P R O S E 

I miss the ravens the most. The soft and powerful beat of their wings as they pass by overhead. My world being quiet enough to hear it. I miss their calls. Goofy intricate sounds coming from hundreds of feet above. I relate to the tender-hearted troublemakers. The raven head I had tattooed on my upper left arm this past fall makes all the sense to me now. She has a pebble in her mouth. One thing at a time.

I have been warmly welcomed here to the “big smoke”. No there isn’t salmon or the sea but I’m meeting some big trees and I do love peameal bacon. Mild (and expected) homesickness aside,  I’m exploring a whole new world. The sad little feels are washed away with big waves of excitement, genuine happiness, love, and support from a very eclectic mix of dear old friends and family. I intend to maintain my glacial gulf island pace and incorporate the motivation and inspiration of being around so many different people. The city is friendly to me, perhaps because most the time I’m out and about I have a stupid grin on my face and am taking everything in.

A big thunderstorm came in yesterday and was absolutely exhilarating. Today the directionless winds were wild and almost blew this Amazon off her feet. The trees are naked but are beginning to bud and I know spring will be epic and well deserved. The air is so different, which has been the most difficult adjustment. Thankfully through my yoga practice I’ve learned to make my own breath. I can’t replace what I miss or who I left behind, but leaning in to the new and will be milking the ‘fresh off the turnip truck’ vibe for at least the next six months. Bless all of those who have been checking in. It means the world.

It seems I left Gabe for a new Gabe. I left the island of Gabriola that held me for 4 good years and arrived to a sweet new baby boy named Gabriel that my big brother Patrick, just brought into this world. I can’t tell you how nice it is to say “see you next week” to some of my favourite people.

S H O W S + S O N G S

TBA xo

Here’s a new work in progress for you…

Filmed by Patrick Hagarty

T A R O T
for the
C O L L E C T I V E
ft. Roger Farr

The Tower

There is some disagreement about whether the tower depicted in Arcanum 16 is “the house of god” (Dieu) or “the house of the devil” (Diefel). Both inscriptions have appeared on various early decks. Either way, we see a tower, struck by lightning, with two figures falling to the ground.

Upheaval. Sudden transformation. Collapse. Gravity.

I wonder if perhaps you have been holding on a little too tightly to certain abstractions, concepts, and idealisms. It’s important to remember that our most cherished beliefs (love, justice, freedom) are, to borrow a term from Max Stirner, simply “spooks” — ghosts, spectres, conjurings.

An apple falls from a tree, and we say “that’s because of gravity”. But this is backwards: we have the concept of “gravity” because apples fall from trees. We induce the abstraction from actual events, from real, red, apples. Do you see?

Everything is falling apart. The more we cling to our abstractions, the harder it’s going feel when we hit the ground. Make a list of some of your values, your “guiding principles”. Think about whether these are useful to you anymore. Imagine letting them go.

Then feel the gravity of it all lift from your shoulders.

M U S I C

F E A T U R E D   F R I E N D 

DIANNA BONDER

Where are you? What'd you have for breakfast? And what are you up to today?

I am currently in the bathroom on the Hullo Foot ferry travelling from Gabriola to Vancouver. I’m going over to visit my friend who I’ve known since I was 12. 

This morning I had 4 cups of coffee and peanut butter toast at the cafe Sarah used to work at….it’s not the same :(

What three things in your life are you most grateful for right now?

I am grateful for my two daughters , my badass amorous comrade and my career as an artist. 

What have you got on the go artistically at the moment?

I am currently painting a series of 40 new paintings and sculptures for my solo show in May 2024.

If I passed you an instrument, what song would you play us right now?

I would play the Bass line of Smoke on the Water because that’s all I ever learned to play.

What's been on repeat on your record player/streamer/tape deck/CD player/ et al.? 

Rocket Fuel by DJ Shadow/De La Soul

If we want to find your work, where can we go?

My Instagram Page @CocoLocoStudios 

G O O D   O C E A N   N E W S

Biologists Discover Four New Octopus Species in the Deep Ocean

“Roughly two miles deep in the Pacific Ocean, on a dark and rocky outcrop near Costa Rica nicknamed El Dorado Hill, scientists from the Schmidt Ocean Institute observed the miracle of life—pinkish octopus hatchlings emerging from their warm, potato-shaped eggs.”

C O L L A B O R A T I V E S A S S T R O L O G Y 

ft. the cosmic intuitions of SO + friends

Pisces – let’s get soaking wet

Aries – when’s the last time you worked on your splits?

Taurus – stay warm, move your body, and eat well. then, Rest you big bull.

Gemini – sometimes it is good to be of two minds about something

Cancer – is that real crab in your California roll?

Leo – nows the time to be that brilliant sunshine

Virgo – thank you for keeping everyone on schedule

Libra – you’ll be surprised how much better you feel if you get some quality alone time

Scorpio – time to sharpen your knife collection

Sagittarius – if you were a pizza, what toppings would you have?

Capricorn – time for you to start plotting your garden for your warrior

Aquarius – do you have everything you need in your peace bubble?

Stay tuned in & turned on
x.o.
Love
S.O.

P.S. A dear member of my community on Gabriola kindly started a fund for my move and new adventure.

Click HERE if you’d like to contribute