On Friendship, Simplicity and Rocking Out to The Best Bad Music the 1980’s Has to Offer
There are some moments in life that are priceless in both their simplicity and their ability to make a lasting impression. One such moment made its way into my life on Sunday night. It was an unexpected moment that now stands out as a highlight in a rather enjoyable weekend.
Since moving to Chicago, I have been lucky enough to make one very good friend. Our relationship is easy and uncomplicated. We like the same types of things. We think along the same lines. We enjoy each other’s company on a regular basis and have yet to tire of each other.
In short, we have the kind of friendship I wish upon everyone.
On Sunday evening we made our way to Sidetrack for some drinks and a rousing round of show tunes. Sadly, our high expectations were shattered as soon as the bar came into sight and we saw the long line of men who had the same idea as we did. Once we’d made it inside, things went from bad to worse. The place was crowded beyond belief, and it quickly became clear that neither of us was in the mood to be surrounded by a gaggle of drunk gay men singing songs from Dreamgirls at the top of their lungs.
After one round of drinks, we found ourselves back on the street headed away from the core of the gay neighborhood. Our destination was a slightly dingy little neighborhood bar called the North End. As it turns out, it was the perfect destination.
The place was not too crowded, and we were able to find two seats at the bar. We settled down with our drinks and soon discovered it was 80’s video night. The screen above our heads played cheesy video after cheesy video. We were like two kids in a candy store. We sang along. We danced in our chairs. We kept the drinks flowing and laughed for hours like two slightly drunk gay men having one heck of a good time.
And that is exactly what we were. We were two friends enjoy each others company. We were two friends enjoying some good music. We were two friends out on the town without a care in the world. It was easy. It was fun. And it was a perfect example of a rather perfect night.
And I am comforted to know there are many such nights in my future.
I really enjoyed that post! Have a great week!
The only thing missing was a rendition of “Let’s Hear it for the Boy,” the original version.
Friends are very important, more imporant than lovers some times. If you can find both a friend and a lover all in one that so wonderful. Everybody needs friendship. Good for you.
Oh boy I would have been in hog heaven. I loves me some 80’s videos. VERY glad you had such a good night and there looks to be many more in your future. Good friends are gold.
They say there are three men in a gay man’s life:
1. His father, who can ruin everything
2. His boyfriend, who can make it worse
and
3. His Best Friend, who can make everything the other two have done wrong irrelevant.
Your best friend is the guy you dance with, the guy you dish with, the guy at whom you only need raise an eyebrow for him to totally get your emotional temperature Farenheit to the decimal place.
Glad you’ve got one of those. What with hemlines and the perfume du jour, Gay Life is crazy enough. We all need one constant rock upon which we can lean.
I love this post, if for nothing else than to remind me there really are beautiful, good times in store even when you don’t expect them.
I’m glad that you have such a good friend!
The most random nights when original plans don’t work out often end up being the best nights.
I love eighties music… after all, I DID live through it. And some of the videos were really cool. I am so glad you had a really good time. Were you wearing all that new leather?
A true friend is probably the greatest — and most elusive — gift life has to offer. You’re both very fortunate.
Now, did they play “Total Eclipse of the Heart”?
This post makes me both really happy that you’ve got someone like that in your life, and really sad that I kinda don’t. I don’t have a lot of friends, and don’t see the ones I have very often anymore. *sniffle* Oh, and I’m totally jealous, because I thought WE were that friendship! I’ll have to cut a bitch when I finally get to Chicago! *LOL*
Well I am right there with Dewey…early 80’s were my college years, my 20 something years. How could anyone not enjoy that era. LOL Am I a bit biased?! Sounds like you had a night with the same type of friend I hold dear to me.