Beyond expectations

Today I was reminiscing on an experience I had a little while ago... I was people watching in a favourite cafe. Sitting near me with a esspresso was a dreadlocked young man earnestly engaging in "serious" (in that unique to political discourse type of seriousness) discussion of the merits of Marxism. When his equally serious and earnest companion left (no doubt to change the world) our socialist friend began rummaging through his decal laden backpack for a book. When I next looked up he was deeply immersed in....not a manifesto, but a romance novel. And not just any romance novel, this was one of the "heroine with bosom nearly heaving out of the torn bodice of her dress leaning against the de-shirted muscular chest of the hero on the cover" type of romance novels. And by his rapt expression it seemed my cafe friend was indeed concerned with the fate of this dasmel (who was no doubt in distress by this point of the story). I love the way people can surprise us. The unexpected bringing a jolt of joy. I think the first time I really noticed the wonder of this type of discovery was at age 16 waiting in a boxing day sale lineup at Tommy Lee Music Store. I had received a Christmas present of money towards buying a guitar (sadly I wasn't disciplined enough at that stage to follow through with lessons, but a goal is to eventually try again). I had wanted to be sure to be on time for the best bargains, so I persuaded my mom to rise early and drive me to the store by 7am. In the 2 hour wait for the doors to open we played a little game of guessing what the other people in line were hoping to buy. Straight Long Haired Young Woman in a Long Sleeved Blouse and Peter-Pan Collar -flute. Middle-Aged Long Haired Man Seeming Determined to Bring Back Hippie "Fringe-Friendly" Fashion All By Himself - Acoustic Guitar. Young Punk Rocker With Multiple Facial Piercings and a Green Mohawk Dressed in Black Ripped Leather- Electric Guitar or drums. And so on. In the store now, the young woman heads for the clarinets -close. The would be hippie joins me in the guitar section -bingo. The Punk Rocker....he's gently lifting down a violin and stroking its' body with the tender caress of a familiar love...