No Trick...Dixie Chicks PERFECT Halloween Treat!

Blog entries two days in a row?  Has Raymond gone insane?  What could possibly be so important that he would need to post ANOTHER entry so soon.

Well let me tell you, my friends.  Life is good.  VERY good.

The Dixie Chicks are coming back to Calgary.

Now they were scheduled to be in town July 12 of this year as part of the 101st  Stampede celebrations. 

Of course, Mother Nature had a little something to say about that with a flood that put the Saddledome under water.

Now, even if the flood DIDN'T postpone the event, I wasn't going to be able to see them since I was kinda busy in Mexico...getting married. (Sorry Natalie, Martie and Emily...a man has priorities.)

Just my luck...today I learn that DCX is returning Halloween Night!  (Even better, I was given the task of writing/cutting the piece for our newscast...which certainly put a smile on my face.)

Upon hearing the news I text my wife, who is currently VERY busy in Washington, DC to ask what she would think about joining me on a date to see the concert.

Almost, as though she were standing behind me when I began the text, I received an instant reply of "YES!"

Immediately, I get online and take a chance on finding tickets, since the band and promoters are honoring the tickets that were purchased for the July 12th show.

A few clicks later, and voila!  The best Halloween Date I could ever hope for is set.

I'm faced with a bit of a conundrum though.

I thought of the perfect Halloween costume to wear to the concert...get all painted up like a Zombie and wear a name tag that says... "Hi...My name is EARL"; of course, referencing their smash hit "Goodbye Earl" 

The problem is... my conscience is having a hard time being cool with the thought of dressing up as a wife beating son of a bitch who deserved to die a long slow painful death...*ahem*...Sorry, that got away on me a little.

I am sure my beautiful wife will have a LOT to say about it...and perhaps she is up for a night of silliness (costumes) and great music...(the great music is more than enough for me.)  Although, I would love to get you thoughts on if you think it is cool to wear that kinda costume based on what it represents...you know... just as a discussion point.

On a more serious note...I thought I would just take a second to share my thoughts on my absolutely favorite song from the Dixie Chicks (and the link to go with it, so you can watch it yourself.)

The Long Way Around

This song has always "spoken" to me for some reason.  Mostly because it talks about a strength and courage that frankly, I have not always been able to show in my life.

Sure everyone's life is a journey and there are plenty of ups and downs that bring us to where we are today.  But all too often I have been happy to be "one of many" and have missed out on chances to pursue goals that I still regret every now and again. 

All because, the journey would be too long/difficult/not the norm.

It's funny though... As I listened to it again today, I couldn't help but think; "This song describes Carolyn, PERFECTLY" She has ALWAYS been someone who has had the strength to go after her dreams, no matter how hard it is to achieve or for anyone else to comprehend.  It is one of the MANY things that I have admired about her.

Truth be told, this song is one that I hope my daughter Taylor, will take to heart.  That it will remind her that she can do anything she sets her mind to.  I hope she takes the time to find what she wants to do with her life and then go after it with all her heart.

No matter where it takes her in the world.  Even if it *IS* "The Long Way Around".

So now that I have most assuredly annoyed my wife by fawning over her publicly (like always) and embarrassed my daughter by sharing my hopes for her with the internet community (like always)...I'm signing off.

To the Dixie Chicks...thanks for agreeing to come back... I'll be the dude cheering and singing his heart out in section 216...(whose wife may or may not be covering her face in embarrassment)

Life is good.... very good indeed!

Writer's Blockhead

So after spending the last hour and a half writing, erasing, writing, erasing blog entries; I have realized exactly why I haven't posted an entry for the past 18 and a half months.

I have absolutely nothing to say.

Now before you quickly click away (say that 5 times fast) from this site and go back to watching YouTube videos of a cat wearing a shark suit riding a roomba chasing a duck , give me a chance to explain myself.

I started to write a post about my weekend playing ball and how sore I am now.  How I played horribly and came to the realization that time has caught up to me and I am not the player I once was.

Then I thought...That is pathetic.  Why am I complaining about something that everyone faces at some point in their lives?  It's not like I am going to come up with some new idea that will help myself and others deal with aging. 

So I erased that self-serving garbage and started to write about how weird it was to find myself feeling "unexplained anger".  How, out of nowhere and with nothing to incite me,  I was really upset and wanted to yell at everyone about everything today.

Then I thought to myself... do I want to share this clearly unusual feeling with the entire world.  Do I want people to think of me as some weirdo who is on the edge of snapping?

Since some of you already know that is who I am... writing it out would only be repetitive, and there is no room for repetition in a blog. 

Simply no room for repetition.

Then I thought...why not write about something important like the fundraising efforts that are going on in Calgary to help the victims of the flooding in Southern Alberta.  Like Alberta Flood Aid !

Of course, that would mean I would have to talk about Nickelback, and I couldn't bring myself to do it. (I kid... I kid.  Kinda.  Many great artists and lots of people are working together to help those who have lost so much.  Please do what you can to help out... and enjoy what is sure to be a great concert. Seriously... GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!)

So there it is... I've stepped back into the blog world.

A very tiny ripple into the ocean of information (hard to believe, considering just how large I am.  But I will save my weight issues for another entry...another day).

Hope this one doesn't stop you from coming back here in the future.  For those of you who haven't seen my previous entries... take some time and check 'em out.  They'll either give you an inside look at the man... the MYSTERY that IS Raymond; or they will change your thoughts on whether everyone deserves the right to free speech.

Next one will be better... I promise...

I think.