In December 1962, my best friend from high school, Frank Ruggio, and I embarked on a weekend trip from Oswego to Syracuse to New York City. Our goal, which we achieved, was to attend three professional sporting events within about 24 hours.
However, during our trip we had extra time on our hands to do other things. Frank wanted to do some things I did not agree to do that in retrospect I wish I had. It is one of my regrets in life.
On Saturday night in Syracuse, after an NBA basketball game, we had some time to kill before our bus left for New York City (at 2:30 AM). Frank wanted to go to a porno movie house near the bus station, something not available in our home town.
I, on the other hand, coming from a prudish background, declined to go with Frank. Instead, I spent some time getting autographs from some of the basketball players, but mostly I just hung around the bus station.
My going to the porno movie house with Frank would have proven advantageous since his watch stopped and he almost missed the last bus to New York City. My watch didn't stop.
Furthermore, my going to the porno movie house would have been an educational experience for a very naive teenager such as what I was.
When we arrived in New York City, Frank, being a good Catholic, wanted to go to a mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. I, on the other hand, coming from a Jewish home where I learned to fear the Catholic religion, declined to go with Frank and instead hung around the bus station again.
Instead of experiencing a beautiful church, I was almost picked up by an stranger. Luckily, I knew better. Since then, I have been in St. Patrick's Cathedral several times with my Catholic wife.
What a contrast that Frank chose and I declined: a porno movie house and a Catholic church. The bottom line was I should have gone with Frank both times.
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Next post will be in two weeks, on July 28th.
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