For Four#2: Shattered glass and burning Babylon

II Sirius runs through the burning city, black dress and stilettos caught in cobblestones, running from the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps. Babylon is the place where all lines blur and all histories can be forgotten. Panic is rife in the city streets: Now, the pinnacles of Babylon’s majesty are marred by smoke. She is [...]

For Four#1: The Most Important Thing

“It’s all my fault.” The boy will not stop screaming. His fingernails scratch at the six inches of water, trying to tear the eyes out of his reflection. In a dark cave, away from the devastation, I am torturing the boy who was supposed to save the world. “You’re going to have to stop crying [...]

Lucidex Land Chapter#1: Guns, insomnia and living the dream

You’ve probably slept a bit more than I have the last few days. I usually limit myself to an hour or two a day. I get worried if I sleep any longer because someone has to be awake, or things get bad in my little alcove of hell. I live in a city of ten [...]

Surrounded#6: “Tomorrow I’ll care about someone who isn’t my friend”

Jonah Hundert was walking past the corner of Dovercourt and College when he heard police sirens. It was only a few weeks after he was released from Eastern Avenue detention center. Caught by surprise he turned away from his friends and struggled to breathe. His stomach was queasy with adrenaline and fear. He felt like [...]

Surrounded#5: Missing Person’s Report

When Mr. Hundert called to find out what happened to his son following the protest, he was told the police had no record of Jonah’s arrest. When his father said he saw Jonah on CBC being arrested, the police told him once more they don’t have any record of it. If his son was missing [...]

Surrounded Part 4 of 6: Inside Eastern Avenue detention center, property bags and panic attacks

After a half hour of keeping his hands on his head, Jonah Hundert is talking to an extremely polite police officer. “You realize that you are being arrested under charges of breaching the peace, Jonah,” says the officer, affectionately known by the name “Sergeant” despite the fact this isn’t his rank. “No, you are breaching [...]

Rendezvous with Madness, My Suicide and Piss Paranoia

I suffer from a serious condition called “movie theatre bathroom thirst paranoia”. As soon as I take my seat the psychological warfare begins. My throat becomes parched and I suddenly need something to drink. If I don’t have water with me I find the nearest faucet and give into my thirst. Once I have done [...]

Surrounded Part 3 of 6: The Dance Master of Eastern Avenue

Through Twitter, Jonah and his friends find out who has been arrested and who is still in hiding. Every few moments another arrest is posted. No one knows who will be next and every stranger who looks at them on the street and every car that stops too long at a traffic light is potentially [...]

Surrounded Part 2 of 6: Arrests, kiddie pools and stripping on burning police cars

Part One available here. At four in the morning on Saturday, June 26th, two dozen cops burst into Alex Hundert’s home, with guns in hand. A short while later, his brother Jonah Hundert, received a phone call explaining this. It’s little before six in the morning and the beginning of the longest day in Jonah’s [...]

Surrounded Part 1 of 6: G20 before cop cars burned and memories of Grassy Narrows

“More bullshit today?” I ask. He nods, careful not to say anything about his brother’s trial that would break the Judge’s gag order and give the cops another excuse to harass his family. “How you dealing with all this?” I ask. “Pretty tired of it,” replies my old friend Jonah Hundert. “Pretty tired.” There is [...]

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About

Michael Kimber is a 26-year-old journalist who suffered a nervous breakdown on November 3rd, 2009. On March 28th, 2010 when he recovered from mental illness, he began writing a blog called Colony-of-losers. About falling on your face to figure out who you are and the hilarious antics of a blond jew. What began with a few friends and his mother reading has become a cult phenomenon, averaging 10,000 views a week, receiving praise from Commonwealth Award Winner Shandi Mitchell and many others. On, November 3rd, 2010, the one year anniversary of his mental breakdown he signed with Anne McDermid and Associates, the largest literary agency in Canada. In a year he went from wearing pajamas, making his couch depression HQ to leaving his hometown for the Toronto, where he exclusively wears business suits and the armor of ancient Greeks. Don't worry, he's still choking on the feet he contently sticks in his mouth and making moments awkward just by being part of them. During these struggles he met other talented bastards and drew them into his circle. Peter Diamond became his illustrator. Patrick Campbell his video editor and part time photographer. He recently added the incredibly talented John Packman as Colony of Losers Toronto photographer. Without the support of the Colony of Losers, Michael Kimber would be nothing. Welcome to the losers and the success that comes from utter and complete failure. You aren’t alone. Follow him on twitter.com/colonyoflosersand twitter.com/quimbo. If you’d like to hire him for a public speaking engagement for mental health events in Toronto, like to arrange an interview, offer millions to publish his book or for another reason contact Michael please email him. And join his facebook Colony of Losers.

Really obvious disclaimer:
I’m not a trained psychologist. Just a fellow traveler. If you need help seek it from the professionals. The Canadian Mental Health Association provides a help locator. You can find crisis resources provided by the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention. If you are in the states check here. It will give you services by zip code. I’d also recommend checking out Mindyourmind.ca. I think they do great work and have been a help to me personally.

Fantastic Thoughts of Quimbo

I suffer from anxiety, being a twenty something and having an awesome blog. Check out colony-of-losers.com

Check out Mike Kimber's stint on MTV news talking about mental illness stigma.
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Do you guys have a lot of people in porn companies following you on Twitter. My name is Christie and I love sorority
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Check out Mike Kimber on MTV News discussing the stigma of mental illness wearing a wrinkley shirt.
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Check out Mike Kimber on MTV News discussing mental illness and stigma.
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Check Mike Kimber on MTV News speaking about mental illness:
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Michael Kimber speaks on MTV News about Mental Illness and come out campaign. Share this around.
http://t.co/qKOPwH2s

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