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May 04, 2005
Of Scotch and Soft Rocks
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA -- May 4
I find myself with some spare time in the waning moments of my first actual visit on this trip, so why not get all caught up in my journaling.
One of the themes I am emphasizing throughout this trip is the notion of finding the lemonade during a long and challening trip that will constantly pelt you with lemons. I'm hardly known for my raging optimism, so this is even more of a tough mission for me personally. The sum and substance of yesterday's scariest moments are that I will leave Virginia with a better right-hand mirror than before (thanks to the dropsy) and I enjoyed the infrequent pleasure of introducing two friends to each other who hit it off (thanks to Bob pushing for Charlottesville with me when we exited the mountains too late).
While the Virginia state liquor laws and the late hour of our arrival thwarted me from further spreading the newly created and patent pending "Soft Rock and Scotch on Rocks" 70's revival meme throughout musical academia, my friend and ex-Ithacan Liz whom I am visiting promises me she will carry the torch here when the music department's Summer party season begins.
In the meantime, the three of us were left with a good stash of Samuel Smith's Taddy Porter and entirely too many Hall and Oates vinyl LPs (we threw in some Ramones and Tom Waits to retain some semblence of credibility) to churn through in what became a long night of catching up on lost Ithaca gossip, exactly when Stevie Wonder lost his mojo and why (right before "You are the Sunshine of my Life" randomly came on the car radio on the way back from dinner no less!), what constitutes a concept album, and why standards are better than cruisers or crotch rockets if you're only going to have one bike.
The next morning, it was back to the realities of classical music alarm clocks (Liz set both a CD player alarm with Chopin waltzes in the bedroom and the college radio's morning classical show in the living room which creates a bizarre counterpoint when both are suddenly blaring), replacement face shield for Bob, replacement mirror for Diana, and the final breakfast before the parting of ways.
Jarman's cycle shop right in town was able to hook me up despite being a Yamaha-Suzuki-Kawasaki shop, since the Yamaha mirror arm bolt has the same threads as the Honda. We had to loosen and move the windshield to get the arm screwed in, but the result was a highly improved (if mismatched with the left counterpart) rear view mirror with slight convex angle and a nice tight fine-adjustment joint.
After repairs and another heart-stopping breakfast spread at the College Inn restaurant downtown, it was time for Bob to move on with his own adventure as I remained in Charlottesville for the day to hang out with Liz and rejuvenate for tomorrow's long jaunt down the Blue Ridge Parkway to my brother's in North Carolina. All pleasantries of good luck were exchanged, and the Sabre was soon off.
Bob called from outside Roanoke 4 hours later with reassuring reports that the deer index was low for the day, gas was available at the 60 mile mark in nearby Buena Vista, and the pace of 40 mph could be achieved without too many risks.
Meanwhile I parked myself at the Plan 9 Record Store (and wi-fi enabled coffee nook) where the May 3 chronicles for this blog were reeled off in non-stop haphazard fashion. Liz rejoined me after her practice rehearsal (not an oxymoron apparently) was complete, and we toured the UVA campus and its many single-layer curvy red brick walls, white columns, and gardens featuring tulips and pedestals in search of missing statues.
Then it was off for cheap dumplings and sesame noodles, downtown touring, and yet more coffee shop internet hackery. It looks like the rest of the evening will feature yet more music and drinks, but it will be jazz and beer rather than soft rock and scotch. Just as well, no doubt.
Tomorrow will feel strange initially after a few days of impromptu group riding. I made it from Ithaca to Gettysburg solo, but the first stretches of the desolate Blue Ridge parkway with no massive Sabre in the lead to shield me from wayward deer will seem a bit tentative at first. I've got a lot of mileage to cover on the Parkway before exiting at Blowing Rock for Mooresville, so it will be important to get on the road early and take a day off from my streak of heavy breakfasting.
Without further ado, here's the Gallery for today:
And, of course, the playlist which was brief due to lack of riding and plenty of in-house music to keep me occupied:
| Title | Artist | CD |
|---|---|---|
| Suburbia | Pet Shop Boys | Discography - The Complete Singles Collection |
| If You Need Someone | The Field Mice | Where'd You Learn To Kiss That Way? (Disc 1) |
| I'd Give My Life To You - Alternate Mix | Marvin Gaye | Let's Get It On (Deluxe Edition) |
| Sunlight Bathed The Golden Glo | Felt | Absolute Classic Masterpieces |
| 'Cello Song | Nick Drake | Five Leaves Left |
| 'Quiddity' Last Visit | max 404 | Headz II Part B (Disc 2) |
| 'Song 3' (Instrumental) | Marvin Gaye | Let's Get It On (Deluxe Edition) |
| 'Til I Gain Control Again | This Mortal Coil | Blood |
| 'Upa-'Upa | Society Islands - Les Tamaru | Secret Museum Of Mankind Vol.1 Ethnic Music Classics 1925-48 |
| Art Saved My Life - 71 | Dose One & Boom Bip | Circle |
| "Open Quotes | Dose One & Boom Bip | Circle |
| You Fuckin' Die...! | Pixies | Surfer Rosa & Come On Pilgrim |
Posted by Todd at May 4, 2005 08:57 PM