Flight of the Alacorn#2

December 10th, 2009 “Ocean sounds?” asks my girlfriend, looking like a princess in her polar bear sweatshirt and flannel pajama pants. Her laptop sits on her knees as her legs dangle from her bed and don’t quite touch the ground. “You don’t have to do this,” I say. “I can just go home.” “No you [...]

Flight of the Alacorn#1

By Kayla Layes December 6th, 2009 The first thing I see when I wake up is my girlfriend in Unicorn form. Mounted on her wall is the portrait in oil paints I commissioned for our two-month anniversary. The actual girl lies to the side of me lost in sleep. She’s gotten used to sleeping with [...]

Seeds of Doubt by Chris Benjamin

I have been asking talented Canadian writers to do guest posts on the blog about their 20s and Chris Benjamin is a particularly talented Canadian writer. Enjoy. The first seeds of doubt were planted when I found plastic bits scattered across my desk with the words “My Pooper-Scooper Prototype” label-markered down the shaft, which had [...]

Never Land: The Life of My Hispanic Rap Star Brother Josh Martinez

A small child dances awkwardly–legs too short for much in the way of swagger. Off to the right The Chicharones play the Portland Blazer’s half time show for thousands of screaming fans. This journey began when I was only a few years older than that dancing child and my brother showed Matthew me his [...]

About

Michael Kimber is a 26-year-old journalist who suffered a nervous breakdown on November 3rd, 2009. On March 28th, 2010 when he recovered from mental illness, he began writing a blog called Colony-of-losers. About falling on your face to figure out who you are and the hilarious antics of a blond jew. What began with a few friends and his mother reading has become a cult phenomenon, averaging 10,000 views a week, receiving praise from Commonwealth Award Winner Shandi Mitchell and many others. On, November 3rd, 2010, the one year anniversary of his mental breakdown he signed with Anne McDermid and Associates, the largest literary agency in Canada. In a year he went from wearing pajamas, making his couch depression HQ to leaving his hometown for the Toronto, where he exclusively wears business suits and the armor of ancient Greeks. Don't worry, he's still choking on the feet he contently sticks in his mouth and making moments awkward just by being part of them. During these struggles he met other talented bastards and drew them into his circle. Peter Diamond became his illustrator. Patrick Campbell his video editor and part time photographer. He recently added the incredibly talented John Packman as Colony of Losers Toronto photographer. Without the support of the Colony of Losers, Michael Kimber would be nothing. Welcome to the losers and the success that comes from utter and complete failure. You aren’t alone. Follow him on twitter.com/colonyoflosersand twitter.com/quimbo. If you’d like to hire him for a public speaking engagement for mental health events in Toronto, like to arrange an interview, offer millions to publish his book or for another reason contact Michael please email him. And join his facebook Colony of Losers.

Really obvious disclaimer:
I’m not a trained psychologist. Just a fellow traveler. If you need help seek it from the professionals. The Canadian Mental Health Association provides a help locator. You can find crisis resources provided by the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention. If you are in the states check here. It will give you services by zip code. I’d also recommend checking out Mindyourmind.ca. I think they do great work and have been a help to me personally.