NIGHTLIFE
(an essay by Slimedog)
The nightlife is my life. It’s not a good life, I suppose, at times. But it’s how I’ve lived my life till now and there’s probably a few more seasons and episodes but not as much as most folks reading this. It’s where I found my place, my space- and the nightlife is what all the preachers preach against. But again, the nightlife’s not a good life- but it’s my life.
That’s a song by Willie Nelson, one of my favorite country artists and he’s always humble and friendly as all Southern people are, from my experience; not like us rude, nasty Northern folk. But what great punk lyrics! The nightlife’s not a good life, but it’s my life! My choice, my decision! That’s in your face, fuck you, done in such an unassuming way. But it’s still “fuck you” and thank you Willie for stating such.
Being once a very shy young person, playing in bands in the clubs, it gave me an excuse to be there and a push to socialize. And being so shy, I felt a freedom and relaxation, funny enough, of being on stage. I had a reason for being there and the people, though fucked up -would sometimes get out of hand, at least they were showing their true selves, their real selves and not the fake facades they put on in the offices that I was becoming aware of at the same time.
The nightlife has many perils- of alcoholism, drug addiction and disease, the two former I’ve had encounters with. But for the most part it’s nice to see people act happy and free. I still love to observe a band wailing, a young girl dancing in front of a stage, as the bartender tries to keep up with the customers and the laughter, loud talking,drinking and craziness reigns.
The stage at clubs is often set up so everyone in the audience can see. So when your on a stage, as I was as a bass player, you have a perfect view of everyplace and everyone in the bar as your raised above. You can see the hookups, the pickups, the drunks, the fights- the joys and the decay.
The nightlife’s not a good life, not a pure life, but it’s a true life. And the nightlife’s not a good life but it’s the only part of life I’ll miss someday.
