Just Be

Today's Topic: Living Life

I've learned to not give up on life. Even when the darkest clouds have been cast upon me, what seems permanent is usually only temporary. Pain is not forever and nothing is infinite. Except maybe wisdom. The best answer for any life experience is to take a lesson from it. Yes, you can label today's sitdown under the "slice of life" category.

In the last few months, I've really gone through some deep thought processes. I've talked to a lot of people, young and old. I've watched a lot of movies, listened to a lot of music and even traveled to different parts of North America. Through all of this, I've discovered that "living life" is really the only option anyone ever has. When I say living life, I mean just...live. Enjoying all the simple, yet awesome, things life has to offer. The simplicity of singing a song when no one is listening, eating chocolate, a perfect fitting shirt, your hair just the way you like it, a good meal that has more fat content then what you're "suppose" to intake, a really good piece of fruit, a simple text from a friend and the best parking spot in the place. Yep, all the simplicities make for a great day.

A friend of mine often jokes about "just living your life." It became a running joke thanks to the song "Live your life," but I do know that deep down he means it and I understand what he means when he says it. Some people just have a natural zest for the life they live and the people they interact with. Some people, when you say their name, people just laugh or smile. You know why? Because they live their life. And I think maybe deep down, that's what living your life is. It's so easy to get caught up in the negative things in life, so easy to fall in a hole or a rut and be stubborn and refuse to move on. But life doesn't stop. Ever. The sun rises and the sun falls, and you live your life in between those hours, defining your character and human existence.

I'm reading a book right now called "How We Decide," which a fellow blogger and friend of mine posted about in his blog awhile back. His blog inspired me to pick up this book, as he did a good job selling it in the words he wrote and it seemed like the perfect therapeutic type of book I needed to read. The book talks about the choices we make everyday, and what it would be like if we couldn't make a simple choice. How praise works on children and depending on how we word things, how that affects our choices that we make. The average person makes hundreds of choices everyday, from the very moment of whether we decide we are going to get out of bed or not. And how funny that our choices end in completing the circle, when one of the last decisions we make for the night is when we are going to close our eyes and fall asleep. Choices define us, and make us who we are.

No one ever wants to make a bad choice. It's human nature to want to be happy all the time, to strive for perfection and the pursuit of happiness. Somewhere along those lines, we hurt people. maybe not intentionally, but we are human, and it happens. It takes a bigger person to realize a mistake when they make one, and it takes an even bigger person to apologize for hurting someone down to their core. Bad choices are the result of a person saying "Hey, I'm human." Emotions run high when we make choices, but they seem to run even higher when we are affected by a negative one.

Regardless, good or bad, everyday you live becomes a memory. There is no going back in time and changing what has been done. Everything that you have done rests up to this moment in time. Every minute that you have lived brings you one day, one minute and one second closer to your destiny, your calling, your empire and your legacy. We all become but memories in the world, a name on a stone, a thought in the wind. Nothing is left behind, only the sound of our voice and the "remember when" stories that people tell from time to time.

Ask yourself, are you really, living life? Are you getting the most out of everyday and every year that passes by? Can you say that underneath all the stress and misery that people go through, you can still smile at the end of the day, knowing that you lived the day out? The best you could? I hope for your sake, that answer is yes. I hope that you can look back on all the days that pass you by, and remember that you didn't let a moment slip when you didn't at least learn something new, something exciting or something challenging; even if it was about yourself.

You are the legacy you leave behind. Choose well. Choose often. Choose to live. Life is what you make it.

Puff Puff

Today's Topic: The Smokers Culture

Who knew that a little white rolled up stick of tobacco inhaled by millions everyday could have control over people's lives. Cigarettes and tobacco has been around for centuries but has had a complete revolution of cool. It used to be a sign of awesome, all the actors in the movies smoked and all the icons of the world would be more than willing to pose with a cigarette in their mouth. Everyone needed to do it. But at some point, the clouds of smoke made things hazy and someone decided that smoking was no longer cool. It was on that day that Joe Camel became Joe Chemo. The cigarette became the sin stick. The surgeon general stepped in and plastered the packages with horrific images and sad looking children. All at once, smoking was no longer cool. Everyone needed to butt out.

That cloud that the smokers culture puffed out everyday was viewed as an outcast, a taboo and a "dirty little habit." Some smokers say it's just the habit of having something in your hand. It's the motion of smoking that gets you addicted, not the ingredients in the cigarettes themselves. Others will argue that it's the stereotypical 9-5 'ers who need that smoking break to escape the office and cubicles they work in. Some would say that they do it to fit in, that smoking still can be cool depending on the people you are around. Others just don't care. And when someone says, "Didn't you know that smoking can kill you?" their response would be something along the lines of "So can getting hit by a bus" or "We're all going to die anyway."

Myself, I'm interested in the generation divide, how people young and old are still picking up cigarettes. For some, it starts in high school, kids sneaking cigarettes from their parents or getting their older siblings to buy them from the corner store. If you grow up in a house filled with smoke or your parents are smokers, chances are that it becomes more socially acceptable for you to join in. I often wonder when people buy cigarettes if they ever do look at the labels and think about just exactly what they are inhaling into their bodies. I'm curious if smokers ACTUALLY like what they are inhaling. Does it taste good? Is it that calming to your nerves? I think I need a smoker in the culture to explain this to me. Is it more addiction that anything? But if you don't like it, and it doesn't "taste" good, then why do it? Is it that impossible to quit? Is it actually that soothing? By no means am I trying to be rude, I'm just ignorant to the fact that I just don't understand it.

Tobacco is still a billion dollar industry and people still make a living being tobacco farmers worldwide. It's an industry just like any other, creating jobs for people to support one another. The tobacco farmers have their devoted smokers to thank for giving them such deep pockets. Does it not seem ludicrous to then turn around and plaster warnings on packages to warn people about the dangers of smoking? Yes, science has proven that cigarettes kill people and yes science has proven that cigarettes can cause cancer. But alcohol causes death, where are the warnings on those bottles? Does it not seem just as plausible to post pictures of wrecked cars from people who drank too much whiskey, decided to then drive a car after that and ruin their lives or the lives of others? What about fresh produce? Does it not seem just as plausible to make posters in groceries stores that say, "Just so you know shoppers, these heads of lettuce might have been sprayed by cancer causing chemicals to make sure there are no bugs in your food. Eat at your own risk." I really don't think I'm being irrational. Hopefully you can see where I'm going with this.

Maybe smoking gets such a bad rep because it's not convenient. When it's -25 outside in blowing winds, you can still see the cool puff of cigarettes going on around you and you look at the people and think one of two things: 1. That is just crazy or 2. Those people are so sad. I don't smoke cigarettes. I have smoked cigars but I've never puffed on anything else. So my question is simple, why does smoking get so much negative attention compared to any other habit that human beings have? Why so much hate? Is it because of all the lethal ingredients that are found in the sin sticks? Is it because when you tell someone they "shouldn't do something" that they are more likely to do it anyway, thus creating more wealth for cigarette companies worldwide?

I can't find a reasoning for some of this logic. But I guess talking about at least gets me thinking that smokers really are shunned by a lot of people in society. Personally, I will tell you one thing that drives me absolutely insane about smokers. I find it incredibly annoying when two people are standing outside, they approach me and ask if I have a lighter. Just a thought, but if you have habit like smoking, and you are spending that much money on cigarettes, wouldn't it just make SENSE to put a lighter in your pocket or purse, knowing that at some point you are going to light up a cigarette? Instead of relying on the general population to help feed you your habit? Matches are free at a lot of restaurants folks and are pretty much readily available at every gas station in the world. And after I say no I don't have a lighter, don't re-question me by saying, "Are you sure you don't?" Ridiculous.

There are many things I won't ever understand about people who smoke, but there are just as many arguments that support my reasoing to make me think that smokers get an unnecessary amount of negative attention towards them. Don't try to read into it people. Don't pass judgment. And to all the experts on offering your suggestion on how to quit smoking, honestly, just let them be. People quit things on their own terms, not because they need to be forced to do something. Remember, it's a habit, a culture and a way of life for many.

Pour me another

Today's Topic: Alcohol Culture

The pint, the bubbly, the fizz, the booze. Getting tipsy, getting hammered, getting tanked, getting wasted, getting annihilated, getting sh*tfaced, getting f*cked, getting drunk. The most common denominator of all social gatherings. As Homer Simpson once put it, Alcohol can be the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems. Yes, getting that liquid courage at the bar to talk to that cute girl is an ego booster. Some say that Jack Daniels real name is actually John...if you know him well enough. The wine-os in the crowd will tell you that class is the mask underneath the bottle.

We all experience it, especially in this day and age. There are so many emotions mixed into the culture of alcohol. Anger, sadness, happiness, love, depression and a sense of self worth. All of these emotions play to our personality and the slip of our tongue. It's true what they say, you really find out a person's core when you get a few pints or shots into them. We all have our so called "kryptonite" in alcohol that makes us go wild and lose all intuition. For some, it's the gin or the rye. Maybe it's the wine or martini. Maybe even that golden tequila. Some types of alcohol just have our number. I find it fascinating to be a sober person at a bar or pub and watch how people interact with a drink in their hand. The stereotypical jock picking up the hottie, the loud girl who hasn't had "girls night" in months, the one dude who has more drink on his shirt then in his glass, and the play it cool bar star who knows everyone.

It's almost as if you take on a new identity when you take a drink. People everywhere have their reason for drinking. Some say that alcohol becomes the ice breaker in getting to know your surroundings. It is the most frequently asked question: "Can I get you a drink?" A simple sign of courtesy. Who says no to that? Give me one good reason. If someone is polite enough to ask you, SAY YES. Even if the drink is just the water. Let me get you a drink is code for I want to have a conversation with you. Very rarely will someone just get someone a drink and then say "Okay... well, see ya!" The stories I could tell from the days at the bar would have you rolling on the floor laughing. We all have them. I love to get into some shenanigans and tom foolery when I get a few into me. Nothing extreme (usually) but those who know me, know I love to go out and party with two drinks in my hand. I don't do it often, but when I do, I do it like anything else in my life-all the way.

Our culture lives in a unique situation with alcohol. Unique in the fact that you have to be nineteen to do it legally and twenty-one in the united states. I remember so many people always arguing about the legal age, why it is so high. The answer- we punish ourselves with alcohol. Nine times out of ten, we don't drink just for the sake of drinking. We drink to drink. We drink to party. We drink to take the edge off. No matter how you look at it, it is dangerous in what we are doing to our bodies. In a place like Europe, the legal drinking age is in the teens. It's a whole different world across the sea. Most people don't get why you can buy a beer out of a vending machine. It's because people over there are brought up on alcohol. Parents sit down, have a glass of wine with their kids and enjoy food with their beverage. Sip vodka and eat bread. Sip vodka and eat handfuls of almonds and nuts. For North Americans, most would just love to have an intervenes tube hooked into us, as to not delay the inevitable of being drunk. Now I'm not saying ALL people go out and get completely wasted ALL the time. Even I don't do that. Some people just love to go out and dance or listen to live music, sipping on a beer or as the party animals put it "nursing" their drink. You know what, nothing wrong with that. Some people enjoy the gin and tonic with a good conversation. One or two is sufficient enough. Regardless of the drink, people always want the "cheap drink." In my opinion, I think that's mainly because we don't have a strong appreciation for alcohol. We don't care about the process, we just want the product. And we want it for as cheap as we can get it. Just remember that someone serving you is a cost in itself. Include that in the drink next time you order. Remember that alcohol is a service being rendered. I am currently taking my bar tending course to get my mixology degree and I am amazed at my new found appreciation for alcohol. Bartenders who get schooling on this stuff discover not only what mixes well with what, but why it does. Learning the fine art of alcohol is pretty invigorating. When you learn about what alcohol actually is and why we consume it, it becomes a whole new game to play.

It's everywhere. On every street corner, in every home, on the radio, the billboards, the t.v, you can't deny or hide from it. I think the important thing to keep in mind with alcohol is that yes, it is a drug. Know the limit of how much you put into your system. Also, try not to drink alone. It's just common sense that beer tastes so much better when you have someone to drink it with. We all have that memory (or lack of) of that one night when it got the best of us. Or we look back on the best times with friends to the nights we don't remember. The poison just tastes so good, that we do it all over again.

Raise your glass and propose a toast.

Do you ever really LOL?

Today's Topic: Laughter

We live in such a serious world. Crime, poverty, human suffering, war, disaster, end of the world theories, loss, death, etc etc etc. I firmly believe that it is because of this that people do not laugh as often as they should, or at least never seem to. People rushing around day to day; I guess that's why they call it the "human race." Think back and ask yourself, "When was the last time you actually just stopped to laugh?" Or actually LOL?

If you look closely, the expression of happiness is everywhere, even behind the more serious of issues. It's just whether we take part or not that makes the difference. Myself, I try to laugh at least once everyday. My fix: Michael Scott from The Office or Kramer from an old rerun of Seinfeld. If you were to actually look up the meaning of laughter, one might suggest that laughter "helps humans clarify their intentions in social interaction and provide an emotional context to conversations. Laughter is used as a signal for being part of a group—it signals acceptance and positive interactions with others. When you laugh, 90% of the time others laugh because they either agree with you (or are laughing at you). These can both be equally funny at any given time or situation.

I got my parents tickets to the Second City for Christmas, hoping that they would enjoy what I cleverly coined "the gift of laughter." My sister also tagged along, rounding out the group that was set for a much needed night out. After having a long week, with only a seldom laugh here and there, all of my emotion was released on Saturday night. If you haven't been to the Second City, you have to take in their live theatre. By the end of the night, my sides hurt so bad from laughing for nearly two hours straight. It was the facial expressions, the sexual innuendos, the constant barrage of inappropriateness and just the writing in general that makes this place a comedy heaven. These people are absolutely hilarious. If you ever need a night out of just laughter, this is the place for you.

Life is a serious thing, I get that. However, laughter makes the world we live in so much more livable. I think about how lucky we are for the culture we live in, to laugh and not be judged or deemed "inappropriate to society" and for the many times that we laugh, even at the most awkward times. But as a species, we are also pretty sick minded. You Tube any video about "man falling down stairs" or "lady getting hit with broom." Maybe even "guy getting slapped in the face," and 10 times out of 10, you can't help but at least smile. Why is it that we find these things so funny? Is it the shock factor in that "I can't believe that just happened" moment? What about swear words? Who told everyone that it was okay to laugh at swear words? Who made it funny? Was it because it was so taboo?

Why is being "dumb" funny? I think what makes shows like The Trailer Park Boys overnight success stories. They are actually brilliant at being dumb. Great acting is the source for their humor. Anyone of us can be a jackass like them, but it's being good at it, so to speak, that makes for humor in it's truest form. The movies, the television, the morning radio shows, yes even the everyday labelled "idiots" walking among us; it all brings joy and laughter into our lives. It's funny how laughter goes in revolutions. The classic water cooler joke is easily replaced by the funny email forward, which was replaced by the You Tube video. The silent Charlie Chaplin mishaps was replaced by the married couple sitcom scenarios, followed by the bugs bunny and tweety show sound effects laughter, taken over by general shows about "nothing," followed by human pain with America's Funniest Home Video's as the source for laughter.

I am able to draw a simple conclusion: Idiocracy makes the world go round. We feed off stupidity like it's a drug. The dumber they are, the more times we'll slap our knee. It's messed up, but it's undeniable. Yes, it certainly is a funny world we live in. There is no escape from it. So go ahead; burst into laughter! The sound is contagious. Make the joke, watch the movie, or tape it for all your friends to see. Accept it, live it, and think about what a greater world we would live in if we could just laugh a little bit more everyday.

The Meaning of Friends

Today's Topic: Good Friends

There are few things in this world that make you happier then good friends. A good conversation, a good laugh and just a general get together filled with good times...it's what makes the world go round. Friends help you when you're down and pat your back when you succeed. When you are in a time of need and you lean on people for support, that's when you really find out who your friends are.

People walk into and out of your life all the time. Some friends stay awhile, others check out early. Some friends you grab coffee with, some friends you grab a beer with. You might stay up late, watch you tube and laugh your ass off or you might just watch a movie at home, enjoying the other person's company. It's amazing what we will do for others and what others will do for us. You're no where without friends. Period.

I can honestly say that I finally understand what it means to have good friends, and surrounding yourself with good people. This past weekend, one of my best friends flew home for his birthday. It's one of those friendships that even though you are both doing your own separate thing in your own separate life, seeing them once reconnects you and the past you shared, followed by laughter and a cold beer. There really is no greater feeling then seeing a familiar face that you have missed. I also was fortunate enough to see some University friends this weekend for a friends going away party. It was her event that brought us together; a rare occurrence for so many friends from school to have nothing planned but this party. It was a chance to reconnect and catch up and I was talking to people I hadn't seen since June 2009, when we stepped across the stage at graduation. Within minutes of seeing them, it was like we never left, and it brought me back to a simpler time when life seemed so care free. I realized that its true what they say; your college and university days are some of the best years of your life. You're with a group of people who all have the same goal: trying to better themselves. And you all share the same passion. For us, it was media studies. It was journalism that brought us together. Without trying to age myself or sound like a broken record, you look back at memories in your rear view mirror and you smile or reminisce of days gone by. To each of us, we opened up our lives for four years, partied, and shared unforgettable moments. And for each of us, we all look back and say, "Wasn't that just awesome?" The pictures tell the stories.

That is what life is all about. Surrounding yourself with great people that you can communicate with is the reason we are all here. Deciphering meanings and messages is something we do together. Opinions and voices are something we begin to understand. Yes, we have our favourites and it's finding the people who are saying the same thing you are that creates bonds and solidifies friendships. Friendship is the greatest gift to have and give. Never turn your back on it.

Making sense of nonsense

Today's Topic: Time Travel

Yes, time travel is nonsense. That's why people make movies about it. And it's also why, at the start of a time travel movie, you'll never see the words "Based on a true story." Black holes and wormholes are at the centre of it all.

It just so happened that I watched three movies this past week on time travel: Back To The Future 1 and 2 and for the first time, Hot Tub Time Machine. One used a hot tub to travel back to time, the other used a souped up GMC Delorean, equipped with a flux capacitor (no, it isn't a real invention.) The concept of time travel has always interested me, much like it did for Doc Brown in Back To The Future; where we are, where we are going and how we get there.

I think at some point we have all said "I wish I could just hop in a time machine and ________." Some of us would erase mistakes, or maybe we would bet on the future. Maybe you would rekindle an old relationship with that person you never should have broken up with. What if you could have avoided injury or failure, created Google or Apple, get rich, or finally "have it all." If only it were that easy. If only when you bought a Delorean and gunned it to 88mph, you could make it work and live in that alternate and perfect universe. Your perfect world where you can become whoever you wanted to be, live with no mistakes. And if you didn't fix it the first time, just keep traveling back in time to fix it, over and over again. It almost begins to sound exhausting. Instead, you're stuck with reality, and will 99% likely never get to experience the space time continuum. The basics surrounding time travel involve a black hole and falling into that alternate universe. Ridiculous? Probably. Impossible? Likely. For years, scientists have been scratching their head at the idea of traveling forward or backward in time. It's safe to say that unless a time traveller comes and actually TELLS a scientist that time travel is possible or not, (ironic right?), they will still be scratching their head for several years to come.

Why is it that we always dream of things we cannot control or experience? Would you really go back and change the past if you could? Or would you leave your life the way it was? Would altering a small part of the past change your life that much? Or would you still feel the way you do in this moment, in this life, on this planet? What about the future? Do you really want to see how and when you or your friends and family pass on to the afterlife? Do you really think it would help heal pain and suffering for your future? They are all valid questions, I realize that. I guess maybe the situation and the ability to travel through time would be different for every individual human being. And if someone finally did invent time travel, what do you think they would charge people to use the device? RIGHT?

Watching these movies made me realize the things in my life that at a certain point, I wish I could have changed or done differently. But from each of these moments where I failed or succeeded, it all made me part of who I am in this moment. Each mistake taught me a lesson and each success made me appreciate learning from my mistakes. Sometimes it's the struggle and the lesson you learn that makes you a better person. Do I have regrets in my life? Absolutely. Would I jump in a time machine to change my life dramatically? Probably not. It's tempting, yes. But it's not necessary.

Our lives go by second-by-second one day at a time. Everyone always says "Wow, I can't believe how time flies." Stop and think about it for a second, and you realize, isn't it amazing? How we age, how we grow, how our bodies transform, how we perceive time and change...it really is mind boggling. Our concept of time is night and day. Sun goes up, sun goes down. Clocks move forwards, not backwards. We step ahead to get where we are going, not backward. Everything in this life, in this universe, moves forward. Into time, into a future, into a world that has yet to be discovered by human beings. That's just the way it is. Every time we see a road, we travel forwards. We perceive it as moving forward. Every time we see the sunset, we hope in our minds that it will rise again the next day. And every time we see the moon fade, we imagine the night again after the day is over.

Yes, time travel is nonsense. Making sense of it has also turned out to be incredibly hard. However, the general concept of time continues to amaze me. How does life know to move forward and not backward? How did we come up with this natural progression? More and more, it seems like the world has made us want to have a little button to Undo what we may have done, thus changing the concept of time. Unfortunately, life doesn't come with the Ctrl + Z function. And if it really were that easy, would you do it?

The seconds of our life turn into minutes, into hours, into days, months and years. The question I will always have: Where does all this time go after we have lived it? Where does this time travel to?

Yep, there's an App for that

Today's Topic: The iPhone

I was always against people with their "big fancy cellphones." Honestly, it's a phone, and all I needed it for was to make calls with. That was until I bought the iPhone. I did learn that yes, there was in fact an app for everything. It has been the single device that has totally changed my lifestyle, how I conduct my day-to-day business and one thing that goes with me wherever I go. I never thought I would be this attached to a device, but yes, the iPhone has grabbed hold of me and I don't plan on letting it go.

For me, it wasn't because I wanted the "cool" phone. I needed something that was going to be reliable, useful, resourceful and make my life just a little bit easier (mark my words when I say that Apple is slowly taking over the tech world.) For example, this past thanksgiving, I was traveling to see my girlfriend in Cambridge and the traffic was absolutely brutal. Google has a built in Maps App on the iPhone that not only locates precisely where you are, but gives you a detailed traffic report, how far the traffic is lined up and your new ETA to your destination. I saw that there was no end in site to this traffic, so I got off at the next exit and my trusty phone guided me through the back roads all the way to my girlfriends house. It saved me at least an hour and half because riding a turtle would have made more sense then driving on the 401 that day. Life easier= a happier person. Not only the Maps app, but the ESPN Scorecentre app, my Scotiabank app (yes, I can pay all my bills from my phone), the YellowPages (which saves me a TON of time with work) and just having the Internet in the palm of my hand at all times in general is just awesome. All for $56 a month. It's a complete all in one package that has completely revolutionized my life and helped me keep up with the 21st century we live in. It even has the built in iPod, 3mp camera and a sweet calender. The best part? Every awesome app is free, 99% of the time.

The iPhone for me is a classic case of a piece of technology owning you, not you owning the technology. I will straight up admit that this phone is way smarter than me. The concept is incredible and for what you can do on it, blows my mind. It amazes me everyday. It's safe to say that my phone and I are in a serious relationship. Any conversation or debate I have with someone on a day to day basis, (mostly my big brother) we pull out the phone to get the facts straight or prove one another wrong. I always say "Well luckily, there's an app for that," followed by a brief browsing period (which costs no extra money since I'm connected to the nearest router automatically...as long as I know the password.) There are few things this pocket device cannot do. Aside from feeding you or giving you money, it takes care of everything else. It's gotten to the point where I often feel "naked" if it's not on me. Since I started this blog even, I've looked at it multiple times for inspiration.

If you don't have a smart phone yet, do it. I'm not going to get into the blackberry vs. iPhone debate because they are for two completely different people. The blackberry helps people stay in touch and has revolutionised communication with the free worldwide BBM network, which is a stroke of genius. Had it not been for that, the iPhone would have already monopolized the cell phone industry. I would recommend the iPhone to any walking human being, from the age of 10 to 85. You don't have to be a genius to be on this thing, trust me. It does the thinking for you. Auto correct is a wonderful tool. And if you can get used to the touchscreen, you're off to the races. Eventually, if you own a cellphone, it will have to be a smart phone, as technology changes so fast that the old cellphones keep having turnovers and discontinued models. Hop on this one though and if you can, buy Apple stocks because this is one company that is going to be around for a very, very long time.

I think the most amazing thing about Apple is that the Apple is their marketing tool. No words. Just a symbol. A fancy screen, the simple colours, and a whole group of followers that love the latest and greatest in the tech world. The sales speak for themselves. $3.4 billion last year in the quarter of sales that surrounds Christmas. Not too shabby. Steve Jobs has to amazed by his masterpiece. He totally dominates a cut throat industry that is only concerned about one thing: being the best. Do one thing and do it well. That's what Apple has done, and will 100% likely continue to do.

The one question I have, where were we before all these smart phones came about? Were we that lost in the clouds? Were our lives that much harder? Did we not have a device that could literally do it all? Whatever the case, people far more intelligent then us figured it out, made the change, and now we live in their world. However, I for one am thankful. Thank you iPhone. You deserve a round of applause.

Luckily, there's an app for that too. Instant applause. I'm not even kidding.