On savouring life - one morsel, one sip at a time - July 23, 2010

Honestly, how much time do I think I can cram into a 24-hour day? I've been living life full-speed with the throttle at max for several years now. I'm also a doer, so I've been getting a hell of a lot done with those hours between sleep and wake. But when it is all said and done, how do I measure my life in hours?

I am now thinking about how I'm living when I talk about my life goals and dreams with friends. Just last night, I was talking with my friend Barb over a few glasses of red wine about my insatiable appetite to do 'things'. Things which may be described as career aspirations, travel, lifestyle, tasks, challenges and much, much more. We discussed those insipid lists and those 'to-dos' that make us feel like 'to-don'ts' sometimes.

I've come to realize that life, my life, is not measured by how much I do, but by how I do it, the quality of my things, rather than the quantity. As an example, while Barb took bites of a small cupcake for dessert--those fluffy, white-cake cupcakes with sprinkles and the sweetest, lightest icing ever--I, as a demonstration of my skill, popped the whole thing into my mouth. I could, so I did, but I had to stop myself from swallowing it whole to taste it!

Last weekend, a similar concept but markedly different subject. We move from cupcakes to car-races. With free tickets courtesy of my brother-in-law, Ma and friends and I spent time at the Honda Indy and watched some races; took in Salsa on St. Clair and then drinks at a patio overlooking Dundas Square at night. Wow! All that in one day. That was Saturday. On Sunday, Ma, Adam (@atorboy85 on twitter), I and friends, returned to the Honda Indy, took in Brazilfest at Harbourfront and finished with an Indian meal at the India Festival on Gerrard Street East. Whew!

There were moments when I stopped to think about what I was doing. In between cars racing around the track, I stopped to notice that I was spending time with the people I most loved in the world. Precious. And in between events, and on the streetcar, I took a moment to appreciate the company I was in. When the view caught me breath, I appreciated the beautiful city I live in and how I take in all it has to offer. I was able to say to myself if no one else, "Ah, this is my life and I'm living it." I feel I appreciate life when I enjoy exactly where I am, what I'm doing and who I'm with.

Despite the lists I still make to ensure my time is occupied, I find moments within moments to take a mental and emotional assessment of my life, just to make sure I'm not doing for the sake of doing but I'm enjoying what I'm doing and taking pleasure in the big and the small things.

Live on! and fit as many or as few quality things as you'd like to into your hours.

On why its called an Occassional blog - July 9, 2010

I've been meaning to post this blog, this particular blog for 2 weeks now. It's not that I'm procrastinating, I'm actually getting a lot done. It's that this is the nature of my life right now and the nature of this blog.

I like blogging and mass emailing you, my people, and sending mass texts and tweeting. I like filling you in on what's going on in my life, but most of the time, I'm busy living this life and sometimes I don't find time to write/blog/post/text/tweet about it! Let that be a lesson to you. Go out and start living!

I'm sure you miss my blogs but that alone is not reason enough for me to stop living. I pause for a moment and tweet cause its easy. I'll eventually figure out blogging on mobile. So until then, I'm learning to write short and sweet and keep it free and easy. Who knows when next you'll hear from me, so I blog as it comes naturally. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next week. You can expect I'll blog occassionally.

What's next? My quartet, Sweet Rhapsody (www.myspace.com/sweetrhapsody) is performing the US and Canadian national anthems at the Roger's Centre before the Blue Jays vs Red Sox game at 1pm, July 10, 2010. I'm so excited I had to tell you about it in a short blog. Next time I'll fill you in on all the exciting happenings in my life.

This week was recording studio and laying down some tracks.
Week before was Canada Day, Toronto Jazz Festival and Pride Toronto.
Week before that was Barbados trip and recovering from an amazing vacation.
There's more but I'll post about it.