The Final Days of Summer

Howdy!

It's been a few months.

I went off on an epic six-week journey through Europe. I sunbathed in French meadows and chewed on fresh plums. I sat on English trains and enjoyed the bliss of moving worlds, matched with i-pod sounds. I cooked Lasagne for Grandma and bought socks in Blackburn Market. I ventured like an intrepid explored to the Lake District - weighed down by tent, Himalayan-sized rucksack, sleeping bag and copious amounts of clothes. I slept under ancient trees and meditated in a holy temple surrounded by thousands of Sangha. I felt the immeasurable love and huge compassion of a humble Tibetan monk as he gave his final teachings.

Sleeping out with the elements was amazing, and the major realization was my all-new respect for the animal kingdom. How the hell do they cope without walls? The terrifying power of thunder when you're lying on the Earth, FEELING its roar coarse through your veins. In an instant I understood the ancient people who worshiped Gods of the sky, who knew the religious fear that only a storm could conjure.

I had a blissful final five days with my parents and my precious Brother's family, a magical niece and nephew who I love so much that it feels like my heart my burst in my chest. At last I flew back over the Atlantic to see my gorgeous Tim.

So here we are now in the final days of summer. A few snatches; blueberry picking with a coffee tin swung around the neck. Dappled sunlight, blue lips. A week-long trip to Saco and an eclectic night out with Tim's aunt - to a theatre in a barn and a play about the winters of Maine. Ice creams under the black pine trees during the interval.

And today, the continual rain falling and a cold front pulled in by the passing of Hurricane Bill. A sweater is needed. Socks come out of the drawer, and I sense my first movement to the end of an American season. It's a surprising feeling. Instead of dread, it's a rush. Of change. Of a new chapter. And a reason to write again.

The Mad Gwei Mui Visits High School

This is a photo of Clare invading an American high school. We stopped by late one Friday afternoon, to check out my funky 17-year old niece Brittany's art projects. Upon entering the building I began to snigger quietly to myself, as one does when one lands in the US and sees iconic visions that one has only ever seen before on the TV. To find oneself standing amid such a vision is even more amusing.

When we saw the rows of lockers I had to stop for a quick photo session. The nearby students no doubt thought I was insane.

Magical Sunset

Wandered out of the house this evening and I was struck by a mesmerising sunset. Complete silence and a pink and orange streaked sky, that spread for miles and miles and miles. All the birds were quiet, the wind had dropped and it felt like a magical energy was at work on the Earth. 

Bangors and Mash

We've travelled up North to Bangor to stay with Tim's parents. Having a blast! The sun, he shineth! Insanely bright in the absence of layers of smog. And it's gorgeous to be staying in Tim's Mum and Dad's pad which is this cosmic little house with lots of chimes and views of trees from every window. I woke up this morning to full-on sunshine and jumped outside and did my first round of tai chi in nearly three years. It rocked and I made a mental note to do it everyday. 

Last night we took off in one of the pick-up trucks and headed out to visit "Bailey", one of Tim's best friends from his teenage days. The guy is friggin awesome. He lives with his wife and kid in this huge house filled with Buddha statues... He opened the door, a massive dude covered in tattoos - definitely a wise and compassionate soul (Tim always picks good ones as friends). FOH (Force of Habit) was their band, a hardcore band who were prolific in the East Coast scene in the early 90s. We watched a video of one of their gigs, sweaty mosh pits and hilarious stage antics. I will attempt to put a clip on this blog at some point... They're doing a reunion recording this summer, of which I can hang around and be a groupie. Ha!

Not much else to report, other than that I'm settling in nicely and am scheming up ideas of books I should be writing. 

 

The Madness of American TV

At last, I have landed amid the pine forests of Massachusetts. Arrival in the land of the free! 

We spent three weeks roving from the peaceful farmhouse in France, to family gatherings in Blackburn, Holmfirth and Wales. A calming trip that primarily involved eating, sleeping, meeting with old mates and family. 

Today is my first American weekend. So far it looks like it will involve the burning of a massive bonfire - with bouts of watching American television. Already I am looking out for signs of the recession, is America really melting down? From an initial glance at the local news reports, it would seem...er.... yes it is. There have been a bout of bank robberies in the past couple of months. People are running out of money and getting desperate. In fact, every news story seems to be focusing on some mental action that some nutter has performed. 

Watch too much TV and you'll soon feel terrified. Lying on the massive couch and watching the news - I remembered a comment that Yann Martel once said in a book event in Hong Kong. He stood on a podium and asked us all to close our eyes and imagine that we were a deer standing in a silent forest. It's ears are pricked listening for possible danger. Now imagine that a massive earpiece is put on the deer's ears, which allows him to hear sounds from more than 100,000 miles away - and just imagine how terrified the deer becomes, to hear those sounds of danger suddenly burst into his world. 

Watching American TV is a bit like that! Gotta keep it real and turn to the Comedy Channel before it all gets too depressing!

Anyway, I am proud to announce that Clare has at long last created a blog for herself. I will write my thoughts, ramblings and strange theories in here, with the occasional photo.  When remarkable things occur, I will write about them. So, welcome to The Clare Chronicles! Now, must dash out and watch that bonfire.....