Pure Heaven

In a few weeks I'll be eighty-one years old. Hard to believe fifty years have passed since I was a disco fanatic. Oh yes, I was one of THOSE oldie goldies for which I offer NO apology.

There is good disco (the continuous disco mix above) and boring (bad) disco. There is/was a difference. This is the GOOD disco.

I discovered disco when I first visited Provincetown Massachusetts in July of 1974. Oh my, I found my perfect place. I LOVED DISCO and of course still do. Lately I've been looking for a good continuous disco album on iTunes but could only find an Italian disco mix, which was good but not THE disco mix I spent many a glorious summer vacation nights in Provincetown, Massachusetts. If you have time listen to this disco mix I have posted and you have to agree (or not) that it is HEAVEN. 

Regular followers of this blog and me know I'm not your typical gay who ADORES Broadway show tunes. Not being judgmental (or maybe I am) I just never GOT the whole Broadway show tunes gig. To me that music (noise) is just Rex Harrison talking a song. BORING. On my first visit to Provincetown my friend Bob McCamley asked me to join him at one of the Provincetown hotspots where there was a piano player playing Broadway show tunes. I declined. He asked why. I told him I would rather eat rats at Tweksbury. Actually I didn't say that but something similar. God, I couldn't think of anything more BORING than hanging around a piano with a has been or never been Broadway show type guy singing too loud (and they always sing too loud). Oh sure, I can understand other enjoying the camaraderie of that group sing, singing along as they do, but not for me Mary (whoops!) I HAVE to dance and one definitely CANNOT dance to "Tomorrow" from "Annie" (which has to be my most despised song ever). I have this demon inside me that has to be exorcised and the only way that can happen is to shake my booty on the disco ball glittering dance floor. Odd thing though, for all the photo and videos I've taken over the years there is nary video of me dance. But wait, there is one picture. It was taken in 1979 at The Boathouse in Dewey Beach, Delaware. I even remember the song I was dancing to, "Funky Town" my Hot Lips. 

Me and my friend (still) Howard Spencer at The Boathouse Dewey Beach 1980

And now that my memory has been jogged, there is actually a video of me dancing disco. It is at "Oil Can Harry's" in West Hollywood, California in 2015. Disco was way past its prime as I was also you can tell by my dancing (if you can call it that). These days arthritis has severely limited my physical flexibility but my brain is still wired to that pulsating disco beat. 

Doing the "Elaine Dance" at Oil Can Harry's - Hot Stuff

Oil Can Harry's - Hollywood, California

Remember two years ago when I was in Los Angeles and made a total fool out of myself at Oil Can Harry's (see HERE)?  Sure you remember. 

It was "Disco Night" or "Seventies Night" or some such thing.  Pat and I had just arrived in LA after a five hour flight and then fighting the traffic from LAX to our bed and breakfast.  It was raining that night and all Pat wanted to do was rest.  However, I wanted to take a trip back in time and experience the best time of my life, disco night and dancing at a gay bar.  Some of the best days (and nights) of my life were disco dancing at various gay bars on the East Coast.  I wanted to go to that happy place again.

I talked Pat into driving me through the dark and rainy night, on the twisty Mulholland Drive, which we weren't familiar with.  We found Oil Can Harry's and lucky for us there was just one parking spot left.  Pat backed into it (always back in, makes the getaway easier).  

We entered the bar and as expected, the disco ball was sprinkling its faceted light among the dancers and lookers on.  And the music was thumping.  After we got our drinks I told Pat, "I have to go out on the dance floor."  He gives me THAT look like a parent patiently indulging a child who is about to make a very foolish decision. 



I bee bop my way out on the dance floor and am soon joined by a tank topped, muscleman with a drink in his hand and torn jeans.  Oh no, just a dance buddy, nothing more.  

I morphed into my "Elaine Dance."  Oh sure, you know what the "Elaine Dance" is don't you?  "Seinfeld?"  Check it out.





Hey folks, I did the "Elaine Dance" before Elaine did it.  Back in the 70's at the Backstreet Bar in Provincetown.  I wondered why I cleared the dance floor.  But hey, I was enjoying myself even though I always managed to clear the disco mirrored dance floor when I began by kicks and thumbs up dance gyrations.

So there I was, in the middle of the dance floor at Oil Can Harry's in LA and I make my moon walk back step and . . . . . . fall flat on my back!  

I hear a collective "OH!" from my fellow dancers as they parted the Red Sea to see if this sad 72 year old was alright.  As I lay there on the dance floor, flat on my back looking at the still rotating disco ball, I thought "This is so embarrassing!"  But at least I'll never see these people again.  

I get up off of the dance floor, on my own but not without a struggle.  My tank topped, torn jeans dance partner just stares at me in amazement as he backs away from me with his "I don't know him" move.

I summon up my "This is no big deal" attitude and casually exit the dance floor.  I asked Pat, who was videotaping a dancer whose moves he was admiring,  "Did you get that?"  He didn't!  Man oh man, that video would have went viral.  

The dance floor quickly filled in like a hand removed from a bucket of water.  It appeared that my humiliation was short-lived as my fellow dancers quickly resumed their Trip Back to the Seventies and Disco Night nostalgia trip.  Perhaps thinking, "There's just another poor old fool attempting to relive his past."  Oh well.

This past January when we returned for our annual trip to LA, Pat and I couldn't fit Oil Can Harry's into our schedule of activities.  But you know folks, I think I would like to give it a try again next year.  Especially after listening to this selection from a group called "Opiuo."  The selection is called "Slur and Giggle" which I think is appropriate for a now 75 year old Old Fool getting out on the dance floor, under the disco ball and doing my version of the Elaine Dance.  Hey folks, that's what life is about.  Having a good time and especially being able to laugh at yourself.  

This selection may not be old fuddy duddy disco but check out the beat, how can you NOT dance to this?  And this time I'll make sure Pat videos me doing my moves. 

Oil Can Harry's

Disco Retro Night at Oil Can Harry's last night

Last night, thanks to our good friend Tony D's suggestion, Pat and I went to "Oil Can Harry's" last night for fun and frivolity.  Last night was "Disco Retro Night" and you know me, I loves me some 70's disco!

We almost didn't go out last night because Pat was exhausted from the long day we already had.  He said he's only averaged six hours of sleep a night since we left for our California Dream.  But you know me, when I'm pumped I can go on for days and weeks.

So I drug Pat out of his deep stupor of a nap.  Poor Pat.  Raining outside, pooped and exhausted.  But yes, I did it.  "Oil Can Harry's" (don't you just love that name?) was only 5.2 miles from where we're staying.  I just couldn't see passing up an opportunity to partake in a little teeny bit of West Hollywood gay nightlife, especially a 70's disco retro night!

Out into the night we go, on rain soaked roads to God knows where?  I have my iPhone GPS, with the address of "Oil Can Harry's" logged in, and we pull out of our safe and comfy bed and breakfast room to see what the night reveals.  

Even though the distance was only a little over 5 miles, half the distance I drive to Rehoboth Beach, the drive seemed much longer because of the rain, the darkness of the night and the hilly, twisty, unfamiliar Laurel Canyon road.  Actually we went over the Hollywood Hills behind us drove to the other side of the hills (I think).

We finally get there.  I thought we were early (9:30 PM) but the parking lot was full.  Only one space available which Pat quickly took possession of.  That Pat, he is some driver.

We get out of our rental car and walk in the rain to building housing Oil Can and strains of "Bad Girl" by Donna Summer beckoning us for a trip back to the glorious past of Disco Queens.  

I pay the cover charge of $5.00 each and enter the multi colored light inner sanctum of a recreated disco heaven.  Disco!

The bouncer informs me that drinks are 1/2 off until 10.  I saddle up to the bar and order a margarita (no comments please).  $3.50.  Not bad.  Not a bad margarita either.

Pat didn't want a drink.  He secures a place for himself at the side of the dance floor.  I get my drink (very tasty by the way, I know I'm going to get a buzz on tonight) and scan the dance floor.  A 30 something, muscular, slim Hispanic man locks eyes with me.  He smiles.  He approaches me.  He introduces himself in heavily accented English as "Martine".  I have to ask him several times what he name was because the loudness of the disco sounds were drowning him out.  

"Martine"  asks me if I wanted to dance.  I wasn't buzzed enough so I suggested he dance with "my boyfriend" Pat.  Martine looks a little puzzled but then asks Pat.  I didn't take me too long to realize that Martine was interested in more than dancing.  I wasn't . . . . . with anyone.  Those days are long passed for me Virginia.  Long gone.  I still enjoy good disco music but all the rest?  Sorry folks or as Bugs Bunny says "That's all folks!"  I felt sorry for Martine but who knows, maybe I was the new face.  I bet if he knew I was 73 years old he would have ran out the back door.

But folks, I haven't got to the best part of last night yet.  That first margarita buzzed me.  I had a second.  Then I was ready to dance!  My best "Elaine" (see the hilarious "Seinfeld" episode where Elaine attempts to get everyone out on the dance floor by starting to make "the moves" herself - that's me folks only I do "The Elaine" much better, just ask Pat).

So I'm out on the dance floor, doing my Johnn Travolta"Saturday Night Fever", "Staying Alive" dance steps under the disco ball and flashing colored lights and I FALL!  YES FOLKS, I fell flat on my back!

There was a big "OHHHHH!" from half the dancers on the floor as Martine reached for my hand to pull me up.  Embarrassed?  I was past embarrassed folks.  PAST IT!  But I thought, "Well, at least Pat got it on video."  

But when I got back to Pat where he was leaning on one of the support beams, I found out he wasn't taking my video.  Yes folks, he took some videos but missed the You Tube one of my sprawled out on my back on the disco dance floor with the mirrored disco ball flashing those silver lights on my mortified face and old, OLD body.  What a missed opportunity.

When I got up and was helped back to the side of the dance floor (or "escorted off the dance floor" - after all what's a 73 year old has-been doing on the dance floor?)

To sum up folks, we had a GREAT NIGHT.  Disco, just like the old times I remember.  "Funky Town" and ABBA!  

Pat just came back, time for lunch at a new vegan eatery he just found.  I wonder if we can do more disco before he leave Hollywoodland,

Disco Merry Christmas!

Rain today here in southern Delaware.  Sixty-five degrees and rain…..I'll take it!

My friend Pat is one of 300,000 people in Toronto this morning who don't have power as a result of an ice storm yesterday.  Temps are going down to 13 degrees tonight in Toronto.  Pat….you gotta move to southern Delaware!

Icy Toronto streets - Pat on his way home yesterday

Icy Toronto trees- beautiful but means downed power lines

That said, here is yet another JibJab video that I took the liberty to make (without permission again) with a few of my Bloggerpalooza buddies.  Aren't they great sports though?  Not for me those old fuddy who have NO SENSE OF HUMOR.  Sorry Anne Marie, I know you love disco but this is one for the guys only. Can you spot The Cajun (as usual THE STAR OF THE SHOW), Dr. Spo, Sassy Bear, Superman and Jeffrey.  

Enjoy!

I Got My Mind Made Up

I'm really getting in the mood for the Spotacular! Yesterday I worked just about all day on compiling a playlist for the blogger get together that is going to take place March 23rd in Lewes, Delaware. Dr. Spo and Someone, two of my favorite bloggers are flying to Delaware to meet a gaggle of us East Coast bloggers. The caterer is in place, naughty gifts are wrapped and ready to go, and attitudes are adjusted to a great time. Do join us!

Pulling out my old CD's brings back memories of the Seventies and those wonderful years of my carefree youth (interspersed with my banking job of course).  Oh I did have a good time.  I didn't miss much, that's for sure.  

For all of you who failed to take advantage of those wonderful, years oh I do feel sorry for you.  As for me I took FULL ADVANTAGE.  

I am looking forward to the Blogger-thon later on this month.  I'll relieve some of those wonderful memories and, perhaps create a few new ones.