Road Trip to Elvis Territory

Me, Jen, on our graduation day. My mother took this picture. That’s my father over to the right. It was such a happy proud day.

Me, Jen, on a beanbag chair at a party

Jen, Me with shaved head, at some party. I had dyed my hair platinum. It looked incredible. But I just couldn’t live with it. So I went to a barber and had him shave it off, GI Jane style. My acting mentor at the time was like, “You’re insane.” The guy I was dating said, “The shape of your head is quite fetching.” It grew out and I was back to normal, but it remains my favorite haircut of all time.

Filming our movie “The Darkling Plain”, directed by Shelagh Carter

Me, Jen, in a production of “German Lullaby”, written by Lesley Scammell – a wonderful play – really proud of this one

We’ve been friends forever. Roommates for 9 years. Really? 9 years? Yes. We have had many adventures. And tomorrow we leap in my car and head directly to Graceland. It’s Elvis’ birthday this week, don’t you know. Here was a frantic email exchange last night.

Jen: When u have a minute can u send me the hotels we r staying at? Checking on ammenities for packing purposes, etc.

Me: here is where we are staying in Memphis. not sure about Virginia. let me find the receipt somewhere.

Jen: great. thanks! i’ll bring my bathing suit and running gear in case we have time to take a swim or a run.

Me: yeah, we have a whole free day of NOTHING the day after we arrive. tons of time! we actually have a ton of time, in general. it’s my favorite part of our trip so far. lots of leg room.

Jen: oh, so i can bring my ”learn chess-move by move” book on tape then? ha!

Me: hahahahahahaha

Jen: cool. do you have a road atlas? i LOVE following along with a map. achem, of course i do. so, it’s fine if you don’t, i can buy us one. just let me know. xo jen

Me: I actually don’t and was thinking i should probably have one. all I have is the Mapquest map of where the hell we are going door to door. No GPS except on my phone so fingers crossed!! I have a little cooler thing so if you want to bring snacks, etc., we can keep them fresh.

Jen: okay. i will look to get one tomorrow. if i don’t have time, we can get one on the road.

Me: I AM SO EXCITED. WE ARE ROCK STARS. WE ARE THELMA AND LOUISE.

Jen: WE ARE ROCK STARS. I HOPE WE DON’T DDDDDRIVE OFF A CLIIIIF!

Jen: my snacks will be water (ionized, of course), Greens+ bars and mamma cass. oh and mixed nuts.

Me: mama cass. dying.

Me: chess. bathing suit. cooler. snacks. running shoes. and I am bringing a couple of Elvis movies to sic on you when you least expect it.

Jen: sounds perfect. i am howling over here reading this exchange back.

Me: i’m thinking JAILHOUSE ROCK and WILD IN THE COUNTRY (which was written by clifford odets and is Elvis’ best performance, don’t you know). but we can squeeze it in between learning how to play chess.

Jen: Those sound like the perfect movie choices. we can play them on one of our computers. there is also a dvd player at the Memphis hotel …. pretty sure.

Me: I’ll have my laptop but yes – maybe we can watch an Elvis movie in Virginia on the way to Memphis. I have a bottle of Jameson’s. we’re all set.

Jen: is it a FULL bottle? O’Malley and McCabe and Jameson’s……that is a most-perfect combo. um, dangerous.

Me: yes, a full bottle. it’s the Catholic whiskey. not that protestant nonsense. we can drink whiskey and watch jailhouse rock and I am now weeping with happy anticipation for that moment.

Jen: ok, i will bring wine, a bottle opener and glasses. fuck this. we are going with style.

Me: yes. bottle opener would be good. please. i am also bringing cans of tuna for my various lunches on the road and will bring a can opener. sorry for being so crazy and broke.

Jen: well now, missy. if YOU’RE GONNA BRING TUNA, then i have to bring……………..(wait for it)……………oregano.

Me: i waited for it. and it was worth it.