However, today, after hearing several things some friends and family had to say up at the podium. It brought back a lot of memories and put them in perspective for me.
Nicky Trent was infamous. He was a lot of things. He wasn't the most trusted or well-liked man all the time and everyone seemed to "know" every flaw the man had. But he was truly charming which is why people were attracted to him. That being said, I truly (and I mean this) don't believe there was any true malice or intent to hurt anyone. He was a worker. He went into things with his whole heart. As an old friend of his said, "Nick had a lot of dreams...finishing them was another story".
My uncle did a lot of questionable thins during the corse of his life. But haven't we all? He was also spooked and turned off by anything involving death. I don't think he was afraid of the physical act of dying, I think (and I can absolutely relate to this) he was afraid of dying without something somewhere saying "Nick was here". To somehow have eternal life and be remembered.
People have always said (and not in a nice way) to me "You're just like your Uncle Nicky". Well, you know what? Maybe I am. He was one of the only people I knew who truly knew you only have one life to live and one day at a time and if that's the day to do what your heart (or head) tells you to do, you do it! If you've wanted to live in Las Vegas your whole life and finally can, pack your bags! And that's just what he did and he was happy there.
My Uncle also had many passions and believe it or not, for hie being a mechanic, we both had a lot of the same interests. For starters, whenever I'd stay there, and we'd have coffee together, we talked and laughed about episodes of "I Love Lucy" as if they aired for the first time the night before. To hear him and my Aunt TT (Theresa), his wife, tell a story was like watching a comedy routine. They were truly funny and meant for each other. I'm not sure the world ever really figured that out.. I also liked that no matter his ignorance about something, he was never afraid to ask a question. If he didn't know something, he simply asked. I admire anyone who does that. He was obsessed and I mean OBSESSED to the point of sometimes wanting to be Elvis Preslely. In fact, he's in my phone as Elvis. I always found it interesting how no one ever seemed to find this odd or had a problem with it but when it came to me and Judy Garland, EVERYTHING was wrong with it and it and I was considered to be "not normal". I'm not dwelling, it's just been on my mind for the last twenty something years. I think it's important to have a hero. He certainly did, I obviously do, and they get you through the hard times. I remember as a kid, he owned the garage (on our corner) and he had a "Wizard Of Oz" photo which found may years later at a flea market, and he'd always let me come in and see it and say I could have it when I was older. Unfortunately, it was lost. I also remember his letting me take a broom, sit on the car lift with it and "fly" like a witch (usually wearing my witch's hat, of course). He just got it and never questioned or judged it. That stayed with me.
Now, the thing that came up time and again... his vanity. Okay, now, I wouldn't call myself "vein" but I would call myself meticulous when it comes to my appearance. At least four people mentioned how long he took in the shower/bathroom getting ready (for anything). Then when it was YOUR turn, YOU took too long. And every single Christmas he'd tell me that the bathroom smelled like a Whore House because of my perfume. Mind you, I stepped into a could of whatever he had sprayed before. But I always found it funny and would always make sure to get in a few extra sprits! I missed that this year.
This may sound like self-indulgence to some and while it's true I've inherited SOME of these traits, there is a lesson to be learned here:
DO IT!
If it makes you feel better about yourself to have your hair perfect, you spend as much time as you need to styling it.
If listening to a record makes you happy and no one else likes it, you play it until you feel better
If you have a passion that seems odd weather it be restoring antique cars or collecting Judy Garland and Oz memorabilia and it makes you happy, GO FOR IT!
My Uncle was a true original. He did what he liked the way he wanted to do it and if someone didn't like it, too bad. Now, of course, he made his share of mistakes. Some big, some small. But the quality I'll always hold nearest and dearest to my heart is that he just didn't care. I mean that in the best way possible. He was one of the least judgmental people I ever knew. He didn't care about your orientation, color, background... none of that insignificant hogwash. To him, people were people.. Be who you are and don't apologize to ANYONE. That's his legacy, at least to me. Before I wrap this up, I just want to say to him directly (not that he'd bother to read this unless it was about a car for sale), Uncle Nick, you always made me laugh, I always loved you, I enjoyed busting your stones perhaps more than anyone (excluding Aunt Linda) and I hope that while you're up there playing poker with Elvis, Marilyn, James, Bogie, and the rest of the crew, you tell Judy I'll be seeing her soon. ;) I love you, Elvis!
Till we meet again,
Vince <3 nbsp="" p="">
Some things I learned from Uncle Nicky:
1. Always make sure your hair is perfection
2. Use Witch Hazel after you shave (do not do this, many fabulous products have been invented since then)
3. Use a fine-tooth comb and some small scissors to trim your eyebrows if they seem a bit on the busy side
5. Be who you are and don't apologize for it.
6. Live and let live and mind your own goddamn business
7. Hold up your head even when you know everyone in the room is looking down on you and and judging you.
8. You don't need a reason for loving or admiring anything.
9.Get a fog-proof mirror
10. Look back and laugh, what else can you do?
Uncle Nicky and I sometime in the early 90's.
Nick Trent, Little Vincent, and Nicky D.
Where I know he is right now having the time of his life!
I'm really sorry for your loss, but he sounds like a real character. hahah. It's awesome to have those memories of him going on, and I wish I had that much maxi.
ReplyDeleteA character he certainly was! Stick around me more, dear! You'll get some maxi yet! Thank you so much for the book by the way! Matt is going to have to dropbox you The New Normal because I ran out of apace :( But would you like the musical album??
DeleteAlso, thank you again for the book! I truly did not expect that! The next time I see you, you have to write a note in it! We must talk on the phone later to discuss the films! <3 xoxoxo
DeleteI actually got the first e-mail you sent, but now it says the episode was moved or deleted. When you texted me about it, you did a typo and it said "shoes" and I was like what? Was this text meant for me? And I realized it was supposed to be "shows". I have other ways of seeing it. ^_^;; Don't worry about it, love.
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