Walnut Creek

Friday’s show at Red House was both surprisingly fun and peculiar. Though we still rehearse in Walnut Creek, there is nothing about it that really feels like my neighborhood anymore. Every time I come back, I feel as though the town has changed more than I am prepared for. Stores come, stores go, and more beige apartment buildings are developed. I’ve assigned some type of romantic significance to parking lots and convenience stores. When I come back and notice the change, I feel that Walnut Creek loses its identity and just starts to feel like a shopping mall. I feel like I grew up in a shopping mall.

I know that sounds bleak and honestly, this wasn’t a realization that was entirely brought on by performing in Walnut Creek. In fact, I think that playing out there actually provided me with some type of closure and willingness to accept that this is indeed what happens to “the old neighborhood.” It changes.

A month or so ago, there was a “funny” YouTube video that ended up being forwarded to me. It was “funny” because it featured an adult man crying. I didn’t find it to be funny at all. In fact, I was completely moved by it. He is crying because his old neighborhood library is being torn down. It had been there his whole life. I couldn’t believe that someone would laugh about this. Sure, maybe he sounds ridiculous as his voice cracks and he swears but so what? Everyone sounds silly when they cry. No one cries like they do in Hollywood movies. I bet that if more people cared this much about the libraries in their neighborhoods, the world would be a different place.



All I’m really saying is that I relate. When I see parts of Walnut Creek go I feel a sense of loss. But, last Friday for me did not evoke a sense or mourning. It was a celebration of my time in Walnut Creek. It’s no longer this place I have to make the best of. It’s someone else’s turn.

“Good Story” live at the Red House in Walnut Creek Friday, March 5th 2010.