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Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts

Monday, March 5, 2012

  Guest Post: Bucket List

So if you've been following me on Twitter or Facebook you'll know that I have been talking about having guest bloggers on my blog to offer a different point of view and different content. I present to you, Brian Smith




When I first volunteered to guest blog and write about my bucket list, I thought, “This will be easy.” After all, everyone has stuff they want to do and want to accomplish in life before they kick the bucket.

But it turns out that putting those wants and desires onto paper is a lot harder than I expected. What should be included? How specific should it be? Does every want and desire—no matter how seemingly trivial—be included or should a bucket list only include the really big things, the show stoppers, the stuff that will be legen—wait for it—dary.

Here’s the thing about a bucket list: It shouldn’t just be a wish list. It shouldn’t just be a list of all those wonderful things that would be really cool to do before you die but also really hard to cross off the list. Yes, climbing Mt Everest would be incredibly awesome. But, also, incredibly difficult to achieve. I once rode a tram 6000 feet to the top of Sandia Mountain in New Mexico. That is the extent of my mountain climbing experience. Climbing Mt Everest is not on my bucket list, no matter how incredibly awesome it would be.

A bucket list, however, probably shouldn’t contain the mundane, either. Unless you’re a risk of an early death, including “Living until I’m 60” shouldn’t be included. Finding that right balance, however, is tricky.

But I think I’ve done it.

Brian Smith’s Bucket List:

1. Drink a Bellini at Harry’s Bar in Venice

2. Stand in St. Peter’s Square and hear the Pope’s Easter address

3. Run with the bulls in Pamplona

4. Watch an FC Barcelona match at the Camp Nou

5. Attend the World Cup

6. Be in attendance at the NCAA Final Four as the University of Kentucky wins a championship in basketball

7. Cliff dive in Hawai’i

8. Visit all 50 states

9. Travel to every continent
10. Gamble at a high roller’s table in Vegas

11. New Year’s Eve in Times Square

12. Learn to play one song really well on the piano

13. Speak French fluently

14. Flirt with a supermodel

15. Midsummer’s Night Party at the Playboy Mansion

16. Take batting practice at a major league baseball stadium

17. Meet the President

18. Read the Bible from start to finish

19. Sky dive

20. Be a contestant on Jeopardy


Feel free to follow me on Twitter @briansmith31681 or check out my blog briansmith31681.blogspot.com

And, many thanks to Jenny for this opportunity. She rocks!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

  Got Nothing to Say

I seriously feel like I have nothing worth blogging about. I've had a super stressful day at work and I thought I had to rush home to take Dallas to his lessons but when I got here George decided to call to cancel. George, as most of you know, owns an online toy store so of course this is his busy time of year. They are short staffed this year and orders are pouring in. He goes into work around 5am and stays until about 2pm, comes home for a rest and then goes back to work its INSANE! I called back the dog school to explain the situation to them and asked if we can just come for his next lesson at the beginning of the new year. He understood and agreed that the beginning of next year would be perfect as long as we promised to work with Dallas while at home.

George takes Dallas for walks and practices the command heel and I work with him here at home. He's doing pretty good but when people first come over he's really excited. I'm hoping he can get trained to the point that when I walk in the front door after being at work all day that he doesn't just straight up jump on me for hugs and kisses. These past two days George has been taking him to the woods by our house to let him run free and Dallas LOVES it. He comes home and naps after his runs.

As much as I am dreading our snow storm tomorrow I am kind of looking forward to it. Not for me, for Dallas. He loves the snow. He hates the rain. When it snows he'll run through the yard trying to sniff UNDER the snow. He's hilarious.

George made sure my car is snow ready. Winter tires, checked all the liquid levels, full gas tank, and all that jazz. I'm ready for this snow storm but a bit scared too. It's my first pregnant winter and this is going to be a big bad storm. I was thinking my boss might call us and say just don't come in (he usually does that in these blizzards) but you have no idea how much we still have left unfinished. It's unreal the amount of things that we have to do still. Taking the day off tomorrow will really put us behind with meeting our deadlines and I just can't afford it. I can't imagine missing work tomorrow and then playing catch up the rest of the week. I already work straight through my lunch, stay at the office late, and do a lot of work when I get home. My boss makes sure my life is easy (days off for drs appointments, personal and family reasons). I've taken basically 2 months off in 2009 and never had a day of pay docked so I only feel its fair to work extra hours to make my deadlines.

Other than that I'm freaking boring, cranky, and super tired tonight so Dallas and I are going to go upstairs and watch some mindless television.

NaBloPoMo: 7/31

Monday, April 20, 2009

  Dear Cleaning Lady & Dear Husband:

*Open Letter to my Cleaning Lady*

Dear Cleaning Lady,

I am writing you this letter because I want thank you for the wonderful job you do cleaning my house. In fact, my house was spotless today so I decided to take pictures and post them on Facebook. You do a wonderful job. I appreciate everything you do however I have some comments that I'd like to make and hope that you do not take offense.


1. You are a cleaning lady, not an interior decorator. Can you please stop moving my vases, candle holders, and things around. Everything is put exactly where I like it. I figured you would have noticed when you come back and find it back where I originally had it instead of where you have moved it. I swear, it looks good the way I have it.

2. Please stop doing my laundry. I know this sounds ungrateful but I really prefer to do my own laundry. I'm very picky about how things are washed and the bleach in the laundry room is only for using to clean, not actually wash my clothes with it. I don't wash anything with bleach. That's right I don't even wash my whites with bleach because over time it makes things turn yellow, it melts the clothes and pretty please stop washing things in hot water. I love my clothes and wash them with black to retain their color and there are a lot of things I won't throw in the dryer. I love that you are doing this extra thing free of charge but please, I'd rather do it myself.

3. Please do not redo/reorganize my kitchen cabinets. I have things organized in a way that I can find them. I also don't like coming home to find my unopened bag of sugar open and now in a really huge plastic tub that takes up more room then the bag of sugar did. I would understand if it was an open bag and it went into a smaller Tupperware to save space but this thing is massive. Also, don't open my pasta bags and put them in Tupperware. I use my Tupperware for other things. Like, for storing things in my fridge that are already cooked or to send food to my father in law.

4. You know those bottles of infused oil I have on my counter every time you come? No its not because I cooked the night before and forgot to put them back. Those infused bottles are beautifully decorated (hand painted) and have wonderful seasonings inside to make the bottle pretty. It belongs on the counter so its a decoration AND its handy for when I cook. Would it make sense to cook in the kitchen and keep my pots and pans in the bathroom? Nooooope! It also doesn't make sense to have my infused oils in the cabinets. They need to be handy.

5. Please stop putting Dallas' shampoo in the shower. My husband tends to be pretty bobo-ish at times and I'd hate for him to suds up his head with puppy shampoo. Dallas is the only one who uses the bath tub therefore we have his puppy shampoo next to the tub on the shelf thing. I've personally never used puppy shampoo but I don't think I want to know what it is going to feel like if it accidently gets into my eyes? Or imagine my husband goes out and all of a sudden these dogs start chasing him because they smell a freshly washed puppy?

6. The book that is on my night table really shouldn't be put back on the book shelves. I have a hard time finding my book when you do that. Is it under my coffee table in the living room? Is it on one of the book shelves in the junk room? Oh dear lord, please tell me you didn't put it in the basement. It's completely undone down there and to be honest with you, I'm scared to see it!

That is all I have for you. If you have any complaints about me and BooBoo just let me know and I'll work on it. I'd really like it if you could work on these as well and our mutual working relationship will prosper!

Thank You,



*Open Letter to Husband*

Dear BooBoo,

I love you very much and I have very few complaints. If you could work on these two things I'd love you even more.

1. Please for the love of God do not wash clothes. I went to take Dallas' Montreal Canadiens blanket out of the dryer this morning and I found that not only did you wash that but you washed our throws (one brown and one white) with kitchen towels (white) and some black socks and a blue shirt of yours. Honey, you have to wash like colors with like colors.

2. When you walk in through the front door or garage door there is a closet or coat rack and shoe racks. Please put your shoes and jacket there. Do not use my kitchen chairs as a coat rack or the wall between the garage door and the kitchen as a shoe area. I almost tripped on your shoes coming into the house today. Please put your jackets and shoes away or slowly you will notice you own less and less things :)

Love,

Your wifey!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

  iLife in iMusic

RULES:
1. Put your iPod on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.


IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?
"'Lonely World" -- Bryan Greenberg (LOL How fitting considering my mood today)

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
"I'm Still Breathing” — Katy Perry (What is this the depression playlist?)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
"Shy Girl" — Tyler Hilton

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
"Number One" — Skye Sweetnam (Damn straight...)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
"Enemies” — Ryan Cabrera (Wow how sweet!)

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
"Shut Your Mouth” — Automatic Loveletter

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
"Freckles” — Natasha Bedingfield (How funny they always comment on my cute little nose freckles!)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
"Hollow" — Forty Foot Echo (Wow....thats harsh)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
"Short of the World” — Ben Jelen

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
"Before He Cheats" — Carrie Underwood

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
"Blue Suitcase" — Erin McCarley

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
"Sober" — Kelly Clarkson (Well I guess that means I'm not a freakin drunk!)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
"Cellophane Girl" — Graham Colton

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"Consider This” — Anna Nalick

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
"Just For the Record" — Jordin Sparks

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
"Chemical Party” — Gavin DeGraw

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
“Unbelievable — Kaci Brown

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
"Fairytales — Sara Bareilles

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
“Beautiful Soul” — Jesse McCartney (shhhhhhhhh don't tell anyone I'm actually nice deep down inside)

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
“Love” — Matt White (Awwwww how super duper sweet!)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
"Kindly Unspoken” — Kate Voegele (A very fitting song!)

Sunday, March 15, 2009

  Running Out of Time....

Where to start where to start. I seem to have a lot on my mind but can't decide what is the beginning and what is the end. I could always start off this blog as a rant post kind of like my old Myspace blog but nah. I'm not worked up enough.

In fact, I guess that is what this blog is about. I'm just so overwhelmed with everything and I feel like I don't have enough time for anything. I have so much that needs to get accomplished yet I find that I don't have the patience to get it done nor the drive to get it done.

For example, I have some wedding planning courses that I need to get through in order to get my certification. First of all, I can never find time to do the courses because it requires reading books, watching DVDs, answering questions in essay format, finding images online etc. Part of the reason I can't bring myself to do this is because I've worked for an executive caterer planning menus for weddings before, I've been event planning and planning events for corporate companies for a while (obviously without certification) and I just get so bored answering stupid questions like "Jane is in the lobby of a hotel checking in with all her female attendants. As she turns around she sees her fiance' in front of her. She starts crying hysterically about how its bad luck and her entire wedding and married is now cursed. How do you deal with it?" Ummm how about slapping the shit out of Jane and telling her its a freaking superstition and if she thinks that something like that will curse her wedding or marriage that shes a stupid twit. People make it through death in the family, bankruptcy, horrible car accidents and their marriages are fine...but you think him seeing you BEFORE the wedding, not even IN your dress.... then I don't think you need a wedding planner I think you need a therapist.

It just boggles my mind that there are some people out there that wouldn't know how to handle a situation like this unless they read an article, a book, or watch a DVD. Do people no longer have people skills? Can you not think "Hey maybe I'll tell the bride that everything will be okay and try to make her relax a bit. Maybe I'll inform her that in this day and age some couples actually see each other before the wedding to take some professional photos together...or how some couples live together before marriage and they see each other at home before the wedding before going somewhere to get ready?"

Another reason I can't bring myself to do this course work is that I'm just exhausted after work. Sure, I don't have have a physically straining job but I do have a mentally straining job. I'm always thinking super fast and coming up with solutions on the fly. Then I get home and have to think of what to cook for dinner, clean up a little bit, play with the dog and blah blah blah. I don't feel like doing the course work but I know I have to. I paid good money to enroll in the courses, its something that will really help me with my company and I know that its really beneficial.

Another thing I wish I had more time for was exercising. Something as simple as walking the dog after work or after dinner. I used the excuse that we had crap weather since Dallas was a wee little puppy but now our spring is finally rolling around. The snow is melting and you can actually be outside wearing a hoodie or a light jacket and not freeze to death. I should take the little guy out more often to try to get him to use up some of his energy but I just feel so drained by the end of the day. Not only that but my disease, Myasthenia Gravis, really acts up when the weather changes, when my period is about to start, when I'm really stressed out. I hate it but its true. I've always said I wouldn't let my disease control me (and it hasn't since I've been diagnosed at 13 years old) but the thought of walking the dog and him seeing a kid or another dog and just trying to dart away and me being unable to control him on his leash scares the crap out of me! Dallas is just a puppy and hes really friendly but he doesn't understand that he shouldn't jump on people and that his claws, although cut short, can do some serious damage on the skin.

Ideally, walking the dog would serve two functions. First of all, the dog would get out of the house and get some exercise. Secondly, I'd get off my ass and get some exercise squeezed in and work on my own damn body. I need to lose 40 pounds before I end up killing myself.

Then I'd really like to start making wonderful creations in the kitchen again. Before I got married I had so much free time that I could spend hours online looking up interesting things to cook, different things to try, and planning dinner parties to host. Between working, cleaning, making simple dinners, spending time with the dog, and trying to do course work..who has time to come up with interesting creations or experiment in the kitchen? Hell up to 3 months ago I was a bread baking queen. My aunts who have been baking for 50 years freaked out at how good the breads were and asked what machine I used. I told them the truth, I bought a bread making machine and maybe made 10 loaves in it before I found it better to make bread by hand. When I take a baked loaf out of the oven I feel like I've accomplished something. Throwing water, oil, salt, and flour in a machine and walking away for 4 hours isn't exactly baking bread.

I just wish that I had more time to be in the kitchen more often. I used to live in the kitchen and love making everything from scratch. I miss it and wish I could find the motivation to do it more often. Maybe I have a time management problem?!

The biggest thing that I wish I could find more time to do would be to write. I don't just mean writing in my blog, but actually writing my stories/books. For those of you who don't know, I love to read and write. It's actually one of my favorite pass times and biggest passion. From a very young age I was always told that I write well and have a way with words and I've always written short stories, poems, etc. Well about 6 years ago I started to participate in an online forums RPG (Role Playing Game) but its not the type of RPG a lot of you may be thinking of where you make a character who has to move up levels and kill people, hone their magic skills or whatever. It's an RPG where you create a character and basically just live their life and create story lines with other people. I got involved in one in the dead of winter and it occupied my time (because I don't do harsh outdoor winters in Montreal!!) and I realized exactly how much I liked to write. Not only did I enjoy it but others did too. I'd get messages about my writing, having people asking to do story lines with me and it was just great.

Then I started to write fan fictions, you know when you talk already existing characters (most likely from a TV show) and then you write where you think the show should go, or change the ending and carry on from there. My writing would always get a lot of compliments and I enjoyed it. It's probably been about 2 months since my last update and I keep on getting emails asking me to update the story....

Then I decided, from coaxing from an amazing friend, that I should write something with all original characters because I have the talent for it. I started to write about 3 weeks ago and I have only gotten one chapter in and I'm not sure how I feel about that chapter. I want to write more but every time I sit in front of the computer I end up doing other things. I fiddle around on Facebook, I look up exercises and things for training the dog, help George out with work, do my wedding planning courses.... I guess my hobbies just take a backseat to everything.


Okay thats enough of my bitching and moaning about how I'm crappy at managing my personal time but my professional time is completely well managed! You know what I need? A freaking vacation. Not a vacation where I just sit on a beach and relax but a vacation that I can take my laptop on and get some writing done, take a few books and read, learn a new craft. Just something to get the hell out of Montreal and my stupid rut.

Thanks for being bored to death by me!

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