| Once…being disillusioned with life (why is not important), and being an ex collegiate Offensive Lineman, I began to frequent the many dive bars that were both in Woonsocket and Providence Rhode Island. My size helped me—I was either thought of as a cop or some big galoot who was unhappy with everything (which I was) so I was pretty much left alone by the patrons of these establishments-- (many of them you would not bring home to your mother or your parole officer). I sat and observed them—the hookers, the guys who were struggling to make ends meet, the criminals, and the ones who were losing the battle with the bottle. I was lucky; I could leave the “environment” and go home to my apartment—knowing I had a job to go to. The ones who I saw, talked to and hung around with never knew when their next pay-check or meal was coming from. So I guess Bukowski lived it, I just saw it from up-close with my feet still being afar. Today, I work at Assumption College in Worcester Massachusetts as the Assistant Director of Graduate Services. I also am the Head Football Coach at Nipmuc High School in Upton Massachusetts. I’m happily married to Bonnie and my family consists of her two great kids Deasy and Alex. And sometimes I still go to dive bars and remember… |
