Last night, I slept in a bed. It was glorious. Last night Heather and I competed at the Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival among such great writers as Teresa Storch and Zoe Mulford… and Heather Lloyd. That was a little bit weird. It was a beautiful night, added to by the flattery that I took third in the competition – Nick Annis took second and Zoe Mulford (who almost made me cry with her tune “Our Lady of the Highway”) took a well-deserved first.
I was really flattered because a lot of our friends came out to support – Brennan, Tyler and Ray as well as Heather’s parents. Steve Key was in the audience, and it was good to see him. In general, it was good to see friends from home. Our friend Jamie even came up from North Carolina to see the show. I’m beginning to feel really guilty because I totally fail to recognize her every time I see her.
In any case, after the competition I figured it was time to go home. I know I’d only been out for a couple of weeks, but they really came at a rough time, and I was really glad that even if Heather wasn’t ready to go, she was willing to let me head home.
I’m kicking myself, because I’m realizing I forgot to leave her with a camera. So, I came back to Heather’s parents’ house, watched some television, and slept HARD. I still haven’t Lived my fantasy of having slept for 24 hours straight, but I’m feeling human…. or at least robbish again.
This last leg of the Trip – though it was exhausting and stressful and crazy – it was one of the best legs we’ve had in a long time. I stayed with friends that I had been craving the company of, and I was exposed to some music that blew my mind. This was what the Trip is SUPPOSED to be. Meeting new people, reconnecting with old friends, and encountering amazing music, amazing art. It was one of the most fulfilling two weeks ever, and I’m already planning a return sometime in July, one way or another.
George Washington hanging out with the Cambridge firemen.