Taking off the light back

Has is it been almost a year already?

2008-09-21T17:53:00.000-07:00

Time has virtually flown by and a lot has happened in our household. Needless to say, we are in the midst of some big but good changes. We are leaving our fine neighbourhood for an even finer one. As we plan and prepare for the move that is only two months away, I reflect on the two years spent at our current home. As much as I anticipate the change I know for certain I will take something with me to our new digs. This is something i've learned while being a new home owner......... and it is....... the import of friendship and its resulting benevolence.

Thanks neighbourhood for teaching me this important lesson.

Pass the gravy please

2007-10-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

Tonight marks the final night of turkey indulgence. It has been enjoyable and I look forward to tonight's meal with the fam.

Reflecting on what I am thankful for I think of relationships. Connecting with people from all walks of life and learning new things about them or life in general. Embracing the ideas of all whether or not they line up with your own, and not judging people about where they've come from, where they're currently at or potentially heading to.

So this thanksgiving I thank the "substratum" of relationships.

Secret confessions from an introvert

2007-10-05T21:42:00.000-07:00

I've been taking the bus for just over four months now and I've gotta say....its not that bad.

Having been behind the wheel since I was sixteen, riding the bus has been an interesting and humbling experience notwithstanding most operators have no concept for "brake hovering."

I find myself people watching, especially in the mornings when most are in the midst of waking up to start the day (and that the bus is not yet cramped from front to back). Yes we have our little eccentricities that we sometimes pretend is unseen by the physical world, but I have found something even more interesting. More so than the guy sitting across from me singing aloud, alongside his iPod is that no one wants to sit next to each other unless they absolutely have to. More often than not, someone will choose to stand up over sitting next to someone if it meant that "so help me God," their legs touched.

I could understand the unwritten urinal rules for men, but this epidemic of shying away from human communication with another should not hold the same. Perhaps tiredness is a factor and communication does require some energy output, but we potentially could be missing out on a very good start to the day. I stand guilty of this......but my hope is to start at least one conversation next week with a perfect stranger and to hopefully get something positive out of the attempt. Language is a powerful medium and a simple word could brighten someones day. So obviously my intentions are to evoke positive conversation.

A simple concept yet very difficult. Especially for myself, as for those that know me can avow that i'm an extreme introvert.

Well, we will see how next week goes.

Coming Soon

2007-10-03T20:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I've re-entered the blogging world after a considerably long hiatus.

This is a post announcing my return in the near future......with more than simply two lines of text.

Spontaneity

2007-03-17T21:02:00.000-07:00

My wife wanted me to write an impulsive blog. Something that is fresh from my mind contrary to my methodical self. So here I am blogging without thought.

Don’t blame me for its lack luster content :(

A Man and his Dog

2007-02-27T00:04:00.000-08:00

There is nothing like the companionship of a dog to break up the monotony of life. He is always thrilled to see you no matter your mood, respects you as an authority figure, and will do remarkable things for a simple reward.

Although a dog does not have to deal with the complexities of life, it is nice to connect with a creature that is not corrupted with the issues that often plague the human mind. He’ll take you at face value and will attempt to please you for simple recognition not having a selfish or desirous motive.

Sometimes I think it would be nice to have the simple approach our four-legged friends have!

Date Night

2007-02-15T19:01:00.000-08:00

With our often conflicting or opposite schedules tonight we had a night to ourselves. It began with a fine dinner and of course its natural compliment a movie. It's nice to remove ourselves from the everyday routine and connect at a level we had in our dating days. Back then we were focused and intrigued about each other's life. We listened intently and spoke amorously.

Date night is more than merely catching up for lost time. It's also a time to learn more about each other in an atmosphere encouraging of that very thing!

Pulling affection from a rock

2007-02-08T08:58:00.000-08:00

I’ve spent a few days reflecting on marriage and the important elements that maintain its health. One of these elements is affection. I’ve come from a family that was not overly affectionate, but certainly very loving. There was never a doubt in my mind as to whether my parents loved us boys.

My difficulty in the first couple years of marriage was demonstrating affection toward my wife. At times, it figuratively was like pulling affection from a rock. Using a simple plain rock as my example, there is not too much to it visually and it does not sustain life (although it does provide surface area for some life forms). Ultimately, it does not have much by way of characteristics.

My wife has been great with teaching me about affection and its vital importance in a marriage or relationship situation. Now after nearly three years of marriage, I would like to think that my affection has evolved from a rock to soil. Soil is required for the facilitation of growth in plant life and the foundation of many beautiful things (IE: flowers). The analogy of soil reflects the importance and necessity of affection in a relationship. I was only able to exhibit sincere affection after my attitude about it had changed.

Although I have come a long way, I still have a very long way to go!

Hmmm, good question!

2007-01-30T14:29:00.000-08:00

In a group discussion I was a part of an interesting question was raised. The question was, "Do the children of today have less respect for their elders than in the past, (50's- early 90's)?"

I guess there are a lot of variables to consider when attempting to answer such a question, but personally I believe that the answer is yes. Again, my opinion is purely subjective to my experiences with children which is usually in a very narrow capacity, (IE: behaviourally challenged). I think a lot of parents have removed themselves from the parenting role and have become their children's best friends instead. In essence, because of this shift the onus of responsibility on children for their actions has decreased and there always seems to be a disorder of some type we can use as the causal factor.

I know that cultures, economic status, media influenced societal norms, etc..etc.. has a large role to play in matters. Additionally, I think authority in general has lost some of its stature which can be both a good or bad thing depending on certain circumstances.

Anyhow, it was just a question that lingered in my mind after our discussion, and I know each of us will most likely have a different response to it!

Whats with the title?

2007-01-28T19:52:00.000-08:00

Well your probably wondering about the title. As nonsensical as it sounds it does have some meaning. Really, its an inside joke between my wife and I that never gets old.

I am a second generation Guyanese as my parents migrated here in the late 70's. With the culture came its eccentricities and not so correct grammar. With that in mind, throughout majority of my middle level education years I wrote as I spoke and spoke as I wrote. Needless to say, my school papers were never my claim to fame. It would be a stretch to even call them mediocre.

Nevertheless, when I ask my wife if she had turned off the lights within the home before exiting, I would phrase it as such, "Did you take off the lights?" Now, the "back" in the title is merely just adding effect to prove the point. My mom is actually notorious for using the word "back" in the incorrect place within a phrase.

So as the title is simply a mockary of my grammer, unfortunately I am a coward and had to drag my mother into this, (my apologies mom). I am not too worried though because my mom spends as much time in front of the computer as my dog does learning english as a second language. Hopefully this blog will not be the reason for her introduction to the wild world of computing and instead she does it for her own self interest!