So I am home now.  I slept in my own bed last night and got a great rest.  I have about a million things to do before my presentation tonight at Vancouver College, but first I want to write this blog…

This last road trip was so awesome.  Although it was ten days long it seemed like weeks, and not in a bad way.  Just so much happened and there were so many amazing experiences that it seemed like I was gone for a really long time.

Last I wrote I was staying at my friends’ place in Oakville, Ontario.  I had a very relaxing weekend at Stacey and Kurt’s.  I am stoked that I get to speak in Ontario so much because I end up visiting them whenever I do.  Stacey and I went to high school together.  She is one of my best friends.

I made the drive to Ottawa on Sunday morning.  The four and a half hour drive wasn’t much for scenery, yet it was interesting to see all of the cities and towns I passed along the way.  My rental car had XFM Radio, so I listened to the Faction most of the way, though I wouldn’t hear the Jason Ellis Show until the following day…  Best radio show ever!!  Although, the majority of the music played on Faction is rock and punk, they played a few rap songs, one of which reminded me big time of Brendon.  Brendon’s best buddy told me months after the crash that Brendon was a big Tupac fan.  When Tupac came on the radio Sunday, I couldn’t help but feel so sad that Brendon was gone.  Images of him passed through my mind, as I remembered a fun loving, happy, athletically gifted kid who died too young.

I had a lot going through my mind on the drive.  It was pretty heavy for sure.  I arrived around 1:30pm at my ghetto hotel in Nepean.  Best Western my ass…  I think it would better be named the Worst Eastern.  The place I stayed last year was a lot nicer, but my fault for booking last minute from the airport this time around.   Honestly speaking, the hotel wasn’t the worst I have stayed in by any stretch, but the rate I was charged was ridiculous for staying in a MEH hotel.  To add to my trying day, the Timmy Ho’s across the street from the Worst Eastern had no soup or chilli and I was hungry.  I must admit I wasn’t in the best of spirits upon my arrival in Ottawa.

I got settled and just dealt with the cards the day had dealt me.  Something I have learned to do over the past year is be more accepting of emotions and feelings.  Sometimes me, anyone really, is going to be pissy, annoyed, sad, frustrated, blah, whatever.  I find the best thing to do is to acknowledge and accept whatever we are feeling and just get through the time it takes until it passes.   That is my trick anyways because the clouds always lift and a better moment, experience or day always comes along. 

I had plans to meet up with a buddy named Jordan Vigile later on in the day.  I knew this would cheer me up.  I met Jordan and his sister Nina last year after I spoke at their school St. Pius X.  They had lost their brother, Gennaro Vigile, in a car crash a couple of years earlier.  There were some striking parallels to our stories, so my speech was pretty emotional for Gennaro’s siblings to hear.  To help facilitate a conversation, one of the counsellors at Pius ordered pizza and Jordan, Nina and I all chilled for hours eating pizza and chatting about our experiences.  My time with the Vigile’s and my time at Pius X last November, is something I have and will never forget.  So I was happy to be meeting with Jordan again almost exactly one year later.

We met up around dinner time on Sunday night.  Jordan met me at the Delicious (it actually was) Restaurant attached to the Worst Eastern.  After dinner, we crossed the street to have a coffee at Starbucks.  It was great to see that Jordan was doing well and to catch up.  Around 10:00pm I dropped him off at home, and he invited me in to meet his parents.  Mr. Vigile and Jordan lifted me up some stairs and got me in the house.  I have only once hung out with a student’s family through a presentation.  This was a couple of years ago in Vancouver with a guy named Ben from South Slocan and his family.  It was a very moving experience then – something I have never forgotten…  Ben where are you at man?  Sunday night was another night I will never forget. 

I looked at photos and heard all about Gennaro.  He was a young, popular, good looking boy who passed away too young.  Gennaro was the passenger in a vehicle that crashed while travelling at high speeds.  Gennaro wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.   His driver was a close friend.  The Vigile family was very interested in hearing about my story and had a lot of questions that I was pleased to answer for them.  I couldn’t help but think of Brendon’s family, as I talked with Jordan and his parents.  The visit definitely felt like it had a greater purpose.  It both broke and warmed my heart to get to know this great family and to hear about their pain, their loss and their will to carry on with life after facing such a devastating experience.  I felt very welcomed at the Vigile’s home.  They ordered pizza and we hung out and chatted for hours.  Mr. Vigile gave me a bracelet in memoriam of Gennaro that has been on my wrist ever since.  I will never ever forget my visit with the Vigile’s.  I believe we will always be bonded through our common stories and our will to find a way to carry on.

I got back to the Worst Eastern after 1am.  I was in a much better mood than I had been earlier.  My visit with Jordan and his family reminded me of why I was in Ottawa.  It reminded me of how important it is to share our stories with others.  It completely inspired me to get to bed and fall asleep so I could wake up Monday and give my heart and soul to the audiences who would be hearing me speak. 

My first presentation Monday morning was at Sacred Heart School in Stittsville.  I spoke their twice last year, and both talks were awesome!  Needless to say, I was very happy to be back at Sacred Heart.  I met up with Mrs. Klatt and a crew of helpful students who led me into the auditorium.  I was spoiled on this trip, as I spoke exclusively in theatres.  Sacred Heart’s theatre is pretty sick!  We had my new skate video up playing on the huge screen and all was going great leading up to the start.  Bobby was chillin front stage and the A and the V were both working…  then they weren’t all of a sudden…  then they were again.  Thanks AV dudes!  The students were very quiet during my presentation.  I could hear myself actually swallowing between sentences.  There were definitely some laughs though too…  Make you laugh, make you cry, make you think…  that is the plan.  I had been boasting before the presentation about how I had gotten my timing sorted out recently (no more OT), so of course I went overtime and kept the crowd into their lunch hour.  Thankfully, nobody seemed to mind.  Everyone stuck around to watch my slideshow, followed by a very loud and enthusiastic round of applause.  I chatted with students as long as I possibly could until I had to leave for my next presentation.  Once again, Sacred Heart touched my heart and had me driving out of the parking lot smiling and feeling stoked!

My second and third presentations of the day were at Hillcrest High School.  From what I could tell the location was inner city Ottawa.  This was my first visit to Hillcrest.  I had met a teacher named Mr. McKay and students from Hillcrest on a couple of different occasions, and for years they had been trying to get me to their school.  Finally this year our schedules jived.  Everything was ready to go when I got to the school.  All I had to do was plug in my laptop.  Once again I was in an auditorium and loving it.  As the students entered the room I played my skate video again.  I watched it from behind so every trick I did was reversed.  It looked like I was a pretty sick switch skateboarder from where I was watching haha!  I was feeling so inspired and so on my game for both presentations.  As I spoke I could feel my body warm with appreciation knowing how fortunate I am to do something so rewarding and so motivating and inspiring with my time.  The students were right into what I had to say.  Looking out at them just motivated me even more.  Monday was yet another day that reminded me of what a gift life is.  I chatted with a ton of people after both presentations were over.  I signed autographs, shook hands and gave hugs for about a half an hour after school was over until the auditorium was all but empty.  As I left the school, I had an awesome entourage escort me from the school to a gas station, as my gas tank was empty.  Thanks for the escort entourage!   After my car had dinner, I punched the address for Big Daddy’s Crab Shack into my GPS and had Cartman trash talk me all the way there, so I could have some dinner.  I love Cajun food and Big Daddy’s.  I didn’t feel much like I was eating alone since my Blackberry is going off non-stop.  I got an incredible amount of messages Monday and throughout this entire road trip.  Messages I am STOKED on!  Messages I am still trying to catch up in responding too.  Monday was yet another record breaking day for web hits as well!  Stoked, Stoked, Stoked, Stoked, Stoked!

I listened to Jason Ellis Show until Bam came on as I drove back to Toronto.  In my opinion the Bam Show kind of sucks.  At least it did Monday night, so I listened to my iPod instead and rocked out the entire way back to Oakville.  I slept great Monday night and woke up yesterday morning ready to get home.  I flew direct from Toronto to Vancouver and landed just before 4pm.  My dad met me at the airport and drove me to his house to grab my truck, where I visited briefly with Hayley before heading home for pizza and some unpacking and settling in.  After I unpacked and did laundry I put magnets on my fridge from Vancouver, Columbus, Chicago and Toronto.  I am mapping out the places I visit this way.  It actually looks pretty cool.  Finally, I lay on the couch and watched an awesome movie called What Doesn’t Kill You before going to bed. 

And here I am now…

This was an absolutely incredible trip.  I want to thank everyone from Monday in Ottawa…  I want to thank the Vigile family.  I want to thank everyone who made it possible for me to visit your school or conference.  I want to thank all of my new friends in the USA I met last week.  I want to thank everyone from the USA and Canada who wrote me.  I am still in the process of writing everyone back.  Thanks, Thanks, Thanks…  I am so stoked for the months and years to come; for all those who I will meet and meet again; and for where My / Our Story will take me.

Thanks for reading.

(A Very Inspired) Kevin Brooks

My experience in America over the past three days has been better than I could have ever imagined.  It started with Columbus, Ohio, was followed by Nogales, Mexico and continued on yesterday at Payson High School in Payson, Arizona. 

 Arizona is my new favourite place.  I have been summing it up to my friends at home like this…  Hot food, Hot girls and Hot weather…  Triple H… No not the wrestler… that guy sucks!  HAHA…  Picture that guy sucks being said in Cartman from South Park’s voice…  (The voice of my GPS).  Where was I?  Oh yeah…  It is hard not to be smiling in a place that has an abundance of these three favourite things of mine.  I’ve been eating Mexican food, noticing attractive girls and wearing shorts for the past three days.  But more than anything this perma-grin on my face is compliments of all of the incredible people I have met in this fantastic state that have made this experience one that I will never forget.

 As I thought of ways to start this blog I found myself wondering, “Am I having déjà vu?”  Nope, I just had another amazing day yesterday!  For starters, my drive was stunning.  Payson is about an hour and a half north of Phoenix.  The landscape is like nothing I have seen in my previous travels around Canada and the Pacific Northwest.  I kept stopping to take pictures of the scenery.  I was such a tourist.  Good thing I gave myself plenty of time to get to the school. 

 Payson is located 5000ft above sea level between the desert and the snow, as I was informed yesterday.  It is a quiet town of about 10, 000 and a much sought after tourist destination.  I felt like I was camping as soon as I rolled into town.  There is freshness in the air and a laid back vibe on the winding mountain roads that you don’t get in the big city.

 I was met in the school parking lot by Mrs. Camp (who organized the event) and a SADD student named Natalie.  I was escorted to the office and then the venue, which to my delight was in yet another auditorium.  I had great help setting up, and was good to go in no time.  I played my newer skate video as students entered the room.  I hid backstage as it ended and listened and waited as the schools Project Ignition Group spoke a few words and showed a great PSA they had made.  The anticipation was building inside of me….  then I heard my name and took the stage…

 I knew I had my work cut out for me if I was going duplicate the performance and response I had the day before in Nogales.  I felt at first yesterday that the audience wasn’t too sure of me, so I was especially sure to talk slow and keep the EHs at bay.  My first couple of jokes weren’t getting too many laughs, so I reverted to serious mode.  As I felt the audience coming on board the jokes returned, the story flowed and I found my groove.  So did the audience…  They were perfect!

 I am always inspired when I speak, but there are times when I am just so stoked that I feel my story is taken to another level.  I love being in front of a fresh audience in a new place, and I had both of these things working for me yesterday.  The element of surprise definitely works in my favour.  I love people having no clue who I am and what I am about to say.  I really felt on my game again yesterday and timing wise the presentation was one of my best all year.  I played my slideshow at the end and wrapped things up.  Just a little note here…  I basically come up with my conclusion and closing remarks as the slideshow plays…  Yesterday’s was one I wish I could remember and use again.  The audience cheered from their seats, and then I saw it start.  One student stood up, then another, then a few others, and then the rest followed.  I received a loud and lengthily standing ovation that absolutely made my day! 

 As the event came to a close, students approached the stage to shake my hand.  I love this interaction with my audiences.  Eventually and unhurriedly, everyone filtered out of the room.  I packed my things then wandered outside to find the Project Ignition students taking a group shot.  I was invited into the shot…  Someone tag me in it.  I want to see it.  I sat in the warm Arizona sun afterwards for at least a half an hour talking with students, exchanging stories, taking pictures, shaking hands, giving hugs and answering questions like “Why is there a stuffed monkey under my chair.”  Yes, Bobby the Monkey from Nogales made the trip to Payson with me.  He sat front stage lazily chillin’ with his back to my laptop as I spoke.  He rides shotgun under my chair between shows.

 As much as I would’ve loved to hang outside with students all day, I had another commitment that I had to attend to with the teachers at Payson, so I said my goodbyes.  Before I spoke to the teachers, I had a lunch date with Mrs. Camp and a couple of students.  As we made our way down to my rental car I kept hearing “Thanks!” as students walked past us.  Beside my car I met a student’s father who introduced himself and thanked me for talking to his son.  I believe his son’s name was Ian.  Ian told his dad the story!  I thought that was rad.  I hope Ian’s road test went well.

 Mrs. Camp acted as navigator on our short drive to Alphonso’s, a Mexican restaurant in town with a strong reputation for being the BEST!  The president of SADD at Payson High School, Elizabeth’s family owns Alphonso’s, so lunch was on the house.  If you follow me on Twitter you’d know that I had the biggest and best burrito of my life yesterday.  The thing was the size of my forearm, but I ate it all!  There is a picture on Twitter.  Elizabeth was instrumental in not only in feeding me but also in getting me to Payson to speak in the first place.  After I talked at the Arizona SADD Conference two weeks ago, she approached me very eagerly wanting me to speak at her school.  I knew I had to make some serious schedule changes if I were to make it happen, but told her then that I would try my best.  Obviously the stars aligned and I made it back to Arizona.  I feel the trip was meant to be, and let’s just say I am 110% glad that I did.  Thanks Elizabeth…  and thanks to everyone from yesterday who put on the event: SADD, Project Ignition, the sponsors (State Farm Insurance), Mrs. Camp and the rest of the staff that took a chance on a punk rock dude with a Mohawk from Vancouver, BC…

 Much like the way I felt outside the school earlier, I could’ve hung out at Alphonso’s for much longer because I really enjoyed getting to know the students there.  I sat with Kenneth and Daniel, knarly mountain biker dudes, and Elizabeth.  Each of them were just great people, much like every single other person I met in Payson yesterday.  Eventually, with my belly full of a one foot burrito (don’t insert inappropriate joke here) I made my way back to the school, escorted by Elizabeth.  I had a room full of teachers waiting for me, and to be honest I wasn’t quite sure what the expectations of my visit were.  I wasn’t nervous or anything… I was too full to be nervous…  No, but I was hoping that I delivered what was expected of me to these teachers.  I have never addressed a room full of teachers before.

 As I entered the room the teachers stopped their conversation (which I learned afterwards was a reflection of my presentation) and began cheering.  It was AWESOME!  WOW, I felt so honoured.  I took the front of the room and casually answered questions and discussed topics related to my story and to issues faced in Payson.  It was a pretty awesome experience hanging out with the teachers.  They were so appreciative of my time.  I was so appreciative that I got to meet all of them and to see what a Pro-D day actually looks like. 

 Since the first time I ever heard the word PRO-D I have wondered what it was teachers did on those days off.  I even had my suspicions before that they all went to an amusement park and road the roller coaster together or to the zoo, something I joked about to them yesterday.  My behind the scenes view of a Pro-D day yesterday showed me that it is all business.  Any students reading this… While you are out having fun enjoying your time away from school, your teachers are gathered together doing workshops to make you’re school experience better.  I saw firsthand how hard teacher’s work yesterday after the bell rings and we run off to play.  It gave me a greater appreciation for teachers (not that I didn’t appreciate them)…  I couldn’t help but look back and think of how I used to give my teachers such a hard time when I was a teenager though.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for putting up with my punk ass attitude and know-it-all teenagerisms…  Hopefully they read my blog… 

 The drive back to Mesa from Payson was reminiscent of my drive home the day before.  I was smiling and feeling so happy and proud of the day that I had just experienced.  Once again I marvelled at the scenery.  I made sure to stop and take pictures of the sun setting behind the red mountains over the desert.  I got some pretty sweet shots with cactus silhouetted by the darkening skies.  I plan to blow at least one up and have it framed and mounted in my condo at home as a constant reminder of the amazing times I had on my first ever American High School Speaking Tour…  First, but definitely not my last.  This is just the beginning, and I will never forget how it all began and all of those who made the experience one to never forget.

 I want to thank everyone again who came out to see me speak, who sponsored the events, who worked hard to get me to your schools, who looked after me while I was there, who wrote me (I am way behind on my responses but plan to take advantage of down time in the airport to respond to emails), who fed me and who escorted or drove me, and most of all who made these past three days among the most unforgettable and inspirational I have ever encountered.  I have to say that the Star Spangled Banner will have an entirely new meaning to me the next time I hear it.  Thank you all!!!

 Next stop Toronto!  Bobby is coming to Canada…

Peace, 

Kevin

PS.  Here is the link to the article in the Payson Roundup

Yesterday was one of those days that felt like a gift.  I waited until this morning to try and properly illustrate what an amazing day it was because last night I didn’t feel that I had the energy to properly paint the picture of a perfect day.

 It was a monumental day.  I spoke at my first high school in the United States yesterday.  Yes I have done presentations in the US before, but none in an actual school.  Conferences are one thing, but to me the real deal is when I am put in front of an entire school.  I believe only then do I get a true representation and full cross section of teenagers, including none other than the high riskers my story aims to reach…  my people, for I was once them.

 Yesterday’s presentations in Nogales, Arizona were a long way from home.  As I drove south to Nogales, I watched the desert sun rise over the red mountains that sporadically jut from the otherwise level horizon.  This foreign landscape made me feel excited for the opportunity ahead.  I watched the signs as they passed by: a turn off for San Diego (indeed I was south), an In N Out Burger outside of Tucson (my dinner destination on the way back to my hotel in Mesa).  As I passed Tucson the Miles Signs turned into Kilometres.  I wondered why the sudden change.  It was almost as if the transformation from Imperial to Metric was a way to remind me that I am never that far from home.

 I have never even been inside an American school before, so yesterday was a day of many firsts.  There was a security check point at the front of the parking lot.  I was met by a friendly man who told me the best place to park and who radioed me into the office.  Before I was out of the car I was met by a kind lady who escorted me to the office, where I met a police officer and some representatives from SADD.  Everyone was very kind and welcoming.  My first impressions were that this day ahead was going to be a good one.

 I was led down to the venue and was very stoked to see that I would be speaking in a proper theatre.  Theatres are my favourite venues to speak in because they are designed for presentations.  A theatre gives both me and the audience a level of comfort.  This is not always achieved in other venues.  As an added bonus, it was a very nice theatre too.  It was in the theatre that I met Susana Perez-Ubreu, the teacher I had been speaking with who organized the event.  It was nice to put a face to the voice.  Susana and her team were very helpful and had me set up and ready to go in no time.  I also met one of my sponsors here Detective Rual Rodriguez, and kind man with an extensive history in law enforcement.  Mr. George Silva from the Santa Cruz County Attorney’s office funded the event.  Mr. Silva came to my later performance.  Det. Rodriguez gave me the low down on Nogales and prepared me for my audience as best he could. 

 As students began entering the theatre, I could feel the energy filling the room.  I was backstage, so I couldn’t see how many people were coming to watch me make my American High School debut, but I could definitely hear them.  They sounded like a rowdy crowd.  As introductions began the audience continued to socialize.  Their combined voices echoed heavy in the room.  I sat backstage and hoped that the million things these hundreds of teenagers I had never met before were talking about would be put on hold when I took the stage.  As I heard my name and rolled onto the stage in front of the audience I was met with thunderous applause…  “Oh yeah I thought; this is going to be a good one.”

 I told my story with purpose.  I made a real effort to slow down my talking after hearing some recent reviews that I was hard to understand… me and my Canadian accent EH ha-ha…   I did my best to streamline my presentation to meet the time constraint.  From the start the students seemed interested in hearing what I had to say.  I battled a bit with the PA system, but they still laughed aloud at my jokes; fell silent when I talked of the most serious subjects; and when the time came for me to ask “you just wiggled your toes didn’t you?” almost the entire theatre erupted.  I knew then for sure that they were listening.  I continued on completely driven to inspire this room full of people like they’d never been inspired before when suddenly the entire crowd burst into roaring applause.  Never in my seven years of speaking had this point of my story (this is why I do this day in and day out…) triggered such applause.  I was surprised, but more than anything overjoyed in knowing that the connection had been made.  Their appreciation for my presence in their school was plain to see. 

 As time slowly ticked away on my watch, I knew that I would run out of time before I said all that I intended to say.  I saw a few people getting restless so as my mouth projected words I calculated in my head what the most important messages were for me to convey before…  RING, RING, RING…  The lunch bell went off.  Applause began, but I wasn’t quite done.  I pleaded with the audience for just a few more minutes.  Minutes they patiently gave me.  I wrapped up the presentation with Hayley’s wish, followed by the story behind the three chairs sitting beside me and finally a reminder for the audience to just Wiggle Their Toes…  My conclusion was met with enthusiastic applause.  A smile curved across my face as I looked around the room.  I had done it. 

 It was now lunch break but only a certain portion of the crowd seemed rushed to get on with their lives and out the door.  Many were still in their seats, while many were approaching the stage.  I started my slideshow.  More than half of that room, hundreds of students, stayed into their own time and watched my slideshow.  After the slideshow I received more applause and was greeted by countless students.  Some thanked me, some shook my hand, some hugged me and one very sweet girl gave me a special present…  a plush toy named Bobby the Monkey… AKA: my new mascot.  Pride, gratefulness, appreciation…  the list could go on and on of the feelings that warmed my heart in that auditorium.

 I hung around all through lunch meeting people, shaking hands, giving hugs, hearing stories, talking skateboarding, being interviewed for the school paper and graciously soaking up the afternoon sun that smiled down from the sky above.  Time went by quickly and before I knew it was time for my second presentation.  I felt more confident this time around.  After meeting a bunch of cool skaters I made sure to show my new skate section.

 It was an honour to be introduced by the man who funded my presentation, Mr. George Silva.  His words to the students were spoken with purpose and care.  He asked them to listen to what I had to say.  And once again, listen they did.  The second presentation was just as amazing as the first for me.  Others could clarify since I noticed that people had come down to watch me a second time.  The crowd was so into it.  I wondered if the word had gotten out over lunch or something.

 When I finished, the day was done.  I showed my slideshow and again many students stuck around on their own time to watch it.  I was absolutely swarmed by students afterwards who shook my hand, hugged me, thanked me and asked me to sign a number of different items.  I signed students ID cards, agendas, notebooks, shirts, a wallet, backpacks, shoes and I even signed a dollar bill.  That was a first!  Students not only wanted something from me, but some had gifts to give again.  One student actually removed his belt and buckle and gave it to me.  At first I was wondering what was going on when he said “hold on and started unbuckling his pants ha-ha,” but after he passed me his belt I felt so lucky for this day.  I mean this kid probably walked home holding his pants so they wouldn’t fall off just so he could give me a sign of his appreciation. 

 It is days like yesterday in Nogales when I feel so extremely grateful for the gift of life.  I do not even really know how to describe the way that it makes me feel when I have a day like yesterday.  I left the school smiling from ear to ear.  I left Nogales knowing that I would never ever forget this day.  It is a day I will share with people for years to come.  I knew I had left my mark on many people yesterday, just as they had left a mark on me.  Isn’t that what life is all about?  A more perfect day, I cannot imagine.

 Thank You Nogales High School and the Santa Cruz County Attorney’s Office!!!

 Just Wiggle Your Toes…

 Kevin

PS.  Bobby the Monkey came with me to Payson today and sat front stage with me for my presentation there…  And OMG…  Today was yet another amazing day.  I will write about today either later tonight or else tomorrow.  I am going to meet the father of an Arizona boy who died from alcohol poisoning.  He also speaks about the experience that changed his life.  The dad, Barry, heard about me in relation to the SADD Conference and called me, and we are about to meet for the first time at my hotel over dinner….

Today was AWESOME!  My experience in Columbus, Ohio did not get any less rad than what I had first encountered and briefly wrote about last night!  Everybody I met in Columbus was great.  Wow I just had such an awesome trip.

I was up at 6am after falling asleep maybe around 1:30am.  It seems a lack of sleep doesn’t hurt me any these days, as I was feeling ready to rock from the time I woke up.  I had breakfast with my Welcoming Committee / Entourage / Farewell Committee from Ohio SADD.  They all looked after me so well.  Thanks!

Everyone I met at the conference this morning was so welcoming and friendly.  There were state sponsors and funders and SADD supporters in abundance, and they couldn’t have been nicer.  I even met quite a few hockey fans, so I felt right at home!

I spoke in the Ohio Statehouse, which was a pretty amazing experience. The SADD Entourage and I ended up going on a pretty lengthy impromptu tour while searching out accessible routes to the venue.  Among the coolest things I saw were the George Washington Room and best of all I ended up speaking in a room where none other than the 16^th President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln once spoke.  What can I say?  It was such an honour.   In hindsight I am glad that I found this piece of historic information out after I spoke or I may have felt a little nervous speaking in such a historically rich venue.

I am stoked on my presentation I gave and would not change a thing about it.  The entire event was a great success from my perspective.  The Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS), Cathy Collins Taylor who opened the event was fantastic.  Her words were so genuine.  It was very apparent that she supports the initiatives of the youth of Ohio.  I was so impressed by what a down to earth modest lady she was.  Before she and I respectively took the stage we talked about hockey; she has season’s tickets to the Blue Jackets.  How cool is that?   Needless to say, I felt very comfortable following her lead on the podium.  The State Trooper who spoke was also genuine and so real and compassionate.  Everyone from SADD was awesome too!  I think I saw some future politicians behind the podium…  BTW I opened with my podium joke where I park behind the podium, visibly blocked off from the audience and ask “can everybody see me?”  Today my joke was met mostly by awkward silence of the is he serious variety and a few chuckles before I announced I was joking… pretty standard stuff -: )  Goodtimes.

From the get go I really felt on my game today. I was relaxed and composed and just did my thing and poured out my heart.  I could really feel the audience receiving my story and message.  I was also happy to see that my jokes, such as my vertically challenged podium yarn didn’t go by unnoticed.  I think it is safe to say that my US jitters are no more.  I contribute this to the understanding that the more I travel and the more I share My / Our Story the more it seems the world shrinks and I realize that people everywhere are essentially the same.  We all wake up in the morning and go to bed at night.  We eat, we breathe, we laugh, we cry, we have good days and we have bad days…  Everyone has a story, everyone has faced difficult times, most everyone has been affected by some sort of tragedy, and it is through our pain and consequential growth as human beings that we are so often bonded, especially when you gather a group of people like the ones I met today.

I hung out with as many people as I could after I was done speaking.  Each person I spoke with was kind and very encouraging with their responses to my presentations.  I really enjoyed getting to meet, chat with and learn about everyone in Columbus today.  I often feel real warmth in knowing that there are so many good people in the world.  I grew up, mostly during my teen years, with this chip on my shoulder.  I trusted nobody.  I was confused… mostly because I wasn’t in a good place myself.  I wasn’t doing a lot of positive stuff with my time or my life.  So the negative energy I put out only attracted negative energy back my way.  I am seeing the opposite affect now, and it really inspires me and makes me happy to enjoy and embrace each moment I spend with the good people I know and the good people I get the opportunity to meet…  Including those even indirectly, like you reading this blog right now.  I totally value the interactions I have with people some might even characterize as randoms or strangers. 

But are there really randoms or strangers?  Travelling alone, it is just natural that I meet new people.  For instance, I met a lady on the plane from Columbus to Nashville tonight who I spoke with briefly (I slept most of the flight and woke up for landing).  She inquired about my travels and as most often when I tell people what I am doing she was receptive and eager to learn more about my past, my mission and my future plans and to discuss her own life story.  Lisa told me she wished her sons had of seen me speak.  I told her they just might one day and gave her my card.  Before Lisa left the plane she told me she had thought I was a rockstar or something and wanted to talk to me just in case so when she went home she could tell her sons.  I told her that I wasn’t a rockstar, although sometimes I feel like one.  Travelling around meeting so many people and entertaining and moving a room.  If I did what I did in song, I would kind of be a rockstar wouldn’t I?  Not to be pretentious or anything of course.  Lisa’s comment made me smile and hours later led me to put down my book, open my laptop and write these words you are reading right now…  Random?  As I am now in Mesa, AZ at my hotel finalizing this blog before posting I can add that Lisa sent me a very nice email when she got to her destination in Nashville after checking my website… A stranger no more…  Maybe she is reading this right now (Hi…  read on because you might get a kick out of this next part concerning rockstars)

Ironically after Lisa left the plane and the next batch of passengers got on, the recording Artist / Country Western / Rockstar, Dierks Bentley, sat down in the isle across from me…  Random?  I have yet to meet him and won’t be blushing on towards him, not because I am a punk rock snob but only because I assume he enjoys his space.  I kind of assumed when Dierks got on the plane that he was a rockstar or something.  I can’t say I recognized him myself.  It was my neighbour on this flight, David LaPointe, a National Accounts Manager for a major US insurance firm who lives in Nashville with his family that pointed out to me who our famous isle neighbour was.   I definitely think it is cool and will tell Hayley about it for sure but that’s about it.  Mr. Bentley looks pretty average over there on his laptop.  I like that.  Is he more important or interesting than anyone I met today?  Some might think so, but I don’t (and if he doesn’t either which it seems he doesn’t just by his presence I think that’s pretty awesome)… Quite frankly I am just as happy that I met Lisa, or David LaPointe, or the AMAZING Jennie from SADD in Springfield (who so generously packed my handouts into grab bags for everyone at the conference) or Teresa from ODPS (who I talked to about everything from life, to nature, to hockey, to dating, to spiritualism, to how great it is where we both respectively live, to Sedona, AZ…  a place I so want to go to one of these trips when I get back to Arizona) as I would be to meet any this guy and in no way is this a dis.  This is more my little commentary on people in general as I see it or them (if it comes off crazy at all I will blame it on fatigue).

I believe every single person is equally important, and each of us is impacting the world and others lives in some significant way.  Of course there are people doing bad things out there, but I’ll save that for another blog.  I just want to focus on the good.  Indeed, all of us are forging our way in life and so often our paths cross, but not often enough to we take the time to interact and share our stories.  I so enjoy it when I have a chance to learn about these people I meet.  I don’t see them as strangers or randoms…  No I see them as potential partners in making this world a friendlier and better place to live.   Life is all about these interactions we have with people.  You never know who you might meet on any given day and which way that conversation or interaction may change your path you are travelling or theirs.

 Like so many places I have got to visit in the past, I learned today that Ohio has some seriously fantastic people.  I am so happy that I got to speak there today.  I sincerely hope those that mentioned bringing me back to speak again follow through because I was not just blowing hot air when I said “I’d be back in a heartbeat.”  I would.  I would love to match it up with a time when the Canucks were in town too.  *hint*hint*wink*wink* That would be sweet!  Furthermore, I am happy to announce that I am booked to return to Toledo, Ohio to speak at a great conference put on by AAA next fall.  Keep checking in for details.   I am excited about this conference 1) because Ohio is awesome! 2) because the gals representing AAA that I met today were super nice, and I am so looking forward to chilidogs, the zoo, cotton candy and a balloon in return for entertaining you lovely ladies.  I never know who might read this.  I hope that Britnee and April are.

Well that about wraps things up.  My battery is going to die, so I should get back to my punk rock book.  I finished the Booky Wook by Russell Brand last night.  I hope that you enjoyed this blog.  Thanks for reading and thanks for the inspiration Ohio!  Arizona here I come!!

Over.

Kevin

I’m reading this bio by self proclaimed UK D**cheb*g / Actor / Comedian, Russell Brand (Forgetting Sarah Marshall)…  It took me a few chapters to get into the flow with the British colloquialisms and all, but now that I feel I have a proper grasp on English slang I tells ya I’m quite enjoying the read.  I read a quote today that struck me with regards to people saying they will do something and then when the time comes to do said commitment they bail…

“People do this a lot.  They don’t seem to realize that the future is just like now, but in a little while, so they say they are going to do things in anticipation of some kind of seismic shift in their worldview that never actually materializes.  But everything is not going to be made of leather, the world won’t stink of sherbert.  Tomorrow is not some mythical kingdom where you’ll grow butterfly wings and be able to talk to the animals – you basically feel the same way as you do at the moment.” ~ Russel Brand: My Booky Wook

I was struck by this comment on life and living in the now because I have been feeling the carpe diem vibe pretty heavily for the past couple of weeks.  I have been very inspired and as in love with life and the day and the moments that fill it as I have ever been.  As a result I have been getting tons accomplished. I have been so busy that I have not even had time to look back so much and reflect, hence this being my first blog in a while. So to set the record straight, my lack of an update is definitely not a sign of my life being uneventful, but rather quite the opposite.

Since I returned home from New Brunswick two weeks ago I have been the keynote speaker at the Arizona State SADD Conference in Mesa, AZ; I flew home to watch the Mad Caddies play in Vancouver where I met up with Eddie their tromboner (insert joke here); I caught the 5:15am ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island the next morning after 2hrs of sleep to speak to two different university groups; I ferried home to hastily book flights and get some sleep before speaking last Friday morning at Southridge School in South Surrey, BC.  So yeah that week was definitely a busy one… 

The conference in Arizona and just Phoenix in general was so awesome!  I love it there.  It was over 30C outside, while it pissed rain at home.  I got a ton of positive feedback from students, teachers and delegates alike from the conference and because of it will be flying to Phoenix tomorrow to speak at Nogales High School on November 17^th and Payson High School on November 18^th.  Arizona road trip…  Yep I am stoked!  I am also planning a New Year’s Resolution Tour (Making Smarter Decisions) January 18^th – 22^nd. 

Once home from Arizona, the Mad Caddies show was SICK as always!  They played at Venue in Vancouver.  We had a huge posse at the show including friends and Allison (my sister )and Jeff.  I had pretty sweet seats right beside the stage and got to take it all in.  I had partied with the Caddies on a few occasions in the past in my give’er days, namely a couple of years ago when they played SkaFest in Victoria and did a show in Vancouver the following night.  I was pretty stoked to see that Eddie and Sasha both remembered who I was and were seemingly as stoked to see me as I was to see them.  Besides watching one of my favourite bands ever I had another mission and other mission was accomplished.  I got Eddie’s approval to use the Mad Caddies music in any of my web or multimedia materials.  It was a great night.  It was a late night.   I got home at 2:00am, was in bed by 2:15am and was up at 4:00am…  OUCH!  But so worth it.

The Island gig at the university the next day was great.  The presentations both went really well, despite the fact that I was running on no sleep…  pure adrenaline got me through.  I really enjoy speaking to college students.  I believe my presentation is just as relevant and needed at that age, as it is for my more frequent high school audiences.  Early 20s was the age when I got into my crash.  Afterwards I went for lunch at the Cactus Club and got to visit with my good friend Caroline from ICBC and others as well.

Friday I spoke at Southridge and it was so AWESOME!  I feel kind of bad that I haven’t wrote this sooner because in no way is my blogtardiness (just made up a word) a sign that I wasn’t  SUPER-STOKED on everyone from that day.  Aww…  It was so rad!  It was definitely my best presentation since Bonar Law in New Brunswick and that is a bold statement.  The response at Southridge was phenomenal (thanks Barb and everyone in the audience) which if you have read my Facebook page would already know.  Best of all, the entire presentation was recorded in HD with proper sound and all.  I will soon have access to this footage for some coming projects I will inform you of later on in (incentive to keep reading?)…

My weekend was pretty chill…  You know…  Friday dressed up in my rocker skid gear, drove through MacDonalds and ordered cheeseburgers blasting Metallica ~ Kill em All!  Goodtimes!  Saturday I really just chilled and Sunday I drove to Vancouver to watch Hayley play soccer.  Her team won and she played great, and I am so glad I was there!

I had all last week off, but it didn’t mean I was glued to the couch playing Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 the entire time…  only for a couple of hours on Friday after kicking Geoff’s butt in NHL: 1010.  It is ridiculous how good I am at that game.  Any challengers my gamertag is kevymetal66. 

I had an exciting meeting with my sponsors on Tuesday where I learned that I will have three new professionally edited videos made in the right near future.  One will be my new intro to my presentation (a skate video I made a rough copy of and have on my YouTube Channel), another with be a collaboration of me skating, other old footage and me speaking that will be my new landing page for my website, and the last and best of all will be a new video / slide show to replace my old power point.  Don’t worry…  If you’re thinking I shouldn’t mess with my slideshow I felt the same way until I saw the bigger picture.  With new video footage included, as well as some of the current pictures and unseen ones as well set to the same song Nothing Else Matters by Metallica, this thing is going to be a huge improvement.  I have been showing my current slideshow for the last six years, although I am always updating it. 

Probably the SICKEST news of all for anyone who is looking into post secondary school I will soon be able to offer potential scholarships to qualifying students for some of the great post secondary schools that sponsor me – up to $1,000,000 is being offered!!!  All of these schools are listed on my home page http://www.kevinbrooks.ca.  So keep coming back here for more details on the scholarships.  And guess what…  if you do get into one of these awesome schools we might even be sharing classes.  I am working to figure out the best way for me to keep speaking while beginning courses in the Addictions / Drug and Alcohol Counsellor Program offered by Vancouver Career College (VCC).

Wednesday, I worked on my skate video and basically just started to make it rather than storyboard it. My old skating footage came from my best buddy and unworthy NHL 2010 opponent Geoff.  Geoff is also going to get off his butt SOON and go to storage so he can lend me his VCR / DVD burner so I can start transferring  a ton of old family footage I got from my mom to digital.  This is my next project once I am home… 

Wednesday night I went to the Commodore and watched Dropkick Murphys.  The show as sick and I hit the swag table pretty hard.  I am wearing my Dropkick’s hoody right now in fact as I write this in SeaTac airport.  I have been stoked on them ever since I downloaded their latest album The Meanest of Times while I was in New Brunswick.  I recommend checking this album out! http://www.myspace.com/dropkickmurphys.  For starters the theme song to Nitro Circus comes from this album and it only gets better!

Thursday I went to town on my skate video.  I was up until 3am editing.  I am so STOKED on the results.  If you haven’t already seen it http://www.youtube.com/radkevinbrooks.  This is only a rough cut because once I get home and get a moment I will be sending the video and raw footage to my new buddy Mike.  Mike is a sick videographer from VCAD who is going to make this video rip!  Here is some of his work.

So yeah…  I have been busy…

Anyways… fast forward to right now.  I am waiting on a flight to Chicago which will connect me to my final destination for the day Columbus, Ohio.  I am keynoting the Lights For Life Conference there tomorrow and then flying to Phoenix right after.  I spend three nights in Phoenix and speak in two schools before flying to Toronto (where I might depending on how tired I am after my flight go see Dropkick Murphy’s again.)  I am staying with my good friends Stacey and Kurt in Oakville until Sunday then am driving to Ottawa.  I get to see my good buddy Jordan Vigile that day and get to speak at Sacred Heart in Stittsville (STOKED!!!) followed by Hillcrest High School, a school where I have yet to speak.  After my third presentation of the day, I drive back to Oakville, stay the night and fly home from Toronto Tuesday…  I am tired just writing about it! 

Well it is about that time…  I am going to post this when I have a minute later.  I will post a blog sometime this week about Columbus, Arizona and beyond…  I can say this much I met some pretty great people today representing Ohio SADD.  Ricky Burt and his entourage met me at the airport… and get this…  his mom baked me cookies.  They are so good!  I feel very welcomed in Columbus and should get to bed because it is well past midnight here now…

SO for real that’s it.  If you are interested in keeping up with me a bit closer than I post this blog check me out on Twitter.  I just got the app for my BB so I am posting all of the time…

Gotta fly… literally.

Thanks for reading.

Kevin