The pain that grows dark.

I want to go to cool places with you.

Thirty years ago I had a life-altering experience. Summer 1983 was spent washing dishes and cleaning up at a local diner, hanging around the comic books store, and watching as much MTV as possible, for fear I might miss something important.

August meant marching band practice, and pool night that summer, the summer before my sophomore year, was much like the year before. I was with the exact same people -- my friends -- cannonballing, splashing, pushing people in. Horseplay. I was fifteen and still acting like a kid.

Maybe an hour into the festivities, one particular crew walked in late, and to me it was like one of those slow-motion moments when that cool gang walks down the street. In this case the soundtrack would probably be Robert Plant's Big Log.

In the lead was the lead snare, with him that trumpet player -- both now seniors and always wearing shades. One Rockette from my grade, her boyfriend, also trumpet and a senior, and the new girl, the tall one from Kansas, also a sophomore, the cymbal player.

Only tonight she was wearing a white two-piece. No one wore bikinis in Bay Village in 1983.

I was fucking blinded. I mean, brain-blinded. It's like some one slapped me in the face, trying to wake me up. You spent the summer in front of the TV, you're a teenager for God's sake, get busy!

It wasn't just the bikini, it was the entire picture. Jumping off the high drive screaming like an asshole suddenly didn't interest me anymore. Keeping my eye on them, I made sure to notice when they were making to leave, and when the snare drummer picked up his stuff, I ran up and asked if he was headed out.

When he said yes, I got down onto my knees and begged, "Wherever you all are going, please take me with you."

He raised his eyebrows and smiled. "No problem, guy."

Temperature: 75°
Climate: cool breeze, but humid
Distance: 5.15 miles
Weight: 170.5 lbs.

Since Saturday I have had a sinus headache, every single day. Last night it was a full-blown migraine, covering the left half of my face, in my ear, my jaw, across to my nose, up and through my eye to the crown of my head. Horrible. It's been a long time, over-the-counter sinus medication has taken care of most attacks since I decide to cover them that way. But not Monday. Not yesterday.

Today it started after sitting in front of the screen at work for two hours, and the rehearsal hall does not help either, filter light and filtered air. They let me go early from work as the pain began to work its way from behind my right ear.  It has subsided a bit, and now, hopefully, some aerobic work will help clear my head.

1983 Playlist
Big Log - Robert Plant
Work That Skirt - The B-52s
I Will Follow - U2
Everyday People - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Come Dancing - The Kinks
Catapult - R.E.M.
What Difference Does It Make? (161 bpm) - The Smiths
Cool Places (159 bpm) - Sparks
Overkill - Men At Work
The Invisible Man - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Song For A Future Generation - The B-52s

... aaaaand my headache is gone. POOOF.