Saturday, March 18th 2006
Why Is Everything Green?
I woke up promptly at 5 AM as scheduled and arrived at Palm Springs airport on time. The opportunities for surreal experiences at that hour are ripe and I noticed that I was surrounded by kids wearing obnoxious green hats. My connection was in Salt Lake. I called my mom to tell her that my first leg has been completed and I was very cold in my flip-flops. She told me that she had driven my brother and his friends to a local bar and that they were sharing a couple of brews before heading back into the office. My mother drinking before she goes in to work? My brother chauffeured to a bar? The boy owns three cars! What the hell is going on over there?
I boarded the plane and saw that the flight attendant had green streaks in her hair. I wondered if her supervisor knew. I liked it, but I thought that Delta may have another opinion. After a relatively painless flight and a kick-ass movie, Aeon Flux, we landed in Philly. It was then that everything became clear. The green shamrock on the billboard advertising green beers was my tip off. St. Patrick’s Day. Sometimes it takes longer for me. This bar I am performing at is going to be full of very, very happy people tonight - especially when you consider they were having open bar from 10 - 11. Smart, but that could be troublesome.
As I pulled up to the hotel the memories came flooding back. I did my very first dance gig there over 3 years ago. I used Suzanne Palmer’s “Show Me” as my song and I choreographed that bitch down to the second. I was sooooo nervous. I spent countless hours picking out my outfit and still hadn’t decided on one. I brought like 4 sets to narrow it down. Looking back I had to chuckle. These days, I throw a pair of underwear in the suitcase, tell the DJ to play something with drums and ask the GM if I have an open bar.
Before the gig I got a call from Butch. He does a local cable show called “In Bed With Butch”. Since he agreed to come by the hotel, I figured why not? I didn’t even have to put on my shoes! It was a quick interview. Soon it was time to begin the show. It was a very flattering evening. They always are. The club was packed, complete with a small contingent of 20 somethings armed with digital cameras. They asked me if I would pose for some shots, I told them that they had 5 poses from me and then I was done. They could however shoot candid shots to their hearts content. “Don’t you mind” they asked, “No, not at all, I just wanna fuckin’ dance.”
Dance gigs are great. It’s a nice chunk of change to dance around a stage, have a great time being me, answer some questions from the fans and then sign some photos. I go on at midnight and I’m in the hotel room by 2. Perfect.
