Of course Mickey Mantle, Bobby Orr and Johnny U were obvious boyhood idols for someone of my age. Growing up in a less sophisticated world these men loomed large in talent and quiet presence and truly were the opposite of what Charles Barkley chose to avoid... they were role models and their actions on the field (or ice) and their behavior outside of the arena (at least as described by the media at the time) were those of model citizens. They could sell us anything and we all wanted to emulate them.
A more little known, but just as large icon of the times was Tony Roman of the Bay Area Bombers, the Yankees of Roller derby. Tony Roman #37 could do it all. Was just reminded of him through idle conversation and his name (although mistaken, the conversation from which I was eavesdropping was not really about him and the participants were clueless to his greatness) brought back stirring memories of youth.
Those quiet, awkward days of being a teen and staying up late, watching Roller Derby on channel eleven, eating bar food (my buddy Foster's parents ran a bar and had bar food about the house) and watching Tony Roman revive victory from certain defeat, aided by his #1 blocker Johnny O. What a team, what great guys....who knew it was scripted!
After that we could only hope that Sivad, the scary (ridiculous) late night vampire on KIRO would feature a passable movie to take us later into the night. Something old, black and white and if we were really lucky it would have the ever creepy Peter Lore.
I miss those old days of unsophisticated TV, where you took what you got and didn't have the ability to choose the latest DVD or another of over 100 channels. Something about being bored with a purpose seemed to expose one to just the right mix of a softer, more intriguing culture.
A more little known, but just as large icon of the times was Tony Roman of the Bay Area Bombers, the Yankees of Roller derby. Tony Roman #37 could do it all. Was just reminded of him through idle conversation and his name (although mistaken, the conversation from which I was eavesdropping was not really about him and the participants were clueless to his greatness) brought back stirring memories of youth.
Those quiet, awkward days of being a teen and staying up late, watching Roller Derby on channel eleven, eating bar food (my buddy Foster's parents ran a bar and had bar food about the house) and watching Tony Roman revive victory from certain defeat, aided by his #1 blocker Johnny O. What a team, what great guys....who knew it was scripted!
After that we could only hope that Sivad, the scary (ridiculous) late night vampire on KIRO would feature a passable movie to take us later into the night. Something old, black and white and if we were really lucky it would have the ever creepy Peter Lore.
I miss those old days of unsophisticated TV, where you took what you got and didn't have the ability to choose the latest DVD or another of over 100 channels. Something about being bored with a purpose seemed to expose one to just the right mix of a softer, more intriguing culture.
1 comment:
Speaking of great B&W horror movies, did you ever see Killer Shrews?
So your obsession with junk food is intimately related to your love of television and sports? Or am I reading too much in here? And don't give me some kind of lame Twinkie Defense or tell me you invented the Taco Salad. Nobody believes that, and you know it.
Post a Comment