0 People have been here:

Description:




My friends Corrine and Tague and I made a road trip down to Iowa City to see a band...can't remember which one. Probably the local band from Cedar Falls whose name I can't remember.

Anyhow, this band from NY called Industrial Teepee opened. Their songs had a lot of lyrics, which is something that I have always liked in a song. You know, lots and lots of words, hardly any repetition, long storied verses...

So, I went up and talked to the guys in the band when they were finished and then we all had a beer with them (We were 17). Then they invited us to go to a house party with them, which we did.

It was so exciting being at this house party, which was in a big old house where one of the other bands lived. I'd never been at a party like that before. I think it might have been my first grown-up party where I was playing the role of one of the grown ups. I had a beer and the band's lead singer sat with me in a stairway whispering ee cummings poems he had learned by heart into my ear.

I think that's one of the hottest things anyone has ever done to seduce me. It was probably just a regular piece of the young man's repertoire, but...well...good piece.

We had been talking about books and poems for a couple hours. He went out to the van and brought back a book of Roethke poems, which he gave to me. Men used to always give me books. It's a good thing to give if you want to be remembered. Every time I see that book, I think of this night, even if it's only in passing.

After the party, Corrine and Tague and I went back to the motel with the singer and the bass player. They sang Tom Waits songs for a long time, accompanied by acoustic guitars. This is how I discovered Tom Waits.

Then of course came the making out. Poor Tague was left out. He watched an old 30s horror movie on the TV while we smooched. When I told my new friend that I was still a virgin, he said, "That's great," like he was trying to mean it. I don't remember if I also told him I was 17. I think that part of the reason I remained a virgin for so long (I was almost 19 before I got rid of that pesky virginity) was because I kept telling people about it. That and the fact that I have excellent taste in men and am generally attracted to a decent type of fellow.

When we got back home, I went to the mall and bought "Frank's Wild Years" on cassette.

Photos:

Maps:

♪ These are the Songs of my Life

Tags:

shows , poetry , teens , fun , party , wild , bands , adventure , road trip , making out , teenagers , iowa city , motel , gabes , seduction , gabes oasis , corrine , tague , tom waits , industrial teepee , acting up , smooching , mp3 , sad music