4am

It’s almost 4am and I’m awake.
There are lots of things that could cause me to be sleepless. You see, I’m in a weekend of change. Almost everything in my life is changing within a few days, but which of those changes is causing me to lose sleep?
It could be the late meal I had. Chicken strips and KD.
It could be that 10pm coffee.
It could be the nicotine patch or the reason for the nicotine patch.
It could be the stiff muscles.
It could be the new kilt design bouncing around my head.
It could be the old kilts I haven’t made, yet.
It could be home schooling my son.
It could be the usual money woes.
It could be that I fell in love 30 years ago and never got over it.

It could be any or all of the above.
All I know is that it’s almost 4am and I’m awake.
So, why am I smiling?

Popular posts from this blog

Human Nature and Kilts

We, as humans, have a natural need to discover the new, to propogate at an insane rate, create tools that are ever more complex, and to communicate our artistic ideas to as many people as possible. We are curious and we have an insatiable need to explore new places. All of those attributes combined will eventually take us to other worlds. Humans are the natural explorers of planet Earth. We live in an incredible time in human history! New metals are being made. Titanium hammers are found in carpenter's tool belts. Sports drinks are designed to replenish lost nutrients and keep athletes playing longer. Pills are made to prevent sexual dysfunction. (The term 'hard to swallow' takes on a whole new meaning!) New martial arts are still being invented. Aikido was possibly the greatest invention of the 20th century. New fabrics are being woven. Goretex is breathable and waterproof for rain gear. (Imagine! It keeps water out but lets air through!) Socks stay up without garters. (El...
Read more

Multiculturalism

Vancouver is a Multicultural city. I see that as a chance to learn about my culture by viewing it side by side with other's cultures, and through people of other cultures' eyes. So, I'm waiting in line at a corner store, listening to a man from Bandladesh asking the Chinese lady behind the counter questions about phone cards. Both spoke good English, though with accents. When he buys one and turns to leave, he sees my Maple Leaf Grizzly Cut kilt. "Ah, is that your traditional costume?" he asked. "Yes," I answered. "Canadian tradition. This is the Maple Leaf tartan." "Ooh! Very nice colours! What is the special day today?" "No special day. I always wear a kilt." "Splendid! Very nice to see!" and he said goodbye and left. The lady behind the counter was smiling widely, having listened to our entire conversation, but there was a look in her eyes. "I like your skirt!" she said. "Thanks. It's called a...
Read more

Metro-what?

A guy standing next to me at the bus stop asks, "What's with the fancy dress?" I'm wearing a Black Watch kilt, work boots, pushed down socks, tee shirt, Irish cap, and team jacket with leather arms. I figure there's no need to explain why I'm not dressed up. "Nothing, I wear a kilt every day." "Okay. Just curious." A few minutes later I overheard a snatch of conversation between the same guy and a woman on the other side of him. The only word I heard clearly was metrosexual. Metrosexual? Me? Hah! As I understand the word, it means a man who is overly concerned about his appearance; every crease perfect, every colour matching, fingernails polished, hair perfect, and every pose calculated. Metrosexuals used to be called dandies. Before that they were fops. Wearing a kilt makes a guy look, (to the uninformed), like he is dressed up. Most people won't notice if your pleats are messed up a little. Nice, huh? I can dress like...
Read more