Time to Ponder

Ive been sitting around with my guitar a lot lately. Im finding that playing is a lot more relaxing than I remembered fro previous years. It clears my head from the work day. At the same time it also helps me think about other things. So Ive spend a lot of time pondering. Sometimes about nothing really. But lately it's been about what Im doing, or what Im not doing, rather. Last summer I did something just for me for the first time. And it was the greatest feeling I think Ive ever had. It was scary, but it was exciting, and turned out to be amazing. So now Im thinking I need that again. I know what I want to do, or at least Im pretty sure. It may only be for 2-4 months. But Im ok with that, its only the beginning. I will probably have to take out a good loan, and Im ok with that, or I think I am, Im not a fan of debt. The only thing Im nervous about is if I end up with a house, how do I get someone to live there and pay rent for only the 2-4 months Im gone. Hopefully I can work that out, if it comes to that. I guess the other thing that could be difficult is getting a leave from work. Which Ill just have to work my way around. Not that it will be easy.

So many things to ponder. Hoping Ill pick the right note, or strum the right chord, and I will find that Im ok with everything, and I can take this small, yet big for me, leap.

      Em                     D*    G       G*
    I want a road stretchin' out before me
    Em         D*          G   G*
    I want the radio in my ear
    Em                    D*        C   
    I want a full tank of absolution
    C       D  G
    No Fear

Drawings

It was rare that I would pick up my pencil for the longest time. But this last year I have found it in my hand a lot more. Its consuming quite a bit of my time, but I dont mind. Its an escape. Even if Im just doodling not much of anything, it helps get my mind of work, or anything stressful thats happening. I think the main reason, or the inspiration, behind why I started again is probably because of Southern Gothic. SGP, and the friends I have made through SGP, have inspired me on so many different levels. My aunt has also been very encouraging. The only thing she wants for Christmas is a 'coffee table' book with sketches, paintings, photos, in it. So I am really trying my hardest to give her something she will enjoy. It's hard though because I dont see my drawings/paintings/photos as being something good enough to display in a book. But it does have me trying to get some accomplished in a time frame.

Art is a really important part of my life, and Im happy that I am in to it again. Aside from drawing/painting, I picked up my guitar again. Thats been a little bit of a slower relearning process, my fingers have forgotten a lot. For now its short riffs from various songs, and a couple songs I can play along with on the chord progression. But its still fun to be able to pick or strum and make some sort of music again. Nothing makes me happier than art in all its forms. Im so glad that I have found great inspirations, and such inspiring people who share their talents.

One of the drawings I have been working on, it still needs work. But I think Im done for now.

Vancouver Olympics, not just a competition

The olympics have officially come to a close, and for the first time I am not looking at them as just a sporting event the world competes in. It used to seem like just a war without the weapons. But its felt like something completely opposite this time around. Right from the world standing behind the Georgians after the tragic loss of their luger, to the opening ceremonies and the praise on Canada from other countries for what they put on, to when the world poured out their support for Joannie as she skated after the loss of her mother. When the Canadians and US both won in womens bobsledding, Canada's gold and silver stood on the gold platform with the US's bronze medalists. They looked like friends, happy for one anothers accomplishments. Sure we rivaled on the hockey rink, but I think this Olympics is more about the world coming together to show what they can do, rather than compete. When Germany had their upset in bobsledding, I really felt for them, they were good. South Korea was disqualified in the relay, and that is so unfortunate after such a great skate. I am proud to be Canadian, and what our athletes have done is beyond inspiring. At the same time, there is so much greatness from around the globe, whose talents and achievements are just as inspiring. Amazing figure skaters and skiers from Europe that deserve to be seen, awesome snowboarders from the US and Australia deserve the same. And through the Olympics all this amazing talent and greatness can be showcased. We all cheered as one for the world, sure we may have yelled 'Go Canada' or 'Team Usa', but we were cheering for the same end result. While there are wars going on, some of the countries fighting in a war are represented at an event that is so cultural, and prideful, and unifying. With the Olympics we all have one common goal that unites us. The athletes push each other, daring one another to be great. One country has one score or time, and that pushes another to their full potential to reach above that. I wish the world could work together everyday, makes more sense than war against each other, knocking countries down.

The Olympics opened by Canada showing the world what our country has to offer, and what we are proud of. Our culture, our music, our people. It was beautiful, and very well represented. Much of it was on a serious note, and some minor glitches. I think the most amusing thing was the end of the closing ceremonies. Canada mocked itself in front of the world. Turning the opening mishap in to a joke, and bringout dancing mounties, giant beavers, and flying moose. Most people only mock themselves in front of friends, people who understand them, people they are comfortable with. I think after the 17 days of ups and downs, sharing triumphs and achievements, grieving with those who had suffered, the world became closer. And what better way to see our friends off, than a showcase of Canada's stereotypes and moose hats for all! All that was missing was the beer and cigars!

A Million Ways To Run

We are never alone in our hardships, and rough times. Sometimes it feels that way, and the way we may deal with that may not always be the best choice. I think because some of us feel alone in a situation that is why we want to take the easy way out, or the easiest answer to get rid of pain or uncomfortable feelings; run away from all those feelings. At some point we may realize that the way we deal with situations may not be working anymore, and this song is about that turn around and realization that we have to actually be truthful and face our problems. It also shows that we are not alone with our feelings, there are others out there coping in similar ways. I think Terri Clark's A Million Ways To Run really expresses what some people do go through, it's a very honest song, and a very strong song.

In the basement of the church.
I took the last chair in the room
Embarrassed and ashamed,
but that all began to change,
when she stood up and spoke her truth.

She said ” I came here years ago, when I lost my sanity,
I hit an all time-low,
but then I found serenity.
I took shelter hiding from the pain, in any place
to make it go away.

CHORUS
In the arms of a stranger
keeping company with danger,
or staring’ down the barrel of a gun
At the bottom of a bottle,
getting numb with every swallow,
it’s easy, when it’s what you’ve always done,
With a Million Ways to Run

I was the first one out the door
But her words echoed in my head
I took the long way home
but no longer felt alone
Cause I’d lived everything she said
I thought about lost moments of my past
And then I knew, there was no going back…..

To the arms of a stranger
Keeping company with danger
or staring’ down the barrel of a gun
The bottom of a bottle,
Getting numb with every swallow
Cause it’s easy, when it’s what you’ve always done
With a Million Ways to Run

BRIDGE
There’s a freedom I have found
In staying on the ground
Long enough, to chase those demons down….

And I thank God I know I’m Not the only one,
with A Million ways to run…..

The entire album called The Long Way Home, that this song is on, is amazing!