Have You Ever Wondered

Have you ever looked around and wondered, 'How did I get here?' I'm not talking about a night where you had a few too many, I'm talking about those days when you realize life is not what you expected. It may be better or worse, but it's not how you expected it to be.

I find it's easy to get caught up in things. By things I mean excitement and drudgery. The days tick away, seemingly faster as you get older, as you go about your business. You always have something to do or somewhere to go. Often we are making decisions that may have significant impact on our future without much thought. Wisely or unwisely, we are expending time and resources on various ventures. Then one day, boom, we wonder how we got here. We probably have some great parts to out life and some parts we like to change. Fixing the undesirable parts is the challenge, since we probably set our path down that road without thought or realization.

On the flip side we cannot sit and contemplate every choice and it's long lasting effects on our eventual outcome. That is probably a good way to get a visit to several mental health professionals. There is a need for balance, hopefully most of the key moments are identified and the requisite time is taken. However, we are flawed and moments will be missed. That's ok. You may have to face some adversity but the lessons learned will help in the long run.

As I move through my 30's I am coming to realize that I am rather fortunate. Overall a lot of people would look at my life and think they would like what I have going on. They are not wrong. Of course it is difficult to not wonder where else my life could be if I made some different choices. I'm not regretful or angry, more curious than anything.

There are days I wonder how did I get where I am but a lot of them I'm glad I'm here.

Is This Where We Thought We Would Be

I was born in the 70's. I grew up in the 80's and 90's. I graduated from university in 1999. Over this time I have watched and participated in computers infiltrating our lives.

When I started school, there was 1 computer lab in the building that you went to once and a while. No one had a home computer. Everything was run by command line.

By junior high a few classrooms had one computer in it. There was still a computer lab. In grade 9 the typing lab also had computers. I think it was a bit too much for the typing teacher. She had been teaching typing since Christ was a Corporal. She retired.

In high school I heard about this thing called the Internet. I didn't have access to it in Russell, Manitoba.

I went to the big city to go to University. I made it one year before I had to buy a computer. It was so vital to get my work done efficiently. By the end of University, computers, the Internet, and email was prevalent. However we were still tethered by wires.

Another explosion came with this wireless idea. To broadcast the Internet over the air. First it was just a wireless router but when cell phone companies started to send the Internet to your phone, the world changed.

We can now get the info we crave anywhere we can make a phone call. It's not just on your phone anymore. You can pipe the signal into your laptop. Devices are specifically designed to capture this data.

I bought an iPad last week. I have a 3G model. This is a perfect example of how computers are getting smaller and doing more. I am finding this new tool to be very useful. I am writing this blog post on it. It is faster to type on than my iPhone,but not as fast as my MacBook Pro. Back in Junior High I did learn to touch type and I have kept the skill up. Since I am typing on a piece of glass it is rather difficult to touch type, but I can go fairly fast. It's hard to say but I think the tablet computer will finally be the puzzle piece that significantly reduces the amount of paper in the office. I can see in 5 to 10 years, we will be routinely using tablets in the work environment and significantly improving our productivity because of it. In addition the older generation of office workers who printout every email they want to keep will be starting their much deserved retirements and much more info will only ever exist in electronic form.

I'm sure everyone sees things change as their life rolls along but it is very interesting to me how computers have changed the world as much as air travel or the printing press.

I Touched an iPad

I had a few minutes today so I wandered into the local Apple Store. I must admit I like going into the Apple Store. There is a lot of interesting stuff in there. I have managed to walk out without buying but it can be hard. The one store I cannot get out of without spending way too much money is the Bomber Store, but that is a different story for a different day.

The main reason I went in was to check out the new iPad. There were several on display. I touched one. I'm not sure if this was a good idea. This is how it all started with my iPhone. I thought it might be neat and then I touched a co-worker's iPhone. I was hooked. I am still hooked.

Back to the iPad. I was impressed. The colour was rich. This blog looked great. I already know how to use it. It would be fully integrated in my life in about an hour. I would sync it up and iTunes along with MobileMe, will do the rest.

I can see it being useful. I travel a lot. I find my iPhone really useful. This would be even more useful and enjoyable. I can see myself taking notes in a meeting with it and emailing the notes at the end of the meeting. I can see myself keeping up with the news and having a couple of books with me wherever I go. It will be great for sharing photos and video. I can do that with my iPhone but this will be much better. For me I can see it being a lot more than a toy.

Now I didn't buy one. I'm sure there are several improvements that Apple will have in the next 6 to 12 months and if I wait, I will probably get a better product for less. Also, I don't need it. As much as I think I do, I have lived to this point without it so waiting a bit longer will not kill me.

I know I will eventually give in and buy one, and I know it will be hard not to give in this week-end, considering the weather is going to be garbage but, I will try to stay strong and hold out. Of course if you know me, who are we kidding.

Prospects of a Rainy Week-End

The Winnipeg forecast is for a lot of rain this week-end. It looks like outdoor activity will be limited to moving from one building to another. We have week-ends like this from time to time but it doesn't mean I have to like it.

I know there are people out there that like a rainy day. They like to curl up with a good book or watch a movie or 10. Some people even like to be outside in the rain. I'm all about personal choice and these don't seem to be my choices.

I may not want to spend every waking minute outside but I do like to be leisurely on my time off. I don't like to have to rush from my car. I guess if this is the worst part to have to run through the rain to my car then maybe things are ok.

A rainy week-end is usually a chance to get rested up a bit. I will take that as the busy time is coming at a great rate of knots. As for the rest of a rainy week-end, I really can't change a thing so I will do the best I can to enjoy it.

Turn It Up, Bring The Noize

Friday night I had the opportunity to see Public Enemy perform at the Garrick in Winnipeg. I came across my ticket last minute. I wasn't sure what to expect. Now if you are thinking, "Is that the Hip Hop group?" Yes it is.

There were two opening acts, a local act and a touring act. They were both fairly good. The main act hit the stage around 1130pm and played until about 120am. They played all the hits, at least the ones I knew. They were good. They talked too much between songs but they are getting on in years and the thermometer on stage said 107 degrees F. That is hot no matter what you are trying to do.

I was surprised by the crowd. I expected to be in the minority being a white guy in his 30's. That was a significant part of the crowd. A lot of the crowd looked like what you would think a music geek would look like. I'm actually quite encouraged by this. It shows that if you are good at what you do your appeal goes beyond your anticipated audience.

Chuck D and Flavor Flav are both very good at what they do. Flavor Flav is more animated on stage but I think Chuck D lays down the rhymes better. They are still politically charged and angry at the establishment. Their message has not changed in a long time. They no longer make headlines but they stand behind what they say.

Looking back I am very glad I went to this show. It is not a typical act for me to go and see, but I was entertained and they do have some important things to say. If you get a chance to go see a performer that you may not normally consider, do it. You may be surprised at what you see.

Once Upon A Time In Mexico

Last week I spent a week at the All-Inclusive Royal Decameron near beautiful Puerto Vallerta, Mexico. For the most part I am not a go and sit by the pool all day kind of guy. I had a really good time there. I was off the resort quite a bit. I took a couple of excursions, where I repelled, rode a zipline, and drove an ATV. The countryside is amazing. The people are great. The weather is awesome. The whole thing was wonderful.

The resort I stayed at was great. I had all the food I could eat and all the drink I could drink. The staff was excellent and attentive. The grounds were clean and the room was comfortable. I could sit in the sun or in the shade. I could always have another drink. I could watch the hockey game in the evening. It was easy to have fun.

I went on this trip with my friend Jill. I knew it was going to be a good time when, on the first night, she was down for the count before the sun set. She was kind enough to tie off the garbage bags in both garbage cans after she bucked her cookies.

I could see myself living in a tropical paradise, running a cantina, serving cerveza, and not taking life too seriously. I could scrape together a living and eat tacos every day.

It may be a while before I visit an all-inclusive resort again. Not because I didn't enjoy it but because there is so much I want to see and do. But someday I will again relax in an all-inclusive resort somewhere in paradise.

Do You Have It In You?

I have been thinking a lot about being human and dealing with change. Both of these are inevitable if you are going to live for any length of time. I have come to realize that everyone is capable of affecting change, the difference between success and failure is the willingness of the person to do what is required to produce the desired effect.

It is commonly held that change is difficult. It causes stress. It can be frustrating. It often fails. To make the change, people must be willing to see it through to the end. People must be willing to make the hard decisions. People must be willing to break down what exists. People must be willing to leave behind the non-believers.

These are often not very easy to do but, anyone can do it if they have the will to.

Having the will to leave behind non-believers is difficult. These could be friends or people who helped you get where you are today. Unfortunately if they are not on board with where you want to go, and will not be convinced to change their position, there is no place for them in the new reality. I know it sounds harsh but for any organization to be successful the members must have buy it on what is to be accomplished and how it will be accomplished.

Breaking down what already exists is also difficult. There may be some good stuff, and there may be a place for it after the change but there also may not be a place for it and this must be accepted or the change will not take place. You have to be willing to be rid of anything that is not in line with how you want things to go. You must be willing to get rid of your own good work and ideas.

So, what it really comes down to is you must be willing to see through the dark times to a better place and stay on the course to get there. Everyone can do this. Not everyone has the will, desire, or effort to get it done. If you want to affect change, do you have it in you?