Monday, October 19, 2009

school disco

On Friday Olivia's school held a parents' disco. Intentially not a fundraiser but a thanks for all the fundraising, a BYOB evening in the PE hall with parent-DJ and snacks.

I walked up to it, late because Bodhi had had a late nap and taken an hour and a half to get to sleep. It turned out it was just as well, as when I got there at 9.30, a small group of parents, more mums than dads, were collected nervously at the far end of the hall.

As I walked in to the school, I was struck with how exactly it felt as if I was going to a school disco. And not a secondary school disco, a primary school one.

I cracked open the wine and worked hard at catching up. There was tasty chips and dip, and cheerful mothers vacillating between enthusiasm and amusement, along with a definite regret that this is what a night out comes to these days.




Before I was a glass in, the self conscious mum dancing started, in a little circle in the middle of the empty  floor, disco ball flashing (ha, Bear in the Big Blue House potty training DVD is on in the background, and I just wrote 'splashing' instead of flashing).




I sat and watched and waited for the dance urge to come upon me. You can't force these things.

On one hand the whole set up was sort of touching and heartwarming and fun, and on the other hand it was really... pathetic.

Still, as one of the organisers  and I said, it's music, and nibbles and nice wine and company, and you don't have to dance, and unlike the old days, there is no pressure to get off with anyone. I'm sorry it was so badly attended, I don't really get it. We presumably send our kids to an ET school because we want that sense of involvement and community,  but then feck all people show up. It's depressing.

As it was, I nearly killed the whole bottle of wine, and had a happy dance, and talked to a lovely Chinese woman who'd also been to the Pixies the week before and was married to a member of Toasted Heretic, a band I remember from the heyday of the Irish music scene.








So I can't say it was cool, but it was what it was. Feck it, you have to take your drunken fun where you may.

21 comments:

Ms. Moon said...

Sounds very surreal but sort of fun.

Jo said...

Well, not so much surreal, as lame.

Ah well.

Martin said...

Bizarre.

Jo said...

It wasn't bizarre, it was just a small group of thirtysomethingfortysomething parents in a large space... that happened to be a PE hall.

If we'd just gone to the pub it would have seemed perfectly normal, but then the drink would have been expensive and there would have been no fun dancing.

Martin said...

Was there a wee tuck shop open in the corner behind the stage?

Polo mints, golden crisps and straws?

Jo said...

Ha, it felt just like that.

Actually, fancy dips, tortilla chips and samosas.

Martin said...

Too late, the damage is done, I want a golden crisp.

I first met my good wife at such an end of primary school disco event, new kids on the block et al

Now you mention it, a veggie samosa would go down a treat right now.

Jo said...

Could you be more open to suggestion?

Send Jo five grand.

Martin said...

Do you ever wish that someone would read that and say, 'you know what, I will!'

That would be one of my lotto winning fantasies.

Pick 25 random strangers who could do with a few quid and just hand them a grand each.

Not that a grand will help anyone these days.

Jo said...

WEll, it would take down my minimum payment, or sort out my kids' room situation. Or help out a school... it's still a good amount.

Go on. Go on, go on.

Martin said...

Gimmie the lotto numbers and I'll even double your slice.

What music was played at your school disco?

Jo said...

Um. When I got there it was oldy disco favourites including The Irish Rover, but they worked their way through everything in a desperate attempt to get people dancing.

It wasn't at all alternative but it was surprisingly unnofensive.

The hip hop dance stuff went down the best.

I had to run away from dancing to'It's Raining Men' with four other women while the nervous dad minority hugged the walls. That was hysterically ironic.

Everyone sat out the nostalgic American rock segment but I think it was more that we needed a little rest rather than a criticism...

Mwa said...

I hate these dos. I go, because I, like you, want to be involved in the school, but oh my god they are awful and depressing.

Jo said...

Aw. Well, I have to say, I went because I wanted to get a little drunk and chat with nice people.

It was depressing in that I'd nothing better to do, and given that I don't get out much, that was my friday night.

But it wasn't awful, it was cute. In a lame way :)

The only thing missing was more people. I'd welcome the chance to see more of the parents, and have a real community of us.

Danielle said...

hhhmmm..that reminds me of something...but i m not sure what..thinks*

morgor said...

ha, i remember discos like that, all the boys on one side, all the girls on the other.

Martin said...

...and one in ten in the middle

Danielle said...

we must be the same age..because i remember the girls on the left boys on the right discos too..or wait..maybe i just remember some old movies where i have seen it??????

Jo said...

Old movies? The cheek of you!

No,I've four years on you, Danielle, perhaps the boys on one side thing is a constant.

Though if you drive through South City Dublin on a Friday night, it suggests things have changed: drunken 14 year oldgirls in stilettos, micro mini skirts and enough makeup to live off for a year. Off to the disco with thier knickers round thir wrists... scary scary.

Danielle said...

scary!!! i have 3 sisters and i m so happy they are non of those kids!

four years older then me?..gosh jo..dont dare to call yourself old again..:-)

Jo said...

My life is older than yours, I bet, Danielle...