hippies and hot buttered rum

On Friday night, after having a beer at the hippiest of all hippie breweries/restaurants in Boulder, the Southern Sun, with my roommate, Shauna, and friend Ryan, we came back to our house, listened to Ryan play the guitar, and sampled the Juno soundtrack (highly recommended), we all walked down to the Fox Theater, where a string band, Hot Buttered Rum, was playing. It was a typical evening at the Fox: hot, loud, reeking of pot, alcohol, and body odor, and full of dancing hippies -- both young and old. And I loved it.

Does this make me a hippie as well? I don't know. But I certainly love the overwhelming sense of freedom that is felt in the midst of a crowd of people who honestly don't care about what others are thinking of them. As they smiled and swayed and closed their eyes, I couldn't help to smile too. Sure, some of them really are funny to watch. But mostly, I just respect them for being so unbelievably secure.

Living in Boulder has certainly encouraged me to rid myself of insecurities and to unravel the ties that bind me to the opinions of others. By no means am I free of this yet. But I'm getting closer.

Until then, I look forward to many more nights of dancing until 1:30 a.m. with my hippie friends.
















(This is a photo that the band took from the stage. My head is actually directly behind the waitress's tray. But you can see Shauna on the left of the tray and Ryan to the right. )