Checking Up: May 16, 2007

I have this odd quirk- well, I think most people would see it as odd. In the course of my life two dates have always seemed to stand out as being important for some reason. May 16th and November 16th. Many years ago these typically were dates when big game-related announcements were made, and over time, these days have become a kind-of 'personal checkpoint' for me to both look ahead, as well as reflect on the recent past. It's somewhat a coincidence that these two dates are exactly 6 months (half a year) apart- a fact I only came to really recognize in recent years

Today, to commemorate this 'spring checkpoint', I went on what I like to call an Urban Hike. This afternoon I parked in downtown Calgary, and proceeded to 'explore' the city. In recent months- even years -I've come to feel very detached from the Calgary community- to be 'one with the people' one might say. I rarely ever have the time, or the ambition to go out and be amongst people- so in a sense this forced me to try and reconnect that sense of 'belonging', and observe the energy of people.
I intentionally hit a variety of some of my long-time favorite spots in the city- Eaton Centre, Devonian Gardens, Bankers Hall, Steven Ave, Olympic Plaza/City Hall, and all the way back to Eau Claire Market to meet with Ange after work. It was a perfect day to go- one of the warmest days this year, just enough wind to keep you cool, and bright blue sky all around. My tour lasted about 3 hours- including grabbing lunch and doing a little clothes shopping- gotta start a new job with a new look!! (We went a little crazy last night at Market Mall- but damn).
I saw a lot of new things today- a lot of changes- but at the root still remained that Calgary hospitality. On certainly more than 2 occasions I had strangers on the street say 'hello' to me for no reason. I guess I did look a little like a tourist- carrying around a camera and a bag, wearing shorts and hiking shoes- but in a way that was the point. To be a 'tourist at home'- because honestly, how often does anyone get a chance to do that?
It was nice to see people outside, smiling, laughing, playing- that's a side of life in the city that I think people tend to forget exists outside the office walls. I certainly know I did. It was nice to see- nice to be a part of, even if just for a few hours.

Reflecting tonight, I look back 6 months and come to understand all the change that has happened since that last 'checkpoint': Ange and I were newlyweds (when, by definition, are you no longer considered a newlywed?), the Wii was days away from launch, my brother was still living in his old apartment, hockey season was just starting, work was tough- but manageable, 'Breaking Benjamin' hadn't even begun to change our taste in music, the excitement of the looming release of the DSLite was building, us owning an XBOX360 was laughable, us owning a PSP was downright hilarious (I sense it's coming), 'Facebook' sounded lame (still does)- we refused to join (we just started ramping up with Vox), going to Montreal was 'in the future', going to Maui was 'next year'.
That's by no means an official list- and I'm sure there are plenty of things I've left out- like births, maybe some deaths,  promotions, moving out, obtaining a loan, surgery, new jobs, etc. etc. etc.

Looking ahead, there is obvious change on the horizon. I'm starting a new job with a new company as of Tuesday. I still have some mixed emotions toward the whole thing- but I'm confident that things will be great upon arriving. It's been nice this week to allow my brain to drift into whatever direction it pleases- and mentally prepare for moving forward in my career.
My 'HD-X' side-project has already received a lot more attention in recent weeks- as according to plan, hopefully that doesn't change significantly upon arriving at the new job. The project is still underway, but I've been focusing a lot on theory and design lately to ensure the system is capable of what I envision it being capable of- and will eventually drift back into the programming aspect at that stage. It is my intention to have a working demo of this project within the next 6 months.
Come November, we will be a mere month away from our trip to Maui. By then I'm sure we'll both be itching for a vacation somewhere warm. It's possible Ange could be in a new job 6 months from now- or perhaps made a little more permanent in her current position. We will have celebrated our 1 Year anniversary, and perhaps begin to think ahead to kids of our own. Or perhaps a new car, or a new home. We'll be host to distant visitors, be visitors ourselves a few times. We will celebrate milestones- good and bad ones.
Should be an interesting 6 months.

A year ago today, I sat in this same spot, on the same futon- although it's a different color now, typing on the same laptop- except now I have a USB light so I can see the keyboard at night, posting a blog about what has been, and what is to come- except now it's on Vox and not LiveJournal. Back then, I proclaimed that "I had a great day today"- and tonight I'm happy to be able to claim the same. I look forward to this next chapter in life- wherever it takes us.