In life there are times when taking a risk, stepping outside of our comfort zone, doing something different...pays off. Most people would not peg me as the type of girl who would go to a strip club but I did. Last week was a 'Mad's birthday. We didn't really get to celebrate it on the actual day so one night we were talking on Messenger and I made the comment that it was too bad that there were no (good) strip clubs here. (There is one but it has a skanky rep...) Soooo...I said "Hey...why don't we go up to Boise" and he was into it. We were going to try and drag along another friend of ours, but it didn't work out for her to go. Kind of a bummer, but we had a good time nevertheless. It was a small place called Erotic City. Because of the ordinances (not sure if it's state or city) if an establishment serves alcohol the, strippers cannot be completely topless. Erotic City only serves non alcoholic drinks so the girls were topless. That was a big selling point for us. There were 5 dancers. Devon, Lily, Roxie, Issa and Brooke. They all did a great job. It takes ...something...to get up on stage in front of an audience and take your clothes off. Devon was notably more experienced than the others. She had a few neat tricks and she knew how to work the crowd. Issa was new and had a fresh quaility about her. She got singled out by a certain acquaintence of mine (*cough*'Mad*cough*) for a private dance. Lily and Roxie did their thing but didn't really peak my interest. Brooke, however... She made sure that "Miss Independant" will always bring a smile to my face... She had a spunky attitude and she was enjoying herself. 'Mad was kind enough to buy me a private dance (that did last a couple extra songs...*shrug*) I'll spare the details, but sufice it to say...it was memorable. And I think Brooke had fun too. She said she didn't often get to dance for girls and usually when there was a girl involved, she was half of a couple. She did give me a couple of pointers and we chatted, compared tattoos & I marvled at her ability to dance in heels. (------>!!)
'Mad was sure that I was bored because I did spend a lot of time sitting back at our table rather than right up on the rail throwing money at the girls. Truth be told I'm a bit of a voyeur and there is somthing entertaining about watching. The guys who try to casually saunter up and grab a front row seat, the nonchalant way they reach into their pocket and pull out a few dollars, and then place it up on the rail. Then they try to sit back and look impassive all the while eagerly anticipating when the dancer will come over and reward them. It's hard to explain the allure of strip clubs, but it's there. It's not for everyone, but if you have the curiosity, the impluse, the desire to go...then go and enjoy yourself. Appreciate the bodies, the personality, the sensual movement. Get a peek at another side of your friends and youself.
The following post assumes that the reader has read Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. **Contains spoilers...* *
Whew...38 hours later and I'm done. I was pleased. I felt that the story progressed well. Rowling has a talent for keeping you guessing. Things are still uncertain. She resolves some things and introduces new plots. But she managed to surprise me several times and I like that.
PD wrote:
I think Ron and Hermoine need to grow up!!!! Good lord were they annoying!
Actually I think all of them have grown up as they should be. They are 16 (ish) and I think that they behaved just as most 16 year olds would. C'mon...has no one ever felt slighted by the object of their unrequited affections and done something like Hermy did (McLaggen) to try to provoke said object(Ron) into action. Please tell me I'm not the only one who appreciates the tangled love lives. It's not always wine and roses when you're falling in love. A certain amount of drama and tribulation makes the resolution so much more gratifying. The image of a tearful Hermione being comforted by Ron (with no awkwardness whatsoever) at Dumbledore's funeral was striking. And as for Harry and Ginny. I was thrilled that they got together. And the way it happened was well done. I can just see that triumphant kiss in the common room after they won. And honestly...what kind of hero would Harry be if he drug the girl he cares about into the mess he's heading for. My guess is that she will turn up in Book 7 doing something equally important in the fight against evil. She has certainly grown up as well. Talented spellcaster, ace Quidditch player and confident young woman. A perfect compliment to Harry. They'll be reunited in the end is my guess. I think Harry behaved more maturely than in previous books. His thought processes show that he has learned a lot about the way the world works. He's showing more insight than before and all the info he learned about LV will come in handy in the future. He wasn't afraid to ask important questions and he held his temper when needed. It feels like he has focused his anger and is using it.
RJ wrote:
Actually, I think the matter isn't resolved yet. I'm inclined to believe that he was still doing just as Dumbledore had ordered him to...I totally agree... I can't give up on Snape yet. And though this may get me flamed...I find myself feeling more and more sorry for Draco. I have a morbid soft spot in my heart for him. It was so apparent in this book that his M.O. is trying to prove himself and gain the approval of his parents. Like Dumbledore said "Draco, Draco, You are not a killer." There's hope for Draco's redemption yet. As for Snape being the HBP. I think that like the Sorcerer's Stone, the Chamber, the Prisoner, the Goblet and the Order, the HBP was a plot device. There was a lot of debate and specualtion about who it was. I think in the end it didn't really shock me that it was Snape. I think that the info we got about Snape gave him depth and made him more intersting.
SK wrote: It's like throwing a mouse at a cat and hoping the cat chokes because it happens to be a rather large mouse.
RJ wrote:Gee, that sounds like Frodo and Sauron XPAnd hence the magic of Harry Potter. We've debated this before. Harry Potter (orphan)... Frodo (lowly Hobbit)... Rand Al'Thor (foundling shepard)... The Baudelaire's (also orphans)... Luke Skywalker(farm-boy)... and I'm sure there are countless other examples. We have a tendency to root for the underdog. We like to belive. The magic of Fairytales is intoxicating. But when it comes down to it we delight in the triumph of someone who could be us. I think that Rowling has written another wonderful tale. I will be eagerly awating the seventh book. I too could wish for more of Harry Potter's world. But who knows. (Might as well wish for more Wheel of Time after Tarmon Gai'din or more Star Wars) She could go on to create an equally magnificent story that has nothing to do with Harry. But I am thankful for being able to witness Harry's journey from friendless orphan to hero of the Wizarding world. He may not wear a cape and tights but he's gonna be the one to save the day in the end.
And just out of curisoity, am I the only one who read HBP and was seeing the movie in my head.
"Tell me lies, slap me one the face, just...improvise, do something really clever. That'll make me hate your name foreverYou might swear, you'd never touch a ladyWell, let me say, you're not too far from maybeEvery day you find new ways to hurt meBut I can't help it if I'm just a foolAlways having my heart set on you'Till the time you start changing the rulesI'll keep chasing the soles of your shoesAhh, foolGod resigned, from hearing my old storyEvery night, I'm paying hell for gloryI'm embarrassed but I'm much more sorryAll this pain, begins to feel like pleasureWith my tears, you'd make a sea a desertSalt my wounds and I'll keep saying thank youBut I can't help it if I'm just a foolAlways having my heart set on you'Till the time you start changing the rulesI'll keep chasing the soles of your shoesAhh, fool...""Fool" ~ Shakira
In life there are times when taking a risk, stepping outside of our comfort zone, doing something different...pays off. Most people would not peg me as the type of girl who would go to a strip club but I did. Last week was a 'Mad's birthday. We didn't really get to celebrate it on the actual day so one night we were talking on Messenger and I made the comment that it was too bad that there were no (good) strip clubs here. (There is one but it has a skanky rep...) Soooo...I said "Hey...why don't we go up to Boise" and he was into it. We were going to try and drag along another friend of ours, but it didn't work out for her to go. Kind of a bummer, but we had a good time nevertheless. It was a small place called Erotic City. Because of the ordinances (not sure if it's state or city) if an establishment serves alcohol the, strippers cannot be completely topless. Erotic City only serves non alcoholic drinks so the girls were topless. That was a big selling point for us. There were 5 dancers. Devon, Lily, Roxie, Issa and Brooke. They all did a great job. It takes ...something...to get up on stage in front of an audience and take your clothes off. Devon was notably more experienced than the others. She had a few neat tricks and she knew how to work the crowd. Issa was new and had a fresh quaility about her. She got singled out by a certain acquaintence of mine (*cough*'Mad*cough*) for a private dance. Lily and Roxie did their thing but didn't really peak my interest. Brooke, however... She made sure that "Miss Independant" will always bring a smile to my face... She had a spunky attitude and she was enjoying herself. 'Mad was kind enough to buy me a private dance (that did last a couple extra songs...*shrug*) I'll spare the details, but sufice it to say...it was memorable. And I think Brooke had fun too. She said she didn't often get to dance for girls and usually when there was a girl involved, she was half of a couple. She did give me a couple of pointers and we chatted, compared tattoos & I marvled at her ability to dance in heels. (------>!!)
'Mad was sure that I was bored because I did spend a lot of time sitting back at our table rather than right up on the rail throwing money at the girls. Truth be told I'm a bit of a voyeur and there is somthing entertaining about watching. The guys who try to casually saunter up and grab a front row seat, the nonchalant way they reach into their pocket and pull out a few dollars, and then place it up on the rail. Then they try to sit back and look impassive all the while eagerly anticipating when the dancer will come over and reward them. It's hard to explain the allure of strip clubs, but it's there. It's not for everyone, but if you have the curiosity, the impluse, the desire to go...then go and enjoy yourself. Appreciate the bodies, the personality, the sensual movement. Get a peek at another side of your friends and youself.
