February 23rd, 2025 – train to Toronto
It’s been an intense day for me. I started the day in depression. We skipped breakfast. I had bought a bag of peanuts in Jasper and I
finished them in bed last night. I
haven’t had a shower yet, and have been sleeping in my clothes which I think I
will continue to do.
 |
| My Berth |
I’ve been reading “Blue Mars”, the last book in the Mars
trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson. I
continue to be amazed at his science, and the relationship of capitalism to
almost everything. I’m just barely into
this last book in the trilogy but enjoying it immensely.
 |
| Kristi in Her Berth |
We met a woman at lunch who we had a political discussion
with. It turned out to be quite
emotional for me. Her name is Clare Coulter, and she is from Montreal. I found the
subject matter, namely US politics to be quite disturbing as there really seems
to be no path that will stop #47 from turning the US into an oligarchic
authoritarian regime.
On one of her trips to our berthing area my bunkmate Aaron
asked Kristi if we would join him to make some music. He had a ukulele he had shown me so we went
back to our berthing area and ended up playing for probably 45 minutes. We had been told in no uncertain terms that
for us playing on the train was strictly verboten, but we broke the rules. I hope they don’t fine us or kick us off of
the train. I watched Marty, our berth
captain (so to speak) make our beds tonight.
I had seen him perched on a bunk ladder before but I hadn’t watched the
entire process before. He makes a
somewhat complex and physically energetic process look relatively smooth, if
not easy. Our bed isn’t the only one he
has to make up.
Last night the train was held up in Edmonton. We were in one of the observation cars
watching as the train went forward, then backed up, then went forward
again. It was quite a long process. There are people on the train who are
fascinated with every aspect of railroading.
I call them “trainiacs”. If I’m
honest, I don’t have all that much interest and am having to find entertainment
on the journey. I’m thankful that I
brought a good book with me to read.
David G. made it clear to me before we embarked on this journey that the
people would be the most interesting part of the journey, and sure enough, they
are.
I’ve been on an emotional edge all day ready to start
weeping at the drop of a hat. I’m unsure
whether this is a good or a bad thing.
Just to remind myself – the theme for the Tumbleweed Music
Festival is “Play Time”. Perhaps this is
playtime so the song shouldn’t be all that difficult to write. Ju just need to not wait until the last few
days to do the work.
Talk about weather
Talk about snow
Talk about your politics
See which way the wind blows
You’re lookin’ at me
You seem a little cold
So you talk about the weather
That subject never gets old
Talk about the folks
You saw on Granville Street
Talk a little slow
About the people you meet
Talk into a microphone
You better speak loud
Because you’re not just talkin’ to me
Now you’re talkin’ to a crowd
Granville talkin’
Granville will see
We’re talkin’ to the junkies
And the trainiacs
Someday I’ll take a train away
I’ll never come back
No comments:
Post a Comment