I have a couple of good stories for you today, but because I tend to go on and on, I've decided to post it in two parts. Here's Part One:

Friday, December 28, 2007:

I had the most wonderful time. I was hoping not to mention this, but I think that it can't be helped. I work as a hostess in a cozy little Karaoke bar in Umeda (in the heart of Osaka) called Venus. It's a nice job, and different from most hostessing jobs because customers are made to respect our bodies, our minds, and our talents. They come for the company... nothing physical whatsoever! My coworker told me that at other hostessing jobs, men touch and make the women uncomfortable, and if "Mamma" isn't happy, you get fired. At my job, I do my best. I make friendly conversation, and that is the extent of it. I just wanted to be clear about my job.

Back to the story. I worked that day, Friday, and my boss (the beautiful Razina) had planned a staff party. Nearly everyone came. I didn't find out until the end of the night that Sakura (my favorite coworker) would be leaving. She had been working at Venus for over a year, and she was planning on taking some time off to travel. So after work, we all went to this place that Lilly had been to before. It was a small dance club called Life. I hadn't been out like that since Candace and I went dancing... oh ages ago. It was fun to get out... and even more fun to go out with new friends who were all so kind. Needless to say, I really enjoyed their company. We all danced until we dropped, and then danced some more. The highlight of the evening was progressively dancing with the few guys that were there. I didn't want any up close, normal club dancing, so I kept my distance as much as possible.... until...

The guy behind the bar (whom I'd had my eye on the entire night) finally came out onto the dance floor. At first I just kept dancing with my friends, watching him move and really wanting to be the one he danced with... I wasn't brave enough to ask him. The dance floor was full and we were all dancing in a big circle (even though we didn't know each other, we all kept dancing together like we were old friends... and by the end of the night, we were all one big group... it was the most amazing thing!). He was dancing at the opposite end with his friend. And as people slowly began to get back to their seats, the few of us that were hardcore dancers kept going with the music. Eventually there was only a few of us left (me, Mohsen, and his friend... and maybe a couple of other people, but I wasn't paying much attention), and gradually... I'm not quite sure how... we started dancing together. According to Razina, "It was so beautiful." She said that when we danced he looked like I was driving him crazy. But the truth is that I was having fun. He kept his distance for a while, and I think I made the first move.

The only one I wanted to dance closely with all night was finally there, so I took the opportunity. He never made any inappropriate advances, and I sincerely felt that he was just wanting to have fun dancing. His moves were so smooth, and he looked so happy just dancing, I couldn't resist. I turned around slowly, shaking my hips in tempo, anticipating his movements. He came up behind me and we danced, hips together, just drowning in the beat, enjoying the movement of our bodies together. When the song came to an end, I turned around, and smiling just kept moving to the music. Moseh gave a significant glance to the DJ, as if to request a specific song. It was Shakira next 'My hips don't lie' and I couldn't keep from dancing with him. It was like we were made to dance together. He anticipated my movements, and I went with the flow of his, and I danced sensually. Usually when I'd go to clubs, I dance in a similar fashion... but I'd never really meant it until that day.

When the song was over, I held out my hand to shake his and thank him for being fun... and for dancing with me. I turned away, but he hadn't let go of my hand. He raised it to his lips as if to kiss it, but didn't. Instead he bowed and thanked me. Having turned around to look at him, this made me feel a little shy and awkward, so I just smiled and turned to leave. My group was ready to go by this time. It was nearly 6am and they were all tired. I had so much fun with them that I wished it would never end. We left there and went to get a little something to eat and have some coffee. I drank water and really wanted a salad (mostly because I'd been doing some celebrating on my own--eating candy, sweet dumplings and other Japanese desserts, chips and milk all throughout the holidays while watching Naruto on my laptop... it was fun for me, but not for my hips--I just thought I should eat something healthy for a change), but they were out of salad, or they didn't have any... so I just had water... I really was thirsty!

We talked about many things. It started out with us telling stories and laughing, then we got to talking about dreams, and eventually we got around to talking about men and penises and all that... just what single women talk about right? But I'd been missing that. Missing having a group of girls that I call friends... and us talking about men and stuff... I had such a wonderful time. After an hour or so, we called it a night and made our way to the train station. Razina bought my ticket, and we rode together for one stop. With a quick hug we said goodbye, then I transferred to the line that would take me home. I don't remember the walk at all. The whole time I was lost in thought, dreaming. I don't remember when I had such a great time, with such great people all around me. I felt safe with them, all of them... and I hope sometime to do something like that with them again.

But I also thought about Mohsen. I really liked him, so I tended to fantasize about what would happen the next time we would meet. I thought it would be awkward... maybe not as fun the second time around. I thought he would think I was boring or something... or maybe he would think because I'm from The States that I'd be easy to get into bed... but mostly I remembered what it felt like to have him dance with me. He was the only one that night that I'd actually allowed close to me. The only one I felt connected to (you know, besides my friends). His was the only body that spoke to me beyond physical movements, beyond words. I felt a special connection, and I was determined not to make this into another Eric situation. I wasn't going to take anything too seriously. I thought I should enjoy what happened, enjoy the man and allow myself to have a crush, but not put any expectations to it... and I've pretty much stuck to that.

Are you ready for Part Two, or are you already tired?