Its All In The Timing

FTLComm - Tisdale - Wednesday, December 12, 2001

I remember listening to comics talk about their craft on some radio show when I was almost an adolescent. The fellow was explaining the idea of timing, how anyone can tell a joke but the good comedian has impecible timing, phrasing his lines so that the maximum impact occurs. I remember at the time I heard that I was amazed, first off

that there was a craft at all to be aware of and secondly that someone would knowingly cultivate a skill in delivering a verbal message. What could be more natural than talking and expressing oneself, yet indeed this tells more about where I was growing up then about comedians.

This morning as I stood before my favourite bank teller she asked me if I was ready for Christmas and though I know full well it was just polite conversation, I answered honestly that I never did my Christmas shopping until Christmas Eve the same day we put up our Christmas tree. She smiled and stamped the form and said she had her tree up in November. You see its all in the timing.

These pictures were all taken this morning. The sun got up later then usual this morning, although it is not later than it should be for this time of the year, but it did not peek through the clouds until three minutes after nine. It sent long golden shafts across the country-side lighting up the fluffs of exhaust from house furnaces working to warm up the -21ºC air. Our server was taking uploads but was cranky and would not serve the web so I figured it was time to clear the driveway from yesterday's snow and blow then a stroll downtown and pick up the snail mail. With lower temperatures folks are all moving quicker, the traffic of semi units through town was steady and I noticed that my body wanted warmth. I ducked into the Co-op for a coffee and of course my timing was off. The rest of the world was about to have lunch and here I was still at the coffee break time. Mrs. Biddwell was just finishing her soup and chocolate cake, the coffee machine was recycling and as I strode off toward home, this evergreen at the corner of the Cedar Villa seemed to me as something I could identify with. Certainly anticipating Christmas but in due course, no frivillous decorations only a sprinkle of snow and the resolve to stand their until the sun shines all day long.