I went to Texas this past weekend (“this past weekend” meaning October 25th-27th). My good friend Barrett Conner is a very talented musician, and he had the opportunity to play in Dallas, Houston, and Austin. Also in Texas this weekend were some more of my good friends: Tristan, Luke, Owen, Tommy, and Drew. They are some of my closest friends from college, and I haven’t seen them since the summer. I was picked up from Dallas Fort Worth International by Luke, Tristan, and their friend Ben. I had met Ben before, and it was great to see him that night. We met the others at Whataburger. I don’t like Whataburger, but I did that night. We said our goodbyes to Ben (Ben it was good to see ya man), spent the night in Frisco, and then drove to Houston the next day.
It was a four hour drive to Houston, accompanied by Barrett and Tommy. I enjoyed catching up with them and talking about life. I’ve been told that Houston is the armpit of Texas. I kinda like Houston so I’ll call it my armpit of Texas. We also had a running joke to tell Luke that Houston is better than Dallas (he now lives in Dallas and is doing the Fellows program there). We all met up at the venue before Tristan, Owen, and I took our bags to the house we were staying at that night. The house belonged to Tristan’s friend. I didn’t believe in four story houses until that day. We unloaded our luggage and met them back at the venue, driving the opposite direction of a one way street only one time in the process.
Barrett Conner is a very talented musician. I don’t know much, but I know that well enough to say it two times in three paragraphs. I’ve seen Barrett perform many times, yet each time it feels like my first. I won’t talk about his performing because I believe that one day you’ll make your way to a Barrett concert (I believe in that more than four story houses). What I will talk about is the meaning behind this concert. To watch one of my best friends do what I—and many others—believe he is called to do is such a gift. When I say that he is talented, what I really mean to say is that he is special, and I hope that everyone has an opportunity to witness that someday.
We left Houston Sunday morning and drove two hours to Austin. This time I was with Tristan and Luke. Those two guys are my brothers (not by blood but there’s no better word I could use). Luke’s the reason I was in Texas that weekend, and I’m glad I got to thank him for that. Tristan is doing the Fellows program in Colorado Springs, and he and I had a great conversation about the past two months. The first thing we did in Austin was hit up Barton Springs, which is a natural pool just outside downtown Austin. Afterwards we grabbed some food, and then I was dropped off at Austin-Bergstrom International to fly back to Raleigh. I was picked up in Raleigh by my friends Ryan and Bryan (if you don’t know them you’re missing out). It’s a blessing to not have to worry about transportation after you get off of a plane. Thank you Ryan and Bryan.
I want to tell you about this song called “The Rabbit, the Bat, and the Reindeer” by Dr. Dog. I’ve been listening to it for a while now, but only recently have I figured out what it means (at least what it means to me). These are the lyrics to the end of the song:
“I’m gettin it back with that terrible feelin
My vision is cracked but it looks like it’s healin
I’m gettin it back like it’s four in the mornin
When the sun only shines cause it’s been given a warnin
I’m gettin it back with the rest of the leap year
I’m takin the rabbit, the bat, and the reindeer
I’m gettin it out, whatever I gotta keep in
I’m tellin the truths that I don’t when we pretend
Should we pretend?”
I’m pretty sure “the rabbit, the bat, and the reindeer” refers to Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. I can do without the bat, but that’s not the point. I think I got a lot back this weekend. I got a lot back eating Whataburger with my friends in Texas. I got a lot back listening to Drew talk about grad school in Texas. I got a lot back laughing with Owen. It’s in his genes to make people laugh. I got a lot back making the blinds go up and down by the push of a button in that four story house. Tristan and I really got a kick out of that. I got a lot back watching Tommy do wicked flips off of the diving board at Barton springs. I got a lot back watching Luke do an impersonation of a man formally known as “southern guy”. Next time you see me, ask me about southern guy. I got a lot back watching Barrett do the thing he loves and was made for, and I got a lot back when Ryan and Bryan lovingly picked me up from the airport to ask me about my weekend. I don’t know what “it” is that I got, and I don’t fully know what I did to lose it in the first place, but I do know that I got some of it back this weekend. I have no one to thank for that other than my aforementioned friends.
I’d be pretty naive to think that this song only has one meaning, and that the meaning of it is to illustrate my thoughts and feelings about this past weekend. Turns out I’m pretty naive, so if you told me that I’d probably believe it.
Not as much as four story houses though.
Love, Bailey