Silent Disco

A few weeks back Alyssa, Nicole, and I met up for dinner and then straight to the Science Center to attend Silent Discos in Amazing Spaces . I first saw an ad for this event months ago but it sold out so quick. Thankfully I had signed up on their email list so I knew exactly when the next Orlando party would go on sale. I was not going to miss my second chance at whatever the hell this was, because to be honest I really had no idea what to expect. I saw via Instagram that a friend went to one in St. Augustine a few years ago, and I recently watched The Greatest Hits which also features a silent disco scene, but beyond that I was just along for the ride. I mean, I just heard the three channels were Taylor Swift, Emo, and Early 2000s and was like "YEP I'M IN"! 

We had to wait in line the length of the skyway bridge for a bit because as expected this shit sold out. Apparently there was such a demand for tickets they ended up adding an additional night in Orlando the day before. Once through the first line, we then went to the second line to grab our headphones (a credit card is required to rent and if the headphones aren't returned at the end of the night the charge stays, otherwise it's fully refunded). We were given instructions on how to work it but I still had trouble for the first 15 minutes. When I thought I was changing the channel I actually was turning up the volume. It was a real boomer moment for me. We went to our third and last line of the night on the Science Center balcony to get drinks. 

As we got familiar with the headphones we really started to sing along and dance to whatever was playing in our ears. Then we walked into the Dino room where the main party was and went wild. I liked that you could tell what station someone else was listening to based on the color of their headphones -green was Taylor Swift (really missed an opportunity by not making her Red but OK), red was I guess early 2000s but really was just a mix of all kinds of music, and blue was "emo". Was it the emo I was expecting? Nah. It was like new Fall Out Boy and The Killers and I was just kind of like ehh. That channel was the one disappointment. There were three DJs all lined up next to one another at the far end of the room and each was responsible for one channel. So of course it was kind of like a contest to see which channel could be louder or jump more or clap the most. 

The three of us danced and sang and laughed our asses off for a good three hours. We belted Love Story to  I Wanna Dance With Somebody to Ocean Avenue. I sweat so much I never even needed to use the restroom even after two bottles of water. I kept hiking up my shirt to get some relief. It was so cool to choose your own music for the night. The minute I was not into a song it was just a simple click to the headphone and I was on another. When Paramore came on and I immediately pointed to my headphones to let Nicole know so we could serenade one another. And when I saw Alyssa cutting a rug I switched to her station and was greeted by the timeless musical stylings of Get Low. And low we got. 

It was such a fun night. I can't wait until they come back to Orlando because my ass plans to go again. I highly recommend it for literally everyone, no matter your musical tastes. There was something for everyone. They had some food vendors set up although we didn't partake in any. The lines to the bar were a bit long but at least you can bop around while waiting. Also they did validate parking. All in all WORTH IT. 

 

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Just Dance

Katie sent me several photos of Aubrie in dresses and asked me to vote on which one I liked best. I chose a maroon knee length more casual looking dress. Aubrie ended up picking one of the others. I'm glad she chose what SHE wanted to wear. I always like opinions of my friends, too, but at the end of the day you have to choose what's best for you. 

That was a month ago when her Winter Formal was originally scheduled to take place. But all of central Florida was covered in green, yellow, and way too much red on the radar. They ended up canceling because of the severe weather and moved it to last Friday. 

Last Friday I awoke to a text from Aubrie asking if I'd come over before the dance to help her get ready. I of course told her I would and after work I headed to their house to partake in the festivities. For me, a lot of times the getting ready was the best part. She was already in her dress when I walked in the door. She wanted a little makeup but VERY little makeup which she made clear. Katie tried to mascara her up and she was like "Nooooo!" and went to take most of it off. She did enjoy some lip gloss. Katie wanded her hair while I sat back with Kierce in amazement that this day was even happening. I remember her as a baby and it does not feel like it was that long ago. Maybe a few years tops. But here we are with an almost 12 year old sixth grader getting ready for her first dance. It was truly so fun to be a part of that experience with her and even cooler she had asked me to do so. 

As she was taking pictures with everyone I got super teary eyed thinking about how fast it's all gone by but mostly how proud of her I am. She looked beautiful and I was so excited for her to hang out with her friends in her fancy dress. I told her to text me photos and let me know how it all went. I wanted all of the details. She was so sweet and totally obliged which was much appreciative. I love how close she is with Katie, Kierce, and me. I love that she wants us all to be part of it. I was not that kid. I kept my family and friends separate and when an adult asked how a dance was I answered with "Good." I hugged her and waved her off as Katie and Tommy played chaufeurs. 

 

On the drive home I hoped she was having a blast. Dances, and middle school in general are always a toss up - you either love them or hate them, you had the best time or the worst time. Middle school dances were my jam. Did I dance? No. But I remember always having a good time. I remember a pack of us girls hovering in the corner talking about which boy we liked and whatever other drama was currently circling the school. All of those dances for me were after school in the cafeteria or gym and there wasn't really a dress code. Of course the girls looked nicer than normal but that just meant a jean skirt as opposed to jean pants. I remember the awkward slow dancing with a boy I liked to the latest R&B hit or ballad. My hands on his shoulders and his on my waist. Neither of us could look the other one in the eye and when it was all said and done we just kind of went our separate ways for the night. Me back to the girl pack and him back to the boy zone. The one dance that sticks out the most for me is my 8th grade formal. It was for 8th graders only and it was formal AF which made us all feel so important and grown up. My cousin Jodi got me out of school early and took me to get my hair and make up done. She's only about 15 years older so she was the cool young adult. A couple of my friends got ready at my house with me where we all gave our best model walks while filling the room with the scent of Clinique Happy. Our hair was rock solid with hair spray and our skin sparkled with glitter. The dance was a blast and also a blur. We all some how got to (none of us could drive so we must have been carpooled by several wonderful parents) Steak-N-Shake for the after party. I'd totally live that day over again if I could. Katie and I tell Aubrie all the time she's in the good ol' days right this very moment and to enjoy every last moment. 

I'm on the right next to my friend Val in her hat.