May 14, 2006
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I just went dancing. By MYSELF and the kicker was that it was on 117th and Division. It was a biker bar. The reason I went was that the saxaphone player was there. I saw online that they were playing tonight so I got my dancin’ shoes on and drove over. I was almost afraid to get out of my car but I’d come such a long way so I went in.
I took a seat in between two couples at the bar. All they had was beer and wine so I ordered a Corona. A young woman in her late 20s or early 30s smiled and because more bikers came in and were trying to order at the bar I moved over near a table where she and her friend were. They were both missing several teeth in the back and were best friends. They said they hadn’t been out in over two years. One was pretty wasted but they wanted me to dance with them so that was cool.
It is empowering to be able to slip into other people’s worlds. There was an older guy in a Hawaiian shirt trying to pick up the toothless girls, even though he was with a very well-put-together woman in her 40s. They must have followed the band there, too. When I was sitting a dance out because it was too slow she danced over to me and said this was “a good opportunity to do those yoga stretches.” She started stretching her neck like a turkey. I looked skeptical so then she said I could do arm excercises and began rotating her forearms back and forth, keeping her elbows behind her and taut. I waved her away.
The band is named after the guitar player and he’s pretty good. He was doing a solo for the two girls, who were making appreciative whoops and hollers. When they took a break the fellow came to our table and was chatting with the girls. I told him I had seen them play a month or so ago, gone online, and noticed he was playing accoustic guitar right down the street from me. He said some old man had complained that it was too loud so they won’t be playing there again. He also said they weren’t going to be asked back to the original place I’d seen them. Hmmm.
I told him I was a fan of the saxaphone player, and when I realized how rude that was, got up to get another beer. When I came back the two girls and the guitarist were gone and the sax player was there. He wanted to know where he’d seen me and I told him. I said I’d followed him there. We joked about the place and I asked if he played with anyone else. He said he was concentrating on getting his group back together again and about that time the guitar player and the bass player made noises like it was time to start again so he got up. But the next song was his.
Having navigated all those new places in Seattle I’m feeling bolder about getting out at night. At least I know where I’m going here. It was such late notice and I was afraid the place might be raunchy so I didn’t ask anyone to go with me. I’m glad, too. It’s easier to fit in when you’re by yourself. A woman who I think worked there came up to me and offered me a drink out of her glass. That kind of freaked me out and I declined. But that’s the kind of place it was. Think of all the places I haven’t been to yet.
Last night I went to a very upscale place. A Latino band I’d seen at the state fair had emailed me saying they were playing. I hadn’t realized I was going to such a swanky place but they were playing in the bar so I found a barstool and hung out there. It was a tapas place and the drinks were fantastic. I sat next to a girl who worked there so she told me all about the place. Other than the two of us it was all couples so that was fun to watch. From now on I’m going to make a concerted effort to go dancing on the weekends.
Comments (16)
Wow! You’re my hero-ine!
There is a very local blues club here which I should frequent more often. Lots of local blues and rock bands. Sax player sounds nice!
Haven’t slept all night. My little granddaughter is here and she cries in her sleep. Giggles too but I always wake up at the least stirring. Good to hear from you!
. . . . nothing like a good sax blarring is there . . . Gosh, what a descriptive and vivid write.
Strangely, this entry reminds me of Gilda Radner (as Roseanne Rosannadanna) denouncing the practice of sex and violence at a musical event — long speech on the virtues of restraint — until someone pointed out that the previous evening’s activity consisted of sax and violins. “Never mind then,” she said.
As I read your entry…I thought at first I was reading an excerpt from one of your books. Your writings have such a richly personal and up close feeling; intimate, almost embarrassingly so. Don’t get me wrong…this is excellent when a writer is able to put you right there, when you can smell the smoke and liquor, mixing with the swirl of perfumes and aftershaves, here the scuffing of feet on the floor; people chattering and music playing. I was right there with the you, the crowd and the toothless girls. Embarrassing only in that it almost feels voyeuristic. I appreciate it when a movie or book is able to do this, to make it soooooo real that I feel as if I am momentarily peeking into someone else’s life. Ydrp You are such an excellent descriptive, personal writer. You seem fearless in writing it all out there for the world to read, see and feel; a great quality for a true writer, and human being. Thank you!
Oh yes and Sax players are sexy, I love drummers too. Have a great day!
Good Morning and Happy Mother’s day!
I was almost scared when I started reading this post, thinking something bad would happen…see you just grab our attention, suck us in and spit us out with your descriptions. Dang Pru this was a fantastic evening you let us enjoy. Biker bars, saxaphonist’s, toothless patrons, and a Corona, it doesn’t get much better than that..marilyn
Good for you! Dance your heart out!
And happy Mother’s Day.
this entry feels very film noir. love it.
i’m always a fan of the bass player! always! sounds like two wonderful experiences!
I love how you can go somewhere that you’ve never been, settle in, and begin observing and chronicling the stories of people around you. What experiences you have!
Oh, you have just inspired me! The picture was enough to give me courage. I have been of the notion that it is not safe for me to go out by myself, but I guess that was just an excuse to hide. Though I love my friends, this Saturday would have been more well spent not going with them and instead doing as you did. Exploring on my own. If Pru can do this, I can do this for myself too! I need to. I am also a fan of this saxaphonist and his appearences in your blog. I hope you get to see him again. I had to laugh out loud at the part when you waved the would-be yoga girl away. You are teaching me things.
Also, I enjoyed your comment about the swings!
I picture you dancing, and really really feeling the music.
I admire your empowering.
You have guts girl, no you’re not a girl, but a proper grown-up woman. I ought to be, but despite the years am stuck at the can’t-go-out-by-myself girlie stage.
You’re very brave doing that, because I’d never do that myself. I consider myself adventurous, but I wouldn’t go to a biker bar.
Lynn
“It is empowering to be able to slip into other people’s worlds.”
That says it all. So many people couldn’t do it, wouldn’t try. It’s amazing the things we see if we are willing.
ahhh…. I think we could get together an enjoy a night out… maybe some time in the future- we have years till that might happen. I love the control you have over your life. I love visiting other people’s worlds… ryc: I think you might be right… I’m a doer quite a bit….