Le lien or link through my adult life has been in telling tales.
As many of you know, my first career was that of a professional actor. This was in the pre-Fall in Love with a Handsome Frenchman and Change Everything years. It was all I ever dreamed of, to be a part of sharing such incredible stories – some of which had retained their magic for centuries – and to be able to do so live in front of an audience in order to feel the ripple of exchange. It is a metier that is rooted in hard work and many techniques are needed – from such fundamentals as how to train the voice and body to resonate in a several-hundred seat house without losing their subtlety to very specific gimmicks such as how to breathe from the bottom of the stomach when you are playing a character that has just died onstage (franchement, way harder than it looks). Extensive research and exploration, not to mention a little song and dance (literally and figuratively) – these all go into an actor’s bag of tricks.
So when Remi and I formed a team of travel writer (me) and photographer (him) – after I doggedly accepted that the only roles that my non-French speaking self could pull off in France would be mime-related (no thank you) – it was actually an easy transition. All I had to do was to keep telling stories and what was even better was that I was able to travel widely with my Honey while doing so. During one such trip, while covering the Khampas people in what was formerly Tibet, we came across a grungkan whose job was to sing “The Song of King Gesar“. He offered to give us the ultra-condensed three hour version of what is considered to be the world’s longest epic poem. While we declined his services, I definitely saw a kindred spirit in this fellow story-teller (albeit he was a divinely chosen one) and with a click I realized that I had seen many such figures in societies throughout our travels, huddled around a fire, speaking to the stars, spooling out images like silk. How we need them to know who we are.
Recently, I was asked to consider what would I barter if the world’s system changed, if electricity was out and we just had our skills to rely on. The answer came quickly: I would remain a story-teller, most certainly as we would all need a bit of wonder and perspective in our cut back to basics world, wouldn’t we? It would be a rag-tag existence but I can’t imagine anything better than to make people laugh or cry or think. It would be a good life. It is a good life.
I am late to the party in writing about this as I needed to let my previous post stand. But it is an interesting question and I am, admittedly, selfish. Well, I told you upfront that what interests me is the exchange. That is why I am still shelling out stories on this blog. It is a bit of barter in itself. A little bit of me for a little bit of you, even if just in stopping by. So then (and I know that many of you have already responded elsewhere), what skills would you offer up to the world? Mainly, I just hope to hear you say, “I am good at this…” Because you are. So, please tell. Cook, sew, grow, hoe? Rewire, paint, dogwalk, teach a dance class? Diversity is what keeps this amazing world turning and what each of us has to offer is more than important. It is life.
Of course there is more than one way to spin a yarn and this one is sublime:
This post is my belated contribution to our monthly get together on a central theme. To see what the other fine bloggers would barter, please click here.
Ps. And yes, I know that I am a big liar in that I promised to get back to Provence but this was a now or never situation! À lundi prochain…
Thank you dear Jeanne. Oh my, the stories that you can tell…and do! How I would love to visit you in Vietnam. I am so happy that at least I can via the web. 🙂
I do. And I am as sad as you for the many innocent people whose lives have been torn apart by war and terrorism. But I am grateful that you were able to go and see.
Yes, that is perfectly said, Emilia! Of the little I know of you I am sure that your house would be the place to be!!
Mais oui! I was sure that was what you would barter! But we can't all do what we want when we want in this blogging world, of that I know. And yes, we are kindred spirits and just different enough to give each other a bit of faith (well, you do that for me, hopefully I do the same for you) just when needed.
You are such a lovely person, Jeanne, above and beyond your art.
xo
H
A hug right back to you Jackie as I am most certain that the volunteer orginization from which you resigned is sad to see you go as you are to move on. But, with such a giving spirit, I have no doubt that there will be new adventures for you in Greece as well…you have much to share and offer…
Oh my. You have all my great respect with your response, G.
More travel, hear hear!!! Lisa, I think that you have so much to offer in ways both literal and mysterious. And you know what? I hope that we don't ever get to the point where we need to barter for hugs. Hopefully you can just give those away for free!!! hehehehe
I would have to be in order to get by but YOU on the other hand…wow, I still can't get over all of the things that you know how to do.
You most certainly are good at that! And we would need a whole lot of it too. But I think of you as a "can do" woman, for sure… 🙂
Sister, you are good at SO many things I don't even know where to start!!!
To my dear readers: did you know that my Sister is an incredible song-writer and has recorded a great album? That she was on Broadway and can teach the opening number to "A Chorus Line"? That she is a delightful card-maker and illustrator? And yes, she is really, really good at all of the things that she mentioned, especially making me laugh!!!