I Leave the House

I went to see some bands play at my friend's gallery last night. It was a tsunami benefit, and it went really well, considering it was the first time they'd ever had a live music/beer thing.
I saw many folks long unseen. I think that's one of the best things about getting old-being able to say ,"Damn! I haven't seen you for fifteen years!", and getting corrected because , no, it's been seventeen years. Many hugs. I needed that more than I suspected.

-There was drumslut Jim T. You probably know him. Everyone (everywhere) knows Jim. He's a fucking scoundrel, but it was good to see him nonetheless. The first time I met Jim was 1983, we were getting high in a rural graveyard. He's the only guy I know who's fucked Natalie (from 10,000 Maniacs) in a filthy bathtub on the second floor of a condemned building. (but there may be more)

-Maia, who broke my heart many years ago, in a weird and strangely musical way. That's forgiven. Goddamnit! You were gonna take me to Jamaica. Oh, never mind-it's ok. And yes, I would like to see the inside of your van. Wow... pot burns pretty good in here...or maybe that was the other van...have a breathmint, everyone!

-Fat Charlie from the punk days. The last time I saw him was at a SanDiego Comic Con about five years ago. No, there was the Chicago Con in 2002...oh fuck...who knows? Fat Charlie likes beer and comic books. So do I.

-Chief of Many Names. Only five living people know the Chief's real name. I'm one, but I ain't tellin'. He introduced me to his new wife with these words, " Me and @((@^ used to move some some serious **** back in the day. I had the whole East Coast!" Thanks, man. Can you say that louder? No wonder you change identities every decade or so.
It's true though. We had some balls-out crazy times in 1980's Atlantic City.

I went out.

It was exactly what I needed.
Special thanks to the earnest, punky tsunami girls that gave me beer even though my money was gone.
Just don't tell me that I remind you of your dad. I hate that.
It's creepy on a number of levels.