HarHar
“Stop trying so hard to sound deep. Stop using twice the words necessary. Your thoughts have potential, but your writing is muddy and imprecise.
Also, when was the last time you traveled with just a backpack? That detail is jarring like dad’s voice on the answering machine interrupting some nookie.”
Got this in response to my post about travel. I’m not going head-to-head on why she chose to get all “see me after class” with the writing critique, but I did want to answer the question asked.
The last time I lived out of a backpack was May 15, 2010. Finished my last show in Tokyo a couple of nights ago and I don’t have to be to the next gig in Europe for a week, so I decided to throw and go in my time off. The question asked isn’t so much literally wanting to know when the last time I went with one piece of luggage was. I believe the question is “tell me why I should choose to relate to you, when ___________?” The reason I find this unspoken question so irritating is because 1. It’s ultimately dismissive in terms of having to do any real understanding or relating and 2. I never know what people are filling in their own personal blank with, so I never know how much work I have cut out for me in terms of explaining myself.
I’m living out of a duffel bag and a messenger bag. I’m taking photos and taking cabs and taking chances on restaurants that might be the equivalent of a Spagos or a Shoney’s. I’m re-using socks. (once over.) I’m sweating on a treadmill. I’m taking cat naps while in motion. I’m you, only with a guitar and some songs that people can sing along to.
Promise. JM
John Mayer will be “you” when going to Shoney’s is a treat and not a chance and he’s on a bus that’s on its way to a job he hates sleeping because he’s been working so hard to feed his family…and not headed to some place “you” will probably never get to see.
