Eric Renderking Fisk - January 19th and
20th, 2008
This
past week was pretty tough for me, for reasons that I won't go into. But
I really needed the company of some fellow classic movie and fans of the
flicks that got us hooked on Retro/Vintage in the first place. I had to
reconnect with people that I've known for a few years, meet some new
folks and find my focus and center in my life again.
Just to give you a clue - most non-Retro's are a real drag and a nuisance to be around. Folks who spin their wheels trying to acquire the latest gadget and gizmo while wearing the latest fashions (which sounds like fascism) just seem to be angry for the sake of being angry or purpose. Is it just me, or are too many Modernists people just genuinely miserable people?
I've been crossing some lines recently about these observations. Someone close to me had said that I was going overboard with some of the social commentaries. Someone else said that I was becoming just as bad as the people I rant against and need to take some time to find my smile again.
What I really needed was to just stop being the Admin of The Fedora Chronicles for a little bit and just be another retro and remember that this isn't a major political or social movement, this is just for fun and friends.
I wasn't going to make it to this gathering this month because of some issues at home and one of my close family members health and I felt the need to stay close with my wife. What was keeping me home was postponed and I got a call from "The Steel Beast," Alex Fogg who said he was going to be meeting everyone else there in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. That got the ball rolling in the right direction.
Alex is a good friend to the hobby and is very knowledgeable gentleman who knows more about World War II era vehicles then most people I know. He's gotten his hands dirty maintaining and operating
When we heard that Alex was back in town, my wife said I had to go.
Coat Of Arms
I followed the directions I received from Google Maps to Portsmouth. Everything was great until I got off the highway and into the center of the city. Next thing you knew I was driving in squares and triangles, since there were no curved roads to make circles. (Awful joke, sorry.)
Once I made it inside, it only took a few minutes to find our crew at the end of long room towards the dart boards. They were all familiar faces except Bruce (Indiana Croft) and his wife Betsy.
Betsy
asked "Now, which one are you?" and everyone laughed. I have this
reputation of being the most outrageous and controversial "Indiana Jones
Fan" out there. I thought she was kidding so I said in pure Ted Kennedy
fashion: "Don't you know who I am?" Then I continued: "I'm the most
notorious Indy Fan in the world! I get hate mail as far East of Belgium
and as far West as Hong Kong."
Someone else replied: "Really? Let me know what your e-mail address is and I'll send you some."
After the introductions we all caught up with what's been going on and who had trouble finding the place and who didn't...
Gatherings like this isn't just about hanging out with folks with similar tastes in style, (Although Bruce had a military Shirt from Orvis that's discontinued and I thought was killer,) we had conversations that ranged from favorite TV shows and how some books don't translate too well. It's the bee's knees to know that there's more in common then headwear.
There was also some chatter between us about how The Coat Of Arms was the perfect meeting place since it was almost as Retro as we are, and we weren't the only ones their who looked like we stepped out of a time machine, there was another character who was in aviation attire, right down to the white scarf.
On
the Left, Dalexs and myself. (I don't know why I did that pose, other
then I was remembering the scene in "It's A Wonderful Life," when the
family photo was taken of the Bailey Family after Harry came home with a
new wife and Uncle Clearance made a similar expression.) In the picture
on the right, is Alex "The Steal Beast," Michael B, and Bruce ("Indiana
Croft.") I believe Betsy took these pictures.
AA woman came up to us and asked us what was with all of the hats. We cracked wise with some funny answers until we let on that we're locals fellow fans from an a fan forum and this is what we do once in a while. She talked with us and let us know that there was a "Retro-Revival" for the 1970's somewhere around there. She meant well and was very polite.
Before I move on, let's me just add that the burger I had here was phenomenal. For most, a burger is a burger and that's the end of it. But to me, not all are created equal. This wasn't just an above average burger here at The Coat Of Arms, and was served with steak fries that were almost as good as the ones my wife made the next day.
The beer menu is also great, too. I didn't get to sample everything, but there were plenty of Beers and Ales to choose from.
Walking To The Press Room
Before
we headed down to The Press Room, Mike asked us if we wanted to see
where he worked. Of course, we all said yes.
We didn't stay there long, maybe a couple of minutes. Mike works for a great place doing graphics for computer games. I admit, I have a touch of envy. He and his co-workers have all these great toys around to use as models and inspiration.
Some of the toys were kinda cool, some were a bit disturbing. Artists are like that, though.
The building where Mike works has a great Victorian feel to it, solid wood doors with frosted glass windows. Apparently there was a recent renovation and the results were pretty cool.
Just as an aside, the 10 minute walk from The Coat Of Arms to The Press Room was a bit of nostalgia for me, I was reminded of my early 20's in College and out on my own when my friends and I would to the same in the middle of a wintry night. New England was being hit with an artic blast and it should have been a miserable walk, but it was hardly that. I think keeping up with Steve and Alex and the quick pace kept us all warm.
The
Press Room
I almost did a double-take when we finally arrived, "The Press Room" is almost exactly like one of my favorite haunts in college, right down with the vintage brick walls and the art on the walls created by local artists.
Different atmosphere than "Coat Of Arms," its more of a place to hear live music and get some food that's a few good healthy notches above fast-food.
I also have to throw this piece in about our good friend, Mike. He took some jibes about his drinks, keeping to his favorite Gin and Tonic while the rest of us drank beer. Some of us kept asking him if he needed an umbrella for his drink, and he always came back with a witty response. None of which I can republish here.
I've
gotten to know Mike well during our nights out and over the phone. He's
a good friend with an honest point of view. It's refreshing to hear from
him; he's honest and concise with out being rude.
When Bruce and Betsy left, I told them that they had to come with us next time. /p>
"Look into my eyes! Look at me! Look at me! We're going to do this again!"
Lawn Sale Coffee House
This is the last stop for us before heading back to our cars and going our different ways. This was another place that Alex knew pretty well. I have no idea what it was called, but according to Alex - everything at that diner was bought at a yard sale. I think I used to own the set of mugs we used.
Our server was a college kid who was leaving for Germany in a few days. (I think he's there now.) Really nice guy, lots of tattoos with a long beard.
Sometimes, it's just great to just sit and talk with friends... and play with my camera. I shut the flash off and that's why some of them came out so 'yellow.'
Despite the 2 hour drive back and the late hour, it was worth it. Hanging around these guys has always been a blast and it was a privilege to bring two new people into our group and I hope we get to see them again soon.
They did a great job lifting my spirits and putting stuff into
perspective. I'm very appreciative of them, as always. You should be so
lucky to have friends like these.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire is a great place to go and visit with friends with plenty of other pubs to visit. I did a quick search and discovered that if we did two a night once a month, it would take years to do them all. Were we to take that mission on, I think Alex's name for us "Indy Portsmouth Pub Crawlers" fits very well.
Links
Coat Of Arms - 174 Fleet St., Portsmouth, NH 03801 (603) 431-0407
The Press Room - 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth NH 03801 • (603) 431-5186