I once took a trip to Idaho with my mom that was really not enjoyable. My grandmother was dying and in general it was Idaho. I don’t feel very welcomed there. It’s just a different vibe. I am not really religious and that is practically terrorist activity in Nampa Idaho. When I got home, I was talking to my boyfriend at the time about the trip and for some reason or another I didn’t have a shirt on. I stopped what I was saying and asked him to throw me a blanket. I couldn’t talk about Idaho while topless. We then went on to label that blanket “The Topless Idaho Blanket.” At the time, I didn’t truly know the joy of turning a bad experience into a carefree topless one.
I have a 45 minute (without traffic) commute to work and while my job is something that most every person I meet makes fun of in one way or another, it is amazingly stressful. Every day is filled with a lot of responsibility. The problem is that each day also requires a lot of creative thinking and that doesn’t always mix well in my brain with heavy responsibility. Whether I am trying to make food storage exciting or hair care emotional or even an angry, abusive, cheap, misogynistic client feel heard and empowered, creative thinking is definitely required. However, time is not always on my side.
I used to spend most of my commute on the phone with one or ten work related people. I viewed the commute as the beginning of my work day. This worked but basically it turned even my short days into a 10-12 hour work day. I would sometimes talk to my mom during the commute as well and while this is enjoyable, it usually fuels some argument or another about how we can’t hear or understand one another because of bad reception or just noise in general. We would get cut off at the same place on the commute everyday and in truth, it was just not super satisfying to talk like that. It’s better done from home when I can relax and enjoy and interruption free chat. I promise this is all going somewhere. It’s all moving towards my new true love. It’s all about my new topless lifestyle. It’s about my car.
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want a convertible. I used to drive by them in whatever car my mom or I had at the moment and imagine how great that must feel. The wind, the sound, the smell, and it all seemed so dreamy. And you know what? It is. I recently purchased a used VW EOS and I have to say that it is the most amazing gift I have ever given myself. I have turned what used to be a miserable traffic filled angry part of my day into a truly enjoyable experience. No more phone calls because it just can’t be done with the top down. No more angry clients because you can’t talk to clients without a top on. That would be disrespectful. No more anything in general that could make me mad at all. It’s my me time. Sometimes I blast Bruce all the way and sing every note along with him. Other days I blare Air Supply and smile and laugh as I pass multiple strange looks. But the best days, I must say are the days that I spend completely silent. I don’t speak at all. Sometimes there is music and sometimes it’s just the sound of the air and the road. That loud silence is what fuels me these days. My brain finds a way to solve problems. My heart finds a way to release. I sometimes cry and that too is a release. It’s the best therapy ever.
A very good friend posted recently about needing advice on how not to get overwhelmed and I can attest to that a lot. I feel overwhelmed most of the time…but not with top down. I don’t care what the temperature is. Yesterday the dial said 35 degrees. The only thing that keeps my top on these days is rain or a really bad neighborhood. I need it. It truly is what keeps me grounded. So, without making this a complete VW commercial, I offer up topless rides to any of my stressed friends and family. We can be silent or loud. Your call. You just have to try it. Go topless!
