Not over the hill or under the ground

[mrdreamjeans]

I just wrote a post that was lost when I hit the wrong button on this unfamiliar PC. It's a Siemens/Nixdorf...everyone's favorite..Ha! It is probably for the best since I was ranting and being long-winded about my experience in going out in Austin last night.

I'm only 20 minutes from downtown Austin (versus a 150 mile round trip from my home when I go out in Houston), so it seemed a shame to waste the opportunity. I headed to the Rainbow Cattle Company and my parking karma held, as I found a spot on the street three blocks from the club.

This is a key factor:) If I hadn't found great parking for my 22-foot long truck, I would have just gone home. I won't pay $6 for parking in a lot when I know I'm only going to spend $2 on cranberry juice in the club.

It was early, so I watched the Olympics on monitors scattered around the club. I was feeling confident...since I had worked on fitness, I felt that good genes (and good jeans) were on my side. I wasn't doing a number on myself.. worrying about my age...being critical of myself.. or concerned about whether I would meet someone. I just wanted to dance a bit and enjoy the atmosphere.

However, as the bar started to fill up, my good mood began to evaporate. The bartenders were really attractive, till they lit up cigarettes; the music provided by TJ, the DJ was excellent, but it was obvious the hard-core dancers were not out in force. The club had put black lights in the bathrooms. Ever been blue-eyed and seen how unflattering you look in that light(G)?

A majority of the crowd consisted of cologne-wearing, eye brow plucking, cell-phone using social butterflies, flitting around trying to be seen in their 29" waist jeans. (Yawn....)

There were five really hot men in attendance that were great eye-candy. Mostly in their 30s, buzz cuts and beards (but managing to avoid the cliched look), well-groomed, clean cut... perfect... till three of them lit up cigarettes and one became a swaying drunk. In fact about 60-70% of the people in the bar were smoking. (I am washing my clothes now as they reek of stale cigarette smoke.)

I am by no means over the hill and not nearly ready to be put under the ground, but bars have lost their appeal for me. I think you can still have a good time when you are on home territory and know folks; but to be out in a strange club in an unfamiliar city by yourself, is tough. I always used to enjoy the challenge; now, I just get annoyed, want to take charge and make the rules:) I guess my standards for myself have changed too.

Perhaps, I should own up..it's not my age showing, it's my desire to control my environment. I still plan to go dancing; it brings me too much joy. However, I may have to limit those occasions to dancing with friends.. and in a non-smoking environment. As a singer, I just can't do smoke....It makes me CRANKY! LOL!