Long ago in a galaxy far away, I have no clue... So instead, I write these vanishing memories of a small venture half a lifetime ago. I do not like to place importance on the past, nor dwell therein. It always reminds me of how little future I have left. We dwell in the past when we abandon hope for the future. So I am no Marcel Proust. I am still too young to fade into my memories. But perhaps for someone else whose future is my past, there is purpose in reliving one's personal adventures. The mistakes of others may prevent our own. Likewise, my mistakes may prevent another's. Afterall, a perfect life is not of much value. I begin my story with a bus ride. Mr. Melville writing more elegantly may have begun it this way...

Call me Mismeal. Some years ago—in the summer of '75 precisely—having about $1500 in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me at home, I thought I would tour about a little and see another part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the jitters, and regulating the flow.

This is my substitute for fire and crackers. With a philosophical flourish, Ahab throws himself upon his whale; I quietly take to the road. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the highway with me...


[Home]



I most likely left Nashville on the 24th of May. Bus rides to New York City in those days were about $50 for a 12 hour trip. Did I sleep on the bus? Do not remember. Probably... I vaguely remember waking up to the night lights of D.C. and the Ku Klux Klan monument. And, yes, the moon was full. P.S. If you don't see any animations on this page, try another browser like Firefox. Internet Explorer does not like animations. To make the animations play in Internet Explorer, albeit only once, go to your Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Default Programs, and select ASSOCIATE A FILE TYPE OR PROTOCOL WITH A PROGRAM. Change the default program for .gif to Internet Explorer. However, it's a lot easier simply to change to Firefox.