Travelling
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I am presently writing this blog post in a train, with my large suitcase by my side encroaching on the leg room available to me (indeed, as if I hadn't spent enough time with little leg room on seats after flying). Conversations are happening in the background. I have my headphones in, listening to a song by Leah Kate that was recommended by Spotify. It's not the best song, but I'm happy. I was able to play piano for an hour or so at the train station while I waited, something about which I have been thinking for at least a week.
Earlier today -- and perhaps yesterday, depending on how all of the time zone maths work out -- I played piano on GarageBand on my laptop using the computer keyboard interface. I cannot recommend it, but I enjoyed being able to bring music into the world again (albeit to my headphones). The music wasn't great. Indeed, errors were abound due to my lack of knowledge of GarageBand, the delay in notes being sent to my headphones, and a confluence of other factors. But, there was beauty in the imperfection.
When I was playing piano at the train station, I played chopsticks with someone, my first time playing the song. It's a good piece. The person with whom I was playing was an excellent teacher. I may never run into that person again. The kindness of strangers -- and the serendipity when someone helps you -- is always magical. I stepped back and watched a few young people -- perhaps both under the age of twelve -- play music. I enjoyed every song played.
A different song is now playing on Spotify. "Bulletproof" by La Roux. I have listened to this song a few times through Spotify's algorithm.
Travelling days are always strange. I moved between time zones. My internal body clock feels jolted, despite my best efforts to sleep on the flight over the Atlantic and my avoiding coffee. I learned to navigate from Gate A to Gate G in San Francisco International Airport, after my cab driver dropped me off in the wrong place. I had a great chocolate brownie. I don't usually eat brownies. Despite the stressful parts of flying, I enjoy it. Now it is for me to find out how my body is going to react to the -8 change in time zones.
Writing this post reminds me of the episode of The West Wing where C.K. Cregg was writing an email about a filibuster. I'm narrating what has happened today. Could this be an episode of a television show? Seinfeld was built on the premise of a group of people navigating daily interactions. Candidly, I don't think this would make a good television show. I'd rather there be another season of Psych on the air.
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