An Evening In Four Vignettes
Tales From Ogden Street
October 18th, 2005
"Did you see that?!?"
"What?"
"Somebody just threw a tire over the fence and ran away with it!"
So began the night's dialogue. The eagle eyed Charlie "Cornwallis" Rose stood playing banjo in an alley off of Ogden Street. With him were the regulars -- vee, &roid, and G-Man -- all gathering for a pre-show planning session.
"Do you think they just don't notice the bluegrass band practicing in the parking lot across the street?" asked a puzzled vee.
"Well," Charlie said, "I reckon they think we're only hillbillies."
"It is true, hillbillies do enjoy a good tire stealing now and again -- my truck-driving days will attest to that" replied &roid.
They watched as the tire stealing process was repeated until all four wheels had been liberated, providing a downhome, uptempo soundtrack all the while.
* * * * *
vee device was in Denver -- the Breakdown Book Collective to be exact. You know, the place right next door to the Earl of Sandwich.
G-Man: "vee device is playing with Pee-Pee?"
&roid: "Somehow, that sounds vaguely dirty."
vee: "I like the assonance."
Charlie: "Speaking of pee-pee, take a look at that guy over there."
And as sure as we're writing this, there was a young gentleman across the street, standing on the sidewalk, in plain sight, urinating to his heart's content. Luckily, our photographer showed a bit of discretion here.
* * * * *
Before the show, it was discovered that &roid's banjo was missing a strap. The band's eyes went a-roving for a quick fix. They were flummoxed.
What could they possibly use? All at once, Charlie said "I have an idea," and produced a pink "spool-o-ribbon."
"That looks rather dainty," thought vee.
Not to be deterred, Charlie busied himself threading the ribbon over his shoulder and around the banjo. Tests of its tensile strength revealed the makeshift solution would be up to the task. After a brief discussion, the band decided that pink ribbons make better straps than actual straps anyway -- especially in October.
* * * * *
On stage, Pee-Pee sank into a heavenly groove. The poet Lenny layered his lyrical construction about the state of the world over the backdrop. The house was packed, while vee and &roid surveyed the scene. It had been a splendid night. Old friends, new friends, and plenty of good music. Yes, they were glad to have played this show, a week before Breakdown Book Collective shut the doors on Ogden Street. Thank you Breakdown.
Doors close and seasons change, but wouldn't you know it... the pink ribbon held.
Long Live The vee Revolution.