I’m at an impromptu comedy show. No one is on stage yet and it’s already hilarious. I’m overhearing a first date conversation. It’s not intentional. But when two slightly insecure people are in unfamiliar territory with each other it resonates at a certain volume. Continue reading Uhmygawd
Category Archives: Dives
Brunch
It’s so surreal in Seattle. People totally do brunch here but not the way churchgoing Southerns do. It’s much more casual. People leisurely get up and go out whenever they feel like it from 10am till whenever. The regimented waves of services attendees from noon to one on a Memphis Sunday means you have to get up and get your brunch before 11am if you want to enjoy it. Otherwise it’s a circus of socialites and the devout.
Restricting bars with indoor smoking to a 21+ rule forced every Midtown brunch place in Memphis to ban smoking. They couldn’t afford to lose the Sunday family business.
Family Matters
My mother is a narcissist. I’m of the opinion people should be accountable for their own problems. Blaming others isn’t productive and often misguided. Even if it’s true. But in this case I feel the need to speak up. I’m not the only one and I know it. If I really want to play the blame game I’d go straight to the top. The entire Boomer generation is trapped in a bubble of post-war narcissism that’s been perpetuated for over 50 years. From ritual holiday celebrations to the narrow-minded legislative battles waged in a decrepit government, the trappings of Boomer culture hang over this nation like cobwebs. Continue reading Family Matters
Slice of Life
A new source of pride in our economy is what you can do with an internet jukebox. The game is getting your best value. That means finding the right mix of music that represents how broad your taste is while remaining obscure enough to keep the plebeians from recognizing the chorus and singing along. Prices are on the rise, so only real music lovers play this game. Others use a defensive response to tune it out. Tuning out annoying sounds is a prime survival skill in the city. I’m doing it right now to write this – except I’m not because I paid for the jukebox and Freddie Mercury is encouraging me to go on with the show. Continue reading Slice of Life
Three, Some…
Last night, I was propositioned by a couple. It started with a blonde woman sporting bottomless cleavage sidling up to me at the bar. I’d seen her come in behind an aging frat boy in a backwards baseball cap. Her guy took up a post on the opposite end of the bar. Slurring from the start, she opens with a diatribe about how she is much smarter than she seems. I smile and nod. To further convince me, she describes specific aspects of her appearance and assumptions people make because of it. I listen with sincerity, knowing all too well the plight of being pretty with big breasts. Continue reading Three, Some…
Cost of Living
The most poignant parts of my life happened in books. Every time I discover something great it’s with a fictional companion. Not a wonder I feel destined to write a story. In the meantime, I’m working on telling my stories out loud. I’m the Jane Austen character that wishes she was Jane Austen, not believing in myself is part of the magic. That ability to zone out and take apart the world around me. Not caring what people think and simply continuing on my mission.
I feel freer now than I ever have. The problem is it hurts to breathe. I’m not wanting for anything except more time to process things. Constant sources of entertainment and new experiences. Potential to start over in career paths I once loved. Living in denial this long is a bit like leaving a cult (or a bunker). The cost of living in my previous life was so infinitely higher than here. Shifts in resources have been dramatic to say the least but the difference is truly the human resources.
Some family networks are too large to fail. Fortunately, I found a great divestment option that only costs me biological children. A prodigal soul made better by the journey, regardless of results. I come from a fertile bunch and resisting the call of motherhood was never an easy decision. My only problem is sapiosexuality doesn’t promote good genetics. I’m not a physical specimen that should get replicated. That said, I’m pretty sure I gave birth to a religion recently, so I might live up to my original namesake.
Drahmah
The main thing I avoid when selecting favorite people and places is drama. Unless there’s a stage show, in which case the drama should be dialed up to at least an 8 or 9. Unscripted drama had its time when we squished reality up against a TV camera. The value of that genre lasted about as long as shock rock. Writing and directing the chaos that we seek is best left to a collaboration, like bullfights. That doesn’t mean I won’t watch when it’s free. Continue reading Drahmah
Pouring
The thing most people asked about with me moving to Seattle was, “Doesn’t it rain a lot there?” Continue reading Pouring
Streamline Tavern
Americana distilled, this dive bar apparently got ousted from their original spot on Mercer a year ago due to increased rent costs. So they picked up the bar and walked it one block over to set up shop in another dive spot that was about to close down. Timing worked out for everyone but the bartender confessed that it’s a sign of the time. Apparently a wave of dive bar closures hit Queen Anne recently and the two I’ve found are the remaining holdouts. Based on what I’ve seen, this place should be able to eke out another decade or two at least.
The entire place is lit by neon lights and Christmas lights scattered like cobwebs around the ceiling edges. It’s my second time here and I’m already chatting with the adorable bartender who also reminds me of an old friend. Maybe I’ve had too many friends? Of course, I met most of them while drunk so there’s still room to make an impression. The Wednesday night regulars are filtering in, filling the gaps at the bar. There’s a community of artists in the corner booth with paper and sketches spread out. Two strangers sit across from me watching TV over my head.
The pints of cider are $5 and there’s a coin-op pool table. Most of the patrons seem to smoke cigarettes outside, so having a dugout/joints with me will blend right in. I predict a lot of my laundry money will derive from visits here. “Uh oh, I’m low on quarters. Time to play some pool at the Streamline.” I wonder if they have a weekly pool tournament?