Young, Dumb and not Tough

There are moments in time that can never be recaptured, nor would I want them to be, but they are fun to recall late at night upon a pillow.

Bloomingdales asked me to pick up a few designer clothes to draw which I did. I was young and my social schedule was full so I took the bag of clothes directly to the Whitney Biennial show where my friends had made a stink, literally, their piece consisted of fetal pigs in formaldehyde. It was art. Shut up PETA people, I had no idea.
We all regrouped downtown at a dive bar where Princes, models and drag queens co-mingled to celebrate.
I kept an eye on the Bloomingdales bag at all times but after glancing away for a moment it was gone. None of the guests were suspect, it was clearly the staff, the contents of the bag were worth thousands.
I asked the barmaid where it was, she looked at me as if I was some befuddled heroin addict. I asked to look behind the bar, she said no and threatened to throw me out.
I am only 5 foot 5, hardly threatening but my friends are not only beautiful, they are tough and very protective of me. They took over the situation and stormed behind the bar where the stolen bag of clothes had been hidden under a counter behind backup bottles of vodka.
Drinks suddenly became free. I miss my friends who have since scattered about the globe.
I got my bag of clothes back and drew this illustration which was printed. When you are of small stature, it pays to have scary friends.
The East Village was once a haven for artists and the disenfranchised, this video of Amy Winehouse reminds me of the streets I used to walk, she is a worry, I love her and I know she would have my back as I have hers. I look for the best in everyone I meet, I hope you see the best in her, she is my favorite kind of scary and she has a voice.