It feels a bit like, for the past few months, life in Orlando has been undergoing a death-by-a-thousand-paper-cuts kind of slow decline — lots of little things that have made me wonder if, one day, we'll look back and say, "that's when the party started winding down." Not that any or all of these are on par with each other — some are far more important than others — but in my stream-of-conciousness writing today, I present to you what I'm seeing.
In and about town, there was a shift in the going-out scene. Lava closed. Dennis, the long-time bar manager (and our favorite bartender) at the Moon left to focus on his restaurant business. A new favorite bartender at Savoy left (though he did surface at PH shortly after.) A bartender got shot at while closing
In a time when we're being told how great it will be to live downtown, one day, we held a Chorus concert downtown and had to hire off-duty police to make our patrons feel safe. Even so, we suffered a bullhorn-bearing religious-wrong group of protesters. And just a few hours after we broke the set and went home, there were gunshots fired in a parking garage the next block over from the concert space — and the next night the police did a sweep and confiscated drugs and guns, including semi-automatics. Remind me again why the incredible new performing arts venue that's being built will do swimmingly with inadequate parking nearby, because patrons will be fine with walking a half mile through the downtown nightlife?
On the personal scene, I had four friends move away (to Washington, California and Texas). Spider first suffered a major health situation, and then had to close his blog. (Glad to see him writing again!) April wrapped with this, just in, which left me absolutely speechless.
That's not to say I'd like personally to erase the last two months or anything. It is the time, for example, when we got to meet Lewis in person. Heck, it's when I met a bunch of the other bloggers for the first time, too. It is the time when Orlando's AIDS Walk finally got some of the traction it deserves. Good exists, and perseveres. People connect in new ways even as old connections bend, twist or break. I just find myself cautiously wondering if we've been having a boil-the-frog, coal-mine canary kind of spring.
From HBO's Sex and the City:
ReplyDelete"Maybe our mistakes are what make our fate. Without them, what would shape our lives? Perhaps if we never veered off course, we wouldn't fall in love, or have babies, or be who we are. After all, seasons change. So do cities. People come into your life and people go. But it's comforting to know that the ones you Love are Always in your Heart...........and if you're very lucky, just a plane ride away"
So, when are you boys moving to Portland? You know, you're always welcome. Bring your umbrellas.
ReplyDeleteWho knew you were such a party animal?
ReplyDeleteThings will always change, hon. Maybe the next gay bar to open int he area will be better than all the others. Crime will always be present. People will always move elsewhere. You have to roll with the punches and look at the positive stuff. Big hug from me.
ReplyDeleteJorge -- you're 2 plane rides away in less than a week!
ReplyDeleteLewis -- Are you kidding? People laugh at how many umbrellas I have. (One in the car, one in the office, one in the computer bag, one in the GYM bag ... .) Well, they laugh until it starts raining. Though 'round here, one always has to decide whether it's worse to be soaked by the rain, or be walking around outside carrying a large lightening rod.
Mike -- Well, while I do probably go out more often than is becoming at my age, I couldn't tell you the last time I visited Lava or Studz. Between them, I might have made 5 visits.
And CB, Thanks -- I didn't mean to sound quite like such a downer. :)
I have noticed a big change over the last year - hense not going out as frequently. PI has been dying for quite some time, The "P" will never change, and all the other bars -- well, most come and go.
ReplyDeleteAnd then their is the transient feeling of this town. It's very difficult to meet people of quality (like yourself). Most have more issues than National Geographic or more drama than All My Children.
I, for one, am thankful for the friends I have and the people who have come into my life.
Thanks for the post!!
Though I can't speak for Orlando, I've noticed similar feelings of impending doom, like things are okay now, but it seems there's something looming on the horizon.
ReplyDeleteLike everyone else says, we just need to keep on moving forward and stay focused on the positive, and fix any problems we can along the way. Bars with bad management and people moving away aren't things we can change.