The Park Where I Found the Tree of the Dead

A little over a week ago, when it was warm enough to walk around outside without a coat, my friend took me to this lovely little place behind our campus (the same friend who informed me of the presence of a gay ex-stripper-now-photographer-and-writer on campus--thank you, Will). The intention was to lie in the grass, look up at the stormy sky, and do absolutely nothing. But being me, I just couldn't do that.

Here is what the pictures do not show:

I was dressed like a 1930's housewife--swishy floral skirt, neat little blouse, black flats. I looked like I was going to a job interview, rather than lying in a damn field.

We talked. A lot. I can't say precisely what we talked about--hell, I don't even remember some of what we talked about, which would make reporting it rather difficult--but the parts I do remember were interesting, to say the least.

Some students in the athletic field just out of view behind us were blasting the radio the entire time...well, not the entire time, but pretty close...and somehow, this place was still peaceful. I still can't figure that out.

Not long after these pictures were taken, two of our other friends showed up...and then came the downpour. I put my things in the gazebo and then ran around in the rain. I got soaked. I probably looked like a drowned animal. I sure as hell couldn't see--I wear glasses, as you might tell from my profile picture, and as anyone who wears glasses will know, standing in the rain does not improve one's eyesight. And if you don't wear glasses...well, imagine trying to drive during a thunderstorm with your face pressed right against the windshield. But in spite of drowned-animal countenance and total lack of visibility, I was still having the time of my life.

And even as I was leaving, my only thought was, I have got to come back and shoot a movie in this place someday.

"The lights, they fill the air...or were they always there, and I'm finally seeing it?" ~Cloud Cult