1-Dec-15
DECEMBER 1, 2015
Pat Collins – A REMEMBERANCE
My late friend Pat Collins used to come to the Celtic Arts Center every Monday eve to play in the traditional music session. He was an artist, musician, surfer, rock climber, and all around wonderful person. He got to know the homeless on Hollywood Blvd. He learned their names. He’d bring them a blanket or jacket sometimes, and sometimes he’d hand out $10-20 bills. He himself looked like Pan – he had very long dreadlocks, tied in back, and large blue eyes. He dressed in tattered t-shirts and cut off jeans- like a musician in fact. He was a vegan and quite thin. So one guy he handed a $20 to told him he’d given him too much by mistake. Pat said, no – keep it, and the homeless guy got concerned: are you sure, man? You don’t look so good yourself? Do you have a place to stay? Pat assured him he owned his own house and car and was even employed at the time. But when he told the story in the Snug, someone said you shouldn’t give them that much money – they’ll just get drunk. I know, Pat said, If I were living on the streets in winter, I’d want to get drunk too. I just want him to get good and drunk – drink good liquor – and remember this night. And that’s the story I told at Pat’s wake. There were many good stories that night. I think his family was surprised……..