A very good friend of mine performs bellydance at a Lebanese restaurant. Last night I had my first taste of authentic Lebanese food and Lebanese wine. I enjoyed the food, the wine and the time spent with friends.

A jazz singer played during dinner, which sounded great but diminished the authenticity of the experience for me. Feeling the energy of the Lebanese music which pumped though at the end of the evening, I realized the missing ingredient.

When my friend began her dance, it was magic. What beauty in the way she interpreted the music and invited the customers to be with the moment. Her grace and energy moved me. Her confidence and passion inspired me. How proud I feel to call her my friend. Thanks Lilly.

I was feeling a little alone today so took a walk downtown. I no longer feel alone, but I think I’m getting the flu. More than one person detonated a germ bomb near me. I’m rushing now to administer echineachea and Cold FX before the fallout invades my cells. I may be doomed.

If you practice yoga, you’ll appreciate this. Often when I’m in a challenging pose, a memory will come to me right out of the blue. Tonight, just as I was aware of this happening, my yoga instructor said, “if a memory comes in, just be with it and let it dissolve.” She then went on to explain that memories get stuck in our bodies and we need to free them. I’m not talking terrible memories or anything earth shattering. Tonight I simply remembered being at my doctor’s office at her previous location. This particular memory dissolved before I could chase it to a cathartic ending.

Sometimes though I think about people who are no longer with us. I must be holding my sadness in my body. It feels good to release it and release them.

Tonight I did something I haven’t done since I was twelve and something I haven’t ever done. I saw April Wine in concert at the Marquee Club in Halifax.

First, let me say it was the middle of a blinding snow storm with a $35 cover. The Marquee was comfortably packed, which means you could get to the bathroom without a lineup and without spilling your beer. There were also no lineups at the bar, and everyone was friendly, which made my experience of the Marquee a good one.

April Wine was as I remember them (minus Gary Moffatt). My autographs and memories of innocent kisses are circa 1978. From the sound check to the encore kindred spirits reflected a similar response to nearly 4 decades worth of measures and metre. I realize I’m dating myself here, but that’s ok, I like my own company.

I’m mindful of the impact music has on our lives. I wonder how many people lost their virginity to “tonight is a wonderful time” and how many broke up over “you won’t dance with me”.  This realization helps me appreciate the artist’s ego. Musicians create memories that transend our experiences.  While we are busy creating our present reality, lyrics and music snap us back to a place and time where our current reality had no breath. Music links the past to the present and we can measure how much we’ve grown by our response.

If what made you sob in your pillow at 15, brings a smile to your face now, then you’ve shifted. The same tears that hardened you then, soften you now.

I enjoyed every second of the show and although the band looked refreshingly different, they sounded the same, especially Gerry Mercer’s drum solo! I was impressed and rocked out. Still great stuff…thank you April Wine.

One funny thing…the camera phone seems to have replaced the lighter.

And, just for Heathertoo…Matt Mays was in the house.

Related links:
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation

Went shopping today, just browsing for a new purse. Found one I liked, it was red, thought it might be too flashy for me. Gave up on the purse idea. Hunted for a white blouse…ran into a former colleague…caught up…found a white blouse, went back to the purses…found a wallet I really liked…former colleague returned and liked the red purse.  I now own a red purse, a white blouse and an (empty) new wallet.

While there I witnessed a couple shopping. The man was choosing clothes for the woman. He was saying things like, “wow this is really nice, it would look great with a black bra, you should definately try that one on.” I’m not sure I would want my partner so involved in my clothes selection, some things are sacred. I had a partner once who was really involved in decorating our home…it was wonderful at first, but after a while, well, a woman’s home is her castle and my castle didn’t feel so much like me. Alas, the castle is now his.