Livingston Jackson II

I remember the day oh so well, it was April 18th of 2006. I was getting ready to drive across the country from Maryland to California. My father up until that day thought that his baby girl was driving with a friend, but I had to break the news to him over the phone miles away from each other that this was not the case. In actuality I wanted to drive by myself. I had a great deal to ponder and alot of music to listen to, besides it had to be done alone. So, I told him the truth as I loaded up the rest of my things in a 2001 Toyota Camry to set across the country to California. I had driven cross country several times on Phish tour, Phil and Friends tour, or just to camp and hike the mainland with friends, but this would be the first solo road trip and indeed an unforgettable one. I remember the most important cd on that trip was one I had compiled with songs like Roses are Free, Blue Sky, Sweet Melissa, Haley's Comet and a few others that aren't coming to my mind at the moment.The trip took me only 2 1/2 days. My family could not believe it, but I was on a mission and when you put me in a car with my music I am like a well oiled machine. I decided on the quickest route, which was the southern route shredding through Texas, Arizona and so on. Although I did not have a human co-pilot I couldn't necessarily drive all the way across the country with out a buddy! Are you kidding me? So as you can see from the title his name is Livingston Jackson II and he is a small cactus that resides in my room here in Newport. He chilled in the middle console most of the way and started to get out of hand towards the middle of the trip. I don't think he could handle the car as much as I could. I mean we would stop for gas and he would disappear and the next thing I knew I woud see LJ with a flippin' 40! So basically when he would get canned like that I would make him stay in the car all night while I went inside the hotel. He kept in eye on all of my things that were piled in the car. Then finally when we hit Texas I had to tell him it was over, he was jack hammered once again and my only choice was to kick him out of the car. So as my journey continued solo style I enjoyed the music and present state I was in. Driving allows one to do that fully. So as I am approaching this unreal view in New Mexico I see this flippin' cactus with a handkerchief around his head phishing for a ride! I couldn't believe it, Livingston made it further than I did? How the heck did that happen I thought to myself. Deep down I was sort of missing him so I pulled over and told him to hop in. I asked him, "How did you make it here?" He had hitchhiked the whole entire way with different truck drivers. I asked, "What the heck did you give them in return for the ride?" He had taken a bunch of my home made compilation cd's when he was booted from the car and gave them to the truck drivers! Absolutely hilarious! I was able to enjoy every moment with myself on that journey.
Remember to always honor yourself because with out knowing and loving every inch of you how could you possibly fully love another? The choices and routes we take are up to us alone...everyman has a right to decide his own destiny. hcreate your one-way journey.