TENTH AVENUE FREEZEOUT by BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND. Story by Louise Maskell.

Balaclava, October 2021.

If it wasn’t for the pandemic … I wouldn’t have discovered the hidden poetry stencils on the streets of Elwood.

If it wasn’t for the pandemic … I wouldn’t have found the silver mannequin torso on the hard rubbish in Elsternwick, that now graces my tiny front garden.

If it wasn’t for the pandemic … I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to edit a cookbook for my community gym and get to taste one of the dishes from a neighbour when I rang to check ingredients.

If it wasn’t for the pandemic … I wouldn’t have started swimming in the sea at the ungodly hour of 6.30am. And making wonderful new friends in the process.

If it wasn’t for the pandemic … I wouldn’t have visited all the little street libraries in my 5km radius.

If it wasn’t for the pandemic … I wouldn’t have helped stock, restock and tidy said libraries.

If it wasn’t for the pandemic … I wouldn’t have resorted to listening to my favourite artists via You Tube videos on my desktop computer with the volume UP.

If it wasn’t for the pandemic … I wouldn’t have had the luxury of long walks with various people … Buji, Desleigh, James, Ursula, Barry, Claire, Fay, Miranda and the ever reliable Britta.

If it wasn’t for the pandemic … I wouldn’t have made use of Classic Cinema’s free DVD and VHS lending library … and scored the live concert DVD of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band reunion shows in New York City in June 2000. On the last Sunday of lockdown.

Stereo Story # 626

Louise Maskell

Louise Maskell has been surrounded by other people's words for some 30 years. Occasionally she strings together a few of her own. Otherwise it's all about the music and tall skinny dogs. She misses The Continental. She is the Stereo Stories website's eagle-eyed subeditor.