this colorful life

Saturday evening, we walked into Blues Bar, a small, congested, dimly-lit place with lots of corners. The bartender, about average in height, his long, straight hair falling from a ponytail, was serving a drink. The customer was alone, a 40-something year old man, his eyes fixed forward, supported with black-rimmed rectangular glasses. He spoke softly and directly. The bartender responded with good humor, his speech fast and excited like a disk jockey's.

Traditional and modern blues music created a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere. The walls were decorated with album covers, posters, photographs, and other Blues regalia. On one shelf there were several high piles of music magazines.

"That's not the guy we met from Doris, is it?" Uzair asked about the man at the counter.

I looked again, paused, and smiled. It was, after all, the man we met exactly a month ago, Januray 18. The man with a big mustache and even bigger ideas.

We ordered drinks, and approached "Bono" (a nickname probably given to him because of the uncanny resemblance to the celebrity). Uzair asked if he remembered us. "Yes, probably," he said, nodding. Then: "Yes, I do remember you."

Continuing the conversation we had last month, Bono said that things in the world are still in bad shape, but he thinks humans are getting better. They are more aware, and on the right track. Rob, our friend from England, walked into the bar to join us, and Bono recalled the moment he was drawn to Uzair. He had said: "Any guy wearing a hat was hiding thoughts in his head." Uzair's traditional attire revealed to him a person with confidence and respect for his culture. Moreover, it added diversity.

The bartender handed us the drinks, and Bono insisted on paying. He had a serious, unassuming demeanor that made us feel comfortable around him and interested in him. We invited him to sit with us on the table in the corner (but I guess everything was in a corner in this bar.)

When he joined us a few minutes later, it was just the beginning a two-hour discussion that included topics of religion, personal experiences, challenges to improvement, dreams, observations about evil, and the route to consciousness. Two Finnish guys interrupted mid-way through, wanting to participate in whatever we were talking about. They also claimed to be on magic mushrooms, which made it hard for them to put coherent thoughts or questions into words.

I was fascinated with Bono's story: He was born in Finland, studied architecture, got turned off, studied abroad in Canada, met lots of religious and conservative people, switched to designing clothing with his brother, made some investments, and soon realized how the system and greed corrupts. So he sold everything, and decided to spend one year just going to bars and talking with people.

"In bars you meet people looking for answers," he said.

Bono used to be upset with all the people in power. But he decided it's more important to focus on the good things, and to love and spread the love. He brought up Jesus and Mohammad, who were just two "regular guys," trying to expose the evils of the world, and encourage good. But people corrupted them. "You should give 51 percent, and take 49 percent," he said. "People who take 98 percent will have a long road ahead of them."

While Bono had a lot to say, he stressed that in the end it doesn't matter what he or others say. The only thing that matters is listening to our inner self. He acknowledged that we don't have all the answers, and further that "nobody has to be right," but we have to be conscious of our inner self, and strip away the ego.

"Anybody that you hate now, forgive them."

Finally, it was time for Bono to move on. He said that talking to us was in a way a waste of time because we already had similar thoughts. He needed to "wake up people" who were looking for help, or who could use the fresh perspective.

"The world is vibrating," he said, and the people who can't adjust to it will have problems. It is important to stay calm and remain honest with your inner self in these troubled times.

He added that it's not about money or drinks, it's about love and goodness.

Bono left, and I wonder when and where we'll see him next.

Blues music is traced back to African-American communities in the deep south in the 1900s. Work songs of the slaves, along with African spirituals, chants, field hollers, and shouts influenced the genre. Today, blues is commonly associated with adversity, sadness and other raw emotions.