"Shuffle It All"
Since the age of two, I have been on the go. My father came home from VietNam just long enough to move my Mom and me to San Diego, where we lived for 2 years. I don't remember much about the trip itself, but my folks talk about the story still. Mainly my mom complaining that driving a 1966 GTO convertible cross country with a small child was not one of the better ideas my dad ever had. Myself, I can't think of a better way to go.
Since that very moment I've had a bit of a gypsy soul. I've had to always see what is over there. I have never refused a chance to move or relocate and what a great time it has been. Paradoxily all I ever wanted were roots. Stange isn't it? Some people never leave their hometowns and they dream of escaping off to somewhere. While others move around searching for a "home." That place, that gives you that sense of belonging. Fablely, that mythical place where life comes together for you. Just like in the movies.
I have got to say that I think no matter where you go, that does pretty much happen. You build a life that is your own, hopefully you become the person that you want to be and life starts to happen for you. Granted maybe not always the "perfect life," but it is your life and you wouldn't regret a moment of it. Even back in my "less than stellar days" I still have some memories of events that make me kind of smile. Hell, just back in my Las Vegas days a lone; I could probably write a story that would even make Hunter S. Thompson smile with devilish delite. Or maybe some of my wild moments while living in Albuquerque which were quite frightening now looking back. Ahh...good times.
Deep inside I know that my mind maybe glamorizings the actual events from how they may had happened. Truth be known I had always run a little wild and lived sort of "outside the box" anyway. I've been surrounded most of my life with free thinkers and the "fringe" of the mainstream. So I've been used to making up the rules as I go along. Even my grandfather was a man who was described as "a little ahead of his time" by many.
I may not have alway been proud of what I have done, but I've always had a sense of pride in where I have come from, where I am right now, and I have delighted in who it has made me become.
"Shuffle It All" by Izzy Stradlin & Jimmy Ashhurst
Boredom saturation
It's a never ending clue
Isn't just to fill the time
When there's nothing else to do
She drove on out of New York
She had enough insane
And drivin' just though Texas two days
She ended up in L.A.
Shuffle it all
Shuffle it all, yeah
Shuffle it all
Pack up your life again
A pile of records spread out
The covers still look good
Picture here a Peter Tosh's
startin' down and a smokin' wood
My dog dreaming is running
I see him twitch a paw
My woman playing Dr. Mario
On the TV all night long
Just another cigarette
Staring at the moon, yeah
Then I'm headin' off to bed
Sleepin' without you, yeah
Shuffle it all
Shuffle it all, yeah
Pack up your bags again
It's a long and winding road
Sure enjoy the view, yeah
If you want to see it
Just slow down
You're so welcome to come along
Lookin' for a tune to play
I'm gonna see it again
When the day is over
Try to write you 'bout the rain
Feel the motors winding on
There ain't no news
If you see those old friends out there
Tell them that I send my love
Wake up, time to leave again
Try to find my shoes
Put the luggage in the van
Roll up your Doctor Dolittle
Shuffle it all
Shuffle it all, yeah
Shuffle it all
Pack up your things again
Shuffle it all (Keep movin' along)
Shuffle it all (Keep movin' along)
Shuffle it all (Keep movin' along)
Pack up your life again
Keep on shufflin'
The Video
1966 GTO Convertible
Comments
Beautiful Car. Alas I had to part with my 1968 Camaro a few years back. It still makes me sad. I have never moved very far. I feel a little tied down with the kids but my wife has wanted to move in the past. Most of our family is in MA and we are very close. I like that I bring my sons to my grandparents every weekend and we can all get together pretty easily. If I could get an amazing job at Disney or in Hawaii. I might consider moving to be worth it. But, as of right now I am very happy where we are. My oldest sun burns as soon as we walk outside so down South might be kind of difficult. It seems to go with the cute red hair. I hope to travel a lot someday though.
I share the paradox. Born and raised in NJ, and still here. As I've gotten older I've fantasized about living somewhere else, some other state, what it would be like, however, my roots keep me here. I was fortunate to have traveled a lot in my lifetime. As a child, we drove across country a few times visiting relatives. As an adult I made the drive myself and got to appreciate our beautiful country in a way I couldn't as a child. I've also taken a cruise. As much as I would love to see Europe, my fear of flying keeps me here. I have moved several times and you are right that no matter where you end up, home is home.
Thanks for sharing.