Paul Simon ended what he called his “farewell tour” in Queens New York where we both grew up and went to Queens College.

 

The NYT Metropolitan Diary column, with its delicious snippets of New York experience inspired this blog entry. Always a wonderful and nourishing read to start the day.

I love where I live, mind you… It’s just that New York remains a part of me that I cherish.

Paul’s decision to perform his special “tour” at a venue, just a few blocks from where he played baseball as a kid, re-affirmed how some thoughts seem to be universal even for “ex-pats,” who have landed elsewhere..

As I write this, I’m on an airplane headed to 57thstreet, on the West side of Manhattan. How could I help but think about my own New York stories.

ABOUT PAUL SIMON:

Never mind that I can’t sing. I’ve been a life-long ham who can never resist a chance to be on a stage.

At Queens College, part of the City University of New York, we had clubs called “House Plans,” in addition to the more formalized sororities and fraternities.

My House Plan, “College Inn,” competed in the “INTER-FRIORITY” talent show in competition with the brothers of Alpha Epsilon Pi, which included PAUL SIMON AND HIS FRIEND, JERRY.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were competing for first, second and third prize.

 There were strict rules. If your group went over your allotted time, they would be automatically disqualified.

I was part of an “adorable” trio of singing “lions”, with bright yellow costumes, ears and fish net stockings.

We sung about “fighting in Africa,” and about not fearing… ”the big wolf, ”Russia.

 

Our skit was timely, clever and original, which didn’t make up for our terrible voices. But, we were careful to stay within the time limit.

Paul and Jerry, soon to re-name themselves, “SIMON AND GARFUNKEL,”did not follow the rules.

They brought the audience to their feet. They were fabulous, just as you would expect. The audience just wouldn’t let them off the stage.

They broke the rules… big time… and went way over their twenty-minute time.

So “COLLEGE INN” AND THE SINGING LIONS got pushed up to win third place in the competition… and won our “claim to fame.”

We sort of beat out SIMON AND GARFUNKEL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

InaOctober 20, 2018 at 11:43 am

You really are the best at whatever you do!

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Susan UpsonOctober 20, 2018 at 2:29 pm

What a great story!

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OLE HERMANOctober 20, 2018 at 2:55 pm

I LOVED IT, NEVER CAN FORGET BROOKLYN AND OUR BELOVED BUMS

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Mark D. GatanasOctober 23, 2018 at 4:04 pm

Freaking WONDERFUL????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Hugs,
Mark n Louise Gatanas

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Dr. LindaOctober 23, 2018 at 4:39 pm

You guys are the best cheerleaders! Thanks… and hugs back to you too.

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