May 18-20
### inserting disclaimer### I talk about it and I hope that no one thinks that I'm using my Papa's death as a golden ticket to basically be as surly and unapproachable and Debbie Downer as I want to be. I'm not trying to I promise. ### end disclaimer###
Since November, unless it's been a special occasion (New Years, Unofficial New Years, St Patty's day etc) I've really felt lame, or maybe even bad about going out. I feel like I'm bringing other people down and that they're not having as much fun because I'm there and my mind is somewhere else. But I am finally beginning to feel out of the rut. This past weekend was fantastic but it's the one before that I need to spout about....
Last week Eric's friends came into town (sans my brother-in-law) my sister gave Mike, who I met the last time I was in Philly, my email so that they would have contact with someone who knows they're way around the city (cuz, you know, I'm so cosmopolitan). They were in town to see the Sox/Cubs series at Wrigley. After many emails with Glam Bodacious (did I mention that Mike was the drummer in Eric’s brother’s cover band where they all of alter egos? Did I also mention that his real name is Michael Jackson? And Yes, every conceivable joke has been made) As it turns out all my friends were out on various weekend getaways, leaving me to my own devices.
I chose those devices to be showing 4 South Jersey boys the way around my magical city, or at least the bars on the north side. it's so out of character for me to go out let alone be comfortable with people I hardly know, but I did AND IT WAS GREAT. We went to a Karaoke bar on Friday, and I sang an inhibition and almost completely alcohol free rendition of Wake Me up before You Go Go, complete with dancing. I think the Lovingood was the one who said that the best Karaoke'ers are not the ones with the best voices, but the ones who get into it the most. I would say between me and Lisa (Rzeutko! who we ran into at the bar! Who I haven't seen since she came back for homecoming Senior year!)'s Wham!, Primo and Bobby's Girls Just want to Have Fun, and Mike and Brian's Fortunate Son, we took the cake.
After that the boys and I headed down to this TERRIBLE bar called Hogs and Honies, it was like Coyote Ugly + Stripper Poles + Mechanical Bull, and they served Old Style and PBR out of cans. I made the comment and I stand by it that I could tell the quality of the bar by the fact that I was the best looking girl there. I'm not being self deprecating, just honest, there are usually people I am intimidated by, this wasn't the case.
Either way Brian had been... over served we'll call it... at the previous bar, and couldn't get in, which the rest of us didn't find out until after we had ordered our ultra classy beverages. Either way Primo and Bobby decided to join him outside where he was fighting with the bouncer to get in, and THEN THEY ALL DISAPPEARED by the time Mike and I headed out of the bar (seriously 5 minutes later, I don’t drink fast). We called and called to no avail.
I had driven in and met them at the original Bar, now 2-3 miles away. I was also wearing my phatty Pumas, so I thought, hey it’s a gorgeous night, lets walk. So we did, conversing all the way. Lovely is about the best way I can describe it. Getting to know someone new and talking about the Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel and NPR and swapping childhood stories is probably my favorite thing to do. And I appreciated it more than he will know because I felt just free and clear headed and happy. Like I didn’t have to try to impress or be anything because it was just 1 night of hanging out with someone I would see only sporadically for the rest of my days. If you’ve never had one of these unselfish, uninhibited conversations I truly hope you do. This was the second of my lifetime and it makes me feel so blessed.
Anyway Saturday Night was similar but transplant Dueling Piano Bar for Karaoke and After Hours bar for Hogs and Honies add in some major misadventures (like Brian accepting a ride home from a stranger who had other intentions, he’s ok but the story is great) mix in some intrigue, Michael McDonald, Eye of the Tiger, Don't Stop Believin', and glorious weather, subtract that I had to work during the days, and you've got a fantastic weekend
SO thank you Philly/South Jersey you truly are a beautiful place, with colorful, interesting people who make my life richer and crack through my rough, sometimes callous exterior and make me smile. I’ll see you in 2 weeks!