It was many years ago. I was attending a Coaching conference. I am a pioneer life coach and addictions counselor, and a former prof. photographer amongst other things. I specialize in working with people for whom their addictions are no longer an immediate problem but the getting on living life skills, like self-esteem definately are. My website is: http://Stage2Recovery.com
You originally responded to one of my substack postings. That is how I found you. I think you have a willing site. I like your writing and your photography. Although I have raised 13 foster teens and an adopted son, I have zero experience with youngens like yours. From my experienc with teens, I know that if parents with young children would teach them my first self-esteem building mirror exercise when they are young, they would not end up with drug and acting out problems as teens. ( I laid it out in JW6 newsletter - https://open.substack.com/pub/jasonwittman/p/jw5-the-1-technique-to-enhance-self?r=asmc6&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web )
I sit here, pausing at the keys, wondering just what I can type that can capture the words that I have just read. Not just the words, but the structure and flow and the sense of being and place. I had no notion of this PATH, just a name, a single written word, asking me to go ahead, inviting me to click. I was not even sure where, other than Canada; that much I could have said, but not a city or precise place. But as I linger here, down in the comments, having sat and drunk the last of my morning coffee (that "nectar of productive life", a phrase that leaves the trace of a smile long after reading) I know that I have been there. I have seen through another's eyes and felt along part of a journey, one that is still circumscribing its way to points known but unknown. And it is beautiful, this journey. And I will leave, in moments now I will click and leave these fragments, and I will think on the path that I have traced and just what journey it has yet to complete.
Your comments are such a treat to read! Well written and packed with generous compliments, haha. I am glad you enjoyed this one, though. It was my first time focusing on a place as a subject, and I had a lot of fun with it. This summer, June or July, I have a placed planned for a video One Word. Hopefully I can take some of what you talk about here and that I learned writing this one and apply it to moving pictures!
Thanks again. I read this the first time yesterday in a packed mall and it brought a smile to my face that would not have otherwise been there.
And I'm glad that elicited a smile in a packed mall 😀
I wrote it in that half-awake state of early morning and with caffeine just flooding my system... And then I read it back later and thought "did I write that??" 🤣
I find such liminal spaces like the tiled, THX room in your photo fearsome and modern architecture anastomosing. But then, I also fear the sea but sailed much, and fear women, but am married. Paths are not supposed to be safe, I reckon, they only need to lead somewhere.
I don't know whether to bless you or curse you. One thing for sure, the next time I am in an enclosed public area, underground or not, I'll be sniffing the air and cataloguing smells. Finally, a purpose for my protuberance .
Wild. I have not thought about PATH in years, but there was a six-month period of my life when I walked its weirdly cavernous hallways every day on my lunch break, mostly during winter months. For me it constantly brought to mind the movie waydowntown (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waydowntown) and the possibility of never having to emerge outdoors unless I specifically chose to do so.
Shououts to the PATH. I know the route I need to take, and I can probably do it by instinct; if I need to deviate, that's probably getting a bit more clumsy.
Kind of fits your metaphor, but the need for flexibility is key.
Wow, so many nuggets in this piece, here is just one I enjoyed , good writing! This has the layered meaning of a poet's mind.
"Sprawling, inscrutable, labyrinthine — if you don’t know where you’re going, it’s not hard to get lost in the modern PATH system. There are no windows to the outside world. The sun never sets, and the maps speak only in terms the PATH understands."
I remember attending UofT back in the day. Pretty lonely in a big city. Did not enjoy it. In retrospect I should have been a little more open to the opportunities, but youth and other issues made me blind to this.
Yeah I can relate to that. I was not in the headspace to take advantage of all the opportunities I had at U of T. But it made me who I am today and I’ve accepted it as part of the story. Know what I mean?
One Word:
More. ♥️
Thanks so much Crystal
On my one and only trip to Toranto, I had the pleasure of getting lost in the PATH!
It’s a right of passage getting lost down there. Why were you in Toronto - conference?
It was many years ago. I was attending a Coaching conference. I am a pioneer life coach and addictions counselor, and a former prof. photographer amongst other things. I specialize in working with people for whom their addictions are no longer an immediate problem but the getting on living life skills, like self-esteem definately are. My website is: http://Stage2Recovery.com
You originally responded to one of my substack postings. That is how I found you. I think you have a willing site. I like your writing and your photography. Although I have raised 13 foster teens and an adopted son, I have zero experience with youngens like yours. From my experienc with teens, I know that if parents with young children would teach them my first self-esteem building mirror exercise when they are young, they would not end up with drug and acting out problems as teens. ( I laid it out in JW6 newsletter - https://open.substack.com/pub/jasonwittman/p/jw5-the-1-technique-to-enhance-self?r=asmc6&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web )
I sit here, pausing at the keys, wondering just what I can type that can capture the words that I have just read. Not just the words, but the structure and flow and the sense of being and place. I had no notion of this PATH, just a name, a single written word, asking me to go ahead, inviting me to click. I was not even sure where, other than Canada; that much I could have said, but not a city or precise place. But as I linger here, down in the comments, having sat and drunk the last of my morning coffee (that "nectar of productive life", a phrase that leaves the trace of a smile long after reading) I know that I have been there. I have seen through another's eyes and felt along part of a journey, one that is still circumscribing its way to points known but unknown. And it is beautiful, this journey. And I will leave, in moments now I will click and leave these fragments, and I will think on the path that I have traced and just what journey it has yet to complete.
Hey Nathan,
Your comments are such a treat to read! Well written and packed with generous compliments, haha. I am glad you enjoyed this one, though. It was my first time focusing on a place as a subject, and I had a lot of fun with it. This summer, June or July, I have a placed planned for a video One Word. Hopefully I can take some of what you talk about here and that I learned writing this one and apply it to moving pictures!
Thanks again. I read this the first time yesterday in a packed mall and it brought a smile to my face that would not have otherwise been there.
Can't wait!
And I'm glad that elicited a smile in a packed mall 😀
I wrote it in that half-awake state of early morning and with caffeine just flooding my system... And then I read it back later and thought "did I write that??" 🤣
I love this Taegan.❤️👏
Thanks John! Since you're a film head, I recommend watching the video version of my latest when you get the time. It's 15 mins or so:
https://open.substack.com/pub/1wordnewsletter/p/video?r=is0td&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I will.
I find such liminal spaces like the tiled, THX room in your photo fearsome and modern architecture anastomosing. But then, I also fear the sea but sailed much, and fear women, but am married. Paths are not supposed to be safe, I reckon, they only need to lead somewhere.
I agree. And perhaps the ones that lead somewhere meaningful are often the most dangerous?
Forgive my shameless self-promotion, but I thought you might enjoy this.
https://open.substack.com/pub/heapcoup/p/anastomosing-architecture?r=r6c4h&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I wrestle each day with a case of archectural heebie-jeebies. It really gets to me.
I’ll read this on my commute home!
That Yellow Brick Road was pretty spooky after all.
Nicely done. Thanks for introducing me to a whole new world.
Thank you Andrew. Means a lot coming from a solid writer like yourself
I don't know whether to bless you or curse you. One thing for sure, the next time I am in an enclosed public area, underground or not, I'll be sniffing the air and cataloguing smells. Finally, a purpose for my protuberance .
Nicely said! Not many underground paths in Israel? Thanks for the kind words.
Not that I know of, but there are rumors about underground cities ready for the connected if needed. Conspiracy buffs: Have at it!
I thought I am doing a lot of work on my newsletter, after reading this, I realized, how does a lot of work look like
Thanks Anupam. That’s very kind of you to say
Your words are vibrant! What a great story.
That means a lot Liz. Thank you
Wild. I have not thought about PATH in years, but there was a six-month period of my life when I walked its weirdly cavernous hallways every day on my lunch break, mostly during winter months. For me it constantly brought to mind the movie waydowntown (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waydowntown) and the possibility of never having to emerge outdoors unless I specifically chose to do so.
I have never heard of Waydowntown but I’ll have to find it. Totally true. You could work and live downtown and never step outside.
Loved this. Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment :)
Shououts to the PATH. I know the route I need to take, and I can probably do it by instinct; if I need to deviate, that's probably getting a bit more clumsy.
Kind of fits your metaphor, but the need for flexibility is key.
Totally agree. I can verge from the tried and true path, but things get a little... wobbly.
Wow, so many nuggets in this piece, here is just one I enjoyed , good writing! This has the layered meaning of a poet's mind.
"Sprawling, inscrutable, labyrinthine — if you don’t know where you’re going, it’s not hard to get lost in the modern PATH system. There are no windows to the outside world. The sun never sets, and the maps speak only in terms the PATH understands."
Thank you for the generous comments. It’s really and truly appreciated. I had fun writing this one.
A bit off topic, but I just had a wonderful serving of Magic Spoon cereal. Peanut Butter flavour. They now ship to Canada.
Never heard of this but it looks fantastic!
Excellent prose and pictures.
Thank you
I remember attending UofT back in the day. Pretty lonely in a big city. Did not enjoy it. In retrospect I should have been a little more open to the opportunities, but youth and other issues made me blind to this.
Yeah I can relate to that. I was not in the headspace to take advantage of all the opportunities I had at U of T. But it made me who I am today and I’ve accepted it as part of the story. Know what I mean?
Sounds like you are doing quite well these days. What is your job?
I work in content management. So mapping out digital experiences for a large company. Pretty nerdy stuff but I like it.