Homesick and Heartsick

That sounds like a great name for a Dashboard Confessional song, "Homesick and Heartsick", though i think if i was going to make it a song title, i would change it to "Homesick and Heartache", Heartsick isn't a word that is oft used, which doesn't disqualify it from being used, i just feel like it wouldn't appeal to the majority of people, siince most people don't know what it's like to be heartsick. Anyway, i'm not heartsick anymore, i was for a day or two, and as for being homesick, you know how they (they being who?) say "Home is where the heart is"? Well, i'll let you figure out where i am homesick for.

Well, i now live in Calgary. Thats right, this is the first official blog coming to you from outside the wonderful limits of the town of Vermilion. It was really difficult to leave behind the town where i have spent so much time, grown up a lot, built new friendships and a community of friends where i feel at home. To quote Neil Young's song "Helpless Helpless" - "All of my changes were there". I honestly feel like i grew up, matured and changed whilst i was in Vermilion, God did a lot of heart sculpturing while i was there, giving me perspective, his perspective, his joy and his love. Obviously i am not perfect, but God continues to work, and i love it. And it was not difficult just because i was leaving Cara (though that was tough and still is) but on my last Sunday Morning at Church, it was really hitting me that it was finally my last time seeing many of these people for a while, and it made me sad because i came to love these people, especially the teenagers that i worked with all year. Many of them came up and gave me hugs goodbye and it was sad for me. I was sad. It was a "bittersweet symphony", and that phrase alone makes me think that the band known as The Verve have cemented thier place in HIstory even if it by me continuing to use one of thier song titles when ever i need to describe somthing bittersweet. But i digress.

So what have i been doing since i got to Calgary. Great Question. I got here Tuesday, and by Tuesday evening, i had been blessed with a great job. You are now looking at the most attractive College Pro Painter of all time. I've even been approached about doing a fundraising calender, you know, like the kind that Firefighters do....props to the firefighters in Vermilion. Anyway, so i work as a house painter now, it's not my favorite thing to do, but i get to work outside, with some friends and we listen to good music while we work, so i couldn't really ask for much more from a job. So, i got here Tuesday and started work Wednesday Morning, which was good, but it made settleing in a little difficult. I had to buy groceries and unpack and some other stuff and it has taken me all week to complete those tasks. As well as working and settleing in, i have also been seeing and visiting old friends from School who live in the area, it has been key for sure. The entire time i've been here with my friends though, i have thought about how much i can't wait for them to meet Cara, she is coming down for the Stampede and so they will get to meet her then, which should be good times, though perhaps a little overwhelming for her, but still great none the less.

I have also been listening to a great deal of Elliott Smith since i got here to Calgary, which has been phenomanel, as well as the new Oasis (clearly Tim is the biggest Oasis fan alive, and if there was a resteruant called "The Oasis" it would be Tim's favorite restaraunt) and David Gray, also much new music thanks to my Painting Buddy Dave, who provides the tunes with an impeccable quality whilst we painteth. Speaking of Painteth, some Mormons came and talked with one of the other paint crews for a while and gave them a book of the Mormon and we read it, it was fairly humerous, yet, i desire to really read it and get a good grasp on what exactly it is that Mormons believe, other then that they came to America 600 years before the birth of Jesus as his new chosen people. The history behind these people is bizarre, but i guess they could say the same thing about followers of Jesus, but then again, i guess they would refer to themselves as followers of Jesus, but you know what i mean, not Church of Latter Day Saints followers of Jesus. Speaking of Jesus, i miss driving my forklift. It really was a great time.

I should wrap this up, i'm running out of stuff to talk to you about. Hey sorry for the long blog break again, it has been a busy life lately, but you sweet blog are never far from my mind. PLans for the day, shower, (clearly i already had breakfast) read a book, watch a movie, go for a walk, sign the lease, go to the bank, talk to Cara on the phone, maybe call my parents, who knows what else this day has in store for me!?

Song of the day. Yesterday, at work, i listened to Beck's new CD "Guero" for the third time, and this time it was better then any of the previous. Man it was so good. As i stood and held the ladder for Dave and listened i was struck specifically by the third track "Girl" (golly gee, i wonder why!?) and anyway, i think it was the single from the album, but i could be wrong, but anyway, it is an awesome song that will make you want to shake your groove thing, even if you are a white person. So if you have the means and or the desire, i urge you to listen to this song by Beck. It's a dandy. Ps. Poor Elliott Smith.