Education is an arduous task for everyone involved. When you’re in the thick of it, it’s a seemingly endless struggle to an ends that you can’t even fathom. But as you draw closer, you tend to reflect on what you’ve accomplished and learned, and the hardships become valuable and worthwhile learning experiences. As much as school sucks at the time, once you ascend through its many levels, it becomes more of a victorous achievement than a hassle.
Every level of school is difficult, no matter who you are. And it’s not just the scholastic aspect of it - there is a myriad of complex influences that weigh down the entire schooling process: social status, maturity, family...the list goes on and on.
So anytime a student crosses a finish line - whether it be passing Grade 6 or earning his or her Ph.D. - it’s a cause for celebration. That’s why I’d like to take this opportunity to make a shout out to my little brothers - Musqwaunquot and Gigohns. Both have reached two very distinct and important milestones this month. Musky graduated cum laude with a philosophy degree from the University of Ottawa, and the Gigger is making that transition into the exciting, terrifying, and molding world of high school. His Grade 8 grad was last Wednesday.
Both of these dudes are on the path to greatness. They will accomplish feats the rest of us can only dream of, all with one hand tied behind their backs. For Musky, graduate school will be a breeze, and for Gig, high school will further hone his artistic genius. Fellas, I just want to say I’m very proud of you and love you both very much. Keep rockin’!
Well, it appears entries in this section of the site have been rather sparse. My excuse? An overabundance of work (for once). It seems all those late mornings in the past year have finally caught up with me. There was a time not long ago when I was only scraping by to pay rent and pills; pimping articles and pitches out to the lowest bidder and spending weeknights gallivanting about downtown music clubs.
But nowadays I seemed to have piled a number of courses onto my plate at the journalism buffet - leaving me nary 15 minutes to update my blog! So I apologize to anyone who has been hanging on my every printed word (yeah, right!) - frequent and regular posts will soon resume. A man's gotta eat!
Many in the arts community are well aware of the fact that freelance life follows a "feast or famine" cycle. Work comes and work goes. When it's sporadic, financing even the basic necessities of everyday life can be very difficult. Sometimes you'll walk 2+ hours just to save the $2.25 of a bus or subway ride. You return to the student diet of high, cheap carbs and the flirtation with scurvey. Any story/event you cover with a complimentary snack table or open bar is a jubilant blessing. Many times, you pace back and forth in your humble living quarters, wondering whether to call mom or dad to hook you up with a couple C-notes to help cover this month's rent. Luckily, something comes up and you're able to save face for at least another month. Bill payments are regularly forgone, only to be caught up in the future.
On the other bitter yet delightful hand, steady work results in a surplus of the most dangerous drug on the planet: money. When you have more than what you need, almost nothing else makes you happier. Stress evaporates. Worries are shoved into the periphery. Extravagant purchases and adventures become guiltless. And as soon as it depletes (because it always does), you're back at the bottom.
Nothing contents or contrists me more than money. Sometimes when work lacks and I'm busting open the pork credit union, I feel physically ill. And when it's hopping (like now), not even "walking on clouds" can describe the carnal elation.
So what can we do to wean ourselves off this horrible cycle of emotional dependence on capital? I'm slowly figuring it out. Many of you may know it already. But I've only been a "real" adult for a couple years now, so I'm slowly settling into this groove of buttoning down my priorities. It's about knowing who you are, and that material posessions or the pressures of the capital-driven world don't matter at all. Happiness is about having positive influences in your life and knowing how to keep them. These influences take many forms and are found in very distinctive locales. But as they slowly come into fruition, money begins to serve its mechanic role. Like any external controlling force it has to be moderated and controlled. Spiritual satisfaction ensues!
So yeah, please stay tuned to the waublog. It'll update more often with more coherent ramblings.
There are countless books, poems, songs, and paintings that extoll the virtues and vices of city living. I’ve been a happy and proud Torontonian going on six years now (minus stints in Parry Sound, ON, and Akron, OH) and have experienced the highest highs and lowest lows of being an urbanite. Living in Canada’s biggest city has been both extremely exciting and downright depressing. There’s easy access to all kinds of fun and culture, yet at the same time all the troubles of the world seem to manifest themselves in steady and small but potent doses. It can get overbearing, but when it does I can always seek refuge in my reliable safe haven - home.
Wasauksing First Nation is the most beautiful place on this planet. And it’s only a two-hour drive north of the city. This post is a shout-out to my community, friends, and family - both there and in nearby Parry Sound. I have an unrelenting passion for my home and greatly appreciate any time I can spend there. The Rez is not without its flaws, however - but its merits greatly outweigh its downfalls.
I guess I’m pretty fortunate in that I can draw from the best of both worlds. But no matter where I end up along this vast and unpredictable path, I know I can always count on that little island on Georgian Bay. Growing up there was definitely a remarkable experience, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.