When I made my reservations to stay at downtown hotel for Gratitude this year I didn’t know that the TTC was shutting down, for Saturday & Sunday, the Bloor line between Pape & St. George – shuttle busses would be running; so had a real sense of Gratitude when I got to the hotel. Transit usually takes me 20-30 min, add shuttle busses & it hits over an hour, with at least two transfers. To be honest I’d stay home rather than under go that sort of stress.
I opted for the Comfort Inn on Jarvis, it was a 15 min. walk to the hotel where the round-up was being held. Plus cost half of what the host hotel was offering. The Inn is a medium range, simple hotel. The room was cool, dark & quiet. Wifi was included & it was fast. My only gripe: the closet was as wide as a pair of shoes. But for three days – no big deal.
The round-up was excellent -180 eager for recovery – LGBQTS – laughed cried hugged & shared at great workshops, panels. Speakers were good. ‘If you only feel whole when you’re helping someone it’s time to learn to help yourself.’ The banquet food was good but I’ve always been let down by the banal brunch – particularly when one is paying $30 for the meal I expect more than scrambled eggs & sausages. I asked about cranberry juice & that would have cost me.
It was interesting being downtown though. I was amazed at the amount of construction. Blocks of buildings gone on the west side of Yonge, north of College; & ones on the east side look slated for tear down too. What’s with Starbucks? I hadn’t noticed how they have proliferated in that area. Can Ryerson students afford that much latte?
Sunday after the conference wrapped, I put on my shorts & trekked down to the St Laurence Market antique scene. My oh my lots of old china, piles of bangles, furs, coins & books to avoid. Took some pics (#GardenDistrict)& felt like a tourist in my home town. Got home Monday morning & there’s no bed like my own little bed.
Rimes of Ancient Drunks
got time to listen to an old drunk
well, not so old and not drunk enough
but you’ll listen won’t you
buy me a beer
and I’ll tell you your future
not that you deserve to know your future
because it’s the same future for all of us
listen
you won’t want to miss this
I’ll tell you what you really need to know
that stuff in books
isn’t going to get you anywhere
words aren’t the answer
you think you know it all
well all you know is shit
are you listening
you understand that much don’t you
all that thinking and writing
isn’t going to get you any where
you know that don’t you
there isn’t any way out of this
even what I say isn’t going to mean shit
in the long run
it’s just a pointless chase
after something that isn’t even running
something that can never be caught
you following me – catching my drift
I see through the likes of you
come on buy me another beer
I’ve more to say than you’ll ever think
no matter how broke you are
the morning always comes
a body needs a drink
a way out for a few hours
that’s all we really want
you getting this down
do I make you uncomfortable
can’t be bothered looking at me
is that the problem
you wanted a little quiet
to doodle useless words about
the way of the misery in your world
that some gal is not giving you enough
some guy playing the same game
no way out of it, is there
not that I give a shit
you know that don’t you
that’s half the problem
no one gives a shit
they just want suffering to stop
so they don’t have to see it on TV
that’s the way of the world
you know that don’t you
and you
you think you have some notion
of a better way to live
yet don’t have the decency
to buy a guy a drink
well that’s the way of the world
that’s why I say what I gotta say
something you won’t ever hear
because something more important
is waiting for you
buy me a beer
maybe I’ll change your life
because you know buddy
it’s time for a change
November 1 – 30 Participating NaNoWriMo
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