I just left another night spot, and I couldn't sleep before I got this out…What happened to us? When did the joy leave our soul? I'm a product of the 70's. We made lemons out of lemonade. If you were broke, you sure didn't know it, because your spirit was always full. You knew your neighbors. You could party with your parents in the basement during the rent party. You actually wanted to learn, because no one wanted to be the dumb kid. People were genuine. There was optimism and hope. These following words are not race or gender specific, just black and white. 

Sure times change and people change, but I don't like the face/masks that people are being forced to wear every day. Fake hair, fake breasts, hair plugs, penis pills, tans, cosmetic surgery for weight, it's pretty scary. And this is Atlanta, not Hollywood!  The reason behind all of the surface changes, are because people don't like what's inside, and they think changing the outside will change their mind. This is nothing you haven't heard before, but I just am amazed at how we've become the prey. We don't even look comfortable in our own skin when we come out to chill and be social.

I won't name the places, but the past two events I've been to, I have dropped $50 for 4 drinks. God forbid I want to buy a young lady a drink. I have to take a lien out on my house. My boy purchased a round of drinks for 6 people. $125!! We weren't even getting top shelf liquor. Where did these prices come from? Is it property taxes? Rent or leasing prices? The ambience? The drought? Prices are going up, portions are getting smaller, and the economy is not increasing. So we are paying more for our social experience and getting considerably less. That confines us and our actions for the evening. It used to be forbidden to hold up the wall at a club. Networking mixers actually had people that would network instead of trying to make a new love connection. People smiled and meant it. Shows were live. That is why we have to do "I Love the 80's and 90's" parties, because that is when fun left. I won't even get into the disparity of my art/poetry and how we have to give it away, but a rapper will pay hundreds of dollars to a venue/fake record label to jump around the stage, hoping to get discovered.

I said all that to say, the movement has not stopped moving. I think some people just sat down for a while. Silence is consent. If you continue patronizing these events and establishments, you are saying, "I like it!" Do not confuse being upwardly mobile with paying balloon prices to prove it. I am starting the practicality march. Who's walking with me! Because being practical is cool…