I froze.

She met my eyes on the subway and smiled. It had been so long since I’d seen a friendly feminine face who wasn’t after something that I turned to see who was behind me. A wall.

She was smiling at me and I froze.As she left the train, more eye contact and another smile.

Who is she and what does she want?Never get off the train!

Before your destination… Never get off the train!!Dennis Mantin

I have rarely talked with strangers… I have been silent for very long now. Keeping my thoughts at bay; caged behind an exposed expression.I am starting to open up, having determined that this is the exception… I get smiles now mainly as I have learned to engage without offense.So far so good.Dennis Mantin

Mikey works as a stagehand and has been employed at ‘Ontario Place’ for over a month without a day off.

I suggested he might want to try the film industry…

Mikey smiled, “Where stagehands go to die.”

Dennis Mantin

I wake up well rested and walk naked during December storms past a Queen size spare bedroom to a bath with hot and cold that actually works and turn on a light at the flick of a switch.

I hang my head listening to the complaints of hard done by; fearing you have no such experience.

My childhood of no running water, miles walk to school with a shithouse in the rear of a one room shanty was miles ahead of what went on in more ancient times.

Over my coffee, John reminds me that you complainers might need some hardship character building experience in order to create some appreciation for what you actually have.

Dennis Mantin

For 40 years I have worn a mask and I am no longer interested in catering favor.

Chris Rock and many others say that women don’t like nice guys.

Once again, I’m doing this for you ladies as much as my own fading abilities to tolerate bullshit… my own included. Dennis Mantin

You make it the best you can…

Grinding it out somedays, one foot in front of the other.

I am thankful for those that can raise the bar of the tolerance to bearable and sometimes to a smile and beyond.

Thank you Ben.Dennis Mantin

There’s a clearing up ahead there.

I sense it more than see… Away from the drama, fear and insanity. I will take refuge there in the future that doesn’t exist; where there is peace and calm; reasonableness and sane thinking…

I will meditate on that.Dennis Mantin

I suck at seduction.

Always have.

The idea seems foreign to me…

Not unlike a con with a musical score!

Seems like the opposite of honesty.

Maybe I’ve missed something along the way, a vague teaching of some sort shining light on a subtle wisdom.

Alas.Dennis Mantin

It is difficult at best to be constantly dealing with someone else’s insanity.

It is exhausting and far from anything enjoyable.

The only possible way to deal with this in a civil manner is to bring as many adults into the situation as possible; no matter the cost.

Dennis Mantin

Loved her from a distance and took her from the cold.

She left me for another and left me feeling old.

She left me in the passions, my balls were turquoise blue.

I had finally passed the test of learning nothing new.

Is no harm in trying, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I have learned I am human, no wisdoms are obtained.

Dennis Mantin