NEWS: NEW BLOG!!!

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That's right! I'm setting up a new version
of Perpetual Existence!

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After thinking about doing it for quite some time, and then finally screwing up this blog while trying to update it (this isn't what it always looked like, it was somewhat cooler) ... I decided to finally go ahead and set up an entirely new, shnazzier version of my blog, Perpetual Existence.
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Click HERE or on the image below
to check out the new site!!!

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Rock on, funky people!
:) D. Cole

Shameless Woman: Sarah Campbell

Every Thursday I profile a new incredible woman for Shameless Magazine. Each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!

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This week the indie empowered
Sarah Campbell ...

- click here to check out the interview -

Challening Reality: First Aid Kit heals my soul with their music

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I’m that certain kind of person that sees a beautiful video and it can literally make me stop breathing.

This is one of those videos.

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I feel like I’m watching an incredibly beautiful montage of a childhood we all deserve to have had, whether we actually did or not.

In case you don’t know,

First Aid Kit, who sings the song, is a pair of Swedish sisters who can craft the kind of music I imagine stands through eternity.

Am I getting a little heady? Perhaps to deep? Yup, maybe. But sometimes you find something that is just that wonderful and your excitement to share it can kind of get a little sentimental.

If you’re interested in another beautiful video by First Aid Kit, check out this video of them doing a cover of Fleet Foxes’ Tiger Mountain Peasant Song. Two young women singing alone with a guitar in a forest – this will show you that you don’t need fancy studio equipment to make beautiful music!

Rock on, funky people!
- D. Cole

Shameless Woman: Ebonnie Rowe

Every Thursday I profile a new incredible woman for Shameless Magazine. Each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!

This week Phemphat CEO and Honeyjam creator

Ebonnie Rowe ...

- click here to check out the interview -

NEWS: Soundtrack To The New Revolution

Soundtrack To The New Revolution is the combined action / obsession of D. Cole Ossandon & Ryan Hayward.

It's everything you ever needed to be a part of the super hip underground revolution! "Change the world in your own funky way!"

For more about what Soundtrack To The New Revolution is,

read Soundtrack To The New Revolution Manifesto (click here)

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:) D. Cole

Rock Sellout: The Bicycles, The Acorn, The Best of T.O., Lioness

As a new contributor, I was on a bit of a probational period with Rock Sellout -- which basically means that up until now Kip (who runs the site) has been posting what I write.

But that's over, and now I've been made an official Rock Sellouter!

Make sure to check out my "probationary posts":
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The Bicycles

The Acorn

The Best of T.O.

Lioness

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More to come soon!

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Rock on, funky people!

:) D. Cole

Shameless Woman: Jen Anisef

Every Thursday I profile a new incredible woman for Shameless Magazine. Each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!

This week the craftastic
Jen Anisef ...

- click here to check out the interview -

Shameless Woman: Kelly Thornton

Every Thursday I profile a new incredible woman for Shameless Magazine. Each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!

This week the theatrically trailblazing

Artistic Director of Nightwood Theatre

Kelly Thornton ...

- click here to check out the interview -

photo credit: Pierre Maraval

NEWS: Rock Sellout

I'm now a contributor for Rock Sellout, the best place to go for Indie/Rock music news, MP3's, show/tour dates, and everything else you could want from around the globe! I'll be bringing the best of what the Canadian scene has to offer.

If you are a band (or know of a band) from Canada that I should let people know about, contact me here.

NEWS: I'll be at the Small Press Affair Nov. 1

Make sure to stop by and visit me at my table

at The Small Press Affair

Nov. 1 (6pm-11pm) @ The Tranzac

Here's what The Toronto Small Press Book Fair organizers have to say about the event:

The Small Press Affair will feature lively entertainment, including readings and musical performances – all celebrating the spirit of independent press.

On Saturday, November 1st, the Toronto Small Press Book Fair is holding a special evening mini-fair, The Small Press Affair. Writers, fans and friends of Canada’s smaller presses/publishers/publications will gather at the Tranzac to support a new twist on a long-standing tradition on the Canadian literary scene.

While enjoying the evening’s eclectic literary entertainment, attendees can browse a range of vendor tables. Small presses of every size, from the micro to the not-so-tiny will offer all kinds of books for sale, including chapbooks, spoken word CD’s and ‘zines that offer different perspectives and opportunities to enjoy alternative literary experiences.

See you there!

:) D. Cole

Shameless Woman: Carolina Smart

Every Thursday I profile a new incredible woman for Shameless Magazine. Each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!

This week the brilliantly bytchy Queen of Shebytches.com
Carolina Smart ...

- click here to check out the interview -

Photo credit: Viki Ackland

Challenging Reality: The Rush

- The anticipation is a secret kept by those who have experienced the rush, the intimacy between a poet and the web they are weaving. Each word is ecstasy and torment as it pulses with infinite truths, deceptions, and the basic human need to relate and touch another. -

- I wrote this a while ago – I’m not quite sure when (neglecting to date my writing is a horrible habit of mine).

I’ve been busy lately. Nothing more or less than the usual craziness of my life in this current state -- but any writing I’ve been doing lately has been interviews, cover letters, and emails. I’ve had no time to dedicate to poetry.

This always puts me in a peculiar way. I miss the rush.

- D. Cole

Shameless Woman: Zahra Haji

Every Thursday I profile a new incredible woman for Shameless Magazine. Each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!

This week the elegantly enlightened Yoga Goddess

Zahra Haji ...

- click here to check out the interview -

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Photo credit: Gloria Nieto http://photodei.carbonmade.com

Shameless Woman: Coco La Crème

Every Thursday I profile a new incredible woman for Shameless Magazine. Each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!

This week the boundary busting burlesque beauty

Coco La Crème..

- click here to check out the interview -

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Photo credit: Paula Wilson

Altered Reality: How Does It End?

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How Does It End?
by D. Cole Ossandon
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Tidbit: Delicious Deliciousness

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Delicious. It’s such a great word to say. Or even better, Deliciousness. I love words that sound like their meanings. I also like words that are an enticing pleasure to say.

Deliciousness.

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- D. Cole

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NEWS: Shameless Women!

Starting October 16th
I will be writing a weekly blog column
called Shameless Women for Shameless Magazine.

Each week will be an interview with a different amazing lady giving awesome insights from her unique perspective!

Women from all backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, professions, causes ...
(Check out some of the women who will be profiled here)

Make sure to check it out EVERY THURSDAY!

www.shamelessmag.com

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UPDATE: Thanks to Shameless for the friendly welcome (here)!

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Altered Reality: Is This Your God?

Is This Your God?

by D. Cole Ossandon

Challenging Reality: Roses are red...

“Roses are red, violets are blue…”

If you were to write your own version of this classic little poem, what would it say? What messages would your creativity reveal to you in this simplistic artistic medium? Remember that the poem/message doesn’t need to be perfect in order to tell you something profound.

Here are a few I've written in the spur of the moment...

(1)
Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
I love simple pleasures,
and complex ones too.

(2)
Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
The memories are as sweet
as the "I love you".

(3)
Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
I'd try writing your own poem
if i were you.

- D. Cole Ossandon

On My Mind... *bytches, burlesque & baked goods*

I've spent the past week voraciously interviewing some incredibly interesting women who have been absolutely amazing --- each and every one!!!
Thank you, ladies!!!
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Here are links to the lovely ladies who are currently "on my mind"...
(click on the highlighted word to follow the link)
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* Carolina Smart of Shebytches.com & Lipstik Indie Reviews
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* Sauci Calla Horra & Coco La Creme of Skintight Outta Sight Rebel Burlesque
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* Laura-Jean Bernhardson of Freedom Clothing Collective & Fresh Baked Goods
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* Jen Anisef of Toronto Craft Alert
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* Sarah Campbell of The Rage
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* Kelly Thornton of Nightwood Theatre
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* and Rebecca Gallant and Sasha who I'll be hearing from in the next few days.
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Check back soon to find out more about (& actually read) the interviews!
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Rock on, funky people!
:) D. Cole

NEWS: SAVE BITCH!!!

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The vital BITCH Magazine is in a financial crunch and needs your support to stay alive!!!

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If you have it, give what you can (every little bit counts)

and tell EVERYONE YOU KNOW to do the same!

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Here's a video from the wonderful ladies of BITCH

about the current crisis:

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CLICK HERE to visit BITCH online

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CLICK HERE to donate

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CLICK HERE to buy a subscription

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* banner will update as donations rise *

CLICK HERE to get your own banner

Challenging Reality: "This Is My Voice"

Shane Koyczan performing This Is My Voice

Altered Reality: He Says:Punk She Says:Manifesto

He Says: Punk ---She Says: Manifesto

by D. Cole Ossandon

Challenging Reality: One Sentence

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It's incredible what can be said in one sentence.

www.onesentence.org

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Here's my one sentence story...

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"I do it because I want to, because I have to,

and because they say it can't be done."

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- D. Cole

Altered Reality: Smacky Sass

Smacky Sass by D. Cole Ossandon

On My Mind... *rainstorms, retro finds & ROCK N ROLL!*

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click on the highlighted words to follow the link

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* my site. my site. my site. ...I've been working on it daily!

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* Boom Epic -- we're recording in a few short weeks!

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* crazy weather in my neighbourhood -- I love all the lightning and rain!

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* old friends RockSellout.com pop up again (check out the Desirée O link in the sidebar)-- Here's a post dedicated to me on their former online incarnation.

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* new Ladytron video for Runaway

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* super-funky antique furniture/art/odds&ends! I've gotta check this place out!

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Rock on, funky people!

:) D. Cole

Challenging Reality: Ink Blots

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Have you ever done a Rorschach test?

What do you see in each inkblot?

Does that say something about who you are?...

NEWS -- Viva La Vie Boheme!

Make sure to check out my site at

I'm currently creating an entirely new website that includes all of my various Bohemian endeavors! Take a peek around and let me know what you think so far ... and of course, keep checking back for regular updates of Bohemian Wonder and Magic!!!

:) D. Cole

Tidbit: Funky Things

Funky things make me happy...

Tidbit: Lawn Flamingos

I love Pink Lawn Flamingos.

I think they are absolutely wonderful

and soon I will have an entire field of Pink Lawn Flamingos.

image courtesy of www.getflocked.com

Altered Reality: La Vie En Rose

NEWS -- BOOM EPIC!!!

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BOOM EPIC IS ALMOST HERE!!!

www.myspace.com/boomepic

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Challenging Reality: What does this mean to you?

This is where I was tonight.

I won't tell you exactly what it is

(you can probably figure it out for yourself).

This picture means so much to me, in so many ways.

But you see it so differently.

I wonder... what does it mean to you?

- D. Cole

Tidbit: When lightning strikes!

They say that you’re more likely to get hit by lightning than win the lottery. Has anyone ever experienced both?

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- D. Cole

Challenging Reality: Whatever you do...

Whatever you do ... let it have meaning

Graffiti Dreamz by Ryan Hayward

Challenging Reality: Absolute Truths

In the last few weeks the term “absolute truths” has been popping up everywhere in my life. This is usually a sign that I need to take a deeper look.

When I searched “define absolute truth” on the internet I was hit with the realization that there are as many people who are absolutely sure about absolute truths, and just as many who claim that there is no such thing.

It left me even more confused and definitely pensive…
Is there such a thing as an absolute truth?
The world changes from moment to moment, and the people in our lives are just as transformable.
Something that you may be honestly sure of could be completely untrue even without you knowing it – making your absolute truth an unknown lie.

So if absolute truths are such shaky entities, why are they so important to us? And are they even necessary?

When I discussed the matter with a few people, the debate seemed to not only stump them, but the idea of the complete lack of true absolute truths seemed to make them uncomfortable.

Are we so reliant on our sense of control over our lives and our fear of the unknown that we feel that we must have a firm grasp and understanding of our lives, our past, our present, our futures, and those around us … even if it is false?

Is it so hard to accept the unknown?

Socrates said, “I am wise only in that I know I do not know.”

I urge you, as I am going to do, to try to purge your fear of the unknown and accept your “un-absolute truths” as gifts and endless possibilities for wondrous changes in your life :)

* picture of Socrates bust courtesy of Wikipedia / Louvre

Challenging Reality: Lite-Brite

Explore your child-like creativity

with Lite-Brite online!!!

:) D. Cole

www.sfpg.com/animation/litebrite.html

NEWS -- Here I go again...

I took a bit of a break from the blog (life needed attention). But I'm excited to start posting again!

Hmm...where to start :)

- D. Cole

Challenging Reality: Watch this please

Please watch this video.

http://www.caringstrangers.com/powerofone.htm

It is short and will take you no time…if that concerns you.

It is real.
It is beautiful.
It is so important.

Sincerely,
D. Cole

Challenging Reality: Oracle or Poet?

The Oracle of Delphi…Poet?

I decided that it was not wisdom that enabled [poets] to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophets who deliver all their sublime messages without knowing in the least what they mean. - Socrates, In "Apology," sct. 21, by Plato.

I am sure I am not the only poet who can relate to an almost trance-like state when writing.

I prefer to write at night, late at night when the streets are bare and it feels like the world exists for me alone. There is no ego, only truth and infinite possibility. I write with music on, but only music that I know well enough to be able to sing along while ignoring. I prefer to be alone and always make sure I am in a chill place before I begin.

With the atmosphere peak and the beginning rituals performed, I let the words flow. I write for as long as it feels that I should still be writing (or until I am so exhausted, I can’t keep my eyes from crossing).

The strains of poetry flow from deep within.

What source?

Mind? Soul?

Instinct? Inspiration?

Are poets traslating the divine?

Or was the Oracle a poet?...

[The] priestess would be seated … in a state of trance …, while in this trance she only mumbled her answer . .. From her sometimes garbled muttering, the priest would translate into hexameter verse. The Pythia never gave a straight answer, Heraclitus the philosopher (circa 500 BCE) said. The oracle neither conceals nor reveals the truth, but only hints at it.
- Ron Leadbetter

She prepares herself, then, in a state of trance, she (along with her poetic partner, the priest) would create verses that “neither conceals nor reveals the truth, but only hints at it.” Sounds like a poet and a poem to me.

After her death, it was said that she became a wandering voice that still brought to the ears … tidings of the future wrapped in dark enigmas.
- Wikipedia

Sincerely,
D. Cole

Challenging Reality: Tonight I Am Angry

Tonight I am angry. And tonight, that is good.

When a mother is holding a child in her arms, and they are both starving –
When I can’t do anything but use my words to shout.
That’s when I’m angry, when I’m helpless.
- Elie Wiesel

That is how I feel tonight. So I will shout, shout! Read my poetry and hear me yelling at the top of my lungs! I will be heard! To change the world.

Sincerely,
D. Cole

Welcome...

Perpetual Existence is the online realm of D. Cole Ossandon.
Explore information concerning D. Cole's publications / events / readings ... and endless other sparks of this world through bohemian eyes.

Welcome, delve in, and please feel free (and encouraged) to comment or contact D. Cole.

*Although you are welcome to be inspired, all writings here are the intellectual property of D. Cole Ossandon.