Best Export Ever

As a Canadian I would like to think one of the greatest export is the comic strip "For Better Or Worse" by Lynn Johnston. For the last 29 years she has made the Pattersons not icons but a family that reflect Canadian life. Throughout the years there have been countless stories involving several topics which is rare in most syndicated comic strips.

There's only a select few strips that have creators allow their characters to grow old, mature and even die. For as long as I can remember I've been following the strip since the birth of April Patterson and long after the death of Farley, the family dog. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that the death of a pet in a comic strip tug at my heart strings like a harp being played for the first time.

Nearly every day I've been a witness to a marriage, divorce, a little girl becoming a teenager and so on and so forth. There's something 'magical' about emerging into this daily strip and being part of their life as if you have known them for as long you can remember. Quite honestly, there's a part of me that's happy to know that the strip won't be retired anytime soon.

Both of my favourite comic strips "Calvin And Hobbes" and the always strange "The Far Side" have retired a whole lifetime ago. I remember the first time when my best friend got me reading "Calvin and Hobbes" and had me thinking of how warped six year old can be. Maybe in real life 'Calvin' would be the type of child to have a child psychiatrist to either seek therapy, sent to the mental hospital or even maybe both.

Nonetheless as I grow older the only one certain thing I know is the fact I'll find comedy whether it be on television, movies or even an event in my life. But when it comes to my daily rituals I can always find some sort of comfort in four panels of ink. It will always be the true thing in my life that makes everything else seem simple and pure.

Tempting From The Fates

Over the years I've met some of the most interesting people in my life. Among them was this one girl that I met on the bus. By mere coincidence through intertwining Fates we have crossed paths more than once and oddly enough still good friends. The reason why it's 'odd' is because there's some amazing chemistry between the two of us where we could have been a couple a long time ago yet the Fates won't allow for this to happen.

No matter what there's always something to talk about and we have been genuinely interested about the conversation on hand. Among one of the qualities that I've always enjoyed about her is that she's been like the girl-next-door because it has always felt that way. Note:Most girls that live in the St. James-Assiniboia area are like that because the residents give this "small town feeling" you get after living there for less than a week. Basically with her goofy sense of humour, which has always found a way to make me smile, she's like the perfect girlfriend that I'd want at my side.

*Although the thought is tempting for her to be in my life, there's a part of me that enjoys how things are in my life with her in my own special way.

The other temptation that fell into my lap was the chance to work part time as an activity worker for the 'Victor Mager' club. But the honest truth was the fact it would be such a long commute from 'Point A' to 'Point B'. Unfortunately I would have the chance to attempt to launch my idea for a comic book readers club. Instead I sent an e-mail to the club manager at 'Freight House' club, since it was the one I was volunteering during most of the summer season.

The idea had come to me in a dream long ago but I didn't know to create one. Somewhere in my mind, I fear that this idea of mine might never become a reality anytime soon. Yet at the same time I'd love to see reading to be encouraged. My one dream is to one day constantly promote reading for today's youth through comic books on a large scale.

Although my idea might not be launched any time soon I'm always looking for hope whenever there isn't hope. Without a doubt in my own mind,I've been always determined to never give up that maybe someday my dream will become a reality. There doesn't go a day of when I think to myself any dream can come true if you believe that it can.

The Tooth Blog

This is first blog I've ever written at a clinic and doubtfully far from being the last time of ever doing so. For the longest time my mother has been trying to come to Mount Carmel Clinic since I no longer have dental coverage. For the first time in my life I'm doing a lot of 'grown-up' things of which I knew I'd eventually be doing on my own. Odd as this may sound, I've come to accept the fact it's time to become a 'grown-up' and being responsible for my own life.

Instead of going into much detail, I can assure anyone that I am an independent being capable of living on my own though I'm am in fact a slow bloomer in terms of wanting to 'grow-up'. Never in my life did I ever think I'd evolve into a fully mature being that's part of society in several aspects of my own life within just one mere summer.

But at the same time I cannot go in the opposite direction of my own advice: "There are two different people in this world, those who are thirty something and those who choose to be thirty something". Simple English translation: you either are your age or you act your own age. This one of the thoughts that have been on my mind that hit me like a ton of bricks and it was one of the worst wake up calls I've ever had in my own life. As of now I've decided to accept there are just some things I cannot walk away from and just bite the bullet.

-However this doesn't mean I won't stop being a fun person to be with; I'm now just being a mature and fun guy enjoying the ride on the highway of life.

A Tale Of Two Weddings

This summer I've been invited to two weddings that were different as night is to day. The first one involved a mass, a six course meal and me trying red wine for the first time. There were people that I knew (which is expected). But when I wanted to mingle I felt the infamous cold shoulder by the people I thought were going to open up and chat.

Irony had reared it's ugly head and a reminder that I'm not popular with many people even though we hardly see each other maybe once in a blue moon. Yet this is life.

Fast forward to the more recent one... this one was also with family friends. But this one was much different by contrast. There was a ceremony which lasted a mere half hour and quickly moved onto mingling with others over some appetizers.

It wasn't a total loss knowing I met a kindred spirit though the talk was brief. Then came the three course meal and this time I tried a bit of white wine. For the first time I wasn't seated with my parents and it felt just right. I don't know why but it did.

Maybe it was the fact it was a small and simple wedding. But it was the fact I had fun on the dance floor, widely entertained by a very humorous wedding singer and the fact I caught a wedding garter. Looking back, the best memories came from the second one just because people made it fun.

There was a welcoming feeling of amazing fun that lasted throughout the night which included chocolate fondue fountain. High spirits filled my soul as I danced the night away with a purpose to feel gregarious at the party. Just reminiscing about being part of a conga line was reminder the finest things in life don't need to be complex.

Eat, drink and be merry. I'd like to think IF and when I get married it would be a sheer joy for have such a simple reception. It should be a reflection of the life up ahead with the one you are going to spend the rest of your life - live it up as often as possible...