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Pineapple Pole Dancing
Posted by Raven on August 23rd, 2006
The Crown Pub in Belfast is an awesome place. The woodwork- walls, ceilings and floors, posts and much of it’s furnishings came from old ocean liners. As did the stained glass and other fixtures. Most of the artwork isn’t the real thing, rather, reproductions. The last time I went to Belfast I only went into the Crown for a quick look, not to actually sit down and drink. I remember being in awe of all the historic fittings in this place.
One of more adventurous experiences I had in Belfast was at the Crown. We had been drinking a lot and the music was blaring. Everyone was in high spirits, to say it politely (we were TRASHED). On a dare, I got up onto a barstool and tried to dance in one spot- step dance. That didn’t work as the stool kept moving and I fell off it a few times. So I jumped onto the bar itself and danced there- knocking over glasses and ashtrays and slipping on the wet napkins left behind. A couple other women got up there with me and together we pretended to pole dance- on a pole with pineapple wood carvings. Imagine how THAT felt. Being as drunk as we were, not a one of us noticed the scratches and cuts we promptly inflicted upon ourselves. Pineapple poles just don’t work for this.
The music picked up and everyone pulled us down from the bar; everyone held hands and together, we all did the round-a-bout dance…several rounds before someone ahead (or behind, depending upon how you look at it)- got dizzy and fell backwards. Like a group of dominoes, we all fell in order right after. Drinks went everywhere. The laughter grew. The fun had begun.
I love to be with people who know how to have fun and be respectful at the same time. It is possible. I also prefer being with folks who are not stuck up and snooty and worried about their manners and appearance. Several years ago when I traveled to Ireland with these same people, I decided I would go anywhere with them. Down to earth and real. The group of people I was with is a diverse group- we have ship captains, ship doctors, engineers, builders, iron workers, book authors, Presidents of famous ship building yards…and people like me, history buffs who just want to KNOW and SEE all things ocean liner!
Some of them are millionaires. One would never know it though, because they leave that behind when we’re all together. I asked a book author who was among us,(a multi millionaire) WHY, why hang out with the third class? His reponse grounded me: Because he can’t have any real fun when he is living the rich life. He has to always be on his best behavior; he cannot offend anyone. He cannot eat and drink anything he wants. But most of all, he told me, he likes being with regular people because he doesn’t have to worry about his money being the object of all his attention. Far too often, his “friends” are really only the friends of his bank account, not him. Far too often, women- young and old alike, drift to his side in hopes of getting a cash handout for special favors. He told me he can burp and fart and laugh and fall over and joke about, without the displeasing fingerpointing he usually gets from his first classmates. It was a very educational conversation. We talked for hours. He asked me all sorts of questions- about my life and how I manage to survive on the little income I make. He was utterly shocked that I go to Wal Mart, LOL. And he was impressed with my love of nursing…the one job he stated he could never do. I never had someone ask so many questions about my patients and the ins and outs of my work. He could be a nurse now, he got so much info from me.
Time and time again in my life, I meet people who are filthy rich and yet, extremely unhappy with their lives. It’s strange. People like me dream of being rich, of having all the money in the world to do all those things we so want to do. People like me, who just want to pay their rent and have enough cash left over for food…I used to mock all the rich people. Most still deserve that. But there are a few who would live in my shoes just to appreciate what they have more…and to see, firsthand, that people like me do have more fun because we don’t let our poor points get in the way of life. People are all different. Those who will get up and dance on a pineapple pole with the likes of me are worthy of my respect.
August 23rd, 2006 at 10:30 pm
Good times, huh? You deserved it.
August 24th, 2006 at 4:04 am
Yeah…it was a good time, abit embarrassing but good. I”m glad I went for as long as I did.
I have a few stories to write about my time in Ireland…will do so as time allows.
August 24th, 2006 at 9:25 am
Sometimes the embarrassing moments I have at parties are great memories later on. LOL.
August 24th, 2006 at 12:21 pm
What? No pictures?
August 24th, 2006 at 1:13 pm
Here we go again. I guess I need to add one more site to leave my stupid bullshit comments on. lol
Have fun Raven.
August 24th, 2006 at 3:18 pm
Ogre, I have pictures of the bar– YOU would love it with all the old wood…and glass.
I don’t think there’s a pic of me; there are a few with my group though. Heh.
August 24th, 2006 at 3:20 pm
Tomslick!! I knew I could count on you to come by. Thank you for adding this site to your ever growing roll my friend.
Stupid bullshit comments? Who? you?? No. Not at all. I almost always laugh my tail end off after reading them.
August 24th, 2006 at 3:22 pm
AOW, you are right. When I’m not TOO drunk to not be able to remember things- these are the best moments I can ever hope for- doing the stupid things.
I like to watch other people do this stuff too.
Makes me tear up I get to laughing so hard.