Christmas, every year we know  it is inevitable. We know it’s coming. Some people buy for the next year the boxing day after this one. Over prepared. I did that one year and forgot all about those gifts until some time in July!

We sort of gage our Christmas cheer by the welcoming of the season with the snow and bone chilling cold. Except when there is no snow it sort of goes to the back of our minds….no snow means fall still. Right? Lots of time. Then, suddenly, it’s December 1 already and time’s a wasting!

 I was pleasantly surprised though  by the cheeriness on Locke Street on the weekend.  Santa and Mrs. Claus were out ringing bells and handing out candy canes along with their Christmas cheer.  Then there were carolers and a horse drawn buggy carting passengers up  and down the street.  The sun was shining and there was no snow but there sure was spirit!  I realized I had better get to getting ready! As I had found my Christmas Cheer, right there on Locke St.!

Let the Christmas Shopping BEGIN!!

Happy HOLIDAYS!

Jack Kerouac - The father of The Beat Generation

Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
— Jack Kerouac

The conflict is whether or not Jack Kerouac was a visionary. I suppose the answer lays in your definition of visionaryism. I happen to think the answer is Yes. Is this because I am a writer? Perhaps. Is it because  I am spiritual? Perhaps. the truth holds for me that Jack paved away for any uncensored, uncaged voices to be heard.  For those “not fond of rules”. He started the whole ‘Beat Generation Movement. Which remains in practice today.

 Jack had a big big voice. Beyond all the ones he heard in his head and in his own private helldom. Some will argue that alcohol may have been his main voice. Who can say. It remains true that his light seemed to dim after his success reeled and his alcholism gave way to new doors that Jack seemed to despise.  Still he kept writing and inspiring. His following is still somewhat underground and under appreciated…but those who see his brilliance consider it a beacon in the world of revolutionary poetry. Jacks work has inspired the way that I write and has had a quiet influence on how see the ways of the world we create. “….because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

The world lost an amazing voice, and visionary October 21, 1969.

Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion.”
— Jack Kerouac

Nimbyism in  my Backyard…..Mark Skeffington.

It is sad. It’s not the housing that is the problem it is the societal segragation and basic state of sterotype. Also the lack of responsibilty to each individual. Guaranteed lack of clear perpsective of any humanity. Children do not break the law due to ONLY the fact that they live in ‘affordable housing’. There is so much more complexity involved in that scapegoated reason.
As it is an uneducated gullable view.
I wonder if the people opposed to it realize that they ARE a part of the societal downgrading that makes those children feel as though they have no where to go and no other choice. Still, recognizing  parents are root.  As we all say, it takes a village to raise a child. Do we only mean “good” children? Is it fair to close the village to other children?

Working in this field I see it everyday, There is so many more problems added rather than solutions, and it seems Everyone forgets to own thier responsibility inside of the outcome. “Someone Else” will do it. Right?

If the police get called to one neighbourhood for one bad seed, several times it makes the crime rate for that area rise. Obviously. The Police deal with facts of law and crime, yet we must remember they are not social workers nor psychotherapists.

I can say it is a slap in the face to hard working responsible people. Being a hard working single mother myself, when I needed ‘affordable housing’, due to a work injury my life changed in an instant. Was I viewed as a drug dealer or perhaps a thief? I can assure I am not the only one like me.

Judgement is small box.

Thanks Mark for this article. Really well written.

I had mixed feelings about this match up. When Tito first apppeared on the scene he was my favorite fighter, as I was over the arrogance of Ken Shamrock at that point. 

Then quickly, Ortiz became a foul mouthed, arrogant, disrespectful ring monkey.  Did fame get to him? The high of winning? Only he knows. In the mean time, Griffin came on the scene and I became a huge fan of his fighting style and respect for his opponents. So, this decision was tough. 

 Ortiz took an injury related hiatus and for the last few seasons has been a sideliner, with his wife Jenna Jamieson. Also in the mean time he has become a father. Perhaps this has given him a fresh perspective.

I hope it has, as I am voting for him tonight. Call it a nostalgic vote…..even though I do think that Griffin is prime for this win.
We’ll see!

However, last night I drove past it again. Except,  when I turned the corner, I saw the sign for what it was.  Crash and Burn. I had read about this local tv drama being filmed all around Hamilton, a while back in The Spectator. I should have clued in, but clearly I did not connect the  dots.

Anyway, I must say the one night I drove by, quite late and everything had wrapped up for the day. All the trailers were locked up and all was dark….and still. Approaching the corner to turn,  I looked over and saw a  hooded person, slouched in a lawn chair. A watch man? A young, hooded slouch? What was he equipped with to stop me from jimmying into a trailer? Perhaps a radio,  at most. I thought, he could not chase me, after all I could just see his pants belted to his knees, trying to catch up.  All I could think was, THAT they should film! Trailer, Jimmy,  ACTION! I had a little giggle to myself as I drove past. 

Surely I know there are alarms in place to stop such an event…but that poor soul was clearly a  rookie!    Here’s a lawn chair son, keep an eye open. We’ll see you at 8am!  Truly, what a laugh. Still, I was pretty sure he was asleep.

AH the film industry in Hamilton, Thriving!   In MY neighborhood (and most likely in yours)  BRAVO Hamilton. Bravo!!

We have all used it or have heard it used. We use that term daily, mindlessly. We can certainly thank Shakespeare for opening up our minds to this idealism or rather, our hearts.

Content; feeling or showing satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation , (Mirriam Webster)

However, when we use the term, we use it in conjunction with doing something to excess. Or until CONTENTMENT. Not necessarily to ‘satisfaction’.  So are we confusing excess with contentment?

Recently, my dear friend said that she wanted me to drive to an event, so she could drink to [her] heart’s content. Someone else said they would eat to their heart’s content. Why is it we are all trying to console our hearts with things? Some dance to their heart’s content. Some sing to their heart’s content.

My question is….does doing those ‘things’ in ‘excess’ really remove all wounds so the heart can be/feel ‘content’? In asking that, is the heart ever really, truly content?  We seem somehow lead by the idealism in contentment of our hearts. Is it our hearts indeed that need consoling or is it in fact our spirits instead? Do we mistake that for a feeling of euphoria that we believe we can control our own fate….by controlling our hearts state of contentment? In asking that, is a heart contented than a happy heart?

If so, is a happy heart a truly happy host?

So, when I had the opportunity to see my Favorite artisit Rob Thomas there, of course I was all over that! I WAS THERE! My good friend agreed to go with me to the event. We have been there so many times we have a routine. We park at the Eaton Centre and got to Baton Rouge for a bite to eat before hand. Most of the time we do not know who will open the show, and we like the idea of being surprised and delightfully, always are.

Well, this night was no exception. We made our way over after eating dinner, and decided to go downstairs to check out the merchandise, when we got quite a surprise. What a thrill to see Carolina Liar! Such a great band! I had just given my niece my only cd of them, because I learned she liked them too. I had not yet gotten another copy for myself. Well, not only were they there but they were there signing autographs for the very same cd!

Talk about karma! Rob Thomas had brought my karma to Massey Hall! I was ecstatic!

Then, when we went to get our seats we realized that not only were Carolina Liar there, but One Republic was also there! WOW! What an awesome experience! One for the memory books! And of Course Rob Thomas’ performance was flawless!

Massey Hall never lets me down, and neither does Rob!

When this season started and his opposing coach was Rashad Evans, right away as usual, I was on Team Rampage. Until now. So far, Rampage has proven to be a lazy, selfish, arrogant, careless, and immature coach. It seems he can not accept a loss without behaving as though he would not get his allowance this week because he did not do the dishes. He stomps and frowns and makes a fuss, last time he tore off a door to the gym. I was then astonished to see how he avoided any positive feedback to any of his fighters who had just lost.He was not even present in the octagon after a fight, ever. Rashad Evans was in the octagon consoling Rampage’s fighters while Rampage just sucked his thumb. So far, Team Evans has had 8 wins. I wonder why that might be?

Not only do his coaching skills remain questionable, but more bothersome his inability to walk away from any confrontation without behaving like a bully in the schoolyard. He simply can not keep his mouth shut and be the better man, saying this I recognize that Rashad involves himself to an antagonist degree, but has the ability to walk away before it gets out of hand. Rampage has had heated words with several people on the show. What does this tell us? He lives up to the name Rampage, even outside the octagon.

What really did it was, at one point, before a fight, Rampage, the Coach and Team Leader left his fighter alone while he went out to ‘grab something to eat’. How is this good coaching? While Rashad was there talking, strategizing and motivating his fighter. And we wonder why Team Rashad has and 8 point lead here?

This has been a very disappointing season so far. From Rampage behaving like a scorned child, to Matt Mitrione and his ridiculous attention grabbing behaviour. And all the bets on when another team member “will lose it and go bizerk on someone”. I like the fights, but I can not in good faith or conscience, continue to blog about the antics that seem to make the show all about who can p*ss of the others the most and be the most popular in the house. As opposed to being the best fighter. Such a disappointment.

I have lost all respect for him as a fighter, as a coach and as a person. I have yet to confirm the rumors that he has left the UFC to further a film career as Mr. T, in the new rendition of the A Team. However if this IS the case, then I say it’s a good move, and THANKS!. GO TEAM EVANS!

What a sad display of stamina. The Ex NFL player, Shivers,  was huffing and puffing by the end of round 1.  Ultimatley, after a few weak leg kicks and obviously exhausted fighters…..it went to decision.  James McSweeny, Team Rashad,  wins again. This means Rashad gets to pick the next fight. Putting the well hyped and surprsingly in shape, rumored monster, Kimbo Slice up against his rotund ground master, Roy Nelson. 

This was rumored to be The Fight to watch on this season of UFC. Kimbo Slice is not MMA trained, he’s a straight street fighter. He’s well known in the world of fighting and everyone has been waiting to see what this guy was made of. 

So on October the first, at 10 pm sharp, on Spike tv, the highly anticipated drama unfolds. Will the rumors be true? Will Kimbo Lose? Will Rampage quit the UFC? 

The episode begins, and is seemingly based around Kimbo’s humble and somewhat phiosophical nature.  At one point, Kimbo states his personal battle with the impending fight. He was asking himself, “Who was the enemy? I don’t know, over and over I ask myself until it starts to sound like, Who is the Inner Me?”  Kimbo seemed ready, while Roy seemed anxious.

Then, we see Rampage and Rashad Evans in a face-off, as usual,  until another fighter stepped in, Jardin.  No punches were thrown, no furniture went into the pool and nobody got drunk and stupid.  That was all the side drama of the evening.  Rampage seems to not know when to let it go. While, Rashad is great at egging him on.

Fight time. 

Round One. Kimbo gets in a couple of great jabs,  looks like a powerful fight has started. Then Kimbo gets into and out of a cage pin, then quickly gets taken down to the ground by Roy. Not a good place for Kimbo to be as he has zero ground skills.  He’s all fist and knock out. So,  this goes heavily in Roys favor.  Roy appeared to be  smothering Kimbo.  Pinning his arms on the ground and laying on him while hitting him in the head like a child would hit her father in a tickle match. Very weak punches.  End of Round One.

Round Two.  Kimbo does not stand a chance as Roy takes him down again.  Same crucifix position. Again, same weak punches to the top of the head. Not much Kimbo can do with his giant fists pinned to the ground while being smothered by the Burger King himself. The fight is called.  Roy Nelson has won.

Most do not consider this a win. The general view is,  if  a fat kid sits on you until you cave, does that make him a fighter?

Well,  one rumor is true…..Kimbo did lose this fight….The rumor is still out on Rampage quitting the UFC, but everyone appeared to get a Slice of humble pie! However all is not lost. It appears Kimbo may still get a shot at the title, when one other member gets sick and has to step down.  Stay Tuned. Until Epsiode 4.

Leonard was here in Hamilton in May 2009, an opportunity of a life time & I missed that, sadly.  However, the mania that has insued of his brilliant song Hallejuah does not astonish me.  That song has been a favorite of mine for quite some time. Although, Jeff Buckley’s version of that song captured, more so, the gallows of that moment. In my opinion.  It is remarkable how this old song became brand new and even more remarkable was how it sparked a whole new generation of Leonard followers.

Leonard Cohen has brought us so many written pieces that will resound in  our culture for many, many, many years. He has moved us, alarmed us, shocked us and adored us. Still, I have learned one thing about him however, he is a FAR BETTER writer than a singer.

Leonard IS a performer from the heart. I will forever be indebted to his paving the way for artists like myself to embark on a unique and independant journey, without consent or censorship.