Winter wonderland

Mxlxysxxn Nxght dance rehearsal - I've been doing this for three years now. This time around, it feels like I've been handed a bunch of rejects who I'm expected to miraculously transform into talented dancers for a performance that will open the show and set the atmosphere for the rest of the evening. Unlike the first year where almost every dancer was involved in the play. Unlike the second year where the three dancers were the main actors of the play.


What really gets to me is how only half of them just can't be arsed. If it was all of them, I could get in a strop without feeling guilty. But when I get stroppy, I'm not angry because they never arrive on time or they don't concentrate during practices. I'm angry because it's not fair to the other half who are trying their best to pull off a decent dance show; who are taking it seriously and committing precious time and effort. And people question why Malaysia is still a developing country.


***


Stepping out from the practice venue, I'm confronted by two inches of snow on the ground. My bike had not been spared. I'm surprised I didn't even notice the snowfall despite the glass walls down one side of the venue. Talk about being focused in a rehearsal.


***


Taxa and I took a really long walk around Cambridge - up Castle Mound, across the Backs, through Market Square to Parker's Piece. Midnight past and we were one of the very few outdoors enjoying the freshly fallen untrodden snow. Wet hair from snowball fights, a wet back from a snow angel and frozen fingers from a snowoman. Banter intermittent banter.


It was really cold - I was wrapped up in five layers. Self-righteous snow against ironic night, I wondered which of the two is icier. The soft crunching of snow beneath my feet is the only reassurance I get.