From the desk of Patrick
Posted on August 18th, 2009 –
Dear guy who fell at the AMC theatre,
Hahaha! *wipe tear* Oh man, you made my morning today. Thank you.
So I take it you fell off the side of one of the escalators in the enclosed photograph, correct?
Look, I don’t think actions such as these should be punishable by death, so I hope you get better. But seriously? Trying to ride the handrail? Here?
I’ve done my fair share regrettable things while inebriated. That was it, right? You were drunk? I get it. I’m always a little more invincible than I really am; I don’t think as well as I should; that’s what alcohol does. But I’ve never once thought that a two or three storey, head-first plunge onto a slab of concrete would be the thing to do. And I don’t know how you could’ve overlooked the height. You probably don’t remember, so have a look at the photograph again. Besides the great visibility, you probably got a good sense of the layout on your way up, no?
Well, listen. If you’re reading this, that’s good news! Stick with the physio and you should regain almost full control over the drooly side of your face. I know your situation sucks, but to be honest, I’m glad it wasn’t me. Then again, at 27, that wasn’t me. When you can dictate or write again, please send me a reply to describe your thought process at the time. I would be most interested.
With ancticipation,
Patrick
—
Dear Ms. Mohamud,
Okay, so let me see if I’ve got the story straight.
You went to Kenya to visit a relative. Had a good couple of weeks; nice place.
So then you went to leave and the people at the Kenyan airport said you didn’t look like your passport. Something about your lips being different? I had a look for myself, as you can see in the enclosed photo, and the passport photo probably bears the greatest resemblance to you out of all your identification.
So if I have it correct so far, they held you in detention (basically jail) while they contacted Canadian officials to verify your passport. Apparently all of the other government-issued identification cards you surrendered (among other things), were also supposed to have been forged or stolen, or something like that. I bet you were thinking the Canadian government would sort it all out for you, huh? After all, you are clearly who you say you are.
If were in your shoes, I would have shat a house when I learned that Canada then cancelled my passport as a verified fake. Are you as curious as I am to know how they came up with that? A government-backed inquiry wouldn’t be a bad idea. I mean, it will take a decade, but might as well start that mossy stone rolling, no?
Okay, so no documents. Honestly, asking to be fingerprinted was really smart. I don’t remember the feds taking my fingerprints when I came to Canada as a kid, but I guess they do. It would seem obvious that as an immigrant, they’d have your prints on file too.
But they didn’t.
Now, I completely understand why they would destroy your prints after doing a background check since, apparently, that’s all they’re supposed to be used for. Sensible, but obviously not of much help to you.
What I don’t get is why they kept you dangling for two weeks refusing to take them, then waiting two more while dithering whether or not to do so, then finally doing so, then two more weeks while they checked back home, and only then discovering that they don’t keep them on file.
Three months of Canada Border Services sitting on their thumbs. I can see how mistakes could be made, but this … how did you not freak out?
I know you haven’t decided whether or not to sue the government, but I want you to know you’ll have my full support if you do. The rolling of heads also gets my vote.
Sincerely,
Patrick
—
Dear busker at Dundas Station,
Thanks for letting me take your picture. Your music was like a Siren song. A jazzy Siren song. Minus the Siren. I don’t know how you managed to permeate the whole station, but it was just magical.
I hope you come back again soon.
With admiration,
Patrick
... with pictures
... with sounds
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... with opinions
... that's shorter
... that's longer
August 19th, 2009 9:13 am
It's been my experience that some of the best musicians out there busk on the street for a living. Thanks for sharing this piece.
August 19th, 2009 4:26 pm
I just hope both men had their misadventures before passing on their genes to the next generation
August 19th, 2009 5:27 pm
great musicians..
August 19th, 2009 6:31 pm
For the first time I can answer three people with one comment. I agree! Well, except Jan. That "men" thing was a bit vague.
August 20th, 2009 8:32 am
i also say ha..ha…ha….. cause like your site
November 23rd, 2009 1:32 am
wow..interesting post.
November 23rd, 2009 3:04 pm
Thanks as well, RichaRie .