From the looks of this photo - the big hair and stonewashed jeans - it was probably snapped around 1988 in my college apartment. The women assembled (I'm the tarty one second from right) are my oldest and dearest friends. My memories with them go back to first grade and despite the upheavals of life, we have remained steadfast buddies ever since. We were, in fact, Camp Fire Girls together until we graduated from high school. (Wow - there goes my street cred.) We even had a 'gang' name: The Destroyers. This weekend, two of them - Lisa (center) & Kath (on far left) - flew to Denver from Orange County, California to visit the Colorado Destroyer Contingent; Amy (second from left), who lives in Parker, and myself. (Diane on the far right couldn't make it.)
Kath brought a beautiful sympathy card for Simone's passing made by her darling daughter, Emma, aka "The Mighty Gumdrop." It was so incredibly thoughtful, I nearly cried. Meanwhile, for comic relief, Lisa presented me with two ancient (July 1978) issues of Tiger Beat featuring the heart-throbs from our silly youth: Shaun Cassidy (someday I'll post the photos from my infamous Shaun Wall), Lance Kerwin, Leif Garrett, Andy Gibb, Scott Baio (a girl we knew was a dedicated stalker) and Parker Stevenson. Don't forget Willie Aames and Mark Hamill! Some sample cover headlines:
"Shaun: Why His Kisses Are Special!"
"Leif: What (Or Who) Upsets Him The Most?!"
"Scott: Help Choose The Songs He Sings!"
It reminded me how excruciating it was to be a teenage girl. All those raging hormones and no outlet, hence, the extra exclamation points.
For the most part, I was the tour guide and it was fun showing off my new state: Country Road Cafe in Kittridge (best breakfasts in The World), my beloved horse friends in Indian Hills and, of course, Red Rocks.
Already, in our early 40s, we have learned just why it is that old people talk about their ailments nonstop; it has begun. Our eyes, our hips, our agility ... the word "bunions" even crept into the conversation. "Okay, it is waaaaaay too soon for this, ladies!" I stated emphatically. But the first thing to go with all four of us? The memory, it's just not what it used to be. I guess it's what happens when you're made of meat and the decay begins. I'm just glad I kept these wonderful gals around to help fill in the blanks.
HAKLD! DESTROY!
6 comments:
I am so glad you had such a great weekend. Friends are the family we choose. Looks like you have a fantastic family! :)
As I have often said, 'I am the Bill Gates of friends.' This includes you, Fyrchk.
Man, I wish I had hair like Shaun.
Ha! Me too! We thought we wanted him. Turns out, it was just his 'do.
Did the Bay City Rollers ever tour again?
Good question! Wikipedia informs me that:
"During the 1980s and 1990s, there were various short-lived revivals featuring some of the original members, including a New Year's Eve 1999 concert. Interest was rekindled in Britain by television documentaries about the group and a television-advertised compilation of greatest hits, which entered the UK charts on release in 2004 at its #11 peak.
Currently, there is one touring version using the group's name: Les McKeown's Legendary Bay City Rollers."
So there ya go.
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