I was the child of two hippies in San Francisco in the early seventies. There were a few houses in The City* where most hippies ended up renting a room at some point in time, if they lived in The City long enough. Janis Joplin was a hippy. My parents were hippies. And so it happened that I, as a baby, lived in the same room where Janis Joplin had once lived. My Grandma, who is very religious, prayed over that room. Generally, Grandma Ruth did not approve.
Over a beer once, a few months ago, I shared this little tidbit about myself with my good friend, Kirk. He's a big Janis Joplin fan.
"That's not true," he said. "Your dad made that up." I couldn't believe him!
"Of course it's true! Why would my dad make something like that up? It's not that unbelievable! Janis Joplin had to live somewhere!"
A little argument ensued. He still doesn't believe me.
I have Janis Joplin on my ipod. I like her music a lot. Ever since that argument with Kirk, though, whenever a Janis Joplin song comes on, I think to myself, "I can't believe that bastard doesn't believe me!"
* Everyone from the Bay Area calls San Francisco "The City".
Just when I thought you couldn't get any cooler.
ReplyDeletePlease tell me your address at some point was 710 Ashbury Street. Cuz that would be rad.
I don't know that we ever lived with (or in the same house as, at a different time) the Grateful Dead, but our friend - or, really, Aunt Lou's good friend - Edie had the Dead over at her house from time to time. Edie was cooler than school, to be sure. She was this really sweet, hip old lady who owned a Victorian.
ReplyDeleteYou are officially the coolest person I know. Oh yeah, and I would be remiss if I did not say... That explains a lot too. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're thinking of 1947 Pine St - a legendary flat to be sure.
ReplyDeleteWe also lived in two different places right on Haight Street, including the infamous red house, and for a while we rented a storefront next to the Straight Theater to rehearse our band (which never actually played anywhere else). Janis didn't live at any of those places.
I moved around a lot when I lived in The City.
b0b is my dad, in case it's not obvious!
ReplyDeleteMeg, I am blushing, but clearly you do not know me that well, or you would never say I was the coolest person you know! I mean, you do know Dancing Queen and all...
Most beings who breathe air are cooler than I. Look up dork in the dictionary, and there is a photograph of me!
I do know Dancing Queen. I guess I am still the coolest. ;)
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize b0b was your dad. Hi b0b!