Being Late (And How to Deal With It)

I doubt there is a soul among us who can deny feeling at some point in their life the inextinguishable panic of being late. It is a brutal but inevitable experience that will undoubtedly happen again and again until you truly believe that the universe has a personal vendetta against your punctuality.

It begins in school, when we are blissfully unaware of both time management and consequence, and can be happily going about our mundane business, with an enraged parent as our only alarm clock. As the years go by, however, the system changes slightly: We become aware of our consequences; we are educated as to the importance of time management; we remedy our priorities, until getting to your destination on time becomes essential. Of course, as the universe would have it this is when it gets thrown out of our control and into the hands of the unmerciful, uncompromising, and unforgiving “fate”.

From that moment on it is she who determines when we arrive, despite all our attempts to outwit Her. When we choose the train there will be a problem with the railway or the route (one that is directly proportional to the importance of our appointment); if we chance the bus (and of course it will be a frequent bus assuring us no more than ten minute intervals) we will find ourselves locked in a time capsule where every bus we want glides smugly past in the opposite direction, and the ten minute intervals temporarily expand to the exact point in which we lose faith that this bus actually exists (even if we have used it successfully many times before). If you decide to walk, the earth somehow manages to stretch ever so slightly; not enough to be proven, but enough to add a good few minutes and a furious frustration to your journey. And of course, the one day you decide to take the car (be it yours or someone else’s at your expense) it will be the day everybody else has the same idea (apart from those you see walking on the pavement irritatingly slowly and yet still faster than you).

So why, you may ask, am I voicing (or wording) this abominable problem if there is indeed nothing to be done? Well, the powers that be may have control over what happens to us, but we and we alone can control our reaction. The fact is, if you reach the stage where you are willing to believe the universe is out to get you, then surely it isn’t too far-fetched to think there may be a reason for it. For example, you are alive and well, with a roof over your heads and indeed an appointment that seems so important not to miss (of course if you fail to meet these assumptions then this article may not apply to you), the universe in all its infinite wisdom must be doing something right; and if you are going to be late for something then maybe it is just the way things are meant to be.

Of course I share your scepticism and am aware of how unlikely this theory is, but if you can believe it in your time of agonising helplessness then you can beat fate, you can beat the universe, and you can beat your own frustration. And if you can achieve that, then equipped with this novel confidence no platform alteration, flat tyre, or terrible (yet oddly intriguing) accident can hinder your optimism. Because let’s face it, worrying about it isn’t going to get you there any sooner.

John Butler Trio (and why they are amazing)

Choosing a band to see on your Birthday is a challenging task, especially when an eventful city leaves you spoilt for choice. I was introduced to the John Butler trio by a friend a few months ago, and after seeing a couple of impressive songs online, I decided they would be worth the gamble.

They burst into their first few songs after a stylishly nonchalant introduction, setting the pace of the evening with some tricky riffs and one of their singles. It was a wonderful moment because I relaxed, utterly reassured I had made the right decision (a feeling I could feel I shared with those around me). As a musician myself I was looking out for comparable qualities, such as his vocal range, which at first seemed misleadingly limited. Of course I soon realised he had mastered his voice much like he had mastered his many instruments, and used it as such to wonderful effect later on in the show.

Though this was unquestionably a good performance, it was only later on, when his comrades gave up the stage for his solo performance, that this concert exceeded everybody’s expectations. “Ocean” is widely considered to be one of his best songs, but the magic began before he even shaped his first chord. Completely contrasting to his laid back opening, this introduction was a passionate speech about a protest he experienced in his hometown. It was slightly hindered by the audience’s ignorant cheering, as they clearly had no idea of the incident he was referring to. Nevertheless, it was inspiring to see such a spirited audience captivated by this one incredible man. He then went on to perform what I believe (after extensively searching all online resources) to be the most mind blowing rendition of this song ever. The audience was utterly mesmerised for the entire duration, united in sheer disbelief; everybody sharing the confusion of how he managed to condense the four guitars that could clearly be heard into this one vessel of musical genius. It was a rare and special moment to feel everyone around me thinking exactly the same thing: “This is the best thing I have ever heard in my whole entire life.”

From there the evening went from strength to strength. Each song seemed like a mosaic of genres, infused with a tapestry of world influences from Indian to Aborigine to good old fashioned redneck country. Even the rest of the band held their own during their incredible six minute drum and bass solo (reminding everybody what “drum and bass” actually sounds like). John Butler’s endearing ramblings between songs held the show together with humility and genuine passion, leaving every member of the crowd spellbound on their departure. It was undoubtedly a wonderful concert, and after watching him perform his impossible songs, I feel enlightened as to the true purpose of people’s fingernails.