The Meaning of Being Alone and That Pervy Tell-Tale Heart!

I'm developing a new sense of independence. I have always had it, but something has really clicked in the past few days. I have never considered myself to be a co-dependent puppet, (although I don't work the same without that arm stuck up my backside) but something is changing. This is my fifth day in Chibougamau and I feel like I have been here forever. It is amazing how wherever I happen to be becomes my home for a time. Why get too attached to a particular place? What purpose would that serve? I start thinking and planning and wondering where else in the world I can go now. All I need is myself and that arm that controls me. I should consider myself lucky that I'm a single pig because I don't have to worry about someone else's opinion in deciding my future, where I should go, what I should do. I have endless possibilities and there are so many adventures that await me. My only complaint is that sometimes moments don't seem as special when you have no one to share them with. That said, I'm extra grateful for my friends and the little notes that they have sent me since I came here.

So why have I come up north? I'm teaching an English class. On the first day of class, I had my students read The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe, aloud in class. I'm teaching adults, but there is no doubt that we can all be a little immature sometimes. One student was reading when she came to this passage: "Oh, you would have laughed to see how cunningly I thrust it in! I moved it slowly--very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old man's sleep..." (paragraph 3). The student couldn't stop laughing and then the class lost it as well. I will never look at that story the same way again! It certainly becomes less creepy when taken out of context.

A bientot my dears!
xx

Music, Philosophy, Yoga and Fires

It's been so long and yet this shall have to be brief. First, I can once again hear a concert outside. It is 11 pm and the sounds are drifting up the hill on the wind. At certain moments I can clearly hear the instruments and the audience. It is an incredible sound and makes me so happy to be in the city this summer. I love my neighbourhood! I am just curious about the origin of the music as Jazz Fest is over. On the other hand, Montreal has more festivals during the summer than I can possibly keep track of. I am curious what outdoor space is being used for this particular concert.

Second, I have just started reading a new book: Minima Moralia by Theodor Adorno. I have only read 1/5 of it so far, but I am thoroughly enjoying it. I am no philosophy expert so I won't comment too much. I simply want to say that even though the language is a bit difficult, the message seems worth the effort. So many of the thoughts and theories in the book are totally prophetic. The book was written between 1944 and 1947 and yet some of the criticisms that Adorno makes about society can totally be applied to 2009. I would be interested in taking a formal class in which they study this book because I'm sure I would learn a lot.

Lastly, the lovely folks over at Naada yoga are offering free yoga classes in Jeanne Mance Park every Sunday during July and August (weather permitting) from 4-5. Everyone is welcome to come. If you don't have a yoga mat you should be able to improvise with a beach towel. Also, if you want to check out a yoga class during the week you should go to their Mile End studio. It is super zen, the instructors are great and they have a well-stocked tea lounge as well if yoga is not your thing. For more info. visit www.naada.ca

No pictures tonight darlings! (I so wanted to make that a Zsa Zsa reference.)

Sleep well!
Mr. P
xx

P.S. I wanted to add a thought about a previous post. In my post about the fire on St. Denis I said that the news confirmed that no homes were lost. After seeing the buildings for myself, it is quite obvious that a few people probably lost their homes. From the sidewalk you can clearly see into damaged apartments. Happily no one was injured in the fire, but I hope those people have had some support in re-establishing themselves.

Delightfully Dry

Alas, no pictures today! I am two chapters away from finishing Dry: a Memoir by Augusten Burroughs. Many of you might be familiar with him as the bestselling author of Running With Scissors. This is my first foray into the world of Augusten Burroughs and I absolutely love it. His book is everything that I look for in a good read: complex characters, unique descriptions, a well-paced plot. As well, I love that there are many details in this book that can only be described as uncomfortable and politically incorrect. Burroughs is a fearless writer who confesses his own profound vulnerability while being totally in control of his craft.

Dry starts when Burroughs is 24 years old. He lives in Manhattan and makes a lot of money working in advertising even though his formal education ended in elementary school. Besides a lack of schooling, he explains that at the age of 13, his mother gave him away to her lunatic psychiatrist who adopted him. He then lived a life of "squalor, pedophiles, no school and free pills." It is no surprise then to learn that at 24, despite having a successful career, Burroughs is also an alcoholic. The book follows him through his adventures being forced into rehab and his recovery afterwards. It is full of eccentric characters and unique life perspectives. I can't wait to finish it to see if the ending is as satisfying as the rest of the novel.

I have checked out a few sites that question whether this book is a true memoir because the details of Burrough's life seem so extraordinary and almost unbelievable. I also checked out his Web site and read what he has to say about these criticisms. I won't quote him verbatim but he basically says that the people criticizing his book come from privileged backgrounds and find his life hard to believe because they are so distanced from his reality. I love the idea that this is a memoir, but if a few details are embellished, who cares? It's still a great read.

That is all for today dears!
ciao
xx

Fringe Fest-In Cold Blood

Today was utterly depressing. It was gorgeous and sunny outside and my schedule was wide open. So what did I do? I sat in my armchair reading the entire day. (At least I preserved what's left of my precious and limited funds.) I drank a lot of tea and ate a lot of Ryvita crisp bread (endorsed by the Queen!), and all day long I read In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. My friend lent it to me a few months ago and I wasn't sure I would like it, but once I got started I was kind of sucked in. Unaware of the book's phenomenal success I decided to google it. After doing that, I now reckon it is quite possible that every other person my age and older has already read this book. If you are one of the few exceptions like me, you should pick it up! Why should you pick it up? It is a well-written and engaging book. It also has historical significance. It was originally marketed as being a non-fiction novel giving a true account of the murders of a Kansas farmer and his family. It is full of very interesting characters and descriptions. As well, I find that the sections in which the murderers take a road-trip can be likened to a perverse version of On the Road. I enjoyed reading about the places that they travelled though it was horrible to think of the actions that preceded the trip as well as some of the things they did while moving about the U.S. and Mexico. I really don't know what I can say to endorse the book, there is so much written about it already and readily available on the Internet. You don't need to take my word for it, look it up!

After I finished the book I was still feeling too gloomy to step out for a stroll. Since I was feeling depressed and had spent the day reading a book that reconfirms 'life is not fair' I gave up on trying to shake the bad mood and also watched the movie Capote which is about the author of In Cold Blood. Watching the movie after reading the book really makes you think about how Capote got his information and how much of it he may have embellished.

So my dears, as you can tell, I am a bit morose tonight. Yes, I have said this is the case but I think my writing indicates it as well. My week actually started on a high note though. For the first time ever, I attended the Fringe-for-All event on Monday, June 1. The event at Cafe Campus included 2-minute preview performances from 45 of the performers that will be at this year's Montreal Fringe Fest. It was so much fun and there was so much talent in that room! I just love to see what wonderful things emerge when fertile creative minds are given a forum like the Fringe where they can show off their uncensored works. There were a couple of misses, but maybe they were just shows that could not be represented very well in such a short period of time. Also, the performers still have a few days of rehearsal left as it does not start until June 11. If you are anywhere near Montreal, you MUST attend. It is inexpensive and loads of fun! The festival runs from June 11-21. You can click here to visit the official Web site and get schedules, ticket info. and all that jazz.

Goodnight all!
kisses
xx

Tonight's song is 'Perfect Day' by Lou Reed.

C-R-A-W-L-I-N-G Along

I am presently reading Success by Martin Amis. 'Tis a lovely, messed up book full of profanity.

Life crawls at a snail's pace of late.

Song: Of Montreal-Id Engager