Looking Back At 2008….The Year Of Challenge And Change
I sit here reflecting on the year that just passed, that’s almost over, that shortly after a few seconds after midnight on the 31st, I’ll be able to to exhale a little longer than I usually do.
2008 was A year I thematically refer to as the year of challenge and change. It’s one thing when things in your life are comfortable and cushy, and there hasn’t been much variation, but when it goes a complete 180 on you and there’s nothing but variation, well it makes it hard to adjust.
This year was hard pressed to decide if I was going to continue having a room mate or move out on my own, ultimately I decided on the latter. I moved into a cozy little bachelor apartment in the beaches. This year I had a difficult time at my place of employment, and was faced with a decision to stay in an environment that was poisoning me, or to leave behind a job of 7.5 years for a contract job of one year that pays more, has more responsibility, unstablel hours, and teaches me a whole host of new skills. Again, I decided on the latter.
I saved some money, and lost some money. I lost 40lbs this year, and ended up gaining 25 of that back. I came across people that were flat out ignorant who uselessly wrote mean and nasty things about me in a literary magazines, to people who well, wanted to threaten my life, yeah there were more than a few times where I was sweating this year
but…that being said….it hasn’t all been bad……….
I got published in a national anthology of spoken word, and in the review, there was somewhat of an allusion made with my name and Leonard Cohen courtesy of Robert Priest. I took my reading series into it’s fifth season. I got to host a major literary series called “Words Alive” and perform in another literary series called “Words Aloud,” I had some wicked, insane, and awesome moments performing spoken word this year, especially in August when I got to be Toronto Poetry Slam champion for a month. I met some fantastic new people this year, be it as part of poetry events, or everyday life, and what can I tell you ladies and gents, the end of the year had Cupid bury an arrow in my butt, and had me falling in love with a beautiful woman, and for the first time in a long time I am damn happy in a wonderful relationship.
This year has had it’s ups and downs, but I think you take from the significant moments.
April 28, 2008 – Being Featured In The ‘Mic Check’ Anthology
I knew that this was happening for a good while, but it wasn’t until the launch that things really sunk in for me. I remember this was not only one of the happiest days of the year, but one of the happiest days of my life. I remember being distracted and depressed by stuff going on at work, and in the morning I picked up a copy of NOW magazine, and read an amazing review of the book, and had my name even mentioned flatteringly by Robert Priest. It was really cool to be a part of this anthology. I am proud to have my name etched in with the likes of two of my biggest influences in spoken word like Shane Koyczan and Amanda Hiebert, but being in there with the rest of the talented poets really is an honour and again made me feel like I’ve accomplished something.
May 1, 2008 – Moving Out On My Own
After four years of being with two different room mates I had a short time to decide whether I was going to continue living with a room mate, or move out on my own. Ultimately, I decided I wanted to be on my own. I rented a small bachelor in the Beaches, and have been here ever since. Being on my own at first quite honestly was a little lonely, and a bit of an adjustment, but I’ve settled in nicely. I like the area quite a bit, and am waiting for that warm spring and summer weather to show up, cause when it does this area is sweet.
May 2, 2008 - Cryptic Chatter Turned Five
I may be wrong, but now that the IV Lounge Reading Series is no longer running I believe Cryptic Chatter is the second longest reading series in Toronto next to the Art Bar. This was a great night, I always love to feature Amanda at the anniversary, nd she was well complimented with Dwayne Morgan. It’s been great seeing regular poets, and regular audience members just showing up to Cryptic to take things in. I know that keeping Cryptic running is going to be a challenge in the coming year, but I really hope I can keep it going, it’s become too much of a part of me.
May 6, 2008 – Last Call Poets vs. Toronto Slam Fam
When it comes to a gig that sticks out this is definitely one from this year that I remember. I believe this was to help send a team to the Rustbelt. The Last Call Poets which include myself Valentino Assenza, Dave Silverberg, Amanda Hiebert, Krystle Mullin, Kevin Fortnum, and That Brown Bastard, took on the the Toronto Slam Fam including the likes of Dane Jah Ras, Tomy Bewick, and Mike Smith. In the end the Slam Fam came out on top, but this was a fun high energy gig that included some great performances, and drew everyone in.
July 28, 2008 – Changing Jobs
I started a new job on this day. I left behind a job I had been a part of for seven and a half years, and went to a job where I am on a one-year contract. Yeah, it’s definitely a risk, especially with all the wonderful economic news your hearing nowadays. I am not crazy about the one year contract, I am not crazy about the hours I am working, and the job itself is harder, and by no means a picnic. However, I am making significantly more, learning way more than I ever learned at my old job, and the people I work with are damn cool. The fact of the matter is, and this relates to my old job, there is only so much a person can put up with. When your everyday environment is one that has you hanging your head, and depressed, and someone with a position of power in the workplace decides to humiliate you…well it’s time to move on.
September 15, 2008 – Featuring With Shane Koyczan
Whenever I have a gig with Shane, well let me tell you it’s a big deal for me. In this case my compatriots the Last Call Poets were also in attendance at The Boat in Kensington Market, and this turned into another of the most memorable gigs of the year for me. It was great to share the stage with Shane and my Last Call brethren, and it was a night where the audience was really into the entire night.
September 21, 2008 - Hosting The Second Annual Words Alive Festival
I have to give a massive thank you to Allan Briesmaster for hooking me up with this gig. I got to host the readers on the main stage at the Sharon Temple for the Words Alive festival. I got to introduce some pretty big names, including the likes of two Governor General’s nominees Mary Swan, and Anthony DeSa. This was a wonderful festival that I hope gains more attention as the years go by. Thank you also to Vali Stone for giving me a shot at hosting.
November 6th – 9th 2008 – Participating In The Words Aloud Festival
The coolest part about this of course was who I got to share it with: Amanda Hiebert, Lara Bozabalian, Kevin Fortnum, and That Brown Bastard. From hearing George Elliot Clark say Schlitz, and having him sing old Italian 60’s songs, to having some of my strongest spoken word performances in a Library in Owen Sound, to chilling in a hot tub after a wicked burger meal, to a decadent schmoozefest at the Hedges house. This festival was definitely a hilight of the year, and Kristan Anderson deserves a huge thank you, as he treated us like kings and queens. Whether I am asked to perform next year or not at this festival, I will be there and I highly recommend it for anyone else.
November 20, 2008 – Meeting Angela
What can I say, I never really saw this coming. I revealed details of this little by little because for the most part when it came to me and dating this year, I was mostly a cynic, guess that happens when your life is threatened. You’d think that I wouldn’t have gone back to online dating after sucn an experience, but what can I say? One night during the week online in my apartment, I saw a beautiful woman’s profile, and decided to send her an e-mail. We met at Future’s Bakery in the Annex, and went for a litre of wine at Dooney’s. Our second date was at her place on a Sunday afternoon, she played the piano for me and sang me “Hallelujah” and “Natural Woman” and for dinner she made me Tagliatelli with her very own meat sauce…it was fantastic, and from then on I was locked in. She’s a music teacher, and a talented musician playing Flute, Piano, Guitar, and Congas. She’s unbelievably creative, opinionated, and charismatic. We have a few things in common, but not everything, which makes it all the more cooler cause we share so much with each other. We laugh quite a bit when we’re together, and things just feel right and good. I don’t like to make predictions, but one of the reasons why I just immersed myself in this wonderful relationship for the remainder of the year was because I felt I deserved it after the tumultuous year I have had, but also because she’s nothing but love and positivity, and I am taking that as a sign that next year will be a good one.
Top Five Movies Of 2008
1) The Dark Knight
2) The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
3) The Counterfeiters
4) Cloverfield
5) Vicki Cristina Barcelona
For all of my friends, and acquaintances out there, I hope this year has been a good one, and I hope next year is an even better one. It’s amazing the experiences that are thrown at us, we feel like sometimes we won’t be able to handle it, but sometimes we find strength where we least expect it.
For all of the friends that I have I wish you nothing but love, positivity, and success for 2009, let’s make it rock!
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