Sunday, November 2, 2008

The First Time I Heard Explosions In The Sky

Laying on the floor, "What is this?" I said, with eyes closed.
"Explosions in The Sky."
I lit another cigarette.
The music was mildly nostalgic and eerie. Sounded like a marching band trying to break its way out of purgatory by playing with as much emotion as possible.
There were about a dozen people lying in that room, most of which I had never met. I personally had taken about 5 hits from the bowl and I had a high tolerance. The other people must have been flying.
The lights were off and the glow in the dark stars were out. Everyone was quietly in their own heads probably feeling the music more than me. It was because of my immunity, that I actually remember this experience enough to write it down.
I remember watching this kid, who I hear is now dead, try to hide his own little private bowl, alone, in the middle of the bed.
I probably would have done the same but I had recently quit smoking pot.
I lit another cigarette.
I got bored of the trance and went down stairs. The mood quickly went from very high to very drunk.
After a couple beers, I was standing in the kitchen trying to talk to Jon, I noticed Scotty on the patio sharing a private bowl with a friend.
I sat with Scotty and his friend trying to be amiable, making small talk for a little while. Scotty wasn't in a charitable mood.
I went back inside to the party. I lit up a cigarette and once again, everyone yelled at me for ashing into the carpet.
By now these 2 middle aged men that had been sitting next door in the drive way came in to hit on the younger women.
I left the kitchen and went outside to call Matt.
"When are you coming?"
"I'll be there, I'll be there."
I lit another cigarette and just sat there alone.

The night ends with Peter finding me and telling me to got to sleep on the couch in the study. I laid there a while unable to fall asleep even though now there was no more music.
Some one slid open the door.
The sliding door closed loudly and then opened again.
All I had to do was open my eyes.

3 comments:

  1. Damn, this is really cool and full of gooey angst. You really get a the emotion of being surrounded by people at a party but still feeling alone. Also, I'm going to re-read this post while listening to explosions in the sky and I bet it will be even better.

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  2. I think this a marvelous piece of Hemmingway-esque writing. Also I like the part about Matt saying "I'm coming over" and then turning out to be his reliable self

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  3. Thanks! All of it's true except for maybe the fact that he answered the phone at all.

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