Exclusive Access

Most Canadians don't know that there is a restaurant that operates in Centre Block of the the Parliament of Canada. The primary mission is to serve Members of Parliament and Senators. It's a place they can take their guests and have a nice meal and not be in the public eye.

Additionally, there are opportunities for the staff of Members of Parliament to attend events. Now, I don't work for a Member of the House of Commons but the love of my life does.

Thursday night we went to an event where the Chef of the Parliament of the United Kingdom was in town and cooking. It was the one of the best meals of m life.

Most people have access to something exclusive. Often this is because of where they, or someone close to them, works. Unfortunately, this often becomes normalized and people don't take advantage of their opportunities. 

As I have moved through my sometimes strange life, I have had access to different opportunities. I have not always taken advantage of what was right in front of me. Now that some opportunities are no longer available, I miss them. As a result, when people ask if I want to do things or when I have opportunities to do things through my connections, I make sure that I find people who want to go and we enjoy the experience.

In my current gig, selling advertising at a rock radio station, I get opportunities to go to concerts. It's slower over the winter but will pick up as the show season gets going. Long before I ever worked for a radio station I went to a lot of shows and I won't be slowing down anytime soon.

So, look at your life. Look at what you get to do that not everyone may have the same access to, and make sure you enjoy it. These are the moments that are going to make the stories when you are old an sitting around at the Legion. Let's be honest, everyone wants to have good stories.

There are so many opportunities out there, find yours and don't let the day to day get in the way. Don't shirk your responsibilities but when you can, make sure you do the special things that you have exclusive access and live a great life.

Everything Right and Wrong with Golf

On Friday, I golfed for the first time this summer. I've been busy and time has been flying by. It was nice to get out and have some fun. It was in a best ball tournament which is a good way to start out the year. You are usually not penalized for bad shots as someone will bail you out then you will bail them out.

The good thing about golf is almost anyone can make a really good golf shot.

The bad thing about golf is almost nobody can make really good golf shots consistently.

I made a great drive on one of the holes. Off the tee box I hit it straight down the centre and it went so far the people on the green, that was over 300 yards away, looked back as the ball bounced to within 8 yards of the green.

I also made a few shots so bad it wasn't even worth trying to look for the ball.

That's where golf gets you. You make a couple of shots that will just bring you back. You have those moments that will make you feel like you should be on the tour. As quickly as it happens, you duff a couple or take an exploding diver and your ego crashes back to earth to be live amongst the mortals once again.

I like golf. I don't play as much as I should but I always seem to have fun when I do even though it can make you feel very ordinary very quickly.

Mom, Dad, and Lucky Ron

One of the things I discovered when I moved to Ottawa was The Lucky Ron Show. It's the same show every week, nothing new or different. It's a one man country act and he plays the really old stuff. If it's from the 60s, it may be too new for him.

Yesterday, I took my parents and they had a blast.

They had flown in so, after their flight was delayed, we dropped their luggage at my place and proceeded directly to The Laff. Thankfully a friend had been holding onto seats for us in the front row because it gets busy, early for Lucky Ron. The usual characters were out. There was Dave the Sound Wizard, Handsome Johnny, and Ron's wife.

Mom and Dad enjoyed their quarts of beer while we waited and chatted. Then the show began and instantly they were whipped up in the frenzy of one of the most bizarre cultural vortexes anywhere. As I have described in previous blog posts the show contains a lot of audience interaction and singing along. Mom and Dad were right into it, even trying to throw cigarettes into his guitar during Tilsonburg. (As a side note nobody managed to get the cigarette in this week, if you do you get 2 shots of Irish whiskey.) They laughed and smiled and enjoyed some beer.

Although I go many weeks, they readily admit that its not something that they would do all the time but I'm sure they will want to go the next time they come to town.

As we hopped into the cab to come home for the night, all of us a bit croaky from being loud and boisterous, we all agreed it was a good time. That's what it's all about, having a good time, a few laughs, and some good music.

C'est Bonnaroo

Last weekend I tweaked my ankle at some point during the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester Tennessee.

Bonnaroo is a New Orleans term derived from the French phras,e "Bon à rue" which literally means, "good on the street." it was used to describe the quality of the music that night. I can say in no uncertain terms that the music at Bonnaroo was amazing but, that is only part of the fun.

The festival consists of about 80,000 people and a lot of music. It's hot. The people are amazingly friendly. There are a bunch of choices for food. You will lose your friends at least once. You will make new friends, even if just for the week-end.

The vibe at this event is amazing. You can pretty much walk up to anyone and start a conversation. They want to hear about you and where you are from. You share a common interest in the music and it seems so natural.

You can eat almost anything. I had a pulled pork sandwich, a Crifdog, funnel cake, and burritos. It was great.

If you need to get around, simply hop on a golf cart taxi. For five dollars they will take you anywhere in Bonnaroo. If you're not in a hurry, still along and chat with folks as you go.

I had an amazing time at Bonnaroo. I will go back. Everything about it was awesome and how can you not love a Sunday afternoon where you are listening to the Beach Boys.

If you are looking for an amazing music festival, c'est Bonnaroo!

Having Fun

I think most people can agree that having fun is an integral part of a good life. Everyone likes fun. It seems the problem is some people default to having fun and some seem to default away from having fun. Having fun does not mean being irresponsible. We all have some responsibilities that must be tended to. Sometimes these responsibilities may alter how you have fun but it should not eliminate it. To put more fun in your life you need to look at what you do with a perspective of how can this be enjoyable. Maybe you can work some humor into a serious situation or add some color to a dry subject. Lively interaction can be fun so can success. I'm not suggesting that you should turn your life into a three ring circus but as we move through January and February, usually the coldest and darkest months in the northern hemisphere, finding ways to have more fun will make the days a little better and before you know it, you might find you have a pretty good life on the go.

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.

So.....

So a guy from Manitoba, a guy from Saskatchewan, and a guy from Alberta, walk into a restaurant in Trois Rivere Quebec. Why does my life so often sound like a set-up for a joke?

It may be that I get out and look for new adventures. I like to see what's out there and have some fun. Of course, this doesn't mean I don't find some apprehension when my life feels like the set up to a joke. New experiences are scary but I've been through many and I can tell you that the apprehension also makes me excited. When I'm doing something new I know that something great may happen.

It isn't always the greatest moment of my life. Sometimes a new adventure turns out to be routine. Sometimes you just get more of the same and that's ok too.

We can't have a new adventure everyday. We have to live day to day. But when you have a chance, and it looks like the setup to a joke, you should consider going through with it, you never know, it may be great.

Youth Movement

Tomorrow morning we have ground training scheduled so some of the crew is taking advantage of this and having a few tasty beverages. There was a time that I would have joined in but I'm older and my workdays are long. The prospect of a hangover is not worth it for me tomorrow.

I have often heard that youth is wasted on the young. I can assure you that I did not waste my youth. In my hay day, not only was I in there like a dirty shirt, I was often a ringleader and some could argue, a bad influence.

Like I have mentioned in the past, I want my regrets to be things I have done, not things I have not done. When I was in my late teens and most of my twenties, I lived it up. I was always up for a party, and I did it right. I never wasted an opportunity and that was ok.

I'm older now. I want to do some different things with my time. I like to discover and reflect. I seem to want to try and be creative and that was partly why I write a blog or two.

Don't get me wrong, I still like to rip it up. I still have a lot of beer at times and I still have to nurse some killer hangovers but the frequency has dropped off. Too many days of clean living seem to get me primed for a good shaker, especially if I have been working hard and getting things done.

I think I have more balance in my life. It is hard to achieve balance but I have fun when I can and I am responsible when the situation warrants. Maybe I'm actually growing up a bit and that's ok, as long as it's not too much.

This week-end I may be on a mission but until then, I'm living the clean life.

Regular Adventure

I have been lamenting the fact I seem to be lacking some adventure in my my life. I have had a few entries on this blog related to my perceived lack of adventure. Well, since 2005 I have been partaking in a bonspiel every February.

This bonspiel is not about the curling. Yes games are played and winners are declared, but they are really just an excuse for normally responsible adults to get together and go a little crazy.

A drink or two may be consumed.

There may be a person slightly under-dressed at some point.

If you go to sleep you get called a wimp.

Way too much fun is had.

In the world we live in it is easy to get caught up in the rat race. It is easy to worry about work life, home life, bills, and the issue of the day. It is very important to take time for yourself. A regular adventure is a good way to do so and this bonspiel I attend is definitely an adventure. I have way too much fun. I live life with vigour. I don't worry about tomorrow. I get to be the person we all want to be for one week-end.

I know adults have to be grown-ups most of the time, but sometimes it is great to cut loose, act crazy, and throw caution to the wind, if only for one week-end every February.

I May Be Getting Older, but Sometimes I Don't Act Like It

Saturday night I celebrated my 33rd birthday. We went to a hockey game. The home team scored two early goals, and visitors scored 3 after that. So, it was a losing effort, but it was fun. I had a couple of beers at the game.

From there we carried on to Shannon's Irish Pub. I may have had a few beers there. I may have sang with the band and played the tambourine. I may have not been very good. Through all that, I had a lot of fun.

I am getting older. We all are. I can't deny that. I find that as I get older it seems that I am acting older, a lot more often. I seem to take the responsible position and the responsible actions most of the time. I don't often throw caution to the wind and just giver any more. This is probably a good thing, but once in a while, buckle up your chinstraps, I'm going to party like a rockstar.

I'm quite sure everyone needs to let really loose on occasion. I think it is good for the psyche to do so. I think we need to act young from time to time.

On Saturday I definitely partied like a rock star. I had fun. My friends had fun. On Sunday we licked our wounds and commented that we probably shouldn't do that too often. One good friend missed his flight. It was a moment in our personal histories that we will all look back at and never quite replicate. We will have other great moments. Some will probably include a couple of drinks and staying out late and that's ok, because we are all getting older but we don't always have to act like it.

Vegas Baby

Tonight at 10:01 pm the wheels will be touching down on my flight to fabulous Las Vegas. Quite a bit of preparation has gone into this trip. The research is done, the resources are booked, and I am ready.

I am rather excited.

If this place lives up to the hype that everyone is giving it I am going to have a super-duper good time. I sure hope it does. I need to live in a fantasy world for a few days. I need to remember why I work hard. I need to take some cool pictures of cool stuff. I need to make some new memories.

I was once told that Las Vegas is the best and worst of America all in one place. I want to see that. I want to people watch. I want to party. I want to ride Vegas style amusements. I want to see what this over the top city has to offer.

I really don't know what this trip will bring. I am open to whatever pops up. We only have a rough plan and will enjoy the rest the way it was meant to be. I hope to come home exhausted with a couple of loonies in my pocket, with a camera full of cool pictures and a head full of memories.

Drinks on a Patio

The idea of having drinks on a patio is not unto itself spectacular. Sitting out on a warm evening enjoying a tasty beverage is considered to be a pastime by many. Having drinks on a patio in Winnipeg in late September without needing a jacket of any type, that is nearly unheard of.

I have to put the experience into the category of the 'unexpected good thing.'

We all have unexpected good things in our life from time to time. You know all the moments that you really don't expect to happen but do. They can make your day,week, month, or year. They are what keep us going between the expected good things.

The expected good things are important. These are the events we wait for, sometimes for a long time, that we know will be good. It can carry you for a long time knowing that an expected good thing is coming, but it is the unexpected good thing that gives us the shot in the arm that keeps us going.

Often overlooked, the unexpected good thing, makes life fun and unpredictable just like drinks on a patio in Winnipeg late in September.

It's Labout Day Again

Labour Day signals a lot of things to people. If you are a student it means you are about to start school. If you are fashion conscious it means you stop wearing white. It is often considered the end of summer. However, if you are a fan of Canadian football it means its time to party like a rock star.

Labour Day week-end is the second biggest time in the Canadian Football League season. If you ask some people it is bigger than the Grey Cup. It is full of rivalry, tradition, beer, cheering, fun, taunting, winning, and losing. Ultimately the week-end is about getting together with friends and family to watch football. People travel to different cities and make it a big event. Many Labour Day week-ends are carried out in a booze induced fog, and it seems perfectly normal.

I think this epic event is a reflection of what we find important, being around people you like. When you look past everything else, it is a reason for people to get together. It is a reason to have pride in your team and city. It is a reason to have fun.

The timing of Labour Day helps. It is right before students go back to school. It is easy for a lot of people to make time for it. People are not away on vacation. They can make it to the event. People plan their summer around Labour Day.

It's Labour Day again, and like always I had enough fun to last a long time.

Party Like You are 18, Recover Like You are 32

Several friends were in town earlier this week. Some I had not seen for years.

We partied hard. Really, really hard. It was like I was eighteen again. We thought it was best to call it a night when the sun started to come up.

The flip side was it took two days for my body to feel normal again.

When I was 18 it would take a few hours. I would sleep a bunch and feel better by dinner time the next day. Apparently my body has aged a bit. It doesn't recover instantly. It seems to take a while.

It also makes me wonder what else am I not quite as good at.

It may be difficult to determine. Much of what we do we do not measure so we cannot tell if we are fading. I think it is most difficult to notice change in yourself. You are always present for everything you do. You do not see the little changes.

As you get older you are supposed to get wiser. I think I'm getting wiser, just from time to time I want relive my youth.

I don't think there is anything wrong with that as long as I am willing to recover like I am 32.