So, I’m walking in Central Park with my friend Michelle when we hear in the distance loud disco dance music. We wend our way through the crowd to see what’s going on and I could not believe my eyes. There were 30 or so people roller skating. Not just roller skating, but – I am at a loss for words here. I can’t quite describe it. It seems they were really into it. I mean like, you know when you are in your car and no one can hear you so you turn the music up really loud and sing your heart out, but you would never do that in public for fear of the public stoning you would rightfully deserve for the noise pollution? THAT is what they were doing with their bodies, wardrobes and music. It was like looking through someone’s bedroom window at a scene that you accidentally happened upon. You want to flee because you are intruding and yet you can’t tear yourself away. In this case they were asking for the public scrutiny. It was a real live freak show.

One guy was just doing laps of this area and dancing. He was shirtless and very lean, (quite attractive if you met him in ANY other situation) yet he had fashioned pants out of orange stripe terrycloth towels with matching wrist bands. If that weren’t strange enough, he did his laps with a bottle of water on his head to show his dexterity and deftness.

One of the other more interesting folks was a guy in too short shorts, sleeveless T, headband, pot belly, no socks and roller skates not tied. It was just hysterical. He didn’t do laps, but more stood in one place trying not to fall over as he rocked to “We are family.” His craft was a work in progress, but one he wanted to share none the less. I just know this guy is going to walk into work on Monday morning and trade stocks with foreign entities at a level that will impact our gross national product.

What was most fascinating to me was the crowd watching this train wreck. They were spread out on blankets picnicking and clapping encouragement to these folks, mostly I suppose to ensure they would not stop. They had their arms in the air and did seat dancing with their friends. Kinda like when you play along with a little one when they do something goofy and it’s entertaining to you, but really serious to them. Those of us who happened unawares onto this scene had more of a deer in the headlights look about us. We couldn’t sit down and we couldn’t walk away. We were frozen.

God, I love NY.

Jennifer Koeller