Magick River

I'm real chicken shit when it comes to water.

I went to Magick River in the weekend for a retreat with the M! Opera folks. The first thing we did after dumping bags in the MR bungalow was to head straight for the water, or water fall.

You see, I can't tread water or float so swimming in a river with a slight current is enough to freak me out to kill someone next to me with my grab-or-die hold.

Apparently I grabbed or hang on to someone's boob for a long time when I panicked, I didn't realised until the boob owner confessed to me later. I practically molested all the guys who were there lending me a `helping hand'.

Pot luck was a cool idea but it's giving me a real sore week ahead - there were cartons and cartons of water, drinks, ice-boxes with meats, vege, wines, champagne...
when we got to the gate of the bungalow after a rather peaceful bus ride, we realised the bus can't drive thro the narrow gate and that means we need to ferry all the food goodies to the house, which stood about 80 meters away from the gate, UPHILL.

Carried we did, I couldn't feel my fingers afterwards.

In the cold river water later, the folks took turn to swim or got-ferried (human bridge made of strong limbs like Supreme Bitch's ) to the thundering water fall. When you are there the sound of water washing down from above drown your hearing and the coldness of the water numb your heart beat (to the point I had no idea whose limb or boob I was hanging my dear life on).

BUT

I did let myself (holding on to SB's hand) flowed down the river with the current up to the point the current slowed I let go of her hand and turned to swim...clumsily. It felt good that I actually swam though I remain a chicken shit in this river.

The prelude to the BBQ dinner was a massive attack of group-sing-along while the dinner was being prepared. From Nat King Cole to Whitney Houston, Streisand to John Denver, the group sang with empty stomach.

After the group discussion on the afternoon session of improvisation (acting), the drinking started fiercely and it continued down at the river bank where the most beautiful singing took place.

We perched on the river bank with candles, drinks, guitar and a bongo (was it a bongo??). The night sky was a little cloudy but the moon was there. The repertoire took a turn from Nat King Cole to the more familiar Man Bai, Innuendo, S Salim...and a round of free style improvisation. I crawled into a ball of comfort sitting behind the maestros taking turns in carrying the music and song.

The folks worked the night with more songs, drinks and we even managed to get some music work done (feeling group energy while singing and getting comfortable with unusual singing dynamics). I fell asleep in my sleeping bag under the night sky with trails of conversation that went on and on near my sleeping quarter, ghost stories. E and S-Bitch finally joined me on the grass when the ghost stories channel came to a close but I think the full house of snoring chorus has kept the bad spirits away :)

More work and fun the next day. I got a few words from the director on my half-cooked acting skill (and the lack of it). Other cast members too got feedback on their performance during the workshop. No one was spared, but no one was left alone, honest feedback were given and all noted on the work that needed to be put in to kick off a show like M!

Half of us took one last swim in the river before we head back to KL.

Though most sat very still and slept through the ride back to KL, I could feel the bond we created with each other (in the air) and the energy. The bus driver drove way too fast for the highway and I got car-sick the whole night that day.

This will be more than just a musical experience for all the cast. Working with the best creative team around and meeting with very talented strangers (who became friends) and spending time to know and love each other is just, more than what we have bargained for at the audition.

I'm just so glad to be part of it.