Monday, August 27, 2007

Love Song for the Dearly Departed, or, Dude Where's My Freedom?

The following content has nothing to do with politics. If you are strictly here for a NH Primary Fix, go read the Post and come back tomorrow.

10:00 PM on a Sunday and the chirping of the crickets covers the window's breeze like the blanket on my lap. Gin & Tonics go down smooth tonight. Smooth like a soul record; Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Solomon Burke. I'm leaving the Quabbin soon, we're talking two or three days soon, and the taste in my mouth is bitter beyond the lime and tonic. Smooth and bitter. I guess there needs to be a balance in all things.

I have recently come back from a voyage to the North. Kanc Country, where the mountain faces are rocky, the rivers are refreshing, and the tourists are growing by the hundreds each year. Soon enough it will be just another Vermont, minus the fair trade coffee shops. How unfortunate. Worse still is the increase in police activity. My biggest beef in New Hampshire, to be quite honest, is the police presence.

Considering that the state purports to have the motto, "Live Free or Die," I have been surprisingly hassled by cops from various New Hampshire small towns more than in any other state. Whether it was a warrantless field sobriety test in Litchfield in 2003 after watching John Kerry in Portsmouth because I was "hugging the white line" or witnessing an associate of mine questioned and having his license run simply for walking on the sidewalk trying to work his game with a ladyfriend. This must stop. Worse still, I was arrested a few days ago for merely swimming in a river. Yes, God's own semen stream, the Pemigewasset.

The local Swine rapped me with a knuckle-busting charge of Disorderly Conduct, and gave no reasoning for their charge. Presumptions aside I was forced to tell the young Farva-like deputy, whose fecklessness toward the law was on disgusting display, that I would save any questions I had for the judge.

To Be Continued...

In the Meantime, here is my soulful, pensive playlist for late August. Forgive the lack of artist diversity. And do put it on shuffle.

Nothing Can Change This Love - Sam Cooke
I'll Come Running Back to You - Sam Cooke
If Not for You (Bootleg Session w/ George Harrison) - Bob Dylan
That's How Strong My Love Is - Otis Redding
These Arms of Mine - Otis Redding
Which Way Does That Old Pony Run - Lyle Lovett
To Find a Friend - Tom Petty
The Letter - Natalie Merchant
If You're Feeling Sinister - Belle & Sebastian
Funny How Time Slips Away - Willie Nelson
Soul Love - David Bowie
Cry to Me - Solomon Burke
Cypress Avenue - Van Morrison
Opportunity to Cry (Crazy Demo Session) - Willie Nelson
One More Kiss Before I Go - Ryan Adams

and you can end any mix with ...
Electrolyte - R.E.M.
if you ever want to fly
Mulholland Drive.
I am alive.

Hollywood is under me.
I'm Martin Sheen
I'm Steve McQueen
I'm Jimmy Dean

If you want to fly.
Mulholland Drive.
Up in the sky.
Stand on a cliff and look down there.
Don't be scared, you are alive.
You are alive.

1 comment:

Jeb said...

"i want a goddamn liter of cola"

cops: ensuring my safety by making me feel uncomfortable even when i haven't done anything wrong.