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While I knew that I wouldn’t be
having that experience (someday, someday) in NYC, that knowledge was
softened somewhat when I found two shops in Easton, Pa where we were
visiting along with a trip to a flea market. On our second day In
Easton I spotted Sackers located at 60 Center Square which is a
strange address since Sackers is right by the traffic circle. It’s
a comic book/music/pawn/collectibles store contained in a very large
space. Unfortunately there is a ton of stuff there and most of it is
piled over and the owner even admitted that he didn’t know for sure
everything that he had. The comics were the main draw for me here as
the records were pretty standard fair. It was just a lot of music
that was popular years ago but not much that was rare or unusual,
stuff that could be found pretty much anywhere. Still, I had a good
time walking around looking at things.
Later, I found out that roughly one
block away there was an actual record store called Used Grooves at
401 Northampton St. Unfortunately, it was closed by the time I was
able to walk by. Still, just being armed with the knowledge that it
was there was enough to have me salivating at the bit for a chance to
go in and peruse their stock. As luck would have it, or more
accurately not have it, I wasn’t able to visit it for at least five
days due to other plans. There just never seemed to be a time for me
to get away on my own so that I could satisfy my own selfish desires.
That sounds kind of lewd, doesn’t it? With some patience sprinkled
with some artfully crafted hints to my wife like “I really want to
go to that record store” eventually my time came. The skies opened
and my prayers were heard as we had a break in our schedule, an open
day to relax and my wife and mother-in-law dropped me off, probably
so they wouldn’t be forced to listen to me whine about it anymore.
The only caveat however was that my son
wanted to go with me. If you want to spend time without looking at a
clock I would advise you not to bring a seven year old along for the
ride. Their attention span is short at best however I couldn’t deny
him. He just loves tagging along with his old man, hanging out and
eventually I think these kinds of events will help open him up to
more in life and he’ll become a well developed young man. So there
we were, we walked in and I was greeted by row after row of vinyl
records. I didn’t know where to begin so I just drifted over to the
rock-various artists section and slowly flipped through what was
available. Pretty fast I found two compilations, one featuring
American punk and rock bands and the other U.K. bands. It was all
music right up my alley and I gleefully clutched them to my chest.
Right about this time the questions
started. Not the “Can I help you with anything” but the “When
are we leaving” kind of questions. The (not-so) little guy had
exhausted his patience already and wanted to move on to greener
pastures. I however did not share that opinion and was far from
ready. I knew then that I wouldn't be able to spend the amount of
time that I wanted and that a deal needed to be brokered so that I
could stall him just a little longer. With promises from me that we
were only going to stay “just a little longer” he seemed to
accept his fate, temporarily at least. As I moved towards the front
of the store I saw a rather small section that said Punk/Hardcore and
knew that I'd found my spot. Quickly I started flipping through the
bin as I looked at vinyl with some band names that I knew (alright
not a lot) and even more that I didn't know. This is far from a
setback however, it's just what I like, the chance to find some new
to me music. It's even better if they are local to regional bands
that never released a great deal of albums. There's a different kind
of joy when you unearth some really cool music that for whatever
reason never made it big.
After I made my way completely through
the bin I had more albums than I knew my wife would be cool with me
bringing home. With virtually no previous knowledge about these bands
I had to make some hard decisions and fast. Besides, my son was
starting to grumble again. That's when the saleslady came to my aid.
She showed my son that there were records for children right below
the bin that I was looking in. It only took a few seconds for him to
locate a Batman book and record set that cost more (a paltry $10)
than any one record that I was looking at. As he excitedly looked up
at me (something that will only happen for a few more years, the kid
is huge I tell you) and asked if he could have it there was only one
answer I could give. Of course he could have it. What kind of selfish
jerk would I be if I denied him while I was indulging myself?
Besides, I want to bring him up right, with a love of the vinyl. Now
we just need to work on his patience. Yeah I know that only helps me
also get to spend time on the things that I like but hey, at least
it's something we can enjoy together and that's always a fathers job.
Bring them up right and they'll remember days like this forever.
By the way, we also went to a flea
market in nearby Quakerstown where I was able to find and buy the
only punk record there. Not only that but I also haggled down the
price an extra dollar. How's that for patience and persistence? If
only I had more money to spend, I'd end up broke.
Written and Published by Don Leach. May not be used without permission from the author.
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