Hello there folks and thanks for stopping by! I know it’s been a while, I know most of you haven’t noticed, but perhaps some of you actually did? Ya, I’m going to tell myself you all missed me! Shucks!
Anyways, it but it’s has felt like an eternity for me since my last post and figured what better time to give you all an update but on June 1st. Continue reading “New News – May Recap – June Plans”
Possibly, one of the most significant milestones in a young person life is the day that they finally go for their driver’s license.
For most, they spend countless hours practicing, they read up on the laws of the road, and even shed some tears of frustration, while they deal with the learning curve of full-filling one of their many teenage dreams.
In Ontario, Canada one of the rites of passage for the soon-to-be driver is when they get their own copy of The MTO Driver’s Handbook. This legendary tome is filled with an abundance of information that both young novice and old veteran drivers should have imprinted into their brains. It includes the do’s and the don’t s of the road that include such topics as how to take corners correctly when to use your lights, speed limits, and an abundance of other valuable and essential information.
I remember the day I was ready to write my test. It was my16th birthday. I really knew my stuff when it came to the rules of the road, and I was sure I was going to pass my written driving exam. Walking into the examination room, I felt like a slightly nervous baby kitten, walking out I was an overconfident road warrior because I beat that test with flying colours.
That was then, this is now, and boy-oh-boy how times have changed. I now have thousands of hours driving, and use to consider myself a safe, considerate, generous, and knowledgeable motorist. But recently, I have been second guessing those claims and asking myself, do I still know the rules of the road? How I drive versus the way other roadies operate their cars are definitely in contrast.
I for one, am confused about when the rules of the road updated? I can not answer that question at all, because I don’t’ have the slightest idea, but I do have a couple of facts about where I stand in regards to the situation.
Fact 1. The version of the handbook I knew and studied has to be extremely outdated, and the rules have completely changed.
Fact 2. The bulk of the people out there on the roads today have either read, studied, or wrote the newer test. Making them the ones who know the rules of the lanes the best.
One thing I have figured out, and lucky for you, I am absorbing each day how to maneuver out there and apply the new rules of the road as I learn them. That, in turn, my friends, saves you $9.99 and you don’t have to go out and buy the MTO Handbook. Instead, let me teach you what I have learned out there for free! (Damn, I’m a nice guy!)
So let’s begin, shall we?
The first rule of the road for any young driver to learn is when to stop and go.
Stop signs in Ontario have not changed one bit since I learned how to drive. They are still red, have eight sides, the word STOP on them, and they are on top of a pole at intersections.
Although, the appearance of the signs has not changed the rules have improved tremendously.
Old Rule: Located at intersections, stop signs were used to make sure you came to a complete stop. When the way was clear, you advanced through the intersection.
New Rule: When you come to an intersection with a stop sign. Advance with caution, and if you do not see any other vehicles, keep on going. It’s called a rolling stop. It’s a useful skill to have, not to mention trendy.
Old Rule: The four-way stop. This was when you came up to an intersection with four stop signs, one on each corner. A bit more tricky than a two-way stop.
The way it worked was when you got to the four-way stop and were first, you had the right of way. It’s used to be basically a first-come first-go system. If two cars arrived at the same time, the person on the left went first. If the two motorists got there at the same time across from each other, with one was turning left, the person going straight went first.
New Rule: Nowadays, you treat the four-way stop much like a two-way stop where rolling-stops are permitted. When you are approaching the intersection, stay confident, and when the other person hesitates, advance before them. The technique is tricky at first, but like everything, with a little practice and time, you will be a natural at it! It’s their own fault, the other driver should have gone.
Old Rule: Located above some more prominent intersections there are three lights. One light would come on at a time. The system was pretty simple. Green was to go. Yellow was to advance with caution. Red was to stop.
New rule: This rule is the same with slight differences. When you see the green light, you keep on driving. The small change becomes evident when you see the amber light. Where you use to slow down, you now speed up and try to beat the red light. The red light means slam your breaks on, you were too slow, and you missed the chance to speed through the amber light.
The second set of rules involved using the lights of your vehicle you were driving. Believe it or not, each one of the lights on the outside of your car had a function and reason to be there. Within the first 30 minutes of being out there on the road, you will realize that this is not the case anymore. Some lights are used all of the time, and some not at all, and I believe that on specific models of cars they may even be just for show.
Old Rule: When you are going to turn there is an arm on the left-hand side of the steering wheel. This arm actually works your signal lights letting people around you know you are turning or merging into a lane.
When I was learning to drive, you would move the arm up until you heard a click. This would cause two lights to flash, one at the front and another at the back of your car. This would indicate to other drivers that you were going to turn right. Once the vehicle was out of the turn, the light would turn off automatically.
On the other hand, if you moved the arm down, it would cause the same two lights on the left side of your car to flick on and off. Once you came out of the corner, just like when you moved the arm up, the lights would shut off.
New Rule: Since my time, the name for the arm has changed. Now instead of it being for the function of the mandatory signal lights, they are now called consideration lights. They do not have to be used, but if you wish to use them to give people the warning you are turning or going to go in front of them, you can use them. To use these lights is merely a gesture of consideration and kindness.
Rule Note: Luxury cars apparently have the option to disable the turning lights altogether. This includes vehicles like Audi’s, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, etc. If you see one of them turn without the lights, it could be because it has been disabled or the feature wasn’t purchased. This, of course, could be a completely incorrect assumption to make, but I am not in the tax bracket to own one of these cars or to share my opinion any further.
Old Rule: The rules about low-beam lights use to be that they needed to be turned on 30 minutes before sunset and used until 30 minutes after sunrise while using the vehicle. They were also used when the weather was terrible so that other motorists could see you in the poor driving conditions.
New Rule: Cars now have running lights. There is no need to worry about turning on the lights. What you do need to work about is the high-beams. These do not come on automatically. While driving at night, use them. The new rule of the road is, turn on once, and forget. Don’t bother flicking off, after all, the other drivers will appreciate the concern for safer driving.
A wise man once said, “if you ain’t first, your last!” That man was Ricky Bobby.
The speed was a pretty big factor in the process of learning the rules of the road. It wasn’t hard to know how fast you should be going because the signs were posted along the roadways. These signs, I believe are now a waste of money with the new rules of the road. They are simply ignored, and most drivers out there today are experienced enough to handle their cars at higher speeds.
Although the signs can now be ignored, there are still some rules to take note of.
Old Rule: Once upon a time, the speed limits in Ontario are as follows, 100 km/h on Freeways, 90 km/h on Trans-Canada highways, and other highways 80 km/h. 50 km/h everyplace else unless marked.
These speed limits were ingrained into our memory.
New Rule: I suggest now that you forget about those limits. The rules have changed to were drivers are required to go either 10km/h under the speed limit or 20 km/h above the speed limit. Never drive the speed limit. That is not only distracting but pretty hard to do when you have a lead foot.
Rule Note: Slow driving actually causes one-third of road vehicle accidents. Slower drivers are to stay in the furthest right lane. They often don’t. This causes impatience and irritation to other drivers on the road and forces them to pass the slower driver on the right. This creates confusion and it extremely dangerous.
Old Rule: While in rush hour traffic, we would pick a lane, and stay in that lane. Especially if everyone was going in the same direction. We would merge into the right lane to exit.
New Rule: Yes, another rule that does not apply anymore and is now obsolete. If you have the chance to pass on the left, right, or use an off-ramp to pass, do it. The road is your canvas, fill it with zigzags as you weave in and out of traffic like the artist you are! One thing to remember, try is to take advantage of lanes that run out and merge into the other lanes of the road. Use these ending lanes to accelerate and cut off your fellow drivers. You can gain, one, two, or even more car lengths in rush hour traffic.
Distracted driving wasn’t as big a deal when I first started driving. There were no mobile phones, you had an AM/FM radio that more than likely didn’t have any stations, and everyone didn’t try to make their lives into a living fashion show. Life was simple.
Now, every day I see people putting on make-up, texting, using their phone to take pictures, blaring loud music, just to name a few things. This forced the rule called hands-free driving to come out. This is just another category of distracted driving.
I am the last person you will hear complaining from when it comes to how precious your time is, and I can totally understand why people do some of the things they do while driving. It’s pretty straightforward, Father Time is a royal prick. For instance, if you fail to wake up too early to take care of your daily life at home, by all means, make sure you do it in your car. There are some essential tasks you can do in your vehicle like doing your hair and make-up, texting friends, downloading your podcasts.
The concept is, it’s not so important when you get it done, it is that you merely get it done!
Old Rule: I would like to start with loud music. Music used to fall under the category of distracted driving. Not only is it distracting to the driver and other drivers around you, but you can not hear oncoming emergency vehicles.
New Rule: The new rule is Turn it up and play that funky music! You are probably one of the few people in the city that have an impeccable taste when it comes to music. Share it with the people out there on the road. It is up to you to share with other your tastes in music and immerse others in your cultural tastes. Also, who cares, use your mirrors. It is recommended that you keep checking your mirrors for advancing emergency vehicles.
Communication is essential, especially when you are on the busy streets. Therefore, don’t be afraid to communicate with each other. It’s doing others and yourself a favour in the long run.
Old Rule: When I was learning to drive, people would wave, nod, and give a thumbs up to other friendly drivers. It was a much more relaxed and understanding time.
New Rule: Nowadays, the more effective way of driving is being a lot more aggressive and a lot less civil. If you see somebody do something you do not appreciate, like breathing, for instance, you make sure you let them know about it. Be heard at all costs and make sure you get your point across. Driving is at an age where you can save the fuzzy feelings for your mom.
Old Rule: We use to use our horns to warn people of advancing and potentially dangerous situations. For example, if the other driver is going to merge in front of you and didn’t see you, it was perfectly acceptable to hit that horn.
New Rule: Cars come with horns for a reason. They tell slow drivers to get out of the way. If they do get out of the road follow it up with either yelling obscenities or creative sign language. Remember, it’s the survival of the fittest and don’t be afraid to release your inner animals!
Rule Note: Letting out your steam in your car is an excellent way to reduce your stress. Studies have shown if you honk your horn on an average of 3 times more than people who do not, you significantly lower your chances of developing heart disease.
Ok! Before you get all bent out of shape and tell me that these rules are wrong and I’m risking peoples lives and safety, I would like to point out the following.
My post is a mockery of the situation.
The lack of consideration and the ignorance of other human existence is mind-boggling on the road. It is unclear to me where this behaviour has come from if it’s the different generations, cultural influences, or the amount of mediation that doctors feed our brains. If there is one thing I can tell you for sure is, this is not the way things used to be.
Now, with a fantastic post like this, I feel I have to add this final note.
Note: if you are unsure of the rules of the road, please pick yourself up an MTO Drivers handbook, or study up on the laws of the road by reading The highway traffic act, The motorized vehicles act and The off-road Act of Ontario.
Topher Hoffman: Hello all! Today we will be getting into the brain of David Holwill. He’s turning himself into a reliable author who has written three novels. The titles include Weekend Rockstars, The Craft Room, and his latest book, Gap Years!
From his Twitter account he describes himself as “Teller of tall tales, singer of stupid songs, drinker of dubious drinks!” So with that, lets us see what he has to say!
Hello Dave! Welcome, 22 Questions with David Holwill on House of 1000 Books! I would like to start with some random starter questions, and then transition questions about your current book.
So with that, let’s start with some random questions.
If you could pick one animal to represent your spirit animal, what would it be and why?
David Holwill: I have a lot of animals, four cats, a massive dog, a rabbit, a guinea pig and a rescue fish. They’ve all got spirit, but do any of them represent my spirit? Maybe Duchamp, my 19-year-old cat who only leaves the house when it’s very sunny indeed, I identify with him quite strongly.
If you’re looking for a more general animal then probably something like the duck-billed platypus since it steadfastly refuses to commit to being any one type of thing.
TH: As you know, writing takes a lot of time, but not all of your time I’m sure. Can you tell us what do you like to do when you’re not writing?
DH: Nothing, it’s absolutely my favourite thing to do. A lot of people are very down on doing nothing as if it’s something to be ashamed of, but they are wrong, it’s the best.
I have a full-time day job, I play guitar and bass in three or four bands at any one time, have the aforementioned menagerie to look after, and two grown-up kids and a marriage to check in on now and then. Cramming a writing career into the middle of that when television has never been better leaves very little time for truly enjoying doing nothing. I wrote about it a long time ago here – https://davedoesntwriteanythingever.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-importance-of-doing-f-all-once-in.html
TH: All authors need something to use as tools. What are your tools of the trade?
DH: A laptop that I pulled from a skip at the day-job and rebuilt running freeware software and my phone, that’s it really. I used to keep notebooks but kept losing my pen, rendering them useless. I then lost the notebooks to weather, pets and general absent-mindedness as well. A decent notepad app on my phone backs everything up to the cloud, and there is less danger of not being able to understand my hastily scrawled in the rain, trying to get out of the way of a tractor while a little bit drunk handwriting. But those are just the tangible things. All you really need are thoughts, lots of them, a way of organising them, patience and the ability to edit.
TH: What does literary success look like to you?
TH: You currently have three novels written. What does being successful mean to you and what is your definition of success?
DH: I’m not really a competitive person and success is always relative. I started out just wanting to finish writing a book, and when I finished, I considered that a success. Then getting a good review, that first one was definitely a success. Every time I notice another person has read one of my books and liked it enough to tell other people I call that a success. It’s all about the tiny victories that build up without you noticing. There’s always someone doing better than you, be happy for them instead of bitter.
TH: Here’s a hypothetical question. You have guests over, and you need to go run an errand leaving them alone in your house. They decide to through your stuff, and they notice a book on your bedside table. What book would they find?
DH: These days it’s a kindle, it saves so much space, it’s light, it goes in my pocket and has more reading material on it than I can fit in my entire house. It’s brilliant. But, for the purposes of this interview it would be Common Ground by Rob Cowen, or Don’t Hold My Head Down by Lucy-Anne Holmes because they are so very good I leave them anywhere somebody might ask about them.
TH: What is your favourite quote?
DH: “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.”
To clarify, this tiny bit of wisdom doesn’t get the credit it deserves. People are always very keen to magnify the negative, concentrate on the awful and – at least here in Britain – downplay it when they are actually happy. You don’t have to literally clap your hands, but please, make a noise, write a joyful social media update, hug a stranger – or a strange tree, tell the world around you what’s good about it amidst all the awful that’s happening right now.
TH: Now the question I like asking in every interview if you had a chance to meet your younger self to give yourself one piece of advice about writing, what would it be?
DH: Stop it, it’s hard and the money’s rubbish. Work a bit harder on the guitar playing, rock and roll stars have more fun and never have to drink alone.
Or that plotting is for people with different brains to you, that you have to write a very very bad book before you can make it a good book and that very soon computers with word-processing software will be available at reasonable prices so you won’t have to keep writing and rewriting on bits of paper before hammering the final draft into a typewriter. It will get better. I did a lot more about this here: https://davedoesntwriteanythingever.blogspot.com/2017/04/too-many-georges-how-to-avoid-mid-life.html
TH: Those were great, let’s move onto something more about your writing.
Being an author, you need to be creative. Where do you get your ideas for your novels?
DH: I watch the world around me, the people I meet, the things that happen. I invent stories around the people I see walking down the street and scrawl them in my notebook (not true anymore, see above, I tap it into my phone, so much easier) and sometimes, just sometimes, something good comes out of it rather than a sad story of a dog called Ken who thinks his owner’s coat is ugly and didn’t want to come out anyway.
Also, I nick stuff from other people. Usually, I change it enough so you don’t notice, but if you do it was a tribute.
TH: As I mentioned before, you currently have three novels written. What is your favourite?
Actually, it’s none of them, it’s the fuzzy shape of an idea I had this morning. My favourite book is always the one I haven’t yet started writing.
TH: If there is one thing that could stop you in your tracks when you are deep into writing, what would it be? Essentially, what one thing is the poison that prevents you from writing.
DH: All the things, television, the pets, a vague idea that there might be something interesting on the internet that I haven’t seen yet, a slight sound from outside, the sheep running past in the field opposite my house, any tiny excuse to do anything else at all. The worst though, because I live on the drizzly, grey-skyed edge of Dartmoor is good weather. It is so rare that the second the sun appears all I want to do is find a beer garden and go for a drink.
TH: Do you hide Easter Eggs in your books, that only your close friends would notice?
DH: Absolutely loads yeah. I named the fictional pop idol in Gap Years after one of my oldest friends, I have name-checked nearly every dog I have ever owned, and there is a running gag involving a made-up kids’ TV show theme tune that I have included in everything I write. Readers who are paying attention deserve Easter Eggs as much as my friends do – and most of my friends can’t read.
TH: How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one?
DH: I’ve got notes all over the place that range from ‘something to do with sentient cheese?’ to a fully fledged plot outline complete with character names and a few decent jokes. I’ve got the sequel to Weekend Rockstars that I said could and would never happen slowly taking shape after a particularly awful festival experience provided inspiration. It’s very different from the first, and very different from what I thought it would be when I was pushing a trumpet player’s car out of a swamp.
TH: You have a remarkable new book out! Can you please tell us about your new book?
TH: What was the inspiration for the novel?
DH: It was originally going to be an attempt to rewrite my own history, about the summer I nearly died, twice, in a couple of nasty accidents and how I learned nothing from it and went on to have many more. But as I wrote it, Sean and Martin (the two narrators) veered away from me and became their own people. As the story developed I realised it wasn’t anything like that summer anymore, or my own experiences at all, and just went with it.
TH: If somebody was to read the book, what is the one takeaway that you would want the reader to have?
DH: I wouldn’t like to presume how somebody else interprets what I’ve written, once I’m done with it it’s yours. I’m not George Lucas or J.K. Rowling. But I’d like it if just one person felt sorry for the villain of the piece. So far nobody has.
TH: Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?
DH: The band from Weekend Rockstars make a cameo, in fact quite a lot of the cast do. It happens around the same place at around the same time, so there’s a lot of satisfaction in working out how it pieces together. Also there’s a lot more sex in there than I let on, really. I should probably have put a warning on it, some of it’s filthy.
TH: Out of all the characters in this book, who is your favourite character, and what makes them so unique to you?
DH: I like Rhiannon, the girl that effectively destroys their lives. In the first draft she was a kind, likeable girl who made Sean a better person, but as I wrote the book she developed this odd manipulative side to her which became a lot more interesting. I had to really get under her skin to understand her motivations. Which is probably why I am the only person with any empathy for her.
TH: Describe that character in 3 words.
DH: Clever, covert, broken.
TH: Now, with that third novel out, what people want to know is, what does Dave have up his literary sleeve now?
DH: I have two books in progress. The Weekend Rockstars sequel I keep bringing up, and a Folk Horror novel set on my beloved Dartmoor.
TH: Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
DH: You can read my @daveholwill Twitter feed, check my blog at https://davedoesntwriteanythingever.blogspot.com/, follow me on Facebook and Instagram, look at the daveholwill.com website; or, you know, come and find me in the pub and have a chat. I’m easy to find if you’re local.
TH: Is there anything else you want to the readers know about?
Not right now.
Ah yes, here I go again with another rant, self-improvement, message to you or something that sounds like it! I actually don’t’ know what the hell to call it!
I do know one thing though, it’s about me, and about unravelling what the hell is going on in my head right now. Curious see what is going on?
Still here? Good, please stay with me a few minutes folks, and maybe you too will get something out of my post. (HELL YA! See that! I just solved my last sentence issue of not knowing what to this entry into my blog. It’s a post..damn…how smart! Great name!) Or maybe you won’t, and just see it as a confusing rant.
Now anyways, this weekend my brain did a spin, a flip, a flop, wiped out, and finally landed on a partial self-self revelation. (I don’t it totally sorted yet, but by the end of this post hopefully, I will!)
So what’s going on? What’s wrong Topher? What brought this is on you might ask? If you didn’t ask, or don’t care, it’s ok, I asked for you.
1. First, when I was out with a friend we were talking about a bunch of stuff when the topic of work came up.
2. The second thing was that I watched the Bohemian Rhapsody movie twice. Yes, that’s right, I watched the movie, not once, but twice.
Ok, I have two things here, and they are not related at all. Or are they?
In this hand, work, repetitive, tedious, and stressful. The second, the story of rock and roll band with a flamboyant frontman!
Now let me try and sort this out. Still here? Good.
Currently, work. It’s actually ok. I go, I get paid, I’m not perfect at it, but I’m not totally horrible at it either. I have the opportunity to make circumstances happen there, not to mention to “grow” by doing courses there if I want. Classes that will help me get better at my job and excel. I guess it’s a win-win. I get some education, and the man gets a smarter lemming.
Sounds like a great opportunity right? Well, I haven’t yet taken the occasion to do this. It has crossed my mind every day though. Thinking, only if I knew this, or that, and if I took a course I would be better off. Life would probably be a bit easier!
The issue, with the courses and following through with them is that I didn’t know where to start! I needed a mentor, guidance from someone, a clue, anything! Something that I currently don’t have at work. Let’s call it, working for somebody that doesn’t really know how my role functions.
Lucky for me my friend is in the similar type of work as me and randomly told me that he wanted to take a course at such and such a place in a topic that would definitely help me out. Weird or coincidental? Not sure, but it was and is excellent news for me!
So that was the first thing.
Now onto the second. I saw the new movie Bohemian Rhapsody. I absolutely loved it. I know many people didn’t, and maybe I’m reading too much into it. There’s a good chance I am. I still can’t get the movie out of my head.
I didn’t look at the movie as a movie about a guy and a band, with them getting famous, the singer gets sick and dies.
I looked at the movie totally differently.
Freddie Mercury wanted to be a performer. I got the impression that he looked at the big picture and when opportunity knocked he went after it. He came across a band, he approached it and did what he had to show them he had the chops to get the gig. Later, he wanted to make a record. He talked the band into selling the van, took the money, and they created a record. Ya, I know the movie made it look easy, but the main point is that the lead singer looked at the big picture, and then zoomed in on the tasks that got shit done.
So how are these two things related?
Well, with the first issue, I have the opportunity to take something and make it mine. I wouldn’t say that it’s taking something that is my passion and turning a dream into a reality, but it’s taking something offered to me and making it into something bigger and better for myself. Just like in the movie, something comes along, Freddie grabbed it and made it into something bigger.
Now that we got the connection, it still doesn’t help me not be bothered and confused.
This is where I am going to take the first three steps in the book of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and try and relate it to my life. Say what? What a twisty nerdy thing to do!
At this point my friends, if you are still actually reading this, are just along for the ride at this point as I feel some rambling coming on!
First of all, if you don’t know what these seven steps are, check out this youtube video. It will help explain what he in the world I’m talking about if you are not familiar with this.
Soooo here we go!
Be Pro-active instead of Re-active.
Right now at work, I have many things that I am not in control of that definitely affect me.
So, what do I do? Should I sit around and grumble and be reactive and complain when things happen that I can’t deal with right at work because I don’t have the training? Obviously, not. Do I know how to deal with the current arising situation? No. Could I get training for it? You bet your ass I can. Will this help me out, hell ya. So right away, you can see that being proactive is way better than being reactive in this case.
Great right? I only have one issue, and that would be the motivation part! Currently, I have the drive to do it, but you know what? If I lose the spark, the motivated rockstar I am will crash and burn!
With that, it looks like habit one is solved.
This is where it gets sticky. Looking into the future, I can see the reality of the situation. I can set myself up 5 or 10-year goals. Possibly, 20, definitely not 30.
I can see my employer selling his company, and if I don’t have more training to fall back on, I will fall on my face when going through the door on my last day. The violins will start to play, the tears will come, and I will be going down to the grocery store asking for a box big enough to live in.
Habit 2 asks, what are your dreams? What do you want to do more than anything in the world? What do you offer the world?
My answer. I don’t’ know, and I’m too old to start now.
Don’t get me wrong, I use to have dreams when I was younger of being something other than a 9-5 worker in cubical heaven, but I’m pretty sure my window of opportunity has passed. Perhaps I’m wrong, but I’m not going to keep my hopes up!
On the other hand, I do have the opportunity to work towards goals in my current occupation. Not all is lost, right?
See, that’s where I’m all f’d up. I know, or at least feel, that I’m not too old to do something with my current stage in life of running away and following my dreams. So how can habit 2 work?
When I was a kid, I had many dreams of being a performer, an actor, or even a promoter of events where people go to something that I have promoted and leave with smiles on their face.
Those days are gone, and I got what I got.
Another thing with habit 3 that has me is from the video and the example with Will Smith. He said his purpose is in life is to bring smiles to peoples faces. Well, that’s great WILLY! But not too damn hard when you are already a star amigo. Maybe it was just a bad example.
The longer I think about it, the longer I feel that I need to take the current opportunity and run with it. Then after things are going the right way, figure out what my passion is, if I even have one. (If such thing as “your passion” also exist), and then at that point work on a side hustle.
I’m not going to lie, I still think the chances are slim that a passion can be found in this lifetime.
You do have the odd example though. Look at Kendrick Kang-Joh Jeong. He was a doctor, then became an actor. I know acting isn’t something I want to do, I was only using it as an example. He also started to act at a younger stage in his life. Yep, younger by a few years than I am now.
So yea, with that, as you can see Step 2 is half worked out. Can I do good at what I’m currently doing, YES! Will I ever figure out my passion in life, and become well successful at it so people will know my name? Well, probably not.
I am not sure what I am doing wrong!
Put first things first.
Essentially at this point. I have to figure out what is important to me.
What is the most important thing in my life right now? Focus on things that really matter and on things that will get you where you want to be in life.
How do you figure that out? That is where you can use a weekly 4 quadrant planner. Errr.. a what? How about a Time Management Matrix? Does that clear it up? No?
OK then, I suggest if you really want to know that you watch this video.
Do you understand what you do with the planner? Put must of you focus on quadrant 2.
It looks like if I want to take the bull by the balls, or is it the horns? What end it is? Anyways, if I want to do anything with the furry beast, I need to start focusing on things that matter.
Now, this just doesn’t relate only to work, but also other areas of life like health or physical activity, relationships with family and friends, spiritual practices like meditation or church, and cognitive health and that is reading and learning new things.
Then at this point, if you got your priorities figured out you then have to schedule your work. In the below video it describes how to do just that. I know the video looks like a cult advertisement, but it’s not. It’s just old.
I know, I know, I was all over the place, and I turned my post from me to you, but I do have things figured out a bit clearer now.
I feel what it sums down to is work with what I got. Sure, big dreams of making a difference are great, but right now take care and appreciate the opportunities I already have in my life. Don’t worry about trivial things in life like blog views, the weather, or anything else I can’t change. Work on skills to make my life better, relationships, look after myself and do activities that really matter to me. Who knows what might come up, right?
Now that the dust has settled, if you are reading this, good for you. If you are not digging my post, don’t’ worry, I won’t leave you empty handed. Please click play on the video below and enjoy some Queen!
What do you think? Please share your comments below!
Are you bored this weekend? If so, well then you are in luck! Check out these great 5 books written by indie authors! I tried to include something for everyone! You’ll find love and romance, action and adventure, and hopefully, you’ll find everything in between!
Nomycha – by Raven Corinn Carluk.
When war breaks out between the two lands, Cyryna must leave her training and contemplation to recover a relic of great power. Her magical skills are immediately put to the test in skirmish after skirmish with the undead hordes of Valham. Her heart is put to the test when she meets a man with silver eyes.
Check out her interview on House of 1000 Books – Raven Corinn Carluk Interview
Bloodlines: An Empire City Special Crimes Novel by Peter Hartog
When former hotshot homicide detective Tom “Doc” Holliday is recruited to join Special Crimes, he trades in his boring desk job for a second chance to do what he does best, hunt down killers. And his first case doesn’t disappoint: a murdered woman with a bogus past, her body drained of blood, and two eyewitnesses wasted on the designer drug Goldjoy claiming a vampire did it.For Holliday is no stranger to the unusual. He wields the Insight, a fickle clairvoyance that allows him to see the dark and terrible things that hide within his world. After all, when you live in Empire City, where magic and technology co-exist, and humanity endures behind walls of stone and spell-forged steel, anything is possible.Saddled with a team whose past is as checkered as his own, Holliday embarks upon an investigation that pits them against bio-engineered vampires, interdimensional parasites and the magical masterminds behind it all.From nightclubs and skyscrapers, to underground drug labs and coffee shops, Holliday’s search for the truth will uncover a shadowy conspiracy that spans the ages, and forces him to confront a destiny he never wanted.Bloodlines is Peter Hartog’s debut novel, the first in the Empire City Special Crimes series. Scroll up to order your copy, and start reading today!
Check out his interview on House of 1000 Books – Peter Hartog Interview
The Inevitable Fate of E & J: Book 1 – by Johanna L. Randle
Elizabeth and Jimmy, once childhood friends, no longer have anything in common, not since their horrible falling out years ago. They suddenly find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other. Both are haunted by vivid dreams of someone else’s life, mysterious voices, and even phantom pains. They slowly get reacquainted, and unexpected feelings rise to the surface. Elizabeth longs for Jimmy, and he is overwhelmed by a desire to prove himself worthy of her. Both start changing and their friends notice, especially Elizabeth’s boyfriend. When the situation becomes unbearable, they consult a psychic who gives them a dire warning to stay away from one another. Now, Jimmy and Elizabeth must decide if they should fight their feelings and go back to their normal lives, or to risk everything for love.
Check out her interview on House of 1000 Books – Johanna L. Randle Interview
They needed a place to get away from it all… they’ll never be coming back.
When Darren and Vanis set out to free themselves from life’s anxieties and rekindle their relationship, a trip to the beautiful Maine coast sounds perfect.
The breathtaking views and gorgeous cabin seem like another world. One to get lost in and from which they never want to return. But something has an eye on them.
For Zebulun Ayers, a trip to connect with nature is far more than he ever saw on Man vs. Wild or any other reality TV show. This is the real wild life.
Paradise, Maine is home to a monster rarely seen and one never mentioned, even among locals. The Watcher is waitingParadis, Maine – by Jackson R. Thomas
When Darren and Vanis set out to free themselves from life’s anxieties and rekindle their relationship, a trip to the beautiful Maine coast sounds perfect.
The breathtaking views and gorgeous cabin seem like another world. One to get lost in and from which they never want to return. But something has an eye on them.
For Zebulun Ayers, a trip to connect with nature is far more than he ever saw on Man vs. Wild or any other reality TV show. This is the real wild life.
Paradise, Maine is home to a monster rarely seen and one never mentioned, even among locals. The Watcher is waiting
Check out his interview on House of 1000 Books – Jackson R. Thomas Interview
Check out the House of 1000 Books Review of Paradise, Maine!
Insular – by Jamie Stewart (A Short Story)
‘Remember now, the others and I were working people, working to get by, month to month. They keep their heads down and push through, and when they can, they dream.
Their dreams are an escape. That wasn’t possible with Julian stalking the aisles, his ever-grey pallor, his wasted figure serving as a reality check. That’s what was scary.
When there were no dreams anymore.’
Julian Kensi is about to start his first day in retail.
What he doesn’t know is that to his supervisor, Peter Smith, he is just another pawn to be used in his rise to the top. That is until Julian begins to act strangely.
As Peter attempts to learn more, his ruthless methods cause events to take a macabre turn beyond control.
Insular a short story about one man’s life-long fear and regret. It’s a story about obsession, the power of a person’s imagination, and the terrible consequences once this imagination has been unleashed. It is perfect for fans of Stephen King, Dean Kootnz, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Joe Hill, H.P Lovecraft and Shirley Jackson.
Check out his interview on House of 1000 Books – Jamie Stewart Interview
Check out the House of 1000 Books Review of Insular!
There you have it! A list of 5 amazing reads from authors who took the time to support the House of 1000 books!
If you are checking this out, and you have done an interview here, don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten you or intentionally left you out. Your turn IS COMING!
If you are interested in any of their books, just click on the book image and it will take you right to Amazon.
Thanks for taking a look and for your support by checking out my blog!
Disclaimer: Yes, they are affiliate links.
