Good for the Soul

The deal is that Andy just picked me up from the airport, and we were driving through Ponsonby towards his place. Wait, it was Mt. Eden. Somewhere on a hill in Auckland. He actually lives 30 min north of Auckland, but that's not the point. We're waiting at a light, and Andy asks me, "What kind of animal noise should I make?" I'm like, "What are you talking about?" And he says, "those people on the footpath" motioning to some people waiting at the intersection. "I'm gonna scream out at them, but what animal noise should I make?" And it's like, ok, i haven't seen Andy in 7 years, so we're chatting super fast. But we're not kids anymore and we're definitely not drunk. And he's a pasteur, but he wants to drive by a bunch of people and scream at them? But Andy's always been like this since I've known him. Kinda weird and unpredictable, but harmless and good for a laugh. Since I've known him, a lot has changed. Since I moved out of Coolangatta, the boys parted ways, Andy got married (Diane is very cool, but their cat Ollie is super feisty), got a real job, got really into the church, moved back to Kiwiland and bought a house. And he now wears shoes and has a car. And he cut his hair. Andy is a big boy in my book. Total 180 from how I used to know him. Late night drunk discussions on the Grand Unified Theory. So I say, "I dunno, squawk like a bird of prey." And the light changes and Andy zooms off, sticks his head out the window, and just wails at these people. I dunno how to explain the sound he made. Definitely not any bird I've ever heard. But I was laughing so hard, not just because this was so random, but it was just ridiculousness. After he rolled up the window, I remember Andy smiling and saying "Good for the soul, mate. Good for the soul." I dunno why I've been thinking of that story all day, but I have. Re-evaluation still in progress, but going well.

Blisss Mag gave Automaton some shameless PR in the November issue. Lovin' it.