I usually listen to music while driving. And on Fridays, it's 89.9 Magic! Friday is nostalgia day with Friday Magic Madness, an old radio show playing 70’s and 80’s music---mostly new wave music of the 80’s. I always enjoy listening to Wishful Thinking, Summer of 69, Purple Rain, Second Chance, Highly Strung, Pale Shelter, I've Been in Love Before and the many great songs of the 70's and 80’s while in the middle of Friday traffic jam. I miss the songs of my 'youth', songs that bring back memories, songs to which I danced badly to but enjoyed nonetheless. Sometimes, while a song that I don’t like is playing, I’ll switch stations, and check out the jazz stations or 100.3 RJ. I could tell you what I was doing or where my life was when I hear a favorite song. I’m sure you have a song in your head, too.
Singing out loud while driving is a great way to forget the slow-moving traffic. It somehow lowers the stress level after some maniac cuts across my lane. Music calms me even when a speeding bus comes barreling down at my rear, or a motorcyle suddenly appears infront of my bumper, and a jeepney suddenly stops in the middle of the street without warning.
Oftentimes, there are ghosts in these old songs, a flashback of haunting memories. There are songs that remind me of long-forgotten dreams. Songs that remind me of growing up pains, and an embarassing time in high school. Songs that remind me of loss, grief and broken promises. Songs that remind me of long lost friends. Songs that make me breath deeply, as if anticipating pain, remembering a heartache that makes me reach out to change the station, then hesitate long enough to acknowledge a remembered ache. Songs that allow me to embrace life’s disappointments, sorrows, and joys, and how I dealt with them have shaped the person I am now. And so I sing along with this old favorite, softly.
Melissa Etheridge with Jewel You Can Sleep While I Drive
Brave and Crazy album, 1989
Yes, Thank God it's Friday! And today is Labor Day, a non-working holiday---then a long weekend. I'm on a road trip to Pagbilao and Padre Burgos, Quezon so I won't be able to visit your blogs this weekend. Before you go out and celebrate Labor Day, let's share this plate of Jack Daniel's Chicken from TGI-Friday's, one of my workday dinners. I tried to ignore the mashed potato but it was calling my name. Arggh! Enjoy the holiday and long weekend!
