Downtown

For the longest time I use to think, "there's no time to waste." My life, love, my career, House of Cool... all of it couldn't move fast enough to catch up to my dreams.  I spend periods (long periods) wondering if life could ever match up with the over active imagination of grandeur I day dreamed of. Truth is: Life is Sweeter this way.  My energy, my persistence, the emotions life can endure, the happiness... Life is better if you're willing to go through the journey. 

If that's one thing I can teach you, Arielle, it's let life unfold and don't peg time as a crutch. Sometimes, not all, having an unpredictable life so long as you keep working towards a goal can be the most satisfying moments of your life.  Of course there are a few things you don't miss - like being there for friends and family, or opening the door for a stranger and helping out those in need.  But be patient with career and love - those happen over a life time and doesn't have to be discovered immediately.  I met your mom later in life and in truth, any earlier and we would not have made a connection as we did that has set us out on a journey that has been the best life has to offer.  

Have failures, make regrets, read, write, absorb and learn math along the way.  Play when you can and always work harder than you play.  Be patient with creation - the finish line isn't aways as clear as you think it to be.  Time is never a waste but don't spend too long in moments that drain your emotions.  Go on discoveries and be with the people that enrich your soul.

Be happy my little Downtown.  

Your Pops

Generation to Generation

My Pops landed here with nothing to his name except for the promise of a new start.  With my mom by his side they set out working in factories and learning what it means to be Canadian.  Being the ignorant first generation kid, I grew up at times wondering why we didn't have as much as others did. You don't learn about making a living as a kid, you just understand that you can't "afford" the things others have.  I told myself that I would be different, my life would be filed with the things I wanted. Instead of seeing my Pops working 2 jobs for much of my teenage years doing 11am-9pm shifts selling suits and then 10pm-4am at a chicken factory as something commendable and hardworking, I viewed it as none sensical and even shameful.  At the time I couldn't see the sacrifice and sense of duty he gave of himself.

My Pops lives his life respecting others, wanting everyone to laugh, always the last to leave and first to hold the door open to let you pass.  I could not imagine a better father; it's the same type of dad I want to be: encouraging, teaching self discipline, enduring hardship, being creative, being a family, being a decent human being.

Today I enjoy many of the things that didn't come so easy when I was growing up.  I wouldn't appreciate them as much if it wasn't for my dad showing me what hard work and selflessness can give to your soul - Now that's a life worth living.

Enjoy retirement Pops.

Good Morning Little E

Ender has slept with us for nearly 15 months in our bed-- Every parent will tell you this is not a good habit.  For the past month we have been sleeping training him to sleep in his own little bed.  He wakes up often crying and whining.  One of us would go to his room, lie beside him, comforting him til the whimpering ended and he fell asleep again.  

A couple of times I would pick him up and bring him back into our room.  He'd snuggle in the middle snoring happily probably dreaming of pushing buttons and hiding remotes.  

This morning he slept throughout the night.  Soundly in his room, I kept waking up feeling he was going to cry but he didn't.  I even got up and checked on him only to find the little bad breath might contently sleeping.  I found myself unable to sleep through the blissful silence.  I'm a poor sleeper to begin with but truth be told, I missed him because he no longer missed me.  As much as I wanted him to sleep in his own bed, my heart urned for the tossing and turning of those little arms and feet that kept me up so many times before.

I think being a parent is much about these in betweens.  Knowing you want to always be there for your child and need him to want you... yet, knowing they need to be independent to find strength and courage from within rather then from "mom & dad."  I know there will be so many more in betweens of parenting and behind my exterior of a "super manly dad," I'll be sad to let go.  But it's powerful to know your child is coming on to their own.

I do love you little man.

Life's not worth holding back 

A First

  

 A First for anything is always the most remembered… except when you’re turning One.  The excitement of presents, the people, all the kisses and cake – a day when singing and candles suddenly, if not magically, come alive with all the faces brimming at you.  It’s a shame that he’ll never remember the love and attention given that day; but his parents will.  A first birthday is a milestone.  No longer counting by months by but a digit; a start of many sorts.  The number One is really the first recognized value of a string of many values to come.  No one considers Zero as a beginning.  In fact, many probably consider it as an end. We have so much to value in the years to come - Everything of value to me: my friends, my family, my love and now my Number 1.  I'm a fan to all and many but Little E, you're my boy - My First.

Congrats my little man for turning 1.  It was a great party (Your parents always throw great party’s) – You’ll have many people in your life to make incredible lasting friends with.  Just remember, it’s not how much time you spend with your friends it’s what you do in those moments with them that make life worth exploring. 

Go find all your firsts, stay true to your values.

Three, Seven, Two

Sometimes it isn’t what life brings, it’s why it brings them.  When I was 34 I enjoyed/hated, loved/loathed serial dating and the excitement/loneliness it brought.  Some days I liked the freedom other days I played country singer writing the worlds saddest love songs.  As life happens, when you let it happen and least expect it, Elle pops into view.  One date, one moment - Sometimes that’s all you need.  I won’t describe the best moments in my life afterwards but know she moved in after 3 months and got preggers at 7.  In between there I lost a brother, which I look at my son now as the most beautiful gift he had a hand in divine making. 

In just over the 2 years that have past, life has charmed me for certain.  It got me thinking why life is the way it is.  Is our lives really one long film that destiny, determination and patient persistence unfold into the life you have finally been waiting for?  I‘m positive we’ll all have our moments to shine and shake the world around us to do great things.  But now I’m even more certain that choosing to live a life of giving and gratefulness while willingly to enjoy uncomfortable circumstances makes for opportunities and empowerment. 

A lot can happen in a little amount of time if you let it. 

It's bday time again... Come out!

Peeps and hotties,

Fatherhood has it's benefits: parking in "new mother" parking spots at the mall, women opening doors for you (for once) with a smile, being pushed ahead of the line at checkout and, of course, watching this doughy kid smile as he re-discovers 100 times a day the miracle of jamming anything and everything in his mouth.  

Yup, it's good to be a dad.  But there is one thing every newly urban parent wishes to still have: The Freedom to Dance you pants off at the bars.  

So while I have certainly tightened it up a notch on the belt of responsibility, I have decided to toonie coat check the kid at the club and hope to see as many of my peeps and hotties at Everleigh (old Century Room), May 11th.  Booze, booth, and new kicks to hit the D-floor.  

So FB, twitter, fwd email, four square, blog, myspace, physical letter, pigeon... whatever.  Send out the word: Wes is taking the city back for a night!  

Luv ya' all,

Oh, Don't forget to wish Rachelle Happy Mothers day when it hits 12:00am that night!  

Ender Ming Kit Lui - I made this

And 40 weeks later, this pops out... 

When you're kid-less, it's hard to imagine taking care of anything or one but yourself.  Especially living in Toronto where "last call" symbolized when the night really began.  Living the urban life is a freedom to over consume, over indulge, over spend and take all the time you needed to recover, heal or save back up.  While I knew I wanted to have kids, I also had this feeling, or rather, fear that I would have to give up urban-hood.  I guess a city will do that to you... the excitement, the thrills, the sensory overload that we've all become accustomed to living in vibrant urbantopia.  I really milked the life experiences city life had to offer. 

And then Ender came along.  It started off with just a simple "+" sign on a pee stick, then a black and white flimsy paper of a little peanut head and twiggly legs.  Then, I noticed the million different stroller brands that passed by me on the streets, mall and intersections.  I couldn't stop reading prego books on "how your child is doing now at week..." It wasn't about "last call" it was about "The Call" when Rachelle was ready to go to the hospital.  Ender became my City... the excitement, the thrill, the sensory overload he gives me when I just sit and gaze at him.  Living life with Ender has been a freedom of purpose, providing and worth - and it hasn't been three weeks yet.  I really am going to milk the life experience Ender has to offer. 

Ender Ming Kit Lui, 7lbs,13ozs - 11/22/12