Sit on my car!

Its amazing what happens when “community” coalesces out of individuals doing seperate but same things – things become community property.

Today is St. Patricks Day. I was out late last night, and slept in. Not a problem, except I forgot about the parade. I live in the heart of downtown of The City. The parade route runs right in front of my place – twice – as the turn around point is the intersection closest to my building.

If I don’t move my car by 10 am, I am stuck there til after the parade.

I woke up …okay, I GOT UP at around 10:30, planning to clean up quickly and get out and start my day. But, I was already pinned in. I suppose I could have gotten out, but I’d have to go RIGHT THEN and move my car through a thin crowd, and many cones, etc.

Instead, I just resigned myself to cleaning my apartment (very much needed) and watching the parade.

And, thats where my observation comes in (no pun intended). I am watching from a 2.5 story window. I have a great view of the street, the turn around, and the crowd on both sides of the street. There is a throng of people probably 5 people deep on each side, with various wanderers milling between there and the buildings.

And there are people sitting on my car.

Not that I mind, mind you. I think its neat that when everyone gets together like that, personal property rights disappear for the common good. Yes, if I had shouted down “You Kids get out of my yard!!” (from Letterman) they would have got off my car, with little fuss. So I wasn’t bothered.

Now, if I had a NEW CAR, less than a year or two old, I might have a problem with it. In that case, I might just put a sign in the back window that says “Dont sit here” or something.

Anyway, today’s parade was one of the best I’d seen in recent years. An hour and a half long. (too long, actually. The crowd kinda thinned after a while). The highlights for me were the Large Vehicles…

Like most of our parades, there was the antique hook-n-ladder, and a pumper engine (plus an ambulance, and the Sheriff’s department latest “DARE” vehicle). But, this time there was also our modern Hook-n-Ladder truck, and a Tanker/Pumper from a rural firestation.

Then, the Army brought out two vehicles, one of which was a tank transport (sans tank). I only assume thats what it was used for – it was an oversize low-boy flatbed. It was huge. The other Army vehicle was large, too, and both had really neat sounding (meaning, different) airhorns.

A few floats later, there was a Volvo sleepercab Semi-tractor with full-length flatbed trailer. This was a family’s float! The Volvo semi tractor is a huge cab…

I point these out because a) I had never seen so many huge (long) vehicles in our parades before and b) their turn arounds were entertaining.

The antique hook-n-ladder had a steerable rear, and it made the turn around in a “4-lane with turn-lane” on both axies intersection just fine.

Our modern hook-n-ladder didn’t make it. They had to back-n-fourth at least twice, but eventually got turned.

The Army low-boy… that was pitiful. He back-n-forthed for nearly 10 minutes. When he finally completed the last turn and pulled back down the street, there was a cheer from the crowd for the driver.

Then came the Volvo semi… he made the turn in one fluid movement.

I was sooo impressed. He was obviously a professional over-the-road driver!

After the parade, I cleaned a bit more, then ate Chinese downstairs. Then I drove to College Town 30 minutes away to buy my new tent, and to see about cookstoves. In one of the stores I backed into an old friend, Josh, whom I haven’t seen in probably 8 years. His wife was being fitted for a backpack while he and I caught up.

I was on a schedule, unfortunately, because it was a pleasure to see him again and hear some of his stories (he and his wife are planning to hike the Appalachain Trail *sp?* next month).

I went to the other outdoor outfitter in College Town and picked up my tent. Its a Mountain Hardware Nightview. I picked it for its “nightview” feature (clear UVX panel in the rainfly so you can see stars at night) and its size. It feels comfortable to me without having a huge footprint. Also, good headroom.

Then, because of the time I spent talking, I rushed back to The City, where I was just 5 minutes late meeting Pastor Dean and his wife (of a church in the North of The City) for an Irish Stew at the local community center. They (the community center) are trying to raise money for a water-slide edition to the swimming pool.

Then, after a brief nap at home, I came up here to make journal notes.

I drove past my best-friend’s house on my way to College town. She lives in a pretty rural neighborhood. I see she took the topper off her pickup. I wonder how, and where it is? I wonder how she is doing?

But, just driving by gives me a sense of stability. Thats comforting. I have put my message to her “in the mail”. It consists of several sheets of notes, each sheet being a seperate idea or message. Also, a CD of the music I’ve been listening to for the first few months that she abandoned me. (titled “Winter”. I plan to make one for each season, and send them along)

I hope its the right thing to do. It hurts when I feel like all my choices are wrong. I hope this is the least wrong.