Hi,
Let's take another short break from the "books I'm not working on" series. Today, we'll instead look at a documentary I am currently not filming.
Genre: Documentary
Title: Super-Driving Me
Estimated publication date: Whenever I'm forced to buy a car
Back in May, I drove up to visit my former college campus with a friend and former classmate. Colby is located two hours north of the Maine border and, therefore, is about a three and a half hour ride away from Boston. Though the plan was to alternate driving duties, I figured I could go the distance if needed. Three hours, maybe a little longer. What could go wrong?
Uh...
I took the wheel first. About forty-five minutes into the drive, my shoulders started to tighten. No problem. I shifted a little bit in my seat and adjusted my grip on the wheel to allow my shoulders to relax. A few minutes later, my back started to hurt. I tried another adjustment but this was met with an almost immediate return of the discomfort in my shoulders. Quickly, this discomfort grew into pain. I tried another shift but was met with immediate tightness in my left leg.
By the time I pulled into the New Hampshire Liquor and Wine Outlet (!!!) my body was minutes away from complete surrender. I wondered aloud if I'd pulled my hamstring and worried I was having a back spasm. I unhooked the seatbelt, pulled myself into a standing position, and collapsed dramatically against the side of the car. It took a few minutes before I could walk at normal speed. All this after an hour of driving!
In 2004, Morgan Spurlock produced and directed Super Size Me, a documentary film covering his attempt to subsist entirely on McDonald's for thirty days. Over the course of the month, he cataloged the changes his fast food diet made to his mood, health, and overall sense of well-being. If I recall correctly, even Spurlock's doctors were surprised by how quickly the diet impacted his overall health (1).
My idea is based on Spurlock's movie (but less dramatic). For thirty days, I'll replace all forms of transit around Boston with driving. Instead of walking a lap around the Public Garden each morning, I'll get in my car and drive around it. No more trips up and down the Red Line to visit hospice patients or go to the H Mart; keep your eyes peeled for me behind some wheel, singing loudly along with Bono or Sara Bareilles or T.I., zipping up and down Summer Street (2).
As Spurlock did, I'll keep a close watch on my health. I'll add a couple of athleticism metrics (like flexibility, strength, and lung capacity) but for the most part I'll keep the measurements in line with the choices he made for his film. I will (probably) not have a vegan girlfriend worried over (the highly likely) downward steps in my health (though perhaps driving will benefit my joints in some unforeseen way). I will ignore the financial side entirely (or at least, while on screen).
I expect this film to turn out pretty good (assuming I don't die in a fiery crash on day two). And who knows? The results might surprise me. Perhaps I'll become a Honda spokesman or an Uber driver. If it ends up being the latter, I'll remember to let my passengers pick the music.
Footnotes / spoiler alert / admin...
1. Oh, big surprise...
The impact of his diet was not positive.
2. I mean, the goal isn't to die...
This will cover transportation only. I'll still exercise as usual and go on walks if it is part of a social activity.
And Hubway? Maybe the first person to publicly pledge to watch the film can borrow my membership for the month.
