[Gemini]

I love life

Monday
Aug. 06, 2007
11:12 pm

I had quite an interesting day today. I started the day off by going to an interview. I was supposed to be there around 1:00 PM but the since half of toronto is under construction, it took me more than the usual time to get there. Besides, I don't really know that area (yes I have realized that I need to get out the house more and figure this city out. It's a shame really). I had to walk a lot...and at one point I found myself inside a fancy hotel lobby. I was what I thought was an exit through the concourse level of a mall and ended up there. Then I took another exit (should've listend to my intuition and go the other way) and ended up in the beautiful terrace. It had a fake waterfall, benches and balconies to sit and relax.

For a few seconds I was tempted to screw the interview and just sit on one of the benches. It was very inviting. But no, that was not possible so I listened to my intuition again and went the other way...then I finally found the exit I was looking for and walked some more til I found the damn place...which wasn't that far from where I originally got off. Figures. All that walk for nothing. But it was good though. I got to see a part of the city that I didn't know before. Hehehe.

The interview went quite well. Should I stay optimistic? I do not know. We'll see. After that I went to treat myself by buying some music. Too bad the historic Sam the Record Man building went out of business due to low sales. Whoever says massive downloads desn't hurt anyone, they should really see it. We lost a Toronto landmark due to it. Not that I don't download music but I also collect albums hence support the musicians that I dig. Ther's a certain perks in owning an original piece of something. I ended up buying an Underoath and Norah Jones album.

Later in the evening I had a row with my bro and decided to get some fresh air. People won't believe this but Canada burns during the summer months. I know you folks in Bd won't believe this but you gotta experience this man. It was brutal but thanks to the breeze it wasn't so bad. I went into a kind of aimless walking and ended up buying one of my fav. drinks - Tim Horton's Ice cap. I was walking along the streets, sipping my drink when someone called me from behind. I turned around and saw a man, not too old than myself. He was tall, not really skinny and was wearing a black sunglass. He was white. He was kinda cute too. He was very polite and decent and was a couple of dollars short. I smiled and said lemme see..I should have some change.

I actually did. The cashier at the store had returned me 2 bucks in change. So as we were talking he told me he stayed in Hawaii as a kid, and I told him I love travelling and would love to go there one day. He asked me what are some of the places I been to and I told him unfortunately not many places but some cities in the States and Montreal. Turns out he's been to Chicago, Arizona and the reason he wants to go back to Arizona is because of Alcatraz and Al Capone. It's a historic place. I myself find the place to be quite interesting and we chatted for about a few minutes. He thanked me wholeheartedly and I asked for his name. His name was Barry and asked mine. We shook hands, said goodbyes. He went straight while I took the road on right, not really knowing where am going.

I keep meeting people that I will never see again. That boy in Greyhound bus back in 2003, whom I met when I was going to attend a friend's wedding in Atlanta, Georgia. He was on his way to Alabama. He got on the bus from I believe Detroit and we chatted all the way to Knoxville, Tennessee. We parted at 3:00 Am because I was going to Chattanooga and then to Atlanta. He on the other hand was taking another bus to Montogomery, Alabama. He told me basically his whole life story. I haven't, and most probably won't see him again.

Then that woman back in 2004, on Greyhound as well...while I was on way to Columbus, Ohio. She was a smalltown American, studying in Canada. She was going back to her town to celebrate Christmas while I was going to spend the break with one of my aunts. We pretty much share the same political view. Found that out while she was talking to someone else and we sorta striked up a convo. Wont see her again either.

Then that indie poet I met in Greektown on one afternoon who runs an online magazine. I was kinda walking aimlessly and she approaced me and asked whether I like poetry and I said I do. She then asked me whether I'd like to read some of hers. She had worked quite hard on them and it's about politics and social issues. I felt interested and paid a dollar for them. I have went to Greektown many times before and after that incident and am gonna go there again soon but I bet I will not see her.

Anyways. So after meeting Barry, I kinda smiled to myself at the memory. It was only a few seconds and he has become a part of my memory. Another face I won't forget but will never meet. He was very charming. I wonder what's his story.

I was walking down a row full of houses and nice cars. It was very very quiet. I spotted two people in their front yard talking really quietly. That's how people are here. Nomro, bhodro, nichu golay kotha bola type. Canadians are the most polite group of people you'll ever come across. Ofcourse there are some exceptions but on average we're very polite

Later I went to the Cemetary. You may freak out but I like going there. I find that specific cemetary to be really beautiful. It has a lot of history behind it. A lot of prominet people, who helped built the country of Canada are resting in peace there. Our finding fathers of the Confederation, the first mayor of Toronto. Mr. Hanlan as well. Mr. Hanlan is the person Centre Island's Hanlan's Point is named after. That Cemetary is one of my most favourite places to shoot. Too bad I wasn't carrying my camera. I discovered a different part of the cemetary today. I thought I know all the areas but turns out I missed one.

I was being careful not to step on anyone's grave. I know most people dont really care where they put their foot on, but I respect those who are lying underneath the grass. A lo of graves are so old you can hardly see the markings. Some tombstones are so old and worn out you can hardly figure out the writings. This cemetary was built in the 1800s, so it is ancient. A lot of the graves say the desceased were originally from the United Kingdom.

There was a cherry tree beside one grave. Full with ripe cherries. It was on the edge of the little cliff. Beside it a wooden staircase went down. I wanted to pick some cherries. Not really for eating...just like that. But I didn't. I went pass it and there was a very, very narrow path leading down. On both sides where flat grave markings bearing the name and the dates of the desceased. I kinda felt...i don't know..odbhut to be walking down that narrow path. All those who were resting have had seen a different world than what I see. They all lived a different life. They perceived the world differently. In their own ways. They never in their life have had imagined someone like me would be walking down the path where their grave would be beside. That made me wonder again....who would walk down the path beside my grave?

That also made me wonder...where is my sister resting in peace back home? I haven't seen the girl. She was born and passed away two years prior to my birth. If she were alive she would be 25 years old now. I have never been to her gravesite. I don't even know whom she's lying beside. My nana or my dada? Or somewhere just by herself? I have not seen any of them nor been to their gravesite. I sometimes wonder how she would have been if she were still alive. No one really talks about her. I'm 23, she's still a baby, a few days old. I miss her sometimes.

I have a baby cousin lying somewhere in the next town. That's where the Muslim gravesite is situated. I have not been there either. A week before he was to pass away I wanted to go visit him at the hospital but somehow I couldn't. I went to see him before. He was born with some health problems and was there til he passed away. I wanted to go see him badly. I don't do well with hospitals and sickness okay? But still....But I couldn't see him for one last time. I heard they planted a tree in his memories. I hope he is resting under that tree in peace. I hope God places all 4 of them in Heaven.

As I was walking around I received a call from my mom. She was outside and was wondering how I am doing. Told her am out for a walk...I'll be home shortly. She reminded me we had a party to attend. I told her I'll be there....shortly. I stayed there a few more minutes. The sun was gonna go down shortly, so the powerful rays were softening down. I was walking down a path that was lighted with the soft rays and decorated with rows of trees and tombstones. It felt a little unreal. I sat in an area....and found myself crying. Well not crying. I usually don't or rather, can not cry even when am under a lot of hurt. Tears were quietly running down. I let them. After a few seconds I wiped them off and got up to be on my way home.