So I had this memory the other day that has gotten me thinking.
It was 1985, I was 22 and freshly out of the Marines. I was working as a bouncer at this punk club in Waikiki called 3Ds. This place was great. It was right across the street from a porn theater, a real movie theater that showed porn in the days before internet etc. Prostitutes worked in front of the theater, catering mostly to military guys. The club was on the second floor and you had to walk up this rickety outside staircase to get to it. There were always two people at the door. One was the traditional check IDs and collect the cover. The other did nothing but light matches and watch who was coming up the stairs. This was because there was always so much pot being smoked in the place that they were trying to cover the smell and watch for cops. They'd get these great bands -- X, Agent Orange, the Circle Jerks, Butthole Surfers.
Anyway, on this particular night, a guy probably in his early 40s walks in. He couldn't have been a cop, way too obvious. But I, and probably everyone else in there, thought, "What the hell is he doing here? He doesn't belong here." I kept an eye on him all night. He'd try to start conversations and would get totally blown off. To be honest, I was looking for a reason to kick his ass (I was quite a bit more violent back then).
So I remember this night and how pathetic I thought this guy was and began to wonder, "Am I that guy." It's not that I'm trying to be someone other than who I am. I've never gotten stuck in the musical and cultural rut of "my time." To be honest, I feel more like music and culture have caught up with me. I've always loved tats and piercings. I am continually finding new punk/alternative music that I love, even if the anger it once fueled has mellowed with time. But still. If SG were a club instead of an "online community" could I walk in and be accepted for who I am? Or, would I be that guy?
It was 1985, I was 22 and freshly out of the Marines. I was working as a bouncer at this punk club in Waikiki called 3Ds. This place was great. It was right across the street from a porn theater, a real movie theater that showed porn in the days before internet etc. Prostitutes worked in front of the theater, catering mostly to military guys. The club was on the second floor and you had to walk up this rickety outside staircase to get to it. There were always two people at the door. One was the traditional check IDs and collect the cover. The other did nothing but light matches and watch who was coming up the stairs. This was because there was always so much pot being smoked in the place that they were trying to cover the smell and watch for cops. They'd get these great bands -- X, Agent Orange, the Circle Jerks, Butthole Surfers.
Anyway, on this particular night, a guy probably in his early 40s walks in. He couldn't have been a cop, way too obvious. But I, and probably everyone else in there, thought, "What the hell is he doing here? He doesn't belong here." I kept an eye on him all night. He'd try to start conversations and would get totally blown off. To be honest, I was looking for a reason to kick his ass (I was quite a bit more violent back then).
So I remember this night and how pathetic I thought this guy was and began to wonder, "Am I that guy." It's not that I'm trying to be someone other than who I am. I've never gotten stuck in the musical and cultural rut of "my time." To be honest, I feel more like music and culture have caught up with me. I've always loved tats and piercings. I am continually finding new punk/alternative music that I love, even if the anger it once fueled has mellowed with time. But still. If SG were a club instead of an "online community" could I walk in and be accepted for who I am? Or, would I be that guy?
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
THATS what I like about this place. I dont think you have to fit in. We ALL fit in.
I do what I whant, when I want and to hell with the masses!
Plus I totally dig ya.. and to me thats fitting in.. when you have good friends and great conversation.. what else do ya need?
Ya Paul said it... Love.