then we saw the stars again

This is definitely a period of transition.

We are two months away from our big move to Toronto, and as much as we want to believe there are still 8 weeks left to departure, the number of errands and chores is staggering: preemptive healthchecks, various visa applications, and other logistical details which remind me just how great J is at those things, and how I probably should learn a little from her…
The destination sure looks promising, the journey less so. I know we are going to be very happy in Canada, for us and for the kids, but with each passing week, I also realise how much I will miss the friends I’ve made in the past seven years. I started amberhaze here, and although the internet makes geography almost irrelevant to a certain extent, you just can’t scrap three years that easily and uproot everything without a tinge of wistfulness.

Three years. I was recording my first EP when Dante was born, and he just turned three last weekend. Having children has been both the scariest and most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me: they give you a reason to fight for what you stand for, look at the bright side and believe that you can make a difference. And that’s a scary thought.

The responsibility is unlike anything else I’ve experienced, and no career or job prospects could ever come close to what is at stake in seeing your kids grow, form personalities of their own, laugh, play and think for themselves. Sometimes I wonder what other parents here must think of us, the way we choose to raise our children, and there again, I realise that Toronto would probably be a better fit for all of us. And Luca and Dante especially.

Errol and Lesley got married (again!) last week, and they finally threw their Rollopoloosley, which is going to be a tough act to follow for any couple who will want to throw an unusual wedding party. Fort Canning, amazing bands, fireworks, bouncy castle… how can you compete?!?
Errol had a little surprise in mind for Lesley. The fact that we managed to keep it a secret until the evening itself is a little miracle! We prepared a cover of Pressure Suit by Aqualung, which is very special to the two of them, and Errol practiced on my “karaoke” version anytime he would be on his own…which means a lot of singing stuck in traffic I suppose!
We got on stage and no one had an idea of what was going to happen, and Errol had the lyrics written on a piece of paper. Taking into account the overall state of inebriation I’d say we did ok. But mostly, I was honored to be a part of something so sweet, romantic and heartfelt as this little secret surprise song.

The party is probably one of the many we will have before we leave. And as much as this is a period of transition, these friendships are our Constant.