tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75577458871703745982024-02-18T23:25:24.791-08:00quiet inspirationlooking for art in the everydayMark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-38890215397970339062012-09-28T08:29:00.001-07:002012-09-28T08:29:40.729-07:00<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GIW80yLna_k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-4085327671012676972012-09-28T08:23:00.001-07:002012-09-28T08:23:35.273-07:00London nights pt. 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Some of the things that I loved about the gay nightlife scene in London is that it's diverse and plentiful. Yes the usual dramas are there (who's avoiding who? Where can we get drugs? did you know he's sleeping with so and so? He's so cute, I see him everywhere, he doesn't know I exist....) but the Montreal club scene has gotten so small in comparison it was refreshing to attend so many parties in all its potential, trashy, glittering, hot-mess glory.
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Some quick observations:
Just because you're a Bear and are into Bears it doesn't mean your club needs to look like a dungeon or that you can't like Britney Spears remixes.
Amazing London DJs are approachable: I was so happy to meet Superchumbo (the one and only Tom Stephan) and also reconnect with Larry Tee at his party at East Bloc.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Good Music and big beats can be played in small venues: pumping DnB coming from a dark bar on Brick Lane at three in the afternoon, Garage at a Deli in East London, East Bloc looking more New York with its Keith Haring decor than, well, New York...who says a small lounge can only play lounge beats?
DJs f*ck up and (gasp!) no one cares!: We saw Honey Dijon spin at Summer Rites when her CDJ suddenly stopped working. Horse Meat Disco killed our buzz with its classic, vintage disco, Larry Tee mixed electro and electro hip-hop, two DJs played the same track at Fire Afterhours and one of them failed to match his beats in one transition. It all made me realize that maybe in North America we take this DJ job way too seriously. Maybe <i>I</i> take this DJ job too seriously. Does it really matter if you play the same track as someone else in one night or if you screw up a mix or your equipment messes up? Why do some people feel it's important to make you feel like less of a DJ if you don't use Vinyl when all these superstars are on their usb keys or laptops, syncing beats and making people dance? How come I doubt my musical taste when I DJ here only to find that half the tracks I bought on beatport are being played out and loud across the pond? Thanks London for making me feel like maybe I can really be a DJ after all.
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Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-68447814720625746092012-09-24T19:21:00.000-07:002012-09-24T19:21:39.513-07:00London Nights pt 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Perhaps it's a good thing that I don't have a lot of pictures to document all the shenanigans that happened at night in London. One thing I can say for certain is that London has a thriving nightlife. That's one of the joys (and pitfalls, I suppose) of living in such a dense and diverse city. There's something for everyone and something is always going on.
Nightlife has always fascinated me. People let their guard down. They make mistakes, make messes, get drunk. People bare their souls at night and get dressed up. They become fully expressed. There is something magical about nighttime. Anything can happen.
My limited budget meant that I couldn't party in Ibiza, but just as well. London has many interested hotspots and Ben and Arthur were determined that I get a good sense of what London nightlife had to offer.
Arthur took us to a members only club in the West End that looked a bit like multiple floors of a chic hotel Lobby bar. Members only clubs seem to be important in a big City such as this one where too many tourists or unwanted guests can drastically determine how fun your night can be. Memberships can mean writing an essay, having an interview and having the right referrals. It's terribly snooty and exclusive but does feel quite nice when you're invited behind the velvet ropes. It's part of the allure of night life. People want to feel special.
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City lights, city nights. If it's part of a City's culture to start drinking as early as two in the afternoon what is the definition of an alcoholic? Are you a drug addict if you're a Professional Doctor during the week and a party boy on the weekends? What's too much? What's excessive? Another night we headed to Vauxhall in the very trendy East London area. Nightjar won't allow people in if they're at capacity (it's a small drinking hole that has live Jazz and the decor has a bit of an art deco feel) There's no standing room at Nightjar and every group needs to be seated at tables.
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The service was exquisite and the drinks were creative elixirs made by bartenders who took their jobs very seriously and performed the making of each martini like a choreographed dance or precision voguing. Our group was made up of a select group of Lion King performers after a night show and we couldn't help and gawk at the couple at the next table who seemed to be on a very hot and heavy third date. They're sloppy make out session turned out to be the highlight of our night. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Things were looking dire after leaving Nightjar around two in the morning trying to find the 'next spot' for our night adventure. Our hunger beat out our will to dance so we ended up at a chic hotel that served all night meals which we gladly ate between shared laughter about embarrassing dance stories. Five in the morning and Ben, Arthur and I were in a cab heading home. We left a few people at the Hotel who decided to have one more drink. It was nearly six. Arthur received a text from one of the Lion King girls that read "It's 6am and I am drunk and hung over at the same time."
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Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-59376365768136855622012-09-11T07:01:00.000-07:002012-09-11T07:01:46.324-07:00What the eye sees.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love walking around big cities. It's a feast for the eyes. Ever since I was a little boy growing up in Toronto I always felt inspired just by walking around and looking at people, buildings and street art. There's so much beauty in London. I love the blend and contrast of the old with the new. In New York there are moments where I feel the building feel oppressive in their magnitude. London feels majestic but also quaint. At night the city came alive with new energy, but I never felt in danger.
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Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-9631941889322811902012-09-04T02:04:00.000-07:002012-09-04T02:04:58.066-07:00London DaysI can't believe I only have two more days left in this beautiful city. Coming here I had no idea what to expect or what I was even doing here. It certainly wasn't a destination chosen for rest and relaxation. I was sort of comparing what I knew of big city life to New York but London does have a different vibe. It does have the hustle and bustle (in fact I saw the paramedics aiding a fallen business man during evening rush hour as I followed the current of people towards my train) but the sense of urgency seems to be a little more even-keeled than in New York. London is vast and dense but it doesn't seem to have the heaviness I often get when I am in New York. Certainly I am a bit fatigued but no more so than when I am having a full day in Montreal. I have often thought I would go back to New York if I ever wanted big city life again. But I think it could be London.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXWb_7CEUcJa2tdkxnqzxnJK6H8SKrU1sNizGQQtXhGjg2iIIHDT7C1jtXPqvBixzZ-lKE46eZsvGK7gAC9v6iamoqxTsR8dh-nzrW6v7m4G6Xi5olnhNp2aaI5wqH_XyQX0GQWoHaVs/s1600/DSC00581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXWb_7CEUcJa2tdkxnqzxnJK6H8SKrU1sNizGQQtXhGjg2iIIHDT7C1jtXPqvBixzZ-lKE46eZsvGK7gAC9v6iamoqxTsR8dh-nzrW6v7m4G6Xi5olnhNp2aaI5wqH_XyQX0GQWoHaVs/s320/DSC00581.jpg" /></a>french boys playing football in the park</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tIVFlv8ogiaQgnrnn4hInlIIrg1Az8kFgyxWSs4lil0cwn_51JOfz6X50zk2UrSk_CkfJCuNqHZ_8Wrk1vy7AXT4Bs4WAUXObwgZFyz-s_c4iBmOj51uBVGiDyH3Iq88R_DCGOf_m_k/s1600/DSC00533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tIVFlv8ogiaQgnrnn4hInlIIrg1Az8kFgyxWSs4lil0cwn_51JOfz6X50zk2UrSk_CkfJCuNqHZ_8Wrk1vy7AXT4Bs4WAUXObwgZFyz-s_c4iBmOj51uBVGiDyH3Iq88R_DCGOf_m_k/s320/DSC00533.jpg" /></a>Arthur getting the shot for some tourists</div>
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Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-14310545536693431092012-08-29T07:42:00.000-07:002012-08-29T07:42:12.899-07:00London 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't say I'm singing in the rain per say but I thought this was pretty fitting considering it's quite rainy and grey here. I left Montreal in the middle of a heat wave so it feels like I've jump started my Fall by being here. Thankfully I brought my umbrella but there is a bit of chill in my bones. I am slightly under dressed.
So far my goal is to conquer this jet lag. Arthur and Ben live in Brockley which is only a few stops from the heart of the City's West End. Last night I surprised myself by pushing through the London rush hour to see Sweeney Todd. I read an amazing review about Imelda Staunton's performance in the NY Times (she was brilliant) and I was particularly happy to see Michael Ball in the lead role since I have been a fan of his since he was the original Marius in Les Miserable. The show was strong and dynamic with exceptional performances overall. Great way to cut through my fatigue.
Grey and rain are great for Gallery walks but brain still lacks the clarity to soak in anything in a meaningful way. Despite my lack of direction (what am I doing here?) I have to admit it's refreshing to be away from my normal surroundings even though it's not a very relaxing choice.
The pace of this place means the trip will go fast. Already by tomorrow I will have just a week left and my days are slowly taking some structure with possible club dates, shows and Zumba class(!)
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I'm determined to fight the urge to do what I know and eat and shop at the same places I would in Montreal in order to feel safe and comfortable. It's a bit difficult now that every major city is starting to look the same. It was cool to have a coffee at The Crypt at St. Martin's. But my Starbuck addiction continues to be my anchor.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSUmy8z0EF3MALFOWzfyAwr8iRmHhLZeVK0TQ-clv6A92QZ6IZOBGhRTWz8ZkBbWdRy14QqjJL06qg6N-F1sE8vcIFK1yPpgYWffRUM8X-t1vwJtFanknaA_1bZGKZkueNFRjPTlE8qM/s1600/DSC00504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSUmy8z0EF3MALFOWzfyAwr8iRmHhLZeVK0TQ-clv6A92QZ6IZOBGhRTWz8ZkBbWdRy14QqjJL06qg6N-F1sE8vcIFK1yPpgYWffRUM8X-t1vwJtFanknaA_1bZGKZkueNFRjPTlE8qM/s200/DSC00504.jpg" /></a>London Fashion outside the Lyceum</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6o5C2W0bm2gN9ImCLVHErA_NWQXrZHlYSctwFfbRoaHX83zmcoUfSlrI20xuPS0SouoybBg4cqjYP1vIOGnmq7uutJ_WfH5uqUrZzRXAlIjNbKarkYSk9iDLVaccB5JS13244WFZ1FiY/s1600/DSC00498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6o5C2W0bm2gN9ImCLVHErA_NWQXrZHlYSctwFfbRoaHX83zmcoUfSlrI20xuPS0SouoybBg4cqjYP1vIOGnmq7uutJ_WfH5uqUrZzRXAlIjNbKarkYSk9iDLVaccB5JS13244WFZ1FiY/s400/DSC00498.jpg" /></a> "because sometimes the first thing that needs doing on a trip to London is dirty laundry"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WEAG70ntmHjBRvtPDlUw_XaQ_h4UFj8Hxs3m0NoFbpvBpbZivgVxmt64OQ6gS53-ZKSopkSrssFKAzVyqcU8cSwhvUS3jGweCC3CNY9n8PbHymnRhP08rTqgFwBKtLLfZ5XIWtQmVeA/s1600/DSC00508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WEAG70ntmHjBRvtPDlUw_XaQ_h4UFj8Hxs3m0NoFbpvBpbZivgVxmt64OQ6gS53-ZKSopkSrssFKAzVyqcU8cSwhvUS3jGweCC3CNY9n8PbHymnRhP08rTqgFwBKtLLfZ5XIWtQmVeA/s400/DSC00508.jpg" /></a>my flatmate</div>
Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-10509577823859087282012-05-09T06:48:00.001-07:002012-05-09T06:48:58.656-07:00What's Blooming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is one of my favourite times to be in Montreal. The Winter has finally dissolved and the city is all a bustle with primping and cleaning and planting to get ready for another great summer of non-stop festivals, concerts and fireworks.
I love how these flowers are so rich in colour under a grey sky. They are so luscious and deep.
What can I say about the past few months? The winter was manageable though I have to say it is still one of my goals for next year to be some place hot and sunny for at least some of the cold months. I did my best to remain active and positive and overall I'm happy that I made it with very little sinus, aches, sniffling and shivers.
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A lot has shifted in my career. Over the Holidays I lost an important DJ gig which accounted for a lot of my finances. With the help of Daniel, my financial advisor, I was able to stay on track and turn to Zumba for more of my steady pay. It's been an interesting transition and pretty organic in a lot of ways. Through all of this it became even more apparent that my love of both Zumba and DJing both fulfill a basic need of mine and that who I am as a contribution is a space for people to be fully expressed through movement.
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Two things I wanted to share about that before I sign off. Recently me and my partner Veronique Pierre created our first Zumba Party at an after-hours club in Laval. It was such a joy to see so many men and women of all ages and sizes fill that club with love, passion and energy. Some of those ladies were in their sixties and it truly was a powerful moment. I cannot wait to do it again.
That same weekend I DJed at Sky in the Village. Sky Club Complexe is one of the oldest gay clubs here in Montreal. Through my whole process of losing my other DJ gig this really opened the door for me to take on other opportunities and now I am at Sky twice a month.
There is such a rush when you're getting ready to drop a song and you have an idea and a hope that the people respond to it positively but you're not entirely sure. Finally you play the song and people go crazy! It's so awesome. I look out onto a sea of young boys and girls having fun with their friends or starting new romances and I can recall not too long ago how that was me. Even though I am in the shadows I can see everything. And for a moment, everything seems beautiful.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokuI5Cim8Vqfwk6XjpAWH_ZDd1QnjE-elv4Sp5oyxyXiNjTJWsT6CoOP2O5EzSFeyhei5HgVRR9y8gTz_oOnbVUj7pObaFAbF2Bgg9lYyIsg_UriY0iSJ2Gz1RGHg71_D1mZxD2REEFo/s1600/DSC00099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokuI5Cim8Vqfwk6XjpAWH_ZDd1QnjE-elv4Sp5oyxyXiNjTJWsT6CoOP2O5EzSFeyhei5HgVRR9y8gTz_oOnbVUj7pObaFAbF2Bgg9lYyIsg_UriY0iSJ2Gz1RGHg71_D1mZxD2REEFo/s320/DSC00099.jpg" /></a></div>Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-23002742667337953632011-12-14T22:11:00.000-08:002011-12-14T22:27:01.474-08:00touching baseWeather seems a bit mild for December. It makes me worried that we're in for a pretty long and gruesome winter. We shall see. I've been taking lots of naps since all this grey weather tends to suck all my energy. I'm not a fan.<br /><br />I've been trying to think up new Artist's Dates for the next couple of weeks. Me and my friend Billy have decided to tackle the book "The Artist's Way" which gets you in touch with your Creative Self. Along with weekly exercises there is an Artist Date where you take yourself out by yourself. So far I've seen two movies, gone on a few walks, procured a Library card and taken myself out to The Laurier for some amazing Fried Chicken and Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake. I'm thinking of taking a Swing Dance Class and possibly checking out a Jazz Bar during the Holidays. <br /><br />I've been trying to avoid the shops as much as possible. During Christmas time the consumer frenzy makes me nauseous. Slowly I am succumbing to the desire to stay in and watch mind-numbing television for hours. I rented the complete series of Rome from the Library and even the Librarian asked, "Are you sure you're going to watch all of this dear?"<br /><br />Money seems to come and go with a little more fluidity and ease. I'm playing this game to increase my monthly income and as of yet I have no idea how it's going to manifest itself. Bold actions and requests will need to be taken and made. I have a few projects I would like to do in the New Year that all are quite costly but may prove to be a wise investment. Let's see how creatively I'll be with my money over the next few months. I have no interest in doing extra work that I don't like to increase my income. But even extra Zumba classes and DJing can take its toll even both those things are my passion and career.<br /><br />The idea of finding a boyfriend right now seems further and further from my mind. I've been enjoying this time getting to know me a little better. But who knows? Maybe now that I feel more secure in who I am, perhaps he's just around the corner. I'm expecting 2012 to be a year full of pretty awesome surprises...Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-28144185161519397822011-11-05T07:57:00.001-07:002011-11-05T08:52:19.599-07:00New York City - August<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOotfrYvk3Idsyjg1HjKtC3yz-Q_-8QNJjBDWt_t8aGuq4HQFM9YdTS74AM1VJZzGC2EsnWSh1D4DIKSRsrDauCJT0gtZxo2N44fR_WoIUrAiTXgG7L32xB8Bv-7k7tw8hsWpL9HsGTc/s1600/atlas.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOotfrYvk3Idsyjg1HjKtC3yz-Q_-8QNJjBDWt_t8aGuq4HQFM9YdTS74AM1VJZzGC2EsnWSh1D4DIKSRsrDauCJT0gtZxo2N44fR_WoIUrAiTXgG7L32xB8Bv-7k7tw8hsWpL9HsGTc/s320/atlas.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671526618754783554" /></a><br /><br />It's taken me a while to put up these pics. I wanted to go to New York all summer but wasn't quite sure how I was going to get there with my busy schedule. So when my sister and my brother-in-law said that they were heading to see some shows one weekend in August I jumped at the opportunity.<br /><br />I had a goal for the weekend. To have a New York weekend I never got to have when I lived there. I wanted to have a weekend where I felt free from the burden of the hustle, where I wasn't worrying about how I was going to pay rent or how exhausted I felt from city-living. <br /><br /><br />I wanted to feel, even just for a weekend, that I was a New Yorker who could eat at a fancy restaurant and see a good show and go shopping. I wanted to appreciate the beauty that is New York City. And I am glad that I did. Enjoy the pics!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1Z08tn2bfQPjD0xiORN9oVnLOY22oajSM4fqU-HE9TqZFTkVhzucGsTh5yGLrc2XGplC6vOr9VW4EINQcRfqeY5sKch55ggPnu5ViiH6hcKN2zW7XwvGCXvOOoxSYnGsMT4I_XYK1H4/s1600/clubberdown7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1Z08tn2bfQPjD0xiORN9oVnLOY22oajSM4fqU-HE9TqZFTkVhzucGsTh5yGLrc2XGplC6vOr9VW4EINQcRfqeY5sKch55ggPnu5ViiH6hcKN2zW7XwvGCXvOOoxSYnGsMT4I_XYK1H4/s320/clubberdown7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671528094592754386" /></a><br />We got to New York City at one am. Amazingly, Anna and Jerome were staying in a Hotel three blocks away from my friend's place in Chelsea. By one-thirty I was at Clubber Down Disco at the Chelsea Hotel. Any party hosted by LadyFag (pictured above) is gonna be good. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLa_uSY_bf2n-3clcLeWqONiz7h9hurRCIeK8KUx1uZcl859wrBLZ9hSVr9cl89lhZKFkSCo6gQ2mVjfZygzoIsTfBB00EKkrPPzVER3fyhwLVJjzPALY7D-j2GpnX-YsF-jL_7LdNGg/s1600/clubberdown4.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLa_uSY_bf2n-3clcLeWqONiz7h9hurRCIeK8KUx1uZcl859wrBLZ9hSVr9cl89lhZKFkSCo6gQ2mVjfZygzoIsTfBB00EKkrPPzVER3fyhwLVJjzPALY7D-j2GpnX-YsF-jL_7LdNGg/s320/clubberdown4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671529234331065954" /></a>The one and only Honey Dijon was on the decks.<br /><br />And with these cast of clubbers I felt right at home. And why is it so easy to pick up boys in NYC?...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQ5K-fTGQRGHbnwqhnI_5vFN-hAeQvA80GOOn7cshKanYLJFprRc2fCqdI4eZ3vLT5oNNGFcnKyL03OsmFfCd3Lrqsqcmdfd36k37f6-dv6GrEy3pBKfBZCwGpxXNJxUHBKWPqV4GjKY/s1600/clubberdown6.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQ5K-fTGQRGHbnwqhnI_5vFN-hAeQvA80GOOn7cshKanYLJFprRc2fCqdI4eZ3vLT5oNNGFcnKyL03OsmFfCd3Lrqsqcmdfd36k37f6-dv6GrEy3pBKfBZCwGpxXNJxUHBKWPqV4GjKY/s320/clubberdown6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671530439565326834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePvCVX1TyOU4RDz1S4BVrFK6G-8zOFMroLI2iuP6ROMv6v0ITtOk-7jvGZlyLbwx65w971qCRfj4NG1KOZ32-oleXQXq998J2c3CtkLrmOB5mrtxSTvlQtkeqJPJ56eSJUtI0Tdd1kOo/s1600/clubberdown5.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePvCVX1TyOU4RDz1S4BVrFK6G-8zOFMroLI2iuP6ROMv6v0ITtOk-7jvGZlyLbwx65w971qCRfj4NG1KOZ32-oleXQXq998J2c3CtkLrmOB5mrtxSTvlQtkeqJPJ56eSJUtI0Tdd1kOo/s320/clubberdown5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671530431398329266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wYYN7y1ECVeCyjUymh0KstnwjDBE35ggaLPkiszqK28jXC1v3J7mMoZxz588NWs7F1Vp103ArJPtU5PwZLFwwYVMCHGM8jy4yNW_hllijXv4V3UK1Z4QPzW75jCFjgvYJJ541ggXYMM/s1600/clubberdown1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wYYN7y1ECVeCyjUymh0KstnwjDBE35ggaLPkiszqK28jXC1v3J7mMoZxz588NWs7F1Vp103ArJPtU5PwZLFwwYVMCHGM8jy4yNW_hllijXv4V3UK1Z4QPzW75jCFjgvYJJ541ggXYMM/s320/clubberdown1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671530421299908866" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jnY07odz2Eq7XM_ubtgsMbhNVMceXGZ_4f2eEOxcP35AcTu0hBgndEeq-pUjpsLtAaY2gxhUGHHodShWSHrcaaoAL7Q6r7lxaVF1BuA3NemO2nRUKbOD0dwL_SLXZKsAUdA03xNMLyE/s1600/clubberdown3.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jnY07odz2Eq7XM_ubtgsMbhNVMceXGZ_4f2eEOxcP35AcTu0hBgndEeq-pUjpsLtAaY2gxhUGHHodShWSHrcaaoAL7Q6r7lxaVF1BuA3NemO2nRUKbOD0dwL_SLXZKsAUdA03xNMLyE/s320/clubberdown3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671530443928967762" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTv5oDBwmqGcW2g9jzIgrw8sWOYqOxwlxiVBffjaZ82SQO5y4Grh1g6gO0YhDG_P6eF74KGWS9p9ULVtVDC2t5khuWy2K5Sn9KV0Y9Er63A4Ud_-FD-lkWJ3K9RZQkZhYsJe4gbWRmavA/s1600/clubberdown2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTv5oDBwmqGcW2g9jzIgrw8sWOYqOxwlxiVBffjaZ82SQO5y4Grh1g6gO0YhDG_P6eF74KGWS9p9ULVtVDC2t5khuWy2K5Sn9KV0Y9Er63A4Ud_-FD-lkWJ3K9RZQkZhYsJe4gbWRmavA/s320/clubberdown2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671530811876871442" /></a><br /><br /><br />Ever since Sex and the City I wanted to have Brunch at Pastis. The following day we did just that and enjoyed a walk towards mid-town by using the Highline.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdjtE6Hkve5-KiAz0OnApm91QHIy9K2pC1VIA7m_IKzL_KjJXWb74F78X6KhhVdjYY83hdUbDBsemWusCAY9vsdD9ZHrjQuhtbXZgvhsJk8mE9yYI9ZWZNB4xPp8xEclCOWdDo_TfDrU/s1600/pastis.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdjtE6Hkve5-KiAz0OnApm91QHIy9K2pC1VIA7m_IKzL_KjJXWb74F78X6KhhVdjYY83hdUbDBsemWusCAY9vsdD9ZHrjQuhtbXZgvhsJk8mE9yYI9ZWZNB4xPp8xEclCOWdDo_TfDrU/s320/pastis.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671532209267377634" />my sister Anna</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/robert_hammond_building_a_park_in_the_sky.html#.TrVVlt923-U.blogger">Robert Hammond: Building a park in the sky | Video on TED.com</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwTKz_4MjmsKH0aFX3lrrZ9XSFAEKyfZunQLNk4Ytw1PWTCdGs702OXryCgO-RwjhdHr8q1huhqGAIFvjZbX4MqHx1kG2yXuUhd0lnJmZLsUKrlrinrhS4ShkWwywWk8ePyLY0ZgDdXE/s1600/hline4.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwTKz_4MjmsKH0aFX3lrrZ9XSFAEKyfZunQLNk4Ytw1PWTCdGs702OXryCgO-RwjhdHr8q1huhqGAIFvjZbX4MqHx1kG2yXuUhd0lnJmZLsUKrlrinrhS4ShkWwywWk8ePyLY0ZgDdXE/s320/hline4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671533922318740706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC08grKbl10B29CDpaQQr6vvvfDJhDiY_9ChtS8O8nPlIUbNlWk1o9-_DlWdbpGvyOghtFwAJ7YdzwlHg1NXHgahm_jpEKLBlgJcDo2C54xSquNKbqtJBkJTUrsc-U6Xg65rri3KSaB4g/s1600/hline3.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC08grKbl10B29CDpaQQr6vvvfDJhDiY_9ChtS8O8nPlIUbNlWk1o9-_DlWdbpGvyOghtFwAJ7YdzwlHg1NXHgahm_jpEKLBlgJcDo2C54xSquNKbqtJBkJTUrsc-U6Xg65rri3KSaB4g/s320/hline3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671533916192204706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FP8yEehd59Oaqlmr10BYWSH9Q5kQYf0OkS63winTw1zHiOacy7FTavk-vrJdGKnYEHXEhLeFBAG2YwkTnZDPQjML37vL7VbWsUYoISp_NrnD9xo5jMbGSb8ADGis_Xd0Bm5gV-Y1Zlk/s1600/hline2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FP8yEehd59Oaqlmr10BYWSH9Q5kQYf0OkS63winTw1zHiOacy7FTavk-vrJdGKnYEHXEhLeFBAG2YwkTnZDPQjML37vL7VbWsUYoISp_NrnD9xo5jMbGSb8ADGis_Xd0Bm5gV-Y1Zlk/s320/hline2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671533909274154034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbR2Bp7NaOFIWKePzkibnVCK5M4BzC_HQvJEx4yR1cTcJxqj5FO2SGi9351spu1zTf2JrCPtrw3tBbAC0YPlJNYQQziwy_FKFc-nhWi6bdvP1U2GIDMdAJHaL7bXlUfQxFlf9sCKm2Q4A/s1600/hline1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbR2Bp7NaOFIWKePzkibnVCK5M4BzC_HQvJEx4yR1cTcJxqj5FO2SGi9351spu1zTf2JrCPtrw3tBbAC0YPlJNYQQziwy_FKFc-nhWi6bdvP1U2GIDMdAJHaL7bXlUfQxFlf9sCKm2Q4A/s320/hline1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671533903880547122" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZYGJg4YLzwTt4oSco1sAvUXh4UlZ48ywvZsPvpB-T5AqvAYXkNaxUi3idhkPd1eQAAW0OMMTA3wBaz66myBravhGRfsO9iOFyJ1z-3VT3AWPqD8QEFuKbpcVhplYlR3HiiGHh4k1YRo/s1600/hline5.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZYGJg4YLzwTt4oSco1sAvUXh4UlZ48ywvZsPvpB-T5AqvAYXkNaxUi3idhkPd1eQAAW0OMMTA3wBaz66myBravhGRfsO9iOFyJ1z-3VT3AWPqD8QEFuKbpcVhplYlR3HiiGHh4k1YRo/s320/hline5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671533937815868946" /></a><br /><br />After walking along the Highline we finally made it into Times Square and then to Central Park. This was Jerome's first time in new York so it was great to be with him as he discovered the City especially since he loves photography and New York, among other things is such a photogenic city.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUnR1cDYGdGsh35Ij934MeuT_SWpNCzaqHS3_IIct64GZnKF5Jl7fhGLC4cMlxTYE-vwDT0ohM1IXj8MDTGbjrjPyvr9jePVuAZfm6p69aW_0G6aej5SKSKqAbW5PQ7ndE-7Ff3A7FrQ/s1600/tsquare.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUnR1cDYGdGsh35Ij934MeuT_SWpNCzaqHS3_IIct64GZnKF5Jl7fhGLC4cMlxTYE-vwDT0ohM1IXj8MDTGbjrjPyvr9jePVuAZfm6p69aW_0G6aej5SKSKqAbW5PQ7ndE-7Ff3A7FrQ/s320/tsquare.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671535727342929138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDK9IPPvzdLhuR1kWy-FvHqM8oVcMMi5Sb-aFkGdvwU0nQaDRz3-Lfbr2Uj477mPaDIsD9rXRSXZswGDLiieMH6NrcYcWwJQsCQTmpebLHuUXe7dmO3Rt2egxWvmsEVeiVDL-ZXZvuHM/s1600/tsquare3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDK9IPPvzdLhuR1kWy-FvHqM8oVcMMi5Sb-aFkGdvwU0nQaDRz3-Lfbr2Uj477mPaDIsD9rXRSXZswGDLiieMH6NrcYcWwJQsCQTmpebLHuUXe7dmO3Rt2egxWvmsEVeiVDL-ZXZvuHM/s320/tsquare3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671535715011358818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5imHz3opeKIyZul6a_exZzYMq4ulgkJd3ltNP5EpO5Pkxcquoyol8_MECrq5FYSzRrw9nAD843Y5ptGykIevkIMv1B86nqPhGvHxUDpFLF9pljVIRMgPNDbS59KMpHGtpmeZsb8H0lE/s1600/tsquare2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5imHz3opeKIyZul6a_exZzYMq4ulgkJd3ltNP5EpO5Pkxcquoyol8_MECrq5FYSzRrw9nAD843Y5ptGykIevkIMv1B86nqPhGvHxUDpFLF9pljVIRMgPNDbS59KMpHGtpmeZsb8H0lE/s320/tsquare2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671535713299585474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5cRG1J2WfWamRq0LV-yVjPfU2aGyOq6ejpqQN9FI0a-xoetY4Ogctzr78ORpbHj7DOmSvT53ZACHR79TnOOPXvNqRg8HiA0P2SPW6gxRdXvdFHt25lXuDAZUQf38MgnItN8YBovKvEE/s1600/cathedral.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5cRG1J2WfWamRq0LV-yVjPfU2aGyOq6ejpqQN9FI0a-xoetY4Ogctzr78ORpbHj7DOmSvT53ZACHR79TnOOPXvNqRg8HiA0P2SPW6gxRdXvdFHt25lXuDAZUQf38MgnItN8YBovKvEE/s320/cathedral.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671535740283348562" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDPFH2yMQDdWFRIuSYeka4kgGlfsx_KUDkmJSsiJrKxfPgWEm__Y83iazkcqjjeeQun-P0ES3x4Qc42jafUMWCO0cvOQCSLF3MrSWbVFxPYJgjIFhQuuriRCBpiZ5hYCdwzIEmUaX_aY/s1600/central3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDPFH2yMQDdWFRIuSYeka4kgGlfsx_KUDkmJSsiJrKxfPgWEm__Y83iazkcqjjeeQun-P0ES3x4Qc42jafUMWCO0cvOQCSLF3MrSWbVFxPYJgjIFhQuuriRCBpiZ5hYCdwzIEmUaX_aY/s320/central3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671535728601474258" /> We grabbed some food at Whole Foods and sat in Central Park. While they took a bike ride around the park I decided to chill out on the great lawn and watch the people enjoying the warm weather. A moment like this was very rare when I lived in New York.<br /></a><br /><br />Anna and Jerome had some friends performing in to different Circus Shows. Traces from 7 Doigts de la Main is still playing at Union Square Theatre. It was great to see the show again. They also performed with some of the people who are in Zarkana, Cirque du Soleil's new show at Radio City Music Hall.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZyKyhdFTl8W7nTx0iGlwVUeNNSk3Vm9o805pskLtmYyQ8ZHdTBodQ2XFyTQoGB2pBFHFkFeyOu1iv2LgikLT3MSerBUpykh9Hr4u0ypvU4Rv5gy6a6V0PQpHkJKFGNcq-ycByvurx2Q/s1600/zarkana1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZyKyhdFTl8W7nTx0iGlwVUeNNSk3Vm9o805pskLtmYyQ8ZHdTBodQ2XFyTQoGB2pBFHFkFeyOu1iv2LgikLT3MSerBUpykh9Hr4u0ypvU4Rv5gy6a6V0PQpHkJKFGNcq-ycByvurx2Q/s320/zarkana1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671537765426073218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKLqWA9yslM9Lo6xEK0jI8ottaqYzoMHEzN2oLvH3XafQLIGb5W4_DlfVqjuGRzaniOTEEzR1jP8SNLgYvGWkvZ0C5A1-H9Ub5eWrkymq2ZR40A3dyd53guCJO-yoM6XzPW08cNOcsr4/s1600/radiocity.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKLqWA9yslM9Lo6xEK0jI8ottaqYzoMHEzN2oLvH3XafQLIGb5W4_DlfVqjuGRzaniOTEEzR1jP8SNLgYvGWkvZ0C5A1-H9Ub5eWrkymq2ZR40A3dyd53guCJO-yoM6XzPW08cNOcsr4/s320/radiocity.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671537756381183778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1QvgifsCvvHKjQkQPpkL5Qyk7Hi1LqyKYURhXLNvkVPyfVTuHZDBqMd_Xzch4Jei3k667qzHevNNRbbZ0q9FJARh9BoweV6EQHJUir2GpSfVJYwQowhalrjMiyV5dnjGBHwnWZMLV7o/s1600/traces1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1QvgifsCvvHKjQkQPpkL5Qyk7Hi1LqyKYURhXLNvkVPyfVTuHZDBqMd_Xzch4Jei3k667qzHevNNRbbZ0q9FJARh9BoweV6EQHJUir2GpSfVJYwQowhalrjMiyV5dnjGBHwnWZMLV7o/s320/traces1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671537758313405138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3Yqoq3QEp8R11cLnUTABdGEwmkziTE92zuH64uKl0cWJ9AW48WtB3aB1n019ZRaeqKTTef5sfLxHy37avAUHoNciQ10WSCFZYD5Ov-ou3HN_HIZnPgsCvDyrFBt6cfD76Blp9AdH2ns/s1600/radiocity4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3Yqoq3QEp8R11cLnUTABdGEwmkziTE92zuH64uKl0cWJ9AW48WtB3aB1n019ZRaeqKTTef5sfLxHy37avAUHoNciQ10WSCFZYD5Ov-ou3HN_HIZnPgsCvDyrFBt6cfD76Blp9AdH2ns/s320/radiocity4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671537771814747490" /></a><br /><br />One of the highlights was seeing Fuerza Bruta. I didn't get a chance to see De La Guarda when I was living in New York so it was a treat to see this show. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ay3Dw339ojy8rhIj-CjjiShbMlF7h97b_KkNoPkrxIEW0a8ClxEnJM5QX7jsp4yrsLSNb3eZDQdpJLgOGjAemwJOY-N2ZIb9RsccrKGn7HNmkZ6e6o9E2KLqnSl-1sawaor069AOCnU/s1600/fuerza3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ay3Dw339ojy8rhIj-CjjiShbMlF7h97b_KkNoPkrxIEW0a8ClxEnJM5QX7jsp4yrsLSNb3eZDQdpJLgOGjAemwJOY-N2ZIb9RsccrKGn7HNmkZ6e6o9E2KLqnSl-1sawaor069AOCnU/s320/fuerza3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671539204405771170" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGT5kF_kJwA9cBbGJqAIRbneZU6blHngjO5L_sQkBkgOg06lS7PLJbV_TB-6hXAgdQwTHbafE3tT1WwvMOR4RWRhWl4p1zVYftWNlNHm6JEbJ6pih_A_ui76qn4ObXhMcl1hTaRobmIo/s1600/fuerza5.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGT5kF_kJwA9cBbGJqAIRbneZU6blHngjO5L_sQkBkgOg06lS7PLJbV_TB-6hXAgdQwTHbafE3tT1WwvMOR4RWRhWl4p1zVYftWNlNHm6JEbJ6pih_A_ui76qn4ObXhMcl1hTaRobmIo/s320/fuerza5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671539200716324114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9-zSzUcf4o2XH2EuZIFl1hMn-R80ddvjpwFf4altQb8sX9BYQ8alicrOwWJnGlTP437CLpy9oKX-GHFETe8_SY9IRUC1WTGGEvoI97-ThFruf11oxGmVmCfF_GjbofoJE-ER0GK-Z0o/s1600/fuerza1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9-zSzUcf4o2XH2EuZIFl1hMn-R80ddvjpwFf4altQb8sX9BYQ8alicrOwWJnGlTP437CLpy9oKX-GHFETe8_SY9IRUC1WTGGEvoI97-ThFruf11oxGmVmCfF_GjbofoJE-ER0GK-Z0o/s320/fuerza1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671539211397196722" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It's hard for me to describe what New York means to me. That City still moves me. Montreal is my home and I am happy to be living here. But New York will always be a city that is big enough to hold big dreams. It's a tough place and it's not for everybody. But when everything come together like it did that weekend, New York is magical. Thank you to Anna and Jerome for allowing me to come along on their trip and to show them the New York I always loved. I can't wait to go back...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWVjw0adOqhoe4rJdxve9e9giywJcWkWjsKOHxA8q0pTdV301joSbfLcgStam_XkweNFWyoXGORs3xZwBIYoV14ogbqQJ3ZDSLkcomNgiqBHfRBwRRGHz2_6G21_Ll5HKi7RBhrZKDlc/s1600/radiocity1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWVjw0adOqhoe4rJdxve9e9giywJcWkWjsKOHxA8q0pTdV301joSbfLcgStam_XkweNFWyoXGORs3xZwBIYoV14ogbqQJ3ZDSLkcomNgiqBHfRBwRRGHz2_6G21_Ll5HKi7RBhrZKDlc/s320/radiocity1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671539758884799666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRXXfzWyG2poLCFcJ8hP88vZEnhb-p_fWDXHk2SuA3TCV_w6LUPp5NuVm87KYDdR8jh-8k-_01J9nciz4ujVAOdTSKdaXTGIOdCyOq8oJ7ScgloMmNvfPYf2TJ3moaStnXQmTPZGu3wM/s1600/radiocity2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRXXfzWyG2poLCFcJ8hP88vZEnhb-p_fWDXHk2SuA3TCV_w6LUPp5NuVm87KYDdR8jh-8k-_01J9nciz4ujVAOdTSKdaXTGIOdCyOq8oJ7ScgloMmNvfPYf2TJ3moaStnXQmTPZGu3wM/s320/radiocity2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671539763606184802" /></a>Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-51368601972869526912011-07-23T09:12:00.000-07:002011-07-23T09:13:15.233-07:00some sexy beats<div><object width="300" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.mixcloud.com/media/swf/player/mixcloudLoader.swf?feed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mixcloud.com%2Fdjmarkvicente%2Fsexy-beats%2F&embed_uuid=c8ab8a15-ff48-484a-90d5-3123dde0e117&embed_type=widget_standard"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.mixcloud.com/media/swf/player/mixcloudLoader.swf?feed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mixcloud.com%2Fdjmarkvicente%2Fsexy-beats%2F&embed_uuid=c8ab8a15-ff48-484a-90d5-3123dde0e117&embed_type=widget_standard" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="300" height="300"></embed></object><div style="clear:both; height:3px;"></div><p style="display:block; font-size:12px; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin:0; padding: 3px 4px; color:#999;"><a href="http://www.mixcloud.com/djmarkvicente/sexy-beats/#utm_source=widget&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=base_links&amp;utm_term=resource_link" target="_blank" style="color:#02a0c7; font-weight:bold;">Sexy beats</a><span> by </span><a href="http://www.mixcloud.com/djmarkvicente/#utm_source=widget&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=base_links&amp;utm_term=profile_link" target="_blank" style="color:#02a0c7; font-weight:bold;">Mark Vicente</a><span> on </span><a href="http://www.mixcloud.com/#utm_source=widget&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=base_links&utm_term=homepage_link" target="_blank" style="color:#02a0c7; font-weight:bold;"> Mixcloud</a></p><div style="clear:both; height:3px;"></div></div>Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-59251983170994778662011-07-02T05:20:00.000-07:002011-07-02T06:12:02.376-07:0035July 2nd, 2011<br /><br />as written on my Blackberry at 7am at Stereo:<br /><br />What have I learned at 35?<br /><br />Good music is more important than good drugs.<br /><br />I am skinny and that won't ever really change.<br /><br />My thoughts are not the boss of me.<br /><br />There is so much I don't know but that doesn't mean I'm stupid. I can always learn something new.<br /><br />Expansion is natural. Security is an illusion and working hard in order to feel safe makes my life small.<br /><br />It's okay to say no just as often as to say yes. Saying no to something means I am saying yes to something else.<br /><br />If I am suffering I am attached that life should not be the way it is in the moment.<br /><br />I am a spiritual person and when I am touched by something I can cry if I want.<br /><br />My life is a blessing.<br /><br />Saying thank you enriches me.<br /><br />Being vulnerable empowers me.<br /><br />My life is invented and created and that's why I consider myself an artist.<br /><br />I am better than no one.<br /><br />If I am sad I am probably hungry or tired or both.<br /><br />Being quiet and not talking sometimes is the best remedy.<br /><br />My ego wants to be loved and gets hurt. But my ego is not me.<br /><br />Smiling takes no effort.<br /><br />I am proud of who I am.Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-87970406684461539582011-01-16T10:53:00.000-08:002011-01-16T10:54:34.802-08:00mid-January check upSeriously, sometimes I need to stay away from Facebook. Lately when I find myself on there, having to do some Invites or creating Events or what not, I notice that I start to waste my time looking at what everyone is up to in their lives and then I start to get depressed about my own. Jim went to see The King's Speech. Lance is heading to Brazil. Brad got a great DJ gig! I start to worry that I am not very productive at all. These social networks are not always great for the ego.<br /><br />When I am depressed, everything is up for questioning. Am I not cool enough to be a DJ? Why did she get that gig and not me? Do I suck? Is this the right city for me? Why don't I have more friends? It's endless.<br /><br />So I'm trying to look at the reality of my situation. <br /><br />I just got back to work which has been great. I really enjoy teaching Zumba and I am actually surprised I am continually growing as an Instructor. I am constantly curious about how to create a fun and loving space to dance in. It's been really fun.<br /><br />I'm in the process of finishing a very short story that I am going to read aloud at a Coffee House next weekend. Writing is such a strange creative outlet for me that I am still trying to figure out. I find it so frustrating and draining at times and yet it can be the most rewarding. I'm writing short works of prose about my experiences as a dancer. It will be a mix of things that really happened and also fiction. I find if I stay too close to the "truth" it just blocks me creatively. I want to get to the essence of my experience as opposed to writing a true account of it. My goal is to have something self-published by the end of the Summer (wow, I can't believe I just wrote that down. It's like it is now real, I have officially put it in the Universe).<br /><br />DJing has been the toughest for me. I just feel like I still am like the biggest loser DJ on the block, trying desperately to be cool. I think I need to bring a space of gratitude to this area because in so many ways I am really fortunate. I am truly a working DJ after all. Not a lot of people can say that and I don't want to seem ungrateful. I just know I still have a ways to go in my vision as a DJ.I really judge myself harshly as a DJ. And as I am writing this I notice how much I crave praise and acknowledgment from other people. It's like I cannot believe that I am a good DJ unless I am spinning at a club with a lot of people in it. Last night I did my regular night at Houston and two people asked for my card. I must be doing something right. I just have to continue to train myself not to listen to that little voice in my head that says I suck all the time.<br /><br />And I am just starting to date and in the past month I have made new friends. Last week I planned a dinner out and I actually was surrounded by people I haven't known for very long. It's pretty crazy.<br /><br />So as I am writing this all I can think of is that the Universe is working with me. The Universe is supporting me and wants me to have everything I desire. Things are moving, and they are moving exactly as they should be. But how I choose to see things is up to me :)Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-36686165774747695442011-01-01T10:37:00.000-08:002011-01-01T10:38:05.121-08:00what I wrote to M on facebook today.....Happy 2011 to you too. My Holidays have been a bit wonky too I have to say. I've enjoyed the break in my schedule but it's put a bit of a strain on my finances.<br /><br />I wasn't spinning but I did go out all night for NYE and hit three parties to support some DJ friends. It's tough admitting this without sounding like a bit of a drama queen but I felt a bit lonely. Surrounded by all these people and good music, I still didn't feel connected somehow. It's like I am still trying to be the cool kid wanting to fit in. Is it possible to be an anti-social DJ? Sort of a strange way to start 2011 ;)<br /><br />I'm going to see David Morales at Stereo tomorrow night. Maybe that will be the inspiration that I need.<br /><br />Wishing you health, happiness and abundance. Love you.<br /><br />xoMMark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-35529520518215559302010-12-28T07:28:00.000-08:002010-12-28T07:51:06.671-08:00So long 2010....I've been in a funk the last week or so. It's always such a strange transition to get into the Winter swing of things. The cold gnaws at my bones, the hypochondriac in me constantly is sniffling and the lazy part of me just wants to sit in front of the TV all day and all night. Even today, as I stare outside at the bright blue sky, all I am longing for is the comfort of a quiet, dark movie theatre.<br /><br />I want to be swept away. My life is moving along but I long for adventure. I am begging for something to break my routine. And yet I cling on to my routine for dear life. Ask me out to something fun and I'll second guess it. These days, my old couch takes precedents over a new club.<br /><br />I've been having a very Criminal Christmas. My new favourite thing to do is watch TV shows on DVD. The joy of watching any regular show sans commercial is like crack. Last year my sister got the box set of Friends (which has been watched several times over at this point) so this year I have been watching Criminal Minds which is totally terrifying and terrific. I did not realize how disturbing that show actually is until I started to zip through each season. I only have a few more to go. It's a guilty pleasure.<br /><br />Guilt. Why does guilt have to be associated with pleasure? Why can't pleasure just be, well, pleasurable? Who made that shit up? And why did I believe it? Feeling guilty can take up so much time in one's day. And when you add up all those guilty moments that could be half a life dedicated to feeling really crappy about yourself.<br /><br />My horoscope said that "this will be our year to supercharge our will power and intensify our ability to carry out our plans - but always with good humour and a highly tuned sense of irony. In fact, on of the best ways to deepen our command over our own unconscious impulses and caprices of fate will be to take ourselves - and everything else, too - less seriously."<br /><br />Taking myself less seriously. Not only me, but everything else. Can you imagine the freedom in that? And not in a way that things <span style="font-style:italic;">don't matter</span>. But what if I could work hard and play hard and dream big...all a little less seriously? That would be something. That would be an adventure.<br /><br />"If you start every day burdened by the past, they you're a bundle of conditioned reflexes and nerves constantly being triggered by peple and circumstances into predictable outcomes, like a machine."<br /><br />Deepak ChopraMark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-65274979886193983682010-11-02T05:45:00.001-07:002010-11-02T06:01:07.111-07:00November 2010Time has passed so quickly. Here I am, Tuesday morning, and it is as though the grey outside is seeping into my veins. It's tough to shake the melancholy that I feel. I try not to judge it or make myself wrong. I guess you can call it my Blue Period, like Picasso. But even then he was expressing his creativity right?<br /><br />It's been such a busy time for me and I am so incredibly grateful for that. My Zumba classes are going well and I am DJing every week. I still cannot believe that this is how I am making a living right now. It is what I wanted.<br /><br />So the pace of my "work" week has become somewhat frenetic at times and right now I feel like my challenge is to create a balance. I'm finding that I don't have enough leisure time to recharge my batteries so I suffer, become irritable and moody.<br /><br />I've always struggled with this time of year. We are deep in the trenches of another School year where there are mid-terms and papers and people to please. There are days that I wake up and don't feel up to the task. I feel the need to hibernate. It's come on strong this year. I want to close my eyes and when I wake up, the air is fresh and the snow is thawing and Spring is around the corner. That is not reality though. Better to deal with that, no?<br /><br />Lately I've been binging on Mad Men. What an incredible series. I am so fascinated by this world, I am completely taken in. It's like looking at the past and seeing how a certain "period" in time dictates the actions and behaviours of individuals toward themselves and others. It is the world that they exist in and that is invented by them that tells them who they are and how they act and yet the Human struggle and search for meaning is something we continue to deal with now. Will someone in the not so distant future create a series about 2010 and what we were living? My role on this planet seems pretty insignificant at times but will it be of interest later on?Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-87747220081256521382010-09-16T06:52:00.000-07:002010-09-16T07:09:30.137-07:00September growing pains....Ouch....I am so sore! My body is in agony right now. Recently I went to the gym to start a new workout program. My friend Dan who used to bartend at Houstons is a Personal Trainer. He totally kicked my ass. My body is not happy. My upper body is so sore it's been keeping me up at night. Still, it's a good sore. I forgot what it feels like to re-mold your body into something else. That's what happens when you are training to be a dancer. The last few days I've been thinking, "Right, no pain, no gain. Now I remember!" It's gonna take some time but I'm excited about this work out program.<br /><br />My Zumba classes have been amazing. I continue to be inspired the people I get to meet and I love being able to move my body for a living again. Some days I wonder if I've taken on a bit much. It's a bit of a stretch to do two Zumba classes a day. But then I remember what it was like to do eight shows of the Lion King a week and I stop complaining.<br /><br />Last weekend I spun at Houstons for two very different groups of people. To my right were older guys with lots of money digging the beats. To my left, a bunch of younger kids who were not. I was playing Swedish House Mafia and Kaskade, the younger guys wanted R Kelley. At the end of the night one of the guys at that table came up to me and said, "Yo man, you're going to stay at this Steakhouse, you suck." He might as well have punched me in the stomach. The other table thanked me for a great night. Go figure. I treated myself to a drink and I took a cab home. To get such polarized critiques in one night I thought to myself, "wow...I must be doing something right!"Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-811750892032432632010-09-08T06:21:00.000-07:002010-09-08T06:37:46.842-07:00SeptemberThe start of the School Year. This is the time when it feels like it all begins, when things get a little more serious, when people hunker down and get to business. I can't believe what an extraordinary Summer I had.I never thought that I would be in Montreal and enjoying my life the way I am right now. I really do feel grateful and blessed. I have been having a blast teaching Zumba and also DJing at Houstons Steakhouse. I cannot wait and see what adventures await for the Fall.<br /><br />Brendan is in town which is always great. I always enjoy the time we spend together since he is one of my closest friends. As I get older I feel like it's important to value these friendships. We went tot he movies last night and then I took him to MBrgr to share a dessert Cookie which I had been craving for a while. So yummy!<br /><br />Today I am hitting the gym with Dan, a personal trainer I met at Houstons. I am nervous! I am really scared that he's just going to break my body in two. I'm just a wuss. I hate being yelled at, cajoled, confronted, coerced, pushed, bullied. I think that is what it is, I think I don't enjoy the feeling of being teased and bullied into things. But I have a goal of putting on twenty pounds by next Summer. I would love thirty but I'll be happy with twenty. I have always been such a skinny guy and I've been talking about gaining muscle forever. The truth is I don't think I can reach this goal on my own. I need help. So I hope Dan will be patient with me.<br /><br />Other things I want to take on this month: <br /><br /> - Watch two Independent Films. I used to do that a lot in Toronto but I sort of stopped when I got to New York. I think it's something that could really be enriching.<br /><br /> - Cook something new. I tend to eat the same meals on the time. It might help if I had a good, easy cookbook to follow. I just think it might be fun.<br /><br /> - Write more. It's getting better. I write almost every morning in my journal which is cool. I've been struggling with my dance book though because I take myself way to seriously. If I could just structure myself thirty minutes a day that would make a difference.<br /><br /> - Go on a date. I am resisting this for sure! I can't seem to meet anyone in Montreal. But I remain a hopeful romantic. Until then, I will work on my pecs.Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-102490471220247062010-08-29T04:55:00.000-07:002010-08-29T05:31:51.518-07:00writingI am on a quest to write a book about my experiences as a dancer. In some ways I had a very small and limited Professional Dance career. But it was a rich upbringing and it shapes who I am today; the way I think and the way I live my life. Because of that, I never really felt comfortable with the idea of saying that I have retired. Maybe I do not have a powerful relationship with that word "retired". There is something so final about it.<br /><br />And for me, my dance career still sort of lingers in my joints and under my skin. I am so hyper aware of how my body moves, how I want my body to move, how it speaks to me through all its aches and pains. When I walk on the street or pass people through a crowded restaurant or the way I give a hug, I always feel like I am dancing in some way. Some of my friends have babies now and I am so fascinated by the way babies hear music or vibrations and how it makes their tiny bodies move. Have you ever tried to mimic how a baby moves? On a good day it's like doing a Master Modern Class. I love it.<br /><br />Writing a book about growing up as a dancer is a daunting undertaking. It just opens the flood gates to a myriad of experiences, most long forgotten. It also opens the door to many questions and unsolved mysteries about Dance. and it begs the question, "what do I really want to say? What is the message? What is the tone?"<br /><br />I am not a trained writer. I did not go to school for writing. I did not even go to College. I feel I am ill-equipped to do this because I do not have a piece of paper framed in my room saying that I am certified. I had a funny thought just now because because it took me one day to be a certified Zumba Instructor. That certification (along with my many years as a dancer) makes me a successful business person today. I love teaching Zumba. I was imagining what it would be like to do a one day writing workshop that,at the end of the day, I get a piece of white paper saying that I am a certified writer. wouldn't that be something? What kind of world of possibilities would I open myself up to by just allowing myself to write?<br /><br />I considered myself a writer once. I was in dance school and I was having a terrible go at it. Writing was the only artistic expression at the time that I felt I had any sort of control in. I loved spending time creating worlds that spilled out of my head and onto the page. And then one day I simply stopped. Maybe dance started to pick up again and I no longer needed it. But I remember thinking that I have no more life experiences to write about (I was sixteen at the time), and until I did, I would just stop. At the age of sixteen I retired from writing.<br /><br />But I always wrote. I've been writing in a journal all my life. I feel centered when I do. I feel more balanced. I was one of those people who attempted the Artist Way (great book) and I did my morning pages. <br /><br />But only recently did I discover the power of using this writing tool. It's such a great way to wake up in the morning and just let go of the thoughts that creep into my mind and just fester there. Just like when my body is achy and I tend to it, I need to release my mind of things that take up good space in my brain. It's the spring cleaning of my mind.<br /><br />So I am looking at the task of writing this dance book. And it appears to be a daunting project. I have used the excuse for so long that I cannot write, that I do not have a voice, that I do not have an agent or a publishing house that will reject me. Another "retired" dance friend just completed his Yoga book and he self-published it through Amazon.com. When he told me that I thought, "Well, now I am in trouble. I've run out of excuses why I cannot write!"<br /><br />It's amazing the kind of limits we allow ourselves to live inside of as human beings. There is not one person that says I cannot write a book about growing up in a dance school.I have even been asked by some of my dance friends to write one. And what has really been moving for me this Summer is that I am starting to see how irresponsible that is of me. I have a desire and a deep need to express myself through Art and any means of Art available to me. And I suppress myself of this so I can be small, so I don't have to be accountable. And there's nothing wrong with that. But what if I am simply robbing myself of the experience of being alive? What's the harm of trying and failing? At least I could say I did it.<br /><br />One could say I failed as a Professional Dancer. I don't see myself continuing on that path at the moment. It's not impossible but it's not where my life has taken me. And yet I can honestly look back at all I accomplished as a dancer and say to myself, "wow, I really did something there. I really saw a world I had no idea existed before."<br /><br />I think it's worth writing about. It's time to honour myself as a writer again.Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-88896920759411209602010-08-21T05:12:00.000-07:002010-08-21T05:42:19.310-07:00long time, no write....I woke up crazy early this morning. I have no idea why. Six o'clock rolled around and my eyes just popped open. I figured I would get up and sort of start my day....<br /><br />This is my third summer living in Montreal and for the first time since I moved, I feel at home. I went to visit some friends in Toronto for a few days and I had a great time but the minute I got back to Montreal I felt my whole body relax.I still can't quite figure out what it is about Montreal that I like so much. It's not without its ups and downs. But it feels good to be here right now.<br /><br />Small thing: I've been smiling at strangers lately. Not really in a crazy way or anything, but I was talking with a friend about Australia and how much we enjoyed how friendly they were there, even to strangers. In their culture it's not weird to acknowledge strangers on the street and say hello. There's so many people on this planet, you're bound to make eye contact with someone right?<br /><br />So I haven't started saying "hello" or "good morning" to strangers yet but I have been playing this little game of smiling at people when I notice them or if we make eye contact. And even though it's a small thing, it's really nice to see people smile back. It's like by smiling at each other we are quietly saying, "Hey man, here we are trying to make the best of this day on Planet Earth. Hope you have a good one."<br /><br />I've been trying to smile at a stranger at least once a day. It's really not that strange :)Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-70863565634943612222010-06-23T09:06:00.000-07:002010-06-23T09:15:27.200-07:00What I've learned from my Nephews (so far)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgXnbhy9jeP9qy5Vi2hgeupwpbb0rDz2vJEB-DqDnWfVN53wcfJDhzvYkKKTHXIFQA6A3Uj3AsjRBOFPfTGGHZF8E8xCqFsJlpF_rR4Dj5wOJJR1tS0YyoIa87hd9NFXAdEiKFecr4oo/s1600/CIMG0679.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgXnbhy9jeP9qy5Vi2hgeupwpbb0rDz2vJEB-DqDnWfVN53wcfJDhzvYkKKTHXIFQA6A3Uj3AsjRBOFPfTGGHZF8E8xCqFsJlpF_rR4Dj5wOJJR1tS0YyoIa87hd9NFXAdEiKFecr4oo/s320/CIMG0679.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486001207263729538" /></a><br /><br />They have boundless energy and a zest for life.<br /><br />when they are mad they get mad....and then it's done.<br /><br />They are sneaky.<br /><br />They love to laugh.<br /><br />They are stubborn. My four year old nephew will say, "Me want ketchup" and I will correct him and say, "No Mylan. It's <span style="font-style:italic;">I</span> want ketchup." And he'll just smile and be silent. He knows what to say. He just doesn't want to say it.<br /><br />They are competitive. They love playing games.<br /><br />They speak English and French and a little Spanish. They have had experiences most kids will not have in a lifetime.<br /><br />They are fearless.<br /><br />They live full days of wonder, adventure, boredom, pain, heartache, laughter.<br /><br />I am so inspired by them right now.<br /><br />They tire me out. I have to take a nap when I am do and all I hear is, "Wake up Tito Mark! Wake up Tito Mark!" for half an hour.<br /><br />I cannot, for the life of me, understand how my older sister, Anna does it. I am in awe of her.<br /><br />My love for them is bigger than I imagined.<br /><br />Thank you Fran, for capturing this moment on film.Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-68242426069729634082010-06-15T05:37:00.000-07:002010-06-15T06:28:20.174-07:00Love and Dating: Sex and the Single LifeThis morning I was writing in my journal about how I went onto facebook the other night and saw that one of my fb friends who's a guy and gay is engaged. Being the stalker that I am I looked at his fiance's profile page and I felt a slight tinge in my stomach. In the photo I see that he is blonde, probably dutch or something, the perfect blend of sophistication and maturity yet eternally youthful. He had other photos (yes, I looked at the other photos, stop judging!) of him holding a friend's baby, hanging out with his family, looking relaxed, well mannered and well, perfect.<br /><br />And I know they're just pictures and I don't know the guy and maybe he has disgusting habits and issues like everybody else but my little voice couldn't help but say, "Why not me?" Why am I not engaged to an impossibly gorgeous, white, blonde, upper middle class, european man-boy who probably has more brains and more money than I will ever have?<br /><br />It's a slippery slope isn't it? These little jabbing questions that quickly puncture you into a dark abyss of shame and self-loathing. And it's all a crazy tapestry of past insecurities that creates the overall image. That hot dutch guy basically represents everything I am not nor will I ever be; white and blonde. There are deeper issues at work there for sure.<br /><br />We always want what we can't have. I've heard it before. What gets me is, why don't I think I can have that? Why don't I feel I deserve that? Or maybe that's just it, maybe I walk around feeling I am entitled to somebody who my impossible standards and that entitlement keeps me separate from everybody else or worse, thinking I am better than anybody else. I mean seriously, who wants to be in a relationship with someone who thinks he's better than you?<br /><br />Bottom line, there are so many questions that will remain unresolved and what's going on with me right now is that I'm just not seeing the spark in anyone. And I am frustrated, resigned, alone and defeated by the whole thing. That's the ugly truth of it. I see these happy couples on facebook and I think, "There has got to be something wrong with me that I am not seeing anyone right now." And you know how that vicious circle goes. The more I resist, the more it persists. Is it bad to be single? Does that mean anything? The older I get, the more uncomfortable I feel about my single status. But is that real or is it something I create in my head?<br /><br />I saw that blonde boy and one of the first thoughts I entertained was, "well it's settled then I have to move." I mean it's obvious right? I haven't found a boyfriend in Montreal and I have been here for three years. There aren't any blonde boys here for me and obviously there's just a gaggle of them in Europe just waiting for a guy like me so naturally I must move to Stockholm. I am in the wrong place, I am not where I am supposed to be. And the shame spiral continues.<br /><br />The truth is I cannot be anywhere else than where I am right now. And write now I am writing my blog. And later on I'll be teaching my first Zumba class, and after that I will be downloading and burning CDs and after that I will be making phone calls and after that I am going to the Restaurant where I will be DJing tomorrow and after that I will be going to check out more clubs and after that I may go to a movie and after that I will go to bed. That is where I am. That is my life.<br /><br />I'm turning thirty four next month. No man, just me, writing in my journal and living my life. "Bravo, Mark, you're officially Carrie Bradshaw."<br /><br />I don't know. I've been living inside of these principles that I can create my future, that I build a structure around my goals and what is important to me, that to achieve my dreams I must stay the course and remain vigilante. Love and relationships are a bit of a mystery. I don't know how to build a structure around that. And am I really building a structure or am I just building a wall?<br /><br />My life has taken on new dimensions in the last couple of months. So many little changes that could have huge impacts. I've been dabbling with the idea of Being Enough. That there's nothing for me to tweak, or augment or change. That I am perfectly enough as I am, for anything and anybody. He's out there. And when I find him there will be no competing, no feeling superior or less than. It will be a partnership. And with any luck, he may just be a blonde man-boy from Denmark.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What would it be like to bring Buddah consciousness to dating? Instead of feeling a sense of urgency, we would be fascinated by the process of meeting and and getting to know new people. Compassion, care and kindness for others would supercede “getting someone to be with us”. And we would never try to control another person. We wouldn’t put others on a pedestal, nor would we set them below us, We’d remember that on a spiritual path, the purpose of any relationship is to wake up and get to know ourselves and our lover, thoroughly without judgment or pride. On the spiritual path, we enter into a shared union where we cherish and give to each other, expanding our ability to love unconditionally. We would also accept that the process can be awkward, unpredictable, challenging and surprising.</span>Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-39686778878686101352010-05-08T05:29:00.000-07:002010-05-08T06:49:09.209-07:00some ugly truths about me....<span style="font-weight:bold;">I am a Drama Queen</span><br /><br />It's typical really. Sometimes I have my big gay blow outs and cry and whine and stuff. I get all emotional over spilled milk. It happens. But lately I've noticed it can be a bit more melodramatic than that. I'm like a Soap Opera Drama Queen. I'm Susan Lucci. My life is just SO important and I'm weighed down by my sheer existence and I am really, really, the ONLY person on this planet that is going through these terrible hardships. I like to play victim. I'm addicted to it. That's my gig and I'm good at it. Like I said, it's subtle at times but it's there. She'll rear her ugly head a few times a day. I'm not proud of that.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">I like Porn</span><br /><br />I mean probably not more than any average guy or girl, gay or straight, my age, but I'm in the middle of a month long trial of not looking at porn. I just want to see how addicted to it I actually am. I'm not a man of many vices. I don't like to drink and I hardly ever do drugs anymore. If I were to name one true vice it would be coffee. But porn is something that was taking up quite a bit of my day. I have been late for work more than once looking at porn. I have nothing against porn. It fills a fundamental, primal need. But I've just been curious to see how much porn actually controls me. So I've stopped cold turkey. So far I have replaced my need for porn by watching a lot of online movies. It's a bit disgusting actually. I've probably watched over ten movies in the last week. Because I haven't been stimulating my brain with pornographic images sadly I feel my sex drive has gotten way low. I now think there must be something wrong with me. That's when the Drama Queen comes in. Read above.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">I have a constant dissatisfcation with my Life</span><br /><br />These are ugly truths not pretty ones. I am not proud of this. Why? Because as I get a little older I can't understand why anyone in his right mind would choose to be dissatisfied with his life. I mean, no wonder it takes me forever to get out of bed some mornings. It's this constant need for MORE. Wanting more is good. It drives ambition, it produces actions, it brings meaning. But I think it's about time I be responsible for that and keep it in check. It's the difference between commitment and attachment. I may be committed to having things (and let's face it, they're usually things; more objects and trinkets and gadgets) but as long as I have an attachment to them, every time I don't possess those things I quickly become less than, mediocre and frustrated. Do I really want to waste my day being those things? I mean, does that really contribute in any way to this planet or my well being?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">I am a lazy mother fucker</span><br /><br />I am. I can't help it. I just am. If I could be a rich fuck who has a mansion in Beverly Hills and travels the world to take pictures and spends his days and nights going to functions and spas and galas and fundraisers I say bring it. I'm lazy. Every day I have to listen to my inner child bitch and moan about how he doesn't want to do anything. You think it doesn't require "work" to be writing this blog today? When was the last time I shared my thoughts publicly? Two months ago? I have a need to be creative. That's a truth. But if my ego had a choice between being creative and being paid to lie in bed in my sweatpants watching porn and movies, drinking coffee all day believe me, I would be in bed right now. Ugly truth people.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">I'm obsessed with Teen Heartthrobs</span><br /><br />That's not exactly the truth but I will do my best to explain. And I am aware that as I get older that statement gets creepier and creepier. Like I'm not obsessed with Justin Bieber. I am patriotic so I do love it when Canadians do well South of the border or globally. But my obsession right now is for Zac Efron.<br /><br />Here's the thing. I have realized that ever since I was little, all I ever wanted to be was a popular, white boy. There's got to be a term for this type of particular disease. I am certain John Hughes has something to do with it. The thing is I will never be white. The sooner I surrender that fantasy the better off I will be. When I look at Zac Efron I just think he posseses the ease and the effortless sense of cool I have always desired. It's all shades of wrong to waste my time being obsessed with someone like that. But there you have it. That's my ego in full effect. There's more ugly to be examined certainly. But those are the main ones that are out in the forefront right now.Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-82382464242300777282010-03-15T08:23:00.000-07:002010-03-15T08:48:11.385-07:00TransitionI've been feeling a twinge of hope these days. My goal is to work a 30 hour work week. Right now I'm pretty much working half that. Half the work, half the pay. It's pretty self-explanatory I think. What's been difficult is the amount of guilt I put on myself. The other day I was talking to my sister about it and I was starting to wonder if there was something fundamentally wrong. Like I was some sort of total moron for not being able to handle my finances. Finally she said, "Mark, you're no different than so many people I know, including myself. The only difference is I know what I make each week and it's consistent." And she's right. I need to work more. Right now I have 3 to 4 shifts a week at the restaurant and that's no longer enough. So I've been out looking and I am confident something will blossom.<br /><br />DJ-wise I have been totally defeated. I don't have anything solid at the moment and it gives me too much time to think and doubt that I can make it. Still, I have a gig at the end of the month and then a few in April (though they're in Laval and I have no idea how I am going to get there!)<br /><br />My life feels a little crazy at the moment. I have no idea how the pieces are all going to come together. I've been really serious too this past month. I don't know what it is about Winter and February/March but I am not a happy camper. Maybe it's time to seriously consider living somewhere warm for the rest of my life. Maybe Sydney or New Zealand. Lately my mind has been thinking about California and San Diego. I need a beach!<br /><br />Anyway, that's where I am at right now. It's not pretty I know. But I hope my honesty is some form of inspiration. I really do feel I am at the cusp of something though I don't know what yet. And even though I have some loose structures in place and some goals in mind I have to remember that life truly is one big adventure. Might as well have some fun while I'm on this crazy roller coaster right?Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-34999469513638347302010-03-15T08:22:00.001-07:002010-03-15T08:22:32.257-07:00<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI2ODY2NjQ5NDM3NiZwdD*xMjY4NjY2NTQyODkxJnA9MTA2MzY2MiZkPSZuPWJsb2dnZXImZz*yJm89NzQ2ZWM5MzlhOTQ1/NDRkMDhmODAxZWYxYjVjMmZmYjkmb2Y9MA==.gif" /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="410" data="http://vids.perezhilton.com/plugins/player.swf?v=aa069110737e0&p=vega4-without-ads-transparent-flp&autoplay=false" height="308" id="embedded_player"><param name="movie" value="http://vids.perezhilton.com/plugins/player.swf?v=aa069110737e0&p=vega4-without-ads-transparent-flp&autoplay=false"/><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"/><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/><param name="base" value="http://vids.perezhilton.com"/><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"/></object>Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557745887170374598.post-9391818733336121602010-03-08T04:30:00.000-08:002010-03-08T04:52:21.050-08:00drowning....I'm awake but I'm not. My life has taken on some sort of surreal nightmare. I wake up and my whole body aches. It longs for something different. It longs to be elsewhere. I know that I am blessed. I know it. I am surrounded by my family. I live a good life in so many ways. Yet I can't shake this feeling that I have done something terribly wrong. I wake up and the little victim in me cries out, "why me? What have I done to deserve this?"<br /><br />The Bank froze my account. I tried to take out forty dollars last night and it says that my account is restricted. For the last week a woman named Joyce at my bank has been trying to reach me. I have been avoiding her. I have been avoiding her, I have been avoiding my life. How far down the rabbit hole do I need to go before I see light at the end of the tunnel?<br /><br />My dance career has failed. My theatre career has failed. The shifts I have as a busboy can't even pay my rent at times. The tips I make barely get me through the week.<br /><br />I am frustrated, alone, isolated. Suffocating. And I am ashamed. I feel like I have nowhere to turn. A new life is in order. A new career perhaps. A new dream. But how? and with what money? I've created a world of debt. I get that I am responsible for that. Now how to I create a world of wealth? How do I turn this around?<br /><br />My body aches. I have a cold. I can barely drag myself out of bed. The sun is out and spring is around the corner. People are getting happier. Yet I don't feel the sun on my face. I'm terrified of the world around me. I'm lost. Sometime ago things made a little more sense. But you can't take back time. And the future awaits.<br /><br />Life is all about choice. And I can go on feeling alone, desperate and scared or I can believe in myself and believe in me. I cannot say I have the answers, man I wish I did. But until I do, I will continue to get out of bed and do what needs to be done. And I will breathe. I will breathe.Mark Vicentehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04021827507926354289noreply@blogger.com0