The Good Old Days

The Good Old Days

I always said I would never get nostalgic as I got older but, today I can’t seem to help myself. I want to talk about a time long ago in my life that some of you may not be aware of. Do you know, at one time I worked as a professional stand-up comedian?

Yes, I know it’s hard to believe. I never became real famous but, I always made a living at it. I really enjoyed it. In the end, I was even teaching classes to help newcomers to the craft advance and learn the skills they needed.

Teaching gave me almost as much gratification as performing. Watching my students improve and become more confident always gave me a sense of pride.

Nothing can ever compare to performing in front of a group of people and making them laugh as hard as they possibly can. Bringing that kind of joy to others brought even a greater sense of bliss to me.

Those were different times. Some of you may have heard about them. People were allowed to go out in large groups. You would sit at tables with strangers that were within six feet of you. You would laugh and drink and possibly even touch each other.

After the show, people would come up and say they had a great time and shake my hand. That’s when another person would put their hand in yours.

Yeah, I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true. I’m sure there’s video of it somewhere. Look it up.

There were places you could go inside, sit down and they would bring you food. You didn’t have it handed to you by someone wearing gloves while you sat in a car. You could sit right inside the establishment and eat it.

You could enter the lane at the grocery store at either end. There were no one way markers…

By the way, what genius came up with this concept? They don’t even follow the arrows in the parking lot with their vehicles and you think these idiots are going to follow the rules in the supermarket?

There were places you could go to get your hair cut, styled and dyed. Oh, by the way, those of you buying that crap at Walmart aren’t fooling anybody. It’s about to get hot and humid. Your natural hair color doesn’t run down your forehead.

Single and sleazy married people would go to places, meet strangers and dance with and touch each other. Sometimes they even went home together.

I know, this all sounds insane, and some of you won’t believe it. I don’t care, I was there. Look it up, there’s probably articles and possibly photographs and video backing up what I’m saying.

I’m not a crazy old man. I just miss the good old days.