Anyhow, we’re wearin’ it out and tearin’ it up. It’s bloggy-goodness. And it’s all for your entertainment. But, this one isn’t for entertainment, per se. This is a serious topic: the other day, there was a bit of a scare. Upon leaving the appropriately named Food City Gas N’ Go, my car had a serious leak. And I had just put forty dollars in it. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: times is hard.
It may be asking too much, but it seems like they could have offered some sort of refund. Don't you agree? Or that lady behind the counter could have at least offered a solo cup so I could try and catch some of it. Cause I would have. Gas for your auto-mo-bile is worth more than its weight in gold, whatever that means.
Anyhow, it’s important that I go ahead and tell you that my car is a green Saab. I come from a long-line of Saab lovers. It’s in my genetic code to appreciate Saabs for all that they are and trust me, I do. My Saab’s name is Nelson Mandela. I decided that the car really looked like a “Nelson,” and so, naturally, the line of succession towards coming up with a last name led me right-straight to “Mandela.”
And what better way to honor the guy? I feel like if Nelson really were a person, he would be a lot like Nelson Mandela and someday Morgan Freeman would play him in a movie. Anyway, when you lose something, even if it is only for a day, you really do start to realize how much you love it.
And so, there I was, sitting around and I could see Nelson out of practically every window in my house. And he looked so helpless. And that damn gas just kept on leaking. And I started thinking about that one Saturday a few weekends ago when it was really nice and warm here in east-tennessee…
I decided that I would go out in the front yard and wash the car. It was pretty fun and we really got to know each other on an even deeper level because once I was done, I opened up the door of the passenger’s side, got in, laid back the seat, and took a nap. Cause, really, what’s the point of having your own car if you can’t go out in your driveway and take a nap in it?
Anyhow, I was out there for a while and I had a dream:
*FIRST: it is requested that you click that video somewhere on here of the song "The Sound of Silence," to get the full effect of what is about to follow. You'll probably have to scroll down for it. And know that this song should have been on that Top 50 List. Was it on there? I don't think it was and I don't think I have the strength to go back and look. Reading some of these things will make you go cross-eyed. Sorry about that.
Anyway, has it loaded yet? I'm stretching for time because you need to wait until it starts playing. Trust me. It's worth it. It really gives the effect of bringing you into the importance of this story.
So, I'll go somewhere else while we're waiting for you to get through those people cheering. I also posted a new video at the top of the list of really good songs. It's the one called "Lenny/Man on the Side" and it really is the greatest thing by John Clayton Mayer. I know I said it was "Hummingbird," but this song is where we really fell in love. And I can tell you the background story behind that guitar he's playing. I sure do hope that you would want to hear it. Anyway, when you're done reading this post, feel free to stick around and listen to that song, but not yet. We have to finish this first:
Okay, now you can keep on reading about the dream I had in the driveway:
Nelson was real. And he was, in fact, talking to me. Do you know what he said? He told me that if he could do it all over again, he would want to come back as one thing and that one thing would be very green, just like him.He said he wanted to come back as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Yes, that’s exactly what he said. And my dreams are often accompanied by mood music: in this dream, it was "The Sound of Silence" by Paul & Art. I can call them that because we're on a first-name-basis. And it was so apropos. And we just sat there, looking at each other. I felt like I was witnessing the most incredible monologue of my life. Macbeth: you and your tale of tragedy only pales in comparison.
Then, I woke up.
So, naturally, when Nelson wasn’t feeling too well the other day, that’s all I could think about. Nelson and his wish of becoming a lean-green-fighting-machine (should there have been a "mean" in that? I can't remember)and I thought about that song. And that song really set the tone and the tone was heavy...
But don't worry because it's okay now. Thankfully, my dad fixed the car. And you should know that Nelson is well, he is here with me. His problems have indeed been fixed. And now I feel like he really looks like himself again. And really, he looks a lot like what he wanted to in my dream. I guess that means that his wish is kind of coming true. Maybe I'll buy him a bandanna.
Yes, my mind is a bizarre place to be, but it’s in the best-sort-of-way. That's what I think, anyhow.
I hope that, if you have a car, you really take the time to get to know it. Does that sound slightly crazy? Well, I don't care. I feel like you now know enough about me to understand where I'm coming from because they can really change your life and they’re better for more than just getting you from point A to point B. And if you don’t have one yet, I hope you'll really consider putting a Saab in your life. There’s not too many that could even compare.
PLUS, they make for awesome dreams.
So, here’s to Nelson. Let’s consider this his welcome back party. He really likes cool man Miles, just like me. That’s why we’re so tight. So, once that one by S+G is over, or when ever you grow tired of it, be it the song or those weird faces that Art has been making this whole time, feel free to go ahead and bump that last video over there by Miles Davis, in honor of Nelson. And turn-it-up-real-loud.
And like I said before, my mind is, in fact, a truly bizarre place to come and visit, but I sure do hope that you like hearing what it has to say.
In conclusion, I imagine that I'll fall asleep tonight and I'll dream again. And Nelson will tell me how much he appreciates his story and his wish being told.
Also, if your name is J. Murray and you're reading this, I hope your car, whose name is Barack Obama, doesn't have cancer. I don't think they've developed chemo therapy for automobiles yet. But, hey. With the way things are going over at Apple, anything is possible. i-pad? seriously. who needs that?
Yours,
katie beth
…& nelson (honorary member of the TMNT)
