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Life Coaching, Observations, Reflections, Things that make you go hmmmmm

Tag Archives: Serendipity

ADDENDUM: Leave It Alone

I got a comment by email off my “Leave It Alone” piece and I’ll get to that at the end.

It doesn’t look like much does it.

Leave it add on 02

In the spring it was a stump. It was a stump for months and I wondered why the city didn’t do something with the remains. Maybe etch a chess and checker board in to the stump for community use.

About a month ago I noticed the growth. You can see the cut line. The stump found a way to life after having been left alone.

Leave it add on 03You can see the stump when it was a dead tree in this photograph that I used in my “7 Day B&W Challenge“.

………

Leave it add on 01

Here is the comment I received by email.

Name: BOG
Email: removed by me G.R. cuz I’m that kind of guy.
Website:
Comment: Leave it alone or just too lazy to go out and get a haircut

I wondered what “BOG” stood for and came up with a couple things that acronym could be. How about, “Bald Old Guy” or maybe, “Bitter Old Girl”.

I have stated before I am an equalist and as such, an equal opportunity offender.

It clicked in what “BOG” is and what BOG is and that is a Conservative of the Alt Right! This is how the quieter ones show their disapproval. Think of it along the lines of a back handed compliment.

I love that I am not affiliated with any RITE! More importantly maybe, I know when to leave shit alone!

G.R. Hambley ©
August 15, 2018

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The Rainbow Connection

I got out for a walk last evening and found me a rainbow.

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I like rainbows, one from Jersey and one from Niagara Falls.

Here in the City it looked like the rainbow sprung from one building and touched down on a different building. You decide which is which.

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I wasn’t the only person grabbing a few shots of the rainbow. Ran in to someone I know and suggested they have a walk around the corner to see what I just told you, roof to roof.

Standing there watching the rainbow, sure it made me think of Kermit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS3Lkc6Gzlk

It also made me think that maybe it was 2 rainbows with a common beginning or end, you decide.

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G.R. Hambley ©
August 14, 2018

Leave It Alone

Here in the age of “Instant Gratification”, my hair is the example.

Back in April I was asked by a man of about my age as I was in line to get in to a Blue Jays game, “How do you get hair like that?”.

I said to him, “Just leave it alone, it’ll” grow.

My hair is always clean and so is the rest of me. I’ll grant you that it wasn’t the best looking when the hair wasn’t in a pony tail.

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The hair got left alone to grow. No micro cuts along the way. My hair reached a length where it was getting difficult to brush because my arms weren’t long enough. Past time to get the cut.

Some of my community friendlies have noticed the cut and commented. Said the same to those people, I had to leave it alone until it reached the point I could do with it what I wanted with it.

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This is about change and adapting. Most changes do not take place over night and we all know this.

Change is also about patience. Being patient enough to let the evolution take place.

I saw this on my walk last night. Showing off or pride of accomplishment? Don’t know but the licence plate says accomplishment.

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Start it up, pay attention and leave it alone. What ever “IT” is It’ll grow and it’ll work out according to plan, maybe.

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G.R. Hambley ©
August 12, 2018

 

 

 

 

Starbucks; Diversity and Inclusiveness

Starbucks; Diversity and Inclusiveness

I appreciate the efforts Seattle’s favourite favorite Mermaid has taken to foster diversity and inclusiveness.

Wasn’t to far back the Canadian Elves had sensitivity training and I’ll tell you straight up, the Coffee Elves I know are all a Bonnie Bunch of Baristas.

I do think that being welcoming to “STALKERS” and giving them their own gift card is a wee bit extreme, but I don’t make policy.

Star Stalker 01sz

G.R. Hambley ©
July 05, 2018

 

Single and Sixty, Sage Advice

Single and Sixty, Sage Advice

This isn’t an “If I can do it you can do it” piece. There is nothing Machiavellian going on here. It goes on elsewhere and I’m working on that too!

Machi Fini MINSARC FINI signed.jpgSo, I’m now a couple months in to my 60’s and it just aint that big of a deal going from my 50’s in to my 60’s.

The greater emotional turmoil was going from my 30’s in to my 40’s. You soon realise on reaching that number, it’s the backside of life. There was an emotionality in that number that just is not present in the number I’ve now reached.

I’ve spoken with a few of my age group and the few I’ve spoken with concur that the 40;s was tougher than the 50’s or 60’s.

We’ve now touched the age factor and I’ve had a walk around so lets move on to the single aspect at my semi advanced age.

It comes down to choices folks. The choices you make for yourself. I said it before and I say it again, if you care to navigate the world from your armchair, so be it. If you want different you can have different with change. Maybe have a walk around and ponder on it. Who knows what you’ll see.

SZ0075Film is one of my things and for several years I stopped going. I love film and yet I lost all interest in seeing anything new. It became firmly entrenched when “Abraham Lincoln Vampire Slayer” was released, that there is nothing new and the reaching that was getting done to be different

That thought, the emotion, everything has been done hung me up at one time in my own works. Then I had the realization that while everything may have been done, it hasn’t been done my way.

Now when I go to films, I watch them differently. I’m more interested in how others deliver their art and I watch more critically with my artists eye.

I’ve seen several films in recent weeks and went to them all with only me for company.  I enjoy my company and I hope you are someone who enjoys the self.

Having someone to talk with about the film, among other things after you’ve seen it over Strawberry Rhubarb pie, and coffee and/or what ever your little hearts desire.

Something to nibble after a film, is nice as we all know, and when it’s an ear, all the nicer. If films aren’t your thing, there’s always “Sippy Hole Racing” you can watch from that coveted armchair or hammock.

Doesn’t matter if film isn’t your thing. Maybe there is something else in your life you can rediscover from a different perspective? A new adventure with an old love.

Inspirational Moment HeaderOne of the films I went to see was, “Book Club”. The audience demographic was quite interesting. Mostly female and some there by themselves.

A good time was had by all who attended. Why? Because funny isn’t age or gender specific is why. We older people know more funny shit than younger people do. We’ve had much more time to refine our “Snarkasm”.

Going to a restaurant alone is an issue for any number of single people. It was a minor issue for me too, for a time.

I’ve always done things by myself. Going and doing alone, not an issue that carries much weight with me still and I believe never will.

I think the most difficult part of going to a restaurant alone is in seeing couples or families enjoying their meals and the company they’re sharing even more. I believe that’s when the loneliness hits. Those emotional pangs turn to bites.

The intimate moments most of us love and I’m not talking about sex. Intimacy and sex are different things my fellow animals.

Yeah I know, the back row at the movies makes for nice intimate moments. If you could have your moments coincide with oh say, the crash and bang on the screen…

We would all be appreciative!

The emotionality and physicality hasn’t changed for me one bit now that I’m well over the hill. I can assure you the feeling hasn’t changed for a number of people in my age demographic.

The emotionality doesn’t appear to have changed for any of those that were enjoying “Book Club” by themselves. Out and enjoying the things they like to do, period. I also suggest going and seeing that film. It will appeal to all generations.

The reality of what we are talking about in this piece is the private hell that is your emotional headspace. You gotta be able to stand that space!

SZ0078

Beauchamp Gallery King Street East, Toronto.

Coping with the “I’m going alone” headspace?

I am for the most part, a solitary creature. I enjoy my own company and usually, my own headspace.  That previous sentence, there are those that would tell you I’ve just described myself as a loner. A loner who would have no issues going almost anywhere alone. Not liking crowds is not the same as being a loner.

If you’re a creative, then you’ll already know that we require a good deal of solitary time. Even if pen or brush are not in hand, we could be working on something. If that is you then I suggest you ponder on whether you’re getting out enough; at least to blow the dust off.

I also enjoy my community and getting out in it.

I am personable. I’m an observational writer; got any idea how much time I spend looking around? When I meet someone’s eyes, I don’t look away like I’ve been caught looking at something I shouldn’t be, I give a little smile.

Sometimes I notice people looking my way and I smile when they look away quickly. Hey, no one did anything but look around, relax.

There are a couple people who know one of the things I do but unfortunately I don’t have the recognition of a Warhol or Vargas. You can look or trust that I’m a visual artist as well.

I like recognizing the people in my community and that they recognize me.

Even when I’m not seeing anything I’m looking around, non-vacantly. It’s a writer/creative thing.

Getting out and meeting people will require eye contact. If you aren’t comfortable with eye contact I suggest you start with your self, in the mirror, while you tell yourself it’s okay to be and go alone because alone doesn’t mean lonely.

I could ramble around this path until the cows come home. While I’ve been generationally centric in my examples, the feelings are the same for all of us.

Nobody wants to go alone. Many of all ages feel there is a stigma attached to going somewhere other people, couples, families and friends are and there you are alone, embarrassed.

These are feelings you’ll have to find a way to overcome if you want more of the world than what you see on your devices from where ever you’ve decided to park!

This is a good story and worth the read.
Go To The Movies Alone.

http://www.toulouseandtonic.com/go-movies-alone/

I’ve left the hardest part for last, human romantic relationship. Y’all had to know I’d get to it.

With the societal situation we live in today there is a great fear, especially for men that if you approach anyone because they interest you, the approach will be perceived as “harassment”. or possibly “Gold Digging”. We do have to cover all the bases folks and while harassment does happen so does opportunity seeking.

I reiterate, there are only two places and two places only where you meet people, at work and in your activities. Almost everything comes down to two things. Don’t forget your fractions, lowest common denominator.

I know. Trust me I know. With the anger and distrust between the sexes it is difficult to know how to approach anyone.

That brings me back to getting out and doing things you like. There will be other people there like you doing something they enjoy.

If you go to these places with the mindset you’re going there just to enjoy yourself with others who are of a like mind, you’ll (once past the initial jitters) have a good time. Go for yourself and if you meet new friends or someone interesting, lucky you.

If you’re of younger generation and you are thinking about having a family. Your chances of meeting someone at work are not real good. Maybe find symposiums you can go to that are field related.

I actually feel somewhat sorry for the people who live to work (we all know those types) because the chances of meeting someone like you at your place of employment where a hello could get you in in deep sit….. Sitting and listening to HR preach to you on how you must say hello…. Get out and play in traffic where it’s safer for your sanity.

So what is it I want you wonder? This is subject to change but what I want currently is a fulfilling monogamous relationship with autonomous roof.

Like other of my generation and it is a pretty good way to be with relationship so me, I am both looking and not, at many things.

G.R. Hambley ©
July 02, 2018

 

 

Good Morning Toronto – 30/06/18

Here on the 30th day of June in the year of our lord, 2018, good morning Toronto!

Tomorrow is Canada’s Birthday, July 1. I am old school and it is “Dominion Day” not “Canada Day”.

Canada Day? Not a thing. Renaming to the current got through the house without Quorum.

Looking West on Front Street

Good Toronto 0001

G.R. Hambley ©
June 30, 2018

 

Changes

Starring in to the shadow of yourself, ’tis somewhat like starring in to the abyss.

Changes

Lyric

Got changes on the mind
Not making them blind
Need a plan that’s been defined

Figured out some things
Left others behind to die
If we’re telling the truth
Knew them both long ago

Rainbows over waterfalls
Heartaches under sunbeams
Smiles pasted on never wear off
Lookin’ for space in between

Somehow someway says the reason
Key inside of me keeps turning
Wound tighter than I’d ever been
Visions aren’t hallucinations

Got changes on the mind
Not making them blind
Now a plan that’s been refined

Theory worked real well
Putting it in to practice
Read all the detour signs
Even heeded the damn things

There aint no battle cry
I’m all out of quiet desperation
Door got closed on the what it is
Wide open to a siren dream

Still a pile of things to do
Goodbyes ‘ill maybe get sent
There’ll be a few to see
Done it all and now I’m free

Those changes on the mind
Didn’t make them blind
Got a plan that’s perfectly mine

G.R. Hambley ©
June 27, 2018

Whiny Awards

Whiny Awards

Working Title – Whiny Awards

You’re not yourself when you’re whiny. Unless of course you’re a manipulative then you are yourself and thanks for being one of those exceptions that proves the rule.

I appreciate that Snickers has taken the Coke Concept and gave it legs, legs that you can kick people with.

We also have the ignorant whiner, those of any RITE, the “Radical Left” for example. Yes, that does mean Liberals because a flake by any other name is still whining, liberally. I’m old school, back in the day when “Flake” was more than enough.

I do appreciate that to a Liberal or Demoncrat (not a typo), that a Conservative “RANT” may appear to be a whine, it isn’t.

The thing is, with a conservative on a rant, you can get through to them with a “Constervation”. Yes, it was me that added that word to Urban Dictionary.

This chatter actually took place. Names and genders have been changed to satisfy the emotionally controlling snowflake safe space demands.

HE SAID
Ran in to a buddy. He took them for me.

SHE SAID:
Clearly, that was written by the Swedish Chef- not the French!

So… you’re whiny today?​

HE SAID:
I’m never whiny. It’s for the awards I’ll hand out.

Buddy and I were having that conversation. A film project he’s doing. We were talking about dispositions.

SHE SAID:
I admit, you didn’t look very whiny in the photo, thus I had to ask.

​When will you be handing out said awards? That would be quite the ceremony! ​

HE SAID:
You think it’ll be appreciated that I used both official languages?

Hey, have you folks got 1 yet?

SHE SAID:
I appreciate it.

Of course we don’t have one here- that would require the general population to actually learn something! You know, put in the effort…

HE SAID:
SNARKASM!

For those of you looking to use derivatives “En Francais”…

pleurnichard – crybaby
du pleurnichard – the whiner
avec pleurnichard – with whimper

In the moment I’m not sure whom or what to hand out the “1st Whiny” to. You know for certain I’ll be working on it. This is just a sample image. I think the final art work will be a bit creepy cuz whiny sure gives me the creeps!

G.R. Hambley ©
June 23, 2018

 

Still Peckish

Still Peckish

 

Lion I want you white text fini

G.R. Hambley June 08, 2018 ©

Chronological List

Psychedelic Psunday FINI?!

Psychedelic Psunday

ADDENDUM MAY 27 (early), 2018
I heard yesterday, after this piece was already scheduled for posting that today is the last show. We are going to need a top 500 list from Pschedelic Psunday!

“Good Friend” is more of an aficionado of the “Theme Song” than I am and did ask if I was going to have to live in monochrome. To which I replied that there is only 1 thing I can say to that and it does qualify for this spot with a 1973 release date…. KODACHROME

And as I start this little tale up, my coffee spot has a staple of “Psychedelic Psunday” playing, “Ooh La La, The Faces”. A little Ronnie Wood on YouTube for you. This one will get you to the original on Spotify.

From the beginning…
You could of course hop over to the Mighty Q and listen to what they got going on.

The wiki regarding Psychedelic Psunday needs updated. It starts at noon now.

The art. I was working on an image and as I told “Good Friend”, I screwed up right on this one. I didn’t select everything I wanted thinking I had and when I made the new image, the mask is pretty much what my copy got.

GRH Psunday 01 fini

I sent the capture along to “Good Friend” who responded with, “This is you on Psychedeic Sunday isn’t it?”.  I agreed and said, “That’s actually a good idea”.

Yes I added some touches from my repertoire to make it exactly to my liking and added the word imagery. Exactly to mu liking can be construed as perfect, to me.

Y’all are seeing what a friend triggered with a little banter. I probably wouldn’t have thought of giving the piece a tie to how much I enjoy the Radio on Psunday afternoon.

If you want to use the image as a desktop background, feel free. If you can stand me looking at you all the time that is.

G.R. Hambley May 27, 2018 ©