Back When I Was Cool

Hilly Kristal died. In case that's not a household name, he founded CBGBs--the club in New York where the punk rock movement in America was launched. The Ramones, Patti Smith, the Lemonheads all got their start there. Back when I was cool, I helped direct a photo shoot for a Surf Expo magazine in New York and we shot outside CBGBs and even got their bouncer in the shot with our model. The bouncer was a short, stocky guy with more tatoos and piercings than I could count.

I would give anything to be back hanging out with emacitated models and the tatooed bouncer in Greenwich Village. But instead, I'm losing sleep because my six-year-old is planning to try-out for the elementary school play, Peter Pan. Not only will she most likely not get the part she wants (a mermaid), there is a distinct possibility she may not get a part at all. There are not enough roles for all the kids who are interested. I'm not sure I can stand this. Thought we'd have a few more years before having to deal with something like this. When I was in elementary school--whether it was Lakeside Elementary or the Hot Springs Fine Arts Center--everyone got a part if they wanted one.

If only I were still hanging out in front of CBGBs (which was shut down about a year or so ago--I think for failure to pay taxes or something like that). I'm sure somebody there could hook me up with some really good drugs--I fear I may need them!