Waxing nostalgic

I've been feeling a bit nostalgic lately. I'm not sure why, maybe because I've been doing some writing for a history of Iroquois Falls, due to be published later this year, or because I've been listening to more classic rock music than usual.
I even had a facebook post that prompted some discussion about the top classic rock songs. There are several that I agree with, and contributed my own nomination for one that should be near the top: Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing".
That sent my thinking process onto a bit of a tangent, recalling buying vinyl records as a teenager.
Of course, Pierini's in Iroquois Falls was my primary source. Trips to Timmins always meant a stop at Circle of Sound, in what was then the brand new 101 Mall. Your record purchase was put into a bright pink plastic bag, which was heat-sealed at the checkout.
There was also Records on Wheels, on Pine Street near Second Avenue, a door or two down from the Colonial Inn restaurant, which featured phones at the tables, over which you ordered your food. It later became A&W and then Benjamin's. If I recall correctly, Records on Wheels also sealed your purchase in a plastic bag. It was a small, narrow store. I can't recall whether it was later replaced by or existed side-by-side with Two Pieces Boutique, similarly small and narrow. It was where we bought our jeans and cords in the style of the day, be it boot cut, flare or elephant pants, and the puffy-sleeved shirts to go with them, thus the Two Pieces.
I imagine what sealed the doom of all of those places was the opening of Timmins Square.

A rite of passage

I had an interesting people-watching experience this afternoon.
I went with my youngest niece, Caitlin, to get her driver's licence. If I remember correctly, she had her G1, now has her G2, and has a year to get her full-fledged G licence. Way back when I borrowed my Dad's Flintstone car to try my licence, we had the beginner's and then the driver's licence -- none of this graduated stuff.
Anyway, it was interesting to watch the young people come, Mom or Dad (or Uncle Bob) in tow. The anticipation and nerves were palpable in the young people; the pride and melancholy in the parents. Another fledgling getting closer to leaving the nest, learning to fly on their own, moving towards total independence from Mama and Papa Bird.
The only one I saw come back from a road test was Cait. She was smiling ear-to-ear, telling me she passed. A couple of the parents looked my way and smiled.
Cait was especially happy, because this was road test number three. I think she passed this time, because instead of having her older sister with her, she had her good luck charm -- me!
Of course, by the time she had walked around the building from where she had parked the car at the end of the test, she had already called her Mom to share the good news.
Way to go, Cait.

Quick! First answer off the top of your head

If you had to sing one karaoke song to save your life, what would it be?

Mine would be Barry Manilow's "Copacabana".

More of me, blog style

Hey, fellow bloglodytes! I'm a participant in another blog, a two-person effort that I hope you'll check out and post comments about.
I don't want to give too much away here, but it has to do with my new focus on weight and fitness.

www.treadmilltrenches.blogspot.com

Dear Miss Manners/Abby/Ann Landers:

If you have just reconnected online with an old classmate you haven't seen since elementary school about 40 years ago, is it polite to ask if that other person still smells like pee?

Wondering in Ottawa

Video from the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay in Iroquois Falls, January 1, 2010

I told you he's everywhere!

So I'm walking through the mall this afternoon, and who to my wondering eyes does appear? Here's photographic proof. That's me on the left.