Many savvy surfers cruise the net to make new connections - in chat rooms, at blog sites, wherever - in the hope of expanding their horizons.
In recent days, I've come to recognize that penning a blog may also open up dusty doors into the past!
This morning, for instance, I was quite startled to find a comment waiting for me where I posted on an old vintage JOHN LENNON interview from CBC TV taped back in the late sixties. (www.julian1st.wordpress.com / October 26)
"I remember you," noted "Newbroom."
"You were Dancin Don. I was there with you. I went to the Rock 'n Roll Festival when John showed up with the Plastic Ono Band. Great memories. Nice blog, too."Oh my Gosh!
Yes, before I moved to the United States many moons ago (to use an old hippie expression that seems appropriate at this heady moment!) I changed my birth name legally to the one I used on stage.
Before I was "Julian", I was "Don".
When I was teenager I was known for two things basically: wild curly hair and dancing.
And, for being an infamous resident of the legendary Rochdale College.
I was a street performer - and often showed up at major rock concerts around the country - acting out in impromptu skits or dancing in my own inimitable style much to the delight of stoned audiences!
Photographers used to scramble to photograph me; subsequently, I often ended up in the pages of slick glossy magazines and local throw-a-way newspapers (in the Vancouver mainland and metropolitan Toronto areas) in half-naked poses which flaunted ragged blue jeans, naked torso and bare feet.
In one of my favorite "portraits", a photographer caught me mid-flight - with back arched - against the backdrop of Toronto's futuristic City Hall (one of my favorite pieces of architecture).
One one occasion - I became notorious when I attended a rock concert on Baldwin Street - and was summarily arrested in a near riot while dancing on a police car.
A documentary filmmaker (Morley Markson) caught the whole incident on film and it ended up on the National News that evening on CBC TV.
Yes, I was suddenly catapulted into fame!
When I padded into court in barefeet, the police officer on the witness stand testified that I was doing something of a "war dance" (a quote from the Toronto Telegram news report) which prompted loud guffaws from all in attendance and a stern request from the Judge for "order" in the court.
An aggressive young criminal attorney - Clayton Ruby - convinced the Judge that it was actually the police who caused the disturbance.
Case dismissed!
I became a local hero, of sorts.
As a result, people familiar with my first name, referred to me affectionately as "Dancin' Don".
To others, I was simply "The Dancer".
That was a long time ago - so it surprised the heck out of me thirty eight years later - to get an e-mail from a total stranger recalling my former "persona" in the olden golden days!!!
But, that was not a lone occasion for the past to creep into my life of late, due to blog exposure on the world-wide-web.
A few months ago, I wrote a post on "Jackie Curtis" (the Warhol Star) who I became friends with back in 1974 in the "Big Apple" (NYC).You may recall that Lou Reed wrote a lyric about Jackie in one of his big hits of the day.
"Walk on the Wild Side"
In that hit tune, Lou droned:
"Jackie was just speedin' away. Thought she was James Dean for a day."
Well, a few months after I published the post, I suddenly got an e-mail out-of-the blue from Jimmy Carnicia.
Back in the early seventies (!) I was involved in a provocative stage production - "The Magic Hype" - which was written and directed by Mr. Carnicia.
The zany high-spirited off-beat musical was a spoof on the Andy Warhol characters performed by the well-know local troupe, the "Hot Peaches".Yes, I was once a "Hot Peach".
No comments, please!
Anyhoo, Jimmy saw the blog post, and contacted me through my e-mail address.
Imagine that, we were out-of-touch for over 34 years!
Wanna know the scary part?
Jimmy recently developed a web site in memory of the "Hot Peaches" - replete with old stills from the live shows - sure to rustle up nostalgic memories for fans of the "Hot Peaches" cast.
Oh my gosh!
He has a shot of "The Magic Hype" production, too.
There I am in tights, a sparkly outfit, wild mane of hair, and tons of make-up.
Gorgeous, dahlink!
Nope, you can never escape the past, and for good reason.
A memory is what is left when something happens and does not completely unhappen.
(Edward de Bono)
God gave us memories that we might have roses in December.
(J.M. Barrie, Courage)
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