Ms. Sylvia cussed out the band

When the OG bar becomes the place to be

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People we meet on the way home

Lakeside Lounge, Oakland CA

It’s Sunday night. The live blues band is playing and everyone in the room has no where to be on Monday morning because they are retired. As the band takes a break to go smoke or get something to eat during intermission. After about 30 or so minutes, Ms Sylvia came outside and cussed the band out for taking too long. Hearing “alright now…” coming out the door, you knew she meant business. I loved hearing it because I knew it came from a place of loving scolding.

Lakeside lounge is sometimes referred to as the “OG bar”. In a conversation with a man named Craig, he made sure to remind me that he is “still a gangsta”. The pinkie ring removed any remaining doubt.

I love to watch people age with dignity and some class. It's been said it's difficult to find community the older you get. Being there, sitting at the bar taking in the people and the music was a reminder that life is not short. It’s long and has some winding roads.

There’s really no wrong way to age but there are hard ways to live. I’m sure anyone by the time they see their first grey hair has done fair share of hard living.

Live long enough and you will die a million deaths in the process and being cussed out is sure to come along the way. If you’re doing it right, you will earn that earful and take it along with you the rest of the way with a story to match. Those are the moments where you may be presented with an opportunity to leave a legacy and change the trajectory of anyone coming up behind us.

I’ve watched these men and women put on their fur coats, shiniest shoes and bedazzled clothes to two step into late into the night. I’ve caught myself yawning and feeling like I’m out too late, while an OG has just entered the door. I’ve never imagined that this is how growing older would be but I can’t picture it any other way.