A New Set of Threads

As my move to the Southside becomes imminent and I evolve from a daytime visitor to a permanent “occupier” I have been informed by my son that an important part of my move is a change of wardrobe, which has led to some rather interesting conversations and observations. As a joke I asked him if I should get one of those knitted woolen hats with pony tails. His answer, “Dad if you don’t know what it’s called, don’t wear it.”

I had one of those European sailor caps back in the 70’s and now wish I had not donated it to Goodwill. It was well broken in, like a well worn pair of jeans. Which speaking of jeans..... what color? I understand my favorite pair of shoes, a pair of cowboy boots, are acceptable so I can hold onto them and wear on special occasions. I am wary of going over the top, I laughed at far too many of the make believe hippie’s back in my day, ridiculed because those of us who were, were sure we were and they were not.

So I how does an old man look “hip” without looking like a wanna be? 

Seven personal rules you need to be aware of:

1. I will not wear anything that reminds me of a crocheted pot holder on my head, or for that matter anywhere else on my body. 
2. All of my shoes are one basic color and I haven't the talent, or desire, to paint any of them.
3. I will not shave my head.
4. Facial hair is out, I never could grow a decent mustache and my beard is multicolored much like Jacob's coat.
5. I long ago learned to laugh at myself, but being a laughing matter is an altogether different thing.
6. I only talk like a pirate on International Talk like a Pirate Day (September 19th). I don't want to look like one either.
7. I divested myself of several dozen tie dyed items when my son stole my Dave Mathews tour shirt (and by the way son, where did the Pink Floyd shirt go, it was a collectible), so when it comes to tie dye, been there done that.

Moving to the Southside

So what the hell is an old man doing on the south side of town anyway? Is he trying to regain a bit of lost luster? Fighting the growing old thing? Just rather intrigued and drawn to the energy? Probably a bit of all if the truth is told. In this blog, I hope to stick more to the intrigued part although I am sure the other will come up as I am fighting the lost opportunity thing a bit too!

The loft is not ready and so I am entering my third week as a homeless orphan scrounging off friends and family. This morning’s temperature was in the mid 20’s and I can’t help but wonder about the real homeless you occasionally see walking the south side. Where did they stay last night? I had a queen bed with silk sheets and a comforter to fight the cold as well as a choice of coats to wear to work.

When I moved to Chattanooga in the mid 80’s a drive down Main Street was accomplished with the windows up and the doors locked. Unless of course you were a client of the evening entertainers that roved up and down the stretch between Broad and the railroad underpass, or perhaps an addict looking for the days fix, or maybe just a mountain resident seeking a walk on the wild side. It took investment of time and vision to get to where we are now as well as the money. One of the major personalities of Main Street is moving next week to L.A. Two months ago another moved to Detroit, exporting the vision that was once the south side’s to these cities that are looking here for guidance. The next challenge will be to hold onto our homegrown talent.