An inexplicably awesome day & something about George Stroumboulopoulos

The Man & The Legend himself

I'm that guy, you know the one that doesn't get out much. I was bullied, didn't have much in the way of friends. To this day, I'm still a bit of a loner. I go right, while others are going left. I enjoy people, getting to know them, becoming friends, hanging out. When the opportunity presents itself. However I'm also still the guy perfectly content to spend a day alone just riding my bike, until I decide, I've rode far enough and I should probably turn around. I'm that guy that would take a road trip by myself and enjoy it. However I did make a resolution in 2013 to go out more, try new things, do things I wouldn't normally do.

Tonight, I decided it was time to get out more. I went to a live taping of George Stroumbouloupoulos Tonight.


It's safe to say I grew up with George Stroumboulopoulos, I since I was wee brat of probably five I heard him on the radio. Now I couldn't tell you much about those radio days. They were kind of hazzily thrown in between Harrison Ford movies, Mr. Dress Up, Abbot and Costello and probably some race car Pyjamas. As I grew up, George always had some show I watched. I had friends that wrote I Heart George ( insert sad attempt of his name here). Now I never hero worshiped the guy, I've just always held a high level or respect for off the beaten path type people.   The few and the proud that defy the regular realms of set norms for their industry. That being said, I wouldn't turn down a conversation and a hockey game with George. That could be pretty darn enlightening and I'm all for being enlightened.

I'm not sure what I was expecting going in, fangirls and probably some boys drooling, there was probably some of that. I'm secure, I can admit when somebody is by all extents good looking. It's no sweat off my back. Maybe I expected it to be more like Oprah. I'm happy to say it wasn't.

It was entertaining and enlightening and so typically Canadian. I got Jam Jams, these little Newfie Cookies. I laughed, I had fun. The audience atmosphere was kind of intimate, as we all passed around packages of jam jams and munched our fill. If was different seeing the show from this side of the lens. Just being there you can tell a lot of heart and soul goes into the show. There is a passion that is somewhat indescribable unless you've been there. I can tell you one thing, this won't be my last rodeo with Strombo Tonight.

At the end of the taping, I shook his hand. Thanked him for giving me his soldier friend's twitter so I could thank him for his service a while ago. He took a picture with me and It'll probably be one of those pictures, The one you frame because it captured a moment your proud of. I'm proud of it for many reasons. It's kind of a start for me, A start of something different, something new and it excites me. They say no Regrets, Well I got some and I just worked on one of them tonight.

If you ever get the chance to go to live taping of George Stroumboulopoulos tonight, GO. It'll be something you won't regret.

2013 Bike Show (Toronto)

Sitting on a wee Kawasaki Dirtbike

I think I've kicked off 2013 right, I went to the bike show. I've been to bike shows in previous years all over Toronto. When your Dad's second wife happens to be a Harley, well you get around and some of it, rubs off. Not that I mind! In fact I enjoy it.

I like the Bike Show, each one is different and all of the different people make it like this whole new world. I love going around to the different venders, sitting on bikes, I'll probably never own, learning new things, meeting new people. All of this while trying to avoid fattening snacks, but anyone who's been to a bike convention knows it's intoxicating aroma or beer nuts, smoked sausage, grease and rubber. They also seem to have a complimentary bowl of candy on every last insurance companies table. I was grazing like wild cattle.

I found it really cool to find quite a few Christian Motorcycle Ministries and Gangs. They didn't look like business folks, your everyday sunday fuddy duddys. These folks were rough, worn folks. They were bikers, sharing God's love through something palatable and pure. It was like they were just as damaged as everyone else, they were not putting themselves on a pedestal. I think groups like these, do more for sharing God's love then a lot of Churches.

I hung out with my familyfolk, needless to say we spent nearly five hours walking through the halls. My sister will probably never go to Bike Show Convention again! It's not her scene, conventions are not here thing. I can't wait for my next one, probably the AutoShow in February, followed by the Sportsman Show in the Spring. I'm that geeky!

-H

H's Teen Friend Challenge!

If your a teen, I've got a challenge for you. There is this little problem, thats really a big problem called bullying. There are kids in your school that are alone, have no friends, some of them, hurt so much, they wish they were not alive and maybe you can help.

 Pick one day a week to sit and have lunch with a new kid you've never talked to, who doesn't run in your circle and seems kind of lonely. Don't just eat, talk, get to know them, let them get to know you. Then write about it at night, Write there name, what did you like about them, what did you have in common. Take every thing you wrote down back to school the next day and tell a couple of your friends about them. Who knows, maybe you'll end up with a new friend.

Part of the reason teens get bullied is because none of the other children have taken the time to know them so they believe whatever people say about them. Because nobody has anything good to say, everyone just says bad things. Be a soldier with a positive message, be a role model to your fellow students.

This, This is my challenge to every teen who reads my Blog, Every Teen who reads my tweets. If your a parent, aunt, uncle, Grandparent, I challenge you to Challenge for me.

If you try it, tell me about it. I want to hear it.

-H

The year is drawing to a close

I got to admit, 2012 went by incredibly fast. I'm standing here wondering exactly where it took off to. 2012 has been quite the roller coaster ride. I made new friends, had friends pass away, some friends were unfriended. I lived, I loved and I laughed.

I'd like to thank my friends for being totally amazing, you guys rock my socks. I've inherited this crazy, amazing absolutely dysfunctional group of friends and family from me late pal Brandon. Sigh I miss the brat. I miss our arguments.....OK, so 80% of what we did was argue but thats what we did and we both loved it.  At some point, Peter Fonda became more than Easy Rider and the stuff of child hood legend to me. He became a kindred spirit. A guy, I look forward to talking to. He's precocious, silly and quirky with a heart of GOLD.  Don't get my wrong, Fonda is still a Legend, will always be a Legend but for me, that Legend has been rewritten.

Every year, I learn something new from my interior designer scottish brothers Colin and Justin. My life would lack a certain set of sparkle without those two. My local bunch of lovely ladies Dianne, Tina, Noelle, Gale, Cheryl and the cocktaildiva!. My over the ponders, Sue, Gemmy, Colette, Pauline, Peter, Seonaid. Then Greggie and Glen the boys from the hood. Most of these people keep me on my toes and give me a wee taste of euphoria.

I can't forget my CSI NY circle, Rookie Blue Fan Girls, Chuck and our wee pal Rufus. Watching TV just wouldn't be right without live tweeting and chatting with your awesome crew. I'm techno geek don't judge me!

This year Ambush Boarding Company  has been paramount in supporting me through 2012. There were snow pants to keep my bottom warm during spring riding conditions and the post season. They stepped in with new goggles when mine went the way of the dodo bird. Not because they were obligated, but because they cared about my optical protection. Every little thing they provided me with, was like receiving a warm hug. Even without the product, Ambush gave me friendship and you can't put a price on that. If your in the market for Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Wakeboarding or just plain cool threads....check them out. They come highly recommended.

To be honest, I'm  not all that huge on New Years Resolutions. Mainly because, I'm that guy that makes them and breaks them however I do have a few goals.

1. To be back in school full-time as of September 2013. Working toward a degree in Digital Media or Post Film Production.

2. To land a permanent part-time job to off set the cost of my studies.

3. To put myself out there more. I want to be more socially involved beyond the boys from the rink. I'd actually like to be somebody people consider inviting to dinner parties, go to movies and do those sorts of things with. Not just be that guy, people call up because everyone else bailed.

4. By hook or crook, this is the year my room gets done. It's time to graduate it from the pad of a teenage kid to of a suave college bachelor, even if I don't have any plans to mingle.

5. Film my first full snowboard reel. I've dedicated years of my life to making sure friends and clients had their reels done. This year I want to make just that little bit of time for me.

Most of all, I just want 2013 to be AWESOME.

-H

I'll Miss You, My Friend

Brandz

Well CSI:NY was great, fabulous but today just plain sucked. It Really, Really sucked. I was faced with the mortality of a human life today. Being a young mid 20 something, A part me feels invincible and immortal. In retrospect, thats pretty stupid but I think thats just part of the human condition. Today I lost a good friend, someone I've known just over a year but damn it felt like a life time.  A few hours ago, I didn't have words but now they won't stop. It's like a damn has broken.

Brandon and I have a simple complex relationship not to many people could possibly ever understand. I never physically met him, ever. Yet some how he wormed his way into the circle of my nearest and dearest friends. He challenged me, made me think of things, consider things, I'd never  have considered. He inspired me to write my own blog, share my own issues, burdens, passions, My stories and fight for causes I believed in. He empowered me, made me laugh and sometimes made me cry. There were times I didn't know whether to kiss or throttle him, because he could be such a pain in the ass. He accepted me and all my oddities and not to many people ever had.

Brandon was a lot like that toy you bought only to find out it was a deal package that came with it's own collection of dysfunction, insane misfit toys. That's a lot like what happened Brandon came with his friends, even though I didn't play with his friends as much. I'm glad he came with them, they made playtime that much more fun.

Brandon left his footprints over so many people, he'll be walking forever before your done following all those footprints.

You can check out his blog and buy his book  and you'll get a glimpse of the man I call friend.
-H
-Here's look'n at you Kid.

A Message to the the 2012-2016 President

I'm a Canadian, I'm also a conservative, I guess that'd make me a Republican but I'm a realist. If my preferred candidate does not win, thats ok, Because I can accept another with open arms and hope they do well in office. Maybe thats just the Canadian nature in me. However here is my message.

If you find yourself sitting in the President's Office, put your feet up on the resolute desk and enjoy it for 11.5 seconds, Because you worked hard to get here,  then do something about your country. Don't be afraid to seek council from your opposition, they might just have a solution your guys missed.  Show your nation what it means to come together for the greater good, even if you disagree on things. Because regardless of political affiliation, your all Americans.

Being a leader is about setting the example and what I saw during the elections, wasn't exactly stellar. In fact, you turned into something of a bully. That isn't the kind of example to set for young Americans. That just tells them bullying gets you what you want, It's O.K to bully people if you think you'll do a better job. In a nation where young people are killing themselves because they've suffered from bullying so long. Actions like those during the elections tells work employees they can bully and say the worst things about co-workers, never uttering a positive thing about them if it means they'll get to be V.P first. Not a great example is it?

It's ok to say " I was wrong" or even " I don't know", Don't be afraid to ask for help or advice from other world leaders about running a country. Some of them have been doing this longer than you. Don't be afraid to find the negatives in your own politics and then talk about them with the public, because that shows growth and a willingness to learn and change for the better of your country. When your the President, your no longer just a Republican, your no longer just a Democrat. Now your everything, because your government and choices effects the Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Greens and every other American. That means learning to be  Conservatively Liberal. The funny thing about politics no matter where you are, the people just want a real leader, even if that leader wasn't from the party they identify with.


For the next four years, you need to be a man the people can be proud of. That means holding your heart during the national anthem,  stopping to solute a veteran or soldier. Sometimes that means getting your hands dirty helping to rebuild a bit of house lost in a fire, planting new trees in a forrest thats been forested, Serving hot meals at a homeless shelter or something hands on, that isn't a publicity stunt but just something your doing because you want to.  That means showing the future generations of American's what it means to be an American Hero, no matter who or what they are.

Let your term be your campaign.
Congratulations on being in the Oval office desk chair. Live by the motto of Service, Not Fame and you'll go along way. Just maybe you'll be one of the Presidents people remember for what they did for a America and not to it. Maybe one day I can shake your hand, until then don't forget to have fun while your in the office. If you do, grey hairs will be the least of your problems.

-H

This is Disgusting, Debate Pillow Talk 2012

As many of you know, there was a Presidential Debate tonight, An American one. I'm Canadian and to us our debates are not public spectacles the rest of the world is forced to endure in one capacity or the next.  I happened to be lounging around and playing on twitter and every second tweet had to do with the debate and truthfully it disgusted me.

America a nation who openly seems to push for anti-bullying so much, turn into a hoard of raging bullies.  I have read disgusting things about Mitt Romney, that has zero to do with politics or his ability to run the country. I have read some tweets saying if Mitt wins he's going to demand a daughter from each house old. So he can fake marry them like mormons and have a endless amounts of sex. I have read things that he's going to win and then have homosexuals killed because he's mormon and homophobic. I even read a tweet about Romney's wife pointing Obama and saying " Honey look a Black man how exotic. Amongst  other things. 99% of the things I read tweeted by Obama supporters about Romney were nothing but attacks on him, not his politics. Though there were some people truthfully talking about his politics.

I also read a lot of trash talk about Obama, the usual bits about him being a muslim extremist in disguise. The usual knocks about his lack of intelligence though a lot of them were not as extreme as some of the stuff I was hearing about Obama they were still hurtful things and thats just disgusting.

These debates are for people to learn about a candidates political plans of action. They are not about seeing who's followers can say the worst mean spirited things about the other's candidate. All you people tweeting rubbish like that, that has no relevance to politics or running the U.S. You should be ashamed of yourselves because your being cycber-bullies, even if both men will probably never see your tweets. What makes this worse it was coming from young and old alike, not just stupid ignorant kids.

Food 4 Thought.
When you vote, make sure your voting for your COUNTRY. Your not voting for yourself or the small little community of American's you fall into. Be wise at the polls this year and don't let the media or others form your opinions. Do your research, get educated, make the right choice for Americans.

I hope the man best suited for the job, finds his arse in the oval office. God Bless America

-H