Live and Learn
Well, this may be a first for me, four nights out dancing in a row: Thursday, Friday, Saturday Sunday. Here's the recap...
Thursday
I started out the night at club Xtreme, I had heard this place was doing a booming Thursday. I had stopped by after RHPS play practice about a month ago, and there had been a huge line (so I hadn't tired to get in that night). This night I get there early enough to avoid the crowd, though I needn't have bothered, the crowd never really shows before I give up on Club Xtreme. The only real attendance seems to be some U of I Asian fraternity and sorority, a small semi private party. They all look like Junior High kids to me.
I had had a really good time at Club Xtreme a couple of Fridays before, but tonight seems a no-go. I head over to the Legion, sort of my club of last resort. There's always a crowd Thursday through Sunday at the Legion, but the Legion has a reputation for being a rough hang out. Ironic, since I've seen a lot more fights at Club Xtreme.
I'm not at the Legion very long before I notice a woman I really don't want to talk to. She had latched onto me a week or two ago, while speaking ill of the boy friend she was living with, got my number then bummed some money off me. See "The Horror, The Horror." Anyway, she sees I'm avoiding her and her boyfriend's table. It seems odd to call him a boyfriend, as it is obvious she would ditch him for anything that would spend a little coin on her in a second. She motions me over to their table, and I sit reluctantly and uncomfortably. Her friend is desperately trying to get my opinion on something. As an employee he isn't allowed to dance with his girlfriend, but the DJ is allowed to dance whenever he pleases, and wants my affirmation this is unfair. Not just affirmation, but advise on how to get the inequity redressed. I try to agree and switch the subject, but he just won't let it go. I am so uncomfortable with the whole situation just want to scream. I nod, and agree a few more times, mumble something I'm sure is unintelligible over the loud music and quickly leave. I sit alone a few tables away, and she storms over (I can't remember her name, so I'm not omitting it just for reasons of propriety).
"You white nigger," she's says, " you aren't going to stay and talk to us!?"
I apologize insincerely, explaining that her companion was really getting on my nerves, which by itself it true. She leaves somewhat mollified. I don't think I've ever been called a "white nigger" before, and am not quite sure whether to take this as an insult or a compliment-it seems a bit of both. Legion is a Hip-Hop joint, and I'm one of very few white males to attend on a regular basis.
I see another woman who always hits me up for free drinks though I have no interest in her, and decide to cut my losses by leaving early, tomorrow is a workday anyway.
Friday
I start the night at the High Dive a mostly techno club, but the crowd is forming slowly, and I decide to go to the Masonic, a Hip Hop club on First Street. Friday is usually the Masonic's best night, but I had been there the last three or four Fridays in a row. I had forgotten this Friday was "First Friday" a semi special event for urban professionals. Had I remembered I would have dressed a bit more nicely, and I would have started the night there. I'm not dressed poorly, but there are a lot of suits and ties to be seen this evening, while I'm just wearing jeans. The club scene in Champaign/Urbana Illinois tends to be informal to say the least, and I like having an excuse to dress nicer. First Friday or not, I wear a tie or vest about half the time I go out anyway. I have some suits, but they never seem right for a night on the town.
I'm getting a little off the subject. I don't do any dancing this night. I run into Stacey. Perhaps I should have mentioned that Thursday, the night before, Stacey and I were supposed to go to dinner, and she stood me up- which is probably why I went dancing later that Thursday night. I try to get Stacey's attention to ask what was up with her standing me up, but she's obviously uncomfortable with my approach and avoids me. I sit down to say hello to someone I recognize, but have forgotten their name. Well I hadn't exactly forgotten their name, I think it looks like a girl I met at the Xtreme named Asia, but I somehow I convince myself it couldn't be Asia at the Masonic, and confess I can't remember her name. Well it is Asia, and she's not happy I have to ask her name, having just met her last Friday. Asia and I were to have dinner Tuesday, but she stood me up. I hadn't made the Thursday date with Stacey until Wednesday, after having been stood up by Asia. I've never been on a date with either, so the coincidence of being stood up twice in the same week is just that-a coincidence. I'm sure Asia now feels rightfully justified in standing me up for dinner on Tuesday. I should add, an additional reason I assumed this person wasn't Asia, was that she showed no signs of recognizing me as I approached her table. In hind sight, I realize it was because she didn't want to deal with me if I were upset at being stood up. Getting stood up is a confusing experience, I'm sure many women intend it to be a non-confrontational way of informing a guy they are not interested. That said, I have had many a date with a woman who stood me up once or twice, so ladies, please do not feel this message should be clear, and as I will mention later, the signals just keep getting more and more mixed in Asia's case.
I have three separate men approach me about business deals. This has never happened before, even on a "First Friday," but that is the reason "First Friday" was organized- to network. I doubt I'm interested in any of the proffered ideas, but one man in particular is very insistent. I gave him my business card, so I will probably have to deal with his enthusiasm at a later date. He knows I have some credibility as a DJ and has heard me spin at the Canopy Club. No doubt, my D.J.ing will be the subject of some near future journal entry.
I leave a little early, the night is over for me
Saturday
We'll try to keep this recap shorter. I go to the Xtreme Saturday night. I'm not dancing much and almost leave early. I see Asia, she doesn't seem mad, she smiles and waves. I ask her later if she would prefer I not call, after having not recognized her at the Masonic. She gives me some weird noncommital "it's my choice" reply. Jeez, I wish the women I meet could be a little more clear what they want or don't want. I meet someone new named Camea, I buy her a drink, and she promises me a dance. I don't get the dance, but I do get a phone number. It'll probably be a wrong number, but hey, what the hell, I've got no reason not to a least give it a dial sometime later. I get a few dances in toward the end of the night. I'm feeling a little better about myself. Then a big fight breaks out. I'm nowhere near it, and don't really care-- I've seen enough bar-fights, that they hold no novelty for me.
Sunday
I run into Nicole at the grocery store Sunday. I had given up on trying to go out with Nicole, she never seemed to return my calls, and never seemed to be at home. She says she's lost my number, so I give it to her. Later that evening she gives me a call suggesting we go to the Legion. Night rolls around, and she calls again, suggesting I pick up a bottle of Rhemy, and a pack of Bud, to loosen up before going to the club. My radar is starting to go up, but I agree. I go to pick up the Rhemy, and I see it's about the most expensive cognac the liquor store carries.
I come over when I'm suppose to, but have to wait around an hour while she does her hair, all the while I'm left watching TV with some friends and relatives of hers, but they mostly ignoring me. We finally leave for the club, and I do get a couple of dances with Nicole, but I'm getting kinda of annoyed after having also bought her a couple of double shot Rhemys at the club (not to mention the near full bottle at her house), and she's off dancing with most of the other men in the club. A complete half hour goes by, and she's not been over to even say hi to me, though I drove us to the club, and had considered this to be somewhat a date. I check with her cousin who is also there, to make sure they both have a safe ride home, then I leave. It's been a semi expensive evening, for a couple of dances, and a lot of waiting around. I'm not exactly mad, I had kind of seen this situation in the making. Nicole is pleasant when we're alone, which isn't often. If she calls again I'm not sure what I'll do. I know I'll run into her again at the club, so its not really a priority that I track her down for a confrontation or anything. Mostly I just think to myself live and learn.
Thursday
I started out the night at club Xtreme, I had heard this place was doing a booming Thursday. I had stopped by after RHPS play practice about a month ago, and there had been a huge line (so I hadn't tired to get in that night). This night I get there early enough to avoid the crowd, though I needn't have bothered, the crowd never really shows before I give up on Club Xtreme. The only real attendance seems to be some U of I Asian fraternity and sorority, a small semi private party. They all look like Junior High kids to me.
I had had a really good time at Club Xtreme a couple of Fridays before, but tonight seems a no-go. I head over to the Legion, sort of my club of last resort. There's always a crowd Thursday through Sunday at the Legion, but the Legion has a reputation for being a rough hang out. Ironic, since I've seen a lot more fights at Club Xtreme.
I'm not at the Legion very long before I notice a woman I really don't want to talk to. She had latched onto me a week or two ago, while speaking ill of the boy friend she was living with, got my number then bummed some money off me. See "The Horror, The Horror." Anyway, she sees I'm avoiding her and her boyfriend's table. It seems odd to call him a boyfriend, as it is obvious she would ditch him for anything that would spend a little coin on her in a second. She motions me over to their table, and I sit reluctantly and uncomfortably. Her friend is desperately trying to get my opinion on something. As an employee he isn't allowed to dance with his girlfriend, but the DJ is allowed to dance whenever he pleases, and wants my affirmation this is unfair. Not just affirmation, but advise on how to get the inequity redressed. I try to agree and switch the subject, but he just won't let it go. I am so uncomfortable with the whole situation just want to scream. I nod, and agree a few more times, mumble something I'm sure is unintelligible over the loud music and quickly leave. I sit alone a few tables away, and she storms over (I can't remember her name, so I'm not omitting it just for reasons of propriety).
"You white nigger," she's says, " you aren't going to stay and talk to us!?"
I apologize insincerely, explaining that her companion was really getting on my nerves, which by itself it true. She leaves somewhat mollified. I don't think I've ever been called a "white nigger" before, and am not quite sure whether to take this as an insult or a compliment-it seems a bit of both. Legion is a Hip-Hop joint, and I'm one of very few white males to attend on a regular basis.
I see another woman who always hits me up for free drinks though I have no interest in her, and decide to cut my losses by leaving early, tomorrow is a workday anyway.
Friday
I start the night at the High Dive a mostly techno club, but the crowd is forming slowly, and I decide to go to the Masonic, a Hip Hop club on First Street. Friday is usually the Masonic's best night, but I had been there the last three or four Fridays in a row. I had forgotten this Friday was "First Friday" a semi special event for urban professionals. Had I remembered I would have dressed a bit more nicely, and I would have started the night there. I'm not dressed poorly, but there are a lot of suits and ties to be seen this evening, while I'm just wearing jeans. The club scene in Champaign/Urbana Illinois tends to be informal to say the least, and I like having an excuse to dress nicer. First Friday or not, I wear a tie or vest about half the time I go out anyway. I have some suits, but they never seem right for a night on the town.
I'm getting a little off the subject. I don't do any dancing this night. I run into Stacey. Perhaps I should have mentioned that Thursday, the night before, Stacey and I were supposed to go to dinner, and she stood me up- which is probably why I went dancing later that Thursday night. I try to get Stacey's attention to ask what was up with her standing me up, but she's obviously uncomfortable with my approach and avoids me. I sit down to say hello to someone I recognize, but have forgotten their name. Well I hadn't exactly forgotten their name, I think it looks like a girl I met at the Xtreme named Asia, but I somehow I convince myself it couldn't be Asia at the Masonic, and confess I can't remember her name. Well it is Asia, and she's not happy I have to ask her name, having just met her last Friday. Asia and I were to have dinner Tuesday, but she stood me up. I hadn't made the Thursday date with Stacey until Wednesday, after having been stood up by Asia. I've never been on a date with either, so the coincidence of being stood up twice in the same week is just that-a coincidence. I'm sure Asia now feels rightfully justified in standing me up for dinner on Tuesday. I should add, an additional reason I assumed this person wasn't Asia, was that she showed no signs of recognizing me as I approached her table. In hind sight, I realize it was because she didn't want to deal with me if I were upset at being stood up. Getting stood up is a confusing experience, I'm sure many women intend it to be a non-confrontational way of informing a guy they are not interested. That said, I have had many a date with a woman who stood me up once or twice, so ladies, please do not feel this message should be clear, and as I will mention later, the signals just keep getting more and more mixed in Asia's case.
I have three separate men approach me about business deals. This has never happened before, even on a "First Friday," but that is the reason "First Friday" was organized- to network. I doubt I'm interested in any of the proffered ideas, but one man in particular is very insistent. I gave him my business card, so I will probably have to deal with his enthusiasm at a later date. He knows I have some credibility as a DJ and has heard me spin at the Canopy Club. No doubt, my D.J.ing will be the subject of some near future journal entry.
I leave a little early, the night is over for me
Saturday
We'll try to keep this recap shorter. I go to the Xtreme Saturday night. I'm not dancing much and almost leave early. I see Asia, she doesn't seem mad, she smiles and waves. I ask her later if she would prefer I not call, after having not recognized her at the Masonic. She gives me some weird noncommital "it's my choice" reply. Jeez, I wish the women I meet could be a little more clear what they want or don't want. I meet someone new named Camea, I buy her a drink, and she promises me a dance. I don't get the dance, but I do get a phone number. It'll probably be a wrong number, but hey, what the hell, I've got no reason not to a least give it a dial sometime later. I get a few dances in toward the end of the night. I'm feeling a little better about myself. Then a big fight breaks out. I'm nowhere near it, and don't really care-- I've seen enough bar-fights, that they hold no novelty for me.
Sunday
I run into Nicole at the grocery store Sunday. I had given up on trying to go out with Nicole, she never seemed to return my calls, and never seemed to be at home. She says she's lost my number, so I give it to her. Later that evening she gives me a call suggesting we go to the Legion. Night rolls around, and she calls again, suggesting I pick up a bottle of Rhemy, and a pack of Bud, to loosen up before going to the club. My radar is starting to go up, but I agree. I go to pick up the Rhemy, and I see it's about the most expensive cognac the liquor store carries.
I come over when I'm suppose to, but have to wait around an hour while she does her hair, all the while I'm left watching TV with some friends and relatives of hers, but they mostly ignoring me. We finally leave for the club, and I do get a couple of dances with Nicole, but I'm getting kinda of annoyed after having also bought her a couple of double shot Rhemys at the club (not to mention the near full bottle at her house), and she's off dancing with most of the other men in the club. A complete half hour goes by, and she's not been over to even say hi to me, though I drove us to the club, and had considered this to be somewhat a date. I check with her cousin who is also there, to make sure they both have a safe ride home, then I leave. It's been a semi expensive evening, for a couple of dances, and a lot of waiting around. I'm not exactly mad, I had kind of seen this situation in the making. Nicole is pleasant when we're alone, which isn't often. If she calls again I'm not sure what I'll do. I know I'll run into her again at the club, so its not really a priority that I track her down for a confrontation or anything. Mostly I just think to myself live and learn.
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