Oinkety

The bar with fire on the roof

Humans are drawn to fire. When a house burns, the neighborhood comes out to watch. For romance, we light fireplaces and candles. Campfires after a long hike. When Early Man huddled in caves and told stories about the hunt, there was fire.

Adrienne has had to drive me to work this month because of my stupid neck injury. On the way back each night, she’s pointed to the bar downtown that has fire ringing the roof: We should go there sometime. The bar, Level 320, is part of the themed complex of bars along Tejon: Blondie’s, Red Martini, Gasoline Alley. They aren’t bars we usually go to, especially since all my Affliction clothing is so out of date. But this one has fire.

We went on a Wednesday, so it wasn’t crowded. It was also karaoke night. It’s important to understand how much I hate karaoke. People get drunk and sing bad songs, out loud, among strangers. And these are people who can’t sing when they’re sober. But like I said, there was fire. And like Early Man entertaining each other with stories, Modern Man entertained themselves with Journey.

Level 320 lounge, Tejon Street, Colorado Springs
Having a drink downtown under a beautiful night sky.
The bar with fire on the roof, downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Of course you can't hear it now, but everyone is grooving to someone singing a Disturbed song. Rawk.
The bar with fire on the roof, Level 320 lounge, Tejon Street, downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Despite being 20 years older than everyone else, I was also sporting my very stylish neck brace. Back off, ladies, I'm taken!
The bar with fire on the roof, Level 320 lounge, Tejon Street, downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado.
An uninjured and actually stylish Adrienne shares a drink with her crippled boyfriend.

Just a small-town girl
Livin’ in a lonely world
She took the midnight train goin’ anywhere

Just a city boy
Born and raised in south Detroit
He took the midnight train goin’ anywhere

A singer in a smoky room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on

Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlight people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the night

Working hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin’ anything to roll the dice just one more time

Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on

Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlight people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the night

Don’t stop believin’
Hold on to that feelin’
Streetlight people

Don’t stop believin’
Hold on
Streetlight people

Don’t stop believin’
Hold on to that feelin’
Streetlight people

“Don’t Stop Believing”
Journey, 1981