octolilly [through the years]

I found an old cd tonight and with the finding came a bundle of memories. Choose Life by Big Tent Revival. The minute my fingers slipped it into my car stereo, I felt like I was back in college.

During college, BTR became one of my obsessions (Sims being the other). Yes, some of their music was a bit cheesy, but I didn’t care.

And since my evenings during college were spent at The Shack, I introduced Big Tent Revival to our world. My co-workers and I would play BTR in the break room, in the warehouse, in the little area-where-we-kept-boxes, and in the gift-wrapping department. I’d imprint bibles, order books, unpack shipments, and lounge on the wicker couch- all while humming the tunes of BTR.

Will You Be Mine was my all-time favorite song on the album. We’d push the chairs back in the break-room and lip sync on top of the coffee table. The Boy-who-first-stole-my-heart would play his gorgeous Taylor, I’d beat out a rhythm on the table, and the others would watch us and laugh.

And then when the winter days rolled around, we’d pull out all the stops and begin blaring What I Want for Christmas. I’d get down on the music manager’s keyboard and we would sing holiday cheer for folks (while passing out apple cider of course).

And while I’d be rearranging the Ever Present small bottles of Holy Water (near the Veggie Tales section), I’d hear the aforementioned Boy rummaging on the sound system. In seconds, Love Me Like You Do would be blaring throughout the store and I’d hear him belting I’ve been sad and blue, I’ve been flying solo. He couldn’t really sing that well either. Which made it funnier.

Ahh, Big Tent Revival. I have no idea if they are even producing music now. It seems like they might have broken up or something. But, they certainly provided great entertainment during my time at The Shack. Thanks, boys.

The small town of Pickens, South Carolina is normally quiet in the early mornings. All the small diners are packed as usual but the downtown traffic is sparse.

When I hit 178 this morning and began entering the outskirts of Pickens, I knew something was wrong. There were two police officers at every traffic light (yet the light’s weren’t broken), there were photographers milling around in the street, and the traffic was thick as pie.

Eventually, the news began spreading throughout town that the fiasco was because the Health Department offered flu shots this morning. Beginning at 6am, the entire town came to a stand still as every Bobby Joe, Hank, and Mary Sue headed down to get their shot.

I couldn’t help but be reminded of the local grocery stores during winter. All it takes is one hint of snow in the air and we rush and buy all the milk and bread. Who seriously eats milk and bread during snow storms?

Most of the people headed to the HD had probably never even had a flu shot in their life, but oh my word, we had better get the shot this time! After all, there’s a shortage!

When Channel 4’s helicopter began hovering over the bank (filming the traffic mess), I couldn’t help but rush outside and take pictures.

One of the police officer’s who’d been directing traffic came into the bank around noon. He said he’d never seen such a rude and ornery group of people before. Apparently, one of the ladies in line was holding a sign above her head that read, “Bush is stupid.” As this police officer walked by, she took the sign down and held a new one aloft. It read, “And so are cops.”

He said it took all of his willpower to not cause a scene. You know, one of those good face-smashing-God’s-gonna-make-you-pay scenes. His mamma taught him to be a gentleman but he couldn’t help himself after discovering that she was one of the ones turned away at the HD. He leaned against her car, waiting for her return. Her eyebrows raised when she saw him, and she started to mouth off. He smiled and said, “Hope you catch the flu.”

Another incident occurred when an older woman tried to enter a restricted road. He blew his whistle at her and motioned for her to keep driving. The little old lady crawled out of her car and started screaming, “I’m going to whoop your $*@!”

He said it was all he could do not to laugh in disbelief. So he just got in her face and screamed, “Old woman! Get back in your car and MOVE IT!” She cowered quickly and ran to her car.

Heh. What a morning! And all of this for a flu shot.