The Road .

Start your engines. Quicken pace. Change gears and make haste. The road well traveled, with oil burns, and tire rubber, and ghosts of accidents past. Frustrations and traffic jams, people cutting others off, blowing off steam at each other while simultaneously blowing steam from their engines. Speeding far above the limit, with blatant disregard for the law and courtesy. Hours and hours in one seat, hands glued to the wheel, struggling to find a comfortable position -- an empty seat beside you. Filled with pillows in lieu of people, the car struggles to bear the weight. Each bump is felt so much more than before as the frame struggles to keep itself together under the enormous stress. The weight dangerously cantilevers over the back end. You see it bounce and shake, and yet somehow it still is all held together. Somehow things don't fall apart. The jigsaw puzzle of the trunk all came together, the drive somehow kept itself on course, and despite the setbacks, and the challenges, and the long hours, you'll always make it home.



If you didn't get it the first time, go back and read that again. It's not just about driving... If you got that the first time, bravo.

Recognition Series will begin tomorrow. Was just feeling inspired about something else today!

Musical Taste .

While in the car driving to Raleigh, someone commented that all of my music was very chill. [Context: the drive is about 5 hours, and naturally with my addiction to music I played stuff on my iPod for pretty much the whole way there and back] It was nice to hear that, as I'm assuming that 'chill' is a good thing. I explained that well, it's not always chill but I felt that that sort of style would be the most agreeable among all the passengers of the van. I also put the fade entirely in the front of the car in case some people didn't want to listen to anything. I tried to be considerate and really not disturb anyone.

But getting back to the music. How weird is it that you can really like one thing and not like another? Some people really dig some songs, or particular styles, and others detest it. And yet in some ways I feel like we are like snowflakes -- no two of us are the same, and likes and dislikes are all about the characteristics that make us unique.

The other thing is that I really like playing stuff that people might not normally listen to. Even if they don't care, or they fall asleep in the car, or put in their own music, sometimes they ask who the artist is or the song and it's cool to hear that. I was really diggin' the soft stuff today, and at lunch I made a playlist, including: Electric President, Radical Face, Alexi Murdoch, Bon Iver, Paper Route, Iron & Wine and others. It was bliss, listening to that on the way home. Just soothing and relaxing. Made the giant snowstorm we went through that much easier for me as designated "soccer mom" of the van!

Of All the Times .

Throughout the entirety of winter break, I barely saw any snow in New Jersey. Despite several big snow storms happening throughout the country, it's like there is this bubble over my state that just says "don't snow here, ever!". I had really wanted to try out the four wheel drive in my truck, and well, unfortunately just never got the opportunity.

the drive to Clemson .

As per the usual plan, I began my drive down to Clemson around midnight. I slept from 5pm to 11pm or so, and finished up the last few items to pack and toss in my truck (more like carefully play Tetris with my luggage and numerous boxes). I was ready for the long haul. The day started well, with a Wawa hoagie to put in a little cooler and a quart of iced tea lemonade. I was making great time, flying through Pennsylvania on the PA Turnpike. The funny thing about the trip is that you think you're making lots of progress because you pass through a good number of states in a relatively short amount of time (You hit the NJ border, then through PA, then Maryland, West Virginia and into Virginia). Despite the fact that I consider Virginia to be the border of the south, what most don't realize is that once you hit that border, you are in Virginia for FOREVER. You go through the widest part, and so it takes forever and a day to get to North Carolina.

driving woes .

Yes, it has been a week since I posted. For those of you who thought I had forever disappeared, you are sorely mistaken. In fact, I just was packing, getting ready for the trip down to school, and still don't have internet at my house in SC. It's supposed to be ready tomorrow, if AT&T feels like getting their shit together. However, I'm now sitting on campus and I have campus interwebs, so I will post the things that I already had written in preparation for when I did finally have the opportunity! And so without further ado, some serious catch-up:

Prior to any long drive there are things that you will almost always worry about. Being that I am leaving for school in a few days, I took some precautions, like getting my oil changed and fluids topped off, making sure my tires were inflated and rotated. But there are some things that are always sorta in the back of your head when you have a lot of miles to put under your belt.

Music Monday #67

This post will be a little bit different than previous Music Mondays as not only am I going to recommend the usual song, but unveil one of my playlists as well. This week's song is Strobe by Deadmau5.

getting home .

Hello all, I didn't get a chance to post yesterday, because, well I was absolutely exhausted and probably wouldn't have been able to get my mind to form complete sentences anyways. Anyways, in regards to the trip -- I started at midnight. On the dot, actually. Got in my car, and looked down and it was exactly midnight. Called to let the parents know I was leaving, and I was on my way.

I sort of allotted myself the whole day to get home if I needed it. It all depended on how much sleep I needed and how many breaks I needed to take. Every time you get gas is already sort of a break (since I have to fill up 4 times to make it home...sad I know) and every time you eat is one (which was only really once for me; I ate at Waffle House in Staunton I think, and just survived on granola bars the rest of the way). I made it home at 3pm later in the day. I hadn't really left Clemson 'til around 12:40am, so that's about right time-wise.

driving time .

It's almost that time to head home. Truck is just about packed with the exception of the few things I still have to throw in there (pillows and backpack and whatnot). I'm gonna sleep for a good bit and then get up and try to get out the door right around midnight. It's gonna be a long trip, no doubt. It's strange saying goodbye to people. It often feels almost too informal, with just a wave or a handshake. But I think that's just the way college is. Even though it's possible I may never see some of these people again, I'm sure there will be new adventures, new paths of future friends to cross. I wish all the graduates the best of luck, especially coming into a world whose economy is certainly less than stellar.

Say a few prayers for me guys. I'm finally headed home.

the pond right near where I live, back when it wasn't so swampy

driving .

It's been a real treat getting to have my own car on campus with me this year. One of the best things though is being able to just start or end my day by listening to my own music on the way home or to school. While commuting may be a little bit of a pain what with traffic and loads of gas money (especially since now that South Carolina's ppg is on the rise... sad face) it all is made up for by me being able to jam out on the way there.

move in .

It's amazing to think that winter break is already done and finished, and this Wednesday, I'll be starting classes. Wow, has the time flown! Driving all the way down to Clemson was a chore. I took my car and my parents took their truck to help bring some of my stuff. I realized also that I have a lot of clothes... probably too many. Perhaps I should really go through and try to pass some of that stuff along to some people less fortunate. I'll have to go through it at some point.