watching a battle from high above
The wind is absolutely charging down from the mountains today. It's so constant in its power, and yet it still manages to surge and gust above the flow, beating on the houses and howling through any gap. The clouds are mile-high walls, towering over the mountains; still, solid and grey, like generals watching a battle from high above. And possibly the most curious thing is the infrequent spray of rain, dropped from clouds over mountains 30 and 50 km away, and blown far out over the foothills to land in the town. It's a beautiful day to walk and watch the weather. I didn't leave my house until 2pm today.
I watched two movies, neither of them very impressive, finished my John Grisham book, and made banana pancakes. They were actually okay. And I drank Roibus, Ro-bis, whatever, tea. I'm convinced that stuff makes a guy live better. It just feels good in your breath, like it opens everything up. Groovy.
So I'm doing my books - interwebanking - and things don't look as grim as I had anticipated. It's almost moving time, so I have to start thinking about transfering my meagre funds, changing address, and car insurance. Oh car insurance. Oh car.
Friday afternoon was the realization of a dream for me, when I really think about it. Cultural Affairs in Pincher Creek put on a concert at our church, feat. David Thiaw, the percussionist who built my djembe, along with the best djembe I have yet played in my life. I finally got to meet the guy, go to a workshop put on by him, and watch him and three other drummers in concert. My, my. David is about 6'8", and black as night with a grey white beard. When I introduced myself, he remembered me, and he singled me out during the workshop. During a break, he came up to me and told me next time I was in Calgary I should look him up and we'd jam and record some stuff. I don't even think I'm lying to you; I'm still a little dazed from it all.
And the guy is so good. I can't begin to describe the evening. All the people who went to the workshop got to go on stage with him and play for awhile. Some people I had been sitting with grabbed my camera and took some photos, so if they turn out, I'll stick them up on here.
As much as I want to describe the evening, I don't think I'll be able to do it the way I'd like to today. Let's just say the concert - and the whole experience - was a good hot cup of tea; fresh, strong, aromatic, leaving me warm and bright as I bob in the wake.
Alright. And one more thing. In his beautiful deep voice, David Thiaw made some compelling allusions to the importance of dreaming. And I'm wondering if I dream enough, or if I allow myself to dream. I'm debating doing some dreaming on this weblog, so things might get a little weird around here in the future. Or weird-er, I guess.
Time to climb back into the wind and go figure out my car insurance.
Christ be with us. Christ be in us. I hope that affects the way I live today.
Okay.
I watched two movies, neither of them very impressive, finished my John Grisham book, and made banana pancakes. They were actually okay. And I drank Roibus, Ro-bis, whatever, tea. I'm convinced that stuff makes a guy live better. It just feels good in your breath, like it opens everything up. Groovy.
So I'm doing my books - interwebanking - and things don't look as grim as I had anticipated. It's almost moving time, so I have to start thinking about transfering my meagre funds, changing address, and car insurance. Oh car insurance. Oh car.
Friday afternoon was the realization of a dream for me, when I really think about it. Cultural Affairs in Pincher Creek put on a concert at our church, feat. David Thiaw, the percussionist who built my djembe, along with the best djembe I have yet played in my life. I finally got to meet the guy, go to a workshop put on by him, and watch him and three other drummers in concert. My, my. David is about 6'8", and black as night with a grey white beard. When I introduced myself, he remembered me, and he singled me out during the workshop. During a break, he came up to me and told me next time I was in Calgary I should look him up and we'd jam and record some stuff. I don't even think I'm lying to you; I'm still a little dazed from it all.
And the guy is so good. I can't begin to describe the evening. All the people who went to the workshop got to go on stage with him and play for awhile. Some people I had been sitting with grabbed my camera and took some photos, so if they turn out, I'll stick them up on here.
As much as I want to describe the evening, I don't think I'll be able to do it the way I'd like to today. Let's just say the concert - and the whole experience - was a good hot cup of tea; fresh, strong, aromatic, leaving me warm and bright as I bob in the wake.
Alright. And one more thing. In his beautiful deep voice, David Thiaw made some compelling allusions to the importance of dreaming. And I'm wondering if I dream enough, or if I allow myself to dream. I'm debating doing some dreaming on this weblog, so things might get a little weird around here in the future. Or weird-er, I guess.
Time to climb back into the wind and go figure out my car insurance.
Christ be with us. Christ be in us. I hope that affects the way I live today.
Okay.
posted by Simon at 3:36 PM
7 Comments:
I realized how much I love your writing when I quitly said "yes!" under my breath while checking to see if there was something new while I should be doing work. Oh well, Simon, I always have and always will love the way you can describe life. It really makes it seem like such a grand adventure... but maybe it is hey, cause you will get to record with a cool african djembe player and if that's not an adventure, what is. Anyway, have a good day, and thanks for writing.... Dana
Sounds pretty sweet, brother. What a cool experience. And I know what you mean about the rooibos...it just feels good. Know why? There's antioxidants in it (don't ask me, Sherry H. told me that).
Anyway, I hope that moving prep is going okay. Hey, you wanna give me a call sometime? We should talk about Christmas, and whether you're going to come out my way sometime around then so we could ride together or whatever. I'll try to remember to call you too.
Hey Simon, the other Dana here... it's rooibos by the way. I enjoy your blog and your thoughts. Can't wait til you get back to Dalmeny. Zach and I will enjoy your company! Hope this last bit at the church goes well.
Well Simon, considering that I have absolutely nothing to do at work today, I was able to read your entire blog, and I'm glad Matt turned me on to it. It's really great to hear how you're doing and to see your unique perspective on life. It's kind of nice to get into someone else's head after being stuck in my own for so long, and I feel richer for it. Thanks. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Cameron
Simon! I can't beleive we never made it down to see you while we had you in Alberto! (We've renamed the province after our furry friend!)I guess it's to late now as the Arabian winds have called us eastwards. You should email Penner about your djembe experience! I am sure he would be thrilled! He is going to need to order some more of those things anyway, now that he's got more junior djembe players on the way! Keep on keeping your head in those fine Alberto clouds my friend! Ma Salama, sadik! Alhumdililah!
Simon Friesen I just read a comment by one of your friends, I am obviously out of the loop of your life because you have a daughter?? Please if I have missed read this correct me, if not I am very happy for you!!
Sherry Palmer
sherri, I'd like to know where you read that. I don't have a daughter. Honest. Wow. I'd like a couple of those some day, though.
Post a Comment
<< Home