Thanks Chris. I wasn't sure if I'd have time to post anything today, let alone what I would write about, and then that happened, the red google maps line and brake lights and I thought let's see now... quite fun to write at speed like that, one eye on the road, not knowing where I'd be on the page when the traffic moved. And then it happened. Movement. I had time to write that last word.
The wonders of Substack today: Here's Eleanor! "And the sky lightens, the pinks fade into dirty bruises against baby blue, the curve of trees and grasses to my right are unnaturally still, no breeze, a silence to them against the noise of road, the cars on the other side passing, the passengers and drivers already rubbernecking, already know what’s happened. Movement"
I know this all so well after 45 years of it in LA. A two hour drive to the studios to work on a film that you could get to in 20 minutes without the morning traffic. And always the poor person that didn't make it on the road in crumpled metal. I was often saved from this by being the first on the road to do the makeup that would turn an actor into a monster that took 4 hours to do so he or she could be in front of the camera's by 7 am. Beautiful writing Eleanor. I could see it all.
Thank you for sharing. I have been spontaneously handwriting inprovisational, train of thought narratives on coffee cups and napkins for 35 years now, and then my 32 year old daughter said to me, "Dad, they have voice to text apps for phones, you know. It might be a lot safer than searching for something to write on while you are driving!"
Think of how much I could create while driving or in traffic. Thank you again for the inspiration, and most importantly, your process.
With these words, you have captured the universal commuter experience. What a great read.
Thanks Chris. I wasn't sure if I'd have time to post anything today, let alone what I would write about, and then that happened, the red google maps line and brake lights and I thought let's see now... quite fun to write at speed like that, one eye on the road, not knowing where I'd be on the page when the traffic moved. And then it happened. Movement. I had time to write that last word.
Sheesh, I felt like I took a deep breath and only let it out at the end. That was quite the rumble of anxieties.
I love how u slipped in indicators of time through the sky and all, so beautifully written IN THE MOMENT kinda thing, so loved it
🙃❤️
Too good
💃
I wouldn't wish more traffic jams on anyone, but if that's what you produce whilst in one maybe in your case I should reconsider......
🚗❤️x
The wonders of Substack today: Here's Eleanor! "And the sky lightens, the pinks fade into dirty bruises against baby blue, the curve of trees and grasses to my right are unnaturally still, no breeze, a silence to them against the noise of road, the cars on the other side passing, the passengers and drivers already rubbernecking, already know what’s happened. Movement"
☺️ x
I know this all so well after 45 years of it in LA. A two hour drive to the studios to work on a film that you could get to in 20 minutes without the morning traffic. And always the poor person that didn't make it on the road in crumpled metal. I was often saved from this by being the first on the road to do the makeup that would turn an actor into a monster that took 4 hours to do so he or she could be in front of the camera's by 7 am. Beautiful writing Eleanor. I could see it all.
Thanks Steve. And as a postscript I can report that this time it was only a broken down vehicle in the fast lane, hazards blinking.
Thank you for sharing. I have been spontaneously handwriting inprovisational, train of thought narratives on coffee cups and napkins for 35 years now, and then my 32 year old daughter said to me, "Dad, they have voice to text apps for phones, you know. It might be a lot safer than searching for something to write on while you are driving!"
Think of how much I could create while driving or in traffic. Thank you again for the inspiration, and most importantly, your process.
And pleasure . And what your daughter said to you sounds like the kind of thing my sons would say to me + massive eye roll. 😂