Whenever Trolley and I hang out together, whether it’s a car ride or a session of tower defense, we queue up albums that we both enjoy. Billy Talent, The Artist in the Ambulance, Sing the Sorrow, Give Up. However, there’s one song that he never queues up, that he always skips without anyone else knowing.

He knows that I can’t listen to that one song off guard. As much as I want that song for myself, to mean nothing more than a frail voice and bouncing beats, I can’t give up the memories that I associate with it, I can’t let go of what the song has come to mean.

And it’s only now that I realize that it’s better this way.

I met a woman last week who had the Majesty symbol tattooed to the back of her neck, which is totally fucking awesome. When she found out that I recognized it as the Dream Theater logo she gave a look of surprise, I’m guessing since listening to Dream Theater is consider somewhat esoteric, liking them can be seen as an eccentricity, and even some Dream Theater fans don’t know of such a subtle symbol. It turns out that she’s in a cover band, and even though the set list doesn’t seem to include anything as insane as Home or Dance of Eternity, it’s still amazing that there are people who are willing to attempt such music. She’s playing a concert tonight at Barrymore’s, with a Dream Theater tribute band and a Tool tribute band. It promises to be a good night of progressive metal/rock and I had my heart set on going, until I found out that there’s also a party tonight at Sheri/Emily/Christine’s place. I’m tempted to go to both, but I think I’d rather focus on one instead of spreading myself thin. Besides, it’s to celebrate the birthdays of three good people, and I wouldn’t want to miss it this year. No alcohol tonight, I’ve decided, and no chance for me in stiffing Tom with a bill (as I mistakenly did last year at the Clocktower).

Sometimes, the biggest compliment one can receive is an introduction.

The early afternoon was decidedly heavy, so I turned up the volume when I stepped outside. There was powder in the air, powder everywhere, and soon I was snowblind.

As I stepped on the bus, I looked at my watch and realized that I was leaving almost two hours early for class. How had I made such a mistake?

I decided to use the best of my time and do some browsing. I saw what appeared to be Nadine in the mall, and would have approached her if:

1. I was absolutely sure it was her
2. a sudden case of shyness hadn’t taken over me

I took off to Zone to see if there was anything new, and alas, an open-air chime box was available. I was tempted to buy it, if the song wasn’t some Christmas carol. Afterwards, I set off for Folio, but to my disappointment, discovered that it’s been replaced with a soon-to-be furniture store.

I decided to peruse the bookstores in the area, and the first one I went to had nothing of interest. Even at Chapters I didn’t find any new translations of A Hero of Our Time, or the audio novel of Lolita read by the sultry voice of Jeremy Irons. The third bookstore I went to, a surprisingly modern store with eclectic finishings, had a very selective collection of books. Every wall or pillar had shelves set up with books of a different genre, and the entire place was quite a change from the bustle of the street right outside. At one corner, there was a mechanical fireplace with four very distinct flames warming up the air. The fire would have seemed much more realistic if not for the odd churning sound coming from the chimney. A couch was set up in front of the fireplace for people to read, but only a beautiful, navy blue, long-haired cat was sleeping on it, belly up, one paw lazily stretched out towards the fire.

Put in a different mood by the serenity of the store, I set off for class, and promptly changed my playlist.

Black then white are all I see in my infancy.
Red and yellow then came to be, reaching out to me,
Lets me see.

—Tool, Lateralus

Inhale.

Colours are washing over you. Drifting, shifting, twisting, changing. No point of focus, no solid shapes. You feel the contrast and graze the answers.

And this takes you to a place you’ve never been, but always dreamed of. Where you’re bathed in happiness, and you can see the warmth of the light. When you hear nothing but stillness, and feel nothing but contentment.

And this picture in your head is as real to you as your heartbeat. You become lost to this world when your eyes roll back and your head tilts backward.

Let me take you there.