Monday, April 20, 2009

"I licked the Liberty Bell...it tasted like freedom."

So, I've been doing a little driving and I can't help recounting a conversation I had with my friend Catherine right after getting my license a decade ago. I was waxing poetic about driving and how I hoped that I'd never lose that feeling of insane joy at being behind the wheel...the conversation eventually led to us realizing the sad truth that eventually our excitement would wane, and that we'd become like our parents, dreading the morning commute or cursing rush-hour gridlock. Well, I've given 16-year-old Dana a little gift because driving is once again an ecstatic activity. I drove to meet Molly for a midnight movie on Friday. I drove the last leg of the trip home from Cincinnati earlier that day. I ran errands today. Oh, sweet mother of petroleum, I LOVE DRIVING AGAIN.

In related news, I rediscovered a favorite pastime: car-singing along rural stretches of major highways. See, in these spots, the local radio always features a station that plays arena rock (a.k.a. hair metal or cock rock) and that genre is fantastic for making a long trip go faster. Sample playlist:

"Same Ol' Situation (SOS)" - Motley Crue
"Once Bitten, Twice Shy" - Great White
"Fallen Angel" - Poison
"Kiss Me Deadly"- Lita Ford
"18 and Life" - Skid Row

Maybe it's because I watched MTV alongside my older siblings when I was probably too young to do so appropriately, or maybe it's because I secretly love men wearing eyeliner...I don't know. But, I challenge anyone to not get goosebumps when hearing the opening guitar of "Sweet Child o' Mine"-- and it just gets better hearing it while driving.

Anyway, PT early tomorrow-- off to bed I go.

2 comments:

  1. I too enjoy the driving/singing experience HOWEVER my taste is more Motown , Aretha, Rolling Stones. Dancing in the Streets played loudly with the windows open is my personal first sign of spring (screw the robins).It also takes me back to a kinder, easier, gentler time. Glad you are progressing even if it is too slow for you! Love Gig

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  2. Would that be me you were referring to? It seems a while ago that we were cruising around in the Explorer or the Cougar, hey? I'll have to get you out to Aus, and we can go for a zip around in the Fiesta. So glad to hear you're driving again. Good times. And completely agree with the music. Good tunes maketh the drive even better. XX

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