An Open Letter

Dear Andrew Bird,

In anticipation of your October 9th, 2009 performance in Asheville, North Carolina; and given that I have been following your music since I heard its first note; and also forgiving the fact that I have burned some of your albums rather than purchasing them outright; and elating in the fact that I used to have dreams with characters who spoke your song lyrics verbatim; and especially in light of the fact that I will be driving 90 minutes one-way to see you and spending money I have not yet earned on the ticket; and knowing that you broke up with your girlfriend in 2008 during the recording of “Noble Beast” but that I have no expectations for you to like me, as they say, I was wondering if you might consider training for the Shuri Pine Tree Test so that we could run it together when you visit?

I thought it might be a nice way for you to get to know my world a little, you know, since I know so much of yours by now. We could listen to whatever music you want as we run, and if after the three miles you want to abandon the rest of the Shuri Pine Tree Test and just keeping running with me, off into the deep purple horizon, well—I think I might be ok with that, too.

With utmost sincerity and respect,
Katey Schultz