Happy New Year

I am not a big New Years guy to be honest. I could just as easily skip the whole evening, but I do want to mention a few people who I love, and want to wish a very Happy New Year! People who are important to me. I hope they know it. Here goes....(and in no particular order)

Mom, Dad, Tracey, Nick, Alex, Jo, Kelly, Steve, Ben, Craig, Beth, Auntie Mo, Uncle Michael, Loui, Mary, Celia, Lucas, Eva, Matt, Colin, Steven, Luke, Steven, Corey, Rocco, Steven, Stephen, Trevor, Elizabeth, Kara, Sukhi, Rani, Susan, Julie, Neil, John, Cher, Gail, Steve, and Jamie (you're AMAZING)

All the best in 2008!!!

D xo

Hanging by a Thread

When I cry
I close my eyes
And every tear falls
Down inside
And I pray
With all my might
That I will find my heart
In someone's arms
When I cry
Cry...

When I cry
And when I'm sad
I think of every awful thing I ever did
And when I cry
There is no love
No there is nothing
That can comfort me enough
When I cry
Cry...

Oh the salt inside my body ruins
Everyone I come close to
My hands are barely holding up my head
I am so tired of looking at my feet
And all the secrets that I keep
My heart is barely hanging by a thread
Hanging by a thread...

Oh look at me
At all I've done
I've lost so many things that I so dearly loved
I've lost my soul
I've lost my pride
Oh I lost any hope of having a sweet life
And so I cry...
Cry...
Cry...

Oh the salt inside my body ruins
Everyone I come close to
My hands are barely holding up my head
I am so tired of looking at my feet
And all the secrets that I keep
My heart is barely hanging by a thread
Hanging by a thread...

I miss you all
I wish I was
With you now
I wish... I.... was...

Shortbus

I saw the most lovely film this afternoon. I had heard of the movie through a friend, and was curious about it. I had been told that it was pretty sexually explicit, which in all honesty peaked my interest, and I guess was the main motivation for renting it.

As the film opened, I was impressed with the visual imagery, and yeah, it's pretty sexually explicit in the beginning.

What I wasn't expecting was how the character development transcended the initial nudity and sexual content. As the story unfolds and you are introduced to each characters story, it becomes a poignant, and beautifully moving film.

There is a character in the film named James, and he touched my heart. I related to something he said (Skin). It's pretty personal, so I won't elaborate, but if you ask me in person, I will share it with you.

Watch this movie if you can. It's not for everyone, but if you get past the shock factor in the beginning and follow the story, you won't be sorry.

In the special features, there is a commentary dubbed over the movie, narrated by the director and main characters. It was interesting to understand some of the meaning and symbolism that was incorporated in to the filming.

Shortbus....a pleasant surprise....

Merry Christmas

I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone, and I do mean everyone a very Merry Christmas. Take a moment during all the busy 'ness' and be grateful.

I love you!

Darran xoxox

Taking Chances

Don't know much about your life.
Don't know much about your world, but
Don't want to be alone tonight,
On this planet they call earth.

You don't know about my past, and
I don't have a future figured out.
And maybe this is going too fast.
And maybe it's not meant to last,

But what do you say to taking chances,
What do you say to jumping off the edge?
Never knowing if there's solid ground below
Or hand to hold, or hell to pay,
What do you say,
What do you say?

I just want to start again,
And maybe you could show me how to try,
And maybe you could take me in,
Somewhere underneath your skin?

What do you say to taking chances,
What do you say to jumping off the edge?
Never knowing if there's solid ground below
Or hand to hold, or hell to pay,
What do you say,
What do you say?

And I had my heart beaten down,
But I always come back for more, yeah.
There’s nothing like love to pull you up,
When you’re laying down on the floor there.
So talk to me, talk to me,
Like lovers do.
Yeah walk with me, walk with me,
Like lovers do,
Like lovers do.

What do you say to taking chances,
What do you say to jumping off the edge?
Never knowing if there's solid ground below
Or hand to hold, or hell to pay,
What do you say,
What do you say?

Don’t know much about your life
And I don’t know much about your world.

The Reason For The Season

It's December 17/07, and Christmas is almost upon us. The malls are packed, and peoples stress levels sometimes go up with all the socializing, planning, and expectations attached to the holidays. I have many friends who 'poo hoo' Christmas, touting that it's just another commercial cash grab on the part of the retail industry.

I can get as stressed out as the next person, however I always try to retain the spirit of Christmas, and the true meaning behind it. I don't think you have to be a Church goer' to honour the Spirit, and energy of the holiday.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, I think it's about remembering those you love, giving, forgiving, and reflecting on what you hold valuable in this life.

I challenge everyone to make a difference this Christmas. Take time to make a card or gift for someone you love, if you resent the commercialism. Mail someone a Christmas card, it may be the only one they receive. Host a gathering for your friends to attend, and make them feel special. Do something for the less fortunate, or do some volunteer work. I know first hand that it's the best gift you can give....yourself!

I am grateful for so many blessings in my life, and seem to be more so during this season. There is an energy around Christmas that is palpable for me.

I remember my Grandad loving Christmas, and he always made it special. It was about family being together, and honouring each other. I think he past that love down to me, and I am grateful for it.

Be kind to yourselves this holiday season, and don't stress too much.....try and enjoy it as much as you can....Eggnog with rum helps ;)

Class

Before I begin writing about "Class", I need to apologize for my Blog 'absence'. I had a really busy summer and it seemed to spill over into fall. I always said that my writing had to be 'organic' and 'authentic', and in all honesty, I didn't feel to write. So I didn't! That having been said, I am back~

So, I am truly sick to death of Brittany Spears, Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton etc.....have we sunk so low that we need to live such a voyeuristic existence??? with our choice focus the aforementioned individuals???

When I think back to years past, there seemed to be more a 'classy' representation of celebrity, the likes of Nicole Kidman and Frank Sinatra for example.

Classic sensuality has seemed to evolve into trashy sexualization. I thought evolution was supposed to be a betterment, not a degeneration.

Rosita Missoni, co-founder of the Italian Missoni fashion house once said that true elegance is about being selective in what you reveal. If a woman is wearing a low cut dress and highlighting her cleavage, she should not expose her back, or legs too much. Alternately, if the is wearing a dress that exposes her back, she should not expose too much of her cleavage. It's all about balance and 'highlighting' one of her attributes at a time, not all of them at once.

I think it's great advice, and something that the 'bare all' celebrities of today should be informed of. I think I am hyper sensitive to this, as my daughter Alex approaches young woman hood. It is very important to me to instill a sense of style and elegance in her. I first and foremost want her to respect herself, and her body, and worry about the role models that she has thrust upon her by mainstream media.

Similarly for my son Nick, I want him to be a gentleman, and have respect not only for himself, but for women. I have always liked Frank Sinatra for his sense of style. I know he may have privately been a 'womanizer' but publicly he always presented a debonair sense of style. I guess all I can do is be a positive role model for my kids, and try and set a good example where ever and when ever I can.

My friend Susan always laughs at hearing me say "Nick/Alex, that's not appropriate"....lol......It is one of those 'Dad' sayings that I hear leaving my mouth quite regularly. But with the 'standard' as it is today...can you blame me???

I wonder if we will return back to a more classic sense of style, and elegance....I really hope so!!!!