Ramblings

2006-09-25T23:32:00.000-07:00

100 Things

Mostly because I'm not originally, but also partially to cure my boredom (not being able to sleep will do that), I give you this list which is likely not overly comprehensive, but if nothing else, provides you with at least 2 minutes of procrastination.

1. My name is Colin Derrick Hoult
2. When I was 4 or so, I decided I wanted to be called "Junior"....or "Ju" for short. I could not understand why my parents refused to go along with this.
3. I have 3 brothers
4. I am number 2
5. My older brother and I are, oddly, not competitive with one another
6. While people initially think my older brother and I are incredibly different, we are actually incredibly alike personality-wise
7. This does not hold true for the younger two brothers
8. I hold grudges over pretty stupid things
9. I get tired of some jokes pretty quickly
10. I get tired of lame jokes even quicker
11. I always have to be on the move. I don't walk places. I go on missions.
12. I came to Acadia majoring in Bio and thinking Medicine, and now I'm in PoliSci and thinking Law.
13. People tend to give me my way, no matter how absurb or rediculous it may seem.
14. The people I respect most are those who stand up to me.
15. However, it only holds true so long as the person actually has a reason for standing up, and isn't just being a moron.
16. I make that call as to whether or not they're just being a moron.
17. I can run most areas of my life just fine.
18. Romance is once area that I really can't.
19. I've recently decided that I don't care.
20. While I value sponteneity, I need to have some sort of routine.
21. I'm routinely described as a bitter person by those who don't know me, and most of those who do.
22. Those who do know me tend to see a bit beyond the initial impression.
23. I am incredibly private when it comes to my personal life.
24. When I was 18, I learned something about fashion because I sold eye glasses.
25. I continued to sell them last summer, and learned even more.
26. This does nothing to persuade people that I am not, in fact, a homosexual.
27. The gay jokes are funny at first because some people like to stereotype and are genuinely shocked that I don't like men.
28. The joke gets old fast, especially when the jokes made don't make sense.
29. I don't understand people who study 24/7
30. I don't understand people who party 24/7
31. I have a profound amount of respect for people who can do both 24/7
32. I have a thing for older, high achieving women.
33. As stressed as I may seem with my jobs/workload, I love every minute of it, and wouldn't change a thing.
34. I have a knack for making accurate predicitions in other people's lives
35. Even if I'm right, if someone gets hurt in the process, it actually DOES kill some of the joy of being rightt.
36. I hate people who use personal problems as an excuse to not do their job properly
37. Despite my present hippy hair, I used to be a cadet
38. I reached the highest attainable rank in less than 4 years.
39. It takes most people 7 (if they make it at all)
40. I got there by not taking orders
41. Cadets was one of the best things to ever happen to me
42. Only 2 of my friends can read me perfectly 100% of the time
43. Those two friends are 100% different
44. I have several random skills/certifications, including Medical Assistant and Sail Instructor. I'm also an Optometric Technician.
45. I based any form of relationship, friendship, professional, or otherwise, based upon what can be learned from that relationship. Once I decide there is nothing more to learn, I move on, and seldom look back.
46. I realize that sounds horrible.
47. Last year was one of my most successful years.
48. I was drunk for a good portion of it.
49. I'm worried that this year will not live up to last year
50. I'm more concerned that I won't live up to my own standard from last year
51. I've seriously contemplated getting physical hats to put on to show when I'm serving in a particular capacity.
52. While I like to think I'm fairly important, I'm not nearly as important as some people give me credit for.
53. I dislike people who over or under play my roles
54. I hate being patronized
55. A lot.
56. This summer I could be in Wolfville, Calgary, or Spain.
57. I won't know until March
58. I have a weird sleep schedule, especially lately
59. This has led some of my residents to assume that I am, in fact, a robot.
60. Maybe I am.
61. Despite being fairly bad at romantic relationships, I would actually like a wife/kids one day
62. Several children, in fact.
63. I'll figure that all out when the time comes.
64. The idea of dating v. relationships intrigues me for no particular reason
65. Incompetence is one of my biggest pet peeves
66. I like a great amount of autonomy in all my positions
67. I hate micro-managers. A lot.
68. This past summer seems surreal, now that I'm back at school and into the swing of things
69. I can't wait to have money again
70. First thing I'm doing is going to the Library Pub.
71. The second thing I'm doing is buying a lot of liquor, including several bottles of wine
72. Family is incredibly important to me
73. I think everyone should be able to bring a blow dart guns to meetings that have the potential to go too long.
74. I was actually shocked when I got the millennium scholarship. I had expected to be entirely rejected
75. I'll invest that money
76. I love Seminary House, the building and the people
77. Despite that, I sometimes miss the craziness of Chipman
78. The worst I've had to deal with in this building is a liquor violation. It's the only write-up I've done all year.
79. On a typical night, noise violations are the worst thing my staff have to deal with
80. I have actually started using a planner this year
81. It is my life.
82. The Myers Briggs personality test is scarily accurate
83. I am an ENTJ
84. Look it up on google if you're really that curious
85. The discovery that meal hall has all day breakfast is possibly the best thing that happened to me today
86. I often live in a fictional world
87. It's mostly for my own entertainment
88. I tend to be critical of most people that I meet and assume the worst
89. This leads to constantly being somewhat impressed/surprised
90. I almost feel bad for idealists in this world.
91. Almost.
92. I sometimes wish I had a less cynical view of the world
93. But I don't.
94. I haven't been 'home' for the summer since I was 12
95. I won't be home for thanksgiving this year
96. When I am home, I make sure that, no matter how short a period of time I'm home for, I see the same two people, at a bare minimum.
97. I really only need to see one of them.
98. I have spent a fair amount of time in 5 provinces
99. I want to do my next degree in a different country
100. While I am copying someone here in a way, I don't think anyone has 100% accurately summed me up in a single statement.

CH

2006-07-13T00:27:00.000-07:00

I've given up on regular posting patterns. You'll have to deal with it :)

So, what has happened lately? Well, true to form, a lot, but not really a lot.

I'm excited to get back to Acadia for a number of reasons. I've enjoyed my summer, but I want to get back into an environment where I can start thinking a bit more long term. Rather than presently, where my job is just to sell stuff. Really, my heart is falling out of sales. Luckily, I'm far enough ahead that I can do that. Barring unforseen circumstances, I'll be able to leave and put on my resume that I held the top sales for the duration of my employment. Take that. (I'm not really sure who that's directed to...)

However, I have made a discovery: The summer is not never-ending. This means that there are a lot of things I need to do before I set foot on campus. I spent about 1.5 hours tonight writing e-mails, each of which should result in a great deal more work. The goal is to get all my ducks in a row for when I get back to campus, so that I can actually spend time just catching up with friends and others, re-establishing old connections that may have fallen to the wayside in the closing of this past year.

Anything else exciting to put here? Not really. I've learned some interesting things from numerology and palm reading, both hard sciences, of course. Although they have been scarily accurate. Apparently I'm an 'independant' type in a relationship. http://www.handanalysis.com/palmistry3.html

True? False? You be the judge.

CH

2006-06-23T00:29:00.000-07:00

So, it's been a while...okay, a LONG while. But I suppose there are some updates worth nothing -- sort of.

My life still mainly consists of three things:

1. Work (sidenote: I am the top salesperson at the moment, go me!)
2. Spanish Course
3. The "What if" game.

Work is going incredibly well. The manager has always quasi-joked that I should stay for the year, but today he seriously broached the subject -- if I would consider taking a year of school for more money at work. What's worse? I considered it for a moment. I enjoy the job, the people, and making money would be lovely.

But then I considered the downside(s). For one, I'd be giving up a lot at the school: Seminary SRA, Judicial Board, D/Chair, and several connections on campus. That would be dumb. Nevermind all the potential fun I could have in the upcoming year. Being that most of my friends are in a year above me, I'd miss out on a fantastic year with them! And that simply won't do. If I were to leave, the level of sobriety on campus could go up. I would be a failure as a human being if I were to let that happen.

No, I shall return to Wolfville.

As I just mentioned, part of the fun of the upcoming year is the potential fun that could happen -- part of the "what if" game. A fun game to play, but at the same time, a dangerous one. Given the option of two hypothetical situations, you may decide that ever faced with the choice, you would choose 'a'. So what happens if in the real world, a becomes a reality, but not 'b'? Should you go for it, because it's still something you want (just not as much as 'a')? Or would the fact that you know that you want 'a' more ruin the experience with 'b' for you?

The answer? Who cares. Take life as it comes. I've had enough of 'planning' and such. I need to let go, let loose, and just see what happens. And I actually mean it this time.

My life currently has one plan: Get back to Wolfville. (well, and finish my Spanish course. But does that really count as 'planning'?)

But mostly, just one plan.

CH

2006-06-04T21:26:00.000-07:00

What an interesting weekend!

Friday Night: Guy Time.

Ben and I go out for dinner with Jes/Michelle, and then promptly come back to my place and start knocking back the only booze we had -- vodka. However, it just wasn't kicking in, and we wanted to get downtown faster! So after about 12 oz each, we decided we were good to go!

Went downtown, went to Melrose Place. Martinin Shaker, 5 shots, $9. 3 of those each just about did it. But by the time we got out, all the other bars were closed! Like we cared. We promptly stumbled back to the house, stopping to pee in alley ways, and then crashed for the night.

Went to work Saturday morning, did half the sales for the store when 10 people were on for the day. Take THAT.

Saturday Night: Guy Time Part II.

With my body being forgiving, I decided why not abuse it? The night was less planned. We drank at my place, then Ryan (brother), Kate (brother's girlfriend), and Ian (brother's friend) come in. We all sit around, drinking, chatting, then all of us, sans Ryan, decide to go to the pool hall. Shot pool, continued to drink, kate and I did from practically-sibling bonding -- and interesting conversation about dating and Catholicism. Fascinating standpoint, really. If you're curious about it, message me or something. But the logic in it was really interesting.

Went to work on Sunday, did about 1/3 of the sales...not too great, but hey, it's something.

It was fairly slow. Quin and I had numerous discussions about the legitimacy of physical standards, how girls should/shouldn't dress. She was taken aback by the comment, "I don't date fat chicks." but then she admitted that she wouldn't date a fat guy.

Met a lovely woman today who is a prof at UofC. We talked a little bit about my thesis topic, which I think is fairly juveneile, but she actually found quite interesting and encouraged me!

Aside from that: Boring. Sorry the udpate wasn't more interesting.

CH

2006-05-29T23:52:00.000-07:00

Today was the day of the loons. Holy crap. Crazy old ladies everywhere. Although I suppose it's fair came after this past weekend.

True to Colin-form:

Saturday: Meet a delightful woman in her 50s. We bond, talking about Calgary, other parts of the country. She goes in for her eye exam, and I start to help her look for glasses. We start chatting about various things. Where I go to school, what I'm studying. Her son who was there also wants to study political science, and is thinking about law.

Turns out her husband is a lawyer. After sufficiently bashing family law, she's like, "Yeah, I HATED it when my husband had to deal with family stuff. You just don't have a good day." We started talking about the kind of law I was interested in. I mentioned I enjoyed my course in environmental law -- turns out her husband is a big deal in enviro law out here. She asked for me e-mail address, said she'd see if she could get me a job doing something a little bit more suited towards what I'd like to do for a living.

I'm not holding my breath, but it's be pretty neat. I'd feel bad leaving the store I'm at, but hey...opportunities, right?

Sunday: 77 year old woman comes in, just looking for sunglasses. Starts telling me about herself. Among her many accomplishments:

a) Degree in nutrition, minor in BioChem
b) Worked as a public health offical all over the world
c) First white woman to ever see a villiage in papau new guinea
d) 3 daughters, all who have at LEAST a Masters degree
e) Is also a playwright. One of 6 students accepted to some program.
f) Went skydiving for her 75th birthday diving from 12, 500 feet.

Obviously she's my new girlfriend. The girls at work have discovered my thing for older women.
Now, let's see if I can make this more interesting, aside from just a 'here's what happened' deal. The theme of the weekend was opportunity. Saturday showing that opportunity can arise in the strangest places, and Sunday showing that if you just TAKE opportunities that are offered, you can end up living a pretty eventful life.

While I am happy with where my life has ended up, and I think I've done a fair bit -- lived in 4 provinces, fairly self sufficient, and like to think of my life as not a total waste to this point -- there are still opportunities I wish I would've taken. Generally, they are personal risks. Ready to get angsty? I'm sure you are.

It comes down to a measure of happiness. I'm not UNhappy right now, but what WOULD make me unhappy, of course, would be some sort of emotional rejection. While the potential for greater happiness could exist through taking an opportunity that involved personal risk, it is often offset by the possibility that I would become unhappy. Dumb logic? Likely. The worst, of course, is that it can always be rationalized -- I AM a busy person, but I'm busy because I choose to be, and haven't found that girl who is worth slowing down for -- or if I have, I've convinced myself that it obviously wouldn't be reciprocated. This bringing us back to the original problem of measures of happiness.

Murphy's Law comes into play -- when an opportunity DOES arise that I could've taken, and probably would've been pushed to take (thankfully), I'm not in a position, logistically, to accept it, so am just stuck with the idea of the opportunity.

Which is better, though? The concept often spouted is that the idea can't be destroyed. The actual physical existence of the idea in practice CAN be destroyed. So maybe it's better to just live with the idea of a great opportunity, than experiencing it and having it fail, or not live up to expectations, or some such thing.

That's where my 77 year old girlfriend can teach a lesson -- you can't LIVE the idea. You have to live the experience. If we measured out lives based on cool ideas we'd like to do, how empty we'd be. Rather, through turning those ideas into experience, we truly live our lives.

On that note, I think I'm done being angsty. As a 20 year old, I have an angst quote that I need to use up yearly, and I think this post should have covered it.

CH

2006-05-21T17:51:00.000-07:00

Too much time.

That's what I've decided I have at the moment. Or rather, too much time to think. One of my favourite parts about the job I have right now is that at the end of the day, when I walk out the door, I'm done. There's nothing more. There's no worrying about how I'm going to approach a lesson the next day, or taking notes on various students (as I've had to do in past summer jobs). Rather, I can go home, and do whatever! I can work on my distance course, read, drink, chat, whatever. More often then not, I get into my very bad habit of creating elaborate plans for everything from this coming year, to what I'm going to do after I graduate. The thing with most of my plans are that they generally get fully developed, checked for feasibility -- then I have to decide whether I want to do it or not. Inevitably, some other scheme will be created that I will follow.

So far, plans have generally centered around the academic world. Although there has been much thought placed beyond that sphere as well, but the public blog would hardly be the place for such discussions.

Alas, back I go to reading. I just needed a bit of a break.

CH

2006-05-20T20:06:00.000-07:00

Well! I suppose it's time to start one of these things. Because you care about my life? Maybe. Moreso, it's just a place where I can rant, and random people will read it.

Where to start -- the move to Calgary went fairly well. True to 'Colin' form, I swooped in, started work the next day, and am now working away 6 days/week in a job that is actually a lot of fun. I hit the jackpot with the staff I'm working with. Everyone is fun, and being the only guy on staff certainly has advantages.

The more curious of you are asking about what, exactly, I do. I fill a number of roles, but primarily, I:

1) Tell people whether they look good or not. ("No, ma'am. It's not the frame that's ugly. it's your face.")
2) Convince people to spend obsene amounts of money on glasses ("That will be $1, 063. How will you be paying?")
3) Pretend I know far more than I actually do. ("Ah, yes, I've seen this before. Let me go use the special tool that this job requires." The tool is a push pin.)

However, while I'm busy, and I like that (if I'm not at work, I'm likely doing something else that would be considered 'work'), I can't help wishing I were back in Wolfville just for the events that would likely occur on a number of fronts. I was in the loop this year, and falling out of it so abruptly really feels weird.

This is all for now. Hope everyone else is well! I'm sure there will be more of these.

CH