Life and Random Thinking

No going back, except by music

Posted on December 4, 2012 by dfolstad58

Time travel is easy for me, music is the force that does it, no Delorean having to reach 90 mph, just a song, part of lyric and I bounce back to when I was in my teens. (that’s time travel!)

Paul McCartney (and Wings) (Photo credit: slagheap)

The music of the 70’s seems more poetic, there was the hippie stuff, but there was also the fun music – The Streak, Float like a Butterfly, Elderberry Wine, all the Stones, the Aerosmith, the Alice Cooper “School’s Out!”, Radar Love, How do you mend a broken heart?, Just my Imagination, Crocodile Rock, Seasons In the Sun, Silly Love Songs, Spiders and Snakes, and one I will never forget. ” Hooked On a Feeling”

I was a regular roller blade guy on Monday nights in Vancouver. One week we would go to North Vancouver, then the next week we would go to Richmond, and then the next Vancouver. I would fill out the car with girls who wanted a ride, turn up the music and we would go and have fun.

The guys would zip around when it was men only, and that was always fun and a bit on the edge. There would be a big crystal ball in the middle and the lights would go down for the couples only. All fun and innocent, great times.

I also went to the ice skating parties also, never was the best at skating but that didn’t matter because it was just going around in circles and enjoying the music.

Thanks for reading my blog, love your comments, and special hug to subscribers, you keep me going! .. of course to get those memories going ” B..B…B… Bennie and the Jets! (thump thump)

Posted in music related, Thinking Out loud | Tagged Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Monday, School's Out, Streak, Time travel, Vancouver | Leave a comment

Self Imposed Barriers

Posted on December 2, 2012 by dfolstad58

Cliff jumping in Cyprus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What is it about self-imposed barriers? We do it all the time, afraid to talk in front of groups, not trying something (for me it’s dancing) because we’re not good at it; so we say we don’t want to do it.

I think when we ignore those barriers, we look at ourselves and wonder why we held ourselves back, back from achievement, back from fun, back from new experiences.

I know I hold myself back but gradually with more awareness I am willing to accept risk, willing to dare new situations, and possibilities.

I enjoy Toastmasters for many reasons, including the fact that I get to practice the art of overcoming barriers. The barriers of public speaking, sharing your opinion, the barrier of taking a leadership role, the barrier of daring unknown situations.

Do yourself a favor – tear down one of your barriers, and then follow with another, and another.

Live the one life you have, …..without the barriers.

Posted in Thinking Out loud, Toastmasters | Tagged Communications, Diving, Fear, Public speaking, Toastmasters International | Leave a comment

Acts of Kindness Happen Every Day

Posted on December 1, 2012 by dfolstad58

There is a viral story right now about a New York cop who was photographed in the process of an act of kindness. He didn’t know he was being photographed, he had noticed this homeless man without shoes and the cop went and bought him some boots and socks and gave it to him.

Simple. I know people do things like this every day and not for attention.

This leads me into another topic. How do you feel about picking on people who aren’t allowed to defend themselves? What if that person is a cop? What if that person is a government employee?

I have noticed a tendency lately for people to speak maliciously about police because of isolated incidences. They really are isolated incidences I believe. I believe that cops do more than give parking tickets, they are more like this cop in New York acting spontaneously and generously to a stranger than the opposites we may have seen being portrayed.

IMG_7117 (Photo credit: eridesign)

This also leads to another website I was reading today that portrayed government employees as terrorists. Of course this website wants to portray the government acting like a big bully because they profit from that fear because then people go to them and are afraid.

I know there are people who are insensitive in their jobs, but not is not the main. Some people have hard jobs to do, but we need and have asked them to do those jobs and I recommend we all open our eyes and see the person behind the job.

Knock those blinders off our own eyes, and be glad we have good people out there doing the tough jobs that we ask them to do.

New York Good Cop Lauded For Act Of Kindness (news.sky.com)

Posted in Thinking Out loud | Tagged Facebook, New York, New York City Police Department, Times Square | Leave a comment

Attitude – it changes perspective

Posted on November 24, 2012 by dfolstad58

I watched a British movie last night called “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel“[this link is to more quotes from the movie]. I was hoping to see my wife laughing to the point where she gets tears in her eyes. Alas, not this time.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There is one point in the movie where one of the dowagers asks a man why he likes India so much and his answer made me think. (the hotel is in India, and the hotel lacks most of the 5 stars the guests anticipated).

Many quotes in this movie, but I will share just three: In the first one, Jean has been hiding out at the hotel all day, every day, reading a book while Graham has been exploring every day.

Jean: “How can you bear this country? What do you see that I don’t?”
Graham: “The light, colors, the smiles, it teaches me something.”

Continuation of the above discussion regarding what was striking and appealing about India: “The way people see life as a privilege and not as a right.” [I really liked this comment, and it is true the people in India seemed very content]

Norman is a senior’s senior but is quite transparent about his love for the ladies, and desire for more than a platonic friendship.

Madge: “You’re not worried about the danger of having sex at your age?”
Norman: “If she dies, she dies…”

And on that note – attitude makes life everything especially better, what else can we control?

If you rent the movie, I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for reading, hope you have a great day.

And now for Elton John fans – Bennie & the Jets , and then try not to hum this song all night long !

Posted in humor, Thinking Out loud | Tagged Asia, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Dev Patel, Elton John, Film, Hotel, India, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith | 1 Comment

Black Friday So What?

Posted on November 23, 2012 by dfolstad58

My newspaper yesterday was stuffed with ads from business intent on luring people to spend money they hadn’t planned on just because it was a Super deal.

I get that people are going to spend money at Christmas, buying gifts, entertaining friends, acquaintances, family, and others. But why start early? Lots of opportunity to spend money, incredible sale price, too good to be true are just slogans and mean nothing.

Personally and also I believe to my friends and family; Christmas is more than gifts, not to say I don’t enjoy a thoughtful gift but that is not what the season means to me, and the holiday is not just an opportunity to give or to get, but to connect.

Did you get that word? it is connect, share, bond, cherish.

monopoly (Photo credit: rustybrick)

Just imagine what would happen if you only gave gifts to those family and friends that you know stand head and shoulders above the rest. Ask yourself a few questions to find out what kind of family or friends you have;

Do they phone for no reason, just because they are thinking of you and haven’t talked to you in awhile?
If you were in the hospital, would they visit and sneak in real food?
If you were moving, would they help you pack? Would they be there on moving day hours before the moving van?
Do they say a little prayer for you every day?
Do they remember your birthday without being invited over for cake?

Friendship quote I like –

A stranger stabs you in the front; a friend stabs you in the back; a boyfriend stabs you in the heart, but best friends only poke each other with straws.

I have good friends, and wonderful family and some of each. I bet you do too. Black Friday is just about helping stores move into the ‘black”, not about giving you a deal. My thought anyway. Too much consumerism already; let’s just have everyone over, and play monopoly.

Thanks for reading this post. I love it when someone leaves a comment, or a suggestion; and it’s wonderful if you actually hit the subscribe button for future posts. Just hit the little button that says “Sign me UP” on the right hand margin. Take care.

Posted in Christmas, Thinking Out loud, Uncategorized | Tagged Best Buy, Black Friday, BlackFriday, Christmas, Christmas and holiday season, family, friendship, Gift, Holiday, Money, Shopping, Thanksgiving | 1 Comment

And the Inspiring beat goes on, Animal beat the drums!

Posted on November 16, 2012 by dfolstad58

Swedish Chef (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I wonder if I could write a book. I remember my writing in high school and although I thought it was interesting reading; I doubt I would think so if I read it now.

I read an interesting history fact the other day, it was the anniversary of Sesame Street. The first telecast being November 10, 1969. Although my kids never watched Sesame Street, I enjoyed as a teenager watching the Muppets on TV.

When my daughter Mandy was young, we memorized the Count’s method of doing the alphabet so we knew multiple musical versions to teach the alphabet to her. It was fun, although I didn’t do The Count justice.

I am fortunate that my parents inspired in me such a love of reading, and in turn I hope I have inspired my children. Sesame Street likely inspired many readers, through humor and colorful characters; and along the way inspired many smiles and tearful laughter.