I did not put my full effort into "gettin' all purt-ted up" to go out, but I did change out of my work clothes and at lease looked better then I did and smelled better then I did. We decided to meet an old neighbor at a Downtown cafe (of the Atomic kind). A somewhat Island-esque eatery that has an out door bar, lounging and dancing area. The what I assume house band that was playing was a step off of Bob Marley but still alright for backround noise.
Now, perhaps Lexington Kentucky being such a college focused town (for lack of sports teams I'm guessing)..., I should have paid more attention to the fact it was "Move-In weekend" for the new class of students at UK. This gave the whole place a giant case of the "Frats". It also gave me a case of the "are you kidding me's?" and I think I could have become sea sick in the ocean of backwards hats, striped collared polo shirts, khaki shorts and sandles. That was just the men. The opposite sex must have made good on the latest pilgrimage to the early 20 something-college students Meca (Old Navy) when they were having one of their latest sales on late summer wear. TACKY DRESSES FOR ALL!!
I should actually clarify that only most of the female population that evening were dressed as such. There were a few that I noticed showed up at the bar looking like dressed down Ms. Kentucky pagent contestants. They were just missing a sash, a closed hand wave and the interview question answered by a wish for world peace. The two of us said early on we felt under dressed.
After almost a year in Lexington I have reconfirmed the stero-type to myself over and over the the majority of the female KY-born population has a certin "look" to them. Being a foreigner in this strange land I can spot them loud and clear without evening having to ask where they are from. These are the ladies who keep their local hair dresser in steady business just by having more blonde hy-lites then common sense. Their dentist doesn't think twice about his jet ski payment due to veniers and monthly bleaching. A consumer poll will tell you Mabeline and Rebal- mascara and eyeliner is a must have for all southern women. I think they give it to them for their 10th birthday as tradition. -anyway.
I'm happy for these college kids who get to see their old friends and revel in stories of going home for the summer and tan lines, but it made me feel old. Old not in a bad way, but old as in wiser. I'm not saying I have answers to their questions nor am I a life coach, but I see where they are going. The mistakes I made and learned life lessons from are in their near future (or even later that night, but for right now that mistake is having another yeager-bomb). I'm at a point in my life I just sit back, watch and laugh.
I laugh at the guys who think girls are impressed by how many beers they drink.
I laugh at the girls who still have drama over men.
I laugh at cheesey pick-up lines.
I laugh even harder at the people who fall for them.
If you can't find enjoyment in the behavior of others- good, bad or indifferent, you're not human. I did enjoy my night and more so once the shots and drinks kicked in. Just before departing I stepped outside and found a table to sit down at and have a smoke. I had come outside previously with Ann and a friend of hers so I had "posse security", this time I was solo - Ughhh yeah I see it coming. "It" was a college guy named Brian whom I learned was from MI, working in OH, and here with his boys. His posse was no where to be found. Perhaps off trying to get directions to the next party they were going to. Well, Brian was more drunk then he was charming when he asked me for a smoke. Being half way thorough my cig but still having a three quarter full drink I needed to consume in a timely manner as my friend was waiting on me to get going, I offered him what was left. We engaged in the typically bar talk. Where are you from, what do you do? Blah-Blah-Blah,
I wasn't interested from minute one. Brian showed a sign of weakness when he made a comment that exposed low self esteem and it elevated me to the alpha-dog in the conversation. It wasn't a power-trip for me but low self esteem is something that someone just meeting you for the first time should not be able to notice as your cologne.
I give him credit for trying but really after just a could of quips from me and you're telling me how smart and cute I am.. laughing and then telling me how nice my eyes are.. sweet but doesn't do it for me. Not total fail-whale, but just lame.
Annmarie swooped in at the most perfect time to end my encounter with Atomic-Brian. We parted ways and I was glad to be heading home. My bed was calling, my eyes were heavy and it was going to feel really good to wash my make-up off.
This is an excellent example of an Ms. Independant's night out. A night out that didn't end up becoming a mistake.. after all he was still at the bar when I left.
funny
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