Wind, Blowing in The
Yesterday on the way home from dropping off the framed pictures at the store, we heard two pieces on the radio about wind: one an annoyingly lyrical meditation on the subtle orchestra that a breeze plays in the leaves of the writer’s willow tree, ending with the question: If a butterfly flapping its wings can cause a tornado all the way across the world, what exponentially expanding effects am I causing as I sit here in my backyard blowing at my willow? A good question, and prettily philosophical as well as scientific — but for some reason I wasn’t in the mood for that particular essay; it reminded me of the lovely, vapid things I tend to write when I have an image in my head but no real passionate ideas about what I want to say.
But after that there was an interview with Marq De Villiers, who wrote a book about Hurricane Ivan’s journey from Darfur to Nova Scotia, and I was significantly more entertained and enlightened. It’s tremendous to think about how strange it is that a tiny bit of difference in pressure somewhere can roil itself up into something that can break a city.
All this to say that today, when I stepped out of the office building, there was a warm wind rising over the asphalt: strong but not rude, and the perfect temperature — a distant cousin of the chill knives of winter and the sun-baked breath of late summer. I stood still, letting it sing through my shorn hair and dance itself around my body like an elusive embrace; so beguiling, so disinclined to tarry; a kiss and then goodbye, the one that got away.
Still much that cannot be discussed yet, although Ross and I dissect and debate over furrowed brows late into the night.
(Click to see me open my eyes — aren’t I tricky?)
June 27th, 2006 at 4:19 pm
Hey, I was expecting a de-briefing, or at least a hot picture of P-terh. Please?
June 27th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
I always report, and I’m tired and overcommitted, so whyn’t you do it? Debrief-shirker! :-)
Peter is here.
June 28th, 2006 at 4:07 am
I’ve missed your blog for a while due to work, but the good thing is that there is tons of stuff to read now that I’m back.
Please pass my congratulations on to Rani and Gabriel! Wah! I hope it’s a girl too! Asher looks like he’d make a great over-protective big brother… I think it’s his teeth.
Incidentally, I love the way your writing reflects the seasons. They remind me of the way I savored every day of the four seasons when I was in Boston. After living in M’sia forever, experiencing the progression of the seasons was such an amazing feeling. Your posts on summer remind me of my own summer night walks and bicycle adventures along the Charles from MIT, over onto Putnam Ave before ducking back home to Peabody Terrace.
Love ya
June 28th, 2006 at 6:22 pm
It’s hard for me to remember what constant humidity and heat is like, actually. I do love being able to measure my life in seasons, and I love it when they turn especially, and even when I hate the weather I love that I know it so well now.
Miss you!
June 28th, 2006 at 8:45 pm
there was a funny moment at dinner, right after i posted that comment. A friend of a friend who recently (4 years ago) got back from wherever, complete with requisite fake accent, turned and asked me if i had plans for the “summer”…
everyone held a snicker and i contemplated ripping him apart coz i was feeling particularly rude, but the waiter brought the beer at the right time and somebody else managed to make fun of him before i did.
summer? that time of year when malaysia is… hot?
June 28th, 2006 at 8:55 pm
Yeah… four years is a bit the long. ;-)