LOOKS NOTHING LIKE THIS NOW, JUST WANTED TO SEE AN IDYLLIC SHOT OF THE OPEN ROAD.
Well, I had a great day today. I didn’t start the day off with a swim, which perhaps could have made it better, but I did get up on time and had a chance to speak on the phone with my very cool reporter friend who works for the St.Albert Gazette, my home town newspaper. We went over some of the projects I’m working on and he was very kind to take note of my campaign to raise money to print and distribute a ‘mental health’ comic book. I wrote this script you see for a comic and had it looked at by a person who does this sort of thing for a living, and he was impressed. It is the story of a young man who ends up having mental health difficulties and nearly kills himself and goes in and out of treatment for his illness. I wanted to do this project because I have a new job starting up soon where I will be going to schools and talking to young people about Bipolar and Schizophrenia and other mental health disorders and I want to be able to give them something they can relate to. I have put a notice at http://www.gofundme.com/oneinfive1in5 asking those who want to help to donate until I reach my goal of $750.00. It will take more than that, but that will help a great deal if I can get assistance. Anyhow, my friend Scott Hayes from the Gazette is going to run the URL in the newspaper, which is kind of exciting. I have had a lot of exciting news lately, I met with a woman who is going to connect me with a person who is writing a screenplay about Bipolar. If it makes it to a movie, and I can be of help, I think I might be able to get work on the film as a creative consultant. That’s all a long shot though, but I have to admit that I am greatly enjoying my life. So, as my day progresses, I did the interview and then after supper I went to something called a “Story Slam” where you go and read a 5-minute story to an audience and random people judge your story and if you get enough points, you win a hatful of money ($180). I didn’t win, but a number of people (not the number 0) told me I did well, and two people bought books off me for $20 each plus I won a new CD. It was great really. I won’t be performing another story there for two months, but I definitely want to make this a regular occurrence, I really liked the people I met and it was kind of cool to get up and read my story. Tomorrow is going to be interesting, in the morning, a photographer from the Gazette is coming to take my picture and then at noon I am attending my first talk with regards to my new public speaking job and then the day finishes up with me attending an orientation session for work at 6:00pm. The weather here in Edmonton is nice too, above freezing anyhow and all is well. Check out today’s poem below the second photo of the day, below.
HERE IS A SUNRISE PHOTO OF THE LAW COURTS IN SUMMER IN EDMONTON
All To Dust
A friend can often be the one to say
You change the world in such a special way
A true love can say you are the best
Don’t listen to the crap from all the rest
My friend I want to tell you that you are
Someone more than you think you are by far
I say these words to you because I care
This world was meant for you and I to share
In days gone by we talked of those we loved
And those among us who pushed us and shoved
There are people who only want to hate
Forget them now, leave them to their fate
We must love those who care and hold them close
Forget those jerks who only strut and pose
My friend my life, my world is in your hands
One day we shall realize all our plans
But first we must get past those childhood days
Perhaps this friendship is simply a phase
Because though we cling together right here
We can’t be friends forever I do fear
One day a lover will come to us both
Who we will join to with a special oath
Perhaps also children will come to us
With love that turns our friendships all to dust
It’s sad but true that this is how things work
Just don’t forget this new love has its perks
Because as childhood friendships fade away
New love will give new ways to laugh and play
We will walk in true happiness and peace
Love will give our hearts and minds a new lease
Think of me Christmas each year my friend
Always warm wishes I will still extend
Leif Gregersen
January 15, 2015
Mental Health coping skills blog by leif gregersen 