Someone said to me this last weekend – “You are an artist.” I wasn’t quite sure which way to take this comment after all, I had my fifth whisky and soda in hand and perhaps he was referring to my semi-inebriated state? As the conversation progressed it became transparent he meant I was a different type of artist. My hackles went down. What he meant by the word ‘artist’ though was quite intriguing to me. He described how every time he met me, my view of the world, filled him with astonishment. “You see the world differently,” he continued. “Your music, books, poems and so on are all about how you see the world. It’s very inspiring, but like all artists, no one will ever understand your world view. They will just view you as different, eccentric perhaps.”

Much to our combined amazement, we were then joined by his wife who, having no prior knowledge of our conversation, immediately started to tell me exactly the same thing. Husband looked at wife with one eyebrow raised and then at me “Gary, there is no collusion between us – this is just confirmation for you”, he laughed.

Since Saturday night, I’ve had time to reflect on this at some length. And, I came to the conclusion, they are exactly correct! I am an artist in that sort of definition. And, suddenly, everything made sense to me. How I did not fit in at school and was made fun of “You think you are Marc Bolan, you puff!” was one particularly stinging remark. It’s why I somehow never seem to find commonality with people around me – except a special few of which more later. I am different. It is that simple. And, you know what? I do not care! In fact, from now on I’m going to celebrate that I am an artist. Different. Eccentric.

The word fits me like a glove and once I got comfortable with wearing said glove, I understood that I have spent much of my life trying to fit in with everyone else. Wondering why some people would rather talk about the last night out drinking and dancing while I wanted to do was talk about why are we here? It explained this inner urge to throw words at paper to express what I feel when others are out dancing at the night club. It explained why I’m busy writing songs while others listen to the radio. It explained why I write about the paranormal, strangeness, esoteric things, magic and the other worlds of existence while others are focused on how they can escape this one.

“People want to put you in a box with others where they can be comfortable with you,” my friend has said, “but, you can’t live in that box – it will cause you misery. You need to say very politely to people that don’t get you – take a hike! I don’t care.”

This conversation set me free. I realize I am the Fool, a magician, an artist. I take things into my world view with intense emotions and spit it back out in any creative manner I am able. The result always has multiple meanings clear to only a few or maybe just me. It doesn’t matter. I create. I make magic.

There are many people like me in this world. That have a different view of the world. Those who truly believe in magic and the ability to fly without wings. I know a few of them and I fit right in. The thing I now notice about these people is that they are comfortable with who they are – as odd as the world may think them. They are comfortable in their skins and defy being boxed in. After that weekend, me too.

Be who you are. Not who you think you should be. Let the real you out and sod the world. Make some magic.

I am an island
Set in an azure sea
I am beautiful
A kaleidoscope of colors
Filled with glowing light
Fertile and abundant

I am a rock
A standing stone
Timeless, eternally free
I am faces
Smiling in the Sun
Morphing shadows of fun

I am One
And also a multitude
A crowd of aspects
Moving in harmony
The many personas
Bound together willingly

I am me
In touch with identity
I am real and free
Blowing in the wind
Shining in the moonlight
Finally free

I am an artist
Seeing the world clearly
But in my own way
Pursuing my creativity
In any way I chose
This is simply me

I am Fool
Traveling the experience
Learning as I go
And sharing
Whatever I feel I know
Foolishly

About the Author:

Growing up can be extremely tough for any kid, but imagine growing up around poltergeist activity and ghosts? G. Michael Vasey had exactly that kind of childhood, experiencing ghosts, poltergeists, and other strange and scary supernatural phenomena. In fact, he seemed to attract it, developing an interest in the occult and supernatural at an early age and he has been fascinated ever since.

His “My Haunted Life” trilogy has been highly successful–reaching number one on bestseller lists on both sides of the Atlantic. Now he is presenting the stories of others. The first book in the “Your Haunted Life” series is currently available on Amazon. It’s a must-read for anyone with an interest in the strange happenings of the paranormal world. Then there’s “The Pink Bus And Other Strange Stories From LaLa Land,” a book that lifts the veil on one of the biggest mysteries in human history–the process of death, and what happens to our souls when we die.

He has appeared on numerous radio shows such as:

* Everyday Connection,
* Jim Harold’s paranormal podcasts,
* True Ghost Stories Online and
* X Radio with Rob McConnell

sharing strange and scary stories and his expertise in all matters supernatural. He has also been featured in Chat – Its Fate magazine and been interviewed by Ghost Village and Novel Ideas amongst others.

Whether you’ve heard one of G. Michael Vasey’s radio appearances, or read one of his books over the shoulders of an avid reader on the bus, or whether you’ve simply got an interest in the paranormal and stumbled upon this page… You are going to pulled into the paranormal world of G. Michael Vasey, and you will be hooked.

Find and follow Gary:

Gary blogs at garymvasey.com

 Facebook  Twitter@gmvasey    Soundcloud      Youtube
LinkedIn   Amazon.com      Goodreads    Round Fire Books

Other Resources

My Haunted Life Too – A Collection of your true scary stories of the paranormal
Strange Book Reviews – This is my book review site. I like strange books quite a lot!
The Brno ExPats Forum – I started this for ExPats living in Brno back in 2006.
CTRMCenter – This is my professional blog where I write about commodity trading and risk issues.

Lord of the Elements – An occult novella

Edward Bright searches for a lost Grimoire written by a magician who purportedly found the elixir of eternal life – The Grimoire El Natlez. Meanwhile, William meets the enigmatic and hypnotic, Ralph Meister, who promises him a life of wealth, women, and fame, in return for his soul. Behind all of these events is a sinister and powerful demon – the Lord of the Elements.

Lord of the Elements is the prequel to The Last Observer and book 2 in the series which finds both Edward and William in a magical battle for their very souls.

A short, but twisty, story that holds nothing back. Full of magic and occult. This book is a real ride through the battle between good and evil and the process of discovery of the ultimate truth.

Will William find a way to avoid losing his soul? Will Edward find his Grimoire?

Pre-order your copy of Lord of the Elements and find out.

The Last Observer: A Magical Battle for Reality

The Last Observer is a fast-paced occult fantasy adventure reminiscent of a modern Dennis Wheatley novel. Murder, mayhem and magic are embedded in a twisty plot as a London-based, black magic lodge attempt to change the world through magic. Stanley finds himself reluctantly pulled in to the battle save reality as we know it and finds love in the process. Full of surprises and alternate universes.
A hell of a read and loads of fun.

Click the images to go to Gary’s Amazon page and click here to read Rosie Amber’s review of The Last Observer.

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