"I’ve found it hard to say to you that this is what I have to do, but there is no way that I’m gonna stay. There are so many things you need to know, and I wanna tell you before I go
but its hard to think of just what to say. I’m gonna pick it up, I’m gonna pick it up today,
I’m bound pack it up, I’m bound pack it up and go away..."

Things are happening. My life is changing. I know it’s true but yet find it increasingly difficult to believe. As most people have probably heard by now, (as I’ve been exclaiming it from the rooftops), I will be hired on to work as part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This is based solely on the fact that my Uncle has massive influence there and not at all based on my skills, but who cares? How often does a person get to a) go to China and b) see the Olympics take place? Never mind both at the same time! I do wish I had details though; right now all I know is at some point I’ll be going. It would be nice to know when I should be packing my bags and leaving the country, but never the less, it’s crazy and exciting.

Speaking of exciting, the adventure to New York is coming, only 5 more days left before Christina and I take the trip. I can’t wait. Again, I know it’s happening but I still have a hard time processing that I’ll actually get the chance to do it. Suddenly life seems full of endless possibilities of traveling to new places, and making new friends, something I’ve wanted for a very long time.

I’m just really happy with how things are going, which is something for a while I’d been missing. I think moving home was the right decision too. Granted the commute is long and kind of balls, but in the long run I think I’m actually a lot happier making attempts to substantially pay back my loans that it trumps the fact I’m almost 24 and still living with my parents.

"Streets slow down and ice over, dusk comes on and I struggle to stop, to stop to stop thinking of you, in civil twilight...Hey, every other hour I pass that house,
where you told me that you had to go, I wonder if the landlord has fixed the crack,
That I stared at, instead of staring back at you..."

I’ve been feeling pretty good about life these days. Last weekend I went to a gathering in celebration of my dear friend Mel’s 24th birthday and many good people were there, and good times had. I think the sudden change in mood was having such a nice evening combined with my upcoming trip to New York on the horizon. I’ve never been to New York and have always wanted to go. It was one of those things that you always talk about to friends but think, just like all of the other silly things you talk about, will never actually happen. But not this time! My lovely friend Christina and I are embarking for the big city at the beginning of next month and I cannot wait to get there. Not only are we going to New York, but while there we are doing the single most fantastic thing one can do in New York: attend a taping of Late Night with Conan O’Brien! It has long been a life dream of mine to see Conan live and in person and after calling a few thousand (ok now a thousand, but quite a few!) days in a row for the tickets on the date of our trip to be released, I finally got them! Who knew it was so easy? Now we have the tickets, the hotel booked and our flight scheduled – it’s all set.

Another thing I’m always happy to have is good music, and some really good bands have put out excellent albums as of late. In the last few weeks I’ve been back and forth listening to the new Foo Fighters album, Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace as well as the Weakerthans, Reunion Tour. I’ve also been listening to an older release, the latest album from Silverchair, Young Modern – but I can’t quite decide how I feel about it. Some songs I find pretty catchy, others I think are kind of ridiculous. I haven’t reached a final decision just yet. But, if you’re a fan of the Foo’s or the Weakerthans - you should already have these albums! If you don’t, go get them now! You won’t be disappointed. On a side note of older releases, I still haven’t been able to stop listening to this year’s the White Stripes release, Icky Thump. I love love love it. You’re doing yourself a great disservice if you don’t own, or at least have listened to this album. And while I’m making musical recommendations, you should also pick up Live by City and Colour. It doesn’t do justice to actually seeing Dallas Green live, which is mind-blowingly amazing.

So last week I moved home, I’m officially more lame than I already was. I’ve been working the evening shift at CBC all week, and it’s a lot of alone time in the basement after hours. I’ve found myself in need of some sort of activity to pass the time. This whole, no more school, no homework thing has me out of sorts. I’ve always had something to read, write, worry about – but now, nothing! I’ve been reading books by choice instead of by scholarly obligation, which is a really nice change of pace, but still I feel like I have so much time and nothing to do with it. This would probably be the time taking a night class or having one of those boyfriends, would be convenient. But alas, my work schedule rotation prevents me from signing up for anything. And the guy thing...well………that’s a work in progress. Until then, I’m open to suggestions.