An interesting KEROUinterACtion

As I was getting out of my truck today, a woman (65+) was walking past in the parking lot. She glanced at my license plate (above) and said, "Dharma Bums?"

I said, "Yes! Jack Kerouac! Not too many people get that."

Her reply: "That's because they're not old enough."

"You may be right," I offered as I walked away.

I've been thinking about that interaction (which I will label a KEROUinterACtion), and I don't really agree. Here's why. I spend some time on Twitter each day promoting this blog (and by default, my book). One of the things I do is search for any references made to Kerouac. There are many each day, and while I haven't made a formal study of it, many of the references are posted by what I consider to be young people (judging by their pictures).

So, I have hope that Jack is still relevant to the younger culture, and that I might just as well have run into an 18-year-old who knew what my license plate meant.

What do you think?

Kerouac tattoos and license plates

I'm trying to collect pictures of license plates and tattoos that have something to do with Jack Kerouac. If you have one, or see one, please snap a picture and e-mail it to me via thebeathandbook at gmail.com. We'll post it here on The Daily Beat. So far I have two license plates (one is mine) and one tattoo (mine). I don't want to simply mine the Internet for pictures! Let's get personal. Send me your pic with your name, where you're from, and a story about the picture. If you want your name and/or location withheld, let me know in your e-mail.

Thanks!

Kerouac license plates request: UPDATED October 15, 2019

So far, I only have two examples of Kerouac-inspired license plates to share with readers of The Daily Beat. THERE HAVE TO BE MORE OUT THERE! This is a plea for help. Next time you see one, snap a pic with your phone or your camera and e-mail it to The Daily Beat (thebeathandbook@gmail.com).

I'll post it here on The Daily Beat (and give you credit).

Please share this request with your Blogger friends, Facebook friends, Twitter friends, etc. Let's get the word out there and create a real collection of Kerouac-inspired license plates! Thanks!

UPDATES:

This below came in from Dave on April 20, 2014.

This below came in from The Beat Museum's Jerry Cimino April 20, 2014.

The below was posted by writer, Milena Oda Láska, to the Jack Kerouac Facebook group on March 31, 2017. Check out her work here: http://www.bohemianparadisepress.com/.

The below came from Brooks, who saw this plate in rural Pennsylvania in May 2018.

From Edward via e-mail October 15, 2019:

And, of course, here is our RV license plate:

Kerouac license plates

As promised, here's the official picture of my Kerouac license plate.

That makes two I know about. There must be others! If you see one, snap a pic and send it along. I'll post it here on The Daily Beat.

Kerouac license plates

Here's the only Kerouac plate I've seen other than mine (courtesy of Kerri). Loyal readers of The Daily Beat have seen it before, but I'm posting it again as part of my effort to collect as many Kerouac plates as I can.

Jack Kerouac license plate

I just got a new vanity plate in honor of Jack. It's an homage to my favorite of his novels, The Dharma Bums. This is a temporary plate. I'll post the real one when it arrives.

How many other Kerouac plates are out there? Send me a pic and I'll post it in a future blog. I already have one that my friend Kerri sent me.

For the "Damn, why didn't I think of that?" file

This was just sent to me from my friend, Kerri, who is visiting Colorado. Nice.

I think I know what my next personalized plate in Maine is going to be (if it's available).