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Feb 11, 2010
Day 7 Part 1
11:23 am
Mississippi is a trip. What a friendly, eclectic mix of people. Not as many White Dreds as the other stops on this tour, but definitely as much drug use. It’s surprising how rampant this culture has become. Students are as bold as ever as they ask innocent bystanders for any narcotics they can acquire. One kid blatantly asked me, “Do you have drugs?” I quickly responded, “Nah, I don’t do drugs.” Homeboy, who was about half an inch taller than me, had the creepiest smile on his face when he simply replied, ”Well, I do.” His sinister grin kinda freaked me out, but I let him know that I hoped he found what he was looking for. Interactions like these with people across the globe give me a stronger sense of pride and gratitude for the way my parents raised me. I’m thankful that I grew up in the melting pot that is Los Angeles, California and was exposed to such a diverse array of influences. My mother being from AL and my pops being from LA has allowed me to have deep roots in the South, as most African-Americans do, but the cultures that the West Coast exposed me to truly shaped my person. s we left MS, headed for a post Super Bowl Parade/pre-Mardi Gras New Orleans, I wondered what insanity I would be exposed to on this leg of my expedition.
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Feb 9, 2010
Day 5 Part 1
12:03 pm
As the days go by, the tone of these wake up calls gradually got more and more stern. The accents on the other end are constantly changing, but the message is the same in any language: GET THE [expletive] OUTTA HERE! Not before Milk came barging in yelling “Hey Zipperheads, good morning,” as he leaps and tackles Danny at the vending machine. Now that’s comradery if I’ve ever seen it. After being a part for a few hours, it was obvious that Milk missed us. Sleeping in the parking lot must have been highly exhilarating, but I equate the smile on Jason’s face to the fact that his precious iPhone survived the blistering cold, even though he neglected the cellular device and bolted from the van the previous night, launching his Apple product into the air until it landed on a bed of sleet, slush and snow to retire for the evening.
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Feb 8, 2010
Day 4 Part 1
11:47 am
Is it still Groundhog Day? I am starting to feel like Bill Murray. Another morning in a budget hotel spent sleeping next to Black Matt in my zebra print Snuggie while Danny and Milk fight over the stiff, cold hotel covers. The cleaning crew began banging on the door almost an hour ago, signaling it was time to wake up. They had already come by our room on two separate occasions because check out was at 11, but we vehemently professed that we were getting up and leaving soon. Remember when you begged the Moms for 15 more minutes of sleep before getting ready for school only to fall back asleep for an extra hour of Zzz’s and wind [sic] up being late for first period?
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Feb 7, 2010
Day 3 Part 1
10:46 am
There is a bittersweet taste in my mouth today. We are leaving Joe’s compound this afternoon headed south for better weather and to play some music in Louisville, KY. I’m so grateful for how he took us under his wing and made us all feel like part of the family even though only Jason is a blood relative. That is probably the best part of tour: the love shown by family and friends across the country. Whether it was sharing a meal with Danny’s sister and her family in Las Vegas or visiting Milk’s Grandma outside of Des Moines, the people that we come in contact with on a daily basis really make it all well worth it. As Cousin Joe began setting up for his Super Bowl party by slicing bell peppers and arranging his vegetable platter, I was just opening my eyes and peeking out the window, only to be blinded by the glare of the fresh powder.
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