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The Norman Bethune Centre for the Study of Ethics and International Relations

Few would argue that the world we live in is perfect, most might go so far as to contend that perfection on earth is an unattainable goal but the fact remains that our civilization will eventually collapse if we don't find a sustainable model by which to live. Religious, ethnic and cultural differences have, throughout recorded history, been used to justify the divisions which keep humanity from achieving meaningful peace. The truth is, we live on a planet of abundance and humanity has all of the necessary tools at our disposal to achieve well being for all of it's inhabitants. So what stands in the way? The current trajectory of human evolution, to my eye at least, would suggest that we made a wrong turn somewhere, probably around Albuquerque; we relentlessly pollute our air and water, the very essentials of healthy life, we squander our resources in the name of consumer convenience and profits. Assuming you subscribe to the theory of evolution, the ability to manipulat

The Great Sadness

The forest whispers voices long gone silent The bear cub paces, trapped by all this violence She stands alone at the edge of the abyss She's just a junkie no one'll ever miss A spec of light she knows is always there To wrap her soul within it's loving care I feel the sadness of a hundred thousand Braves We their tears, the ones we should have saved.

Through the Maze of Empty Gaze

I look about without seeing I see without understanding I elevate myself without justification I turn and turn the doldrums in my mind I know but fear to act I suffer beneath my own attack Blindly knowing yet still I question In truth I trust but not in me Empty now, the hollow tree Too many times I pace this path To nowhere, here, there and back Sad and alone, it's you I lack

Angel Investors needed

What is the definition of an Angel Investor? One who invests early in the business development process when risk is highest. The benefit to the investor is that they will see a much greater reward if the idea comes successfully to fruition. I have an opportunity for an Angel Investor which is a little different, you see, as a person living in Muskoka Canada and living a life of modest means, I became painfully aware of the shortage of affordable housing. For those of you who aren't familiar with the area, Muskoka is the cottage country located a couple of hours north of Toronto, a typical tourism based economy has been promoted with all of the associated pitfalls. A combination of low wages and seasonal work makes it difficult to have the stability required to own a home for a large part of the local population. Any disruption in livelihood such as injury or mental illness {opiate abuse and alcoholism particularly} can make it impossible to regain a footing in stable society. T

Songs from Little Pink

The Back Story: When I went to live in Riyadh, I took several books on design and 2 CDs, an Elton John compilation and Up to Here by The Tragically Hip, I think that's as close as anyone can get to an actual desert island disk. Riyadh, if you were unaware, is smack dab in the middle of the desert, hundreds of miles from the Red Sea to the west and the Persian Gulf to the east. My own artistic exploration has been made possible by those who came before me, writers like Kerouac, Hunter S. and Hemingway; a simple premise, surround yourself with interesting people and live an interesting life; do that and people will be interested in reading about it. My story's nothing more than a mash up of tributes and inspirations. Lately, I've been liquidating my assets in an effort to live what I refer to as a "Buddha Approved" lifestyle, to me, that means being as humble as possible and putting others before myself. People like Bono and Gord Downie have taught me that you

The World's Most Epic Resignation Letter {WIP}

So, this is a crucial part of the narrative, it's officially time to tender resignation to the fact {strong belief? Good feeling? Prayer?} that the story will come true, the number of people in my life who deserve to have their stories told and their lot in life improved just keeps mounting; for my son and Noah Deare and Sparky and Steffie and Chastity and Spooky High and well, you get the picture... Let's see if we can make it EPIC! {or at least long, rambling and mildly amusing} I'd just like to take a few moments of your time to explain that, although it pains me to do so, I must tender my resignation effective immediately. I am, and again it pains me, unable to work out my notice as there are ladies who wish for me to accompany them poolside today. Please have my paperwork and any pay which may have been withheld sent to me at the address you have on file. If you have any questions I would prefer that you contact me via email. The following is a fictitious accou

Faith

Yes, I said faith, not faith in yourself, that's only part of it. I'm talking that powerful brand of faith that comes from being a witness to the fact that the feeling in your heart and the things that happen in your life are inextricably linked. We've been conditioned by western civilization to always go bigger; to always strive for greater human achievement, greater adventure and more knowledge. Every generation feels that they're on the brink of the next great leap in human understanding and ours is no different, just ask Sheldon Cooper. Much has been said about what the specific trigger was that changed apes into people but the only thing we know for sure is that it gave "us" a definite advantage, otherwise I wouldn't be here talking @ you now. Ok, I'm not talking at YOU, I'm talking @ me because I'm pretty sure nobody's listening to this blog... but I digress, back to the discussion of how chimps turned into chumps. I think of ev

Manifesto Primo Di Tomorrow

The Norman Bethune Centre for the Study of Ethics and International Relations When I started my Odyssey, all I had was dubious faith {read that “devout agnostic”} and a concept: in order to get over my depression I'd simply live my life as my nom de plume, Tomorrow Sweetwater, after all, He was always happy. The thought train went a little like this, and forgive me if this goes astray, when I was depressed my work was, well, let's use “not very good “ as a good euphemism. On the other hand, when I was happy, my work was inspired; I could write poetry, design anything, even make semi-pleasant sounds come out of my guitars or sax. I'd tried everything that modern medicine and low budget psychology had offered yet I was still unable to do what needed to be done. Hindsight tells me that anxiety was what led me to become 320lbs and suicidal. I lived in 250 sq ft of squalor, reality TV type filth, I swear, but the an incident with my friend Kat made me realiz

Intention

I will go on autopilot, Now I know why he's afraid, I promised him that this is that this would work I don't believe I never thought of that before I keep forgetting my lines I had to just put it out there and not worry about it and figure it out afterwards live love and stay wild my friends

Depression

I'd spent the day in bed moping, lamenting the lack of energy, pretending she still cared and would make everything alright. I got up around 3 when Les came to feed and clean the birds, we chatted about the storm on her horizon so I have that to motivate me too. I bid her farewell, she was taking Kate to dinner, and climbed the stairs feeling the energy begin to swirl in the emptiness of my spine. I put on pancakes from the bowl I'd used at lunch with cinamon and a little of the white sugar dickwad left me. Aside from the fact that I overcooked the first one they were very satisfying and now I can meditate on the flow of chi while I tell you about my conversation with Noah. I spoke with my golden angel yesterday, I just realized the line I need to remember, we all try to deny the truth, to once again eat steak. And as I looked at our reflection in the bathroom mirror, he put his hand on my shoulder and, slowly, with dramatic intention he said "You are the greatest magic

The Soul of a Poet

Please allow me to start this again... Hi, My name's Tom and I've taken over control of this bumbling idiot's life. I think we make a good team Gillybeane and I'd like to offer you a deal, you offered to edit my book, you probably don't even remember but I do, like the girl said, I know all about regrets, but I digress. Edit that! Ha! I need your attention to detail, and your attention to discipline in order to succeed, I just pray that I'm not just being vain here, I do have a flare for the self indulgent these days. Seriously though, I could really use your help, I put everything on the line for this story and it's not paying dividends yet, I know you can help me turn it into the story it's supposed to be, art and love save the world! What do you say? What do I have to offer you? Is it too late?

Day By Day

When I open my eyes dawn coming soon I see the stars I see the moon I get out of bed and stretch my legs I bring you fresh coffee, bacon and eggs And when I come home I pray that you're still there To continue, my Love, this mad, mad affair

When Life Gives Lemons

This is an old maxim , you all know the answer right? This saying, and so many like it, exemplify the foundations of the self-help movement, people will flock to you, all you have to do is just offer them a simplistic catch phrase. Something that encapsulates life's down side that everyone can identify with yet offers the hope of an easy, do-it-yourself quick-fix. 5min abs my ass! How do I create a catch phrase like that? You know, a pithy witticism as bait hiding a barbed treble hook of ubiquity beneath it. I was listening to Subliminal the other day and thinking about what the people in power might have been listening to growing up; as odd a segue as that may seem it brought me to thinking of how the art of manipulation has evolved over the years. How do I go about accomplishing my goal of subverting popular culture from self-serving game zombies into willing participants in the largest global charitable event the world has ever seen. Here's the elevator p