Valentino profile picture

Valentino

I eat too much...I drink too much......I want too much.."

About Me

I am a writer, poet, spoken word artist, master of ceremonies, that has lived in Toronto the good for the better part of his life. I have been a published poet and known spoken word artist for the last ten years. I have had various pieces published in various journals and have released two poetry chapbooks Wandering Absence, Il Ritorno, and more recently Quiet Confessions Of A Loudmouth. I perform my poetry all over Toronto for the most part but have also had appearances outside of Toronto. I am currently in a collective with five other spoken word artists called Last Call . I run my own spoken word reading series the first of every month called "Cryptic Chatter." I also host and help to organize shows for an artist's collective known as Coffeehouse Arts And Culture. If you would like to find out more about me, find out where I am performing, or even listen to some of my poetry please checkout my coffeehouse page . I am also a music editor and opinion columnist for a web based e-zine known Latchkey.netI love writing it's a real release, but the amazing rush, and high is when I am on the mic spilling my stuff to everyone, and seeing the emotions of the audience interact with mine. It truly is an amazing feeling. My hugest influences when it comes to writing from a strictly poetic point of view are Charles Bukowski, Pablo Neruda, and Leonard Cohen. From a musical point of view I owe a lot of inspiration to U2, Dave Matthews, and the myriad of indie musicians whom with I am well acquainted.

My Interests

Besides writing, I am an enthusiaist of Films, Books, and Music. I consume a great deal of each. I can't get enough of live music, whether independent or mainstream, I usually manage to run up my credit card bill every year cause there are so many bands and singer/songwriters that I want to see. I spend at least one afternoon a week in the cinema and own a great deal of films. As for reading, books are awesome, whether fiction, or non-fiction I'm always reading something, and really dig someone that can talk books with me, as those people are rare. I am also a huge Leaf fan, and bleed blue and white....always will.Fun things for me, are sitting with friends over a few pints of beer, laughing out loudly, singing out loudly, and dancing in public and not giving a shit what other people think. For me I am a believer and admirer of moments, since it's what I enjoy capturing. Spontenaety, and charisma are always attractive qualities, but above all else is the ability to laugh, a sense of humour, is priceless, and I love to surround myself with people that laugh. Perspective and substance are always natural highs, and powerful ones too!

I'd like to meet:

Someone who believes in beauty as much as I do. Someone that is always on the lookout for moments, be they fun, introspective, or tragic. Someone that has elements of creativity, charisma, and a vibrant sense of humour, the most important of all in my books. I love surrounding myself with people that laugh, and people that don't give a shit about singing out loud, and dancing in public. When some leaves the bullshit behind, then I truly know I've found someone special!

Music:

Mainstream music for me obviously could date back a bit to the people that have laid the foundation like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin and a great assortment of classic rock. Current mainstream bands that I admire greatly are U2 & The Dave Matthews Band. I own a great deal of recordings from these two bands, they are highly influential when it comes to my writing, and I never have a bad time at any of their concerts.In addition to those mainstream names, I am fortunate enough to be a music writer, and be immersed in a wonderful community of independent artist's. There are several independent artist's that I admire, too many to name. I guess this can be a good and bad thing. It shows that there is undeniably inspiring talent out there, but that the very best talent is not being recognized.

Movies:

I love movies, I don't know where to start or finish with this. Let's just say choice directors can include Stanley Kubrick, Steven Speilberg, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorcese, Quentin Tarantino, Ridley Scott, Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles...... and on, and on....Some Of My Favourite Movies In No Particular OrderGodfather Godfather II Goodfellas Pulp Fiction Reservoir Dogs Shawshank Redemption Empire Strikes Back One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Almost Famous Dogma Chasing Amy Boogie Nights Magnolia Rushmore.....I could go on, but by the time you read this you'll have hoped your RSP has matured....

Television:

Don't watch a hell of a lot of television, when I do get a hold of the clicker Jon Stewart is cool, Hockey Night In Canada or Leaf games. Seinfeld re-runs, The Simpsons, Family Guy, occasionally, CSI, Law And Order (Not the same without Jerry Orbach gone), and even more occasionally The Apprentice.

Books:

Some Favourite Fiction Books: Widow For A Year by John Irving, Life Of Pi by Yann Martel, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, Lamb:The Gospel According To Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore, Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut Jr, Lord Of The Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein, Tigana and the Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel KaySome Favourite Non-Fiction Books The Strength To Love by Martin Luther King Jr, Island Of Saints by Andy Andrews, Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman, Stupid White Men, Dude Where's My Country by Michael Moore, Myths To Live By, The Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell.

Heroes:

Harrison Ford, because he played my to favourite childhood film characters, Indiana Jones, and Han Solo. Other heroes include, Bono, Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Jr.,Albert Einstein, and Ghandi

My Blog

Valentino Finishes 2nd @ February Toronto Poetry Slam!

"I don't wanna beat Apollo, I just wanna be able to go the distance with him... "APOLLO: Ain't gonna be no rematch        ROCKY: Don't want one." For some reason as I wri...
Posted by Valentino on Sun, 11 Feb 2007 10:14:00 PST

It's Official.........Cameron Diaz Is A Ditz!

In the long standing tradition of dumb blondes, I recently had exposure to one that really befits her on and off screen persona.  One of my favourite shows to watch comes on Sunday afternoons cal...
Posted by Valentino on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 02:58:00 PST

Order Of Canada: Don Cherry, Sarah Polley, Or My Lamp

Note: I posted the following in another discussion forum, and considering I have not blogged for awhile, decided to give it a whirl on my blog here....enjoy!   I was having a discussion with some...
Posted by Valentino on Mon, 08 Jan 2007 08:38:00 PST

What Looks Like A Blog Entry

Is really just another way to whore myself, and my poetry, but in reality it's just another way to share a Christmas gift with all of you.  In case you did not receive the bulletin, you can liste...
Posted by Valentino on Thu, 14 Dec 2006 11:45:00 PST

Ridin' The Wave

  Wow...this has been a really interesting year in terms of where my spoken word has taken me.  I really never expected poetry to take me anywhere, but I guess there is something to be said ...
Posted by Valentino on Mon, 13 Nov 2006 10:43:00 PST

White Night

It was by farone of the best dreams, I have had in awhile. My heart was racing,but not from the fear,induced by anear-death nightmare, that hadthe bad guy win,and the heronowhere to be found. Instead,...
Posted by Valentino on Sun, 15 Oct 2006 01:28:00 PST

How Do You Play?

I wonder sometimes, why I am in this game,and how you play... Then I wonder, why, it has to be a game at all?
Posted by Valentino on Wed, 06 Sep 2006 10:03:00 PST

Money For Nothin'

There was recently at an Applebee's restaurant where a regular customer who goes there to dine at least once a week, two weeks ago, left a $100.00 tip, and then last week with to the very same server,...
Posted by Valentino on Fri, 01 Sep 2006 11:40:00 PST

Feeling Stained.....But In A Good Way....

Today was a melancholy day.  The weather didn't quite match, it was sunny, a few clouds, in the sky, and it was nice and cool day too, not too warm, not too humid, just nice and breezy.  It ...
Posted by Valentino on Tue, 22 Aug 2006 07:02:00 PST

Capturing A Moment...

For more recent times, or more recent years rather,I have been a person of capturing beautiful moments. I find myself completely grateful for the beautiful moments I have in my life, being sitting at ...
Posted by Valentino on Sat, 12 Aug 2006 08:20:00 PST