FALSEXPECTATIONSURPRISE!

The day after First Thursday is always a little anti-climatic.  This time it was backwards.  First Thurs itself covered it’s predicted grounds: a busy Pearl, the crowded bars, music & art in the streets.  But the vibes were off.  So went the night.

Friday snuck up on me.  It was almost dark before I even took a shower.  Then one of my adorable boy friends stopped by.  He’s tall, strong, and rather handsome, but oh-so-young and… among other things, he’s kind-of a man-whore.  (That doesn’t stop me from enjoying his company – I just keep him at an arms distance.)  We caught up a bit and I jumped in his jeep for a lift to Rontoms, where I had plans to meet an old friend.

Bracing for her late arrival, I imagined myself alone at the bar.  Would it be one of those nights?  I got myself some water and made the rounds – no cute boys.  *Sigh*

I bumped into a girl I’d gone to Catlin Gabel with, waiting in the bathroom line.  (Catlin is one of those schools where most everyone is financially well-to-do.  Unlike them, I was awarded a hefty scholarship to go there.)  Recently laid off from Nike, she commented about her modest new life unemployed.

“As long as you’re happy,” I said, “that’s what counts.”  Usually, I continue with my line that “time is a valuable thing, once you learn how to spend it,” but right about then I spotted some buddies at a nearby table.

I was thrilled to see them – an adorable couple (plus a friend of theirs, whom I hadn’t met).  I’ve known them both since long before they hooked up, but I’ve always been closer to the guy.  We had lots of catching up to do, however they were not who I was there to meet.  Then I noticed Auna and her boyfriend at the next table.

What a treat!  Bouncing between the two groups, I was delighted.  Auna’s new beau has dark hair and icy blue eyes, just like her.  They look so much alike they could be related.

I chatted with them until they got completely wrapped up in each other.  Back at the first table, I noticed my other friends looking much more disconnected.  The chick looked bored – I decided to investigate.

When she got up to go to the bathroom, I found myself talking to her man.  I said his girlfriend was hot.  Naturally, he wanted to know if I’d hook up with her.  Typical.

He got pensive.  “You know what Audrey?”

“What?”

“You show me any hot chick,” he said, “and I’ll show you a guy that’s tired of fuckin’ her.”  Wow, I thought, that’s deep.  I almost couldn’t get my head around it, but then I thought of so many married men I’ve known…

She came back and we had some laughs.  She was refreshingly frank about being promiscuous in high school, noting that most of the people she’d hooked up with are still good friends.  It reminded me of recent primate research purporting some of sex’s purpose beyond procreation: social adhesive!

Before long, everyone was leaving.  Auna and her boy took off, and my other friends were cashing out.  They mentioned something about the TBA (Time-Based Art) festival going on up the street.  I’d forgotten about that!  Taking place at the spooky old Washington Elementary School on SE 12th and Stark, it was sure to be at least somewhat interesting.  I had them drop me off there.

When I arrived, a line of people snaked outside along the walkway and down some stairs.  Skip that!  I headed around the building.  It’s a school, after all.  They MUST have another entrance.  Sure enough, I found an open door, guarded by an empty chair at an unmanned desk.  Without hesitation, I went inside.  *Cue Mission Impossible theme song.*

First I ducked into a bathroom.  It was stinky, but when you’ve gotta pee, you’ve gotta pee.  Besides, it was safe.  I gathered myself and listened to the thump and clank of who-knows-what-upstairs at the TBA party.  Allowing plenty of time for the crowd to make their way inside, I wandered the bowels of that graveyard of a school.  I studied a map of emergency exits and wedged open a few doors.  I found my way to the third floor, where people were milling about, checking out the installations.  I was in.