Fond Memories

I got to thinking of some things that made me smile. Some of these memories were from childhood, some were from the summer. I don't know why I was taking a walk down memory lane last night, but I was.

I remembered an indoor mini golf place I used to love called The Perfect Stroke. (sounds kinky now). It was the coolest place. One of the holes led into a room with the funky lights that made you glo. White lights I think they were called.

I have a t-shirt from that place and oddly I can still wear it without looking foolish, though I only wear it to sleep in these days, with a pair of plaid flannel bottoms. (Nice visual, eh?)

The song of the day then was Laura Branigan's Self Control. Anyone remember that one? It was a favorite one of mine.

Then there was Niagra Falls. For the last several months I've been looking for a picture of a little girl squatting down on the railing on the Canadian side of the falls. It's the only photographic proof that I was ever there, and I can't find it, and it's making me crazy. I can see the photo so vividly in my mind. Almost as vividly as I remember eating ravioli at a restaurant there and hating them because they didn't taste like Chef Boyardi. What an idiot I was. I wish I could remember the restuarant's name. I'm sure it's not there anymore, but I remember it being pretty.

And then there's Atlantic City. I dream regularly about this place. The last dream I had I won the jackpot on a penny slot machine and I got to finally buy my $50 bottle of Pulse at the swanky shop there. I want my bottle of Pulse and I'm still conserving the teeny tiny vile I have from July. It's a good thing I can't wear perfume to work, or I'd never have enough to last me until next year.

I constantly remember little things and big things about my favorite city. I remember the fantastic wonton soup at the Seaside Cafe at the Tropicana. I long for more gelato from The Metropolitan at the Borgata. Need I mention the memories of driving into the city at 1 a.m.? The spectacle of the casino lights is permenantly etched into my mind. (Along with the image of John Lodge in those snake jeans..lordy lordy, lordy, mama!)

Then there's Pymatuming State Park and those darn carp! I wanted to get back there this year to show the nephew the freaky fish, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. There's just not enough time or money just yet. I only hope things are better next year. Those silly things are the best for memories, and it's good to have as many fond memories as you can, which means stock piling them young!