IF SIX WAS NINE

THE ONCE DECIDED
EXISTENTIAL QUESTION:

What if beyond the material and immaterial, the social and antisocial, the earned and unearned, the necessary and unnecessary - needs, wants, and desires that take lives down the crowded crawling road of daily ritual, redundant with uneventful and predictable morning coffee wake-me-ups and later day chores, are roads where tires are smoking.

What if beyond the hi-ways and my-ways of aerodynamically cloned mistakes, and past the roadblocks of insecurity, mercenary planning and fearful adventure, that chains heart and soul to self, and never to life affirming spontaneous journeys, are roads where chains are breaking.

What if beyond the subliminal headaches given by unworthy others or loved ones, unwilling or unable to fathom the ineffable bliss of driving hand built road machines across long stretches of blacktop, or appreciate the learned spiritual insights one discovers around greasy diners, buffalo china, and black coffee, are roads where spirits are soaring.

What if beyond the mind, body, and soul of blacktop and lickin' spoons and past the scars of time and the burns of asphalt are roads where personal lessons are gathered and shared, rewarded and honored, cleansed and renewed, so that no catastrophic event, unwanted circumstance, or unanticipated consequence will prevent the mother road of all roads from being traveled without passion, intensity, and love of life.

What if 6 was to become 9, and what if you were to go?

A HITCH-HIKING DAY
EXCERPT FROM THE ROAD:

The sun was not kind. It's blistering rays had already scorched my face yet it continued to search for addional skin to stake its claim. I begged the last remaining drop from my water bottle and cursed the decision that had left me stranded upon that god-forsaken spot. I stood toasted beside the lonesome intersection of an endless highway and soundless road that offered neither hope of change or purpose of travel. That too has evaperated into the mid-day sky. I has been under the sun too long. Much too long. I pulled from my backpack a piece of cardboard and scatched with pen the bold letters - JUST ONCE. Then waited with hopeful prayer for the next approaching ride.

The sun gives life but can take it as well and so i feared the latter. On the road you're at the mercy of powers greater than yourself and not even the exercise of rational thought can explain the how's and why's of your circumstance, especially when your body is singed and your mind fried. I was approaching serious dehydration and knew the situation was desperate. I was alone. Very alone and the sun was my only companion. On the horizon i saw an approaching vehicle. I grabbed the sign and stood ready. Eternity could have arrived sooner but i had nothing to do but wait and hope. This was not the first time i had orphaned my thirst for the road, but hitchhiking with anything more than a liter of water is too cumbersome, too heavy, and too much of a burden. At what point does one give too much? Spend too little? And at what point does one sacrifice the lightness of being to the weight of the road. The approaching vehicle stopped. I got in. And the next chance i got i bought myself an umbrella.

A WISH UPON A STAR
EXCERPT FROM THE ROAD:

She was the 3rd ranked national gymanst a few years prior to my arrival in Perth that day. And if you ever had witnessed the scene of Jessica Alba swimming in the movie Sin City you'll understand exactly what i felt when i saw this heavenly body thrust itself against a rocking pinball machine, trying to tease from it another game from the quarter she had just dropped. The cross roads of time an space had intersected in the back room of a now forgotten bar that offered its few inbriated patrons the chance to mingle and play and i just happened to be one of them.

She dug another quarter from her tightly fitted jeans, and i in the awkward manner of an interested bystander, offered her one as well. She laughed as did i, then i wondered if the cross roads of time and space were about to offer the gift of hopes and dreams? And if the gift of hopes and dreams were about to realize the embrace of bodies and souls? I swallowed hard as i sat my glass down and realized i was getting ahead of myself.

She became talkative and leaned closer and i closer still. And the night became enchanting. She confided to me what her life was about. What it took and what it gave. And i confided mine to her as well. We traded beautiful thoughts and revealed to one another our own mistaken illusions of love lost, and of love gained. She expressed her belief in the divine providence of its pretermined fate. I expressed mine in the randomness of it fortune. We both laughed at our indulgence of life and took one anothers hands. She agreed that fortune just sometimes happens, and i agreed that perhaps our fate was planted in the embryonic seeds of the inflationary universe. We both agreed our time was now. We pushed back our stools and got up to leave. She whispered, "fate is a funny thing". I smiled, but said nothing. We then stumbled out the door, and i, into the night of good fortune.

THE NOW OBLIGATORY DETOUR
A MATTER OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE:

Seeking an all-American woman to drive a highly modified high performance Forty Ford Coupe. And to assist in the production and filming of American Patriotism for a series of web available video shorts.

Your love of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness must be evident, sincere, and contagious. Your expectations are to work hard, have fun, and be meaningful. Camera friendliness is a prerequisite. Insightful commentary encouraged. If you have the ambition, intellect, and courage to help recall, defend and resurrect the lost American character and want to be part of this effort please text me at 508 320-2412 or email johnny@johnnybcuz.com. Thank-you.

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Untited States any and all patriots who wish to have a wet plate collodion portrait taken of themselves either holding or displaying the American flag will be done free of charge. This offer will remain in effect until the fall of 2026. Please contact me for further details.