July 19th, 1996

July 19th, 1996 retro journal entry

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

July 19, 1996. I'd taken a job that summer laying asphalt, and we were working a minimum of six days every week. It was labor intensive and the days were long. I still found time to party with my friends and hang out with Rachel, but I had far less time to get out and do things the way I had in previous summers. In addition, the combination of working with asphalt in the unforgiving summer sun drained me, which left little energy to do anything that didn't allow me to just sit or recline. I made an exception, however, for a Wid album release party. Wid had already played several shows that summer, but as I was still a year out from being twenty one, I couldn't attend the ones in bars and clubs. Some of my friends had fake IDs, but I wasn't interested in going that route. It gave me an excuse to protect my downtime and recoup on rare days off. Wid's new album was called Sixty Four Screens, and they were debuting it at the family center and Tuttle where I'd seen them previously. Rachel had no interest in going, and neither did Pedro's girlfriend, so he and I went with a couple people from our friend group. It was packed, but it didn't take long for Gabby and I to spot each other. Simultaneously our eyes met, and she began waving from halfway across the room. After pointing her out to Pedro, I leaned in and shouted that I'd be back. Once I got to her, she opened her mouth excitedly and threw her arms around my neck. What's up? she yelled. Not much, I replied. You excited? Gabby leaned back and looked around the room. Oh yeah, I nodded vigorously. I can't wait to hear this album. Me either, she smiled. I heard it's hip hop. It's what? I looked at her funny. Hip hop, she yelled louder, fighting to be heard over the buzz of the crowd. The new Wit album? I sought clarification. Sixty four screens? Yeah, Gabby nodded emphatically. I could be wrong, but that's what I heard. I tried to process what she was saying. Wid was well known for their ability to replicate any sound or genre, and even had a couple songs that could have been considered hip hop, but as a rule their music didn't sound anything like it. Still, it was typical for them to do something out of left field like that. That's crazy, I uttered. Now I'm really intrigued. At that moment I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Pedro standing behind me. What's the BR? he asked. Gabby looked at him puzzled for a few moments before it finally registered. I haven't been tonight, she replied. But based on past experiences here, I would give it a BR of seven. Maybe seven point five. Wow, he said. This place is high class. Comparatively, she interjected. Comparatively, Pedro said snootily. Of course. Gabby laughed. Are we doing the ritual tonight? She took a more serious tone, glancing between us. Oh no, Petro shook his head. No way. Come on, she insisted. It'll be fun. Maybe if someone slips me something, he stated. That's about the only way. Are you telling me to spike your drink? She asked. No. Well, maybe. Petro's face became curious. What are we talking about? What do you like? Gabby inquired. Petra thought about it for a moment. Surprise me, he eventually replied. Just kidding. I'm good. Gabby made a disappointed face and then turned to me. I wanted to reject her invitation, but couldn't. Are we just freestyling or coming up with a routine? I asked. Yes, she exclaimed. That's the spirit. I don't care. You pick. Maybe freestyle this time, I said after thinking about it for a few moments. If I'm not too embarrassed to attend another wid show afterwards, maybe we can incorporate something next time. Embarrassed? At a wid show? Gabby scowled. Isn't that why people come to wid shows? That's true, I agreed. If you're here, you're probably already being judged. Gabby laughed, causing her earrings to jingle slightly. Hey, were you wearing those the night I was having a bad trip? I nodded in their direction. What? Gabby reached first to her hair and then the earrings. Filling them with her fingers, she remembered which one she had on. I'm not sure, she replied. I leaned in to get a better look and immediately recognized the colors. It was the shades of green and purple I'd found myself getting lost in as my head lay on her lap. The earrings themselves were in the shape of a green camel, and upon closer inspection there appeared to be a purplish flower in the middle of them. Yes, I exclaimed. I was getting lost in them before Petro showed up. The green was morphing and then a purple flower was blooming. That actually sounds awesome, Gabby said, rubbing the bottom of the camel's legs between her fingers. Is it a camel? I asked. Gabby smiled and nodded. I was about to ask her why she had camel earrings when Petro spoke up. Hey, I'm gonna go grab a smoke, he took a step away from us. You guys coming? Sure, Gabby replied. Where's Crane? I looked around the immediate area as we started walking. Oh, he didn't feel like coming tonight, she stuck her lower lip out. Is he Crane because of his name or his build? I asked. His name, she answered and then paused. I think. I don't know. That's a good question. Maybe both. I wanted to ask if they were an item, but felt like if I did it would change the nature of our interaction. Like I'd be making her uncomfortable or forcing us to define parameters. Did you come alone? I further queried. Gabby nodded. Once outside, Pedro asked if we wanted to smoke a bowl first and we did. Then, after a cigarette, we headed back into the family center. A little while later, after grabbing our copies of the new album, we found our place in the crowd ahead of Wood's set. The band members didn't conduct a signing or interact with those of us in attendance outside of their stage show, but it didn't surprise anyone. They consistently maintained a level of detachment. Almost as if we weren't there, or were just extras in their theatrical production. Once they came out, it was obvious right away that Gabby had heard right. Their new music had a strong hip hop sound. It was an intriguing blend of genre defining characteristics coupled with their consistent brand of sensationalism and whimsical lyrics. It was enthralling and I marveled at Wood's ability to seamlessly keep their music evolving and fresh. I was so engaged that I forgot I told Gabby I'd do the ritual with her. That is, until the lights went out and the first drumbeat hit. Gabby instantly turned to me with an excited then inviting look on her face, and I suddenly knew what had been sitting in my subconscious. I was in love. Beckoning me with her head, Gabby began squeezing her way through the crowd and I followed. By the time we got to the open space in front of the band, there were already roughly a dozen other people. Gabby settled into the beat with a relaxed motion and began vacillating between getting lost in the rhythm with closed eyes and occasionally checking to see if I had joined her yet. Unsure what to do, I began mimicking her movements. After a full minute or two, Lyd began incorporating a beat that reflected the nature of their new album. It was the same general drum solo that they used every time for the ritual, but there were now various hip-hop elements to it. This caused Gabby to become a little more intentional in her dance, and I tried to adjust. Eventually the laughing lady emerged and pointed at someone in the crowd. The manager came out, verified the selection, and then promptly left again. Gabby frowned to express her dismay at not being selected, and then quickly began clapping to reflect her excitement over my participation. We made our way back to the area where we'd left Petro, and upon realizing he was no longer there, shrugged our shoulders and watched the rest of the wid show together. When it was over, Gabby grabbed the back of my shirt so we didn't get separated on the way out. It didn't take long once we exited the building to spot Petro, who was with the other people we'd come with. As they were all ready to leave, I was deprived of the opportunity to spend any time conversing with Gabby or ask what show she might attend next. We thanked each other for taking part in the ritual, and then she disappeared into the stream of people trickling out of the venue.