Date: 2003-09-14
To: Homeward bound
Miles today: 0.0

Reminiscing....I don't know how songs pop into my head while hiking, but I had several that were repeat offenders. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen was one of the most common songs. It usually came to me when the hiking was easy, maybe as a way to just pass the time and have a little fun. On the climbs, though, I needed something with a good beat. In Virginia, a version of Row Your Boat was a staple. Several years ago, while playing in a softball tournament in Roanoke, VA a tropical storm came through, knocking out lights at the ballpark for minutes to hours at a time, with some lights never coming back on. (We also received buckets of rain, and eventually the tournament was cancelled. That was right after we lost a game, in the rain, with the left side of the field dark, due to faulty lighting. It was after midnight when we finished the game. I think I made the last out with runners on and us down by one or two.) During one long period without lights I made up a song to the tune of Row, Row Your Boat. "Ro-, Ro-, Roanoke, city in the dark, here we sit, on our butts, at the ball park." Because of the beat, that was on my mind during long, steady climbs. I also resorted to humor. (Me? Using humor??) Several songs from the South Park movie helped me out, the most important one being "What would Brian Boitano do?" but "It's easy, m'kay" and "Blame Canada" were sang frequently, and parts of other songs from the movie helped out as well.I've heard some thruhikers say their music tastes changed since being on the AT, but mine never did. I still dislike country music and most bluegrass, and still like... well... most other kinds of music, especially rock (broadly including old, new, hard, metal, light and alternative). The only major way my music tastes changed was that now, instead of hating "Rocky Top" (because of it's overuse by rival Univ of Tennessee), I now like it as a reminder of that awesome mountain in TN. That's a big step for a UF Gator!How have I changed since leaving for the trail? Hmmm...   Well, I told someone, Aloha I think, in the last several days of the hike, that I think I was well-suited to doing this AT hike. I take things pretty lightly, am easygoing and don't get my feathers ruffled too easily. I can allow things to happen without worrying about them too much, and am able to change with the situation. I like people and if I don't like someone, instead of arguing with them, I can just quit talking to them. (Can you say 'nonconfrontational'?) However, I think this hike has made those attributes stronger. I'd also like to keep things as simple as possible in my after-hike life. Employ the KISS method (Keep It Simple, Stupid). I'm not sure what all that will entail, but I'd like to live in a simple house/apt, get a job I like but isn't too complicated (read: no political BS and racing for the top), and have freedom to leave if/when I want to. I am not against leaving FL, and I am no longer against staying in FL either. The options are wide open, and that is a nice thing.The last few days, I've been trying to just enjoy the ride home. I got to visit some friends I hadn't seen in a LONG time and really enjoyed that. People are important to me, especially those that I care about. I'm not worrying about a job. I will take some time to reflect on the AT thruhike and make a decision when it hits me. I don't need much to live... just a shelter and some food, and want to have fun every day. There's no need to waste time doing things I don't have a desire to do. That goes for work or play.Just as I'm enjoying the ride home, I want to enjoy the Big Ride too, every day. I'm going to live, not just be alive.