Monthly Archives: July 2013

07.21.13
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How good is your hindsight?

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I have been doing a lot of soul searching lately trying to solve this puzzle called my life. All in all, I really have had phenomenal experiences and know that there are many more great experiences to come.

The most important thing I strive to do in my life is learn from my past. One of the biggest mistakes I have made in my past is making decisions too quickly and not fully contemplating the pros and cons of the choices laid out in front of me. This often results in unexpected consequences and frequently regret.

Over the past several weeks, I have been evaluating several options and successfully eliminated one of these options from my list. However, I am still struggling with three other choices. The hardest part is that all three have very different costs and benefits associated with them.

As I use my past experiences to help evaluate this decision I am finding myself petrified to make a final choice as I fear the regret that comes with making the wrong choice. It also is challenging because whatever I decide to pursue also affects other people than just myself.

I know I keep coming back here as I reflect on my journey. I have been struggling to sleep as my opportunity to make this decision is rapidly expiring. I would like this next chapter to be amazing, but I can’t find the piece I need to finish this chapter.

07.17.13
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All the little things

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Anyone that lives in Canada can surely come up with at least 20 jokes about Winnipeg in under 10 seconds, and most young people here have dreams of making their expedient escape.

I am quickly approaching the 1 year mark of having made my exit, which was less of an escape and more of a pursuit of my career. I have spend the last week in Winnipeg enjoying the blistering summer sun, and it has reminded me why all these people suffer through the 9 months of freezing winter. This city has phenomenal summers.

So much has changed here as well in regards to how many construction projects have been started here, and for once it isn’t all on the roads. The old gravel parking lots are rapidly disappearing behind construction fences as future buildings begin to take shape in their place.

I never stopped loving this city when I left, but that love has been renewed with this visit. It will be hard to say goodbye tonight as I make my way back to Calgary, but I know I will be back here soon and look forward to seeing the progress this city has made.

07.15.13
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Sorry, I don’t carry change

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I was walking through downtown Winnipeg today after a lovely visit with my buddy Shawn. About half way home, I was approached by a man with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, pushing a nice shiny new blue bike, and wearing dirty ripped clothes.

I watched him set his sights on me from across the street from about half a block away. He crossed carefully through traffic to intercept me as if I were his prey. It was at this point of watching him, I thought to myself Matt, you’re being a little prejudice about this guy. I continued towards him and was hoping that I would able to make myself feel bad for judging him unfairly.

We got close enough for me to hear him and he opened his mouth. Please let him just be saying hi, or good afternoon, or some random Winnipeger pleasantry.

“Excuse me Sir, do you have a moment?” he asked.

Not really. I kind of want to keep walking down the street “What’s up?” Here it comes

“My name is Trey and as you can see I don’t smell like alcohol…” Blah blah blah. This guy had a story to tell. I can already see where this is going. Now I feel like I’m wasting his time by letting him continue rather than stalking his next victim.

“If you’re asking for change, I don’t have any.” I wasn’t lying. I actually don’t carry change in downtown for specifically this reason. I don’t have any so I can’t give you any.

Here is the part that threw me. The next word out of my mouth was “Sorry” before I walked away.

Sorry! Sorry? Sorry… Hmmmm. As I continued walking home I thought about it. Why did I say sorry? I’m not really sorry I don’t carry change through downtown. I’m not sorry that I didn’t have any money to give away to someone that I don’t know. So then why did I say sorry?

Some people say Canadians apologize for everything and perhaps this was just a case of using the wrong word in a Canadianism, but perhaps there is some deeper meaning that I am missing here. What do you think?

07.10.13
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Fighting the Battle

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I know that I have disappeared off the radar this week. Life has been challenging me to say the least. Things overall are good and I really don’t have anything worthy of complaining about, but I am just feeling a little deflated and like something isn’t fitting in my universe.

I am certain that things will come together as they always do. Thanks for your patience while I figure things out. I am not sure what changes will come my way, but I promise it will be an adventure just as it always is!

07.05.13
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Movie Night: The Heat (2013)

Now that the weekend is here, it is time to check out another great movie.  My weekend movie suggestion is The Heat staring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy.  Last night, I had the pleasure of sharing this awesome movie with my buddy Sheldon.  I can only speak for myself, but I don’t think  we have laughed so hard at a film in a long time.

Bullock plays the character of an uptight FBI agent tasked with a case to take down a drug lord in Boston to prove to her boss that she is ready for a promotion.  Upon her arrival, she finds herself forced to work with a foul-mouthed, local police officer played by McCarthy.  These two phonetical female comedians will have you rolling between the seats laughing.

This film was directed by Paul Feig, who also directed the 2011 comedy Bridesmaids.  This movie features great laughs, big explosions, an awesome cast, and a great storyline to go with it.  Be advised that there is a lot of foul language, but I felt it was tastefully used in character and along with the story line.  That being said, this movie is certainly not one that I would bring the kids to.

I’d give this movie 10 thumbs up if I had that many, but I am limited to only 2.  Trust me though, this gets two REALLY big thumbs up.  Check out the trailer below and let me know your thoughts on the movie in the comments.  Have an awesome weekend!

07.03.13
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Airport Customs

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Hey friends,

Hope you’re having an awesome Wednesday, but today is finally my Friday. In 17 hours I will finally be getting some much needed time off. I will have worked 65.5 hours in the past 6 days, and I plan on sleeping for 12 hours tomorrow to recover!

In my state of tiredness, I didn’t have creative juices flowing today for a proper post, so I’ve decided on a joke.

A distinguished young woman on flight from Switzerland asked the priest sitting beside her, “Father, may I ask a favour?”
“Of course. What may I do for you?” the priest replied.

“Well, I bought an expensive electronic hair dryer that is well over the customs limits and I’m afraid they’ll confiscate it. Is there anyway you could carry it through Customs for me? Under your robes perhaps?” the woman asked.

“I would love to help you, but I must warn you: I will not lie!” The priest told her.
“With your honest face, Father, no one will question you,” she said.
When they got to Customs, the young woman let the priest go ahead of her.
The Customs official asked, “Father, do you have anything to declare?”
“From the top of my head down to my waist, I have nothing to declare,” said the priest.
The officials thought this answer a bit strange, so he asked, “And what to you have to declare from your waist to the floor, Father?”
“I have a marvelous little instrument designed to be used on a woman, but which is, to date, unused,” answered the priest.
Roaring with laughter, the official said, “Go ahead, Father. Next!”

Have an awesome day!

07.02.13
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Guilty or Not Guilty?

I was out mowing the lawn the other day and was reminded of this news story I heard about from Winnipeg. This man is being charged by the City of Winnipeg for not cutting the grass on the boulevard in front of his property.

See the news report and read the whole story here: Winnipeg man heads to court in grass-mowing dispute

I think that there are two interesting parts to this story. The first is the fact that the guy doesn’t own a lawn mower because he doesn’t have a lawn. Is the city able to force him to purchase one to cut the city property?

The second part of this is the location of the sidewalk. The City of Winnipeg owns roughly the first 6 feet of everyone’s property. As a result, the sidewalk is constructed away from the road creating a safety buffer for pedestrians (because Winnipeg has the best drivers in the world). If a homeowner chooses not to have a lawn such as this case and replaces their lawn with rocks, would they be allowed to replaced the grass on the boulevard?

07.01.13
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O Canada

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It is time for Canadians to come together once again to celebrate the 146th anniversary of our wonderful country. Today will be filled with cake, festivals, fireworks, and fun. If you haven’t made plans yet to celebrate, check out the links below for events going on in your city!

Don’t drink if you plan on driving, or plan alternate transportation. Just a reminder, that public transit will be running on a holiday level of service, and check schedules before you depart. Stay safe and have an awesome Canada Day!

Calgary, Alberta Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Edmonton, Alberta Fredericton, New Brunswick Halifax, Nova Scotia Montreal, Québec Ottawa, Ontario Québec City, Québec Regina, Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Saskatchewan St. John’s, Newfoundland Toronto, Ontario Winnipeg, Manitoba Vancouver, British Colombia Yellowknife, Northwest Territories