Taking chances

When I started playing soccer about nine years ago I was asked to play for a team called the Sabres in a tournament in Las Vegas. I had never heard of the team before and didn't know any of its members. It was a difficult choice deciding whether or not I should go, and my imagination created various scenarios about the trip and what these strangers may think of me. A self induced loner at the time, I stepped outside my comfort zone and went with them. This decision set in place the creation of numerous friendships.

You've got to recognize there is something special about people who could take a shy introvert, that spent the tournament weekend alone at the poolside bar reading Siddhartha, and eventually turn her into a socially crazed party machine. Over the years these women have become great constants in an ever changing world. And although I see them much too infrequently, when our paths do cross it's always with warm smiles and tight hugs.

Tonight we gathered in support of one of these friends whose band was performing. Given my hectic lifestyle recently, a relaxing evening with friends and music was exactly what I needed. How comforting to be asked the standard 'how are you' and it is not just a polite formality. That I can respond with the long boring details of current events and they are heard with genuine interest.

Yes, nine years ago I agonized over a decision. And tonight I was reminded of the wonderful consequences of pushing one's limits and overcoming trepidation.

Climb and consume

Last weekend I volunteered at the Alberta Wilderness Association's Climb For Wilderness. It's an event I've helped out at for 5 years now because I really like the AWA's causes and accomplishments. The climb is a fundraiser where participants get sponsors and walk/run up the 800 stairs of the Calgary Tower as many times as possible. I particularly like volunteering for it because I coordinate the events in the observation deck, which means I basically walk around and look at the beautiful view for seven hours while ordering everyone else around :-).

Unfortunately, this year's event started out on a sour note for me because I suddenly became aware of an underlying hypocrisy surrounding the climb. I thought about the discarded Tim Hortons cups, hundreds of plastic water bottles that would accumulate, wasted water from half finished bottles that are left aside and forgotten about, decorations that nobody notices, and just the general excessive energy and material wastage that comes from hosting large gatherings. Everyone was there to support a good cause but didn't realize their consumption contributed to the demand that corporations use to justify nature's destruction.

Before I entered the state of anger and gloom that often accompanies such thoughts, three uplifting stories of human interaction unfolded in front of me. There was a teenage son proudly cheering and hugging his mother who just finished her climb. It was sweet to watch him insist on taking her picture although she shyly objected, embarrassed by her 'messy' hair. I also enjoyed seeing a mother and her two year old daughter climbing while the daughter clutched her favorite stuffed bunny by its ears. Finally, I eavesdropped on a cell phone conversation between boyfriend and girlfriend and smiled as I listened to him express how amazing it was to complete such a difficult task and be greeted by gorgeous views of the city and mountains. It's awesome the extent to which humans can show tenderness. I only wish they adhered to it outside the boundaries of convenience. Why can't our capacity for caring extend to the point of making sacrifices for an amazingly beautiful planet that's suffering?

The naked truth

A male coworker and I had each other in stitches the other day chatting about the people who walk around naked in fitness facility locker rooms. What was really amusing was that the conversation eventually turned into a not so serious analysis of whether it was better to be faced with a dangling penis or dangling boobs when forced into a conversation with these naked individuals. We did favour one over the other but concluded that a true informed opinion wasn't possible until we had experienced both. Looks like I'll be spending a couple afternoons in the men's locker room next week.

Given my modest East Indian background and obvious body image issues, I don't understand the walking around naked thing. I respect and admire it, but I don't understand it. I'm in total support of nakedness of any body type, after all that's the most beautiful and natural way. However, there is a barrier in my brain that refuses to allow me the freedom of stripping off my clothes and exposing my naked self (where it is socially acceptable) to strangers. So go forth and be free you wonderful naked people and perhaps when I am very old and lost enough brain function, that I am not restricted by my own thoughts, I can walk freely with you in naked land, dangling boobs and all.

Me and my ball machine

I've been approached with skepticism about whether or not I'm on the court as often as I say. Hence, it has become necessary to publicly assure everyone that I am not dating anyone and 'playing tennis' is not a lie to cover up some secret romance. As unrealistic as it seems, I just love the game that much. Plus, all this time I am dedicating to practice is certainly paying off. Just recently, I advanced to a new level of play and, although there are a lot of mishits, it's an amazing feeling when you perfectly connect with a 70 mph ball and it effortlessly rolls off your racquet and glides over the net landing just before the base line with the same ferocity with which it arrived. That's why I play 25/7.

So, sorry folks, the only significant other in my life right now is a ball machine. Actually, it's an ideal companion because it is dependable, adjusts for just the right setting depending on my needs/mood, is working with me to achieve something great, and doesn't get jealous if I play with others. Now if only I could get it to accompany me to the theatre.

For example

In support of my previous post I am going to review the last two theatre performances I attended. First there was the Old Trout's play The Erotic Anguish of Don Juan. Since learning that the Trouts, a locally based puppet theatre company, were coming out with another play, I waited in eager anticipation. Having seen, and thoroughly enjoyed, their past four performances, I was positive that they wouldn't disappoint. I was wrong. In the past couple of years the company has gained national recognition and success. Apparently, increased fame and having their puppets appear in the latest Feist video gives them the right to triple ticket prices, use larger and less effective venues to make more money, and slack off when it comes to providing the same depth of story writing they have provided in the past.

The other show I saw recently was Martin Sexton performing at the University Theatre. I'm not really a fan of his recorded stuff but as a live performer he's amazing. The sounds he's capable of producing with a guitar are extraordinary, and even though it's only him on stage, at times it seems there are multiple instruments being played simultaneously. His vocal range is remarkable and my favorite part of the concert was when he had the entire audience quietly singing 'hallelujah' over and over again as he worked his magic. And although he's super popular and widely admired he's still able to put on an amazing show for a mere $30 using one of the smaller and more intimate theatres Calgary has to offer.

Little known artists

I love that, because of the people in my life, I sometimes find myself doing things that I otherwise wouldn't. Like sipping Chamomile tea at the Unity Church one evening while watching basement musicians perform a home grown cabaret for a private audience of ten. Or escaping to a fantasy world through the talent and wonderful imagination of a high school set design crew at a performance of Alice Through the Looking Glass. It is risky business venturing down unbeaten paths and sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the hype and extravagance of large scale productions. But whether the performance is enjoyable or not, there is certainly a lot to be gained from watching shows where the art and love of performing hasn't been tainted by the pursuit of wealth and fame.