It's the end of the year, it seems that you are supposed to look back at your year, reflect, and look forward to the next one. I have taken my share of time doing that. I'm not going to write about it. I had an amazing year. I learned a lot and lived an improved life. All of it comes down to one thing.
If you don't make things happen, they won't. If you try, you may be surprised by the results.
That really sums up my year. Late in 2010 I took a job that has probably altered the course of my life forever. I moved, took on new challenges, and made new discoveries. As incredibly challenging as I found the year, I would not trade it for anything.
When I look back at where I grew up, at the realities that I faced, I am a bit amazed where I have ended up. Some of it was a bit of luck. Opportunities showed up when I was looking. Maybe they are always there but you don't see them unless you want to but, I took advantage of a few. Because of that, I have ended up with a combination of education, experience, and ability to do something unique.
All that has lead me to a lifestyle I enjoy, in a city I like doing a job I like.
I don't know what 2012 will bring, in a way I don't care. I know there will be great days and frustrating days. There will be joy and sadness. There will be opportunities if I want to take them and that's what excites me the most.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
A Christmas Story
Last night I returned from my birthday and Christmas vacation to Manitoba. I had a wonderful time. It was one of the best Christmases ever. I didn't receive a bunch of extravagant gifts. What I did get was people's time.
People made time for me.
I'm a busy person and a year ago I moved out of the province I had lived in my entire life. I have been back and some friends and family have come to visit. These moments have become very important. As I move forward I don't want to lose touch with the people in my life. Taking the time to see me is important. A hug or a handshake is critical.
In this connected world, it's not hard to keep up on what's happening in someone's life. You can send a quick email or follow their status on Facebook. I'm not discounting how much this can help to maintain a relationship but there must be some shared experiences. And the willingness of people to take the time to see me, and have some shared experiences, is priceless.
I had other great moments in my trip. I went to a Winnipeg Jets game for the first time since April of 1996. I ate some amazing food, including a great Christmas dinner prepared by my sister and Baba made perogies at a friends place. I took care of 3 kids under the age of eight for a half a day and had no major disasters.
It was all these experiences and others that made for such an amazing trip. Through all of it, people were willing to take time to see me, and that's the greatest gift you could every receive.
People made time for me.
I'm a busy person and a year ago I moved out of the province I had lived in my entire life. I have been back and some friends and family have come to visit. These moments have become very important. As I move forward I don't want to lose touch with the people in my life. Taking the time to see me is important. A hug or a handshake is critical.
In this connected world, it's not hard to keep up on what's happening in someone's life. You can send a quick email or follow their status on Facebook. I'm not discounting how much this can help to maintain a relationship but there must be some shared experiences. And the willingness of people to take the time to see me, and have some shared experiences, is priceless.
I had other great moments in my trip. I went to a Winnipeg Jets game for the first time since April of 1996. I ate some amazing food, including a great Christmas dinner prepared by my sister and Baba made perogies at a friends place. I took care of 3 kids under the age of eight for a half a day and had no major disasters.
It was all these experiences and others that made for such an amazing trip. Through all of it, people were willing to take time to see me, and that's the greatest gift you could every receive.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The Devil You Know
I don't have much nice to say about the recently deceased North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. He took something away from the North Korean people that matters a lot to me. He took away choice.
I am in no position to judge the ability of Kim Jong-um to be an effective leader of North Korea. I have never met him. Until a few days ago I had never really heard of him and I have not followed his life.
All that being said, I'm not sure if the world may be better with a known commodity in North Korea.
I understand that it is up to an individual nation to determine how a leader will be selected. I understand this isn't my place to try to incite change. However, considering that North Korea has the ability to do real damage in the world, and the deceased leader seemed to limit his use of military power he was a known commodity to the world community.
We must also realize that even though the use of military force by North Korea was limited, it wasn't an unheard of commodity. They did some pretty bad things, especially to South Korea but it never reached a level it could of.
What I would like to see is an end to any oppressive regime. I'm not sure the people of North Korea even know how good it could be but I hope they know it can be better than what they have.
I may be wrong and this series of events may be the jumping off point to better days in North Korea. I hope that is the case and I usually like to give someone the chance todo the right thing, I just don't know if they know what the right thing is, and that's the point that worries me the most.
I am in no position to judge the ability of Kim Jong-um to be an effective leader of North Korea. I have never met him. Until a few days ago I had never really heard of him and I have not followed his life.
All that being said, I'm not sure if the world may be better with a known commodity in North Korea.
I understand that it is up to an individual nation to determine how a leader will be selected. I understand this isn't my place to try to incite change. However, considering that North Korea has the ability to do real damage in the world, and the deceased leader seemed to limit his use of military power he was a known commodity to the world community.
We must also realize that even though the use of military force by North Korea was limited, it wasn't an unheard of commodity. They did some pretty bad things, especially to South Korea but it never reached a level it could of.
What I would like to see is an end to any oppressive regime. I'm not sure the people of North Korea even know how good it could be but I hope they know it can be better than what they have.
I may be wrong and this series of events may be the jumping off point to better days in North Korea. I hope that is the case and I usually like to give someone the chance todo the right thing, I just don't know if they know what the right thing is, and that's the point that worries me the most.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Go Habs Go
Thursday night I went to a Montreal Canadiens game in Montreal. Although there were a few quirks it was an amazing experience. The crowd chants in English, sings in Spanish and cheers in French, beyond that it was quite the place.
The Bell Centre is electric during a Habs game. The fans are completely into the action. Of course, they are knowledgable. They are dancing and having fun. Just like everything else in Montreal, they know how to do it right.
Just to experience the city of Montreal is special, however the Habs have the city, and the province captivated. Adding to the experience is the Bell Centre is right downtown. Once you walk out of the game you walk right into the nightlife of Montreal where reality can be suspended and there are very few rules. That energy goes inside the Bell Centre and pulses through the crowd.
If you are a hockey fan, I suggest you go to Montreal and go to a game. It is the most storied franchise in hockey, the atmosphere is electric and you will not be disappointed. I have tickets to go again in January to see the Jets play. After being there I am even more excited to go again. This is how it should be done.
I'm a very fortunate person to have these opportunities and I like to take advantage of them.
The Bell Centre is electric during a Habs game. The fans are completely into the action. Of course, they are knowledgable. They are dancing and having fun. Just like everything else in Montreal, they know how to do it right.
Just to experience the city of Montreal is special, however the Habs have the city, and the province captivated. Adding to the experience is the Bell Centre is right downtown. Once you walk out of the game you walk right into the nightlife of Montreal where reality can be suspended and there are very few rules. That energy goes inside the Bell Centre and pulses through the crowd.
If you are a hockey fan, I suggest you go to Montreal and go to a game. It is the most storied franchise in hockey, the atmosphere is electric and you will not be disappointed. I have tickets to go again in January to see the Jets play. After being there I am even more excited to go again. This is how it should be done.
I'm a very fortunate person to have these opportunities and I like to take advantage of them.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Down Home Hospitality
I grew up in the Prairies and I live in Ontario. This last week-end I stayed at a friend's place in Halifax. The incredible hospitality I received reminded me of being out west.
I should probably frame this up a bit. I really like living in Ottawa. The city is beautiful, it's close to a lot, the pace is where I like it. Overall it's a great place to live. The downside to the pace of life in Ottawa is, although people are very social and friendly, they don't have the same sense of hospitality that you see in the Maritimes.
If you have never been here you would be impressed with how much people will go out of their way. I had great food, great conversation, a lot of fun and most importantly I was made to feel at home.
The pace in Halifax is a bit slow for my liking as a place to live but it is sure great when you come to visit.
The hospitality on the Prairies is also quite good but it has a different feel to it. Again people go out of their way for you but, at least in the winter, it's more out of necessity, as it gets so cold, everyone has to rely on others to make it through.
When I lived in Winnipeg I used to say that one of the best things about Winnipeg is no matter where you go it's better. I'm not sure if that's true but now that I live in Ottawa I know that many places I go I will be welcomed, and that feels pretty good too.
I should probably frame this up a bit. I really like living in Ottawa. The city is beautiful, it's close to a lot, the pace is where I like it. Overall it's a great place to live. The downside to the pace of life in Ottawa is, although people are very social and friendly, they don't have the same sense of hospitality that you see in the Maritimes.
If you have never been here you would be impressed with how much people will go out of their way. I had great food, great conversation, a lot of fun and most importantly I was made to feel at home.
The pace in Halifax is a bit slow for my liking as a place to live but it is sure great when you come to visit.
The hospitality on the Prairies is also quite good but it has a different feel to it. Again people go out of their way for you but, at least in the winter, it's more out of necessity, as it gets so cold, everyone has to rely on others to make it through.
When I lived in Winnipeg I used to say that one of the best things about Winnipeg is no matter where you go it's better. I'm not sure if that's true but now that I live in Ottawa I know that many places I go I will be welcomed, and that feels pretty good too.
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