A Different Life, That Nightlife

 

"It's funny how the music puts the times in perspective, add a soundtrack to your life and perfect it." The Japanese DJ Nujabes from Luv(sic.) pt 3 or the extended version with the sampled Rod Mckuen introduction from In Search of Eros (1963). 

 

In Search of Eros, Rod Mckuen

How anyone ever thought that Mckuen was straight, I cannot understand. Sure he lied about dating women, having children in Europe and called his longtime lover his brother, but that cover art should have given him away. Mckuen is mentioned in my novel Shadow's Gravity during a winter's night conversation between Everett and me in Louisville.

Me at WETbar left, Halo on  right. Photos 2006.

I swear I first heard this song in Halo Lounge in the basement of the Biltmore way back in the mid 2000s when it was a gay/mixed crowd and it was cool and the crowd pretty. Also, RIP WETbar from those days. A different life, that nightlife.

 

Blurry nights. WETbar's upstairs patio had the best view. Photo by me, 2006.

WETbar. Photo by me, 2008.

 

WETbar. Photo by me, 2008.

A different life that nightlife, but were those years lived by a different me? I would never disavow those years.  So many names lost to time, but the faces are all there to be summoned with closed eyes. I enjoyed it then with no regrets and when the lights went up for the final time I was glad it was over. Damn the person who reminded of that Nujabes song and making me miss those years.

"With the whole city fast asleep, out cold
True words seem to rise to the lips, take hold..."