Carried

Fate just keeps on happening <3

Last night, I complimented a woman who looked like a million bucks in a ten-dollar dress. She told me she’d gotten it earlier in the day in the garment district. She looked every bit a post-mod bombshell.

It made me recall the time I declined an opportunity to get jiggy with Chris Farley whilst clad in a $20 dress at an Elton John Oscar Party.

I also stopped to pay a compliment to a woman who was clacking up the Sunset Strip in lime green stilettos. I have a policy that whatever is on my feet has to allow me to run out of burning buildings, but I appreciated her dedication to elevation. I looked down at my olive green Feelgoodz flip-flops and thought to myself, ‘Some things never change.’

I was fake-smoking from a pack of American Spirits — an old habit whenever I visit the Viper Room because as a veteran nightlife columnist the smoking section is where it’s at. It’s where I made lifelong friends over a ‘need a light’…

I had just come from my friend Eric’s screening at the London Hotel. He produced an illuminating film about literacy and dyslexia titled ‘Hopeville’ — and whenever I am walking distance from the Strip I feel the magnetic pull to rock.

I popped in to say hello to the boys at the Shamrock Social Club — Mark Mahoney’s tattoo parlor — and the place where I get my ink, before heeding the call of the Viper.

I got there just in time to catch up with Stephanie Mata, who’s been working the doors of Hollywood nightclubs since I can remember. She is so rock ‘n’ roll. Her daughter is the GM of the Roxy, and her husband’s on tour doing sound for Bad Religion. I love the nightlife.

Viper GM Tommy Black is now a blonde, and the cashier Rita looked exactly as I last saw her. Maybe it’s the lighting, but everyone looked so beautiful to me.

Of course, I look for the beauty. And I always find it.

Before I even walked in the door, I found a parking spot right in front of the club. A guy named Shane in an Adicts shirt complimented my good fortune.

I explained to him I was bequeathed the gift of the Parking Buddha in ‘94, and never take it for granted. Then I told him I was lucky enough to be the Adicts confetti girl one night at the Key Club.

Just like the ‘90s, I thought, we communicate through band shirts.

Shane’s friend was a guy named Dave — who was wearing an ‘I’m with Stupid’ tshirt — and it wasn’t lost on me the arrow was pointing to Shane. Lol.

They invited me to join them in the Viper’s Booth No. 1, and even though no one can hear what anyone is saying in the club I somehow communicated to them that Booth No. 1 had been my home for decades. I was one lucky chap.

We continued to attempt to have conversations but succumbed to head nods and sign language.

We thoroughly enjoyed Orphic’s set — it was a whole lotta things I love — heavy heavy metal but with a cellist, an accordion, and gargoyles.

As I wrote earlier, I enjoy playing ‘name the city and instrument’ — where young band members hail from and what they play — when chatting them up in the smoking section. There isn’t a smoking section. It’s just the sidewalk by the club’s load-in door on the Strip.

A young musician named Andy, who was taking photos of his band’s name on the Viper’s marquee had that wonderful Midwest vibe — a nice healthy looking kid. I had to assume he played bass, due to his congeniality, and of course he did. When I asked him if he was from Chicago, he look surprised. Technically, he’s from the land of hair farmers — Indiana — but grew up 40 miles from Chicago, so that’s what he considers home.

His band Pistol Beauty is adorbs — solid rock ‘n’ roll, with a guitarist who can really noodle.

I said to Shane the only guitar solo I like is Derwood’s from ‘Youth Youth Youth’ — Generation X. I think he heard me the third time and concurred.

There’s something liberating about carrying on entire conversations that consist primarily of nodding, smiling, and throwing the goat.

As I walked up and down the Strip by moonlight taking photos of the sidewalk, I just couldn’t help but thank my lucky stars.

I am carried, always.

****

Bette Dangerous is a reader-funded magazine. Thank you to all monthly, annual, and founding members. Thank you as well to all those who support my work with your generous coffee tips and who buy my ebooks. Some of you prefer making subsidizing donations via venmo, and it’s always greatly appreciated. If you wish to gift a membership, you can do so by donating to the ko-fi or venmo accounts, and indicate it’s for a gift, or do so here.

Founding Members will be invited to our first monthly Founder’s Day event with ‘Russia’s War on Everybody’ author Keir Giles on August 20. All paid members receive invites to our ‘Speakeasy’ zoom salons, and weekly wellness checkins, Bette’s Happy Hour. Our next ‘Speakeasy’ zoom salon is August 13, at 1 pm PT, with ‘How to Stop Fascism’ author Paul Mason.

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We just have to see that the battle for democracy is broader. It's deeper.—David Pepper

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The message should be a fair deal… fairness everywhere.—Martin Sheil

💘

“I say a silent prayer of thanksgiving as I walk upon the earth.”-Audrey Peterman.

“May the viral hope for truth and humanity wash away the chaos of these years.”-S.C., Bette community member

“Something Sacred never dies in almost all of us, who can hear the invitation of Truth…”-words from a Bette Dangerous community member

“Non-violent protest is a life-affirming activity as it seeks to promote a more humane society.”-Ellen Zucker

“Nothing but blue skies from now on…”-Irving Berlin

💘

(Derwood’s guitar solo)