573ph4n13's Blog

The Volkswagen Blues.

573ph4n13 — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 22:17:33 -0700

As I write, I am snifflying and hacking and coughing and sipping tea. I know. On this ridiculous good looking Saturday, I was at home, slaving away at a term paper and nursing whatever sudden sickness has come over me. On the plus side, I've had more than enough naps today and that (combined with the endless mugs of green tea, peppermint tea, blueberry tea...) have been enough to keep me conscious enough to make it half way through my paper.

And all day, my mother has been telling me... "I TOLD you so. You should've slept earlier! You should've had more water!" etc and so on and so forth. Sometimes, I wish I weren't your typical poor, struggling college student and that I had enough cash in my pocket to move out. But at the same time, THANK GOD for mothers who will crew you tea and make you food when you are sick.

But I guess that's what happenes when in the past 12 days, you stay home maybe ONE of those evenings. I've spent the last week and a bit heading out, every evening. Horribles sleep cycles, horrible everything. It was one of those long stretches where every night, there was some valid reason to be out and about, instead of being at home, just existing. I guess it started with last Monday.

First, there was a birthday shindig. Then it was a discussion group at a friend's house. Movie night. Concert, I think? (I can't remember all too clearly at this point.) Then, it was bowling. And another birthday. And then it was another discussion group. And another concert that I had to review for a magazine. And then it was something else. And then a movie night? And then it gets all faded from there on out. But I only remember staying home on one of these evenings.

So what the heck am I getting at. I really do think I gotta change something. Because obviously, life hasn't been working out for me. So I think it's as simple as this: GO TO SLEEP EARLIER. STAY HOME MORE. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

It sounds so simple but for someone like me, who constantly has to be on the GO and constantly has energy to spare (save today)... it's hard! So what I'm going to do is try to stay home more often and maybe read some good books, clean a bit... I'll keep you guys posted on good books or something. That's something that I could really get into these days.

But for now, I'm just gonna work on getting better. Not to mention, finish this essay. Has anyone read Volkswagen Blues by Jacques Poulin and Fronteras Americanas by Guillermo Verdecchia? If not, please do. They're fabulous. Maybe that's what I'll do. I'll post more later on (once I'm more coherent) about Fronteras Americanas. Social change and all that.

Any suggestions for community groups re: war/children?

573ph4n13 — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 20:59:55 -0700

ALRIGHT GANG!

I had a meeting today with the rest of the organizing crew for the fundraiser I'm doing for child soldiers. Officially, the event is called... "I GOT SOUL BUT I'M NOT A SOLDIER". Amazing, right? Okay, here's the part where I need help.

Does anyone know of any organizations based out of Vancouver or the surrounding areas that deals with or works with child soldiers, children living in war torn conflict zones, children in general.... I'm looking for any sort of community group that works with issues surrounding war OR children. Example! A friend of mine gave me a contact for a group that works with Mobilization Against War and Occupation.

Anyone else? Suggestions?

A little peanut butter, a little jam.

573ph4n13 — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 22:08:38 -0700

So I'm a part of a "College and Career" fellowship group at my church, right? Anyway, together as a group, we decided we wanted to do a monthly service project... pick something and stick to it. So we decided we'd head out to Main and Hastings on the first Wednesday of every month to serve food. The first time we did it was the first week of March. The next time we go is in one week on April 4th.

Anyway, my point is... you'd think that maybe they'd get pissed off that all these "priviledged people" were out there, acting the part, and trying to feel good about giving back... no way. They totally appreciate it. We had about 150 sandwiches and they were GONE in 3 minutes. And some of these people... are super nice. No one is able to really judge or know their entire history just by looking at them. But by talking to them even if only for a minute, you get a sense of these people and the life that they've gathered together.

So back in March, when we were preparing for our first service project, I realized there was no way I was going to be able to put together that many sandwiches on my own. So what did I do? I work at a daycare, see. So I got two girls from the Grade 1 class to come help me put together these sandwiches. I used the time to teach them about service towards others and I don't know about you but it warmed my heart. Now, every week, they come and ask if they can help me make sandwiches. I am so stoked that they are so eager to help. Our next trip is this coming Wednesday, so I definitely plan on getting those girls to help me again.

This post feels so jagged in some way. It's like, I'm writing an essay with no structure at all. But then I realize the whole point of this post is to show that there is good in all people. Sometimes, it's harder to find, but then there are those moments (especially with kids) where you realize the whole world... still has hope.

It's a change... being a grown up for once.

573ph4n13 — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 01:57:15 -0700

So you know what's really exciting? Being a grown-up. Well, I guess some of you will argue otherwise... but for me, this is HUGE!

I turn 20 in May so it's nice to feel like I'm doing something important. Case in point: on Wednesday, I have a meeting with the youth development workers of Richmond to start some concrete planning for this Youth Week show... the benefit show for child soldiers that I keep talking about? Yep, that's the one. Also, earlier that day, I have a job interview with a local community center. The job up for grabs is the position of NightShift Coordinator. NightShift is a youth program that happens on weekends, late-night. Usually, there are local shows and activities going... well, that might be me! And I'm stoked because the two guys interviewing me, I've both known for years. One of them is the guy who posted the job listing and he was worried I wouldn't apply, I've been told. So I'm going to take that as a good sign that he wants me for the job.

HURRAH FOR CHANGE! AND GROWING UP! Wish me luck, guys.

P.S. I started talking to someone at the bus stop today. At first, I was kind of nervous because it was kind of about midnight and he was pretty sketchy at first. But he was pretty rad. His name is Landon and we talked about religion. I thought it was a good conversation. The point is, sometimes strangers are alright. And you meet some interesting people as a result.

The Open-Door Movement.

573ph4n13 — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 12:44:03 -0700

As a kid, I was taught my manners. Of course, not every child absorbs those manners as well as their parents would like. I'd like to think that I was a pretty good sponge, though.

Anyway, my point is, I always make sure to hold open doors. And if someone holds a door open for me, I always say thanks. Sometimes, I don't speak loud enough and I hope that the person holding the door open didn't think I was an ungrateful loser or something like that.

And then there's the super formal variation of the door holding. There's the "I'm walking past, but keeping my hand on the door" variety. OR! There's the "Well, after you kind gentlemen" kind of door holding. I like doing the second one for grandparents. Anyone's grandparents. Because I think the older generation sometimes has us younger people built up to be ridiculous, law-breaking hooligans in their heads. So I'd like to help dispel some of those stereotypes.

Up until four weeks ago, I had been dying my hair all sorts of colours. Blue, purple, pink, and so forth. I got a lot of nasty looks from older people especially in my church. But over time, most of them came to realize that outside appearances and age don't really do much for a person's heart. I could have a good heart and still look like a bratty punk. But hey, it's the heart that counts, right?

So the thing I'm trying to get at is... I think eveyone should hold some doors open for awhile. Some people will be surprised that someone's being so nice. Even if it's something simple like holding a door open.

I dub this... The Open-Door Movement. LET'S GET TO IT! Try to hold open five doors a day. Alright? ALRIGHT!

No more bottles of pop on the wall...

573ph4n13 — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 15:07:41 -0700

That's it. I'm quitting pop. It sucks, kind of hurts in your tummy, and makes my teeth feel gross. So no more pop. Not even once in awhile.

How did I come to this conclusion, you ask? Well, everybody knows that pop isn't the greatest choice of beverage in the first place. But then, you go to a concert and you're thirsty, right? So you go and you get something to drink. I bought a Coke (even though I'm more of a Pepsi person). I had half and my friend had half and then we got back into the concert (ie. mosh pit). That stuff does NOT sit well in your stomache.

So to cap things off, I learned a few things yesterday.
1. Taking Back Sunday is a really good band.
2. Mosh pits kind of suck.
3. Pop sucks even more and it's not healthy for me.

So no more pop it is.

Dress up for a night on the town.

573ph4n13 — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 02:10:25 -0700

I don't know about you other girls out there, but I grew up a tomboy... it's kind of stuck. Even today, I'm still friends with majority guys, can't really put together a girl outfit to save myself, or even apply make-up properly. More often than not, I end up wearing a ripped hoodie, jeans, and sneakers instead. Comfort is so key.

But then I was at True Value Vintage the other day and I saw a bunch of really cute tops by Zachary's Smile. I ended up buying two that were on sale. One is blue and is flouncy, had puffy sleeves, a cap collar and just looks really classy. The other is red and has a plaid collar and waistband and ties in the back and it's super 70's and girly.

My point is... I'm gonna try and incorporate more girly pieces in my wardrobe. It sounds self-absorbed, I know, but it makes me feel good. I wore the red top on Friday night and got a ton of compliments so I'm thinking this "dressing girly" thing is gonna work out for me.

Partly motivated by my deep love for Zach Braff.

573ph4n13 — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 15:27:38 -0700

My life is a movie.

Every occurrence is over fuelled by independent thought and subtle meanings. Even when I sit on the bus, I feel as if Mr. Braff is about to appear and deliver some speech about how we never really get the things we want in life but the only thing we can do is to try and change for it.

How I love Mr. Braff. Note that I call him Mr. Braff and not by his first name. (Simply because I"m unsure as to whether it's a Zack or a Zach. Hang on... yep. It's an H. It's Zach.)

So what's this got to do with change? Well.

I'm gonna start treating my life as such. Like a movie. Who cares about working and being on time and making sure everything is perfect... forget reality. I figure, as long as I can still look at my life and consider it happy, joyful, peaceful, and exciting... everything in a Zach Braff film... then that is enough. I don't need to reach for more coffee, more DVDs, nicer cars, nicer clothes, etc etc...

If I have hope and love, then I am happy.

P.S. If you haven't heard it already, please find and listen to "Today's The Day" by Aimee Mann. It's a total life-soundtrack song.

A lot of bottles of pop on the wall...

573ph4n13 — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 21:26:28 -0800

So I hosted a local show this past Saturday where I provided food and bottled water for the bands. At the end of the night, when we were cleaning up, I couldn't believe the amount of water that was left over! I mean, a lot of people don't usually think about it (including me before Saturday), but at huge events, concerts, sporting events... imagine how many bottles of water a person goes through. And imagine how many of them are only partially finished by the end of the event!

Anyway, that was my thought for the day. I use a Nalgene bottle on and off. I'm thinking I gotta start using it more ON. Also, I now have 40+ water bottles waiting to be recycled in the trunk of my car. I feel happy.

Valentine's Day.

573ph4n13 — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:56:03 -0800

I guess I should've posted this Valentine's-related post BEFORE the actual Valentine's Day... but nonetheless!

I had a fantastic discussion with another SINGLE friend of mine the other day. She said, "Why is it that so often that us women expect to receive a gesture of love from a GUY on Valentine's Day? Why can't we just turn to our fellow females and just hug someone?" This is a very good point. I'm not gonna lie... I get caught up in the hokey-dokey romance of this Hallmark holiday as well. I mean, how could I not?! I'm a hopeless romantic... and just something about seeing fuzzy stuffed animals holding boxes of chocolates makes me really happy.

But I thought a bit more about what my friend had said and decided... this year? No more grand gestures of romance! No sudden proclaimations of love! I decided that for 2007's Valentine's Day... I'd simply... ENJOY IT. So I had a few of my friends out for dinner and of all places... we ended up at Taco Del Mar. And it was a great dinner indeed. Full of laughs, full of fun. But also full of love.

So for any other single folk out there... REJOICE! CELEBRATE YOUR SINGLEDOM! It's time to start approaching Valentine's Day... nay! It's time to start approaching LOVE differently! Because I'm sure that one day, true love will come galloping into your life. But for now? REJOICE!! TRULY!!

And with that, I bid you all lots of love.