2008?

Ever come across a photo that reminds you of something from your past and takes you breathe away? That was a bit how I felt earlier today when I came across this shot of Mickey Rourke in between takes on Michael Cimino's YEAR OF THE DRAGON. I think they shot the film together in 84 which makes this photo nearly a quarter of a century old now.

I had just moved to outside of Evansville, Indiana when Mickey and Michael were shooting this film on location in New York, and seeing this shot now reminds me for some reason of a store several miles away from where my family lived called The Book Broker.
The Book Broker was in this old shopping center on the outer edges of town and it was broken up into two sections. The right side was all old records and used VHS tapes, while the left side was made up of mountains of used trade paperback books.
I used to hop on my bike and ride the few miles up to the store. I would do it all throughout the year but it is the bright summer days with the sun shining and wind blowing in my hair that I remember best. It's funny but I remember riding my bike up there dozens of times and buying tons of used paperback books but I can't for the life of me remember how I managed to get them home. It is odd what your memory chooses to retain and what it decides to forget.
The Book Broker actually served as part of my cinematic education as it wasn't great works of literature I was buying, but instead those lovely cheap little paperback tie ins to many of my favorite films. It was here where many of my favorite films would take on bound form and quite a few remain a special part of my collection.

So what does all this have to do with 2008, Mickey Rourke, Michael Cimino or YEAR OF THE DRAGON? I don't really know except that the above photo triggered something in my memory, and reminded me of how much things have changed in the past 25 years.
So lets hope 2008 will build us all some special odd little memories, or at the very least won't let us down.
I wish everyone a happy new year...I hope 2008 is getting off to a good start for you all.