BEDROCK CITY

Why is it that when we learn a new word it magically appears in newspapers, television/radio programs, and conversations soon afterward? Is it our heightened sense of awareness tuning into a frequency and allowing us to appreciate the use of our new knowledge? I’m not exactly sure.

I will say this, since my preoccupation with a four millimeter kidney stone, I am discovering some fairly odd items in my office area that may be remotely linked to my health care predicament. First, there’s this black and white, 1970’s snapshot of my brother and I standing at the entrance to Bedrock City with Fred Flintstone towering over us. In case you’re wondering, I’m the shorter boy, younger too (seven).

The other unusual item is a 1987 cassette tape of The Screaming Blue Messiahs’ “Bikini Red.” The first song on side two is “I Wanna Be A Flintstone.” I listened to it and wrote down the beginning lyrics: “I wander around in a twilight zone/Little bitty Flintstone/All on my own/Yaba Daba Do Time.” Perhaps I’m: a) reading too much into it, b) foreseeing my near future, or c) mixing alcohol with Darvocet. We shall see.

I have another appointment today with my urologist. I will not ask him if his name is Fred. I’m more concerned with the “Screaming Blue” message, hoping that I am indeed “in a twilight zone” when he locates Bedrock City. Here’s to painkillers, symbolism, and Bam Bam. KNOCK ME OUT PLEASE!