At the risk of sounding too… too… sappy/spiritual/crazy…. I must admit I took a page from several books I have been reading and several inspiration tweets from Aristotle, Plato, Oprah and her pals. The all spoke of gratitude. This is something I have made a conscious effort to do this summer. It’s not that I am an ungrateful sod, I try to express my thankfulness towards others and am genuinely touched when people do nice things for me because they like me. That always shocks me more than anything else. I feel quite undeserving. But the PURPOSE of gratitude was lost on me. I always thought it was politeness. Apparently the Universe doesn’t work that way. Who knew???? I’ll tell you who. All those people you are jealous of because they “have everything”. Those “Lucky Bastards” who seem to have it made.
I learned several years ago that a positive mind-set can change your life for the better. Looking on the bright-side, being optimistic yadda yadda yadda = good. Humor is lost in the the positive. That was hard for me. I find dark and torchered HILARIOUS! My kindred’s also find dark and torchered souls hilarious. It’s not that I am laughing at their misfortune, I am laughing at the situation. Often it is too unbelievable, so laugh I must.
Lately, I have taken time out of my crazy hectic day to give a prayer of thanks and LIST all the things that happen that day that bring me gratitude and joy. When I started this segment in my life, my life was suckish. Nothing was the way I wished it to be. Unhappy would describe my state of being. I did find that the more I was GENUINELY grateful, the more great stuff came my way. The last month, I have been overwhelmed with awesome things and events. Last night came yet another in an incredibly long list of good stuff.
I have been on a Tourist Quest to try out new things. I was looking at the Edmonton International Film Fest’s website, and trying to decide what/if I should go. Money is tight for me while I am pursuing my goal of my degree. Also, when I read things that interest me, I hold onto that information for-EVER. I am a fountain of useless knowledge. If you are playing Trivial Pursuit, pick me to be on your team. I know inane stupid stuff that serves no practical purpose other than to win cool junk in contests. I was reading the EIFF website and – I remembered all those tiny details that no one cares about.
Last night on Twitter, EIFF asked what academy award winning stars – as in Plural – were coming to the kick off event in Edmonton. EASY PEASY! Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker. I waited a few minutes and Shazam! I won 2 tickets for any movie at the Film Fest! Oooooooh Yaaaaaaa baby! I hopped in the car to head down to #whatthetruck to pick up my tickets. Then I see another tweet asking another question, who is the sitcom dad of the star in the final film of the festival. EASY PEASY! John Ritter! His kid, Jason is starring in the last film. Guess what…I won that too!!! Wooooot hehehehe I love winning stuff! 4 tickets arrived in my hands when I really was not sure HOW I would get to the EIFF in the first place. Thankful? You bet! Now I know how this works. I must show how grateful I am and be unselfish about my winnings. Besides, going to 4 movies by-myself isn’t that fun. So, I am having a contest myself.
The first person to correctly answer the following question gets to accompany me to a film of THEIR choice and they may bring a date. I am offering 2 tickets to the Edmonton International Film Festival for the winner to join me. Think carefully if you wish to hangout with me at the movies – I hate popcorn, and like to heckle…kidding – or am I?
Rules: The winner must provide their own transportation TO Edmonton. The winner must find their OWN accommodation, you may ask to stay at my house, but no guarantees that you will. However, my shed IS available. Contest Closes September 20th, 2011 at 9:00 PM MST. Visit EIFF to view movie choices. The movie must be viewed between September 23 and October 1, 2011.
Question: What did I name the baby doll I got for Christmas the year I was 4? *Hint If you have read all 181 blog posts and can remember inane stuff, this should be EASY PEASY for you.
Post your answers in the comment section of my blog. I will be contacting the winner and you WILL be featured in an upcoming blog post with suitable nickname. Good Luck!
Musings of The Edmonton Tourist 
I think I know the answer, but probably won’t be able to make it over if I win so I won’t give it away! It just makes me think of steak…
Nice win ET! 🙂
Ahhh Smartie pants! Either you A) have a brilliant mind and can retain everything you read or B) you have excellent research skills! Because you would guess correctly! ou should come, would give you the guest room and take you to a hockey game too. 😉
LOL! I’m not going to try to answer your question, but I AM going to applaud your gratitude quest. When life makes me feel like I’m drowning, listing the things that are good – the things for which I am grateful – is the only way I can keep it together. (Or maybe I’m just a big sap, too, hahahaha.) Also, tortured souls are hilarious in that black-humour, I-can’t-believe-that-just-happened kind of way. Who doesn’t laugh?
YAY! We have a contender ladies and gentlemen! Good Luck D! I feel like laughing at black-humor today 😉
I’m just wondering why I never realized you were British before.
WTF? Dude, I am 5th generation Canadian. My roots stem from UK and Germany. What are you talking about?
LOL. “An ungrateful sod.” All that’s missing is bangers and mash, and I’d guess you were English through and through! 😉
LOL I also say “Loo”. I have many British friends and get use to hearing their vernacular. My Gran also uses British Slang. I watch BBC…does that count?
Jolly right it counts, guvnor. I watch BBC America myself (love “The F Word”) so I suppose that means I’m channeling my own inner Brit, too!
Baby Tenderloin is the answer
Baby Tenderloin is the answer. I also don’t eat popcorn at the movies. I’ve never heckled at a movie though. Not sure if I can do that. I like to be quiet at the movies. I usually want to smack people at the movies that sing, text talk or eat loud and are basicallyy annoying. Especially people that put their feet up on the chairs I want to punch them just saying. I’m not usuallly violent but watch out if your at the movies with me.. Annoying people always seem to be watching the same movie I am watching go figure.