Well isn't that just the cat's meow! I can now share with you my progress of biking and well any other activity via Runtastic. Just take a gander to your right and bam there it is!
Seeing how I love biking so and do so much of it why not. And well I always like to track my progress and see how I am doing.
Goal for next year - Compete! Yes indeed I am hoping to get into racing, possibly some Enduro races, the 24 Hours of Adrenaline is a big goal of mine I would love to accomplish. And well we all need goals to strive for! So winter is coming but that won't stop me from riding and preparing for next summer!
You know there is a good saying that I do indeed think is so awesome and very true.
"If you're not falling, you're not trying hard enough."
It holds true in so many aspects in life not just my sport. When you fall it does hurt, sometimes on the surface and sometimes deeper down inside. But with that pain comes learning. It is wise to pay attention to that hurt. Take from it what you must and move forward in the attempts to not "fall" in the same manner. But sometimes it takes a few falls to really learn and that is just a part of life. I have my fair share of scar's bumps and bruises but I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. I have learned more from my falls I bet then a good chunk of my successes. Funny how that works but it does.
The biggest thing with falling is to get back up, know that the pain is temporary, pride in ones self knowing you gave it your all lasts forever. So I will continue on my path knowing that next spill will come and when it does I will smile, laugh and enjoy it - even if it hurts. And just get back up and keep rollin along.
On a lighter note, but somewhat related I love my new bike. It is fantastic and really one of my favorite things. I love to get out and ride. Flying through the trails exploring the wilderness and getting to see this beautiful countryside. And of course taking in my fair share of bails! There is something to be said for getting out and riding, it is like an addiction almost. Feels so good. So surreal and peaceful. Sun shining down through the tree's. So quite even in the center of the city it is my getaway in the day to day and I am grateful for it. Now if only I could drag my ass to the mountains more and really get some good riding in!!
Wow where has the time gone? Seems like just yesterday it was spring.
Summer has come and gone and it barely took the time to say hello.
How rude!
So what exactly happened. Right life. I used to write about that ... Interesting how it comes and goes inspiration to write hits when it does and well sometimes that doesn't happen for well apparently months at a time seeing as my last post was back in August. Whoops? Nah not a whoops, the whole point of writing isn't to force it but to let it happen when the inspiration hits you. Many things inspire me some more then others. Some simple as music and some would be much more complex. We may not always have that inspiration we need, which can be without a doubt tough! But when one does have that inspiration however best watch out for there is no stopping them!
Now then I do believe an update would be in order seeing as I am here now. It has been a busy summer... wait can call it summer even? For technicalities we shall let it remain as such. I digress. Where was I, right life back on track as it were. I have enjoyed the past year it has been an adventure with some good changes and well one of the best things was a certain lack of change oddly enough. I have been extremely happy going into the office day in and day out. We have been busy which I love and I can say without a doubt that I do indeed love my job. Lucked out finally finding what I was looking for. Somewhere I belong, am challenged and most importantly appreciated. It is a great feeling to say the least.
Winter is fast approaching and I am excited for it. Work is keeping me busy. Life is good. Finding more reasons to smile every day. Taking it day by day and just going with the flow making sure to enjoy life and those things that inspire us.
And with that I bid thee adieu until our next encounter.
Twenty one, feeling down
I tell you nothing with a thousand words
and I weaker get, with every step
I waste my money on compact disc's and staly fish
I can't remember the last time I did something that made
me feel alright longer than a few hours
if I only had the strength to make some muffins then I
swear that I would share them with you now.
Am I odd or am I not?
That's a question I spend time analyzing
I'm so soft, but still I'm not
living up to what people want me to be
cause I'm busy with me, myself and I
can't be understood by someone I don't know to well
so I'm shutting out the whole world just to play Nintendo
I've got these new games but I'm afraid you can't join me.
...These last few years I've been struggling
and I'm tired of keeping low profile
so now it's time to show that I'm alive...
I'm gonna change my life
Change my plans
Change my vans
Even start to dance now
Change my thoughts
Change my socks
Change my moves
Even change my Pro Fighter Q for you
No it's not for you
This one's just for me
This one's just for me Bullion
By Mellencolin.
Great song no? I definitely think so. It is so true though, whatever it is you do in life, you must do for you and you alone. Now I am not talking simple things like being nice to others or helping others out, those are still very good things that we all must do if we want the world to be a better place. But I mean things for yourself personally, changes, goals, aspirations anything that you wish to achieve you must do so because you want to do it for yourself. Only then will you feel fully satisfied with those achievements.
It seems summer has finally arrived, looking forward to it so. It looks to be a busy one and then some, work is going full tilt to the point of turning away work. Which equals lots of hours! Funny how it works, either your broke with time to do anything but can't afford to or you have the money but don't have the time. At least at this point in my life anyways. So for now I will work, the more the better! I do love being busy at work, makes the days fly by for sure.
Well I will work and work, until June - for then I have my first vacation in the last 3 years! About damn time if you ask me. Plan for said week and a half off, a road trip of epic proportions! Short little jaunt down to Washington - which reminds me I gotta get my passport! Damn thing expired... Oh 6 Years ago now. Number of us shall take the trek down to Seattle, from there we join a select few (word is could be 1000) other European car owners for a lovely little drive to the town of Leavenworth. Spend a few days there, then it's back to BC visit family for a few days enjoy the mountains, do some mountain biking then back home. Probably end up being a 4000km round trip by the time I am done. Good thing I love to drive!
Too often I have found myself rushing into things. To eager, to quickly to call "all in"... Actually amazing I won any poker games during college come to think of it! I mean... I was busy doing assignments, studying for exam's and other things of that nature...
All kidding aside, which i frankly do a lot. I think it is good, never want to be to serious, as that saying goes you'll die. Wait no, that's not right - Oh yes never get out alive!
Now here I am 25 years old, and starting to realize to just breathe. Slow it all down and not be in such a rush. There is so much I have to look forward to in my life and the road ahead of me. I know it will be a good one and so I will just breathe. Take in each moment and experience as they come my way. Enjoying every bit of life, the simple and the complex, the good and the bad. Always remembering to smile and make the most of it all. Something of which all of us should learn and of course I am too still learning the finer intricacies of it all. Learning to slow myself down, live for the moment as it were. Just breathe, take it all in and go with the flow. Be happy with who I am and with my life. Which I will admit I am quite happy, but I will always be learning, growing and reminding myself to enjoi it all.
Well the long weekend is upon us! And I got a nice little surprise text today, my niece and nephew (along with my sister too of course) are on the road here from BC!
I am very excited, love those two little ones. Amazing I haven't actually written about them yet. My little Lizzie Monster and Jack Attack as I call them. They can always brighten up the worst of days. Infectious little laughs they have. Lizzie is four now and Jack is two. Every time I see them it amazes me how much they have grown and continue to grow. Feels like just yesterday that Lizzie was a tiny little baby (wow did I just say that, isn't that what all the old timers say? Dang that makes me feel old and then some...) Suppose that's just how it goes eh? Needless to say I am so very happy to have a Niece and Nephew and one more on the way come September! It's great I get all the enjoyment out of kids but none of the well major responsibilities life as an Uncle is great! Plus the amount of love little kids give is unreal and so unconditional its quite an amazing feeling!
This weekend is gonna be a gooder for sure! Hitting up West Ed Amusment park, haven't done that in years! I don't even remember the last time I was on a rollercoaster they are such a rush! And well me being me I love rushes, this summer sky diving is on the list for sure!
Now just to finish off work for the day already... Come on 5 o'clock!
Until that time hits here are a few more pictures of these two kids who enrich my life so!
Well figured it was high time the blog got a bit of a facelift. Lighten it up make it a lil more cheery. Better reflection of myself really. I mean yeah the old one did look cool, but I am not really a dark person. Well I think anyways haha.
So here we are April 14th, in the midst of a snow storm. Oh Alberta how you never cease to disappoint. Bit of randomness here today as my distraction level from work rises and I want to head home. Only one more day then it's the weekend! *grin* (stole that) Have my Professional practice exam on Saturday, should be easy peasy. Then the Edmonton Autoshow is on. Always fun to go check that out! Hopefully soon here I will be providing you lovely readers with some more of the 58' Part's list is growing it seems but I am still getting excited! I cannot wait to drive it.
Oi look's as though I got some work I still gotta do. So I leave you all now.
Well its only half way through March, but due to unseasonably warm conditions here in the office, coupled with a good game of Extreme Ping Pong has brought upon us an early Slurpee season! But as a Canadian is there such thing as a Slurpee season? No no there really isn't, well for a true Canadian anyways. Now see here I am at a point where I could go into a deep philosophical discussion about being Canadian and what not... But nah I am to busy enjoying this Slurpee.
So drink a Slurpee its delicious.
Friend of mine often has very good questions that he brings up and sparks good conversations between the two of us. Most recently goals and accomplishments, having a sense of fulfillment in life and being able to feel proud of where one is in life and where they are going.
Everyone has goals in their life, but I am sure much like myself there are many people out there who have these goals and have failed to accomplish them. Maybe not failed completely, but look back at when they wanted these goals complete. I know with myself many goals have been delayed due to life being well life. But that doesn't mean I have given up on them!
So how does one feel fulfilled, feel proud and things of this nature? Well of course every one varies each having their own individual need's in respect to fulfillment and feeling proud. Through out life this will change as well we grow and learn and move from one goal to the next. Regardless of what we achieve, what goals we conquer or not the biggest thing I have learned is being able to look back at it all and just accept it. I say accept it because in everyone's life there are moments we are proud of and happy with and some that we aren't and that is life in itself. Acceptance of our past is important, one must not dwell on what is in the past. (Can't say if someone does or doesn't but I know in all honesty that I have.) Once I learned to accept the things in my past that I wasn't to proud of I was able to be happier with my past and see that there was a lot that I was quite proud of and I did indeed achieve some pretty awesome things in my few years in this world thus far.
Through it all I suppose the biggest thing with fulfillment is finding out what works for you and what you need. It may or may not be easy, might learn right away what you need or it might take you some time. But in the end it will work out and you will know what you need. Like my friend says
"Do what you need to do to stay happy"
Which couldn't be more true!
It's a little shot of 7 am as I sit here at my desk, looking out into the darkness that is out the window. I strongly fight the urge at this moment to go on a rant about my fellow Canadians complaining about the cold and they have never seen it this cold going into March... I will admit it is pretty chilly this morning. However I swear everyone forget how long and what winter is like as soon as summer rolls around... Oh wait I said I WASN'T going to rant or rave... So moving along good people.
Perhaps its update time? Not a bad idea. It has been a good 8 months indeed, this place I find myself in day in and day out is one that I am quite happy with. I have enjoyed many jobs I have had over the years but this one just seems to have that little extra. Almost like a sense of family here. It is a pretty fantastic office everyone so laid back and easy going makes life so much better to love coming into work every day. I mean why else would I have woken up at 5 am today? Well maybe if the furnace broke... But in that case I would probably just freeze to death in my sleep and not have been the wiser!
Of course there is the enjoyment of extreme ping pong every day, happy people surrounding me, good bosses who like me and everyone else here has a definite good sense of humor. All added to the awesomeness that is my job and well life. But to the more serious side of work, I enjoy what I do, yes I really do - We have been busy and I love that fact, by the looks of it there isn't much signs of slowing down either! Probably the reason I am here so early its a preemptive strike against the massive work load ahead haha.
I could continue to ramble on for quite some time I am sure, however I shall restrain myself. But know life is good in all aspects good family, good friends and a good job. Definitely lucky to say the least.
Oh Oh I will add one more thing - The beetle has a heart!!! Yes just like the Tinman finally. And here it is! Beautifully old 1500cc Single Port engine! Many of you will probably look at this and go "Huh?" But now there is hope that come spring that the 58' will not be the best looking pushable beetle around as a good friend of mine would say.
The other morning I realized something. Something that truly enriches peoples lives non the less. What you may ask? Dog's, yes so simple I know. But dog's enrich our lives more then we sometimes realize. This was brought to my attention the other morning as I was still laying in bed. Hearing my roommate trying to coax his dog into heading out the door to work. But Baron (see above) didn't want to, was just sitting right outside my door waiting for me to wake up. So I leaned over and opened up my door to see Baron's little nub going nuts as he ran over to the edge of the bed so happy to see me! Like he hadn't seen me in YEARS! That right there my friends made my morning and well in all honesty my day.
I have always enjoyed having dogs around but like I said sometimes we don't really realize how awesome they make our lives. So loving and non judgement and well in all honesty hours of pure entertainment! (Baron especially haha) Growing up I was lucky enough to always have dog's around, and I am so happy to be living in a house with one yet again. If you are lucky enough to have a dog in your midst you know what I am talking about, and if you don't have a dog well... you should just go get one already.
Here are a few more moments in the life of Baron that entertains me so.
Amazing how these furry animals make life so much easier to Enjoi.
Oh the blogging world, what an interesting thing you are. Here for me to spread my many thoughts with the world. And to date I have had some good deep thoughts and some trivial random ones as well. All of which I do hope you all enjoi, but that is not the reason behind why I blog. Why do I do it then you might be asking? It is simply an outlet, a means to get my thoughts out of my head... In all reality then I could by all means just keep a journal. But I do indeed like the idea that what I have in this head of mine goes somewhere that can be read, for those who want to read it of course. They may or may not like what I have to say and that is good I know not everyone will agree with me, I don't do my writings in the hopes that I will please people or make everyone happy. If I offend someone, well I will apologize but these writings are who I am and what I beleive so they aren't going to change any time soon. But of course feel free to comment, share your own thoughts on what I have to say - I do like to read and hear other peoples thoughts just as much as I like to share my own.
Anywho Like, dislike or impartial of me and my wonderous blog aside the next thing you may wonder is where the heck does he come up with this stuff? Well good readers I do indeed have a complex brain - yes you can argue it if you wish hahaha. But usually stuff just comes to me as I go on down that road of life. Normally inspired by many things, the people in my life, events that happen or of course the world of my car's and as well music - sometimes a song will come on and that will spark something. Music actually will always have an underlying tone to all of my writing, be it lines within the blog, or quite often I end up using lines as my titles that seem fitting as it is music is something I enjoi in my life. As well you may have noticed I like to toss in images with my writing, which quite often are pictures I have taken or pictures taken of me. Which to me reflect that of which I am writing in that moment, whether it be my mood or the topic itself I feel it helps to share well me I suppose!
So I shall continue to write and I hope you will all continue to read and who knows you may just learn something, or just sit there, shake your head and wish you could have that 5 minutes of your life back! I dunno only time shall tell!!! haha
Think I am in need of a little excitement.
All this shoveling.
Little ridiculous.
But of course you pipe up
"But Ryan, I thought you loved snow and winter???"
Yes of course my dear friends I do.And truthfully I do enjoi myself a good shovel work out. However it feels like all I have done this past while is go to work, come home, shovel,eat, shovel, sleep and repeat... Well minus the Staff Christmas party on Saturday. Damn good food, mmmm whoops sorry was drooling there a touch! Nothing like getting dressed up and hitting up The Mac for a night of shenanigans. It was quite refreshing, minus the morning. I am not one to get hang overs much, but I was feeling a tad sluggish haha.
So as I lay here in bed, driveways and walk's freshly shoveled back feelin strong I think again of needing some excitement. But I indeed have had excitement and excitement on the way here I must share with you lovely people. I am Doing my best to keep my cool, not get to excited and all that jazz... (don't think I am doing to good of a job at it though, never could hide my own excitement haha) this weekend fast approaching does excite me so. Little bit planned, a lot left to the roll of the dice.But that's just the way I like it. I will admit with all this snow and monotony of the past while there has been a little something that has kept a pretty permanent smile on my face. I have found much happiness on my own over these last two years that is for sure. But now this smile seems to have a little more staying power, little bigger then usual. All I can do now though really is wait and see. Anticipation is killer I tell you! The feeling is good, my confidence strong as it always is and well the rest is just up to fate I suppose...
Huh....Fate, there is an interesting thing in itself. Some believe it and some do not. Myself well I dunno, the way life goes as I roll along this path it seems as though Fate does seem to show its face. I mean I look at everything and how can it not? Good example here, my current job - which I love I might add. Applied, got an interview went extremely well...Didn't get the job, they hired someone with more experience. No big deal, said they would keep my resume on hand for future. (Don't all companies say that anyways??) I didn't think much of it, went on my way not letting anything slow me down. Four months later, get a call offering me a job from said company. I turn it down, had my lovely business adventure on a roll...Go figure eh? Then a measly 6 months after that I find myself calling asking and hoping on that fateful Thursday. End up with a interview the next day. And come Monday - A job offer! So something like that is like wow, three chances and I finally end up here and end up loving it more then any other job I have worked. Go figure eh?
My other example of fate, well time shall tell that is all I can say about now.
There's a cold easy glow, dancing over our street I Could have chased you down, I could have held your love But wouldn't you think me weak? Of All I should know how the streets come and go And you chased the kaleidoscope dream Stranger, baby, always keep me in your sweet memory.
Well it is about that time again, getting back into the groove of this whole blogging dealio. Doing my part to keep you all entertained. But what about me? What keeps me entertained? Well aside from life it self things like this right here.
Amazing the talent that people in our world have. What they can do with something like a bike. Can really blow your mind. I look at things such as these video's and think to myself...
"I could do that..."
Well maybe not always I could, but I want to. So what do I do, just wish I could let it be and go on my way... knowing my self like I do that just ain't my style. I always want to learn, push myself further. Find those limits and go beyond them. I am not someone who can just live life to status quo. I was meant for more I know it. Because of that fact, that self awareness I will be more, I won't settle for just regular life. I want to live life as an adventure. Exploring this amazing world for all it has to offer, always learning always growing surpassing my limits. Now I may not always succeed in doing so, but that is not going to stop me.
One cannot be afraid of failure, because in the end it doesn't mean you have failed at life. I have had many of said failures thus far in my life but by no means do I feel like I have failed. I have learned and I have grown from them, moving forward an onward in life. Always ready for that next challenge. I know as I travel this road of mine that I will indeed fail again, I am not perfect nor do I claim to be. The only thing I will claim to be is me and I will be the best me that I can be. In the end all I can wish is to look back on my life and know that I enjoyed it. It won't matter what I have accomplished or not accomplished for that matter as long as I enjoyed doing what I do best, living my life and always pushing my limits.
Another one! Crazy I know that's two days in a row now... Gotta be a record... Just felt like sharing a really good song and artist. Singer of Interpol Julian Plenti.Has a number of good songs that is for sure.
I am a big fan of music all types really. Heck at work pretty sure I have music going for at least 6 or 7 hours of my day. ( Minus the breaks for extreme ping pong of course - in case you missed it there is a nice description of said game in my earlier blog 'The White Stuff Cometh...' I highly recommend you check it out. Fanastically fun game. Anyways here is one of Julian Plenti's songs.
Games for Days
In your eyes, I am magnified I peep your sides, I do fantasize I make your mind, and pretend that you've lied I take it all the way, I take it all the way 'Cause you taste just like the river
Baby, you've played my heart, But the way that you've played, it was art
Games for days, where did you find them? Games all day
In your eyes, I'd be televised, Great big lies, as the vulture flies, I meditate to grow wise, I declassify I take it all the way, I take it all the way 'Cause you taste just like the others
Baby, you've played my heart, But the way that you've played, it was art
(You played my heart, today) 'Cause babe, you played my heart, (But the way you played, it was art) But the way that you play, it was art
Games for days, where did you find them? Games all day, we're thankful to find them Games all day, help me to shine them Play all day, I won't let the party die
'Cause this is how we learn, (This is amazing) Oh, this is how we learn, (This is amazing) Oh, this is how we learn, (This is amazing)
Now see that right there some may perceive to be cocky. Which truthfully I suppose it could be. I am a very confident person. And as many may know, or may not know it can become a fine line. I never intend to be cocky that is for sure. But it will happen from time to time... No big deal.
My confidence wasn't always what it is today. Hard to believe but for a good portion of my life I had next to none... Shocking I know! Confidence in itself is an odd beast, not an easy one to figure out that is for sure. How is it some people have it and some don't? What have people done to gain their confidence or for that matter lack of confidence. These my good friends are questions I do not have an answer too. I would love to be able to write a guide to confidence and share it with the world. Maybe I could though. Hmmm not that I am lacking in the confidence of my abilities or anything haha. I can however shed some light on how I came to have such confidence.
In my younger years throughout school I was part of the "cool group" so to say. But at the same time I wasn't If that makes any sense. Which in turn left me with very little self worth or confidence. Friends often let me down, left me out you name it. Then something fantastic happened. I was lucky enough to get to go on student exchange and spend a year in Denmark that changed my life completely. Many factors play into how that year was so momentous in changing my life. But the number one reason was the people I met. All of them were so amazing treated me so well, with so much respect. It was truly amazing. Now that year was a major reason in my new found confidence. But it continued to grow after I returned. There was moments of course in which my confidence would dip. But never for long.
I have learned now that confidence should not be based on those around you and what they think of you. Which I believe is a big reason why people end up with low confidence. Always needing others to tell them or make them believe. And again why it is such a tricky topic to figure out. I am confident in myself and my abilities because I know who I am and what I am capable of. It has been a long road to figure out who I am, ups and downs and all that jazz. I recall a good friend of mine asking me how I can be so confident. And my answer was I just am. It is a choice to believe in myself. And that will grow on itself. All I do wish though for everyone out there is that they can learn who they are and be happy with themselves and gain the same type of confidence I have because it feels pretty awesome not gonna lie.
Last weekend was an exciting one for sure! Was about time to go pick up my Beetle and bring her home. Well guess I should say home is now an actual house - crazy I know. Roommate bought a house with a really nice big garage! So I am living at his house, helping him fix the ol place up. I love doing reno's they are a lot of fun. Plus I like using my hands and making stuff better not to mention helping other people out.
Which is one thing that I really have to say impressed me most about my VW club, the willingness to help others it seems to be rare these days sadly enough. So it is very refreshing to see such a large group of people that still beleive in it!
Ok ok got a little sidetracked there... Right the beetle and bringing her home! So as I promised earlier in my rantings more pictures!!
