Reading (For Dummies)

A New Paltz Scene

Man oh man can New Paltz go from boring to exciting in a matter of seconds.

Erik and I went travelling much of the day in search of Solstice presents for friends and family. Our journey took us as far north as Woodstock and as far south as Manhattan. We ventured long and far and bought...nothing.

We came back to New Paltz defeated, ready for a night on the town. First stop was to a little bar called the Oasis? I met a young woman there named Jessica. We flirted most excellently, but it ended in the usual way, a not twice but thrice nervous, "I have to go see what my friends are up to." I suppose I keep forgetting that people at bars aren't there to be asked, "So how is it that a self-described pot addict really wants to teach elementary school kids?" Seconds after the words left my mouth I thought back to home and realized that she could do a perfectly fine job.

That aside, the night got more interesting at the second bar (Snug Harbor), this classic dive full of leather-clad chicks and dudes that you generally would not want to mess with. This bar really belongs in a movie.

...about what happened at the bar. I would like to remind readers at this time that the Wightman clan, such as it is, is kinsman to Robert the Bruce. We also have this not-so-distant relative by the name of Charles Wightman, who was reknowned for being a hot-shot test-pilot fully capable of kicking his copilot's ass with one arm and landing a badly designed plane with the other.

Tradition got even more hilarious as I was introduced to an apparent American custom: Nose burning.

This dude had a nose ring and volunteered to have said metal contraption burned with matches in exchange for a free shot from the bartenders. They were more than happy to comply.

Yes, there are some very interesting folks around New Paltz...

Posted by reid at December 21, 2003 02:16 AM | TrackBack