Transfiguration on the Dance Floor

May 9th, 2026:
Bass lessons this morning - my teacher was late. I felt bad for him because the lady at the front desk probably chewed him out after I left. Poor guy!

After lessons, I spent some time at Brick Road Coffee trying to write something worth reading. Did I achieve this? You tell me. I got myself the Desert Sunrise energy drink in a large, sparkling - was yummy! I sat for so long I felt myself turn into a chair. I thought about grabbing a snack but I figured I should save my appetite for later. After a couple hours I went to pick up Joyce from her apartment. We were going to the Igbo Youth Festival, but first I had to pickup a Facebook Marketplace order. This time, it was an abhorrent amount of hangers. I’m trying to not buy more clothes, or give away clothes when I do happen to get new clothes, so I don’t run out of hangers, but somehow, I’ve gotten into this predicament again. I bought a few pieces from the thrift store, and honestly couldn’t manage to give any of my current clothes away, because I (think) I like them? Last time I bought a 30 pack of hangers from Ross, which are pink and have hearts, which are super cute, but this time I want to #SaveTheEnvironment, and plus it’s a much better deal on the Marketplace. I met the woman at McDonalds, she was nice enough and tried to convince me to buy some Pokémon blankets, which I totally would have if I was 13. Then we went to the Igbo Festival, which was at Grassrootz Bookstore in Tempe. The vibes were nice, there were a few booths and a food truck, although everyone stuck to their own groups. I practiced some Igbo in the car with Joyce and on the phone with my sister, but I got shy and didn’t end up conversing with anyone new. Next time: Just Do IT. I got Jollof rice and Suya fries from the LasGidi Cafe food truck, which was severly overpriced, but those Suya fries were perfect, I hope to have them again one day…

Later I went home, took a nap with the sun as my blanket, and by the time I woke up it was time to get ready for Club Contact’s BPM: Black People Music night, which was highly anticipated. I wore this red/burgundy dress I’d thrifted maybe a week before, which Joyce and Maya weren’t too sure of because it was “too distressed” - but there’s no such thing as too distressed! It’s called grunge.

I was DD, so I picked up Maya and went to Joyce’s for the pregame. Interesting Maya quote of the day: Aromantic, asexual, polycule. It sounds contradictory, but also pleasant? Like the show Friends. But - if it’s aromantic and asexual, does that mean no kissing your friends? Because in Friends, they were definetly kissing their friends. I will inquire later.

At the pregame, one thing Joyce asked: How do you resist the temptation of drinking during a night out? Hmm. Well, one thing to note is that I am not an alcoholic, have never been an alcoholic, nor does it run in my family (to my knowledge). Also, liquor never tasted good to me no matter how it was mixed. Really, I’d rather have a diet coke. So, if I were drinking, I’d only drink to feel. And to me it didn’t make me feel enough. Or another perspective: I’ve experienced what it’s like to be drunk and, for example, dance, and it’s (mostly) the same as sober dancing. I think of those things and realize I have no urge to drink. And if all else fails I read the surgeon general warning on alcohol. Also - there’s increased risk of seizures with Wellbutrin and drinking - that’s uhhh not great. Anyway this is not to preach or lecture, although it’s always good to review your individual alchohol usage, especially as we get older and hangovers become shittier.

We arrived at Club Contact. It was Black People Night but I would say the demographics were looking about 50% Black. Ah well, good enough. Very beautiful crowd of people, and very young, I felt as though everyone there was 21-22. Outside smelled like cigarette smoke, inside was hazy with glowing sticky floors, signs of good dance floor, people were really moving, the only issue was when some girl sort of pushed us trying to get to her friends… weird. There was a girl with long curly hair, she looked like Jorja from FLO. She was very friendly and encouraged our group to dance (harder). I hope she gets everything she wants in life.

Question of the Night: Being in the club, did I feel the urge to drink? No-yes-no. I guess what I really want is a true “truth serum,” that will bring out the loose and free Erika that exists somewhere, in another universe maybe? A true truth serum that will draw her to me? I did love the energy of Club Contact, the music, the beautiful people, but I never felt free. No, I don’t know what magic spell I will have to cast to free myself. What was that phrase I had? Open my Heart, but it’s tricky, I figure my heart is shaped like a Rubik’s cube, there will be a lot of twisting and turning, to get it where it needs to be, or maybe I just throw it on the floor, and put it together, piece by piece. That girl on the dance floor, the Jorja looking one, I’m sure her heart is open, there she was, movements of metamorphasis, under the lights, a transfiguration on the dance floor.

May 10th, 2026:
I got so antsy in the house, I couldn’t take it, so, knowing I am an adult, 25 years old to be exact, and have complete autonomy, and have a car, a damn good car, a reliable and sturdy one I’ll tell you, and because I’m beautiful and should be seen, ha, just had a sudden moment of confidence, because of all these things I decided to visit the Arabian Library in Scottsdale. It was hot outside, but the library was cool, although I sat by the window where sunlight was sashaying it’s way in, coating my laptop, which by the time I left was hot to touch, so I hope it still works, but anyway, I did some studying, and looked out the window at the little pavillion with the metal chairs and tables, all uncovered, and I thought, Who would think that’s a good idea?, because who is going to sit in METAL CHAIRS in a DESERT - you will BURN YOUR BODY, and I thought about getting a library card, but I didn’t feel like chatting up the librarian, so I went home and called my sister and my Mom, and they’re both doing well, thanks for asking!