Back when I was in high school…for a few years there was a tremendous loophole that allowed me to have crazy freedom from parental watchful eyes. Because I went to a school called Holy Names and because it was so so far away from my parents house ( really, like another world)I made friends that were also very far away…so we did overnights or over weekends or for a few days. Mostly it was me staying at my friend Gina’s house. Gina’s parents were very very strict ( she was not allowed to see Lady Sings The Blues with Diana Ross as it was rated M for Mature)…Her house was also a free for all…I think they had 7 kids and 5 were boys who all played sports. It was like being on another planet for me…The house was a disaster. There was no way her parent could keep tabs on all of the those kids..We had a friend by the name of Wendy who lived very close to Gina…somehow, Gina’s parents allowed her to hang out at Wendy’s and overnight…and I went along for the ride..here is where the loophole comes in…Wendy was one year older than us ( at this time we were sophomores and Wendy was a junior.) Wendy’s parents were wealthy and divorced. Her mother was a lush and always drunk and smoking. Wendy had a sister named Sue that was quite a bit older, but very fat ( like the mother) and was always hanging around us. Once we got to Wendy’s, there were no more rules.

Gina’s mother thought it was OK to be at Wendys and my mother trusted Gina’s mom so it opened the door to incredible freedom for us. 

Today I came across a flattened out paper bag with the autographs of the Doobie Brothers from 1973. I would have been 15. I remember it well as we had front row seats and got all dressed up to go. I think Wendy’s father got us the tickets. I remember the band members had on super high platform boots that went up above their knees. We hung out with them after the gig…they had an after party…it was fun…I’m sure there was alcohol and mary jane involved. We got home late and no one knew…no way my parents of Gina's parents would have allowed this.

I was always going to find a way to be free…this was just one way and I used it many time…running around the streets of Albany at night with a band that Gina’s older brother John was in. ( Gina's mother didn't mind if John was with us)
We were the entourage…and had great fun.