July 27, 2006

TILT 7-27-06

This is one of my most favorite things in the world. I can't wear it anymore for fear that it will be completely ruined. I am thinking about turning it into a pillow or something, re-purposing it, ya know?
PizzaInParadise
This is one of the few things that I have of my dad's.
He worked/ran/?owned? this restaurant - I am pretty sure the shirt is older than me - pre-Tahoe days. But then again I don't always have dates right when it comes to my pops- He wasn't around too long- but somehow he shows up in my dreams every now and then.
Vivid. Clear
Telling me things, reminding me of who I am and what I should do to be a strong and true person. That is when I believe in dreams the most.
For some reason this shirt evokes stories of swimming in the ocean with dolphins and other romantic things like sail boating and laying on the beach perfecting a tan... yup, that sounds like my dad, "excuse me its really nice to meet you, but you are standing in my sun."
I remember visiting him when he lived in the Bay Area. He was a bartender at a place called La Pinnata, a family restaurant that is no longer open, but was a strong hold in a neighborhood for many, many years as I understand. I remember hanging out before the place opened one afternoon and watching a bunch of teenagers drag out cardboard and their 'boombox" and break dance on the side walk- it was one of the coolest things I had ever seen. I remember learning how to swim in the pool in the back yard of the house, and I remember taking the bus over the Golden Gate Bridge to visit Aunt Migs, Natasha and Zoomy - going to the Exploritorium and eating Jellybelly candy from a tic-tac style box (remember when they used to sell them like that?)
My visits seemed to be so long- but my mother swears that I would only get to stay a week or so at a time. Time is irrelevant when you are 3 or 4 years old and an hour can seem like a minute or a life time- that is something I miss.

So I have this t-shirt.
It reminds me of him.
And I love it because of that.

Besides, isn't this one of the funkiest/fun graphics you have ever seen?

8 comments:

Stacie said...

that is a great story! Sounds like quite a free spirit! I love the photo of the two of you...

Jennifer said...

It's so important to keep things that have such meaning.

Anonymous said...

That is just wonderful! :) I very much that certain objects that have so much "hidden history". Thank for love sharing a bit of yours :)

Anonymous said...

Wonderful story - and I think you should make it into a pillow :o) Why keep it in a drawer when you could have it out all the time to remind you of happy times?

Jennifer S. said...

love this entry, so special to me. I think repurposing the shirt is a fantastic idea! that photo was priceless, his smile and everything was so perfect. thanks for sharing this today. I love it!

Becky said...

That is too special! For the most important things, framing behind glass is a good way to protect them. And it is a great graphic!

Anonymous said...

Oh man, that photo of you and your dad just makes my heart melt.

What a cool shirt -- made cooler by the multitude of memories it holds.

woof nanny said...

Wow, this is so cool. You could make it a part of a memory quilt if you don't want to do a pillow.