He sits in front of his computer, listening to some K'naan, trying to get over the moment of stress caused by a call to his new super. As he listens to the first few notes of a particularly cheerful song, he reminds himself of an earlier conversation that washed away all his anxiety.
He feels a little more relaxed now, but still lacks even an ounce of inspiration. He knows he's probably weird enough to write some great stuff, but the ideas just don't seem to want to come to him. How do those people do it he wonders, churning out book after book, like they have a magic hat which produces storylines instead of rabits. Now that would be a neat trick he thinks.
He finally decides to give up for the night, feeling somewhat satisfied about his effort and, for some reason, wondering if lions would like catnip.
Lion taming tip # 12
To entertain your lion, buy a piece of wrope and tie it to a stick. He is a big cat after all.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
The future
How do you envision the future?
The future I choose to picture for my great grand children and, of course, the lions, will feature a mix of innovative technology and old tools. When the petroleum craze finally becomes a thing of the past, people will get back to the basics and will live in a more earth friendly manner. I truly believe that the environment can provide us with all the energy we need and that we don't have to burn anything to extract it.
Lion taming tip # 11
When you want to teach your lion to jump up on something, don't use the kitchen table as a training tool, that will only lead to disaster.
The future I choose to picture for my great grand children and, of course, the lions, will feature a mix of innovative technology and old tools. When the petroleum craze finally becomes a thing of the past, people will get back to the basics and will live in a more earth friendly manner. I truly believe that the environment can provide us with all the energy we need and that we don't have to burn anything to extract it.
Lion taming tip # 11
When you want to teach your lion to jump up on something, don't use the kitchen table as a training tool, that will only lead to disaster.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Are we real?
After seeing, The Matrix, I wondered for about three seconds if there was a chance that I, along with the rest of the earth's population, was a virtual being living in a virtual world. When the fourth second came, I decided that I was happy either way and that the subject didn't warrant further exploration.
Today, I was forced to reexamine the question when I heard on Radio one's wonderful show, Q, that the New York Times published a story about a philosopher who says that "it is almost a mathematical certainty that we are living in someone else’s computer simulation" (see full article here). This time around, I wondered what a world that would have us as a simulation would be like, but again, after a couple of seconds, I stopped caring. To me, this is reality. And right now, it's the only one I want to live in.
No tips tonight, check back tomorrow.
Today, I was forced to reexamine the question when I heard on Radio one's wonderful show, Q, that the New York Times published a story about a philosopher who says that "it is almost a mathematical certainty that we are living in someone else’s computer simulation" (see full article here). This time around, I wondered what a world that would have us as a simulation would be like, but again, after a couple of seconds, I stopped caring. To me, this is reality. And right now, it's the only one I want to live in.
No tips tonight, check back tomorrow.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Return
What does a ten hour drive teach you?
That you should make them as rarely as possible and that you should really consider buying a plane ticket the next time around.
This post signals the return of the Ottawans to the National Capital Region, NCR for short.
They arrived safely, one of them tired, despite having slept during most of the trip, and the other one a little more tired, having been the sole wheelman.
Said wheelman will now be having his diner, and who knows, later on, he might even treat himself to dessert.
Lion taming tip # 10
Lions can be unbearable during a ten hour drive. Ask a friend to look after your lion when you have to be out of town.
That you should make them as rarely as possible and that you should really consider buying a plane ticket the next time around.
This post signals the return of the Ottawans to the National Capital Region, NCR for short.
They arrived safely, one of them tired, despite having slept during most of the trip, and the other one a little more tired, having been the sole wheelman.
Said wheelman will now be having his diner, and who knows, later on, he might even treat himself to dessert.
Lion taming tip # 10
Lions can be unbearable during a ten hour drive. Ask a friend to look after your lion when you have to be out of town.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Festivities
And the two Ottawans danced the night away with their friends. They danced to every song. And when the songs were replayed, they danced with a renewed vigor, not giving in to the ache in their legs, refusing to stop until the lights came on and the music stopped playing.
Monday, the Ottawans will leave with good memories in their hearts and a need to get back to their new life and their new loved ones, which, at the moment, seem so far away.
These types of trips are enjoyable. They allow people to relive the great parts of their childhoods in one or two days. But they should not be prolonged, for then there would be time to notice all the things that went missing or that were never there. There is, after all, a very good reason why the expression isn't "long and sweet".
Lion taming tip # 9
Get a good whip. Do not hit the lion with the whip, he won't like it.
(that one might be a bit weak, but I'm a bit tired so...)
Monday, the Ottawans will leave with good memories in their hearts and a need to get back to their new life and their new loved ones, which, at the moment, seem so far away.
These types of trips are enjoyable. They allow people to relive the great parts of their childhoods in one or two days. But they should not be prolonged, for then there would be time to notice all the things that went missing or that were never there. There is, after all, a very good reason why the expression isn't "long and sweet".
Lion taming tip # 9
Get a good whip. Do not hit the lion with the whip, he won't like it.
(that one might be a bit weak, but I'm a bit tired so...)
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Weddings
The two Ottawans made their way to the entrance of the building, hoping they were at the right place. When they walked in, one of them at least was relieved to see the right groom, knowing then that, had they been at the wrong place, it would be a mistake quickly overshadowed. After meeting up with some friends and making small talk, the two ventured further inside to find seats.
The church was half full when the bride made her way down the aisle. Everybody was smiling, some friends were shedding tears of joy and a funny uncle was giving two thumbs up. T'was a good day go get married.
After the vows were exchanged, the newlyweds walked back towards the front doors and, having reached them, made what seemed like a dash for the chariot that was awaiting them. The Ottawans lingered outside, getting reacquainted with an old friend who, like them, had made a long trip for the occasion.
The trio then split up for the afternoon, planning to meet back for the evening festivities.
As these words are written, the said festivities are about to begin. And they should be quite interesting.
Take care of yourselves good people of the net, and if you're having a drink tonight, have it in the honour of F and E. May their love be everlasting.
Lion taming tip # 8
Do not mention the fact that you're a lion tamer, you wouln't want to divert attention from the wedding to your awesome profession. (If you must talk about your job, just say you work at a bank.)
If you are reading this, and are a bank worker, understand that I mean no disrespect. Yes, your job is an important one and yes, I appreciate that it's because of people like you that I don't have to hide my money under my mattress and my handgun under my pillow. But you do have to admit that no bride ever said "That damn banker, he stole my thunder".
The church was half full when the bride made her way down the aisle. Everybody was smiling, some friends were shedding tears of joy and a funny uncle was giving two thumbs up. T'was a good day go get married.
After the vows were exchanged, the newlyweds walked back towards the front doors and, having reached them, made what seemed like a dash for the chariot that was awaiting them. The Ottawans lingered outside, getting reacquainted with an old friend who, like them, had made a long trip for the occasion.
The trio then split up for the afternoon, planning to meet back for the evening festivities.
As these words are written, the said festivities are about to begin. And they should be quite interesting.
Take care of yourselves good people of the net, and if you're having a drink tonight, have it in the honour of F and E. May their love be everlasting.
Lion taming tip # 8
Do not mention the fact that you're a lion tamer, you wouln't want to divert attention from the wedding to your awesome profession. (If you must talk about your job, just say you work at a bank.)
If you are reading this, and are a bank worker, understand that I mean no disrespect. Yes, your job is an important one and yes, I appreciate that it's because of people like you that I don't have to hide my money under my mattress and my handgun under my pillow. But you do have to admit that no bride ever said "That damn banker, he stole my thunder".
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Books
As I quickly mentionned in my first post, I'd very much like to be a writer/surfer/lion tamer. Some of my friends would tell you that I talk nonsense all the time and that you should really take everything I say with a grain of salt. But the truth is I do dream of one day penning a book. It's not really about making money or being famous, it's about telling a good story, about finding original ways to say things. I might even try to write a French and and English version at the same time, adding different touches to both, making them like semi-identical twins (don't anybody dare steal this idea, I can't afford to take you to court).
Someday, someday people, I might be the Jack Johnson of literature.
To pass time until I publish my work, I suggest you dive into that of Douglas Adams, an author best known for his Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy series. I especially recommend Dirk Gently's holistic detective agency, which sets a different mood than Hitchhiker's but is nonetheless funny as hell and beautifully written.
Lion taming tip # 7
Train your lion to be around lots of people (this might involve getting some very good friends or some very drunk ones). It's hard to put on a show with a shy lion.
Someday, someday people, I might be the Jack Johnson of literature.
To pass time until I publish my work, I suggest you dive into that of Douglas Adams, an author best known for his Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy series. I especially recommend Dirk Gently's holistic detective agency, which sets a different mood than Hitchhiker's but is nonetheless funny as hell and beautifully written.
Lion taming tip # 7
Train your lion to be around lots of people (this might involve getting some very good friends or some very drunk ones). It's hard to put on a show with a shy lion.
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