A Crazy Story – Mr. Snaz

December 5, 2010

So get this:

When I was 15, I chatted with a guy online. Snaz was relatively my age, lived in the same town, had an affinity for the arts, spoke French, and was Persian. We had lots in common! He was a street performer, a really cool mime and a break dancer. We spoke a lot but never went the extra mile to meet. It was just cool that way.

I always said it would be better if I would catch him on the street during his mime act some day.

One day I was strapped for cash, I don’t remember what for, but it was probably to pay off my phone bill and pay day was a week away. I didn’t want to ask my mom, who thought I was a reckless teenager. So Snaz said he would lend me the $30 I needed. I gave him my information and he wired me the money right away.

My friend “L” thought it was hilarious, “What? He actually gave you the money? What an idiot! You’re not going to pay him back are you?”

“Of course I’m going to pay him back! That wouldn’t be cool!”

Payday came and I wired Snaz the money back.

We thought nothing of it and continued chatting here and there. Unfortunately, as the internet social scene was going through some major changes, we lost contact over the years.

HOWEVER – eight years later – last summer I sat in Kensington Market to pass the time playing the mandolin when I had the weirdest human encounter in my life.

A guy riding his bike passed by me, watched and gave me some money and left. He came back again to watch some more.

Then he stopped me, “Are you Venus?” (the old name I had stopped going by for many years.) My heart stopped. It was such a long time ago and I didn’t recognize the person at all. I felt like worlds were colliding! I thought no one from my dark suburban past would ever step foot in Kensington Market.

“Uh…” I spoke very slowly, “Um… yea… uh… who.. are.. who are you?”

“We spoke on the internet”

“Um? I don’t know. Who are you?”

“Remember, I did miming”

“Oh Holy FK! You are the guy who lent me $30!!!”

“Yea!”

“OMFG, wtf are you doing here?”

“I work in this neighbourhood,”

So we started talking for a good 20 minutes. He told me he was saving up money so he could build houses in Mexico. We exchanged contacts and began chatting in the Facebook realm. He said I motivated him to get back into street performing.

I just checked my Facebook now and noticed he’s gone again. Maybe he deleted me, or he deleted his profile. Who knows. Maybe its just cooler that way.

Yea. It happened.

Joliette – I had fun – Review

November 1, 2010

Bonjour mes amis!

It seems like my life has taken an interesting turn to Joliette, QC. The capital of traditional Quebecois music!!!

I found Joliette to be very… enchanting. Castles, bakeries, and music and more! I would describe my trip to Joliette to be a very pretty experience.

Interesting tid bit: They have this thing in October where all stores write proverbs on their displays…

Celtic College in Goderich – Class of 2010 My Review and Reflections

August 6, 2010

I JUST came back from the Celtic College in Goderich, Ontario, and I’m so excited to be warped onto the internet to share my story with the online public. So here it goes… allow me to unfold this story picture by picture.

At the Livery for registration in Goderich

My travels begin with signing in at The Livery to get my information package. I was greeted by the friendliest coordinators, they were happy to give me directions around the neighbourhood even though it may have been the millionth time they repeated it that day.

The Livery, a beautiful venue made from stone, was a great starting point to our trip. It was once a stable in the 1840’s and is one of many other relics in the town from way back when. My friend “S” and I are mesmerized by this old town charm and continue to roam around to absorb it all.

Window Display at the Livery

I’m impressed with this town’s commitment to music and the arts. Other than the Livery, the town was complete with a music shop, a co-op art gallery, and countless antique shops. Even the coffee shop sold music instruments. The town’s commitment into preserving the things from the past just added more to its character. It’s no wonder they have a reputation for being Canada’s prettiest town.

Once a working light house in Goderich

This old town charm definitely has rubbed on its inhabitants. You could see it on the detailing of people’s homes and in their cars. This picture is one of many old fashioned automobiles I saw around town.

Old school car in Goderich.

The downside to Goderich is that there is no public means of transit to get there. Stef, Bronwin and I were lucky enough to get a ride. The next best way would have been to take a bus to Stratford and from there hitchhike to Goderich. This picture below shows a train station that used to pass by. It’s been cut off eon’s ago, which consequently cuts off the town from a whole entire market of people, and erasing itself off the map.

This was once a train station in Goderich. Today, there is no means of getting to Goderich with public transit.

Another downer to Goderich was the cheap discount stores. Juxtaposed against these pretty boutiques and homes really took away from the experience. But I didn’t make this any better, I’ll admit I supported this by shopping there the most during my stay.

A cheap discount store in Goderich. At least its Canadian and independantly owned (?)

Anyway, I really enjoyed the nature at Goderich. But be careful at the beach, there are a lot of mosquitoes that will engulf you and the beach surface is entirely made from stones. Keep your shoes on and proceed with caution!

Beach at Goderich

And what’s a trip in rural Ontario without a picture of its vast farm fields?

Farm Field in Goderich

Lounging around the cottage eating local corn with good friends. Good times.

At the actual College itself, I’m overwhelmed with everything that’s going on! So many people, so much material to learn in the presence of so many super cool musicians!

They even have Celtic massages now.

And finally, I’d like to mention in closing one of the most phenomenal performance I’ve ever seen! De Temps Antan had energy like no other, they are super jovial and super talented and good looking. I’m so impressed that I will dedicate an entire blog post just about them. I really encourage everyone to check these guys out. You can listen to their awesome songs on http://www.myspace.com/detempsantan.