Tucked away in Northeast Atlanta along the north fork of Peachtree Creek is a tiny little neighborhood named Hillcrest . It was where Paul (one ex back) and I spent a good part of our 13 year relationship (a whole 'nother topic). As it was so aptly descibedd to me recently, it was a magical time. We had the best neighbors ever.... Jim and Nancy Shaw, TheCCaldwells and Kevin were the "core group". Over the years people would come and go, but for Paul and myself, these were thecontstants. Everyone watched out for each other, as good neighbors should, and we would sit and chat out on the Shaw's front porch for hours. There were block parties, poker nights, birthdays, etc. all with LOTS of drinking and debauchery. Seasonal Jello shooters were the order of the day, usually arranged to depcictthe MMexcianflag for CCincoddeMayo and the Stars and Stripes for July 4tth..you get the idea. It was so much fun. After Paul and I split up, we both eventually moved away from the neighborhood and I out of state completely. Paul stayed pretty close with everyone and would relay info to me about the "gang" and relayed my info to them as well (since I am not the best at keeping in touch). Jim and Nancy were the last to leave HilHillcrestd while they still own the house there, they now live in a beautiful 2800+ sq. ft. house in a northern Atlanta suburb (you folks from California would cry if you found out what a house like that costs there!!!). All was going pretty well for everyone... Jim and Nancy with their house, Kevin getting married, the CalCaldwellsnding that they liked highighriseving with 3 kids and a dog, Paul in a new relationship, me in California. Then Paul told me about Jim's cancer...

The 80's Rule!

I got to relive my New Wave past this weekend when my friend Michael took me to the Hollywood Bowl to a concert with ABC and The Human League. We had a lot of fun!  Unfortunatley part of the fun was realizing and poking fun at the fact that many of the performers were not quite what they used to be!

There were actually three bands that played...the two I mentioned and The Psychedelic Furs (never a big fur fan...well, not THAT kind of fur at least!) The Furs lead man looked and sounded  like he had been rode hard and put up wet, bless his heart.  ABC did a little better. Lead singer Martin Fry was the only original member left and he had to do some creative arrangements of some of their hits to be able to sing them (and he still had to drop out a few times). But The Human League stole the show.  The stage and lighting were great. The lead singer could still sing and the original girls were in place,  too.  He jumped around the stage like a madman and could still carry a tune.  And execpt for the unfortunate "penguin"  dance he did a couple of times, it was awsome!