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Two Nancys and a Fuchsia
Squirrel "I've participated in a witchcraft ritual. I've had a three
way with a female newscaster. And I've broken my arm falling off a horse.
Which of these statements is the lie?" This was a very dangerous game I
found myself playing in the back of a limo heading to hear Nancy Sinatra.
Each player would tell two truths and one lie, and it was up to his or her
limo mates to try to guess what was what. You can only imagine after a few
gin and tonics how quickly it degenerated. Head lice, sex in a funeral home,
hallucinogenic drug induced road trips, hot tub incidents, you name it - we
heard it. It's profound the way your life flashes through your head when
you play a game like this. You have to think of all the crazy things that
you've done. I thought for sure that the sweet-looking guy who came up with
the story about trapping squirrels and spray painting them fluorescent colors
then sending them on their merry way had to be lying. Nope. No matter whether these couples were recently hooked up or
married, levels of revelation came with varying risks. As one guy said, there
were some of the lies you wished were true, and some truths you really didn't
want to think about. Never having been attached to facts, lying came easily
to me. However I also realized, as my companion pointed out, that this was a
car full of people who'd had experiences. Yeah, but I still found myself
really hoping that priest thing was not true. With all of us looking at each other in newfound ways, we piled
out of the limo to the club where the beautiful and talented Nancy Atlas was
opening for Ms. Sinatra. One of the pleasures of listening to Nancy Atlas is
to hear her lyrics, which speak poetically of love gone bad,
and betrayal and loss, and the inner strength to rise above it all. You can't
sing like that if you haven't been there, baby. I've seen Nancy Atlas's
boots, and they have the duct tape to prove it. It was with a degree of trepidation that I awaited the headline
act. But as soon as Nancy Sinatra hit the stage it was clear the years had
been kind to her, and she was there to rock the house. One of the most
touching moments came when a local group of Vietnam veterans presented her
with an award for her service in entertaining the troops during the war. She
responded by saying that when you follow your heart to live your life, you have
no regrets. She went on to put on a great show and tipped her heel to the up
and coming Nancy and her talents. It struck me that night that having the
courage to really live life and say yes to adventure and grasp each
opportunity before you (fuchsia squirrels aside) leads not only to dreams
coming true, but good material for long car rides. After all, the song isn't
called These Boots Are Made For Standing Around. |