The Book of Ashes

Wellington, climbing, stuff... 1:02AM

""There is purpose... even in silence, despite those who would say otherwise.""

- Rhombus

The sun shines and the birds chirp as Wellington gears up for its greatest party ever. People wonder the streets with a tingle of excitement as they begin to feel what is about to come. The store fronts are covered in Lord of the Rings displays while on the water front bands and big screens are being set up everywhere. Truely no bigger party has been thrown for such a small city. It shall be Wellingtons grandest hour. As the plebs wonder they can only hope that they see a star and their lives are lifted from that experience onwards. Meanwhile Martin and I shall drink beers in the sun and laugh and be merry as we celebrate not working on a Monday.

Quickly now, I must catch up. Before time runs out. What comes to mind is the glory, the sun and the disatisfaction with work. Brother Ed is up from Blenheim, his arms and face a bronzed ebony, his lips dry, his skin pealing and his hands barely healed from their first blisters. A short encounter and we have caught up. Yesterday was also glorious in its summer like qualities, mainly I think, in contrast to the rain that came before. An afternoon, spent basking in the sun at Martins, a wish for a BBQ, a call from Bev & Jo to dinner, a BBQ. We fed on BBQ'd meat, salads and desert till all were full and happy.

This morning, a perfect day in all regards, a meeting, and we took the cousins climbing, listen stupid, I am six, the youngest proclaims, they have no bounds to their energy nor show no fear. I am scared of heights says the second eldest after climbing up a scary overhang, but I know its safe and just get over it. For hand holds I grasp one two three, they climb between them in many smaller steps, small hands, small steps. But they get there, light as feathers, fearless as the wind. Fear comes later, it must be learnt.

Sun, wind, beer, fries. We bask in the beauty that is Wellington. None knowing its boundaries or wishing it to stop. From wence it came, it shall all end.

Confidence 1:47AM

I said I'd speak of confidence, a thing we have or don't have. A knowledge that we can do something or can't. I also said that fear is learnt. Fear breaks down our confidence, a fall making us weaker, a broken bone loosening resolve.

But it comes down to this. Kids climb without fear (more so than adults). Fear is learnt. But we need to know what we can do and what we can't do. We also need to have the right atitude.

When we attempt something new or difficult people can be clasified into two rough groups. Those who go shit, I sucked at that, but I know I can do better, I'm going to do it again and again until I am good at it. Or those that go shit I wasn't good at that, better not try it again and give up.

I think one group of people realises they have the ability to get better and the attitude to try and the other lacks that knowledge, that they could be as good as, if not better than those around them. Passive vs Active. Which are you?

As promised, picture of new car...

Nissan Bluebird ARX