Black Tie Dynasty II

So it is almost midnight on Tuesday and I just got home from seeing the Black Tie Dynasty and Daryl performances. In case you are interested, here is how it went:

7 :30: dig through all my -clean- clothes to see if there is anything worth wearing to a rock concert in a small Topeka bar later that night.

8:30: after trying on several outfits, I realize that it doesn't matter whatsoever, so I throw on jeans, a white t-shirt, a torn up Rhino sweatshirt, and a pair of Nike's and head out.

8:45: since we have come to understand that the show starts at 10:00, we don't want to seem to anxious, so my friend and I go to a bar down the street to have a pitcher of Bud before the show.

9:35: my friend and I decide that it's time to leave and we get escorted out by the VERY friendly bartender who just wants to make sure we are safe in this extremely shady neighborhood.

9:40: we show up in the middle of the band's performance and I try to casually walk past the fat lady checking ID's and taking the cover charge. She grabs my arm and makes me pay to have her fondle me while marking my hand with a giant red X.

Sometime after the show: I get the courage to go up and introduce myself to Brian, the brother of a dear friend of mine (see last post). I have a nice chat, then head back to the wall to watch Daryl play their set. I meet some other band members, buy a CD, manage to get their autographs and chat awhile. I feel welcomed, and nerdy at the same time.

Sometime close to the end of the last set: my friend spills her beer on the floor and we decide it is time to head home. I desperately want to ask these poor fellows if they need a clean, nice, quiet place to sleep for a night, but seeing as I had just met them I didn't want to seem like a stalker. Overall, it was a fantastic evening. I truly enjoyed the type of music that I love (although I think Daryl should have opened for BTD!) and hanging out with people my own age (even if "hanging out" means watching them from a back stool).

Something that did bother me: even though out of the forty-some people there, most of them being my age, I really felt out of place. I was trying to figure out why and when I returned home I found my answer. Instead of being able to have facial piercings, died black hair, a rail-thin body all decked out in black, and tattoos covering a majority of my body, I was a parent of two small children, who worked for the city, who was married and had to face the reality of every-day life. I came home to two crying children who woke up the minute I came in and realized that no matter what seemed cool, I would probably never have a band stay over at my house. Growing up really sucks, you know.

For now, I'll settle for the fact that I once had my nose pierced (which is now against company policy), have two tattoos (of which I plan to add once in the very near future), I feel I am somewhat up to speed in the latest music/ art/film scene, and I have, in fact, experimented with ______ (fill in the blank-I won't admit to it--ever!).

So, here's to my friend Dave, whom I've known for, I think, five years now: thanks for giving me a head's up on tonight's performance. And here's to all my other friends who are so anxious to grow up, get married, buy a house and have children: be careful what you wish for. While I would NEVER give up what I have, it does, in fact seem that the grass is always greener on the other side. Once children come into the picture, the world is never the same. It is the most rewarding, most frustrating, most satisfying and most challenging things you will ever be faced with. And there is NO turning back.

Man, I really made that sound bad. Truthfully, its not. Having a night out like this was great--I wish BTD the best of luck. They really seem like great guys. Maybe they need another groupie!?!? At this point in time, I am going to throw the CD into my radio, put Phoenix, my daughter who is sleeping in my lap, to bed, brush my teeth, and drift off to sleep, dreaming of college friends, guys with long hair, music, drinking, and just fun times in general.