Big Girl Boots

We're squeezed into an over crowded bar, dead center with people packed in like ground meat in a casing all around us. Our group has taken up a fair share of the bar, so in my efforts to get a drink, I have to alternate with hugs and kiss hellos. Oh and it's hot as hell, if hell was sitting in the kitchen with my mother as she attempted to cook.

Good thing I'm not wearing much! We get to the bar where a branch of our group has secured a window, currently they are ordering shots of Grand Manier ::burns so good:: A couple of guys eye us up and hand us shots.

"Don't waste these."
I'm pretty sure I'll be able to handle it, a smirk reaches the corner of my lips.

We take the shots, that were really like double shots, without even a little wince. The original guy looks to me and says

"Whoa! You took that like a big girl"
Uh huh.
I narrow my eyes at him to gauge his doubt, while he sizes me up. My outfit tonight is pretty casual, layered tank tops, (Black and White) black tights and black knee high boots. His eyes get to my boots and widen...

"No wonder! Look at those boots!"
Yup, my big girl boots.
"Damn! Just tell me what's the cut and color you want?"

C and I catch eyes across the crowded bar, both knowing it's time to move on. This is our second stop of the night, we started at Mate in Georgetown for Organic Cucumber Mojitos in honor of Earth Hour. This small bar appearance was for a birthday, moving across town to see another birthday girl, this particular party is a green party. Finally making our way out of the bar, we run into more friends outside, I give them a outline of the night ahead and we hop into the car.

We arrive at Senso, Senso...not my fav place on 18th street. It always has the strangest smell...like day old-dirty recliner-sex ::come on, you know the smell:: As we walk through the door my eyes go to the back balcony, of which I see the girls dangling from. We make our way through another crowded room and climb the stairs into a very warm loft, filled with girls in green, a couple large fans, a small bar with the worlds slowest bartender...ever. As this is our third stop of the night we jump right in to the dance party. Round of birthday shot, a few photo ops, and a we're putting our jackets on again. This time the expected right up the street party has moved a few blocks away.
Once outside we're trying to map out the best way to pick up a couple more girls and make it to the next stop in a timely manner. All this planning is broken up when I here my name being screamed across six lanes of traffic. Followed by a flurry of text, friends at a club across the street are outside and want in. I make a mad dash, while sending my text , by the time I get across the street, they are being ushered inside and geared up with bracelets. I'm tempted to come in for a quick drink and say hi, but we've got a tight schedule as it is. Just when I'm hugging hellos, the car pulls up friends already inside and we're off the 14th street.
We make it to The Park and the party is in full force by this point the birthday boy is dancing all over the place, pouring Champagne on everyone and buying round after round of shots. I've danced so much tonight, there is no need for exercise for another couple of days! But I find myself and C three drinks in and dancing our asses off! Per our usual I'm fighting guys off of her and telling them that she is my bitch, we laugh as the walk away utterly confused wondering if we really are lesbians ::ftr I like boys::
The DJ plays every song I love, so I've just got no other option than to dance until my legs are jelly. We're laughing at how tired we are by the end of the night and amazed that we are still able to have a conversation after the night we'd just had.
Our night ends like so many good one, C and I are walking down the sidewalk linked arm in arm, laughing uncontrollably. We're also content. That alone makes the night, to see all these people, go so many places and be utterly content at the end of the night.
I love this city.
-n

Parking Challenged No More

Adams Morgan?! Why? In my mind there are very few reasons to go there, a few good places to eat; Diamonds in the rough if you will, but after that nada. Besides why would I go any where I can't wear nice shoes...all of my shoes are nice. But after some persuasive text I find out the destination is a private residence, I love getting a peek of those old houses so my interest ::for the moment:: is peaked. This adventure seems fit for AA so I make the call, give a time line and the night is pushed into full swing.

Wanna be comfy in case we have to walk, warm cause it's cold like no other outside, and as always perfectly hot so the outfit choice goes to cotton dress and tall black boot complete with four inch stiletto heel ::wouldn't have it any other way:: Even with getting ready in record time, I'm already an hour behind schedule, what will be really hard to pull off is getting AA out of the house in her own record time. Run in, have a quick cocktail, pick out a cute outfit, and we're on our way.

As I make my way up eighteenth I remember why I never go higher than Florida Ave, I hate this area. Packed with young frats looking to bang anything with a hole wondering bar to bar, a main strip that takes an hour to get through and absolutely no parking. We near our destination a couple of blocks up from The Strip and I realize all the people parking and walking around us are walking all the way down to the bars. Which solidifies my thought that we are never finding a spot. After driving around a couple of times we luck out and only three blocks from the destination, I announce that we are not moving this car again for the night.

I have a double thought about my gorgeous boots as I trot up a steep hill with AA in tow already listing her complaints. We make it and are greeted by our host a Traveling Tri-Athelete, pleasantries are exchanged and as I catch a questioning side glance from him I wonder what the question brewing behind his eyes is. The thought is short and quickly replaced when a maybe not buzzed but definitely feeling good C.St walks into the room to greet us, I introduce AA and can tell that his earlier inquiry about the cuteness of my friend has been answered.

The home has been renovated to a degree clearly with a masculine eye, glory photos and pieces collected from all over the word fill every corner of the house. Each with a story TT is ready to tell at any prompt given, most of them amusing some even interesting. We share drinks, a few stories and more laughs. As everyone runs low we move to the kitchen, AA is takes a tour of the photos and somehow her detailed eye catches a small box on the counter. 'Super Macho' She repeats herself and shoots an inquiring eye to TT, before flat our asking what it is. With a laugh he explains his impulse buy and the fact that he really doesn't know what it is or what's in it or what part of it makes you Super Macho. AA opens the bottle and I see things take a terrible shift, one after the other the three of them all pop one into their mouths, swallow hard and wait to feel...what else but

Super Macho

Another drink and I have requested a tour, specifically to see the steam room addition that has been added. Tempted to take a go myself as the guys had done earlier in the night, I think better as I catch a image of my hair in the mirror ::maybe next time:: We all find ourselves in the kitchen again chatting up a storm, not sure if it was the drinks or perhaps the combination of lots of time and lots to talk about. AA and I can talk anyones head off between the two of us, it was a good pairing with our congenial companions for the night. Already knowing a bit about C.St I leave it to AA to find out anything I might have missed, I take on TT and I find like myself he can talk about anything...which made for conversations that were all over the place. From the Granite on the counters to his accused obsession with anything Asian. I double check my watch when I notice the clock reads 12:30a, earlier in the night each party expressed the need to stop by different birthday events separately at some point in the night. Well that 'some point' was now, we finish our drinks and bundle up accordingly with the freezing Jan night. Say our goodbyes on the sidewalk as a Panda watched over us and agree to meet back in two hours, logically we should be able to do that ::logically:: AA and I make it back to the car and map out our next couple of spots...I admire my nice parking spot and suggest the idea of a cab, she frowns announces her lack of cash I shrug and start to get in the car. Just then a Black Town car pulls up behind us, the driver gets out and opens the trunk to receive his cab sign. I ask the obvious, Are you a cab? then the next valuable piece needed, Do you take credit? With yes and yes answers AA and I hop into our the car, that is after bargaining the price of our destination a little. We fill the cab with small talk...well as 'small' as talk can get with two girls that have been drinking for a while can get. Almost half-way there and we change the first destination for one closer, Current is on the way and friends are set up on a table...why not. As I get ready to pay, sadness comes to me when I think that we are getting out of a nice cushy ride until the a thought pops into my head and out of my mouth. What's your number? We can call you when we're ready to go to the next place. He looks to me and I feel it's not going to happen, until he smiles and produces a card with his info on it. 'Call me when you are ready.' I get out of the car and thank Steve with a waive goodbye.

It's cold so I'm happy to see that we won't be waiting in any lines, a kiss on the cheek and we're inside at the bar for a quick shot. Soon after we find our friends a quick sit and see what else is on the agenda for them tonight. Nothing very exciting seems everyone is having a quite weekend after the debacle of a week last week was. We dance, meet a few new people, and have a drink. Saying our goodbyes we inform that we have to get to a birthday in China town. I call Steve and he's there in less than the suggested fifteen minutes. He pulls right up to the curb and we plan the next spot...destination Muse. A very Asian inspired Lounge and Club in the ever growing Penn Quarter. As we settle into the warmth of the car I notice Steve our Mediterranean driver is listening to Country music, I ask if this is always what he listed to. His simple response is 'Would you rather the rap ?' Perhaps poking a little fun at my upfront question, I smile and answer what ever you like, I like Steve...this is great.

Muse Lounge has taken over the old Coyote Ugly building with renovations turning the whole corner into a new place. With three floors, there is a place for everyone. The first has a large bar and dance floor, the Second and Third levels are more geared toward table seating and smaller dance areas. Any given day different djs with different genres will be on each level. After running into friends on the first floor and grabbing a quick drink with them, we find our party on the Third floor. It's late in the night and this party has been going for a while so the general look of the group is super buzzed fun. The birthday girl however is complete wasted, hate to be any where near her projectile vomit later on tonight, kind of fun. Some times nights start to feel like doing the dishes (wash, rinse, dry...repeat) We dance, meet a few new people and have a drink. C.St is looking for me but doesn't want to meet us at our current location, instead wants to come to him. In the confusion of text the plans get changed and I wonder how clear headed the once 'feeling quite good' C.St really is, have he and TT gotten to past the buzzed point not unlike AA? I call Steve and suppose the rest we'll just have to find out.
We get to K Street and find the C.St and TT have separated at some unknown point in the night, I can hardly get an answer out of C.St between his pursuit of a girl that has caught his fancy and AA running to the restroom, I decide I am done. Even as the driver has just dropped us off, I am calling him to come back. With the last patient bone in my body I offer C.St to catch a ride with us, he doesn't seem too worried and I don't have the energy to do any convincing, beside I have AA to worry about and that is quite enough for me. I gather up mine, and we leave without goodbyes. Outside a fav staff person points out our car in the slue of people trying to get cabs, a kiss on the cheek and we're swept away. I lean back take a look at AA who is fading in and out of sleep and take a big breath, then my phone rings. We're already over half way there and it's just too far to turn around...as my phone continues to ring I make the mistake of answering. It's always impossible to talk with a wasted person, and that's all I have to say about that. The night ends with AA snuggled under the covers and I giggle to myself as AA ask me to cuddle with her and keep her warm. ::Why not...this must just have been one of those nights::

In the early afternoon, I cancel Brunch plans, then lunch plans and finally get out of bed long enough to send a text to everyone from the night.
How ya doing soldiers?
The response is the same across the board...hurting. Seems terrible but I get a laugh out of it and think next time we'll all know better ::not::

-n

Photo of DC Pandas before being actioned off to private parties.

Blue Light Attraction

The night is already late, I've been ready to go for hours, but still nothing to wear. Nothing but my new boots the key, and inspiration of the night. I'm not going out and wearing my boots; I'm going out for my boots ::warped? if you haven't gotten that yet please keep reading:: Black knee high stilettos, a boot that girls and guys alike can appreciate. A girl puts them on and she is transformed into a women, in control, confident, and......sexy. Every guys secret dream or maybe not so secret, even the strongest, most confident guys dreams of a girl that has it together and isn't afraid to show it.

::Enter My Boots:: They are the deathly blue light to any guy that might try and flutter by. Don't fight it come right over, 'Oh, whats that my boots? Oh, why thank you' ZAP another one bites the dust, stay out of my personal bubble with you're game throwing self.

Black is the color of the night, C takes to calling me Cat Women for the duration. I catch a glance of myself while walking down the street, the nickname seems to be quite fitting. But this part of the story has come about a little early... The night really starts with me waiting by myself until C and friend show up. A seemingly easy target, defenseless at the bar. Want to take a peek at my blue light? The first attempt a guy with two friends, note to all guys out there you can only hit on a girl if the group is equal numbers. Frankly I want no part of the freaky foursome you've been talking about all night.

::next please::

Old....I wasn't sure if he was lost, or really just a creepy man at the bar. Not my night he was as creepy as they come. But my first question, why me? In what place would the super hot girl at the bar want to talk with Cardiac Express unless he was flashing a Black card, even still not my type. A little small chat, don't want him to die in front of me from my direct disgust of his general presence. ZAP or would the term be CLEAR. I caught myself a little testy tonight, how about a martini remedy.

::next please::

Right on cue drunk young guy who's been here way to long, staring at me even longer. Suddenly he stand, apparently to make room for the sudden balls hes just grown. 'Come here ofter?' Yes girls that's right, I wasn't sure whether to laugh in his face or pull the string a little more to see how fast his ship would sink. 'Why, Yes I do. But I have to admit I've never seen you before.' 'I normally come with a group of friends.' 'Oh, is that so... How about you go find those friends, because I am not one of them.' ZAP three for three and only half way through my drink.

Lets get a few things straight I don't enjoy turning guys down, I feel bad about it most of the time. While I have a nice little mean streak, it's really not where I get my jollies. I feel that when I'm minding my own business in the Starbucks line and you feel the need to talk to me before the coffee hits my lips, then what ever wrath you are about to get you deserve.

C and company arrive just in time for a shot and move to the next spot. Current was new this summer to the Constitution Ave and 18th St crawl of clubs. Taking over for Dragonfly some of the owners from Fly decided to open another themed club. This one, you guessed is after water. The outside of the building is lit with Blue spotlights, the interior has definitely been upgraded since its former life but nothing too impressive. A small lower level bar, but the larger bar and DJ reside upstairs. There is an area for table service, but most of the upstairs is a dance floor. After our first round of drinks we find ourselves taking over the dance floor and attention of most who roam. A friend once said to me in almost a question, 'It's like you go to be seen.' My reply, I don't have to go out to be seen, but the day I walk into a room and don't turn heads, I'll know why other girls try so hard.

We exhaust ourselves, laughing and dancing. Coats on and buttoned up tight as we step into a bitter winter of fluttering snowflakes. The city so alive, some ending their nights, some just starting, all greatly influenced by the city and what it has to give.

Just watch out for that Blue Light.

-n

Photo Taken at the Lincoln Memorial