Part 1

Four events over two days...

Tuesday saw the 50th anniversary of "The Day The Music Died". Now I know what you're thinking, this is going to be another "generic Rockabilly tribute" to Buddy. Well I'm happy to say that it's not. All I want to offer is this little nugget of information about me and why I'll always miss Buddy. During the early nineties in SoCal Oldies 93.1 FM (now known as Jack FM) was one of Pop's favorite radio stations and he would always blast the radio while he was working on whatever car happened to be in our driveway at the time. This one time I remember him working on his white Toyota and Buddy Holly's Peggy Sue came on. Right away, my little little 8 or 9 year old mine became enamored with this song's catchy hook and wicked drumbeat. I loved it's simplicity and quite honestly it was something I could dance to. I asked him who it was and after he told he had a look of approval on his face. It was one of the first times I can recall where I felt great to be cool in my Dad's eyes. It also started a awesome journey of musical discovery that to this day hasn't stopped.

Tuesday was also host to a Dodger rally/autograph event at LA Live. It was also the first time my little cousin and I had bonded in quite sometime. After a short trip into Downtown we arrived to our destination. We saw that the higher ups made you choose what Dodgers you wanted to meet that day. For example, you could meet Fernando but if you did that, you couldn't meet Ethier. Fucking gyp right? But seeing as how I don't get a boner for Fernando like every other Angeleno I was cool with it. The only casualty of war was on Tommy Davis. He's my fifth favorite Dodger of all time. Another cool thing that happened was when we were leaving Charley Steiner from the radio team walked right by us. You know, he's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. We snapped a couple pics and were off to dinner at Olvera St. You should of seen the excitement of this kid as we entered the 7th Subway station. (It was his first time)-"That's what she said" (cheap joke) But it was his comment of this being one of the best days he's had in awhile made me smile. Truly a good day had by all.

It's Been A Long Time Coming

1993-Three years after the birth of my little sister. Some guy named Clinton was running things in Washington and in November the Rose Bowl was on the line for both teams. This years version was to be held in the Colosseum and prior to the game some Bruin students tampered with(I say improved) the world famous Hollywood sign. All week I was counting down till Saturday and when the day finally came, I was nervous. I had a gathering next week with some relatives on my father's side (the sc side, ugh.)If we lost this game my father and I would never hear the end of it.

The Bruins dominated the first half and it was looking good. Wayne Cook wasn't fucking up and Stokes was in prime form. Halfway through the fourth quarter sc mounted a come back. Now usually I can remember all sorts of details and names when it comes to sports especially my Bruins but for this moment it wasn't about who won or lost but it was about the emotion that was expressed between me and my father.

Rob Johnson was leading sc to a tying score in the last minute of the fourth. As sc completed a long pass to make it first and goal my father and I both looked at each other with a look of complete diaspointment. After the game I figured we would dip into our all too familiar discussion of disappointing Bruin football.

First and goal, sc runs. Stopped short at the five (I think) *Thinking of how all my classmates will ridicule me on Monday.*

Second and goal. Another run and again stopped short of the goal line. *Oh man my aunts and uncles will never shut up!*

Now usually this is the part of the show where I bitch and moan about another close lost. But thanks to Mr. Marvin Goodwin that wont happen. On a third and goal he steps in front of an sc receiver to clinch the victory for the Bruins. My father ,who hides his emotions, starts cussing and screaming like a drunken sailor on shore leave. I was amazed that this idol of mine who famously frowns upon cussing was dropping f'bombs like there was no tomorrow. We hugged. We danced. We sang. It was the closest I have ever felt to my father.