What comes is better than what came before
After a few days away from home, I returned to a present that arrived in the mail. I was delighted to see the name on the top left corner, Crystal, a friend I've not seen for three years. She had wrapped the gift in brown napkins and a thick layer of tape. It's shape gave away the contents (clearly a CD), but it was the note and the accompanying artwork that made it all special.
When I lived in London, me and Crystal along with my roommate Todd and our friend Brian would walk (or drive) up Richmond Street to a clearing in between residential neighbourhoods. We'd throw a blanket on the grass, lie down and just stare up at the sky. Someone might light a cigarette and we'd have sporadic conversations, but mostly we just watched the stars until the cold got too unbearable.
That is what Crystal had painted. It evoked fond memories of important relationships that although distant, have not been forgotten and certainly not let go. The music she sent — Sigur Ros, Bjork, Louis Armstrong, Final Fantasy, Cat Power — is the perfect accompaniment. It's all thinking music and for me, a reflection of my personal state of mind back then. I know that all those nights I sat under the stars, I wasn't the only one thinking about unrequited loves, lost directions and unanswered questions. Many things have changed since then, but I would drive a couple hours just to have another night like that.
[mp3] Cat Power - I Found A Reason
[mp3] Louis Armstrong - How Long Has This Been Going On?
