Outside there is a thunderstorm thats been raging for the better part of two hours. One thing that happens a lot here is dry thunderstorms; no rain but lots of lightning and thunder. But outside my window, I can hear a few small splatterings of rain, rare in this desert.
I've always had mixed feelings about the place of my birth but now I've come here to recharge for a few days before continuing on my journey. Over the past few years, I let the hits and immense responsibilities and resentment take away my fun and drag me down. I've come back to reconnect with that part of myself, the fun part of me, the carefree "I have no one to answer to, no one I'm responsible for" me.
One thing I am really happy about is reconnecting with my old friend Tim. Tim and I were friends since elementary school (primary school for you kiwis), but we lost touch after high school, as good friends often do. By shear luck, we were both in town at the same time and got to hang out for an evening. It was really cool to just chat and see how things had been for the both of us. There is a part of me that will forever be drinking slirpees at 7-11 or hangin out at the park during school and its good to be around people who remember what that was like. With Tim came the awesome Mark Harper, also a friend from school.
Got to see some good live bands at Jackson's, a local pub. Some excellent local music that would be what I would call satanic country music that Tom Waits vomited up after a night on the piss (booze). Bob Wayne (a local boy) and the Outlaw Carnies (could there be a better name for a seedy country band???) are a three piece band with upright bass, rhythm guitar and electric lead guitar. Outside, their stretch Cadillac limo with steer horns as a hood ornament waited outside for the end of their set. A true Tri-Cities moment.
On a different note, another thing I got to reconnect with is my grand piano. I hadn't played her in years and my Welte was a beautiful as ever. Recently I started playing again, reconnecting (ooo see the theme??? aren't i a clever chicken???) with music. Music gives me real joy in life; I tell all my secrets to the piano.
Being with family, seeing my little nephew and regaining energy from my roots here has been a fantastic experience. I feel more rested, more at peace than I have in several years. It is good to be home, if only for a few short days.
