January 10th, 2009- Travelling in snow.

My band is playing a show tonight in Northampton, MA at the WWII club. The thing is, we've been playing shows almost every weekend for the past month and a half, however tonight I am repeatedly hearing rumors of 1/2 a foot of snow. The drive isn't bad, but allow me to provide some background.

Last tuesday as I was driving home to Spingfield (I had been in Achushnet, MA about 2 hours east with Ryan Grandmaison of STABB, RustyEight and Something for Nothing) I ran into a bit of trouble. As rain turned into snow on the highway, while 1 AM turned into 1:15, then 1:50 in what seemed like seconds, it started getting slippery.

I had to stop and get gas. To capture what was going on (granted, this isn't much accumulation but this story gets better...) I snapped a shot of this car windshield. Ehh, not bad- Only another hour of highway driving totally exhausted at 2 AM.

I made the standard purchase of yellow Vitamin Water and Oreos (because I like them, don't worry: they're actually vegan!) and pumped my gas. The snow is now starting to come down in clumps and when I hopped intot he driver's seat my windshield wiper kept smudging my windshield right in my line of vision. I couldn't see very well.

I hit the highway and kept 'er steady at about 45 MPH. The plows weren't anywhere to be found and the highway was empty, save a few 18 wheelers every few minutes blowing by me at 85, and the ever-growing collection of slush under my tires.

It happened so fast, but it seemed as if I was recalling a past experience- I saw every second unfold before it did. My car skidded to the left and I lost control. Gripping the wheel (and trying to stay calm) I went onto the median, kicking up all the snow, grass and underlying mud into the air. I hit the guardrail, spun twice, and settled facing the same direction I was originally travelling. An 18 wheeler, out of nowhere, sprayed slush, salt and other debris EVERYWHERE, completely covering my car like a filthy car wash mop-machine.

I inhaled, exhaled, and repeated a few times. I finished the hour long ride home unscathed.

I have never been in an accident on a highway before, and I feel very, very lucky to have not been hurt. Also, my car is fine.

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That is why I'm slightly weary of hitting the highway tonight to get to the show. I am able to borrow a 4 wheel drive pickup, so that helps aleviate the anxiety, but nonetheless, I can't help but recall that little "slipcident."

It'll be fine, I'm sure. Wish us luck!

-William