As with each beginning...

There is an end.

As it is with this blog. I am in the process of moving to another blog. I may keep these up for historical sake, but other than this posting, all my writings will occur as follows;

Rasing Dad - new blog site
Gregs Pocketbook - new business site
Facebook me - find me on Wastebook
Gregs Pocketbook - Facebook Page

Until we meet again... Read More...

daT is now on last.fm

I've started using last.fm and am finding myself hooked. Well, it IS a new playtoy and am only in the initial stages, but it looks interesting so far. I use Winamp as my player as I abhor the ubiquitous WMP. I've tried foobar extensively but find it too much for what I need and use.

So, I thought I'd see how I could get what I listen to on to my page here and I came up with last.fm.

What is Last.fm?
Last.fm is a music service that lets you discover new music you like, based on the music you already listen to.
The Last.fm website is filled with tons of information on artists, albums and tracks, more music similar to them, charts and other statistics and more, all built by the Last.fm users who’re keeping track of what they’re listening to with Last.fm.

You can read about artists you like, check out their most popular tracks, browse their album and find out what other artists are similar to them; learn about upcoming events, explore interesting genres, listen to music and watch videos.


daT links...
daT's Profile
daT's Library
daT's Recently Played
Some helpful last.fm links...
Last.fm FAQ
Scrobblers

Check out my profile and lemme know what you think, and/or add me!

l8r Read More...

It is what it is.

I've had quite a day thanks!

And though I've been busy I am working on a post that is worthy of today's events.

I'll share this quote to begin, and then finish up the post tomorrow.

"If you love something let it go free. If it doesn't come back, you never had it. If it comes back, love it forever." Read More...

Love is...

I've loved two women in my life.

At the age of 47 I consider that not too bad. I don't throw the word around lightly as I know what it's like to love someone over a period of decades. I may not speak to my first love anymore (just the way it is sometimes) but I certainly still, and always will, love her. My most recent lover... that's another matter entirely. I've blogged about my experiences of late many a time, and will more than likely continue to do so as I'm sure she will remain the last woman I truly love.

You may/may not recall a single panel comic strip from a while back entitled Love is... Was in black/white and there was one panel that I still recall to this day. Love is... no fun without her. Which is pretty much where I stand right now with my last love. Currently we're only swapping messages on Wastebook (with thanks to Goddo frontman Greg Godovitz for the phrase). It is my hope that we reunite as best of friends and failing that, have a respectful goodbye. We each deserve that.

And I'm okay with that.

But, what is Love?

Wikipedia defines Love as "the emotion of strong affection and personal attachment". In my mind there's a whole heck of a lot more to love than simply that.

How about a dictionary definition from reference.com? The dictionary defines love as "a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person." Nope, that doesn't do it for me either.

Perhaps then Love is simply indescribable.

What I do is thus... if you still love someone today, then it's love. If you no longer love them, you never did.

That's about the best I can do.

With that here's something I came across contained within an image file which I transcribed here.

Enjoy!

What is love?

Are your palms sweaty, is your heart racing, and is your voice caught within your chest? - It isn't love, it's like.

You can't keep your eyes or hands off of them, am I right?- It isn't love it's lust.

Are you proud and eager to show them off?- It isn't love, it's pride.

Do you want them because you know they're there?- It isn't love, it's loneliness.

Do you want them because it's what everyone wants?- It isn't love, it's loyalty.

Are you there because they kissed you or held your hand?- It isn't love, it's low confidence.

Do you stay for their confessions of love because you don't want to hurt them?- It isn't love, it's pity.

Do you belong to them because their sight makes your heart skp a beat?- It isn't love, it's infatuation.

Do you pardon their faults because you care about them?- It isn't love, it's friendship.

Do you tell them every day that they are the only one you think of?- It isn't love, it's a lie.

Are you willing to give all your favourite things for their sake?- It isn't love, it's charity.

Does your heart ache and break when they're sad?- Then it's love.

Do you cry for their pain, even when they're strong?- Then it's love.

Do their eyes see your true heart, and touch your soul so deeply it hurts?- Then it's love.

Do you stay because a blinding, incomprehensible mix of pain and relation pulls you close and holds you there?- Then it's love.

Do you accept their faults because they're a part of who they are?- Then it's love.

Are you attracted to others, but stay with them faithfully without regret?- Then it's love.

Would you give them your heart, your life... your death?

Think about that for a second...

There are images which fit this post which can be found under the heading Slideshows - Just Because, no, not here, along the left of this page. You can also look under the heading The Basics of daT - Quotations, for further reading.

I'll finish off by saying that I love my kids (now 21 and 19), but I classify that love as different than romantic love, which was the subject of this post.

'nuff said, for now. Read More...

Chivalry and character...

Chivalry can be defined as having the sum ideal qualities of a knight (*snicker*) whereas character can be distinguised from being a character.

I myself always make the effort to hold the door ajar for a woman (of any age really), simply because it's the polite gesture to make. Sure it's often not acknowledged (whereupon I loudly proclaim 'you're welcome'), but it's something I believe in and will continue to do. Same goes for holding out a chair, walking on this inside of a sidewalk (did you remember that one?) and offering my hand as she exits a vehicle or raises out of a chair.

This post has its origins in an article I've just read entitled Don’t sweat it, guys: Chivalry ain’t chauvinism, again by the Gloabe and Mail's columnist Micah Toub.

His provocative opinions in the area of relationships is appealing to me. Not that I necessarily agree with everything he argues, I simply enjoy the fact that the subject is being presented in the first place. Old fashioned? Unappreciated gestures? Bah!

For example Toub posits the onus is on the male to make the appropriate overtures on that most stressful of days known as Valentine's Day. I wholeheartedly disagree! Why shouldn't/couldn't your woman participate instead of sitting back and waiting for the proverbial dozen roses and bottle of Chardonnay?

More to come...
Read More...

I heard a little girl...

What she said was something beautiful.

With those lyrics from My Friends as performed by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (youtube video here), I find myself thinking of My One Who Got Away.

Come up to meet you, tell you I'm sorry... you don't know how lovely you are.

Again, lyrics are front and centre in my mind. These from Coldplay's The Scientist (video posted on site here). With 2011 now underway I find myself alone again, and yet looking ahead with some measure of anticipation. There's a certain degree of concern associated with said anticipation as not only AM I alone but with Mom passing in 2009 my family has gotten smaller as well. My kids (about to be 22 and 19) are now out on their own and so my day to day life is simpler. Simple and quiet...

For a few months now my 'BEEN SAID' quote has been "Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves." This has certainly been a central theme of mine of late. Still, the end of the beginning, right?

Is this 'the' reason I'm fixating on you?

No, I think not.

I'm thinking of you as I've no choice in the matter... I simply Love Her.

I sacrificed our relationship (so I keep telling myself) so's to deliver a much needed smack upside the head the likes of which she'd never before seen (or likely will ever again). I say 'keep telling myself' because a certain amount of disappointment and hurt are associated with that sacrifice. Ah, I'll leave this in greater detail for another ramble.

With that, I'll leave you with Creed performing My Sacrifice...



And that's all that needs be said, for now.

Love ya girl. Read More...

An A-Z of 2010

With thanks to the National Post's columnist Gary Clements, here's a pic (click for large view) of the year 2010 A-Z review, with a distinctly Canadian slant.

Read More...

If you dare...

Came across this Globe and Mail article entitled - The eternal appeal of the femme fatale; by author Micah Toub. I'm just now reading some of his work and find him to be a good read...

At any rate, in this article he asks why we run after women we should be running from. I won't group myself under the banner of 'we' in this case as I've been known (on more than one occasion) to actively pursue the intelligent/witty/sultry full-blood passionate woman... phew... out in a gathering.

Just thinking of the initial flirtation gets my pulse racing.

Some of you right now are smiling at that admission on my part. Really all I'm doing is acknowledging a shared reality (and why wouldn't I?). Many spend their days ignoring that which is, and miss out on all the fun!

/begin side ramble

Acknowledging those as you pass them on the street. Another example might be speaking to people in an elevator. I always have fun with this one. People are (generally) either engaged at watching the numbers flash awaiting their floor, or the more boring staring at their feet gaze. Not me, I engage them. Speak to people... acknowledge them. Really, that's all people want... to be noticed.

/end side ramble

Many a man will not only shy away from her but will run in the opposite direction. Complete lack of confidence and any sense of adventure. At the same time many a woman are incapable (unwilling?) of being in a relationship with a man, as they've spent most of theirs days with boys. They relish their (false?) sense of power and control and consequently grow incapable of standing on their own two feet.

It's funny (telling, but funny anyways), but, I was sitting in a pub with my woman and the ubiquitous 'buddy' remarks that I should 'take care of your woman'. My reply was that no, I wouldn't... but I'd care for her. 

The difference may be subtle, in reality it is far from it.

And while I humbly admit to cultivating the classic bad-boy look, I must also not so humbly accept this look is seen as the male version of the femme fatale. Ah... gender. Look at someone as a person before seeing their gender and it becomes a whole new ballgame then. Gender just makes it interesting. Okay, perhaps a little more than just interesting. :\

Still, the so-called bottom line is this... every family is dysfunctional and we, are all f00ked up.

Enjoy the ride... Read More...

/daT flashes the classic peace sign...

followed by a Happy New Years bellow... Read More...

Ah but it doesn't, does it?

As the year 2010 winds down, I find myself coming 'round to the same theme time and again. Life is not easy, but it is simple. In saying that I find myself pondering the following... No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. Can it be that simple? Here's my wishing you all the best in 2011.

I feel a ramble coming on... Read More...

Time stands still

I gave it my all.

Need you as my friend, I'll just have to stand by and wait.

But this song, this song from the band you just can't stand, this song fits.

Read More...

Totally f00kin mad...

The single sexiest song of all time...





This also happens to be 'our' song and each time it comes up on my playlist I find myself thinking of her.

*sigh* Read More...

How long will I slide...

Getting down to the wire now.

Don't know if we have it in us, but, I'm willing to make the attempt.

Are you? Read More...

2011 is upon us and I resolve...

Dec 31 2005, I quit smoking. Was the 3rd time I'd done so, however, this time was different. This time I pigged out. Really pigged out. I mean REALLY REALLY pigged out to the point of gaining over 100lbs.

Though I thoroughly enjoyed all the pop/pizza/chocolate/chips/burgers and ice cream I'd devoured, my body was in full scale rebellion. Kidney stones and heart issues were the order of the day.

By years end I started smoking again.
Now, what to do about all the weight I'd gained.

On Dec 31 2008, weighing 335lbs I decided I'd procrastinated enough and vowed to lose the weight by the beginning of 2010.

It took me 18 months instead of 12 but, I did it. I did it naturally with only exercise and diet. When I say diet I'm not saying dieting, per se. I ate whatever I wanted, I just ate less.

Today, one day short of 2011 I am again 225lbs... and have no stretch marks! I can also see my toes (heck, I can TOUCH my toes). Not bad for an old guy.

Why the ramble?

Because I'm now on day 2 of not smoking.

See, by 2010 I'd wanted to have lost the weight and by 2011 I wanted to quit smoking, again. Though this time without gaining all that weight.

I want chocolate... argh!

I will resist, but I want it bad.

So then, do you resolve to better anything about yourself? Read More...

f00k!

I've a friend in need and no vehicle!

Just git yer ass over here now buddy! Read More...

I know now that I have failed you...

Will you let me atone?
Will I get another chance?
To be best of friends?
Sit for hours on end speaking of nothing and everything and feeling as if there is no one else in the world?
Laugh 'til it hurts?

Thought we cannot be together, we are always together.
I know this now.

You have touched my soul as deeply as no one else before.

And all I've done is walk away...

So I give you;



I know you feel as I.
I feel you when you're not around, as I know you feel me.

Just once more... to get it right.

Sweetest of friends.

I believe in you. Read More...

The end of the beginning...

F00k everyone else, I'm gonna do what feels right, no matter the cost.
And really, is there any other way?

Will you be there... Read More...

Christmas merry...

Here's wishing everyone a good day with family and friends.

Mine will be a little different this year as Mom has passed, my son is out east and my daughter is out on her own now.

And I am without my one that matters.

Be well everyone! Read More...

Tuesday isn't looking any better...

So I give you...



I have been guilty of kicking myself in the teeth... more than I'd care to admit. Read More...

It's just one of those days...

Mondays... I usually look forward to Mondays, but this Monday in particular is 'just one of those days'...



What irks me to no end (see those little irk bubbles above my head?), are those who say one thing and do another. Actions speak louder than words... oh the irony! Been happening quite a lot of late.

Damn f00kin shame it is too.

I am in need of a f00kin smoke, a f00kin drink and some rock & roll.

Mondays... Read More...