So I have an ipod that I carry with me, but I have only used it twice or so. For the first two weeks, I think the battery was dead; plus, I have been staying with people so much and haven’t had much time to myself to listen to music. I never listen while I am riding. It’s so dangerous, not being able to hear approaching cars; and then I would miss out on all the wonderful ambiance surrounding me. What’s the point of riding a bike then? While I ride, though, I almost always have a song or two on repeat in my head. Most of the time it’s a good thing; sometimes I want to get it out of my head.

I thought I would share some songs I have been singing the last few days. They have been mood stabilizers and put a smile on my face as I sing them aloud, heading down the sometimes-lonely road.

The first is a song by my favorite artist, Mason Jennings. I was introduced to his music about a year and a half ago and instantly fell in love. Since then I have never found myself tired of listening, despite the fact I listen to him all the time. I think, more than any other artist, I really connect with his lyrics. He seems to be a man on a broad path of self-discovery, and he articulates his views so simply and passionately. I also love his lack of production. He follows his heart and puts so much into his music, while keeping the product so simple. This song is titled “Southern Cross.” I think it has resonated so much for me on this trip just because of the lyrics, ‘have some faith.’ This focus of this trip has unexpectedly but fortuitously become about finding faith and maintaining it through all times, from good to bad, happy to sad. So many of my encounters and circumstances have reiterated this idea. I’m very thankful for that.

Then, of course, there are the lyrics: ‘I don’t know what I want, but I know where I want to be. And, everywhere I go, I wish you were here with me… Once, everything made sense, now I get so alone that I can’t sleep. Somebody please tell me if this is where I’m supposed to be.’ Expresses how I feel at the moment so precisely. Most places I go, taking in the beauty of this country and the wonderful nature of so many friendly people, I so often wish I had someone to share it all with. Sure, I can write pages and pages about it, snap pictures even, but nothing compares to being there. I used to foolishly think my ex-girlfriend and I were going to have the opportunity to travel together. On my last trip up the Pacific coast, when I first fell in love with her, before we started dating, I often thought about how much I wished she were there with me to see all the amazing sights. On this trip, however, those thoughts have to be pushed aside. On both trips I have wished my brother Josh could be here with me as well. And sometimes I do wish that someone would tell me that this is where I’m supposed to be. It seems I have constant affirmation of it throughout most days, but those days when it’s not there, when self-doubt takes hold, times can be rough. But that’s the never-ending cycle, it seems. I’m just grateful to have found music that can so perfectly express how I feel. I think that is such an important asset and the most important aspect of any art.

So here it is, a link to the song. I couldn’t find a video or anything to post, but you can listen to the whole thing for free here.

Southern Cross by Mason Jennings

This next one is a song I have been singing aloud very joyously for the last few days, despite the fact I only know the words to the first verse. I don’t know anything about the movie this is a trailer for, but the two singing are my good friends Dre and Eddie from Dusty Rhodes and the River Band. Such a beautiful song and catchy melody; it’s hard not to keep singing over and over.

Okay, there’s more, but this will do for now. I hope y’all enjoy. Now it’s time for me to go snuggle up with the giant spiders and crickets. The gnats and beetle-looking things are friendly as well, it seems.