Almost thirty years ago my parents were looking at buying a home, and that got me interested in the question, “How long before one reaches the break even point on the purchase of a residence compared to a lease?” The calculations are only for the numerical/financial side of that question, not questions like increased freedom… Continue reading Archive: Rent or Own?
Tag: archives
2005 Schizophrenia Talk
I’ve pulled another item from the archives, this time a talk/paper I wrote about schizophrenia based in my personal experience and a some reading, for a ‘CMHA Consumer Conference’ in 2005.
Two More From the Archives
Pulling a couple of pieces from the archives: A silly little poem about loss and longing from 1994, and an even older essay (from 1992) about the Colombian drug cartel.
Poetry From The Archives
I’ve begun the gradual pull of things of items from archives into the new site. For the moment I have picked two poems from 1994 – 1995 which is the period when I was first diagnosed with a mental illness. These poems are not obviously poems related to my mental illness (there are others, which I probably won’t share, which are), but the fact I was writing poetry at all had more to do with a need to express myself due to being in crisis than due to fancying myself as a poet or an author of fiction.
Schizophrenia Talk
A fairly comprehensive talk I wrote about my experience with schizophrenia for a ‘CMHA Consumer Conference’ in 2005.
Princes and Madmen
A strange idea came to me in conversation the other day, namely that my experience with schizophrenia helps me understand, just a little, what it must be like to be Prince William. I say this because one of the most persistent symptoms of my schizophrenia is the feeling that everyone is talking critically about me.… Continue reading Princes and Madmen
The “Everything’s Fine” Mask
Let us all play pretend.Let us show the world I will not end.Let us all play pretend. Shall we don the mask,so none will ask,”Is everything fine?” When all is said and done,to whom will we showthe thing others do not know,That our mask is not for fun. We wear the maskand all believethey knowthe weave of… Continue reading The “Everything’s Fine” Mask
About the Trash
There’s smoke in the air and musicpoundingin my earsThere’s cracks in the floorand glass under my feetThere’s hope for me and for youOnly we must meet Tell me how it ought to beTell me what you want to seeTell me. Dance with me and watch me fallin loveDance with me and we will beDance with… Continue reading About the Trash
Twice
Tis twice nowthat friendship and lovehave died twin deathswhat was wasn’t and what wasn’t wasto speak more plainly;in retrospecttwice, best friends, weren’t. Perran November ’94
November
I walk in the last mournful raysof November sunlighttheir pale lightfailing, so it seemslike a melancholy dream I feel the cold chillof air preparing for the snows to come;my heart despairs of finding warmth, hope, comfort. I have walked a hundred roads,thought a hundred thoughtsand still it comes to thisfading November twilight,of time gone, goingof… Continue reading November
Foolishness
A silly little poem of loss and longing from the archives.
Thoughts on a New Room
I have a space of four wallsbetween me and the worldIt is a mess but it is mine A private kingdomA world all my ownA place to hide, to think, to play It may never see another soul, it matters not, for it is mine.
The Colombian Drug Cartel
For kicks, a high school essay from 30 years ago about the a particular cartel — long before the modern opioid crisis. The world has changed, and when it comes to addictions, not for the better it would seem.
Virtual Reality: The Potentials and the Pitfalls
I’ve pulled out an almost thirty year old essay about ‘virtual reality’ from my high school years