Take-Off!
I am officially sky high presently located somewhere over Montana hovering at around 36,500 feet and it feels good. I’m still in awe that this project is up and running and for the next month I will be touring the country coast to coast. I will also visit every corner of the continental US and cannot wait to explore the diversity that this country has to offer.
Many of you may not know that I am not a huge fan of flying. I don’t mind being in transit but it is the take-off and the landing that make me a bit anxious when I’m traveling. I don’t know if it’s the turbulence when you increase or decrease your altitude or if it’s the concern that most plane accidents happen during these two designated times, I just am not a fan of those two “key” aspects of a flight. Regardless of the reason I find myself in need of a relaxant in order to get through them.
Now while some may turn to good ole Dramamine or a cocktail or two, I turn to my IPod. I am a strong believer in the power of music to influence the body and create a right song for any and all situations. One of my favorite pastimes is when I am rocking out to some of my favorite tunes in the car. Window down and bass bumping, there is no greater sense of freedom at that very moment. I used to be embarrassed when another car would pull alongside me as I reached the climax of a song belting the “hard-to-reach-note” at the top of my lungs. Nowadays, that doesn’t even phase me. Instead I turn towards them hoping they will join in on this amazing moment that is this song and sing a brilliant harmony to complement my vocals. But unfortunately that has yet to happen to me, so if you come across me during my travels and this happens to you, please make my day and sing along!
My whole point to this story was that I NEED music in order to get myself through both landing and take-off. Unfortunately for me, it is illegal to listen to an IPod during both of those times on a plane because it interferes with all the equipment and the captain/flight attendants will throw a hissy fit and literally pull the plug on your harmonious groove session. So how do I deal? I wish I could say I’m a BADASS and do it anyway, but already being concerned that I will be in that 2% population involved in an airplane crash I choose to abide by the rules. Instead I get all pumped up for take-off by jamming out to what I refer to as take-off songs. Let me explain.
A take-off song has a few very key characteristics. First it needs to be danceable. The reasoning behind this is it is important to get your blood pumping before take-off in order to get your adrenaline coursing through your veins. Although you may attract several awkward looks for fellow passengers, my only advice to get rid of those is to invite those sitting next to you to also dance with you! How great would it be if you got a random flash mob to occur right before take-off, AMAZING!
The second thing your take-off jam needs is a build. I have no clue what this is characterized in musical jargon but it is when your music reaches it climax and the song turns from AWESOME to AMAZING all in the matter of a few seconds. This may be a different feeling for everyone but I think you can understand what I’m talking about.
The last thing necessary for a GREAT take-off song relies solely on the individual listening to it. In order for it to work, the individual needs to release all tension in every part of their body and allow the music to course through the body till it hits the top of your head and the tips of your fingers and toes. Allowing music to do this can be challenging, but I’m telling you once you will your body to do this you will not be disappointed!
Each leg of my journey I will be posting my take-off song for the day. I encourage everyone to leave ideas for great take-off songs that can get me through my travels in the next 30 days. I will start a discussion thread on the Facebook group as well as be looking for comments left on the blog. I have included a sample of a great take-off song, which fits perfectly with my first stop! Hello Seattle [Remix] by Owl City is an excellent example of how you can start your flight off right. So sit back, imagine you are taking off and enjoy the music folks!
I am officially sky high presently located somewhere over Montana hovering at around 36,500 feet and it feels good. I’m still in awe that this project is up and running and for the next month I will be touring the country coast to coast. I will also visit every corner of the continental US and cannot wait to explore the diversity that this country has to offer.
Many of you may not know that I am not a huge fan of flying. I don’t mind being in transit but it is the take-off and the landing that make me a bit anxious when I’m traveling. I don’t know if it’s the turbulence when you increase or decrease your altitude or if it’s the concern that most plane accidents happen during these two designated times, I just am not a fan of those two “key” aspects of a flight. Regardless of the reason I find myself in need of a relaxant in order to get through them.
Now while some may turn to good ole Dramamine or a cocktail or two, I turn to my IPod. I am a strong believer in the power of music to influence the body and create a right song for any and all situations. One of my favorite pastimes is when I am rocking out to some of my favorite tunes in the car. Window down and bass bumping, there is no greater sense of freedom at that very moment. I used to be embarrassed when another car would pull alongside me as I reached the climax of a song belting the “hard-to-reach-note” at the top of my lungs. Nowadays, that doesn’t even phase me. Instead I turn towards them hoping they will join in on this amazing moment that is this song and sing a brilliant harmony to complement my vocals. But unfortunately that has yet to happen to me, so if you come across me during my travels and this happens to you, please make my day and sing along!
My whole point to this story was that I NEED music in order to get myself through both landing and take-off. Unfortunately for me, it is illegal to listen to an IPod during both of those times on a plane because it interferes with all the equipment and the captain/flight attendants will throw a hissy fit and literally pull the plug on your harmonious groove session. So how do I deal? I wish I could say I’m a BADASS and do it anyway, but already being concerned that I will be in that 2% population involved in an airplane crash I choose to abide by the rules. Instead I get all pumped up for take-off by jamming out to what I refer to as take-off songs. Let me explain.
A take-off song has a few very key characteristics. First it needs to be danceable. The reasoning behind this is it is important to get your blood pumping before take-off in order to get your adrenaline coursing through your veins. Although you may attract several awkward looks for fellow passengers, my only advice to get rid of those is to invite those sitting next to you to also dance with you! How great would it be if you got a random flash mob to occur right before take-off, AMAZING!
The second thing your take-off jam needs is a build. I have no clue what this is characterized in musical jargon but it is when your music reaches it climax and the song turns from AWESOME to AMAZING all in the matter of a few seconds. This may be a different feeling for everyone but I think you can understand what I’m talking about.
The last thing necessary for a GREAT take-off song relies solely on the individual listening to it. In order for it to work, the individual needs to release all tension in every part of their body and allow the music to course through the body till it hits the top of your head and the tips of your fingers and toes. Allowing music to do this can be challenging, but I’m telling you once you will your body to do this you will not be disappointed!
Each leg of my journey I will be posting my take-off song for the day. I encourage everyone to leave ideas for great take-off songs that can get me through my travels in the next 30 days. I will start a discussion thread on the Facebook group as well as be looking for comments left on the blog. I have included a sample of a great take-off song, which fits perfectly with my first stop! Hello Seattle [Remix] by Owl City is an excellent example of how you can start your flight off right. So sit back, imagine you are taking off and enjoy the music folks!
Cheers,
Bryan
Bryan
Great job Bryan! I'm excited to keep reading! Your adventure i so unique and you are sure to discover a lot about the US, and about yourself, through what looks like to be an incredible journey!
ReplyDeleteI have a blog too, so let's keep each other update on our "active citizen" lives! You'll be able to reach mine on facebook, and you'll probably see newsfeed things updating all the time. So, hello and see ya later from Boston!
Awesome! The Active Citizening is giving me goosebumps! BA <3
ReplyDeleteBROski.. what's the Oregon update??? I've shared your project and blog with several. Constant amazement. You should feed the results and documentation to a news station.. better yet obama when you finally make it to Wash.D.C.
ReplyDelete-J. :)
BRY! just catching up on your adventures before I see you tomorrow -- how about Sufjan Steven's "Chicago" for your take-off song tomorrow morning? :)
ReplyDeleteBaize