Month: June 2010

the first picture

/ andyveilleux / 1 Comment

The first picture is the dagger,

not meant for killing blows,

meant for suffering and pain.

 

Suffering and pain is fine,

that's what fuels the fire,

or passion and growth;

nothing builds like the bad,

times and all the bones I stomped,

on my path to the top of the ant hill.

 

What love comes for the king ant,

can not be described simply,

in your kiss of death;

it's in the past.

 

Hearts have moved on,

but some feelings remain strong,

like those of hatred and volatile reaction,

and he way my body convulses at the thought of it.

 

These kid gloves refuse to come up,

permanently sewn onto my weak flesh hands,

with barbed wire soaked in sulphuric acid and vomit,

a mirror of my corrupted soul;

still trying to get better,

better times happened,

in a past life,

or forgotten memory.

 

Your ghost is weak,

and my resolve is weaker.

 

There was a time I was built for this;

mucking my way through some resemblance of hell,

fueled by a passion fallen out of favour,

long ago.

 

Do you remember it?

It doesn't remember you,

passion forgets quicker than sunsets,

on the boulevard where innocence was lost some time ago,

in its place resounds a soft, unsure echo,

fighting for its own space,

in this timid rat race,

where corpses wed,

the good are dead,

and my soul pukes up daisies,

symbolic of the lies it was fed,

it must have been something that was said,

or the mindless blood that was shed,

ridiculous,

blood doesn't have a mind,

and maybe you're over-exuberant rush of it,

explains something.

 

maybe the mirror's judging you,

again.

Shadows hang from these walls

/ andyveilleux / 3 Comments

The shadows hang from the off-white ceiling,

made of aged tiles with their black paint spatters,

held together by cheap metal supports,

never moving or changing much,

save for the almost-yellow glow age gives white.

 

The shadows seem to roll down the walls,

pressing their weight down upon my shoulders,

forcing me to question my lofty dreams and ambitions.

 

These are the days people don't talk about;

the words never add up;

that sinking feeling,

in the pit of your stomach;

a thick belt of lead,

limiting everything you do,

impossible to ignore.

 

Anxiety has a way of destroying a person;

the slowest erosion, 

a harsh wind scraping the bare, unprotected rocks,

and throwing all the soil away,

until vegetation is impossible;

nothing lives there anymore.

 

The wind refuses to give up its assault,

my rocky exterior is smooth like glass,

and just as transparent and fragile;

where has all my soil gone?

Sleep begs my surrender

/ andyveilleux / 4 Comments

You occupy my dreams;

is that a good omen,

or a warning sign?

 

Sleep begs my surrender,

but the words come first,

the words are always first.

 

Could tomorrow be important,

or will it be another day on the calendar,

where nothing of consequence happens?

 

I feel the warm, fuzzy happiness,

or not truly caring either way,

as I drift off in between these lines.

Sleep begs my surrender

/ andyveilleux / Leave a comment

You occupy my dreams;

is that a good omen,

or a warning sign?

 

Sleep begs my surrender,

but the words come first,

the words are always first.

 

Could tomorrow be important,

or will it be another day on the calendar,

where nothing of consequence happens?

 

I feel the warm, fuzzy happiness,

or not truly caring either way,

as I drift off in between these lines.

Sudbury, Ontario: A Beginner's Guide to the Nickel City

/ andyveilleux / 3 Comments

I often hear complaints about there being "nothing to do in Sudbury." After becoming connected to some great individuals and organizations over the past few months, I'd like to take the time to highlight a few of them. For a great general resource on what to do in Sudbury, try checking out My Sudbury. If you're looking to keep up with the news in this city, I highly recommend joining the Sudbury Press Club's Facebook group. Links are posted frequently, and it serves as an aggregator of important news stories in the city. It is also an avenue for discussion on local topics.

Sudbury is filled with many great restaurants, and I want to take the time to highlight a few of the local ones. My personal favourites are Bella Vita Cucina, Respect is Burning, and Eddie's Restaurant. I recommend trying these three, because they showcase some of the variety available when dining in Sudbury.

After dining out, there is also plenty of entertainment available. If you fancy a chill place to have a drink, and also eat some great food (you'll be hungry again at some point!) I strongly recommend the Laughing Buddha, which offers both. The Buddha (as we refer to it) is currently featuring some great art by Sudbury's (and Cambrian's) Tennille Heinonen, who is a phenomenal artist. If you're looking for great music, I strongly recommend the Townehouse, which features great talent every night!

Speaking of music and art, I want to draw your attention to someone who is deeply devoted to both in this community. Frank Chartrand is a graphic designer by day who, along with Nico Taus, successfully runs Bureau Group. These guys are extremely talented, and local. They are also incredibly involved in the local music community, and their hardcore/punk/experimental band, Vicious Cycle, just completed a month-long tour of Europe! Aside from playing in the band, Frank also promotes several local acts, and puts on shows throughout the community. If you're looking for local shows, I encourage you to contact Frank through his Facebook (linked above), as he broadcasts local shows though that.

In terms of education in this community, we have some great institutions that are worth looking into. Having spent time at two of the three major post-secondary education institutions in this city, I can vouch for them first-hand. Those looking for information on Cambrian College (which I attended this past year) and College Boreal are encouraged to do so through my links. I want to take the time to discuss Laurentian University (which I attended for four years) in a bit more length. Laurentian's President, Dominic Giroux, is a man who is very in-touch with the community. He focuses more on Laurentian specifically, but with Laurentian being such an important part of our community, it is worth reading his blog. Laurentian often hosts interesting speakers, and wonderful events, and it is worth keeping tabs on what is going on at the University.

If you're reading this, and you're interested in sports, you're also quite fortunate. Although I am not familiar with every sport being played in this city (sorry folks, I try my best!), you should check out Randy Pascal, who runs the website Sudburysports. His extensive coverage will help you identify which sports are being played in this city, and hopefully help you join your sport of interest. I specialize in soccer in this city, and ball hockey. For soccer, I recommend looking into the Sudbury Regional Competitive Soccer League during the summer months (full disclosure: I sit on the executive as a Director-at-Large), and the S.C.C. Sudbury Indoor Soccer Club during the winter. For ball hockey, I recommend looking into the Sudbury Ball Hockey League (full disclosure: I am the Director of many things with this league).

If you're looking to get involved in the community, there are numerous opportunities to do so. I want to take the time to highlight a few organizations that will help you get involved in the community, for many of my friend that have the desire, but may not now how, to get involved. First off, there is Green Sudbury. Green Sudbury is an organization that is focused on improving Sudbury at a very grass-roots level (quite literally). They focus on environmental issues, and other issues of advocacy for the community. They also help promote local events.

 

Volunteer Sudbury is another group that is doing great work in this city. They are also always looking for volunteers. They help volunteers find meaningful volunteer work, and also help events find volunteers. Anyone who is looking for a place to start volunteering in this community is encouraged to contact either one of these organizations.

In closing, I want to make a few general comments about our community. My current job, as the Community Development Officer for the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, has me focused extensively on our community in the last couple weeks. It has been an eye-opening experience. Not only are there several businesses around the city that are looking to help improve the community, but there are tonnes of volunteers looking to do the same. The amount of passion some of these people show in improving their community, is in a word, heroic. They're not doing all of these great things because it will lead to wealth. They're doing it, because they care. I hope their integrity will spread throughout the community, and light a fire of passion and empathy in Sudbury! That being said, I strongly encourage everybody to get involved and help shape our community for the better.

Sudbury, Ontario: A Beginner's Guide to the Nickel City

/ andyveilleux / Leave a comment

I often hear complaints about there being "nothing to do in Sudbury." After becoming connected to some great individuals and organizations over the past few months, I'd like to take the time to highlight a few of them. For a great general resource on what to do in Sudbury, try checking out My Sudbury. If you're looking to keep up with the news in this city, I highly recommend joining the Sudbury Press Club's Facebook group. Links are posted frequently, and it serves as an aggregator of important news stories in the city. It is also an avenue for discussion on local topics.

Sudbury is filled with many great restaurants, and I want to take the time to highlight a few of the local ones. My personal favourites are Bella Vita Cucina, Respect is Burning, and Eddie's Restaurant. I recommend trying these three, because they showcase some of the variety available when dining in Sudbury.

After dining out, there is also plenty of entertainment available. If you fancy a chill place to have a drink, and also eat some great food (you'll be hungry again at some point!) I strongly recommend the Laughing Buddha, which offers both. The Buddha (as we refer to it) is currently featuring some great art by Sudbury's (and Cambrian's) Tennille Heinonen, who is a phenomenal artist. If you're looking for great music, I strongly recommend the Townehouse, which features great talent every night!

Speaking of music and art, I want to draw your attention to someone who is deeply devoted to both in this community. Frank Chartrand is a graphic designer by day who, along with Nico Taus, successfully runs Bureau Group. These guys are extremely talented, and local. They are also incredibly involved in the local music community, and their hardcore/punk/experimental band, Vicious Cycle, just completed a month-long tour of Europe! Aside from playing in the band, Frank also promotes several local acts, and puts on shows throughout the community. If you're looking for local shows, I encourage you to contact Frank through his Facebook (linked above), as he broadcasts local shows though that.

In terms of education in this community, we have some great institutions that are worth looking into. Having spent time at two of the three major post-secondary education institutions in this city, I can vouch for them first-hand. Those looking for information on Cambrian College (which I attended this past year) and College Boreal are encouraged to do so through my links. I want to take the time to discuss Laurentian University (which I attended for four years) in a bit more length. Laurentian's President, Dominic Giroux, is a man who is very in-touch with the community. He focuses more on Laurentian specifically, but with Laurentian being such an important part of our community, it is worth reading his blog. Laurentian often hosts interesting speakers, and wonderful events, and it is worth keeping tabs on what is going on at the University.

If you're reading this, and you're interested in sports, you're also quite fortunate. Although I am not familiar with every sport being played in this city (sorry folks, I try my best!), you should check out Randy Pascal, who runs the website Sudburysports. His extensive coverage will help you identify which sports are being played in this city, and hopefully help you join your sport of interest. I specialize in soccer in this city, and ball hockey. For soccer, I recommend looking into the Sudbury Regional Competitive Soccer League during the summer months (full disclosure: I sit on the executive as a Director-at-Large), and the S.C.C. Sudbury Indoor Soccer Club during the winter. For ball hockey, I recommend looking into the Sudbury Ball Hockey League (full disclosure: I am the Director of many things with this league).

If you're looking to get involved in the community, there are numerous opportunities to do so. I want to take the time to highlight a few organizations that will help you get involved in the community, for many of my friend that have the desire, but may not now how, to get involved. First off, there is Green Sudbury. Green Sudbury is an organization that is focused on improving Sudbury at a very grass-roots level (quite literally). They focus on environmental issues, and other issues of advocacy for the community. They also help promote local events.

 

Volunteer Sudbury is another group that is doing great work in this city. They are also always looking for volunteers. They help volunteers find meaningful volunteer work, and also help events find volunteers. Anyone who is looking for a place to start volunteering in this community is encouraged to contact either one of these organizations.

In closing, I want to make a few general comments about our community. My current job, as the Community Development Officer for the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, has me focused extensively on our community in the last couple weeks. It has been an eye-opening experience. Not only are there several businesses around the city that are looking to help improve the community, but there are tonnes of volunteers looking to do the same. The amount of passion some of these people show in improving their community, is in a word, heroic. They're not doing all of these great things because it will lead to wealth. They're doing it, because they care. I hope their integrity will spread throughout the community, and light a fire of passion and empathy in Sudbury! That being said, I strongly encourage everybody to get involved and help shape our community for the better.

So much baggage

/ andyveilleux / 7 Comments

So much baggage:

Why do you still talk to HER?

Who are you sleeping with?

Why did you write on HER wall?

Who have you been dating?

Do you still talk to your exes?

Who is the last person you slept with?

Why did you friend your ex again?

Are you just going for coffee?

Which friend are you hanging out with?

What are you going to DO?

 

So many questions,

such a waste of breath,

stop worrying about things,

that don't really matter;

live happier.

new beginnings and new endings

/ andyveilleux / 13 Comments

 

It isn't my time yet,
the phoenix syndrome again,
burning out my frozen life,
filled with stagnant ideas,
confused thoughts and feelings,
from biting through wires,
trying to understand you.
 
I need a ressurection,
the second coming,
or maybe it's in the thousands,
but who's counting?
 
I wouldn't climb that mountain,
it's peaks are too high and icy,
I won't pay the reaper to go back,
that's far too pricey,
and in the end,
the cycle starts again.
 
I won't pull out a guitar and sing,
that's for the con-artists and kids,
trying to bed you under their favourite star,
or any of them, because he doesn't know the difference,
or how much you've already given away with your mouth,
and all the inappropriate things we said,
as far as he's concerned a lay is a lay,
and if he's got you naked it's been a good day.
 
I remember when life was that easy,
actually I don't, because I'm not like that,
it takes more than a random night to keep me smiling,
and even though sometimes I'm unhappy,
no one ever called me out for a lack of trying.
 
Democracies tend to favour civil liberties, 
but Mill knows what you'd give for me,
to be your overwhelming fascist,
like I used to be on our mattress,
and are those too strong of words?
 
No, because it's important to strike chords,
that'll make people listen,
break out of the soul-battering system,
love and passion aren't dead,
listen to the voices in your head,
Loneliness is a reaction to a need not being met,
and the only way to fill it is to get your life set,
and stop looking back,
that's all in the past,
and it can't help you now,
it'll only drag you down.
 
New beginnings,
new endings,
are we at the end or the beginning,
and what does it matter anyways?
 
I see new wings sprouting from my back,
or they're old wings I couldn't remember I had,
refurbished wings,
carrying me skyward,
and I know you'll come in the night like a thief,
a solo act of wisdom bearing three gifts of grief,
waiting to give away all your worst parts,
packaged with your body, passion, and smarts,
a one-way ticket to take away a piece of your heart,
and who would take you up on the offer of a second-hand start?

Sudbury: An unfinished poem, for an unfinished city

/ andyveilleux / 2 Comments

 

 
The cold, frigid tempratures,
mix with the black, tailings-stained rocks,
which seperate the occasional sprinkling of vegetation,
to create the hard rock landscape we call home,
and the people are spread out just like the trees.
 
Who'd want to stay in a place like that?
I would, and apparently so would a lot of people.
 
Sudbury's not all bad,
and it's getting better,
There are a lot of people here,
who are trying, 
and are succeeding, 
at making a difference.
 
Trust me,
I can feel the pulse of the city,
and it's getting stronger.
 
The city needs a shake-up,
it needs new blood,
but what city doesn't?
 
There's so much potential here,
so much talent.
 
The city needs to listen,
and then accept the new generations,
who are feeling alienated,
and leaving en masse.
 
…..