Charlie the Custodian

Last week I was at the Scotiabank Tower downtown Toronto for a meeting with my lawyer. A man boarded the elevator with me for the ride to the 48th floor.

I couldn't help but notice that he had a custom-embroidered workman's shirt with the name 'Charlie' over the right breast pocket and 'Scotiabank' in the same position on the other side. Charlie was also wearing a heavy, leather tool belt and carrying a mop. Charlie was clearly a custodian of the Scotiabank Tower.

The elevator stopped at each of the first five floors - all of which housed various departments of Scotiabank: personal banking, business services, international trade, investor relations, etc. etc. Each floor filled with Scotiabank employees, none with their names embroidered on their shirts.

Why does Charlie have to wear his name on his clothing but not other Scotiabank employees? Why doesn't Polly, the personal banking specialist, have to wear her name embroidered on her dress? What about Steve, the "relationship manager*"? Why isn't his name emblazened on his shirt? What about CEO Richard Waugh? I'm going to take a guess that he may have his initials embroidered on his sleeve, but that's not the same thing, is it?

*Don't get me started. After five years banking with Scotiabank, I actually received my first call from my "relationship manager." If you ask me, he wasn't do a very good job managing our relationship if it was his first call in five years, was he?

(c) 2006 Michelle Henderson
aka Empress of the Universe

Visit online at: www.empressgallery.com

Storm of 2006 - New York City in a blanket of snow

I took this picture Sunday morning about 8:00 a.m. looking south down Broadway from 86th Street West. There is not a car, truck, taxi, police car, fire truck, pedestrian in sight. But when I uploaded the picture I was shocked. I thought someone had changed the settings on the camera to take only black and white photos. Then I saw the bright orange hand glowing "Don't Walk." This is a color photo, but there was no color in the city that morning. Everything was shades of grey.

This view is looking north up Broadway. The only colors showing are the traffic lights ahead and the neon of a pink and blue sign behind the bus shelter. My only regret is that I didn't think to go to Central Park to play in the snow.

(c) 2006 Empress of the Universe
aka Michelle Henderson

Visit online at www.empressgallery.com

Human Rights vs Human Responsibilities

Let's stop talking about human RIGHTS and start talking about human RESPONSIBILITIES.

If we accept responsibility for our actions, our relationship with the planet and our obligations to all people, then our passions should be to fulfil our human RESPONSIBILITIES. There would be no need to defend human RIGHTS.

(c) 2006 Michelle Henderson
aka Empress of the Universe

Online at www.empressgallery.com

Living in the Now

I am reading the book The Power of Now, a gift from my magic leprechaun, Harry Willis.

I am trying to incorporate the wisdom of the book into my life. Every day. Every moment.

I've been thinking about learning a new language.

So if I am living in the now, I only have to learn the present tense verbs, right?

I should be fluent in no time!

(c) 2006 Empress of the Universe
aka Michelle Henderson

Visit online at www.empressgallery.com

The Power of Now

When I was in Ireland a few years ago, I met a real, live leprechaun. His name is Harry Willis and he is the founder and owner of Cosmic Sounds.

Harry is a charming man in his very late seventies or early eighties. He has a full head of shocking white and very long hair. He moves quickly, speaks quickly, thinks quickly.

Last year I was in England and ran into Harry Willis at a hotel in London. I quickly reintroduced myself. "You don't have to tell me who you are," he said. "I could never forget your beautiful face."

Before I could catch my breath, he added:

"Michelle, there's a book you need to read," he said. "It's called The Power of Now and it will transform your life."

I told Harry that I would remember to look for the book.

And then I promptly forgot.

Two weeks ago I met Harry Willis again, this time in the south of France.

After an affectionate greeting, Harry immediately said, "Michelle, you must read the book The Power of Now."

Isn't that odd? I've seen Harry twice in the past 12 months and each time, the moment after we've said hello, he has made the same recommendation. To make sure that I followed up on my promise to read it, Harry brought me a copy of the book the next day.

It is inscribed most beautifully: "To Michelle, with love, light, blessings and healing from above. Harry"

I am devouring this book. Obviously, Harry saw this need in me. What a wise and sensitive leprechaun he is.


(c) 2006 Empress of the Universe
aka Michelle Henderson

Visit online at www.empressgallery.com

Pre-Menstrual, Pre-Menopausal, Pre-Homicidal

I have an extremely stressful job. I've been travelling almost non-stop since last November: China, France, Salt Lake City, UT, New York, NY. I'm under more than a little pressure.

It occurred to me today that everyone is really pissing me off. I exploded in an uncontrollable rage on more than one occasion at the office. Usually when I'm under pressure I can handle it. The people at work never see it; I go home and kick the dog.

Then it hit me! Today I am both premenstrual and premenopausal. Talk about stress! As if one isn't bad enough, I get the privilege of both at the same time!

Now let's add to that -- I've recently been diagnosed with Graves disease (hyperthyroidism).

No wonder I feel like I want to strangle someone - anyone!

I am premenstrual, premenopaual and prehomicidal all at the same time.

*Note to all animal rights activists, please don't write me. I don't really kick the dog. I don't even have a dog. "Kick the dog" is a euphemism for taking it out on my family.

(c) 2006 Empress of the Universe
aka Michelle Henderson

Visit online at www.empressgallery.com