So tomorrow, probably before freakin’ dawn even cracks the day, I’ll be headed out.
Going to Missouri.
Yeah, yeah, make the jokes. Hear the banjos and wonder why they don’t let dentists ply their trade in that state.
Then I’m going to Oklahoma. Same jokes, same punchlines.
Then Texas and take care about those jokes, boys and girls. I’m a Texas homie.
Eventually, back to Midland and Thomas Wolfe was probably right, though he was being more metaphoric than most people understand (the same way most people don’t get that ‘fences make good neighbors’ is irony, not directive).
A few readings and signings along the way and ultimately, a reminder that I’m old and cranky and have back problems and remember things from before June, 1982 (actually, that month, I was marching in the Houston Nighthawks Drum and Bugle Corps, touring the country at the tender age of 15).
Yes, it’s time for the Robert E. Lee High School 1985 reunion.
Hmm, not really sure how I feel about that.
At ten years, the same crowds still hung together and the same prejudices and catty bullshit prevailed. I didn’t do 20 years and so have no idea. I would hope that 25 years down the line, most of that garbage has been jettisoned. We’ll see.
But it will be great to see some of the old gang. How are they doing? Have they weathered the years okay? Have they fulfilled their dreams or are they still chasing them?
And more importantly: are the assholes still assholes? Do they still need to have their nipples tweaked with locking pliers?
Ahem. Apparently, not all of the bullshit garbage has been abandoned…at least not by me.
I’m going to have fun. (i’m going to have fun i’m going to have fun i’m going to have fun). It’s my new mantra and I will live it until I believe it.
But I’m also going to do some work. I’m going to try and get some pictures of some locations involved in a 1976 attempted rape of a 15-year old girl that I want to write about. I’m going to try and sell some books…even to the assholes whose nipples I will personally twist (obviously after I get their damned money). I’m going to reconnect with one of the best friends I ever had.
All in all, it should be a good weekend.
Along the way, I’ll try and do some quick updates from the readings and signings and whatnot. I may even try and post some pictures of any bizarreness I see. And since I’ll be traveling Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas, it’s 7 to 2 and pick ’em that I will see something odd.
Hell, maybe I’ll even take some pictures of the nipple twisting.
hehehehe…maybe I will have fun.
