Rome Wasn't Built in 100 Days

Push me, through the door. Tell me to be someone and then encourage me to do it. Make me big. Instead of judging my weight, why don't you look at yourself in the mirror. Distorted images all over - inside and out. Do you see what I see?

See the world through my eyes. There would be a frame around each picture. Glasses being peered through with a set of eyes. The frames resting on nose. Push me to be both hard and soft on myself, but don't hide me from the world. Reject boxes.

I am nothing really special, but I am here so as I am, I thought I would try to express myself. Give me the voice to speak truth. Remind me of the truth. When I forget, don't forget to forgive me, as I am only human.

Today I realized that I am special. I remembered that you taught me never to forget how special I am. Push me to keep pushing.

It's funny how some things just don't change. Time can pass, tempers can flare, moments can come and then go. The fact of life remains that memories that carry forward are saturated in fondness. When care becomes an emblem of remembering the past and valuing how it carries worth in future and present - it is realized that blessings come in array of transformations.

People come, people go, never stop valuing the time spent, even if it was long ago.

Happy Diwali!

To all my yoga lovers, Hindu homies and brown appreciators....light it up!

New Jack Playback: Monica "Before you Walk Out My Life"

Love me some old school Monica.

Portrait of Parul Pandya by Caitlin McGrath

My wife painted this beautiful portrait of me; I am quite speachless! Blue and red are my favourite colours, and red wine is my favourite water!!!

Cait is a very talented artist, so please check out her work here.

RIP, Gentle Jack Layton

What does it mean to be a facilitator of change? Does it require that you change the lives of many through your good deeds, or just one, or some? Should it mean that the impact you make should be immediately measurable in value, or does it mean that you plant a seed to watch progression happen slowly, like a baby horse taking a first step, who will one day run as free as a freeze. Change is an acknowledgment that growth is a human endeavour, and that with an effort of unity, many can be impacted through the positivity of this evolution.

Today a good man lost a battle to cancer, charismatic, kind and sensible NDP leader Jack Layton – a man that has made an unforgettable impact to Canadian contemporary politics, a man who made us acknowledge just how much we really can help eachother change for the better. I send my condolences to his family and friends, and I thank him for making us believe that some politicians still do harbour a conscience to serve the needs of the people. Missed and never forgotten, with a smile that seemed to strike the match of hope in many of those in younger generations. Though the battle with cancer came to a grim end, the contribution Mr. Layton has made to Canada is forever light. Thank you - the last election showed just how much Canadians were beginning to envision the values he installed into our world through his years of contribution.

Toronto Public Libraries Under Threat - Rob Ford is a DOUCHE

I urge you all to sign this petition immediately.Toronto's Public Libraries are under threat and we, the people, need to take action!

Doug Ford, the brother of Mayor Rob Ford said on July 14, 2011 - "I have more libraires in my area than I have Tim Hortons." Lets's keep it that way or we will be fat, lazy fucks like the Ford brothers.

This was my note on the petition:

Dear Mr. Ford,

It saddens me that you are demoting the importance of public space as a community outlet of learning, gathering and education. Libraries pay a critical role in communicating diversity, teaching history and providing imagination for adults and youth alike.

I think that your priorities are jaded. For example, for those youth who cannot afford to go out and spend money, a library is a PUBLIC place of escape and perhaps a sanctuary away from the problems of everyday.

I urge you to rethink the value of words. I am a writer and this is not only personally offensive to me, but it is an insult to society and Toronto culture. We, the people appreciate learning and value to pass this down for generations to come. It should not be in the hands of corporations or be threatened by privatization.

Best,

Parul Pandya

Rob Ford replied:

Thank you very much for your email regarding libraries in the City of Toronto. I appreciate your thoughts and value the input from our residents.

Yours truly,

Mayor Rob Ford
City of Toronto

Friendship

Friendship is a chance, and at times a risk. When we open ourselves up to knowing someone, one of the hardest challenges regardless of age, is having that someone leave. The end of a relationship of this kind could be for multiple reasons, whether you grow apart, or someone gets disappointed, one thing remains: people will come and people will go.

Over the years I have seen a few friendships naturally grow apart - those who were once close to me are no longer part of my everyday life. Of course I remain civil if we are in a mutual public space, and I would never wish ill to those I have known, even if they have disappointed me.

Now 30, I realize that I have gained coping skills I once lacked, I have better learned to accept that while someone may enter my life, there is no contract that binds them to remain at the status of friend until the end of time. I'd like to think that those I have grown apart from will still look at me with some find memories. Whether they perceive me as a "has-been" or chose to think of me from time-to-time, is really a choice.

This I know of myself though: I never forgot those who have touched me, no matter how misrepresented I may seem in their eyes, or how little they may regard me in the present.

I think friendship is a testament to adaptation over the course of a lifetime, and even thought we meet great people through the years, only a very small  few of these individuals will remain true companions through it all.