Saturday night and I’ve decided to stay in for the evening. I am very jealous my brother, cousin, and several friends are currently at Bonnaroo, having an undoubtedly amazing time, seeing the best bands of our time and generations past (Paul McCartney AND Tom Petty are on this year’s lineup).

Bonnaroo 2012. Best music I have seen in my life. I believe this photo is from the Kooks performance (I’m the one with the big hat).

WIlco will also be appearing at this year’s festival and has, as of the past year and a half, become one of my favorite bands. I have watched their tour schedule during this time and envied the Europeans being graced by Nels Cline’s guitar work and Jeff Tweedy’s vocals and accompaniment on guitar. “Impossible Germany” speaks out against the Fascist state of mind. The first two lines in the chorus of the album’s heav weight track, “Impossible Germany/Unlikely Japan” gives voice to the outsider and the unlikely success a narrow-minded way of being, in culture or individuality, will have.

Much in life is about our perceptions of what is around us or put into the bubble we sometimes allow ourselves to live in. Breaking that surface level is often left undone with the people (even those close to us) and cultures we interact with everyday. I had a really great conversation with my room-mate, Jarrett, tonight about how the more cultures we see, the exoticness of it all seems to dissipate.

When I initially arrived in Thailand, I was overwhelmed by the temples on every corner (well this shouldn’t seem too odd to me, as my hometown in Bittinger probably has, perhaps, a church for every 50 people— our community’s temples), Buddha statues, and an exotic language. The newness to it all has faded dramatically, and I am beginning to see something deeper, especially as I learn Thai and increase levels of communication. I see the people, the mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends—-and I see myself in it all. It all becomes familiar as I recognize that this is all the human experience, multifaceted and sometimes seemingly illusory. We really are one in the same, men and women participating with equal significance on this earth. Maps are truly the only places where borders exist in this experience.

My dad and cousin Scott loved Sky Blue Sky and “Impossible Germany” way before me, and I know I was a little late catching on to this album. I feel the deep connection to my home on the farm in Garrett County and my amazing family and friends while I sit and listen to this. I’m so incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by great people at ALL times—— thanks to you all! Listening to “Impossible Germany” is one of the first times I have been homesick. Missing everyone back home very much.

(It’s officially Father’s Day here— Happy Father’s Day DAD!)