One of my classmates, Charley, is in a band. Like a "rock band" band. It's not his band, in the sense that he used to be the leader of his own band. He's playing with them, I guess temporarily. Charley plays keys.

So a bunch of us headed down to Tractor Tavern (I know, I thought that too when I heard the name!) to watch them play on Thurs night. I was really tired, had a bunch of work to do, but thought it was important to show my support. I met Charley's partner (she's a woman) for the first time, and she was really sweet. "Sweet" is a strange word to use for a forty-something-year-old woman, but she is. They've been together since high school, for over 25 years I think is it. They have an eight-year old son Merle.

It's nice to see your classmates outside of the school setting. I sometimes have a hard time just hanging out and socializing with them... maybe it's because we're still in that acquaintance-friend mode. I sometimes feel so different from them that I don't have much to say about the topics and things that they know a ton about, or maybe because I'm too worried with how I'll sound, so I end up not saying much of anything.

But there is something rather mysterious about the bar w/live music atmosphere... that is, people tend to be more relaxed, open and social (and this is before they're drunk, really.) There's something about loud music blaring in the background too, to help conversations along. I know it's counterintuitive... but when you're hanging out with people you don't know that well, your attempts to carry on a conversation don't seem nearly as awkward or stifled in that situation. I mean, I could say something stupid, but no one would really hear it that well. (I could play it off much more easily.) If I don't have anything to say at all, I would feel fairly comfortable just grooving to the music. There's definitely less pressure in needing to say something witty or amusing. And once that pressure is off, you don't need to worry about how you come across. You talk about the band, you meet people that you ordinarily wouldn't talk to in the hallway at school... I don't know, it's an interesting environment.

I had a great time. I'm really glad I went. Charley was all grins when he saw the bunch of cheering for him like groupies. He gave out a couple of his old CDs (that is, of his own band) and we teased him saying he was even cooler than we ever thought - "Law school student by day, Super Rockstar by night." I think I'll make him sign my CD cover.