The Yaw Experience

This is my online, public, creative notebook.

[yawexperience]

Brainstorming Session: Yaw Experience Podcast

What’s better than hosting one awesome podcast? Hosting two!

Right now I co-host a successful podcast, The Development Slate Podcast (http://www.developmentslate.com/ ... or subscribe on iTunes/your fav podcast service). That podcast has a great structure and it results in great content about a specific topic.  I want to now start a free-form podcast where I have a little bit more freedom and talk about anything I want with a variety of guests (I can’t wait to say the line “You want to be on my podcast this week?)

Right now I’m brainstorming a few episodes, and then guests that I’d love to have in.

Here are a few topics I have in mind (and by a few, I mean five):

Outsiders Edge: Moving to the Big City I would talk to people that are not from Toronto but now call The 6ix their home.

Swipe Left, Swipe Right: The New Love Story Single in the city and using Tinder? Talking to people about that Experience Batman V. Superman: Tell me how you really feel? Talking to people about how I felt about this movie. (Spoiler Alert: Not Good) Restaurant Hunters Talking Eating Out in the City The NBA Playoffs ... c’mon.

This is my brainstorm now. Any thoughts? Something you’d add or take away? Would you like to be a guest? Let me know. Let’s make some magic happen... some verbal magic.

[yawexperience]

Taking it to Heart.

Criticism is hard to take. We look at the source. We question the motive. We don't like it at times but the best of it helps us grow. Here is something most (just about all of you) don't know about me: I take everything to heart. I shouldn't really say that because I don't want it taken too literally, but for the most part I take critiques seriously. I'm not crazy defensive. I don't think I can do it all, and I don't even show it on my face, but if there is an area of life that I "should" be better at I will work my way to being better at it to a certain degree.

There is a buddy who knows this about me. When he wants to get underneath my skin he says "you're getting soft". He's talking about my fitness. The fitness that has that 5 am dedication. Five days a week. I know it shouldn't bother me but in my head I think "I could get better".

I try to take what I can from it. Even it's ridiculous, or mean-spirited, or even grossly inaccurate. I'm trying to learn from all my experiences. To be the best me I can be. It has to come from somewhere, so I take what I can. As long as it makes me better, I try.

I take everything to heart in the most positive way I believe one can. I think it has lead to me doing some real good. 

I try to hear the good. I believe it's in there. Even if it isn't, I can do what I would like with the advice some gives me. So, bring on your words, your observations, your phrases that begin with "no offence but...". . I can take it. Well, I can't really take it, but I can definitely use it. 

Fuel me.

[yawexperience]

. @fragileheart & I supporting @ChelsMcD at the #btheface launch (at Mercedes-Benz Maple)

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The haul from Bulk barn. I can snack during my episodes of Suits (at Bulk Barn)

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This pup was worth the 2 hour trip via TTC on one foot

[yawexperience]

The IR of Life

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on here. I have let a few things take over. Bills, dating, social outings, my job, my other blog... dating. I’ve been living the Yaw Experience and not telling anyone about. Like a normal person, who doesn’t tweet, or update, or talk about their life online to the 14 people who may be paying attention. 

There were a lack of pictures.

There was a lack of whimsy. 

I don’t have anything negative to say about it because I just haven’t put in the time to properly do this blog. I have been meaning to, but I haven’t. I have been chipping away at the plan, but I wasn’t ready to launch it.

Then something happened. I’ve been placed on the injured reserved for at least six weeks with a tore achilles tendon and I need surgery to get myself back to the awesome status I had before.

This is a bummer. I real downer. Being able bodied is kind of a thing of mine. I was kind of unstoppable at points. I lift weights, I dance, I kick ass but don’t take names because who has time for that. I was enjoying being Yaw. Multiple jobs and a wicked social life.

Now I’m forced to sit still for at least six weeks and these are the things that first came to mind:

I can’t go salsa dancing as I planned

I can’t go to Crossfit for a bit or continue to compete in the Crossfit open (I have more details about this on my other blog)

Am I gonna get soft? Lose my abs? (Terrible huh?)

People at work are going forget about me

I’m going to be alone. Oh so alone.

That is me freaking out. That lasted the 45 minutes it took before I got my x-rays done. Then I saw the light. There is so much I’ve been meaning to get done that I can actually get done. There’s a chance to learn something new, read a freaking book, watch some movie and sit still. I have goals. I have some time to work on these things. This is my chance to take this negative and turn it into a positive.

So... where do I begin?

(note: I didn't rip my achilles rock climbing. That was just a fun day)

[yawexperience]

[joncrowley-deactivated20170129]

I spent a long time yesterday arguing with people about Jezebel’s public and personal calling out, of a bunch of teenagers who made racist comments, in publicly accessible twitter feeds, regarding Obama winning the US election.

...

[yawexperience]

When a white person calls a black person a nigger, they are using history as a weapon. They are taking the wholesale destruction of a people, the use of them as a source of profit, the destruction of languages and traditions and families, of rapes and lynchings, of an ingrained sense of worthlessness that runs so deep we all face it every day, and saying they think that it was not only acceptable, but right. Just. The way things were supposed to be.

Jon Crowley

Well said... read the rest at http://imjoncrowley.com/post/35437002230/what-it-means

[yawexperience]

This man is an artist. Check out his site, mixtapes, and more. 

[yawexperience]

Democracy in a nation of 300 million can be noisy and messy and complicated. We have our own opinions. Each of us has deeply held beliefs. And when we go through tough times or we make big decisions as a country, it necessarily stirs passions, stirs up controversy. That won't change after tonight. And it shouldn't.

Barack Obama

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Are you ready for a #zombieapocalypse now?

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I want to play him in a movie. 

[yawexperience]

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

Ferris Bueller

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[yawexperience]

The Friend Zone?

For men or women this is a seemingly impossible jump to overcome. Look at this guy! He looks like he's doomed to fail. In most scenarios, I would agree. I'm also not a big believer in "The Friend Zone" and I'm ever the optimistic.

The Friend Zone is a cover up and a way to soften the blow. When one person doesn't want to date a pursuer that they know they often use the Friend Zone as an excuse. Common lines used by the friend zone assigner are "I don't like them like that", "oh they're like a brother/sister to me" and more. What I think is the case is there isn't that spark, which is fine. You can't be attracted to everyone.

I just don't believe people are so easily placed in categories. I personally can't see myself dating anyone that is a close friend. They know me too well. They've heard me tell stories, complain, seen me through the ups and downs. My friends know me in a different light. My friends are my rock. Plus I have a nasty habit of needing a quiet period after a break up, and I like to talk to my friends all the time. If you knew them you would agree, they are awesome and spectacular people that deserve the very best life can offer. 

I don't think the leap is impossible. I think it's just difficult. Some people think of it as a life sentence. I'm saying you don't have to look at it like that.

Either you like them or you don't. I've been accused of over simplifying relationships, but let's not over think about it. I'm not saying something that isn't basically true now am I? Don't get bummed out about "just being a friend". Having friends are great. I have lots of friends. I believe I am a better person for it. When the moment is right for me and that special lady, whomever it is, labels won't matter. Everyone should feel the same. 

To me there is no zone, no logic, no rules. Be bold and live in the moment. Things play out how they should. 

Through it all, you know Mario some how makes that leap and gets the Princess. You can too.

[yawexperience]

This is how I feel with my beard... just so objectified!