Tommy James was a 60s pop icon. Many "hit" songs on the radio and radio ruled music in that era. I learned to roller skate at our only local rink around 13 years of age while three girls competed for my attention, all the time "Crimson And Clover" among many others, blasted from every corner of the building. There were three of us guys hanging out and wishing we knew what to do with the girls chasing after us. I kissed all three at different times.
Only fucked one though and we were in our late 20s when that reunion occurred. Many years before I even met my wife to be.
Good times. Hot rods, bonfires and tailgating in the parking lot, all the cool guys out there drinking, smoking and waiting for the bored "legal age" skaters to wander out. Us young punks were inside skating and needing a ride home from daddy or mommy envious of anyone with a car.
By the time I was growing up, roller skating was a place the elementary school took all the crossing guards and playground "peacekeepers" (that was a fucking demon child of 80's pop psychology extreme bastardization of Nathaniel Branden ) as a treat at the end of the year. Not a punk in sight. Little eleven year olds running up to the boys and saying "my friend wants to know if you'll skate with her".
Skating, (especially opening a rink) in its "heyday" was considered a cash cow for many types of businesses, some criminal. As I grew more aware of what makes the "World Go 'round," I saw this stuff more clearly.
I feel that set of relevancies might have ruined skating for all of us, in the long run. What about a mean to a better end?
I have seen in my mind's eye a future, as have many, where each person was more free and the shoes that everyone wears propel them by power.
What are we waiting for?!!!? Another message from Mercury?
Well, it's not really that bad in my own mind, but, I am right! Even BTTF points out a possible version.
We already have small drones that can carry over two hundred pounds of ordinance. Can't we also carry the same size bag of mostly water balanced above the mechanism, instead of under? You know I am right.
Honestly, I have enjoyed the memories of that time, recently, even more than I indulged in the frustration of future not yet arriving.