How my mix-tape made the trip shorter

WEIRD.

- GREY MUTTER BY LANCE FREDERICKS

That's probably the best way to describe my taste in music. I never quite fit in socially, and I suppose my music taste followed suit.One time I was travelling with a group of friends, and we decided that on the long road trip, each one of us would get to play one side of their favourite mix-tape, and then we'd rotate until we reached our destination.

The first few miles went well as jazz, rock, soul and blues brought head-bobs and easy conversation. Then my tape slipped into the deck. Suddenly, the pee breaks became more frequent - and far longer.

Oddly, everyone climbed out whether their bladders were full or not. And they left my tape running, doors and windows shut tight, as though they didn't want the music escaping into the wild.

After my tape, the rule changed; suddenly, the owner of the vehicle announced that, actually, everyone should play both sides of a 90-minute cas-