As I have a New IPhone I decided to setup this blog so it is viewable on Smartphones. So far I have tested it on my IPhone and will see what it looks like on a Blackberry when I get a chance. I love technology. As I get time I will tweak the setup to give more access to my blog from Smartphones.
As much as I like challenges I prefer things to flow in a straight forward somewhat simple fashion. Being able to balance work and everyday life is very important to me and it looks like there is more change coming for me at work. Not sure how the changes will impact me or my role but I do know there will be some impacts. After all the changes I have been through in the last 2 years and especially last year I am not sure where I will find the strength to work through the upcoming changes. My energy reserves are getting a little low and I was kinda hoping that massive changes would not occur again for the foreseeable future.
Oh well I am told that what does not kill you will make you stronger I guess I am going to give Superman a run for his money.
It is an early Christmas for me as I have a couple of new toys in my toy box. I have decided to get myself an IPhone 4S and join the Apple craze. To go along with my new phone I have a new laptop, a MacBook Pro
Before getting my new IPhone and MacBook Pro I had very little experience with Apple products and have been a life long Windows/Microsoft user. I have had my iPhone for just over a week and absolutely love it. The Macbook I have had for a few weeks and am still getting used to the differences in operating a Mac versus a Windows machine. Even though I am still in new user mode I am really loving the sleek and simple Mac OS and software. Never thought I would say this but it looks like the Macbook is my new goto computer.
Using it in conjunction with my new IPhone is so simple and learning the nuances of a Mac is really straightforward. I am not quite sure I am fully onboard but I think I have to admit I am joining the folks who adore their Apples.
It is that time of the year where the seasons change and we get to look forward to hockey season. I picked up my Abbotsford Heat Seasons Tickets tonight and next Friday October 14th is the home opener. There has been a number of changes with the team this year including new coaches and a new president along with some new players. The new president is Ryan Walter and it is interesting to listen to Ryan speak and listen to his passion about the game. A nice little bonus I picked up at the event this evening was a door prize. Kinda a large door prize….
There are 17 packets of coffee, two large cans of coffee, a glass mug, a travel mug and a metal coffee storage container.
Pretty nice surprise and I have a really nice basket which I think I might use for picnics.
Anyone up for a picnic!
At least I am led to believe this is the case. The last 29 days can be a difficult time for me as I take some time and think about and reminisce about what changes have happened over the past ten years. It was ten years ago today I lost my Mom. I think about her and my Dad (who left us on August 15th 2011) and wish they were still with us. I am never sure how I will react as this time grows near. The memories flood back and I know I will take sometime and think about life, where I have been and where I am going. Even though it has been ten years I still miss them dearly. I carry something from each of them with me all of the time, my Mom’s Saint Christopher Medal and a set of my Dad’s military dog tags, I guess it is my way to stay connected with them.
Last Friday started out as a normal Friday, I was busy as usual at work when I kinda got a weird sensation and felt nauseous. It took about 10 or 15 seconds before I realized the floor and my chair were moving. It was at this point one of my guys ran by my office and asked if we were experiencing an earthquake. Up until this time I did not realize what was happening. It was extremely odd as I felt ill and light headed. I have been through earthquakes in the past but have never had any ‘side effects’. It was the weirdest feeling I have felt in a very long time.
On Friday I stopped by my local Blockbuster and found out it was closing along with a large number of their stores. It got me to thinking how technology has changed our lives and how those changes have impacted our lives. It used to be common on a Friday or Saturday to head to the local video store and get a few movies for the night. With the advent of home theaters and sites like Netflix it was only a matter of time before video stores would disappear. I guess while it was inevitable it is sad when something which was part of our everyday life disappears.
There is a positive to the closures as the stores are selling off all of their stock at a decent discount so I was able to add to my collection.
Here are some random snaps from recent life.
I even stopped to smell the flowers
Over the last three to four weeks I have been spending sometime staying in Vancouver, spending a night in one of the wonderful hotels downtown and being a tourist. It started with the Fairmont Waterfront and we had dinner at Herons West Coast restaurant. The restaurant has full length windows which give wonderful views of Canada Place and the city. Great food and incredible service. Dinner was Smoked Sablefish and dessert was Apple Pie which had a very unique design. I spent the Saturday wandering around the downtown taking in the sights.
Click for Larger Picture.
The next place we stayed was on Granville Island at the Granville Island Hotel a nice little boutique hotel nestled on Granville Island giving a getaway in the city. It has been years since I visited Granville Island and even though the weather did not cooperate it was still nice to wander and enjoy the shops and market. Dinner was at The Dockside Restaurant and the views of False Creek and the city were beautiful. During my wanderings I found something rather unique at one of the local bake shops.
It is interesting to be a tourist in your own city as there are so many things which you take for granted and so many great things which you miss. Usually the only time you see any of the local attractions is when someone comes for a visit and you take them to see the sights. I am enjoying being a tourist in my own city.
Over the last while I have been doing a lot of thinking and some of my posts have been a little deep and little retrospective. I have a few ideas as to why I am being so introspective. I recently wrote about doing things outside my comfort zone and being challenged to make changes. I would consider them positive changes and some of the decisions I am considering could be life altering. Again not in a bad way but just a different path for me.
I am sorry if my posts are little too deep for some people but part of the reason I have this blog is to express my thoughts and feelings. In some way it is a therapy for me to be able to write my thoughts as I do not normally vocalize my thoughts and feelings to most people. In most cases I was the listener who my friends would come to when they want to talk. This does not really happen very often anymore as I know I have pushed people away over the last few years and have no idea why I have pushed my friends away. Part of why I have been doing so much thinking lately is just this reason. I have pushed people away and would like to know why and also reengage with my friends before the gap gets unsurmountable. All that I ask is that when I make a decision which is a direction change for me please understand and hopefully support me in my decisions.
