Last night I threw off the shackles of boredom and did a bunch of things that were totally out of character for me: I ate a steak at 10pm, I did something technically foolish, and I willingly paid a cover to go to a bar at midnight.
Most of the gang had gone to a fringe show on Granville Island, and while I wasn’t really feeling up to that (plus a play is just a live movie, and we all know how I feel about movies), I was still bored out of my ass and leapt at the chance to join them afterwards at the Keg. I hopped on my scooter just after 9pm and made my way there before their meals were served. I hadn’t planned on eating, but the smell of meat soon overwhelmed me and I found myself ordering a steak. It was almost 10 by the time it arrived, but I wolfed it down anyways – I was evidently hungry, and it was very tasty. We sat around for a while talking, then spilled out into the glorious night.
It was overcast but extremely warm outside, and I was just itching to take some pictures. Being on Granville Island at 11pm is something I’ve never done before and wouldn’t really have any reason to suggest to Ed, so I took advantage of my singlehood by (in addition to flirting with boys via SMS) deciding that I would stay outside and Do Things. The group split up at this point – Tanya went home, Reilly and Miranda dropped a still scooterless Shan off somewhere then turned in for the evening, while Josh, Darren and I stood around thinking of things to do. Normally Josh would be up for picture taking, but he didn’t actually have his camera on him – I was alone for this one. The boys needed more beer, so Darren took a cab home while Josh followed him on the Ruckus and a plan was made – we were to meet up at the Railway Club downtown.
In the meantime though, I was on my own on this gorgeous night with no plans and no one to answer to. On my way out the door I grabbed my tripod at the last second to act as a weapon should I need to beat someone’s head in – but since I was here, I might as well take some photos. I’m sure this isn’t the safest thing I could have done, but I spent close to an hour and a half walking around the bowels of Granville Island by myself in the dark, taking pictures. It was eerie and deserted and beautiful. I loved it. It’s not really something I could do under normal circumstances, because Ed and I seem to act as a mutual wet blanket sometimes – I can’t really explain it, but had Ed been home chances are highly likely we would have passed on one or all parts of last night – the Keg, picture taking, and the bar. I certainly wouldn’t have been on my own to wander around, and I wouldn’t have wanted Ed to have to accompany me just for the sake of my not being jumped and stabbed under the crane – being single for the night was the only way this could have been successfully pulled off and I chose to make the most of it.
Just after midnight, I started to be a little spooked by my own lack of common sense and I packed things up. I was still supposed to meet Josh and Darren at the bar, but was going to skip it until I scooted downtown – it was still really nice out, I didn’t have anything better to do, and hey – let’s go to the bar. I parked Oscar across the street from the Railway Club, paid the $10 cover to get in, and stood around looking absolutely shell shocked until Josh came to find me. I don’t do bars, you see, and being in a large place packed with sweaty drunk strangers kind of freaked me out. Luckily J and D were in a relatively people-free corner, so we sat and they drank and there were pirates and punk rockers and old people and it was a good time. Darts were played, sort of, and I ruined everything for everyone by getting a bull’s eye somehow.
Around 2am I decided it would be best if I were getting home, so I waved goodbye and hopped on Oscar. The boys were still going strong – I think they ended up at another bar, and there were shenanigans – but I was home by 2:15, in bed by 3, and lights out at 4. Sure, I didn’t get much sleep what with the four cats fighting on top of me and alternating who got to drool in my face for love, but I’m still content.
It’s a rainy horrible Saturday, but I have nowhere I need to be, a cupboard full of Diet Coke, a cat eating my pizza pop remains off my plate, and a kitten sleeping on my shoulder. It is good. There are plans for tomorrow that will keep me distracted from the whole “anniversary minus the husband” thing, I still have a lot of Diet Coke, I’m feeling much better, and I got some great pictures last night. I like being me.
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