This is the first year in ages that I haven't handed out candy for Halloween.
Kind of makes me sad.
I miss the days of running around the neighbourhood with a small bucket - hurrying back home to empty it when it was full and running out again - cursing all of those older smarter kids who were carrying around pillow cases. We'd come home and dump everything into a big pile in the middle of our living room. My parents would 'sort' out the ones we were allowed to have - and I'm sure sample a few themselves. But most of the loot would be saved for the next day at school where you could compare your haul with the rest of your friends.
At least there were a lot of people dressed up around work today (and there even was a little parade of kids between offices too).
Happy Halloween everyone...
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Songs on repeat
How often do you get a particular song stuck in your head?
I saw this wonderful movie when I was over in London - 'Once'. Basically, it's about an irish street musician who falls for the right girl at the wrong time - a topic I know absolutely nothing about...
Anyway - the whole movie is filled with fantastic, passionate music - the main actor is the lead singer of the Frames and does an amazing job. I love finding little movies like this - ones that you know nothing about going in, but that captivate you from the first shot till the final credits.
Hopefully it'll be out in Canada eventually...
So I guess it could be worse - I could have some shitty song rattling around up there.
I saw this wonderful movie when I was over in London - 'Once'. Basically, it's about an irish street musician who falls for the right girl at the wrong time - a topic I know absolutely nothing about...
Anyway - the whole movie is filled with fantastic, passionate music - the main actor is the lead singer of the Frames and does an amazing job. I love finding little movies like this - ones that you know nothing about going in, but that captivate you from the first shot till the final credits.
Hopefully it'll be out in Canada eventually...
So I guess it could be worse - I could have some shitty song rattling around up there.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Our Small World
Back from London and it was spectacular.
It got me to thinking about how much travel can influence people - broaden their horizons - expose them to new cultures and new ideas. I've lived a pretty privileged life. My parents dragged me around the world on their own travels when I was young, so I was exposed to some pretty cool things. I think that's why I have this lifelong love of exploring.
So what I'm thinking...is that unlike a lot of other countries that have a year of compulsory military service when you turn 18, Canada should force kids to travel. Here's your ticket and your passport. Get out of the country and don't come back for 6 months or a year or something. Why not give them $5000 or something at the same time - think of it as a reward for finishing high school.
Of course, maybe we don't want a pack of teenagers spreading Canada's reputation overseas. What if we say when you hit 21? Hmmm - I've seen a lot of obnoxious 20 year-olds. Ok - 25 for sure. By 25 you've got your shit together, you're ready to be bohemian and see some other cultures.
Nah - 25 is too late - I'm going back to 18. Why not a compulsory SWAP program (student work abroad program). Make the little buggers work somewhere overseas. I like that. You finish high school, you come in to a room, they spin a globe and stick a pin in and then some councillor sets you up with a job somewhere far away. Tell me how many parents would love that? Get those kids out of the house right away - get them to work - get them out of their comfort zones.
When I'm in charge around here - that's now on my list of things to do.
It got me to thinking about how much travel can influence people - broaden their horizons - expose them to new cultures and new ideas. I've lived a pretty privileged life. My parents dragged me around the world on their own travels when I was young, so I was exposed to some pretty cool things. I think that's why I have this lifelong love of exploring.
So what I'm thinking...is that unlike a lot of other countries that have a year of compulsory military service when you turn 18, Canada should force kids to travel. Here's your ticket and your passport. Get out of the country and don't come back for 6 months or a year or something. Why not give them $5000 or something at the same time - think of it as a reward for finishing high school.
Of course, maybe we don't want a pack of teenagers spreading Canada's reputation overseas. What if we say when you hit 21? Hmmm - I've seen a lot of obnoxious 20 year-olds. Ok - 25 for sure. By 25 you've got your shit together, you're ready to be bohemian and see some other cultures.
Nah - 25 is too late - I'm going back to 18. Why not a compulsory SWAP program (student work abroad program). Make the little buggers work somewhere overseas. I like that. You finish high school, you come in to a room, they spin a globe and stick a pin in and then some councillor sets you up with a job somewhere far away. Tell me how many parents would love that? Get those kids out of the house right away - get them to work - get them out of their comfort zones.
When I'm in charge around here - that's now on my list of things to do.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Hitting the road
London town on Wednesday!
It's been 10 years since I took a road trip by myself. And well that one lasted a year and this road trip is only for a week, I have a lot of the same feelings about going.
10 years ago I had no idea where my life was going - professionally or personally. I needed to separate myself physically from everything that I knew.
Sometimes - you need to be removed from where your problems are so that there's nothing you can 'do' - no actions you can take. I believe that with that physical separation comes mental clarity.
So what am I hoping to 'clarify' this time? Maybe this is more of a state-of-the-union trip. A chance to reflect on life as I've known it. All I can say right now is, 'bring on the road'.
See you in a week...
It's been 10 years since I took a road trip by myself. And well that one lasted a year and this road trip is only for a week, I have a lot of the same feelings about going.
10 years ago I had no idea where my life was going - professionally or personally. I needed to separate myself physically from everything that I knew.
Sometimes - you need to be removed from where your problems are so that there's nothing you can 'do' - no actions you can take. I believe that with that physical separation comes mental clarity.
So what am I hoping to 'clarify' this time? Maybe this is more of a state-of-the-union trip. A chance to reflect on life as I've known it. All I can say right now is, 'bring on the road'.
See you in a week...
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Quotes week continues
Not sure what is up with my quote fetish this week - I think I'm looking for inspiration.
Here's today's recycled wisdom.
"Art is the expression of imagination, not the reproduction of reality."
Henry Moore
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
Albert Einstein
Here's today's recycled wisdom.
"Art is the expression of imagination, not the reproduction of reality."
Henry Moore
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
Albert Einstein
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
More quotes
"Life is like a movie and the moment you realize you are an actor and not the director is the moment you've grown up."
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Blasts from the past
I came across an old journal of mine from when I was living in Oxford about 10 years ago.
It made for an entertaining read. Funny how so many themes in my life seem to repeat themselves.
It's interesting to consider what advice I'd give young Keith if I could talk to him. He seems so unsure of his place in the world - where his life should be going, what he should be doing. I guess I'd tell him that he has quite a few interesting times ahead of him and maybe not to worry so much. Life is about the journey and no one's life takes place on a paved highway - they are all country roads - dirty and bumpy and never really going in a straight line.
And really, aren't those roads the most interesting to travel?
I found an old Steven King quote in that journal that I still like today.
The most important things are the hardest to say. They are the things you get ashamed of, because words diminish them - words shrink things that seemed limitless when they were in your head to no more than living size when they're brought out.
But it's more than that, isn't it?
The most important things lie too close to wherever your secret heart is buried, like landmarks to a treasure your enemies would love to steal away. And you may make revelations that cost you dearly only to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what you've said at all, or why you thought it was so important that you almost cried while you were saying it.
That's the worst, I think. When the secret stays locked within not for want of a teller but for want of an understanding ear.
It made for an entertaining read. Funny how so many themes in my life seem to repeat themselves.
It's interesting to consider what advice I'd give young Keith if I could talk to him. He seems so unsure of his place in the world - where his life should be going, what he should be doing. I guess I'd tell him that he has quite a few interesting times ahead of him and maybe not to worry so much. Life is about the journey and no one's life takes place on a paved highway - they are all country roads - dirty and bumpy and never really going in a straight line.
And really, aren't those roads the most interesting to travel?
I found an old Steven King quote in that journal that I still like today.
The most important things are the hardest to say. They are the things you get ashamed of, because words diminish them - words shrink things that seemed limitless when they were in your head to no more than living size when they're brought out.
But it's more than that, isn't it?
The most important things lie too close to wherever your secret heart is buried, like landmarks to a treasure your enemies would love to steal away. And you may make revelations that cost you dearly only to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what you've said at all, or why you thought it was so important that you almost cried while you were saying it.
That's the worst, I think. When the secret stays locked within not for want of a teller but for want of an understanding ear.
Friday, October 5, 2007
All good things must end...
It's the last official day of vacation.
It does not feel like two weeks has gone by already. Where did the time go?
I'm pretty sure Isaac Newton came up with his first law after a vacation: An object at rest tends to stay at rest.
Monday (make that Tuesday - it's a long weekend), is gonna come around WAY too fast.
It does not feel like two weeks has gone by already. Where did the time go?
I'm pretty sure Isaac Newton came up with his first law after a vacation: An object at rest tends to stay at rest.
Monday (make that Tuesday - it's a long weekend), is gonna come around WAY too fast.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Gravity is a harsh mistress
After hearing lots of stories about prima donna actors it was nice to discover that Patrick Warburton is a genuinely nice guy.
We went to see his movie The Civilization of Maxell Bright last night, and had a chance to chat with the actors at the post movie party. Patrick was very excited about showing the movie here and seemed quite interested and appreciative of our comments about the movie - of course, leave it to Mich to ask about the nude scene.
Now if only someone would make a second season of The Tick.
We went to see his movie The Civilization of Maxell Bright last night, and had a chance to chat with the actors at the post movie party. Patrick was very excited about showing the movie here and seemed quite interested and appreciative of our comments about the movie - of course, leave it to Mich to ask about the nude scene.
Now if only someone would make a second season of The Tick.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Spoooon!
The Tick is in town tonight...er...I mean Patrick Warburton. You may know him better as Puddy in Seinfeld, but to me, his one glorious season as the live action version of the Tick was the pinnacle of his career (and I'm sure he'll want me to let him know that tonight.
He's in town for his new movie which has its Canadian premiere here at the Edmonton International Film Festival. I'm not sure why, but I've never really payed attention to this festival before - even though it's been around for 20 years.
What the heck have I been doing?
Anyway - oversight corrected. Saw a great little film yesterday called Kenny - an Australian piece that follows a port-o-potty maintenance guy around various events. Really a great little film (and more about poo than you probably will ever need to know). If it ever shows up on DVD - rent it!
He's in town for his new movie which has its Canadian premiere here at the Edmonton International Film Festival. I'm not sure why, but I've never really payed attention to this festival before - even though it's been around for 20 years.
What the heck have I been doing?
Anyway - oversight corrected. Saw a great little film yesterday called Kenny - an Australian piece that follows a port-o-potty maintenance guy around various events. Really a great little film (and more about poo than you probably will ever need to know). If it ever shows up on DVD - rent it!
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