Inner Circle

When you see them you are pleased, they make you laugh, they let you be yourself. You are willing to share and bare your soul, knowing that they will listen and give you a word or two. I feel at ease with them and can be just me. We do many things ensemble, we dine , drink wine and even break bread together. These people are from all walks of life, each one leaving there mark in one way or another. They express there desires and dreams and goals . We all have an appartenance in each other's lives. We enter and leave like ships coming into dock never knowing for how long we will stay, but always assured to come back another day. Each one of us sharing a link in the chain that keeps us as one. To see us together is to imagine the world as it could and should be, each one us representing a flavour of difference. Each one of us starting from somewhere and never knowing where it will lead, the unexpected, the challenge, always ready for the unknown. We all have strengths and weaknesses, but one thing in common ,we have a bond to always love and cherish that which is most important to us all, " Ladies and Gentleman "let me introduce you to the " Inner Circle "my most beloved mates, Geoff, Frank, Catherine,Louis and Momo.

To Whom It May Concern

We all seem to have an opinion about something, even though at times it does not mean that our expressed thoughts are always words of wisdom. I think at this moment people are trying to make the right choices to better there current situation. At the same time we see how people in high places are trying to woo voters in there proper camp. Honesty is not unfortunately the most cherished quality in the political sphere. People are searching for clear solutions to solve the immediate meltdown of their life savings. Frantically, economists are all giving their dire predictions to catastrophic consequences if the matter at hand is not rectified concerning these private instituions. People are wanting to believe that , yes these times are perlious , but generations ago not so far away lived through such terrible times. The human spirit is strong and we as a society when given the honest truth are able and willing to pull to-gether to help the downtrodden and those without. Mankind is a force to be recognized as a powerful tool that when needed will rise up and face the reality of what is at hand. All we ask is to be given the facts and not have the information spun and woven to satisfy certain interest groups. Self interest is a dead end solution that leads to know where and does not address the global problems facing us. We are all affected by this downturn so we need to hear words of truth and wisdom from our elected officials and those who wish to join those ranks. We will survive these challenges that we are about to confront, let us be bold and innovative in finding solutions. Attention politicians we too are concerned.

Situations,Solutions of hope.

I was thinking about the economic crisis that is happening at this time. Throughout the hemisphere there seems to be a nervousness about what is happening and how far reaching. We see people are no longer able to pay their mortgages because of being over extended. The world economy seems to be having jitters. One also can observe food prices have also risen causing the cost of living to rise. This situation is affecting affluent nations such as The United States of America and Canada to a lesser degree. We as a people have become overly indebt and now we are paying the price of our greed. Each one of us will have to find a way of downsizing our appetites of great expectations. The depth of this economic downturn is deep and will linger for a certain period of time leaving casualities along the way. Each and everyone one of us will have to become creative in finding ways to cope. Families will bear the brunt of this disaster inflicted in part by our desire to have more. Some of us feel untouched and others silently suffering along the way. We will have to scale back our friviolus desires of more, more and more. I have no solution for those in dire straits but only to pray that this crisis will teach us valuable lessons. Just maybe we will be able to come together and help one another and have a sense of community. In helping others you help your self, what do we have at this moment but hope.

Beliefs, Faith, Religion

Saturday evening , my parents who were visiting with me asked if I would go to a church service with them. The church where they worship when in Montréal is situated downtown. Many a time they have spoke of this Elder who is supposedly a very good orator. I replied that Sunday was a day where I always attend Mass at Basilica Notre-Dame. This is well known by close friends that Sunday mornings I will be out of circulation for at least an hour or two. We all have forms of belief.. Having values helps us carry ourself in a certain way.I believe that each one of us has values guided by those beliefs. Sunday morning arrived and each one of us went in our respective directions letting faith lead the way. Sitting in the Basilica for me is a time of listening to the choir sing, the organist playing the organ, and little one's running about as frantic parents try to silence their indisceplined angels. As the priest gives his sermon of the day I am able to find solace in his words of scripture. I do not profess to be religious or have religion but having a peace of mind at those moments of solitude surrounded by many a peoples. Young, old men women ,we are all there for different reasons but one in common to all, is to give thanks. The end of the Mass draws to it's final spoken word and now it is time to say good bye and meet again another Sunday. In leaving the Basilica I stop to light a candle to those dear to me , loved one's gone by and friends in need. Knowing that I will soon see my parents and we will compare notes about who said what. I feel that maybe this ritual is not for all, but each one of us is able to find his belief, express his faith in whatever religion it may be,with tolerance and respect for one another.

Cyberspace, Internet, Relationships, Writing a Letter

As some of you know my penmanship is atrocious. My handwriting is at certain times unreadable by even myself. I feel that with all the technology at our beck and call we are able to type a letter, a quick response or send an e-mail to a friend or loved one. Our mode of communication is that an invitation R.S.V.P. is now the norm accepted by e-mail. This type of technology has in some ways increased the accesability to many who would want to be in touch with there friends, co-workers, family and more often personal relationships. I ask myself has this mode of communicating de-humanized us in some way. I remember when we would write to each other in little school , and how the teachers would write by hand our bulletin grades with always remarks written on the side. I cherish letters that my mother writes to me and I am always in awe as how beautiful her and my father's penmanship is to this day. After much hesitation I now type my letters and invitations by computer as reading my handwriting is a most difficult task. In our cyberspace of mankind we are now able to chat with perfect strangers who are from far away lands. People now go on the net for many different reasons including pleasure. In speaking with people there seems to be a certain desillusion to the fact the cyberspace can also be a unenjoyable voyage. It is so easy to click and there you have all the world or almost in front of you on the screen, the good , the bad and sometimes the ugly. If we do not like what we see we, click off and go no further, or go to the next human offerings.We as human beings have now become desensistized to no longer take the time to know someone or take the time to learn something. Everything is now at our hands literally. The human aspect of writing the note of encouragement, or thank-you, the love letter written by hand has now become almost obselete. We have become the enemy of ourselves, progress. " I Want It Now" and by any means. I shall try to improve my penmanship to win back a piece of the human pie, the written letter is such a precious personal treasure that I will always cherish, a testimony to that person who loves , who writes again by hand.

Childhood Memories, Parents

Yesterday my parents arrived. This has been in the planning for a few weeks now. Of course I waited until the last moment to prepare for this anticipated visit. Telling friends that my parents were about to arrive seemed to be concieved already as a blessed event. Sarcasm plays a major role in my family matters. The first sighting give's one a pang of nostalgia flash of days gone by with your parents holding your hand making sure you do not fall. Now it is not quite the holding of their hands but making sure that they watch there step , don't forget to have breakfast, where are you going for lunch?, what do you want to do to-night? The roles have almost reversed each jocking for there respective new identitiy. I look at a distance and see two people who have stood the test of time. This has not always been a kind and easy road, there were moments of sheer suffering by the loss of my baby sister, I will always remember as my mother said ," Normally you children should be standing here putting us in the ground " These words have stayed with me and have never left. I shall maybe never have an experience of being a parent but those words repeated by my mother left an emptiness and my dear Michelle who departed to soon never had a chance to say au revoir. As the clock of life continues to tick we have all become independent and yet dependent for news from each other. This visit has given us all a chance to share meals to-gether, take walks in the Old City, attend cultural events, sharing laughter and just simply being a family.

Quiet Moments, A Time of Reflexion, Parents

As I began to write I was thinking what will I write about to-day. I have been having a quiet moment since this morning engaging in conversation only when necessary. The fact that I am often involved with people for hours at a time I appreciate ever so often a quiet moment. During these quiet moments I like to lose myself doing absolutely nothing, even going so far as daydreaming. This time of intellectual emptiness gives me a chance to be nonchalant caring about little. At one point or another I hear things that I probably would not have necessarily heard and notice the small things that may have been missed. The quiet time is a vacum at one moment waiting to be filled. As I slowly submerge from this cocoon of emptiness I slowly become aware of the immediate surroundings around me. I remember that my parents will be arriving this Monday and I have many things to take care of before they arrive. It is always good to receive family, mine visit for 10 days. I always find this a busy hectic time and with family, Mother and Father and myself at times it can become stressful as the fact is I continue my work schedule . Thus, as an only garcon in the family you feel that just maybe you could be neglecting them during there stay. Also as you observe your parents and you see them maturing as time goes by you reflect on the time factor and push aside the thought that this could be the last visit.

Frank "The Limo Guy"

To-day, I would like to share with my readers a personal story, actually each writing is a personal account of people, events and places. Last year I had been to the Turquoise Islands to do some Scuba Diving. I most definitely recommand this type of activity, as the marine life lets us humans see how they live in there still beautiful surroundings. After leaving the Turquoise Islands after a 14 day holiday junket I left behind baby white powdered sand, turquoise hued water and some of the most beautiful sunsets only angels could command. Four hours later I hear Bienvenue a L,Areoport Pierre Elliot Trudeau as swirling angry winds toss falling snowflakes carelessly about. My paradise is far behind me now and I must literally deal with the elements, custom authorities , lost baggage maybe , and another Montréal Winter 2007.After having recovered my luggage, and smiling ever so deciously at the female customs officer,I whisked through the line to face the elements. As the turning doors opened a gust of Artic air wrapped itself around me like a blanket never to let me go. The penetrating winds was a unwelcome suitor. As I turned to seek shelter a smiling oh so wickedly gentleman had the door of his Black Limousine beckoning me to enter, and I did . The black leather around me was warm and conforting. It was like being whisked away on Santas Carriage. I then asked as the doors shut and locks locked where were we going maybe to the North Pole . The driver told me to relax and enjoy and would take me wherever I wanted to go, hmmmmmmmmmmm maybe the Turquoise Islands again, no back to my senses home please. My friendship thus started this way with Frank "The Limo Guy". Being in the business that I do Frank is a valuable commodity. He takes people where they have to go to, and helps people live a dream if for a moment around the block or to hidden secret views of breathtaking scenes. Frank is the person who makes you feel like you are the most important person and as he says you are. Everyone should have a Frank in their life to share a story with, to talk about the wonderful things and yes the sad or troubled things, Frank will always be attentif and listen and share his life stories. I think of the film Venus with Peter O'Toole and the young girl being taken for a limousine ride and the expression on her face, this is what Frank my dear friend " The Limo Guy " does for us , when he takes us from one place to the next and we are all there with a smile and our eyes big and childlike, Frank each time he helps us feel special. You know that winter blizzard day arriving at the airport became a special feeling of warmth and comfort all because of Frank " The Limo Guy".

The Day After, 11 September 2008

Bobby said it all, "Michael you know how to throw a party." After 50 bottles of Champagne and 700 oysters, smoke salmon and wonderful Quebec cheeses. Everyone did there part and the playground emptied at minuit. The music, the Artwork, the people who came in great numbers (150) people was the last count. I feel that the beauty of theses events is that it brings people to-gether. Last night was a sheer success because of all the people who contributed their time , talents and energy. I want to say thank-you to all of you who came and participated in making this happen. The young musicians, Geoff, Antonio,Philippe, Solange,the staff of Garconniere,the media , Christian who filmed the event, Maciek who photographed everyone making us feel like we were stars of the movie screen. Some maybe would say that this is frivilous or decadent, I think and this is only my opinion, the musicians who played , the people who sang and rehearsed , the gentleman who opened 700 oysters , the beautiful woman who opened served the champagne, all of the people who decided to be there , the Artist who worked to have his works judged , all of this put together says something about the human spirit. It let's us know that the appreciation of one another is strong and we all being together as one is recognized. I would like to take this moment to say to all MERCI for to all and do not forget those who could not be somewhere with there family or loved one's, as to-day is the 11th of September. I thank all you, my family of friends who took the time to be with me.

Support, Encouragement, Special People

It is almost that time, in 1 hour everything starts to unfold and I am still at work and not the least concerned what is happening at the Penthouse at this very moment. By habit or tradition I always arrive when people are alreadly there. This morning I received encouragement from special people. I shall mention a few, Lotfi e-mailed from Paris, Jane from Miami Beach, Jean from Quebec City, Nick from Ontario , Nicole from New York, and Alexandre from Spain just to name a few. I warmly accept this expression of love from them who cannot be there in person but in spirit, and to-night when the band starts to play and the people arrive from the elevator into the Penthouse , and the singing starts, the champagne starts to flow, the oysters , cavair and foie gras, I will remember those who are there dear friends, new friends ,but surely those who let me know in some special way that were there thinking of me this day, this night , merci to my special people. I will raise a glass to you ce soir, my special people.

Anticipation, Bringing It All to-gether

Tomorrow the 10th of September 2008 will be the countdown to the main event, Quiros514, photo exhibit, Artist Antonio Quiros from Miami Beach , Geoff who will be launching his singing career, with the Francois Rousseau Group, this gathering of young spirits all nervous and excited at the same time. I have Christian Pomerleau filming the event, Maciek a photographer will be there to take pictures of the people in attendance. People ask me why I do this , for me it is a pleasure to see people realizing their dream. Also I feel like the gentleman in the film The Great Gatsby (Robert Redford ) it is fascinating to watch how everyone is getting along with each other in a controlled environment. The laughter, the human spirit at it's best, If I enjoy these moments it is because of the generosity of my friends who allow me to put on a show , so there is my Ego rearing its head. I am almost at one point nonchalant just before the main event .. I do feel that tomorrow will be my soirée in glory with everyone putting on there own special show in front of a live audience. Frank the limo guy who I will talk about in my future text will be there to encourage Geoff as so many others. Frank has had the pleasure of being there when Geoff decides to break a note or two. Frank is our dear friend and the limo guy. That is the context of this moment, everyone who will be participating tomorrow are all people who have affected my life in a special way. When I reflect for a moment and see all the different participants who will be there including the media I feel truly grateful and say : I guess this my way of saying MERCI ,, Thank-You to all of you. Oh by the way Happy Birthday to my dear friend Nicole, who works and lives in New York , that will be another story to write with a lot of enthousiasm, a demain.....

I Want To , I Will , I Have,,, Sharing a Dream

Yesterday I wrote about Artists, to-day is about sharing the dream, a dream that becomes a reality. I have a dear friend Geoff, who I have known for a short period of time. We quickly became goodfriends, each other understanding the kindness, and childlike innocence of each other. We laugh to-gether and at times literally hold each other up, but always being the gentleman that we are. Our friendship has grown leaps and bounds and we talk about life in general but oh so much about his dream. Geoff has the habit and a good one at that to sing for us at any moment where ever we may be, in his car, in a limousine, at the club,or in Old Montreal in a lane way. I have yet to tell him, or maybe I have, I remember when as a young lad I sang acappella in a private choir and enjoyed and still do being upfront in the spotlight. We were talking at one moment in between his serenading and I decided he must sing at one of my Artists Vernissage shows. This has been a dream of Geoff to launch seriously his singing career. He has shared this with us all in a personal way, and now we will all live his dream with him. Wednesday the 10th of September 2008 Geoff will sing and be accompained by the Francois Rousseau Group, a group of young musicians and back-up singers. That is what is so beautiful about my dear friend, he will share his dream with us all and in front of friends and strangers soon to be friends.

Art, Artists, and the World

Next week I will be hosting an Art show of Photos taken by Antonio Quiros, who is showing his works for the first time. I always am fascinated how artists see things a certain way and are able to put this on paper. The exhibit is called QUIROS514 ,being that the Island of Montréal area code is 514. Antonio 's photo exhibit features signs that confront us everyday as we walk and drive to and from. It will be interesting to see how someone from Miami Beach interperts Montréal signs. I have been involved in supporting Art Exhibits in my penthouse for a year now and it has been a most rewarding experience for myself and the different artists. It is exciting to see the evolution and changes as you watch the artist progress. I always say that if the world was run by artists probably the world would be an intersting place, maybe naive to say less wars, just imagine Canada being run by an artist this would be most definetly a better gouvernment then we have at this time. Looking back I feel that I have helped in a small way to contribute to give artist a platform to show their works. This has been and continues to be a positive contribution from the artist and the public who have shown there enthousiasm in great numbers. Hope to see everyone there the 10th of September 2008.