FOLK FESTIVAL & DENTAL REWARDS

Hi folks. It's 8.12 pm here on a Sunday night in 2son Arizona. I have to admit that, as i write this piece, I'm in a blissfully transcendent and peaceful place - metaphorically speaking. I've spent most of the weekend at the 22nd annual Tucson folk festival which has been awesome and now I'm at home on the computer, listening to Mozart and paying tribute to Bob Marley, in no particular order.

The headline act last night was the Sisters Morales who were blindingly good. Marvellous juxtaposition of buzzy Latin rhythms and lyrical, elegiac, folk tunes. They signed their CD for me and told me that they're negotiating to do a gig at the Borderline club in London. Mark my words, you'll be hearing a lot more from those two divas. Would I lead you all astray? I can assure that this is most certainly not a bum steer.

And as if that wasn't already a result, I am minding my own business at the main stage last night when a hoary man, who looks to be around 65, initiates a conversation with me. He tells me that he had open heart surgery 3 months ago, after which he was in a coma for 9 days. I respond that his recovery is phenomenal and he readily agrees.

In keeping with his lack of modesty, he then precedes to say that he is a computer consultant who can ride horses, play the flute, paint insects very well indeed and is an etymology scholar. And when I asked him if there was anything he couldn't do, he looked straight at me and, deadpan, replied 'Not much actually.' Oodles of self-confidence this man's got.

And to cap the whole thing off, I purchased a sleek black and grey magnetised bracelet for a mere $20. The blurb confidently asserts that the bracelet has many healing properties and relieves many conditions including Asthma, frozen shoulders, Migraines and Gout. Well that's me sorted then. Been seeking a cure for my gout for years.

It's all good. I tell you, ladies and gentleman, It's all good. And in addition, more good news presented itself today. The dentist to who I was referred by Irving, the husband of Galena, the hygienist there, sent me a thank you for joining the practice card and a tooth fridge magnet. You could't make it up. I must see if my magnetic bracelet locks on to the fridge magnet.

I really like this place. You never know which eccentric bohemian or stereotypical redneck is going to come into contact with you next. You get wonderful surprises from your new dentist and car insurer, and you've got folk music and cacti in abundance.