Winter 2010 Torch Relay

Yes.





I am proud to be a Canadian.





The 2010 Winter Olympics Torch Relay made its way through our lovely village of Bolton.





Man was that cool.





I was genuinely overcome with a patriotic pride when I saw the flags waving along our streets and roadways. The flaming torch had a magical impact on all who were present. It was a big deal.





And of course B105.5 fm was on hand to report on the live happenings as our mayor and local dignitaries turned up to commemorate the special day.



Watching the police escort and countless entourage with the torchbearers make their way through our town was a huge privilege.

Damn proud to be a Canuck.

Patience Derived From Paintings and Portraiture

Painting a portrait has its moments. Seriously. It takes focus, endurance, committment and most importantly patience.

Of course this is also true for anything worthwhile. However, when depicting an image that is meant to convey a true likeness of a person or persons-- it can be a real challenge.

It seems that pre-conceived ideas of how things should be doesn't necessarily match the way things actually are. I have learned this lesson many times.



This is where discipline has to rule supreme. Many times I am struck with the impulse to simply abandon the work and quit. It just ain't workin' for me. That's the easy way out. However, it is precisely at those moments where I have learned from experience to just dig my heels in deep and stay the course. The work will be finished no matter what sort of alterations or efforts are required.



Yeah.


Easier said than done.


Whether it be for a piece of art, an interpersonal relationship, or especially in a business setting, it is tough to marshall your forces in order to "keep on keeping on". It is also tough to abandon my natural prejudices and faulty paradigms based on whatever limited experience I may have.



Yet, it is wise to do so with an open mind.






Having a natural bias on how I think things should be positioned within a painting is costly (in countless hours... How do I know that?). Just surrendering to the process and truthfully depicting the images as they are rather than how I believe they should be is a time and stress saving simplification.













The picture will reveal itself if you are patient. If you stay true to the original image it will emerge. Patience brother patience. I have come to believe that talent plays a relatively minor role in all accomplishments. Whether it be in the arts, athletics or indeed even business-- it is persistence, accurate self appraisal, and most importantly patience that is the most crucial component in ensuring success.












It's a human trait to want to abandon something if it is creating frustration, if it is getting too tough-- or it just ain't workin' the way we want it to.







I guess that's what being a grown up entails-- seeing something through to its completion. Man that takes patience...

Here's the really cool part though: If the final result (which happens more often than I care to admit) is a failure or it sucks, then I hopefully will have learned something and will come back stronger, wiser, and more resourceful.

Patience is a virtue.

Simple and Tasteful

Now that the festive season is upon us in full swing it is time to entertain guests, attend get-togethers, be merry, –and of course- eat with wild abandon. Anyone who has even a nodding acquaintance with me will assert that I’m always up for the eating part. Needless to say, food preparation is an integral part of the festivities…
This daunting task for those that are unfamiliar with the stove and kitchen need not be so cumbersome.

Take comfort. Simplicity rules supreme.

I believe cooking is very much like painting or playing music. It is an art that is most effective with greater universal appeal whenever the fundamental basics are adhered to.

Here’s a basic dish that can prepared without much fanfare and indeed even made with leftovers:

Chop up some fresh green onions, a clove of garlic, and one green pepper into bite sized pieces. Pour this with a little extra virgin olive oil into a non stick pan and slightly heat on the stove.

Grab a few slices of pre-roasted pork loin roast and place in the pan after the green peppers have been sautéed for a few minutes...

Once the meat is heated up, grab some fresh basil (preferably still attached to the roots!) and chop up to place on top of the meat.

Turn off the heat and sprinkle on some sea salt. The flavours of the meat, peppers, onions, garlic, and a touch of basil will combine perfectly for a dish that will have your guests asking for more during and after the holiday season. It’s just that simple.

Randy Couture Is Simply Amazing

Man. I watched the Couture vs Vera matchup last nite on Spike. Wow.

Regardless of the somewhat controversial judges decision-- Wow.

Dude is over 46 years old!

Randy Couture is simply amazing.

He is intelligent, articulate, a thorough gentleman, and one hell of an incredible athlete.

Oh yeah... did I mention that he is 46 years old?

The fact that he is a legitmate competitor in the sport of elite and world class MMA is impressive enough.

He is an excellent ambassador for the sport of mixed martial arts.

It just goes to show that if you work hard, maintain self discipline, take care of yourself, and show genuine respect for yourself and others, you can achieve great heights in whatever it is that you want to accomplish.

Well done Randy!

The Importance of Friendships

Like iron sharpens iron- so does a good man sharpen another good man.

This simple paraphrasing from King Solomon's Proverbs contains a great deal of truth.

Last night I went out for a coffee with a couple of really good friends. Typical guy talk ensued as good natured ribbing and obvious observations were voiced with loud macho bravado.

Perhaps all men are prone to maintain the maturity of a seventeen old - we just mask it well (or so we think! hahaha)...

Here's the thing though:

The importance of having a good friend that you respect, admire and trust, cannot be over-emphasized.

A true friend will keep you accountable, give honest and sincere feedback, and accept you for who you are without the harsh judgement (or maybe with the harsh judgement if appropriate).

I strongly believe that I am less prone to make foolish choices and/or engage in questionable behaviour that would clash with the values I have come to appreciate, the more I maintain and connect with true friends.

Just like how a garden must be tended to with diligence and dedication over a considerable amount of time, so too are friendships.

"Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation." That's what George Washington said. He was right. In addition, he said that everybody can't be your friend either... "Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. "

Painting: A Metaphor For Life.

Geez. What a cheezy blog title.











But it is true.

I have been a painter for most of my life.


From childhood scribblings on the wall to the self indulgent and admittedly pretentious commissions on canvas (ego is a bad thing-- I wish I had a "Simon Cowell" or "Chef Ramsay" -like-critic overlooking my constant endeavours and properly putting me in my place. I don't mean to be self deprecating but a harsh and honest reality check will sharpen the skill set and temper the soul).



Whenever I start a piece, I ALWAYS have preconceived notions and prejudices as to how the image SHOULD look like as opposed to how it ACTUALLY looks like.



What?


What I mean is that I have
notions as to where the eyes of the image should be placed, what proportions should be employed with the body of the model, how the spatial relationship of the background comes in to play etc.


When I rely exclusively on my own ideas the painting invariably comes across as a distorted image.

The same holds true for other matters-- such as life itself.

Whenever I am challenged with a setback, disappointment, or even a dispute, my first reaction is to bombard the challenge with my willpower in order to make things conform as to how I think things SHOULD be.

This results usually in an equally distorted outcome. Just like the painting.



There are well known practices that artists use when portraying an image. For example, holding the piece up to a mirror which magically reveals imperfections, turning the piece upside down for an unbiased look from another angle, and even leaving the work alone for a couple days to renew your perception on the work with a fresh set of eyes.

These tips are great suggestions in how I should approach other issues...





Perhaps in holding up the mirror to myself, so to speak, I get an honest reflection as to how my role needs to be adjusted. Turning things upside down and revisiting the challenge from another angle may provide a clearer and larger view of what needs to be done. Leaving something be for a couple of days before addressing an issue will usually refresh and enhance a balanced point of view.








Yeah.

Cheezy analogy.


But it does work.





.

Empathy Instilled Via A Margarine Container...

WHAT?

Last week I sprained my back.

Ouch.

Here's the thing though -- I wasn't doing anything exciting in the actual "spraining" part of this experience.

I wasn't at a rodeo. I wasn't grappling in a ju-jitsu competition. I wasn't skydiving. I wasn't doing anything remotely macho or devil may care.

I wasn't even... well... enough said.

I was reaching for a container of margarine in the blasted refrigerator for my morning toast.
Simply bending over to grab the appropriate combination of poly unsaturated fats to lubricate my dark toasted rye bread reduced me to a spasmodic crying little school girl in the fetal position on the kitchen floor.

What a drag man.

Thankfully, after consulting with my Dr. we found it wasn't a herniated disk. It was just a severely pinched nerve causing severe muscle spasms.

Like most men (according to my wife) I am a big baby.

Simple tasks such as shaving or washing my face were out of the question. And I was pretty enthusiastic about the inevitable whining that had to accompany my dilemma.

Lotsa ibuprofen too.

Eventually, with the aid of a walking cane, I was able to run a couple of errands outside my home. The funny thing is, when people see you with a cane they will let you bud in front of them at the coffee shop, the grocery store and wherever else you seem to be. My evil side thought of carrying a retractable cane for situations where I may be pressed for time to take advantage of this perk.

Not cool.

It occurred to me that the elderly and the physically challenged deal with these sort of challenges on a regular basis day by day.

Empathy. Compassion. Patience.

I felt all of these very strongly.

Very grateful for that confounded margarine container.

Adventures In Las Vegas

A couple of weeks ago my wife and I went to Las Vegas for a getaway... I would highly recommend it for anyone.

I love going there. The shows, the food, and the venues are all great.

We were only there for a few days but it was really cool.

We saw Cher in concert (I've had a crush on her since I was a little boy). We were the youngest in attendance at the show ...hahaha... But I loved every second of it. She's an incredible performer.

She sang a number of hits that have received airplay over the last 45 years. And...for a 63 year old ...she was wearing outfits that looked really good... if you know what I mean.

Enough said.

We also saw Criss Angel's "Believe" show at the Luxor. Dude gives his all to the audience. His illusions are world class and he genuinely loves to do his thing. In between magic tricks he opened up to the audience about his family, his personal life, and many other things. It was very engaging...almost like he was trying to purge some sort of emotional carthasis. I really dig his Mindfreak show too.

There is a party atomosphere in Sin City and yet it is simultaneously family friendly. It's not uncommon to see all kinds of characters and celebrities walking about too. While my wife and I were having lunch at Caesar's Palace, Sarah Silverman walked by and nodded hello as she ordered a salad and sat down at the table beside us.

Her stand up is pretty irreverant and risque. She is a very talented comedian and truly makes me laugh.

She was very gracious and down to earth when we asked for a photograph. Pretty cool person.

Vacations and getaways are good for the soul.

Even in Sin City.

Bernard Hopkins and MMA

There's been a lot of hype and buzz surrounding B-Hop's recent disparaging remarks targeting MMA.

I don't understand why it is that many high profile figures connected to the sport of professional boxing feel the urge to downplay, dismiss and indeed even insult what is fast becoming the number one sport in the world.

Boxing is my favourite sport.

I am a huge fan of Bernard Hopkins. The Executioner is a genuine master of fisticuffs. His dismantling of Kelly Pavlik, Antonio Tarver, and Felix "Tito" Trinidad speaks for itself.

B-Hop has been the best middleweight for this generation. Period. Hands down.

In addition to his mastery in the ring, what he has had to overcome in his personal life as a young man is inspiration for everyone -boxing fan or not. I think he is great and definitely ranking among the all time best. He is a powerful role model for those that wish to transcend difficult challenges in their life.

So why is there a need to say the things he said?

B-Hop is not alone in this. Money Mayweather, Winky Wright and a lot of other marquee names have weighed in with the same sentiment. Even Bob Arum, Don King, and other heavy hitting promoters have offered their two cents in ridiculing Mixed Martial Arts.

Why?

I think that the recent huge success of the UFC and other promotions which showcase MMA pose a perceived threat to their detractors.

MMA critics from the world of boxing kind of come across as creepy ex boyfriends who have nothing good to say about their ex's sudden fascinations and intrigument with the "new guy".

MMA is slowly but surely taking away boxing's piece of the pie.

I consider myself primarily a boxing fan, who, also happens to love MMA. They are two different sports. One need not choose one over the other... Kinda like rugby and football. Two very different sports that might have glimpses of similarities.

Perhaps boxing could learn some lessons as to why MMA is the success that it is.

Promotions such as the UFC put on many exciting fights throughout the year where world class atheletes compete in a forum where anything can happen. The fighters come to fight - not to dance and spar. Those in line for a title shot get a shot. It is fan friendly. It is heavily promoted via the internet.

Can the same be said for boxing?

Rarely do high profile MMA fighters insult or dismiss boxing. If that does happen, it is usually in response to an attack on the sport of MMA.

There are many boxing fans like myself that see how both sports can coexist and flourish.

Perhaps if less energy was spent on devaluing the legitmacy of MMA and more effort on putting together boxing matches that people actually wanna see (i.e. Mayweather vs Pacquio) it would serve all involved for the better.

As a fan, I'm disappointed in B-Hop's comments.

Positive Thinking...BS?

Author Barbara Ehrenreich has a book published : Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking has Undermined America.

Interesting concept.

Its receiving a lot of buzz for the way in that it rails against the notion of how just simply "thinking positive" is in effect ineffective.

She targets religious leaders, the author of the hugely successful "The Secret", and many gurus who she feels exploits the vulnerable while having no scientific or empirical studies to back up their claims and assertions

The self help industry is an 11 billion dollar business.

Perhaps their is some merit in her stance.

Unless a positive attitude and thinking positive is accompanied with definite positive action, it is perhaps the most annoying quality any person can have.

It can come across as fake, delusional, smarmy, and self congratulatory.

On the other hand, positive actions coupled with real and measurable positive behaviour will ultimately nuture a positive attitude.

I'll always remember what a mentor once said to me:

"I have never thought my way into being happy and having good results in my life. I have always found that when I TOOK the necessary steps and actions first, good thoughts and results often followed."

Sage advice.

Perhaps I should heed it... Hahahaha.

UFC 104

Pretty pumped and excited about tonight's UFC 104 - Machida vs Rua!

Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida's style makes for a challenging and seemingly unsolvable puzzle for all of his previous opponents. His awkward stance, classic karate style, impeccable footwork, and perfect timing has proven to be unbeatable thus far.

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua ain't no slouch however -- He comes to brawl. His Muay Thai is lethal and second to none.

Interesting matchup. Perhaps too close to call.

If I had to say who I believe will emerge victorious, I have to go with the Dragon. He's just too elusive and freakishly accurate with his striking game.

I'm gonna say Machida wins by TKO in the second round after a first round feeling out process.

Look for Rua to come out swinging right at the outset looking for that home-run-out-of-the-park score. Machida has an amazing ability to avoid getting hit and chances are slim Rua will find his mark.

But this is MMA.

There's a reason this is becoming the fastest growing sport in the world.

Anything can happen.

And its exciting. Period.

What would you do? Are you doing it?

I got some feedback from a couple of friends with my last blog on "Doing What You Love"...

A good friend asked a simple question: "What would you do if money was not an issue-if all your expenses were covered and you were free to do what you want?"

Pretty powerful question.

Interesting too. It assumes that we do what we do simply for monetary obligations. And, nothing else. That can be a very depressing paradigm.

Would you be doing what you normally do on a day to day basis if you didn't need the coin?

What would you do?

Somewhere embedded in your response is an indication of what you love to do.

Doing What You Love

Whatever our obligations, responsibilites, or daily routine are-- it's become very apparent to me that doing what we love to do in our life makes things significantly simpler. (Which doesn't necessarily mean easier!)

Hardly anything is more cumbersome and soul sucking than submitting to a vocation that does not suit our passion and inner joy.

From my own experience, a tell tale indication that I am doing what I love to do is evident in the way I am feeling. Am I relaxed? At ease? Content? Reasonably Happy? Connecting with others in a genuine way? Taking pride in my duties? Physically feeling good? Mentally present to the "now"?

If not, I am probably enduring an activity that is not inline with my natural inclinations.

Kinda like when you into go to a store or restaurant and you see someone who obviously is not digging what they do for work... it is usually an unpleasant interaction to say the least.

When I am doing what I love to do it usually overflows into all of my interactions and relationships. I am measurabely a better husband, brother, uncle, and friend.

Ultimately, as an adult (which is kinda tough when you have the maturity of a seventeen year old-- hahaha) it is our responsibilty to seek out that which we love to do in our vocation or daily routine. Noone will do it for you. If its handed to you, its harder to appreciate.

These are just thoughts that came to me in my coffee-filled-veins this morning as I am determined to trudge the road to happy and insightful destiny.

TUF

Last night I watched episode four of The Ultimate Fighter with a great deal of anticipation... Dana White is either a marketing genius or extremely lucky (perhaps both). Spike TV's reality show is a great showcase for the sport of MMA and also serves to promote growing interest in what is fast becoming the biggest sport in the world. The show doesn't disappoint.

Gotta love Quinton Jacskon too-- He's a very funny dude with his observations. Too bad he has since opted out of the UFC to pursue other interests. He apparently will not participate in the series finale in a bout versus Rashad Evans. It would have made for a very compelling match up.

Both have world class boxing skills although I would give the wrestling edge to Rashad. Would've been too close to call.

Who knows? I have a sense Quinton will be back. Thats a fight the fans would like to see.