process of self-development

I am a jack of all trades, a renaissance man, of sorts. I’ve had many jobs in my life, everything from sandwich artist, to organic farmer, to president/CEO of a multi-million dollar group of non-profit organizations. Perhaps one of my quirkiest professions, and one that tends to stay off the resume, is my nude modeling. That’s right, for those who had no idea, I pose in front of art classes while people draw, charcoal, pastel, or paint me. It’s probably the only classy and respectable job that you can do naked, and it actually pays fairly well for what I’m doing.

So, you’re probably wondering, why? why would you do such a job? well, the answer is quite simply, why not? I mean, its not bad work: the people are nice, and usually interesting (as most artists tend to be); I get sore sometimes, but I always get to stretch and take breaks; and it gives me a lot of time to think. I have been doing this on and off for more than three years now, and keep getting requests for me to do more. Apparently male models are hard to find (about 1 in 5 or 6 models are men), especially men with any kind of physique, which, luckily, I happen to have.

I originally started modeling to get over physical insecurities, but quickly moved past that and grew to enjoy the work. I have enjoyed art (especially statues) for some time, and even took Greek and Roman, as well as modern, art history classes in university. I also enjoy my body and being physical, and am quite active, so this is just a passive extension of that activity. It’s also an interesting experience to be a piece of art, an object of form, color, and shade. It also keeps you on your toes, always needing to come up with interesting positions, poses, and angles; always keeping in mind the plains of view and perspectives of each artist, to ensure that they each have an interesting angle (this is especially true with the minute long gestures, which are intended to capture movement, flow, form). and on top of all this, I’m actually pretty good, cause at just about every class I get compliments.

So, there you have it, Greg - exposed!

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Today I decided to get outta the house and be social, so I went to the local coffee shop Coffee & Company (I like the tea there, and I’m a big tea fan). There’s also usually an ecclectic crowd there, and I like those kinda folk. So, I bought some hot tea from one of the cute ladies that always work there and had a seat.

One of my favorite Fredericton couples, John and Kim, where there with their new, beautiful baby. They are always downtown, chattin with some of the locals. I always say hi, but don’t talk with them as often as I’d like. Today, though, I struck up a conversation while I waited for the latrine to open up. John was marking papers, but made a little time to talk. He’s really into western modern philosophy, and we’ve talked about the moderns in the past. Today Friedrich Nietzsche was the topic of conversation. He has been fascinated with Friedrich for some time, and, having read several books and taken a class on this (one of my favorite) thinkers, we quickly picked up the topic. I enjoy the concept of the Ubermench, or overman, the idea of a man empowered by reason yet cultured enough to use to it guide their self-development above the refuse of the mainstream and into a higher state of becoming. It’s a powerful idea, and one of Nietzsche’s philosophical pillars. In some ways, I consider my own actions and choices in life a reflection of this concept. For those who find mainstream culture at odds with the self, who find the rule of reason an autocracy, or who just like to read philosophy playfully wrapped in poetry and metaphor, then I suggest picking up some Nietzsche and giving it a whirl.

I also got some serious work in and smiled at a few cute ladies; all in all, today’s voyage for coffee was a success…I’ll be doing it again soon.

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So, I’ve been reading some more comics lately. Brendan lent me a few copies of Fell, a short, smooth Warren Ellis comic about a cop, Detective Fell. It’s a brilliant, really, with brief yet lucid writing, a little edge, and a simple, yet complex, idea faced in each issue. At the end of each copy, he also places some emails and writes to readers about different stuff. In one he talks about an online comic. Its called Finder; its black and white, its a sci-fi, and its pretty cool (I just read one of the issues), and, well, I’d recommend it for anyone who’s interested.

Enjoy.

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So, I have this amazingly adorable pet cat named Pickles. Here’s a few pics to prove it.

I’ve had him now for more than a year, but he’s actually five now. He’s a cool cat because he’s a great pet…he plays and entertains, likes people, loves being petted, doesn’t complain about being a house cat, and doesn’t try to eat my food. Plus, he’s super adorable. He’s got this magnitism, so that everyone who comes into my apartment (he usually greets them at the door) feels a sudden urge to talk to him for a minute, give him some sweet pettin’ and usually play with him some more before they leave.

heheh…he’s playing with his tail right now…hilarious…

anyways, I hadn’t had a post about Pickles yet, and he deserves it, damn it, just for being awesome…

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hey, just letting all of you readers know, you can’t drown a cold. I should know, cause I’ve been drinking all weekend, and the damn sickness just keeps taking it, much to my shagrin. Oh illness, when will you leave this body and let poor Greg go on with his life?

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So, I got a random email from an old friend, a fellow philosopher. She and I used to sit on my roof, smoke a pipe and contemplate nature and life. We also liked to bitch about the vexing nature of Nietzche, laugh about prof. Neill’s shy attitude, and figure out how to make the Hemlock society rock…but she’s in Vancouver now, continuing her path and seems happy. It’s always good to see friends making a life for themselves.

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I’m all set for yet another semester of school. let me see…its the 20th semester of school at UNB, not including the summers I worked for the SU or Bruns. crazy, eh? I can’t believe it either…that’s a long time, eight solid years to be exact. And all I gotta say, is this better be the last one! not that I don’t like school, but that I’m getting tired of it…I want something new, something that pays the rent, and something with a greater purpose.

And then I realized something…for the past 6 years, most of my student life, I have been involved in some way beyond books and friends at campus (peer mentoring, clubs, student union, the brunswickan, etc.). but not this year! that’s right, I’m pulling the bare minimum, I am the unengaged student - free from commitment, responsibility…

In a way, it feels good, like I deserve the break (and I kinda do) - it is exhausting after all. My schedule is mine, and I can finally do what I want with it. I think its a good thing that I’m leaving on a high note - great times, great involvement, great people…and now a quiet exit. soon my graduate paper will be in hand and I will be able to embark upon the rest of my life. It’s about time, and I’m more than ready.

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