Warwick’s friend Bill is starting a new business called workspace. Its a concept that allows self-employed people the opportunity to network and work amongst other self-employed people. The idea is that working alongside other like-minded people will help to keep folks motivated, networked and sucessful.

Both Warwick and I have been feeling the strains of our self-employed lifestyles. Tonight we sat down, determined a few projects we could work on together, a couple of self-projects and some non work related stuff to get done. We set attainable goals, with timelines. Instead of just doing work in the same office, we’ll be keeping each other tasked in the same office.

I think we just had our first experience of workspace…

-D

It’s not everyday that you end up face-to-face with a physical manifestation of your life philosophy.

It’s okay, you can read that again, I’ll wait for you…

On Friday Warwick and I were downtown doing some demolition on Bill’s new office space. Everything needed to come out of it, so sledgehammers were swinging. As the last wall of drywall came down, Bill yelled out “you guys have GOT to see this!!” Turning the corner, the sight was nothing short of spectacular.

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You know…sometimes it feels like it just doesn’t pay to do the right thing. Copy people on emails because their technically the person to make the decision, even though you know its easier/faster to go around through the back-door route. Give people a hand, bend over backwards to help them out…not because you want something, but because it’s the right thing to do. Ask a favour with (what is apparently) the wrong timing…and here comes that big pre-conception that you can’t get rid of.

It’s not easy being green sometimes.

It’s a strange spot I live in at times. To most people I know I gather I’m a fairly neutral person. Some I know would describe me as the guy who puts other people first…and yet, there’s a group of people who see me as super selfish and just out for myself. The concept in their minds is so old, so set, that I don’t even know where it originally stemmed from. All I know is that occasionally I hear about things I’ve done that solidify that notion. It’s so messed up that I can’t figure out anymore if it’s just them…or if what I’ve done/I’m doing is what they say it is.

Sucks, is what it is. I could pick one thing about me that I’d never want people to say…it’s that. If there’s one thing I don’t want to be…it’s out for myself. Bring on a week of self analysis…

-Dave

and I’m not happy with the fact that it basically took me all day to do. Ah well, they are done, that’s the important part. The work I had planned for after the taxes now gets moved to tomorrow, which means I’m working on the weekend. Come to think of it though, I don’t know that I really have ‘weekends’ anymore…everything just blends into one.

The school semester is over, which means my buddies in school are all emailing me to share how much they understand the packing difficulty I was having around Christmas time. I’ve been asked a few times “how did you do it? Where did you start?” Simple boyz, in the garage. Always start with the important stuff

This week has been a bit disappointing for a few reasons, but one of them is definitely the way some of the plans we had before I moved are getting changed. It doesn’t look like Willson is making it out to BC for the summer, which I suppose we had a good idea about before Christmas. Aaron has sold his mountain bike to buy a car. Now, on the one hand I’m so stoked about that…but on the other, I kinda want to be there. I mean, the first car is super important…and a big brother should be there to help inspect for rust and try and steer the eager-first-time buyer away from the rust bucket. I can still remember the patience my dad had going around to see the many wrecks that I thought were perfect.

Hey Dad, do you remember the Coupe GT up in Newmarket? It was an ‘84, flat-style grill with snowflake rims. I’d always wanted one, and figured it would make a good second vehicle. Okay, the interior was trashed…it had some rust but I don’t recall it being horrible. What I do remember, however, was the test drive where dad said “this thing is a mechanical heap. Why did you drag me up here?”

Perhaps, Dad, you don’t remember the 1983 original Audi Quattro (Turbo Coupe) that I had you come and look at. It was zermett silver, or at least some of it was, while the rest was pretty much rust. I think it’s only real redeeming quality was that it was, at some point, a true sports car (for the record, in ‘83 it was priced with a Porsche 911). The cars are collectors items, but Dad saved me from buying probably the worst example ever known.

At some point he must have taught me the ropes, because I’m now in the habit of buying pretty darned good vehicles for the money spent. I guess, Aaron, I’m gonna miss out on teaching you that skill. On the other hand, however, with $5500 to spend on a car…you’re about 10X past the budget realm I try to buy in!

wow, this has gone off track eh? What can I say. All day I’ve been thinking about my four-wheeled buddy sitting out in the garage needing more love. Tomorrow is a car day. Drop some subframes, swap some control arms, maybe throw a windage tray in…

Can’t wait!

-Dave

Every once in a while life throws you a curve ball. You wreck your car, relationships falter, agreements are broken and you buy leather pants. No, I didn’t buy leather pants…its obscure internet reference that some people will find absolutely hilarious.

Anyways, I haven’t wrecked the car either…but the above thoughts pretty much sum up the sort of feelings myself and few friends have had or had to deal with over the last week. Things aren’t looking up for some situations, much like the titanic…there are a few of us have just hit the tip of the iceberg, and are waiting to find out just how poorly designed this ship we’re sailing is.

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My blog is actually pretty well read (which surprises me a little bit). I keep getting emails from people who read it that I didn’t think did. At least one every couple of weeks. On the one hand, it’s great. I see people and they immediately know what’s going on. On the other hand, it feels a little out of control.

Occasionally I type up a whole post and then have to delete it because I have no idea who might be reading it. Will I offend someone? Will I write a post about someone who I don’t think knows about the blog, only to find out they do? Isn’t that like talking behind someone’s back?

I think I need to start an anonymous blog. I already have a name for it, and a concept, I just need to decide where to host it. I need a ‘rant’ blog. I need a spot where I can blurt out the really annoying things people do around me that make me just want to grab them by the collar and shake until they agree to stop. It’s probably because there are certain reoccuring issues out here that make me want to break legs. I mean, they aren’t big issues at all…a sunny day or even a starbucks (often a fresh-brewed starbucks at home) will make the frustration pass…but the thing is I keep coming back here, ready to write a post about it…only to know I can’t.

Why do I want to write a post about it? Because people who know me will often find it hilarious…but not all of you.

I’m torn. Do I sensor myself on my own blog, or let it rail?

The funny part is, reading some of YOUR blogs and knowing what you email me in private…a whole pile of you could use the same thing…a nice ranting spot to share with ‘the rest of us’…but really share with no-one. Hmmmm…I wonder what it will be like when Warwick rants about something I do in the house, and I read it. What about the other way around?

This could get interesting.

So, a new anonymous blog…what do you think?

-Dave

I got an email from Steve this morning. Steve is one of my best friends, we’ve known each other for just over ten years now. We met in December of 1995, at Devil’s Glen. We’ve skiied every season together since then. It used to be the every weekend, but this year we got just a single day in. We’ve mountain biked together every year, owned a business together, the list goes on and on.

Steve was writing me to update me on how things are going with his preparation towards becoming a dad. Steve, and his wife Melissa, will be parents come June (I think). Anyhow, Steve was writing about strollers and painting baby rooms and all the prep that goes towards that. He commented on the things that I’ve been up to, and finished his email with the following:

“Wow, we have really gone different directions in our current life stages!”
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Friday night Warwick and I were both bagged from the day of skiing. Completely out of shape, my legs were absolutely toast from big long runs at whistler. As I was driving home thinking about a nice couch, and some brainless TV I got an email from Mark…

“Hey Dave, my buddy has Coldplay tickets. Do you want to go? Give him a call.”

Warwick had been talking about the coldplay concert for a few weeks now, so I figured I’d check to see if he was interested. Now, neither Warwick or I have any money left…the next adventure has been planned and the money earmarked for it. So the discussion was quick. “Warwick, you wanna go? I can’t afford it…but call some female friend of yours and go with them.” “Aw crap Dave, I really want to go…but I don’t have the money.”

As I was getting prepared to call the guy with the tickets and say I wasn’t interested, Warwick hit me on the blackberry: “screw it, lets go!”

Downtown we went, and bought $100 floor seats for $60! Talk about a nice deal.

The concert was fantastic. Full of energy, with all of Coldplay’s best songs featured. I think the kicker, however, was when they explained how they weren’t sure if they were going to make it last night. Apparently they all had food poisoning (or perhaps night in vancouver poisoning?) but regardless, spent the day throwing up in their hotel rooms.

If they hadn’t said anything…we would have never known.

The best part of the concert, in my opinion, is when the band left their ‘corners’ of the stage, huddled together and turned off the electrics and light show. Looking like a band huddled around the garage piano, they did a few songs without the big ‘concert flash’. Definitely the highlight.

What amazes me is how many BC friends I’m running into that were at the same concert. All of them say the same thing, it was incredible. Definitely worth the $60…even if Warwick and I are having tomato soup tomorrow, made from concentrate. (for you non-’skiiers on a budget’…that’s heinz ketchup and hot water)

I’m kidding mom, there is no food-bank needed yet. Just have to be careful with the financial spenditures. Between our next adventure, trips to mongolia, motorcycles and other such purchases…Warwick and I will likely be poor for quite a while!

Anyways, I was able to shoot a couple of not-so-horrible photos of the concert. And, one video that will be up for 24hrs or until my bandwidth gets crazy eaten.

-Dave

Right Click and Save the Video, otherwise it’s only 2seconds…not 80.

Video #2 - The crowd is into it. Right Click and Save the Video, otherwise it’s only 2seconds…not 80.

Dutch: juffrouw u
French: ennuyez-vous de vous
German: vermissen Sie Sie
Korean: 너를 놓치십시요
Russian: пропустите вас

And the Hord family?

Thanks Dad.

-Dave

I got a voicemail from an old friend tonight. I met Glen while I was in high-school. At the time he was the guitarist for a band called Blyss. Apparently, he’s doing is own gig now.

Glen has a song that is currently listed on a contest with Mix 99 in Toronto. Give a listen, and then give him a vote.

Glen’s song is called Don’t Let Your Love Go

-Dave