Who's This?

I find it funny how some people, who believe that they're so incredible - and don't forget famous - that when it comes to phoning someone, automatically assumes the person they're calling knows who they are, so the person doesn't have to tell them who is calling and just launch right into what they're calling about. Then the person who is receiving the call is faced with a bit of an awkward moment and slight embarrassment because they need to ask who it is, and especially since the phone lines slightly distort peoples' voices, so they can carry on the conversation. The last time I faced such a situation was on the receiving side (that's what she said) a while ago. I don't recall ever being on the side that does the calling and never telling my name. I'm not usually the most confident person while speaking over the phone, because, let's face it, not too many people my age actually get up to phone people when their peers are usually on the internet. Haha. It is kind of weird though, because you'd think people are more confident over the phone than face to face. But then again, I can't say I'm all that confident face to face either.

Well anyways, I came across a few situations recently that made me come to this topic. There really isn't a point to it, but that's okay. The phrase "that's okay" seems to be my two favorite words of recent past. I find myself saying it quite a bit. Haha. And, for your information - one person in particular - this topic of phoning someone without telling them who you are, has nothing to do with the phone that woke me up Monday morning. ;)

My thumbs are quite painful and sore, hopefully it doesn't affect my guitar playing too much.

Surprise

Yeah, you knew I'd blog about this; you don't necessarily have to know what it is, but you knew I'd do it.

Is it ever possible to have your day made before you even wake up? I think it just happened to me today, granted that my days don't really start until 10:30 or 11:00am. Well, I have to say that with your day made and you not even being awake yet, helps you wake up with a smile, and then the rest of the day seems that much more awesome; even if it's a Monday today.

I'll just say that I was waken up with the phone ringing.

Something New

Ignorance truly is bliss, what else can I say? And that, to you, is the quote of the day.

While beginning to feel the effects of being a bum, I'm also finding a new way to keep myself occupied and not just go through the motions of a day after another day. So, I'm starting a new project that I'll be working on for the next little while. I don't know how long it's going to take, because I've done a couple test runs, and nothing is up to my standards. It could take a while before I'm the least bit satisfied with what I come up with, because what needs to be fixed isn't entirely achievable, at least in a short period of time. What is this project, you might ask? I don't want to tell you just yet. Wait until I'm at least half done, or half happy with my results. Don't worry though, with the amount of time I have, and the insanely long list of priorities, much of this project won't take too long.

One thing I can say is that this "project" requires the use of some technology. It's the first day, and I'm already somewhat frustrated with low budget (free) technology. I have to say that technology, at times, can cause you as much anger and frustration as it does joy and satisfaction. But that's okay, if the product don't work, producers wouldn't really sell it to you; you've just got to find your way around it. So I'll get back to the project tomorrow, and see what I get out of it.

Perhaps some planning would make this project much better. And how many times have I said "project" in this post?

Cafe de Gratitude

Hmm, since when did I start speaking french? Today is the Canadian Thanksgiving; yes, Canada's Thanksgiving is different from the U.S.A one - but not like you didn't know that. There's a few minutes left in the day, so I'll do my part of the whole "giving thanks" thing.

Honestly, today was an awesome Thanksgiving when the Oilers destroyed the Predators. I got out to Londonderry to pick out my next pair of glasses, which I don't usually look forward to, but got it done with. Supper was pretty awesome too; we don't usually do turkey because it requires a lot of prep, so we did chicken in stead: the best alternative. All in all, it was a good day.

Instead of coming up with an entire list of things I am thankful for, I've come to a conclusion that the thing I am really grateful for is the ability to be thankful. When someone learns to be thankful, they have come a long way to realizing who they are in comparison to everyone and everything else. When you're thankful, you've learned that you're a privileged person; you wouldn't take things for granted because you realize that everything you have, from good health and working body parts to the stable job, is a blessing from above. When you're thankful, you appreciate life a whole lot more because you're not stressing over the little things; heck, when you're thankful you stress less. When you learn to be thankful, you're a much more pleasant person; you're generally happier more often than not.

That is my daily horoscope reading for you, whether you are a libra, a dragon, or a whatever the heck kind of weird Greek name or Chinese zodiac you are.

So, from one grateful person to another, what are you thankful for today?

Freedom 18

I always wondered why it was "freedom 55", but I decided to top that and go with "freedom 18". I'm beginning to feel all the effects of being "retired" and nothing to do, except for the body aches and such. There really isn't very much purpose for me to sleep, so I can sleep as late as I want; and, there isn't any purpose for me to wake up, so I can wake up as late as I want. The only thing I am missing is the friends that I could go to Tim Horton's with, every morning, to talk about line dancing.

I know it's not very much, but my status on my job search is still the same. I applied for, yes, Tim Horton's yesterday, and I am begging for at least a call. I have to admit that I'm not trying as hard as I should or could be, but I think not getting calls in August and September has really brought me down in the dumps.

However, with all that being said, I was thrilled to find new ideas about how I could use this experience to help me with future encounters, which is where I came up with the whole retirement thing. Haha. I know that this may be the closest I come to experiencing retirement until I actually do retire, so I know that it will be of use if I ever come across a situation with the need to relate to this. I can understand that retiring is a bittersweet moment for many; it's a time of change and evaluation, something that I've been doing a bit. So, now I kind of know what it's like to be my grandparents. People often ask me what I do and tell me that they'd be so bored if they were in my spot; all I can do is laugh. I agree that there is not much for me to do, but I haven't really gotten noticeably bored, yet. Like everything else in life, it's about how you choose to approach it with your attitude; I don't need to explain this one again. People that become bored, in my situation, is because they're not willing to see each day as a new and different day, but the same day as yesterday and that everything there is to achieve has already been done.

"There are people who live 70 years, and there are those that live the same year 70 times." - Wayne W. Dyer.

Perfection

"If I wasn't such a dork, I'd be really awesome." This is a quote that I have somewhat labeled to myself for a couple years, but never really told anyone. Like all great quotes, I stole it. Just like Jason Mraz's latest album, entitled "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.", he describes that everyone steals things, whether they are ideas, or inspiration, or whatever your soul desires. So, from the master himself, that quote was born, and I thought it was the most brilliant thing I have ever read.

Jason Mraz visited Edmonton, tonight, for the first time in six years, and delivered the best live performance I have ever seen. Mraz could have sucked out loud, but I would have still said that it was the best concert ever. But the thing is, Mraz doesn't know how to suck, and couldn't suck even if he tried - and no, don't worry, he's not gay. I was thoroughly entertained throughout the night, and sung quite loudly to all the songs that he performed to us. This is where the quote, and I'll say it again, "if I wasn't such a dork, I'd be really awesome", comes in.

While I was singing, I was wondering to myself: Mraz isn't a huge artist. He's well known, but not huge. Frankly, I prefer that Mraz isn't popular, because that way I could keep him to myself as much as possible. So, as I'm still singing, I start to wonder if anyone else is singing; I'm sure there were people who sang, and people who are just like me - a dork. I knew that I might have looked silly, at times, but it wasn't going to stop me from enjoying the concert: a message that Mraz has preached over the last year or so. I have to admit that I am a bit of a Mraz stalker. I know the lyrics and chords to almost all of his songs; I have to work a bit on his older and unreleased ones, but I am okay with that. I stalk Mraz so much, that I can tell what song he plays within the first two or three seconds of the song. I know the newest versions of his songs which he performs live, and I know of all the dance moves and such that are done with the songs.

What captivates me about Mraz, and there are quite a few things, is the way he conducts himself. Jason's come a long way from his early days, and it's so evident in his life. There is one thing that separates artists from regular people, and Jason Mraz bleeds this one characteristic. The way Jason lives life, and the views that he has on it, it's almost supernatural, but yet humanly. Many people recognize Mraz for his songs and insane lyrics, but not very many actually look deeper into who he is. And I, being the dork that I am, has stalked him to a point where I could be at peace every time I read something that he writes, because it's very graceful in a way that it just makes you smile, and be happy. If you want to know, Bob Marley is a comparable.

Yes, I'm a dork; but, if you look past that, I'm pretty awesome. Haha. Overall, I finally have a concert that has topped tobyMac, and his name is Mr. A-Z - Jason Mraz. I've been following his music for quite a few years now, and I'm glad to say, and take pride in the fact that, I am a Mrazddict. Truely. I could go on and on about Mraz, but I think it would just eventually bore you to tears. If you are in need of inspiration, or just some new and refreshing insight on life, read and follow Mraz's blogs, and I guarantee that it will enlighten you a whole lot.

Here is the set list for Jason's performance.

0% Interest w/ Our House
Make It Mine
Coyotes
Sleep All Day
Remedy
Lucky
Unfold
Never Too Late
Live High
Dynamo of Volition
Beautiful Mess
I'm Yours
-- Encore --
Details In the Fabric
Fall Through Glass (Bushwalla)
Butterfly

As much as I want him to myself - and no, I'm not gay either - Mraz has and always will be a breath of fresh air, an inspiration to artists, and my favorite and biggest influence in many ways of my life.

Hope that whoever went to the concert enjoyed it as much as I did.

Check It Out

Hey guys, look what I just came across? One of the sweetest new blogs I have read, and it's brand new! This guy is an Oilers' fan, just like me, and has some interesting views on hockey. I realize that it's fairly new so there isn't very much to read yet, but I will be following it, and if you're a hockey fan, so should you!

Check it out.

http://sunonoil.blogspot.com/

'Cause you know that hockey's back, man.