So Long, Swan

I sold the Swan today. I didn't cry, but we had a nice goodbye. I had to drive to Cambridge this morning to get the title from my dad's house, and it was a great day for it. Sunny, but not too hot... not that it matters cuz the Swan has got a bangin' AC system. We drove by my grandmother's old house since she was the previous owner. We listened to good music and sang good songs. I had a large Americano (thanks Moira!) from Uncommon in the cup holder. The Swan is used to those green cups; the Swan has seen those green cups on many a road trip. The Swan favored my snowmonkey plum tea phase because they made her smell the best.

I've lost it, I know.

On the road this morning, I thought about some of the greatest memories we've shared:

First, I guess I should explain why she is called the Swan. Once my dear friend Sam, not Nordic-looking Snakes Sam, but 05er Sam, and I were walking through West Lot to my car. Our friendship was fairly new at that point and he asked which car was mine. I said "this one," and he thought I said "the swan." When he saw her long curvaceous bod, we decided the name worked. And it stuck.

One of the earliest Swan memories was when Laura and I drove around Saratoga during our first fall at Skidmore because we wanted to listen to the new Strokes album not in the dorm and wasting gas wasn't a big deal back in those days. We were curious where the road went when North Broadway ends and began driving down it. We barely made it 100 yards before we freaked out. Too many horror movies--or pornos--start that way, so we backed out. I still have no idea where that road goes.

There was also a time during mono month when I was for some reason up at 3 am, probably because I had been sleeping all day, and Basil, Hunter, and I were hanging out in the Penfield lounge and decided we would take a trip to Wal-Mart. I needed Popsicles. I don't know what they needed. I was the only with a car. We were somewhere by the sports field when I just stopped driving. I didn't know how to drive anymore. I remembered I was on codeine and prednisone, and Basil took over. We had a lovely time at Wal-Mart, and I purchased Dole brand All Fruit Peach Popsicles.

The Swan also took me and many friends (Laura, Alissa, Deb, Sara, Dan, Miriam, Rebecca, Cliff, Mantonio, Myles, Sam, Mischa, Petria, Kira, Arianne, Sarah, Ariella, Shannon, Emily, Gwills, Chloe, & Dad) to many a place (NYC, Brooklyn, Northampton, Boston, Bard) for many a concert (Death Cab--We were only freshmen, okay?--, Sufjan x2, The Shins, Bloc Party, Modest Mouse, Four Tet, Spoon, Dunjen, Gang of Four, Wolf Parade, The Constantines, Why?, The Decemberists, Broken Social Scene, Feist, The English Beat, The Walkmen, Clipse, Peter Bjorn & John, Fujiya Miyagi, Snakes Say Hisss!, MGMT, The Weakerthans). I really think this is a completely accurate list of everyone who has ever taken a road trip in the Swan to go to a show, though I am likely missing a few bands thanks to CMJ and all their "showcases."

Of all these great road trips, the trip with Laura to see Bloc Party summer 2005 was the best. I was put on the list for the sold out show one day before the show thanks to my bud at AAM and for being a kickass music director. I decided whoever got to our lunch spot (Case patio, duh) first would be my plus one. I saw Miriam walking from the library, but Laura popped out of Case and beat her. I felt bad, but didn't know how else to do it. Laura and I left after work at 4, parked in some lot near Union Square, ate a quick dinner, enjoyed a great show (because Silent Alarm ruled, and this was pre-shitty Weekend in the City), ran into Laura's boyfriend Matt and his friends (surprise!), left NY at 1, arrived at our little abode on Ash Street at 4 am, and went to work at 10 the next morning. The only negative of this amazing 12-hour trip was that I broke an over 5-year, post-Fast Food Nation-reading no McDonald's streak. Oops.

The only other time I did the to NY and back in one night trip was with Shannon because same Mr. Nice Guy at AAM put me on PB&J list at the last minute. Our ride down was nice, it was the day after the last day of classes senior year, the show was great, but Shannon directed me on "short cut" through NJ after the show, but fell asleep before seeing me through execution of the short cut and didn't know where we were when she woke up and I was mean because I was tired and had to pee because I drank an extra large Red Bull and it really sucked and we got in a fight. We were fine the next day and remain great chums.

Why the f, am I still writing?

Swan, I will miss you. You brought me, friends, and music together in more ways than you will ever realize. I hope Christopher, your new owner, doesn't subject you to anything too bad. He was wearing am American Apparel hoodie this morning, so you'll probably be alright.

I am gonna go take a bike ride now cuz those are the only wheelz I got.