These words, "I get the Coast now just to see if you got something in!" That was great... That.. was what I needed to hear. It's a big gamble starting out on a quest for a new career in your 40s, especially with no more background than years of toiling away in factory jobs. I was blessed to take art class from a fantastic teacher, and he even turned me onto Jimi Hendrix which turned out to consume my high school years and more after. Regardless, music and art have always led my life outside of employment.
A few years ago, after a late night with friends drinking copious amounts of beer and filling in each others blank spots in our memories, I decided I wanted to write a book detailing some of the fantastic and ridiculous behaviour of me and my crew over a decade or so. The craziest decade of our lives was the 1990s,and a few of the 2000s, but the 90s brought us the grunge scene, and created an almost hippie-like scene. ...And me and my hoodlums were smack fuckin dab in the middle of it. Complete with psychedelic drugs and a shit ton of pot, acid, bennies, mesculine, hashish....well fuck, I can hardly remember, and really, I should just leave this as a teaser,...wait for the book fuckers!
I digress, I then wrote a short film script, got excited about film, moved to Halifax and started acting, voice overs and commercials. A few more scripts and TV show outlines litter my desk and surrounding living room area,...yet I have found the greatest joy in writing these short, ranting opinion pieces into the Coast, and to have a friend compliment me is par for the course.
I said some mean things in one of my recent articles about my hometown of Truro... and I'll admit, I was all fired up and shootin off. And for that,.. Truro.. I apologize. I grew up there, had my son there, and once again.. had a crazy fantastic set of 20s in my life there. It is a nice town, and you can easily surround yourself in a nice neighbourhood and raise your kids there safely. I just get hung up on the fact that I fought for years to build some kind of artistic career only to fail, year after year. I'm in Halifax now, busting away at finding an artistic outlet that will sustain me... not as easy as I thought, but I have done some wicked cool shit here in the last three months. And I just fuckin love writing for the people to read.
So thanks to the Coast for printing my rambling dribble. Thanks to you, the readers -I promise, the best is yet to come- for reading and voicing back your opinions. Good writing should stir up conversation and debate! Thanks to my friend for giving me the kind of compliment that makes you say to yourself, "Yeah. I might be able to do this!" ..... And thanks to Truro. You raised me pretty good, and I may shit on you once in a while... but in alls fair,.. you shit on me a little over the years too, love! I'm only getting started!!
(maybe the Coast could use a madman writer?) —maybe not !!??

To the bagel man on Quinpool: you are a local legend! Your constant excitement over bagels makes our days brighter. You inspire us to love our jobs as much as you love bagels. —Locals

To the baristas at my favourite local cafe: you are all so wonderful! I think that all the time but especially wanted to say so after the last time I was in, when a fellow customer was pretty rude to you. You're on your feet for long hours trying to please everyone, and you deserve no less respect than any other worker in any industry. You are all so friendly and kind and so good at what you do! Thanks for caffeinating me :) —A Regular

Canada day weekend was great. Being with friends, especially you, helped me realize that no matter what happens, I'll be fine. PS. I should have slept in your tent. —Badfish

To the lovely, wonderful, caring individual who at some point decided to donate their used, long, maternity pants to a certain thrift store: this newly pregnant six-foot lady would like to send you the most gigantic hug. After searching all over the city and finding out that most maternity store consider "tall" to be a 34-inch inseam, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw those wonderful black pants hanging in front of me. I can dress like a human again and you are the best for passing them on! I promise to repay the favour when I am done with them! —Six Feet of Thankful

Woof, woof, woofty, woof. Woof, woof, woof. Mmmmmmm. I love evewybody. Woof, woofy woof, and woof woof woof. P.S. I’m not ill. You should see me off the chain. —Bella

Last Friday I was feeling down because of an unfortunate life circumstance. I went to the Cape Breton show at the Marquee with a pal and, while all the entertainers were fantastic, Port Cities really boosted my mood and reminded me by example what it's like to be happy and grooving again. You're all insanely talented and your music is beautiful. Your positive vibe is infectious and it really lifted my spirits.Thanks for being so upbeat and loving what you do! —The girl who didn't stay home

To my lovely friends, you have been there for me through thick and thin. I treasure our friendship, our unique bond that holds us together and the underlying notion that we will never be alone. I love knowing that if I ever need you, all it takes is one call or message and you'll drop everything and come running. For that, I'm internally grateful. —With All the Gush and Mush

Dear Karma, I love you. You never let me down. All I have to do is wait and watch and you deliver. Thank you for the gift you've given me. Eventually you will find all the horrible people of the world and work your sweet sweet magic. I love you, -Flowers —Karma

I feel like I should say this more often: thank you. Thank you for putting up with my mood swings. Sometimes when I'm short or unsociable, I just need to be a bit of a recluse in an effort to recharge, but that doesn't mean I don't adore you both or love our living arrangement. I woke up this morning in our beautiful, sunshine-drenched apartment and felt extremely grateful. —M