P R O S E 

Good afternoon readers.

Greetings from a lovely spring day here in the big smoke. I must say, my damp west coast bones are getting nourished (and slightly overwhelmed) by the plethora of sunshine. We had a mini heat wave and GOOD LORD this coastal queen is going through a climatic adjustment (literally and figuratively). We had a week’s worth of rain in half a day earlier this week and yes, I was cycling across the city in it like a mad man. I loved it. I am home today channelling my maman – talking in depth about the weather and cooking passionately all day. And yes, with a pause to get my newsletter out before the first of June tomorrow.

Perhaps it’s the weather, or the fact I quit my mundane carrot chasing dog f*cking job with the city, or the fact I’ve been doing yoga every day, and cutting way way way back on some of my vices (doobies and drinks). Or perhaps it’s the daily socials with lovely friends and family. I really love visiting with my brothers, I’ve always looked up to them, and I’ll repeat a million times how nice it is to say ‘see you next week’ instead of see you next year. They both have lovely partners and yes, there is Gabriel, my 5 month old nephew, who is an absolute delight. I’ll be honest though, I’m looking forward to when he can hold himself up a little better. Kudos to all you parents out there, it’s a lot of work!

I had a wonderful birthday which I felt started with a week or so of continuous parcels arriving in the mail from dear friends all over. I’d been feeling a little home sick for the west coast and it seemed every day coming home grumpy from work I was greeted with a sweet little package that someone sent because they were thinking of me. On birthday eve a dear friend took me to a wonderful comedian show at a big beautiful theatre and my brothers treated me to the “king cake” a 16 layer amazing masterpiece with chocolate and hazelnut and some sort of more chocolate sauce that I got to pour all over it. Dear Spencer, my bestie and roomie, treated me to Cirque-de-soleil which blew my mind and was decidedly much better than the original plan to attend a Jays game. We had pasta and wine with a few more friends and went to bed early.

My friend that treated me to the comedy show asked ‘so how does it feel to be 37’… I said something to the effect of…I feel held and loved and supported. The relationships and networks I’ve built and worked hard at are holding me in this time of great transition and always. I feel beautiful, and smart, and like I know who I am. I feel like I’ve accomplished great and wild feats from being a marine biologist to being a rockstar and all the cool things in between. I feel confident in my passions and abilities, and I feel better equipped to move through the dark days and when I can’t do it on my own I know I have a list of solid people I can count on. I feel lucky and I feel grounded and ready to slow my stride so I can enjoy the moments fully.

I didn’t really expect to live this long. Yes, people give me contorted looks when I say that. But really, perhaps it was due to the fast pace I blazed through life, or the plethora of near-death experiences I’ve had, but here I am on the edge of 37 and it’s looking damn good.

I Love you all,

Thanks for being here, and have a great weekend.

S H O W S + S O N G S

June 12 with Kandle + Jason Kent @ Minotaure - Gatineau, QC {tickets}

June 24 Songwriter Series @ The Horseshoe Tavern - Toronto, ON

T A R O T for the C O L L E C T I V E
From the Psychic Tarot

“It’s time for you to take a brave leap of faith - but be prepared as you do so. A great new adventure is awaiting you and there is significant inner change happening within you. At times a new adventure can be daunting so this calls for inner belief and courage as you step into the unknown. Don’t be alarmed if you feel confused or lost during this time. Most play it safe and stay where they are. Know that by tapping into the tools of your intuition you’ll be propelled forward on a positive life changing path.

Do not conform to what society or others expect of you at this time. It’s YOUR adventure. Be like a child with fresh eyes and give yourself permission to live, play, love, and laugh your ass off.”

traditional tarot archetype: the fool

M U S I C

F E A T U R E D   F R I E N D 

Richard Garvey

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

Victoria. My home in Gordon Head.

Coffee. More Coffee. Leftover veggie tacos for breakfast.

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

 A place to live! So grateful to have a home!

Grateful for sleep!

Amazing & supportive friends!

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

I just released a single "Crack me open" from my upcoming album "In the arms of lovers and friends" and did a large tour of BC. So I'm mostly focused on sleeping and figuring out how to promote the single. I also have about 2 dozen videos to edit for friends and from the tour. I've been finding life pretty overwhelming lately and it's been hard to focus on creative endeavours like songwriting. But I'm excited to be focused on making videos and such to promote the new album. I just ordered the vinyl copies so that has been a huge endeavour and relief to have done! I really want to make a lyric video for every song on the album. The "Crack me open" lyric video will be an instructional video & lyric video in which I show people how to make an amazing omelette. 

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

Usually I default to a few key noodles almost as a distraction or self-soothing. One for sure being the main riff from my song "For your home".

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

I went to Denman Island and there's a little shed there "the free store" and I found a CD copy of "Ten New Songs" by Leonard Cohen. I've been listening to that a bunch and the new "Kitty & The Rooster" album which I think is called "Ain't pussy footin' around"

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

Pre-Order the new vinyl | Patreon | YouTube | Bandcamp

G O O D   O C E A N   N E W S

High Schooler Wins $10,000 for Discovery Solution to Mysterious Outbreak Killing Sea Turtles in His Hawaii Hometown

Maddux Springer lives on Oahu and spent most of his free time during the pandemic free diving among the reefs in Kāneʻohe Bay. Down among the quiet and peaceful corals, he couldn’t stop noticing that practically every green sea turtle he saw was covered in cauliflower-like tumors.

After 400 hours of diving and over 2 years of research, Springer believes that cesspools leaching wastewater through the porous Hawaiian soil into the bay are the cause of the tumors. The wastewater comes with significant amounts of arginine which is taken up by the algae that’s then eaten by the turtles.

Read the full article here

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 s.o.

Gemini – the material power thats now around you can either be an advantage or a disadvantage

Cancer – nothing in this life is motionless

Leo – when the student is ready, the teacher will appear

Virgo – allow your problems to be replaced by solutions

Libra – don’t suffer in silence - reach out to those around you

Scorpio – even though a battle can be won, what’s the pain to both parties?

Sagittarius – where in your life are you suffering addictive behaviour?

Capricorn – everything you’ve strived for is within reach - grab it!

Aquarius – channel your inner emperor with less talk and more action

Pisces – you’re creative juices are flowing, people are wondering what your secret is

Aries – google “patience” and make yourself a ‘how to be’ list

Taurus – that river your paddling on is flowing fast! go with it!

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