I've just had an amazing three days. Some of it I'm not going to try and explain, and some of it I might. I haven't been feeling particularly articulate lately, and I've been tripping over things. Maybe it's the lack of sleep, or my missing routine, or late-night dancing.
I guess it started when I got back from Maxine and Kyle's wedding about a week ago. The first couple days back were okay, you know, taking care of stupid things every day like changing my address at the registry or getting a library card. And these things were amusing, sort of, in that I would drag a 1/2 hour task into a 5 hour trip involving coffee shops, reading in the park, people watching, and riding public transit. I love transit. So I was at least being sort of useful, but having fun visiting hippopotami at the zoo on the way, too....
And then I hit a bit of a wall. I ran out of silly chores and my vacation seemed over. I am running out of money and the job at the Epcor centre seems a bit far off right now. Why am I here? Why did I leave all my friends in Ontario behind for this strange new place? What if I hate it? Etc. I try not to dwell on it because that seems like falling into a black hole, I might never get out and what's the point anyway.
And then. Bar stars. I end up at Brett's place with a million people I don't know and I don't foresee having anything in common with. Talking to some guy who is asking me lots of questions about teaching Kindergarten that are inappropriate and mildly amusing but not really. Wondering where this is going. Fast forward five hours and I've had a bit to drink and I'm dancing at a bar named Cowboys to songs by a man named Tim McGraw. I couldn't be further from Toronto, I don't think! But I'm having fun and I miss dancing and once in awhile I break out some moves that I used to do on pub night with my girls but nobody understands here. We have a good laugh. A good night.
The next day it's walking around a lot and finally, seeing Sam Roberts live. I remember hearing his 'break-out' album and thinking, "This is alright, but I don't think I'll buy it". But what a kick-ass show. After two entirely mediocre openers he fucking blasts out of there and is rocking a tent full of people - people dancing with their arms around each other and the faint smell of pot by the second song of the set. Just what I needed.
And then yesterday. Ooooooohhh yesterday. Walked around the river, got lost more than a few times, opening up to someone new and trying not to make a fool of myself. I'll leave it at that, but it's good and I'm floating but I'm not going to get ahead of myself.
To top it off, seeing Kathleen Edwards (my girl from Ottawa) who opened for Willie Nelson at the Saddledome. Somehow I scored some 9th row floor seats so even though I'm smack-dab in the middle of an arena it's okay because I can see their faces and it's not a fucking rock-show. Not only is Kathleen Edwards mellow and funny and all charming but she's Canadian so she does things like show up at the merch. table willing to sign stuff and talk to you. Of course I get all star-struck and Ryan wishes he could win her over (even though she's married, but whatever) but we end up asking her if she'll talk to Ed, who is also in love with Kathleen but couldn't make it to the show because he has a job unlike us unemployed drifters.... So we wait, and she talks to him on Ryan's phone. Too bad for the first couple of minutes he thought she was me, but it was awesome and it probably made his night even if he did almost get into an accident (that's what I'm imagining, anyway).
Oh yeah, and Willie Nelson. He's pretty cool too. I can't say I'm going to run out and buy his reggae-inspired new album but there is something heart-warming about watching a couple of 70-odd year-olds jamming on stage with their sons and singing about love and heartache.
And there ends my three-day adventure. Taking a few days off and then it's a four-day picnic in the park (literally) with the Calgary Folk Festival and my little red beach mat. I'll keep you posted, if you're out there. But remember, this writing is for me, not you.
