What a Shame about Me

Steely Dan released Two Against Nature, the album containing What a Shame about Me back in 2000. It's another cool, jazz-inspired riff on social discomfort, the creeping horror of getting older, and the inherent loneliness of being a human being. I love Fagan for the way he blends modernity with a certain 30's sensibility; for the way he crystallizes desperation, polishes it, and makes it sound groovy. Steely Dan's music is a mid-life crisis you can dance to.

This afternoon while listening to Pandora, I caught What a Shame about Me between stomping on work-related fires and I had to pause. Something in the lyrics spoke to me – there was something in the description of a guy worrying over glory past and missing life going on all around him. No, I don't think my life's passing me by. But there still was something there that held me transfixed until the music stopped.

Maybe it's because lately I've been talking to some good friends about the economy and the heartlessness of big corporations. Maybe it's thinking about how work can consume. I've been shouldering a lot of work lately, putting in late hours and traveling across the country to get this or that done on schedule. I don't know. Odd how obsessing over worldly things can disconnect you from the real world. What the hell does any of this have to do with dancing? Well, I'll tell you.

Last night we went to the South Side Moose for an Indy Dancer's weekday dance. It's not a historic venue (built in 1990) and it's got the same atmosphere of most Moose Clubs. When you put on your dance shoes you leave something behind. Maybe you check the worry you feel with your street shoes or something. Out on the dance floor the biggest thing to worry about is whether you're intruding on your neighbor's space and maybe if they'll play a song you really like. The world fades into the background and all that's left is your partner, you, and the dance.

So, maybe dance is therapy? Maybe it's like a shower that washes away all of the worldly ick and leaves you covered in sweat? Hard to know but I'm glad for it. I promise, I've got some good stuff from our trip to VA that hasn't hit the blog and I'll get it aired soon. Keep your eyes peeled.