Today, I sat down to write with not one single idea in my
head. I watched a couple of episodes of Falling Skies this morning. I recorded
the final season this summer and I’m just now getting around to watching it. I
really enjoyed it but I’m also glad it’s ending because it means I’m really close to my goal of not having
any episodic TV shows (that aren’t on PBS) that I care about watching. I’m not adding new ones…too much boob tube stifles my creative process. As it did this morning. I should always
write first.
Anyway, I sat and stared at my laptop with a pretty
empty brain. I would start thinking about things I needed to do…unload the
dishwasher…organize a dozen or so swim meets…recruit some volunteers. You know,
same ole same ole. And then suddenly, my muse arrived and she was pissed off. Maybe she watched the debate
last night or she had to drive here via Poplar Avenue. Or maybe she just didn’t
feel like being there for me at that particular moment since, as I mentioned, I took my sweet time showing up.
Whatever the reason…she had plenty to say. Too much to say
and, as it turns out, that’s almost as bad as having nothing.
Because it all just floods my brain.
Eventually my head was filled with all of these negative
thoughts about humanity. And while we can and do suck from time to time, I
really didn’t feel like unloading on everyone today because we have more than
enough angry rants from Talk Radio, TV pundits, and pretty much the whole
internet. So I walked away and told my muse to take a hike. A real hike…in the
woods. Breathe some fresh air. Wade through a stream. Chill. Out.
I was starting to worry that there just wouldn’t be anything
to share today because I really let that damn muse piss me off too. And then…
Sirius XM 80s on 8 happened. And you just can’t be angry
when you’re listening to that. Well…maybe if it’s Hall and Oates…but most of the time you just can’t be angry
when you’re listening to 80s music.
I’m just so grateful I can still remember the 1980s. It’s so
long ago that now I’ve forgotten most of the bad stuff so now it’s all just Journey and Wham and Karma Chameleon and Thriller. And freedom.
I’m convinced that’s why the music of our youth imprints on
us. It’s so that when you become an adult and you JUST CAN NOT EVEN...all it
takes is Oh Mickey you’re so fine, you’re
so fine you blow my mind. Hey, Mickey! to transport you back to the time
when all you were responsible for was your own (reasonable amount of) homework
and getting yourself and your bike back home before the street lights came on.
The 80s music calmed my down for a time. But then…there were
the slow drivers in the fast lane. Twice. And the music just wasn’t enough when
I encountered that second one...or maybe it was Hall & Oates, I don't remember, but...
He was going 15 mph below the speed limit and he was helping himself to two lanes.
I started to pass him…on the right…and he sped up which brought us to a
stoplight at the same time. I looked over at him half-expecting for him to be
laughing at me. I was sure he was just being a jerk on purpose but instead he
had a Bluetooth mike on his ear and he was screaming into it. His lips were
moving so fast, I thought we was singing along to Hook by Blues Traveler. I mean he was going to town on this person
and I just burst out laughing. Because he looked like an idiot.
Then I remembered that I have a habit of talking to myself...a lot. And I began to
wonder if at any point during my day I had looked like that in my car. Talking to no one. I figured there was at least a 50/50 chance. And I sure
hope someone had a good laugh at my expense. Because I probably looked like an
idiot too.
The rest of the drive to the grocery store was uneventful and there was even a parking spot close to the door. While I was inside saw two women greet each other in the aisle with a big
hug. And then the Sargento guy gave me a big grin as I was picking out some
mozzarella. And then there was a mom with her four children trying to grocery
shop and I was so grateful to be by myself. Basically, just some regular people
doing regular things made me forget about everything that sucks.
And that was pretty much my day. Tomorrow, my muse will need to show up extremely early so I can be finished writing before my people wake up.
Guess what…no editing. Zero. Just pushing publish.
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