My Dad

My Dad

He has graciously bestowed upon me knowledge,

Pushing me forward into a life filled with my dreams and aspirations

Walks me through trials and temptations

Helps me to see the mistakes that I’m making

My dad.

Never been perfect but always been there

Never been tall but he always had hair

He was always standing

When other fathers were scarce

Has helped to teach me who I am and who I can be

Completely instrumental in making me me.

I remember me and my sisters would sleep on his chest

At times that was the only place I could find rest

He would always stay close like a tight fitting vest

Knowing he was the only him, made him the best.

Irreplaceable, immovable strong and honest,

Had the heart of David but always stayed modest.

Taught me what it was like to give what you don’t yet own,

Gave me food when I was hungry and time when I was alone.

We used to drive in his bronco down to Christy Pitts Park,

We’d go swimming and he’d watch as I played the shark.

He works and works, no matter what it takes,

He would do anything for us no matter how high the stakes,

I look up to him, truth is my Dad is a hero,

If I was asked how many were like him, I would always answer zero.

He taught me everything, from shoelaces to girls,

That why he’s the best Dad in the world.

He went from watching my play basketball to watching my perform,

He’s drive to Oakville in the winter in the middle of a storm,

and I say this with excitement because that’s not the norm,

In the middle of the cold he would always keep us warm.

Never had to look too far because he was always near,

In the audience he always the first one to cheer,

If I needed somebody to talk to he would always hear,

Assuring me it was all ok and there was nothing to fear.

Now I want to share that experience with those without Fathers,

For those who’s parent wouldn’t even bother,

To be the Dad for them that they so desperately need,

Because every child deserves to water their seed.

So Dad I want to thank you without procrastination,

Not only did you change me but you’ve changed a whole nation.

Playing, performing, living or lying on your chest,

I look forward to more memories that make you the BEST!

Transformed (Insane)

I am eager to serve.

This Christmas was amazing. I had a different mindset going into this Christmas season. I remember being so excited about Christmas and all that it brought. As a child I was conditioned to believe that Christmas was about toys and getting what you want while finding little time to be nice to people. I remember anticipating Christmas for months to come. I remember counting down the days until Christmas when December started with those chocolate calendars. Christmas was about fun. I'm 17 now and this year Christmas was very different for me. I admit I was a very philosophical child. Somewhere I understood that Christmas was not about all of that. But I didn't fully understand what it was about. 2010 was a year of character refining and soul searching for me. I was in a continual state of introspective reflection. And through all of that self examination I tried very hard to examine my motives for thing that I invested my time into. Christmas slowly turned from a celebration off gifts to a swift reality Check. After all Christmas is about celebrating the gift, life and ministry of Jesus Christ. And Jesus had a will for his followers; to love each other like we I've ourselves and love God above anybody else. I took this holiday season to find think about what my life meant in the bigger picture. I had the best Christmas of my life because I took the time and effort to simply give. It was an amazing experience and I can finally say that I know what Christmas is supposed to be about.

A Trip To the Movies

The movies are life a refuge. Lie a break from your stressful life. An escape from your every day life into a story specifically written for your entertainment. How important than are the messages in these movies? Many will argue that they do not learn how they should life from a movie. But many will admit that they find out hoe it is that they want to live by participating in these stories about success and prosperity, happiness and romance, struggle and faith. I know that I am a person who aims to live how I want to live. So if I am confronted with a theme that has the qualifications of what the media says is a good life I try very hard nit to believe them. I've come to realize a revelation that 90% of people will not understand. Happiness derives from ones own ability to find complete contentment in their current life and lifestyle. The is not the regular way of thinking. I believe that art should change and effect somebody in a very positive way. Therefore a trip to the movies should be a trip to see God. This is what I want to create. This is my lifes mission.

I had the privilidge of seeing an academy award worthy movie called "The Fighter" staring Mark Walberg and Christian Bale Directed by Davin O. Russel. And what an experience that was. It made the tips of my fingers tingle as I sat in my seat. I felt like i was sitting with the two men the wtory was written about and speaking with them about the things they went through. First of all the acting was fantastic. I enjoyed it, every last drop. I couldnt help but look at it from an artists perspective. Every little nuance brought me in further, closer to the story.

I felt stronger, wiser and more knowledgable as a result of watching that movie. It changed me. If you have not seen It I suggest you do. It is fantastic.

Toronto I Love You

I love my cityof Toronto. It's such an amazing place to live, work and be creative. The emmense amount of positivity in Toronto compliments it's true nature. The entertainment in Toronto is spectacular. I've seen plays, participated innpoetry slams attended an enormous amount if events like caribana Toronto jazz festival and a lot more. And I must say that it is one of my favorite places to be. As a torontonian I feel like i am able to appreciate it o. A. Deeper level. The emmensly raw and beautiful creativity available in this city is astonishing and it takes somebody who knows where to go and what to do to filly grasp it. that's because the best things in tornto are hidden. There not widely advertizedto the main stream. The most powerful artistic peices are found on the street corner, in small gatherings between friends, in non-for-profit talentshows on Friday nights held for the parents of kids in priority neighborhoods.

Art in my opinion in its truest form is the inexaustable expression of life. Toronto is so full of diverse life that it is bubbling with cultural art. It seems to me that the world is nopw getting to know my city. Events like the G20 Summit, Caribana, The Jazz Festival, TIFF and artists like Drake, Cardinal Official among others are really helping to put Toronto on the map. The entertainment indstry in this city is fantastic. We have one of the best radio and TV university programs in the world, a huge amount of Television and radio studios spread across the map and many venues that seperate it from any other city i the world. Toronto is such a beautiful place. I am grateful that I am not one to take it lightly. Toronto I love you.

Visiting The Open Mic

Open Mic Night

I'm on the subway on my way to my favorite place in Toronto the Trane Studio. The night is appropriately names Soulistic Tuesdays. The Trane is  a jazz restaurant located on Bathurst and Bloor. The warm tones, candel light, beautiful painting and soulful Jazz music paints the perfect picture for a humble poet like myself. The first time I went to the Trane I wasvery young. I was around 9 years old with a passion RFID e erything artistic and soulful. My father is one of the extremely talented chefs at that restaurant took me there one night when I was about 16. Normlly I would si in the back with my dad helping him cook while listening to the amazing music and spoken word artists that grace the stage. I would dream if being one of those talented adults performing for the sophiitacted audience and overs of creativity. That night I got my chance. I performed at an open mic and I did very well. That night I fell in love with the art isnppen mic-ing. It was an amazing experience and I've been going ever since. Not only to the Trane bu to other events like the toronto poetry slams talent shows and things of that sort. I love you Toronto!

"The Trane Studio is a venue for artists and audiences interested in experiencing Jazz as vibrant and contemporary music. Concerts at The Trane Studiocelebrate the history of Jazz while embracing and nurturing it's current manifestations in African, Urban, Latin and World music styles. This intimate space presents an environment through music, visual art and food that is welcoming and relaxed while also engaging audiences to expand their conceptions of what Jazz music is and how it relates to them. Now celebrating its sixth anniversary, The Trane Studio continues to host prominent local musicians and Toronto arts events with weekly offerings and curated concerts."

Beauty: What Makes you feel beautiful?

Over the course of my many years living, learning and working with youth, I have come to realize many general things about us as a age group and a culture. One thing that really interests me is this age of superficial beauty. I’ve always wondered about beauty. I mean, is it truly in the eye of the beholder? If so who are your beholders? Many people have attempted stories and articles about this very thing, but for some reason or another; it just doesn’t get very far. I guess I’m going to write about a different side of the rock.
Many girls say that they want to look beautiful. A black girl wants to have long, straight hair. A white girl wants to have curly full hair. An Asian girl wants to have long eyelashes and tanned skin. But a Spanish girl wants to have thin eyebrows and a petit waist. I find it interesting that many people just don’t realize how beautiful they are? I recently had a conversation about this topic with a group of girls. Some said that they just want to ‘impress’ guys and so that’s why they wear the fake nails, make up, hair, eyelashes etc. But when you think about it; there are lots of guys out there who don’t care about those kind of things. Who really care about how beautiful you think you are and your self-confidence. In my opinion, if you’re a girl who wants to go out with a guy who wants you to lose ten pounds, or wants you to wear a new weave every week, your going out with the wrong guy. Maybe the answer is just finding somebody who is going to appreciate you for you?
But that is something deep and challenging within itself. I mean, how many girls these days, beautiful girls, have such low self esteem. Many girls I’d thought had every reason to be confident; nice personality, great looks, popularity and smarts. But the truth is many have low self esteem because they are afraid of being the imperfect masterpiece that God created them to be. In a way, you’re calling God an idiot for making you the way you are? Maybe instead of investing 3 hours and thirty dollars a day on your hair and makeup, you should just look within yourself and find out what you think is beautiful? And not care about anybody else’s opinion?

I’d like to end with a challenge that I gave to one of my peers. If you tend to wear makeup or tight fitting clothes, or something you think enhances your look, girl or guy. Try going to school/ work out just going out without it. If you can’t, maybe you need to re-evaluate what makes you beautiful, and start on the road to recovery.