Jazz festival

Since moving to Ottawa in January, I have looked for opportunities to get to know the city - it's streets, it's culture, it's people. One way to do this, I thought, was to volunteer at a summer festival or two.

Some people might think it's a crazy idea to volunteer to be a driver for a festival after just moving to a city, but I thought that this would be an excellent way to learn how to get around ... some of the greatest learning opportunities happen when you force yourself to walk out to the very edge and challenge yourself.

OK -it's not quite that tough ... let's face it, Ottawa is well laid out and relatively easy to get around, and my trusty GPS helps when needed, so it's not rocket science.

I have volunteered to work with the transportation end of the Ottawa Jazz Festival, and it's awesome. I am learning to navigate the city more and more, and enjoying some fantastic music to boot. One more benefit - meeting the musicians and driving them to and from their hotels to sound checks, the airport, and such. It rocks : )

Yesterday I had the honour of picking up SMV to take them from their hotel to their sound check. Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten are three of the most accomplished base players in the world. I used to listen to Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller, many years ago, late at night on CBC when Ross Porter would play incredible jazz on the radio to the joy and delight of jazz lovers still up in wee hours.

I thought I'd put some classic Grover Washington Jr. on the CD player as we rolled through the downtown to Confederation Park. Stanley and Marcus started talking about the Washington cut playing low in the background, and David Sanborn, and about the whole smooth jazz movement, when it started and the whole scene. It was incredible for me to be there, listening to this. I was in awe of the calibre of talent in the vehicle, and to be within earshot of this conversation ... sweet : )

When we arrived at the park and the gentlemen left the vehicle, Victor shook my hand and thanked me for the ride ... he impressed me as a really warm, generous man who was friendly and down to earth.

Later that evening, Janice and I caught the concert in the park. I had heard the music of Stanley and Marcus over the years, but was unfamiliar with Victor's talents. He was incredible ... truly a world class talent that has the chops to shine with the best of them.

The concert was most excellent, and as we enjoyed the incredible tunes outside in the park that evening, I couldn't help thinking I had stumbled into possibly the best volunteer gig possible.

The festival has just started. Next week I have several more shifts that I look forward to.

I have a feeling that in the years to come, volunteering for this festival will become a regular fixture in the landscape of my summer adventures.

milestones

On the twenty first of this month I will celebrate another birthday.

Time marches on. and I am older and wiser. I like who I have become and where I am, and remember younger days when I felt lost and unsure. I believe am where I am partly due to fortunate circumstances, partly due to luck, and partly due to effort.

I doubt I would be here without love and support from family and friends. I am also confident that what we put out to the universe comes back to us.

There was a time when I thought that birthdays were just another day ... that every day should be a passionate celebration of life. This belief may have stemmed from pumped up hopes of grand birthday celebrations ... only to be disappointed (most but not all years). Of course - when any event is hyped to an unreasonable point - it leads to a let down.

These days I believe that every day has opportunities for joy and memories, special moments and wonderful potential.

We are what we do, what we think, who we spend time with.

On the weekend I will celebrate with friends, mini - golf and pizza.

I feel like my life is worth celebrating now, more than I ever have before.

adjusting nicely, thank you

I arrived here in Ottawa five months ago. I remember driving into the city ... coming down Carling Avenue in rush hour and feeling exhilarated and a little lost. Ottawa is a little bigger than Winnipeg, and I did not know the city at all really.

Thank goodness for my GPS. It has come in handy many times. It's not perfect, but it is a valuable navigation tool that has helped me find my way around.

As I revisit various areas, I become more confident and comfortable with the city. Janice and I are fairly active, and this ends up taking us out and around often.

Ottawa has a lot to offer ... and we are out there exploring and discovering and playing.

Last night we enjoyed a play at The National Arts Centre downtown. After, we walked a few blocks to enjoy a beer at The Royal Oak. It was a beautiful summery evening.

My favourite beer in Winnipeg was Fort Garry Dark, and it has been a challenge to find anything comparable here so far ... but last night I enjoyed a Waterloo Dark. It was good : )

Earlier this week, I enjoyed an evening of beach volleyball at Britannia Beach ... the beautiful sunset and awesome weather were a wonderful treat.

I am so glad we came here ... the weather, volleyball, cycling, theatre, music, travel opportunities, and so much more. Ottawa is a vibrant city that promotes healthy active lifestyles ... and as the years have passed this has become more import to us.

I feel happy and alive ... and it is truly wonderful.

win win

Today, Janice and I played volleyball at the SPIKE volleyball tournament.

It was an awesome sunny day ... not too hot, and great for volleyball. Our team was a collection of mainly rag tag players who were there mainly to have fun, and we somehow managed to finish second.

Tomorrow I may be a little stiff and sun burnt, but today was fun, and it feels good to do something nice for people who may need a little help. There are lots of people out there like that (unfortunately) and I am glad to assist the cause.

I love stuff like this - doing something I enjoy with people who I want to be with, getting exercise and fresh air, while raising money for charity at the same time ... sweet.