Well, I don't have a kid, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. I was let go from my last good job almost 3 years ago, and it's been stressful. Lost the house, the truck, and eventually my fiancee. Also lost 100 pounds from riding. When I couldn't sleep, I'd go for a ride. When Veronica and I would get into it, I'd go for a ride. When I was beat down from putting in job applications, I'd go for a ride. And of course sometimes I'd just go for a ride.

I had a good long talk with my sister recently, she mentioned that working 9-5 for The Man has always driven me nuts, and that maybe I needed to think about doing something creative with my hands. Since High Times isn't hiring field testers, and my performance-art dance career ain't exactly wowing them on Broadway, maybe I need to think about this. Maybe I could build some boats for a while.

Point being, I agree that even if the money's tight, these are good times. Just keep riding and the smiles will accompany you wherever you go. Hardly anything in the world that a good long ride and a nice shower after won't fix at least partway.