It's My Life

PEOPLE IN THIS TOWN "DO" IN FACT KNOW HOW TO PARTY!

Okay, I was wrong before. Saturday night knocked some sense into my head that there is in fact a night life existing here in Port Alberni. I just needed to experience it. And I'd say I did somewhat last night. Although I didn't party hard because I had to drive home, and I was meeting a lot of new people, I could tell at the sights and smells that people know how to have a good time here.
Linda Chase, a woman I worked for, invited me out to a party at her place, and I have to say that Mary Jane certainly made her presence felt. The joints were being passed around so much, it was like I was in the 60's at Woodstock. Not quite, but there was about four adults gathered in a circle with their guitars playing some classic music, but not 60's old, mostly like Eric Clapton, Bryan Adams, R.E.M., stuff like that, it was sweet. I wish I was good at the guitar and could entertain the party with some classic tunes. These people didn't have a care in the world, and just were out to relax and forget about life for a while. I totally appreciate that, ain't nothing wrong with that at all. I only ended up drinking a couple beers while I was there, I had to look after myself, especially with all the drinking and driving accidents that occur.
I didn't end up going to bed until after 1:30, but I was still up in time to go for a 9:00 a.m. kayak, it was a lot of fun. The people with the Batstar Adventure Tours are really cool. I want to go on one of the real pricy tours, like a 10-day trip to the Queen Charlottes and back, but I need to invest my money on other things.
Anyhow, almost Canada Day, and I hope you all enjoy it. I know I'll do what I can to try and enjoy it. I have to go now. Meghan is supposed to be calling me and I'm at the AV Times right now. Bye bye.

BACK FROM VANCOUVER, TO ANOTHER WORK WEEK

Yeah I'm back, and I just knew when I was on my way out of here Friday it would seem like the blink of an eye and I'd be back. Surely enough, it is. But it was still pretty cool to see a lot of people I haven't seen in a while, like Nick and Amelia.

I saw Nick's colleage of photos and stories at his place, and I have to say that is impressive. I hope to do the same when I'm done school, I could certainly start one at the end of this summer with all of my AV Times stories. Basically my times at Nicks was a lot of sitting around, I was a little hungover, and Nick was up early watching the beginning of the NHL entry draft, which began on a sad note with the passing of Roger Neilson.
Funny enough, both me and Nick didn't even have a desire at all to do a whole lot, we both were pretty fit just sitting around for a large portion of the day. We each knew what sort of nights we had ahead of us. Nick was surprised at how I could contain myself in the Colossus Theater where we went to meet Amelia, and said Melissa and Meghan were like little kids in there. lol.
My nights in Vancouver I did spend drinking. Friday night was Kendall Hanson's 30th birthday, and I couldn't help but rub it in the face of some of the old 30+ year olds how young I am. I'm a little full of myself sometimes, particularly with my age, it will probably catch up to me though. The party itself was fun though, Kendall paid for everything, and there was a large keg of beer, some liquor, munchies and good music, although it wouldn't have hurt if there was a larger selection of it, there was only two CD's, not a solid base of music at all. I got to go crusing around Vancouver after which was awesome, and it's crazy how even driving around at nighttime, which I did a fair share of in PG, something I do a lot, felt so entertaining in Vancouver. It must be all the street lights and many buildings.
Saturday night I went to a few places. I watched Hollywood Homicide, a movie I give a 8 out of 10. I enjoyed it. Any movie that mixes lots of action, high speed road chases, guns, explosions, hot chicks and sex fucking rules! I take a few points off because the acting was sketchy at times.
I also fit in some pool, drinking and dancing Saturday night. I went to the Sharks Club in Burnaby, as well as a 10-pin bowling alley where I just playing in the arcade, and a pub.

Me: That can't be the only bus ride out of here. There is a ferry leaving at 5 p.m.Amelia: Dude, it's Port Alberni. Think about it.
Man, it only took a full day in Vancouver for me to forget about small town services like Port Alberni. I had to take a 1:45 bus after I woke up just after noon. It was harsh. So my Sunday was waisted, after I had intended to do a bit of sight seeing perhaps. So I left Amelia's place in Burnaby, and it was off to the Greyhound station, I got dropped off there, and went to Port Alberni, arriving here at about 6:30.

ANOTHER MOTOR VEHICLE TRAGEDY HITS PORT ALBERNI THIS TIME

Luckly, I didn't know the 20-year-old that died when he was ejected from his car on Sunday morning at about 1:30 a.m. However, Barry Thompson was a popular athlete, played for the Kamloops Cowboys this past year, and graduated from Alberni District Secondary School, the only school here in town. I'm going to be covering this session tomorrow at ADSS helping students cope with the tragedy, and I can't help but be disappointed myself. Although I didn't know the kid, I had hearing about tragedys like this. It's been a bad summer of deaths.

CRUSH

I saw an old movie called "Crush" on TV tonight, and I couldn't help but feel pissed off at Alicia Silverstone about the way she treated this guy in this movie. I mean who would go so far over a crush, she locked his girlfriend in his house when he was away, deleted his files which stored his stories, and faked being raped.
The poor guy just couldn't catch a break. She got away with everything it was brutal. She was a 14-year old, that must be why. He was in his late 20's or something like that. It's still just one of those movies that keep a person glued though, probably because I wanted him to get his revenge, even if Amelia Silverstone is really hot. She was half naked in a few parts of this movie and I couldn't complain. I need to see the old Aerosmith videos again, or Clueless, but then I'd be watching Clueless. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I don't think so. My ratings on this movie, ah about a 6 1/2, good enough to keep me watching, and I give a big thanks to Alicia Silverstone to that, oh and Red from That 70's Show has a part in it.

Anyways, goodbye again!

TIME FOR SOME POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
Alright after not posting for a while it's time to do it again. I thought I'd ignore blogger because nothing exciting has happened lately. Still, nothing real exciting has happened over the 12 days since I last posted which is the reason I'm posting. I think I need a more positive blog to break the curse that is of the blog. So here we go, I'm going to think happy thoughts.

1. My boss told me last week I'm good to stay here and work until at least the end of July, so that's another whole month at least of articles coming out, so that is a bonus. Not let's just hope I can save up a lot for school, because we know how much that is going to cost.

2. My sister is in Europe with her two best friends, and it couldn't make me happier knowing she is having the trip of a lifetime, and I'm looking forward to the day when I can leave to go on a trip like that.

3. Meghan has been working a lot lately and I have to say I'm happy for her. She has two jobs right now, so I'm sure Smithers couldn't be as boring as it was. Congratulations Meghan!

4. I've been getting more exercise lately, and I've got my health- I haven't been quite the couch potato I was when I first started at the AV Times although I still watch too much TV- a habit I must break. But I have been getting in a few good games of tennis with my co-workers, and my game is getting back. Oh, I've got game baby. And my health is still adequate, and I have no broken bones and I'm not disabled in anyway, meaning there really isn't anything holding me back from getting into good shape.

5. Shaun isn't dead- After going so long without a post Shaun posted another one, meaning he is alive and well, aside from the finger.

6. I've got my intelligence- watching Dumb and Dumber this week (it was one twice, once on Superstation on Thursday, and on Showcase last night) made me realize how fortunate I am to have the ability to make rational decisions. But I still have to admit that getting Cam Neely and his buddies to pay their tab without them knowing is a classic move.

7. I'm not on fire- Nick, like Shaun, I have to admit the fire comment was a good one. I'm not burning, although I still have a few burn scars from working at McDonalds. But I never burned the place down, although I felt like it more than once.

8. I'm living with great people- the couple I'm living with- Liz and Dave Shivas, are so cool. They cook me meals so long as they're home, which is most of the time, and when Dave isn't on graveyard shifts he barbecues. And this guy is an extraordinaire on the BBQ. Plus they're charging me cheap rent of top of that. Man, thank goodness my parents know them quite well.

9. I've got my car- a person could judge their financial success in life based on his/her property. I have a car, a pretty good one at that, and have had it for 20 months, so no matter how broke I am, I will always have my car to sell if necessary. But she's not going anywhere for a while I don't think.

10. I have my youth, and this goes to most everyone who will read this. Remember, you guys are still young and have a lot of years to live, you have to keep that in mind whenever you're discouraged or upset over anything. Hell, 21 is not old by any means. Many people my age have kids already, are pregnant with guys they thought they wanted to have a kid with, but in fact don't, are broke, unemployed, homeless, you get the picture. I consider it a blessing to still be single. There's too much emotional stigma attached with being involved in a relationship, and that I do have to admit even while I'm wishing I was with someone. You add on the time and money factor into that, and you realize that a relationship is a big thing, and that it's necessary to make sure the person is really worth all of that before making that decision. I look past the sex, the looks, and think to myself, is this girl worthy of all of this, will she treat me the way I deserve to be treated. I know there's lots of good girls out there for me, but I just like to be conservative and play it safe.

Anyhow, that is just my opinion, and if you'd like to respond, I can be reached at sports_junkie@hotmail.com.

I'd also like to add that the heroics of Paul Kariya last week were amazing. Getting hammered by Scott Stevens and replying with a goal was something else. They did come up on the short end though. I did say New Jersey would win the cup after the first round was over, and I was right. However, I won't get into that. Mike and Nick have heard enough already I'm sure, but you guys have to admit it's pretty funny how mad Spigs gets over his Red Wings. I can be annoying and a pain at times, but it's all for fun boys.

Anyhow, I do believe giving Giguere the Conn Smythe is the right choice. The numbers he posted against Detriot, Dallas, and Minnesota were phenomenal. 1 goal surrendered in 4 games to Minnesota. That is impressive. Certainly better than Cloutier and whatever he let in against the Wild.

Anyways, I'm out for now. It's a Saturday and I need to find out what's happening in this Port Alberni place. Apparently it isn't as boring as I take it to be. Later.

BORED AND FRUSTRATED

I'm extremely bored tonight, I don't know if it's that 1-0 hockey game that did it to me, or the day I had at work. I feel tired, and yet I had a good night sleep last night. Anti-social activities are really starting to wear me out. I feel the need to go out and meet people during my time off, yet I don't have the motivation. I never have been much of the talker, but I've never been this bad. MSN Messanger is starting to become my most social activity of the day, including work.

I don't know what it is, but even many activities that shouldn't be boring have felt that way for me lately. Today I was practically falling asleep in front of the computer at work. I feel like I should be doing even more, although I'm a pretty busy person. Even as I'm typing this I feel like I could fall asleep, it's pathetic I know. And most of you reading this will probably agree, and don't care that much I know. A lot of people don't understand me, and I just accept that. We all live very different lives. It's just everything that is the same old, and I feel my life is like that too.

Despite the rapid changes that have occured, I've felt that over the last couple weeks things have been much the same. The same stupid shows on T.V., the same deal at work, and so on. It's like deja vu 24/7 since I've been back from PG. But oh well.

I'm just suffering from a lack of motivation at the time, I don't feel the need to do certain activities because the rewards at the end don't seem to be worth it. If the reward is worth less than the effort involved, than why bother?

I don't know why I have gotten to be this way, I can turn things around though. I do intend to. I just tend to procrastinate, and it's a tough habit to break. I just feel a lack of support from others at times, and that some people don't understand me. Sometimes I look at myself and I think if I weren't so boring, things wouldn't be so boring. Most people I talk to never seem to be that interested, maybe that's why I'm still single after so long. I seem to never have a real interesting story to tell. I like to think I can be a fun and entertaining person to be around, but maybe not. I need some excitement in my life, and I need it now. I'll admit I'm fortunate to have this job, but my life outside of work is pretty plain. I need some excitement and I need some NOW!

I WENT FROM WORKING, TO NOT WORKING, TO GOLFING

Friday started off like another other day at work, but things changed rapidly after about an hour or so into my shift.

Karen: Al, I need you to take the afternoon off.
Me: Sure.

I had no plans for the afternoon at that time, so I didn't know how I was going to spend my afternoon off. I though briefly about going to the high school to hang out- Nah. I'm probably a bit too old for that. Maybe I would go work out- Nah. I'm too lazy for that. However, I got an offer that just made my afternoon, and it didn't involve a lot of effort, and it would be lots of fun.

Rick: Hey Al, we had a player drop just drop out of the golf tournament. Do you want to go golfing?
Al: Yeah okay. Sure.

Yeah my responses may not make it sound like I was that excited after either question, but I was excited to be going golfing. So I left work at about 12:10 p.m., left work, and then stopped briefly at home to get changed and the golf clubs. I was at the course at about 12:45 p.m. for the AV Times Charity Golf Tournament. It was going to be a lot of fun. I was in a foursome with a girl from work who was golfing for her first time, so I figured I wouldn't be the worst out there.
The round itself again wasn't that great. I'm beginning to think alcohol doesn't have the same effect on me like it does on other golfers. Some of them can play well when drinking, not me. I've learned from my last couple golf experiences that alcohol just doesn't do the job. Well, not when I'm drinking as much anyways. I'll try for a few beers only next time. Anyhow, our team was like second last, and I didn't even win a prize.

So I guess this mad cow disease is pretty serious. I heard about a woman who couldn't bring beef ravioli across the border because the Americans were scared it was infected. It's pretty sad.

I got to see the coolest movie on Thursday. Ghostbusters was on T.V., I couldn't believe it. I had to sit through the whole movie, everything from Slimer to the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man. Winston, Elgor, Ray and Peter, those guys rule! And their car. That long white station wagen, and the theme music. That movie certainly is a classic.

Anyways, yesterday was a busy one. I worked again, my second Saturday in a row, this time I was covering Safety Day and the Teen Town Dance Reunion.

Safety Day is an annual event at Harbour Quay here in P.A. in which there's public displays, shows, and so on. Safety is the number one issue, and demonstrations in safety for riding bikes, work safety, survival skills, and such. The local RCMP, fire squad, ambulance and resque squad were also all there. There was even a dunk tank which was pretty cool.

The Teen Town Dance Reunion was also quite the event. It's a reunioni of former members of the Teen Town club, a club back in the 50's and 60's that used to meet for dances, ect. There was a car show which had some classics, such as a 1961 Corvette, a classic Cadillac and more. I got to go cover this event which included a dance last night in which 1200 people attended. They sold enough tickets to sell out the AV Multiplex. Then they even managed to get old bands come back and perform. The same bands that used to play for them, how classic is that? All the best hits from the 50's and 60's were being brought back out. And these people get right into it, the dance floor was packed, I just couldn't walk through them, I was getting shoved and all.

Also last night after a round of tennis with a couple friends, I put on the T.V. to see Seinfeld on. Yes! Anytime I put on the T.V. and that show is on, I won't move my spot. Then they showed some classic moments and relationship quotes, all the classics from Jerry himself.

-she has man hands, she eats her pees one at a time, she's too good, she's a virgin, she went out with Newman.

Ah, such a classic T.V. show. Anyways, I'm out of here.