MY ENGAGEMENT TO TAYLOR SWIFT



My Engagement (sort of) to Taylor Swift: A True and Hilarious Tale


Let me set the record straight: yes, in a manner of speaking, I was engaged to Taylor Swift. Or at least, that’s what the story became when it hit my medical records in Halifax. It’s a tale of heartbreak, frostbite, survival, and the enduring power of humor—and, of course, Taylor Swift.


Back in 2006, my life was in chaos. Out of sheer desperation, I accepted an offer to move back to Etobicoke with my father and one of his caregiver wives, Natasha. This, I would later realize, was a bizarre and misguided move on my part. You see, my father was not the frail senior citizen he portrayed himself to be. He had already orchestrated my downfall multiple times—misleading the police, getting me arrested, disinheriting me, and leaving me homeless after seizing my property to hide evidence that I could have used to sue him.


But I needed a place to live. In my mind, I thought I could smooth-talk him into reversing the disinheritance. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work. What followed was a series of events that sent me spiraling into survival mode.


Haitian Voodoo and a 100-Mile Walk in January


Living with my father and Natasha was like stepping into a surreal nightmare. I won’t get into the details just yet (that’s another blog post), but let’s just say Haitian voodoo and legitimate threats to my safety were involved. I knew I had to escape.


In January 2007, with no other option, I fled Toronto on foot. Yes, on foot, in the dead of winter, walking over 100 miles to London, Ontario. It took me nine days. By the time I arrived, I was suffering from severe frostbite and ended up hospitalized for seven weeks to recover.


But London didn’t feel safe either. I was still paranoid, convinced I was under surveillance and that "they" would eventually succeed in killing me. So, I fled again—this time boarding a Greyh und bus to the farthest place I could think of: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.


The Wild Man Arrives in Halifax


Dartmouth didn’t work out, so I crossed the bridge by cab and landed in Halifax. By then, I looked like a character straight out of a survivalist novel—wild hair standing on end, a scraggly white beard that would have made Ernest Hemingway proud, and a demeanor that screamed "I’ve been through some things."


When I arrived at the Halifax Salvation Army in 2012, two black gentlemen were on duty: Scheff (rest in peace) and Oscar. They were great guys, and despite my wild appearance, I immediately launched into entertaining them with jokes and anecdotes.


At the time, Taylor Swift’s song We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together was an inescapable earworm. I told them, "If she was my girlfriend and dumped me, I’d sue her!" They were laughing their heads off at my rants. I thought they were laughing with me, but as it turns out, they thought I was funny and crazy. They even wanted to take a photo with me, to which I said, "You’ve got to be kidding—no pictures, please."


Eventually, I told Oscar and Scheff, “You’ve got to get me some help.” I was serious, and they took me at my word. They called the police.


The Taylor Swift Debacle at the Hospital


What I didn’t know was that they must have told the police I was in love with Taylor Swift. When the officers arrived, they brought me to the hospital triage. As I was being interviewed by the triage nurse, one of the cops interrupted us and said, "He’s upset about his breakup with Taylor Swift!"


And that’s how it happened. My fictional engagement to Taylor Swift became a part of my medical records and spread like wildfire.


A Funny (and True) Story to Tell the World


So, there you have it. In a manner of speaking, I was engaged to Taylor Swift. And when she "dumped" me, it sent me to the psych ward. The truth of the matter is that humor has always been my way of coping with the absurdities of life. Even in the darkest moments, I find ways to laugh—and to make others laugh too.


Looking back, I can’t help but find the whole ordeal hilarious. And if you’re reading this, I hope it brings a smile to your face too. After all, isn’t that what life is all about?


Now, if anyone asks, you can tell them you know someone who was engaged (sort of) to Taylor Swift. Just don’t let her lawyers find out.

Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA Halifax, NS, Canada
This blog provides me with a forum to share my music, films, writing, photographs and musings. Currently in absence of any product or project to promote it’s a great platform to connect with fans and friends after a too long twenty year hiatus. Flow of consciousness postings, seemingly disconnected sometimes, eventually make sense when viewed as a whole.

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