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For if ever a time, for if ever a moment,
Takes absolute control,
let it guide you, and completely own it,

For if ever a touch, for if ever a word,
Takes absolute control,
Seize the spark, no matter how absurd,

For if ever hint, for if ever a chance,
Takes absolute control,
Follow your heart, be true to your stance,

For if ever a love, for if ever a kiss,
Takes absolute control,
Let love into your eternal abyss.

T. Webber

On Christ(X)mas spirit.

I recently had a small conversation with a lady from work about Christmas and the spirit of Christmas and how much it has changed over the years.

No longer can corporations wish everyone a 'Merry Christmas.'

'Seasons Greetings,' or 'Happy Holidays' is the norm.

Schools don't sing Christmas carols involving religion (if they do, they are few and far between).

Seems society has treaded far away from the true meaning of Christmas.

Whether the true meaning be either religious or family oriented, gifts and gift exchanges have taken over.

Boxing day no longer includes mass family dinners.

People now line for blocks to get inside shopping centres to return a thoughtful gift or take advantage of incredibe deals.

I say keep your gifts, sales and credit cards away and bring on the turkey and traditions of old.

What gift could possibly overcome the moment of clarity when a person feels the love of true family get-togethers.

Christmas needs a change, a step backward if you will.

My niece will be watching Frosty the Snowman for the first time in her life and who can't remember the happiness a simple cartoon used to bring them?

That to me is what Christmas should be more about. Traditions and family togetherness.

So until next time, I'll leave you with a random thought. Remember the sixth degree of seperation, that stranger you pass might be closer to you then you might not think.

On money.

In Brewster's Millions, the story revolves around Montgomery Brewster, a young man who inherits a million dollars from his rich grandfather.  But to make matters worse for Montgomery, his rich and eccentric uncle (who hated his grandfather) dies also. The crazy uncle's will leaves Brewster with seven million dollars, but in order to collect his grandfather's money, he can't keep one dollar of the uncles' seven million. Brewster is forced to spend every penny of his uncle's seven million within one year, and end up with no assets or goods gained by his uncle's wealth at that time. Should he make the deadline, he will earn the full million; should he fail, he remains penniless. (Thanks to Wikipedia for the intro)

I've always found this plot line to be very interesting.

Could any of you really do this?

Spend about 7 million dollars but have nothing to show for it?

And if I'm not mistaken, charity donations would be a breach of the deal.

I thought to myself that I could treat my friends and family to expensive dinners and nights out on the town, but let's get real.

7 million dollars is 7 million dollars. Who could eat and drink 7 million dollars worth of food and drinks in one year?

I'd obviously travel because that would be within the guidelines and then of course I'd bring everybody else too on my expense.

Buying a NHL seasons ticket package should be within the boundaries too because after the year, you don't own the tickets anymore. (obviously)

Upon further research, the novel was written in 1902.

So if it were written today, 7 million would probably turn into 70 million, if not more.

Money is a funny thing.

We all drive ourselves crazy and work our bodies hard for a piece of paper.

I almost wish we could go back to the barter system and use our skills to gain what we want.

My friend noted something interesting to me yesterday.

A hockey player in the NHLwas suspended for two games and as a financial result of the suspension, he will forfeit about 65,000 dollars.

That's only TWO games. People don't even make that in two years in some circumstances.

Kind of makes you scratch your head when you think about all the 3rd worlds and poverty stricken communities.

And yet, these stadiums are filled night in and night out paying to see these players play a game.

Funny to think we spend our hard earned money to see the game we love in order to forget about the stress that money brings.

That's all for now, and if the man ever gets you down, keep your head up because a better opportunity is always just around the corner. You just have to go out there and get it.

On time.

This year has been filled with many highlights and great memories, but isn't it crazy how quickly this year has gone by?

Already I'm seeing Christmas commercials on TV, major shopping centres are geared for the Christmas shopping and it seems like it was last night that I was counting down the seconds for the new year.

I have always been told, mostly from my father, that I should appreciate my youth and embrace it while I'm living it because when you get to a certain age, time just flies by.

I finally understand what he meant of this.

This will also be a special new year because it is the end of the new millenium. We are almost officially a decade into the 21st century. 

I invite you to think back and remember what you were doing on December 31, 1999.

I don't even remember that New Years Eve, but I do remember all the hype about Y2K. 

10 years later, our computers are fine and we haven't managed to blow ourselves up, a few close calls though I'm sure.

Who would have predicted America would be presided over by an African-American president?

Who would have guessed Michael Jackson would die in only 10 years from then?

Tampa Bay, Anahiem and Carolina would hoist the Stanley Cup?

The Boston Red Sox would break the Great Bambino's curse?

Yes the world of politics, sports and entertainment have all seen great changes, many many more then what I have listed but my point is that time goes by quickly. 

Living for the moment is easier said then done, but when you can capture and grasp a moment, it's almost an out-of-body experience.

If I could pick just one highlight from last year and go back to maybe cherish it better, I would go back to my graduation. 

Graduating school was one of the most rewarding feelings I have ever felt so far in my life. 

That sense of accomplishment is truly undescribable.

As much as time scares me, I also look forward to the future, no pun intended.

10 years from this day, I hope to be settled and comfortable in my career, own my own house and come home each night to a beautiful family.

Where will all of you be in 10 years?

Until next time, love life unconditionally and life will return the favour.

On people watching.

I know of a few people who also enjoy this as much as I do.

'This' being people watching.

Sitting on a bench in a crowded mall can be more fun for me then others would never be able to guess. I don't know why I enjoy this weird... I'm not even sure what to call it.

A person could walk by and by the time they leave my sight I've already made up their life story inside of my head. What type of job they have, if they're married, widowed, divoreced.

If it's in a grocery store, I make up a whole new level of stories. What they eat, family size, whether or not they're lonely.

I've always had a creative mind. Ever since I was very young I have been writing stories or thinking up crazy adventures. To that end I attribute my people watching.

In fact, that's probably where I get half of my story ideas from in the first place.

Forgetting about where the source of the idea comes from, I turn a story of some stranger inside my head into a fictional piece.

People watching makes me laugh sometimes too.

I don't always make up stories about people becuase some people are so entertaining to watch you don't even have to fillt hat void.

It's funny to watch how people act in social situations. I especially enjoy the 'alpha male' show downs.

Even funnier to watch them in small town bars.

Truth be told that most men have no game when it comes to women.

A lot of guys think they do, but they really don't. And I'm not going to say that I'm some casanova, because clearly I'm not, but I also know my boundaries. 

That's where a lot of guys fail, they enter uncharted territories.

Nothing wrong with showing confidence, but you have to be smart about it too. 

Another funny thing about watching people in small town bars is groups of women out on a 'girl's night.'

Every group has one, and I'm talking about the mother hen. The mother hen is the one that keeps her girls together in this situation.

It's funny to watch some guys try their game on one of the mother hen's friends and get blind-sided. 

A true alpha male would be ready to intercept the mother hen and win her over in order to even think about continuing the conversation.

But like I've seen thousands of times, the male fails miserably and the mother hen keeps her coop together and the night continues.

I could probably go on and on about different people watching scenarios but maybe I'll save that for another time.

Until then, whenever you're feeling at your worst, surround yourself with a positive infuence and life will feel a little easier. 

On blogging and beginnings.

As a future hopeful broadcast anything, I want to share these thoughts and feelings with the blogging world.

And how else could I start a blog than by blogging about a blog. Confused? Me too... I think.

You see, I have recently, (I use the word recent vaguely) because it has actually been just over a half-year since I recieved my coveted journalism diploma and to be honest, I'm starting to feel the pressure.

I'm feeling the pressure of future graduates who will be just as eager to find work as I am. I'm feeling the pressure of having to find solid career work to get where I want to be in life. Lastly, I'm feeling the pressure from the fear of not succeeding in the world of broadcast journalism.

I don't want to become another statistic, that being a failure statistic. Hence why I have started this blog.

Whenever I talk about my life goals with anybody, alot of those anybodies tell me that a blog can enhance my chances of landing a job. I have never disagreed with this, and I always say to these people that yes a blog would in fact help me out but then never did anything about it.

To me a blog will not only help your chances of beating out other candidates, but it will also sharpen your writing/typing skills and it also may bring in a certain readership that could turn into a viewership for me if I make it big time.

I apply to 3 jobs a day and that just isn't enough. It's easy to send an email to a future employer and hope for the best, but it's another thing to be pro-active about it too.

By upkeeping a current and interesting blog I think an employer would like my ambition and maybe that extra little attention to detail could put me one foot ahead of my competition.

Not to say that a blog is the key to financial happiness, but it's a step in the right direction.

After writing a few of these paragraphs I also find that it helps to sort things out in your brain.

Suddenly these pressures are easier to understand.

When I put my thoughts down on 'paper' I'm really getting a sense of what I need to do in order to get where I need to be in life.

Funny how epiphanies work aren't they?

Another interesting notation is that you never know where help can come from.

I work at a part-time gig and never really thought about it being a stepping stone in my search for career work but recently after a job review I was offered a helping hand in finding a place to work where I actually want to work.

This certain joe-job is a transitional place to work until you find greener grass and I was delighted to hear that someone was willing to give me a helping hand.

Not ony have I taken advantage of this offer but it's already in motion.

Moreover, this is another reason why I am starting this blog. Not that this person suggested I create one, but because this person has lit another fire under my ass.

Today is the start of many possibilities.

Possibly, my new blog will direct me towards a positive space and I plan on blogging about everything.

I hope to build a trusted readership with this blog and I hope to inform and entertain at the same time.

I will update each and everyone of you on my path towards a bright future right here on blogger.com.

All you have to do is check in on me every now and then and any words of encouragement are also welcome.

Until next time, surround yourself with positive influence and life will bless you unconditionally.