I hail from the gentle suburbs of Greenville, South Carolina. Tucked into the Bible belt, I lived life in a bubble and honestly it was a beautiful thing.
Now that I’m here in LA, I see and hear and even smell (ick) a lot of things that are different from my roots. I’ve gained a lot of new experiences, many of which are much like panning for gold and yield great nuggets of colorful settings, people, and ideas.
A couple weeks ago, I went to a party in downtown LA for an hour or two. The party scene is not for me—I’m a gentle creature made of lace and small smiles and a teacup or two—but I found it fascinating regardless.
Not everyone likes what I like. Not everyone dislikes what I dislike. And that’s what makes life so fascinating. You could live a thousand years and still not have done everything, gone everywhere, met everyone.
So, here’s a quiet, homeschooled girl’s take on a party in downtown LA.
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Behind the giant doors, a heartbeat thrums and red lights pulse like blood, like a secret well kept. The doors are opened and I’m escorted into a room that wants to swallow me up. Everything swoops upward, tall ceilings complimenting layers of box seats that long ago must have held rich spectators.
A man exhales a puff of smoke which catches the blue light and becomes a cumulonimbus of nicotine. Everyone bobs together, blood cells in transit. People come here to lose themselves after the pressure of work, you can see it by the way their faces hold no tension.
I am a rare species in this jungle, and I’m very much aware of it. I melt into the floorboards and study the intricate patterns melded into the ceiling. Black chandeliers contrast with the antique wood paneling and modern square-shaped screens. We search for water, but everyone else needs something more to get them through the night.
The beat finds its way into my core, shaking through me at a decibel I’ve never experienced. It’s an alcohol of its own; it can carry you to whatever you need. Energy, joy, consistency, even just nothingness.
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lol this is my face upon walking into ANY party, crazy or not ^^^ much disconcerted
I love these small little tidbits of experiences I’m gaining here. Next, I’d like to write a short paragraph or two on my experience going to a fashion show (yup, you read that right!).
Until then, enjoy whatever piece of the world you call home . . . and dare to find yourself outside of your comfort zone in the near future.
Amanda Michelle Brown 