The California Roll. . .
One Can Be Rather Tasty
The Other - Not So Much
It happened in a moment. Certainly(and unfortunately) it is/was not an uncommon occurrence as one might expect. While walking early Saturday, a car didn’t completely come to a stop at a stop sign but simply slowed down as it turned right at a corner in a residential area.
It brought back memories. Long ago but still somewhat distinctive. A story of two “firsts”.
I was either just about to turn 21 or had recently had my birthday. It was in the Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego. And a Sunday. It was also the scene of my very first traffic ticket. I saw the red siren light come on from the motorcycle officer and I pulled to the side of the road to let him pass when suddenly he was getting off his bike with a pad in hand. Needless to say I was surprised. I was polite as he approached my car.
He asked me if I knew what I had done. I told him I didn’t. He then informed me that there was a new stop sign that had just been installed(the area was “new” to me) and that I didn’t come to a complete stop before proceeding to my turn.
Lesson learned. I didn’t repeat that error. Well, not that exact one. I digress. I also remember the police officer mentioned my infraction was commonly known as The California Roll. Hmm...certainly a memorable part of my driving history.
A few years later. . .a friend and his girlfriend were living in Hermosa Beach(ah, the various beach towns of Los Angeles) and I had another California Roll encounter. This time it was found on a menu with my first time visit to one of the trends that was gaining popularity. Sushi restaurants with a rock-n-roll theme were to become a part of my life in those days.
I don’t always know where a thought(and/or a memory) will be found in the deep recesses of my mind. Some memories are quite delicious. Others not so much.
The image in this post is from canstockphoto.com
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