So I just typed this long ass blog and apparently, my session expired before I could save it, so here goes, let's see how good my memory is...
I was thinking earlier, and I'm not sure why, about the time in September 2003 that Walt and I went to D.C. to see the NFL kickoff show. Neither of us have any interest in football. But the lineup was Good Charlotte, Aretha Franklin, Aerosmith, Britney Spears and Mary J. Blige. Walt wanted to see Britney, but until that concert, I wasn't a big fan, in fact, kind of the opposite. I wanted to see Mary.
I had been a huge fan of Mary since high school. I figured, why not go and see her? When else will I have the chance to see her live for free? I hadn't worked all summer, and Walt wasn't working, so we had very little money. Also, I had never driven that far in my car, which I had only had since March. But we decided to go.
Walt arranged for us to stay with his cousin in Baltimore. We made the 4 or 5 hour journey. Once it got dark, it started raining torrentially, and I had to drive about 35 mph on the highway. It never did stop raining that night, although it was a little calmer after a while. Driving in the Baltimore/D.C. area is a total trip. Their roads are at least 6 lanes each direction, and traffic was bad that night, along with the rain.
But you know what, I did it, I navigated unfamiliar territory safely. We ate hot dogs the next day before the concert in front of the Smithsonian from some street vendor. We were approached by some crazy lady asking us for money, but then she gave us these crazy stickers that say 'Smile' and have a very odd picture on them. I still have mine. Oh! That's what made me think of this! Yay, go neurons! But anyways, the point is that though I was worried about money and driving. We had a good time and everything worked out fine.
It was an adventure.
Ellen Degeneres has a monologue in her HBO show 'In The Beginning' about imagination. She starts off by saying that a child's imagination is a great thing, they can go anywhere. And then when you get older your imagination keeps you from doing things... She tells a story about opening her fridge and not having any cheese. Then she imagines what would happen if she went to the grocery store. Maybe they wouldn't have any cheese. The story ends with her saying it would end up in the tabloids the next day: 'Lesbian Demands Cheese: Incites Riot.' It's a funny story, but it demonstrates a simple point.
So I decided to go to Miami. I've wanted to for a while. I'm close enough, my friend Marlon just got back yesterday, and he said it was a 4 hour drive. Nothing is stopping me... no boy to worry about, I have the disposable income, car's in OK shape, don't have to work on weekends... I've almost gone several times, but haven't for one reason or another...
So I'm gonna get in touch with my friend Gio in Miami and see what is going on, where I can stay, etc. It's gay pride month, so there's gotta be something cool going on in Miami. :)
