Well, I just finished my favorite movie, Braveheart. Its a sad movie but I like movies like Braveheart because they make you think. I live in America, where I am free. I can go anywhere I want. I can buy just about anything I want. I can do just about anything I want. I think we, Americans, forget how lucky we are. If you look back in history you will see that few people live as we do. We are very lucky and privileged to have such power.
My other thought from the movie is a simple one but yet a very difficult thought, How will it end? How will your existence here on earth end? Will you die an old man/woman in bed? Will you get hit by a car? Will you die in a distant land fighting evil? I often feel like people are running from something, I can't put my finger on it but I think that people are running from this question. I think people are running from death. I think people are truly afraid of death. Why? Is it the possibility of pain? Is it the fear of the unknown? To answer these questions I quote the great Peter Pan, "To die will be a great adventure". I think if people could only think like that they would be so much happier. I have another favorite quote "Fear profits a man nothing". It is so true.
Think about it, people spend their whole lives running from death, keeping themselves busy with other things, avoiding the topic completely. It is a hard thought to accept but we are all going to die. It is coming, you can't run from it. I think people today will do anything to keep it off their mind. They stay focused on material things like homes, cars, careers, etc. When they are missing the point of life. They skip over things like family, love, adventure, freedom.
So many people today work to achieve the norm. At 18 I must go to college where I will train for my career. At 30 I will get married and at 32 I will have a child, I will buy a house in the suburbs. I will become a member of the PTA and a Little League Coach. At 65 I will retire to Florida where I will die of some illness that will take several years to full kill me.
PLEASE SAVE ME FROM THIS!!!! Its like some sort of math problem with all the variables already filled in. Whats the point in that? People prefer a life like that because they know what is going to happen tomorrow. You might think me crazy but THAT IS NOT LIFE. Why do you think so many people are depressed these days? Its because there is nothing different about tomorrow or the day after.
I think that if people could accept that they are going to die and lose the fear of death then they would find true FREEDOM. Believe me I know, as a child I was afraid of everything, from the wind to the strange bump in the night. I lived in the fear of the end but I've discovered that living in fear is not living and I discovered that trying to push it back into my brain only makes it worse. Its like a beehive in the side of your house, you don't cover it up and hope for the best. You go in there and gas the little buggers.
But like many have said to me before, "What do you know your just a kid?". That's right I'm just a kid but maybe only someone as simple as a kid can show you what is right in front of your face.
Still interested, I'll tell you how I found true FREEDOM. I answered those questions, I became comfortable with the fact that death is imminent and I found comfort in the fact that although I have to leave this life, God will meet me on the other side and so will all of you. Call me a Jesus freak, call me a fool, call me whatever you like but I am the one smiling.
Today I leave you with my favorite prayer, " God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference."
Catch ya on the flip side.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Changes...
Well there is one more thing that I wanted to touch on. After writing yesterday's post it has been I my mind so I guess I'll share it with all of you. (all 3 of you, haha) I joined scouts 7 years ago this March, those 7 years have been the best years of my life thus far. I learned so much and grew alot. When I joined the troop I was a quite, frustrated little kid who was afraid of just about anything. I can remember my first campout without my father, I almost had a mental break down before I left but that weekend as Big Man says, we cut the cord and since then my father hasn't been on a campout. Scouts became a slight addiction for me and I was nicknamed Super Scout, mostly because I never missed a meeting or campout for years on end. I was a leader, a bad one at times, for a long time. I befriended adults and boys, I taught many but learned from more.
In scouts if your still active after your freshman year of High School your a relic and thats what I became. I learned to sit around and talk with adults and other older scouts. (Imagine a bunch of old men sitting around talking about random things and times gone by) It was during this time in my career that I started reading and researching backpacking. Like I've said in earlier posts when I find something that I like, I learn and research as much as humanly possible, If only I felt that way about my studies. That year I suggest that the troop take a trip to the White Mountains in early august and that we take a few practice trips before then. I can't tell you how many trips that I've been on since I made that suggestion. We learned from our mistakes and we became somewhat effiecent. In august we went on the trip that I had spent the year planning. It was great and had a few minor problems but it was great. To me this was the highlight of my career, outshadowing my eagle scout project by far. This past year we took the troop on two backpacking trips and taught our skills to the new kids. Big Man and I have even taken other groups on trips that we've planned. It's become an important aspect of my life and I hope to spend the rest of my life taking groups out backpacking.
So as you can see I owe alot to the Boy Scouts of America but there comes a time in your life when you know its time to step a side. Something that Big Man often spoke of and something I thought would never happen. Well here it is and I am ready to step aside. The troop will keep moving and if I'm lucky they will ask me back to help with a backpacking trip. If by some chance any of the members of Troop 86 should stumble across this blog, I want to thank you for changing my life, whether you know it or not.
Catch ya on the flip side.
In scouts if your still active after your freshman year of High School your a relic and thats what I became. I learned to sit around and talk with adults and other older scouts. (Imagine a bunch of old men sitting around talking about random things and times gone by) It was during this time in my career that I started reading and researching backpacking. Like I've said in earlier posts when I find something that I like, I learn and research as much as humanly possible, If only I felt that way about my studies. That year I suggest that the troop take a trip to the White Mountains in early august and that we take a few practice trips before then. I can't tell you how many trips that I've been on since I made that suggestion. We learned from our mistakes and we became somewhat effiecent. In august we went on the trip that I had spent the year planning. It was great and had a few minor problems but it was great. To me this was the highlight of my career, outshadowing my eagle scout project by far. This past year we took the troop on two backpacking trips and taught our skills to the new kids. Big Man and I have even taken other groups on trips that we've planned. It's become an important aspect of my life and I hope to spend the rest of my life taking groups out backpacking.
So as you can see I owe alot to the Boy Scouts of America but there comes a time in your life when you know its time to step a side. Something that Big Man often spoke of and something I thought would never happen. Well here it is and I am ready to step aside. The troop will keep moving and if I'm lucky they will ask me back to help with a backpacking trip. If by some chance any of the members of Troop 86 should stumble across this blog, I want to thank you for changing my life, whether you know it or not.
Catch ya on the flip side.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Summer is over
Well, summer is over and the new school year begins. Hopefully my last year in the public school system. FINALLY!!! When I look back at all the things that I've ever worked hard for, eagle scout, lacrosse, church, etc, school challenged me the most. I don't know if I'm just slow or lazy or what. It just seems like no matter how hard I try I always manage to mess something up. I can't wait to be done with the general studies and start working towards something that I actually am passionate about.
Its funny because if you asked me "Are you ready for college?" when I was a sophmore I would have told you that I was gonna stay in high school forever. I have to say I have a mild case of Peter Pan syndrome or maybe I just don't like change. Either way for the first time in my life I'm ready for that change. I'm ready to unfortunately leave behind my safe childhood and start the long journey to adulthood. I always compare life to hiking. For the past several years I've been hiking this one mountain and now that I'm at the top and I've had my rest I'm ready to start the next one.
Of course all of this is easy to say. In fact just thinking about leaving my friends and my comfort zone is scary to say the least. I have so many friends now that I don't want to leave. Some old and some young but I can't imagine life without them. For a while, I thought I was never going to leave vernon because of that one reason. But I know that whether I see them again or not they are still my friends and I know that I will see them again some day. I have a question that I like to ask people when I bring up this subject. Think back to a time or a place where you were comfortable and happy but you never returned to that place ever again. Think about the people. I always think about when I used to work at Maneley's. I had so many co workers that I know I will never see again. We had a ton of fun but I know I won't see them again, at least in this lifetime. Do you remember a time like that in your life? Do you ever think of those people?
I think that we are all ment to meet and befriend as many people that we can. In school I am proud to say that I have friends of all walks of life, jocks, punks, nerds, ghetto kids, etc. Its amazing even if you don't think you have something in common with someone if you just sit down and talk to them, I bet you will find something. And thats why I know we will all be fine when we leave this place.
So, on Tuesday I start the last chapter of the first book of my life. They say the end is the best part. I guess we'll have to see. I like to think of our/my trip to Scotland as the first Chapter of the next book in my life. I think its gonna be great but I need to get so much done before I get there. Most importantly a job. Speaking of the trip, I got some GPS maps from my friend, Little Man aka Kevin Cyr. They aren't as detailed as the US maps but I got coordinates from Google Earth and Transfered them into mapsource. I think that will make the parents alittle more comfortable with our trip.
I had a hard time sleeping last night. So as I always do, I thought for a long time. I kind of analyzed last year in my head. I've been on a few retreats and mission trips over the years. On one that I helped run we had a focus on how when things turn dark look for the light. When you think of it no matter how Korny it sounds, its so true. So I guess my goal for this year, besides to graduate, is to look for the light when the dark tries to swallow me up. My last ancedote for today, when I joined scouts I used to always have a flashlight on me at all times. I would often sleep with them on in my tent. If you backpack then you know that often even in summer the dark tends to sneak in on you early. The woods can be a very dark place, so I started carrying Tealites. I light a few and leave them on rocks around my tent and put one in my little lantern. Everytime, the boys come to me and ask, Why do you light candles? Are you scared of the dark? My response is always the same, "I'm not afraid of the dark, I just prefer the Light." My tealite trend caught on and the campsite looks like a small village these days.
I leave you with one of my favorite quotes "Everlasting your light will shine, when all else fades." Candles or not I always have a light. ;)
Its funny because if you asked me "Are you ready for college?" when I was a sophmore I would have told you that I was gonna stay in high school forever. I have to say I have a mild case of Peter Pan syndrome or maybe I just don't like change. Either way for the first time in my life I'm ready for that change. I'm ready to unfortunately leave behind my safe childhood and start the long journey to adulthood. I always compare life to hiking. For the past several years I've been hiking this one mountain and now that I'm at the top and I've had my rest I'm ready to start the next one.
Of course all of this is easy to say. In fact just thinking about leaving my friends and my comfort zone is scary to say the least. I have so many friends now that I don't want to leave. Some old and some young but I can't imagine life without them. For a while, I thought I was never going to leave vernon because of that one reason. But I know that whether I see them again or not they are still my friends and I know that I will see them again some day. I have a question that I like to ask people when I bring up this subject. Think back to a time or a place where you were comfortable and happy but you never returned to that place ever again. Think about the people. I always think about when I used to work at Maneley's. I had so many co workers that I know I will never see again. We had a ton of fun but I know I won't see them again, at least in this lifetime. Do you remember a time like that in your life? Do you ever think of those people?
I think that we are all ment to meet and befriend as many people that we can. In school I am proud to say that I have friends of all walks of life, jocks, punks, nerds, ghetto kids, etc. Its amazing even if you don't think you have something in common with someone if you just sit down and talk to them, I bet you will find something. And thats why I know we will all be fine when we leave this place.
So, on Tuesday I start the last chapter of the first book of my life. They say the end is the best part. I guess we'll have to see. I like to think of our/my trip to Scotland as the first Chapter of the next book in my life. I think its gonna be great but I need to get so much done before I get there. Most importantly a job. Speaking of the trip, I got some GPS maps from my friend, Little Man aka Kevin Cyr. They aren't as detailed as the US maps but I got coordinates from Google Earth and Transfered them into mapsource. I think that will make the parents alittle more comfortable with our trip.
I had a hard time sleeping last night. So as I always do, I thought for a long time. I kind of analyzed last year in my head. I've been on a few retreats and mission trips over the years. On one that I helped run we had a focus on how when things turn dark look for the light. When you think of it no matter how Korny it sounds, its so true. So I guess my goal for this year, besides to graduate, is to look for the light when the dark tries to swallow me up. My last ancedote for today, when I joined scouts I used to always have a flashlight on me at all times. I would often sleep with them on in my tent. If you backpack then you know that often even in summer the dark tends to sneak in on you early. The woods can be a very dark place, so I started carrying Tealites. I light a few and leave them on rocks around my tent and put one in my little lantern. Everytime, the boys come to me and ask, Why do you light candles? Are you scared of the dark? My response is always the same, "I'm not afraid of the dark, I just prefer the Light." My tealite trend caught on and the campsite looks like a small village these days.
I leave you with one of my favorite quotes "Everlasting your light will shine, when all else fades." Candles or not I always have a light. ;)
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The Blog
In case any of you are reading, I thought I should let you know that this blog will contain the thoughts and events that occur over the next year. The blog will conclude with our trip to scotland in June and July. So if your interested keep reading if its boring for you tune in sometime in late June.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Evil Scotsman
Well, while surfing the Internet the other day I found this great video. I don't know how I found it but I did. This song perfectly describes my personality, just about. Warning it does contain offensive language, but its great. Enjoy!!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Good News?
Well, figures after I tell you all about Austin backing out he says that he's back in. Who knows, I don't need to know until I book the tickets for our flight. I have to say I was pretty disappointed that he wasn't coming. I think its always hard when one of your friends lets you down, even when they don't do it on purpose. I know the trip would have been ok without him but it will be that much better if he does come.
Its a hard concept to understand and when your in the other position you don't always catch on. Maybe its just me but it never really occurs to me that someone would want me to be there so bad that they would get upset. I don't things are confusing sometimes.
In other news, I've been picking out some new gear that I've been meaning to get lately. I need to update some of my backpacking stuff. I found a great new pack that manages to mix the multiple pockets, deep pockets, yet at the same time have a great internal frame with a great waist belt. I also find a nice cook kit from GSI, its bigger then the one I have right now and comes with a nice sized bowl and nalgene lid. Of course I won't be purchasing anything let alone going on the trip if I don't get a job soon. I'll have to keep working on that but since I'm not playing football this year it should be relatively easy.
I also reviewed the budget and brought it down from $810 to $631. Thats without airfare of course. Right now thats right around 1k for a round trip. Hopefully things will get better by december or january. I still need to work a few more things out but I'm getting close.
Well I think thats all for now.
Its a hard concept to understand and when your in the other position you don't always catch on. Maybe its just me but it never really occurs to me that someone would want me to be there so bad that they would get upset. I don't things are confusing sometimes.
In other news, I've been picking out some new gear that I've been meaning to get lately. I need to update some of my backpacking stuff. I found a great new pack that manages to mix the multiple pockets, deep pockets, yet at the same time have a great internal frame with a great waist belt. I also find a nice cook kit from GSI, its bigger then the one I have right now and comes with a nice sized bowl and nalgene lid. Of course I won't be purchasing anything let alone going on the trip if I don't get a job soon. I'll have to keep working on that but since I'm not playing football this year it should be relatively easy.
I also reviewed the budget and brought it down from $810 to $631. Thats without airfare of course. Right now thats right around 1k for a round trip. Hopefully things will get better by december or january. I still need to work a few more things out but I'm getting close.
Well I think thats all for now.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Bad News
Well, we had some bad news this morning. I don't know the full the story yet but Austin will not be coming with us next spring. Its unfortunate but we will continue on. John and I have been debating whether we will pick up another person or just go for it. I know that its still gonna be a great trip but I'm personally disappointed that Austin will not be coming.
There is a saying that I find applies to many instances, "Assume nothing. Plan for anything. Then plan some more" I think I found it in a North Face ad but either way it is good advice. So, following that advice I will now continue to plan for anything and then plan some more because I already assumed too much for this trip. I wish I had found that quote before planning my last big trip, it would have helped out alot. I guess that requires a story...
Well in '07 I planned a backpacking trip for a few friends and my boy scout troop. All told 13 people came on the trip and yes, 13 people came home. I learned alot from planning that trip. I learned that things don't just work out. If you want something to get done or accomplished then you have do them yourself. That was a hard concept for me to grasp. As a child its almost as if there is a clean up crew going around cleaning up after you. Well I'll tell you now that there isn't a clean up crew up in the Whites. On the last day I had planned what I thought would be a nice walk out to the parking lot. It turned out that the nice walk out that I had planned led us right thru a Ravine. Luckily, I was surrounded by smarter and more resourceful people then myself.
This trip to Scotland can't have any surprise Ravines because we won't be surrounded by people who care about each other. Although I know that John and I could get ourselves out of anything, I would prefer to not have to deal with it. As of right now, I'm pretty sure that I've spent more time planning this trip then I took planning my Eagle Scout project. Just around 35 hours. I know I have alot more left but I got it.
Another thought that has been rolling around my head lately is the thought that in life we need things like this trip to keep us going. I mean I'm sure that if I didnt have this trip to plan I would have found something else to do but would it be as fun? I think we need hopes and dreams to keep us moving, otherwise I think we just become weak and lazy. Maybe its just my personality but there is nothing better then planning a good trip like this one. It makes it that much more fun when you get to actually do it.
Catch ya on the flip side.
There is a saying that I find applies to many instances, "Assume nothing. Plan for anything. Then plan some more" I think I found it in a North Face ad but either way it is good advice. So, following that advice I will now continue to plan for anything and then plan some more because I already assumed too much for this trip. I wish I had found that quote before planning my last big trip, it would have helped out alot. I guess that requires a story...
Well in '07 I planned a backpacking trip for a few friends and my boy scout troop. All told 13 people came on the trip and yes, 13 people came home. I learned alot from planning that trip. I learned that things don't just work out. If you want something to get done or accomplished then you have do them yourself. That was a hard concept for me to grasp. As a child its almost as if there is a clean up crew going around cleaning up after you. Well I'll tell you now that there isn't a clean up crew up in the Whites. On the last day I had planned what I thought would be a nice walk out to the parking lot. It turned out that the nice walk out that I had planned led us right thru a Ravine. Luckily, I was surrounded by smarter and more resourceful people then myself.
This trip to Scotland can't have any surprise Ravines because we won't be surrounded by people who care about each other. Although I know that John and I could get ourselves out of anything, I would prefer to not have to deal with it. As of right now, I'm pretty sure that I've spent more time planning this trip then I took planning my Eagle Scout project. Just around 35 hours. I know I have alot more left but I got it.
Another thought that has been rolling around my head lately is the thought that in life we need things like this trip to keep us going. I mean I'm sure that if I didnt have this trip to plan I would have found something else to do but would it be as fun? I think we need hopes and dreams to keep us moving, otherwise I think we just become weak and lazy. Maybe its just my personality but there is nothing better then planning a good trip like this one. It makes it that much more fun when you get to actually do it.
Catch ya on the flip side.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
My Links
Here are websites that have been very helpful in my planning process. I hope they help all of you.
Campsites:
http://www.beinglascampsite.co.uk/
http://www.bankellfarm.co.uk/
http://wandelen.filternet.nl/Meerdaagsewandelingen/WHWEngels/Overnachtingen/campings_west_highland_way1.htm
http://www.westhighlandwaysleeper.co.uk/accommodation.asp
http://www.tyndrumbytheway.com
http://www.macdonaldhotel.co.uk/camping.htm
I then also used all of these sites for travel related questions:
http://www.firstscotrail.trainsfares.co.uk/buy_tickets/requirements/journey_requirements.asp?sitecode=SCR
http://www.cat-flap.demon.co.uk/milngavie/transport.htm
http://www.citylinkonlinesales.co.uk/CitylinkWeb
http://www.travelinescotland.com/cms/welcome.xhtml
I hope these are helpful to all you. They have really helped me. I would also suggest the guidebook West Highland Way by Charlie Loram, a Trailblazer book. Its great it has every section of the trail in small manageable maps, which are hand drawn and filled with directions. They also include the names of restaurants and hotels with websites. Its a great book for a great price.
Catch ya on the flip side
Campsites:
http://www.beinglascampsite.co.uk/
http://www.bankellfarm.co.uk/
http://wandelen.filternet.nl/Meerdaagsewandelingen/WHWEngels/Overnachtingen/campings_west_highland_way1.htm
http://www.westhighlandwaysleeper.co.uk/accommodation.asp
http://www.tyndrumbytheway.com
http://www.macdonaldhotel.co.uk/camping.htm
I then also used all of these sites for travel related questions:
http://www.firstscotrail.trainsfares.co.uk/buy_tickets/requirements/journey_requirements.asp?sitecode=SCR
http://www.cat-flap.demon.co.uk/milngavie/transport.htm
http://www.citylinkonlinesales.co.uk/CitylinkWeb
http://www.travelinescotland.com/cms/welcome.xhtml
I hope these are helpful to all you. They have really helped me. I would also suggest the guidebook West Highland Way by Charlie Loram, a Trailblazer book. Its great it has every section of the trail in small manageable maps, which are hand drawn and filled with directions. They also include the names of restaurants and hotels with websites. Its a great book for a great price.
Catch ya on the flip side
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Planning, Phase One
This is not the first trip that I've planned, thought I should let you all know. I like to plan in stages or phases. My first phase is to just fill up my brain with as much info as I can. I'm currently reading two guide books and surfing the net like crazy. In fact today I spent a good 4 hours on the Internet alone.
So far, I've read about the entire route and focused on the towns that I plan on stopping in. Most have good pubs and at least a campsite to stay in. I even figured out rough budget, right now with airfare its around $1800. Alot can be shaved off and hopefully airfare will go down alittle.
While reading about all the campsites and pubs I found a interesting thing. Alot of the places along the Way are similar to those that live off of the AT. If this is true then I know we are going to meet some great people. Maybe some that can help us out. I really don't know how I'm going to wait another 6 months. I know my senior year will be good but I think this trip will be the highlight. I have but one thought to help me thru these next few months, I think it was Buddha who said, "living outside of the present is dangerous" or something like that.
Catch ya on the flip side.
So far, I've read about the entire route and focused on the towns that I plan on stopping in. Most have good pubs and at least a campsite to stay in. I even figured out rough budget, right now with airfare its around $1800. Alot can be shaved off and hopefully airfare will go down alittle.
While reading about all the campsites and pubs I found a interesting thing. Alot of the places along the Way are similar to those that live off of the AT. If this is true then I know we are going to meet some great people. Maybe some that can help us out. I really don't know how I'm going to wait another 6 months. I know my senior year will be good but I think this trip will be the highlight. I have but one thought to help me thru these next few months, I think it was Buddha who said, "living outside of the present is dangerous" or something like that.
Catch ya on the flip side.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The Team
Well, after talking to everyone's parents we have our crew. John and I have been in since we started talking about it. Austin broke the news to his parents and I guess they're in for it too. Our last member who may or may not join us is Nick, I talked with his dad last night. I think he thinks we're too young. Hopefully Nick will be able to join us.
I've been reading this guidebook to Scotland. It breaks down Scotland by town and then by area. I've been reading about the scenery that we will soon see and the great food that we will hopefully eat. Its great the book even includes names and addresses of the resturants along the way. I really can't wait.
If your reading this blog don't forge to check it daily.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Adventure Begins
For the past 11 years, soon to be 12 years, I've worked hard to accomplish one goal. To graduate from high school and the public school system. Although I'm not the best student, I've never worked harder for anything in my life. This spring I complete this goal, god willing of course.
So to celebrate this great accomplishment my friends and I decided that we would celebrate. What's a better way to celebrate then going to the land of my ancestors. I mainly chose Scotland because my grandmother was born and raised in Scotland. It also turns out that Scotland has a long distance trail, the West Highland Way. Being an avid hiker it has been hard to resist.
Over the course of the next few months I will update and inform you all about our planning and our trip. Let me just say, I'm excited and can not wait to go. Hopefully everything works out ok.
So to celebrate this great accomplishment my friends and I decided that we would celebrate. What's a better way to celebrate then going to the land of my ancestors. I mainly chose Scotland because my grandmother was born and raised in Scotland. It also turns out that Scotland has a long distance trail, the West Highland Way. Being an avid hiker it has been hard to resist.
Over the course of the next few months I will update and inform you all about our planning and our trip. Let me just say, I'm excited and can not wait to go. Hopefully everything works out ok.
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