Songs of the not-so innocent

Originally written for someone. Pearl Jam... one of the great rock bands of the 90s... a Grunge Rock legend... Eddie Vedder... a most unique voice... together, they create this song... well, calling it a 'song' may be doing it an injustice... an anthem... ... You have to be there... in that bar, yellow lighting reflecting off brown wood... the aroma of beer dancing with the fragrance of tobacco... it's around 11pm and the energy in the room is happy... you are surrounded by friends or leaning against a lover... viscerally aware of how good a time you are having and holding on to it hard because you are also aware of the impending approach of the last call... ... You take a sip and let the taste wash around your mouth... and it comes up over the speakers... a switch gets flipped... suddenly, everyone, absolutely everyone is in two places at once... still there but also very far away... you are lost in the hunger of Eddie's voice... whispering the words... shivering as a

Some years ago, some friends and I were discussing helmets. At the time, they were on the "don't like wearing a helmet because it's uncomfortable" side. Though I acknowledged their sartorial point, I was and am very much on the other side and when asked why, had a simple answer - I may be a safe and steady bike rider but have no way of knowing if anyone else is. So, I used the helmet to protect myself from others' mistakes. A peculiar aspect of the human condition is to itch to do the exact opposite of a suggestion. So, when the authorities made helmets compulsory, there was a predictable hue and cry. Excuses were given about the expense, the cumbersomeness, the lack of need and practically anything else under the sun. The authorities have not bothered to enforce the helmet law strictly so it's common to see many a rider sans protective gear. Why am I prattling on about this? Substitute masks for helmets and we have arrived. Tomorrow is the 8th of June, 2020.