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January 20, 2009
Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra
In early September, 2005 Chis and I sailed into New York on Platina and tied up at Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City, across the Hudson River from Manhattan. It was to be our most northern destination. Across the dock from us, we met Toby on his First 46 "Pearl". We became instant friends and later that year with my brother Jeff, Toby helped us sail Platina from Charleston, NC to Fort Lauderdale, a voyage of three days and nights.
We haven't seen Toby a whole bunch. Life in the city takes some commitment to see friends, and either our schedules conflicted, we were sailing different ends of the Sound, or some other thing had prevented our getting together.
Toby flipped me an email invitation to a fledgeling chamber orchestra that was performing at the Winter Garden at World Financial Center this past Saturday. Being lovers of classical music, we decided to go. The performance was pretty good, although I often find that programs that are designed to satisfy all tastes are a lunch-bag letdown. There was a bit of contemporary, some Bach baroque, and some Broadway show tunes. A favourite for all of us was Strauss' Blue Danube, during which the conductor invited the audience to dance. At first, few participated, but soon plenty of all ages, even children were up dancing. It was really fun.
We went to Nam for dinner after and had a great chat. As an avid sailor, we always have plenty to talk about. We're going to try to get together more often - his freshly broken heart is not conducive to spending time alone.
On Sunday, I hopped on the PATH and went over to Jersey City to give Toby a hand with boat chores. We ended up chatting and getting very little done. The hardest thing to do when someone's heart is broken is to sit and listen. I just wanted to tap a magic wand on his forehead and make it all go away. Having been there before, the best I can offer him is my advice and my ears. Why is there no manual for life?
Posted by dave at January 20, 2009 03:03 PM