K e n's blog: "Thoughts From A Wandering Mind"

I can remember being a little kid (yup), and trying to figure out football...on TV. I watched, mainly when the adults were not changing channels on me. I did not understand it...but i liked it. I got the football bug...i guess...when i was about 11 or so. Living in Thunder bay, the closest NFL team was the Vikings....so...yes...i was a fan. Ahmad Rashad and Tommy Kramer...my favs. I watched alot of games....and it really never did matter who i watched....a good game was a good game. Then came the Bears. Walter payton is my all time favorite player...in any sport. More heart and determination than any player in the game today. So....i was a Bears fan...for awhile...till Payton retired. I had always watched some college ball (NCAA) but did not get too interested until the mid 80s. Ohio St had always been my fav. Coach Hayes....and the absolutely evil ,Jack Tatum....(read...."They Call Me Assassin"). College ball seems to always have more life and passion...than any other football games i have seen. Shortly before i moved to Southern Ontario...i began following the Buffalo Bills...and was tourtured through 4 consecutive years of going to the super bowl....and not winning......but i am...and will always be...a Bills fan. Last night.... i watched New England at Baltimore. Monday night games are infamous for being horrible games....take the one last week...Miami at Pittsburg. Last nights game was great. Baltimore had lost the last 5...and had nothing to lose....out of the playoffs. New England is undefeated. Baltimore took it to New England....hammering them the whole game. there was no time in the game, that anyone could have predicted the outcome. New England won....with Baltimore coming up 2 yards short...in the last seconds of the game....to win...with a touchdown...would have took them into the lead...and slayed the giant of this season. I watched the game...not as a N E fan...or Balt fan....but of a fan of the game. It was great from the word go....action and suspense ...just like a movie. I was not cheering of any team last night....just for the game. I found myself cheering....in the last quarter.....because of ....my love of the game. The reason i love football....the way i do....is because of games like last nights...and that will never change. Go Bills

This is something George (no...i`m not spelling the last name) on "The Hour" came up with 2 weeks ago. Great idea...but this had been going on years ago with some friends of mine. George wants to go wild on this...and track it. Do it...report in to his site, and be real...stuff you really like...and think others may have never heard. http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/blog/2008/11/_operation_disc_drop_how_it_wo.html Operation Disc Drop - How it Works There's nothing more satisfying than sharing the joy of music. Disc Drop is your chance to turn a total stranger on to the tunes that changed your life. Who knows? Maybe you'll change some-one else's life while you're at it. STEP 1: Make a mixed CD of your favourite tunes. Somewhere on the disc write: "DISC DROP - cbc.ca/thehour" Be sure to include a track-listing so people can track down more music by the artists on your disc. STEP 2: Drop off your disc in a random public place. STEP 3: Go to the "I Dropped a Disc - What Now", click on the comments, and write down where you dropped off your disc and the track-listing. Check back later to find out who picked it up, and where it's heading next.

I seem to think...that these notes that i write here, are more for soothing my soul, and making me believe that things will work out....and i think thats ok. Today...was a great day....nothing special, but a great day. A couple days ago...i got sick...with some dreaded virus...not even sure what it was...but i was i`ll to the point i could not function. Memories of me...this time last year. Being ill last year...and a couple days ago....has mademe realize....everything....could be done....just like that. And yet...i don`t think i fear it....it will come...as it will....for everyone. Now, i just have a better appreacition for...what was....and what is. So...enjoying a cigar today..was great. racing full throttle down the trail on the sled....fishing and watching the snow come down...going out to see they guys (and girls) tonight....all endless memories. Bad things too...like having bad people come in and out of my life...more lessons learned....and the prospect of new people ....more good. If this was it...and my number was called....i think i would be well content. 2 the dawn

What i know...changes from day to day....and i guess its good to not allow yourself to be understood....or, so it seems. I know that its just after 6am, and too many things running though my head. I know that i saw more in Washington than they brought to the game. Pittsburgh did much of the same. I know that i want to fish on monday or tuesday. Not so concerned about the fish....more concerned about the fresh air. I know if i don`t find that stupid sone...I AM ...gonna lose my mind. I know...all that glitters....ain`t gold. I know that sometimes i disappoint, not planned out....but it happens. I know that the puzzle that is....is not much of a puzzle, and someone will figure out , one day. I know that perfection...must always...be flawed I know that "Titanic 2" ....is a bad idea, and i am glad i turned it down. I know i need a new smoothie recipe I know i need a break...and should get away. I know someone(s) will take this WAY to seriously I know that Cuando amor no es locura, no es amor I know i will find.... I know 2thedawn

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common--this is my symphony..................William Henry Channing 2thedawn

A drunk dad...loses his 2 daughters ...cause he was too drunk to look after them. I don`t care who you are.....if your so drunk that you cannot remember where your kids are....or even question it, 8 hours later..... you are a piece of crap. those little kids died a horrible death.....cause daddy wanted to get drunk. let him loose....justice will be served.

I think i do handle being sick...pretty good. I don`t feel too good, the majority of the time....and i don`t tend to go about...telling people i don`t feel well. Today, a cold and flu has me in its grips. I don`t complain too much, but today....i am a big suck. Being single...you tend to keep things to yourself, at least in my case. The "solo" ride is sometimes good...you date, socialize, and live life...to your liking. but... when your sick, or not well....for whatever reason.....someone to care for ya....would be nice. last year....when i was really really sick....in winnipeg ....one person came to see me....and as it was only for a few hours each time...i will never forget that person for that. When i came home....a couple friends came to see me...even when i KNEW ..it was not the most comfortable ....for one of them. I guess what i am saying is....appreciate your loved ones.....your family...cause not everyone has them...or access to them. Treat them like gold...cause when your without....or they are gone....you will miss them , even for the smallest things......the most. 2thedawn

Its funny, as i get older....it seems what i write about tends to be about the past, and memories. I guess those are really so much more about who we are NOW...as much as they were important points of our pasts. As i had so many things that influenced who i feel i have become, there are some that stick out more than others. When we were kids, we used to spend alot of time with our grandparents, on weekends. It never made any sense why , until i grew up..and realized what my parents might go through trying to raise me...and my sisters, so...weekend breaks from mom and dad make alot more sense now...than ever. There was always music playing in my grandparents house. It could be traditional ukrainian music, on the fm station, or stereo in the living room, or some jazz or big band selections from my uncle. Being the only boy, in a family of sisters, and strictly girl cousins....i spent alot of time with my uncle. It could be doing odd jobs with him...or just hanging out in that house. He has an amazing taste for music...and i was exposed toalot of great music when i was a boy....through my uncle. if you were to come see what i listen to....on my computer, or in my mp3 player...or for that matter, the cd stand behind me, you would find alot of what i picked up from him...glenn miller, billie holiday,louis armstrong, the marsalis brothers, john coletrane, miles davis...and soo much more. One song i remember hearing was called Rhapsody In Blue....a modern day classic , composed by George Gershwin. The full version is some 16 minutes long, and something to hear. Some years ago, i saw it , at the IMAX in winnipeg....in fantasia 2000. I can honestly say, this song is very possibly, my favorite song....ever. Rhapsody In Blue , was preformed on the Grammys this year....by album of the year winner Herbie Hancock & Ling Ling. This preformance was simply...the most brilliant grammy preformance i have experienced. There were other great preformances this year...like The Time & Rihanna, Beyonce & Tina Turner, John Fogarty, Jerry Lee Lewis & Little Richard, and yes....even crack head Amy Winehouse. But Rhapsody In Blue.....blew them away. It brought back memories, from my childhood. It reminded me how strong of a musical influence my uncle & my grandparents are....in my life. From my Gigi playing mandolin on a quiet saturday afternoon, or driving around town listening to great music, in my uncles car. There is no end to how these people will influence and effect my life. thank you.

.... try to remember: * fluoride is good for you .....well...teeth falling out of your head....is better ? * smoking makes you look cool ....Smoking is , i believe....slowly declining...our lovely governments are seeing to that. Mind you, i do still love a good cigar when fishing....now and then. * Osama Bin Laden was behind 9/11 .....yea...he`s an angel...no guilt whatsoever. The planes flew into those buildings by themselves. Crooked goverment....yes...i agree, but a "i get away without a shred of guilt" pass....i don`t think so. * lead is ok in gas and paint ....tell me the gen pop is gonna love paying for fuel without it....which will be jacked up in price...even more. * Asbestos is no biggie .....True....bleeding lungs is never any fun....you pick em good. * you need anti-depressants to function .....It drives me nuts when your trying to date...and the person you meet, says they have issues....due to their past ...depression. Hey....sure it exists....but life ain`t no day at the fair....EVERYBODY has issues....suck it up...and live under a dark cloud like the rest of us knobs. * we're not entering a Recession .....Things are tough...sure, but just like the anti depressants thing....nothing comes easy. Don`t believe the hype. * there are no FEMA prison camps ....Sadly...there are. Screwed up Government has made more mistakes....that will take the next 20 or more administrations to correct....or more. See...i do see both sides....really. * American Idol is a great t.v. show ....I think at first it was a great concept...but has now become such a media pig....its not funny. case in point...the clown that was voted off this past week....wearing a long haired wig....trying tobe what he was not. When did he think he might be able to take the wig off....really dumb ass. they talked about letting bands and such audition...at the end of last season...what happened to those ....real music...you have to play an instrument....to be in a band. * genetically altered / pesticide sprayed foods won't hurt you ....No...but worrying about everything we consume in our daily lives....will kill you faster. * the government is always there to look out for your well being ...... At least in this country....our government is not out to get us...intentionally. Not all that Gov. does is always gonna benifit everyone.... there are other countries that will show you things aint so bad here. This was fun....i hope i stirred your pot a bit....i`m not always right....but i will always agree to fight.

You know...i have figured it out. Life.....is not about what you have....what you want....no. I know...i have it figured out. Life is about.....what u experience......the one thing. Sure...there has has to be a story...a reason for this...right...well, kind of. last year...with my near venture into the darkside (deadside). I began to see that it does not matter that i do not have a castle....or that i am married with 29328477589393 kids...and a trophy wife.....nope....none of that matters. I took some time off in the summer...to get away...and i did....by myself. I spent my night walking city streets...just observing...watched a couple argue for about an hour...then make up. I went over...and said it was really good to see them make up. that...was a treasure. I met a oriental guy today...who is...as i understood...riding his bike around the world...wow. I was fishing...and he was amazed to see m catch fish. As he stood watching...i hooked into one...and handed him the rod....watching him laugh as he brought it up....was great...he will remember that day forever...as will i.....another treasure. Two native kids...riding by on a ski doo...slowly drive by...flash a peace sign ...so i return the favor. they come back later...to talk. They said, we were surprised that u did the peace sign. I said well...why not. They told me that they`re parents always taught them to show friendship to everyone...even strangers......priceless treasure. I walked, and sat , and fished. I took in the sune..and had a stupid grin on my face, after 5 weeks of being indoors with a col & flu....no fishing , no sled. my day....if i never live another....was a very memorable one....and a treasure i hope to repeat. 2thedawn