Subtleties...

Subtleties..., originally uploaded by johnnyringo82.

When was the last time you stopped and looked at something closely? When was the last time you actually stopped to enjoy the moment that you are in and look around you? Today, I had a girl in my French class who was sitting behind me notice all the numbers on my shirt and proceeded to take out her cell phone and take a picture of my shirt. Was I weirded out? Of course. But it really made me think - how many of us out there stop and really look at our surroundings. Next time you're out...look for the little subtleties.

The Soundtrack of Your Life...

I originally got this idea from a fellow Nomadlife blogger who posted up a little activity on nomadlife.org. The idea was to create the 'Soundtrack of Your Life' - what song comes to mind when each of these topics is presented to you.

I came across it this summer while I was in China. I immediately filled it out and came across it just the other day. So I'll put my Soundtrack of Life below, but give it a shot, it's fun! Fill it out and leave it in the 'Comments' area below.

Waking up: Beautiful Day - U2

Average Day: Under The Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers

First Date: What's My Age Again? - Blink 182

Falling in Love: Crash Into me - Dave Matthews Band

Love Scene: Take My Breath Away - Berlin (from the movie "Top Gun")

Fight Scene: Firestarter - Prodigy

Breaking Up: Secret Garden - Bruce Springsteen

Getting Back Together: Better Together - Jack Johnson

Secret Love: I'm Gonna Be (500 miles) by the Proclaimers

Life's Okay: One Thing - Finger Eleven

Mental Breakdown: Break Stuff - Limp Bizkit

Driving: Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams

Learning a Lesson: Learning to Fly - Tom Petty

Deep Thought: Where Are You Going? - Dave Matthews Band

Flashback: Footloose - Kenny Loggins

Partying: Call on Me - Eric Prydz

Happy Dance: Jamming - Bob Marley

Regretting: How's It Going To Be - Third Eye Blind

Long Night Alone: Lightning Crashes - Live

Death Scene: Streets of Philidelphia - Bruce Springsteen

Closing Credits: One - U2

'The Toque'

'The Toque', originally uploaded by johnnyringo82.

It speaks for itself. Warm, fuzzy and Canadian.

What is 'The Toque'?

Ladies and Gentleman,

This evening, I will speak to you about something unknown to many and very familiar to some: The Toque.

Is it the name of "mon pere's" favourite band? Is it a special way of cooking your food? Is it a game played by Canadians to keep warm in the winter? No. It's none of these...and I am here today to unveil the mistery behind 'The Toque'.

The toque is a small, round, close-fitting hat that was worn back in the 12th and 13th centuries by women in France. These brimless hats made of many different materials started to become popular in France to both men and women during the 16th century.

The French Canadian voyageurs then travelled to present-day Quebec, Canada in the mid 1800's and spread the word of 'The Toque'. The first Canadian toques were warm, knitted winter hats worn in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

Toques in Canada have evolved over the past 150 years to become items of not only function, but fashion as well. Toques are sold all across Canada under many well-known brands. And ladies and gentleman...this is where I have a bone to pick.

Yesterday I was passing through American Eagle and came across their 'Wall of Toques'...and I couldn't help but chuckle seeing an American retail superpower raking in the money off of a truly French-Canadian product. The toque is not just a product to sell, but a symbol of Canada's heritage. We even have a town named after the Toque! And how dare American Eagle reap the benefits of pulling at the national-pride heartstrings of every Canadian to make a pety cent.

Alas, I am off topic and this article is quickly losing it's educational prowess :p I would like to leave you all tonight with...."Come to Canada in January to explore the land of the toque."

Thank you and Good Night.