Isn't it funny how a song or smell can bring up a buried memory? The other night, my husband and I were having dinner at a nearby restaurant when a song came over the speakers - Ladies Night by Kool and the Gang. Immediately, in my mind, I saw the inside of my old neighborhood roller rink with it's blue shag carpet, Pac Man machines, candy counter where I would buy watermellon-flavored Jolly Ranchers, the disco ball in the middle of the rink and site of my first french kiss. If I closed my eyes, I could have been there again.

You see, back in the late 70's, all the kids in my school around my age spent Friday nights at the roller rink. I was in seventh grade and the music at that time was pure disco.

The Tramps - Disco Inferno
Donna Summers - Hot Stuff, Last Dance
Rod Stewart - Do Ya' Think I'm Sexy
KC and the Sunshine Band - Get Down Tonight, Ladies Night
ABBA - Dancing Queen
Barry Manilow - Copa Cabana
peaches and herb - Shake Your Groove Thing
A Taste of Honey - Boogie Oogie Oogie

...and we can't forget the Village People. ;)

My friends and I would usually stay out in the center of the rink and practice roller dance moves, going around in circles, skating on one foot, skating backwards, checking out the guys, that kind of stuff. All the while, the disco ball above kept revolving and scattering out colored lights like confetti.

Once, there was this guy I had this amazing crush on. His name was Heath. Well, for some reason, Heath asked me to slow skate with him. I don't remember the song, but we double skated (like waltzing, only on skates and not so graceful) for a while and finally...nervously...he kissed me. It was a miracle that I didn't fall flat on my butt, but I stayed on my feet and skated on. That night stayed in my mind for almost thirty years.


Don't blame it on the sunshine
Don't blame it on the moonlight
Don't blame it on good times
Blame it on the boogie.

- the Jacksons