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What a Long Strange Trip It Has Been...
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An Age of Innocence
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Roll back time... 1978. Young college
student in a small college town in rural America dreaming of good
times.
Dealing with the everyday life. Forward to November. Word has it the
Grateful Dead will be playing in Washington, D.C. area during
Thanksgiving break. Being from the D.C. metro area, the young man,
named Michael, hops a bus hoping to capture a show from one of his
favorite bands. After a 12 hour bus ride, he's back home amongst family
and friends. |
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The next day, it's off to the show.
To really understand a Dead show, one must dress for the event. With
the
correct apparel in place, it's off to the show. Capital Centre in
Landover, Maryland, November 23rd, 1978. The show was a collection of
images and scenes. It was pictures of things that are and are not.
Thoughts captured in the wind. The event was at times full of
tremendous
joy and at other times, reflective and somewhat sad. It was a window in
which to gaze, if only for a moment. It was a moment but much more. The
show ended for some. For Michael, the show was about to begin... |
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Forward to a few months later... It's
winter. Snow covers the landscape. College had become a barren
winterland. Michael has learned the art of adaption and has carved for
himself a small warm place to hold up against the cold. Although
isolated by snow and ice, his thoughts are of warm California sun and
the joys of spring. What should have been a lonely time for most, was a
time of adventure and intrigue. |
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Tucked away in his quiet alcove, Michael did not
go unnoticed. It appears that he had caught the attention of others.
Michael, not being wise in the ways of the world, was yet unaware of
their intentions. That was all soon to change. You see, no matter how
alone one might feel at times, there are always those who are watching.
Some for good, to help, and some for less then honorable intentions, to
seek an advantage. Michael was to encounter the latter the likes of
which he had never considered. |
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One lonely night, sitting alone in a warm glow
carved out into the chilly north, Michael decided it would be a good
time to venture out into the surrounding area. He wandered into town,
walking down the cold, icen sidewalks past closed shops and open bars.
Michael remembers smells of beer, cigarettes, and ladies' perfume. The
night, otherwise, was uneventful. Apparently, there was little of
interest in the small college town's night life for Michael. He retires
to his dorm room. |
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As time passed, Michael started to get into the
rythym of school life. Classes, study, beer parties, hanging with
friends, listening to music, just general groovin'. Life was good. Then
one day, Michael had his door ajar and a stranger happened by. Michael
saw the shadow of someone as they passed by then noticed that the
person
backed up and stopped at the door. The visiting student pushed the door
open slightly and peered in. Michael did not recognize the student as
anyone he had seen on campus. The visitor identified himself as someone
from the neighboring State University campus visiting friends. The
visitor could not help but notice how different Michael's room was from
the others. |
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Michael had decorated his walls with
the album covers of his favorite music. From Grateful Dead to Little
Feat to Starship to Quicksilver Messenger Service to It's a Beautiful
Day to others. Michael created a comfortable surrounding that included
accent candles, mobiles in the shape of the universe, a large tapestry
suspended from the ceiling to look as if it were a large pillow and a
rather large tiger print rug used to cover the lower bunk bed built
into
one of the walls. Definitely not your typical college dorm room in that
part of the northeast. The visitor invited Michael down to the Depot.
He
mentioned that it was a cool bar where Michael would fit in quite well.
Michael thanked the visitor for his complements and the visitor passed
down the hall never to be seen again. Michael soon forgot the
conversation, going back to studying and listening to his favorite
vinyl
albums. |
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Days pass, Michael is invited by
some college friends to go to one of the local fraternity beer blasts.
50 kegs of beer for a few bucks and a live band. A very good live band.
Actually, Michael found the live band to be far beyond his
expectations.
Being a lover of music, especially of the California music scene of the
late 60's and 70's, he found himself awestruck. In spite of freezing
condition, the band made up of college students played Dire Straits,
Blues Brothers, Fats Domino and Van Morrison amongst others. It was as
if a special gift had been given this young band as they seemed to play
flawlessly and effortlessly. It left quite an impression upon Michael.
As the band started packing up, Michael went up to them and asked if
they played any places in town. Michael was informed that they would be
playing at a place called "The Depot." Michael heads back to his dorm
room. |
