Kitty Power

Group Intrepidity

Apparently for spring, I've decided to jump into group activities -- if only because I'm excited that people are finally willing to leave their house again. Hanging out also has this addition urgency of probably being the last time I can keep my crazy late schedule before entering the grind. The next couple of weeks are going to be the pits because in addition to starting the job on Monday, I'm also going to be a volunteer. Then again, don't cry too much for me. Free movie screenings, ho!

PrincessNella has been using her new gym membership to also spur me into being a gym bunny. That's a type of thing unlikely to happen because though I don't actually mind exercise and I'm not that out of shape really, getting there is truly the hardest part for me. Besides, I'm still bitter about my relationship with the devil, so gyms are kinda on my shit list. Last Wednesday though, we went to this fun little reggae workout class where I amused myself learning the video dances and having deja vu to West African Dance class without the teacher yelling at me.

From there, across town to Chelsea Piers where J. Monkey was throwing a shindig for work. God, we love free drinks! Especially when it comes with a show and a good cause behind it. We added Lina to the group and trekked through Chelsea in search of food before settling on burgers at a deli on 8th Avenue and some quiet chill time at 419.

Friday, Lina and I were off to some sort of art collective party that friends from work invited her too. The party consisted of people that were just about sick of seeing each other, so we were popular. Though more interested in staking out the food table. Good dumplings! We took our leave after a while though everyone stood in the same places they had been when we had arrived with no sign of leaving. They made us promise to check the next "party." Umm...we'll consider it. Then, we were off downtown to meet with school kids her year. I wondered if I can be considered classist because I straight up rolled my eyes when this kid who had been talking forever about how downtrodden he was all of a sudden started invited people to the opening of his summer home. Wes kid, through and through. I invited Grandmastah H and B down to where we were so I wouldn't stab myself with my keys. The boys were entertaining as always and I've forgiven GH for his birthday party mistake. In form, he scoped out my friends and encouraged me to be proactive in securing a cute one for him.

"I'm not a pimp, you know," I said. To which he replied, "I'm not really asking you to pimp. Just be helpful." And I explained to him that beyond introducing and giving space if they hit it off, I take a hands-off approach. No point in getting someone pissed off if they're not interested, you know?

Saturday found PrincessNella and I at a party at a place I've been meaning to get to for a minute. On our way there through the darkness, I've remembered why Williamsburg never really caught on with me. 1) They're not big on street lights considering you're traipsing through gloomy, abandoned-looking industrial areas, which is connected to 2) the place isn't very "I'm just gonna trek alone" activities which is the base for most of my intrepid activities. And 3) the whole neighborhood seems to travel in packs which reminds me of college, that therefore annoys me, and makes me stand out more when I'm flying solo. But, we found ourselves amused by the place since it reminded us of our HS gym, complete with mattresses covered to resemble mats and bleachers. It was like the 9th grade dance with more people, better music, and alcohol drinks you didn't have to hide from teachers (not that I did that sort of thing. I was a saint back in the day, let me tell you.).

Taking a phone call ended up being a momentous event. I had Dodgeballed my location to jog the memory of the MIA P. Friendster who I was supposed to hang with and he gave a ring like I knew he would. I escaped from the noisy gym floor to chat where it was quieter near the entrance. A kid passing by did a double take and stood near my left as if he had something to say. I looked at him quizzically to see if I could place him, but no dice. Then coming up on my right was someone I did recognize. It was the villian from a movie I'm ashamed to have seen in the theater (well, not really. It was free!) -- and current Paper most beautiful person listee among other movies I know him for. So, I'm struck with the urge to say the line (they're all comedic really, but this one was beyond the pale in that moment) that had Ant and I dying in the theater. In case you haven't seen it (you poor thing), he's playing a Dave Meyers-type video director who pushes up on Honey a little too much before he gets the 5 across the face. His reply to that is: "Bitch, how you gonna play me like that?" but in this funny pseudothug voice. I almost laughed until I cried. So, I'm talking to P all "oh shit, he's standing right next to me and he's short like all actors are in real life, but yo, I'm dying to say that line or at least say I like his stuff" and P's all "do it! do it!" Strangely, at that moment, who walks by but Abe. We chat for a min and he says he's on a recon mission for the still open bar and I ask him to pick up a vodka cranberry for me if he finds it (but I never see him again. He drank my drink!).

Eventually, I get off the phone and don't say anything to David, though I run into him about 4 more times all over the place. PrincessNella and I get stopped by the guy from my left at the door who did think he knew me, but I definitely didn't. He and I chat in highly excitable tones and I make a new friend. Always fun. We switched numbers and have plans to find each other on Friendster and eventually see New York Minute (hopefully altered) in the theater. Plus he complimented my Blacula shirt. How could we not be friends?! PN and I amused ourselves as the party continued by dancing until we would realize that somehow we'd become the center of a circle that would form around us and have to move three times over. They were trying to steal our moves. People are messed up.

Eventually, the party became less interesting and we made our way out of Brooklyn with an incredibly short visit to 419 before heading home. Me in the house before 3am on a Saturday night? Imagine that shit?! But, it was a long night and I didn't care. One more week of late nights complete with a Man Man show on Wednesday. It's gonna have to be something to top last week.

Posted by Candicissima at April 26, 2004 01:54 PM