Listening, Luck and Leaving Loops

The word of the week is perspective.

April 15 - Boston

Today's insanity in Boston just underscores why I don't want to do much traveling to the USA any more.

My family and I used to make regular cross-border trips to Niagara Falls, NY back during the heyday of shopping when the difference in the US-CDN dollar made that worthwhile. Plus, it was fun; long lines of Canadian cars crossed over in flocks to descend on malls and restaurants every weekend.

Now it seems like a different world, since 9/11 - and it is.

The events in Boston underscore the reality that horror can happen anywhere, at any time… but in the USA, there are a LOT of people with lists of grievances, little to lose and a lot of dangerous weapons that are fairly easy to get one's hands on. More and more, I see a gulf opening between life in Canada and life in the States, one widened by cultural beliefs both based in freedom, but different ways of maintaining it. Guns and a police state south of the border, mutual respect and a lack of firearms to the north. I know I'm simplifying things here… but when acts of terror become commonplace things on the news in your country, shouldn't you DO something about it?

April 16 - Friends

After working a long day, I ended up giving good advice all evening.

A friend of mine and I got together to talk about a few things, which turned into an unexpected advice session - with me dispensing said advice, which I think was well-received.

It was surprising, but obviously they needed to talk… and as all of you know, I am THERE for my friends, no questions asked - I know you're all there for me too.

Friendship is often about listening, and that's what I did tonight: I hung on every word and did my very level best to see things as part of a balance and a whole, then give my BRIEF opinion and salt it with some advice I thought they needed to hear for their situation. I've been in a lot of headspaces myself over the years, with all the things that have happened to me, so I hope that I've accrued some decent experience that I can pass on. I think what I did say was helpful, as my friend definitely looked less stressed when we called it an evening; I know I felt better for helping them, which is something I know I can do well when I put my mind to it. In helping, I also help myself - and I KNOW that sounds trite, but when you think about it, if you're giving good advice to another, can't you do the same for yourself?

April 17 - Rare luck

In all the years I've poked around thrift stores, I've found a few deals here and there… but NOTHING like the one someone found this week in the states!

One constant about thrift stores is that you NEVER know what you'll find. The key to scoring a 'find' is consistency and timing: be a regular and find out what times items start to go out on the shelves, so you can get there before most other people start flooding into the place of a day.

Apparently that worked, as the woman in this story found this jewel, still sealed:

It’s worth at least $10,000 USD, if the auction goes well, as previous auctions have. Games like this are exceedingly rare for a reason: most, if not all, were supposed to have been recalled and destroyed, but as always some slipped through the cracks. For those lucky enough to know what they were looking for, such gems are the find of a lifetime!

April 18 - Robots

I came up with an interesting analogy today, using robots, of all things.

For the last while, I've been struggling with a lot of things, trying to find solutions.

It helped today to visualize that struggle as a robot, of all things - the Iron Giant comes to mind. I can relate to the logic that such a construct embodies, as well as the leashed power and the ability to do great things. Such a robot can be said to live inside me, if we're going all metaphorical here, ready to be unleashed on tasks to Get Things Done and Solve Problems.

But what if there's no obvious solution to a problem? What if the robot can't find a clear way to use its talents, but instead languishes, unable to fulfil its perceived purpose?

Well, that's a recipe for frustration, that's for sure. And that's how I've felt for a while now, here and there, for most of 2013 so far - even getting a job didn't alleviate things totally, though it did help a great deal.

No, I've felt stymied, trapped by my own high expectations and a lack of concrete results in my efforts. Want a better job? Learn SQL in 2 weeks and pass a test, or spend 3 months getting a CompTIA+ certificate, then another 6 months applying for tech support jobs while wearing horseshoes. What about those businesses of mine? Discover how to turn an idea into a solid business that will attract clients… somehow, while asking for help without being able to pay for it. Or focus on that novel… nailing down that Third Draft in pieces, sending out letters to Agents, hoping for a break while researching markets and trying to write short stories to sell in said markets.

All of it a lot to carry, even for the strongest Iron Giant.

April 19 - Summer's almost here!

Things around my apartment have been great, of late.

I never hear ANYTHING from the place above - not a peep. It might as well be unoccupied, which is GREAT for getting work done at home during the days or evenings I have off from Staples.

Also,  my neighbour who loves to slam her door told me today she is moving to go back to school, so that little jolt in my day will be gone soon. She's nice, but both she and her family members believe in ensuring a good seal when they close a door, so much so that our hall mirror has been adjusted fairly regularly for months now. Yet we never hear anything else from her, so it's a minor quirk really.

I'm really, really liking the thought of a solid, quiet summer here near the park and close to downtown. With the crazy noise from last year gone, I'm hoping to just ENJOY my place instead of trying to flee it for as long as possible each day. As I've mentioned before, most people have Three Places in their lives: Home, Work and Elsewhere. For me, home was not a refuge, hence the needed 'elsewhere' which turned out to be Moka House, the SkyLounge and at a stretch, my parent's place as needed.

Now, I think I'll enjoy choosing to stay at home some days, to enjoy the quiet. So far, it's marvelous!

April 20 - Thinking

I've been thinking more and more about balance of late.

Universal balance, to be specific.

Those of you who know me fairly well know that I don't ascribe to any sort of belief system, for various reasons. In the main, I try to do right by my friends, family and strangers alike, while maintaining my own ethics, morals and sense of self-worth.

I observe, as many people do, that life is an odd thing and that coincidences do seem to occur when the stats say they shouldn't; this is a good thing, I think.

Earlier, I mentioned perspective. This is important, as one's perspective on life's events can really open one's eyes to how the world around you is shaped by your own needs and desires. I'm not talking about wish-fulfilment here, which would be nice. No, it's about recognizing the little opportunities that come your way each day, appreciating them and acting on the ones you think would best serve you in whatever way you think you need.

Confused yet? Don't be; I'm not sure I understand things myself at this point, but I've been learning a lot over the last year from my observations. I'll make another post about it soon, once I have the language nailed down a bit more clearly, along with my thoughts.

For now: be positive.

April 21 - Promise Kept!

My sour mood evaporated today, all thanks to taxes.

To be specific: I finished doing my parent's taxes today and worked it out so that they didn't have to pay this year, unlike last year. Even better, they will be getting a modest return( and so will I on mine! ).

That news meant that they will, after all, be able to keep their promise to help me go to the Phoenix Comicon this year, only a month away in May 2013!

This has been a dream of mine since last summer, since I first heard that the ENTIRE surviving cast of Babylon 5 will be gathering for the 20th anniversary of the show's premiere:

I'm excited, and exhausted at the same time from the emotional loops I've been going through. For the last few months, it looked as though there was NO WAY I'd be able to afford to go, save hitchhiking across the USA. Now, with today's news, I'm going to be able to book the flights and the hotel room this week for the Memorial Day Weekend in May. It's especially exciting as I know that there will not be another gathering like this again; numerous cast members have passed away unexpectedly in the years since the show ended and I'm just thrilled to be able to see them all together one last time.

I've been working hard all weekend, finishing off editing several chapter critiques to be ready for my novel group tomorrow. As well, I've buried my nose in the SQL book and come up for air every so often, in addition to getting both my parent's and my own tax returns done this weekend. It's been busy and I'm tired as I finish off the blog tonight. I wish I could have booked the flights for my trip before bed, but I have to clear my 'vacation' dates with work tomorrow before I do so, just in case - there's no refunds on the flights, so I don't want to take the chance. For now, I'm VERY tired and heading to bed; the next two days are VERY full ones for me. Toodles!