new thread
So, as some of you know I spent my entire life in the Bay Area and lived by the beach for a number of years until we were forced to move away (yearly rent increases along with having kids finally broke our backs) a couple years ago and ended up temporarily here in Reno, NV. where we invested in a home. Okay, so a liberal California surfer/hippy/weirdo like myself moves to a conservative area in the high desert. I'm literally a fish out of water as surfing is a huge part of my life. I don't belong here for other reasons, too, but we all have to make sacrifices once in a while especially when raising a family. Over the past couple years, though, I have seen long hairs of all ages in town from time to time which would bring a smile to my face and keep me on track of growing my own hair back out again. But, this morning was a special morning for me. I almost felt like I was back in Santa Cruz and here's why:
I took my boy out grocery shopping early this morning to beat the crowds. Two blocks from home on the first major street we turned on I immediately saw an old 50's VW split window microbus driven by a woman probably in her late 50's with long one length hair wearing a flower dress. I'm a big VW bus enthusiast and drive a Vanagon these days (safer for the family). VW buses of all types are very rare out in these parts so we both kind of stared at each other for a moment and then almost simultaneously flashed each other the peace sign and a big smile. That was cool. I haven't done that since living in Santa Cruz.
So, we make our way to Trader Joes as they were opening. Not many people around in the shopping center so it was totally mellow. But, I kid you not...the 20 minutes we were there I spotted no less than 5 other male long hairs. 2 were TJ's employee's and 3 were customers either already inside shopping or walking up to the store as we were leaving. The age range was between, I'd say, 18 and 55. The oldest looking gentleman had mid-back length graying hair with beard and tie dye shirt. It was cool because I noticed all of them and they all noticed me at some point and we either said "hey" or exchanged head nods and smiles. It was way cool. I felt like I was back shopping at TJ's in Capitola. Then as we were driving to our next destination I ended up behind another longhaired dude at a stop light smoking a bowl and blowing it out his window without a care in the world. I almost shed tears of joy as this has been the best hour out in town for me since I moved here. And it came a day after I had a minor breakdown in front of my wife and kids as living here and being different from the masses really gets to me sometimes. But this morning was like a message from the universe telling me to keep my head up and stay positive...good things are coming." I'm still moved by the experience.
Well, I just had to share that story with you all. I'm sure some of you can relate to being stuck in a place where you don't belong and being different than most. For those of you in a similar situation: Keep on keeping on, brothers. Stay true to yourself and stay positive. Good things are coming.
Peace,
~Garth
Damn, I missed you when through there last month!
ah, RATS! Well, maybe next time :-)
What a cool & moving story, --- thanks, Garth, for writing about it!!!
Even though I live in "liberal San Francisco", I certainly understand what you're talking about here... In my C&W dance club that I belong to, I'm only about one out of 500 members with truly looooong hair (occasionally there will be a member or 2 that will grow it out to about shoulder-length, though; but usually in a few years, they'll often cut it all short again).
I'm sort-of in the opposite position as you are in: I'm financially "hanging in there", still living in the Bay Area; but sometimes wishing I could move to some place more affordable. I don't have kids, though, --- so it helps not having that added pressure to have to deal with, I'm sure.
Anyway, take care, gman, --- and thanks again for narrating that inspiring story!!
- Ken
It's always nice to see laid-back people who don't jump on bandwagons like the whole "war on drugs" thing, and see things for how they really are.
Great story, bro. Peace, love and all that jazz. :)
"... But this morning was like a message from the universe telling me to keep my head up and stay positive...good things are coming." I'm still moved by the experience."
Sound very cool, Gman! I had a somewhat similar incident like that happen to me a while back. Not quite the same, but it brought back great memories. I went back to my hometown of Flint Michigan back in July of '05, the first time in 29 years. I flew into Chicago, rented a car, and drove to Flint. One thing about Michigan is that during the summer, everything is lush and green, something I've really missed since moving from there in '76. Anyway, I left Chicago, crossed the state line into Michigan, and decided to check out some of the local radio stations along the way. I found 3 stations that were playing Classic Rock and they were playing tunes I haven't heard since I left in '76! It was great... seeing everything green and listening to stuff I haven't heard since '76... a very pleasing 'time warp!'
--Rick, in San Jose CA
Thats a very moving story Gman, really glad you had some positive vibes and that the future will be really cool for you. Take care , Dave
Really inspiring story!
I feel the same most of the time, I'm one of the VERY few longhairs/metal fans in my town, in a sea of "thugs" "Gangsters" and others thinking much too highly of themselves.
It's nice to go out to a metal show every now and then and be in a group of people who share one, well, usually two things in common: a love for the music and a love for long hair.
Thanks for sharing your story, keep it growing
-Mihnea
Hey, Garth--
I really liked your story. In recent years Reno has evolved into a close version of suburban California. There are a few charming parts of town, like Arlington Avenue from the Truckee and California Avenue down to Plumb Lane, where the older houses, trees, and like remind me of old Palo Alto. If you are a Santa Cruz surfer, old VW-van, longhair type (naturally), you might try going to Virginia City. On D Street (the street up the hill from C Street, where all the businesses are located)--where the Storey County Courthouse is located--I've seen some hippie-type vehicles (old panel trucks, pickups, VW vans, etc.) parked along the street and in driveways and garages of the homes on the street. So maybe there are some kindred spirits that you may find there. Most likely they are refugees from California, too. Stay happy, and mellow.
Sounds like you really got the pick-me-up you needed, Garth. No matter where I go, Trader Joe's and Wal-Mart reliably have long haired men somewhere about. In the Bay area I have found trips to Frey's electronics stores or REI for camping stuff are quite the gathering places for longhairs which makes errands with my fiance much more interesting. My favorite part of your post was that your encounters took place while with your son. My happiest childhood memories were the errand mornings with my dad and I bet the time you are giving your son now will be fondly remembered by him too.
Elizabeth