Ensinitas Wednesday's Dance

Off the rack. Yes Off the rack from Kohl's Department store I bought two shirts from the men's rack. My
Gal Gloria bought most of my clothes at the above store in Torrance a few years ago. It cost me twenty one dollars, yes that is all. I saved over $60.
   Napa Parts was having its usual Wednesday afternoon dance. The  ballroom is really in back of the auto store but Napa, off of Encinitas Boulevard is a good landmark to find the location. The dances begin at one o'clock and end at three.
   I removed my tennis shoes and replaced them with saddle shoes. My ex girl friend told me years ago that the mark of man is how his hair, shoes, teethe and clothes looked. The booster shot she had given me had finally taken.
   The air conditioner worked a bit better while I entered and were greeted by Kathy and Marty. It was like two offices buildings linked together. I placed three dollars in the kitty and said hello to Kathy and Mike who help to sponsor the noon-time dances.
    I had been told about this office ballroom a few months earlier and by accident dropped in a few months ago. I needed some parts for my old weather eaten Cavalier and  heard music being played in the rear of the  store.
    I walked inside and remained for two hours to recharge my batteries. Every gal looked to be in her eighties but those old years wore off the more I danced. They felt in their teens again, particularly English. Yes I call the wrinkled blond English since I had forgotten her name and am  embarrassed.
    English hold me so tight I feel like a she is tightening a bolt on my batteries. She gives me a look that says "I desire you" then in the next moment says "thanks" and goes to the next pony. Her heavy English accent makes me want to go to England shortly.
    I leave the DJ music and walk to the corner to drink cold punch and some  cut dried fruit chips. I find a small gal with a glowing smile looking for a partner. I tap her back and the little one turns around. My manicure her face and find she is only ten years old. She hasn't danced in a long long time, but her body language tells me there is more in store for me.
    I invite her and her friend for some happy hour food at D Street's  Bar and Grill off of the 101 Highway. They agree and we meet them. I find the Scottish gal well read and bread. We eat and talk for over one hour. It is the first time I have had two dates at once time. One lives in Vista and the other Oceanside.
   I needed to save some of my energy for Thursday afternoon. Balboa Park is having their dance and I will have another chance to feast on all the eighty-somethings who look just divine to me. There is also swing lessons and dancing on the roof of the New San Diego Library's Ninth Floor every other week.

Balboa Ballroom Dance Club

I've been a member of the Balboa Park Dance Club for about four months -- and has it paid dividends. It cost me twenty smackers to join for one year. Now I pay three dollars for Friday or Sunday lessons. Today's lesson were the quick-step and bolero. 
   Exhausted from a full day and preparing to relocate with my daughter in Los Angeles, I needed a relaxer. Instead of watching the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, my mind was set for two lessons I would brush up on the Quick-step and Bolero
   From the 5 south, I got off on Tenth Avenue and after three lefts found my way to Presidents Way and the parking lot on top. I hustled inside the Bay Ballroom and paid my three dollars. The Starbucks coffee would wear-off in one hour but my body needed to be saturated with music and dance.
   I chose Candy Cane to provide lessons for me. Besides, he always is a laugh and makes learning fun, The  beginning class is taught in the middle of the ballroom. On its flanks intermediate and advanced lessons are taught.
   "Will the men line up on this side of the room and the ladies the other...I will keep it simple tonight an teach you only two steps tonight."
    Candy Cane turns with his back facing us. My eyes dart to his legs and I try to concentrate. His moves are slow, and deliberate. That is exactly what I want. There are fifteen men alongside me.
    "Walk forward. One and two-and touch-and back, and now the same but going back one and two-and touch the other shoe before going back." Candy Cane labeled the moves Gloria.  His next step was a half twist and again with the left leg in front. That move he called Harry.
     Soon my troubles had been forgotten. In their place were a sea of gorgeous ladies in all shapes and sizes. I needed to close my eyes to focus on the steps rather than them. Not easy for me, since i have always been a ladies man.  Sweat now rolled down my back. I had forgotten my woes for a few minutes. With a move back to Los Angeles and my brother in the hospital, I needed to relax before returning to the El Loco Hotel.
   This week I will unhinge my legs for the Wednesday afternoon dance in Encinitas. Those dances begin at one and are over at three. The room is in back of Napa Auto just south of the street. And don't forget that Thursday's Balboa Park offers a senior dance every-other Thursday. 

The Town and County

I had a lot on my mind. Soon I would be leaving my cell at the 'Y' for a more forma dale one with my second daughter in Los Angeles. Mel was out of the hospital. his blood sugar caused his coma. The Titanic story had kicked me up a notch so I needed to vent my energy...Besides, I had a miserable date with one from Juarez,  Mexico. She just couldn't stop talking. Can you imagine spending fifty dollars for dinner? 

I wanted to take more two step lessons at Balboa Park's Bay Ballroom. I found it closed so I returned to Park Blvd and returned to the 163 Freeway. At the 8 Freeway I got off on Hotel Circle and promptly became lost...and that God.
   I found a free parking place at the Fashion Mall, just west of Penny's. From there I walked across a bridge to the hotel. I became lost but soon found the Trellises. The hotel restaurant has a duo playing there each Friday and Saturday, unless the venue is sold to a private party.
   "We begin promptly at eight o'clock and play until eleven." It was only seven twenty, so I had forty minutes to burn. I walked to the lobby and requested information about their November Jazz Festival when over one hundred jazz bands take over the grounds. I wanted to volunteer and maybe fill-in for a piano player.
    "Let me get you a card sir, and you can get the information. Also, the rooms rent for $150 today but next month come way down. Our season is over." The phone number of the Town and Country is (619) 291-7131, and for reservations it is (800) 772-8527. 
   I sat in the lobby for a few minutes and watched a clerk try to understand one who spoke in pig's English Most of these people came from all walks of life, but without knowledge of how to act or dress. At eight o'clock I went to the musical menu.
   The blond singer of three years ago was gone. Two piano players substituted or tried to. They played great piano music but there is no substitute for a blond singer. Without a singer the songs lacked soul even if in tune and roundly received.
   I paid my five for the small coke, well it was more ice than coke. The few gals who came in were nothing to stare at, but I wouldn't mind bringing a mushy date with me next time. I would gladly sing to her to make up for the lack of songster.
   i returned to my car and found Taylor Street that returned me back at the Old Town Commuter station. From there I took the Green back to my hotel.