Flash n. Meridian n.

Flash n. 1. a sudden, brief outburst of flame or light. 2. a sudden, brief display of joy, wit, etc. 3. an instant. 4. ostentatious display. 5. Journ. a brief telegraphic dispatch… 11. to communicate instantaneously.

Meridian n. 1. Geog. a great circle of the earth passing through the poles and any given point on the earth’s surface. 2. Astron. the great circle of the celestial sphere which passes through its poles and the observer’s zenith. 3. The highest point.

I was looking at the budget shop today for a space book. I saw some that I didn’t like, then I happened to pick up a dictionary from 1955. Not only was this book about space, but the first entry I read was specifically about Flash. I was so pleased and enlightened by reading the definition that I wouldn’t leave the store without it. Imagine finding a 55 (56) year old book for a quarter which validates you with “a brief display of joy or wit.” I now see that is exactly what I was going for. All the various meanings seem to fit.

This might be a good time to share a Flash Meridian story that involves the budget shop at the recycling center (the Gunflint Mall). Ten years ago I drove there with a group of local musicians/Flash Meridian particiPANTS in the car with me. We were on a quest to find space clothes for a photo shoot. As I pulled into the parking space facing the front door, I quietly recited my FM shopping mantra, “Dear Jesus, please let me find some space clothes”. Rain Elfvin (Sgt. Snowpants, hence the earlier capital letters) laughed so hard he nearly peed his snowpants. I simply pointed out that it works for me to say that. I forget his exact skeptical response, but I believe it was something to the effect of “That’s hilarious.”

We walked into the shop, and there hanging on the wall facing us was a Darth Vader costume next to a robot costume. True story. I believe in asking the universe for things. I believe that putting the positive energy out there is better than negative, and to some extent we actually increase the possibility of achievement by having the faith or audacity to ask for it.

Not long after that Rain asked if he could use that prayer as a song title. “Dear Jesus, Please Let Me Find Some Space Clothes” by Rain Elfvin and Sean Elmquist appears as a bonus track on the Flash Meridian Volume 2 CD.

A couple of years ago I was talking about this with Elliot while prepping food at the Angry Trout. I demonstrated my revised mantra for him, and I quote. “Dear Universe, if it’s not too much trouble, please let me sell a painting today. Thank you very much in advance for your cooperation in this matter.”

Elliot’s response was similar to Rain’s. He laughed. Within a few minutes, there was a knock at the locked front door of the cafe. I opened it to a lady I had never met before. She apologized for interrupting us, but said she and her family had dined there the night before. She said she had seen a painting and wondered if it would be possible to purchase it before they left town. I turned around to see Elliot standing in shock, and proceeded to get a ladder to take the painting down for her.

“Dude!” Elliot said. “Why don’t you ask for a million dollars?” I explained that that would not be a reasonable request, and it made me think of the old fairy tale about the Fisherman and his Wife, by the Brothers Grimm.

I wish you joy and wit… err… I mean, I ask the Universe to fill you with joy and wit this new year.