Corrie's Birthday

About 7 or 8 years ago I picked up a couple of shirts for Greg and I. They've lived in our closets since. They were purchased at a "clubbing" sort of store that used to be at the King of Prussia mall, Bang Bang. I remember they were really cheap, a few bucks each, so I think I got them as a joke. At least that is my story now. Both are sleeveless and made of a slick, synthetic material. Greg's still has a collar though, so it's suitable for work and play. It has multicolor vertical stripes and a half zip. Mine is white, save for a shiny silver that is supposed to look like rhinestones outlining a cowboy hat, with the words "disco cowboy". Somehow we'd not yet had an occassion for them.

We've threatened to wear them before, and were called on it this weekend. Corrie's Birthday was on a Monday, so she planned a weekend of festivity. We started slow enough, with a happy hour at Spamps in Conshocken on Friday. Lots of her friends made it out and Kimmy brought some delicious homemade cupcakes. (I love those cupcakes like McAdams loves Gossling!) After an hour or two of finishing up our last drinks, we migrated to the Boathouse. After some more food and drinks, Greg and I took off.

Saturday we got up early enough to pack and get to 30th street station to meet Corrie and Heidi. We switched trains in Trenton, riding Amtrak to Penn Station from there. We checked in late afternoon. Heidi tried to use her platinum Marriott status for a room upgrade, but the hotel was booked for the night. Instead we were allowed one item from their market. Greg took a green tea beverage, offering us a sip. We settled in to primp. Greg and I were already ready, so we had extra time for Redbull and Vodka courtesy of Heidi. And music courtesy of Corrie's iPod. We left at the planned time and shared an elevator ride with two older women jealous of our drag cabaret dinner plans. The walk and subway ride took longer than expected. We were meetig Courtney and Tori at Lucky Cheng's, but they beat us by a lot. We didn't miss much at least, and still had a table right by the stage. How lucky that would turn out for us...

We started with scandalously named cocktails and made our selections for the family style dinner. The show began soon after our appetizers arrived. The hostess introduced people there for events - a few bachelorette parties and some birthdays. One of the birthdays in the back was for a 7 year old girl. It's cool to be open-minded and all, but I can't imagine that was the child's first choice, or that she really needed to hear the language being used. I think the drag queens felt bad too. One of them got on a mic and berated the parents. They probably felt a little awkward being so vulgar in front of the girl and her younger brother.

The show wasn't what I pictured for cabaret - big dance numbers with lots of queens in elaborate costumes. Their stages were small, and a single girl would go at a time. And they were very interactive. The first girl up pulled Greg on stage. By the time I found his camera and was ready for a photo, she sent him off and yanked me up instead. I think our sexy shirts made us targets. Though she pulled off mine impressively quick and tossed it back to our table. She danced near, speaking directions in my ear. With little warning she jumped into my arms and what could be do but twirl? There is video of our routine, but I won't be posting that. Afterward the hostess mad a comment about how blindingly white I was. The story of my life... And this was with my "tan" from having just spent a week in 90+ degree temperatures in a Mexican desert.

The next queen up had the largest legs I think I've ever seen in person. After a dance, it was time for a contest. Heidi was picked from our table, along with three others. It was a lapdance contest. There is video of this too, but I'm pretty sure I am not supposed to post that either. By audience applause, Heidi was the winner of a big bowl of cocktail. Greg and I were given our own from our dance partner shortly after for "being such good sports."

After polishing off as much food as we could (my goal anyway - I didn't want to get hungry later), including a fabulous assortment of desserts, it was time to go.

Our next destination was the Niagara bar. It was a hipster place and fairly low key. We hung out and talked a little. Tori and Courtney left early as they were heading home that night. I got sleepy. The place seemed nice enough if you are looking to sit and hang out with some friends, but we wanted dancing. After our next destination was closed "for emergency renovations" we tried China 1. It was a lucky choice.

We were early and headed to one of the basement lounges. Corrie was psyched about the 80s music. We had the place to ourselves for the moment and staked out a cool private room behind a beaded curtain. We had drinks and worked on our sexy poses.

The place filled up rather quickly. There were some people in costumes, and lots of Asians. I guess that made sense, given the name. There were two lounges and both were soon packed.

We danced. Mostly Corrie and I. Heidi wasn't too keen on it and actually headed back to the hotel at some point (I thought she went to the bathroom). Greg danced, but was looking a bit drunk. He sat a lot. I saw a shot girl preying on him. She put her hat on him so I knew he was out of it. Normally he'd realize how many sweaty heads she'd put it on that night and would have politely waved her on. Then I saw him buy what was no doubt a ridiculously overpriced shot. This, from the guy who won't ever spring for a non-free refill at dinner. He didn't remember any of this later and had no idea who he had a picture with.

My stellar dance moves attracted a trio of the shortest girls I've ever dance with (if only Rachel had been there to protect me!). Though they were fairly drunk, so this isn't the strongest confirmation of my dancing talent. One fell into the psychic reading table. Yes, in a packed club, they thought it was a good idea to set up a little table with lighted candles. Even if you wanted a reading, you likely wouldn't be able to hear the important pronouncements she was making.

Greg disappeared for a while to get some fresh air. He was gone long enough that Corrie and I started to get concerned. We decided to give him one more song before convening a search party, but he returned in time. He seemed beat, so we left shortly after.

Turns out I didn't eat enough, I was starved. Or I danced it all off. We found a pizza place near the hotel. It must be interesting serving a mostly drunk clientele. One seemed confused by his order, not convinced it was the pizza he wanted. He stumbled out happily enough though, bouncing off the door as he went. When we left 10 minutes or so later, he was still in sight. He seemed to be having a difficult time opening the box as he walked.

With the change for Daylight Saving, we didn't get to bed until about 4AM. We were getting up at nine to shower before brunch, so it wasn't a restful night. Greg is an active sleeper and kept rolling on to me. He also falls asleep in about three seconds, so it took me a while to get to sleep with his snoring in my ear. Once I did, my snoring woke Heidi. A good time was had by all.

We went to brunch at the Parlor Steak House, eventually joined by Corrie's former college roommate Belinda. The food was good, but the portions were so small. Greg went for a lunch order and looked so sad when his tiny plate of gnocchi arrived. And there were no free refills. He supplemented his meal with the smallest bagel halves ever produced.

A few sleepy train rides back to Philly where we went our separate ways. Mostly, I let Greg ride home with me. An exhausting weekend, but probably the most interesting birthday celebration. Thanks for putting it all together Corrie!