Welcome to Shlomo McPeake: Confessions of a Tomato Can.
I see the world thru the bleary prism of Boxiana.
And interpret it thusly.
P.H.A.D- (Patriarchy-, Heigtists, Ageists-, Defeat-ists) Your Time is Up- And- ‘Yer Goin’ Down- that Time is Now- The Time Has Always Been- Now
“…..Genius…..” ‘They’ say “….is – the recapture of Youth”- Now- I don’t know about ‘that’- but- I do believe I have been afforded with a Late Arriving Prime
…..a lots has happened with to me since my last long-ago Postt
…..the thing most elemental of a Fad is- a fad is temporaneous
…..I just finished-and- again- a latest “Acting In Your Prime” Workshop, hostessed at the good Union Hall, and, as curated, facilitated , instructed, and, commandeered by the vivacious and talented World Famous Actor- Erin Boyes- And- inclusive of a collection of supporting, and, talented, and, generously sharing Actors greater than 50 years of age
……tho’ it is true- I wuz not equal to the great opprtunity for expression available for attending Members- I have continued to ‘draw on’ the experience(s) and return back to a personal revelation I first revealed in Class
……it wuz ‘da Monologue Edition’- a latest installment class for the World Famous Actor- Erin Boyes- an other latest installment for Boyes’ own personal affrontery against the Age-ists- the Age-ists- aa one of pillars for the square and delimiting and inhumane , tho’ still- wholly imaginary-structure -what is the Status Quo
……in this safe space, at ‘da good Union Hall, taining, and, again, with Age-relative peers- I came confident to reveal to this Class my Conviction -to overthrow the 4 Square pillars for the Status Quo- P.H.A.D- the Patricarchy- the Heightist- the Age-ists- and- the Defeatists
….. the Stsatus Quo is not a Triangular construct- to a point- the
Heightists Ageists
Deeatist\s
…..the Time for this latest fad (P.H.A.D) from herstory is- Up- And- it’s goin’- Down- I don’t like the Shoulder Pads- the too many zippers or the roll-up trousers- the ‘feathered hair’ is- ok
You(se) (the Machinery- of Humanity) say – GAME OVER
…..I’m puttin’ another quarter in
the Conspiracy- And- there is- a Conspiracy- the Conspiracy to keep the each, all of Us- Down- is a unifying nefarious principle- again- the P in the Status Quo organization- P.H.A.D- the Patriarchy
…..And- I join You(se) (Womanhood)- in revolt against the despicable Patriarchy
Woman!- I call upon You(se)!- receive as One- this Conviction- and- with -Me -to demand a Short Old Loser -Me- get a Shot at the Heavyweight Title (at long last) – I will Win this Heavyweight Championship- declare the Patriarchy-Overthrown -and immediately institue the Matriarchy!- We Can Do This!
……..from this day forward, and until my next again Fight- I will Fight only with an all-Female Corner and Training Camp (only Sparmates to be Male, and, only after a vetting process what determines them to be Equal Heightists Age-Relativists- And- Defeatist Deniers- And- as well- in opposition to the Patriarchy)
for (Wo)manity!
Shlomo
We, Us
Cat Story- in advance to International Cat Day- 8-8
…….I keep a Cat
-And- it’s great- I ‘Love my Cat’
……but, he’s always perplexed Me- I mean- He’s very aloof- And- his affection(s)- Well- they’re Conditionall- to say the least
……And- I’ve always wondered “What makes ‘him’ like this?- And- well- He is- Adopted- which might have something to do with it
…….but, – He is so distant and non-commitall- that I think- “It must go deeper than that”
……..So- I went back to the ol’ neighbourhood where he wkuz originally picked up as a Stray- axe around there – see what people could tell me- And- Geez- the Story what I wuz able ‘piece together’ would- Well- It would just about ‘ Break Your Heart’
……..I mean- He came from a pretty large Family- about 6 Brothers and Sisters- obviously Catholic
The poor Bastard never even knew his Father
…..and, his Mother- Well- She musta experienced her own and many traumas-not much of a Mother- judging by conventional standards- I mean- She ‘split’ on that whole brood of hers, when they wuz no better than 12 weeks of age….
…….And- I know- “Every Cat Makes a Mistake”- ok
……but, I axe around
It wuz ‘da same ‘thing’ for Her, every Spring- She’d ‘shack-up with an other ‘Tom’- get Sloppy- get her Self ‘knocked -up again
……but, y Y’know?
“I’m glad I find all this out about my Cat- and his Mother and Father (I imagine same for his ”grandparents’ – these traumas tend to generational inheritance) – to learn all this made his peculiarities more clear to me- what a Survivor
……but, and, y’know- “I wouldn’t never wanna speak ill of my Cat’s Mother- And- I don’t wanna condense his reality to a One Point
……but, I don’t know
…..the way his personality is
……the kinda Life of Desperation his Mother persisted thru- no one to help her- a Survivor herself- hadda find respite some wheres….
……I don’t know
“I really think my Cat, Walter- wuz born a ‘Catnip Baby’- I mean- just do the Math”
Shlomo
(We, Us)
Oleksandr Usyk Versus Rico Verhoeven- What a Joke! (Speaking as a Comic, in all seriousness)
……as I set to compose this- mine latest blog post- I rally against a sense for inconsequence, near to overwhelm, what is exacerbated by an encroaching cynicism what makes roads thru my greater sensibilities, coarses and jades me and brings me to charged exclamations against unseen others
……did (You) ‘hear’ that- Oleksandr Usyk- regarded by some- “the Greatest Heavyweight Champion in History” (too soon!)
…..Oleksandr Usyk, considered by some- ‘the Greatest Heavyweight Champion in History”- is next defending his Title(s) against ‘Kickboxing Legend’ (I never heard of ’em!)- Rico Verhoeven
Ok- this is the World ‘We’ all live in- Rico Verhoeven has only had -One- Professional Boxing Match
And- ok- I seen some video of him sparring Tyson Fury (whose uncle Peter is training Rico for his Title Challenge) – And- I seen some video of him in ‘Kick-boxing fights’- Ok- he is strong, ‘n fit, and, well, Kick-boxing is nearly similar to Boxing (I don’t ‘get’ the ‘kicking part’)
I don’t doubt that Rico Verhoeven will give the great Oleksandr Usyk a real tuff and thrilling fight- tho’, I gotta figger- Rico’s gonna- Lose
……Floyd Patterson wuz excoriated for defending his Heavyweight World Title against Professional debutante, tho’, still, Olympic Heavyweight Boxing Gold Medalist – Pete Rademacher, in Seattle, 1957
…..what the World needs- Right Now- for the First Time in Her(his)tory is a Short Old Loser to Fight- on the level- against the World’s Heavyweight Champion
Oleksandr Usyk,
In event Rico Verhoeven is not able to Fight, at the Pyramids of Egypt, in challenge to your fistic pre-eminence, May 23- Fight- Me- on the level
Oleksandr Usyk
Versus
Shlomo McPeake
Shlomo
(We, Us)
“Michelle Remembers” (a Shout-out to Hair, Make-Up, Wardrobe ((and their Like)-And- a Open Challenge to – Oleksandr Usyk- And- to introduce ‘my new Mullet’
……I will often hear People suggest Vancouver City to be the ‘Greatest City in the World’- “maybe”- I will say- “…..but, if it’s not- then, Victoria probably is”
……when I received that telephone call, all those years ago, newly returned from a nullified endeavour to Manchester, England, where wuz I ostensibly Re-located to ”Turn Professional’ in the teeming Gyms, active Fight Venues and Hard-Knocks Life in North England’s Inner City Manchester…..
…..to receive that Call, at my new Residence in RamShackle Whalley, Surrey, British Columbia, to receive that Call, in a world Pre-Dating- Call Display- sometime after Fighting to a ‘Draw’- in my Pro-Debut -with /against Bronze Adonis -‘Gentleman Assassin’- Ben Smith, and, a coupla Tuffmans, besides, to receive that Call, from mine olde good Friend, Steven Will (Esq.) – it were Will’s fumbling, again, to recall to whom he wuz ‘Calling’ – it wuz this struggle to re-collect, with which I determined my familiar friend- Steven Will- now, then, just newly begun, as an -Agent- at Vancouver’s longest attending -Boutique- Background Performers’ Agency in the City (bar none)
……it were Steve’s struggle to remember Me, that I determined from Whom must be Calling
“…….Steven Will!- mine olde Friend!”- I exclaim into Receiver “……how nice to hear from You!”- I sez- “I wonder what is your Business?…..”
….to which, Steven Will (Esq.) replies
“…….Shlomo!” says Steve- “……and, now, don’t mean to ‘take this’ in ‘the wrong way’ – But- You are as most Forgettable a kinda Personage……”
“…..Lissen” says Steve
“……I got this New Job, at Vancouver’s Longest Enduring Boutique Background Performers’ Agencies- in the City- …..and, We got a ‘Call’ to Book Schedule to Work an entire collection of Non-Descript Individuals to appear as “Hockey Fans”- and, as forgettable as you are- You- are ‘zactly the kinda Character what ‘We’ look to Book for work’- Background Performer
“You mean- Extra?” I sez
“…..No.” and, he wuz Firm on this- “Background Performer” – and, then, mine olde good friend, Steven Will (Esq.) suggested to me a something what I have always heeded – “…..bring a Book”- he sez- “You will must need have some thing to read”
……and, from that day to this, I have always made certain- ‘bring-a-book’- to Set, to sit for, sometimes upwards of 12, 13, 14 hours, and more- this is just a One of the ”Things’ what is so Nice for Work, Background, in the Vancouver Film n’ Television Industry
……I recently just finished- Again- an other most excellent, and, as well, many times re-curring Continuity Background Performers’ Gig, on a plainly brilliant Musical Reproduction for an inward ironic take on classical, and- Musical Towns- such, as like- “Brigadoon”- or “Chicago”- too- one wonders if other such places as “Oklahoma” or “River Boat” will appear in Future Productions- And- I am wary now, I may here be skirting the Terms for NDA (NonDisclosure Agrreement) -I signed- In Background Holding
……on this superkool Production starring Saturday Night Live Alum- Cecily Strong, and with renegade, superkool PunkRock Film auteur- Catherine Hardwicke, present and involved in the enormous village set in an enormous warehouse space, film studios in Vancouver – Catherine Hardwicke, moving amongst the ‘Village Background’- referring to my Background colleague and fellow Village Coroner (as per call sheet)- referring to he, and I, throughout Production as ‘the Doobie Brothers’- that wuz nice
……I had great opportunity, and, as well, to Visit- to request, from offa Truck, a veritable- Bevy- of Culinary Options – at Crafty- and, then, again- to Catering- for Breakfast, and Dinner, too- Wow!- thanks ‘Crafty’!- And- ‘Catering’!
…….and, as well, wuz also attended with/by- Hair- thanks Hair!- Who, with grace of generosity, would Style my Hair in manner of some other more Sepia Age
……and, Make-Up, dealing with a Legion of Background Performers, some presenting far a-foul for “Clean-Shaven” (as per Call Sheet)- And- to this- wuz author many times delinquent ( I shave in the Shower, if must know)- “Sorry!”- ‘Make-Up’- Please excuse me
……and, Wardrobe, too, who would must have- Stay- Remain, again ’til late to Re-fresh Wardrobe, patch tears, sew buttons and re-new- Accessories, and, after sometimes, too, Dressing, and, re-Dressing, and, helping, too, still, to- Un-Dress, at end of long day…..
……and, I am reminded how good ‘n generous is the kind of Work what a one does who is called to the ‘beauty arts’ – Thanks- People!- to mention a One, would have me remiss in excluding all others
……and, I am reminded, again, how nice it is to be included in this fantastical kinda work, and, to read all these books I wuz able read…..
…..the first book what I finished to read on Set, wuz a bok I acquired whilst bicycling thru Richmond, on my way for a Covid Test for an other Musical Production I wuz privy be included to
wuz a book “Once There Were Giants” – as is the Subtitle, t’he Golden Age, of Heavyweight Boxing’ what begins with the night Muhammad Ali Knocked Out Sonny Liston, in the First Round, and, continues through the reign of Larry Holmes, to Mike Tyson,, Riddick Bowe, and Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lews, George Foreman, again, and , finally, with the so-called Bite Fight (Tyson V. Holyfield II )- what a great book!
…….and, “Golden Boy” ‘The Fame, Money and Mystery’ of Oscar De La Hoya” by LA writer Tim Kawakami- what a great book! I acquired while visiting “Book Lovers”– North Vancouver’s favourite Book Store (on Third)
……and, “The Last Great Fight” by Joseph Layden- a book what revolves around the events and circumstances of the Night the son of 1960s’ middleweight contender Billy ‘Dynamite’ Douglas – James ‘Buster’ Douglas, on an afternnon at Korakuen Hall, in Osaka, Japan, in front of a non-plussed audience, out-boxed, rose from the Canvas (in the eighth round) to Knock-out, the then regarded- Unbeatable- ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson, left groping on the canvas for his mouthpiece, what he ‘jammed’ back into his mouth, to stumble upright, into the arms of referee Octavio Meyran who waved a Finish to this improbable match- what a great Fight!
……and, “It Came from Memphis”- a book I got from “The Best Record Store in Richmond”- and, ‘the only Record Store in Richmond’- as advertised- about the unique influence and significance for Memphis in Popular music of today
…….And- “Michelle Remembers”- a book I wuz generously ‘gifted’ from mine olde friend ‘n furniture movin’ Workmate- Lucas Valentin
……”Michelle Remembers”- a tru-Crime drama, biography written by Psychiatrist Lawrence Pazder, and, alongwith his Patient (then Lover, then Wife- a compromising Doctor/Patient union what goes further to throwing this biography into disrepute- one may imagine)
“Michelle Remembers”- the True Story of Michelle Smith, suffering with mental anguish, contacts Victoria based Psychiatrist- Lawrence Pazder- who- practices the revolutionary, daring, cavalier, controversial, even- But- And- to this- the crux for the virtues of this book and lesson and union- Practices- Medically, Professionally- HypnoTherapy- to descend, along with Patient, into the abyss of Patient’s Unconscious (Id)- And- to uncover Unconscious traumas what continue to find expression thru the Personality (Ego) and, in this case- Anguish- of Patient
…..by way of hupnotism, Patient is descended into a Trance, and, therefore, may return to long-since dormant Memories of childhood, what have been, as suvival mechanism, submerged into Unconscious
……thru/by these Sessions of HypnoTherapy and Recovery for Michelle Smith is discovered that Michelle’s mother wuz a one of ‘Queens’ for the vibrant and vital Satanic Church what operates in the quaint Sea-side Provincial Capital Town- Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Michelle Smith, as daughter to a ‘one-of’- ‘Queens’- of the Victoria chapter of the Satanic Church- Michelle is subjected to many and horrific and de-humanizing practices in ritual
Fun Fact
“Victoria is ‘the Satanic Capital of the World’ “- ‘Google it’ https://www.google.com/search?q=satanic+capital+of+the+world&rlz=1CAFORO_enCA1115&oq=satanic+capital+of+the+world&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCDc3MjJqMGo3qAIIsAIB8QUOR7ysM4mfpvEFDke8rDOJn6Y&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
……I read this book, for first time, as a boy, of Twelve, or, so- And- So- believed it all be reasonably true- how horrific!
…..it is only, now, and, to read this book, again, and, On Set, that I am become more sceptical- Like- I am not wholly confident to believe it be true that at a ‘one-of’ these horrific rituals- Satan- himself- Appeared- And- as proof- is the curious photo of re-occurence onto her Person of a burn mark, in the shape of the Devil’s Tail, what lashed an infantile Michelle, all those years ago….
…..recalling back to this- Time- whence I first read this book- I decided, now, again, wuz the time- ‘right’ for me to re-new to my Self- the Mullet- of my idealized Youth
…….thanks!- Darlene Cromwell (Hairdresser to the Stars)- And- as well- many-times to appear-Background Performer )- at “Guido’s” Barbers in North Vancouver
……Darlene; an Expert on the Craft- cut my hair into the mullet of my Youth
……I’m Comin’ Back!
And
I wanna Fight- Oleksandr Usyk- for the Heavyweight Title- no matter what ChatGPT tells me (Blast!-Technologia!)
for- No Money
Cuz it’s not about -Money
And
I will be appearing to perform, tonite, at “The Heritage Grill Open-MIc Nite”- at “Begbies, in World-class New Westminster, on the last night still serving- Pattullo Bridge- in a Robot Costume- Cuz- Now- More than ever- is Integrity, requisite
Oleksandr Usyk
Versus
Shlomo McPeake
Shlomo
(We, Us)
“Pugilist At Rest”- Or- Why a Fight between Oleksandr Usyk Versus- Me- Makes all the Sense in the World- Just do the Math!
……my last order of bid’ness for the closing of this 2025- a Perfect Square Year- wuz to join with my good and mortally fated friend- Bob Mcadam- sole proprietor for Vancouver’s only longest standing 24 hr Professional Boxing Gym Franchise- “Sugarrays”- in the history of the World
……Bob and I, on Boxing Day, again this last year, joined to the gravesite at the beautiful and expansive Ocean View Funeral Gardens, at the Southeast plot- in the Balsam Section- at the Southwest corner of, a coupla plots due north of the resting Oxspring, the gravesite for Canada’s only Heavyweight Champion- Tommy Burns (buried Noah Brusso) and, for me to place a cauliflower, and, Bob, to spill from his bottle of excellent brandy, to wash the stone for Canada’s only Heavyweight Champion, on this 117th commemoration day- Boxing Day- 2025- 117th year anniversary for Tommy Burns’ last stand against Heightism- KO by 14- against the masterful Jack Johnson
……We spoke of many things this day, Bob and I, and, continued on to the excellent Pub food inspired- tho’ wholly vegetarian- “Meet on Main”- on Main, at 19th- where the good ‘n generous Bob Mcadam treated with me to enjoy a series of Plant based variations on Buffalo Wings (Cauliflower) (Oyster Mushroom )Calimari and Chic’un (chic pea) Curry Poutine
Tommy Burns- the singular- Only- Canadian- World’s Heavyweight Champion -stood- 5’7 Inches- 170 cm (I loathe to speak in such crude measure) – the nearest most best closer t grounded- Or- descending to the coarseness of Heightists- the- Shortest – I shudder to inform with such charged vernacular as become so- Common-Tommy Burns- the – Most best near well physically grounded Heavyweight Champion in History- Herstory
……the 117th commemoration year to Tommy Burns’ last stand against Heightism- at close to this Square Year -informed me to the mathematical likelihood for a prospective ‘Title Shot’ – for- Me- against the dazzling, all-time winningest, most immediately admired Heavyweight Champion in History- Oleksandr Usyk- last seen Knocking Out- in dazzling fashion- conqueror of the ill-fated Anthony Joshua- Daniel Duboisea
……as Readers for -This- ‘my blog’- will no doubt recall- I openly challenged, on 1 17 2025- Oleksandr Usyk- to a Fight- for his just recently acquired Heavyweight Championship
……1 17, the birth date for Oleksandr Usyk, Muhammad Ali, and- Me
……a just one of real great, nice- And- remarkable ‘things’ about ‘Background Work’ within the World of Vancouver Film ‘n Television (and assorted other Media(s) )- is to be privy to outstanding Spaces unique to our great ‘n beautiful City
…….”last time I wuz to Deep Cove- this time- just up the road and around the corner from Bookstore in quaint seaside Town- Deep Cove- here, again, on this day, to move Furniture, professionally, into a beautiful Home
…..”last time I wuz to Deep Cove”- I request to share with book-keep at “Novel” bookstore
……”last time I wuz to Deep Cove- I visited this same great bookstore- Again
…..And- that time- to “Novel” bookstore- I played a ‘first-ever’s
…….Working on Set, and, many fantastic times, and, at many extraordinary Spaces- I mean- if ever I can- to visit to Local Bookstore, and, to see if I may acquire to my Self- a Book for reading upon Set- sometimes- up to 12, and, even- more hours, set down in a single location- mean to acquire to- Me- a Book to read on Set- one of my also most favourite ‘things’ about Work on Set- to read- sometimes- All Dayy (or Night) long
……last I wuz to “Novel” Bookstore I purchased, to read on Set, an excellent new book by Shelby Van Pelt- the teenage authoresse of “Remarkably Bright Creatures”
……”Remarkably Bright Creatures”- the Super Anticipated- gonna be- Awesome! Feature Length Movie- starring 1970s, ’80s Movie starlette -And- sentimental favourite- First time, I seen- wuz- Me- at a Drive-In Movie, in Duncan, Vancouver Island And- Her- on the Screen- in the Passenger Seat of a Trans-Am- endearing her Self to other Romantic Lead- the moustachio’d- Burt Reynolds, on the run from Sherriff- played by Jackie Gleason- Also appearing- Dom DeLuise- transporting an Elephant- Smokey And The Bandit
……Purchased “Remarkably Bright Creatures”, to read, on Set, as Background, to Sally Field- for the Production- “Remarkably Bright Creatures”
…..Oleksandr Usyk- on more measured lists for Heavyweight Champion Greats is rated only behind- Muhammad Ali- And- Joe Louis- And- on some other lists, still, regarded, by some, the good Bob Mcadam amongst those considered by some- the Greatest Heavyweight Champion of All-Time- this many times, always winning- he moves like, I have ‘heard’ it said before, moves with such purposive direction as to be- motion, perpetual- perpetual motion
….. I think
Oledsandr Usyk- the peerless, undefeated, always winning, Unified Heavyweight Champion of the World- should Fight- Me- Shlomo McPeake- the all-time losingest most unlikely Heavyweight Title Challenger in History- on the level- may the best man win
…..After asking Book-keep, at “Novel” Bookstore, in Deep Cove, after any ‘boxing books’ she may have upon the shelves, and, learning she had none, she did mention a one of ‘boxing books’ she had read before, a collection of essays by Thom Jones (gotta get it) – “Pugilist at Rest”- Yeah- that’s been -Me- ’til now
…..I left “Novel” bookstore that day with an other new book- “If Cats Disapperaed From The World” by Japanese author- Genki Kawamura
Oleksandr Usyk
Versus
Shlomo McPeake
Shlomo
(We, Us)
Shlomo Dancer …….In Space!!!
…….in this dystopian World in which we all live, where the Status Quo- the Heightists, Ageists, and Defeatists keep each, all of us- Down, it sometimes seems as if there is nothing that ‘We’ can do
……Film Auteur- Brent Clark- is a simple man with a complex vision- Change the World -to a Better Place
…… as well as Clark’s uncanny knack to scout extra-ordinary Filming Locations – the epic- And- most beautiful- And- wholly unique Beach- at the geographical endpoint for so-called- Western Civilization- Wrieck Beach- (did ((You) recognize it?))-any one of the sublimely talented Actors who have worked with Clark (Jane Friedman and Michaela Mckenzie- in this Production) will attest that Clark is an Actor’s Director- as the term goes
……if (You) have not seen- “Shlomo Dancer”, embedded into ‘blog post’- “Happy International Woman’s Day!- on this peculiar day, at this momentous time- March 8 2024- Or- Heightism, Ageism, Defeatism- ‘We’ Have Been H.A.D”- Then- Go Back!
And- to inform this latest Sequel- “Shlomo Dancer…… In Space!”- a direct assault against the Sensibilities of this incumbent, and, persisting, and, personally stultifying- Status Quo
Enjoy to see this latest UBCP Sponsored, Brent Clark Film Short- And- featuring the talented and bold performances of Jane Friedman and Mikaela Mckenzie- “Shlomo Dancer…….In Space” Music by “Things”
……I know the Status Quo ain’t gonna like it!
Shlomo
(We, Us)
Mr Roboto – 2.0 – T-Minus- Hours And…. Counting- Or – Heather And Dylan Are Down With XMas
……as I set to compose this- mine latest ‘blog post’-it is early in the morning for my dance reprisal to “Mr Roboto”- the wildly incendiary interpretative dance interpretation to Styx’s masterful effrontery against Technologia- Styx’s double album- “Kilroy Was Here”- Interpretative dance reprisal to Mr Roboto, as a one included to “Heather And Dylan Are Down With XMas”- (Heather Meori and Dylan Rhymer) a multi themed Interactive Social Media format, and, along with other Stand-up Acts- Connie Nice-Guy, gym-mate at “Sugarrays”- Harris Anderson, Magician, Comedian and Mentalist- Adam Pateman and- the bombastic -And- Dynamic- Simon King- appearing after intermission- Show for 20:00, on Main, between Keefer ‘n Pender, at “China Cloud”- back to the DownTown EastSide- again-And- of uncertain temper
…….lissen: I understand, and accept that the Status Quo is conspired against me- Ok- let’s have ‘out’ -I will be dancing a reprisal to “Mr Roboto” tonite, on the DownTown EastSide- that dance interpretative You(se) resent so much
….. . Ok -I understand, and, accept, that the Status Quo is conspired against -Me- Ok- So- much of the grievance(s), struggles and halting nature of my Life I stoutly contend with in defiance as Revolt against this faceless, nameless, mean and ordinary, inhuman entity under and to which ‘We’ are all beholden – the Status Quo
……my All-Time Favourite, brand new- blue bicycle- And- with Robot Costume in basket- wuz Stolen, just last week, outside the Sally-Ann, next door to Sugarrays’ satellite location at the stark environs, on Front Street in World-Class New Westminster
…….I regret to inform; I have imagined that the ‘marginalized fellow’ what passed me, being escorted- Out- by ‘Security’ , as I entered into the ‘Sally-Ann’ to inquire about a 2nd Hand Guitar, I had ‘spected to appear with to perform, that nite, to “Heritage Grill Open-Mic Nite” at Begbies, in world-class New Westminster
…..I regret to inform that I have imagined, that ‘marginalized fellow’ wuz that same unseen – Person?- musta been
…..tho’ I did, still, and- again, train that night at Sugarrays’ satellite location at the stark environs at Front Street, in World-class- New Westminster
…..I regret to inform this -Person- in Fever of Delinquency- Expropriated my most best favourite brand new blue bicycle, ever And- with Robot Costume in basket – And- to keep me from appearing to perform, that nite, at “Heritage Grill Open-Mic Nite”- at Begbies, in revolt against the Status Quo- in Robot Costume
Why?
…….the Status Quo has become so malign that even at the margins have become conspired against
…….the Status Quo has become so epidemic to infect- All
……”Heather And Dylan Are Down With XMas”- Yeah- ‘They’ are hep- I know it’s tru
……Tonite!- I Dance!
to “Mr Roboto”- Alone- And- with tears in my eyes
see ‘Ya tonite- Status Quo- I’ll be the One in the Robot Costume
“Heather And Dylan Are Down With XMas
China Cloud
Show for 8
…..axe for the ‘Friends of Shlomo’ discount Ticket Price
Shlomo
(We, Us)
Mr. Roboto- 2.0
…….as I set to compose this- Mine latest ‘blog post’- it is early in the morning, on a Monday, as I set to compose my Self to re-appear to perform, at “The Heritage Grill” Open Mic Nite- at “Begbies” in world class New Westminster
…..it’s been a while since last I appeared to perform upon a Stage, and this time, on a ‘Open Mic Nite’ Promoted by Rock ‘n Roll impresario- Richard Chapman, on a Show hosted by New West Music Legend- Greg Gorrie, at the iconic Space for the good Judge Begbie, and appropriated by Civic serving member- Paul Minhas
……I wuz recently contacted by mine olde good friend, and, once upon a time- Neighbour- Dylan Rhymer
……with a cryptic message, fluid in determination, Rhymer informs he’d like to ‘book’ me for his latest venture, comin’ off-a his wildly succesful -Album Recording- back again- to “China Cloud” (on Main at Hastings) on the DownTown EastSide , to appear to perform, again, a reprisal for the wildly incendiary Interpretative Dance to Styx’s scathing indictment of Technologia- Mr Roboto, on December 2, or 3, or maybe, 4, or 11 (Date Finalized Soon)
…..last time I danced to “Mr Roboto”- I wuz CANCELLED- how could Rhymer, that Old Man of ‘Vancouver Stand-Up Comedy’ , having, now, finally, seemed to arrive to threshold of Vancouver Stand-up Comedy Superstardom, with his Album Recording in his hip pocket, how could Rhymer seem to stand, and, with Me, against the Status Quo, at this critical juncture in his own ‘Stand-up Comedy Career’?
Antieestablishmentarianism- the longest word in the Dictionary
…..Yes- it’s true- I have long contended with chronic antiestablishmentarianism- And- this has made my Life, hard and halting, sharp and jaded
……I’m an Interpretative Dancer- that’s what I am- And- I suffer with Antiestablishmentarianism
‘We’ have taken those first steps on the slippery slope to the Robot Apocalypse
The Robots are Coming- ‘They’ are already here
And
There’s only one ‘thing’ I can do
I’m gonna dance
at China Cloud- December 2, or 3, probably 4, or 11
And I will address tonite at “Begbies” in world-class New Westminster, Heritage Grill Open Mic Nite- Sign-up begun from 6
Shlomo
(We, Us)
An Ode to my dearly departed friend, Paul Fenz
…..as I set to compose this- mine latest ‘blog post’- I listen for the melancholy strains of Paul Fenz, on his violin
…..I have thought much for mine olde (young) and dearly departed friend- Paul Fenz- this week- may he ever repose in Paradise
Paul Fenz wuz a remarkable kinda person, whose warmth of character, and peculiar idiosyncrasies and sublime talents endeared him to all what knew him
I regret I wuz not present to the Memorial, in Paul’s honour, held last week, at a Church Open Mic, where, it seems, Fenz regularly played
…..I began last week, movin’ Furniture on Sunday, then, to begin first day of Class, Workshop- “Life’s a Pitch”, on Monday, at ‘the Union Hall’ and as curated, presented by Gary Jones ( the “Gatekeeper” of SG-1 Fame), then to bicycle to New Westminster, and, to have ‘a train’ at the Satellite location for Vancouver’s only Professional Boxing Gym frachise- in the the World- “Sugarrays”- at the stark environs at Front Street, in world-class New Westminster- Then- just up the Road, On Columbia, to appear, again- this time to “The Heritage Grill” at “Begbies”- Open Mic Night, to join with a collection of various and talented music acts, and a Poet, and, to appear to perform, again, in front of a generous audience of Others, and, as towards lobbying my likewise fellows to charge in revolt against the Status Quo (not the band) – and- afford to -Me- with a Shot at the World’s Heavyweight Championship- “Give Shlomo a Shot!”
…..back to the Union Hall, on Tuesday, where I pass, again, on the stairs to the union hall- Darcy Hines, of natiional boxing prominence, and, from my same olde boxing club- the Queensborough (now- no more) and, Class, again, all day long- “Life’s a Pitch” with a roomful of supportive Creatives, and, as hosted, facilitated by Entertainment veteran and Gatekeeper- Gary Jones- and- to share- and, along with this roomful of Creatives, our each ‘idea’ for a ‘Project’ – our Process- our creative relations
…..I am reminded how nice it is to be, always, at ‘the Union Hall’- Unions are such ‘good things’- and, further, and to include to the many opportunities Union Membership is privy to
…..Class, again on Tuesday and with these same generously sharing creative others
…..and, back to ‘da Gym, again, on Tuesday, just down the road from Uniion Hall, for ‘a train’- and a Sauna- and- to see ‘n visit again with the young trainers- the Anglo Benny (named for the Scottish featherweight great -Benny Lynch) – and, Sugarrays’ other trainer -de Guadalajara- Memo (named for his mother’s favourite Post-It notes)
…..and, scheduled- Off- on Wednesday, again, in the ‘catch-as-catch-can’ game of flux, what is- Moving- Professionally- So back to ‘da Gym, again, and to see ‘n train ‘n visit again with the good Bob Mcadam
…..’n back on Thursday, for Final Workshop where, Class wuz informed- Each Member- would be ‘Pitching’ ‘their’ own Project(s)- a play on ‘Superhero tropes, set in a Call-centre, the gravitas of a warm and sentimental ‘Christmas Movie’- to be pitched for purveyors of Schmaltz- “Hallmark”- Pitched by a generously sharing Actress, cast in many Hallmark movies (12?!)- So- a working expert on the genre- a Woman pitching a play, set in East Vancouver a sad tho’ uplifting tale of an orphaned boy adopted by his Show-biz neighbour, a Kung-Fu themed Fantasy against the Anti-Orientalism of Pandemic, a young Puppeteer- And- still- a veteran of the Craft, worked for years on “Fraggle Rock”- Pitching a Puppet themed show against our colonial overlords, and many more others, all Films layered and textrued with the Person as Creator
……and, I shared my Idea, too, a mockumentary, , in which real-life is blended to comic script, about a down on her luck ‘Contents Girl’- a Mathematical Genius, who follows her groundbreaking quotient to discover, he what will overthrow the Status Quo- the Heightists, Ageists and Defeatists- a Short, Old Loser, to land the Cosmic Punch, to a Final Scene- a scene of no comic levity- in Real Life- a Fight – for Me- for the Heavyweight Championship of the World (or against Jake Paul, or his like)
…..then, back to ‘da Gym after class, for ‘a train’ and Sauna- “Sugarrays” is ‘da Best!
……thru all of this week, and, as I trained, and performed Comedy, and attended this Class, I realized that this week wuz a week of creative vitality I have not experienced again since a long-ago time when my so-called Amateur Stand-up Comedy Career wuz at it’s most vital- And- as well- as so happens- a period of time whence I wuz most conversant with that savant of Classical Music- the dearly departed Paul Fenz
…..Paul Fenz ‘n Me first made acquaintance as fixtures to “Richie Catmore’s Comedy Scratchbox”- at the “Prophouse Cafe” (now now more)- Fenz played keyboard, and, alongwith Host- Ben Mills, a delightful back ‘n forth a’tween the Two that wuz a one of the distinguishing features of this legendary and ground-breaking Vancouver Stand-up Comedy Nite
…..and, then, again, Fenz ‘n I wuz also included to another Show like no other- Before or Since- “Blanketfort Storytime”- hostessed at the site for Vancouver’s longest serving, now, dearly missed- Amateur Boxing Club- the Astoria- a remarkable Show engendered by the talented ‘n conscientious Comedienne- Emma ‘Helsinki’ Cooper- again- Paul Fenz played his keyboard for audience ‘n along with host(esse)
…..and, as well, Fenz joined with me, in same kinda role for the series of “Shlomo And Friends”- Promoted by Richard Chapman, at the great tho’ no longer- Railway Club, and, then, again, The Heritage Grill, Chapman commiserated with me, and, to the passing of Fenz , at the “Heritage Grill” Open Mic Nite at Begbies
…. Paul Fenz wuz a phenomenon in ‘Vancouver Stand-up Comedy’ that all who experienced are the richer for
……I think of many others with whom Paul had unique and special relationships- Goldie Hoffman ‘n Ruven Klausner (Schtup Town)- Cali Haan,- Riel Hahn- Chantal Michaud- Paul Anthony- Ben Mills (of course) Emma Cooper (again)-Larke Miller, who wrote a timely and profound tribute, already, beguiling magician- James Hanson- Johnny Paul, Richard Lett, of whom Paul referred frequently, Dylan Rhymer (Paul wuz a big booster!) Elizabeth Ettles, Hailey Beamish, and many more others, still, I am remiss not to refer
Rest well, my olde (young) friend
Shlomo
“I Am Sorry”- the Lapu Lapu Tragedy
……I wuz at Roll ‘n Rock 2025- the annual Fundraising Live Music Extravaganza at “Our Community Bikes”- Vancouver’s greatest headquarters for Bicycle Advocacy, and to appear to perform just ahead of headlining Act- SMH- a real kool band from the Sunshine Coast, and, on a Bill what also included DJ Penny, Vancouver bands- Things- and- Spicy Clams, and, Rumblin’ Ryan Thompson, last Saturday night, and, at “Our Community Bikes”
……it wuz not until the next day, Sunday morning, and, opening an email exchange, that I learnt of this tragedy what had transpired at same time as I wuz upon the Stage, at this great event, and, in front of a good ‘n generous audience of others, just blocks away from this tragedy
…..I determined to include my Self to a vigil, I learnt from email exchange, what wuz being assembled at the site of this tragedy, at 41sr and Fraser, for 1700
…..ridin’ my bicycle across Town, to 41st ‘n Fraser, I seen a few blocks on Fraser were cordoned off for Crime Investigation, the local grocery store wuz sold-out of cut flowers and many vigils and wandering observers were present
…..I placed my potted flower, and, with a Vancouver Postcard, at a one of the corners of 43rd and Fraser- there were many likewise memorials at every corner of 43rd ‘n Fraser, and, as well, at 41st, the local Hi-School- John Oliver, and the Elementary- David Lloyd George
……I walked amongst these many other observers, and, joining from Macdonald Park, the processions were sombre, yet beautiful, “Prayer Walks” did a one who led the first congregation I included to , “Prayer Walks” wuz how he called these, and, they were quiet ‘n mindful and sad and profound, each walk, a different congregation and effected by a different principal observer- no doubt- to mourn in collective is a healthful ‘thing’
……at a one of the walks, a young son, who had lost his mother to this tragedy, spoke to the congregation, sharing with Us the Bravery what distinguished his Mother in Life and, as balm and support to us in grieving, his Mother’s assurance that each day, with Cosmic Purpose, will be- Better
…..each walk had it’s own temper, and, destination, the Hi- School, the Elementary, outside the building of a one of Victims, and, back to Macdonald Park, again
……the walks were quiet and mindful, but a one did include a member, who exclaimed, with charged admonition- “Make Your Voices Heard!”! “This Should Not Have Happened!” for duration of walk
……I set down upon the steps of David Lloyd George Elementary, where many wandering observers were coming and going, and, to read my latest book, what I wuz delighted to discover, only just the day before at a favourite Local Book Store of mine- “Kestrel Books”- an other of the many great Used Book Stores what our City may boast, a Used Book Store – Kestrel Books- what Proclaims as partial to Mindfulness ‘n Spirituality- the Book- a Classic, from 1953, so, written in real-time accounts- “The Judgement of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg” by John Wexley- an excellent book what makes clear the tragedy of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, Humanity’s capacity for inhumanity
…….tho’ I have always ‘known’ of the terrible trial (two years in solitary confinement in a horrific Institution of drab and towering concrete- before, even, standing trial before Judge and Jury)
…….and, I ‘knew’ Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were the last, most recent, latest, Couple, People, excecuted, in New York , and, for the uncertain Crime of Conspiracy
…..and, I ‘knew’ of mitigating factors of ‘McCarthy-ism America, the ‘Red Scare’ and the fallibility of humanity
……but, and, at same time, and, as I read this book, and, amongst observing grievers, as a one in good and catthartic civic mourning, I wonder of this tragic Lapu Lapu tragedy, and, my own collective fault
……I wished, imagined, to speak to that individual who joined, led, apprpriated, hi-jacked, or, otherwise, seemed wish to make clear a greater virtue he seemed to endow each all of congregation with
“Make Your Voices Heard”!- he exclaimed, in first beat- ok- ‘Thanks’- and- to encourage verbosity- of, to which, author may well do, does suffer
……but, it were, in second beat of this charged refrain, to which I think did this fellow mean speak- ” ‘This’ Should Not Have Happened!”- he is right- This’- the ‘Lapu Lapu tragedy’ – should not have happened- and- to ‘This’ is what each needs to address- and- this individual (possibly shirtless) by exhorting each of us, in First Beat, to Make Our Voices Heard! wuz endowing each of us with a Voice that wuz good and mindful and kind and better, and, as well, at same time, in second beat, charging each, all of us, with some measure of complicity to this tragedy
I am Sorry for the Lapu Lapu tragedy. I have exercised, within my Self, a capacity to consideration for this tragedy what does not include it’s most horrific actualiies- I am very sorry
Vancouver, the geographical endpoint for so-called- Western Civilization- to borrow a phrase from mine olde good friend and author and King- actually- Dan Kashagama
Vancouver has never experienced this mass violence, and, on a level, ‘We’ have come to imagine ‘Elsewheres’
“One’s Humanity must be exercised
…..I am very sorry for the many victims of the Lapu Lapu Tragedy, anyone who was present to what must have been a horrific scene, the First Responders, the Fillippino Community, and the City entire
Shlomo
(We, Us)
Shlomo McPeake 