Day 19 - Inspiration is my inspiration

Greetings and salutations.  Haha, how "ghetto" was that?  Writing that line made me feel like a moron so I had to leave it there as a lesson to myself.  Never write it if you're going to regret it.  Moving on.  Today was a great day.  Cary and Christian escorted us to Cologne, spelled by the locals as Köln (which I had to pronounce as Colon for fun, even if it's been said a million times), and it was a blast.  It's the biggest city in this state of Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia) and is the gay capitol of Germany, or so I'm told.  It was a great time.  The streets were buzzing and everyone was out in their poshest clothes to advertise their fantastic-ness.

It seemed that Cary and Christian couldn't walk more than a few steps before meeting a former cast mate, or some other acquaintance from their past, and greetings were exchanged.  We were introduced to a lovely lady who gave Kierstie and I a kiss on each cheek, I loved it.  It was very European to me and the idea of a simple thing like that made me smile.  I am terrible with names and hers escapes me, I'm sad to say, but I will never forget that.  A simple kiss on each cheek followed by a well meaning smile.  Simple things people, do your best to appreciate and savour. 

Apologies for yesterday's entry, I was entirely too trashed to contribute.  In retrospect, I consider that a bit of a triumph.  We should all get too trashed to contribute once in a while, it means we're living life rather than just getting through it.  As promised, here are a few of the pics from the medieval festival here in Bochum.  

The festival was good fun.  The pork pieces pictured above are wood fire roasted and were beyond awesome, I had it more than once, sans saur kraut.  Not sure I'll ever be able to like that stuff.  The "Hawaiian" bretzl was also amazing.  Kierstie and I saw them coming fresh out of the oven and shared that dirty little treat with gusto.  Pretzel filled with bacon, then covered in pineapple and cheese...to die for!  The highlight for today, however, was the cathedral we saw in Cologne.  It was huge, beautiful and forbidding all at once.  It brought to mind something I've considered in the past but never really put to words.  We're all really just passengers here on Earth.  We like to think we're important, that we have a say and that our lives will have meaning.  The truth is another matter though.  That cathedral has been there, in one form or another, for over 700 years.  Think about that.  700 years.  Canada wasn't even a country then, at least not in the sense that we know it today.  Barring some kind of apocalypse, It will be there long after you and I are gone and it inspired me.  It inspired me to do the best with what I have at my disposal and to say to hell with everything else.  After all, what else can I do?  The beauty was equaled only by the creepy factor.  Close up, some of the sculptures were indescribable.  They were equal parts of Gothic gruesome and archaic awesome.  I've never been a religious man.  I've always been of the mind that making your way as best you can was the best we could do, and I still feel that way.  But after seeing something like this, I can see why people believe.  It's truly awe inspiring.  From the gargoyles to the bullet holes, yes you read that right, bullet holes, it's a sight to see.  

Inspiration, in my humble opinion, is all about perspective.  Some people see a virgin forest and think it's nature, a beautiful landscape with life teeming among the trees and bushes.  Others just see a potential site for a productive paper mill.  Either way, both parties are inspired and how that inspiration motivates them is perspective, plain and simple.  Find what motivates you and get yourself a positive perspective, then run with that bitch...you'll be happier for it.  

A small side note.  Cologne is famous for many things.  One of them is the bridge we crossed over on the train coming into the city.  The bridge spans the Rhine river and there is a railing that runs its length where the pedestrians walk.  That railing is covered in tens of thousands of padlocks.  The story is simple and remarkably heartwarming.  Lovers buy a padlock together and go to the bridge.  They fasten the lock to the railing with the others, then throw the key into the Rhine as a symbol of their undying love.  Seriously hokey and beyond romantic.  Kierstie and I have promised ourselves another trip back to do exactly that.  The picture below was taken from the train so I apologize for the quality.

I've had a few Rot Wein's again this evening, but I was careful to keep it in check.  Can't be a boozer and neglect my blog.  I did however get a personal insight and it's tied to the lesson for the day.  It's not so much a lesson as an observation, but I think it's relevant.  Creative types work better with a little "lubrication", if you catch my drift.  With each entry in this blog, I find my insights are clearer to me, the vocabulary more forthcoming, when I have a little glow about me.  I learned last night that a glow and a blazing mushroom cloud are NOT the same thing, so I figure self control and Kiersties concerned looks are the best measure of my wine intake limits.  I make no apologies though.   It's really nice to sit back and have a glass or two of Shiraz, knowing that I'll enjoy my writing all the more for it.  Cary feels me on this, we're Shiraz junkies together. 

I think one more glass of Yellow Tail, then a snuggle with my BeBe.

Night all, sleep tight.

Ian