Untitled

"Untitled", non-descript yet so descriptive. It doesn't tell the story but conveys the author's underlying message but leaves you somewhat dissatisfied. That's how I feel right now. I'm content but something is missing.

Where do I go from here? I find that music has been great to rid me of this feeling. Going to "Revival" with Jen and Jay was fun...had a great time guys! Thoughts have been crossing my mind. I have opportunities at work to take on a job overseas. It would be an opportunity for a dramatic spike in my income scale and the chance to start fresh. Wipe the slate clean so to speak. There is an feeling that burdens me that I cannot describe. Is it anger? Is it sadness? Is it happiness? I don't know. I can't say it's anything....that's the issue. I feel that I can't fix it because is there anything there to fix? If I had to describe it metaphorically it would be synonomous with being dropped off in the middle of a busy intersection of a European city that you have never set foot in before. Beautiful yet unsettling. Unfamiliar but charismatic. What direction to take? Do I explore? Do I find my way home? Where is home? Where is everyone? Crazy I know but this feeling has overcome me this weekend.

Singapore sounds nice....Japan....somewhere else in Asia....or maybe South America. Then I think back to my friends. I love them all. How can I live somewhere without them. I can't wait for the condo. It will give me change. I need change. And why the hell is Fall Out Boy $45? I'm not crazy!

Time to stop this randomness.



Song of the Post: "Untitled 1" Keane

2006 Off to a Fantastic Start

Do you sense the sarcasm in the title? You should. It was implied. The reason? Well I have dislocated my knee again. A little less than a year since the first time and here I am again. I guess the silver lining of it all is that it was no where near the severity of the my last dislocation. I should be back to normal in a couple of weeks thanks to the fact I was wearing my brace at the time. Oh well. There are others out there who have it much worse than me so I'll get over it.

Song of the Post: "Boys Don't Cry" The Cure

Merry Christmas!

I can't believe Christmas is upon us. This year has flown by so quickly. I am looking forward to having the time off and enjoying it with family and friends. I also look forward to snowboarding a bit during the coming week.

So to all my friends and family a Merry Christmas, or Christmakah for those OC watchers, and a Happy New Year.

New Addiction...That's right hooked already!

Ok trying to keep it to a weekly post. We'll see how I do. So yes I have a new addiction that being snowboarding. I went last weekend and it was my first time on a board. I've never been skiing before either. Rob, Emil and I took a lesson and our instructor was fantastic. Sure I fell a lot but the feeling of being out there and the rush I got from the speed (even on the bunny hill) was incredible. I guess I'm a mild adrenaline junkie. The best thing is that I now have a winter sport to accompany my summer sports.


Mountain biking in the summer and snowboarding in the winter has spurred interest in an SUV for my next vehicle. Decision hasn't been made yet but if this snowboarding sticks it may become practical and I will be moving again soon so having a larger vehicle to cart stuff is advantageous. Sure I know the drawbacks...the gas, the environment, etc. but if I actually use the S and the U in SUV then isn't it somewhat justified? Most SUV owners don't do so and I don't agree with that but I would have a genuine reason to own one. Hmmmm...just which one to get?

The Apprentice finale was on tonight and while Randal was impressive and well educated, Rebecca put on a very good performance as well. The shocker was that The Donald was going to offer Rebecca a job after Randal had been chosen. Donald asked Randal of his opinion and to my amazement Randal said that she should not be hired! You selfish bastard! Randal had his job already, she didn't even want his project and then he spoils her opportunity because he wanted to be the sole apprentice since it wasn't "The Apprenti". Jerk! Truly shocked. I guess appearances are deceiving.

The Christmas season is just flying by. I don't know what it is but for the last few months time has just flown. Weeks go by like days. Very weird. Maybe it's because I'm always chasing a target at work or just the hectic nature of my job. I dunno but I'm looking forward to the time off and the ability to just sit back and relax and to see everyone together again. *Wipes single tear* I love the holidays.

Song of the Post: "Grand Theft Autumn/Where is Your Boy?" Fall Out Boy

3000 Hits and Counting!

WOW! When I first started this blog, the only people reading it were myself and maybe two other people. It's been a little over a year since then and here it is with over 3000 hits. I am totally amazed at the number of people who enjoy reading about "My Quarter Life Crisis" or those who chastise me for not updating ("Ok Jen! I will update I promise! Geez!" HAHAHA). So to all my faithful readers, whether you enjoy it or those who are just are bored and end up here, likely the latter of the two, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you.

Now moving on to the post...

So many things to write about. I have started planning for my trip to Europe next year and I am happy to see that things are falling into place. The Reading Music Festival is on a convenient date, that being August 25th -27th, flights from place to place in Europe are quite affordable in contrast to what I thought they would cost, and Jay and I have pretty much narrowed down the destinations we wish to hit. The general excitement that I'm beginning to feel around this trip is building and I can't wait for the time to come. It will mean a long time without time off as I will use all my vacation time for it. Oh well...it will be worth it for sure! Travelling the world has always been one of my life goals. So many people live their lives without visiting the rest of their own country much less the rest of the world. I have been fortunate thus far to have had the opportunities to travel to some of the most beautiful places in the world. Those who know me well, know that I get a kick out of culture, art, history and architecture (I wonder where I got that from:P) and Europe represents a cornucopia of all of the above. So excited.


Next topic. The impending election looming upon Canadians. I normally am quite the advocate for people to get out there and vote but this time I feel a lack of motivation. It's not a matter of indifference or lack of knowledge of the issues at hand. More so that no candidate inspires me. Being an economist, I had high expectations for Paul Martin after his ability to produce consecutive budget surpluses while in office as Finance Minister. Now this, our government in complete shambles, a political party responsible for swindling Canadians of grotesque amounts of money and the candidates opposing him offering little to encourage me to hit the polls. What good are campaign promises really? Why can't we have a leader that inspires the nation? One who brings hope back to Canadians who have lost faith in the political system and brings the sweeping changes required make Canada head in the right direction. What that direction exactly is? Don't know. I'm not running for PM. I can say the only candidate that I have voted for and had no doubts and absolute faith in my descision has been at the municiple level, that being Hazel. I have yet to decide whether or not I vote. Maybe Harper or Layton can muster up something of value to say and change my mind. Enough of the political rant. There's a reason why you shouldn't talk about it at parties.

Being a karate enthusiast, I was saddened to hear of Pat Morita's passing. As corny as it sounds....the Karate Kid series gave me the feeling that a wimpy kid can learn karate too, but more importantly, it illustrated the honour in the relationship of student and teacher, elder and youth, father and son. I haven't been as diligent as I should be in my karate as of late and this I regret. I was not in shape enough to return to karate. Once my conditioning returns I will resume. Rest in peace Sensei Morita.

Reading Bren's Blog, I read Martin Luther King's speech on the purpose of education. In the speech, Dr.King states his observed purpose of education being two fold, that of being utility and culture. This is precisely what I got out of university. The thing is that the principle result was in fact culture rather than utility. The utility served by my degree was solely to make me eligible for applying for my position. Not to say that I do not endorse university education, on the contrary. It just seems silly to me that all through school , the message conveyed was that if you wanted to obtain a decent career, university was an absolute necessity. While my degree qualified me for the application, it bears no impact on the performance of my job. Thankfully, I am proud of the knowledge that I came away with from university. The courses I found most relevant to my life were my electives and they consisted of mostly religious studies, philosophy and art history. The only advice I can give to students, current and prospective, is to not deny yourselves the opportunity for a liberal education by focusing on the core courses that while seeming important, due to their difficulty and the "respect" they may command, may cause you to overlook the courses that may be most personally rewarding. I have applied the knowledge from my electives to an exponentially larger degree than that derived from my economics courses in day to day life. Of course, this would change if I was working in the financial industry but...who really does what they went to school for anyway?

Aside: "It was much more difficult than I thought it would be."

Song of the Post: Incubus "Miss You" Instrumental (Performed by the String Quartet)

In the Back of my Mind...I Always Knew

So after close to six years she finally decided to betray me. It all started with a few tears and then she wouldn't stop. When she shut her eyes I knew that the time had come. Oh Laquisha...why? Why now after so long? Well...I suppose I had it coming.

"What? Lou had a secret relationship for six years?"

Yes it's true! The lady in black has taken me places I had never been before and places that that I know all too well. Has been there through the good and the bad. She has been my confidant and always knew how to cheer me up at my saddest of times.

Earlier in the week she had a coolant leak which i got fixed and thought everything was back to normal. Well today her master cylinder went and I didn't have any pressure in the braking system causing a bit of panic but, luckily, with a little pumping of the brake pedal it came back...only to have my brake pedal go flacid once again later on. Then went to the grocery store and then I start her up and her headlights burned out....both of them. What the hell? Every car reaches a point when everything just falls apart...It's Laquisha's time. Call it vehicular menopause if you will (JK!lol). Can't say I blame her...she's got soooo many kilometres on her so why not?

Oh Laquisha just hold on a bit longer.

Song of the Post: War "Low Rider"

Consistently Inconsistent!

It has been some time since I last contributed something to the blog ring that has come to exist amongst our group. There are many reasons for my absence and among them are laziness, lack of time, etc. but one reason stands out in particular and that reason is that I was relatively happy. Notice the past tense there. I have found there is a trend to my posts and that is that I publish a post when I am not at my happiest. I guess the original imputus for this blog was to provide some form of electronic catharcism so why not continue fulfilling the purpose it was originally designed to provide.

Let's rewind for a bit and touch upon the Halloween party. (Yes so long ago I know) I just wanted to comment as to the great costumes everyone had. Awesome guys just awesome!

So just got back from San Francisco yesterday. What a fabulous city. A city with such character that offers something to do at all times. I love Mississauga but the city lacks the atmosphere of a typical ctiy. The direction Mississauga should take is to be a city that is always alive with activity rather than being a city to which you return to sleep. (Listen up HazelNutz!) From the shopping in Union Square to Little Italy to the touristy destinations I enjoyed every bit of San Francisco. The trip was perfection with one exception...can you guess what that might be? My cousin is great for going on trips with and this trip was no exception....but even she shared the same sentiment...there is nothing like sharing a trip like that with the one you love. Not the cousin type of love but the love you have for the ONE as Earl would say. I have to say Earl I feel what your saying. Yes nothing has changed and I'm still ranting on the same old subject that I vowed to avoid for some time. Well...it has been some time and I have enjoyed the way things have gone as far as friends and hobbies and new sports lol have gone but I still have that void to fill. This tends to be a bad time for us single folk and I have blogged to that effect in the past but Christmas and New Year's parties are coming up and you always get asked "So who are you bringing?"

Recent conversations on this topic have led me to the realization that I can't "settle" at least not yet. Just kidding...see below:

Goal: To not be single to the point where I join the ranks of many men before me who, like the lemmings that they are, settle for someone whom they truly do not love and end up divorced with 50% of their assets and having to sell their golf clubs and Mercedes Benz to pay for their ex-wives' daily facial, manicure, pedicure combo at Donato's.

So on that note...Can you guess what I want for Christmas? LOL

Props must go out to my buddies Emil and Jay (M. not V. although he gets props too...but for other reasons) for Emil being back in the game and with someone who is a good catch and Jay for setting a date...at least I think that's what the date in your blog meant and if so....consider it booked buddy.

In happier developments....COLDPLAY March 22nd, 2006 Section 102 WOOOOT! Yay Jay! hahahaha

In honour of Earl and his SLOW JAMZ....this one goe out to all those who get that same happy/sad feeling from them.

Song of the Post: "Someone to Hold" 112

Fashion Statements and Old Stomping Grounds

Ok. I don't want to get into a long winded discussion on what to wear or not to wear but I have recently noticed some really severe fashion booboos.

Exhibit A: Saturday night at Failtes' there was some dude who was wearing an old black tank top tucked into his high waisted jeans and he had super long unkept hair. WTH? Sorry, I thought I fell asleep and woke up in the 80's on the set of a Def Leopard video. I was waiting for the punch kick and some long haired dude in tights jumping off the stage.

Exhibit B: Underarmour. Great product. Own some myself. This is ATHLETIC atire. Do NOT wear your Underarmour shirt tucked into your jeans. Do not wear your underarmour with a suit or sport coat. I have seen the look with jeans many times but then I saw the Underarmour with a suit on "The Apprentice" of all places. You're trying to land the job of your life and you wear an athletic shirt with your PIN STRIPED suit! Are you mad!

I shall leave you with only two examples but the list is endless. Kudos to those who have style and know how to dress themselves.

So yesterday marked my return to my karate class. Needless to say, I was rusty but I could feel the rust shaking off quickly. My knee didn't give me any problems but my other non-injured knee felt a little funny. I think I'm just going to end up wearing two braces. My sensei recently achieved the rank of "Godan", which translates to 5th dan or 5th degree blackbelt. His great ability to teach and pass on his skills has convinced me to make the trek from Waterloo to Mississauga to keep attending his class. I look forward to my next class.

Song of the Post: Kanye West ft. Common "My Way Home"

Cross Country Treks and Brushfire Fairytales

Last night marked was the culmination of a great weekend for me. A weekend of great music, friends and biking.

Friday night Emil, Rob, Mary and I went to go see a friend's band play their last show at this small pub in Mississauga. It was a surreal experience since there so many people whom I haven't seen in ages, some not since high school.

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending the Jack Johnson concert and I was impressed at how good Jack sounds live. It was a great time and the music was just fantastic, that with a few brews made a great night. Oh and the "Tremendous" following was also a great way to cap the night off.

On Sunday, Jehan and I had the insane idea to attempt to ride our bikes from Mississauga to Waterloo. We started up at around 11am on Sunday morning and biked for bit over 4 hours and made it to just outside of Guelph before I cramped up and Jehan was too tired to continue. We covered over 50Kms on our trek through southern Ontario's farm country and even though we didn't quite make it to our final destination I was quite proud of myself. The most fulfilling aspect of this was that my dad, who is normally not very supportive of any of my endeavours, came to me and said "You did something you had never done and you saw things you had never seen". That about sums it up and it was great to hear it coming from him.

Last night, Jay and I attended the Athlete concert at the Opera House and I completely and thoroughly enjoyed it, even more so than Jack Johnson. Maybe it was the intimate atmosphere or I was just in the right mood for the music, I don't know. What I do know is that the stars were aligned perfectly and the concert gods were shining down on us last night. What a great experience! This has inspired me to continue my concert hopping experience, something I have not done in a few years. So next on the concert list are the Doves coming up on September 30th. The best thing about it is that these smaller lesser known bands are quite cheap to go see. Jay and I got a 2 for 1 ticket deal for the Doves. Bonus!

Maybe my "Quarter Life Crisis" is coming to an end. My career is on the right track, I bought a condo and aside from my student debt I am pretty worry free right now. Yes, of course, love is still missing but that's not related to my "Quarter Life Crisis" and really who cares at this point. I love this "I don't care!" approach to love I have taken as of late. It alleviates a lot of the stress associated with be single. So, I feel it is time to think of a new name and a facelift for my blog...the process begins.

Song of the Post: Athlete "Half Light"

Lou in the Loo!

So this week marks the beginning of my time living in Waterloo. So far it has been a rocky start but tonight is the first night I feel settled in and relaxed. I have my music, msn and food.

It's amazing how good music can affect your mood. Admitedly, I have been listening to some sappy tunes tonight but they're so good that it cheers me up listening to them as backward as that sounds. And to the critics out there, no there was no Coldplay on my playlist tonight. The bonus of the night is that I have discovered a new artist. One who idolizes Martin Sexton. Martin Sexton rocks so look him up and check out the talent. So who might the new artist be? ...Peter Katz...home grown talent. He actually reminds me of my housemate Will Hemmings when it comes to his musical style. Will also idolizes Martin Sexton. Check him out in the links section of my blog.

On the recommendation of a close friend, I have decided to lay back and wait for a girl to come and find me. It worked before so why not again. We'll see if I can hold myself to that particular strategy.

I also recommend "The Doves". Great band. Going to be doing some concert hopping in the near future so looking forward to that. I plan on emersing myself in music and let myself relax. It's time to get back to the gym. I have to stick to the healthy lifestyle. Every year the cruise destroys my diet and exercise plan and I have had enough. Getting fat here and I can't stand it.

I'm looking forward to going to Europe next year so many places I would like to visit and so little time to do it in. And of course, I would like to hit one of the big European music festivals while I'm there.

I miss Emil, Rob, Ayland and Martino. With me living in the Loo I don't get to see them as much and I feel our friendships are being strained. Hopefully, this will improve.

Song of the Post: Peter Katz "The One Minute Mile Man"