It’s Coming On Christmas
December 23, 2007
I went ice skating yesterday for the first time in many years. I went out family to Hampton Court for my birthday and it emerged that I was the only one who could skate, so I went around by myself for a bit.
I discovered I can still skate really well. It’s surprising how I remember it from being a kid and I guess all the skiing I’ve done since had helped.
I tend on this site to avoid cliches like the plague, but “the experience was liberating”. The rink was set up in the courtyard of the palace, so at one turn you could skate along with the Thames just off to your right with the building growing in front of you. Every time I made the corner, Joni Mitchell nudged her way into my head – I wish I had river I could skate away on - it was the perfect song for the moment and if it had been a film, you’d have said it was too much, but the sponteneity made it ok, so I went with it.
Everyone looks better when they’re skating. They are wrapped up warm and comfortable, smiling, active, helping others with their purpose, some arm in arm and caring, others single and not.
You’re in one of two states when you’re skating – graceful or funny. That’s it. You’re either gliding elegantly or slipping around like a clown, and it’s nice when life boils things down so simple.
It’s coming on Christmas, they’re cutting down trees,
They’re putting up reindeer, and singing songs of joy and peace.
I wish I had a river I could skate away on.
Listen: River
15 comments
I absolutely love, love, love, love this song. I love it. Love it.
When I was a Goth-leaning teenager the very words “Joni Mitchell” made me roll my eyes heavenwards and then I happened to catch Robert Downey Junior, of all people, playing it on Ally McBeal, and now look. I think it might be because I’m getting older.
Did I mention that I love this song?
Beautiful song.
Yeah, the skating thing’s weird. I went a few years ago outside a hotel in Paris and was amazed to find that I could still skate well too. I don’t do many things gracefully, but I just about pull the skating thing off.
Glad you had a nice time
.
“manage to”.
Grrrrrrrrr.
I wondered why Katy asked me to put a Joni Mitchell on this morning.
Joni Mitchell is highly under-rated.
I played a lot of hockey when I was younger. There is little grace in hockey, and even less humor. It’s grown men trying to kill each other with sticks and pucks , but not the wicked-sharp blades on the soles of their feet. So I guess the object of the game is to destroy your opponent without drawing blood.
Thanks Katy – but what do you think of the song?
Wendy – in Paris, do they have little dog poos and cigarette ends dotted around the rink? I do not like Paris. Frank Sinatra singing in Paris – that’s the nightmare – singing about cockroaches. Glad you like the song, and don’t be surprised by your own grace.
Chairwoman – Was this before the post went up? I don’t think this post went live until about 10am. If so, then DING!
Ed – So I guess the object of the game is to destroy your opponent without drawing blood.
Sounds like where I work. Joni Mitchell is highly under-rated, but then I think she has a limited appeal. California is a great song on Blue, which is a great album. I have a crack in my skull from being hit by a hockey stick just above my left eye. There’s a rift there that you can feel. But they can’t heal skulls unless there’s something really wrong.
merry christmas music loving cliff, love peach x
Is this your new job or your old job? Either way, my advice is to wear a helmet with wire faceguard.I used to just swear the chain mail tie, but then again, this was back before helmets were required.
As to skulls, there’s a lot wrong with mine too, just ask anyone. Divots, lumps, cracks, valleys, heck, maybe even a small hole or two. I expect they’d have asked me to be the world’s first skull transplant patient, except so far there’s not been a compatible donor found.
That song sums it all up very well – there are many moments all the way through December when I wish I had a river I could skate away on.
In January you’re allowed to be miserable, the worst is almost over and then you have Spring.
I need to find myself a Joni Mitchell CD.
Merry Christmas Peach.
Thanks Sam – I should really do most of my miserable away from this site, or at least not share it so much. But then it wouldn’t be as honest, so thanks for bearing with me.
Cliff, I’m not picking up that you’re miserable. Email me and tell me what the hell’s wrong.
I’m feeling the miserable, and it’s your site. It wouldn’t be honest if you danced around like Basil Brush for us onstage.
Sam – Damn – that was going to be my next video post. Now I have to think of something else.
Ed – YGM
The musical episode doesn’t normally happen until the 6th series…
Leave a comment. Play nice. I will turn this blog around.