Kind Words about The Wandering Artoholic Zine

I read all of the issues of "The Wandering Artoholic" ...thanks. One thing that struck me was your strong and distinct written voice and "stream of consciousness" style...very candid, intimate, and reflective. It's definitely a look into your soul! Great stuff!

Kathryn McPherson

Waterloo, ON

Hello Pat,

I wanted you to know that there's something familiar and comfortable about your journal and projects and your search for community. It's really cool.

Graham Arthur Engel

Waterloo, ON

love love LOVE The Wandering Artoholic!

I am going to subscribe for sure

Renee Linton - Kitchener, ON

This following is an email from a reader that really touched me.

I have edited it down slightly.

TheWA

Dear Mr. Pat,

Last night a friend of mine asked me, while I was waiting for them to get ready to go out for tacos, if I would like to read something. I said sure. So he handed me The Wandering Artoholic.

At first, I flipped through it, mildly interested because a curious part of me has always been intrigued by local activity and people who contribute to it, therefore, experiencing a more indie underground part to a community that you don't get to experience when you're just passing through. After a few flips through, I realized I really-really wanted to dig right into it. So I did. After 30 pages I found myself hoping that my friends didn't return quickly from their getting-ready mode, so I could have the pleasure of finishing this little book. Luckily, I got to finish it.

I suppose, to dive right in to the point of this e-mail rather than skid around it any longer, I would just like to reach out and say hi; because it's a super comforting thing when you can read page after page after page of someone else's writing and feel like it could have come from you.

My name is Celeigh Lynne (K-lee), and I'm 19 and going to the University of Waterloo for Psychology and Fine Arts. I love art. I love writing, I love words, I love people and I love life. I love your stance on chasing happiness and living life. There it is, I love it all.

So in effect, for now I just wanted to say, thanks a lot because it's cool for me to read these books and find in them a lot of the thoughts and scribblings and worries and states that I've found myself thinking or scribbling or... stating. And those kinds of things are connecting, and really remind me that even if it often feels like I'm disconnected from people because I walk in different shoes, and see through different eyes, that I'm not, we're not, no one is and no one has to be if they only recognize it. And I think what you do helps us all realize that. I really think that is a huge contribution to people's lives, connecting them. Nothing could be better, it's what we all need. It's a very powerful thing to read the words of a stranger whose existence you were completely unaware of only to find that you must have always known them, because how else could they have known what was wandering about and poking around inside of your own little head, and your own little heart. That is really cool.

So again, thanks to you and I'm looking forward to the next issue. Thanks for all of it, everything.

Take care,

Celeigh, Waterloo, ON

Dear Pat,

Thanks for sending me your Wandering Artoholic zines - I enjoyed dipping into them over the summer. I’m glad you’re enjoying listening to the show. (ed) We’re off again in a few days with the superb Danny Michel and Dala for musical company.

Enjoy your travels.

Stuart McLean

Host / Founder - CBC Radio Show - The Vinyl Cafe

Toronto, ON

dear pat,

thanks for the kind note and the back issues of the wandering artoholic. much

appreciated. nicely done. been meaning to write and thank u.

rock the zine world. keep it goin.

j.

Jian Ghomeshi

Host of "Q"

National Arts & Cultural Affairs Program

CBC Radio One & Sirius Satellite 137

Moxy Fruvous Band Member

Toronto, ON

Just received AND READ the latest TWA.  Love it.  You got balls man. Your honesty is scary and really refreshing.  Its just such a cool concept.  Be sure to let me know when my subscription is up so I can renew!

Adrian Orso, Waterloo, ON

OK, my curiosity got the best of me....I checked out a few of your (TheWA) issues online.....I am sooooo sorry about your brother...very sad...also, I totally remember Al at Sam the Record Man and always wondered what happened to him...he was a Rock God...I always talked to him about the Scorpions, Black Sabbath etc...rock knowledge for sure! I am subscribing to your zine ......it's very cool and refreshing and because you write a lot about stuff I can relate to around KW makes it even cooler for me...the drive- in etc...you are a talented no nonsense kind of guy and that is VERY cool!

Kerry “Bubbles” Constantinou, Kitchener, ON

Hi Pat...I’ve finally had a chance to look at The Wandering Artoholic (ed. been swamped)...GREAT STUFF!!! Thanks for the sketches!

Les Stroud, TV Show’s “SURVIVORMAN”

...BTW  I had to steal the first issue (TheWA) back from the wife, she loves the read and thinks you're hilarious (in a good way of course).  I really enjoyed the read as well some thought provoking and tongue in cheek good times.  I especially liked the article on "Blaker."

Attilio Renon, Waterloo, ON

2008 - Issue #5

it's here! (TheWA) I've already gobbled down 20pp and I'm trying to ration the rest...so I have something to read this evening.

it will prolly sound strange coming from someone you've never met--I know it sounds strange to say it--but you inspire me. it's not that you're chasing a dream--a fair number of people in my realm are doing their things in open defiance of parental/societal approval and let us not forget financial realities. it's the unabashed honesty with which you go about it. particularly emotional honesty. I had come to believe it was a myth--or, at best, extinct. I'm rarely this happy to be wrong, but here I am.

so...erm...thank you.

bugs and fishes

2007 - Issue # 3

TheWA is like reading someone's--well, someone's journal. Did you intend it to be the perfect subway reading? And I love the pen-and-ink drawings. Thanks very much for letting TheWA wander down to New York City...much appreciated!

Volume 3 received and consumed over dinner. Amazing work--congratulations!!!

Suse Sternkopf - New York, NY, USA

The wee magazine is a document of a soul-seeking dude reaching out to the world through creativity. Is it self-indulgent? Maybe just a tad. Is it interesting? Mostly. Is it admirable? Definitely!

http://therecord.blogs.com/withinearshot/2008/04/hes-addicted-to.html

Colin Hunter, The Record (Within Earshot Blog)

Hi Pat,

I enjoyed your music issue of TheWA.  (Issue # 4) great job !  fun reading.  well put together. I can see music has been a big part of your life.  I've always loved it as well and can't imagine life without music. I also have a pretty varied taste which has evolved over time...generally to include more stuff.  Of course people all have varied tastes and that's life.

Having said all of the above... the Scorpions rock dood !!!!!  hee hee

Thomas Kelp, Kitchener, ON

Thanks for issue #3. It blew me away...you have no idea how it much it touched me and made me realize that there are other people out there who have walked the same heart breaking journey in life. I am thrilled to have someone so close that actually understands the torment and all of the other emotions that go with the devastating loss. Thanks from "all my being" for opening another door of my closure.

Keep up the fantastic work...you are truly touching others lives in such a remarkable way.

Tracy Schwartz - Wellesley, ON

Hey Pat,

Finished issue 3 over the weekend. I was reading it while on the train to Toronto, and had to wipe the tears a few times.

Your words are very inspiring to me, and I'm sure to many. I'm at a point in my life where positive thinking is very important to me, and I feel better for it. Loved the famous quotes as well.

This thing is going to take off for you, follow it......... When something feels so right, it is!

Keep it up!

Diana Lalka-Dekold - Windsor, ON

SOOOOO Patrick... I just finished TWA. (Issue #3) Very nicely done. Very genuine. Perhaps the best one yet?!? Certainly the one with the most 'depth'. I can see it might have been kinda draining to write that one... but maybe also the most theraputic?? It was very, very good!

Charlotte Karger, Waterloo, ON

Hey Pat, just wanted to let you know i went through the new issue, (Issue # 3)  F'n awesome stuff!

Todd Donald - Waterloo, ON

just got twa #3...you are a madman!! love it.

life in all shapes.

heavy shit too...about your brother..

you're a brave man my friend!

inspiring shit!

this is it man.  LIFE!

no dress rehearsals, no fucking around, it's the real thing and you are

the real deal.

I'm proud of you

............

just got the 1st issue!!

...great man...i read it in one sitting!

i think you're starting something really cool here brutha!...

i wish you godspeed with the whole thing...can't wait 'til yer doing it full time and we can do road trips together!!

Rob Szabo - Toronto, ON

So I picked up Vol.2 last week and I read through cover to cover last nite.

I have to tell you - it's been a rough little go with me and my parents lately - long story that i won't get into in detail. lol. - but our main intersections of problems have been that I have a dream and they don't see it... or believe it. But, I'm willing to sacrifice pretty much anything to achieve it.

Anyways - rambler - I just wanted to say that things had come to a head with them earlier last nite. And reading your journal really helped to A - escape from my world for a bit and get into yours. and B - show me i'm not insane and others are doing what i am trying to do! ie. be positive, love ourselves and others and do what we love.

So... that's that. thanks so much!

ANONYMOUS - Kitchener-Waterloo, ON

I'm diggin' it, baby. Living the dream and everything. Wherever possible, combining truth and beauty..

Kicks my pants in a really good way.

Rob Juneau - Brantford, ON

(Issue # 3) it was a really great issue.  especially relevant was your cruise stuff,

really hit the spot as I was flying over the Cuba, getting ready to rock the sea breeze

and mojitos hardcore.  nice. I'm really enjoying your drawings and

observations, man.  they're simply getting better and better with each

one.

I also wanted to send my respect and props to you for laying out the story

in regards to your brother.  I didn't know you went through that.  so

heavy, I was really sorry to read it.  I certainly don't want to

trivialize anything, but I just really wanted to hand it to you for baring

yourself like that and wearing your heart on your sleeve.  takes a lot of

guts.  also makes for the best kind of writing.  human.  that's exactly

the kind of thing I relate to.  I think we all do.  thanks for sharing.

Scott Cooper - Toronto, ON

So, I sat down last night and read TWA #1 from front to back. Awesome. What an amazing personal glimpse into the Lackenbauer lifestyle. I was amazed, awed, saddened and intrigued, throughout the entire issue – and could relate to so many things. I remember the Kincardine house(s). I’ve been to Thornbury. I’ve been to Meaford. (My family is actually from Thornbury and Meaford). I’ve done that road trip. Thanks for such a personal look into your life. I loved the writing style, the past and present tense, the way a story flows through the days, and yet I couldn’t figure out where you stopped and started writing each page. Amazing!

Al Gilson - Waterloo, ON

Got the Journal - I loved it, read it from cover to cover over two nights.

Then I have re-read a few sections.

It has a warm homie feeling, just like having a personal conversation. I will have to sign up for the

rest as it has left me wanting more.

One question, does it affect your personal relationships? I know once you reveal some details,

through any forum, songs/written or spoken form; you do open up your self a bit, but very gutsy bro.

Dave Homanchuk - St.Clements, ON

So far, I am delighted to see you sneak the wisdom of the four agreements into there. (In the TWA Journal) What I sense is that you are feeding deep wisdom and other cool transmissions of truth via the arts, and the more I see this the more I understand why I have long since known you to be the kind of person I never want to lose touch with.

So I am a supporter. And I'll subscribe!

Thanks for continually putting it out there Pat.

Katie Wreford, Kitchener, ON

I think it (The Wandering Artoholic Journal)  is really cool. I smile at your stories and how free it is for you to share so openly and I think it is pretty neat. You are so talented. i love the boat that is in the bottom corners of the page. I mailed the other one to a client of mine who is in high school and mature beyond her years, an awesome writer and so creative, it is something I know she would really appreciate.

Cheers loverockpeace

Heather Schock - Baden/New Dundee

... I was so surprised by the thickness and chock-full-of-goodness and cool stuff of your journal, I wanted to take the time to REALLY give it a good thorough read-over before I messaged you. I absolutely love it!

Donna DeLorme

pat i enjoyed zine #1. keep it up dude...i liked Vivians apartment view in amsterdam.

Shannon Lyon - Kitchener, ON / Holland

LOVE IT!

Pat!! I wanted to let you know that I am totally going to send you the $24, (for a subscription)

Issue # 2

i read # 2 almost as soon as i got it. loved it! cool that you included my letter w/ my artoholics.

i'm glad i subscribed : ) : ) i love it. i was stuck in traffic during one of our snow storms when i was reading it, and i didn't lift my head the whole way... it was wonderful company

Emma Julien - Montreal, QC

Very proud of you for taking your art to the people and putting your heart into it.

you will be wildly successful...trust me

Bradski Beat - Kitchener, ON