Monday, 16 January 2012

Counting Airplanes

When I was in my second year of university I had a widow that faced west in my dorm room, I could see the airplanes flying by every few minutes. I remember days when, in between classes, I would lay on my bed with my head at the foot of my bed and watch the planes. I have always had a thing for airplanes, not flying on them, but watching them fly past. I guess it was because it was always something that meant excitement and new beginnings for me.
Where I grew up you never saw an airplane taking off in the distance, there would the occasional jet way over head, but it never was the same thing. I know that the first time I visited the city I was a kid, we went and saw a Blue Jays game, but I don’t really remember much about that trip other then the baseball game. When I was in high school I started to go to the city on class trips, and I remember that the first thing that always made me feel like I was in the city was the vision of planes taking off out of the big bus windows.
The first time that I fell in love with city was when I was 16. I got a ticket to see The Who for my birthday and I traveled down to the city with my Dad and my brother. I remember seeing the planes flying overhead as we first entered into the outskirts of the city. I remember looking at the tall the buildings as we made our way in the core of downtown and feeling awe. I knew where I really wanted to be.
“When you’re up between the new skyline, the city lights and the warm sunshine, it’s a long way down. When you can count on one hand what you love and you can count on who you love to help you on your long way down. And you end up counting airplanes, trying to keep up with the changes, and I don’t want to be just anybody. So, don’t try to figure me out, I won’t try to figure you out, I don’t want to be some average anybody”. - Counting Airplanes by Train.
Counting Airplanes came out when I was 16 and because of my fascination with planes I instantly loved the thought of watching airplanes while you are trying to figure out your life. After I turned 16 I experienced a lot of changes and this song just hit home for me. I loved the idea that no matter what changes you were going through in life there were always things you could count on, like airplanes flying past your window.
I moved into my apartment in September and two weeks later I lost my job. I took it really hard, but one day, as I was opening my blind, I noticed something in the distance. It was an airplane taking off. I’m still trying to figure everything out, but at least until I do I can count airplanes.

Incase you wanted to take a listen to Counting Airplanes...Here it is!

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