‘Tame that red afro’: And other things I’d have done if I knew then what I know now
I wish that I knew what I know now/ When I was younger/ I wish that I knew what I know now/ When I was stronger.
– “Ooh La La,” Faces w/ Rod Stewart, 1973.
It’s an old song with a new meaning every time I hear it.
It makes me pause and sing along in my head. I don’t know all the words but I remember the refrain.
“Ooh La La” is an old song by a young Rod Stewart when he was in a band in 1973. It was played on FM radio before Stewart sang the memorable “Maggie Mae” and the forgettable “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?”
“Ooh La La” came out when I was in eighth grade. Listened to KSHE-95, Real Rock Radio. That’s what wanna-be-cool eighth-grade boys did in 1973. We wore bell bottoms. Sweater vests. CPO jackets. Grew our hair long. Acted like our older brothers.
The song has followed me through high school, college, careers, marriages, parenthood, grandparenthood. Never a famous song. But always memorable.
I wish that I knew what I know now/ When I was younger.
I’m forever grateful that I didn’t know what I know now when I was younger. That would have sucked the fun out of growing up. Life was wonderfully light without baggage.
Move forward. I could make long lists of good and bad decisions in my life. The score would be about even. But here are some things that I’d do differently, well, if I knew what I know now, when I was younger:
My old music vinyl albums would have been stored in a climate-controlled storage room. Hundreds of them warped from being in a crate in the attic for decades.
I’d have gone to more Spirits of St. Louis professional basketball games. Marvin Barnes. Moses Malone. I went to only two games.
I’d have learned to dance. Not Travolta-like moves. Just a little rhythmic sway. Make my hips and legs move simultaneously, in some sort of rhythm that matches the song.
I would have taken my parents to Ireland. Taken out a loan. Put it on credit cards. I’ve been there twice, and twice I wish they were with me.
I would have seen Belleville’s Uncle Tupelo at Mississippi Nights a few more times. I just figured they’d be a band for a long time.
Study more in high school. Played sports. Had fun. I paid the price in college.
Tame the red afro when I was a teenager. Not sure what I was thinking with that mop of hair. Just never figured old photos would not disappear.
Learn to play the piano or guitar. I am incredibly jealous of individuals with musical talents.
Save more money.
Run more. Maybe I’d like to run more today.
Kept a manual car. I learned to drive with a stick shift along the roads of Frank Holten State Park. Mom didn’t say much. I stalled a lot, at first, but got a feel for it.
Bought some land. I’m sure there were some bargains.
Golfed as a kid. Before I was too stubborn to learn the right way.
Discovered Nutella much earlier. It’s really good.
Seen a game at the old Yankees Stadium. Kept putting a trip off and then it was too late.
Been a teacher and coach. The late George Martz encouraged me. Oh well. It may have been rewarding and fun. But life has been really good, nonetheless.
