This is the Best

Music keeps me afloat, just as much as my writing does. The right song can pump me up or mellow me out, and the right band can hold relevance forever. I like a little bit of everything, but especially the home-grown stuff including Billy Talent, LIGHTS, and more. Odds are I will never meet Billy Talent, but I will keep dreaming.

Last night, I saw one of my longtime favourites USS, or Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker. It's hard to put a name to their sound, but I've been to a show every year since 2009, and have never been disappointed.  The best part about them is not only their music, but also the kindness they show towards fans. Every time I go to a show, I've gotten a hug, or a chance to sing along. Nothing beats being remembered an recognized by a band that I love!

Just like a Puzzle

I've mentioned my position with workstory.net, but I haven't really told you why I love it. As you know, or maybe not, I ask  friends and acquaintances to share stories about careers they love. It's really interesting, because in some cases now I understand what it means what my friend says I have to go to work; when previously I would not have known their extent of busyness. I see their passion, their drive, and see that the path is full of roadblocks and detours, just like mine

I've heard about the love of helping others, but also it's ups and downs. I've heard compassionate tales of firefighters in training being pushed to the brink, and hugging someone who has lost everything. Every time I hear these stories, they give me an opportunity to fuel my fire, and perfect my dream. When I work with information, it's like nothing else exists except what's in front of me. I snap every piece into place like a puzzle, and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the finished picture. If I'm having this much fun with my first opportunity, then I know I'm the right place.


Karli

Black Cat

A different take on Halloween…

Black Cat

Shrouded in darkness, covered by night

Two bright Amber eyes accented by moonlight

My existence brings fear every day of the year

Most prominent on Halloween Night

Truth be told, I am hungry and cold

Full of  only my own fright

Superstition tells of my wrath

Ill luck befalls any who cross the same path

The myth hangs over me like a"witch" from the gallows

How could any human believe in something so shallow

In every alley I sleep in, down every street that I roam

I search for a place I can finally call home

If you see me tonight, let me in

It's alright. I will gladly be your "treat" for life

Tears of the Fallen

It is almost November, and I felt like sharing this. I wrote this because I was feeling frustrated last year about how war has been turned into a game, something to sell:

Tears of the Fallen

On the day of solemn remembrance

The rain fell on the window pane

As if to mirror the tears of comrades

Whose falling seems falling in vain

So the tears that fall fertilize,

With intent to strengthen peace

But instead a mockery of sweat and tears

Everything that the veterans despise

Those they passed the torch to

See the wars as a game

Bought in stores, so companies

Can reap financial gain

Today society's biggest fight

Is whether the poppy is red or white

No sweat, no tears, no pain or fears

No worry of making it to the golden years

The years are spent with gold and greed

Forgetting what we truly need

To honour those who fought for us

Expecting nothing in return

Only hoping sacrifice would help the world to turn

Vets' tears, our tears of regret

For what we seem so eager to forget

 

A poetic collaboration by Karli Steen & James Black

November 12, 2013

Thankful

I try to be as thankful as I can everyday, and on this Thanksgiving there is lots that I am thankful for…

I am thankful for a supportive group of family and friends, that even when I am having my low days, still stand by me 

I am thankful for my good health, and the steps I have taken to keep it decent.

I am thankful for technology, because although in this day and age it holds a lot of negative aspects, it helps me achieve many things that I would not be able to otherwise

I am thankful for laughter, and the friends that make it effortless to do so

I am thankful to have known failure, because it has given me the strength to be better and push harder for success.

I am thankful for the helpers that go out of their way to make sure I'm well taken care of in spite of management being a joke

I am thankful for heartache, because when you close your heart to one, so many others open their hearts to you

I am thankful for the little black devil that is my kitten. He has been a constant in a time of change, and in many ways been the child I will never have

I am thankful for my resilience, perseverance… and I am thankful to be me

Karli 

A half asleep selfie… Before we both passed out

Finding Balance

I thought this week would be difficult for me, with a large portion of my friends returning to school, me being done, and feeling left behind in a way. I had several concerns about leaving school, which included the loss of a social life and also a routine. 

So far the concerns have all been for nothing. I've had something to do every day this week. I know it won't always be like this, but I've also gotten used to enjoying solitude. Sometimes, there's nothing better then curling up with my kitten to watch a movie, playing video games or just reading a book in my pajamas. I'm getting to enjoy things now, that school would've gotten in the way of before. I've started going swimming at the YMCA with a friend; and it has been really exhilarating because I've never really been able to get a lot of exercise in the typical sense. I'm even considering getting a membership, to stay relatively active.

The one frustrating thing about not being in school so far, is the job search. The biggest lie that universities tell you in the first year, is that their institution will be the best outlet for you to get the top job and the top dollar. I work with disability employment agency once a week to look for the best positions for my qualifications; and the truth is no matter how prestigious or acclaimed a university may be, if the  job market sucks, good luck…  So far, I'm having fun discovering that there are more things to balance than a school schedule and readings, and I look forward to ultimately finding balance within myself

Karli

The EA Effect

I've needed a lot of help in my life, for many different reasons. I've dealt with many doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and lastly workers, but I have never really written about my early schooling experience with EAs. It takes someone really special to be an EA, because sometimes they're like a mom, teacher, and best friend all in one. For as long as I can remember, I was even more happy to receive praise from my EA, rather than a teacher, because they knew me more intricately than my Teachers did. They knew when I was having a bad day, when I was having a good day, and they cared

 

Tasks like using my walker when I was younger were never as daunting as they could've been, because I knew that if I performed well, I would be rewarded with a Five Alive at the end. They were the kind of people that would be the first to the side of the hospital bed, when they heard I was sick. When I didn't have my homework finished, they knew that it was something deeper than my own laziness. They knew the person I crushed on, before I ever told them.  I was happy in day to miss 20 minutes of class go to the bathroom, because I knew that in that bathroom I was learning more than a teacher could ever teach. The lessons were never the same; ranging from singing, dancing and even teacher impersonations. They knew things that even my parents didn't; and the first and only time I ever got significantly in trouble in grade school, was witnessed by one of my favorites… I wouldn't have it any other way.

I've heard many reasons as to why they should not be a part of the school system. For example, there is the argument that they interrupt with the way the teacher runs the classroom. This is the biggest load of crap that I've ever heard; if anything they made my time in the classroom easier, because my earliest days of school were written off by teachers as if I was the Ritalin child. The second argument I've heard is that the teacher should be able to manage their own dwelling,which includes all the existing students. While the majority of my teachers were concerned and somewhat involved in regards to my success, I do not think that I could do succeeded half as well  as I did without the assistance of EAs. Since leaving the public school system, I have had teachers revisit me in the present, and tell me how much having me in their classroom has taught them in regards to being the best they can be. I am flattered by the sentiment, however I realized that I never really properly thanked the people that have ultimately played a very significant role in my success.

So now I do thank you; for the laughter, the support, the scoldings, and being there through the tears.Thank you for being yourselves, and I hope you continue to help people the way you have me.

Karli