I recently realized one of my dreams: a Disco-Garage.
Simply put, we installed a disco/mirror ball, along with a motor and three pin lights, in our two-stall garage. But it’s so much more than that. Particularly in this case, the whole is certainly greater than the sum of its parts.
The garage has been transformed , creating a whole new world (spinning at three revolutions per minute): colored light splashing across the ceiling, walls and floor; the utter joy on my kids’ faces as they groove to the tunes of the 70’s (and some from the 80’s); the sounds of a cow bell, vibra-slap, tambourines and shakers echoing through the garage.
I’d like to think we’ve created a common-day manifestation of a distinct period in the rich cultural history of the United States (specifically the Disco Era, although some might call it an error; but hey, it is the decade of my birth.)
For me, the Disco-Garage is a part of the American Dream, or at least my American Dream, a testament to American ingenuity and the glory of a by-gone era. (Another element of my garage-specific version of the Dream: to have a fire pole from an as-of-yet unrealized family room above the garage.)
I’m glad to say that my kids seem to have a true appreciation, even at their young ages, for what we have accomplished. They seem to recognize that we’ve done something special and somewhat unique, proudly announcing to friends and neighbors that we have a disco ball in our garage and inviting them over to dance. Whenever we get out of the car, my son points up to the disco ball expectantly, asking (usually in a somewhat demanding tone), “off, off?” (He means on, but he’s at a stage where he has “off” and “on” reversed.)
Will they always have such an appreciation for what could be called my eccentricities? Or will their joy and pride be commingled (or possibly replaced) with slight (or even extreme) embarrassment. Who knows, but I’m enjoying it while it lasts.
I do hope that they always have an appreciation for the simple things in life, like dancing in a relatively empty garage as a disco ball spins overhead.
I also hope you enjoyed today’s serving of Dad’s ‘Mac & Cheese.”
Tags: American Drean, Disco, garage
