Tag, I'm It

Thanks to Robin at Life In The Bogs and Bountiful Healing I've been tagged with a random facts meme. I've done this once before when both Robin and Kel at xfacta got me with the same one which can be seen here: http://constantchangeisthenorm.blogspot.com/2007/07/7-random-facts-meme.html#comments.

So, I'll scratch my head, ponder a bit and see what I come up with. This one is nice as it has no rules and doesn't necessarily have to be passed on ... heh, heh - we'll see about that part.

1) This could be a post unto itself but these days I have a bad case of 'itchy feet'. I'm dying for change on a number of fronts - to see some place new and walk different ground; a new vocation; more education; to see my kids and their kids. The list goes on and on but you get my drift. Also due in part to the international nature of blogging I'd like to see much more of the world. I've always had an interest in geography and different cultures. (Not entirely sure if that qualifies as a fact but....)

2) Best trip. No not the acid, mescaline or peyote type. It was a 2 week driving tour of Texas and New Mexico cruising around in a Cadillac. There were parts of Texas that I really liked but I just loved New Mexico. I'd have to visit again and spend more time but I'm pretty sure I could live there quite happily. That trip was almost 20 years ago and was actually the honeymoon I had with my second wife Jan. Despite the lack of sleep we had a blast driving and singing as we went. Better than Florida, way better than Jamaica.

3) Favourite concert experience. Casting way back in time for this but it's a toss up between Led Zeppelin's first appearance (1970?) in Toronto at a really small hall known as the Rock Pile where they played everything from their first two albums OR Pink Floyd's 1972 show at Maple Leaf Gardens in quadraphonic sound when they played all the material from both 'Meddle' and 'Dark Side of The Moon'. Both shows were BRILLIANT. and yes, I know I'm a dinosaur thanks so much for noticing.

4) I used to think I was pretty smart until I learned some stuff. Now I have some small idea of all that I don't know.

5) There have been times where I've been positively euphoric; others when I've been desperately unhappy and depressed. Times of relative wealth; others of poverty. Coincidentally the times when I've perceived myself to be rich and happy are the times where my most important relationships were at their peak. With my wife, kids, parents, friends and workmates.

** Continuing from last night.... I've spent so much time at this computer tonight catching up on paperwork, writing emails and reading up blog friends posts that my eyes are just about fried out of their sockets. I think these last couple will be short and to the point.

6) Robin mentioned a couple of shows she enjoys watching - the dance competitions. On my weeks off when I can sit down to watch TV I have a really hard time finding anything of interest or find entertaining. It's a wasteland out there. Last week I caught an episode each of 'House' and 'ER' that were both good. I usually scan for movies or music shows. Note for cousin BJ - a friend of mine directed a doc which is airing on CBC Thursday night at 9. Check it out and let me know what you think - I'll miss it because I'm working.

7) I'm 30 years old, incredibly smart, charismatic, handsome, single and wealthy. This would be a made up fact. A complete lie. Honest.

As to who to tag: how about Martin at HSTBooks because I don't know enough about him; and Amuirin at Stop & Wander because I can't recall her ever having done one and would like to see what she comes up with. And Am, no time pressure cuz I know you're writing for NaNoWriMo. You can either link back here with your post or reply in the comment section.

A Few New Changes

Fiddling about here; retooling a bit. I've deleted a link or two and added three or four. Have a gander at the links list on the right side and see who is new to the neighbourhood.

A bunch of us were introduced to Lea Kelley by Amuirin at Stop & Wander there a couple of weeks ago. Lea has a beautiful site full of her wonderful appreciative thoughts and links to her artwork. I like the ways in which her mind works and how she is able to express her thoughts and feelings. She was good enough to add me as a link so I thought I'd return the favour.

Martin of HST Books and I started corresponding while I was reading Hunter S Thompson's biography, 'Gonzo', and things show no sign of abating as yet. Good guy; great informative site for Thompson enthusiasts / aficionados. A little 'Fear and Loathing' with that???? Martin also linked to my wee blog and so...... turn about is fair play and all that.

I first ran across Quinn Creative... I'm guessing about 2 years ago??... and promptly lost / forgot about her site. I was very pleasantly surprised to fluke back onto her site again a month or two ago and enjoy rummaging around the archives to see what I might find. Lots of good stuff; go see!!

Another that I found when I initially learned there were such things as blogs was Solbeam's. I always enjoy it when I land there for a look around. Sometimes months and months go by when I have forgotten to check in on her and her travels... and that is one reason for the link. So that I don't forget. Solbeam has been on her journey for 7+ years now; I suggest you check her 'about' page for the lowdown. Well written; great reflective writing; and terrific photographs of some pretty exotic places.

Enjoy people!!

Upcoming Blog Birthday

Come Monday it will have been two full years since I started this gig - amazing! It came about by stumbling on some folks blogsites and beginning to follow them through their posts. After a couple of months of that I came to the conclusion that hey! I can get in on this too. Away I went.... and here I am.

Along the way I've posted some opinion pieces about the things I care about - a bit about recovery, a fair lot about music and more recently books. (There has also been quite a lot of straight-up day-to-day news that I'm sure is probably pretty boring for some but it keeps me occupied.) I was helped through some difficult times by blog friends - mainly regarding Lynda's and my break-up, time apart and reunion. Good times too - with our grandson Owen and the births of my kid's kids, Zeph and Madison. Through these things I've been fortunate to have made some damned decent friends and I feel fortunate to be a part of this ever growing on-line community. (Seems I've made another friend this week in Martin at hstbooks.com. Hello Ireland!!) You all mean a lot to me and on those occasions where I felt I could be of help, I've tried to be. Lord knows you've helped me.

I never fail to be amazed at the number and variety of talented people 'out there' offering up their work in words, photos and artwork. That and the appreciation, support and encouragement that flies back and forth between parties. Awesome. Maybe I'll dig through my archives to see what all is in there. Whenever I do that I always come across something I had forgotten about ever having written..... surprise, surprise. (Senior's moments already.)

And for anyone interested I'm having my last intended cigarettes tonight - I'm going to try and lay them down for good again. See, one thing I've hated about smoking for the last few years is having to smoke outside in cold weather. I was just outside for one and I bet it is down to 0C/32F out there - freezing!! One more motivating factor, by geez. Wish me luck. BTW - it is a beautiful still clear night. The stars are shimmering like diamond dust on blue-black velvet.