Late Night Hobbies

Some nights, I stay up cashing in my bad luck

Some nights, I call it a draw

I usually stay up watching YouTube. It's a guilty pleasure that I have developed. In fact, I would call it a hobby. Previously, in a job interview gone awry and on this very blog, I mentioned I had no real hobbies and that I enjoyed watching TV. Who seriously says that in an interview? Anyways it was an awkward moment for all involved. So late at night I watch YouTube religiously. I really could use the extra sleep but that never happens. Oddly I ended up getting the job. At work I told everybody I don't enjoy FUN. That is not entirely true.

With Justin Bieber

OK it's time for some confessions.  I have been listening to Justin Bieber semi-regularly.  SHOCKING!  Haha.  I think his new album is more catchy and mature, it reminds me of another Justin, Justin Timberlake!  I also hope to rank for "lying down with Justin Bieber."

With Justin Bieber's rendition of As Long As You Love Me it reminds me of another song with the same title.  I would like to refer to the first instance of this song title in my life.  Bring back the Backstreet Boys for a #flashback!  I can totally lip sync BSB.  Lying down with Justin Bieber has a double meaning almost.  I feel like I'm cheating on the Backstreet Boys with Justin Bieber.  His current fans won't understand the love affair that is BSB + The World back in 1997.



I would love to hear your memories with Justin Bieber songs or some Backstreet Boys memories.  Also, if you don't know me, this blog post will sound like a teenybopper fangirl; it's intentional.  Lastly, Nick Carter is going to be at The Ex on Sunday.

UPDATE: It's that easy.

Google loves new content

Horror Films

Showers are my way of winding down for the day.  I think most people have time devoted to organizing their thoughts.  What was awesome about today?  What's on the plate for tomorrow?  These questions are at the forefront of my mind.

Today was not a thought-organizing day.  For whatever reason I had a sinking feeling I was losing my hair.  It drew me back to a movie starring Neve Cambell of Party of Five fame, The Craft.  In the scene from The Craft, one of the girls loses a clump of hair in the shower (I think).  I became confused and wondered if the scene I was actually thinking about was from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  This train of thought lead me to that movie where Sarah Michelle Gellar is in the shower and she feels a hand emerging from the back of her skull.

In any case, I think it really speaks volumes about the male psyche that I was more worried about losing my hair than a hand emerging from my skull.  At least in the latter case something is growing.  The soothing shower that I so enjoy turned into something from a horror film.  I am deeply disturbed.

What's in a hobby?

Is dancing in your room to the newest hit by Justin Bieber a hobby? Because I don't do that...

I enjoy the social aspect of hobbies but I find that I'd rather just go to dinner or chat over coffee.  Coffee, there's a hobby I can get behind.  That would lead me further down the hipster path.  I'm already into defining myself through personal style and unknown niche music.  This is just another nail in the coffin of my currently dull hobby-less life.  Confession: I own a beany hat.

Justin Bieber ain't looking so bad now.

#noregrets

Some days you roll out of bed, literally roll.  Why are you rolling? It's because you left for university and lived on your own.  You cooked for yourself and felt damn proud of yourself for using spices and a black pepper cracker thing.  This was all immediately followed by graduation and moving back home to the delights of your mother's delicious homemade food.  Today it is weighing heavily everywhere, not just on your mind.

So, after you unsuccessfully attempt to put on five different pairs of pants that used to fit three months ago, ask yourself this, "Was all that food worth it?"

Hell yes.

Tell the true story of a dramatic moment in your life, but weave in one secret and one lie.

642 Things to Write About

It was a cold and very icy night, I was reviewing my notes before an nighttime exam.  It was set to start at 7:00PM which is 10 levels of crazy.  Who can even function that late at night?  I was about to fall into an after dinner food coma.

It was approaching 5:50PM when the last bus to school was set to arrive.  I packed up my things, headed out to the stop and arrived 10 minutes.  I waited outside in the cold for 45 minutes before finally giving up and calling a cab.  The cab dispatcher told me it would take 30-40 minutes for a cab to arrive, I freaked out and had a mini-panic attack!  It would be cutting it close.  As I waited I began to seriously worry which did nothing for my confidence.

The cab arrived five minutes past seven.  I arrived at my final 20 minutes late and 20 dollars lighter. It was all OK though, I was confidence incarnate.  The only thought in my mind was: git'er done.

Life Lesson: Always take the second last bus to school.

Your friend calls to say she saw you in the back of a police car yesterday. What happened?

642 Things to Write About

There is only one reason why I would be in a police car -- murder.  I kid.  Protection seems the likely candidate.  Protection from a murderer is definitely likely.  Who would want to kill me?  Well, why do people kill at all?  It's a raging impulse or psychosis.

But wait, I could go crazy.  What would drive me to the point of murderous rage?  Poor e-mail etiquette.  Here are some solutions to improve e-mail etiquette and here are some pictures of people going crazy.  I really do not enjoy being CC'ed on everything or super long e-mails. Pet peeves make people tick.

To Possible Employers: This is a joke and not meant to be taken seriously. Please consider my application, I am 5 levels of enthusiasm and half work-horse. :)

Write a recipe for disaster.

642 Things to Write About

1 Cup Laundry Detergent
1 Washing Machine
1 Pair of New Selvage Jeans

In the end, you get money spent on jeans you could have spent elsewhere.

A man jumps from the fortieth story of a building. As he's passing the twenty-eighth floor, he hears a phone ring and regrets that he jumped. Why?

642 Things to Write About

Earlier in the day Fred was feeling lucky. It was strange that he felt lucky at all due to his lifetime of bad luck.

He distinctly remembered the moment when he realized his parents had cursed him. It was a bright clear day when he realized how unusual it was he and his 6 siblings were all named Fred. His parents believed it would be easier to call everybody to dinner, a name and identity of convenience. This lead to multiple convictions laid against him for assault, fraud and murder committed by his siblings but served by him.

When he was finally released from prison and settled down to a quiet life in a small town it began to fall apart again. He'd recently broke up with his boyfriend, Bill. Or rather in a bizarre turn of events Bill left him for his sister, Fred.

But earlier in the day Fred had purchased a lottery ticket. The winning lottery ticket if the early morning radio announcer was correct. He could feel his fortunes changing.

In a bizarre turn of events Fred's wallet was stolen by the very same sister that had stolen away Bill. It contained the lottery ticket. Fred had tried Fred numerous times hoping she would return his wallet. She wasn't particularly bright so there was a chance she didn't know what she held.

In a bizarre turn of events earlier on that same day, Fred's sister Fred had her phone stolen by Bill, Fred's ex-boyfriend, and only recently got the message from her unlucky brother Fred. She was dialing her brother's number just as he leaped off his office building.

Fast-forward to the present as time slowed while Fred was falling past the twenty-eighth floor of his office building and heard Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen, a personalized ringtone for his delinquent sister. Fred screamed, "CURSE YOUR FRED, CURSE YOU!" as he plummeted to his death.

Describe five memories. Events you remember really well. Then take one of them further.

642 Things to Write About

1. I remember this morning. I slept at 5am because it was simply too hot to fall asleep unless I was exhausted. In the hours past midnight, I watched more episodes of What Not to Wear than I care to count.

2. I remember waking up to a call from a friend, she wanted me to meet her at the mall. I promptly got out of bed, found some clothes, smelled some socks and ran out the door.

3. I distinctly remember requiring coffee on the subway ride downtown.

4. I distinctly remember having coffee while at the mall. Just me and the coffee - together as one.

5. I remember we had Japanese for lunch - the type of food not the people.

Well to take one further, after we had lunch we walked further downtown in the sweltering heat to the train station. We said our goodbyes and she boarded a bus perhaps never to be seen or heard from again... Except that's not true because I spoke with her mere seconds ago. How does one take a memory further? What does that even mean?

The meanest thing anyone has ever said to you.

642 Things to Write About

I think people have said, say and will keep saying mean things but nothing of "meanest" quality. Sometimes when people give feedback they are blunt. #guilty. Sometimes you have to receive it to know that impact it has on others. Anyways, leadership lesson learned. So next time somebody says something super mean, provide them with equally mean feedback, perhaps they will learn like I once did.

PERSON 1 "You pathetic and a loser."
PERSON 2 "And you are terrible at providing quality feedback that will be received with open ears and taken into serious consideration."

I recommend practicing this infront of the mirror though, blunt random feedback usually comes out of the blue and you need to react fast!

Something you lost.

642 Things to Write About

For Christmas one year my father helped me and brother hunt down Pokemon Blue and Red for our presents. I swear it was +20 EB Games/micro-somethings over 6 weeks to finally find a store that stocked them. In any case, after I had finished the game a few times I lent it to a friend, he was not as lucky to own a copy. They were still quite rare even after Christmas. Long story short, it got around like a street corner hooker and was never seen or heard from again.

Canada Day

Oh Canada! Our home and native land!

A pretty tame Canada's day even by old people's standards.  I hung out with my friends, ate some food, watched some TV and won me some Mahjong!  For somebody that has difficulty reading Chinese numbers let me tell you, this is an accomplishment and a half.  Bravo!  I just have to remember for next time how to play haha.  I also conquered in Settlers of Catan but lost in Scrabble.  

I briefly watched the fireworks as I was getting home.  Now I'm exhausted.  Happy Birthday Canada!

The Art of Community

The Art of Community just arrived via Canada Post.  It was unexpected because I only ordered it 3 days ago and the shipping time was 3-9 business days.  I thought it would arrive next week, kudos to Indigo!  The Art of Community by Jono Bacon comes highly recommended for any community manager.  So at 3am Tuesday morning I purchased it and thought myself pretty awesome.  I tend to make many impulse purchases after midnight, perhaps my mind is too weak to resist a good value proposition.

This is the second edition, the first is still freely available through a creative commons license but I thought I'd pay for paper.  Its like a textbook and I don't think I would enjoy the experience as much on my phone or computer!  Additionally, there are some expanded chapters and brand new content in the second edition.  The internet loves brand new and so do I.  Progress reports will follow so check back!

Brave

I just got home from a late-night showing of Brave.  I always find pixar movies to be delightful.  I was looking forward to seeing this one especially because of the female heroine.  I enjoy female leads, especially Sandra Bullock haha.  Chandler and I agree, Miss Congeniality is where its at!  What I love most about Pixar movies is the short the screens before the feature presentation, it sets the right mood to have an open-mind and become a kid again.  What I thought was going to be an action movie turned out to be more of a touching life lesson.  /tear.  The whole experience didn't disappoint.

While the movie was super great, it wasn't as great as either Finding Nemo, Toy Story 3 or the Incredibles.  Perhaps next time Pixar!  It is still infinitely better than the Cars franchise.

Anyways if you are headed out to see this movie anytime soon watch for my favourite part! It's the scene where the King is telling his story at the dinner table; the cute triplets' are adorable!

pride

You have just swallowed your pride and done something you didn't want to do.  Your friend wants to know why.  The two of you are driving around an almost-full parking garage looking for a space for the friend's oversize pickup.  Write the scene. -- 642 Things to Write About

My inspiration seems rather specific today.  I do have a story that kind of fits this scene.  My friend invited me to her Stag and Doe out in the boonies; I swallowed my city pride and went.  There are three things that already put me on edge with her invitation: (1) I don't enjoy parties where I know virtually nobody, (2) I don't enjoy places I can't easily leave and go home, and (3) these country Stag and Does are attended by mostly strangers.


I realized that I was being super negative about the whole thing so I said, "Whatever, I will see you there!"  So, what did I learn from this experience?

A little or a lot of booze helps
I remember everything clearly which is a plus because it was all super enjoyable.  The alcohol was pretty cheap, no complaints.  Too bad I couldn't drink very much.  The Wedding Party also had some fun games like the Toonie Toss which is more fun a little tipsy - spins in an element of superhuman skill.

Trust your friends
The one friend driving me there was on the fence.  She had been to both great and not so great events.  The bride assured me that if I attended I would have a great time.  I focused on crowding out the negative thoughts and opened my mind up to new experiences.  At the end of the day I had fun and made some great memories and that's all that really matters.

Public events aren't all bad
Since the event is open to the public you can get some strange people but that was actually part of the fun!  There was a guy hired to dance, break the dance floor ice so to say.  It was entertaining, hilarious and relieving because I knew I wouldn't be the only wild dancer on the dance floor!

We crashed at the bride's house and had complimentary breakfast, what?!  Who says swallowing your pride has to be all bad?

status update

Write Facebook status updates for the year 2017. -- 642 Things to Write About

I can now post all my thoughts without restriction like twitter circa 2008.  What is twitter you ask?  It went down hill after Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber purchased a majority stake.

I went to the pool today, they had those strange disco lights to attract the seniors.  On the big screen TVs they played hits from the 80s and reruns of that 70s show.

The super mega market just opened up down the street, it now stocks mini airplanes.  Going to get one today!

house plant plea

A house plant is dying. Tell it why it needs to live. -- 642 Things to Write About

I will respond with a Haiku (How to Write a Haiku)

neighbouring lush growth
stretch into the moist soil
and see the reason

I once saved an office plant.  I named him Herb.  Herb was dust-covered and sitting in a dark corner of an office I inherited.  I gave him a shower and set him up in some prime sunlight real-estate.  Two weeks later he showed signs of life.  Good times.

in a second

What can happen in a second -- 642 Things to Write About

True to my generations' form I googled it and I found An Illustrated Visualization of What Can Happen in a Single Second.  That is interesting but not really, haha.

Recall those movies where the protagonist says something to the tune of "That meteor will never hit us!" and in that split second said meteor adjusts its course towards Earth.  Of course it's not all doom and gloom, good things can and do happen.  Inspiration can strike and you can find yourself surfing the internet for hours.  It's cliche because it's true!  I do this all too frequently and all too frequently at 4am!   For example, earlier this year when I looking for a life direction I stumbled upon radian6's blog while researching something for a school project --  life-changing.  In that one second things can turn upside-down and your eyes open.  Today, I have a goal in mind and that makes job searching and skill building all the more easier.

So what can happen in a second? Anything, that's my final answer Regis. *cue the millionaire music*

dull but not

My life is not super exciting so this life blog is pretty lifeless.  haha.  When I started this blog back in... 2008? I thought blogs were used to vent thoughts.  Indeed, I vented a lot in the past.  But since then I've grown up a bit and I think this blog should too!

So I decided to mix things up a bit and bought 642 Things to Write About.  For the next 642 days (starting tomorrow) you will follow me on a journey of self-discovery? No. More like something to read when you are bored.  Perhaps your life is dull too?

Just kidding!