The End of An Era

The End of an Era has yawned to a close, as they will do. The last of the Masquer nation who called 2017 Jane St their home is moving out. The thrum of activity that marked this place will take on a new rhythm. A new rhythm.

As I sip my cachacha (pronounced ka-sha-sa, or ka-sha-sha) I take a pause from emptying shelves and drawers, loading totes and boxes, to refelct on seven years in this domicile. This hovel. This shack. This palace. This duplex of ... many more things than I can relate in words. Because this place has been so much more than merely a Masquer home. Historically more important than the legendary 1717 Sarah street, this house was a Masquer stronghold. Throughout this history, you'll notice what seems a repetition of names, sometimes to absurdity, though it is really a new person. This may become confusin to the casual reader, but familiar to those who know Jane St.

A Brief Chronogly of Tenants
When I moved in, I moved into the attic, replacing Dave Burke, a Masquer Affiliate. You may ask, what is a Masquer Affiliate? These are the people who are not Masquers, but who know and regularly associate with Masquers... they tend to pride themselves on their subtle or overt differences, but share a common interest and affection of things Masquer.

Dave Burke lived with Curt Connoly and Mike Melczak, but we must begin at the beginning. Mike Melczak rented the place in September of 1996 with Tanya Torres. This began the Masquer Nation (both being Masquers) stronghold. During this time, I earned the prestigious Golden Shower Masquer Award, so prestigious, that it has only been awarded once ... to me. I still hold and treasure said Award. Tanya moved out, presumably to begin her romantic interlude that led to a marriage with Joe Wilson, A-Phi-O brother and cigar afficionado. Mike offered a spot on the A-list to me, but this was fiscally impossible at the moment. Thus, Tanya was succeeded by Curt Connolly who lived before at Wharton Street (this was also an illustrious Masquer household). Living here with Melczak, and The TRM Cycles connection quickly yielded Masquer Affiliate Dave Burke, a November 1996 move-in. This was the inception and heyday of Smooth, the honey-bear bank who took on an alternate persona.

Pause for a cigarette.

Dave Burke can best be remembered by the author as being the 14 year old kid who liked turning wrenches and visiting Rogers Hardware store. To learn more about him, check his blog on the side. My first re-introduction was Dave Burke in his racing gear, pushing a bicycle through the living room, asking me politely to leave the house after finding me passed out on the couch after a Saturday of debauchery. Following a short reintroduction and several tall glasses of Pepsi to soothe my dyspeptic stomach, Dave kindly allowed me to recuperate on the couch. Several months later, Dave moved out and I assumed his appurtenancy as attic dweller of Jane St. This position I have held until now.

1998-2000 Mike, Curt and Dunegan

This was the era of the basement. True, there was a basement before, and it was duly used in the times preceding, but arguably this was the Golden Day of the Basement. This is the era when Mike asked Autumn to abdicate her couch vagrancy in favor of full-time girlfriend. This is the time when Curt and Ann became engaged. The lighting (or at least naming) of the flaming-tar-sticks-of-death. The days of a kings castle ladened with adult magazines. Notoriously ladened. this is the time when we made, made, Christmas cards. Also notoriously ladened. But we were wearing pants.

Shifting Again
Curt and Ann got married and moved to Gallup, NM. They live there still. Kathy Burke moved in, replacing Curt, reasserting a female tenant presence at Jane St. A year after, Mike moved to Boston, and Jim Hee replaced him. Me, Jim and Kathy. All tenants were masquers. Dave and Kathy share a name, but no direct familial relationship. Kathy Burke announced one evening that she was moving in with Tony, her old boyfriend. The following morning, and sober, she re-asserted this claim. Jim Hee stayed and Matt Case, Masquer affiliate, replaced Kathy. i'm getting to the bottom of my cachacha and this entry, so meaning no offense, i turn brief. Jim moved out to live with Ro, and Marty Connolly replaced him. Marty moved out to live with his fiance Emma, and Matt Case was a permanent fixture in his GFs house, so Matt Smith moved in. Too many Matts. And now, I too am moving out after seven years and seven roommates, it is time.