I have written three blog posts this year.
All-time low. Have I heard the people complaining about not having enough Bert
writing in their lives? I have not! Have you found another writer to tickle
your imagination? I certainly hope so. But for those longing for an update from
the Bubble King, here we go.
Is life in Canada
boring?
Coming in hot with the first topic, aren’t we?
Boring? No. Less novel and exciting than life in Asia? Yes. I’m surprised it took
me over two years to start feeling this way. I thought after a few months, I
would have been ready to get back out there. I think the high of running my own
business kept me going but as the novelty wears off a bit, the realities of my move
is slowly sinking in.
I don’t regret coming home. I love how much
time I get with my mom and people that I love. I need to do a better job of
creating adventure in my everyday life. I think now that the weather has
turned, the fewer hours of daylight and having to go back to supply teaching
until prime bubble season, it just has me longing for Laos treehouse ziplining
and scuba diving liveaboards.
Am I interested in seeing or hearing about
anyone else’s travels? I certainly am not.
How is your bubble
business?
I had been doing it full time since May. That
is a huge win. I did about 30 shows in July and 31 in August. Next year is
going to be a pivotal year for Bubble Birthdays. I either want to grow or scale
it down. I don’t think I want to be doing bubble parties as a 50-year-old. The
business idea is sound. As of right now, there is nobody else in the bubble
space in Ottawa. The main issue will be hiring people that I trust that won’t destroy
my business and putting systems in place to take myself out of the day-to-day of
running of the business. I have read a lot of books for help but if you have
any helpful tips on how to turn a business into a franchise, let me know.
What is teaching in
Canada like?
I was right in being apprehensive about
becoming a full-time teacher here. The challenges are real and I commend anyone
who is able to put in 25 years of being a permanent teacher. They earned that pension.
Well, most of them.
What are you reading?
This year has been decent for
reading/listening. At the moment, I am reading this:
I just listened Novelist as a Vocation and now I want to
read some more Murakami.
Here are some books on my list for the next few months:
What are you looking
forward to?
I am visiting some friends in Washington in
January 2024. It will be nice to be in nature with them, catch up and leave Ottawa
for a bit.
The last two seasons I have not been snowboarding
as much I had hoped. That changes this season. I have a night pass at Edelweiss
and a day pass to Fortune. My bindings were broken so I was reluctant to get
after it but now that I have fixed that problem, my plan is to get out as much
as I can while keeping both of my writs not broken.
How happy do you think
people are?
Not as happy as they should be or as happy as
they let on.
What are you watching?
I just finished watching all of the available
episodes of Yellowstone. Big fan.
I am trying to get into the Sopranos but time
is an issue. Bob's Burgers might be on the list as well.
Is life cheap in
Canada?
Ummm, last time I checked, no.
What is 2024 looking
like?
Supply teaching, hopefully winning some NFL
futures bets, snowboarding, Pacific Northwest trip, growing the bubble
business, making healthy choices, reading and trying to find some adventure in
and around the city.
What did you give up
in 2023 and what will you give up in 2024?
2023 was a year of no swearing, no
complaining and no Red Bull. How is it going so far?
No swearing: Pretty well. I have a swear jar
app on my phone. I’m up to about $115. I need to donate it to a cause I
disagree with. My swearing has plummeted and I am pleased.
No complaining: It’s a work in progress. I feel
like it’s almost impossible. Getting better but still not where I want to be. Bringing
this resolution into 2024 will be necessary.
No Red Bull: Zero Red Bulls have been consumed.
My Monster intake is at about 204. Kidding! No energy drinks this year. I know
what January 1st is going to taste like.
My 2024 resolution is not been finalized but
I am contemplating giving up any type of restaurant/coffee/drink place that is
a chain. A chain free grocery or gas station lifestyle seems a bit much but I think
eating healthier and more focused on small businesses would make my life
better.
I hear my cousin is going to give up fried
foods.
Any new questions you
like to ask people?
If you could meet any of your ancestors, who
would you meet and why?
Describe the most magical moment you have
experienced in your life so far.
What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done
for you?
Any final thoughts?
The longer I go without kids, the more
appealing not having my own kids becomes. Could it happen one day? Sure! It
would probably go great! But I am really seeing the upside of living somewhat
kid free.
I love hot apple cider.
Lots of outdoor spas close to Ottawa. I don't hate it.
Glow in the dark bocce was is a hoot.
I started curling. Big curler now. You know
who loves curling? Older, white people.
I wish you a pleasant November.
“Good or bad, hard to say."
