I got back here to my hotel room and VH1 had on “I Love the 1990’s.” I was a product of the 90’s, so kicked back on the bed to enjoy the show. I was happy to see Kevin from the original ‘Real World New York’ was one of the commentators.

I remember watching Kevin on the show when I was in the seventh grade. Nine years later, I met him and everyone else from all the seasons at the ‘Real World 10 Year Anniversary Special’. He said he was going to run for the New York state senate. I don’t know if he ever did, but it was affirming to know a Real Worlder could aspire for something beyond Hollywood.

I was disappointed that they credited Zubaz pants to 1996, because I distinctly remember them from 1992. They were off by nearly half a decade. The cleaning lady kicked me out of my room so I came down here to the hotel’s retro lobby. It’s not even; a lobby, but a bright glass room that would’ve been a “futuristic” gas station. The room is stacked with nifty furniture from the fifties, complete with a half dozen paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling. It’s a time capsule of a more swank era.

For lunch I walked down the street to a casual Italian place. The place was empty, so I quietly took a seat by the window. The walls were faux-painted to look like a weathered Italian eatery. It wasn’t too convincing, but it was still good for the vibe.

Since I was the only one there, the radio made the most noise. UB40’s “Red Red Wine” came on, and I closed my eyes and imagined I was on a Caribbean cruise in the early 90’s. A rumbling Harley shook me out of my daydream, and I looked through the window.

The street was decorated with 1950’s-style metal signs wrapped with neon and flickering bulbs. Across the street was my hotel’s parking lot. For no real reason, there was an elevated astroturf porch nestled in the corner. On either side of the porch was a polished Airstream trailer. It was a tribute to the golden age of camping. I loved it.;

Sting’s “Fields of Gold” came on the radio and it brought back good memories of eighth grade. Songs can follow you through life. I can’t believe how much has happened in my life since I bought that Sting tape ten years ago. I looked down my straw to watch the Coke bubbles slip their way past the cubes of ice. I miss Candyce.