Just did a new painting..acrylic on canvas.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Searching for Today
Trying to find something that is new,
I shift through crumbling rubble.
Wood creaks and cracks and moans,
I continue to search with much trouble.
Everything is old and comforting,
But I know it isn't safe.
It could fall apart at any moment,
But it might be my saving grace.
An old man wanders slowly by,
And pauses for a minute.
"Are you looking for something you lost" he asks
I could help you if you need it.
I stop and smile and think for a second
No, I reply, there isn't anything lost
But something that is waiting to be found
I can feel it now, it must be near.
Amidst this pile
Of rubble and rust
I have found what I was looking for
It isn't the past, nor is it the future
Its the present, loud and clear.
I shift through crumbling rubble.
Wood creaks and cracks and moans,
I continue to search with much trouble.
Everything is old and comforting,
But I know it isn't safe.
It could fall apart at any moment,
But it might be my saving grace.
An old man wanders slowly by,
And pauses for a minute.
"Are you looking for something you lost" he asks
I could help you if you need it.
I stop and smile and think for a second
No, I reply, there isn't anything lost
But something that is waiting to be found
I can feel it now, it must be near.
Amidst this pile
Of rubble and rust
I have found what I was looking for
It isn't the past, nor is it the future
Its the present, loud and clear.
taking chances
My stomach churns
Yet I am at peace
My heart is yearning
but I don't know what to do.
Why is sometimes what you want
The hardest thing to know
When your appetite is craving
But your mind says take it slow
People try to sell me rationale
I don't know what to do
I sometimes wish everything were easy
But then life would be boring too.
I'm ready to take chances
but what kind of chances should I take
A chance that isn't remotely safe
Isn't a choice I'm willing to make
So I just float on day by day
Waiting for something new
But everything always stays the same
Maybe this time will be different too
I hope I wish I deny I don't know
How far this life is willing to go
I want to do amazing things
So I take chances, I spread my wings
Sometimes nothing is ever enough
But I dive in, jump off the bridge
The water is icy
But the shore's not too far.
Yet I am at peace
My heart is yearning
but I don't know what to do.
Why is sometimes what you want
The hardest thing to know
When your appetite is craving
But your mind says take it slow
People try to sell me rationale
I don't know what to do
I sometimes wish everything were easy
But then life would be boring too.
I'm ready to take chances
but what kind of chances should I take
A chance that isn't remotely safe
Isn't a choice I'm willing to make
So I just float on day by day
Waiting for something new
But everything always stays the same
Maybe this time will be different too
I hope I wish I deny I don't know
How far this life is willing to go
I want to do amazing things
So I take chances, I spread my wings
Sometimes nothing is ever enough
But I dive in, jump off the bridge
The water is icy
But the shore's not too far.
Kensington
Went to Kensington again on Tuesday..love the health food stores there. Aren't these colourful houses just great?
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Song for Tim Hortons
They say that Tim Hortons
Is all about community.
Then why are the independants
Struggling to compete?
Inside each Tim Hortons
Everythings the same.
I see no art, culture, diversity
No reflection of this place we call home.
Let's leave these white walls
and go outside,
What do I see?
Paper cups, littering the street.
They say that it tastes good,
They say that its cheap.
But its not fair trade,
and the trade rules aren't fair.
Behind the counter
Works minimum wage.
So who is benefitting,
And who is in despair?
Beyond these city walls,
The landfills fill up
With these stupid, wasteful
Disposable cups.
What's that I hear?
A tree being felled?
No one was there to hear it,
No one cares that its gone
Now it holds people's drinks
Thats why we sing this song.
So let us be rooted in this place we call home
Let us reflect and sing
Of its sweet diversity
Let us enjoy our community
But remember those,
that harvest our beans.
Join me on an adventure,
Let's walk down the street
And sit in this place,
That's here for you and me.
An 'independant' coffee shop
Each one is unique
It holds local events
Supports artists and more
The coffee's fair trade
Its grown in the shade
Of course it's organic
We wouldn't have it any other way.
So bring your own mug, and
LET'S LEAVE THIS MONOCULTURE BEHIND
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Why I love Hamilton
It’s a city trapped in time, its buildings slowly crumbling, while no one takes much notice. Literally falling apart in front of our eyes, bricks deteriorate onto the ground, yet no one cleans up or fixes anything. Every old peeling wall, fragmented sign, crumbling brick, its all so beautiful. It is the artwork of time, no one could have planned it or imagined it would look this way, but it happened, and every detail of it is exquisite.
It allows for different perspectives. Anyone might think that a manicured garden or well planned town is pretty, but Hamilton is raw and different and unique in every way. No matter what your forte is, you will find something that moves you. Open your eyes and try to see something different.
No matter how out of style you dress, as you as you walk down the street you will see at least 10 people that are dressed at least 20 times worse than you (although of course this is subjective). Nobody gives a shit.
We aren’t drowning in condominiums and trendy yuppies.
No matter where you want to go, you can get there in a relatively short amount of time. Big city feel, small town charm.
Uptown is separated from downtown by a large escarpment, making the meaning of the terms quite literal. I was actually quite surprised when I learned that the ‘downtown’ of a city isn’t defined by longitude.
Driving down a street you’ve gone done a hundred times before, and noticing for the first time an old, gothic building so tall and elaborate, that it must have been quite the spectacle in its day.
The sincere lack of Starbucks (and other corporate chains that fit into the Starbucks paradigm). It’s just not Hamilton’s style (nor is it economically realistic for the majority of its residents).
Lots of independent presses giving refreshing views and news.
The rant section in our weekly alternative.
Local foods. Surrounded by some of the most fertile land in the world, its easy to get fresh, local food. There are lots of farmers markets all around the city, and if you have a car you can visit the countless farms surrounding the city.
All the unique independent businesses and the genuine people that work there. A lot of these people love Hamilton, love their community, and are fighting the good fight against you-guessed-what. (Or if you didn’t guess, corporate monoculture).
The waterfalls. Thirty-seven of them in total. Some are celebrated and cherished by those who go to hike by them, some are hidden gems that are rarely seen. Wherever your driving, its always exciting to suddenly catch a glimpse of a waterfall. While riding my bike along the escarpment I’ve noticed several waterfalls that I hadn’t seen before, some you can just see by stopping on the sidewalk and looking over the edge, others by squinting through the woods. Even better than the sight of waterfalls is the powerful sound.
The beavers at the waterfront trail. They make the place so much more special and are always exciting to see. I’ve seen them many times swimming along the shore, walking on the land, climbing up the bank onto one of the islands (and even getting attacked by a goose that had claimed the island). Even if you don’t spot a beaver itself, you will certainly see evidence of them with stumps everywhere from trees they’ve cut down. I also love the deer (and am so tired of the people who don’t).
People that are enthusiastic about this city. Once your love for this place is in your veins, enthusiasm spreads. With all the crap people say about Hamilton, those who hold a special place in their heart for the city are quick to defend it. There are many great revitalization projects here, but the people who share this enthusiasm are the revitalization themselves.
The greenspaces. No matter where you are, there are almost always elements of nature, with mature trees and preserved natural areas abound. There are so many incredible hiking trails for walking, crosscountry skiing, horseback riding, snowshoeing, mountain biking, etc.
Discovering new things everyday, in a city you thought you knew.
I’m the kind of person who likes to walk around aimlessly, to wander and take pictures. I like everything to be raw, real, and different. This is my kind of place.
It allows for different perspectives. Anyone might think that a manicured garden or well planned town is pretty, but Hamilton is raw and different and unique in every way. No matter what your forte is, you will find something that moves you. Open your eyes and try to see something different.
No matter how out of style you dress, as you as you walk down the street you will see at least 10 people that are dressed at least 20 times worse than you (although of course this is subjective). Nobody gives a shit.
We aren’t drowning in condominiums and trendy yuppies.
No matter where you want to go, you can get there in a relatively short amount of time. Big city feel, small town charm.
Uptown is separated from downtown by a large escarpment, making the meaning of the terms quite literal. I was actually quite surprised when I learned that the ‘downtown’ of a city isn’t defined by longitude.
Driving down a street you’ve gone done a hundred times before, and noticing for the first time an old, gothic building so tall and elaborate, that it must have been quite the spectacle in its day.
The sincere lack of Starbucks (and other corporate chains that fit into the Starbucks paradigm). It’s just not Hamilton’s style (nor is it economically realistic for the majority of its residents).
Lots of independent presses giving refreshing views and news.
The rant section in our weekly alternative.
Local foods. Surrounded by some of the most fertile land in the world, its easy to get fresh, local food. There are lots of farmers markets all around the city, and if you have a car you can visit the countless farms surrounding the city.
All the unique independent businesses and the genuine people that work there. A lot of these people love Hamilton, love their community, and are fighting the good fight against you-guessed-what. (Or if you didn’t guess, corporate monoculture).
The waterfalls. Thirty-seven of them in total. Some are celebrated and cherished by those who go to hike by them, some are hidden gems that are rarely seen. Wherever your driving, its always exciting to suddenly catch a glimpse of a waterfall. While riding my bike along the escarpment I’ve noticed several waterfalls that I hadn’t seen before, some you can just see by stopping on the sidewalk and looking over the edge, others by squinting through the woods. Even better than the sight of waterfalls is the powerful sound.
The beavers at the waterfront trail. They make the place so much more special and are always exciting to see. I’ve seen them many times swimming along the shore, walking on the land, climbing up the bank onto one of the islands (and even getting attacked by a goose that had claimed the island). Even if you don’t spot a beaver itself, you will certainly see evidence of them with stumps everywhere from trees they’ve cut down. I also love the deer (and am so tired of the people who don’t).
People that are enthusiastic about this city. Once your love for this place is in your veins, enthusiasm spreads. With all the crap people say about Hamilton, those who hold a special place in their heart for the city are quick to defend it. There are many great revitalization projects here, but the people who share this enthusiasm are the revitalization themselves.
The greenspaces. No matter where you are, there are almost always elements of nature, with mature trees and preserved natural areas abound. There are so many incredible hiking trails for walking, crosscountry skiing, horseback riding, snowshoeing, mountain biking, etc.
Discovering new things everyday, in a city you thought you knew.
I’m the kind of person who likes to walk around aimlessly, to wander and take pictures. I like everything to be raw, real, and different. This is my kind of place.
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