20 February 2011
Mr. Sixty
(Muhammed on rhythm guitar at Conor’s Irish Bar in Ann Arbor. Photo Socotra.)
Hey, Gentle Readers. No time to bore you with databases or the intricacies of Executive Order 12291: CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEMS OPERATING POLICIES 1998 Policy Clarification of the 1993 Revision and Commentary. There is plenty of time to shred out what the Feds might, or might not, have on your rap sheet and what they can do with it. We will get to that sometime- to close out the last rant, I will simply say that the State Patrol will let me have the Sig .22 pistol, and if it screws up my clearance and ability to make a living, oh well.
So, more to follow on that or not. It is twenty degrees and snow coming here in Michigan. I gotta get out of Ann Arbor and get north on the suicidal 700-mile round trip from DTW to the little Village on the bluff above the bay.
After I hooked up with Sunny at Metro Airport, we flew across I-94 for A-squared. He is looking good for a sixty-year old. We actually drove past the old bomber plant at Willow Run- hence the origin of the tri-graph for Detroit’s major airport: DTW- Detroit Willow.
Shoot, I thought as we flew past. I hang out at the Willow. No coincidences in this life, which is what the Iraqi liquor store owner said when he recommended Pearl Vodka, normally at retail sensation at $37.50 for the 1.75 liter bottle with the authentic cork.
“I move one hundred cases of Pearl this year at $19 dollars for almost two liters of enjoyment. You will not find a better value, much better than that Popov you wanted. Trust me, my friend.”
I asked him where he came from, thinking only a Lebanese businessman could hit my hot buttons that effectively. “Baghdad,” he said proudly.
I am not used to the demographics of what used to be my hometown. I mean, there are more Chaldeans in Detroit than there are in Chaldea, and maybe more Iraqis now live in the Motor City than in Fallujah.
“I am sorry we screwed up your country so badly,” I blurted without thinking.
“Is OK,” he said with a shrug. “It is all working out and that bastard had to go.”
Sunny and I thanked the team of Iraqis behind the counter and took our brown paper bags out to the rental Camry and drove back to the Marriott.
We were going to have a drink and get ready for Muhammed’s 60th birthday at Conor O'Neill's Irish bar in Main Street downtown. Shak his lovely young wife had arranged for a real blast- private room, free food and drink with an eclectic menu of Hindu and American cuisine, drum kits and microphones for self produced music and a host of interesting guests.
There were even politicians. Or maybe I should say, with free drinks, of course there were politicians.
Sunny and I got primed at the hotel and made one of those mature decisions that I wish I had taken more often in my life. We decided to take a cab downtown.
Muhammed was the second of the old gang to hit he big six-oh. Sunny did it last month. Muhhamed on Friday, and mine is looming in a couple months. There are a lot of conflicting emotions.
Can't believe all of the Class of '69 are going to be 60 this year; I can't believe his folks were there, Bill now starting to fade, Evelyn still sharp, almost like Raven and Magpie three years ago. Time travel.
His brother Long John was there, still looking a bit bemused at the whole thing, just like he did in High School.
The garage band thing was fabulous- I got to do back ups on several songs, and lead vocals on two. I think they were "Come Together" and "Secret Agent Man." It is hard to recall at this point. I am just glad we took cabs. Removed all the inhibitions.
Muhammed performed several original compositions in the four sets of music. The waiters kept cycling in with refreshments from the jam-packed insanity of the main bar next door. He wore a paisley shirt, sixties-style. Shak was on drums and her Fender Jazz Bass and dressed all in black.
God Damn, what fun. I had a chance to talk to the Mayor of Ann Arbor and a Progressive 22-year old County Councilman in between sets. The latter is is trying to deal with a $20 million shortfall in the Washtenaw County budget.
(They say there is no such thing as a free drink, but I am questioning that. Photo Socotra.)
Did I mention the free wine?
Muhammed is on a streak. He is not only making music, but still playing hoops. This week was his last rec leagues game as a 50-something player. Here is what he thought about his men's basketball league last Thursday, the night before his actual birthday:
"Early in game #1 tonight I got open on the right wing and scored on a 15 foot jump shot.
I have not been "in the zone" for many years. But, this was a case of...... "Ali turns 60 in
2 days, but he is a streak shooter and he thinks he's hot."
As they say, I could feel it.
Two possessions later I got a pass on the right wing and took an off balance 15 foot jump shot, getting it off quickly before the 35 year old "kid" guarding me could react, and scored again. Then about 3 possessions later I cut under the basket on the baseline.
I caught a pass while moving away from the basket and then took a right (off) handed backwards no-look shot that I threw backwards toward where I thought the basket was and it swished.
This is what happens when a streak shooter is hot: psychologists who deny this concept are wrong and havenever played or understood the game. It was a game stopper, completely dazzling the other players and sapping them of their will.
We won the game, and I shot 3-3 for the game, plus I had 3 assists.
In game #2, I did not score, but that first game was a very memorable end to basketball in my 50's....And a great start to what could be a lengthy 60th celebration...."
Turned out it was an accurate prediction. Sunny came from Florida, and I came from DC. Great time. Now, packing and getting ready for the drive in the rental Camry with an eye on the sky.
Crap, I don’t want to deal with what I have to. But like my pal Art told me earlier this week: “It is what it is.”
Onward. Come together. Can’t get the words out of my brain this morning.
Copyright 2011 Vic Socotra
vicsocotra.com | Subscribe to the RSS feed!