That old guy that just can't let his glory days go, that is. He's the guy who skates backwards and even gives you a little hop every now and then once he realizes you are watching him. Doesn't every town in the U.S.A. have such a guy? I ran into our Las Vegas "old glory" on Saturday. He was at least 55 years old and from my detection his favorite song to skate to is "Promiscuous Girl". He travels with pieces of torn up old shirts that he wipes his brow with. Once the rag is completely soaked he skates over close to his bag and launches the sweaty rag in the bags direction. I have to admit that I spent more time watching and analyzing him than the rest of the people I was with. I came to this conclusion: the reason he lives for the roller skating rink is simple - it's the one place in this whole universe that still makes him feel superior. No one else side-hops like him. No one else can grove to that boogie beat the way he can. People, the little people that is, show him respect and even hi-five him, making him feel like he's the coolest kid on campus. So maybe this started with a midlife crisis years ago which he just hasn't gotten over? I then had the thought... what if my husband spent every Saturday from 4-10 pm roller skating with the local kids. How would I feel? Would I compliment his calf muscles when he got home or would I put away the dinner and go to bed early instead of waiting for my husband to finish doing the electric slide? If he asked me would I polish his skates for him? Maybe he was once a part of the rollerskating musical "Starlight Express" and he just can't let go... These were all things that I pondered as I watched the hair-dying old hippie skate around dozens of children like he was a super star. If I ever bump into him at the Crystal Palace Roller Skating Rink again I will be sure to ask.
