The merriment has begun – holiday festivities, parties, events, trying not to drink and eat too much, to no avail. Went last night to a concert by newchoir – “Toronto’s community rock pop choir,” a non-auditioned choir of close to a hundred voices, including my dear friend Lynn. Their great idea this year was to feature only Canadian hit songs, and what a stellar gathering – from Gordon Lightfoot to Alannis Morrisette by way of the Arcade Fire, Sarah McLachlan, Nickleback, Rush, and my own favourites, Blue Rodeo.
Best of all was the supreme Leonard Cohen song, Hallelujah – goosebump-making when belted by a hundred voices, auditioned or no – and the foot-stompin’ beat of No Sugar Tonight by the Guess Who. It seems a very, very long time ago when I loved the Guess Who. Ah, youth. Oh, Canada.
Then to an annual neighbourhood gathering where we all gabble and get caught up – the little girl down the street is now taking a Ph.D. in biology at the University of Calgary, that sort of thing. Days, now, spent trying to avoid spending money, trying to avoid line-ups at cash registers and the post office – ah, I’m doing my Grinch thing again.
Watched a very little bit of Oprah’s special tonight, Christmas with the Obamas. Two extraordinarily accomplished, beautiful and successful women, the two most important women, perhaps, in all America, meandered, chatting, through the halls of the White House. They are both compassionate, highly intelligent and using their enormous power in the best possible ways. Even ten years ago, it would have been unthinkable that they both happen to be women of colour.
As I write, I am listening to Abbey Road. Because the sky is blue, they sing, it makes me cry. Four brilliant musicians at the top of their game, making their last music together. There is something so tender and crystalline here.
One sweet dream/came true today
Sunday’s on the phone to Monday/ Tuesday’s on the phone to me …
Once there was a way/to get back homeward/
Boy, you’re gonna carry that weight …
Makes me cry.
