A Walk On The Danforth...

Today I woke up and decided I needed a little emergency cash to placate the starving author/artist in me for a bit, not to mention that it feels great to use your body. You feel good and to tell you the truth, my monitor tan just isn't really cutting it these days. Besides I might want to attract the right Lady Butterfly (she's Chinese) some time in the future (hopefully after the print version have sold a few copies).

So I the brilliant idea of checking out the gigs on craigslist.org. Low and behold when I spied just the kind of thing I was looking for, I called and was on my way. Its amazing how technology can link people nowadays. When I was you're age, I used to have to walk six whole minutes to the bus stop! Now you youngsters just teleport everywhere! Oops. That was from another story. Where was I? Oh yeah, on my way to the site.

So after finding out that my bicycle had a flat and after trying to patch the flat a number of times, I gave up and began my long walk to the job site.

The trip took me through one of Toronto's great communities (amongst many great communities but it was this one upon which I journeyed today). The stretch of Danforth between Broadview Avenue and Pape Avenue which is a scenic and lively place. There's Cafes, Restaurants, Patios galore, Health Food Shops, Fashion and Technology, you name it. So on my way there (back) I mamaged to shoot some photos which I thought would be good to display during Toronto's Pride Week and in general because the Danforth is a great place for Cafe and Patio hopping. Nothing but people enjoying the restaurants or having a coffee, maybe an artist or two with their Mac or PC laptop etching a design or two. Mothers walking their hot rod modded baby carriages and a few animal lovers walking their pets (or pests depending upon your point of view). If you come to the city during the summer months, then check this place out on a Thursday or Friday late afternoon early evening or on the weekend. There's just so much to do and the community is really colorful and beautiful.

Naturally this attracted my attention for obvious reasons. A Fashion store worthy of the name Butterfly...

 I tried not to be intrusive and picked patios with a lot of color and activity when I could. Generally in the late afternoon or early evening though you'd see a lot of action. Especially on Thursday and Friday. You might even spy a few superheroes too. I even here this is Dragon Butterfly's turf some time...

There's a lot of great restaurants offering regional cuisine to suit your tastes.  Some even have their own house brew on tap and wine too. I hear that Mishima Sato himself (of A Lady's Prerogative fame) even frequents this place... Beside it, Avli Restaurant might be Barris' turf though he also tends to like the Pubs where he can often be found reading.

Here's everyone's favorite Factory Girl. No, they don't make girls but I'll be you'll find guys and girls here and often. I do believe the reference is to one of the chefs or bartenders (possibly the management or owner) and the fact they can just keep putting it out for the customers. Now after having checked out their web site I am floored! But you can only find out what it really means if you check out their site. 

I mean that. Honest. You better have checked out their site. I mean it. Really I do. Pretty please with sugar on it?

Naturally on the job site I need to pick up some nails at Urban Nails. I stopped into this place and was so astounded with the paint job I got on my cuticles that I left without my nails so I stopped into Terri O's. Terri told me they only had O's there. Maybe next time...

 Well that Dora Keogh looks a tad bit Gaelic to me lass and lads. It must be a name because when I tried to translate it, I got the same thing. Maybe its a secret. Maybe it's Oard Gekoh? Who knows? I'll bet they have some great pints in there if you like that kind of thing. Perhaps even some great cuisine. Right beside it is Allen's. I think Allen works on the web stuff while Dora cooks up a hospitable meal and brings the pints.

I also tried to translate Allen's on Google and I got: The creator of great food and drinks that is positioned beside another great restaurant named Dora Keogh on the Danforth. Moved originally from Belfast over six hundred years ago, relocating the family businesses to the largely unpopulated spot just a few miles north of Lake Ontario in the brush. Five hundred years later a city, and The Danforth emerged around them. Can you believe that? Little did they know that several of the Fashion, Pet Shops and Health Food stores had been operating for over nine hundred years in another part of the brush. You can just learn so much online...

Of course you could check out their unique and neighborly cooperation online at http://www.allens.to.

 The Black Swan is a historical landmark on the Danforth just East of Broadview Avenue. This earthy place is a great place to hear live bands as well as play darts and have a few pints. Next to Allen's and Dora Keogh, (and a few fashion shops, pet stores and health food shops) it is one of the first fixtures of its kind along the Danforth.

 This is The Old Nick on the Danforth. Possibly because of someone named Nick (notice how the N is capitalized for a quick lesson in etymology). I don't know much about them but after reading their blog, I'm quite impressed. Check it out yourself by following the link or clicking on the image. Consequently I used to have a friend named Nick in school when I was a kid. I wonder if it's the same guy?

Here's some more regional cuisine. One of my neighbors is from Brazil and a heck of a nice guy and good human being too (like myself) who does a lot of extras for a particular charitable organization called the Red Cross (an organization I sometimes help). So I thought I'd grab a pic of these two restaurants just for him. Thanks for being a good human being there friend. I wish the world had more people like yourself Mr. Brazil. So check out Tapas at Embrujo for their incredible cuisine, live entertainment all of which can be seen on their web site. Rodeo (Rodizio) once again for authentic Brazilian cuisine and buffet. Both have a great atmosphere and look like a great place for an intimate date or just some great food.

I like this building. Its a great design. My bank manager also told me that if I didn't put a picture with their company logo on it that they'd start charging me twice the amount of interest on my recently paid up but overdrawn account. The truth is that I like this building and my bank is a bit closer to home on Parliament Avenue.

 Not exactly on the Danforth but somewhere down Broadview Avenue just north of Gerrard Avenue this little restaurant and Cafe was holding an outdoor gig with a crowded patio. I walked by and took a picture from across the street  The city was alive with the sound of music, but alas Julie Andrews was nowhere to be seen. So I say we remake The Sound Of Music with Anne Murray! No! Wait! Avril Lavigne! Sandra Oh! With guest appearance by Drake! What do you think? Do you think that Disney would go for it?

So with Pride month going strong the city seems to be quite active and alive with music. By the way I did finally make it to my destination to work for the day at Carlaw Avenue and Danforth Avenue. My back is just killing me and I'm out the door again tomorrow bright and early.

I'm currently looking into martial arts (again) and trying to decide between more traditional Karate, Wing Chun or even Aikido. I've studied Karate and Tae Kwon Do before (many years ago though I lack expertise). This time around I want to go for my degree (my black belt). One of the reasons is for some of the upcoming promo material related to Butterfly Dragon, Dragon Butterfly and Night Style (all of whom utilize a mixed style of combat with specialized techniques). Also I am looking at the possibility of getting into mocap for animation purposes (which would make choreographing the kind of sequence I'd like to do between the two leads possible. I'd also like to achieve this goal since it had always been something on my list.

Beyond that, look forward to the release version of The Butterfly Dragon I Heroes Of Our Own soon with a possible print edition possibly around the corner. Once I get distribution figured out that part might be under way very quickly (seeing as I have this and several other ready to go stories in that regard).

Thanks for taking the time to read a little bit about my city and we'll talk soon. I don't pirate other people's stuff. Please don't pirate my book. I literally live on next to nothing and spend a great many hours preparing my books, creating the artwork and getting them ready for release. Not to mention that amount of harassment and abuse I undergo from my own community which makes producing such a seemingly popular story very difficult.

Brian Joseph Johns

200 Sherbourne Street Apt 701

Toronto, Ontario

Canada M5A 3Z5

416 203-0928

Coming soon: The Men Of A Lady's Prerogative...

You've seen Barris. What about Jasmer? Sato? What about Jeong Soon?

Well they'll be here soon...

Want to help disaster victims from Fort MacMurray?

I'm writing this from Central Northern Ontario just outside of Wasaga, a long way from my own home in Toronto. I should have written this a little sooner, but it's better than not to have written this at all.


In case you're one of the many people looking for ways to assist (and they do need help), this great article by MACLEANS.CA tells you exactly all the great ways there are to help the victims and evacuees of the Fort McMurray. From Donation to Accommodation offers to Food and Clothing donations and everything in between. Even if you can't help, just spreading the word might enable someone else to help.


Thank you,


Brian Joseph Johns

Thoughts For Japan...

Brian Joseph Johns

I've been recoving from a bad case of the flu for about a week and I've been mostly bed ridden during that time. I just happened to be watching some movies on Netflix today as well. I started with National Treasure (a great action mystery film) and followed up with the Ken Watanabe/Elizabeth Olsen/Aaron Taylor Johnson Godzilla at around 3 O'clock not knowing about what had happened in Japan around that time on the other side of the world.

I actually found out at 9:35 PM EST what had happened and about the quake. Perhaps my choice of movie was out of an intuitive connection between myself and that part of the world. Regardless my thoughts and feelings are with Japan and the survived and the lost. During the Tsunami that hit Japan in 2011 I actually donated half of all my earning to the relief fund for three months. So Tonight and for the future my thoughts are with Japan and its people.

One of the most important symbols of my book The Butterfly Dragon originates from Eastern culture and specifically with regard to the Butterfly itself, and the Dragon.

The Butterfly in the Far East is symbolic of spirit, the life force essence or Chi that comprises our being without the need for a body. It is us and the body is merely the hardware that embodies the Butterfly's will.

The Dragon in the Far East has many different origins and takes on many archetypes, for instance in China most Dragons are considered to be harbingers of good fortune and wisdom where they are revered for such qualities. In Japan much of the folklore related to the Dragon is related to it being the harsh force, the ego and sense of self versus the Butterfly. In Korea the Dragon symbolizes a virtuous protector often associated with the turtle.

In any case the relationship between the Butterfly and the Dragon is about achieving balance through wisdom  and good deeds and having on foot in each side of the diametrically opposed paradigms of life (in China), about the conflict between the spirit (the Butterfly) and the body and ego (the Dragon) as found in Japan and through virtue and protection of the body, soul and the people in Korea beliefs and folklore.

I hope that the lost are found alive and well and that this turmoil is followed by a long time of peace without peril in Japan and the nations of the Far East of Asia.

Brian Joseph Johns

For The People Of Belgium And For The Ford Family

Brian Joseph Johns

For Belgium

The news today about what occurred was very sad and indeed frightening that life can be so fragile and be gone at a moment's notice. I could never picture the kind of person who'd coordinate the plan to build a set of explosive devices and devise the means to get them undetected into the midst of a busy airport. You might read about that kind of thing in a book or see it in an action movie but there it is make believe. Sometimes a little bit of a social mirror too albeit a sometimes skewed one.

The more it happens the less it makes sense but the more it can be seen as to the intent and motives of such persons who might do something as such. Some might see themselves as doing "God's work" and punishing the wicked for hubris, greed, gluttony <insert sin here> etc... but to do take up arms and to do such a thing is to deny a belief in any God so it appears once again to be hypocrisy and to unsettle those who might nest next to each other. I mean who'd want a world where the Hatfields and the McCoys could live as neighbors without so much as a scuffle with one another? Never mind the diverse variety of people and beliefs we have in this world living next to one another without pitching rocks at each other. So such acts are a way of making us distrust one another and sometimes even to make the victim of such an attack into the bad by way of reaction.

After all, if your reaction is far greater in damage than was caused to you, then there is a debt for a future generation of the original victims that they will likely be swindled into paying creating yet more resent and further conflict. To create a martyr that results directly in response to such an attack because that martyr will either fuel further violence or impose a social debt (sometimes called the Casus Belli) against the nation or people that retaliate. It guarantees that the conflict will continue in the future and that the price of retaliation is debt upon the future generations of the victims because its the victims who end up retaliating.

That still doesn't bring back the lost life or heal the wounds but sometimes understanding your foes is the key to protecting yourself from further damage. From stepping into the same trap over and over again at the cost of trust. I'm very sorry for the people of Belgium tonight and will be for some time. I hope that the energy and momentum in the next few days that might lead to retaliation is weathered with wisdom and perhaps by heeding what advice I've set forth here for to react is to play right into their trap. Remember that you are the victims.

What should happen if it hasn't already as a an immediate response to this situation is a message from all Mosques indicating a stance against extremist violence and complete support of the people of Belgium in both official word and deed. Being part of a secular society means the understanding that we live under the rule of law which hopefully lacks the kind of prejudice the bombers had that resulted in the bombings in the first place. Protect the lives of the Belgian people as a whole and not with bias based upon culture or belief. Mostly to ensure that this sort of thing doesn't keep happening as it has in Paris, London and other centres across Europe and Asia. My thoughts are with you and will be for some time.

For Former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford

Another loss in the same day was that of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. It struck me kind of hard despite our differences in attitude I thought of him as most did, someone who represented the average Torontonian and was prepared to do some of the dirty work to tighten up Toronto's fiscal budget. No small task during the financial crunch of the years which he took office. He was charismatic in a sort of quirky way and had the approach that he was like loud, boiserous and fun loving Uncle one might have (before the crack scandal).

One of the things that saddened me about his situation was related to the scandal around his crack cocaine use (something I've always stood against for the damage it caused in some communities since the 1990s). He'd obviously become a victim of manipulation by his fellow gangster dealers as well and despite the fact that I don't use crack cocaine myself, I am very familiar with how they operate and have done battle with them numerous times. A bunch who like to manipulate or even attempt to "control" their victims and I believe he was a victim of just such a thing by way of his dealers and those who attempted to blackmail him with the video called the infamous Dixon bloods or Dorkhead bloods if you'd prefer.

Despite my stance against crack cocaine I really felt sorry for him when I saw a couple of his rants on television. Such a gang can affect people who don't use any narcotics whatsoever just as much as they can someone who does. They only need time and proximity to practice such a thing against their victims. I've been one myself at times as I said in doing battle with such groups. I did not see eye to eye with his views towards the Gay and Transgender community (I support the Gay and Transgender communities everywhere) but I saw a human being who'd become a victim of other dastardly forces in the city that must sooner or later be faced for the safety of the diversity in Toronto as well because it is forces as such that will polarize people one against the other.

By the way I speak as a Buddhist (perhaps to the shock of some) but as a Buddhist that represents the interests of all people. We all have our down times and times when we're not our best (I have such struggles many times a week). I'd prefer to see Rob Ford's legacy as his embrace of the Toronto team spirit, his willingness to take on the risky and difficult job of balancing a budget during a financial crisis and then overcoming substance abuse issues all in the sometimes unforgiving and discerning public eye. I saw his rants as clear evidence of his victimization but he still courageously managed to tackle that challenge every day. I didn't vote for you but I'll definitely miss you and my heart goes out to you and your family. Cancer is a merciless killer but not so nearly as merciless as the people who victimized you. Let's hope that both can be cured some day.

I'll be posting this same text on The Butterfly Dragon as well.

Brian Joseph Johns
Hate is not love and love is not hate.

A little treat for the Sanctum...

I thought I'd take some time out from my work on the upcoming rerelease of The Butterfly Dragon I: Heroes Of Our Own for a little design work on something related to A Lady's Prerogative.

Here's a design for the symbol of a certain order from the book A Lady's Prerogative...

Needs a bit of cleaning up but that will come in time. I hope you like it. There will likely be some iconography added related to the different planes of existence and the different orders that take part in the day to day operation of the Sanctum.

By the way, I just had someone log in with my google account from another location and log me out. I wasn't sure if it was Google just requiring a regular security check or if someone actually hacked my account. I've been having problems from the same group around me who've been a problem for some time as they have for my Butterfly Dragon project.

There might be the possibility that someone has my internet connection split from the outside and are using my internet line from outside of my apartment illegally. That would explain a lot of things like analytics related to things that are not a part of my browsing habits or computer usage.

I think that the people doing this believe that if they can log into my account, that what I create comes from them (which is not the case at all). Anyway I`ve done enough griping over the last few days and I just wanted to share something new with the Sanctum and of course the fans of A Lady`s Prerogative.

I was recently reminded while going over my notes and some elements of The Butterfly Dragon that there are easter eggs related to the A Lady`s Prerogative in some places in the Butterfly Dragon. There`s definitely the possibility of a crossover at some point in the future after the sequels have been released. Possibly a future project seeing as the Sanctum has a lot in common with both Tynan And Associates and West Meet East International.

Enjoy your weekend!

Brian Joseph Johns

Happy New Year From A Lady's Prerogative!

Happy New Years from the A Lady's Prerogative!

I hope that you're New Years brings much goodness and prosperity.

Look forward to some news about the upcoming A Lady's Prerogative II: Wounded Aerth which is due out in October of 2016.

Meanwhile I'm gearing up for an upcoming rerelease of The Butterfly Dragon: Heroes Of Our Own with new artwork, revisions and an improved ereading experience!

Happy New Year!

Brian Joseph Johns