Saturday night I went to a party at my friend Chri…
Saturday night I went to a party at my friend Chris’ place overlooking Bitan. It was a celebration of the 40th birthday of Athula, the man who keeps most of us filled with rhotis a great deal of the time. His stand down on the other side of the bridge has become a real social center since he set it up a few years ago. Athula’s rhotis have also become the staple of Muddy Basin Rambler jam sessions, which either begin, end, or are bookended by the wrapped delicacy (the tuna and potato is my personal favorite).
It was also the birthday of Our Dear Leader, David Chen. So, all in all, a performance at the party was pretty much guaranteed. I’d just purchased a huge, 28-inch plastic basin and was eager to try out the sound. I also brought my other instruments, my pocket trumpet in my backpack (the main reason I bought it, after all) and the euphonium.
It was really hot on Chris’ balcony, though a fresh breeze was blowing as close as the bridge just a few feet down. A few people were already there when I arrived, but before I knew it the place was jam-packed. Athula brought vats of curry, meat and sauce along with rice. Between the still air and the curry, I was baking and had to escape a few times to get water and fresh air.
We hadn’t played in some time, so it was a refreshing surprise that the “show” went so well. The new basin works nicely, with a nice long sustain in the lower register, though the higher notes are a bit soft. As usual, the strange-looking device got a lot of attention. We sang Happy Birthday a few times, once in A-minor for a somber feel, and once in the traditional major key of C, or possibly D. I can’t remember, as I was already exhausted from a full day of Lazing Around on My Sofa.
I left around 3am and slept until Sunday afternoon. Thus I got a late start on my bike ride. I’d hoped to get over to Sanchong, and I did manage to cross the Xinhai bridge, but it was too late to do any more exploring of the bike paths over there. Some other time, when I can give it a full day, I guess. A lot of people asked me about the Crazy Bike, of course. Most seemed to think it was imported, and were surprised when I told them it was made in Taichung. Judging from the reaction it gets, I’m a bit surprised that I’m the only one riding such a bike here. Perhaps they don’t even bother marketing it in Taiwan, but I think they’re missing out on some sales, at least in Taipei with its well-developed bike path system.
