John Young

My girlfriend got me a $70 gift card to the Jets Shop and today...

Sat, 15 May 2010 19:28:53 -0400

My girlfriend got me a $70 gift card to the Jets Shop and today I decided to spend it. Upon checking out I hit a road block :(

Photo

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:28:42 -0400

The hardest part of rollerblading…

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:56:00 -0500

The hardest part of rollerblading…

A very special day...

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 10:39:29 -0500

Today (Sunday February 28, 2010) is a very special day.

It’s is not my birthday, nor is it an anniversary, or an outing to a place/event.

Today is my last day being a smoker!!!

For the past 10 years I have been a smoker.

I did not choose to be a smoker…. no smoker does. Yes, as a teenager I did choose to take those first experimental puffs. But no smoker can remember the day when he/she says to them self: “I am going to be a smoker. I am going to spend money everyday to buy these things, and do this day in and day out for the rest of my life’

Smoking lured me in like it does with most people. How did it do so? It wasn’t because it tasted good… but because it tasted awful. When I tried smoking for the first time it tasted like shit, and because of that I thought: “Good… I don’t enjoy this, so I can just keep doing it when I am around my buddies and quit whenever I want” But this is was not the case as the most addictive drug known to man: Nicotine was being put in to my body. Before I realized it, I was hooked. Very similar to heroin, smoking is a drug addiction, and a trap.

I have…

Been forced to go out in to the cold everyday during breaks.
Stunk up my car.
Spent more money then I’d like to admit.
Had a dentist ask me if I smoked, because my teeth were stained.
Left my girlfriend in bed numerous times… to go outside and smoke.
Brushed my teeth several times in a day to get rid of the bad breath.
Felt like an outcast. Often being ‘the only one who smokes’
Breathed very heavily after taking a simple set of stairs.
Suffered chest pains, lack of energy, and poor eating habits because cigarette’s are a hunger suppressant.
Made excuse after excuse to keep smoking… that it has somehow… helped me get through stressful times, and that it is never the right time to quit.
Became aggravated during movies, band practices, family gatherings, and other social occasions because I was unable to smoke when I wanted.
Made dozens of attempts to stop only to give in during an inebriated moment.

I have given this a great deal of thought, and the only reason why I smoke is to get rid of the withdrawal symptoms…. then I don’t smoke for awhile… then the withdrawal symptoms reappear… so I smoke again to get rid of them… and that chain has been going on for the past 10 years. All I am really doing is repeatedly trying to get back to the state that every nonsmoker already enjoys. What is the sense in this? There is none. I have been tricked… I have fallen in to the most sinister trap that man and nature have ever combined together… I have been a complete idiot.

Tonight I put out my final cigarette, and tomorrow will enjoy my first day as a HAPPY nonsmoker.Yes, I wrote HAPPY. In previous attempts to stop I would always warn friends that I am ‘trying’ to stop, and to avoid me for the next few weeks as I will be going through withdrawal, and be grumpy. These were futile attempts right from the beginning.

As I sit here writing this, I am already thinking: ‘This is wonderful!!! THIS IS SO FUCKING WONDERFUL!!! I don’t have to smoke anymore!!! I don’t have to stick these things in my mouth anymore and suffocate myself, pay $9.00 a pack, and be constantly be planning out my day… where I will be able to smoke, and where I won’t be. I WILL BE FREE FROM THIS SLAVERY!!!

I suck at writing. But I am pretty excited, and wanted to share.

"Have you heard of chatroulette??? It’s mostly penises…… but once you get past that..."

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:11:00 -0500

“Have you heard of chatroulette??? It’s mostly penises…… but once you get past that it’s pretty awesome!!”

- Tyson Rauch

Next time I need a band name I am heading to the grocery store.

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:26:05 -0500

Next time I need a band name I am heading to the grocery store.

Photo

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:20:34 -0500

Entering the ‘Driven To Quit’ Challenge…...

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:09:00 -0500

Entering the ‘Driven To Quit’ Challenge… nothing wrong with my entry form at all!!

If I could only use the word “EPIC” once this year,...

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:25:30 -0500

If I could only use the word “EPIC” once this year, this would be the time.

Me and Gary Vaynerchuk in Toronto

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:07:16 -0500

Me and Gary Vaynerchuk in Toronto

"Embarrassment is temporary, regret is forever."

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:51:44 -0500

“Embarrassment is temporary, regret is forever.”

- Jason Fried

"If you tell the truth, the problem becomes part of your past. If you lie, it becomes part of your..."

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 11:07:11 -0500

“If you tell the truth, the problem becomes part of your past. If you lie, it becomes part of your future.”

- Louisville men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino

Me at the Rogers Centre an hour before the game to watch my NY...

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:05:27 -0500

Me at the Rogers Centre an hour before the game to watch my NY Jets vs. the Buffalo Bills (December 3, 2009)

So my band The Takeoff played a show at Winks last Saturday...

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

So my band The Takeoff played a show at Winks last Saturday November 29th. Although we only played from 10-11, the show went really well!! A co-worker came to the show just to see me and this band I’m always talking about and took this video of me playing our song ‘Stay Away From Me’

The video is a little choppy…. as all digital camera video’s usually are, and although this is a great song it’s actually pretty simple to play in drum world. I wish I had something a little more impressive to put up where I am just giving it!!

Reply to Every Email You Receive, Even If It’s A Year Old!

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Back when I lived in Goderich, and prior to Gmail, I had an email account through a shitty ISP named Hurontel. I hadn’t checked the account in about a year and thought it would be funny to see how much Viagara offers I had. Found this email while digging, pay attention to the dates.

———————————————————
From: Becky (Last Name Removed)
Sent: Monday, June 08, 2007 11:39 AM
To: John Young
Subject: employment
HI John,
I was recently reviewing some resumes and came across yours that was sent to us back in April 2006. We currently have a Network Support Technician vacancy and was inquiring if you would like to learn more about it.
Regards,
Becky
Human Resources Manager
Removed Inc.
Phone: Removed Fax:Removed
———————————————————

I could not believe it, and it had been a year since she had sent it. I remembered this job when I had originally sent out 10 resumes (one of which landed me my current job). Rather then deleting/dismissing it, I replied with this:
——————————————————— From: John Young [mailto:jvyoung@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, June 02, 2008 11:18 AM
To: Becky
Subject: Re: employment

Hi Becky,
I haven’t checked this email account in about a year, and sure enough you sent that email about a year ago… I can’t help but laugh and feel a little embarrassed… but I always make a point to reply.
I’m happily employed working in London right now and have been for the past two years. I sincerely appreciate the follow up. Hopefully you found the perfect candidate.
Again please forgive the lateness of my reply. This will know doubt be the most awkward email you receive all day.
John
———————————————————

It didn’t take long for her to reply… 6 minutes actually, and here’s what I got back:

———————————————————
From: Becky
Date: Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Subject: RE: employment
To: John Young
Hi John,
Thanks for the reply and the good email etiquette. I appreciate the response and the update on your status, late and all!
Please note that if you ever choose to relocate to Kincardine, keep [Company Name] Inc. in mind and send us your resume.
Your reply has put a smile on my face.
Regards,
Becky[Last name removed]HR Manager
[Company Name Removed] Inc.
———————————————————

Her reply put a smile on my face to.
Always reply to every email you receive, even if it’s a year old like it was with my case. With MSN mesenger, twitter, and TXT messages the world is moving so fast. Don’t ever forget, or underestimate the importance of good email etiquette.
Email me sometime: jvyoung@gmail.com.
I promise I will reply!!

So I am entering the “Driven To Quit” contest for...

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 10:41:02 -0500

So I am entering the “Driven To Quit” contest for the month of March. As I was filling out the entry form I couldn’t really figure this out… how the hell can you be Other?

Bret Heart signing my book at the Chapters out on Wellington...

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:57:52 -0500

Bret Heart signing my book at the Chapters out on Wellington Road.

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Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:55:43 -0500

Open Web Design - Lawyers Bereau

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 08:27:48 -0500

Open Web Design - Lawyers Bereau:

I was looking at openwebdesign.org today (amazing site) looking for some web design inspiration. I found this template… the image on the bottom right made me laugh my ass off… what kind of lawyers are these?

The Command-Line Accountant

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:51:52 -0400

The Command-Line Accountant:

Microsoft Money, Quicken, AceMoney, Buddi, GNU Cash are all left in the dust with this beautiful little program. It’s easily the best finance application I’ve ever used.