Being spontaneous means to live in the present moment, to act or engage in a plan without fear, to get an idea and just go with it! Now I can't say that I am always spontaneous, however from time to time I most definitely love being spontaneous by just doing something totally random, unexpected even, and not really over thinking things but rather just going with the flow.
So I did just that this past week. It was completely random and I decided to go on a mini road trip with a friend of mine. We didn't go too far as I had to work the following day but we still totally ventured out to new territory.
As I said, it was a totally random decision. I literally opened my eyes while still laying in bed and thought to myself 'I need to get in my car, and hit the open road outta here'. So after a phone conversation, we headed out together about a couple hours outside of Calgary. Now that's not what was so much spontaneous as this next quick decision we made. So we're visiting this small city, being tourists, checking out random things, kickin' it around town, having good laughs, conversation, and the whole thing. We stopped in at this super old looking saloon. An actual saloon! This thing looked like it had been there since the early 1900s! Upon rolling up in there and parking our seats at the old wooden bar to order two frosty cold beers, we made ourselves quite at home chatting with the bartender there. She was a sweet old woman, but not the type to be taken lightly as being a door mat for bullshit or bad attitudes, no, you could tell she knew how to run that bar. She was telling us stories of the saloon, how old it is, and how it's rumored to be haunted. She explained some stories or experiences of her own, and that only intrigued us more. As we listened eagerly to each word, she suggested we check out this town called Wayne. She told us how it is one of Alberta's most popular ghost towns, and about how historic it was, and stories of the ghosts and hauntings within.
Now at this point, after being on an already spontaneous whim of this last minute road trip getaway, and not to mention the fact that we stopped off at this giant t-rex statue where we climbed to the top and threw a lucky penny off where we made a wish, and on top of randomly finding this saloon and stopping in for a small town beer, we decided to go to the next town of Wayne and get our ghost town on! So in the car we went! On the drive there I did a quick little Google research on my phone and discovered a bit of pretty cool historical information. I found out the Rosedale Hotel and Last Chance Saloon had been there since 1912, the current population of the town is 33 aaaaaand the hotel and saloon are both haunted and have quite the history behind it. The third floor of the hotel is forbidden basically and they don't go up there or even rent out rooms to anyone there because it is said to be haunted by a ghost. The third floor housed some horrible events back then, involving Ku Klux Klan, and even tortures where people were beaten, tarred, and feathered - I know, pretty creepy right? But intriguing for me at the same time. I was super curious and almost fascinated to learn more. Funny how when I was younger and in school I had no interest in history really, and now? Well now stuff like this is interesting to me, hearing everyone's stories, knowing who was here before me, listening to peoples life stories and how places became what they are today.....it's pretty interesting I must say.
So anyways after driving over multiple weird little bridges, creepy small town-ness in the middle of nowhere, we arrived at the Last Chance Saloon and Rosedale Hotel, and stopped in for good old greasy diner-style appies, beers, and even bought souvenier shirts repping the Last Chance Saloon to remind us of our super awesome, and totally random day!
We were lucky enough to have the owner sit down with us, give us a history lesson of the town of Wayne, explain all the nostalgic memorabilia laden on the walls (including the actual original bullet holes in the wall that were out there by the original owner of the saloon back in 1912 - he shot his revolver at patrons who tried to duck out on paying their bill) . She also gave us a mini tour of the hotel rooms there ( there weren't many, maybe 10 tops). I asked about seeing the third floor and naturally she said no and that no one goes up there. The allure and curiosity of that made me want to see it even more! Yes I know I'm crazy. But after a great afternoon of touring the place, getting a history lesson and basically taking it back in time for a day, hours away from our homes in the city, we felt almost rejuvenated in an odd sort of way. Part of it was the fresh air, being on the open road, and just all the awesomeness of friends getting together for a road trip, laughing, talking, connecting and all, and part of it was the super cool experience of doing something new and different, but mostly it was really and truly just the root of it all - the root and purpose of spontaneity. We didn't plan it, we both just woke up, made immediate decisions, went on a whim, had an absolutely amazing and unforgettable day making the best of memories. The reason I love spontaneous times like these is because one never has the feeling of waiting or getting impatient anticipating a predetermined plan. You don't get the chance to be impatient if eager - you just get to experience the fun and beauty of making an immediate decision not knowing the next step or plan.......and those can be some of the most greatest times of your life, making the most wonderful of memories.
Today I have a lot of things of my mind. Many things I could write about for pages on end. But I don't know if I'm in the right frame of mind to be voicing my opinions and thoughts just yet. Lately there have been a quite a few things on my mind, quite a few things leaving me puzzled, and quite a few upsetting things. But I think instead of writing about those things, I will write about something totally different in the vain hope that it takes over all the other shitty little things in my mind, and that it all just transcends into this beautiful and uplifting realm of happiness. How many times did I just say "things" ? Geez Amanda......
Anyhow, soooooo I'm super excited to be doing something that I have wanted to do for a very long time! To learn how to ride a motorcycle! So cool, right? I'm signing up for lessons this week FINALLY and I couldn't be more thrilled! ( how's that for writing about something totally different?) I have wanted to ride a motorcycle since the first time I saw my brother Raymond on his moped way back in the 90s! Seriously, that's where it all started! Then when I got my very first taste of driving (a car) I liked it, a lot. And being in our family, I swear it's in our blood, the whole car loving thing. Perhaps if I didn't grow up with three brothers and my Dad I wouldn't have been into cars or anything boyish but that's not the case at all. Fast forward years ahead and I'm on my third car and absolutely live to drive (and speed) . No I don't drive like an idiot, I promise, but I would be lying if I said I didn't like going fast or being one with the road.
Now driving my cars is something I've always enjoyed. In fact I enjoy all aspects - I enjoy learning about how to fix certain things, I enjoy even just learning about the general mechanics of a car, and I really enjoy the time spent washing, waxing, polishing my car top to bottom, inside and out ( my neighbours must think I'm crazy when I'm out there every second day in the summer shining up my ride) And what's even more hilarious about our family (aside from my Mom) is that we all have our OWN car cleaning stash/crate, and if ANYONE is seen rummaging through one another's car cleaning supplies, we pretty much freak out and ask them what the hell do they think we're doing? It's actually making me laugh out loud as I type this. We're so nuts. Oh and Sundays? I've deemed Sundays as ' Car Day' ....well in the warm weather seasons of course. Doesn't meant I spend alllllll day maintaining/cleaning my car, but a good chunk of time is spent doing that, not gonna lie. However, now I blog every Sunday, and I run every single Sunday so a little shifting around of the schedule will be necessary but never ignored.
Anyways the point of this post isn't even supposed to be about cars, but if felt the need to give you a little background on just how car crazy I can get, for a female, ha ha ha! So I'm sure you can see how this ties into the desire to learn to ride a motorcycle. Simply put, it's fast, sexy, has a motor, and would be a perfect addition to my little world of wheels. Also to note, my youngest brother Robert is on board too and wants his bike license! So we are going to take it together.
I couldn't even tell you exactly what it is about the whole bike thing and need to drive it but if I had to guess I think it's the fact that it's totally wide open, the road and I, two wheels, and just a totally different feeling than being inside a car.
Some people say it's a great idea to ride a motorcycle, some people say the opposite. Yes there is risk in riding, but there is risk in everything. One thing I've come to the realization of is that being too scared to do something is only going to limit you, and if we spend our lives being too scared to do anything then we just might miss out on so many great things! So instead of taking the easy way out and being too scared, I'm gonna look it straight in the face, get on that bike and damn well learn how to ride it! Then after that point I'm pretty sure I'll know exactly if motorcycle riding is for me me or not. I just have this vision....the open road, all black crotch rocket style bike, leathers head to toe and my long hair blowing in the wind under my helmet, road trips down the coast of California.... ahhhh yes.
Really though, I'm just so excited, so thrilled. I know I'll have to be really careful but that's part of the excitement of it all, isn't it? The thrill of the ride? That badass, fast feel? I cannot wait.
Stay tuned for updates on that one in the month to come.....also know as May, my birthday month (eek! Turning 31!)
Sometimes my blog posts are deep. Sometimes they're inspiring and enlightening, and educational. Sometimes they're just beefs or ranting. And sometimes they're just entertaining and funny randomness! Thus the spawning of today's post....today I bring you an 'interview' of random questions I decided to ask my brother. I had to lure him in with some cold beers in order to get his time, but nonetheless he obliged. There's really no rhyme or reason, but rather I'm not sure what to write about today and I've always thought that reading funny questionnaires or interviews make me laugh! And Robert, my youngest brother at twenty-six years old is the one I've decided to corner today to give me some material! Hope you somewhat enjoy a good carefree mindless laugh at it - I know I sure did! Enjoy!
" Hey Robert! How's that beer tasting? Ready to be asked the questions?"
*takes a swig of beer* " Yep! Ask away!"
....and it begins.........
1) What was your favourite childhood memory?
Going to the park after school and playing with friends.
2) If you could be invisible, where would you go and what would you do?
Break into an Audi dealership and steal my R8 and go rip down the highway.
3) What would you do if you won the lottery?
Go traveling , specifically Guyana, buy an endless supply of rum, and do some investing.
4) What's your favorite alcoholic drink?
El Dorado
5) What's the longest you've gone without sleep?
Just shy of 48 hours
6) If you could ask your future self one question what would it be?
How many guns will I have before I stopped buying guns?
7) What would be your dream sandwich?
Gettin' some sandwich action!(not by guys)
8) What was your biggest fear as a kid?
Chucky from 'Child's Play' and Zeebo The Clown from 'Are You Afraid Of The Dark?'
9) What irritates you the most?
Crying babies and disobedient kids.
10) What's the stupidest thing you've ever done?
Thinking I could punch my fist through a two-by-six that was supported by a four-by-four support beam for a deck (this was after drinking a two six, half a case of beer, shots and hours in the sun tanning and on an empty stomach)
11) If you could travel anywhere in the world to a place you haven't yet been, where would it be?
Brazil
12) You just found a genie lamp! Quick! What are your 3 wishes?!
Unending supply of money, live in Guyana, and have my own empire in Guyana
13) What is the definition of total and complete happiness/bliss to you?
Being stranded on a tropical island with no means of rescue whatsoever only to stumble upon a massive underground storage filled with lots of pirate rum and food and lay on the beach drinking rum, soaking up sun rays. Id also want an old antique pirate ship made of wood so if I wanted I could sail anywhere and live off pirate land like Jack Sparrow.
14) What was your favorite Halloween costume and why?
When I dressed up like a woman and you (me) helped do my makeup and get me all woman-like! Hahaha, I friggin' looked like Michael Jackson!
