High Hopes

As 2009 approaches, I find myself feeling more optimistic about my future than ever before. It's probably just that psychological clean slate thing, but I'm feeling very hopeful for all I'm going to accomplish in this coming year and all that's going to happen.

The fixed time where one year ends and another begins is just something we made up, I understand that. But frankly, the timing couldn't be better. It comes shortly after Xmas, just when everything we've been building up to for the last month or so is over and we're settling down and thinking 'what's next?' It gives meaning to a month that is otherwise grey and dull and a little empty. And yes, while I acknowledge that we could thrust our fists into the air and say, "I'm making some changes for the better!," any time that we wanted too, there's something about that established once-a-year time where everything officially starts fresh that's terrifically motivating. During this time, it's somehow less difficult to put our pasts behind us and focus on the possibility our presents and futures hold.

So what is it I'm feeling so darn hopeful about? Creatively, many things. I've got grand plans for a big new project (or maybe two) I'd like to start soon, as well as many more little ideas for my current work. Seg's got a super fantastic camera coming in the mail, so I'm hoping with his help I can get some great photos taken of my work. And with those photos, a website should be in the works as well.

It's not all fun stuff though. I also intend to keep getting better at treating this creative stuff like a job. Learning to focus on my work when I'm producing at home, to take it as seriously as I did when I was in school is still something I'd like to get better at. It's easy to convince yourself it's not that important when no one else seems to take it very seriously, but why should they? It's up to me to show everyone how important it is, not the other way around.

More than anything, thinking about my youngest brother the other day made me realize how much I've got left to do. It occured to me the other day that by the time he's 18, I'll be 30. Not that old, really, I realize. But if I reach that age and still feel like I'm waiting to grow up, it would be a bit of a blow, I think. I want a home by then, I want a car and a bit of security. I want to have established myself as an artist and a designer. I want to feel less like I'm just standing and limply flailing my arms about.

I've got other goals I'll need to attain in order to make this happen, some financial, some organizational, some spiritual. But mostly, I want to keep developing as a creative person with a creative career, because that's what I want to build most of that other stuff around.

I'm curious to hear if any one else is setting goals or making resolutions or just has plans. Tell me, tell me, if you want to. And check out this website too. It's all about making a list of goals, seeing who else hopes to achieve the same things, getting encouragement and tips from others.

Good luck friends, see you all in 2009!

http://www.43things.com/

Thoughts on a Walk Home

I've always been intrigued by footpaths. I enjoy exploring town made trails, getting behind things and around things and coming out again in unexpected places. But what really fascinates me are the paths people make themselves.

Walking the trails in Oakville, Seguin always laughed at the way I was so tempted by the little footpaths that would branch off the main route here and there. Seeing where they led was always rewarding; sometimes to a backyard, other times a hidden fort, sometimes to secret party places with discarded furniture, beer bottles and fire pits. Sometimes they were just an even quicker route elsewhere. Other times they led to a pretty, hidden clearing, a spot that would feel secret and special to each person who had discovered it.

What's really neat to me though, is how paths like this are made. It's the same idea as what I learned in school about the silk road. As it was explained to me, it was a trade route that came about naturally over time, as opposed to something that had been planned and built. As traders made their way from point A to point B and back again, they started learning which routes were quickest and easiest. Over time, they became the established 'ways to go' that everyone knew to take.

That, for me, is the coolest thing about foot paths, back trails, and short cuts. They grow out of the necessity of a number of people who all want a quicker, easier or more pleasant way to get to the same place. And as these different people discover the same routes and use them time and time again, the earth hardens under their feet, the brush and undergrowth stop sprouting there, and paths are born.

Here's what got me thinking about this today. I seldom meet another person when I walk these paths. I know they must get use because they don't get overgrown, but I didn't realize until this morning just how often one of my shortcuts is frequented.

Coming home from a walk to the store, I cut through a vacant lot that takes me from the main road onto the end of my street. As it had snowed the night before, I clambered over the bank expecting to see the faint indentation of my trail buried under a covering of white. Instead, I saw it nicely packed down with the footprints of a number of people who had already passed through that morning. It was neat reminder of how these paths are really a community creation, and without all these people who had come before, they wouldn't exist at all.

Pretty neat, huh?

Some Christmas Cuteness

Today at work, there was a jolly looking white-bearded man wearing winter boots, jeans and one of those plaid work jackets. He was also wearing a Santa Claus hat, and that was enough to convince one little girl he was Santa.

It was pretty darn cute. He was leaning on his cane over by the movies, waiting for his groceries to be put through. The little girl was at the next checkout lane with her mother, watching him happily from her seat in the cart. One the way out, she waved and said "Bye bye, Santa!", to which he responded, "Be good!", and waved back.

It was great.

Plans

So as far as travelling goes, I've been pretty much nowhere. As far North as Cochrane, as far South as Buffalo, as far East as Quebec city, as far West as, as what? What's West of here? I don't even know. South Hampton? Anyway, nowheres. My lovely lady Skye has been to Cuba and maybe some other places worth noting as well, but she's never been anywhere else in Canada.

We've had in our head for a while now this lovely trip we would take together somewhere, originally planned for somewhere Southern, somewhere hot. But as the weeks passed by and the time during which we must take this trip approached, it seemed less and less likely. What are we to do, we wondered? Are we going to book something or just let it slide? Then Skye comes up with a wonderful idea, smaller, doeable, and very, very fun. This February, we intend to take a mini road trip! A day in Montreal, a day in Quebec city, a day in Trois-Rivieres, another day in Montreal and finally, a day in Ottawa.

We have a decent idea of where we'll be staying each night and little to no clue of what we'll do in each city other than take lots of pictures and try and find the most fun and interesting ways to spend our time. It will be a bit of a whirlwind obviously, and lots of driving, but that's what a road trip is about, right? Hopefully the weather will be good. Hopefully we will both be granted the time off.

Pretty great, eh? Something to look forward to after Xmas.

In other news, happy December!