Rocker
A solid hunk of rock. That's all today. Working at the cemetery, I spent a lot of time, over the years, cleaning gravestones made from solid granite. It wasn't hard work in the summer sun, but it made for long days. The hazards were few. If you got splashed with the cleaner, you had to wash the acid-like substance off immediately or you'd get burned. Sunglasses were a must. You see, I worked, got paid and remained extremely cool while doing so. I got the nickname Rocker, while working among the stones, but no, it wasn't because of what I spent the day cleaning. It was the hair! That and the fact that Ray, the oldtimer, thought that, back in the day, long hair equalled 'rockstar', and that he said was me.
Rock on!
rockstar, indeed. rock on, dude.
ReplyDeleteRocker sounds like a good nickname for you. But that also brings to mind the phrase 'off your rocker,' and maybe that applies, too. hahaha
ReplyDeleteRetirement Rocks!
ReplyDeleteThe hazards were few, just a little acid on the skin, hahaha!
ReplyDeleteAre you sure they weren't saying, in a fun way, that you were off you're rocker? In am nice way, if course!
ReplyDeletevery cool - as i know you must have been.
ReplyDeleteRockstar somehow seems appropriate to me. Rock on!
ReplyDeleteThose sunglasses and hair probably did set you up as a rockstar in your town. But, it also matched your occupation at that time. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteGreat nickname and it's transferable all the way through to a day when you're sitting in one comfortably on the porch.
ReplyDeleteLove this story, Birdman. Given how many times I had to visit the cemetery with my grandmas and parents as a girl, I never thought about having someone clean the markers. There must have been a Rocker like you in my town.
ReplyDeleteYeah, dude, let's all flick on our lighters and hold them high. People forget, though, the origin of the term rock and roll. It had to do with an activity most often performed horizontally.
ReplyDeleteWorse nicknames were possible. Did it inspire you to start a garage band with your buddies?
ReplyDeleteWell at least they didn't call you Stoney.
ReplyDeleteI think my new nickname for you is Mr. Potato Head.
ReplyDelete