Do Canadians support Canadian artists? 🎭🎤✍🏼

After publishing my first book in 2010, I bent over backward to get attention for my work. I contacted the media, tried to run ads, attempted to have contests, and offered to have a signing at a large Canadian chain, you name it. I did everything I could think of, but all this was relatively new and quite terrifying to me, but I recognized that I had to at least try. Everything felt like three steps forward, two steps back, and sometimes, it felt the other way around. 

As the years moved forward, I continued to push forward, continued to write, and continued to get frustrated. At a certain point, I decided to just do my thing and make an effort, but I was constantly swimming against the tide. I had some local media (mostly newspapers and a rare CBC radio interview) but it was hard and I didn't know the best strategy. It was like being stuck in quicksand and trying to move ahead. I finally decided to focus on my writing and not stress so much about my success rate. 

It was during those early years a former coworker told me something that struck home. She said her boyfriend was studying journalism and how it was apparently well-known that the industry in Canada didn't support their artist after they found success. Although I was still terribly insecure about my writing skills, something in that statement rang true. And to be honest, in years since, I've heard the same thing repeatedly for Canadian artists. Those powerful enough to help an artist move forward in their career often show no interest until they've found success elsewhere, then consider them 'Canada's own' with a sense of pride. It's kind of a kick in the ass. 

Of course, I'm not talking about the fans. Fans are a whole, different thing. Canadian artists often have a lot of support from those who appreciate their work, although I'd be lying if that was always the case. It sometimes happens that people can also be contrary until the artist has shown success, but overall, I think most people want to see their hometown talent shine through. It's just unfortunate that elitists at the top can't see that.

And just like that, I was back in the 90s again

I was recently captivated by a video that appeared on my Facebook feed from Moncton, New Brunswick in the early 2000s. As a former resident of the city, I'm always interested in vintage videos, images, or stories from the province where I spent most of my youth. The video was probably 5 minutes long and had been recorded from the passenger side of a car, as the cameraperson documented what they were seeing as they drove through the downtown area, from businesses to city landmarks. It brought back memories inspired by locations where I spent time, many of which no longer exist. 

I decided to check out this person's YouTube channel to see what else I could find. Much to my surprise, a cascade of memories pulled me back in time when I saw a video centered on friends from my youth, in the form of a documentary of a band they once were a part of in the 90s. I spent many hours in the house featured in the video, with the residents and others often dropping by, shortly after I moved to Moncton in the 90s. It was the first place I really felt I belonged, with a group of friends that accepted me. And when I started to watch this video, it was as if I were back in time again, walking through that same doorway.

The house itself was large, and old, from a time when homes had character, and with the right amount of TLC, it could've been a beautiful place again. Unfortunately, it had been neglected through the years. It was known as a party house before my friends moved in (in fact, I think they were some of the partiers) and I remember them saying there was a lot of deep cleaning required before anyone would move their worldly possessions in. I vaguely remember posters on the walls, the smell of cigarette smoke surrounding me, and empty Tim Horton cups sitting on the coffee table. And there was always music. Either a guitar being strummed or grunge music being played. In fact, I can't listen to an Alice in Chains song without being reminded of those days, that house, and my friends who lived in it. If walls could talk. 

People were in and out of that house, probably all hours of the night and day. Mostly because the tenants worked all hours, some with more than one job, just to get by but also because a stream of visitors (including myself) was frequent. This was back in the day when people still visited one another before devices became more important than eye contact. None of us knew how lucky we were or how much the world would change. 

Sadly, the changes included death. It was during that time that friends in my youth would start to die, much too young. One of the house's previous tenants, a man who became my friend after calling out 'hello' one day as I passed by, would commit suicide a few years later. I had spent some time with him but to this day, regret not having got to know him better. He was charismatic, friendly, and probably the first person I ever met whose reputation preceded him, for various reasons. He was a fascinating character who could've done a lot with his life. I regret he didn't have the opportunity.

Another friend I made during this time would pass away a few years later after I regretfully lost contact with him. During my early years in Moncton, we had many late-night chats on the phone, while he sat waiting for calls at a pizza delivery service that employed him. He essentially just sat there, waiting for the phone to ring, so he could chat on the phone in between. My friend was perfect for the job with a very smooth, kind voice, which made everyone at ease. When I found the video on YouTube that he was in, it sprung so many memories. Tears were in my eyes when I heard him talking to the camera, that voice I hadn't heard in decades. His easy-going manner, holding a guitar, it was as if time stood still. 

I have so many memories from those days. Friendships that faded for one reason or another, but all are a part of me and always will be.

Drab colors at Christmas? Does fashion reflect our times?

I'm not sure if you noticed it, but the colors are quite drab this season. I'm not saying this as a challenge for you to 'but, what about...' me, but to merely point out what I've noticed from a few retail sites that send me marketing emails regularly: Drab, dreary, dark clothing, ironically during a season most known for bright, vibrant colors. Has anyone else noticed this trend? 

This first got my attention in October when I was actively looking for a robe as a Christmas gift. I prefer shopping Canadian (I plan to make a blog post about this soon) so I went to the various sites that I thought might have something that I had, at the time, considered to be quite simple. I wasn't looking for a robe with a specific and distinct style. I wanted a long, warm robe. I preferred one that was high or reasonable quality, not the kind of garbage you'd buy for $20 at a discount store. I also wanted something with a pretty color. 

All I found were either short robes that barely covered your ass (the gift is for a 70-year-old, so she probably prefers something a little less provocative) or dark, dreary, gross colors. Some were white, which sounds pretty and luxurious until you spill coffee, get a nosebleed, and drop food on it, possibly all on the same day. But that's a whole other story.

That's when I noticed from my various emails that most of the clothing being advertised was depressing colors. Where were the rich red sweaters? The fun, pretty holiday colors? What about the flattering, beautiful dresses and shiny high heels to match? Most of the colors that I'm noticing are tame compared to what I was expecting. Perhaps it has always been this way, and I dreamed up something more, or maybe it's a reflection of our times. 

This brings us to the real question: Does fashion reflect our times? And what does this fashion say about our current times? 

Women's magazines have changed a lot in 100 years 😮

I was recently fortunate to come across a box of magazines from the early 1900s. Being a bit of a nerd (which is a bit of an understatement) I carefully checked out a few editions, intrigued by the changes in what could be found a hundred years ago as opposed to today. The comparison is vast. 

The articles are more practical and less provocative. 

No clickbait articles. There were no attempts to suck you in with bizarre titles and flashy images. The magazine offered common sense ideas and suggestions for readers' homes and lives.  I assure you, there were no articles on sex positions with the flexibility of Gumby or how to make your boobs look massive (while your waist remains 22 inches) in that $7000 designer dress.

The magazine was denser.

Although Modern Priscilla wasn't as thick as today's magazines (granted, they're getting much thinner in the last ten years) it was denser in information. The print was smaller and the articles were longer. Like many things today, I feel like reading a magazine only gives me a small percentage of quality. The watered-down version of a magazine, in comparison. Back then, it would appear that the magazine was more about the articles than the ads, but now....

And speaking of ads...

This older magazine had lots of them, but guess what? They weren't grabbing you by the throat every time you turned a page. Ads in Modern Priscilla were almost discreetly on the side of the pages, not as noticeable, which in a way made them feel more legit than the ads we see today. Most were at the back of the magazine. Many advertisements, like the articles, were practical. They sold you things that made your life better, rather than things that you were told would make your life better. 

Religion was a thing.

I don't recall ever seeing anything about religion in a magazine in my life. This edition spoke of Jesus on page one. I had to go back and reread it because it caught me off guard. I had never seen, expected to see, or heard of a woman's magazine writing about religion in any capacity. Was this just naturally more acceptable at that time?

I haven't read the entire issue yet, but these are the observations I've made so far. I'm anxious to read the issue from cover to cover, to understand the information geared toward women a century ago. Was this what they wanted? Was it simply a much more innocent time? 

I will say that some things never change. Women still like pretty things, want to lose weight, and improve their appearance. I saw ads for 'the prettiest dress I ever had' and another for whitening teeth. I believe there was also an article on picking clothes that were slenderizing. Again, some things never change. 

UPDATE!!!

Found this while rereading the magazine. Can you imagine that today??

Compliance isn't king

Society once told me to be cautious of being too compliant. The music, movies, and television used to suggest that you should question authority. It told us to use critical thinking and, above all, do what felt right. Oh yes, and be yourself. That was a big one. Individuality was essential. Fly your freak flag and all that stuff.

Something I've noticed in recent years is that these old ideologies have changed. At first, I thought my location contributed to this logic. After all, rural PEI doesn't tend to be a big fan of change. But as time moves on, I've noticed it in various aspects of life. I've seen it in other people. There's a general message sent out that not complying means you are an extreme, crazy person that doesn't 'get' how the world work. After all, how often have you been told, 'that's just how things are', and expected to accept it?

There's a definite punishment and reward system that goes along with compliance. If you follow the rules and do as told, people will reward you with a superiority complex or something fun, like a cake. If you don't go along with or question what's going on in the world (either in the general sense or where you live) then others feel justified in insulting you, or in some cases, withholding certain privileges. Like, maybe, taking away your cake or not giving you cake in the first place. This is a way to play the punishment/reward system. Much like when you spray your cat with water if he misbehaves but give him a treat when he's good. In the end, cats follow their nature, even if humans do not. 

One of the most dangerous games is those that are psychological. If something doesn't feel right or someone doesn't seem sincere, chances are your instincts are correct. Trust them. 

One of the reasons I write about a non-compliant, outspoken character called Jorge Hernandez is because I recognize that many people are feeling anger burning beneath the surface, one which they don't feel the ability to express. Hernandez is a character that boldly expresses himself and has no concern for what others think. He doesn't care if he offends anyone. No one puts a muzzle on this fiery Latino. 

So, how about you? 

Are your expectations too low?

Recently, an ignorant relative of mine made an interesting comment to my mother. She said it was too bad that I never 'made anything out of' my life. I thought that was rather strange, considering I had published 17 books, worked at various jobs, lived in different provinces, and managed to get through life without being arrested, going bankrupt, or becoming an addict. But I quickly realized that she meant that I hadn't gotten married or had kids. Then I remembered how, upon my return to my home province, she was desperately trying to set me up with a random man, even before my foot touched the soil. I thought it was bizarre at the time but later realized that it was because having any man was better than me walking around being single. 

And unfortunately, the longer I live here, the more I feel like that's the case with many things. It doesn't matter if you're talking about jobs, homes, friendships, relationships (apparently), or even businesses. The mentality seems to be that you take what you get and shut up. Take the crumbs thrown your way and be happy. I guess that's why I see so many people who aren't happy and have no intention of extending themselves to do more, be more or have more, and to me, that's sad. 

I'm not saying everyone needs to be rich, married to someone perfect, love their job every second of the day, and live in a mansion. I'm merely saying that it's ok to want more than the crumbs. Although, it appears that in some places, it's ingrained into people's heads that to wish for more is somehow thinking you're too big for your britches. Take what you got and shut the fuck up.

People should know they have value. When people don't think they have value, they take the shit thrown at them and ask for more. This tends to work well for everyone else around you, but maybe not you. And over time, it does wear you down. 

I think 2023 needs to be when people raise their expectations for themselves and others. If you settle, it means you feel powerless, and it's never you who benefits from feeling this way, but it sure makes other people's lives easier.

Does music still have passion?

When I was growing up, music was my life. I think I'm probably in the majority with that statement, but as time moves forward, my relationship with music has changed. I still love the songs I grew up with, the music from high school, and the dance music I associate with my clubbing days, but has anything captured me lately? Am I just getting old, or has the music industry changed?

I notice a common trend for musicians to take a song from 10, 20, or even 30 years ago and make it their own. I'm disappointed when strong songs, which the writer put their heart into, are watered down. It's almost as if all the passion is sucked out of the music, and it just falls flat. I don't want to get into any specific examples, but I'm noticing it more and more. I can't think of the last time I said, "Wow, that's a great remake of that song!" Usually, I'm too busy cringing.

Again, it could be because I'm too old, or maybe bland music reflects our times. Then again, maybe, it's just the music I'm exposed to that's that seems mind-numbing and generic. After all, record labels are going to push what they think they can make money on; they don't particularly care about originality or even talent anymore. And that's not to say there isn't talent out there, but it almost feels like the music that gets the most attention seems to fall flat. 

And again, what do I know? I always followed music trends and what was popular, but I've lost interest in recent years. Most of the music I was hearing wasn't capturing my attention. It seems to have no soul. Then again, maybe I need more exposure to independent music. If you're an indie musician (or know one) who writes music with soul, passion, and with a message, please feel free to post the link below. We need to get this music out.