Can You See The Real Me?

“Oh can you see the real me, can ya?
Can ya
Can you see the real me, can ya?”

The Real Me, lyrics by Pete Townsend

All hipped by the fact that I just launched my first blog and published my first post, I visited my friend Martin to show him the fruits of my labor. Martin, a genuine Mod in his own right since he was teenager, has been a good sounding board for the past few weeks.

I've been tossing ideas around of future posts with him and I value his opinion. He's certainly knowledgeable with the history of the scene and he can quote lyrics from obscure soul bands from the sixties at the drop of a pork pie hat. He impresses me every time he does so. One piece of advice that did stick in my mind was that he suggested that I should keep this blog personal. "Don't try to educate the masses,” he says. "You should speak from the heart. You've gotta have soul, man!"

I promised him that I would do my best to share my thoughts on what it is to be a Mod but that I would also give out info about the history of the movement or at least my take on it. I just can't help myself. I am an elementary school teacher after all!

After a few minutes of our usual banter, he gave me a few 45s he had as doubles and I left. Walking home (I live a block away), I glance at the records with a smile on my face. In the pile, there’s 5 original Tamla Motown, a Style Council, a Rolling Stones and a Fine Young Cannibals. “What a generous guy…” I thought to myself.

A few hours later, I sit back down at the computer to work on this blog’s next post. As I am lost in my thoughts, I start staring aimlessly at the beautiful photo at the top of this page. I love this scene in Quadrophenia. Hundreds of Mods marching down in Brighton, pumped with adrenaline, wearing parkas. It suits my blog to a tee. I just hope that I am not infringing any copyright laws. If I am Mister Townsend, please feel free to let me know. I’ll be happy to invite you to my loft so we can discuss what I owe you over a pint.

After staring at the photo for a few moments, I’m suddenly shocked by what I am seeing. Oh my god! I’m in the photo! There I am, part of the gang! That’s me in a suit and pork pie next to Dave! But… but… how did this happen? I start singing I Can’t Explain.

This can’t be possible. My blog has been hacked a few hours after it hit the World Wide Web? Nah! That can’t be it. I call up my friend Eve who graciously helped me that afternoon set the blog up and show me the ropes. I describe what I see on my computer screen and she has no clue what I’m talking about. I thank her again for coming up with the name of the blog and tell her that I will get back to her as soon as I find the culprit.

My next phone call was to Martin. As soon as he picked up the phone, he started laughing. I guess that solves the mystery. That’ll teach me to leave a computer without logging out. I learned something new about my mate Martin today. Not only is he a skilled prankster but he is also a talented graphic artist.

Thanks Martin.

Here is the original photo he worked from.