Because I Can… the random thoughts of Marc Scott

I am not in advertising.  Marketing is, admittedly, not my forte.  There is much about the world of promotion I feel I have to learn.  That said, every so often I see a commercial on TV that makes me question if I’m really the one that’s clueless.

I was watching TV tonight and a commercial came on for Charmin toilet paper.  There were two things I struggled to grasp about this commercial.  First, was a product demonstration involving a 3 pound weight. Second, was the idea of a bear wiping it’s butt and how there is any correlation between this and I.

In this particular commercial, in typical split screen product demonstration format, they showed Charmin TP on one side of the screen and the infamous “Other Leading Brand” on the other.  In an attempt to demonstrate the strength of their product, a 3 pound weight was placed on each of the two lengths of toilet paper and the TP was then dragged across the screen.

Wonders will never cease.  The Charmin brand, in this remarkable demonstration, out-performed the “Other Leading Brand.”  Imagine that.  Much to my delight, I am now fully aware that Charmin leaves no “white stuff” behind.  This is great because, as the ad explained to me, “Nobody wants white stuff left behind.”

My question is this, does anybody frequently use toilet paper in this fashion?  Do people really feel compelled to drop weights on it and drag it around the room?  As unpleasant a thought as this next may be, I have to ask.  Does anybody really use 3 pounds of force when performing the duties of toilet paper?  I mean, I’m no engineer and maybe I don’t fully comprehend the science behind it, but it seems a little excessive to me.

The second issue I have is trying to understand using bears as your “spokesperson.”  I mean really?  Little cartoon bears taking care of business behind a tree with a conveniently located roll of the “Other Leading Brand” on the nearest branch.  I don’t get it.  And then, zooming in on a bears butt to show the “white stuff” left behind.  Do I need to see this?  Do I want to see this?  Truth be told, it kind of makes me want to not buy Charmin (of course, I don’t anyway, but that is beside the point).

I can appreciate there is much that I need to learn about advertising.  Still, I feel it prudent to advise you take care when you’re taking care of business.  Whether you use Charmin or the “Other Leading Brand” don’t try so hard OK.  Let the TP do the work for you.  No 3 pound weights.  It’s unnecessary.  And no matter how many times they try to tell me, I will never believe that bears, especially in the winter, use toilet paper when going in the woods.

I’ve never been a morning person.  In fact, I think I’d be pretty content if it was just removed from my world all together.  It just seems unnecessary to me.  Anything I need to get done can happen in the afternoon when it’s sunny, in the evening when it’s quiet, or at night when everybody else sleeping and out of my way!

I started new hours at work this week.  I’ve gone from working evenings and weekend afternoons to doing straight Monday through Friday Drive.  For as long as I’ve been in radio I’ve believed I’d excel as a Drive guy.  It seems to suit my bio-rhythms.  It’s just taken 14 years to meet a Program Director who agreed I guess.  So here I am, working 3p – 7p, doing a show during my peak time.

There is one slight problem though.  Before, working evenings, I had until 5:30p to get stuff done at home before I had to leave for work.  So if I slept until 10, 11 or say, maybe the crack of noon, it was no big deal.  There was still plenty of daylight left for me to be productive.  Now, not so much.  I’ve got to leave for work everyday by 1:30p at the latest.  That means on those days when I sleep until the crack of noon, I get nothing done.

Sometimes sacrifices must be made for the greater good, I suppose.  So it looks like I’m going to have to change that routine a bit.  You see, before, I stayed up all night and slept all day.  Now I guess I’ll only be able to stay up half the night and sleep half the day.  This is where I need my Mom.

When I was a kid, I hated waking up for school.  It was an event, to say the least.  Mom figured it out though.  Mom knows best, I guess they don’t say that for nothing!  She developed 2 great strategies for those mornings when I did not desire to rise.

The first involved a large pitcher, or bowl, of water.  When I wouldn’t get up, take a guess.  Yeah, you guessed it.  It brought a whole new meaning to “wetting the bed.”  I got soaked, the bed got soaked, anything within firing range got soaked, and then I’d spring from bed and chase my sister, of course assuming it was her fault.

I need to be eased awake.  If I get jolted awake, I get grumpy and I get a headache.  I’m a light sleeper.   If the neighbour across the street farts too loud with his window open, I’m awake.  Come into the room and whisper, that’s all I need.  I’ll hear you.  Knowing this, I believe it’s why Mom’s second strategy was her favorite of the two.

The second strategy involved Mom, unbeknownst to me, cranking my alarm clock to full volume.  Then, she would take up her post at my doorway and wait for the show to begin.  When the alarm would activate, I would shoot from my bed like a rubber bullet from a NERF gun.  If you don’t believe it’s possible for a person to defy gravity, try waking me up using this method and watch me as I suspend from the ceiling!  The pitcher of water brought new meaning to wetting the bed, well this method was nearly effective in making me crap myself!

It’s been a long time since Mom did that to me, but you know what, I’ve never gone to bed setting alarm once, since then, without checking the volume first.  I live on my own now, yet I still check the volume every night.  I suspect I’m permanently damaged.   I’m sure I’ll sort it out one day in therapy.

Even though these two strategies may seem like cruel and unusual punishment, although I imagine most reading simply find them hilarious, there is a larger point here.  Bottom line… they worked.  I need to change my routine, and desperate times call for desperate measures.  This could be exactly what I need.  They say it takes 21 days to break a habit.  With Mom’s strategies, I’d bet money I’d snap it in 2!

When I was in public school I ran track.  It didn’t necessarily have to do with any deep seated inner desire to be a track star.  In fact, I was far too lazy to ever consider such things.  I was 10, what in the world was I going to do with a gold medal?  Besides, I could just get a great replica out of a box of Lucky Charms and that didn’t command near the effort!  Mostly, my track days had to do with the fact that there are certain requirements that were placed upon students and, like a military Drill Sergeant, teachers enforced those requirements.

I was a mouthy kid in school.  I don’t know where it came from.  Neither one of my parents are mouthy.  It must be my sisters fault then I guess.  Maybe I just always had to have the last word?  It might have had something to do with the fact that my mouth was quicker than my brain.

In both grades 3 and 4, I had my own desk in the hallway.  It got so bad that I used to say whatever it was I was planning to say to the teacher, and then I’d just get up and throw myself out of class.

It’s not that I was mean, or rude, or vulgar, although, I suppose being in grade 3 and taking back to the teacher is rude.  I was just really sarcastic.  I had a very quick wit, and I hadn’t developed to the point where I was capable of controlling it.  I certainly never took the time to consider the consequence of it either.

I was so great at track because, as I like to tell the story, my legs were my defense mechanism for my mouth!  Don’t believe me?  Ask my mom!  I pulled moves in the kitchen that John Madden would’ve been proud of.  Once I got around her, it was out the back door and off to my friends place.  My legs saved me from a lot of butt whoopings – each of them deserved!

It’s funny how you can look back on areas of your life and see how they’ve influenced you.  Part of the reason I think I enjoy writing now is because of those years sitting in the hallway.  You see, I learned all about constructing sentences by writing lines and essays.  I developed my vocabulary by writing dictionary pages.  My only regret is that they didn’t have laptops back then.  I think the reason I worked so hard to teach my mouth and my brain to get on the same wavelength was because my hand couldn’t take anymore writing!  By grade 5, for the most part, I was magically healed!

I’m still sarcastic, although, I definitely do a better job of controlling it now.  I still get it wrong from time to time though.  Tonight something happened to me, and it really caused me to stop and think about my sarcasm.  There is a time and place for it.  In the right context, it can be funny.  I think what I realized tonight though, is that, in the wrong context, it can be very hurtful.

When I get myself into trouble with the things I say, I don’t always handle it well.  Usually, I try and joke my way out of it.  I have to be especially careful now because my knees have gone to crap and I can’t run like I used to!  So I don’t have that escape plan to fall back on.  See… sarcasm again!  I’m taking pills and injections and should be fully healed in another month.  And… again!!!  Even as I’m trying to write this blog, knowing full well where I want to take it, it’s uncomfortable for me to be vulnerable about this issue and my sarcasm is my defense.

The problem is, I end up using the very thing that got me into trouble in the first place to try and get myself out of it, and that’s just not going to work.  A shovel is great to dig a hole, but it’s of little value when it comes time to start trying to navigate your way out!

What I need to learn, and I truly am trying, is that sometimes; many times, there is a better way out.  It’s not an easier way out, but then again, nothing good ever comes easy.  Instead of cracking a joke and making a bad situation worse, I need to learn to apologize.

If I had learned that lesson in grade 3 and 4, I would’ve never developed my writing ability because I would’ve never been in the hallway writing those lines, essays and dictionary pages.  Now that I’ve developed that skill, it’s time to work on a new one.  This one, is perhaps one of the single most import skills you can ever learn if you ever hope to find success in interpersonal relationships.  Learn to humble yourself and say I’m sorry.

Here we go… live blogging my thoughts as I watch the American Idol Results show.

My first thought… for the love of bacon people… make these shows 30 minutes!  Dragging the show out for a full hour is cruel and unusual punishment!!!

I am not surprised Michael is in the bottom 3.  He didn’t have a very strong performance last night.  I certainly hope this isn’t the end of the road for him though.

On the other hand, I am utterly shocked that Allison is in the bottom 3.  She is, in my opinion, one of the top females on the show.  Her vocals, for 16, are insane!  The girl oozes talent.  If she goes home tonight I might have to throw up or something.  OK, so maybe I won’t throw up, but I would have to do something drastic!

I love Brad Paisley.  The Fishin’ Song (or I’m Gonna Miss Her, or whatever they call it) is one of my all time favorites.  It’s classic.

The fact that Megan is not in the bottom 3 and Allison is, is entirely ridiculous!  Megan, as far as I’m concerned, was the worst performance of the night.  I understand she was sick and all, but really… she sure as heck isn’t better than Allison!

OK… bottom 3 of Michael, Allison and Alexis… that blows my mind… I mean… it BLOWS my mind!!!  The 2 best females on the show are in the bottom 3.  America… who the crap are you voting for???

And it’s down to Michael and Alexis and guess what… neither one of them deserve to go home!

I am so frustrated with the Idol bottom 3 that my hand has randomly started bleeding as I sit here and blog about this! :p  OK, so maybe that’s not why my hand is bleeding, but I did just look down and notice that it was bleeding!

Why does Carrie Underwood have a dead spider in her hair?

Sounded like Randy Travis was losing his voice or something tonight.  He wasn’t his usual Randy Travis self.  Love that guy.  Solid duet with Carrie and Randy.

No question, if necessary, judges will save Alexis

WOW! Michael is safe.  I can’t believe Alexis, who is the best female on the show is singing for her life now.

This is one messed up Idol.  It should’ve never got to this point.  The bottom 3 was completely screwed up tonight.  I can’t figure this one out.  America must need better dialing instructions… I blame it on Seacrest! :p

If I didn’t love my TV so much, I’d throw it out the window right now.  How is Alexis out and Megan is in?  It’s ridiculous.  I can’t believe the judges didn’t save her.  I was sure they would’ve saved her.  I don’t even know what to say.  I need to go to something drastic now…

Scott out! :p

I have come to learn that, while the increments of time are constants; units unalterable, anticipation, so it seems, has the ability, psychologically at least, to affect that which can otherwise be unchanged.

When you’re waiting for something to happen… time stands still!  This is a little truth I have learned a lot about lately, and, if I’m being perfectly honest, it’s quite frustrating!

Have you ever noticed that when you’re in a hurry, everybody else is not?  The old adage reminds us that a watched pot never boils.  I’m sure that sounds great on a fortune cookie or something, but when you’re waiting for something, when you can look into the distance and see it, but can’t quite reach it, I don’t want to hear that crap! :p

I can appreciate that Rome wasn’t built in a day.  I have every respect for the mighty oak tree that started as nothing and grew, over time, to tower over all of nature, offering shade, protection and some pretty sweet floors and furniture!  I get that chicken that has marinated all night is going to taste far superior to chicken that came straight from the freezer to the oven.  For this reason alone, I always put the chicken in a marinade!

Things get better with time.  I’m not here to argue this.  When I was a baby, I wet my pants.  Now I’m 30 and I don’t.  Ask me about this when I’m 90 and it might be a different story, but, I digress.  Outside of winning the lottery or having Oprah select you for her book club, good things, great things, don’t happen overnight.  You’ve got to wait.  You’ve got to be patient.  Anticipation helps us to appreciate what is waiting at the destination, when we finally get there.

I know it.  I get it.  It’s logical.  That doesn’t make it any less frustrating.  Somedays, you know, you just don’t want to wait anymore.  Why put in 27 checkouts if you’re only going to open 2 and let customers line up half way around the store?  It just doesn’t need to be that way.  Do double solid lines on the highway really mean I can’t pass, or is it more of a guideline for less competent drivers?

Time may move slower when you’re focused on it, yet, it never seems to move faster when you’re not.  A second is a second, a minute a minute, an hour an hour, I can’t change this.  But for the love of bacon… can it be Friday yet???!!!

Country week.  This will be great for some, and it will be tough for others.  So here we go, live blogging Idol.  For what it’s worth, Randy Travis is cool!

Michael Sarver doing Garth Brooks. Risky song.  Like Randy Travis said, lose the lyrics in any spot and it will be hard to recover.  He nearly lost it once on Ain’t Going Down Till The Sun Comes Up.  All in all, he did a good job.  It wasn’t the greatest demonstration of his vocal ability, but it was a good performance.  VERDICT: I think he’ll be OK.

Side note… Kara has a great smile.

Allison Iraheta is up next.  This girl is a rock chick, so to hear her do country should be interesting.  I love this girls smokey voice.  She has bright hair.  Very bright red hair.  Even as I listen to this girl sing, I can’t believe she is 16.  Hokie Dina this girl has a voice.  I think Patty Loveless would be proud. VERDICT: Allison sails through.

Another Garth song… hmm… notice a trend?  I miss Garth.  Anywho, Kris Allen is doing To Make You Feel My Love.  I’m surprised that he is not using his guitar.  I think I would’ve liked to hear him do it with just his guitar.  What a soulful performance.  Wow.  This guy really shows more and more ability every week.  That was awesome.  VERDICT: No worries for this guy.

Lil Rounds doing country.  This is going to be a tough one for her because this girl is R&B.  She can sing though.  I get worried whenever anybody sings Martina McBride.  There are just some artists that shouldn’t be touched, and I think a lot of stuff from Martina falls into this category.  The judges adore this girl though.  I wonder if she could ever do wrong in their eyes?  All in all, a OK vocal performance considering that she said herself she’s never heard a country song outside of a movie.  VERDICT: Safe

I am just not a big fan of Adam Lambert.  I’m really not.  I mean, he is a musical theatre guy.  He could do musical theatre like nobody else I’m sure, but I just don’t like his vocals in this competition.  What do I know though?  The judges practically bow at the alter of Lambert.  Thankfully Simon tells it like it is.  Brutalized Johnny Cash as far as I’m concerned, but he’ll be around regardless.  VERDICT: Like it or not, Adam is safe.

Scott MacIntrye doing Martina McBride… huh???  This is very odd to me.  I’m worried about his song choice.  He really does have a good voice, and I love to watch him at the piano.  He is a different artist when he is at the piano.  If he recorded a CD of just him playing piano, for what it’s worth, I’d buy it!  I love listening to him play.  All in all, I was surprised.  It was better than I originally expected. I’m confused by Paula.  Does she want the blind guy to dance around the stage?  Stay behind the piano Scott!  VERDICT: He should go through.

Alexis Grace is the female to beat in my opinion.  She is good.  It’s that simple.  Another girl with a smokey, rocky voice.  Her take on Dolly Parton’s Jolene was safe I thought.  It did show a different side of her though.  She can soften it up, while still flexing her vocals.  VERDICT: Nothing to worry about for several more weeks I’m sure.

Danny Gokey is just awesome.  I’ll buy CD when it comes out.  I suspect it’ll come as as American Idol 2009, but even if he doesn’t win, I’ll still buy his CD when it comes out.  Trust me… there will be a CD!  He did Jesus Take The Wheel and I loved his version of it.  He has such a powerful voice and he sings with some serious passion. VERDICT: See you in the finale.

Anoop Desai singing Willie Nelson.  When Randy Travis says, “heck that was good man” that has to be a huge confidence boost for a guy!  It’s a new Anoop tonight.  Very smooth vocals.  I think it was one of the top performances of the night!  A HUGE improvement from last week.  I think Anoop Dog is back!!! VERDICT: He’ll be safe.

Megan Corkrey doing Patsy Cline.  Her performance didn’t impress me at all.  In fact, it was very uncomfortable for me to listen to.  The judges are singing her praises though.  I don’t get it. VERDICT: Should be the end of the road.

Why are all the guys singing songs by females?  It seems odd to me.  However, I love Matt Giraud, and I think he can sing anything.  This is another guy with some serious soul and I love watching him at the piano.  I really hope he is around for awhile.  He brings a great flavor to the competition. VERDICT: Vote this guy all the way to the finals!!!

So there we are, the Top 11 have performed.  Based on performances tonight… Megan impressed me least.  I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the end of the road for her.

I don’t recall to many of my birthday’s.  There have been 30.  For many of them I was working and they simply passed as any other day.  Time marches on, the calendar turns a page.  It’s of little importance to me.  Certainly everyone remembers their 16th, or at least those of us in Ontario do.  That was the day I went and got my Learner’s Permit to be able to drive.

I remember my 30th.  It was only a few months ago.  I slept in half the day, woke up, baked myself a cake, and then ate it while watching Fred & Ginger movies on the couch.  That was a pretty solid day.  I should note, that while I did indeed eat the whole cake, I didn’t eat it all that day.  I tried to pace myself a little.  I’m not a complete glutton.

Perhaps, though, the most memorable of all was my 22.  In the week leading up to, and following my 22nd birthday, I got the greatest gift I could’ve hoped for.  Two days before my 22nd birthday, I got accepted onto the Fire Department.  It was an opportunity I had worked and waited for, for three years.  No better gift could I have received.

I was sitting in my room one night, I still lived with Dad at the time, watching TV.  I don’t recall what I was watching, it was probably nothing great.  In the midst of the show a thundering bang echoed through the chambers of the upstairs hallway.  Dad was beating on the wall.  He is not a crazed lunatic, it was just the easiest way for him to get my attention when I was watching TV.

I came to the top of the stairs to find out what he wanted and he told me to get dressed and get ready.  The Fire Station in the neighbouring town had just been paged out for a structure fire and it was more than likely that we were getting called in next.  This was going to be it.  My first structure fire!  Much of what took place in the moments that followed is a blur to me.

Dad and I responded to our Station; he is now retired, but served for 33 years.  We geared up, got in the Pump and we were on our way.  My first structure fire… holy crap!

We arrived on the scene of a large fire which had spread among a barn and some greenhouses.  The guys that were with us were dropped off at the scene and Dad and I were instructed to take the Pump one concession south.  Our job was to fill Tankers from small creek that ran nearby.  Part of me couldn’t believe I was driving away from the action, although, being a rookie, I understood.  The other part of me was riding in a Fire Truck with Dad; and this time not just in a parade!

We went and got set up, and what took place next made me want to cry.  Something inside our Pump broke.  As a result, we couldn’t fill Tankers and there was no use for us to be on scene.  The truck needed to be returned to the hall and we needed to find a way to fix it.  Now, not only had I driven away from the flames, but I was about to drive away from the scene entirely!  This was NOT how I saw my first structure fire going!

Once we were back at the hall, I probably moped around and whined a bit, I don’t recall for sure, but that is likely what I did.  Guys worked at trying to diagnose and repair the problem with the Pump.  Then it happened.  A second chance!  One of the Officers pulled up and offered to take me back to the scene with him. Thank you Captain Mitchell!!!

Much time had passed when we returned to the scene.  The bulk of the fire was knocked down, but I didn’t care.  I was still there, and this time around, I was going to play.  I was assigned to a sector and an officer, and, being the Probie, I was given instructions to stay close by and not doing anything stupid.  I agreed to comply.  I would’ve agreed to anything at that point!  I just wanted to get my gear dirty!  Little did I know how dirty it was about to become!

I was assigned to run a deluge gun.  It’s a master stream device that delivers a lot of water in a hurry.  My objective, keep the hydraulic lines of an excavator tearing apart the wreckage of the structure cool.  It seemed easy enough.  All I cared about was in that moment, I become a Firefighter!

I spent hours, I don’t even recall how many, standing knee deep in a manure pile, in the middle of a torrential rain and lightning storm, thinking if lightning strikes and I’m working this deluge gun, I’m going to die.  I didn’t rescue any children.  I didn’t run into a burning building.  I did nothing heroic, nothing like you’ve seen in the movies.  I just waded through a heap of crap and sprayed some water.  Yet, it was the greatest birthday I’ve had yet!

This weekend was beautiful.  The first nice weekend since, oh, maybe, October?  Yeah, it’s been a long, cold winter.  I was pretty convinced for a while that it was never actually going to end.  Then, came this weekend.  Saturday, sunshine and 13, Sunday, sunshine and 14.  All I can say is, it’s about stinking time!

It reminded me of a clip I had from one of my old morning shows.  I asked the question, “You know it’s Spring when…”

Have you ever noticed how when the crap hits the proverbial fan in our lives, we often immediately do one of two things.  First, we read the book or Job.  Second, we think we are Job!  I have been no less guilty of this than anybody else.  For whatever reason, when things go wrong, that just seems to be our first association.

How many times have you apologized to God and said I’m sorry for whatever it is that I did, but if You’d just forgive me, and make things right, I promise I’ll do better next time.  It’s funny.  I don’t recall God ever painting Himself as one to be negotiated with.  It’s as if Heaven is a Pawn Shop and God is the crotchety old man behind the counter that we dicker back and forth with trying to get ourselves the best deal.  Somehow, I just don’t think that is how He intended it to work.

I’ve had my share of crap over the years.  I had a wife; she divorced me.  I had a house; now I live in a tiny apartment.  I had a dog; I was left with a picture.  I had money in the bank; now I have debt up the wazoo.  That’s another thing, who came up with the word “wazoo” anyway?  I digress.  I had my dream job; now, I have a job.  If anybody has a reason to be bitter, I suppose an argument could be made that I could be that guy.

Somebody asked me the other day, well aware of my history, how it is that I am so happy and easy going.  What a great compliment!  I don’t suspect they intended it that way, nevertheless, that is how I took it.  They are going through some stuff of their own, and they just struggle to find a reason to smile.  It’s wearing of them.  A weary heart is perhaps one of the heaviest loads one could ever carry.

I gave it some thought, this question I was asked.  What I decided is that, I can’t control my circumstances, most of the time anyway, but I can control how I handle them.  Certainly I could sit around and wallow in self pity, I won’t lie, the thought has crossed my mind, or, I can pick up, dust off, and press on.

Look at the picture up there, the one on the top right corner of this blog I mean.  Tell me, what do you see?  When I took this picture a couple of years ago, it was far and away one of my absolute favorites.  I was so proud of that shot.  I was walking the causeway at the church camp I attended in my youth, and this image just reached up from the shores of the pond and grabbed me.  I had to snap that shot.

I showed it around to a few people and mostly, the response was something to the affect of, “well done… you took a picture of a dead branch.”  I can’t deny that they were right.  It was indeed a dead branch.  But that isn’t even close to what I saw.

The picture that caught my eye was that of a long, brilliant branch, standing at attention, undisturbed by the breeze that swirled around it.  Its metamorphous from a bright, living green to a blend of burnt orange and red, undeniable against the gently rippling backdrop of a gray-blue pond, was captivating to me.  In the midst of a grassy shore of similarity, rose an undeniable, single splash of color waiting for somebody to notice it.

There is a life lesson in there, if you’re willing to hear it.  So much of how we feel, so much of how we think, so much of how we react, is, in my opinion, based upon perception.

Look at the picture for a second time.  What do you see now?  I’d be more than willing to bet upon first glance, you saw a dead branch like so many others did.  However, after reading my interpretation, I can’t help but think you saw so much more.

Attitude can’t necessarily change your life, but it can certainly alter how you view it, and approach it.  A story was told once of two men in prison.  One day while looking out the barred windows of their concrete dungeon, each of them commented on what they saw.  One looked down with defeat and saw mud.  The other looked up with hope and saw stars.  Two people, the same window, the same view, to entirely different perspectives.

I’m so happy and so easy going, despite all I’ve experienced, because when I look ahead I see hope.  I see possibility.  Opportunity.  I see God guiding my thoughts, my choices, my steps.  I already see him restoring me.  I look out the window, I look up, and I get lost in the expanse of a night sky filled with stars, and the limitless potential of that scene is enough to make anybody smile!

I am a creature of habit.  I don’t necessarily intend to be, it just seems to work out that way.  I wake up each morning at the same time, and each morning I go through the same agonizing and drawn out process of dragging my butt out of bed.  My day, for the most part is structured the same way as well.  I start out checking emails.  Then I eat breakfast.  After my voice has had a chance to come to life after an nights rest, I start doing auditions.  I follow that with show prep.  Then I hit the bike for 15k.  I could go on and on… I won’t.

Sometimes I feel like I’m just coasting, as if my life is running on auto-pilot.  Maybe I’m Bill Murray, and I’m reliving Groundhog Day?  Recently, I had a temporary change in my work schedule for a few days, and quite honestly, it screwed up my universe.  I was lost.  I didn’t know if I was coming or going.  I had no idea what day it was.  Everything I normally do in a day didn’t get done because I didn’t have my routine to guide me.  It was, I confess, embarrassing!

There is a comfort in habit, I suppose.  It’s nice to know what is ahead of you.  It’s why we have maps and GPS devices.  It’s why travel agents plan our vacations.  It’s why the guide on the TV is usually programmed a week ahead.  When we know what’s next, we can relax.

I guess that’s not all bad, but, I can’t help but wonder what we end up missing out on.  I’ve tried a few things along the way.  I’ve formulated a list, if you will, of my “likes” and “dislikes” and I’ve always been quite content to leave it at that.  When you’ve got a system that works, why mess with it right?

It was recently pointed out to me, by someone I am coming to respect and admire a great deal, that I say “can’t” and “won’t” a lot.  That kind of bothered me at first.  Then, I got honest with myself.  I really stopped and thought it through and I realized, they were actually right.  I do.  I don’t mean to, or at least, I don’t think I mean to.  I’m just in that comfort zone you know?  I feel like I have contentment, balance.  Why mess with it?  It’s not that I am opposed to new things, I’m not.  I’m just happy with my old things, so I guess I don’t make room for anything else.

I’ve got an explanation for everything to.  Well, I thought I had an explanation for everything.  What this individual is making me realize is that, in fact, what I really have is an excuse for everything.  There is a difference.  What a blessing to have somebody in your life that is able to make you examine your own bull!

I have an 80GB iPod.  I don’t know why.  I have 2,935 songs on it.  I listen to the same 20 or 30 over and over and over all day everyday.  I plug it in when I’m at home and I plug it in when I’m in the car.  The same artists, the same playlists, every single time.  There are songs on my iPod, so this individual discovered, that I didn’t even know were there… and I’m the one that put them there!  They came off my own CD’s!!!  It all comes back to habit.

I’ve been reading a book this week.  It’s called “Through Painted Deserts” by Donald Miller.  I’ve recently finished a couple other titles by him; “Blue Like Jazz” and “Searching For God Knows What.”  I loved them both, and so far, I’m loving this new one too.  Anyway, in the book he talks about being stuck in a van on a journey across the country with only only a couple of cassette tapes to choose.  One of them was by George Winston, whom he was unfamiliar with.  I laughed when I read this.  I could take a trip across the country with my 3,000 songs on my iPod, and no matter how long I’m stuck in the truck… I’d still listen to the same 20 or 30 songs over and over again!  For the record, almost all of them are by Michael Buble.

Tonight I decided it was time to do something about this.  It’s time to stretch out of this comfort zone; this bubble I’ve unintentionally come to find myself living in.  I had never heard of George Winston either.  I like the book though.  I like the author too.  So, as I write this blog, I’m listening to music from George Winston that I just bought on iTunes.  It’s beautiful piano music, soothing to the soul.

I need to work on lessening the use of “can’t” and “won’t” in my day to day life.  I started tonight by trying something new, something I would’ve otherwise never experienced.  It would’ve been my own loss!  There is comfort in the known, but there are mysteries waiting to be explored in the unknown.  I think we could all use a little more of that in our lives.  If you need a place to start, why not try George Winston!