Day 19: karaoke

Ok. So. Here we go. 

Today kind of started at diner last night. I ate in the restaurant at my hotel last night and there was a large group next to me that were celebrating a birthday. They were all my age and a little younger. When they got up to leave I wished the birthday girl a happy birthday and she turned to me, quite hammered already, and said “OMG YOU NEED TO COME TO KARAOKE WITH US!!” And then her team of gay guy friends absolutely lost their minds. I was bombarded with questions and comments and pleads to join them. They told me the name of the place and left just as chaotically as they came in. 

I thought it over for a few and then decided that the universe was serving me up a test. I say things like “embrace the unexpected“ but am I willing to live it? So I hopped on the bike and rode down to the karaoke place they told me about. Which, as it turns out, is a gay bar. What followed can only be described as…..the most memorable night I’ve had in a very very long time. Everyone was just flabbergasted at the idea that I rode a motorcycle from Idaho and that I’m married and have kids. I’ve never been told how hot I am in one evening. Apparently even my name is hot? And my motorcycle. And my sweatshirt. It was hilarious. The level of love and acceptance in that building was just great. I sang songs with strangers and made so many new friends. I don’t drink so I’ve got a lot of experience being around drunk people and still having a good time. I didn’t get back to my hotel until 2:30. Talk about embracing the unexpected….that was unexpected. I’ll remember that one for the rest of my life. I even picked up some stickers today to celebrate my new friends.

But my late night meant I had to sleep in so I didn’t get a whole lot else done. That’s ok. It was a day off. I did walk around downtown and stopped at the town square to watch a small demonstration celebrating pacific islander culture. It was really neat. Here’s the only other picture I’ve taken in the last 24 hours.