I’ll Forever Miss You, But I Just Gotta Move On…..

There comes a point when the grieving stops. The grief has subsided. There is no more. Life isn’t fair, deal with it.
I get taken back sometimes to that moment, to that night, to that phone call. How hard was it for my brother to call me and deliver that message? How crazy was it that I jumped on a plane with an almost 2 yr old and was 8 hours too late? Those don’t haunt me so much anymore, but they’re there. It’s almost been five years. I guess that’s just about right, even though there’s really no science behind it.
I was told that in a year, you remember 3% of all that happened in that particular year. Out of 365 days, you will remember 11 days on average. It’s funny the things that you remember, the things that you forget, and the moments that will live on in your mind no matter what.
I remember that phone call, that plane ride, that arrival at the airport. I don’t understand how I even made it on the flight back.
Sure, there’s still hurt, and some bit of anger. But for the most part, the point has come where grief won’t do anything any longer.
On to the next one.
RIP Moms

Teacher Taught Me…..

If you can’t do, teach. Or… lead by example.
Roller coaster week in the office this week. Tons of press, tons of enquiries, tons of buzz. In the end, experience, leadership, and not letting the emotions get the best of you paid off.
I look at some of the trenches that I’ve been through, some of the meetings, painful meetings that I’ve had to endure. The many looks on my face of “W.T.F.???” and “holy crap, I can’t believe this is really happening” and how I’ve lived, survived, and thrived from them.
I’ve got stories to tell boy.
I look back at some of the comrades I’ve had, oh so many. Some I still keep in touch with today. Others are fond memories. Smiles.
When I look back and people today ask me for that one nugget, that one piece of advice to guide them, it’s this (and it’s always ever been this): At any moment in time, it will all be taken away. Enjoy the ride for what it is. Stop and smell the flowers, breathe the air, remember the moment. As you ride that wave, there will be lows. When you’re stuck in the lows, find that way and pull yourself up. When it all gets taken away, figure out how. You may never know the why, but just know that you enjoyed the ride.

Of Bucket Lists and Check Marks…..

We had someone come in today to talk about Bucket Lists and support our company’s Bucket List Challenge. The company wanted a group of people who wanted to pursue their dreams, even if they were outside of work, to join the leaders in helping their top bucket list items a reality.
I was befuddled.
I mean, I’m not that old, but I’ve knocked SOOO many things off my list already:
Seen a Super Bowl game.
Seen a World Series Game in New York.
Seen an NHL Stanley Cup Finals game.
Been to Duke (4 times).
Seen the Seahawks play.
Seen the Seahawks play in Dallas.
Saw the Cowboys play in Dallas (5).
Touched the Stanley Cup.
Seen countless Blue Jay games, Raptor games, Maple Leaf games, Canucks games, Oilers games, Argos games, Mariners games, Grizzlies games.
Went to the Grizzlies first ever game.
Been to Wrigley Field, Old Yankee Stadium, New Yankee Stadium, Old Shea Stadium, Veterans Field,
Seen the Expos vs the Giants in Montreal at Olympic Stadium.
Seen Jay Z concerts (many)
Seen Jay Z concerts in New York (2).
Saw Watch the Throne 3x in Toronto.
Seen Janet Jackson in concert (4).
Seen Dave Chappelle live show (2).
Seen Chris Rock live show.
Seen Margaret Cho live (4).
Seen Alicia Keys live in concert (3).
Seen Prince live in concert (3).
Seen Kanye West live in concert (4).
Seen Usher live in concert (3).
Seen Madonna live in Madison Square Garden.
Seen Sade Live.
Seen No Doubt/Gwen Stefani live (many).
Seen Beyonce live (3).
Seen the New Edition Reunion Tour.
Seen Eminem in concert live in a private ballroom in Las Vegas.
Seen Boyz II Men live (6).
Saw Bryan Adams live in Vancouver.
Seen Ludacris live in Montreal.
Seen Busta Rhymes, Nas, Mos Def, Fat Joe, Kardinal, Rascalz, Lil Jon, Ludacris, Ciara, and Kanye West all live at the Marc Ecko Gettin Up Festival.
Seen Wrestlemania live (2).
Seen Wicked the Musical (3).
Seen Lion King the Musical (3).
Seen The Producers Musical (2).
Seen Sound of Music Musical (3).
Seen Miss Saigon the Musical.
Seen Les Miserables (4).
Met Jay Z (2).
Met Russell Simmons (3).
Met Marc Ecko (many).
Met Puffy once.
Met 50 Cent (2).
Met Ciano Farmer once.
Shook Kanye’s hand once.
Smoked with Snoop.
Smoked with Bokeem Woodbine.
Went to Caribana (many).
Been to the New Era Factory (2).
Been to the Canada Goose Factory (2).
Been to the Macy’s head office (many).
Crashed a couple of TIFF parties.
Crashed a few MMVA parties.
Travelled to Turkey, Italy, France, England, Philippines, Hong Kong, Mexico, China.
Been to Disneyland, Disneyworld, Niagara Falls, Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Old Faithful,

And so that’s about +70 things that I’ve just managed to mention off the top of my head. The company wanted us to list 100 things we want to do before we turn 100. Mind you, there are a ton of younger people than me, and many many more who haven’t had the chance to do quite what I have listed above already. I was struggling. I got to about 20 things and I couldn’t help but think that I’ve already done most it, my bucket list. Sure, I could make things up, but what’s the fun in that. Sure, I could have put some outlandish, unreachable things but that defeats the exercise.
I’m going to go with what I’ve got, and I’ll keep you posted on the progress.