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.
Showing posts with label memories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label memories. Show all posts
Monday, July 30, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
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?
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?
Saturday, July 14, 2012
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
What could have happened to you in high school that would have altered the course of your life?
642 Things to Write About
OK seriously I should try to do these blog posts mid-day instead of at the end. Originally, I wanted to have a full day to collect my thoughts about the inspiration but I find that I just end up forgetting to write something before midnight.
Anyways, this is an easy inspiration! There are a few easy items that probably would have changed anyone, e.g. university selection. I think the most profound decision was to change. At some point, conscious or unconscious, I made a decision to change from a sad mopey kid to somebody different. Different how? I can't really say because I am also uncertain but I know I felt different. It was like an Oprah moment when something clicks and you slowly transform from a toad into a beautiful princess, miraculous.
So how would things have turned out if I wasn't the beautiful princess I am today? Well for one thing, I probably wouldn't enjoy talking to people as much as I do today so a dream career in social media would probably be out of the question. I imagine myself in an alternate reality as a computer programmer, an unsuccessful one.
OK seriously I should try to do these blog posts mid-day instead of at the end. Originally, I wanted to have a full day to collect my thoughts about the inspiration but I find that I just end up forgetting to write something before midnight.
Anyways, this is an easy inspiration! There are a few easy items that probably would have changed anyone, e.g. university selection. I think the most profound decision was to change. At some point, conscious or unconscious, I made a decision to change from a sad mopey kid to somebody different. Different how? I can't really say because I am also uncertain but I know I felt different. It was like an Oprah moment when something clicks and you slowly transform from a toad into a beautiful princess, miraculous.
So how would things have turned out if I wasn't the beautiful princess I am today? Well for one thing, I probably wouldn't enjoy talking to people as much as I do today so a dream career in social media would probably be out of the question. I imagine myself in an alternate reality as a computer programmer, an unsuccessful one.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Name the trees that stood in the neighbourhood where you grew up.
642 Things to Write About
There is one tree in particular I recall. The one that used to grow on my front lawn struck down by some pretty fantastical winds. It was a birch tree. According to wiki those little things that fell from its branches are called catkins. As a child I felt foolish sweeping them off our driveway. Why would any sane person sweep dirt off their driveway? There will always be dirt there; it's outside after all!
Anyways, we have since replaced the old birch with a new one. It will be years before it grows tall enough drop catkins on the driveway for the next generation of youth to build memories and to feel foolish.
There is one tree in particular I recall. The one that used to grow on my front lawn struck down by some pretty fantastical winds. It was a birch tree. According to wiki those little things that fell from its branches are called catkins. As a child I felt foolish sweeping them off our driveway. Why would any sane person sweep dirt off their driveway? There will always be dirt there; it's outside after all!
Anyways, we have since replaced the old birch with a new one. It will be years before it grows tall enough drop catkins on the driveway for the next generation of youth to build memories and to feel foolish.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
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!
Monday, June 25, 2012
a penny for your thoughts
Pick a small object to be given one day to your great-grandchild. Write a letter to that child explaining why you have chosen this object. -- 642 Things to Write About
These "inspirations" are always... interesting. I read this one and became confused. What would I even give someone today? I think I would grab the oldest thing I could find within arms reach. With the speed of innovation and technological development I know whatever I choose will become obsolete tomorrow. My letter follows:
Dear Anonymous Child,
How are you related to me? I am skeptical. I am certain however that lawyers still exist and have verified your claims.
Anyways out of my vast storage of riches I have chosen to gift you a single penny. What is a penny you ask me? Well if you inspect it, it's mostly steel. It shares a relationship with money. The hundredth decimal place of a dollar, one cent, is a penny. If you are asking me what a dollar is you are going to have to wiki it for yourself. I am certain wiki still exists.
In my time the penny was the smallest physical denomination of money. Also in my time, some countries (do they still have those in the future, countries?) began to phase out the use of the penny. My great country Canada minted its last penny in May 2012.
I have enclosed a single penny to show you how quickly society, technology and the world change, be on the look out its happening today.
Sincerely,
Your Dead Great-Grandpa
These "inspirations" are always... interesting. I read this one and became confused. What would I even give someone today? I think I would grab the oldest thing I could find within arms reach. With the speed of innovation and technological development I know whatever I choose will become obsolete tomorrow. My letter follows:
Dear Anonymous Child,
How are you related to me? I am skeptical. I am certain however that lawyers still exist and have verified your claims.
Anyways out of my vast storage of riches I have chosen to gift you a single penny. What is a penny you ask me? Well if you inspect it, it's mostly steel. It shares a relationship with money. The hundredth decimal place of a dollar, one cent, is a penny. If you are asking me what a dollar is you are going to have to wiki it for yourself. I am certain wiki still exists.
In my time the penny was the smallest physical denomination of money. Also in my time, some countries (do they still have those in the future, countries?) began to phase out the use of the penny. My great country Canada minted its last penny in May 2012.
I have enclosed a single penny to show you how quickly society, technology and the world change, be on the look out its happening today.
Sincerely,
Your Dead Great-Grandpa
Saturday, June 23, 2012
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!
Friday, June 22, 2012
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?
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?
Saturday, June 16, 2012
something stolen
Something you had that was stolen. -- 642 Things to Write About
I honestly do not remember anything that was stolen from me. The typical things come to mind when I think of theft: unattended laptops at the university library, intellectual property and years off one's life. I don't believe that any of those things have been taken from me.
When I was one or two years old I walked out of Zellers with some stickers in hand and the alarm went off. For stickers you ask? Yes, they are very serious about loss prevention at Zellers. Anyways it was no big deal I remember not understanding but my father told me he would get me some stickers another time and laughed about the incident on our way to buy donuts. No stickers but I got a big donut, all-in-all a good day!
Happy memories and Happy Father's Day!
I honestly do not remember anything that was stolen from me. The typical things come to mind when I think of theft: unattended laptops at the university library, intellectual property and years off one's life. I don't believe that any of those things have been taken from me.
When I was one or two years old I walked out of Zellers with some stickers in hand and the alarm went off. For stickers you ask? Yes, they are very serious about loss prevention at Zellers. Anyways it was no big deal I remember not understanding but my father told me he would get me some stickers another time and laughed about the incident on our way to buy donuts. No stickers but I got a big donut, all-in-all a good day!
Happy memories and Happy Father's Day!
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