My Lord, God of sweat, sunshine and vitamin D, yesterday was a long day—a pleasant one, but a trying one as well. There were a few bits of music that soothed the burnt skin, the dehydration, and mellowed the physical and emotional exhaustion like some sort of glistening, cool green aloe. I want to share them with you.

After the historic cluster-fuck of hope that was Barack Obama by the waterfront, and the slow torturous escape through the white-hot, bottlenecked cattle fields there is Sauvie Island. There must be. Over the bridge and into another world. Farmland, plains, grass, cattle. “Brushed Sky,” she called it.

I was all wrung out. No words, just long squinting, furtive glances, fidgeting embrace and a deep, confused longing. Eight glasses of water. Smoke some pot and just drive. Windows down, sunroof open, still wishing the motorcycle was running better. But yet, it’s nice to lean back. The stereo is a life-saver. Here, with the sun buzzing through a few thin clouds, it’s Panda Bear. Meandering and dense and foggy and bright. Sweet. Deep harmonies in the music match those the passengers have with the day and the land.

Music creeps away and falls asleep on the beach. Deep reverb clouds the mind. It’s helpful. Try not to think too much.

But other people are mad at me, or so it seems. Fuck it. Fuck them fuck anyone who would dare pose the question. This business is mine and mine alone. Rise above. Those Dirty Projectors—and Black Flag before them—have got it right. Aint nothing gonna ruffle my feathers.

By now the sun has set, but in my treehouse it’s still warm. Or maybe it’s just the sunburns. Nothing a cold shower and a cold beer can’t fix. Looking forward to nothing. But what’s this? Free tickets to Clinic? To turn them down seems a shame, so I wont. A cool motorcycle ride offers only a marginal shot of adrenaline. The dosage offered by the band, however, is more effective. Still swimming in some twisted haze but finally now embracing it. Worshiping the downbeat. Their surgical masks suggest a cool detachment, perfect for this strange day. Mmmmmm, thank you.

Now get me home—to a bed with a breeze. Asleep with all the windows open.

——-

The songs, again:

Panda Bear’s “Comfy in Nautica”

Dirty Projector’s “Rise Above”

Clinic’s “The Second Line”