Chapter 2: The 'Station'

-The 'Station'-

Home already and its like I never left. No seriously I'm back home from our windy city road trip. Albeit brief, it was well worth it. For as much time I had on my hands I'm not surprised at the amount of posts that I managed to provide. After I started driving time was limited, and well, its a bit dangerous to blog and drive. Plus there was a hiccup with the amount of phone chargers (3) vs. the amount of phones (4+) while in the car. I'll stick with what I said though and keep the scheme in regards to the Windy City Road Trip.

Driving over the skyway and through the city lights of the Chi was a pretty exhilirating feeling. Byrd took some pics but the combined light from the flash against  the windows show more dead flies then cityscapes and bright lights. [Go figure]. Once we finally got to the 'Rock' I was bouncing around like I was kid waiting on the "ok" from Mom/Dad to go into the living room and see the toys Santa brought. [There were some christmas's where mom would enact this "rule" so she could get some sleep. Prolly had something to do with the 4am 'wake up call' of "MOM SANTA CAME" from the year before] . We checked in, kicked it for a minute, met up with some family and before you know it were back out in the streets. The first stop...The 'Station.'

The 'Station' isn't the full name, but if you ever lived in the 'Rock' or the neighboring counties, you know where I'm talking about. Now, the 'Station', is definitely not what it use to be. The last time I was in there, I was following my grandmother around while she worked, or eating pickles at the bar (while my grandmother worked). Ok now before you go thinking on your own, the 'Station', was the bar my grandmother worked at longggg before I was born. She was one of the best bartenders in the 'Rock' and everyone knew her, so therefore in turn...everyone knew about me and my cousins (she loved talking about us). But like I said, its not what it use to be. Back when we were kids, and we went (of course we were only allowed with her), it had white marquis lights all around the building with the full logo lit up in pink and blue lights [I think they were pink and blue, maybe orange and red? Hmm..thats a question for Mom]. To look at it when it was at its best, you'd think it belonged in Vegas somewhere. The upstairs was the office area and seating and the bar and more tables was downstairs. When grandma wasn't working, she was still there hanging out and keeping and eye on things. She had her own seat and was a Cubs (and Bears) fanatic! Loved Ryne Sandberg and Mark Grace!

There was no question I was going to go and check it out when I returned back to the 'Rock,' whenever that was. Boy was I suprised to learn that the 'Station' had evolved from the bar where everyone knows your name, to the bar where everyones throwing ones. Thats right, the 'Station' is a strip club now. Well, not exactly a strip club per say, the 'Rock' does have its stipulations, so it was more exotic dancing in skimpy lingerie rather than exotic dancing and taking it off. But yea, it shocked the shit out of me but by no means did it stop us from checking it out, lol. Place looked alot different, but I guess poles, neon lights, "VIP lounges", females in 8-10 inch heels, and a rapsy voiced DJ introducing "Candy" on stage 1, "Cinnamon" on stage 2, and "Cupcake" on stage 3 will do that to you.

Of course it didn't take long to make friends (thats how they get their tips, by being friendly) and since "you can tell from the way I walk, I ain't from around here" [<--"Life" quote] it wasn't long before walking in that indeed we had some new friends.Of course there were some ladies in it for the money, but there were actually a few who were there to talk first work second. So.. talk we did. We talked to the girls working the poles, we talked to the girls working the bar, we even talked to the bouncers and by the end of the night, they were buying us drinks. In fact, thanks to those who purchased us drinks, felt good to be welcomed back. Always friendly folk in the 'Rock'.

I still can't believe they turned my grandma's former place of employment into something resemebling a strip club though. I'm not sure how'd she feel about it. Part of me thinks she'd be against it, but then again, my grandma was no dummy. She knew things would eventually change with the times. And as long as none of her grand babies were working in there. I'm not exactly sure if she'd care too much. I mean afterall, its not like they were in their stripping. She'd prolly just laugh to tell you the truth. Hmm...I guess I'll always wonder.

Now, for those that think anything ill of our lil trip to the 'Station'. Don't go jumping off the boat before checking the waters for sharks. We threw a couple ones, had a couple drinks, and partook in some conversation. No harm, no foul. The 'Station' was like home then, and every now and then, you gotta check in on home.