something comforting

as stated in my introductory post, i recently moved to halifax from fredericton. i've discovered occasional bumps in the road regarding finding a new groove here (the merriam-webster online dictionary offers the following definitions for groove: 1. a long, narrow channel or depression; 2. (a) a fixed routine (see: rut), 2. (b) a situation suited to one's abilities or interests (see: niche); ...6. a pronounced, enjoyable rhythm). my potential groove, i am certain, is a combination of the offered definitions. i recognize that finding a new path-routine-niche-rhythm is not something i can logically expect to just (poof!) happen but i did hope to feel a deeper level of comfort by this point.

i often take a bus home from work, today was no exception. a note on the halifax transit system: it's pretty dismal (though inexpensive and a suggested environmentally-friendly idea) and it provides often unpleasant experiences for both passenger and driver. so, today, i witnessed something wonderful: smiling faces on the bus! people talking to each other! a (scary) lack of text-messaging and blackberry-ing! it was amazing.

i walked into the bus and the driver waited for me to sit down before driving. no falling in front of strangers (always a plus)! i sat down safely and looked around at a group of people (assumedly old friends) sitting ahead of me. they were laughing with one another and it was wildly infectious. the driver, myself and nearly every person sitting within seeing-abilities was cracking up alongside the group at the front. their conversation wasn't ha-ha stand up comedy-hour funny...no jokes were cracked...it was just friendly "how are you? remember this time?" funny and wanted or not, all passengers (sans ipod, naturally) couldn't help but get involved.

maybe it seems ridiculously sad to have a miniature groovy-break thanks to a pleasant transit experience. people communicate all of the time, there isn't anything necessarily special in that. how people communicate, though, offers space for creativity and speciality: accents, slang, expressions (facial and verbal), physical actions and emotional reactions are all elements that are built-up or knocked-down by one another... and, while text-messaging _does_ offer some level of communication, it limits communication to a set number of words-per-message and removes vis-a-vis immediacy and potential for group involvement (which, admittedly, may not always prove to be so lovely as today).

i ultimately think that my lack of groove has something to do with an abundance of cold weather and cold halifax attitudes lately. it's true that i do not know as many people here as i do in fredericton. it is also true that it took me four years to develop the relationships i share there. today's ride home on the bus reminded me of the infectious smiles shared in past, and, equally important, potential for future grins. my groove is not yet dug or composed but i am now equipped with a shovel and a harmonica.