Archive for February 1st, 2008

I’m doing a bridge tour tonight.  It’s not a full moon but I missed the last full moon night and I’m anxious to see my city lit up and reflecting off the rivers to a good soundtrack.  I like to build music for a trip based on how long it takes me to get across the 7 major bridges of the metro area.  I like to see if I can time the songs to the crescendos or riffs to crest the top of the bridges overlooking the city. For example, if I start ‘Stairway to Heaven’ on the north loop of the 405 by the time I pass the Morrison Bridge – I can peak the Freemont Bridge as the chords start so that Freya carries me to the highest point of the city when the riff rolls out of the speakers and the city lights are reflecting off the Willamette.

I usually play ‘Renegade’ by Styx when I’m taking the top deck of the 405, ‘Closer’ by NIN on highway 30 on my way to the St. Johns Bridge – and ‘Comfortably Numb’ on the way back toward 405 S. By the time I get to the Hawthorne bridge I like to be listening to something Ozzy, or Aerosmith. I like Queen for going downtown to hit the Broadway Bridge ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, the Burnside Bridge and the Steel Bridge. Then sometimes I like to mix it up with a little Metallica ‘Sandman’ , obviously, or Megadeath ‘Symphony of Destruction’.

Then there are the Bridge tours that I need crooning female voices to carry me through some desperate emotions. Things I can work out in fifth gear while singing to Alanis, Tori Amos, Dido or KT Tunstal.

I think tonight is just for the movement. I need fifth gear to remind me that I’m not trapped, that I can soar over the city with harmonic chords and angelic voices.  I can ride full speed ahead and turn left or right and change my course at the drop of a hat depending on how the music inspires me. Crystal Ball. Madame Blue. Leather. Enter Sandman. No More Tears. Who Wants to Live Forever. Black Horse and a Cherry Tree. Behind Blue Eyes. Momma I’m coming Home. Hotel California. Stairway to Heaven. Hey You.

Tonight is music, coffee and fifth gear. Tonight is freedom.