Le Journal de M.Câlin - The Hugger Busker's Journal

Last spring the Mayor of Montreal brought the Princess Margreit of the Netherlands to see me with Her entourage. I did not give the Princess a hug but did kiss Her Royal hand. I wrote about the exchange in my book so I thought that I would offer a signed copy of Hugging Life to the Mayor. Today, I dropped of a copy at city hall, I couldn’t give it to him personally but I was assured that he receive that afternoon.

I talked to someone in the communications department at City hall to see if they would officially sanction or promote the Hugger Busker in some form. I told then that there are thousands of photos of me with our City Hall in the background circulate the internet. The Hugger Busker has appeared in a number of international travel magazines, television shows and websites that highlight Montreal. As such I consider myself a worthy ambassador for Montréal both locally and internationally. Everyday locals and travelers search me out for a hug and many tourist guides bring their tour groups to me on a weekly basis, year after year. The Hugger Busker is in my eyes a worthy representative of the warm hearted welcoming spirit of Montreal. They said that they would get back to me. We shall see if they do.

Well it seems that The Hugger Busker has been voted by the readers of the Montreal Mirror one of the ten best buskers in Montreal. This blog has also been voted one of the ten best blogs. That is so cool that so many took the time to vote for me. Maybe there are more people reading this then I know. Haaa!

When I write my thoughts and experiences here sitting in my artsy Old Montreal loft, listening to Astor Piazzola and drinking a cup of hot Masala Chai I feel very solitary and safe in my sanctuary. Though I share myself with the world it does not feel like I am revealing too much or too little, nor do I feel vulnerable. Like hugging I open my heart freely and receive generosity and kindness in return. Here I express my inner and outer experiences and receive appreciation and respect. I am an integral part of this world and a being equal to all others as I reveal and share myself I discover my humanity in all it colors and hues.

Thank you to all those who voted for The Hugger Busker and for my blog. I hope that you all come by for a hug this summer.

Today has been a day of great news.

First, Indigo Books downtown (corner Saint-Catherine & McGill College) took Hugging Life. YES!! They took 10 copies on consignment to start with. If they sell they will order more. So I have to tell all my friends to tell all their friends to go to Indigo Books and get a copy. I have my book in a legitimate bookstore. My excitement is like that of a kid with a new toy. I feel energized and bubbling with hope and excitement. I know it won’t last forever but I am enjoying it will I feel it.

Second, Amazon.com will list my book on their site, it might take a few weeks before it is on there but it will be.

Thirdly, I found the solution to how I would sell my book while I was hugging. It was an issue because I did not feel comfortable selling books between free hugs. There is something in that equation that does not sit well with me. How then do I to promote my book without letting the act of selling it interfere with my work. I know people will want to buy a copy but how to go about it. I have been in a quandary over this issue for weeks. The perfect solution was right in front of me all along, quite literally. There is a small flower kiosk and juice bar on the square about ten yards in front of where I give hugs. Finally I hit on the idea of asking the owners of the flower kiosk if they would carry the book. That way I could have one copy on display and direct anyone interested to purchase it to the flower shop. The owner of the shop agreed to it to try it out. Now I can place all of my heart and attention on giving my public the warm, loving hugs.

I received my books today all 2500 copies. WOW!! I am giddy with excitement. I am finally a published author even if I am self-published.

I spent the morning stacking boxes and boxes of books along the walls of my loft. Now The work of getting the book out there begins. I really feel that Hugging Life – A Practical Guide to Artful Hugging will be a wonderful gift book. Intuitively I sense that the book will get its best promotion through word of mouth and recommendations more then through traditional means. Though I must still take steps towards promoting the book, like I am doing here or with the book web site, or sending out emails to those who wrote to my guestbook.

I know that I must be very patient and let the nature of the universe guide its journey as the Universe has guide my journey these past two years. I do have faith that Hugging Life will in time reach a wide international audience because it was written from the heart and has the potential to inspire and touch the hearts of those who read it. At least that is the reactions that I received from the many people of diverse backgrounds who read my preliminary drafts.

Apart from a deep feeling of personal achievement I hold no expectations and simply do what my intuition leads me to do. Right now, I am over come with joyful exuberance and pride that for the first time in my life I finished something that I started and did it well.

Like a proud father I have been carrying my new baby around with me everywhere since I got it. I even took it with me when I went hugging. It has been a good weekend for hugging. There are quite a few student groups from out of town at this time of the year. And they all come for hugs and photos so I have been giving out many bookmarks.

Today I put the finishing touches to www.hugginglife.com the new web site for my book It is very representative of the style and quality of the book. On the site you will find excerpts from the book, my bio, a testimonial section and a Paypal page where the book can purchase directly online. Now it will be easy for anyone who is interested to find out about the book before getting it. I have also created a fun little adventure called Lost & Found where five numbered copies of the book are lost in selected locations and their journey through the hands of different readers is being followed. That will be put into action in the next week or two once my books arrive.

The interview I did for the Metro last week came out today. I was very pleased with it. There was a beautiful photo and the quotes she used were fun. I always get nervous before opening a paper to read an interview. There I was sitting on my suitcase reading when suddenly Jade, my sweetie, surprised me by wrapping her arms around me. I love these impromptu visits she makes. She looked beautiful and very elegant in her form-fitting two piece black suit and silver tie. I had just enough time to read her the interview before she ran off back to work.

Several people came by for hugs after reading the article. It is always the case when ever I get press more local people come for hugs. This makes me happy because it legitimizes what I do. It tells people that I am ok and that hugging me is safe and good. I wonder why they don’t hug each other, why there is such a need for The Hugger Busker. The why does not matter it is the doing that matters. I will give hugs for as long as it bring s me and other joy and comfort, which could be forever I suppose. Haaaa!

I received a sample copy of my book today. I was so nervous that I went to see Jade at work and opened the UPS package with her. We stood there marveling silently at the two copies for a few minutes. To hold in my hands the fruition of 5 months of work is awe inspiring. It looks and feels so much nicer then I had expected. The cover design and texture is very warm and attractive to feel and look at. I am pleased with the choices I made all around, the paper, the font, the illustrations, the cover image and finish. I am very happy with the final result. Five months of work and it has all come together so beautifully.

It is quite something to begin with an idea, nurture it, bring it to life watch it grow and flourish before your very eyes to finally become a tangible reality. Writing Hugging Life has been a long and intense experience yet incredibly fulfilling and empowering. It has been a work of heart and I really hope that the book touches people as deeply as giving hugs does.