I am not sure if it was the announcement of the Ontario Government budget or something within my subconscious mind that woke me out of my sleep. In my opinion, you can’t trust a politician as far as you can throw one. The reason I never pursued becoming one was because I once watched the movie ‘The Omen’ and within the plot, it was said that the son of the devil, would be born to a politician and a man of influence and power. Therefore trying to avoid the reality of this ever happening to me I chose becoming a ‘money trader’, the same type Jesus would cast out of the synagogue. I guess I will never win.  Many years ago I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, therefore when I go to sleep; I wear a mask attached to a machine that blows air into my air passage so as to keep the oxygen flowing thus avoiding stress to my heart. Having said that, while sleeping I had this dream of holding a snake in my hands, either I was upset by the lack of leadership in this province or something more sinister is about to happen to me. Regardless, the snake in my hands grew more powerful and slithered toward my face. As my sleep was quite restless I awoke with both hands on the hose, trying to pull this mask from my face, thinking it was the snake that was trying to bite me. I nearly ripped my head from my  shoulders because of  fear. Then I realized as I came home from work, a young guy came up to me as I was heading for the bus, he stopped me and asked, “Sir, I just lost my leg and I was wondering if you can spare some change, so I can buy something to eat?” I didn’t really give him the time of day but I should have tried to let him know that I also have my own challenges and a family to support. Today with things difficult everywhere it is hard to help someone if they are not willing to help themselves. I find it insulting to listen to a person full of self pity and no desire to want to accomplish anything. Maybe it is my upbringing or being a parent wanting the best for my own children; but all I know is that through hard work anything can be had or accomplished!

Sincerely-Philip Magnoli, my friends call me Don Filippo