by Klaus Voormann. An artist and musician who befriended the young Beatles in their early Hamburg days, which led to a lifelong creative partnership (including the cover art for Revolver and The Beatles Anthology). Klaus is recounting one night at John and Yoko's apartment in The Dakota building in New York. A few pages into the tale, John said, "I'll show you how to cook rice the proper way."
Really!?!? Only minutes after my own disaster, John Lennon- a man who has inspired me and influenced me in countless ways- is now going to teach me how to successfully make a pot of rice! I couldn't believe the timing. So perfect! What an amazing world!
I'll share his method with you now:
["Now, watch me very closely." Out of one of the cupboards, he pulled out a pot, in which he poured a few hands full of brown rice. "And now comes the important part!" John's face was serious when he filled me in to the art of rice cooking. "Now you have to put your hand on the rice. Like this, you see?" He moved over a little to the side so I could have a better look into the pot. John was putting his right hand into the pot on top of the rice. "Now you pour the water over your hand, but please wash before you do that!"
"You mean the rice or the hand?"
"Klaus, I ask you! Of course the hand. So don't touch the rice with dirty hands." He took a can of water and poured it into the pot. "You only pour as much water into the pot until the back of your hand is covered with water. Now watch me closely--like this." He slowly let the water run over his hand.
"By watching your face, I would assume this is cold not boiling water."
"Very well observed, my boy. Don't try to be funny now. I don't go for German jokes. Now you add a little salt, like this, and then you let the whole thing simmer and when the water has evaporated, then the rice is ready to be eaten."]
Thanks, John!!! And Klaus and Yoko for sharing.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. Reading it will be another awesome part of my day!)
21 March 2011
20 March 2011
Today was awesome because I received the sweetest message from a dear friend.
Take five or ten minutes right now, scroll through your phone contacts (if you have a mobile phone), find someone you haven't talked to very recently and send them something nice. You never know what a few kind words can do for someone.
I chose a friend from back home that I've fallen out of touch with since moving out West.
----------------------------
You are such a genuine person, always true to yourself.
It was always so energizing to be around you.
Bold and beautiful! I miss you!
----------------------------
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
Take five or ten minutes right now, scroll through your phone contacts (if you have a mobile phone), find someone you haven't talked to very recently and send them something nice. You never know what a few kind words can do for someone.
I chose a friend from back home that I've fallen out of touch with since moving out West.
----------------------------
You are such a genuine person, always true to yourself.
It was always so energizing to be around you.
Bold and beautiful! I miss you!
----------------------------
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
20 March 2011
19 March 2011
Today was awesome because we super-jammed!
Katherine and Keelan are partners, whom I met at an open bluegrass jam at a café (I watched, they played.)
I met Mark on the beach as we "Walk[ed] a Mile in Her Shoes" for our mutual friend Anne. He brought along Matt.
Bill and I go WAY back to the summer of Oh-Eight, to the sudsy beaches and sandy bars of Grand Bend, Ontario. He lives about an hour and a half north from me on the island and came down for the weekend.
This is the first time I've ever tried to play with more than one other person and most of the people in the room just met, but here we are... trying to feel out a little tune and work our way through it...
For a few hours, we banged our way through an assortment of rock, folk, blues and bluegrass. It was just... so... bloody... AWESOME!!!
I'm sure of it now more than ever. One day, I'm going to be in a rock 'n roll band.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
Katherine and Keelan are partners, whom I met at an open bluegrass jam at a café (I watched, they played.)
I met Mark on the beach as we "Walk[ed] a Mile in Her Shoes" for our mutual friend Anne. He brought along Matt.
Bill and I go WAY back to the summer of Oh-Eight, to the sudsy beaches and sandy bars of Grand Bend, Ontario. He lives about an hour and a half north from me on the island and came down for the weekend.
This is the first time I've ever tried to play with more than one other person and most of the people in the room just met, but here we are... trying to feel out a little tune and work our way through it...
For a few hours, we banged our way through an assortment of rock, folk, blues and bluegrass. It was just... so... bloody... AWESOME!!!
I'm sure of it now more than ever. One day, I'm going to be in a rock 'n roll band.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
19 March 2011
18 March 2011
Today was awesome because I made up music!
My ol' buddy Bill is in town for the weekend and he brought along his djembe. After running through a few cover songs on guitar with Bill providing the beat I took a break. Bill continued tapping, slapping and rolling on the top of his hand-carved drum. I started to recognize a pattern and began inserting chords as he beat. Wouldn't you know it, we all of the sudden had a little groove going.
I'm so new to this music game every day is like a new experience for me. And today was the first time I really experienced "making it up as you go." Pretty awesome.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
My ol' buddy Bill is in town for the weekend and he brought along his djembe. After running through a few cover songs on guitar with Bill providing the beat I took a break. Bill continued tapping, slapping and rolling on the top of his hand-carved drum. I started to recognize a pattern and began inserting chords as he beat. Wouldn't you know it, we all of the sudden had a little groove going.
I'm so new to this music game every day is like a new experience for me. And today was the first time I really experienced "making it up as you go." Pretty awesome.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
18 March 2011
17 March 2011
Today was awesome because of 416 metres.
That's how many I climbed. Sure, it's not Everest, but it was a beautiful journey up Mt. Finlayson. At the summit, my buddy Mike and I enjoyed granola, berries, and breathtaking views of the forest, the sea, and the mountains.
I urge everyone to get out this week and appreciate a piece of nature, wherever you are. Look for something you find beautiful... it doesn't matter what it is, where it is, or what size it is. A mountain, a river, a snow covered pine, a budding tree, a rolling wave, a marching line of ants, your neighbour's garden if you must! Anything! And then really take a long, slow look at it and think about how totally, outrageously, incredibly wondrous planet Earth itself is. And marvel.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
That's how many I climbed. Sure, it's not Everest, but it was a beautiful journey up Mt. Finlayson. At the summit, my buddy Mike and I enjoyed granola, berries, and breathtaking views of the forest, the sea, and the mountains.
I urge everyone to get out this week and appreciate a piece of nature, wherever you are. Look for something you find beautiful... it doesn't matter what it is, where it is, or what size it is. A mountain, a river, a snow covered pine, a budding tree, a rolling wave, a marching line of ants, your neighbour's garden if you must! Anything! And then really take a long, slow look at it and think about how totally, outrageously, incredibly wondrous planet Earth itself is. And marvel.
 | |||
| A perfect stream at the bottom of Mt. Finlayson. I filled my bottle with it's crystal clear water. |
 |
| Going up! |
 |
| A view from the top. |
 |
| I, on the summit! |
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
17 March 2011
16 March 2011
Today was awesome because I ran into the sunset.
This evening, I went for a run. I didn't run very much over the winter... Nelson, being built on the side of a mountain and covered in several feet of powdered snow, didn't provide very good conditions for winter running, unless you have all the right gear, or a gym membership. I couldn't afford either, so tonight, as I inserted my earbuds and stepped off the front porch I knew it wasn't going to be the easiest run of my life.
It was a gorgeous evening. A blue sky and a fading sun. The air was cold and my untrained lungs were shocked and in pain. When I reached the halfway point of my course, I circled back and started running west, towards home. The sun was setting now and the sky was a canvas of creamy blue, accented with fiery pinks and smoky purples. It was beautiful, it was energizing. I ran for it as if I was trying to catch the sun before it disappeared forever.
As an added, awesome bonus I passed by this sweeeet van on my run and had to go back later in the night to take her photograph. Check it out!
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
This evening, I went for a run. I didn't run very much over the winter... Nelson, being built on the side of a mountain and covered in several feet of powdered snow, didn't provide very good conditions for winter running, unless you have all the right gear, or a gym membership. I couldn't afford either, so tonight, as I inserted my earbuds and stepped off the front porch I knew it wasn't going to be the easiest run of my life.
It was a gorgeous evening. A blue sky and a fading sun. The air was cold and my untrained lungs were shocked and in pain. When I reached the halfway point of my course, I circled back and started running west, towards home. The sun was setting now and the sky was a canvas of creamy blue, accented with fiery pinks and smoky purples. It was beautiful, it was energizing. I ran for it as if I was trying to catch the sun before it disappeared forever.
As an added, awesome bonus I passed by this sweeeet van on my run and had to go back later in the night to take her photograph. Check it out!
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
16 March 2011
15 March 2011
Today was awesome because I met someone with an interesting and adorable oddity.
I met a young lady who was feeling a little sleepy. When she's sleepy she yawns. And when she yawns, she giggles! She would cover her mouth to yawn, and each time her lips came back together her eyes would close for a second and she'd finish with a cute little giggle. I love all the little quirks that make each person so unique!
The Girl Who Laughs Herself to Sleep
A quiet town lays down to sleep
Heads on pillows without a peep
But for the girl in stripes of red
Giggling from her blithesome bed
As each yawn ends and lips do close
She fills with bliss and empties woes
What joy it is to never weep
And sweetly laugh yourself to sleep.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
I met a young lady who was feeling a little sleepy. When she's sleepy she yawns. And when she yawns, she giggles! She would cover her mouth to yawn, and each time her lips came back together her eyes would close for a second and she'd finish with a cute little giggle. I love all the little quirks that make each person so unique!
The Girl Who Laughs Herself to Sleep
A quiet town lays down to sleep
Heads on pillows without a peep
But for the girl in stripes of red
Giggling from her blithesome bed
As each yawn ends and lips do close
She fills with bliss and empties woes
What joy it is to never weep
And sweetly laugh yourself to sleep.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
15 March 2011
14 March 2011
Today was awesome because it was meant to be.
It was Coleby's last day in Victoria. We didn't have any set plans, but knew that all we had to do was venture out into the city with open eyes and minds. Walking south on Pandora, as we approached another young guy walking the other way he started to slow down, leaned into our field of view and said, "Heyyyyyyy."
Coleby recognized him right away and introduced me to Dave, whom he had just met on the train a few days ago. Dave didn't have any plans either. I told him we were going to swing by my favourite record shop, in an alley, and probably a used book store too. He said that sounded perfect and asked if he could join, so we were now three. I led the boys into Canada's oldest Chinatown and down Fan Tan Alley. Inside The Turntable we each selected a different row to start with and started flipping through the sleeves.
That shop is full of treasures and I fantasized about one day owning the records I was examining. Original pressings of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Imagine, Harvest, Something Else by The Kinks... rare, Japanese imports, EPs I never knew existed. On our way out Dave asked if we had happened to see anything by The Zombies. "No," I said, "but ask the guy behind the counter. He knows everything and he knows where everything in his shop is."
Dave waited for the shop owner to finish up another conversation, Coleby and I waited outside. When he re-joined us in the alley, he was thrilled! "Get this! I asked him if he had Odessey and Oracle by The Zombies... I've been looking for it for so long, it's impossible to find an original pressing, and this guy said he just got one YESTERDAY! and his buddy is just cleaning it up and he'll have it in the shop by tomorrow. He said it's in the best condition he's ever seen and he won't sell it until I come back and take a look. He said he's probably looking for about a hundred for it, but in Toronto you'd be looking at two-fifty!"
Coleby met Dave on the train. Dave ran in to us on the street in Victoria. He was heading in the opposite direction we were but decided to join us. We took him to a shop he never would have known about, hidden away in an alley, and within a day the store owner had come into possession of the record Dave had long been searching for. So many little moments lined up perfectly, it felt like more than random coincidence.
Dave spent most of the day with me and Coleby, and between the three of us there were many more serendipitous discoveries.
When things really feel like they were meant to happen, it's such an awesome feeling.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
It was Coleby's last day in Victoria. We didn't have any set plans, but knew that all we had to do was venture out into the city with open eyes and minds. Walking south on Pandora, as we approached another young guy walking the other way he started to slow down, leaned into our field of view and said, "Heyyyyyyy."
Coleby recognized him right away and introduced me to Dave, whom he had just met on the train a few days ago. Dave didn't have any plans either. I told him we were going to swing by my favourite record shop, in an alley, and probably a used book store too. He said that sounded perfect and asked if he could join, so we were now three. I led the boys into Canada's oldest Chinatown and down Fan Tan Alley. Inside The Turntable we each selected a different row to start with and started flipping through the sleeves.
That shop is full of treasures and I fantasized about one day owning the records I was examining. Original pressings of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Imagine, Harvest, Something Else by The Kinks... rare, Japanese imports, EPs I never knew existed. On our way out Dave asked if we had happened to see anything by The Zombies. "No," I said, "but ask the guy behind the counter. He knows everything and he knows where everything in his shop is."
Dave waited for the shop owner to finish up another conversation, Coleby and I waited outside. When he re-joined us in the alley, he was thrilled! "Get this! I asked him if he had Odessey and Oracle by The Zombies... I've been looking for it for so long, it's impossible to find an original pressing, and this guy said he just got one YESTERDAY! and his buddy is just cleaning it up and he'll have it in the shop by tomorrow. He said it's in the best condition he's ever seen and he won't sell it until I come back and take a look. He said he's probably looking for about a hundred for it, but in Toronto you'd be looking at two-fifty!"
Coleby met Dave on the train. Dave ran in to us on the street in Victoria. He was heading in the opposite direction we were but decided to join us. We took him to a shop he never would have known about, hidden away in an alley, and within a day the store owner had come into possession of the record Dave had long been searching for. So many little moments lined up perfectly, it felt like more than random coincidence.
Dave spent most of the day with me and Coleby, and between the three of us there were many more serendipitous discoveries.
When things really feel like they were meant to happen, it's such an awesome feeling.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
14 March 2011
13 March 2011
Today was awesome because I was not only in nature but I was a part of it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taking It On The Chin
We drove along highway 14 in a borrowed, old Mazda hatchback. It was the first time I had been behind the wheel of a stick in almost a year, had to get used to her particulars. Coco was riding shotgun, fiddling with the knobs and dials that control the heat and fans. As co-pilot, he was in charge of the music selection, and keeping the windshield from fogging up. Once we passed Sooke the road hooked left and headed straight for the coast. The great Pacific Ocean revealed itself. Fourteen bended back to the right to follow the coastline and the sea disappeared behind the houses, the resorts, and the trees. Every now and then we'd hit a stretch of road with a clearing on the left-hand side and I'd have to fight to keep my eyes facing forward instead of drifting off to the hypnotizing vastness of Grand Pacifica. I let out a deep sigh of admiration, "Just incredible, eh Coco?"
"It's amazing. I'm really glad you brought me out here. I have to move to this island."
"Just wait until we reach the trail."
Hydro lines ran alongside the highway and each pole had plastic numbers screwed into it in ascending order, just like houses on a street. 211... 212... 213... we were looking for 217. 214... 215... 216... I pulled the car onto the shoulder between 217 and 218, full stop, shifted into neutral and yanked on the hand-brake. "That must be it." I said, as I pointed out the window.
We got out of the car and stared across the street into an unmarked hole in the brush. This was our entrance. I brought Coco out here, but it was my first time on this trail too so we didn't know anything about the terrain or how long our wander in the rainforest would take. I packed an extra sweater, gloves, a bandana (a very versatile and useful thing to have when you're out in the woods), granola, fresh berries, marble cheese, whole-grain crackers, two litres of water, a headlamp, digital camera, lighter, two rations of toilet paper in a zipper-lock bag, a ballpoint pen, and a multi-tool, which I wore on my belt.
Truly, we stumbled into new territory that day.
It was raining lightly and the path before us was turning darker and darker, wetter and wetter with every step, with every drop. The falling water did nothing to hamper our spirits or atmosphere... it enhanced both! Here we were, Mojo and Coco, alone in our own little part of a temperate rainforest. The greens were greener, and I swear, the raindrops were the clearest raindrops I've ever seen in my life. Like thousands of tiny, liquid prisms falling to Earth, reflecting and refracting infinite beams of light and bursts of colour.
Green was everywhere. The trees had green leaves or needles, green moss grew on the trunks and branches, shrubs and flowers of many sizes and many shades of green, thorny greens, soft greens, slippery greens, and a very thick sprinkling of green ferns. The trees stood tall. The tallest trees I have ever stood under. The largest circumferences I have ever seen. And they not only grew straight and tall, but at all angles, creating arches and bridges out of fallen trees. The trail took us in all directions but always in a gradual downward decline. We often had to jump over large roots, duck under tree trunks, climb over tree trunks, avoid stepping in large puddles and small streams, traverse a fallen tree over a small gorge, grasp branches to maintain balance, hop from rock to rock, brace for steep drops, and bushwhack when there was no trail.
At our first water break we indulged in a little treat I brought to celebrate the occasion. Right then, I think in our heads we both secretly said our own little personal prayer for the day. Mine went like this; "Today I shall walk into the woods and walk out having learned something. Everything is so beautiful. I'm ready." Our goal was to get to Chin Beach and to Chin Beach we got. It was quite a long and arduous journey and when we finally heard the roaring waves and reached the clearing we were rewarded by exposing ourselves to a heavy downpour. The dense forest was intercepting most of the rain before it reached us, but now we were on the shores and easy targets for the millions of speeding drops.
Straight ahead was the sea, we could go left or right. We chose left and came to a craftsman staircase leading back into the woods. Coco went up a little ahead of me and called back that there was an emergency shelter at the top. Soaked to the bone I started bounding up the stairs two at a time. A small, wood cabin stood to the left of the top stair with a glass solarium front room and outhouse around back. Upon entering the shack we discovered a wonderful little home. Two sleeping spaces in the loft and one on the main floor (bring your own mat), a little counter-top, and a shelf with a Guest Book for anyone who dropped in out of curiosity or to save themselves from the elements. Coco and I were in there for a little bit of both but after removing our wettest layer and warming up a little we had had enough of being indoors already and gasped for fresh air, rain and all!
Back down to the beach we dropped and traveled across the wet stones in a north-westerly direction. I had a wide-eyed expression of amazement on my face because I knew I was witnessing the greatest show on Earth. The ocean was rolling with speed and grace on one side and on the other side the trees were also dancing. Multi-talented as they were, not only were the sea and forest dancing for me but they were members of the orchestra too. Waves crashed into the rocks, wind whistled through the trees, leaves brushed against each other, rain pattered on the stones all around us, gulls squawked and I hummed, little tunes too myself, sometimes making up simple lyrics like, "O bring the rain down on me, O bring the rain down on me, the trees are wet, the rocks are wet, the ocean's wet, and I want to be wet too."
"This is even more incredible than I imagined," I called back to Coco, "everything is just so perfect! Look at the colours! These colours only truly exist in nature. Nature is art."
"So true," he agreed, "I've never seen anything like this before."
The tree trunks on the beach were water-logged and splitting. The wood on the inside was a red-orange I can only describe as "wet-beach-tree red." We investigated and admired everything we came across but eventually we knew that the remaining hours of sunlight were few and it was time to find the trail that would take us up and out. As soon as we re-entered the forest we realized the unrelenting rain had not only absorbed into us but into the ground as well. The trail was the slops, and we had to skillfully maneuver over or around many water hazards.
About two thirds of the way back to the highway, by my most unsupported estimation, we were in deep conversation when Coco posed me a question that deserved such devoted attention I instinctively stopped walking so that I could focus entirely on what my response would be. We were talking about a mantra I had created for myself earlier in the week. While out walking with my housemate Terrell and his dog Ruby I observed that Ruby was moving along much more slowly than we were. She was completely immersed in her surroundings, moving from one interesting scent to the next, wandering back and forth in no particular hurry at all, her tail swaying back and forth gleefully. And she's a very quiet animal, rarely raising her voice to announce displeasure. Wag more, bark less. Wag more. Bark less. This meant many things to me. Talk less, reflect more. Be relaxed and appreciate everything around you, not uptight and full of complaints. And on this day; anyone can talk about doing something or talk about their dreams, but few actually do the things they talk about or fully go after their dreams, so talk less do more. Today we were "doing," and Coco asked me, "What are you going to do next?"
"I've learned so much over the past few years. Everywhere I go and every time I engage with new people I open myself up to whatever kind of little lesson or grand revelation I can obtain from the experience. You yourself have been a great source of teachings, even when you weren't aware of it. I know where I see myself, and I'm really starting to feel like I'm making progress towards getting there. Everything happens at the right time. The right time might be when I need it most, or when I'm ready for it. Last summer I was searching the used book stores for Kerouac, but I never found a copy. This past week Terrell casually offered me a paperback of The Dharma Bums, not knowing it was a book I had long wanted to read. I learned from it, I was inspired by it, and although I wasn't consciously thinking about it while we hiked, I definitely feel like the spirit of those pages was in me today. I couldn't find that book when I thought I wanted it, but it came to me when I was ready for it. I don't know what is next for me, but I love that sense of freedom and mystery and I'm excited for tomorrow, and tomorrow's tomorrow."
Right where we stood was a fallen tree that made a perfect, damp bench. We sat, got out the container of berries, and discussed future dreams, ethics, psychology, survival tactics, song-writing, wanderlust, The Buddha, love and it's many forms and applications, John Lennon, personal growth, awkward hair, vegetarianism, and how delicious the berries were. It was just like last summer. Coco and I matched up well intellectually, always challenging each other, provoking deep thought, or belly laughter, observation and investigation, often serious, occasionally absurd. "I'm really glad you came out to visit, Coco. What an incredible day. This was perfect." I held my arms out and motioned to the world in front of us, "this is perfect. And there's no one I'd rather be out here with."
"I appreciate that. Thanks, Moj'. Same to you."
We were losing light so we packed up and hit the trail hard, bounding over roots, dodging puddles, vaulting over tree trunks. We reached a clearing that provided more light and tortoised our way to a slower but steady finish. Finally, we could see the road and then the Mazda, patiently waiting. Coco was as happy as a pig in mud and just as dirty. "We did it, man! We made it!"
"That was beautiful! I couldn't be more happy right now. At peace," I replied, and we stood in the middle of the deserted highway and patted each other on the back.
Proud of ourselves, exhausted, and retaining water, we unlocked the car, but hesitated for a moment, turned, and looked back at the leafy passageway from which we had just emerged. "I miss it already," I confessed.
"Exactly what I was thinking," said Coco.
We didn't say anything out loud for a minute, but I think once again we privately said something to ourselves. Mine went like this; "Thank you."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments sections below. I'd love to hear about it!)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taking It On The Chin
We drove along highway 14 in a borrowed, old Mazda hatchback. It was the first time I had been behind the wheel of a stick in almost a year, had to get used to her particulars. Coco was riding shotgun, fiddling with the knobs and dials that control the heat and fans. As co-pilot, he was in charge of the music selection, and keeping the windshield from fogging up. Once we passed Sooke the road hooked left and headed straight for the coast. The great Pacific Ocean revealed itself. Fourteen bended back to the right to follow the coastline and the sea disappeared behind the houses, the resorts, and the trees. Every now and then we'd hit a stretch of road with a clearing on the left-hand side and I'd have to fight to keep my eyes facing forward instead of drifting off to the hypnotizing vastness of Grand Pacifica. I let out a deep sigh of admiration, "Just incredible, eh Coco?"
"It's amazing. I'm really glad you brought me out here. I have to move to this island."
"Just wait until we reach the trail."
Hydro lines ran alongside the highway and each pole had plastic numbers screwed into it in ascending order, just like houses on a street. 211... 212... 213... we were looking for 217. 214... 215... 216... I pulled the car onto the shoulder between 217 and 218, full stop, shifted into neutral and yanked on the hand-brake. "That must be it." I said, as I pointed out the window.
We got out of the car and stared across the street into an unmarked hole in the brush. This was our entrance. I brought Coco out here, but it was my first time on this trail too so we didn't know anything about the terrain or how long our wander in the rainforest would take. I packed an extra sweater, gloves, a bandana (a very versatile and useful thing to have when you're out in the woods), granola, fresh berries, marble cheese, whole-grain crackers, two litres of water, a headlamp, digital camera, lighter, two rations of toilet paper in a zipper-lock bag, a ballpoint pen, and a multi-tool, which I wore on my belt.
Truly, we stumbled into new territory that day.
It was raining lightly and the path before us was turning darker and darker, wetter and wetter with every step, with every drop. The falling water did nothing to hamper our spirits or atmosphere... it enhanced both! Here we were, Mojo and Coco, alone in our own little part of a temperate rainforest. The greens were greener, and I swear, the raindrops were the clearest raindrops I've ever seen in my life. Like thousands of tiny, liquid prisms falling to Earth, reflecting and refracting infinite beams of light and bursts of colour.
Green was everywhere. The trees had green leaves or needles, green moss grew on the trunks and branches, shrubs and flowers of many sizes and many shades of green, thorny greens, soft greens, slippery greens, and a very thick sprinkling of green ferns. The trees stood tall. The tallest trees I have ever stood under. The largest circumferences I have ever seen. And they not only grew straight and tall, but at all angles, creating arches and bridges out of fallen trees. The trail took us in all directions but always in a gradual downward decline. We often had to jump over large roots, duck under tree trunks, climb over tree trunks, avoid stepping in large puddles and small streams, traverse a fallen tree over a small gorge, grasp branches to maintain balance, hop from rock to rock, brace for steep drops, and bushwhack when there was no trail.
At our first water break we indulged in a little treat I brought to celebrate the occasion. Right then, I think in our heads we both secretly said our own little personal prayer for the day. Mine went like this; "Today I shall walk into the woods and walk out having learned something. Everything is so beautiful. I'm ready." Our goal was to get to Chin Beach and to Chin Beach we got. It was quite a long and arduous journey and when we finally heard the roaring waves and reached the clearing we were rewarded by exposing ourselves to a heavy downpour. The dense forest was intercepting most of the rain before it reached us, but now we were on the shores and easy targets for the millions of speeding drops.
Straight ahead was the sea, we could go left or right. We chose left and came to a craftsman staircase leading back into the woods. Coco went up a little ahead of me and called back that there was an emergency shelter at the top. Soaked to the bone I started bounding up the stairs two at a time. A small, wood cabin stood to the left of the top stair with a glass solarium front room and outhouse around back. Upon entering the shack we discovered a wonderful little home. Two sleeping spaces in the loft and one on the main floor (bring your own mat), a little counter-top, and a shelf with a Guest Book for anyone who dropped in out of curiosity or to save themselves from the elements. Coco and I were in there for a little bit of both but after removing our wettest layer and warming up a little we had had enough of being indoors already and gasped for fresh air, rain and all!
Back down to the beach we dropped and traveled across the wet stones in a north-westerly direction. I had a wide-eyed expression of amazement on my face because I knew I was witnessing the greatest show on Earth. The ocean was rolling with speed and grace on one side and on the other side the trees were also dancing. Multi-talented as they were, not only were the sea and forest dancing for me but they were members of the orchestra too. Waves crashed into the rocks, wind whistled through the trees, leaves brushed against each other, rain pattered on the stones all around us, gulls squawked and I hummed, little tunes too myself, sometimes making up simple lyrics like, "O bring the rain down on me, O bring the rain down on me, the trees are wet, the rocks are wet, the ocean's wet, and I want to be wet too."
"This is even more incredible than I imagined," I called back to Coco, "everything is just so perfect! Look at the colours! These colours only truly exist in nature. Nature is art."
"So true," he agreed, "I've never seen anything like this before."
The tree trunks on the beach were water-logged and splitting. The wood on the inside was a red-orange I can only describe as "wet-beach-tree red." We investigated and admired everything we came across but eventually we knew that the remaining hours of sunlight were few and it was time to find the trail that would take us up and out. As soon as we re-entered the forest we realized the unrelenting rain had not only absorbed into us but into the ground as well. The trail was the slops, and we had to skillfully maneuver over or around many water hazards.
About two thirds of the way back to the highway, by my most unsupported estimation, we were in deep conversation when Coco posed me a question that deserved such devoted attention I instinctively stopped walking so that I could focus entirely on what my response would be. We were talking about a mantra I had created for myself earlier in the week. While out walking with my housemate Terrell and his dog Ruby I observed that Ruby was moving along much more slowly than we were. She was completely immersed in her surroundings, moving from one interesting scent to the next, wandering back and forth in no particular hurry at all, her tail swaying back and forth gleefully. And she's a very quiet animal, rarely raising her voice to announce displeasure. Wag more, bark less. Wag more. Bark less. This meant many things to me. Talk less, reflect more. Be relaxed and appreciate everything around you, not uptight and full of complaints. And on this day; anyone can talk about doing something or talk about their dreams, but few actually do the things they talk about or fully go after their dreams, so talk less do more. Today we were "doing," and Coco asked me, "What are you going to do next?"
"I've learned so much over the past few years. Everywhere I go and every time I engage with new people I open myself up to whatever kind of little lesson or grand revelation I can obtain from the experience. You yourself have been a great source of teachings, even when you weren't aware of it. I know where I see myself, and I'm really starting to feel like I'm making progress towards getting there. Everything happens at the right time. The right time might be when I need it most, or when I'm ready for it. Last summer I was searching the used book stores for Kerouac, but I never found a copy. This past week Terrell casually offered me a paperback of The Dharma Bums, not knowing it was a book I had long wanted to read. I learned from it, I was inspired by it, and although I wasn't consciously thinking about it while we hiked, I definitely feel like the spirit of those pages was in me today. I couldn't find that book when I thought I wanted it, but it came to me when I was ready for it. I don't know what is next for me, but I love that sense of freedom and mystery and I'm excited for tomorrow, and tomorrow's tomorrow."
Right where we stood was a fallen tree that made a perfect, damp bench. We sat, got out the container of berries, and discussed future dreams, ethics, psychology, survival tactics, song-writing, wanderlust, The Buddha, love and it's many forms and applications, John Lennon, personal growth, awkward hair, vegetarianism, and how delicious the berries were. It was just like last summer. Coco and I matched up well intellectually, always challenging each other, provoking deep thought, or belly laughter, observation and investigation, often serious, occasionally absurd. "I'm really glad you came out to visit, Coco. What an incredible day. This was perfect." I held my arms out and motioned to the world in front of us, "this is perfect. And there's no one I'd rather be out here with."
"I appreciate that. Thanks, Moj'. Same to you."
We were losing light so we packed up and hit the trail hard, bounding over roots, dodging puddles, vaulting over tree trunks. We reached a clearing that provided more light and tortoised our way to a slower but steady finish. Finally, we could see the road and then the Mazda, patiently waiting. Coco was as happy as a pig in mud and just as dirty. "We did it, man! We made it!"
"That was beautiful! I couldn't be more happy right now. At peace," I replied, and we stood in the middle of the deserted highway and patted each other on the back.
Proud of ourselves, exhausted, and retaining water, we unlocked the car, but hesitated for a moment, turned, and looked back at the leafy passageway from which we had just emerged. "I miss it already," I confessed.
"Exactly what I was thinking," said Coco.
We didn't say anything out loud for a minute, but I think once again we privately said something to ourselves. Mine went like this; "Thank you."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments sections below. I'd love to hear about it!)
13 March 2011
12 March 2011
Today was awesome because Coleby arrived in Victoria!
A couple of days ago, I posted a text message I received from Coco Pearson without any elaboration. Coco = Coleby. He's one of my closest friends, though I've only known him for little more than a year.
February Two-Thousand and Ten.
Been back in Canada over a month now.
London O.
Still a little strange.
Never felt too at home at home.
Couple friends.
Could use a couple more.
Could use a couple more, more like me in the brain.
Like Coco.
Sings about Believing in Peace.
Plays frisbee in his blue jeans and black tee.
Gets me a job among the trees.
Summer at The Pinery.
Commute is long, coffee strong, pick a song, discuss what's wrong,
And what's right.
Same page, same page, same page.
Nice to have a friend who sees the world the way I do,
and wants to see the world, the way I do.
Harvest and the train takes me away.
See you again someday.
Today was someday.
After days aboard trains, ferries, and buses Coleby stepped off the 70 Express double-decker with a bag and a guitar. So happy to have him here, although only for a short visit. No worries though. Coleby and I are on separate but similar paths and we will venture far apart only to intersect again when our paths so choose.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me about it in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
A couple of days ago, I posted a text message I received from Coco Pearson without any elaboration. Coco = Coleby. He's one of my closest friends, though I've only known him for little more than a year.
February Two-Thousand and Ten.
Been back in Canada over a month now.
London O.
Still a little strange.
Never felt too at home at home.
Couple friends.
Could use a couple more.
Could use a couple more, more like me in the brain.
Like Coco.
Sings about Believing in Peace.
Plays frisbee in his blue jeans and black tee.
Gets me a job among the trees.
Summer at The Pinery.
Commute is long, coffee strong, pick a song, discuss what's wrong,
And what's right.
Same page, same page, same page.
Nice to have a friend who sees the world the way I do,
and wants to see the world, the way I do.
Harvest and the train takes me away.
See you again someday.
Today was someday.
After days aboard trains, ferries, and buses Coleby stepped off the 70 Express double-decker with a bag and a guitar. So happy to have him here, although only for a short visit. No worries though. Coleby and I are on separate but similar paths and we will venture far apart only to intersect again when our paths so choose.
Mojo and Coco, September 2010
(What made your day awesome? Tell me about it in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
12 March 2011
11 March 2011
Today was awesome because I had nothing to do.
And I took full advantage of it! For lunch I had Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. Quite possibly my favourite food of all time, and a staple of my diet since about age nine. I half-seriously consider myself a Grilled Cheese Sandwich connoisseur, having experimented with ingredients and preparation methods for over a decade. I'm also the only person I know who always spells Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with capital letters. Having been on the move for most of February, it had been over a month since I had bitten into the light crunch of the golden-brown bread, releasing the melted cheese from it's whole-wheat tomb. Dipped in ketchup, of course.
Much of the afternoon was spent reading, practicing the guitar, and completing a crossword puzzle, catered with several cups of tea. I went for a walk in the early evening and browsed the local outdoorsman stores for supplies I'll need if I go camping this weekend. Really though, I just went for a walk to stretch my legs, breathe the fresh air, and observe the world around me. Victoria is such a vibrant world.
Before bed I finished The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac. I've wanted to read Kerouac for a long time. Last summer I visited every used-book store in London, Ontario in search of his spontaneous prose, but each clerk informed me that they never manage to keep his books on the shelf very long.
I believe things are presented to you at the right time. The time you need it most. Or the time it's most useful. Or the time you are ready for it. Et cetera. My housemate Darryl offered me his copy of The Dharma Bums this week. "Ti Jean" Kerouac came to me at the right time.
And I took full advantage of it! For lunch I had Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. Quite possibly my favourite food of all time, and a staple of my diet since about age nine. I half-seriously consider myself a Grilled Cheese Sandwich connoisseur, having experimented with ingredients and preparation methods for over a decade. I'm also the only person I know who always spells Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with capital letters. Having been on the move for most of February, it had been over a month since I had bitten into the light crunch of the golden-brown bread, releasing the melted cheese from it's whole-wheat tomb. Dipped in ketchup, of course.
Much of the afternoon was spent reading, practicing the guitar, and completing a crossword puzzle, catered with several cups of tea. I went for a walk in the early evening and browsed the local outdoorsman stores for supplies I'll need if I go camping this weekend. Really though, I just went for a walk to stretch my legs, breathe the fresh air, and observe the world around me. Victoria is such a vibrant world.
Before bed I finished The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac. I've wanted to read Kerouac for a long time. Last summer I visited every used-book store in London, Ontario in search of his spontaneous prose, but each clerk informed me that they never manage to keep his books on the shelf very long.
I believe things are presented to you at the right time. The time you need it most. Or the time it's most useful. Or the time you are ready for it. Et cetera. My housemate Darryl offered me his copy of The Dharma Bums this week. "Ti Jean" Kerouac came to me at the right time.
"...see the whole thing is a world full of rucksack wanderers,
Dharma Bums refusing to subscribe to the general demand that
they consume production and therefore have to work for the privilege
of consuming, all that crap they didn't really want anyway
such as refrigerators, TV sets, cars, at least new fancy cars,
certain hair oils and deodorants and general junk you finally always
see a week later in the garbage anyway, all of them imprisoned in a
system or work, produce, consume, work, produce, consume,
I see a vision of a great rucksack revolution thousands or even millions
of young Americans wandering around with rucksacks, going up to
mountains to pray, making children laugh and old men glad,
making young girls happy and old girls happier,
all of 'em Zen Lunatics who go about writing poems that happen
to appear in their heads for no reason and also by being kind
and also by strange unexpected acts keep giving visions of
eternal freedom to everybody and to all living creatures..."
- Jack Kerouac, The Dharma Bums
How awesome is that!
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
11 March 2011
10 March 2011
Today was awesome because I was woken up by an incoming text message.
Fr: Coco Pearson
---------------------------------
Boarding the train!
---------------------------------
10:29 Thu, Mar 10
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
Fr: Coco Pearson
---------------------------------
Boarding the train!
---------------------------------
10:29 Thu, Mar 10
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
10 March 2011
09 March 2011
Today was awesome because I made art.
A few weeks ago I visited two friends of mine in Whistler, B.C. I met Stephen and Craig on the train from Toronto to Vancouver back in October. They're a couple of Brits, in Canada on Youth Mobility visas for one year. Having lived in Elizabeth's United Queendom myself, we bonded quickly over our mutual adoration for a series from the telly called The Inbetweeners, good, cheap lager and curry, and a nice warm cuppa.
After three and a half days on the rails we pulled-in to Vancouver Pacific Central. Me and the blokes exchanged e-mail addresses and wished each other luck in our new lives in British Columbia. I was on my way to The Kootenays, they were headed for winter jobs on Whistler Mountain.
During my weekend retreat to Whistler, while Stephen and Craig were at work, I wandered the village in search of a new notebook. For weeks I had been looking for one with fairly specific features; not too big, blank pages instead of lined to accommodate both writings and sketches, and an artistically inspiring cover rather than a plain one. In Whistler I finally succeeded where in Nelson and Vancouver I had failed. I found a beautiful book containing 160 white, blank pages, and a lovely print of a painting of a moose crossing through a lake in the woods on the cover. Bonus; the notebook pages were made tree-free!
Since purchasing the book, I had only stained a couple of pages with little doodles. But today, oh today I wrote thoughts and poetry, and entered several sketches to the anthology. My evolution continues.
Art is awesome.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
A few weeks ago I visited two friends of mine in Whistler, B.C. I met Stephen and Craig on the train from Toronto to Vancouver back in October. They're a couple of Brits, in Canada on Youth Mobility visas for one year. Having lived in Elizabeth's United Queendom myself, we bonded quickly over our mutual adoration for a series from the telly called The Inbetweeners, good, cheap lager and curry, and a nice warm cuppa.
After three and a half days on the rails we pulled-in to Vancouver Pacific Central. Me and the blokes exchanged e-mail addresses and wished each other luck in our new lives in British Columbia. I was on my way to The Kootenays, they were headed for winter jobs on Whistler Mountain.
During my weekend retreat to Whistler, while Stephen and Craig were at work, I wandered the village in search of a new notebook. For weeks I had been looking for one with fairly specific features; not too big, blank pages instead of lined to accommodate both writings and sketches, and an artistically inspiring cover rather than a plain one. In Whistler I finally succeeded where in Nelson and Vancouver I had failed. I found a beautiful book containing 160 white, blank pages, and a lovely print of a painting of a moose crossing through a lake in the woods on the cover. Bonus; the notebook pages were made tree-free!
Since purchasing the book, I had only stained a couple of pages with little doodles. But today, oh today I wrote thoughts and poetry, and entered several sketches to the anthology. My evolution continues.
Art is awesome.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
09 March 2011
08 March 2011
An awesome rhyme: Today was awesome because of cherry blossoms.
Warm days and the first signs of spring have begun blooming in fair Victoria. Along the way of Patricia Bay I roam. Japanese trees is what I sees if you please, a tease of the cease of the freeze. Blossom'd branches. Tiny petals look so delicate, look so strong, wake up sleepy head! Never before have I seen trees like these. Have I? If I have it was long ago when I was not the I that I am now. Now, I see the cherry blossoms. Now, I see the beauty. Now, I see the seasons. O sunshine!
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
Warm days and the first signs of spring have begun blooming in fair Victoria. Along the way of Patricia Bay I roam. Japanese trees is what I sees if you please, a tease of the cease of the freeze. Blossom'd branches. Tiny petals look so delicate, look so strong, wake up sleepy head! Never before have I seen trees like these. Have I? If I have it was long ago when I was not the I that I am now. Now, I see the cherry blossoms. Now, I see the beauty. Now, I see the seasons. O sunshine!
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
08 March 2011
07 March 2011
Today was awesome because our landlord replaced all the windows on our house.
Two weeks ago I moved into a really lovely character home in Victoria, British Columbia. I'm subletting for two months while one of the occupants is traveling through Thailand. My housemates are Darryl and Lacey. They are both friendly, positive spirits and right from day one they've made me feel like this is my home too, even though I'm only here temporarily.
Darryl is a brilliant guitarist and lately he's been branching out to other instruments and genres of music. In the basement, Darryl has set up a little Jam Room with a drum kit, synth, electric bass, and glockenspiel. I've added a harmonica, some shakers and bells, and a ukulele. We both have acoustic guitars. Paradise.
We're only a ten-minute walk from downtown and twenty minutes to the sea. Paradise.
ANYWAY... the old windows, although charming, were only single-paned and full of long, crooked cracks (the ones in my bedroom, especially). The new windows are double-paned and have screens, so we can actually open our windows now during the day. In the evening, it's clearly a couple of degrees warmer inside and I'll be able to sleep with one less blanket tonight.
Here are a few photos of this awesome house!:
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
Two weeks ago I moved into a really lovely character home in Victoria, British Columbia. I'm subletting for two months while one of the occupants is traveling through Thailand. My housemates are Darryl and Lacey. They are both friendly, positive spirits and right from day one they've made me feel like this is my home too, even though I'm only here temporarily.
Darryl is a brilliant guitarist and lately he's been branching out to other instruments and genres of music. In the basement, Darryl has set up a little Jam Room with a drum kit, synth, electric bass, and glockenspiel. I've added a harmonica, some shakers and bells, and a ukulele. We both have acoustic guitars. Paradise.
We're only a ten-minute walk from downtown and twenty minutes to the sea. Paradise.
ANYWAY... the old windows, although charming, were only single-paned and full of long, crooked cracks (the ones in my bedroom, especially). The new windows are double-paned and have screens, so we can actually open our windows now during the day. In the evening, it's clearly a couple of degrees warmer inside and I'll be able to sleep with one less blanket tonight.
Here are a few photos of this awesome house!:
My minimalist bedroom.
Living space, complete with fireplace and dog.
Basement chill room.
The Jam Room.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
07 March 2011
06 March 2011
Today was awesome because it was a healthy day for mind and body.
My mobile phone alarm clock woke me up at precisely 9:27am. For no reason whatsoever, I have avoided setting any alarm for any time that ends in zero or five since I was a child. At 9:28 a miniature version of myself in a devil costume appeared on my left shoulder and whispered that it would be alright to go back to sleep. Tempted, I remembered my commitment to my new friend Ella, so I summoned the strength to sit up, swing my legs over the edge of the bed, stand, and walk to the toilet.
Running late, I skipped breakfast, borrowed a bicycle from my housemate Darryl, and greeted the morning sun. At my first intersection I discovered the lack of functioning breaks on this particular Raleigh. Still running late, no time to turn back. I pedaled the brakeless bike to Ogden Point where Ella and friends were waiting. After a few "pleased to make your acquaintances" we started pounding pavement. Ella brought us together to support Walk in Her Shoes. Every step will empower women and girls to fight poverty. Over 8,000 seaside steps were taken by each of us. I saw a starfish in the water! I didn't know we had starfish in Canada. We found a dead stingray washed up on the beach! I didn't know we had stingrays in Canada.
The rest of my Sunday was spent the way Sundays should be; moving at a slightly slower pace that usual. I practiced guitar, I wrote in the fresh-paper scented pages of my new treeless notebook, and I started reading a new book. Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac. Long has it been on my "must read" list and forty-two pages in it has not disappointed.
Today, I got a little exercise in support of an important issue in the morning, and spent the remainder of the day exercising and resting my brain. And today was awesome.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
My mobile phone alarm clock woke me up at precisely 9:27am. For no reason whatsoever, I have avoided setting any alarm for any time that ends in zero or five since I was a child. At 9:28 a miniature version of myself in a devil costume appeared on my left shoulder and whispered that it would be alright to go back to sleep. Tempted, I remembered my commitment to my new friend Ella, so I summoned the strength to sit up, swing my legs over the edge of the bed, stand, and walk to the toilet.
Running late, I skipped breakfast, borrowed a bicycle from my housemate Darryl, and greeted the morning sun. At my first intersection I discovered the lack of functioning breaks on this particular Raleigh. Still running late, no time to turn back. I pedaled the brakeless bike to Ogden Point where Ella and friends were waiting. After a few "pleased to make your acquaintances" we started pounding pavement. Ella brought us together to support Walk in Her Shoes. Every step will empower women and girls to fight poverty. Over 8,000 seaside steps were taken by each of us. I saw a starfish in the water! I didn't know we had starfish in Canada. We found a dead stingray washed up on the beach! I didn't know we had stingrays in Canada.
The rest of my Sunday was spent the way Sundays should be; moving at a slightly slower pace that usual. I practiced guitar, I wrote in the fresh-paper scented pages of my new treeless notebook, and I started reading a new book. Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac. Long has it been on my "must read" list and forty-two pages in it has not disappointed.
Today, I got a little exercise in support of an important issue in the morning, and spent the remainder of the day exercising and resting my brain. And today was awesome.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
06 March 2011
05 March 2011
Today was awesome because I went for a walk.
I threw my guitar on my back and headed for the beach. I decided to follow Cook Street all the way to the ocean because I had never gone that way before. It was a good choice, because I passed through a very cute, little area called Cook St. Village, where there's wonderful looking cafés, a British pub called The Beagle, and everybody smiles back. At the beach, I found my own little, private spot amongst the driftwood to strum a few tunes. I've been working on barre chords ever since I had the action on my guitar adjusted in Vancouver a few weeks back. Honestly, I was still having a bit of trouble with it just a couple of nights ago... but all of the sudden, on this beach, with the ocean as my audience, I'm throwing down F's and B minors like it's my job! It really felt great to know I'm making progress.
After a while, my hands started getting a little chilly, so I decided to walk down the beach for a bit and give them a chance to warm up in my pockets. A little ways down, I came across a couple of guys, one was putting the finishing touches on a true work of art. I introduced myself to José, the artist, and Tim, the friend, and told them how incredible I thought the installation was. José creates art using whatever he comes across in nature. Today, he had collected dozens of small pieces of driftwood and, amazingly, was able to use balance and weight distribution to weave them together in an almost basket-like sculpture. Then he balanced a big, long piece of driftwood across the top, without toppling the whole thing, and started stacking stones on either end!
It looked like this:
About 3 minutes later, it looked like this:
And you know what the best part was? After José inadvertently destroyed something he had spent over four hours on, he laughed. Wasn't bothered at all. He reminded me of Tibetan Buddhist monks, who create beautiful works of art using coloured sand called, dul-tson-kyil-khor (mandala of coloured powders). The monks spend days on their sand mandalas, only to have them swept or blown away shortly after their completion. It's a great lesson in impermanence; don't get too attached to anything!
Today, I went for a walk.
And I started to master a few new chords.
And I met an artist with Buddhist tendencies who creates art from nature.
And today was awesome.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
I threw my guitar on my back and headed for the beach. I decided to follow Cook Street all the way to the ocean because I had never gone that way before. It was a good choice, because I passed through a very cute, little area called Cook St. Village, where there's wonderful looking cafés, a British pub called The Beagle, and everybody smiles back. At the beach, I found my own little, private spot amongst the driftwood to strum a few tunes. I've been working on barre chords ever since I had the action on my guitar adjusted in Vancouver a few weeks back. Honestly, I was still having a bit of trouble with it just a couple of nights ago... but all of the sudden, on this beach, with the ocean as my audience, I'm throwing down F's and B minors like it's my job! It really felt great to know I'm making progress.
After a while, my hands started getting a little chilly, so I decided to walk down the beach for a bit and give them a chance to warm up in my pockets. A little ways down, I came across a couple of guys, one was putting the finishing touches on a true work of art. I introduced myself to José, the artist, and Tim, the friend, and told them how incredible I thought the installation was. José creates art using whatever he comes across in nature. Today, he had collected dozens of small pieces of driftwood and, amazingly, was able to use balance and weight distribution to weave them together in an almost basket-like sculpture. Then he balanced a big, long piece of driftwood across the top, without toppling the whole thing, and started stacking stones on either end!
It looked like this:
About 3 minutes later, it looked like this:
And you know what the best part was? After José inadvertently destroyed something he had spent over four hours on, he laughed. Wasn't bothered at all. He reminded me of Tibetan Buddhist monks, who create beautiful works of art using coloured sand called, dul-tson-kyil-khor (mandala of coloured powders). The monks spend days on their sand mandalas, only to have them swept or blown away shortly after their completion. It's a great lesson in impermanence; don't get too attached to anything!
Today, I went for a walk.
And I started to master a few new chords.
And I met an artist with Buddhist tendencies who creates art from nature.
And today was awesome.
(What made your day awesome? Tell me in the comments section below. I'd love to hear about it!)
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