Nice job on this one Larry. As Christopher mentioned, this nails LA/SoCal traffic so perfectly. It didn’t dawn on me until I read this draft there’s an ironic (potential) meta aspect to this story today…
In August 1983, you found relief and human connection over a beer on a packed freeway.
In August 2025, someone may find relief and connection by reading this story, on their phone, on that very same (still packed) freeway.
In August 2067, someone is going to hand a beer to some guy stuck on a spaceship orbiting Mars, and the relief he feels will warm his heart and spacesuit alike. 😎
This essay is greatly improved, thanks to your feedback, Matt.
And I *really* love the August '83, '25, '67 timeline, especially the following: "You found relief and human connection over a beer on a packed freeway." Since those are *your* words, I have to ask: May I use that in the essay? It really encapsulates a lot (that I missed).
By the way (this is a teaser): Since your essays are sports-centric (and always slam dunks), sooner or later I'm going to post a Substack Note about an incident in the early '80s that involved: the SF Giants, Steve Garvey, a wicked stadium organist (back when we had those) and the movie "The Sting." The connection was somewhat subtle, but when I saw it live on TV, it blew me away. Stay tuned.
Larry, you had me at 'knowingly broke the law'. I was, from that moment, curious to know that criminal element in you. And how you described that beer, your thirst and desperation for a cold one- well let's just say it's 6 am right now and I need a bud! Nice essay, my friend.
This is such a classic story, Larry! Wonderfully well told. You put me right in place in the car next to you on the freeway, watching the whole thing go down. I would have been laughing no doubt. It's such an L.A. moment. Thanks for brightening my day.
Larry, I’m not a beer drinker but damn, I can imagine how satisfying that cold brew must have tasted as you sat stuck in your Hornet on that sweltering LA freeway. Your writing always makes me smile and often laugh. What could be better?
Still learning new things about you Larry. That’s a good thing! We’ve all done some slightly questionable things when we were young, but not all of us are able to brilliantly paint them into such detailed and hysterical stories as yours.
I guess I never mentioned the whole beer-on-the-freeway thing. I'll never forget that hayseed yokel running over THREE lanes to sell me a beer ...
As for stories, *everyone* has stories to tell. I'm amazed how they've been fleshed out ONLY after I started writing them; it's self perpetuating.
Watch out for the next one, to be posted probably in a few days. it's a radical departure from my normal fare, just in time for Turkey Day. (That's called a teaser.)
You're descriptive capacity is, as others have noted, so refreshing Larry. Could see, feel, and smell the whole scene, the tailpipe exhaust and the bud.
Larry, my experience is totally different: sharing a ride in 1985 from Blythe to Laughlin to attend a company journalism conference. The driver, Joe, a heavyset man, downed two or three beers while driving and threw the empty bottles out the window of his pickup. I wasn't concerned about him being drunk, but he violated state laws. Fortunately, he drove on a wide-open rural highway. I didn't say anything at the time to my immediate supervisor.
Nice job on this one Larry. As Christopher mentioned, this nails LA/SoCal traffic so perfectly. It didn’t dawn on me until I read this draft there’s an ironic (potential) meta aspect to this story today…
In August 1983, you found relief and human connection over a beer on a packed freeway.
In August 2025, someone may find relief and connection by reading this story, on their phone, on that very same (still packed) freeway.
In August 2067, someone is going to hand a beer to some guy stuck on a spaceship orbiting Mars, and the relief he feels will warm his heart and spacesuit alike. 😎
This essay is greatly improved, thanks to your feedback, Matt.
And I *really* love the August '83, '25, '67 timeline, especially the following: "You found relief and human connection over a beer on a packed freeway." Since those are *your* words, I have to ask: May I use that in the essay? It really encapsulates a lot (that I missed).
Anyway, thanks again.
Of course! Happy to help. Use what works, I’ll roll with you any time! 👊
Thank you, kind sir. I'll do just that shortly.
By the way (this is a teaser): Since your essays are sports-centric (and always slam dunks), sooner or later I'm going to post a Substack Note about an incident in the early '80s that involved: the SF Giants, Steve Garvey, a wicked stadium organist (back when we had those) and the movie "The Sting." The connection was somewhat subtle, but when I saw it live on TV, it blew me away. Stay tuned.
Ooh, that does sound good. Should I be worried this story involves Garvey early stage courting moves to “The Entertainer” soundtrack? 😆
You're definitely on the right track, my friend. :)
Larry, you had me at 'knowingly broke the law'. I was, from that moment, curious to know that criminal element in you. And how you described that beer, your thirst and desperation for a cold one- well let's just say it's 6 am right now and I need a bud! Nice essay, my friend.
Thank you, Dana!
Now, about that 6am beer: Could that be a cry for help? Seriously, I appreciate your support.
Love the title. Perfect.
This is hilarious. Makes me think of the opening of La La Land. The entire opening number happens on a stopped freeway.
Anything and everything happens in SoCal which is why I loved living there so much. You captured it so well.
Thanks, Kathy.
I've actually never seen La La Land. I'm going to add it to my list. :)
This is such a classic story, Larry! Wonderfully well told. You put me right in place in the car next to you on the freeway, watching the whole thing go down. I would have been laughing no doubt. It's such an L.A. moment. Thanks for brightening my day.
Thank you, Chris. And, again, I really appreciate your input on this!
My pleasure... always fun riding shotgun alongside your creative mind.
This story and your writing are the perfect match. They’re both as refreshing as that first cold beer on a hot summer’s day. Cheers! 🍻😎
Larry, I’m not a beer drinker but damn, I can imagine how satisfying that cold brew must have tasted as you sat stuck in your Hornet on that sweltering LA freeway. Your writing always makes me smile and often laugh. What could be better?
Thank you, Lee.
I'm just glad that drinking in that manner never continued; it was a one-off. But that one Bud indeed hit the spot!
Still learning new things about you Larry. That’s a good thing! We’ve all done some slightly questionable things when we were young, but not all of us are able to brilliantly paint them into such detailed and hysterical stories as yours.
I guess I never mentioned the whole beer-on-the-freeway thing. I'll never forget that hayseed yokel running over THREE lanes to sell me a beer ...
As for stories, *everyone* has stories to tell. I'm amazed how they've been fleshed out ONLY after I started writing them; it's self perpetuating.
Watch out for the next one, to be posted probably in a few days. it's a radical departure from my normal fare, just in time for Turkey Day. (That's called a teaser.)
You're descriptive capacity is, as others have noted, so refreshing Larry. Could see, feel, and smell the whole scene, the tailpipe exhaust and the bud.
Larry, my experience is totally different: sharing a ride in 1985 from Blythe to Laughlin to attend a company journalism conference. The driver, Joe, a heavyset man, downed two or three beers while driving and threw the empty bottles out the window of his pickup. I wasn't concerned about him being drunk, but he violated state laws. Fortunately, he drove on a wide-open rural highway. I didn't say anything at the time to my immediate supervisor.
Joe sounds like quite a character. Glad you weren't busted for littering!
Sometimes you just need to say…
“In other words: Screw it …”
What a lighthearted read Larry! Loved it!
Thank you, James.
This odd incident wasn't my finest moment, but it still brings back fond memories.
Loved this story! Was hooked from the opening line:
One day, many years ago, I knowingly broke the law – and had a blast doing so.
Who could resist reading on?
Thank you Rachel 👍🏻