2 posts from June 2007

Dolli in Wonderland

An encounter with an old friend.

When I say old, I don’t mean in age, I mean in the number of years our friendship has endured. We worked together, played together, traveled together. She was the singer in the band. I was the drummer.

We met quite coincidentally at an out of the way coffee shop today. What are the chances of that, it was the first time for either of us to ever visit that particular shop. It’s been about three years since the last time and our conversation picked up naturally where we left off previously, seamlessly, without missing a beat. She is still active in music although her days on the road have come to an end. She’s married with a young family, living in the burbs, away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, enjoying her newfound life.

I must say, she was one of the best vocalists I played with during my time as a musician. Great voice. Great looks. Great presentation. Along with the right attitude and personality, working with her was a pure joy. Time was short, we each had things to do. It was time to go. Before we parted, with coffee in hand, we promised to keep in touch a little more often, this time. We even talked about getting together for a jam, perhaps.

It was wonderful to see her again, to momentarily relive the past we shared, talk about the experiences we had and remember the things that can only happen while spending extended periods of time, on the road, together.

I love surprises.

“Naw, it just ain’t the same, eh”.

Ol' Earl in the Park

Meet Ol' Earl, as he likes to be called. Earl's a hockey fan, more specifically, an ardent, die-hard Leaf fan. He eats, sleeps and breathes the Leafs each and every game, all season long. All he ever talks about is his Leafs. Most of all, he recalls the good of days when his team ruled the league. Championships. Stanley Cups. Glory days. Winners each and everyone. Ask him any question about his team and he'll recite stats and information quicker than a googler.

The last time I met him, Ol' Earl was in a sour mood. Forty years of disappointment and frustration were beginning to take a toll. The quest for Lord Stanley's Cup was over for yet another year, his beloved Leafs had once again missed a chance at the playoffs. And of course the tension was immense, down to the wire action, last minute elimination. When will this finally end. Oh the pain.

I asked him whom he was rooting for, now that his team has been eliminated. In his usual growl he replied; "Naw!, I don't watch any other team, as far as I'm concerned, once the Leafs are dun, hockey's finished for the season. Hockey without the Leafs just ain’t hockey, so what's the sense, eh".

Yet, even in his deepest despair, he promised that next season would be much better. Next season, we’ll all have something to cheer about.

We met again yesterday and Ol' Earl had a big smile on his face. Earl was bubbling over with joy. He just couldn't wait to tell me all the good news about the Leafs. "Lots of changes", he gleamed. "We just re-signed our captain. Changes in Management. New players. The front office 'powers to be' have some great ideas and the whole organization feels confident to finally end the starvation and fulfill the dream of Leaf fans, everywhere. Next year, it’s The Cup, for sure”.

Now this, is good news. When he finished his enthusiastically detailed update and just as I was about to leave, he motioned for me to come back. "And one more thing buddy" he announced, in a confident tone of voice, "this time next year, you'll be the sorry lot, sittin’ here on this bench, cryin’ in your beer, and I'll be baskin' in the glory of victory and another Stanley Cup for the Leafs. You'll see".

A shining example of never-ending hope, eternal optimism, supreme loyalty and the continuing life long pursuit of a dream. Good luck Earl.

Good Luck.