The Happiest Days Of Our Lives

In September of 1978 I started 8th grade in a new town. My parents had split up the previous year and my mom and I could not afford to live in the house we shared as a family, so we were forced to move. I had been in the same house in the same school district since 2nd grade and the summer after 7th we quietly left it all behind. 5 years was the longest we'd lived anywhere (it would hold that record for me until 2005) and it was hard to start over at 13 without a single friend.

Not much changed that first year. My sense of humor and penchant for doodling caricatures impressed a couple kids, but apart from that I had a lot of trouble fitting in.

In December of 1979, 3 months into 9th grade, I found solace in Pink Floyd's The Wall. The advance single, "Another Brick In The Wall Part 2" had been played on the radio for weeks and I eagerly awaited the complete album. I was completely drawn into it's story of isolation and related to the character's relationship with his mother (I didn't lose my father but I certainly felt "left" by him). A few months later Pink Floyd performed The Wall over 5 nights at Nassau Coliseum. I wasn't able to go, but did score a bootleg concert jersey (complete with black 3/4 sleeves). I read a review of the show so I was prepared whenever I wore the shirt if anyone asked how the show was (I'd pepper my recollection with details only someone who'd been there (or read a review) would know). It was just one of the many ways I attempted to fit in, and it was also one of the most successful.

It didn't last, though, my manufactured "cool". As with anything that gets too popular, there was a backlash against The Wall and wearing the jersey no longer elicited the knowing nods in the hall. Still, by then I had established some friendships (one that actually lasts to this day) and didn't need covert tactics like that anymore.

I never expected it to happen, and I had to wait 30 years, but The Wall is being performed live again; albeit just by Roger Waters, but if his In The Flesh tour is any indication it's gonna be a top-notch show. I got caught up in the presale hooplah, joining the email list to be notified when tickets went on sale. A pair were purchased 8 weeks ago and only today was I notified where my seats are: a little more than halfway around the arena, second row, one section up, the first 2 seats. Pretty much exactly where I'd hoped they'd be; a perfect view of the whole show.

Unfortunately there's no one left to impress.

I'm still gonna get a jersey.