Chasing Distractions Turns 1!

birth⋅day –noun
[burth-dey]
1. a day marking or commemorating the origin, founding, or beginning of something

Well it is official, I have been writing this blog for over a year now, off and on of course. The year began off on a bad note; I was suffering from a case of depression or some sort of quarter/mid-life crisis. I had just turned 30, broke up with my girlfriend, cut myself off from friends and family and suffered from a bad case of insomnia. It took awhile but I clawed myself back from the brink with the help of many distractions.

Now a year later I’m not sure much has changed. I’m still lonely, I’m still broke, but I have learned something from this all, and that is I get everything I ever want. And I mean everything. All I have to do is ask for it and the universe provides, from careers, to friends to girls to trips and prizes and all the highs and lows that come with it all. I have asked for all of it. The question then remains, why I am I still unhappy sometimes?

Originally I set out to write this post explaining that this blog had a good run, but I’m generally happy now and I have nothing to complain about anymore. Because really, that’s what blogging is all about right? Complaining?

I don't know, maybe I'll just stick around for a little longer.

If you’d like to give Chasing Distractions a birthday present, why not leave some comments, promote my Help Me Volunteer At The Olympics post, or simply donate to my ‘Get Me To The Olympics’ fund.



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Neked Sundays

re⋅lax –verb
[ri-laks]
1. to reduce or stop work, effort, application, etc., esp. for the sake of rest or recreation

It’s been quite some time since I last updated this blog. With a busy work and school schedule I haven’t had much time to chase any new distractions. Since today is yet another Neked Sunday, a day of rest where not even clothes are mandatory, I finally have some free time.

On Saturday, November 21st Chasing Distractions will turn 1 years old. For this momentous occasion I am hoping to plan another Suit Up! I recently acquired a very stylish Ron Burgundy’esque suit from Value Village, it made its first appearance at a Mad Men party a few weeks ago and has been sitting in my closet ever since. CD’s birthday seems to be a good occasion to crack it out again. I will keep you posted.

Want to give Chasing Distractions a birthday present? Well donating to my ‘Help Send Me To The 2010 Olympic Games In Vancouver’ fund would be the best present ever.



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Balloon Boy – Hoax or Tragedy?

hoax –noun
[hohks]
1. something intended to deceive or defraud

Earlier today I was made aware of a breaking news story via twitter with the hash tag balloonboy.

It appears that a 6-year old boy had climbed into a homemade weather balloon, where upon the tether was released and the balloon, with the supposed boy inside, rose into the air. For three hours Denver police, the National Guard and local media helicopters tried, to no avail, to rescue the boy. The balloon eventually landed safely without anyone on board:



As of this moment it is still not confirmed if the 6-year old boy, Falcon Heene, is safe, if the whole stunt was a hoax, or some horrible horrible tragedy. Hopefully everything turns out okay.

The Heene family, known for their chaotic parenting, were recently on television on ABC’s reality show Wife Swap. You can read more about the Heene family here, and check out Google News for updated information on the Balloon Boy.

Hoping he is safe, and without any sense of irony, I will leave you with the Heene Boys musical debut Not Pussified:



UPDATE: The boy was found, safe and sound, hiding in a box in the attic. For more information see the article in the National Post.



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World's Longest Dog Fence

fence –noun
[fens]
1. a barrier enclosing or bordering a field, yard, etc., usually made of posts and wire or wood, used to prevent entrance, to confine, or to mark a boundary

The other day I was asked to create an interesting page revolved around dog fences. Well what better way then the to find some pictures of the World's Longest Dog Fence, Australia's Dingo Fence. Check it out, and if you are a Digg user, please give us a Digg.



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Creeping Out Sara – Tegan Quin Responds To NOFX Song

in⋅ter⋅view –noun
1. a meeting or conversation in which a writer or reporter asks questions of one or more persons from whom material is sought for a story


Today, via Grant Lawrence at CBC Radio3, I got a chance to ask Tegan Quin how she felt about Fat Mike’s memoir entitled ‘Creeping Out Sara’ where he sings about meeting one of the Quin sisters at a German music festival. The song was released on the new NOFX album called Coaster. If you would like to hear her response, check it out here - (just fast-forward to the 25 minute mark).



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Californication – The Television Show

hon⋅ey⋅pot –noun
[huhn-ee-pot]
1. a pot, as of glass or silver, for storing and serving honey

Craig Stephens' honey bear #2
The last few days I’ve been recouping from the 31st birthday celebrations that recently occurred in Montreal in la bell province. It’s not that I drank too much and am getting old – even though the latter is the case, also the former – but it is more to the fact that I caught a cold, or possibly the flu while I was away. The flu du cochon as I have been dubbing it. But as per usually I digress…

While I was wasting away in bed trying to overcome this sickness that still rides me like some demented jockey from hell, I received a text message from a good friend of mine. To paraphrase:

’Is it weird that David Duchovny in Californication makes me think of you?’

I, crazy with sickness, thought she was talking about Kalifornia and had to immediately watch the movie. I had no idea what she was talking about, ’I think it's his voice and phrasing, No wait... it's also his smirky, shruggy, mannerisms‘. As it would later turn out she was actually talking about the television show Californication, where coincidentally enough Duchovny plays a writer in both that TV show and the movie Kalifornia.

After sitting in my sick bed, missing a day of class and three days of work, I have to honestly say Californication is one hell of a television show. A new distraction to chase, and you all know how I love chasing distractions. I would have to recommend this show to anyone who likes smart, sexy, funny, hot television. Duchovny stars as Hank Moody, a drug and sex addicted writer juggling a 12-year-old daughter, an ex-wife whom he still cares for, and an insatiable appetite for beautiful women. Maybe my friend is right, that kinda sounds like me right?

In case you are wondering about the honeypot reference in this post, well I think the Urban Dictionary’s definition of honeypot would be more suited.

Speaking of honey, I learned something new today about our sweet treat. I went to the store to get some honey, ginger, lemon and tea to help battle this cold of mine and for the first time noticed that the bottle has the following warning: “Do not feed honey to children under 1 year of age”.

What the…?

But it's true, honey can actually cause botulism in infants.

On that note VALE! (just practising my Latin)



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Google On The Go

Goo·gle -noun
[gōō'gəl]
1. A trademark used for an Internet search engine. This trademark often occurs in print as a verb, sometimes in lowercase

A few months ago I told you about a free 411 service from Google. This past weekend I learned that you could also use Google for free via text messaging. If you are like me and just have a regular old cell phone, i.e. not a Smartphone like an iPhone or Blackberry, you can still access Google to answer those pressing questions that come up in our day-to-day lives. Simply text your question to 46645 (GOOGL) and within seconds you will receive an answer. It’s a great way to get restaurant information, directions, local weather forecasts and so much more.





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Honest October

hon⋅es⋅ty –noun
[on-uh-stee]
1. the quality or fact of being honest
2. truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness

Sober September came and went without any problems. People are still a little unsure why I bother with my 30-days of abstaining from alcohol, I like to look at it as a bit of a cleanse, a nice little break for my liver and a personal challenge. Life can get boring pretty quickly without ever challenging yourself, testing your mettle as it were.

So in that respect for the 31 days of October I will not tell a lie – from a little white lie to a flat out big lie – they are all completely off limits. In honour of this challenge I have officially dubbed the month of October Honest October.

Trying not to lie for 31 days can be challenging for anyone, but especially for me. Like many of us I carry my fair share of secrets about my personal life. My professional life however is entirely based on lies, as a writer that is essentially my job, to lie to you. In order to make this challenge work I had to set up a few guidelines for myself:

1) Anything to do with work is exempted from the challenge.
2) If I am asked a direct question that would require lying to save a secret, well I have the option to just not answer the question.
3) I have only told 2 or 3 friends, and now anyone who reads this blog, about my challenge. This is a personal challenge to be honest, not a month of confessions.

Sober September, Honest October, I wonder what I should do for November? Any suggestions?



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Help Send Me To The 2010 Olympic Games In Vancouver

vol⋅un⋅teer –noun
[vol-uhn-teer]
1. a person who voluntarily offers himself for a service
2. a person who performs a service willingly and without pay

When I got home last night in my inbox was an offer for a volunteer position at the 2010 Olympics working with the Freestyle Snowboarding and Skiing team. I of course accepted the offer right away.

I will be working with the maintenance crew maintaining jumps, landings, moguls, etc. Essentially, I assume, I will be standing out in the snow all day with a shovel – although it doesn’t sound very glamorous I’m very much excited to be part of this historical event.

Canada has hosted the Olympics only twice before. The first time was in 1976 for the Summer Olympic Games in Montreal and the second time was at the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary. Both times Canadians did not win a Gold Medal in any event. It is the hope by many that the 2010 Games in Vancouver will be different, and I have a chance to be part of that.

I’ve got quite a bit of preparation to deal with before I go. Essentially I will be gone for a month and have to figure out accommodations while I am in Vancouver, perhaps subletting my apartment, finding a place to store my car, arranging a deal with work and booking a flight.

All of these things cost money, and as you may know I don’t have a lot of it. If any of you who read this blog want to help my plight, please spread the word and/or donate what you can.

On the right side ---> yup right over there - is a Donate Button, and anything will help – 50¢, $1, $10, whatever you can spare.

Thank you to everyone in advance.



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Learnin' Latin With Chasing Distractions

blog -noun
[blŏg]
1. A weblog

I decided today that I would start up a new blog in hopes of helping me study. So if you are at all interested check out my new blog, Learnin' Latin.



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