Ten things about myself, shots of Nevis Valley, and insights from Leonard Cohen
Following on from a recent post by my friend Marg, I'm copying her playful idea of publishing 10 things about self. In this case I'm interspersing my points with landscape photos from the rather large batch made last weekend. No comments - they're all about the wonderful landscape in the Nevis Valley again.
1] When I hear a song I really like for the first time, I'll have it repeating for days non stop [iPod helps achieve this].
2] Apricot jam and cheese in a white bread sandwich can be compelling at certain times in my life [this seems to shock some people].
3] When I expect the unexpected, or expect serendipitous things to happen, they always do [makes going out the gate, much more fun].
4] I like living in cold climates, but short daylight hours I struggle with [so I've learnt to like the dry heat that shimmers in Central Otago - this seems to balance out the aforementioned conflict in winter]
5] I don't fully understand rugby at the level most New Zealanders do [smiling and nodding gets me by].
6] I like washing dishes by hand [this seems to shock some people, but I find it relaxing].
7] I have one leg half an inch shorter than the other [therefore traversing hillsides on the contour line should be easier one way than the other, but it's not].
8] I'm not a keen conversationalist just after getting up in the morning [I hide behind food and a drink to avoid conversations]
9] Having my birthday just six weeks after Xmas always seemed unfair as a child [the rest of the year was a desert present wise].
10] I was born during a "heat wave" [does this tie in with point 4!?]
As per point [1] above, my song of the moment is Heart With No Companion by Leonard Cohern:
I find the lyrics compelling... feel a message in them that mirrors feelings deep in my heart and experiences in life - 'nuff said though, as it'd be a big essay to explain.
Maybe his ability to compose and perform in such a way that can be matched by a wide range of life's experiences is a hallmark of all his work, like many say.
I discovered Leonard's song on Friday night when I accidentally found myself watching him and his wonderful band on a DVD lent to me. I was mesmerised by his humility while accepting applause - I watched it over and over realising I was not only seeing that, but compassion at work of the deepest sort.
Having slept on that next morning I went to pick up a fresh muffin at Soul Food for Dougal and myself for a breakfast treat, and noted one of my friends Karen who works there was back from holiday. I asked her where she'd been. She replied "Oh, in Christchurch to see Leonard Cohen"!
So as per point [3] above!
And I did not even know Leonard was performing there. Karen confirmed what I'd noted in the video, and a bit more besides.
All good, this serendipitous stuff!
1] When I hear a song I really like for the first time, I'll have it repeating for days non stop [iPod helps achieve this].
2] Apricot jam and cheese in a white bread sandwich can be compelling at certain times in my life [this seems to shock some people].
3] When I expect the unexpected, or expect serendipitous things to happen, they always do [makes going out the gate, much more fun].
4] I like living in cold climates, but short daylight hours I struggle with [so I've learnt to like the dry heat that shimmers in Central Otago - this seems to balance out the aforementioned conflict in winter]
5] I don't fully understand rugby at the level most New Zealanders do [smiling and nodding gets me by].
6] I like washing dishes by hand [this seems to shock some people, but I find it relaxing].
7] I have one leg half an inch shorter than the other [therefore traversing hillsides on the contour line should be easier one way than the other, but it's not].
8] I'm not a keen conversationalist just after getting up in the morning [I hide behind food and a drink to avoid conversations]
9] Having my birthday just six weeks after Xmas always seemed unfair as a child [the rest of the year was a desert present wise].
10] I was born during a "heat wave" [does this tie in with point 4!?]
As per point [1] above, my song of the moment is Heart With No Companion by Leonard Cohern:
I greet you from the other side
Of sorrow and despair
With a love so vast and shattered
It will reach you everywhere
And I sing this for the captain
Whose ship has not been built
For the mother in confusion
Her cradle still unfilled
For the heart with no companion
For the soul without a king
For the prima ballerina
Who cannot dance to anything
Through the days of shame that are coming
Through the nights of wild distress
Tho' your promise count for nothing
You must keep it nonetheless
You must keep it for the captain
Whose ship has not been built
For the mother in confusion
Her cradle still unfilled
For the heart with no companion ...
I greet you from the other side ...
I find the lyrics compelling... feel a message in them that mirrors feelings deep in my heart and experiences in life - 'nuff said though, as it'd be a big essay to explain.
Maybe his ability to compose and perform in such a way that can be matched by a wide range of life's experiences is a hallmark of all his work, like many say.
I discovered Leonard's song on Friday night when I accidentally found myself watching him and his wonderful band on a DVD lent to me. I was mesmerised by his humility while accepting applause - I watched it over and over realising I was not only seeing that, but compassion at work of the deepest sort.
Having slept on that next morning I went to pick up a fresh muffin at Soul Food for Dougal and myself for a breakfast treat, and noted one of my friends Karen who works there was back from holiday. I asked her where she'd been. She replied "Oh, in Christchurch to see Leonard Cohen"!
So as per point [3] above!
And I did not even know Leonard was performing there. Karen confirmed what I'd noted in the video, and a bit more besides.
All good, this serendipitous stuff!
Labels: Heart With No Companion, Leonard Cohen, Nevis valley, Soul Food
posted by Donald at
10:52 PM
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