From: glp@fig.citib.com (Greg Parkinson)
Newsgroups: soc.motss
Subject: Re: Paul Jabara
Date: 7 Oct 92 18:57:30 GMT
Organization: Citibank IBISM
Originator: glp@merlin


In article <1atcitINNssh@mizar.usc.edu>, adolphso@mizar.usc.edu (adolphson) writes:
|> In article <1992Oct6.141626.13929@fig.citib.com> 
|> glp@fig.citib.com (Greg Parkinson) writes:
|> > In article <1aqdofINNo32@mizar.usc.edu>, 
|> > adolphso@mizar.usc.edu (adolphson) writes:
|> 
|> Greg wrote:
|> > |> > We wore Tippi Hedren wigs and false eye-lashes and
|> > |> > golf pants and plaid coats.
|> 
|> Me:
|> > |> Oh dear.  Glitter rock.  I used to spend all my free time at
|> > |> Rodney's English Discotheque on Sunset.  It was *fabulous*. 

|> > I was a maximal nerd in high school (which ended for me in
|> > 1974) and I lived in Southern Orange County which meant that
|> > any trip to LA was an expedition.
|> 
|> Well, the maximal nerds I knew in high school (and I 
|> graduated in 1974, too) normally didn't wear Tippi Hedren
|> wigs and false eyelashes.  But I suppose Southern Orange
|> County (ick) was a bit more boondocky than Van Nuys.

How to explain Orange County Boyhood?  Making Super-8
films like "Mr.PotatoHead Takes A Bride" and "Boca
de la Vaca" (bovine vampire symbolism) - it just all
made sense at the time.

|> > Then Bowie went PlastiSoul (I just got the Ryko version of
|> > Young Americans and it's a *completely* different album)
|> > Bruce did Born To Run and my world became Patti Smith and
|> > Modern Lovers 
|> 
|> Oh my.  I'd forgotten all about Jonathan whatshisname.

Richmond.  Road Runner.  G-I-R-L-F-R-E-N.

|> I lost interest around 1976, soon after a friend of mine 
|> moved to London and became a punk and then on a visit to LA
|> tried to convince me to join her in gobbing and other
|> disgusting things. 

We didn't do that.  We slam-danced in a very civilized
way (you had to have been there) and pogoed and scared
people.  Some friends of mine started a band called
The NuBeams because they found a great cookbook and
wrote a song from it ("Men like pie! Broiled meats too!)

They would pick out a laundromat and let some people know
who let other people know and a big crowd would arrive
with laundry baskets and *done* in full suburban art-punk
drag - orange and black printed housecoats with their
hair rolled up in Olympia Beer cans; baby strollers filled
with swaddled cod ("Night of the Ling Cod" was another
film - actually film-strip), and bright orange beehives
with suede fringed cowgirl suits.  It was bass, guitar,
singer, and cheap drum machine.  People would load up
their laundry for the first set and dance while their
clothes were being washed.  The band would take a break
while people moved their wet clothes to the dryer and then
continue until the dryers went off.  It was too too festive.

|> I think I'd die of embarrassment if I were to see
|> myself gyrating in my 6" platform boots on one of those 
|> pedestals.

God only knows why you didn't sense the
possibility at the time.

|> > |> And look at me now.  Sigh.
|> >
|> > I couldn't live now like I did then.  I'm glad
|> > that I got to do it and I'm happy with my life 
|> > now.  I think I'm *still* catching up on my
|> > sleep.
|> 
|> Tell me about it.  Well, I guess there's nothing wrong
|> with being an old fart.  Or is there?

I've figured out that the whole thing comes
down to being happy.  Not famous, or fabulous,
or admired - just happy.  I wouldn't trade
me now for me then - I know I've gained more 
than I've lost.

-- 
Greg Parkinson                  Phone: 212-657-7814  Fax: 212-825-8607
Citibank,111 Wall Street        E-Mail: glp@fig.citib.com
New York, New York  10043
The opinions expressed are my own and not those of the big 'ol bank.