Lovely Time…

Man, did I have a lovely time here in Ann Arbor. Made a new friend at the Book Festival and caught up with old allies Masha Hamilton and Dan Wickett. Went to Zingerman’s three times and saw a fabulous movie at the Michigan. Spent an hour at the Hands On Museum (where I volunteered as a high school student) and learned about mufflers. I bought an obscene of vinyl (there’s at least three vinyl shops within 6 blocks of my family’s apartment) for my new turntable and had meals with two sets of parents of childhood friends. We called each other by our first names. I guess once you have a morgage and a job, you’re entitled.

Today I got up early, had breakfast at Angelo’s then took a long walk. On the grounds of my elementary school, I exercised, did pushups and squats, ran the sprints I ran in little league, home plate to the warming house way out in center field and back again. I was hot, sweaty, and for nearly 2 hours, back in 1983.

I can tell though it’s time to go home. I’m a little bored. My stride feels lazy instead of relaxed. I miss my cat, my own bed, my friends.

I love this little town in the midwest. It’s where I’m from. It made me who I am. But it’s not where I am now. It’s the place I go to recharge, not to dream.

Still, I’d like to take a few of my behaviors this week home with me. I spent less time distracted by my iPod and more just listening as a walked. I saw the sunset twice from the window of the apartment’s office as I wrote. That was nice. I hear they have sunsets in California too.

I heard a few songs on Wilco’s new album “Sky Blue Sky” this morning. These lights from “What Light” stuck out…

“And if the whole world’s singing your songs
And all you’re paintings have been hung
Just remember what was yours is everyone’s from now on

And that’s not wrong or right
But you can struggle with it all you like
You’ll only get uptight

There’s a light
White light
There’s a light
One light.”

I take it this way: What you once saw as only yours someday belongs to everyone. You can either see that as loss or the beginning of transcendence, as your story joining the world’s story. It feels like a little bit of both.

I think Wilco meant the song to be about creativity. I think it applies to hometowns and childhoods too.

• Category: Back in the Day