How Did I Get Here?

From Angeles to Austin

Three day weekend coming up. Best make the most of it.

Book flight to Austin. Depart Thursday night. Return Sunday morning.

Rush to terminal. Clear for takeoff.

To my right, a woman with closed eyes — her, I love…Then there’s this chatty cardigan-wearer.

“Can I ask what you’re reading?”

I show him The Myth of Sisyphus. He makes a relevant comment about boulder-pushing. I’m surprised — it’s nice finding someone who knows Camus. Still, the guy bugs me. He’s too loud. The rest of the plane would rather hear a crying baby than two dudes talking philosophy.

Baggage claim. Jump into my friend’s truck.

“You good to go out?” He hands me a beer.

I say yes — of course yes.

We end up at an indoor/outdoor thing with an indoor industrial distiller and an outdoor stage. It’s busy, but not packed. On stage, a chubby Prince humps the microphone-stand. The mostly young audience is having fun. Some old drunks are dancing around, tripping over each other. One of them is wearing a glistening striped shirt. Elton John would call this thing flamboyant. Some other older guy walks over and the two get to talking. Next thing, the shirt is off and the other guy is…