A New Year's End

It's been over a month since my last post- to say December was a busy month is a bit of an understatement. I'm sure this is true for many.

It's great to see New Year's as a time for new beginnings and resolutions, but I tend to see it as a culmination and celebration of a year. A time to reflect on everything that happened in the preceding 365 days that brought us to be where we are; physically, mentally, spiritually.

2011 has been a huge year for change in many friends' lives, including my own. It's been a time for positive transformations and transitions.

Wishing everyone the best for new successes and accomplishments to come!

Happy New Year~ 2012! Enjoy :)

A New Year's End

By: Matt Badali

The city gets darker as the year goes on,

We’ve done all we can and the year’s nearly gone.

Resolutions fell short many months ago,

And now we watch wistfully as the falling snow glows.

Evenings come sooner,

As the dark skies loom.

Getting closer in time for a New Year to bloom.

It’s time for the holiday cups to appear,

A New Year’s end is unmistakably near.

We now wonder how it will come to an end.

Will we be happy or have hurt hearts to mend?

The script has been written,

The characters rehearsed,

The year will play out, ourselves immersed.

Whatever it brings, or whatever it’s brought,

We’ll be content, free from harsh thought.

Be nostalgic, think back.

Was there something it lacked?

Be hopeful, not sad.

Think of good times we’ve had.

Though there were undoubtedly tears, heartache, and fears.

Take out the champagne and fill your glass- cheers!

The city lights sparkle as the air becomes cold,

Friends we keep close, in the warmth of their hold.

We think about how it’s New Years’ soon,

As we stare at the night’s ominous whole moon.

Hoping to see into the future; if only a glimpse.

The countdown begins, our gaze transfixed.

It’s been hundreds of days,

In so many ways.

Thinking back on life’s lessons, all so wise.

We can’t help reflect on the lows and the highs.

A New Year will end as a New Year begins.

Bring to it your strengths, and acknowledge your wins.

The streets now silent, empty, and bleak.

Everyone rests and prepares for a new 52 weeks.

Never Too Old to Play With a Parachute

On a bitterly cold night (well, it was actually only 8 degrees, but the wind made it feel colder) I stood in line, waiting to enter the Sound Academy and see LIGHTS in concert.

Many of you probably don't know who LIGHTS is. She's a Canadian recording artist who sings songs you probably do know- February Air, Second Go, and her newest single Toes, which has been getting a fair bit of radio play in Toronto.

I was impressed with her live show, and even though it was an all-ages event, the youngster were far enough away that they didn't cause any unwanted annoyances- at least not to me.

What I was impressed with most of all was one of her opening acts- Rich Aucoin (http://www.richaucoin.ca/). He's also Canadian. He does an amazing job of integrating audio and video, thought provoking messages, and plain old fun!

His logo, a primary colour parachute (the kind you find in an elementary school gym), can be found on almost all of his promotional images. Though probably a publicity tactic, he launched a parachute into the audience during one of his songs; I think it was 'Parachute'. This not only appealed to the "all-ages" crowd, but it was fun to see everyone excited to grab a part of the 'chute and dance under the cover of the bright rainbow coloured fabric.

Technical difficulties aside, his set was fantastic. Songs like "It" and "We're All Dying to Live" had an anthemic quality that got everyone hoppin'.

I said to my friends that, since I'm a teacher, I played with a parachute just two weeks ago. For many playing with a parachute is one of those enjoyments of childhood that dissolve as we get older. We're never really too old to play with a parachute, it just takes a little bit of creativity and a little bit of being in the right place at the right time. Like many things from our younger years, it's something we don't normally have the chance to do- until Friday night at the Sound Academy.

Protests and the City

From coats to coast, nation to nation, city to city, a revolution is happening.

Students being maced at an Occupy sit-in
at the University of California, Nov. 2011

In Toronto, the sit-ins are faced with eviction, in New York they are split by force, in California they are dismantled with tear-gas; what can we expect to happen next?

It would seem that the problem isn't only New York's Wall Street, or Toronto's Bay Street, but systemic and underlying a vast number of economic centres world-wide.

Protest and outspoken-ness definitely has a role to be played in a democracy; I just wonder how much longer the peacefulness will last since the "powers that be" are clearly getting antsy.

Should a dialogue begin, or should we start breaking out the pepper spray? The answer to this should be clear so long as you listened when your Kindergarten teacher explained the classroom rules.

It's alarming to find out that it is actually the law enforcement professionals that are starting to get violent. We should know they are the drones of the higher power and what drives their actions is something lacking in humanity.

Historically, cities have been places where economic motivations underlay any reason for coming together. Since the industrial revolution, urban dwellers have often been oppressed; the majority being factory workers and the like.

Knowing what wealth exists in cities and the growing disparity now between rich and poor, one would imagine that we could develop strategies to help spread the wealth and help our fellow city-zens thrive.



Occupy Toronto in St. James Park, Nov. 2011



At the very least, if we are not able to help each other, we certainly should not be hurting each other. We can use the pepper for the food we are advantaged enough to have, and do what we can to peacefully make change together.

Can you really say that in a major economic centre, there aren't enough resources to initiate some discussion and put in place mechanisms for improvement?

Something cities tend to do is attract the biggest and brightest minds in a multitude of disciplines because they can offer the best resources, jobs, and opportunities for those individuals to thrive. If the best and brightest minds can't manage to alleviate at least some disparities, then that certainly is a dissappointment on a city scale. 

A Night at the Armoury

No, I'm not leaving civilian life for the army, nor was I trying to steal a rocket launcher to destroy and unstoppable medieval demon. I attended an official swearing in at the Denison Armoury in North York.

 There are very few opportunities to get a glimpse at the inner workings of our country's military. After being mistaken for a new recruit several times, I walked through the bland hallways lined with cases of artifacts from battles past. We soon reached the Officer's Mess which then led us further on to another Mess that housed even more relics from the Battalion's long history.

While some families snaps pictures, sipping coffee, others wandered the room examining the trophy cases and portraits of long gone soldiers.

As the ceremony began, we (the common folk) were given a talk about supporting our family or friend that is now entering a new phase in their life. One full of responsibility and dedication to an important cause.

This message didn't really hit home until he spoke to the new recruits. He mentioned that they will be challenged in new ways and will need to stick together as a new kind of family. In fact, if anyone doesn't help someone in need- they will be held accountable for these shortcomings. They would now be a unit of individuals with unique skills and abilities who will help each other and achieve their success together.

As a teacher, I felt that this is the kind of speech that should be given at the start of every school year, to every single student. In fact, with this outlook, nobody will be left behind.

Even though they won't be fighting demons or saving the world (...yet), they will face their true nature and bring out their full potential (okay, enough Buffy-speak) to serve a greater purpose, to serve this country. Something us urbanites often know little about.

Congrats to the new Privates. Train hard!

Incognito: Costumes and other Disguises

It wouldn't be a Halloween without doing the time warp! Friday, at the Lower Ossington Theatre, the Rocky Horror Picture Show was in full tilt. The audience was on- never missing a beat. The shout-outs kept coming and the cast kept going as they interacted with a rowdy and playful crowd.

The timeless value of Rocky Horror lives on year after year, bringing out the freaks and geeks to have a good time in the spirit of... well... whatever. The spirit of Halloween, the spirit of fun and fantasy, or even in the spirit of being individual amidst the other freaks around you. From a sweet transvestite to little ol' Janet and Brad and Riff Raff the maid, everyone in the mansion was unique by appearance but ultimately made up the mosaic of this mad-house.

From the west side to the east side, the next night would be just as playful and full of more disguises and appearances. Over the course of the night, I ran into a Greek Goddess, the Black Swan, Wolverine, Freddy Mercury, Rob Ford, a Steam Punk, even a ketchup packet and a bowl of alphabet soup, just to name a few. My costume was a costume itself- dressed as Clark Kent, but Superman in disguise.

Whether it's Halloween of not, it seems we're constantly in disguise to make a good first impression, look presentable for work, or to look hot for a night out. When are we just dressing to be ourselves?

I think all of the costumes and facades we present day after day are all representations of the multi-faceted and unique individuals that we are.

The greatest thing about partying with friends on Halloween is that no matter who you are dressed as, or who you're trying to be, it is never so apparent that you are who you are regardless, and no costume can take that away.

Just maybe instead of hiding, our costumes are really displaying aspects of ourselves; a sneak peek to the layers that make us unique. Is your costume a disguise or a reveal? A trick or a treat? Whatever is it, have fun! And don't forget to grab some brownies along the way ;)

Re- Read What's Possible

The past year for me has been filled with messages of freedom, release, and finding one's true self, to then to honour that self. This message has been in experiences had, movies watched, but most significant of all... books read.

Side note: When was the last time a book was meaningful and inspired you? I suggest finding one that you think will speak to you, no matter how embarrassing the subject matter. Who cares if you're a macho Bay Street banker reading a biography of Margaret Thatcher on the streetcar. Read it in the privacy of your home if you need to. We all should find our inspiration somewhere, and sometimes we need to pick up a book and risk going outside of our ominous "comfort zone".

Some of the meaningful titles I recently enjoyed include 'The Alchemist', 'Rebel Buddha', 'The Ghost Brush', 'Moving Toward Stillness, 'Room', 'The Help', and 'A Separate Reality'. Every one of these books includes a message of being true to yourself and self-actualizing that self into reality (wow, that's a lot of "self"s).

The above titles were, however, missing one key element. Though the are fantastic books that contain moving messages, none of them spoke to the experiences of an urban dweller, the city slicker, to cosmopolitan.

Until recently, I came upon a few titles that drove the message home for me. These were 'The Happiness Project' (written by a New York lawyer, turned writer), and 'Normal Gets You Nowhere' (written by a New York Fashion Publicist, Kelly Cutrone).

Maybe it's the New York vibe that kicked my butt. These books had a deliberate city voice that spoke to me. From Gretchen Rubin's clear and organized lists of ways to instill greater happiness into one's life, to Kelly Cutrone's hold-no-punches approach to motivation, each of these New Yorkers were able to get their messages across to me.

Something most of us do all to often is go through the motions of our lives and routines, without giving much consideration to what else is possible, what else could we be doing, what other ideas or experiences are out there for us to explore. 

Seek out the other possibilities in your life. While you're at it, pick up a new thought-provoking book. Maybe you already have the book you need. You read it years ago and now it's collecting dust on your bookshelf. I encourage you to dust off your old copy of 'The Art of Happiness' and re-read what's possible!

Finding Thoughts

Sitting at my desk, wanting to write, looking out my window at the leaves blowing in the autumn breeze and the bicyclists trying to get in one more ride before the season changes to too cold, I'm attempting to get some inspiration.

Though ideas of what to write about are plentiful in this metropolis, sometimes discerning one idea from another can be more difficult than it seems.

A friend of mine recently suggested I get an Ideas Journal. She uses one to jot personal reminders and thesis ideas for her latest research projects. I, on the other hand, thought I would find one useful to record ideas and observations that could later be developed into a blog post, poem, story, or in rare cases, my own research paper.

In the kerfuffle of city living, it can sometimes be hard to hold onto an idea long enough before it gets replaced by another. With the thought of someone bumping into you on the subway, or how you just smelled the sweet smell of street meet, you can imagine how attainable many ideas can be, but also often quite forgettable. Though not all ideas are important to note, it's easy to misplace the ones that are!

With an Ideas Journal, I will be able to quickly note what I thought was so novel at that exact point in time. The trick will be to remember I've got my journal and that I should actually write in it. It's just big enough to write full sentences, but small and light enough to throw in my bag for convenience.

Finding thoughts will be much easier since all I'll have to do is flip the pages of my journal and then decipher what I meant, or why I wrote what I did. In actuality, finding thoughts is not the challenge. The difficult part is finding ones that are meaningful.

I wonder what thoughts my journal will hold. But perhaps more interestingly, I wonder what yours will unfold.

~ Fall Highlights ~

Sitting outside Heart House at the University of Toronto, surrounded by amber autumn leaves, enjoying a warm latte with my sister! (c. 2009, archives)

Joie de Vivre

When was the last time you just explored your city and embraced it for all its character and charm?

For me, it was this past week. I visited places that I would normally ignored, or go unnoticed. From Centre Island, Bier Markt, to the Distillery District, Yorkville and the Harbourfront, Toronto has so much to experience.

Just the other day, on a very warm fall afternoon, I found myself sitting on a small strip of beach by the Lakeshore, in a Muskoka chair, wearing my suede autumn boots, no less.

The French have a saying that I've come to embrace. Joie de Vivre. I have on good authority from a French friend of mine that my French accent is actually quite good; if you care to imagine me saying this phrase!

This sentiment is explained as the carefree enjoyment of life, the joy of living. Most of us could benefit from embracing this outlook in our lives; to live for happiness. Buy a ticket and take a ferry to a distant island, or pull up a seat and order a pint of the best lemon tea beer in the city at a well known brewery. Whatever it is you choose to discover, do it with the spirit of living freely. You may even decide to talk to strangers and make new friends in the process.

In fact, this all started for me when I was sitting in a coffee shop, reading. A new traveller turned to me with his British/ French accent, map in hand, and asked what there is to do here. He got me to thinking in a way I haven't thought for quite some time... and the rest is history.

If city-dwellers were to have this open way of living, I'm sure they would lead lives with more internalized happiness. They may even care less about the little things (like slow walkers) that tend to get under their skin.

So, even if you're wearing the wrong footwear, live life, take a chance, get some sand in your brown suede shoes- joie de vivre! The city is waiting for you.

Cheers!

Taking Back the Streets

In a city like Toronto, the streets are where people meet, performers play, vendors sell, and where life essentially takes place. The streets witness endless interactions, surround the tallest buildings, and line the shops, museums, theatres, and schools. They act as the vines for us to maneuver ourselves through the dense concrete jungle.

On Saturday evening, marching up Yonge Street were dozens of women walking collectively, holding signs, and chanting. Take Back the Night was in full swing. Women of all demographics marched in unison to celebrate their right for safe streets- particularly at night when women are especially vulnerable to assaults, thieving, and harassment. Like any marginalized group, these women want to reclaim their safety, independence, and equality to enjoy the city streets at any and all times, just as anybody should.

The next day many Torontonians were enjoying their streets. The Word on the Street Festival was happening at Queen's Park. Books, magazine, and newspaper were being sold while many bookworms listen to authors read their latest work under large white tents. Many children and couples picnicked together, looking at their new books, some reading them together.

Unlike other years, this festival housed many publishers and commercial organizations, but as much as I search, no school boards were to be found. Fortunately the Toronto Public Library was there and promoted many of the great services they provide to children and youth. I couldn't, however, get over the fact that at one of the nations largest book fairs, not a single school board was represented. Is that a comment on our education system? You be the judge.

 

Buying was the theme of the day- every booth seemed like it was trying to sell something. Yes, it was a book festival with many vendors, but I felt as though there should have been more give-aways, freebies (like bookmarks and pins) that would get people- especially children and youth- interested in reading and literacy.

Maybe I have a bias as an elementary school teacher, but more should and could have been done to make the festival more enticing for the young reading audience. Oh ya... Poka-Roo was there... but he's not from a book last time I checked. Again, a comment on reading culture? Bringing a television character to attract children to a book fair? Hmm. Is Poka-Dot Door even still on? I suppose it must be... I digress.





Own your city streets and share them with each other. They may be the vines we swing from to get to where we're going, but they are also the veins that pump life into our city, making it vibrant and alive!

From Grill to Gallery: A Modern Day

I dashed across a busy and crowded Bay Street at 12:35pm. Already ten minutes late for lunch with a good friend and colleague at the Heart House Grill at the University of Toronto. Glad to have worn my shorts and loose fitting top- the temperature was in the high 20's celcius. I arrived in time for an appetizer, glass of wine, and brief catching up with each other before moving into the main dining room for lunch.

Over some more wine and delicious food, my friend and I spoke of everything from training (trained together in martial arts for over a decade), politics, real estate (condo investments), and then onto the topic of our schooling.

Both of us, though roughly thirty years apart in age, began Masters degrees. He's studying Urban Planning, I'm studying Education. As different as these fields appear to be, we are both studying modernity/ modernism. What does it mean to be modern?

In urban planning, being modern might mean that you develop new ways of using urban space in creative and innovative ways; like putting a ferris wheel by the lakeshore. For educators, modernism is seen in how we strive to teach using new methods and state of the art technology. In any case, being/ acting modern ultimately means breaking away from tradition and traditonal ways of operating.

Later that day, I walked down to the Art Gallery of Ontario with the idea of modernity still resonating in my mind. An exhibit that caught my attention was called 'Haute Culture: General Idea, A Retrospective, 1969- 1994".

I then had a thought. I was about to view an exhibit that held some very influencial Canadian art from the 60's through to the early 90's, most of which is considered "modern" art. So, how can something be modern and be almost twenty years old?

The influence these peices had and the resonance they continue to have today allowed me to realize that they are, and for many years will be, modern because of how they dissent tradition and break away from the mainsteam; the traditional stream.

Thought provoking, counter-cultural, and at times shocking (though not mutually exclusive characteristics), the peices pushed boundaries and often made the voyer make considerations from a different perspective; to see the world/ the topics through a modern lens.

I couldn't help but laugh to myself when a middle-aged tour guide hesitantly brought a small group of adults into a room adorned with paintings of poodles in compromising positions. She stated that she tells anyone under the age of 18 to not look too closely. Her voice cracked with embarrassment as she stummbled over her words to describe this particular display.

Perhaps "modern" is a hard pill to swallow, but for many modernity is an essential consideration for aspirations, progress, and hope for what the future will bring.

The Unheard Voices

It's time... I've been hesitant to publish my poem here, but I think now is the right time since I'm getting back into studying issues of oppression and inequality in my masters course (Intro to Soc. and Equity Studies in Education). 

I've posted an image of the infamous 'Zen Circle' (right). It symbolizes no-thing-ness. As most zen proverbs confuse us, this one is similar as the zen circle entails that in no-thing-ness is everything. Essentially, no thing is more important or to be held to a greater level of prestige as anything else. We must hope that everyone experiences happiness and that suffering is eliminated.

Every thing and every one is to be equal, no better or worse/ greater or less.


The Unheard Voices
by: Matt Badali

These are the unheard voices.

They are the voices of many people, many colours, many experiences.

Each voice has a different story to tell. Each voice speaks a different language.

Some voices don’t use any words.

The unheard voices speak of hope.

The unheard voices speak of fear.

Fear because nobody knows.

Hope because somebody cares.

Every voice tells a different story.

The unheard voices belong to people who matter.

Everyone matters.

They belong to people who may need help.

They belong to people who may not need help.

All of the voices belong to people who need to be heard.

The voices are unheard because people choose not to listen.

When people choose not to listen, they ignore an important message.

The message can be heard around the world.

When you want to hear the message, listen.

Listen with your ears, listen with your eyes, listen with your heart.

Listen to those who are hungry.

Listen to those who are abandoned.

Listen to those who are affected by war.

Listen to those who cannot afford education.

Listen to those who have no shelter.

Listen to those who are not allowed to speak out.

Listen to the voices of ability.

Listen to the voices of diversity.

Listen to the voices that surround you every day.

When you listen to these voices, the message becomes clear.

Everybody fears. Everybody hopes. Everybody loves.

Whether you hear with your ears, your eyes, or your heart; listen with an open mind.

Listen to the unheard voices.

Fresh Air, Fresh Start

As the cool so-to-be autumn air blows through the city streets, new beginnings and fresh starts surround us in our lives and the lives those around us.

I was sitting in a cafe recently when the server said it was funny how we are programmed to think September is the time for new beginnings. We are programmed from having to go back to school year after year. Little did she know (in her joking tone) that I actually was getting ready to go back to school... yet again.

Lined up for my student card with all the "frosh" embarking on their first university experience. I just wanted to shake their anxious faces and tell them it will be alright! I was there because I was starting my Masters of Education at The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto.

This will be the first September for me in three years that I haven't been able to walk into a classroom to greet brand new eager faces to teach. Instead, I'll be walking into a classroom with twenty-four others, discussing social issues and their impact/ influence/ absence from education.

I hope that, while still a supply teach this year, I will get to inspire and encourage young kids to have fun with learning in their classrooms. One of the perks of being a supply teacher is that you arrive fresh and keen, without being worn out by the "trouble makers"; eager to inspire and possibly help the students view their learning from a new perspective.

Most think of September as a time for a fresh start because the hot, and sometimes lazy, summer days are ending, bringing on the crisp days of fall. New t.v. shows are starting, new fall clothes are being added to wardrobes, and pumpkin spice lattes are being sipped.

All in all, this time of year prompts us to set new goals and even get into different routines (whether going back to school or not). Some might even argue that the "new-ness" of September is more meaningful than the "new-ness" of New Years Day.

At least now we know that we've got just over three months to tie this year up and accomplish what we set out to do back on that dark, cold, and possibly inebriated December night last year.

So, go get that new clipboard, box of pens, leopard print shoes, or whatever it is you need for your new endevours.

Cheers (with Warm Apple Cider) to fresh start and to new beginnings!

City Nights ...

Canadian National Exhibition entrance - Toronto

The Death of a Politician Brings the City Together

This past weekend, a well known city politician (Jack Layton) passed away in Toronto. He was known for his work that supported and spoke for those disenfranchised in the city- those who remain marginalized. He was what people refer to as a "family man". One who did not carry the same sense of self-importance that so many city politicians often do.

For many Torontonians, the death of Jack Layton was sad and deeply unfortunate. Having said that, I was still amazed at the outpouring of love, support, and caring so many people of Toronto demonstrated as a result of his passing. I had no idea so many people were so passionate about what this politician stood for. I even caught myself wondering how many of his mourners actually knew him and/ or knew his political platform all that well.


 Some argue that this kind of collective expression was a result of social media hype and the need to be apart of something that was making headline news.

Those who didn't really know the man still wanted to share their condolences and were critically condemned for doing so. The critics seemed like they wanted to take ownership over their sentiments regarding Mr. Layton's death with an immature "I loved him more" or "I loved him first" mentality.

I think that anytime love and compassion is demonstrated en masse in a city, no less, we should welcome it, not disparage it. All too often, we have our heads in the concrete sidewalks, living our seemingly separate and disconnected lives. Nonetheless, at the end of the day, this event was a reminder that we are more connected than we may otherwise think.

To those critics and nay-sayers who want to celebrate Jack Layton's life and mourn his death, just be happy that the city has come together with positive thoughts and caring sentiments, however misdirected some intentions may be.

Although it took a death to bring the city together (as this often happens with family and friends), it took the celebration of this man's life to remind us that we do, in fact, share this city... with caring hearts.

Lily Pads and Skyscrapers: Taking a Path Less Taken

Nature Trail- Tommy Thompson Park- Toronto

People in positions of influence often encourage us to take the proverbial "path less taken" as if knowing this will magically inspire success in the near future. But, where is this path they keep taking about?

One place to explore is in your own backyard. If you're a Torontonian, you may have heard of the Tommy Thompson Park down by the waterfront. I had never realized this conservation park existed, so I went down to see what it's all about.

Sometimes taking the less taken path isn't as life changing as the proverb suggests, but it is good for allowing new perspectives to be considered.

For instance, it was refreshing to know that real nature: trees, birds, ponds, and lily pads exist alongside the condos and skyscrapers in the not-so-distant skyline. This unique angle allows you to look at the city from afar without even leaving city limits.



Tommy Thompson Park/ Toronto Skyline

 I considered that a change of scenery is sometimes all we need to reassess a situation, or to re-evaluate how we feel about a heated topic. Maybe if we can look inside ourselves carefully enough, we can discover an oasis like this, our own "path less taken", which would let us view ourselves/ our lives with greater objectivity.

As city-dwellers, we are familiar with contrasts and opposing views, but somehow we more-or-less live amicably among one another despite these differences. It would seem that we are more capable of taking a path less taken, fraught with introspection and reflection, than we give ourselves credit for.

Living in a city where lily pads and skyscrapers exist side-by-side gives me a sense of comfort in knowing that these seemingly stark contrasts are what make the city and our lives enjoyable and extraordinary!

People Get Ready ...

Eva Cassidy beautifully sang "people get ready- there's a train a coming- You don't need no baggage- you just get on board - all you need is faith".

Sometimes, as busy city folk, we need this kind of faith. Faith in knowing that we will get to where we're going, even if we aren't as prepared as we should be. It's like trying to go to work without your iPod- so annoying! - but perfectly do-able.



Union Station- Toronto

 
In life, as when riding trains, we find that an opportunity is coming our way and if we don't seize it, it will pass us by. It might be our only chance. The next train may not come for hours- days- even years.

When we board this train (or in my case, subway) we have faith that it will take us to our destination. What we don't know is what will transpire on this journey. But, we can take comfort in knowing we at least got on board, made the best of it, and even if we had to get off a few stops early, we can rest assure that we made the best of our journey. In most cases, we will have met others that were willing to make the journey worth while. A journey can be enjoyed just as much, even with out iPods. We just need to find new ways to keep the journey interesting.

There's an old saying, "get on the train, or get off the tracks". Well, if we don't take that leap of faith to get on board, we not only miss our train, but we might be even worse off than we were before we heard the oncoming locomotive choo-choo-ing down the tracks.

Get ready... take a leap of faith ... see where it takes you!

"Life is a journey, not a destination".
(Ralph Waldo Emerson, writer)

Be Where You Are

The sun was shining above my large beach umbrella, as I reclined in a white Muskoka chair, munched on a fresh kaiser sandwich, and sipped a cold Diet Coke (now covered in sand... thanks friend :P).

The kids under the neighbouring umbrella were laughing and making sandcastles with their mom while taking breaks to run through the nearby splash pad. They seemed to be having the time of their lives.

The sun, the breeze, and my Diet Coke made for a phenomenal afternoon. These moments are often rare and fleeting, especially for those us living in a dense metropolis (one in which even the summer season is unpredictable and usually short lived).

I later walked through the city and into the BCE Place (a prominent business complex in the downtown core) to catch the subway. As I paced through the corridor, I noticed a sign in big black letters. It read:

These words made me think about being where I was in that place in time. I was nowhere particularly special or important- just walking through on my way home. I realized that is precisely the point. Understand?

How often would you imagine business men and women pacing this large hallway without truly realizing where they are with clarity and actualization.

If every moment of life is to be precious, why don't we make a greater concentrated effort to make them matter?

We might be tired, stressed, or in a rush, but it's so important that we are present here and now, wherever we are. Our livelihood craves it, and those we spend time with deserve it.

In order to soak up the warm rays of life, and hear the children laughing beside us, we need to truly BE where we are- look around, enjoy the scenery, and love your life in any way you can.

If we can do this, maybe we will be laughing like the beach children too. And just maybe we'll be running through the splash pad ourselves!

Trying Something New

Try something new today! This is not a novel or innovative idea, but this notion is one of which we often need a reminder. It doesn't mean you need to be especially creative or to be all that much of a risk taker. It means just do something you've never done before. Sounds simple? It can be!

Doing something you wouldn't usually do will likely help you experience a thrill and will even increase your level of happiness. It will often happen when you least expect it, so some spontaneity is required. The city will present you with many opportunities.

The other day while walking along College St., a friend and I noticed two guys driving down the side walk on their strange looking bikes. These friendly guys were offering up their 'Yike Bikes' for those strangers interested in a little spontaneous fun.

After a few wobbles, the Yike Bike was just like... well... riding a bike!

In life, we get overwhelmed with new experiences, but it is usually those experiences that better prepare us for the next "new" thing- something more challenging, but rewarding, in time.

In most cases you'll find that trying something new is spontaneous and is not at all planned. So even if we try riding a new bike and fall off enough times, we learn how to get back up with more ease each time. We soon figure out ways not to fall off and keep moving forward.

Try something new and push your limits. The "something new" is probably within reach, just outside your comfort zone.

What have you got to lose?

The City Under Constant Rennovation

Life in the Concrete Jungle

There is life amidst the concrete! After getting a hair cut, I strolled along Queen St. W, using up a couple old gift cards and stumbled upon this...

In Nathan Phillips Sq. at City Hall, I heard music. There was a small crowd sitting at picnic tables, eating corn on the cob, and listening to this woman sing gospel music. She was nice to listen to and had some uplifting words of spiritual encouragement.

In this time when Mayor Ford is cutting budgets and generally aggravating a large amount of Toronto citizens, it was nice to hear and experience something positive and uplifting at City Hall. It was like a refreshing oasis in a dry and dreary desert.

Later I walked around to find some calm and quiet. There was only so much gospel music I could listen to, as nice as it is. It was time to move south where I found this view. I call it "Within the Concrete Jungle". 

Where is your quiet place within the concrete jungle?

Hot Child in the City

It was the hottest day of the summer thus far, and everyone in the city was on the search for the nearest air conditioned space they could take refuge in. A blanket of humidity covered the city and many people were at a loss of how to cope.

I, on the other hand, found a great way to cope with the sweltering temperatures. I went outside! Sounds crazy, right? Well, the Open Roof Film Festival in Toronto was a great way to spend an evening on the cities warmest day. Watching a film, eating popcorn and throwing back a few cold ones was just what the doctor ordered!



Behind the Amsterdam Distillery, a make shift theatre was created to show a film just like a "drive in", minus the cars. Rows of chairs seated adults, kids, hipsters, superhero nerds, and people of all kinds. I didn't mention that the film we were seeing was 'Kick Ass'; about a boy with no super powers trying to be a superhero. The evening actually began with a band- and I'm forgetting their name now- who performed before the movie began. That was fun, but not really my favourite kind of music. It was nice to have in the background though as my friend and I caught up with each other.

It wasn't so much the film that made the humid evening so enjoyable though. It was the ambiance, the shared experience of watching it outside in the parking lot of a rustic brewery in downtown Toronto. The CN tower shone in the distance behind the screen, along with the multi coloured lights of the surrounding condos.

Music, beer, popcorn, and an outdoor movie... the makings of a great summer city night!