June 8th - Stripper Locker Room in 2021 entries

When I dated the first Heather, I got to see behind the scenes of how a strip club functions daily and let me tell you - I gained respect for the art of women using their bodies to generate income amidst groves of disrespectful, degrading men. Its a tight knit kind of culture that reminds me of a good restaurant staff in my experience; there’s enough camaraderie to do things outside of work that are fun but theres always that ‘I’m going to try and date you because I spend so much of my time with you’ aspect like Ive run into at most bars and restaurants I have worked at. While I was dating Heather I got to see a whole different side of female relationships. They were close enough to share their makeup and heels and protective enough of each other to worn one another of which customers weren’t tipping, which ones were too handsy, which ones were propositioning sexual acts. The girls would take photos next to the lockers and it made it seem like I was back in high school but with naked women in the locker room instead of sweaty dudes after a football game.

I loved being around the strippers, and it wasn’t just about naked women. They made me feel comfortable and welcome even though sometimes I was the only guy, and person wearing more than pasties, in the back. They’d ask how my day was, how life was, what was going on in terms of my relationships, girlfriends, and if they wanted to talk Heather, I’d get a lap dance just for some more secretive conversation. Looking back on it, it was one of the more enjoyable consistent experiences I’ve had in life. I learned a lot about so much that I’d never dream of knowing. I knew the best and worst places to get eyelash extensions, to get nails done, waxed, cheapest tanning beds. I always found it best that I was never judged for knowing and retaining all of this stuff. And I’d watch girls work a 8 hour shift and walk out with three months rent in one night.

I miss seeing some of those girls though, it feels like a life time away and I was just thinking hard about Heather for a while. I was thinking about how and where my jealousy in relationships comes from when I would sit at the bar and drink while she would get entirely naked on stage and throw her hips around a guys face for a pile of dollar bills. I miss laughing with friends downtown when I’d show up covered in glitter and sweat with a huge smile on my face. Mainly, I miss the escape from people to a world which I enjoyed and didn’t have to share with anyone I didn’t want to.