There is no way I could ever explain to anyone, even those closest to me, what I was apart of this year. It was a revolution of the soul and mind and it was an accident, a fluke. I was depressed and angry so I sold what I owned and traveled the country living out of my car. I had no idea where I was going. I just wanted to drive around and skip out on life for 7 months and in the first 3 I had lived more life than I had in the past 24. I fell in love with breathing and it was not my intention.
This is what followed:
I had no idea how large America was or how diverse in landscape. It leaves me speechless just seeing a glimpse of how many people populate this great country and how many opinions and dreams come with each of those people. I've traveled overseas to many parts of Italy, China, and England thinking I was in heaven with what I saw not knowing that some of the most beautiful parts of the world are in my own backyard. I played volleyball on the beaches of Florida and stood in the snow on the mountains of Washington. I walked the campus of Princeton in New Jersey and slept in the dorms of Stanford in California. I drove with the windows down from coast to coast (twice) smelling the American air and for the first time being proud to call this place home. I ate food native to the cities I visited. I drank the beer that is brewed only in those towns. I slept on couches in houses across the country and in rest stops across our highway system. I fell in love with dogs, guacamole, and silence. I stood at the edge of the grand canyon, watched the sunset, and camped under those Arizona stars. I hiked halfway down that same canyon and took my first in the wild poop. I turned 25. I saw a sister go off to college and another learn to drive. I heard my brother say he wants to get married. I saw my folks more than I have since I graduated. I lost $400 at the tables in Las Vegas, Nevada and made $500 playing music in Mansfield, Texas. I had my first blow out and changed my first tire in California. I met my first call girl and went to my first gay bar in Alabama. I'd wear the same clothes for four days and not shower for 7. I lost a girlfriend. I got that girlfriend back.
I lived in Nashville, Tennessee.
I lived in my Kia Rio.
I lived in Austin, Texas.
I recorded a new EP. I played music.
I played a lot of music.
I learned that I need people in my life that love and care for me; that I'm not an island. I learned that I need to love and care for the people in my life because they are not islands.
I cried more times this year than in the past 20 years of my life. I also laughed more. I even laughed once so hard that I literally threw up. It was fantastic.
So here I am sitting in a Clarion Hotel across the street from the Seattle airport after playing my last show of the year. 2 days left in 2008. If the damn bar didn't close so early in this hotel I'd go buy myself a shot but as it does I'll settle for a Pepsi and cigarette.
So this is me tipping my hat and acknowledging all that went down. Fluke or no fluke I had a great time and to all that are reading I hope the same for you. If it didn't happen the way you had hoped get ready because another 12 months are awaiting your wishes. So make them well and pursue them hard. May 2009 be your best year to date.
Happy New Year and thanks for reading.
David Ramirez
Posts
