tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45420830398625455412011-07-28T22:08:02.297-07:00create. educate. motivateChico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.comBlogger761100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-1717800161767261242010-06-09T22:47:00.000-07:002010-06-10T07:36:49.094-07:00

chicosousa.comI appreciate that you read my posts, thanks for taking the time and I hope they in turn inspire you to create, educate & motivate.Please continue to join me as I relocate to my new site, chicosousa.com, June 10/2010.peace & lovechico

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-90294474459078170482010-03-11T09:14:00.000-08:002010-03-11T09:24:43.817-08:00

Yesterday I wrote about the death of Canadian actor Corey Haim. By the end of the day I really started to question the post. It had been the third time in less than six months that I had written about someone I had known dieing. It really had me thinking about my writing and why I write in the first place. I never set out to be a 'reporter' type and lately with Twitter and the Olympics I found

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-39541730266862969862010-03-01T16:52:00.001-08:002010-03-01T16:58:37.956-08:00

I’m walking through False Creek while I continue to write. It’s a talent. I’m just a stone’s throw across the water to where most of the Olympic partying took place. It is quieter on this side of the water right now, a reminder of what is to come once we have our city returned to us but it will never be the same. The Olympic games in Vancouver have come to an end and the last three days were

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-47702910013330902012010-02-19T10:55:00.000-08:002010-02-19T19:10:32.078-08:00

It has only been eight days since our city of Vancouver welcomed the world to the 2010 Winter Olympics. I know. Can you believe that? The Olympics are happening in my backyard. News crews are everywhere, the streets are full of thousands of people and Canada has won Gold three times already. The other night it really hit me though as I sat in the third row at Canada’s opening hockey game against

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-28504607569024189482010-01-24T21:09:00.000-08:002010-01-25T19:40:10.666-08:00

In only seventeen days Canadians will welcome the world with glowing hearts as we host the 2010 Winter Olympics. I never imagined I would be doing anything with the games but here I am at the Four Seasons Yew restaurant in Vancouver where I’m accompanying a film crew covering the 2010 Olympics. Ironically, I spent a lot of time in this hotel when I first moved out to the west coast. Back then I

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-58243320717296496832010-01-12T10:33:00.000-08:002010-01-13T00:23:12.368-08:00

While a new year has begun for many, I find my own inner timing more in tune with the Chinese calendar. The December holiday season allows me to rest, reflect and connect with my family, while January is for purging and organizing. By the time February turns the corner my clarity and focus have manifested into the 2010 plan. Yet sadly the reflection continues, while the new year has barely begun

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-65730241798949497762009-12-09T10:38:00.000-08:002009-12-10T09:07:15.862-08:00

After spending five minutes flicking my wrist like an olympic swordsman, I finally found the little white hand icon on the TV screen with my controller. My buddy lent me his Wii and I have to admit I have a little fetish for playing FIFA Soccer. (I know it's lame, but it's my lame!) So as the little man lays down for his nap after another night sleeping in our bed, I'll take this much needed

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-91080588771603858282009-12-03T11:33:00.000-08:002009-12-03T12:11:39.026-08:00

Today I thought I would share a rare glimpse into the daddy-day-care world here at Chico Daily. Despite the constant scribbling in my back-pocket-book and the late nights starting new paragraphs, finding real time to write something is difficult when I’m completely immersed with my son. This is not a complaint. It is simply an observation on this writer’s journey. I’m finding it hard to be

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-36093185523917809292009-11-30T20:10:00.000-08:002009-12-01T21:25:11.711-08:00

Like many of you music junkies, I spent a lot of time obsessing with music when I was young. If we ever sit down to count up the hours it would blow our minds. From listening to radio, mixing tapes, talking to friends, going to shows, writing reviews, dj’ing, time in records stores, surfing, downloading, sharing, tweeting – blow our minds! Never mind if you are in a band to boot. For some of us

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-21432639612985437272009-11-26T11:35:00.000-08:002009-11-26T12:28:31.527-08:00

Today music is all over my brain. The last two nights I woke up in the morning with Jacksoul’s ‘Unconditional’ song stuck in my head. Haydain Neale, lead singer for the group, sadly passed away Sunday night at the young age of 39.I’ve been replaying the last time he and I spoke over and over in my head. It was early on in my days working in the music industry in Toronto. I was working at PolyGram

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-91670953372053146512009-11-24T20:08:00.000-08:002009-11-25T11:53:11.965-08:00

It has been over a month since I last wrote, which does not bode well for a blog with the word DAILY in it. In truth, I have been struggling with direction lately. Well, my immediate direction and concentration hasn’t been a problem, taking on the stay at home father role, but leaping to the next direction of generating income again has been the challenge. Yet, it feels like I’m going to give

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-15831260228989645712009-10-14T22:27:00.000-07:002009-11-21T22:51:47.981-08:00

See these people lately?I hated working in the financial industry. There was a time that I simply dreaded waking in the morning until it finally made me sick. One day I realized that I had to change. Change my attitude, to gratitude. That changed everything. I walked to work each day crossing the Cambie Bridge while giving thanks to the many blessings in my life. “I’m thankful for my legs and my

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-5993969985137055762009-10-14T13:38:00.001-07:002009-11-21T22:52:23.517-08:00

It is almost one in the afternoon and I have yet to turn on my computer. Usually the computer is on and I would have already checked all my email accounts, social networks and probably have tweeted a half dozen times by now. Not today. I’m attempting an impromptu digital detox of my own. Although I interact and play with my son all day the computer or his movies will sometimes interject for a

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-65051565091239354962009-09-26T12:00:00.000-07:002009-11-21T22:53:09.182-08:00

When I woke up yesterday morning I had one plan amongst all my errands for the day, to meet Pearl Jam. I managed to see their day schedule when they performed in Toronto. So around 3:30 they should arrive for sound check. So I loaded up my son in the jogging stroller put on my runners and ran down to GM Place (15 min flat too. hehee) I saw where the buses were parked so we stationed ourselves

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-60633741910275440122009-09-25T13:24:00.000-07:002009-11-21T22:54:07.372-08:00

Today I really feel like writing. Mind you, I write every day but today I am compelled after holding things to myself. The usual writer’s dilemma, how much do I want to share and reveal today, what is the purpose? The purpose is the same as it has been since grade two. To share stories, observations and ideas with others, so that those words may inspire, entertain and sometimes provoke you. So

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-36142757794272107212009-09-21T08:41:00.000-07:002009-11-21T22:54:31.713-08:00

Sept 19.09I ran a marathon today. Well, not a full marathon and not even a half marathon, a quarter marathon? It was part of the 5peaks Trail Running Series. I ran eleven kilometers around Buntzen Lake in one hour and eleven minutes. The last time I competed in a race would have been in high school. I’ve always enjoyed running, mostly as a way to stay fit. It also gives me time alone to think

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-91799625272101655292009-07-21T19:27:00.000-07:002009-11-21T22:54:44.479-08:00

When I returned home from the Young Men’s Adventure Weekend (YMAW), my gorgeous wife and my entertaining son greeted me at the front door of our building. He looked as though he grew a couple of inches as he barreled around the corner at top speed and into my arms shouting “Hi, Dad. Hi, Dad.” He was beaming, she was beaming and I was on fire. This was my fourth year on the YMAW production team

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-29564516859907033482009-07-06T11:40:00.000-07:002009-11-21T22:55:02.903-08:00

Dear Ben,Can you believe July has already arrived? It seems every year that days and months pass by faster and faster. Maybe it has to do with the planet’s rotation also getting faster. Everything at the speed of light makes sense, since we are all pure energy, pure light, but that’s another story for another time. Son, I’ve been writing these letters to you so you’ll have these early memories to

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-54810776565209584562009-06-16T00:43:00.000-07:002009-11-21T22:55:25.389-08:00

“They were all drunk, they won’t remember a thing.”“But my dress – ““Oh yes, except the dress thing, right.” It’s midnight on the avenue. Two cyclists discuss the night’s antics as they pass by going west, while a white mustang pulls out from the brothel and heads east. The wind is quite strong tonight and it comes in quick bursts. It sets off a symphony of sounds through the house as the blinds

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-40145704040854095592009-06-09T09:12:00.001-07:002009-11-21T22:55:46.030-08:00

It's about ten in the morning and I'm on the Queen of Nanaimo ferry waiting to depart to Galiano Island. We are sitting next to the Kids Zone area where my son, decked out in his Christian Ronaldo soccer outfit from Grandma, is spelling the Kids Zone sign out loud while the other children are watching Wonderpets on the tube. It is a sparkling sunny day, clear skies and warming up very fast. A

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-2057065339440675342009-05-29T08:58:00.000-07:002009-11-21T22:55:59.333-08:00

I am honored to have written the introduction to Steve Carty’s photography book, Positives, which he is releasing today May 29th 6:00 p.m. at the Jerome Jenner/Smash Gallery in Toronto. It's amazing because I remember when Steve would dream of this day. How Positives has surrounded him for years. His past gallery show Positives, the idea for the book and the positive message he shares with all

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-29758872119612707822009-05-27T11:29:00.000-07:002009-05-27T11:34:17.763-07:00

It’s two a.m. The computer is off yet there is the low hum from the external drives still running. Flick. Gone. The streets are quiet but another hum still exists outside, little murmurs from the men visiting the brothel beneath our apartment. I wonder if the night feels ignored, especially on such sunny days. All day long we compliment the weather, we work ourselves hard in the sun only to meet

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-88665969461374015222009-05-25T09:37:00.000-07:002009-05-25T10:04:37.642-07:00

I am on a creative binge. I came to the screen to transcribe my latest observations and instead I start writing a new one, recording a new mix and writing about some new music. I love some of the new sounds coming through my headphones lately.Delivered in time for your Monday, one hour of music mixed by thePAsystem. Also, a few of the artists on the mix highlighted below. Please enjoy. Have a

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-42690755522985361362009-05-22T01:33:00.000-07:002009-05-23T20:35:09.795-07:00

My son turns two in three days and right now he can spell about twenty words and counting. My favorites from his list have to be: mom and dad, friend, park and GO! Everywhere we go he is spelling whatever he sees. The real estate agents name on a for sale sign, the emergency lever on the bus or if you happen to be on the Q-U-E-E-N O-F A-L-B-E-R-N-I ferry – he’ll spell it all for you. After he

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-49409927834344534782009-05-18T10:33:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.935-07:00

Where shall I begin? Let’s start with today and then shift into last night at the concert. It is simply a quintessential premium picture perfect hot and sunny Victoria Day long weekend afternoon in Vancouver. I’m laying in the hammock with book and pen to bring down the flow. I am super energized. I am full of purpose and inspired. I left the house at 8 a.m. and headed off to a forest for the

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-71278626505892423962009-05-16T15:20:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.935-07:00

Some of you thrive on the west coast, some of us on the eastNo matter the distance, I still feel your reachSomething we've been stewing, is getting closer for all to eatI am soaked in blessings and love, I feel no end in sightAlthough the struggle continues and we must never give up the fightThe battle for truth marches on and on and onCut yourself loose from the ropes and chains that try to

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-77318435865616976062009-05-12T11:44:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.935-07:00

I love this country. More so, I love this province of British Columbia. Although I came here as a child once, those memories from the early 70’s only come through the family photo albums I would look at through the years. It wasn’t until I graduated from high school that I came out here on my own to check it out. Hanging out in Kitsilano with my uncle that summer I knew it was the place to live

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-64183192703330893812009-05-09T19:02:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.935-07:00

Wow, last night was a great one. Can’t remember the last time we actually went out and socialized like that. Our friends who have worked on cruise ships for almost ten years stopped in Vancouver last night. The fantastic duo is actually getting married soon and will embark on a new life together, on land. A wedding I wish we could attend, nonetheless, we had a fantastic night celebrating their

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-61408712145583115622009-05-08T12:08:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.936-07:00

Yesterday I was Mr. Daddy Daycare. I had a great indoor play day on a rainy filled week. By the afternoon, when child number two was dropped off for a while, the living room looked like Toys R Us had vomited everywhere. The carpet was a minefield of building blocks, train tracks, hotwheels and locomotives, balls, hockey sticks and more balls. We had a blast building miniature cities with roadways

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-38236308908721744692009-05-07T10:30:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.936-07:00

Burst of WordDreamlike tendencies taking over me, watching the cascading words pile up and start to suffocate. Reach for the old fashioned and faithful pen to capture or crash this flow. So you need this to be easily repeated just an endless mirror we keep feeding, the written word and its’ merit. From scriptures to Shakespeare, from television to twitter and everything in the middle,

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-47914711045335941642009-05-01T10:53:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.936-07:00

casablanca nights have passed with the southern windsthe new air breathes with a flamenco jump in her stepshuddering deep in the sadness, a tear of joy surfaces to the topa song is chirping above with the fist of god drumming the beatit is alive and so blessed as it soars and thriveseach note strikes its chord as our shadows pass in the corridor we unite in the hall with dancing feetmaestro

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-8609618765933594182009-04-29T13:40:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.936-07:00

Today’s observation is coming to you live from the House of Love in Vancouver. Not the 16th or 19th floor of the ivory tower or the sunny side of Granville Island, nor the shady lanes of Gastown. This time I am just off the Broadway lights and nestled in with the glow of the avenue. It has been exactly three months since I was laid off at Ace Film. It has also been over three months since I’ve

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-68324269624706242742009-02-06T11:01:00.000-08:002009-05-19T15:49:53.936-07:00

My fellow writer in the great lay off of 2009 emailed me today and she mentioned Dr. Wayne Dyer and the power of intention, a power that I know so well. A power that I know is currently not working at maximum capacity. A simple definition for intention is: “to have in mind a purpose or plan, to direct the mind, to aim.” Without that intention we simply stumble around without any real direction or

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-82968800476595617772009-01-07T10:39:00.000-08:002009-05-19T15:49:53.936-07:00

January 5, 2009 MondayA few days into the New Year and my first moment to just sit and write, take it all in. After a brief discussion in the kitchen we both agreed to take Ben’s current nap time and just write. Solace within. Sometimes these are great moments to assist the creative flow. The many wells of inspiration found all around us like family, to share in the love and help create. I

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-8909655924715699452008-12-05T12:28:00.000-08:002009-05-19T15:49:53.937-07:00

(best read while accompanied by A Taste For Faith, the new mix by thePAsystem)SundayI don’t want to think. I just want to write. Despite a Vancouver weekend full of rain we all managed to have a fun and busy weekend. I had some great time with Ben as well as a fabulous evening watching him play with his best friend Liam, who is only five days older. Robert Doisneau moments like The Kiss at the

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-48128350890943138302008-10-06T10:55:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.937-07:00

On my never ending journey to find the truth there have been many storytellers who shared their stories through short films, documentaries or presentations. When the film Zeitgeist came out I found it to be a great summary of many of the truths and a complimentary source to another great documentary -The Esoteric Agenda. So, with the current economic situation deterioriating I watched a couple of

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-28873963709579127502008-09-11T21:33:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.937-07:00

I don’t rap, I don’t sing, just a writer trying to make sense of thingsI think all day and write all night, find the way to illuminate the lightAm I just dreaming in a world that’s come undone?Am I just dreaming or am I just having so much funLet it last so, so longAm I just dreaming, I don’t know?Does it all have to make sweet sense? Will our hearts then finally rest? While our minds take the

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-36548670739085559112008-08-29T14:01:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.937-07:00

Well I could sit down and begin to decipher and organize all the thoughts and feelings that are inspiring this moment of written word. Maybe I could shape an outline first, then develop it into a nice story according to all the writing rules that exist, but lately I find myself back where I started years ago. Simply allowing the words and expressions to come out of me unaltered, raw. People seem

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-67840922702084363032008-07-09T12:10:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.937-07:00

FridayJuly 4, 2008It’s one in the afternoon and I’ve just finished eating an over priced breakfast in the Calgary airport. I’m awaiting my flight to London since leaving Vancouver earlier this morning.I have kept all electronic devices to a minimum this time. No laptop as I go back to my old school roots with pen and paper! I do have a Blackberry which I check Facebook now and again, reading over

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-37570980033323832872008-04-14T19:01:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.938-07:00

Saturday April 12, 2008Last night there was a serious windstorm happening up here on the ridge. You see, we are staying at the Colonel’s place in a part of the island called Hawaii Kai and it’s a good drive up to the top of Mariner’s Ridge where he and Tessa live. So we were up late as Ben was a bit scared with all the noise rattling everywhere for several hours around the house. There are a few

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-50258015200494438292008-04-12T13:46:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.938-07:00

Tuesday April 8, 2008Well yesterday was a gorgeous day and we made it down to Sandy Beach for some relaxation in the sun. Of course we overestimated the relaxation part having never ventured to the beach with a child. In the twenty minutes we spent on the beach we managed to damage our camera and almost impale two people with our flying beach umbrella while Ben found every grain of sand to fill

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-9676835509964752272008-04-08T11:52:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.938-07:00

Friday April 4, 2008Before I over think this into nothing I should just begin to put it down and out in writing. This time tomorrow I am on a plane to Hawaii and I was just thinking about editing on this trip but almost immediately after that thought was, screw it, just write instead. A few years ago I went through an incredible writing purge resulting in volumes of stories, poetry, lyrics,

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-15302106048028248222008-03-29T16:20:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.938-07:00

MARCH 29, 2008Share2:07pm Today | Edit Note | DeleteJoseph = joey = joe = junior = jp = chico = joseph = HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!Many thanks and high fives back to all of you, your greetings added to the love today.Word of the day = MusicFilm of the day = August RushHope of the day = 8 p.m. turn out your lights and celebrate Earth Hour!Songs of the day =Kid Cudi - Day N’ Night (Crookers Mix)Time

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-40389160741263441732008-03-27T13:39:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.938-07:00

This morning as I walked to work and turned off of Pacific Boulevard on to our beloved street in Gastown the magnificent spectaculars were out in full force. The piss filled air roams through the streets, as do abandoned condoms and needles. As I pass the Starbucks on the corner and head towards Pender Street a man runs out of the 7-11 chased and tackled by the employee for apparently stealing

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-65642440889429114082008-03-21T10:01:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.938-07:00

So this is great practice for myself. I am lost. I am here but I am in search of something more. Something else, something that has meaning. Must all my meaning only be found in the inspiration of song? There is no guidance, there is no assurance, there is barely a compass showing us the way. We dredge on not knowing of our future but do any of us? The captain is shroud in mystery, his

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-45372444497047078952008-03-17T10:09:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.939-07:00

I just spent the last moments of the weekend organizing my sock drawer. It was fascinating, seriously. I feel as though I solved a thirty-year-old mystery. You know how you always lose a sock or two during the laundry ritual? Where do all those socks go you keep wondering? Tonight I figured it out.C. Jeanne Heida at associatedcontent.com sheds some light on the top places missing socks tend to go

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-27698503657637718732008-02-27T10:06:00.000-08:002009-05-19T15:49:53.939-07:00

As the moon eclipsed, the sultans of summer flew through the night wind and whispered in my ear, “We’ll see you soon.” The appearance of the first light shot out a moon ray of summer heat on my cheeks, I smiled. Rethink. Repeat. I returned. I am awash in a sea of thought as I pass the dumpster homes and sidewalk beds along my way to work. The air smells like spring fever and the crocuses are

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-65897066446693502052008-02-13T14:33:00.000-08:002009-05-19T15:49:53.939-07:00

I think my heart and my mind are somehow in cahoots with one another. Usually they work against each other trying to find their own resolve and on the rare occasion they will collaborate. Yet these days I wonder if they are simply communicating to not communicate. These fingers are slowly finding a rhythm in these keys, in these words to shed light on this black hole of – and then suddenly my

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-63133742631407304222007-08-20T10:54:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.939-07:00

With the final hard drive shutting off there is no more humming sounds, just simply the still of the night. Even the passing cars on Eighth Avenue are fewer this Sunday night. Now I can only hear the echoes of Benjamin's small whimpers in his sleep, his active dream world. I wonder which world he is playing in tonight. What kind of past, future or never has been world does his wonderful brain and

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-76097096648456195782007-08-16T09:58:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.939-07:00

Sometimes I simply have the unstoppable urge to write and create. Today is one of those days where I'm taking myself out of the moment to unleash some verbiage through these fingers. It is somewhat of an overcast day and I'm praying to the rain gods to hold off so I can play basketball tonight. Sitting in my new corner office working on a quote for a set of web videos a client wants us to produce

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-4396511459847021132007-06-15T12:33:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.939-07:00

Well here we are three weeks into the life of our son Benjamin. We constantly remind each other that it has only been three weeks which is hard to believe sometimes when you are witnessing all the growth and change every second. Feels longer. It also reminds us to be patient, especially when Ben decides to communicate loudly that things are not great at one particular moment or another.One thing

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-4503518947626139672007-06-06T09:00:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.940-07:00

In just a couple of days it will be just two weeks since Benjamin came into our lives. It seems since that day nothing can compare to the experience we are having with eachother and with Benjamin. It has been difficult going right back to work after his birth but his face is forever embedded in my memory.So many firsts and still so many more ahead of us. Last night was just one of those evenings.

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-23868056272190650712007-05-28T08:51:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.940-07:00

May 24th, 2007I left to work feeling anxious as it was our baby's due date. Going to work each day was getting harder as we approached the big day, I just didn't like leaving her home alone. It was a busy day at the office and with many friends asking if it had happened yet, it made for the longest day ever. Around 1:00 p.m. she called me saying she had been dancing at home to the sounds of Ben

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-24285960970154886962007-05-14T09:55:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.940-07:00

Dear Sweetheart,Well this morning started smoothly enough until I realized I was five blocks down the street without the keys to the office. So now that I was running late I decided to take the Aquabus across the water into Yaletown, instead of the nice walk across the Cambie bridge. The ocean scents drifted into my lungs and immediately placed my mind on vacation. Almost instantly my thoughts

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-34595705607747745532007-04-26T09:12:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.940-07:00

Dear Baby,I've been thinking a lot about you over the last year but even more so the last few days. Your mom has been doing an incredible job of taking care of you inside her and making sure that only love surrounds you both. She is really happy and just looks so natural watching you move around in her tummy every day. We've taken a lot of pictures to show you when you've grown up, we even have

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-24985468183286972802007-02-22T09:02:00.000-08:002009-05-19T15:49:53.940-07:00

Thursday Feb.22Its 8:20 a.m. on a Thursday morning, the skies are grey and amidst all the skyscrapers around us, it feels even darker. Things are quiet on the 7th floor here in downtown Vancouver as people continue to slowly wake up to their daily work routine. As I wait for my pile of transfer documents to land on my desk for processing I can only do what comes so natural to me – painting with

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-31779976784602933372007-02-18T10:14:00.000-08:002009-05-19T15:49:53.940-07:00

FridayJust write it. Since this new year started I have been tested constantly. Two weeks into 2007 I found out I am out of work while my wife is expecting a baby in a few months. The pressure is on to find that stable career to get this family on the right path. It’s been a month of contacting everyone in the Rolodex and applying to fifty job openings. All those opportunities have lead to two

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-82194909952625820702007-01-31T12:24:00.000-08:002009-05-19T15:49:53.941-07:00

I have found the last few months very difficult to write something to share here in these Observations. These days and hours leading to today have been joyous, frustrating, rewarding and pensive. As the first month of the New Year is just about over I can feel the steam streaming around me from this welcomed pressure cooker I find myself in these days.As I eagerly anticipate the birth of my first

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-53728824997689831682006-11-26T15:31:00.000-08:002009-05-19T15:49:53.941-07:00

I’m back! Chico’s Observations took a bit of a hiatus since the summer but I’m ready to bring these fingers to the keyboard again. Unfortunately the Observations are no longer coming from Granville Island as that full time contract came to a close this summer, but I’m still writing articles for them. The last few months I’ve been busy in school as I gear up to finish this business program in the

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-58003801270051251532006-07-29T15:39:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.941-07:00

It’s been two weeks since I boarded a bus with 50 teenagers set out on a journey of discovery in the BC wilderness. As many of you know, I was a volunteer once again this year for the 17th Young Men’s Adventure Weekend (ymaw.com). I’ve also been working on an article about the organization and the people who founded the weekend. It’s a story that doesn’t know when to quit.I first started on the

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-4929860566353461822006-07-12T11:07:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.941-07:00

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.- Martin Luther KingOnly a life lived for others is a life worthwhile. - Albert EinsteinIt's time for greatness -- not for greed. It's a time for idealism -- not ideology. It is a time not just for compassionate words, but compassionate action.-

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-6250454906884232802006-06-29T13:19:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.941-07:00

I completed my course last night ending a good run of schooling since March. I will be taking the next course in the business program in the fall, but it was the writing class that came to a finale yesterday that was a huge eye opener for me. It was a straight up course about writing for magazines and getting them published, taught by someone who is actually doing it – right now.Deborah Campbell

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-58419467036561447382006-06-13T10:05:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.941-07:00

"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so." Mark Twain "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon him not understanding it.”

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-13779250900633654932006-06-01T12:56:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.942-07:00

Life has been good to me and I’ve been good to life, I can’t complain. Well, maybe I can complain for others who cannot. People less fortunate, those who are oppressed and misguided by corruption and greedy power, how are their voices heard? Like the 11 people found dead on a rusty small boat, four months after they had left Africa on Christmas eve in search of a better life in Europe.My

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-55219967146371238682006-05-25T09:33:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.942-07:00

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening and good night - where ever you are!Today the rain has finally stopped after leaving us a wet long weekend but I shouldn't complain as we had some gorgeous weather for the last couple of weeks. In fact, when it started raining I couldn't remember the last time we had a rainfall but figured it would be good for the land. So it's already Thursday and this

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-40202660892836496842006-05-18T09:15:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.942-07:00

My brother is the type of guy who always finds his way into special events. Whether he gets free tickets from someone or ends up knowing the security guards, one way or another he gets into the big show. Whenever he does go to one of these shows he ends up calling me from the venue to put me within earshot of the main event via the cell phone. When he saw Van Halen recently he called me during

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-9097028430901550392006-05-10T09:09:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.942-07:00

Bom dia amigos! Welcome to the latest Observations from the Island.First of all Keli has returned from the Toronto Hot Docs Festival just beaming. The festival was excellent and Westgate met numerous movers and shakers in the documentary film industry. Stay tuned to her website for all the latest details coming soon www.plantthisseed.com. She has barely had a chance to download her festival

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-15654926640929677352006-05-04T08:57:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.942-07:00

Well, about a month ago I restarted my observation musings and turned them into the Observations from the Island blog. In that very first post I mentioned how this year I was determined to take control of all my writings and begin to edit, assemble and prepare everything for publishers. With the marvelous Westgate attending the documentary festival I spent this week beginning the process. There

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-20581382284719523392006-04-26T09:43:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.942-07:00

What a gorgeous week it has been so far here in Vancouver. Warm days with clear skies and brilliant sunshine. The walk into work feels like a dream some days even more so since changing my path to include walking by the water for half of the morning journey. It could be the weather and the global warning advisory for those laying in the sun or the non-stop research and development for Keli’s film

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-28723462929465223722006-04-21T09:15:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.943-07:00

What an immaculate day! The first month of Spring is upon us and we couldn't ask for anything more. The sun is brilliant lighting up the blue sky and there is a small wind gliding over the water this morning. South of the border spring actually started earlier. Astronomers now say that spring season starts a day earlier, March 20, in all time zones in North America.In the southern hemisphere, the

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-78610715531981883952006-04-18T14:17:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.943-07:00

Although it was raining on the way into Granville Island today the sun has already appeared, making its way through the dark gray clouds circulating the city. The uncertainty of today’s climate paints the sky in dark colours highlighting it with streaks of sunshine, some kind of silver lining. But the topic on my mind today seems to challenge every coffee shop discussion or watering hole debate

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-15038948261902636342006-04-13T10:30:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.943-07:00

When the lights go out in the city you may feel a bit disorientated. Your morning ritual of repeatedly hitting the snooze button is replaced with a periodic glance at the cell phone before you catch a couple more winks. You get dressed in the dark and make breakfast to candlelight wondering if the power will come back on while you're at work, or if you’ll return to a refrigerator full of spoiled

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-67454234282489398992006-04-11T09:54:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.943-07:00

The gracious folks at http://www.beyondrobson.com/ have added Observations from the Island to their list of Vancouver blogs! Beyond Robson is the Vancouver FreshDaily website headed up by Ariadna Peretz, it’s about the obscure and obvious of Vancouver. You'll find information on everything that affects the citizens of this city, be it the next demonstration, the last fashion event or the least

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-10569928958988674162006-04-07T11:11:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.943-07:00

Dreams. Last night was definitely a first as far as my personal dreams go. For the last month I’ve been on contract, writing for a marketing & communications company on Granville Island. So last night I was playing catch up in the Phreeagent world writing a new YET update for the website, that I finally posted with new images as well. For those of you who don’t know, I manage a website and artist

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-41309765989192669832006-04-05T10:59:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.943-07:00

Another gorgeous day from the island, days like this make the rainy season a mere memory. Outside the water is busy with potential buyers cruising through the sea of yachts waiting for their new owner’s to bust out the champagne over the bow, appeasing King Neptune. Filling their lungs with the smell of that new fiberglass hull. The streets are filled with hump day shoppers filling up on

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542083039862545541.post-27543689852236100602006-04-03T13:45:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:49:53.943-07:00

So I love my new gig. At the moment the main thing I’m responsible for is writing and editing articles for a new website we are working on, as well as pitching in ideas on all our creative meetings. Fantastic. So I’ve actually stumbled into a situation where I feel a strong connection between my key responsibilities and the very things I want to become better at, writing and communications.

Chico Sousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08229912929746378066noreply@blogger.com0