Non-motoring > The 'Beats' Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Armel Coussine Replies: 10

 The 'Beats' - Armel Coussine
Never came across Jack Kerouac, but when I was screwing up my opportunity to get a university degree I had the privilege, and honour really, of meeting and conversing with Allen Ginsberg and William Burroughs. Both were kindly and tolerant of my puppyishness, and far too intelligent to mistake me for a homosexual.

I once made the mistake of trying to excuse my non-production of an essay by telling my university tutor I had been talking to Ginsberg. It sent him into paroxysms of rage. I was a right little idiot in those days.

But I value those connections greatly.
 The 'Beats' - John Boy
Towards the end of last year we watched the TV showing of "No Direction Home" - Scorsese's documentary about Bob Dylan. Allen Ginsberg featured in that and we agreed that he came across as someone it would be good to know. You can take it, therefore, that I'm envious, AC.
 The 'Beats' - R.P.
Welcome back AC
 The 'Beats' - R.P.
Kerouac's book is in my work rucksack (must have travelled quite a few thousand miles as a result) as a fall-back to boring shifts when the crap software we have doesn't work. May fish it out as I am in a post-Christmas reading wilderness.
 The 'Beats' - Armel Coussine
I made friends at university with a Marshall Scholar from North Carolina. He was an upper class bloke himself, but knew a bit about bootlegging and so on.

He said the booze runners used to have big tanks set low in their cars and were highly skilled drivers, able to spin their cars and drive straight back at the revenue drivers sending them of the road, and to bounce across the central reservation on dual carriageways to head back in the other direction. Damage caused to the cars was of little consequence given the profits from bootlegging.

Exciting stuff I thought, although I don't really like cruelty to automobiles. My NC buddy was older than me and sometimes found me annoying, as I'm sure I was.
 The 'Beats' - Armel Coussine
Booze wasn't illegal as it had been in the twenties and thirties, but it was still heavily taxed. The bootleggers were tax avoiders.
 The 'Beats' - CGNorwich
I didn't realise that NASCAR had its origins in the Booze running vehicles you describe. Interesting article here.

porterbriggs.com/the-birth-of-nascar/
 The 'Beats' - Ian (Cape Town)
Steve Earle, 'Copperhead Road'.
Great driving song
 The 'Beats' - CGNorwich
Indeed. The version without the bagpipes preferably! I likes Steve Earle - Home to Houston is good in the car.
 The 'Beats' - zippy
>>NASCAR

I know its not officially NASCAR but I was lucky enough to see the Indianapolis 500 in 2008. I just happened to be in small town Indiana on business at the time and made the trip to Indianapolis which was about an hour away. I also added 10 days holiday while there, after all the company had kindly paid for the flights.

I was right at the front of the seats. One of the nosiest things I have ever heard!

Best day out ever!!!
 The 'Beats' - Dutchie
Booze wasn't illegal.Sigs and tobacco aren't illegal in the U.K.

Doesn't matter now he has been dead for years,my uncle bought a yacht from smuggling into the U,K.He was lucky I think the black gang would have shot him.>:)

Nice to be back A.C.
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