[MSN Spaces] "When you're rich, you're not crazy; you're eccentric."

So maybe I lied in my first entry. You might get semi-regular updates.

Interesting night last night. Holly invites me out to an open house night at UVic for her Toastmasters club. All I know is that Holly'll be there and she'll be speaking. So I show up and we file into the room. Holly had taken a seat in the second row, so I sit beside her. There goes any semblance of possible anonymity I might have entertained.

The meeting starts and several short speeches are given. It was interesting. Humour was present so the speakers remained entertaining. Then we come to the Table Topics portion, where a topic is presented and people are given a chance to give a short, impromptu speech on the topic. The topic? What would you do if you won $5 million in the lottery. There was time for five speakers. The floor is opened and we go through four speakers (three members and one "exchange" member from another group). The gist of their talks: philanthropist, too-much-trouble-wish-never-won, pay off debts/travel the world, $5 mill is not enough so spend it all. The floor is opened again and I decide to throw myself at the mercy of the crowd on a whim. I make the most interesting decisions when I don't think. What would I do? $5 million is piddly, so I'd need closer to $5 billion to satisfy my desires, but... I'd have a Jay Leno-esque vehicle collection, work only when/if I want to, swing dance, and become the eccentric rich guy that everybody loves but thinks is nuts. I could go running down the street in half a clown costume, slippers on my feet, singing "God Save the Queen" at the top of my lungs if I wanted to. Why? Because I CAN! And there's the inspiration for the title of this entry: "When you're rich, you're not crazy; you're eccentric."

Forgive me for glossing over the first three speakers; this is *MY* blog afterall.

For those that knew me before I started dancing, I probably would never have even entertained the idea of actually getting up and speaking back then. It was likely always part of my personality, though, just hidden away and blocked by other things. I guess that was more for the people that have only known me since I started dancing... The feeling of being able to do that kind of thing now is ineffably good. (<---- Thanks, Ms. Grammarian. Holly, you can tell her that if you want. )

So the meeting ends and Holly and I go wandering around the campus. Been so long since I've done that. After awhile, we end up in MacLaurin, just outside the David Lam auditorium (I never liked that auditorium...). We're hanging out in the corner (no reading further into that) and suddenly the lights go off. So then we're hanging out in the corner.. in the dark (definitely no reading further into that). The occasional person comes and goes, until this one guy pops around. I'm assuming he was part of the facilities management or campus security or whoever actually does the job, but he went around locking all the doors. "OMG, we're trapped in MacLaurin!!" Eventually, the time to leave rolls around and we wander to the door. Light push and it opens. That was too easy. Rather anti-climactic after all the build-up of "WE'RE TRAPPED!" I did.

If you're wondering, I've spent enough nights in ELW in my day... so I know you don't actually get locked in, but it was funny regardless.

So Holly, that makes three (out of four!) mentions of you in my blog, and one entry purely inspired by you.

(Christabel, you might appreciate this one...) Thank you, please come again!

That is all.

[MSN Spaces] "I'm single and need to live vicariously through my friends. Throw me a fricken bone, here."

Oh the possible jokes to be had with that one. Too bad they're all too obvious.

This bit is for Sara; you know why. *hint hint* ^^^^

Sunday night didn't go quite as I'd hoped. Turns out Holly missed the Coho ferry by 5 cars... 'Turn around, drive to the border, continue on to Tsawassen, and wait one sailing to get back to Victoria.' After practice, scavenging from Dave and Tina's, and dropping you off, I make my way home. Uncanny timing with a phone call, and I catch her as she gets home. On the phone till .. well, far far far too late.

Am I crazy? I'm actually beginning to seriously consider going to Herräng, Sweden in July. World's best Lindy (and other) teachers all congregating in July for four weeks of non-stop dancing, workshops, and partying. I'm young and now's probably the time to do it, since I haven't blown all my money yet. I'd only be there for the first week, but who knows if I'd even be able to survive more! Another week to do a quick tour of surrounding areas and this is sounding feasible.

Speaking of dancing, April's looking to be a gooooood (and seriously crazy) month. On the dancing front, there's going to be the Hot Jazz Jubilee on the weekend of the 21st. On the weekend of the 28th, Hot Koko's coming back over, workshop in tow. Combine the Hot Koko weekend with my birthday, and I'm expecting a couple birthday jams.

Off the dancing front, my brother's moving to Vancouver mid-April to go full-time with the BC Ambulance service. And then as if my birthday weekend wasn't crazy enough, my sister-in-law Ev is expecting a baby that weekend!!

Crazy April. Life is getting interesting.

And now...

My thoughts for today:

...

That is all.

[MSN Spaces] "Some people use belts or suspenders; I use Sara's boobs."

In regards to the title... well, you'll have to pester me about it if you want an explanation.

So, my friend Erik says I should have a blog, so this posting is for him. As he puts it, "personal contact is so outdated". There are some things to be said for personal contact, but he lives in Kirkland, so personal contact is rather more difficult.

On that note, he just proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Amanda. You can read about that on his blog. Congrats, man! That's some exciting news!

Warning.

The following contains a few expletives.

Goddamn fucking stupid drivers!! About five minutes ago, I was almost in a car accident. The location? The intersection of Tillicum and the Old Island Highway. I was driving home from teaching Swing at UVic and was coming down the hill, crossing the highway. As I get to the light, it changes to yellow, but I was close enough that I couldn't stop in time. The first person (in an old SUV) waiting to turn left turns in front of me... a little close, so I slow down and honk. That's not so bad. It was the fucking idiot BEHIND the SUV. This dumbass is driving an old POS mustang and turns left immediately after, WITH ABSOLUTELY NO FUCKING WAY TO SEE IF THE INTERSECTION IS CLEAR!!! Fortunately, I see this retarded maneuver and slam on my brakes (and my horn). I managed to stop dead within a foot or so of his rear quarter. I sit there for a few seconds to calm down a little before I drive off. All the drivers around me that I noticed were staring down this idiot as he drove away.

Yeah. So dumb fucks on the road.

At least I get to look forward to something later. Holly's back from Bremerton today, and she should be dropping by at the end of my next lesson (teaching Swing 2) if her timing is good. New relationships are so much fun.

That is all.

[MSN Spaces] What have I gotten myself in to?

I'd say not much.

So, apparently boredom has set in and I created this space. Good luck to you all, for the likelihood of this getting updated regularly is slim at best.

That is all.