Reunited (a walk down memory lane)

This post recollects events that occurred between Aug 17th and Aug 21.

For those of you reading this on Facebook, the original post can be viewed at:
http:www.henrickatlarge.blogspot.com.

This week has been a week of journeying into my past. It has been a week of sorting through the dusty chest of memorabilia, and reliving day gone by. I had the rare opportunity to visit some of the places I had once 'haunted', laugh with friends, and muse over things said and done. It is strange (if not trite) that the old adage really does apply: Objects in the rear-view mirror appear closer than they actually are.

It started the first day back in NY. I woke up fairly early. I had an appointment with my college-time friend Jenn (who herself had an appointment at Stony brook university, where we met and became trusted and fast friends). I accompanied her to SBU. While there, we walked along the campus, reliving memories of friends and exploits on and about the large campus. Some of the things brought up seemed far away and faded, like old movies of yourself as a kid on 8mm. Some of them were fresh in my mind, as if they had taken place yesterday. Still others I could not remember being part of. "No, really? I was there for that? Why don't I remember that?" It was great! We walked around the building where we used to live (Hendrix), and strolled along the Roth Pond. My mind was reeling in nostalgia.

While she was at her appointment, I took the chance to visit my old department. I was sure that no one would be there (it was, after all, the end of Summer). To my surprise, I bumped into the one member of the faculty, which I actually wanted to see, Prof. Richard Larsen. Prof. Larsen was a big influence in my academic life. He was the first instructor I had who had challenged me. He made me strive and reach down deep for faculties I wasn't sure I had. In the end, I proved that I did indeed have what it took (as well as proving I had a propensity for being able to stay awake for a week to solve a syntax problem!). He really was a 'mentor' to me in a very strange way. We had a great conversation (which as usual stretched my cognitive faculties to their limit). I'm still amazed at his keen mind and monstrous intellect. This is made even more amazing by his congenial demeanor and modesty. Anyway, I was really glad I had a chance to talk to him.

Later on in the week (Tues), I drove up to another one of my 'three-village' haunts, The Velvet Lounge. I saw two friends, whom I had not seen in quite some time. One was bar tending, the other DJing. I hung out for a while, and had a few drinks before eventually going home.

On Friday, I experienced a real treat. I met a few of my old college friends in NYC for drinks and dinner. We talked, laughed, drank (at St. Dymphna's , and finally ate (Calcutta on 6th between 1st and Ave. A... it comes highly recommended). After dinner, we ended up at a club called 'Fat Baby' (on Essex on the LES, about a block North of Houston). It was the Birthday of my friend Jenn's twin cousins. The kicker here is that the b-day party was taking place at an Alex Skolnick Trio gig. Yeah, that's right, Alex Skolnick, the former guitar wizard from Testament. He was there with his jazz trio... man.. he still shreds. Sadly, he didn't play anything from
Practice What You Preach', but the dude killed it. I always knew he was a total bad-ass, but this gave me a new appreciation for his guitar playing, as well as his bands ability to 'bring the pain. I really recommend seeing him if he's around in your neck-of-the-woods. BADASS!

I had a blast... thanks to all of my friends that made this week awesome. I love and miss you all.