Blast From the Past
Feb 28th, 2006 at 11:18 pm by Susie
So I stayed at DL tonight longer than I planned, because I was discussing some business ideas with the CEO of the Corrente Group. (UPDATE: Turns out he’s really more of an assistant manager.) But I couldn’t ignore the smoke one minute more, and was about to grab my coat and bolt when someone from my distant past walked in the door.
It was the (in)famous J.C. Duffy, whom I’ve known since I was 15 years old. “J.C.! What a wonderful surprise,” I said. (I did a doubletake; his thick black hair is now completely gray. Well, I do like a man who ages gracefully.)
“Susie Madrak,” he said. “How are you?” It’s been five or so years since we’ve seen each other. J.C. played bass in a band with the first boy I loved; more recently, he performed in a band with several other guys I knew. But he’s better known as the twisted mind behind his syndicated comic strip, “The Fusco Brothers,” “Go Fish” or his New Yorker comics.
“I still have that art piece for you,” he said. I’d forgotten; I inspired one of his strips and he’d promised me the original art work. So we made plans to meet soon.
Visiting from San Francisco was J.C.’s friend Chris, whose sister Lisa accompanied me to the opening day of the Phillies at the then-brand-new and now-imploded Veteran’s Stadium. Oy, I’m getting old.
Alex was there, too; his aunt dated my brother when they were both in the 8th grade at Most Blessed Sacrament. Why, it was a veritable Old Home Week. But then, Philadelphia is that kind of place.
I love the Fuscos! But then, I’m from New Jersey.
Eesh! Susie, I’m just the guy under the stairs. Please credit me as such ….