Category — canvas

“Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time”

says the line in Pink Floyd’s Time

How true for most of us, but we need to find the time!

Saturday night my wife, Adele and I went to a birthday party for a long time friend’s boyfriend. Our friendship with Linda was born out of work and morphed into being true friends beyond 9 to 5. We hadn’t seen each other for a time and beforehand I feared it would be awkward.

In my usual way I moaned and groaned about going, in Adele’s usual way she put up with my crap and reminded me that I always wind up having fun. Off we went and after getting lost for a half hour we arrived at Linda’s house. The party was fun and we caught up with a couple of other friends who we also haven’t seen for some time.

Linda and I talked about the awkward moment we experienced since we hadn’t seen each for a awhile and in a flash the awkwardness was gone and the friendship strengthened. As we all caught up we laughed about getting older and shared some of our stories. We all talked about how quickly time is passing and the need to make time for what’s important.

I can’t say enough about this right now… my world seems to be in one of the those cycles – this one is death though – not fun. Over the last few months we had our fair share of people facing serious illness and passing around us. Yesterday’s visit with some dear friends who are more of family members, and this morning’s notification call from Adele being the most recent.

Each time I think about this I come back to the smiles on my kids, Candice and Jake’s faces, the warmth of my wife, the true friends we are fortunate to have and the love that those that move on have shared.

As I remind myself, I encourage you find the time, pursue your dream, life for today, enjoy your moments!

Tom Pellicane-Publisher, canvas Magazine

Last Night we held Greendrinks at Four Food Studio in Melville. We had a great turnout of regular attendees and new faces. Thanks to everyone who joined us for the evening.

The folks at Four were great! Thanks Jay, Valerie and Angie.
They came up with a special drink for the night, it was delicious!!! The apps they provided were enjoyed by all.

Being my first time at Four Food Studio it reminded me of my trips to Miami a cool vibe. Flowing indoors and out. Chic, chic!

Check them out for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.

Tom Pellicane- Publisher, canvas Magazine

Last week I started reading the book Original Instructions, by Melissa K. Nelson. As the website says the book shares what “Indigenous leaders and other visionaries suggest solutions to today’s global crisis.”
The sharing is accomplished through presentations that have been made by Indigenous leaders at Bioneers Conferences over the past years.

So why post about this today? In one of the presentations I’ve already read the speaker says that we’ll know when we’re in crisis when the winds accelerate consistently…can anyone Ike, Gustav, Fay. Or what about all the tornados and spouts we’re seeing in the Midwest and all over for that matter. One sign accounted for. The second sign is when the children, for lack of a better phrase, are being affected adversely, and their behavior reflects that. Can anyone say, school shootings, teenage pregnancy, drug use etc.

They describe the western culture of me first, which results in conquered lands, extreme wealth and poverty, Wall St. fiascos and the rampant greed the permeates our society today. This from a capitalist.

They suggest a general approach to even start solving this begins with us all recognizing it’s “we.” There is no “they and them.” This is at least from the standpoint of our survival as a race.
I know its heavy but last week with 9/11, Wall St teetering, the political bobble heads spouting and other significant happenings, it was a weird freak’n week. This week seems to be starting on as a continuation.

As I drove back from a client meeting this afternoon I decided a commitment I’m making this week is to spend some time thinking about the “we.” About what’s important, finding ways to slow this roller coaster down. And I hope you’ll take a few mins. to do the same.

When the proverbial @#$% hits the fan we’ll all be looking for help. If we starting thinking about the “we” today, there may be less @#$% hitting the fan tomorrow.

Tom Pellicane - Publisher, canvas Magazine

As I posted yesterday I had mixed feelings doing Open Mic on 9/11. That said we had a great crowd and performers. The vibe took on the feel on New Yorkers on 9/11. Approaching what we do with the same passion, but the hint of pain and sadness that goes back to the day 7 years ago.

Our featured performer Jay Scott described feeling as if he was on a episode of Story Tellers. His performance was great, he brought passion and grittness to the music he played. He was telling us in the audience that when the vibe is like it was last night, you just have to go with it and that trying to play uplifting, upbeat tunes sometimes just won’t work. Last night Jay felt would have been one of those nights, so he went with the flow. He played some tunes that he said he hadn’t done in a while and had a bluesy sound that was fitting. If you haven’t heard Jay play, check him out.

Thanks again to all that attended and performed. A special thanks goes to Joe Iadanza for hosting the night and Chris & Karen from Whole Foods Market for bringing the treats, they had some great double creme organic fudge cookies, and drinks for everyone to enjoy.

We’ll see you Oct 9, bring a friend for another great open mic.

Tom Pellicane - Publisher, canvas Magazine

Today marks the 7th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. As a Citizen of the U.S., New Yorker and someone to had friends and acquaintances involved with the Trade Center today is always a little melancholy. The acts committed that day are unspeakable and it good to see our pols taking a time out for the day.

Unwittingly we scheduled the canvas Open Mic tonight which has always been an uplifting fun event. I have mixed emotions going into tonight. On one hand I know life continues on, on the other hand I feel guilty hosting an upbeat event on Sept 11.

Our event tonight is dedicated to those who lost their lives in the attacks, the families they left behind and all the others like me who can still smell and taste the smoke from the buildings in the air.

Tom Pellicane – Publisher, canvas Magazine