Yesterday I was watching a DVD of "Northern Exposure," and the men of Cicily embarked on "the running of the bulls"...which to Joel's shock is executed in the buff. Running naked: it's a Spring ritual there. Well, that's something I've done, but not for a long while.


But for those of you old enough to remember 1974 will recall the national streaking fad. I was 14 and a freshman on the track team. As runners, we felt a kind of moral imperative to use our speed to do good deeds. And what, in March and April of '74 in the LA area, could be more natural and virtuous than to streak the popular community spots of interest. So, being on our 4x400 relay team, it was decided that each of us would hit a different location that night in April (before the infamous Academy Award streak). My being a mere freshman compelled me to go first. We drove to the local movie theater where "The Exorcist" was playing. The lines outside the theater wrapped around the block. We pulled up in Dan's car I got ready, and it was on!

My "costume" was knee-high socks, Adidas trainers, an Ace bandage wrapped around my head mummy-style, and a fedora of my father's. The finishing touch was a pair of those plastic reflector sunglasses everyone used to wear. I had to trust my teammates not to drive off--that was the hardest part. Anyway I ran like lightening and circled the theater. I clapped but didn't say anything. I heard a few "Oh my gods" but I was in the naked zone: oblivious to normal distractions. Once in the car, I felt like I'd pulled of a bank heist.

It's wild to think of the things a 14 year-old will do for fun!