April 18, 2025: The Disappearing Pool

There were no words.

Growing up, the city pool was the highlight of summer. A blue oasis, always packed with shrieking kids and ka-boomy cannonballs.

The diving boards towered like skyscrapers, and the waterslides were roller coasters. That special spot held years of sun-soaked memories.

The pool had been around for decades, even in my dad's school days. More than just a place to swim, it served as a rite of passage.

After college, I moved away from my hometown. Life went on, and I hadn’t seen it in many summers.

One afternoon, while visiting in town, I took my children for a stroll through the old neighborhood. My goal? Show them the famous swimming hole.

But when we got there… it was gone.

Demolished. Filled in. Covered with grass like it never existed. Just a quiet green space where people now walked their dogs.

I stood there, speechless. My son tugged on my sleeve. “Hey Dad… where’s the pool?”

I didn’t know what to say. It’s a strange feeling when an important piece of your past disappears without a trace.

Those memories resurfaced this week when I read the latest headline about Netflix.

In high school, weekends revolved around Blockbuster video stores. Grabbing a rental, running into friends, hanging out. But the company didn’t keep up as technology changed and eventually declared bankruptcy.

Netflix became the dominant player and is aiming for a $1 trillion valuation. Now, Blockbuster is a trivia question, and Netflix is chasing a fortune.

First the pool, then the video stores…

I’m scared to check on the skating rink.