Once Upon A Time...
...I had a friend.
Stop laughing.
Anyway, I have a friend. We've lost touch in the past few years, but that doesn't particularly concern me, because this friend and I, we have a strange way of finding each other eventually. I have faith that one day, out of the blue, he will show up on my doorstep, as he has done in the past. When he does, he will ask, "How's it going?" And I will reply, "Not bad." And then we will have caught up, somehow each taking that brief passage and transforming it into the unnecessary rituals involved with what humans refer to as "catching up".
This friend introduced me not only to Live, when they were essentially unheard of, but also to Pearl Jam, when they were essentially unheard of.
Once, while riding in the Friendly Amigo™, this friend turned the volume on the stereo all the way down, right at the end of the intro to "Welcome to the Jungle", so as to make me shout "Huh!" as per Mr. Rose, a capella.
This same friend rode several hours in the back of a pickup truck with me, to hear Pearl Jam play at Lollapalooza. He wanted to hear "Alive". We approached the ticket booths, and heard them finishing it up. I've always felt bad about that. At least we got to see the expression on the old lady's face when she rear-ended us, and my brother got out of the driver's side of the truck.
Where this friend goes, merriment ensues. This merriment is often chemically enhanced. We have been known to refer to him as the Drunk Fairy, because he seems to bestow upon his fellow man a pleasant buzz, simply by virtue of his proximity.
Speaking of a pleasant buzz, this friend a.) loves everyone, after a bottle or three of red wine, and b.) is a pretty tree trunk. I have often wished I was a pretty tree trunk, and have become moreso as of late.
This friend of mine is a fan of sports. It doesn't seem to make much difference what the sport is, he knows what one might expect of a sports fan, and more. If I were ever in the position to become a millionaire, and was offered the option of a "lifeline", insomuch as I grasp these things, I would choose him.
Also, he wears hats a lot. The almighty D - who is also a friend of my friend, and indeed we probably owe our co-existence to him - thought that he was bald for some time, because she only ever saw him wearing a hat.
When Revolution Block released our only album...back in, as they say, the day...many people told us how good it sounded, and how much it did credit to us. This friend of mine gave it a listen, and told me quite frankly, "I don't like it very much. It doesn't hold up to your live shows." And it didn't. But he's the only one who told me that.
Also, this friend threw out his knee moshing at one of our shows. It is said that you must suffer for your art, but apparently that sometimes extends to people around you, as well. I was proud, in a sympathetic kind of way.
My friend gave me the well-deserved nickname "Crash", which I wear proudly to this day, although it rarely comes up anymore.
He is the kind of guy who is at home anywhere. If you are a good person, he will perceive you as a good person and treat you as you treat him. He is equally at home in a dive bar, a political discussion, a wine-tasting, a billiards hall, a sports stadium, or a library. He has referred to me in the past as the last true Renaissance Man, but I think that honor probably belongs to him.
Anyway, I've been thinking about him lately, and wondering what he's been up to, for no reason whatsoever.
Also, I have this picture of him dressed as some sort of afro-sporting 70's pimp or some shit, which I promised never to post on the internet when I took possession of it. However, I think it's safe to say that he'll never happen across this site, so it's probably safe to post it. I'll dwell on it for a day or two, and let you know.
Whether he miraculously appears to threaten my very existence over this picture or not, I'm glad I had this little jaunt down memory lane. If this seems like a bunch of rambling to you, it probably is, and you're missing out.
Roll Tide, Hone. Roll Tide.
Stop laughing.
Anyway, I have a friend. We've lost touch in the past few years, but that doesn't particularly concern me, because this friend and I, we have a strange way of finding each other eventually. I have faith that one day, out of the blue, he will show up on my doorstep, as he has done in the past. When he does, he will ask, "How's it going?" And I will reply, "Not bad." And then we will have caught up, somehow each taking that brief passage and transforming it into the unnecessary rituals involved with what humans refer to as "catching up".
This friend introduced me not only to Live, when they were essentially unheard of, but also to Pearl Jam, when they were essentially unheard of.
Once, while riding in the Friendly Amigo™, this friend turned the volume on the stereo all the way down, right at the end of the intro to "Welcome to the Jungle", so as to make me shout "Huh!" as per Mr. Rose, a capella.
This same friend rode several hours in the back of a pickup truck with me, to hear Pearl Jam play at Lollapalooza. He wanted to hear "Alive". We approached the ticket booths, and heard them finishing it up. I've always felt bad about that. At least we got to see the expression on the old lady's face when she rear-ended us, and my brother got out of the driver's side of the truck.
Where this friend goes, merriment ensues. This merriment is often chemically enhanced. We have been known to refer to him as the Drunk Fairy, because he seems to bestow upon his fellow man a pleasant buzz, simply by virtue of his proximity.
Speaking of a pleasant buzz, this friend a.) loves everyone, after a bottle or three of red wine, and b.) is a pretty tree trunk. I have often wished I was a pretty tree trunk, and have become moreso as of late.
This friend of mine is a fan of sports. It doesn't seem to make much difference what the sport is, he knows what one might expect of a sports fan, and more. If I were ever in the position to become a millionaire, and was offered the option of a "lifeline", insomuch as I grasp these things, I would choose him.
Also, he wears hats a lot. The almighty D - who is also a friend of my friend, and indeed we probably owe our co-existence to him - thought that he was bald for some time, because she only ever saw him wearing a hat.
When Revolution Block released our only album...back in, as they say, the day...many people told us how good it sounded, and how much it did credit to us. This friend of mine gave it a listen, and told me quite frankly, "I don't like it very much. It doesn't hold up to your live shows." And it didn't. But he's the only one who told me that.
Also, this friend threw out his knee moshing at one of our shows. It is said that you must suffer for your art, but apparently that sometimes extends to people around you, as well. I was proud, in a sympathetic kind of way.
My friend gave me the well-deserved nickname "Crash", which I wear proudly to this day, although it rarely comes up anymore.
He is the kind of guy who is at home anywhere. If you are a good person, he will perceive you as a good person and treat you as you treat him. He is equally at home in a dive bar, a political discussion, a wine-tasting, a billiards hall, a sports stadium, or a library. He has referred to me in the past as the last true Renaissance Man, but I think that honor probably belongs to him.
Anyway, I've been thinking about him lately, and wondering what he's been up to, for no reason whatsoever.
Also, I have this picture of him dressed as some sort of afro-sporting 70's pimp or some shit, which I promised never to post on the internet when I took possession of it. However, I think it's safe to say that he'll never happen across this site, so it's probably safe to post it. I'll dwell on it for a day or two, and let you know.
Whether he miraculously appears to threaten my very existence over this picture or not, I'm glad I had this little jaunt down memory lane. If this seems like a bunch of rambling to you, it probably is, and you're missing out.
Roll Tide, Hone. Roll Tide.
1 Comments:
Roll Tide my ass. Thank you for the kind words and you have my blessing to post that pic. If any of you want to know what I think of Aaron send me an email-nuggytbok@yahoo.com. That includes you Aaron.
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