To-Do

I am a master procrastinator.  If it needs to get done, I can find a way to put it off until the last minute.  Oddly, this really only seems to happen when dealing with things of a personal matter especially around the house.  My theory is that I'm too focused on the things that I get paid to do (i.e. anything at work) that by the time I get around to things at home I just don't have the energy or will to get it done. 

Any of my regular readers have noticed this trend already in the weeks I've been posting on here.  It's rare for them to see a post before 11:00 pm and unfortunately, you can absolutely tell when I'm just trying to get something done before midnight (i.e. any bunk piece that has ever been posted). 

Old habits die hard and the worse the habit, the harder it is to break.  One of the pluses of my self-imposed off-line weekend is that I've actually had to write these in advance.  True to form, I'm doing so in the few hours left before midnight, but it's still getting done ahead of time so yay for me!

In an effort to be productive without the distractions of my phone or the internet, I've compiled a to-do list for the weekend.  Like any obsessive compulsive event planner, I love writing lists.  There's something completely satisfying about checking each item off and wiping my white board clear once everything's done.

Clearly this is just further evidence of my multiple personalities.  It drives my mother insane that I am one person in my professional life and a different person at home.  Will I ever be able to meld the two together?  I suppose only time will tell, just like we'll have to wait and see just how far I get with my list this weekend.  Wish me luck!

Overload

We're all curious by nature but how do you know when to stop asking questions before you get an answer you don't want to hear or see? 

With technology today, it's almost impossible not to find whatever information you're looking for.  Whether it's a picture of your ex's new boyfriend/girlfriend or a limited edition vintage car, you can find it somewhere online.  We're so dependant on the internet that search engines like Goggle have actually become verbs; "just Google it."

I'm not going to lie - I am one of those internet/technology junkies that panics when my iPhone gets left at home by accident.  I live my life around the world on my phone and via Facebook, Blogger, Twitter, and Skype because it's the only way to keep up with everyone wherever they are in the world.  The problem with this lately is that because I spend my work week on the phone and computer, I'm starting to hate using them on the weekends too.

So this weekend, I'm going cleansing; no phone and no internet.  I've only done this on purpose once before, on a solo trip to Tofino and I felt so relaxed when I got home it freaked some people out.  Clearly, with the stress level at mid-high range and a sore neck that doesn't seem to want to get better, it's time to take action again.

Don't worry though - I've already scheduled this weekends posts so we'll keep on track and I won't have any excuses to go on line =) Some people may think this is impossible but I'm actually feeling excited about it!  I dare you to give it a try for at least 24 hours because I'd hate to see any of you end up like the people in this video below.  See you all on the other side!

Panic?



Maybe if we had tried this on Rinne
tonight we wouldn't have been shut out

It's all too easy for people in Vancouver to panic when the Canucks hit a speed bump on the long road that is the regular season.  We've been disappointed so many times over the years you would think we would have learned to be a bit more cautious by now.  True to our team, we're just as streaky - we've got limitless highs and depressing lows but we're with them no matter what.

Lately, the Canucks have managed to avoid losing two games in a row.  While this sounds ideal, what's actually happening is that we haven't been able to win two games in a row either.  The past 12 games have passed rather uneventfully with the team alternating wins and losses and acquiring two new players at Monday's trade deadline.  Many were hoping that the addition of Maxim Lapierre would be a spark to a stagnant team but so far no such luck.  With both Higgins and Bieksa on the upcoming road trip we'll have to see if Juice and someone being a healthy scratch will be enough to bump the slumps.

With only a 3 point cushion to hold on to the top spot in the league, and 4 points keeping us atop the Western conference, is it time for Canuck fans to push the panic button?  Not quite yet, but if the team keeps performing like this, we'll be hitting it sooner rather than later.  Maybe it's time to change up the routine...

Snobbery

If only the public transit experience
was actually as glossy as this picture...

I've been car-less since Monday and this time on public transit has reminded me exactly why I hate taking it regularly.  I know what the benefits are for the city and for the environment but I don't really feel those benefits when paying $3.75 to spend an hour squished into a poorly ventilated confined space full of people who invade your space with no volume control over their conversations or personal hygiene standards.  Obviously this is a blanket statement that in no way describes the general populace of transit users, but as I've often been told, it only takes a few to ruin something for all.  Sorry Mother Nature, I'll have to find some way to make it up to you because tomorrow I'm back behind the wheel and I couldn't be happier.

10 Truths

For those of you worried that you might have to read more stuff about me, fear not - we're closing in on midnight and I'm reaching back into the past of another pre-written piece!  Sorry if you've already read it but chances are you don't remember it so it's slightly new.  Way back in 2009, I was busy thinking about the things that I had learned over the past decade before the new one started.  Here's what I had to say...

Truth changes with the light so you have to put them out there while you can.

1. People usually only hear what they want to hear so be careful with what you say and who you say it to.

2. There are no right or wrong answers, just answers that fit your situation better than others.

3. Family can drive you insane but sometimes they are the only ones that can bring you back from the brink.

4. Anyone that says good friends can never be a substitute for family doesn't have very good friends.

5. Money can buy pretty much anything you could ever want, but getting everything you want doesn't necessarily mean you'll be happy.

6. The 'would you rather be too hot or too cold' debate can be settled by asking a simple question. Would you be more freaked out by a naked person walking down the street in 40 degree weather or a person wearing a dozen layers of clothing in -40 degree weather?  Clearly, it's better to be too cold rather than too hot.

7. It's better to have someone fail to meet your expectations than to have no expectations at all.

8. Anger and indignation can only keep you warm for so long.  Eventually you have to let go of all that hurt before anything gets better.

9. Your dreams will only come true if you work to make them true.

10. Sometimes love isn't enough but that doesn't mean we should ever stop believing in it.

Blue Monday

Sometimes you just get that sinking feeling on Sunday night that has you seriously contemplating calling in sick for Monday morning and hiding out at home to avoid whatever disaster fate has in store for you.  I had that feeling last night and tried to brush it off before passing out.  In hindsight, I probably should have listened to my gut.

The case for my office back-up
drive which my dad mistook for
my lunch box

This morning I dutifully gathered my Monday work paraphernalia which includes one of the three office back-up drive, my work computer and my overstuffed purse.  I was about a 15 minutes into my morning commute when one of the lights on my dash started blinking at me.  Normally this wouldn't cause much worry since my cars have always been known to have faulty wiring in the dash lights (probably because both cars are from the previous century!) but it was the overdrive light and it didn't respond to the repeated mashing I proceeded to give the button.

This, combined with the whining noise beginning to emanate from under the hood once I reached speeds of 60 km/hr turned my slight concern to full blown panic.  As I cruised across Boundary into the second half of my usual drive and stared at the slight hill I would have to climb, I figured parking the car somewhere safe and taking the train the rest of the way in would probably be a good idea.  Since I was in the area, my alma mater, The Art Institute of Vancouver was my best bet for decent parking near a skytrain station.

25 feet from the intersection where I would've turned, the car died.  So, not only was I going to be late for work, I was also blocking the middle lane of a busy street during the morning commute.  FML.  A quick call to BCAA resulted in a 30 minute wait for a tow and a 1 block ride to the station.  Worst. Monday. EVER!

On the plus side, the week can only get better from here right?

Note - For those that have no idea what the above video is, it's Orgy covering the New Order hit "Blue Monday" which I like better for today because it's a little more kick butt than the original.

My Night With Jason Segal

...or his Canadian doppelganger (who happens to have the same initials)!  I fogot how much fun Victoria can be when you're with the right people.  In my case, it was a small group of old Disney friends, two of which I haven't seen since I left the International Program in 2007!  It was one night, countless drinks, some surprising hand holding between bathrooms, an epic Rock Band battle spanning over 3 hours, and tons of laughs.  I'm currently without a camera but I'll let you make up your own stories based on the few shots I have from yesterday...

Starting the day with snow and Starbucks

 

Strolling through as if I'm ballin' enough to actually stay here!




It's JS! 




PL and JS before accidentally on purpose holding hands
through the shared sink at Canoe =p



And we shall call him Patrick...



JS thought it was a good idea
to double fist and chug doubles



This is why indoor snowball
fights are discouraged!

Until next time Victoria...