Memphis in May
This past weekend I went with a group of superfun chicks to the Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis. T’was fun (until I freaked out Saturday evening). It was a trip filled with “firsts”. Here’s the run down…
The first night of the festival was rainy in a big, bad way. Despite rain gear, the chicks and I were soaked to the bone. It was the first time I ever stood in the pouring rain waiting for a band to start their set.
That night was also the first time I’ve ever been in a port-a-potty while it was rocking. (No clue why it started rocking a bit. I don’t remember the winds being that strong. But you know what they say, “if the port-a-potty is a’rocking — get the hell out of there as fast as you can.”)
On a yummy note, after the festival Friday, Jess (see this story and this one about her kids) and I went to an eatery across from the Peabody Hotel. Crawfish macaroni. Never had that before. Mmmmm. Tas-tay!
Saturday also brought a myriad of new experiences - like my first temporary tattoo and my first visit to BB King’s. It was in this packed bar some guy kept pestering me to leave the bar and go back to his hotel room – while another man kept humping my leg. THAT was definitely a first for me. (Both men were sloppy drunk. “Humpty” was dancing.) I didn’t know the “mom who looks like she’s on her way to the grocery store” look was so tantalizing! (Make a mental note ladies!) Who knew that if you want to find yourself a little unwanted attention, all you have to do is put on a $15 pair of capri’s from Kohl’s, a 6-year-old jacket and your wedding ring. Oh and when they talk to you, you should probably be polite. Apparently, to a grossly liquored up man? Politeness = flirting.
At one point, I went out to the back patio to escape and to get a bit of quiet. (An employee said I could go back there. Apparently other employees disagreed.) This was the first time, I’ve ever had two angry women scream at me simultaneously. It was also the first time someone has called me a “stupid white bitch” (in my presence).
So I went back to the bar area only to see Humpty and The Pest looking for me. (It got to a point where any time I’d talked to someone else, they’d shoo the other person away and continue to pester and hump.) I was relieved to see dear friend Dana. This was the first time I’ve ever started crying in a bar. (Should I mention I was very sober during this whole ordeal?) I felt trapped and creeped out. So she and I went outside and talked. (Humpty came following but at least he backed off when he saw I was upset.) It started to feel like a horrible experience I went through with a date many years ago. (The guy I’m referring to also did THIS.) The “fight or flight” reaction kicked in. After that, I couldn’t relax.
That brings me to another first… The first time I ever left a trip early. Dear friend Chris had to get home on Sunday. So I cut my trip short. The chicks I was with were very cool about me leaving early. And once home, I spent the rest of Sunday laying around, watching bad movies and gorging on chocolate from this place. And that night, dear friend Sarah sent me pics of all of the cool stuff she and the rest of the chicks were doing. That was very sweet, yes?
All in all, a few weird experiences but the wild wimmins I was with (these chicks plus another named Tina) are super fun. We all look out for each other. We all support each other. We have a blast when we get together. And being with chickies like that? Outweighs any bad.
Thanks to the blogger who loves Johnny Depp more than any woman on the face of the earth can — Mrs. G. She asked about the trip and then we talked about what I should blog about.
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Midwestern Mommy » Beer goggles and dark lighting — June 5, 2008 @ 6:20 am
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By flutter, May 7, 2008 @ 5:15 am
it really sounds like fun!
By Susan, May 7, 2008 @ 2:54 pm
Ooh, I would have cried too if I had that happen to me! Thank goodness your friend came to the rescue AND Humpty had the sense to finally see that he needed to back off. All in all, I’m glad you had a good weekend getaway with your friends. I keep telling myself I need to do that sans kid and husband. I just can’t seem to pull it off.
By Sugared Harpy, May 7, 2008 @ 4:46 pm
I love Memphis! The boyfriend and I have gone twice in the past year. Food is sooo good, Beale street is the best people watching, and oh yes, the foooooooooooooood.
Also, we could navigate around easily and it’s just a four hour drive from here.
I’m glad you had a great time
By becky, May 7, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
omg i love memphis and beale street! yay that you went!
By Dana, May 7, 2008 @ 6:59 pm
I adore Memphis and love the Memphis in May festival. The food, the beer.
When we go we always had a problem with hippies. I mean dirty hippies with mud on their feet and kids without any shoes or shirts. They where EVERYWHERE. The only thing separating them from the homeless are those gas-guzzling VW vans they all rode in and the Joni Mitchell CDs they played.
By Denny, May 8, 2008 @ 4:05 pm
Actually I was at the Memphis in May festival too….tho I didn’t see you :-). Also was at BB King’s..I love that place but it can be hell for a woman I guess. It was the best vacation I ever had….we preceded the festival by hiking the Smokies and hanging in Nashville. That may be the place for you to go as far as dancing and live music goes…1st off the music is free and secondly it is a much more fun place to be and much friendlier. The band pulled my wife on the stage while they were singing Red Neck Woman…ironic since she is a Jew from Jersey. It’s not just country music at these bars…..a fun time.
I am just sorry Memphis was so bad for you. We waited for Sheryl Crow in the rain til we started getting all pruny and decided to leave
By Zookeeper, May 8, 2008 @ 7:22 pm
A getaway is a getaway…and they are usually well worth it, even if they do get cut short. It sounds like you were with a great group of ladies, and that’s always fun. Glad you got to go!!
By Tori, May 8, 2008 @ 7:49 pm
Hey you…
Sometimes those weekends away end up exhausting and you wonder why you bothered. I mean I know there were fab firsts for you, but the rude bar women and the humping!!! Poor you! Anyway, I’ll tell you why they were oggling you Mamma….it’s coz you are HOT!
Oh yes you are…
By Carrie, May 8, 2008 @ 11:50 pm
Sounds like a fun time Lisa! Even with all the drama - you survived and got to hang with the ladies! Yay!
ps. I got a new computer! Now I can come see you all the time!
By quinn, May 9, 2008 @ 3:13 am
I’ve never been to Memphis. Now I don’t know if I want to
Glad you all were there to take care of each other, sounds like a great group of women!
By Kathy, May 9, 2008 @ 11:05 pm
Lisa,
Next time an overintoxicated jerk starts hitting on you simply say, “Excuse me I have to throw up, barf, upchuck, etc..”
They turn and run away and won’t come back. It has always worked for me. After all, who wants to kiss(or hump) a chick who has just vomited.
By Lisa, May 10, 2008 @ 12:00 am
Most of that had me falling off my chair, shrieking with laughter. You be one hot mama in those mom clothes…you stupid white bitch. =)
(I would have ran away crying myself).