1. If you could reinvent yourself, how would you like to be?
…and I’d give myself wings. Why not, I think it would be cool to soar above the earth under my own power. Looking down on everyone the size of ants below.
2. Would you like to be a pet in your household?
Considering how often I end up in the doghouse I am not sure I could do it full-time…
…on the other hand, the fluff ball who currently lives with us is treated like a king!
3. How many house moves have you had as an adult?
i) Lived with my girlfriend on Cedarglen Gate in Mississauga. ii) Broke up with my girlfriend and moved back in with my parents on Dorothea Court in Mississauga. iii) Got back together with my girlfriend got married and moved in with my inlaws. Actually, they moved in with us on Perivale Road in Mississauga. iv) Moved into our brand new home on Trudeau Drive in Milton. No inlaws! v) Separated and moved into a townhouse on Costigan Road in Milton. vi) Landlord evicted us illegally during COVID but my current wife and I purchased our own home in Waterloo, Ontario before the eviction took effect. We are still here.
Note: The first four were when I was still in school and were not included in the list of adult homes.
4. What was your favourite home?
My favourite house was the property in Milton but my favourite home is the one I reside in now. It is filled with love and family although I wish my two older kids from my first marriage came around more often. I miss and love them both.
My favourite movie is ‘The Usual Suspects’. Writer Christopher McQuarrie and Director Brian Singer weave an intricately layered crime drama that has stood the test of time since its debut in 1995. Honourable mentions go to the Coen Brothers ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’, a fantastic retelling of Homer’s Odyssey and ‘Layer Cake’ a British crime drama starring Daniel Craig.
2. Who is you favourite actor and actress?
For my answers to this question, I will stay with the classic definition of gender while acknowledging times are changing.
Favourite Actress: Cate Blanchett. She has received many accolades over the years and is considered one of the best actresses of her generation. I particularly recall her performance in ‘The Shipping News’. Her performance was the highlight of a well-crafted film although not in the Hollywood sense.
Favourite Actor: Kevin Spacey. Separating the man from the work I have to say he is one of the best actors I have seen. His work in the aforementioned ‘The Usual Suspects’ and ‘House of Cards’ is outstanding. I don’t ascribe to cancel culture and the way it’s meted out in today’s world however there are people who the facts show to be reprehensible and I think it is safe to say his work in real life is less impressive.
3. Do you attend or have you ever attended a live theatre production?
I have attended many shows over the many years I’ve walked the planet. My very favourite was ‘Showboat’ which I saw at the formerly named Ford Center for the Performing Arts in North York. (A former borough of the now amalgamated City of Toronto.) The music was sublime and one of the leads had the deepest, most soulful voice I’ve ever heard live. Magical.
4. Have you ever wanted to be an actor/actress?
Not in any serious sense. Certainly not as a career but who hasn’t wondered what it would be like to walk across the stage, silver screen or beam into millions of homes. For those who achieve stardom, it’s a lifestyle those of us mere mortals can’t really begin to fathom. For others in the industry, I’d imagine it is a very tough life.
Di at Pensitivity101 hosts Share You World, a blog where questions get asked and you, as the title suggests ‘share your world‘ if so inclined. I have lurked for a while (sorry that sounds creepy) and have decided to jump into the fray to start 2023. So without further adieu…
1. Did you stay up to see the New Year in?
Yes, my parents have held New Year’s parties for as long as I can remember. They are now in their eighties so my sister took up the mantle this year, much like they took it over from my grandparents a generation earlier. So as the evening began to set in we all headed over to her place to celebrate the coming of 2023.
The parties have changed from years ago. They have become much more relaxed although the grandchildren (almost all of drinking age now) did manage to make a wild party of it downstairs.
There is always lots of food including a feast just after midnight. This year I brought a huge casserole filled with a spicy Hakka style Chilli Chicken and an amazing Blooming Quesadilla appetizer platter.
I do believe I’ve mentioned this in an earlier post but one thing I’ve come to miss is my now-deceased Uncle Edward pulling out his bagpipes just before midnight to pipe the old year out the back door only to return minutes after midnight to usher the new year in the front door. Of course, our other big New Year’s tradition of crossing our arms and taking the hand of the person on either side while forming an unbroken circle and singing Auld Lang Syne is still practiced at the stoke of midnight every year.
2. Are there any special occasions or events coming up in 2023 for you or your family?
Nothing outside the normal holiday and birthday get-togethers that I am aware. Maybe I haven’t been included and just don’t know it!
3. Do you keep a diary?
I do not keep a diary however I do find myself using Microsoft OneNote or Google Keep to make random notes of ideas, memories, thoughts or other oddities that come my way more often than I used to. That may have something to do with trying to fill content on my blog page as I’ve become more active in this space.
4. How did yesterday differ from January 1st, 2022 or was there no difference?
The day itself did not differ that much other than last year I was working from home and had the day off. This year I am back to working in the office (and it sux) plus I was scheduled to work. On a positive note, I did make double time and three quarters which is always a nice boost to the pay cheque.
Gratitude:
There is an excellent podcast called The Happiness Lab hosted by Dr. Laurie Santos. She is a professor at Yale who was tasked with creating a program to help stressed and struggling students succeed at the college level. Needless to say, the program was a huge success and has been modelled at various other colleges worldwide. There is even an online program that anyone can sign up to take for free.
This podcast is not your normal self-help podcast. Instead, it talks about real scientifically proven ways to boost your happiness. Gratitude comes up often in the series including this episode dedicated entirely to the subject and its happiness boosting properties.
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