Recently, I took a road trip to Michigan on a whim with a friend who wanted nothing more than a little company. The previous Sunday, I had witnessed a very bad car accident, that altered my perspective a bit. Had I not stopped for gas that day, I may not be here writing this now. But I had seen it, so when given the opportunity to tag along...I decided what the hell? I'll take a 10 hour ride to a place I've never been, just for the opportunity to get to know someone better. It's either going to be a really long car ride....or a really amazing day.
It was the latter.....I've never had such an incredible day, where most of it was spent in a car. In constant company of another person. Ever.
My friend's family lives in Michigan, & his Uncle's band was playing a benefit show; it was to benefit the Detroit School of Rock & Pop Music. My friend's Uncle had started attending the school after being diagnosed with cancer; he'd always wanted to play music...so he learned. He learned to play the guitar...& thus, the Bucket List Band was formed. Hence, the Bucket List Show...which was nothing short of inspiring....
It was an unusualy warm day for February. I wish it had been autumn....as the Trees lining the highway were truly majestic. I can only imagine them...painted orange & yellow. Such a beautiful photograph in my mind's eye. I'll go back someday....
I felt like I'd stepped into the script of a Kevin Smith movie or something--girl & guy take a road trip & have all sorts of interesting conversations about increasingly strange & bizarre things...& end up becoming great friends. Or fall in love by the end of the film...
We listened to lots of great music; it was disconcerting at first, when he first exclaimed "Your turn!" My ex never let me pick the music in my own car...not unless I was alone! So we switched back & forth, showing each other different music...Imelda May, Okkerville River, Primus, So Many Dynamos, Shearwater, Weezer, Tom Waits....
Tom Waits....both being HUGE fans of his music....we sang the entire Rain Dogs album from beginning to end...It's great to have someone turn the songs I love up, rather than down. & to have someone to sing with...I'd forgotten how much that matters.
We played each other favorite songs....favorite love songs, favorite road songs, favorite rainy day songs....We discussed books...literature, & poetry...science fiction, music...family...life in general. We spoke of how we came to be who we are now...& neuroses, quirks...pasts...& masks....& ...
...We spoke of the things...you don't tell people.
We accepted each other. Perhaps we accepted ourselves too. At least for a bit.
It felt good to open up.
Strange or not...I think it's one of the best days I've had in my entire little life. This was the day I took a 10 hour drive...merely because I wanted to talk to someone. & I found a great friend because of it....my travelling companion & I were pretty new to each other, & now...I don't think either of us will have that...shy awkwardness about us anymore. The walls came crashing down....
I'm glad I went; it was out of my comfort zone to do so. I didn't overthink it--no small feat for this Fool--I just went on a whim.
I want to follow those whims more....Roll the dice....
While we were driving, I mentioned that I've this fantasy....that gets pretty hard to resist at times, in which I pack my knapsack & just start walking....walk across the country, & write the entire way...following in the footsteps of Jack Kerouac or Hunter S. Thompson...My friend smiled knowingly at me.
Shhhh.....he said. Listen.
The song playing on the stereo was "Leavin' by Shearwater....
Yeah....It was that kinda day.
For one day...I completely lived in the moment. & for one moment...I was completely free....
