Role Models

I was going to send a friend of mine (Mark) a silly picture over facebook, and thought I would send it via 'private message'.  I quickly changed my mind when I realized that the last back and forth that the two of us had had on facebook was a surprisingly thought out discussion on role models.  I re-read my answer that was quite old truth be told, and found it fascinating to read something that I had written that I had not only forgotten about, but told me something about myself that perhaps I have forgotten as of late.

I would love to chat with young (old?) Jon, just to see what he might have to say about where I am at today. 

But this is what I found the Jon of May 2010 had to say on the topic of role models.  I assume Mark wouldn't mind a reproduction of my answer, despite the fact that it was in a "private conversation" back then.

• • Mark
    
    
    Hey Jon,
    This is a little out of the blue but I wanted to ask you a personal question. I'm curious about who your role models are and how you decide who you want to be in life ...AWKWARD
    
    I know it's very Anya-esque of me to ask something like that with no preamble, but I'm feeling a little preambled out in life lately and i have no idea how to segue into a question like that! Besides, you seem like someone who wouldn't mind getting to the point. So... share?
    
    -Mark
    
• 

  December 4, 2010

  Jonathan Arkle

  • hahah Awkkkwarddd.....
    
    Not at all actually, but I don't know if I'll be able to supply the answer you might be looking for. Regardless I'm going to punish you with an essay for asking me such a question.
    
    I give a long history, then my "current answer" below the line if you don't feel like reading
    
    My role models change.. haha, depending on the season of life I guess. In an all round, and sort of cliche way, (also more on a career path/work ethic basis) my Grandfathers and my Dad are who I hope to someday be like... obviously growing up seeing them as my archetype for "successful life" because, cmon, it's "your grandpa" who doesn't look up to them, and then my Dad because obviously he's been able to supply me with the life that brought me up to be who I am now, so I hope to emulate his approach to life in that sense as well.
    
    BUT, less cliche, and more to the "season of life", usually my role models are based on individuals who approach life with an attitude that I respect or agree with. Haha, in middle school/high school I really looked up to a rock star... not just any rock star, Andrew WK. and when I say "looked up to" I mean it, he was my hero. Not necessarily because of his musical style (which I did/do love regardless), but mostly because of his approach to life. He was endlessly positive, endlessly energetic, and when I watched interviews and things with him, past the PARTY PARTY PARTY exterior, he was really intelligent and philosophical. In the end, he "preached" an approach to life that was focused on being happy, looking on the bright side, and living life to the fullest just because.
    
    That set the basis, and honestly I attribute a lot of my positive outlook on life to that influence during crucial "finding yourself" years. But, I don't look at AWK quite the same way anymore, as my own life began to change, soon I was admiring people who were able to live what I had decided was a praiseworthy lifestyle. This was primarily fuelled by listening to what others had to say about people (not in the gossipy way though). I would hope that in my life I would be seen as someone who people would "want to be around", someone who doesn't just have friends, but is admired by their friends (in a totally not conceited way, I hope I don't give that impression). So, role models for me became people who I observed others want to be around for the sole reason of how they treated others, how they treated themselves. So for a good part my role models were my peers, or perhaps peers of mine who were older, more established. This would still be in the high school/early post high school era. But mainly, I looked up to and hoped to emulate the positive aspects of those who treated others with respect and were respected for it.
    
    ------
    
    So now... I thought about it, and (hopefully this answer doesn't disappoint...) But I don't really have any specific role models haha. I don't have someone who I look at all round and think, "Them... that's who I want to be like", but rather I pick and choose on traits that I admire from other people that I know, and use those in each specific interest. So for example, if it comes to work ethic, I'll look at my grandfather or my good friends at the university who genuinely work hard. Sense of humour? Well.. I have an unhealthy fanatical interest in Ricky Gervais, but he is far from someone to look up to in regards to human interaction haha, if it comes to general communication between people, I look at (brush your ego) people like you who time after time I hear people say "I love Mark Wells" just because of the way you interact with kindness first, judgment... never. But I don't have a clear cut answer for you... I used to in previous "seasons", but I guess for the "season" I'm in now, I am more of a pick and choose admirer, finding what I see to be the best, and what others identify as being the best, in those around me, and emulating those in hopes of being a horrible Frankenstein mash up of admirable qualities.
    
    In the end, I feel life comes down to how are you treating others... so I observe that process. If we have any indicator of what's the right way to act, or the right way to live our lives in relation to those around us... It seems the clearest response is to listen to those around us and figure out what combination "works", and it generally comes down to a pretty basic combination of love and humility... (which of course I still struggle to keep up with every day).
    
    Hopefully this made sense... I just woke up from my "post graveyard shift nap", so I hope that it was somewhat coherent... albeit scattered with run on sentences.
    
    See you at White Christmas tonight!
    
    -Jon
    
     ------------------------

I loved reading this for my own sake, and it made me realize that I haven't put much thought into such topics lately.  Perhaps it's because I'm not in as social of a setting as I previously was, but regardless of the reason... It made me miss being able to give an answer like this.

Good old' Jon.  Thanks for that.

Sincerely- Present (your future) Jon.

An unexpected party

Rob visited!!

I feel like documenting it on the blog is appropriate seeing as this blog began when I was living in Australia, and you will likely see him mentioned a fair bit back in the earliest posts. 
What a great surprise though, I was out at Doc's with some folk celebrating Ben's brother's birthday when suddenly a strange "Unknown" calls my phone with the number +01234567.  Odd...

I answer it only to hear a fantastic Irish accent say "Jon Arkle!  It's Rob Lewis here".  Best surprise ever.  He continues to say that he has a chance to come to BC and would love to meet up with me, which he did a few days later.  Awesome.

The best part about having friends like Rob is that you can jump right back into where you were at despite a 5 year hiatus.  Even though it felt like ages since we'd last seen each other, hanging out was like we had seen each other last week.  Those are the friendships that count in my opinion.  Lots of talk of Lord of the Rings, Movie soundtrack quizzes, Philosophy, Ethics, Faith, Guinness, and old friends.   What a great week.

Unfortunately his trip back wasn't the best for him. He was trapped in the early morning on a broken down bus in a valley with no reception outside of Chilliwack.   As a result he missed his flight and thus began phone tag with the airline trying to move his reservation, and he slept on the airport floor ("slept like a baby" he said).

None the less, for my part at least it was worth having him here.

Also, my nerdiness knows no bounds... I don't own a Nintendo system, but that didn't stop me from pre-ordering the new Zelda game.   I just like owning it.  So now I've got to figure out a way to borrow someones Wii so I can play it.
It came with a soundtrack CD, full Symphony, awesome.


AND!  I bought a new Camera, which I'm still playing around with and having a great time.  I probably could find things more productive to do with my time, BUT here I am writing a blog, so maybe not.

As you can see, I'm pretty much a professional photographer now.  So, that's cool.

Karl Silckington

As promised, update!

Fighting off a cold at the moment...

(Segue to main point)
As many of you will likely already know, I have an (unhealthy) obsession with good ol' Ricky Gervais haha.  You name it, T.V, blog, stand-up, basically all of his scripted comedy work (which is genius), but even more so than all the others, I love eavesdropping on the banter between him and his friends, namely the old podcasts.  For the years that he was bringing them out, I was hooked on the podcasts that he would record with Karl Pilkington and Stephen Merchant which was essentially just three best friends hanging out and having the same sort of conversations many of us have with our friends (except of course Ricky and Steve are consistently hilarious, and Karl is a genius in his own... special way).  I would listen to them often while driving to University, (made the mistake of listening to them on the bus once... strange looks for the laughing man), but the real treat was when a podcast would come out on the Friday before my weekend Graveyard shift, 8 hours of lonely night-work goes by a lot faster when you feel like you're with friends.

Now, there was one podcast where Karl said something that, as usual, had a foundation of wisdom behind it, namely that "it's good to be sick, so that you know when your healthy" (I paraphrase).   Of course, that was funnier at the time with the addition of his friend's berating him for saying it afterwards, but almost annoyingly now every time I get sick I find myself thinking back to that statement.

So, in honour of good ol' Pilki, I am... er... happy that I'm feeling gross because it'll mean I'll appreciate it when soon I will feel better.  I guess that's really true about everything, that classes "you don't know what you've got till it's gone" mentality, applies to everything, even the sniffles.

And then of course are the REAL ailments.  I have friends who are battling cancer, family with chronic illnesses, friends with disabilities or injuries that render them incapable of doing the things that I love.

When put in perspective, I'm happy that I can say the worst of my worries is a sore throat and snot.

So... although this post isn't particularly interesting, it stirs the waters, and keeps the blog alive until it gets properly used in the new year with my travel plans.   But it is nice to think about what I should be, and hopefully always will remain thankful for... my health, my abilities to do things such as triathlons, or travel.  Not everyone in the world has been dealt the same benefits that I have been... and it would be selfish and cruel of me not to recognize that I am incredibly fortunate.

It's nice to be inspired to remember that.  Important too.
So for that reason, I guess Karl was right.   Today it's been a good thing for me to feel sick.

Def I ne

I'm in an awesome mood today, so I don't want this blog post to make it seem like I'm having some sort of crisis, far from it.

Well, that's not entirely true... I'm three quarters through "A Storm of Swords"... and those of you who have read the book can probably guess what chapters I just read... and that ruined my day yesterday.  Mini crisis in my own little mind there. 
Actually, on the note of the book, I'm so pumped to be genuinely enjoying reading a book.  Never before have I been so immersed in a book before that when something happens in it I end up dwelling and stewing on the happenings in between readings.  In fact, I'll probably go back to reading it as soon as this post is written.

But, I figured I'd write something, get it picked up a bit again.

I was reading a book a few months ago, "The Reason for God" by Timothy Keller.  I was really enjoying it, but put it down for some reason, I still have a couple chapters left that I haven't read, I don't know why.  Maybe I'll zip through those sometime in the next week... but I digress.
One of the last chapters that I had read came back to me the other day.. or at least I think it was from that book... regardless, it was about "identity" and more specifically where we get it from.  Now, as I'm sure you can assume, a book with a title like that is obviously theologically based, but it had a really good question that it posed regarding what defines you.  The book was encouraging the reader that having your "faith" as something that defines you would be something unchanging, which I guess makes sense seeing as broad and abstract as faith can be sometimes, but this isn't a theological post, this was just the introduction...

It got me to thinking lately though about what "defines" me.  Clearly, (as I've said time and time again on this blog), being a "student" used to define me.  It was a nice, all encompassing term.  "I'm a student at the University" = ah, this person is hard working, probably busy, going somewhere, has a plan, has a goal, has a social setting, etc.   But of course, that ended, and now that all encompassing term doesn't apply to me or a few of my friends who are in the same boat now with the same question "wow, what do I do now?".   I find this really interesting... do we "define" ourselves by our current jobs now?  Perhaps... but we likely don't want to do that.  "Lifeguard", "Gym employee", "Nanny" are all fine terms I guess... but none of them are quite as all encompassing as "student".  Which is interesting to me. 

Of course, these labels of definition aren't permanent either.  I won't be a "lifeguard" forever, and when that's gone what will be my definition?  It mine placed purely in what job I'm working in at the moment?  Is what defines us based on our current "projects"?  What happens when those end

"No, Jon, it's not!  What defines you is your personality, it's how you treat others!"

Hmm... maybe.  But then who is that definition for?  Probably the people who know you already... I think I'm referring to a more "first impression" level of definition.  "Hi, I'm Jon...."  and where do we go from here?

"Alright, it's based on your hobbies, so you could say 'triathlons', or 'acting'"

"Well those are alright as well, but what if I was rendered incapable of triathlons?  Does that change 'me'? or just rid me of a pasttime?  What if I loved... cars?  But couldn't dedicate as much time to cars as I used to... did what makes me "ME" just get lost somewhere?"

Pretty people will lose their looks, party animals will lose their youth, athletic people will get weak, energetic people will get old, rich people might lose their money, friendly people might lose their friends, experts might become outdated,  specialists might become obsolete.  Is anything that people place their self-worth in permanent?


I'm beginning to see why the book was pushing for "man of faith and discipline" to be the preferable defining characteristic.  These things can't really be affected by outside change of scenery.  But then again... what if I lose my discipline?  Is something that was characteristically "me" gone in that moment? 

This blog doesn't have answers, it doesn't even have properly formulated questions.  But, as I'm sure my lack of writing style has exemplified, I literally type out what is in my internal dialogue with myself haha.  I'm not having a crisis, I'm not searching for my identity (I don't think...), but I do think it's curious to observe both myself and my friends as what used to be such a great "defining characteristic", in fact THE defining characteristic

Truly the ramblings of a mad man.

I'm a mad man with a blog.






Definitely the --->  SONG OF THE WEEK!

A shocked otter

I'm nominating my own blog for "Worst kept of 2011".  I'd appreciate your support by continuing to become annoyed by checking it and not seeing any updates.

BUT THERE ARE SO MANY! (I'm sure!)

Jonathan Arkle BA.   I know that I posted on that in the past, but it still holds true.  It's a weird feeling... not sure I like it.  I haven't jumped into full time work yet, still doing the life guarding thing at the moment pending near future travel plans, but with 5 courses per "semester" and Gorman Bros. all taken out of the equation, I've got wayyy to much free time.  On the bright side,  I'm reading more (which is ironic), but I'm anxious to figure out a way to keep myself constantly on the go.

Oh well.

But my musings are boring, for the most part.  People like stories.  I don't have any particularly exciting ones off the top of my head, but I'll work on that.  The lack of steady stream of strangers that UBC provided leaves me feeling alienated.  I need an excuse to be in crowded places again.  But no good "stories" doesn't mean no good news.
(You'd think most people would be happy not to have to deal with the strangest individuals that society has to offer... but when I'm not constantly able to provide stories of them, I start to worry that others are providing said stories about ME).

A picture tells a thousand words, these are the latest things whilst I've been living life!

Laura's Wedding!

Jill!

My friends Scott and Daniel passed away in a tragic hiking accident.  I will always remember them.  It's a funny feeling, losing someone you are that close with in such a tragic way... there is definitely that "gap" now that won't ever be filled.  I love you and miss you bud.

As if I wasn't nerdy enough... Doctor Who has become one of my new favorite television shows.  If you haven't watched it, I highly recommend beginning with Season 5, it's a good starting off point.

I doubtlessly have the best group of friends I could ask for.  A.. "best damn crew" of my own if you will (Hi Jordan, thanks for reading, missed you).

Best friends and my gorgeous girlfriend in red. (I say this so she'll hate the fact she checked my blog)

A shocked otter.  No relevance.

 Well how's that?  Something.

As I mentioned above... I'm making travel plans at the moment, and this blog is going to be utilized in a very major way during said travels, so it is not dead.. it just took a hiatus.   This won't be the first blog that I've loaded with pictures and promises to "keep updating", but at least it's something!

Also!  Let's bring this back.
SONG OF THE WEE... er... POST!

The weather is getting colder which always brings the metal back into my playlist.  I am definitely not complaining.

"Winter is coming".

Stirring the waters

Summer finally started! Doing my best to take advantage of it. (He says as he is updating his blog in front of a computer screen)

GO OUTSIDE JONATHAN!

Google + what?

Alright Google +... you think you can take on Facebook? I want to see this...

Invite only at the moment, so if you read the blog and want in to this exclusive club, let me know!

In other news, summer is going well. Today I had my first "open water rescue" of sorts at the beach, went out to get two girls who had foolishly swam about half a kilometer out into the open water as the wind was picking up. That was kind of cool for me, could have been very bad for them.

Overall life is good. Sports nights slowly creeping back, movie nights still going strong, working days are good and I'm slowly exploring all the little foodie places in Peachland. Fun.
Skipping it tonight, but Karaoke is also becoming regular for the "gang", which is pretty funny I think.

I think this was titled "Velociraptor fight"... I wouldn't have it any other way.

Stanley Cup

How disappointing... Soo many emotions during this playoff season. We do love our Canucks, bandwagon or no, it brought the Province together...

Well... haha then sharply separated it again.

However, blah blah, all BC media has reiterated this to death, but "how embarrassing was the riot aftermath". Exciting... but still disappointing and embarassing. First world problems. But I won't fill the blog with the overstated "Small group of morons" "anarchists", etc... No... it was a large group of morons, who love the spectacle and the idea that somehow they have a reason to "hate the system". That being said, I come to wonder if I would have immediately left the riot scene? or whether I would have been a bit fascinated by the spectacle... Would I have encouraged the monkeys by bringing out MY camera phone? It's easy to distinguish the "other" and become high and mighty and judge... but crowds are crowds, and I know I am easily moved by the enthusiasm of the masses...

We'll see how I react next year when we win :)

Tony:
I don't know why they don't arrest that one guy in the picture you posted.

It has his name right on his shirt!

Kesler!

Man, criminals are stupid.

Jon:

I know eh? such easy identification

Almost every picture I saw had that moron too

him and his friend Burrows

Tony:

mhmmmm

The egos on some people.

But we can't blame Luongo

as much as I see him

I've heard he can't stop anything.

couldn't*

Jon:
Hahah

Next year Canucks. Next year.

One year

It's been one year since LOST was on the air. I miss it.

Well, that's my little statement about that, not really blog worthy in my mind, but I figured I needed to write about SOMETHING and that was the first thing that came to mind. I could supply commentary about the "World ending" or any of that sort of thing, but I feel like the interweb is obsessed enough with this whole doomsday prophecy.

Summer is here! And I am looking forward to it immensely. Mostly, I'm looking forward to waterskiing again... This hot weather and flat lake is making me think about it all day, but I haven't quite had the opportunity to go yet. Soon though... soon. The fact that it is as hot as an August day, and there is still snow on the hills makes me happy too. Granted, the snow is way up there, but it's still visible. Awesome, I love where I live.
On that note, I've been giving it more thought into when I won't be living here anymore. I'm back in "LSAT studying mode" for a little while, and that keeps my days busy. So, pathetic me, still goes out to the University almost every day to do prep for that, but that's okay. Only for now.

Because my "summer" hasn't really kicked off with any shenanigans yet, I don't have much to write about. Routine is still un-blogworthy... BUT I figured I'd stir up the waters a bit. Stagnancy brings all sorts of insects...

I saw a mosquito the other day too.. they are coming.




Oh, and Baby Ducks. Awesome.

And so it came to an end

Well, that's it!

On Tuesday, at approximately 2:33pm I handed in my last term paper (Epistemology) of my undergrad degree... pretty exciting.

I guess now I am "Jonathan Arkle... BA (pending)"...

The questions I've been asked

How does it feel: A little bit weird actually, hasn't quite hit me entirely yet, but still the knowledge that "that was it!" is in the back of my mind. Exciting I guess, but also... now I need to start figuring out the next step

What is the next step: Most of you who read the blog have likely already heard my spiel, law school is my plan, my hope at least, but I'm taking a year off to get my "ducks in a row" for that. Going to rewrite the LSAT after preparing for it properly, then spend the next year hopefully taking care of that and applying to schools!

You should travel: I would love to, school plans come first, but also I don't have any idea as to where I should go? What would I do? I'm open to suggestions.

What can you do with a Philosophy/Sociology degree: I can look at not only society and "the human experience" in a more critical and understanding way, but also approach arguments in a logical and thoughtful manner. I have knowledge, experience, discipline... and also, I can write a damn good paper and circle you in argument. That sounds worth it to me.

Now the "long summer" has begun for me, and so far it's been off to an eventful start.

Go Canucks anddddd

I'll post more often now that school discipline isn't distracting me as much





I think I'll miss the library though.. not necessarily the studying (although that was always an ol' faithful "thing I need to do today"... purpose is nice... but also because the "library crowd" sort of became a constant. That school library was my "Cheers")

Unproductive? Probably. Worth it? Definitely

Today was likely the most unproductive day I've had at UBCO haha, however at the same time it was a very very good day.

Began with an 8:00am 'Police and Society' class in which we were going to watch a documentary. It didn't work, technical difficulties, so instead we got back our Finals, which I am happy to say I did very well on. We got out early after that.

Instead of moving on to the library with my "crew", we decided to sit in the sun on a bench in the courtyard... then a classmate reminded me that my only other class of the day (save for a speaker at 4:00pm) had been cancelled, and so commenced a day long socializing event in the sun with my friends and colleagues that I have grown to love over these 2 years at that particular campus. A day very well spent if you ask me.
It also got me thinking about how, despite the stress, and despite the "I AM SO OVER IT" attitude that seems to come to everyone in the last few weeks of their degree, I am going to miss the student lifestyle, the atmosphere of the university, the intellectual stimulation and discussion, but perhaps mostly haha, I'm going to miss the social aspect that is university. Here's hoping I continue to constantly meet new people and don't get caught up in a "small social circle" mindset once I'm not in the beehive of activity that is the campus.

Also, sun means summer. Nice.
(Guest speaker that I listened to at 4 spoke on deviance and youth subculture, with a particular interest in the straight edge movements of punk subcultures in the 1980's-1990's, really really interesting. Kim and I brought Katie along for her first sociology class ever, last week on "Terror and use of fear in popular culture" I brought Jill, Kelly, Dave and Dylan. Awesome, Sociology is the best... maybe I should have double majored... more school atmosphere!?!? Nah.. maybe today's leisure was a "grand farewell" to all of this... ack, no Jon, don't get all mellow dramatic, blogs are no place for that!)

NEW THURSDAY CD COMING OUT! ACKAKJ IT'S GOING TO BE SO GOOD!!! Listen to "Past and Future Ruin"... oh man. So great.

First bike ride of the year on Sunday too... wore me out, but it was really good. Good to get those muscles moving again, off season was too... off season I guess.

So that's awesome. Things are awesome. (SO PUMPED FOR NEW THURSDAY)

The end of the end of the end began

These past few days have been great! Things have just been going very well, AND it's been sunny, which is awesome. Cmonnnn summer!

Wrote my first final today for "Police and Society". I know... the first final... terrifying, this is the end of the last semester of the BA... crazy, 3 weeks left.
It was killer, but I really, REALLY prepped for it, so I'm feeling very confident. Hopefully a week of nothing but 13 hour library shifts pays off. Here is an excerpt from the end of one of my essay answers...

“These circumlocutions worked” as Skoncik and Bayley state, however not in the sense of achieving the mandate. Rather, with the proper presentation community policing through its circumlocutions wrapped the police in “aspirations and values that are extremely powerful and unquestionably good” to further legitimize this “moral powerhouse” in its war against the deviant others in society, to uphold both the unwritten moral mandate and police mandate as a “justified” non-accountable and nonnegotiable coercive force. - Jonathan Arkle

I know right?

I'm feeling good about it. ALSO, New Rise Against is fantastic and definitely winning the playcount race at the moment, but new contender isssss
NEW THURSDAY SONG
Yayy.

Wolf pup

I'm ashamed that I consistently want to write about something, but as soon as I open blogger it all disappears from my mind. Such is life I guess, but I'll try to scrape together what I hoped to rant about...

The new Rise Against album has incredibly poignant lyrics, and I would recommend it to anybody who has a particular affinity for punk music.

As I worked through my graveyard shift last night I went through a complete flurry of emotions. The shift is an interesting one as it is 8 hours beginning at midnight, but the majority of it is working alone. As a result, this lonesome time with my own thoughts mixed with the increasing tiredness in those ensuing hours creates a cocktail of thoughts that is sometimes dangerous in that they will be right the way across the spectrum. I've never been so inspired, so happy, so angry, and so depressed as I have been during a graveyard shift.
Anyways, last night was focused a lot on faith (oh no.. another one of these posts? YOU BET), this is naturally an ever going battle seeing as I'm constantly immersed in the atheistic push that is a philosophy degree in the academic circles. Apologetics has always been not only a passion, but something that I feel to be almost necessary... but last night wasn't so broad of a thought. Instead, it was more shame towards the way that those under the banner of Christianity treat their fellow humans... close-minded, open-mouthed... I can't relate, I hope I never can. I'm a broken record on this blog, I recognize that, but I hope that I can be an example without being a hatemonger, I hope that I can demonstrate love without it appearing like I'm just seeking an "eternal reward", altruistic means for a selfish end, I hope that I can show, and continuously demonstrate, that my life has a genuine focus and compassion that is a bit different than the masses hopefully... hopefully, but God knows that I fall so far form this every single day.

Regardless, I caught myself in a place where amongst my internal stewing I was feeling apathetic about gathering at one of my two churches as I was struck with an (unjustified) feeling of disconnectedness with my immediate fellow Christian brethren, to a point where I was feeling aggressive towards nobody but everybody because I am so unwilling to neglect fellow humans of the respect and rights they deserve, as so many people walking under the banner I claim to so eagerly do... damning humans based on their own misunderstandings of the nature of our species (It was 4am...)
Thankfully I was able to catch myself, slap myself into a much calmer place, and then went on a little blast from memory past to Australia and particular events and important (and level headed) people there, which was good to sooth my stewing for the time being...
I was thinking about you Jordan and Vanessa. Thank you! I appreciate you.

I feel this blog comes across as preachy too often... Expect some fluffy filler posts for the next little while to stir stagnant waters.

On more interesting notes, this came into the pool the other day, it's a wolf! 98% said the owner. It is also my new favorite thing in the world... this week, until something else remotely distracts me.


Also, the tragedy of the Japanese earthquake is awful, naturally (no pun intended). The footage is dramatic, and obviously the devastation is remarkable... however, it is worth noting that had Japan not had such strict building regulations that it has, the devastation could be much worse. So lets be thankful for that. Praise the effectiveness of preparation.

And finally... (not making fun, bear with me...) CNN could have come up with a better description I feel... I can't help but think that a marquee writer with a wicked sense of humour is responsible. The tragedy is awful, but this headline is incredibly ironic.


Also on my graveyard shift were long conversations during breaks about UFO's and Wendigos. I'll write about that next time... I would have written about that now.. but it's nighttime and it scares me.

The Cancer of Society

Negative Post! :D!!

I realise that I am definitely part of the problem, as I have been perpetuating it in the last couple of days with my fascination with this Charlie Sheen video....
However, the fascination that our society has with celebrities really does make me feel awful about what we have become.

The other day a friend of mine said, when finding out that I hadn't watched the Oscars he said "oh really? I thought you would have been all over that"

No... no, I really wouldn't be :(

I can't understand the self-worship that that culture has about itself... these people with influence should be using it change the world, and in a more harsh perspective, influence the lemmings that follow them to want to change the world as well. Some do this, and I recognize that, however I can't understand the fascination that the media, not just pop-culture media but even news media, has on these people.

As of this writing, the current playcount for Justyn Beebir's "Oh baby" video is 479,180,276... Four Hundred and Seventy Nine Million unique visits.

This video only has 264,124 views...

What makes news? What makes headlines? Not what people should be aware of... Charlie Sheen being off/on/off and on drugs/tigerblood is though.

Oh well... I was talking about it, so I'm part of the problem I guess.
I need to get ready for graveyard, but I wanted to rant. I'll likely speak on this subject again though... It's been on my mind a lot recently. Anger at the apathy held by the west to not only injustices in our own system, but even more significant around the world.

hmm...

Goodnight!


(Also, I'm currently 0/15)

Love keeps her in the air when she outta fall down

Another potential title for the post was almost
"Little Albatross"

So last night was the much anticipated Serenity night. It's likely because of all of the "bring Firefly back" hoopla that has resurfaced on the interweb recently, but watching it made me incredible nostalgic for the show, and sent me right back into a very passionate "It was/is the greatest ever".

Also, great company helps too. How do you tell the quality of a man? By the company he keeps. How can you tell the quality of the company you keep? Their willingness to "sing"/yell along with Dr. Horrible, and then intently watch Serenity, (and unanimously consider it a night well spent).

Aside from that, nothing particularly newsworthy, but I figured I'd stir up the stagnant waters again. Going to a UBC Volleyball game tonight, should be good, again, good company so I'm sure it will be.. and if it isn't... oh boy.. hell to pay I tell ya....

That's it. There is no more. Re-watching that clip makes me feel like I need to have something incredibly profound to say about Love, or perseverance, or maybe just spaceships... but no such luck. I'll try to be more deep for the next one...
(Someone asked me the other day "You have a blog? What do you write about??" to which my friend Katie quickly responded "nothing really, he just posts music he likes" haha... (she then followed up with "I never read it though" aw... adorable).

Sounds like I have a trend though, so clip, and then... lets go with some "study music" then.

The track behind the clip

And a beautiful appropriate picture titled "Coming Storm"

"Let's decide to be the Architects"

My bad... I don't often check the links after posting my songs of the day... but this time I did, and realized that I had posted the Dr. Horrible song twice. oops. The original "soft" song was intended to be a Postal Service song... just in case some of you thought that I considered Dr. Horrible to be "one of the the most perfect CDs ever recorded"... It's good.. not THAT good though.

Today is my final exam for the lumber grading course, and of course instead of studying here I am updating my blog. With no real motivation either, just saw the procrastination window of opportunity and took it. ("Oh no! There was a misplaced link in my blog! This devastating mistake MUST be redeemed... the blogosphere will never forgive me for it otherwise!")
aaaannd studying lumber goes on the back-burner.

New Rise Against song released today, "The Architects"
So that's very exciting. (To me). I love it, it's passionate and even has chanting "heys", which I'm a sucker for.

Soundbites!
- New Spiderman costume for the reboot looks really badass, could be a good movie!
- Reading break has thus far involved no reading... oops
- Tired of the cold weather with no snow, and earlier sunrises are making me wish it was summer.
- I love the new Iron and Wine for what it is... but have come to the conclusion that I prefer it when it is him an his guitar. Not because I don't like change, but more so because in the musical interludes between verses, I'd rather listen to him plucking away at a guitar than hear his backup band playing a trumpet... or a recorder. That's just me though, the CD is still fantastic, but it doesn't knock "Shepard's Dog" from its pedestal.

That last one was definitely not a soundbite.. dang.


Also saw Torrey play a show the other night... I love that guy to bits.

Nostradamus

Saw this standing in line at the grocery store...
I think the irony of this front page speaks for itself



Now I'm torn about whether or not I should afraid of the fearful 2011.... or use the magic of numerology for a safe and happy year.... can I be safe and happy in a fearful year? Or is it fearful in the risk of me not using numerology? So much stress!! If only I had read beyond the title... then maybe I would have learned what it is I need to do.

Reading break!! Definitely looking forward to the break. Here's hoping it's memorable!

Happy Valentines day too I guess? haha Here are some Valentine's day "themed" songs.
1) Heavy song of the day (Favorite metal band throughout all of high school)

2) Softer song of the day (From one of the greatest/most perfectly complete CD's ever recorded)

3) And one that all we hopeless fools can relate to!

3! Fantastic.

Word math!

"Oh Jon, that last blog was self serving and whiny"
Yea? Get this...

So this week is off to a fantastic start... I'll put it into an equation
Exam Season + Coffee + Laptop = ?

(I'll reorganize that to get my point across a little bit better)

Coffee + Laptop +Exam Season = ?

For those of you who may not have caught on... I'll formalize the logic a little bit more

(Coffee + Laptop) + Exam Season = ?

Now granted, it was a mistake... not on my part, somebody else spilled said coffee on said computer (Coffee got spilled on the computer, I assumed you caught on, but just in case), so I can't be mad... what's done is done, and now I need to figure out how to arrange my next few weeks around getting papers done plus getting computer repaired (hopefully).
Furthermore, to add to this week being "awesome", in the Lumber Grading course today I was wrong on every answer I was called on... the worst part about that is it doesn't matter how right you may have been in other answers, you still appear to be a complete moron to the rest of the class when the few answers that you bunged up on are the ones that are announced to the class. Swell.
Also... sickness can go away, if it doesn't mind.
Nobody said that the blog was self serving and whiny, but I am quick to assume that my voicing might come across as such..

I hate the blog being a place to whine... be all preachy and wax philosophic yes, but whine? pfft. (wahhhh! I wish I could just chat with...

Changing subjects!
I wanted to riff about one of these two pictures, couldn't decide which one, so went with both!

I love this. It's the directors cut!! I mean, it must be a good movie now right? Not only have they re-released it, but now as a directors cut? I always find it funny when movies that were pretty much universally destroyed by critics get a "directors cut" release... as if going with the original version of the directors already awful vision will somehow result in something worthwhile. Furthermore, it wasn't just the director that made this movie bad... it bad bad everything. Adding more scenes with Bhen Aflack isn't going to make the movie magically better... "Ohhhh, we missed that one scene where he was GOOD!"

I can't wait for the "Catwoman: Directors Cut" to come out, and we all realize that Holy Berry was part of the greatest cinematic masterpiece of all time... it just got cut a little short.

Now this one... I don't know if you can read it when opening the picture... but instead of ranting about it, I'd just like to say that I want to go with someone now. Who's in? We now have breakfast AND dinner plans!
(Weirdest marketing ever though...)
Especially because I feel like Shrimp is an appetizer food you know? Like... the kind of thing that is on a platter with tarter sauce or whatever, and you have about five and think "yeaa... I'm done"... but that?? Hilarious

Anyways, "play em off Jonny"...er.. "Andy?"

This still has a picture and songs.

Ahhh hypocrisy.

I was speaking to a dear friend the other day who was discussing how they feel they have been betrayed by another friend of theirs hypocrisy. Specifically in regards to the demand for respect from others, but without supplying it on their own.

I think that's what upsets me the most about human interaction.. is the lack of respect. Now, on the note of hypocrisy, I want to clearly state the disclaimer that I definitely fall under this description as well. My own shortcomings in this regard (specifically in the name of "humour") will often leave me feeling guilty for the way I've treated another human being, and it's something that I cannot understand.

I've been called a "people-pleaser" (in a very loving way mind you, not as an insult) due to my sometimes ridiculous and self defeating measures taken to make sure that I don't upset or let anyone down... and while, yes, sometimes this results in my own plans not coming to fulfillment, I still can't bring myself to see it as a bad thing... or even a foolish thing.

It seems to me, as I've 'blogged' about in the past, that if there is any HUGE question worth worrying about in this world, that's worth dedicating all focus on, (philosophically or in any other discipline), it's not "how much can we know/how far can we push", it's not "is there a God/a purpose in life", and it's definitely not "What is my next step?" but rather "how ought I treat others... how ought I act?". To me this question transcends all disciplines, and schools of thought. All religions or lackthereof, all ethics and actions.

Now, don't get me wrong... I too often get caught up in my own endless pondering of all of the aforementioned questions, but in the end it seems to me that the only important one is the final point. How ought we treat each other?
It's all well and good to increase our human knowledge, and by no means do I intend to undervalue research in any field, but this rant comes from a purely relational perspective. In regards to how we interact with each other on a day to day basis.
Similarly, I don't mean to belittle more metaphysical questions, or those of faith either. In the end of all things, perhaps there is an afterlife, perhaps not. I know I have my stance on the matter, but in the end I believe that should really be seen as irrelevant. Life should not be seen as a "means-end" relationship, but rather lived based on what is applicable immediately... and on what we can control here and now. (I mean... isn't this what matters on the basis of even Christianity?)

That being said, what can we control here and now? Our relationships. Our interactions. That's what really matters, that's all that matters! So why oh why do people focus on their own immediate interests versus those of those around them.
Again, this blog is becoming a bit of a bore, I admit. If I'm not giving nonsensical, uneventful updates on "there is a cat in my house" or the like, I am ranting about idealistic selflessness, and how I see martyrdom as the highest possible virtue... but bear with me, at least it's something personal not just a photo and a song...

Anyways, I don't have some great lesson... some final thought or even conclusion, but rather this is just a way for me to voice some frustration when people (who I looked up to), let me down in this way when I hear about actions such as this... I don't have the answers, but I can only hope that "love" rings through whatever answers there are.

Stop putting yourself first... it's not becoming of you.
I'll try to do the same. (Surrre you will y'hipocrite)


This painting is by my favorite artist called "To a Better Life". Sometime I hope to have a piece of his in my home. Someday.

(oh also... "Anonymous" if you are a regular reader at all... or at least regular enough to have read the last post and this one, you didn't give me much to work with. Your hint could be anything from a genuine religious enthusiasm to an ironic jest from one of my many skeptic friends... or perhaps you are someone who overheard that soapbox evangelist who announced "Jesus' Love" to the entire UBCO Library last week... so I'm afraid I have no idea who you are... sorry... But hey, thanks for reading my blog! I'm pretty pumped about the viewership. My "user dashboard" gives me stats about visitors to my page, showing how many visit the blog gets per day, from what country, and either a couple people worldwide check over and over, or I have quite a few regular readers, Mostly Canadian or American, but even some from Germany. Pretty cool. Don't worry, I don't know WHO you are... I wish I did, but I don't have that information. I do know what country you are from though... oh also, whether you use internet explorer or firefox (or safari for some of you). Pretty cool... betcha didn't know I knew about you when you don't comment... well, I don't really know about you when you DO comment with all these "anonymous" folk popping up... oh well)

Hard Song.

Soft Song

Take your pick.

All the world is mad

Although the last post had one of my favorite songs of all time, this one (by the same artist) has the greatest lyrics.

It's poetry, and I want to share.

Other than the lyrics of this song consistently ringing through my mind, nothing is particularily new. The semester is well under way, as the "reading break" is almost here... crazy.
I want more... time. More sleep. I want more focus too, too easily do I give in to procrastination these days (case and point, BLOGGGG!!!!!).

I also want to play more guitar...
ALSO, wouldn't it be great it it rained? Like... REALLY rained? Lightning and the booms and the wet and all that.

Meanwhile, a small bear is still living in my house.

Blog fuel

So, last post I wrote about always losing inspiration to write blog before I get home.. today was one of those days.

While out today I was inspired to rant and question such topics as (but not limited to...)

a) Aliens and Ghosts
b) Whether or not food taste changes depending on texture
(NOT relying on molecular change, so eggs boiling doesn't count)
c) Alchemy
d) Sunshine
e) Loneliness, friendship and suffering.
d) Fate(?) and free will
e) Self betterment and focus
f) Virtues
g) Sea Monsters


Boy... wouldn't each of those have been great topics? That's not a particular order either... Alchemy was the most recent thought. I was just musing to myself about not only the literary value it gives to historical periods, (based on such ancient views of science), but also the immense symbolism behind the idea of turning simple metals into gold. Fantastic. You could tie that into a blog about self betterment and focus I guess, in regards to the symbolic nature. Interesting, you could also tie alchemy into my purely quizzical subject of whether or not taste relies on texture. Changing something into something else. Such topics would be fantastic blog posts.

But as I said... I got home, and lost the motivation.

Also, I noticed a hole starting to form in my jacket pocket. Tragic. And the symbolism behind that is... bleh, I'm hungry. End of post.

In honour of Alchemy, I present one of my favorite songs of all time (no lies!)

Song: Digital Sea -
Artist: Thrice
Album: The Alchemy Index - Water

Why I never update...

I am well aware of these dry spells in the blogging habit... as noble as my intentions may be to update the blog more frequently... I never end up doing it? Why?
My theory... It just takes me too long to get home! haha at school or work I'm always thinking about things, or seeing things that make me think "Man, I could riff on this in the blog"... but then by the time I get home, inspiration is lost or at least diminished enough so that I forget.

Disappointing.

I'm pretty pumped on the sunshine that's been flirting with us these last couple days. Despite a few hiccups, 2011 is still turning out well (I think). I feel I can keep "praising" 2011 at least until the end of January, that's when I can decide whether to keep up the optimistic "better than 2010" attitude. Keeping in good company with good conversation is the key for the year thus far. That means YOU! (Maybe. Unless we don't speak... if that's the case, stop reading my blog and lets have a conversation!)

Watched How to Train Your Dragon again with some folk tonight, still awesome. Every. Time. Also watched Ricky Gervais being interviewed on CNN with Katie and Kelly, and it only acted to cement my opinion that the man is a genius.

But I'm scraping for topics... so this is an uninteresting post. Apologies, but at least it stirred up the stagnant waters. No mosquito nests here.
Flies maybe..

I'm in an oddly sentimental, somewhat subdued mood tonight. Probably just tired, full moon was last night so there's no blaming that one.

An "oldie" loaded with memories, but definitely tonight's song for me.

Text 2

Jon: "You sir, are drunk"
Jon: And you say...
Tony: You'll still be beautiful in the morning an' I'll never forgive you. However, still come. I'll be sober come morning"


This one wins first prize though for "Random text that made me laugh out loud"

Jill: You know, Jurassic Park wouldn't have been nearly as exciting if the park facilities just had round door knobs...


I associate with the best people ever.

Very exciting! (for me at least)

AHH!
What a good day!
http://www.riseagainst.com/exclusive/Revealed.aspx

I was on quite the folk kick for the last... two months, which is and was bound to happen, and isn't quite over yet what with the new Iron & Wine coming out on the 25th... but it's funny because just this morning as I was switching back and forth between "I&W" and "Mumford and Sons" on the bus, I wondered to myself "what CD will it be to get me off this kick and back onto my usual wagon".
Found it.

Also, snowed like crazy last night, which was pretty sweet. Went from bare ground to this




Sweet.
I need to read now. First tea. Then read...
Priorities.

Walking far

This will be a quick one, as I'm pushing for time before I have to leave for class... I told myself I'd leave in 2 min... so type quick (I'll be applying copy-paste for much of this body)

BUT, I just wanted to share the lyrics for one of my favorite songs right now, the newest "Iron and Wine" single. I'm torn about what I love the most about Sam Beam's music... not only is it beautiful to listen to, but his lyrics bring a sense of romanticism to parts of life that one might not otherwise pay attention to...

Fantastic music to listen to while just... watching life happen around you.

I was walking far from home
Where the names were not burned along the wall
Saw a building high as heaven
But the door was so small, door was so small

I saw rain clouds, little babies
And a bridge that had tumbled to the ground
I saw sinners making music
And I dreamt of that sound, dreamt of that sound

I was walking far from home
But I carried your letters all the while
I saw lovers in a window
Whisper "want me like time, want me like time"

I saw sickness bloom in fruit trees
I saw blood and a bit of it was mine
I saw children in a river
But their lips were still dry, lips were still dry

I was walking far from home
And I found your face mingled in the crowd
Saw a boat full of believers
Sail off talking too loud, talking too loud

I saw sunlight on the water
Saw a bird fall like a hammer from the sky
An old woman on the speed train
She was closing her eyes, closing her eyes

I saw flowers on a hillside
And a millionaire pissing on the lawn
Saw a prisoner take a pistol
And say "join me in song, join me song"

Saw a car crash in the country
Where the prayers run like weeds along the road
I saw strangers stealing kisses
Leaving only their clothes, only their clothes

Saw a white dog chase its tail
And a pair of hearts carved into a stone
I saw kindness and an angel
Crying take me back home, take me back home

Saw a highway, saw an ocean
I saw widows in the temple to the Lord
Naked dancers in the city
How they spoke for us all, spoke for us all

I saw loaded linen tables
And a motherless colt then it was gone
I saw hungry brothers waiting
With the radio on, radio on

I was walking far from home
Where the names were not burned along the wall
Saw a wet road form a circle
And it came like a call, came like a call from the Lord

Love it. Musically 2011 is off to a great start. Still very happy with how it is turning out.
Annnnddddd leaving NOW

So THIS is the New Year!

Happy New Year Friend(s?)

So far the year is off to an awesome start. I feel like I'm on a constant high, and it makes me very happy, (as constant highs do).

It's a funny feeling really... usually the new year brings a traditional quoting of "Death Cab for Cutie" quotes, particularly "So this is the new year... I don't feel any different". This is ironic to me, becuase for whatever strange reason, I do feel different. Filled with anticipation, and also... a strange sense of freedom. My own personal revelation on New Years eve brought it on, and it's fantastic.


This is my "January 2011" song... I've already plagued facebook with it, so I'm sure any readers of my blog have seen that already. I've associated it with my new outlook, and therefore it makes me happy by association. The fact that it's an amazing song also helps.

BUT, in case you are tired of the Jonsí song, and you enjoy little song recommendations, this is my favorite song today, it's called "Stop Smoking Because It's Not Good For You".

Also, on the Music note, this is still very exciting to me




But yea. I am very happy. So I wish you a very happy new year as well, because this is a great feeling