PS: Back in the saddle again
Michigan feels nice. Too bad there are so few people here. All you can see are a lot of cars, minimalls and mobs.
The last days of our drive I was wondering how I’d survive back home after having been in so many humane places. Did I have any new ideas, any ways to live better? Only one option came to mind: to be more a part of our local folk music scene. It’s about the only aspect of integrity in our area. We don’t play music, but it’s the integrity I’d be heading toward. The real people, living really. The making of something and building on what came before, that was working and was alive.
I’ve been able to reflect a bit more now. Last weekend M and the kids went tenting up north with E and hers to see Pirates of the Caribbean 2 at the Cherry Bowl Drive-In. Support indy biz!
I batched it. After they left, I printed out this report, did a work-out, had dinner, then cruised into town to start editing it. I went to Beggar’s Banquet and ordered a Manhattan on the rocks and settled in at a little table, vibing the Friday night whirl around me. Free, free–free at last! My first night out in months. The waitress introduced herself. I worked for 3 hours. Then I overhead some folks talking newspaper talk and I said Hi. Then an old town friend came over and we chatted. He owns the only in-town B&B. Indy biz needs to stick together, man! He wants a sub to OYB and to set out issues for his patrons. (That’s two hot B&B’s now.) I met his friends. Then an older lady friend of a friend came over. We all had a fine time. The bartender introduced himself. Later on the manager introduced herself. The gist was: C’mon into town more often, dude. A good idea.
The next evening I went to the Carpenter’s Ball in Ann Arbor. Builder buddies were throwing a bash. Wild formal attire to celebrate carpentry, sure, but also Bob’s new pad, his nicest place yet, with fireplace in bedroom and brandnew extra-cool kitchen with huge wetbar. I had a great long chat with Tommy, partner at Big Ten Party Store, a perhaps overly-insider named purveyor of vintage wine and cheese, finally coming into its own with Tommy and his partner at the helm, after 50 years of existence with a great, huge neon sign out front, thus the name not being changed any time soon. Indy biz must stand together! Later on that night I met his cheese manager, just back from an intermission in retailing–a year in France finishing his French degree. He’s also a biker and wanted a copy of “Momentum,” Pete’s ski book. I didn’t have one, but said I’d get one to him. We talked food and literature. Indy biz must stand strong! He got out everything he had on him, $13 in wadded ones, and said “Take it, I’ll owe you the rest, just take it, I don’t care if you forget.” It was awkward, but it seemed clear that as a bold young man he felt the passion of indy biz more than most and was just compelled to take his stand at that moment, bless him. I didn’t forget. Order out! Now back to work Onward!
