Nashville - Day Six

Dear Friends,
Caught between the rain and Super Bowl, Nashville changed colours, so did we. Leaving the bandless bars to football lovers, we explored a very quaint strip on 12th Avenue South. We were more stubborn than the rain, the empty streets and the scarce cabs. We lunched at Flipside diner, shopped at Katy K's Ranch Dressing, and got directions to the Patterson House - my first speakeasy experience! 

Our last evening in Nashville was beautifully mild, just like the weather.

   

Clarity, Clarity, Clarity

Dear Friends,

I don't like my writing instructor! I'm only staying on because he said he was a ruthless critic. I'm hoping to learn a lot from him. Why do I dislike him then? Well, he spent a good portion of our precious class-time bragging about his accomplishments as a writer and an investigative journalist.

"Dude," I wanted to scream, "enough about you! Teach me how to become like you!"

All I got from his "hashish ranting,"as he put it himself, was clarity; short words, short sentences.

Now, how's this for a short, clear piece of writing! 

Guts List

Dear Friends,

Bucket list is really procrastinators' glorified to-do list. As my year (the year of the wood horse) came to an end, I drew up another list. I'm sure the "I wish I had the guts to ..." list is the one Mark Twain didn't want us to regret, twenty years from now! 

It feels so good to have a Tiger Lily tattooed on my forearm!

 Next item on the Guts list? Table dancing! 

Home, Sweet Home!

Dear Friends,
You do the math!
Nashville - bars, restaurants, shops, spa!
Toronto - cooking, cleaning, laundry!
My city welcomed me back with an icy smile! My poor mirror didn't recognize me! I don't blame her, more than a few pounds heavier, new facial lines, and those damn dark circles under my eyes! Well, I suppose that's what partying in Nashville looks like, at sixty! I'm sure once Body reacquaints herself with -17 degrees, Mind will look forward to attending Russian and writing classes. Vanity will have to wait a bit to show off her new purchases. As for my bank account, let's just say I'll be back at work, in no time!
Thank Y'all for coming to Nashville with me!

Nashville - Day Five

Dear Friends,

This afternoon, once my buddy's buddies left for the airport, we hit the Honky Tonk district, again! But, the scene had changed generations and with it, genre of music. Or perhaps it was just another Saturday. Luckily, we had tickets to Opry at the Ryman.

From the politically charged opera, There Is Hope, in which even pops were not safe, we landed on bluegrass, where God remained on stage the whole time. The show did not leave us wanting more, but sitting on original pews where generations of church goers and music lovers had sat before us, overwhelmed me. The past was indeed present. 

We returned to Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar. No Blues, no Boogie! The Saturday-night band played my dance club songs - alas, I was out with the wrong friend! I didn't get to kick up my heels, but I had my first Jello Shot!

Nashville

Dear Friends,
For once in my life, I have no complaints! I'm documenting this rare and surely fleeting moment by publishing an entry, though I have no new insights to share.
I am a firm believer in cosmic signs. Not only I've trained myself to interpret them, to my advantage of course, but I've also learnt to follow the paths that universe opens up before me, without reservation.
Thus, way back in September, when an old bestie advertised for a companion, to attend Roger Waters' opera with her, I jumped at the chance to check off Nashville from my bucket list!

Jeggings? check!
High-heel suede boots? Check!
Beautification? Check, check, and check!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to Nashville this afternoon I go! Of course, being the kind of person that I am (eternal optimist), I'm already fantasizing about running into Blake Shelton, or better yet, meeting a handsome cowboy whose, Howdy M'am, will make my heart skip a beat!

Sleepless in Toronto, Caffeinated!

Dear Friends,
I think back in May, I was more thrilled to have a retirement party than to retire! Although my body was run-down, in need of rest and relaxation, my mind and my emotions were elsewhere. I wasn't sad to retire, but then, I wasn't as happy as I should've been either. The state of retirement was flat.

Leaving my old school felt like leaving home, bitter-sweet, but completing my longterm substitute assignment feels more like, hooray, I don't have to wake up at five in the morning anymore! 

The overdue ecstasy arrived yesterday, precisely at five o'clock in the afternoon. As I entered a Starbucks, it suddenly dawned on me that I didn't need to worry about falling asleep on time, anymore. 

The caffeinated beverage, leading to a late protein-packed dinner followed by a midnight trip to the grocery store and a chick flick on TV, marked my freedom! Hooray, I'm retired! 

Perhaps, some of us should leave home first, retire next!