Broken.

The reason for my blogging disappearance is due in part to a broken scanner.
Also the summer is just really hard for me to find time to write. (less time spent hiding in my bed)

Mathew John

Sent ~ July

This postcard was almost placed into it's own envelope and sent back to Victioria for Elyse. Natasha sent it but it is so Elyse. I talked about Fan Tan but my gosh it is so perfect.

I feel that I need to rendevous with Natasha before the year is out. Talk about love and failures. It's weird how much we share with each other. Can you be more honest and straight to the point when your strangers.

Other news...my penpal ship is back on with Megan E. and Katie S. Both disappeared from the radar. Both were lost after my 3 posts rule. Breaking it. That's the new me....rule breaker.

Other rules broken: Sent.

With a cell phone not working and ruining my life. I lost track so here's what I did have.

July 14
Peter
Aja

July 16
Erin

July 21
Mark
Natasha
Elyse
Sophie
Charley

July 26
Neal
Natasha
Erin
Elyse

Maybe more but I lost track and lost my memory.

Welcome to August,
Mathew

Love is in the air.

My first wedding invitation. Trying to find a way to make it to Italy for the celebration. The invitation was designed by Jenny Fisher. Very beautiful.

This is the note placed in the card on top. The lady is thinking about the wind.

Summer days.
LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Mathew John

Stitched with love.

Busy day. I ended up not making it to the mailbox till midnight. What a lovely surprise.

"I miss the feeling of inspiration"

"I am living for myself and that is both exciting and limitless and terrifying."

~Charley

I couldn't agree more with this letter. My search never feels over. The mind goes to fast. I make my body go fast to slow down my mind. When can I stop moving to stop thinking?

Off to write my response,

Mathew John

Back to it.

A letter that sat in my friend Mark's house. Every time I came over in the last two weeks he would show it to me or ask me to mail it off for him. Worth the wait. (Just like blogging again.)
Fan Tan Alley is one of those places I cannot get out of without spending 20 dollars. Victoria for the size of the city is so full of crooked corners and wonderous space. The city has the same type of citizen. Natasha is out playing her accordion with bravado. One day we will meet. anticipating laughs and tears.

Our written exchanges are deeply treasured to me. A remembered conversation loses it's honesty with time. The pen on paper is forever spontaneous and forever available.

This a story of Barbra day at Tam Tams. In Montreal on Sunny Sunday's a community has formed. Anyone with a drum or and ear, head down parc mountain to take part in the largest weekly drumming circle I have ever seen. The hot sun and the rhythm one with the lazy Sunday.

Back to it,

Mathew John

Same Day Same Way

Interesting haul yesterday. Both postcards from regular pals. Both postcards that they have had for along time. Both sharing stories of the moments of their lives attached to the card.

(Left-Natasha)

I wish my childhood was spent going to ski in Poland. Twelve was the first time I went skiing. No use for poles. No fear. Dislike for turning. All these things lead to disaster. Skiing does not appeal to me anymore. To learn to snowboard as well. (Too old now)

Oh I was surfing today and found the cutest envelope. Consider this idea stolen.

Sad that this blog will be taking a different format while I am away. Ce la vie.

(Right-Anja)

If only...

...it was Monday.

Yes a very good idea. The bottom of the enclosed paper had this wonderful elephant print. To think how materials come into our hands is too much thought. Here I was on a snowy day holding this letter made in India. (Sent from Saskatoon, Thanks Erin) I'm working on sending my made in Canada for her to receive in Nepal. I have a lot of 1.60 stamps and not enough international pen pals. Ce la vie. Maybe I should be the one next to leave!!!

Anja took me out for a birthday dinner. I had a glass of champagne. 3 this week! It is how I handle studying. (or not studying) Monday at 11AM I will be a free man, for the good or the worse. There will be many bottles of Champagne!!! I have a Birthday Bottle that I am taking with me to Montreal to be opened in celebration of being done. Back to Anja, in our dinner I realised how much you learn about a person in mere hours of conversation. She is really sweet. I can't wait to spoil her with Quebec letters.

Love will come to us all,

Mathew John

New Pals.

Made by Jessica K.

There is something sad to this piece. You know how there doesn't even seem to be time for your close friends. Then you search for time for those really great people. Jessica is one of the great people. (who I need to see more). Listening alot to Lykke Li. (who I am sure Jessica would like.) Excited for this new interaction.




This is from Barbra K.
My first post card in French. Barbra is the sister to my first junior high girlfriend. She wants good things for the world. She makes these good things happen. Her sister is one of the finest artists I know. (and a good kisser) Surprised how much I understood of the card. She taught herself french. Amazing.






Classic Elyse. No need to say anymore. Other than I'm not this determined to find a man. Yet.

The Week.

You know how I love the back's on envelopes. (Erin G)

Here's 2 of my favourite cards. The elephant came in that wonder envelope. It folds into 3. Hallmark used to make so much magic with there cards but now they rely on corny jokes. The other card is from my mother. (and father) She just said "It seemed sweet like you and a little french." Merci Mama.

This week was busy finishing up all the assignment I need to graduate. Apologies for being away from the blog. (Well to Francine she reads like a bible)

Count on Natasha (left) and Elyse(right) to fill my life with cute boys. Che, DREAM BUCKET. I am a repulsed non-smoker, but man in that photo...yahoo. Power is totally hot. So is White Briefs.

Neal hit it on the nose what the next week will be like.

I just have to limit myself to one a day. Only when needed. No cups after 2PM. Only one per day, or else I will be up writing postcards all night. I have been working on my own cards. Really happy with the turn out. If you want one let me know.

Inside the card was this great Pink Balloon. I got me thinking about my childhood when the simplest things gave you hours of enjoyment. Totally pretending the balloon was my ballroom dancing partner and waltzed around the room. (Winning awards.)

Now I use this balloon to blow out some stress,

Mathew John

Birthday!!!

Correction after bumping into Becky VB it turns out that card was from the other Becky. Call me crazy!

I just loved this postcard because it depicts me so much this winter. I'm out of bed and no longer sleeping.

I don't know where erin G. got this amazing jem. Pineapple on everytable at a chinese restraunt weird.

Tonight will be full of dancing and hopefully a pleathera of cards.

Smile Big,

Mathew John

The Pre-Birthday.

Thank Elyse but most of the time I look hagard and confused. Each day i'm so lucky to getthe love and support from so many people. Blows my mind. Grateful.This is from natasha it is from the same artist as the velvet postcard a month ago. Next visit to the island i'm stocking up. Natasha and I are those independent people not always attached to a lover. As she wrote "they (her friends) don't think I should date just anyone, that my creativity and being is too much for the common man." This made my search, even though I am not searching, bearable. Love will come and I'm not waiting anymore.
Turn you head.
This comes from a first timer, Becky VB. It has a similar look to one by my other pen pals Becky. Weird? I never know how to scan in home made cards. It brought me back to days of my childhood playing with my sisters nail polish.

I did have a nice spring day.

Tomorrow I turn 23.

Watch out world,

Mathew John

Weird Week.

I know I have weeks where I can;t commit my hand to the letter. This week was weird because I didn't get a single piece of mail all week. Left early on Friday so just got the mail. Thank Anja. From Bum to penis, my mailman must love it. I wonder how much someone paid for this work of art. I guess anything Andy Warhol will collect many pennies.

Anyway I was writing cards all last week. Hopefully there is more to come. As exams approach the more stress my writing becomes. On the upside Going to Quebec City will give me new stories and new cards.

Till the summer begins,
Mathew John

The Week's Beauty.

The week I wasn't home I had alot of mail. Up top is a type written letter from Charley She cut out the cutest heart on the envelope.

A New-Old penpal Annalise. We worked together at the Gap and have a chance to live in Quebec this summer. Hopefully it will work out. (If only I could get news either way.)

Hello Natasha you brighten my day.

Anja, you brighten other things.

My friend Seema who disappeared to Montreal only to find out we lived only blocks from each other. This Atlantic City card was written in July but sent in March. I happen to do this all the time. I should write a post on how many half written/unsent postcards I have.

Kate K. is my idol. My teacher of history when I travelled abroad. She inspired me to become a teacher and i have sent her enough pieces of mail to create an actual correspondence.

The last 2 day I have had an empty mail box. Also coming down with the flu.

EIIK!

Mathew John

Sunday Bed Time: 7:30PM

I have been away from my home and mailbox. Also so busy with school I fell behind on letter to everyone. Tonight is dedicated to my bed and writing and sending out thank you cards. Busy busy. I did get great cards from long lost pen pals. This week I will get everything up.

Always write on the back of letters. It's a great personal touch. They just give the receiver and the sender a little heartbeat.

Into bed,
Mathew John

The on-going story.

“Once upon a time there was a young boy and girl who wanted to find love. So they set out on a quest together. In each town they found handsome men who were brave chivalrous knights, but still, what they seeked continued to elude them. They had been travelling for many months and their will to go on was fading, when at last they happened upon a tall and foreboding castle set high upon a treacherous cliff. Both knew at once that this was where their lover lay. They scaled the cliff, each step bringing them closer to the dark castle finally they reached the summit and saw a light…” ~Sept. 20th 2007

“…The golden glow spilled out onto the floor from an open doorway of a hall. They made towards it. They hesitated when they reached the threshold, but curiosity drove them in. Inside the room, which was made of stone (as it was the turret of the castle) lay two marble platforms. In the candlelight they could make out the sleeping forms of two men. They approached them and tried to wake them. Nothing would work, they were enchanted…” ~Oct. 21 2007

to be continued...

Mathew John

Not feeling it.

Lately I have been feeling a little slumpy. (I haven't run since Sunday) After quiting love, my crush factor is low. Even if crush don't ever work out they just keep the motivation for love following. Alas I don't see anyone close to me worthy of a crush. With it being the first day of spring all i want to do is lay in my bed and read. The donations are pouring in, then thank you letters are taking a little longer to drain out. Thank the heavens for Easter weekends. Also thank them again for Erin G. and this lovely little card.

Let's all sin a little this weekend,
Mathew John

Much needed.

Sad to have 2 days in a row without anything.

I threw the mail down and this slipped out.

Hidden Gem.

Mathew John

2-2

2 cards from Elyse.


2 Things from the United States. (one over lap since the Nashville Postcard was from Elyse)

This is a card from Erin E. If anyone could translate this card,
Or we could all make up what it says.

She wrote this card at VW Rally at Bowlorama.

Today I was sad after writing my last mid-term. Francine and my broke self drove around to 3 salvation army's thrift stores and IKEA. Salvation Army is amazing because they resell cards, at 25-50 cents. AMAZING. Basically I have enough postcards and letters to last me 3 months. Tomorrow will be the post of my favourites from the hunt.

Off to clean my room and write some much needed thank you notes,

Mathew John

Champagne Fridays.

I cute mini postcard from Anna H. (Hand Painted)

Every second Friday I make a journey to my local farmers market. There is this wonderful wine store beside it, with a wine bar. Basically it is a reason to start drinking at 3PM in the afternoon. Thank the heavens for tasting wine. When ever I walk in they know me so well, as well as my love for the bubbly, they have a glass ready for me. It's the way to end the week and start the weekend. Came home to find this perfect paring in my mailbox. Erin G. is going to Nepal for the summer. I'm so excited and proud for her.

This postcard with the roses is also from Anna H. Anna was that cool girl working at the local vintage store you just want to be friends with. So polite to you when you came in and messed the store up, trying on ridiculous fashions. Then I turned of age and was out and about dancing and we became friends. She is one of those sweet good natured people who smiles from the heart. I must get something off to her this weekend. After not getting a response I put her in my back burner. Back to it.
Have a great weekend,

Mathew John

PB and J

Don't get me wrong, I love my weekly pen pals. At least once a week I send something off to Elyse, Erin G., Natasha, Charley, and Neal etc... But This post is about Amber PB.

I met Amber in Halifax this summer. We have had an on/off relationship. She was introduced to me by Charley. NSCAD's love mail. She has this great way of combining texture and little drawings to her mail. There was a velvet bunny sticker on the front. Cute.

"Well. let me just take this opportunity to say, that your on going postcard correspondence never ceases to brighten whichever day I happen to receive said mail... and no matter how sporadic or far between they may be... I will continue to feel that way...no matter what."

Back at you Amber.

It's my birthday in a month. I think I will treat myself with a typewriter.

Off to make a sandwich,

Mathew John