I decided I would get serious about my health so I joined Weight Watchers. Of course with dieting comes exercise and even though I had been trying to avoid it, I realized I would have to be more active. So I took these ridiculously blue shoes

 

This monster of a Walkman

And this used Garth Brooks Tape

I pull up the hood on my oversized gray hoodie (It makes me feel like Gandalf), and walk out the door.

As soon as I started walking, I realized that The Hits by Garth Brooks is the perfect soundtrack for my walk. I don’t know if it’s because deep down, Garth Brooks is just a Rock and Roll singer or if it is that he knew my neighborhood and made a cassette for it. I don’t enjoy walking out the door, it’s not pain, I just struggle with physical activity, but then Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til The Sun Comes Up) comes on and my reticence disappears. How could it not? And as I travel down the road Friends in Low Places comes on and I start to sing. I am aware at that I am wearing a Walkman and no one else can hear the music but I don’t care, I got places to go and songs to sing!!!

The River comes on and I remember my childhood, for some reason we were taught the sign language of this song every year. Of course, the song does lend itself well to anyone with anything going on in their life, whether its issues at home, trouble in relationships, or cancer, The River reminds us that we keep moving with the currant even though we don’t want to, and I continue moving with the currant.

Then I arrive at this cool cemetery in my neighborhood

 

And as I walk through the gate I hear the chorus, I’m much too young to feel this damn old. I can’t help but chuckle, I am walking through the cemetery, and I feel old? As I walk through the small road and look at the old and new graves I am forced to keep my mortality in perspective. Someday my body will be laid cold (then heated up shortly when I am cremated) and what is left is the knowledge I pass down. The cemetery reminds me why I work, and the purpose of my work.

I generally leave the cemetery while The Thunder Rolls, and about the time American Honkey-Tonk Bar Association I remember that Garth Brooks and I probably wouldn’t agree about politics, but we don’t have to for me to sing along as I turn the corner toward home. I get home after two slow songs reminding me what I walk toward. If Tomorrow Never Comes and Unanswered Prayers drive me home to my family.

I get home remove my Gandalf hoodie then go on about my day. But there is something simple about carrying my Walkman instead of an mp3 player. It just feels easier. I don’t have to put together a special mix, I don’t have to copy anything to the player (which is more of a hassle than I would have ever thought), and I get to feel the tape in my hand (which makes a bigger deal than you’d think), I get to feel the mechanics begin to move when I push the buttons, it feels, active, to me. I am going through the act of listing to music, not just passively hearing it.

If you know the album you may be asking, what about the B side? Well, good question, that is for tomorrows walk. When I pick up my Walkman tomorrow I will flip the tape being reminded that life is better when I’m not Standing Outside the Fire.