Why I'm Not Cool

Urban Melissa's Boyfriend met me last night an hour before Musician's band was scheduled to play and introduced me to some of the denizens of Chicago's music scene. The Musician came in, at some point I called out to her---the jukebox was blaring and she didn't hear me---and UMB said,

"Dude, it's too early, don't. Trust me---I know the scene."

He had me there. The simple truth is, I'm not cool. I'm fit, reasonably attractive and intelligent enough to carry on an adult conversation but.....not cool.

I can portray cool. I'm almost 39 years old and I've learned over the years how to affect a certain nonchalance that's passable for most of the evening but in the end, The Truth Will Out: the nervous 13-year-old with thick glasses and braces emerges, usually at the wrong moment.

I nodded coolly (another affectation) at UMB and ordered another beer. A while later, I felt a tap on my shoulder and The Musician greeted me with a big hug and a smile.

"David, thanks for coming! I'm sorry, I forgot to put you on the list---I've had sooo much going on."

We talked neighborhood/scene talk for a bit---a representative from her label was there and she was rather flushed. After a bit, she excused herself and made the rounds of the room. At one point, I said, "Hey, Stevie Nicks, lay off the beer....you're on soon." She laughed.

An hour after they were scheduled to play, they finally took the stage. Their music was......intellectual. They are all excellent musicians and I could appreciate what they were doing, but it was not a performance for a general public. The room, I quickly gathered, was packed with other musicians. The sound was missing something----swing, emotion....feeling.

After the last note sounded, I approached The Musican and shook her hand.

"Thanks for inviting me, I enjoyed your show. Have a good evening."

I would be up for seeing her again, but she'll have to show a bit more interest. She has my email address, so she can contact me if she wishes. Otherwise, the situation with The Musician will die on the vine.

Hey, maybe I'm cooler than I thought....