So, here I am, in Cambridgeshire, England.Over 28 years since I lived here before.

I'm sitting here at my computer listening to Black Sabbath's Reunion album and drinking some really fine Glenmorangie scotch. 28 years ago I was listening to this same song ("N.I.B.") only, instead of scotch, I was numbing my not-too-sharp 17 year-old mind with Black Cat wine and other substances best left unmentioned.

Anyway, I'm sitting here remembering things that would now get me thrown in jail…or worse. In fact, many years later those days caused me a lot of time and anxiety when it came time to apply for a security clearance.

Ah, Sweet Leaf!

I really miss those days. I miss "Drag" and Vic, my two best friends, I miss the "Peace Shack" and Lakenheath football, Bear Creek Road and Black Cat Bone (great bands), the flight line snack bar and the Bird in Hand pub at Mildenhall, and hitchhiking to Bury St. Edmunds or Cambridge or Newmarket or London.

Point of interest to anyone who ever did that in the seventies…Five-Points (or Five-Ways) roundabout. A place out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but trees. Nothing. If you've ever stood out there trying to get a ride you know what a harsh place that was.

It's a damned tourist trap now! Roadside rest areas, restaurants, picnic areas, car dealerships, you name it! Personally, I can remember many days and/or nights that I wish stuff like that existed.

Anyway…I miss knowing and hanging out with cool people. I miss the music. I miss the Royal Enfield Crusader 250 that Vic sold me for 5 pounds. I miss protesting the Viet Nam war and practicing pool on a snooker table. I miss my dad, who once, when asked for a base newspaper interview what he thought about military haircut regulations, stated that if a serviceman wanted to grow his hair down to his rear end he should be allowed to.

I miss great radio stations. It really is sad. The country that gave us Black Sabbath, Led Zepplin, Deep Purple, The Who, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Yes, and countless other really great bands have absolute CRAP for radio stations today. All fake, plastic, Spice Girlesque GARBAGE on the radio. I mean, after all, this is the country that gave us "BBC Presents" and great pirate stations like Radio North Sea International! Every time I put the radio on in my car now I want to vomit. Then cry.

I miss the AYA. I miss having bands like Bread perform live in my little brother's elementary school gym. I miss not having or even knowing what a terrorist threat is. I miss John Lennon. I even miss my 10th grade English teacher, Mr. McGowan.

I suppose, at this age, I'm experiencing the so-called mid-life crisis. Depressed? Me? You bet! I just realized that I'm older than my dad was when we lived here before. I want so desperately to be 17 years old again. But I forget that I didn't know back then what I know now. Would I have done things differently if I did? I don't honestly know. I suppose some things I would. Perhaps investing in technology stocks! I don't know.

Would I trade my life for a different, maybe even better one? No way. Though proud of a lot of my accomplishments and not so proud of some of my failings, I'd have to say I've at least lived an interesting life.

As I close this drivel, allow me to hoist a toast. Here's to the lifer brats! Here's to Bill ("Drag"), Vic, Gary, Bob, Kenny, Walt, John, Mark, and all my other peers from back then who have influenced my life. Here's to my dad. Here's to my mom for putting up with my dad and me. Here's to my brother and sister. Here's to the Lakenheath Lancers of 1973, undefeated in 10 years. Here's to the Lakenheath Lancers of 2000…catch up! Here's to America and Heart, and all the other bands that came out of that generation of brats. Here's to my beautiful daughter, Veronica.

Here's to all of you out there that miss it, too.

Here's wishing everyone Peace and Happiness in the coming new year, decade, century, and millenium.

1999 Michael D. Jacquard