Not to sound too cliché and taking a line from Tesla, but definitely I can say “signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs” in my pursuit of checking things off on my bucket list. Next on the list is going to be another attempt at reality TV. This time, I’ll need a suitable partner in an attempt to make it on to The Amazing Race Canada.

That’s right, CTV — who owns the rights for the American version — has announced that this summer they’ll be airing a Canadian version. And unlike my attempts for Big Brother Canada, this one will be a success.

It’s also going to be an interesting adventure. This time the show will take place only within the Canadian borders. No passport is required to compete — this time around. I can see the benefit of this from a marketing perspective for each province, territory and the country. I suspect there will be some serious government dollars behind the initiative and it will ultimately turn in to one big commercial for tourism in Canada — in an indirect way of course.

Having had the fortunate opportunity to travel coast-to-coast in Canada I can say that I am looking forward to this experience. Now, the only question is how to get on The Amazing Race Canada. According to their FAQs, you’ll have to wait. They also encourage you to follow @AmazingRaceCDA on Twitter for updates.

I look forward to the opportunity of being on the show and would encourage you to attempt it as well. Even if it’s only for the experience of a reality show audition. But I do have to ask, would you try out? What do you think of the Canadian only travel destinations? Let me know below.

As of about 10:30 am on Sunday, September 30, 2012 I managed to cross off another item from my evolving bucket list. Number 109 is now in the books as I completed my chance to audition for a reality TV show. This time around it was Big Brother Canada. I chose to go to their open casting call in Calgary, currently where I call home. I didn’t really know what to expect, but came in relatively prepared from the different resources I discovered.

The first resource was from a Big Brother winner, Dan Gheesling and his site on how to get on reality TV. I scoured the information on his site and listened to his four podcasts — the first of which is on open casting calls and the possible experience. The other resource was from a hopeful house guest from Vancouver and her experience.

I unfortunately didn’t get the call back for round two. That means I can give you as much details as possible to help you out and some of the things I learned.

For me it started the night before. I knew that when I’m tired and highly caffeinated, I have a lot of different energy than normal. So, I stayed up a little later and only got about 5-hours of sleep. Then it was an early alarm of 5:00 a.m. and a Red Bull. I made it down to the line around 6:00 when it was officially supposed to open, however ended up being the 171 person standing in line. People 20 in front showed up about 30-minutes before me, so most of the crowd paid attention to the 6:00 a.m. posted start — of course, there were reports some were there since 10:00 p.m. the night before.

Standing in line I managed to get to know the people around me as I figured it may come in to play in the audition. I was also very cautious to not really provide a lot of my own personal information. It was largely kept vague. I also filled out the back side of my number with the basic personal information, however the one that took some thought was “why would you be a good contestant.” Thanks to Dan’s information, I already had a few good ideas to write.

As we moved through the line I consumed a second Red Bull to really jack myself up — it was a little too soon as the doors hadn’t opened yet.

Once we moved through the line and in to the holding area it was more waiting. At least inside it was significantly warmer than out side. They had water and a coat rack for people waiting. Had I known that in advance, I likely wouldn’t be fighting this cold right now.

There was a lot of time to think and observe what else was going on.

They were splitting the hopefuls up in to groups of five in four groups. If you knew someone before the day of the audition in your group, they split you up, otherwise they were sequential. I was number 167 and my group consisted of 164-168 — all the people that were standing around me.

While I was sitting waiting for our group to get called I thought of reasons to evict each person, as well as to keep each person. I think this made a lot of sense to have an answer prepared prior to going in front of a casting agent.

Then it was my turn to go in. We walked in as a group and stood on a line taped on the floor. I was thankfully, in the middle — exactly where I’d like to be in an alliance in the house. I paid particular attention to names and the other responses, something you’d have to do in the game as well.

When it came to me I lucked out on the question — who would you evict and why? I gave answers for the two guys that talked before me on both reasons to evict and to keep; I think that was my downfall. Next time, make a solid decision and stick to it.

A number of the questions that were asked included

1. Who would you evict and why
2. Is a showmance a good idea and why
3. Who in the group would you most likely align with…and why
4. Are you a fan of the show

My best advice would be to be prepared with stories, reasons and observations. Be yourself. Do something to differentiate yourself from the others and be confident in your decisions and stick to them. If there’s a next time for Big Brother, I’ll have a few different things I’d do, but those are for me to know — it is a game after all.

Thanks to friends and family for their support as well as all those that came out of the woodwork on Facebook. I agree with them, I would’ve been a riot to watch!

Next up, I heard that Amazing Race might be accepting Canadian participants. Time to investigate that as it’s my only other reality TV show I’d like to be on.

And if you happen to be attending an open casting call, good luck, and let me know in the comments how you did.

I’m unbelievably excited to say that this coming Sunday, September 30,  I’ll get to cross off another item on my bucket list. Item number 109, audition for a reality TV show. There are two shows currently in existence that I would ever apply to participate on. Amazing Race, which sadly isn’t open to Canadians, and Big Brother which is arriving in Canada this winter…well, February 2013 apparently.

I’ve really been investigating different methods on how to get on reality TV and came across a great site by Dan Gheesling, a winner of the US version of Big Brother. Initially I thought I’d apply just for fun and the experience, and while that still remains true, the fact is I’m starting to think I might actually have a good chance at getting a call-back at the very least, and perhaps through to the next round.

I’ll keep you posted here on whatever I can. Do you think I’d make a good Big Brother house guest? What strategy should I take to win the grand-prize on the first season of Big Brother Canada?

As you may know I’ve been really trying to determine how to find passion. I can’t say that I’ve entirely found it yet, but have I found some direction for it. And of all things, I fully intend to blame, or actually thank, my mother. It was the auto feed from my previous post that went through to Facebook and she made some comments on it about me needing to get back to music. Then another status update she commented that since I made an awesome cake for my daughters birthday, and was busy making peanut butter cookies with Ava that baking was my passion. I realized that I did those things for Ava, not for me.

Then I realized that she’s my passion. I’ve got passion for my daughter. For living life for her and with her.

That’s when it really hit me.

My passion is about experiences. A few days ago I had a conversation with a great friend that I’d rather spend $10,000 on an attempt at a documentary movie and road trip adventure, than on material things. When I look at that number written out like that, it seems big. So I can’t entirely stand by my statement, but I will say that I’d rather spend money and time on experiences and experiencing life, than trying to keep up with the Jones’ (no offense to any of the Jones people I know).

So I sat down and created a Life Adventures, Bucket List (LABL) page. Some of them are totally crazy and some not so much. I’ll admit that I think I’ve actually completed some of them already and will be adding other fun ones that I’ve done as I go along. Have a look at it and let m know what you think.

My plan is to do something on the list, hopefully at minimum once a month. Of course, some of that depends on financial aspects too. As I’m preparing for the experience, doing it and after it, I’ll share with you my thoughts, feelings and reactions. Likely these will be done through an audio podcast, though some video may sneak in as well. And of course, I’ll be sure to expand upon them on this site as well.

There you have it. My passion is living life and experiencing all it has to offer.

Please, feel free to leave a comment below with suggestions of other ideas. No idea is too dumb, or rich, or poor. I’m willing to travel to complete some of the items on the list, and even more happy to travel at your expense (like if you were a corporation looking to sponsor something cool – in which case, contact me).

Thanks in advance, and I look forward to your other ideas!