This morning I just couldn’t get out of my car. “Bloodbuzz Ohio” was working on my head and it seemed rude to interrupt the song. So I sat and watched the remaining parking spots  fill up.

People popped out of their cars like jacks-in-the-box, casually throwing an arm over their shoulder to lock their vehicle as they scurried toward work, probably a law office, maybe the bank.  And I’m usually one of those worker bees, a scurrier myself. I park, jump out and make haste toward the office, always a slave to the clock.

But this morning was different. It was better. Despite the minutes ticking by, it felt good and it felt right to sit and listen and let the song nourish me.

I blame The National. Or perhaps thank is really what I mean. They created an album that makes me slow down, sit up and pay attention.  Remember how completely cruicial music is in my life.

As the song came to a close I suddenly felt like my work as petty and pointless and that I’m just another lemming, driving, driving, driving, in and out of this parking garage day after day. Another cocktail meeting. One more chipper greeting. I wanted to turn my car around and go somewhere to keep waking up.

It's hard to go in, but I do. And I hum the whole way. At my desk, emails pile up, a phone call goes unanswered. Not complete abandonment. Just a temporary lull, in favor of a momentary, and completely necessary, spiritual immersion.

And P.S. - I want to have Matt Berninger's babies.

The National - "Bloodbuzz Ohio" (official video) from The National on Vimeo.