Aug. 5 2009


Greetings My Dear Readers,

Today I come to you from the smoke filled Valley of Fire known as Paradise.

Today I was watching a homeless man pushing an overflowing shopping cart with all his worldly possessions down the street.  Watching this man make his way down the street oblivious to all the looks he was attracting from those around him, I found myself wondering what had happened to this man to bring him to this point in life.  Was he a victim of our failing economy?  Was it mental Illness?  Drug Habit?  or was he simply another one of our Military War Veterans who ended up on the streets unable to make the transition back into civilian life?  

Lost in thought I watched him until he meandered out of view.  In my short time on this big floating rock we call earth  I have seen several of our honoured Veterans living on the streets, men who after returning from war torn combat zones fell through the cracks and ended up on the streets of our nation.  Forgotten Hero's.

Given the prevalence of drugs in this valley its highly unlikely that this man is a vet, but it did provide interesting food for thought.  A few years ago an old homeless man collapsed here in town, and later died of Heat Stroke.  It was later discovered he was indeed a vet.  It was learned later that he had over $17 Thousand on him at the time of death (as he didn't trust banks) and lived in a make shift lean-to year round along side a city creek.  Now he's just another sad statistic.

Sadly, someone doesn't need to be a Vet, Drug Addict or suffer from mental illness to end up homeless.  Although the Bank of Canada has announced that the recession is over, many continue to lose their jobs.  Statistics claim that the majority of people are only one or two pay checks from living on the streets, as a result our nation's homeless population has been growing at a terrifying rate.  Men, Women and Children of all ages are now struggling to survive on the streets, forced out of their homes with no where to turn.  

A Sad and unfortunate state of society.


Relocation to the Land of Not


Since my last post my days have been filled with packing, haggling with banks, realtor's and moving companies.  Stress filled days, sleepless nights and never ending complications.  Needless to say I haven't been bored

The transition from Paradise to the Land of Not is well in motion with all the final pieces almost in place.  I imagine I'll get another post or two in before its time to pull up stakes and finish the final process of this relocation .


Bright Spot


The last few days has also seen me re-establish contact with someone special that I haven't seen in many years.  It was a pleasant and heartwarming surprise to stumble across them.  I look forward to the opportunity to play catch up


Until next time,
From the Paradise Curtain Call,
Your Cold Hearted Bastard,

D.