Fromm

I looked left --- looked right. He had changed benches and was now to my right at not too far a distance. He had his right leg crossed over the left and had his hands clasped together with his left arm propped on the back of the bench. He was elderly, looked Jewish, wore steel rimed glasses and had very high polished brown shoes. He wore brown suit, white shirt, tie and overcoat --- a bit overdressed for the circumstance. He seemed very stern and had a Hawke like nose and stare. Had I been older, less shy and more confident, I would have gone over and pursued the query. As it was I had no answer, other than I was enjoying the pure sensations of every day.

At this time there was the Viet Nam war raging, the civil rights movement, Bobby Kennedy had been assassinated in May. There was a huge hippy movement, anti-war marches, various social and political events taking place daily. And with all this I wandered in the park and sat and did nothing. I had come to California to get a free college education. But to qualify --- I had to live in the state for a year, and thus having arrived in April, would need to wait still, about 14 months until next year's fall quarter. In retrospect I spaced out on the park and did not go to college for another six years. As far as what to do - I was coming to the conclusion that I wanted to learn how to use my hands. My first inclination was antiques. I even went into an antique shop, on one of my walks downtown and asked for a job.

(5 of 6) Next Page