No Fixed Address

Goodbye

The sky is one vast sea of grey.  Slightly darker pockets contrast against light where the sun, with some effort, may spring forth.  We hurtle through mountains, still capped with snow, eroded now from the mighty mountains they once were.  They are no longer crashing into their southern brother, but still remain a demarcation in geological age and political protest.

Sheep on hills and tiny hamlets; stone hedges and bridges forging tiny streams.  It’s a different world up here sometimes.  Every minute takes me closer to London; I suppose, my home now.   Nostalgia echoes in my headphones and despite the fun had, something hangs over my head, equally grey and heavy as the sky above.  Somethings won’t be forgotten or forgiven, a fault within myself perhaps.  I hope the sky breaks and sunshine creeps through again.  Goodbye Glasgow, you always treat me well.  Thank you for the distractions and keeping myself from my thoughts for awhile.

A Little Organ Music

We came to the Kelvingrove the last time we were in Glasgow.  What I remembered most was the weapon and armour display because you rarely see such things given prominence in museums anymore.  We walked on through the next gallery after I had my fill of swords and halberds and suddenly I heard organ music.  It surely wasn’t part of the displays, we were in the ethnographic section now.  We wander out to the hallway and there it is, the giant organ that I had somehow completely missed on the last visit.  There is an organ recital in progress and there people all standing around the balconies watching the two young men – one playing and one changing the sheet music as necessary.

They are just finishing one piece as we come over.  The next one is slow and quiet and reminds me of being a kid at church.  Once that is done, there is a livelier piece with lots of deep undertones and high complex counterpoints.  I’m enthralled.  It makes me think of my Dad.  I think I must have got my love of loud, heart-rhthym-altering music from him.  My mom would be out and he’d turn up the stereo so high, with thundering organ music or operas that the entire house foundations would shake.  We’ have to turn it on from the next room.   I should get him to come over and we’ll spend a couple weeks traipsing around Europe searching for the most perfect organ music and the pipes they play on.  We would feel the Church floors shake beneath us.  I can sit with my Dad and we can both pretend that Mom has just got into town and smile like we are the only two people in on the most fantastic joke in the world.

Afternoon Miyazaki

We arrive at the cinema. It’s an older theatre with lots of character; wood panelling and narrow staircases. It must be mad when it’s completely full. I’m surprised that there are so many kids here, for some reason I always think Miyazaki is more for the adult crowd. Maybe that’s just because i was in my 20s when I first saw Spirited Away. There is a large group of kids in the foyer and for a minute we think it might be sold out. But no, it’s okay and soon we wind our way passed all the kids and through the narrow hallways to our screen. There are stars on the curtains and staggered, amazing theatre seating. I wish there was somewhere in London like this place, perhaps there is and I just need to find it.

We’ve all see Howl’s Moving Castle before but I don’t want to pass up the chance seeing it on the cinema screen. There theatre is mostly full of kids – loud, rambunctious and I wonder for a moment if I’ll be more irritated than enchanted for the next 80 minutes. The lights dim, the stars part and we’re taken away. I forget all about the kids behind me, except for when children’s laughter echo periodically at the shaggy dog or Calcifer being afraid of the Witch of the Waste, now all haggard and powerless. It is so brilliant, colours, sounds and that wondrous castle stalking through the misty mountains while Steampunk ships blight the cities.

We’re nearing the end, Sophie and Howl together, flying through the clouds in their new castle. One adorable moment where they finally get to have that kiss, free now with all the danger and strife behind them. From the row behind us comes, “ewwww.” And I can’t help but burst out into laughter.