Why Not Independence?

Many thanks to Kevin for kicking off the Summer of Love yesterday with a bang. I’m still reading it. Kevin makes me look like I’m brief.

I went out last night because, y’know, it was the 4th of July and in the United States that’s suppose to mean something. Independence, drinking, rednecks with explosives saying, “Check THIS shit out!”, etc. etc. After talking to a friend on the phone for a while, I figured I should shake myself out of my socially phobic roots and go surround myself with people, even if I don’t ever interact with the people I surround myself with on such ventures.

It’s an odd thing, being me sometimes, what can I say?

Course, I found myself Friday night contemplating going out, too. I went to Duffer’s, a local bar here in Sebring – the scene of my most recent video, soon to be coming to a computer screen near you – and while it was okay, the music sucked so I left. I don’t really enjoy rap unless it’s old school shit like Young MC or The Beastie Boys. Mama Say Knock You Out, y’know.

This isn't Sebring's Why Not Lounge, but it's kinda close

So I wound up at the Why Not Lounge. I’m not even making that name up. It’s this hole-in-the-wall of a bar here in Sebring, very dark, one of the few places you can actually smoke INSIDE. They also have karaoke three nights a week.

I met what seemed like some cool people Friday night there, but when I went to go talk to them after my song was finished, they were gone faster than I could have said, “IRS audit.”

So I took a chance last night and went BACK to the Why Not, hoping I’d run into them again. Because this is Sebring, you know, and finding cool young people to hang out with here isn’t all that easy a task. This is a town with 80% of its citizenry getting AARP discounts and eating dinner at 4:00 PM.

And whaddya know, the same people were back there last night. On Independence Day. In a dark, smokey room listening to (mostly) bad karaoke. So we recognized each other and I joined them at their table and had an amazing time, singing and laughing, often both. One dude sang nothing but Uncle Kracker songs, which are nothing but covers, of course – I don’t think Uncle Kracker ever released an original song.

The odd thing is that I already follow one of the guys on Twitter. He recognized the King Karl photo on my business card. I’ve done searches for Sebring on Twitter before, hoping to find some local people to hang with. This guy, Justin, is the first Tweeter I’ve met in the local area. And Tracy? She looked very familiar to me and then I found out why…she’s on OK Cupid.

So I made some new local friends on Independence Day. And for me, that is a good way to spend a holiday evening, since I know virtually no one in this town. Seems the bulk of my favorite people exist in the ethereal plane known as Twitter. Which is fun, but when you need actual physical company? It’s good to know locals.

Finally, Happy Birthday to the lovely Becky. She’s a rock star in my book. Go wish her some birthday lovin.