In any case, I figured it was about time to update my blog once again, this way everyone knows that I'm not dead, incapacitated, or otherwise moved from my current hold that is Corner Brook, NL. I'll tell ya folks, the desire to just say 'To hell and back with this upcoming testing with the "butt-doctor"' and 'hello sunny skies of Barcelona', is nearing its breaking point. Luckily, I'm trying to keep myself occupied in other ways.
The fiddle is coming along. I'm about two-thirds of the way through it, but it is getting progressively more difficult as I go along. At least now I'm not killing small animals out of the air with notes coming from the 'E' string. I tell ya, getting consistent notes from that string on a cheap fiddle is an art unto itself. At least I'm re-visiting my childhood through this new instrument. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Old MacDonald, and Mary Had A Little Lamb are bringing back gobs of memories from days gone past. Star, Old Mac, and Mary Jane and I have been sitting down to some long remembrance sessions lately...of course Mary Jane is kept out of the loop for toxicity reasons.
Ya know, that's another thing. Here I am spouting all of these credos and battle-cry's stating I'm willing to try anything, and yet MJ and I have not been acquainted as of yet. Huh, I guess I'm a bit of a contradictory specimen then, aren't I? I guess me and 'Mister-e' may have to sit down one of these days and contemplate the meanings of the human psyche and how I have deviated from the path of supreme 'experientialism'. I think that last word doesn't exist, but, I don't really care now do I. It accurately describes my current state of being and probably will for some time now. I'm hoping I'll be staying in that state for the next upcoming trip I have planned.
January Baby!
That's the date I'll be getting prepped to kick up my heels and take the long trans-Atlantic flight to other borders and peoples...And you know what, I can't wait for the life of me. But here's a challange for those of you who are currently saying 'Man, I wish I could go do something like that.' I'm currently opening spots for people to join me on my journeys. That's right, for only $9,999.99 you too can join me in the riches of the world.
Ha ha ha, I kid about the $10k thing. That just brought back good memories of Bugs Bunny and Tweety cartoons. "You too can own this for only ninety-nine, ninety-nine, ninety-ninnneeeeeee!' Ah the fun it was on Saturday mornings. Did you know they have all that set up on Sunday Mornings now? I was shocked and appalled at the matter. How dare they effect sacrilege on the holy day that was Saturday Morning cartoons! The audacity! The horror of it all!
Ahem, back to the matters at hand.
As I said, I am opening up slots to join me for my journey upcoming in January of 2010. I currently have one maybe from miss Jillian Philpott. And the best part is, it's flexible. You can go for a week, a month, or even a year. The choice is yours. Just pick a time, find out where I am, and get your butt on a plane. In fact, just let me know where you'll be within a month prior to your departure and I'll even meet you there! how's that for a deal. Travel Buddy For Hire! Actually, it's be more accurate to say 'For Rent', as I'm basically free. But there are conditions! Oh yes, conditions there are many, hmmmmmmmm. (Put on your best Yoda voice and read that last sentence again.)
Number One, though shalt have an amazing time! No ifs, ands, or butts. Well, butts there will be a-plenty, but we'll deal with that when we get there. Spanish butts, French butts, Swedish butts...gah! Ok, no more daydreaming for me!
Number Two, though shalt not bring any more than you have two. As outlined in the backpackers code, and it is written: 'Thou shalt take half as many clothes as thy might think thy needs and twice as much money.' So states the code, so shall it be!
Number Three, bring no preconcieved notions. Notice how I didn't say plans there. You can have plans, but no notions. Be open to the experience, and you'll have an amazing time. This being said, it also leads to some less than desirable situations so that brings us to...
Number Four, be flexible! Change with the days, the availability of transportation, and even events that are going on. Roll with the punches, baby, and we'll get along famously!
Right, that's about it for my rules, well, at least the top four. I really do wish though that anyone reading this blog would get in touch, plan a trip, and meet me somewhere. Imagine the stories you could tell later! What would your NL or Canada bound friends and family look like when they found out what you had gone and done? I'm pretty sure they'd look like a really big goldfish out of water...with very human features of course. :P So come on, join the fun!
Alright, now back to how I've been keeping myself sane. I've bought an XBOX 360 Elite. Yep, I did, I went and got it. Am I regretting it...sometimes the money is hard to deal without. But on the plus side, my sanity is more intact than it would have been at this time without it. Oh how I missed gaming. Ah, it is nice. Kind of a weird combination though, eh? I run for 12k and then come back and hit the games. Hah! Who says gamers can't be fit! Pbbbbbbbttttttttt! I've also bought a few great CD's.The new CD's by Three Days Grace, Billy Talent, Nickelback, and one by Jeff Healey. Well, if you know your blind guitar players, Jeff Healey is long gone by now, but his music is still amazing. The rest of the albums are currently getting lots of play time on the computer, XBOX, car, stereo, etc.
On that note, I washed, waked, and detailed my car today! I'm so proud, but if it wasn't for Mom's nagging I wouldn't have done it. Thank you Mommy! ;)
Also, I'm churning through the third book in the Shadows of the Apt series by Adrian Tchaichovsky. Amazing series, amazing writer, amazing concepts. Go get it! If you're a fantasy lover at all, you have to own these books. I think it's set up for another book after this one, and I'm hoping for another TEN THOUSAND!...but I digress, cough, excuse me. Ha ha ha. If you do get to read the series, you'll know what I mean when I say Mantis Kinden Rock my Cotton Socks! Kudos goes out to Dot Gardner for the Cotton Socks. Loves ya Dot!
My final piece of business goes to something only one week old. I am taking a course from i-to-i learning (http://www.onlinetefl.com/) for TEFL, or Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Once I'm done, I should be able to teach the bastard language that is English anywhere in the world. I'll tell ya, I could spend an entire blog just talking about how messed up our language is. I mean, I thought French was hard, at least they have forms and ways of writing and speaking. We've got nothing, or so it seems. I really do take for granted being an English speaking native. For all of those I have met that took up English as a second language later in life and have mastered it, my hat comes off to you! You deserve all the praise in the world. A week I've been at it, and I'm still not through the grammar section. Gah!. What the hell! Shouldn't a native speaker and writer be able to understand all of this (or so I thought)? NO! Of course not!. If I pass this, I promise to be ever so patient with anyone I have the honor to teach. I'll make the Dalai Lama look like one of the jacked up angry soldiers from Gears of War. Did you know he has a website, the Dalai Lama? I didn't know that either until I checked the spelling just now. Huh, fancy that. (http://www.dalailama.com/) Who says spiritual leaders can't be up on the technology. Way to go DL! Yes, he gets a nickname now, since he's cool!
Later days blog fans, I'm outta here for now. Keep me posted on what's on the go.
Neal
