Blast from a forgotten past

[applc]

Hey all, I am new to the forum stuff so bear with me. I have a story from my young adulthood that I've put together but am not sure about how it will be recieved? I ask that because live erotic entertainment has changed so much here in the last 15 years or so. The folks over 45 might relate to it but I doubt anyone younger than that would but who really knows?
Does anybody recall the live striptease love shows of the 70's early 80's time period? These were striptease dance numbers performed by a male and female exotic dancer. In some Clubs the acts would progress to live, simulated love making on a bed, throne, sofa etc. They weren't live sex but were about as close to one as people could see.
Today it would appear that a semi-nude male and female sharing the same stage is about as common as putting a man on mars and that's where some of my concern lies.
I did striptease love shows for 2 years down in NOLA. I sort of buried my experience for a very long time. It just wasn't the sort of stuff that I ever thought would be well recieved at a cocktail party or anywhere else for that matter.
I honestly felt the stuff I did was erotically beautiful. We sure tried to make it that way. Not sure how younger folks will react as they missed out of golden age of live erotic entertainment?

 

[ElectricBlue]

I honestly felt the stuff I did was erotically beautiful. We sure tried to make it that way. Not sure how younger folks will react as they missed out of golden age of live erotic entertainment?

Why care how Gen X Y and Z react to your erotica?

Did they invent it? No. Do they have some claim of excellence as to what erotica is? No. Are they original in their erotic world? No. Are they the only audience for your writing? No.

Write your stuff. You'll find an appreciative audience somewhere here, there's no doubt about that.

 

[sr71plt]

That's still going on at least in Thailand, Germany, and Amsterdam that I know of. I would have thought it could be found in the states still too. If you are asking whether there would be an audience for a 70s/80s story using this, sure. Period pieces go over well here, in my experience. Many of my stories are historicals--and a good many of them are set somewhere before 1985, if I don't want to use condoms in the story.

 

[SamScribble]

Why care how Gen X Y and Z react to your erotica?

Did they invent it? No. Do they have some claim of excellence as to what erotica is? No. Are they original in their erotic world? No. Are they the only audience for your writing? No.

Write your stuff. You'll find an appreciative audience somewhere here, there's no doubt about that.

Yep, what electricblue said. On this site, your readership finds you. In the meantime, just write what you want to read. Good luck. And have fun.

 

[RetroFan]

I write all of my stories set in the past, and have stories set in the 1920s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s & 1990s on the site.

Many of them have received positive comments, high scores and plenty of views, so obviously there are plenty of readers who want to read stories set in the past. Could it put some readers off? Sure it may. A group of 18-year-old college freshmen might log into Literotica looking for a good girl/bad guy story, find my story 'Penny & Michael's Forbidden Fun' and upon finding out it is set in 1962 may say 'Dude, they would be over 70 or dead now' or 'it would be like reading about your grandparents having sex when they were young,' and hit the back arrow, but others may really like the past setting.

I love writing retro-style stories as it is fun dressing up my characters in fashions of the decade and making references to events at the time. Past settings also work for me, as most of my works contain secret sexual liaisons which doesn't work as well in the current period of time with all the social media today. I also like to have characters making wrong calls of history, or alluding to future events. For example, in a story set in the 1920s a wealthy tycoon predicts that the 1930s will be a decade of ever increasing profits, prosperity and peace. In a story I set in the early 1990s, the two main characters, an 18-year-old boyfriend and girlfriend say how ridiculous cell phones are, and doubt they will ever become popular.

I hope your past setting stories go well, and I look forward to reading some when you post them.

 

[ElectricBlue]

You've got someone asking the question why there is so little erotica written for older, sexually experienced folk in this thread:

http://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=1398685

So there's definitely some readers out there who don't want to read about eighteen year olds.

Write whatever age you like - I reckon you'll find readers who will appreciate it.

 

[holliday1960]

Hey all, I am new to the forum stuff so bear with me. I have a story from my young adulthood that I've put together but am not sure about how it will be recieved? I ask that because live erotic entertainment has changed so much here in the last 15 years or so. The folks over 45 might relate to it but I doubt anyone younger than that would but who really knows?
Does anybody recall the live striptease love shows of the 70's early 80's time period? These were striptease dance numbers performed by a male and female exotic dancer. In some Clubs the acts would progress to live, simulated love making on a bed, throne, sofa etc. They weren't live sex but were about as close to one as people could see.
Today it would appear that a semi-nude male and female sharing the same stage is about as common as putting a man on mars and that's where some of my concern lies.
I did striptease love shows for 2 years down in NOLA. I sort of buried my experience for a very long time. It just wasn't the sort of stuff that I ever thought would be well recieved at a cocktail party or anywhere else for that matter.
I honestly felt the stuff I did was erotically beautiful. We sure tried to make it that way. Not sure how younger folks will react as they missed out of golden age of live erotic entertainment?

I'll read it. I'm from NOLA sort of...Who knows, maybe our paths crossed? Let me know when it posts.

 

[applc]

I'll read it. I'm from NOLA sort of...Who knows, maybe our paths crossed? Let me know when it posts.

You'll definitely know about this place. From what I've heard the Club really went into the toilet in the late 80's. When I danced there it was relatively clean and still kind of a Quarter Novelty of sorts. About half the female dancers working there were just above average but all of them had good figures and could dance. That seemed to be a big constant in those days. The place also had some really good looking girls many of whom I did love shows with. When it got late we would actually get some of the high end girls rotate in there and I got to do some really good shows with them. It was kind of a revolving door type of deal. At the time I got hired they had no guys actively performing. For a variety of reasons they couldn't get any reliable continuity from the guys?

 

[applc]

Appreciate your feedback!

 

[applc]

I write all of my stories set in the past, and have stories set in the 1920s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s & 1990s on the site.

Many of them have received positive comments, high scores and plenty of views, so obviously there are plenty of readers who want to read stories set in the past. Could it put some readers off? Sure it may. A group of 18-year-old college freshmen might log into Literotica looking for a good girl/bad guy story, find my story 'Penny & Michael's Forbidden Fun' and upon finding out it is set in 1962 may say 'Dude, they would be over 70 or dead now' or 'it would be like reading about your grandparents having sex when they were young,' and hit the back arrow, but others may really like the past setting.

I love writing retro-style stories as it is fun dressing up my characters in fashions of the decade and making references to events at the time. Past settings also work for me, as most of my works contain secret sexual liaisons which doesn't work as well in the current period of time with all the social media today. I also like to have characters making wrong calls of history, or alluding to future events. For example, in a story set in the 1920s a wealthy tycoon predicts that the 1930s will be a decade of ever increasing profits, prosperity and peace. In a story I set in the early 1990s, the two main characters, an 18-year-old boyfriend and girlfriend say how ridiculous cell phones are, and doubt they will ever become popular.

I hope your past setting stories go well, and I look forward to reading some when you post them.

Thank you! Your feedback was insightful.

 

[holliday1960]

You'll definitely know about this place. From what I've heard the Club really went into the toilet in the late 80's. When I danced there it was relatively clean and still kind of a Quarter Novelty of sorts. About half the female dancers working there were just above average but all of them had good figures and could dance. That seemed to be a big constant in those days. The place also had some really good looking girls many of whom I did love shows with. When it got late we would actually get some of the high end girls rotate in there and I got to do some really good shows with them. It was kind of a revolving door type of deal. At the time I got hired they had no guys actively performing. For a variety of reasons they couldn't get any reliable continuity from the guys?

It would seem we were there at the same time. I'm not sure about male dancers, but I've got to say reliable continuity men were absolutely no problem to find. Beware...That revolving door you speak of...already wrote that in chapter one of 'Southern Comfort' in my stories. Oh, and there were plenty of men who were very actively performing in SO many ways.
Like I said, if you post it...let me know. PM me when it goes up.

 

[applc]

That's still going on at least in Thailand, Germany, and Amsterdam that I know of. I would have thought it could be found in the states still too. If you are asking whether there would be an audience for a 70s/80s story using this, sure. Period pieces go over well here, in my experience. Many of my stories are historicals--and a good many of them are set somewhere before 1985, if I don't want to use condoms in the story.

Thanks bro! As I mentioned "things have changed a lot in that business." Male nudity on stage wasn't near as big a deal back then. I sure found that out. The really great deal about that place I wandered into was that you could pair up with a girl and put together anything you wanted to do. Once you got comfortable with it all then you basically had total latitude. After a while the place was sort of like a private club for dancers who wanted to explore. I made just about as much as I needed to get by.

 

[applc]

It would seem we were there at the same time. I'm not sure about male dancers, but I've got to say reliable continuity men were absolutely no problem to find. Beware...That revolving door you speak of...already wrote that in chapter one of 'Southern Comfort' in my stories. Oh, and there were plenty of men who were very actively performing in SO many ways.
Like I said, if you post it...let me know. PM me when it goes up.

I think, but I was never sure that there were some underground gay clubs down at the end of the Quarter but I never went exploring or asked? The guys where I got most of my performing attire were gay and they were a hoot. They seemed to sense that I wouldn't do a gay club and never asked. People could seek out and find just about anything they wanted. The partying has never changed but the really intense places were sort of shoved into the shadows but people certainly knew where to find them. I knew a lot of prostitutes both male and female. It was there in most of the clubs and everyone paid lip service to it. I won't lie at all in that I did occasionally did it if, and only if the woman was fairly good looking. You had to watch yourself though as NOLA Vice constantly probed those Clubs. Vice almost made it not worth ever doing.

 

[holliday1960]

I think, but I was never sure that there were some underground gay clubs down at the end of the Quarter but I never went exploring or asked? The guys where I got most of my performing attire were gay and they were a hoot. They seemed to sense that I wouldn't do a gay club and never asked. People could seek out and find just about anything they wanted. The partying has never changed but the really intense places were sort of shoved into the shadows but people certainly knew where to find them. I knew a lot of prostitutes both male and female. It was there in most of the clubs and everyone paid lip service to it. I won't lie at all in that I did occasionally did it if, and only if the woman was fairly good looking. You had to watch yourself though as NOLA Vice constantly probed those Clubs. Vice almost made it not worth ever doing.

Oh, my goodness! You couldn't possibly be from NOLA. I will personally vouch for the entire NOPD that there's never been a single recorded case of wrong doing among any of NO's finest.

Hell, the city is so saintly that they don't even NEED a Vice division. What vice? The women there are just very friendly and very beautiful. That's all. It's all those tourists who drift into town for Mardi gras season that give the place a bad name. (Damned troublemakers.) Probing clubs? Never! It's all lies I tell you.

Did you ever have one of those Doberge Cakes from Gambino's? Omg...they were to absolutely die for! I had a standing order every Saturday for one. One of my many guilty pleasures. I used to shop once a week at John Schwegmann's just for alcohol. People there would buy two baskets full a week. The Napoleonic Laws say all residents must maintain an open bar at all times. LOL

I told someone once who came visiting from out of town that you had to take two separate driver's license tests there. One drunk and one sober. LMAO They believed me.

The food alone was enough to keep me there. So many of the old places are gone now. Especially after Katrina. So much about NO I miss. The Lakefront, the Garden District, the Quarter, of course, the Fairgrounds, and Pontchartrain Beach. I'm not even sure Presbyterian Hall survived after Katrina. Pete Fountain's...even Pat O's...they may all be gone now. I don't know. I hear Marie Laveaux is still alive and well though.

 

[applc]

Oh, my goodness! You couldn't possibly be from NOLA. I will personally vouch for the entire NOPD that there's never been a single recorded case of wrong doing among any of NO's finest.

Hell, the city is so saintly that they don't even NEED a Vice division. What vice? The women there are just very friendly and very beautiful. That's all. It's all those tourists who drift into town for Mardi gras season that give the place a bad name. (Damned troublemakers.) Probing clubs? Never! It's all lies I tell you.

Did you ever have one of those Doberge Cakes from Gambino's? Omg...they were to absolutely die for! I had a standing order every Saturday for one. One of my many guilty pleasures. I used to shop once a week at John Schwegmann's just for alcohol. People there would buy two baskets full a week. The Napoleonic Laws say all residents must maintain an open bar at all times. LOL

I told someone once who came visiting from out of town that you had to take two separate driver's license tests there. One drunk and one sober. LMAO They believed me.

The food alone was enough to keep me there. So many of the old places are gone now. Especially after Katrina. So much about NO I miss. The Lakefront, the Garden District, the Quarter, of course, the Fairgrounds, and Pontchartrain Beach. I'm not even sure Presbyterian Hall survived after Katrina. Pete Fountain's...even Pat O's...they may all be gone now. I don't know. I hear Marie Laveaux is still alive and well though.

LOL! Good stuff here. I was from Baton Rouge and before taking a job in the Quarter, had never made it down there. Holy smokes the place was an adult Disney World. I fell in love with it all. I remember the girls always being concerned about Vice but with everything going down that never made any sense to me. I never once had anybody from Vice hassle me. Clients could purchase private love shows and I clearly remember management essentially trying to discourage them. One of the main girls I performed with claimed "it was because of Vice." Can you believe it has been over 25 years now since I've been back?

 

[holliday1960]

LOL! Good stuff here. I was from Baton Rouge and before taking a job in the Quarter, had never made it down there. Holy smokes the place was an adult Disney World. I fell in love with it all. I remember the girls always being concerned about Vice but with everything going down that never made any sense to me. I never once had anybody from Vice hassle me. Clients could purchase private love shows and I clearly remember management essentially trying to discourage them. One of the main girls I performed with claimed "it was because of Vice." Can you believe it has been over 25 years now since I've been back?

Same here...long time, long time...I left 34 years ago. Hard to believe, isn't it? How the hell could you live in BR and NOT make it to NO? That's crazy.

I don't think most people realize how truly beautiful the people from that area are. Such a cultural blend and no group of people know better than they do the key to living a rich and full life. They exude a sense of family and if they even remotely like you...you're family! They take care of and protect their own. It was all about loyalty. LOL

You know that saying about "a friend will bail you out of jail, but a best friend will be sitting in jail with you"? LMAO Hey, it was all for one and one for all back then. You went to one Cochon de Lait and you got invited to two dozen more. All the sudden, you're introduced as everyone's aunt or uncle. Young women were introduced politely as "my niece" in social circles by older men. I think that's how the rumor that southerns are all about incest got started. LOL

I remember once this man who eventually became a detective on the NOPD told me when he was studying for his promotion, they gave him a book of mugshots to look at...sort of a test to see how observant he was...
He said to me, "I opened that book and thought I was looking at my fucking family photo album!" (hey look, there's uncle Vito, and uncle Guido, and cousins Antoine, Jean, Carlos...) He said he passed that part of the exam with flying colors.

Being in the entertainment industry, I am surprised that you seem oblivious to the fact that there were as many male companions available as there were females. All that oil money...older women all had their very own...well, how shall I put it? favorite pets? Most places when you greet someone you ask, "How are you doing today?" but in NO, you asked, "WHO are you doing today?"

 

[applc]

Same here...long time, long time...I left 34 years ago. Hard to believe, isn't it? How the hell could you live in BR and NOT make it to NO? That's crazy.

I don't think most people realize how truly beautiful the people from that area are. Such a cultural blend and no group of people know better than they do the key to living a rich and full life. They exude a sense of family and if they even remotely like you...you're family! They take care of and protect their own. It was all about loyalty. LOL

You know that saying about "a friend will bail you out of jail, but a best friend will be sitting in jail with you"? LMAO Hey, it was all for one and one for all back then. You went to one Cochon de Lait and you got invited to two dozen more. All the sudden, you're introduced as everyone's aunt or uncle. Young women were introduced politely as "my niece" in social circles by older men. I think that's how the rumor that southerns are all about incest got started. LOL

I remember once this man who eventually became a detective on the NOPD told me when he was studying for his promotion, they gave him a book of mugshots to look at...sort of a test to see how observant he was...
He said to me, "I opened that book and thought I was looking at my fucking family photo album!" (hey look, there's uncle Vito, and uncle Guido, and cousins Antoine, Jean, Carlos...) He said he passed that part of the exam with flying colors.

Being in the entertainment industry, I am surprised that you seem oblivious to the fact that there were as many male companions available as there were females. All that oil money...older women all had their very own...well, how shall I put it? favorite pets? Most places when you greet someone you ask, "How are you doing today?" but in NO, you asked, "WHO are you doing today?"

LOL! I am still laughing. I was 19 when I first made it down there. What you said about family is SOOOOO true. Mom and I didn't have much money so to me, heading to NOLA was like a vacation. Believe it not when I first began dancing I was lonely. The girls were conducting an evaluation of me and though they liked me, they sort of kept back. Thankfully, my acceptance period came to a quick end. Just about everything revolved around the Club. Then, it seemed everyone working the Quarter became family. Once they knew who I was then that was it. I was seen as another contributor to the cause. I just wanted acceptance for what I was "a dancer." Some of those girls took me under their wing and taught me ballet techniques for how to do lifts. I became family and never went anywhere without us all hanging out together. Female exotic dancers can be a very competitive, possessive group. They didn't like any other women messing with me especially if they were from outside the Quarter. It was like I was suddenly born into a whole other world. Oftentimes I was confused trying to reconcile what I was doing and the life I was living. I felt in denial but once I was at the Club everything seemed clear. I loved entertaining people. It was a drug for me. It was a drug for all of us.

 

[holliday1960]

LOL! I am still laughing. I was 19 when I first made it down there. What you said about family is SOOOOO true. Mom and I didn't have much money so to me, heading to NOLA was like a vacation. Believe it not when I first began dancing I was lonely. The girls were conducting an evaluation of me and though they liked me, they sort of kept back. Thankfully, my acceptance period came to a quick end. Just about everything revolved around the Club. Then, it seemed everyone working the Quarter became family. Once they knew who I was then that was it. I was seen as another contributor to the cause. I just wanted acceptance for what I was "a dancer." Some of those girls took me under their wing and taught me ballet techniques for how to do lifts. I became family and never went anywhere without us all hanging out together. Female exotic dancers can be a very competitive, possessive group. They didn't like any other women messing with me especially if they were from outside the Quarter. It was like I was suddenly born into a whole other world. Oftentimes I was confused trying to reconcile what I was doing and the life I was living. I felt in denial but once I was at the Club everything seemed clear. I loved entertaining people. It was a drug for me. It was a drug for all of us.

I hear you. But, the thing about being lonely is that you can't be lonely for long in NO. Someone is gonna take you in. You very quickly belong to them and 'them' can be an entire circle or group and all the extensions of that circle. No, the girls would not have wanted to share you with outsiders. You belonged to them exclusively. LOL

I was reborn into a circle as well. It was very confusing at times, I agree. But, it all seemed to fall into place for a time anyway. The irony of it was you could sit down to dinner with people from every walk of life. They blended together nicely. I was closer to my NO family than I ever was to my blood family. Not many people can comprehend that. It's one of those 'you had to be there' stories, right?

I'm so sure your leading ladies taught you more than a few dance lifts. LOL I knew a few of the girls from the Quarter. They had moves that no one could imagine without seeing it for themselves.

There was this one girl...she was like one of the most well known dancers in the Quarter. I can't even remember her name now. But, you probably knew her...she was this tiny, tiny little thing, french of course, coal black hair and dark eyes...I mean she was GORGEOUS. She looked like a miniature living doll.

She used to pick up quarters off the stage for a one bill tip. Now, there were a few girls who could do that, but this one...something about the way she did it. It was mind blowing.

I hired her for a private solo dance one night for a friend...same guy I told that you had to take two different driver's tests...LOL..he was so gullible. Anyway, I've never seen a man run so hard in all my life! This girl did about three or four moves and the dude was so blown away, I don't think he EVER was the same after that.

I better stop with the reminiscing now and go "save the clothes" and "make some groceries" Mon Ami.

 

[applc]

I hear you. But, the thing about being lonely is that you can't be lonely for long in NO. Someone is gonna take you in. You very quickly belong to them and 'them' can be an entire circle or group and all the extensions of that circle. No, the girls would not have wanted to share you with outsiders. You belonged to them exclusively. LOL

I was reborn into a circle as well. It was very confusing at times, I agree. But, it all seemed to fall into place for a time anyway. The irony of it was you could sit down to dinner with people from every walk of life. They blended together nicely. I was closer to my NO family than I ever was to my blood family. Not many people can comprehend that. It's one of those 'you had to be there' stories, right?

I'm so sure your leading ladies taught you more than a few dance lifts. LOL I knew a few of the girls from the Quarter. They had moves that no one could imagine without seeing it for themselves.

There was this one girl...she was like one of the most well known dancers in the Quarter. I can't even remember her name now. But, you probably knew her...she was this tiny, tiny little thing, french of course, coal black hair and dark eyes...I mean she was GORGEOUS. She looked like a miniature living doll.

She used to pick up quarters off the stage for a one bill tip. Now, there were a few girls who could do that, but this one...something about the way she did it. It was mind blowing.

I hired her for a private solo dance one night for a friend...same guy I told that you had to take two different driver's tests...LOL..he was so gullible. Anyway, I've never seen a man run so hard in all my life! This girl did about three or four moves and the dude was so blown away, I don't think he EVER was the same after that.

I better stop with the reminiscing now and go "save the clothes" and "make some groceries" Mon Ami.

LOL! Good stuff here bro! Man oh man I wonder what it is like down there now? Memories beginning to penetrate the few brain cells remaining. Geez that girl you mention sounds like one of my sidekicks "Chanel." She was the girl who found me. Ole Chanel was a hard drinking, chain smoking baddass of an exotic dancer. All 5'5 of her! She literally trained me on stage and was very good at it. Over time I became very good as well. Every now and again I would walk in and she would go "you be a goin against your master pretty boy." I would always respond "I ain't afraid of you no more" and she would get this cocky grin on her face. "Clear out girls as its time for me to discipline my young male disciple." Chanel knew "I can take Alex down in my sleep." She and I didn't hold back much up there.

 

[holliday1960]

LOL! Good stuff here bro! Man oh man I wonder what it is like down there now? Memories beginning to penetrate the few brain cells remaining. Geez that girl you mention sounds like one of my sidekicks "Chanel." She was the girl who found me. Ole Chanel was a hard drinking, chain smoking baddass of an exotic dancer. All 5'5 of her! She literally trained me on stage and was very good at it. Over time I became very good as well. Every now and again I would walk in and she would go "you be a goin against your master pretty boy." I would always respond "I ain't afraid of you no more" and she would get this cocky grin on her face. "Clear out girls as its time for me to discipline my young male disciple." Chanel knew "I can take Alex down in my sleep." She and I didn't hold back much up there.

They tell me the climate has changed drastically. There was an influx of West Coast infiltrators since 2005, buying up property. A lot of the old people left, or died. Crime is no longer contained, but has spread, making much of the area, even some outlying ones, more inner city than old charm. Traditions, the language, and simple things like cuisine have changed. You can hardly hear anyone still speaking anything that resembles french anymore. The younger generations have no time or desire to keep the old ways alive. Such a pity.

Your Chanel is not the woman I spoke of. Your physical description doesn't match and while many dancer changed stage names more often than they changed g-strings, the name doesn't match either. This girl may have been less than 5' tall because I am 5'4" and I was far taller than she was.

On a personal note, may I respectfully ask that you refrain in the future from referring to me as 'bro'? You can refer to me as anything of the feminine persuasion you like, but please, never 'bro'. Perhaps your mistake was in assuming that a woman (even in the company of a man) wouldn't attend the dance clubs in the Quarter?

 

[MoonlightandRoses]

Holliday and Applc, I read your comments about New Orleans. I went there a number of years ago, not expecting to enjoy it much – I went just to see it. To my surprise I did enjoy it, not the night life, but going around the city looking at things. I enjoyed riding the streetcars and the ferry over to Algiers and the food. New Orleans is one of those cities I feel is romantic, like Paris throughout its history and Berlin during the 1920s and to a lesser extent Savannah and Dublin. When I write romantic I do not mean in the love story or erotic sense, but in the sense used by the writers, composers and artists of the first half of the 19th century. I also feel that sense of Romanism in regard to the American South and Russia. Now, before people think I’m praising those places I better point out that the Romanism of those places is deeply tired into the notion of tragedy and the attempt to preserve a past that didn’t deserve to be preserved. Two films that show my feelings, about this, are “Gone with the Wind” (1939) from a novel by Margaret Mitchell and “Doctor Zhivago” (1965), directed by David Lean and from a novel by Boris Pasternak. They are good places to write stories about and to visit, but I wouldn’t have wanted to live there then.

Moonlight and Roses,

 

[sr71plt]

I have clubbed in New Orleans too (before Katrina) and had a good time. Much different clubs, though. Have written a few stories with New Orleans as a backdrop too, as it's a very sensual city.

 

[holliday1960]

I have clubbed in New Orleans too (before Katrina) and had a good time. Much different clubs, though. Have written a few stories with New Orleans as a backdrop too, as it's a very sensual city.

Yes, sir Pilot. It is very sensual, among other things. What it was then has nearly passed away, with only hints of that dying breed. The clubs in the Quarter were essentially all for the same purpose, pleasure. And, as we know, pleasure covers a broad spectrum.

 

[holliday1960]

Holliday and Applc, I read your comments about New Orleans. I went there a number of years ago, not expecting to enjoy it much – I went just to see it. To my surprise I did enjoy it, not the night life, but going around the city looking at things. I enjoyed riding the streetcars and the ferry over to Algiers and the food. New Orleans is one of those cities I feel is romantic, like Paris throughout its history and Berlin during the 1920s and to a lesser extent Savannah and Dublin. When I write romantic I do not mean in the love story or erotic sense, but in the sense used by the writers, composers and artists of the first half of the 19th century. I also feel that sense of Romanism in regard to the American South and Russia. Now, before people think I’m praising those places I better point out that the Romanism of those places is deeply tired into the notion of tragedy and the attempt to preserve a past that didn’t deserve to be preserved. Two films that show my feelings, about this, are “Gone with the Wind” (1939) from a novel by Margaret Mitchell and “Doctor Zhivago” (1965), directed by David Lean and from a novel by Boris Pasternak. They are good places to write stories about and to visit, but I wouldn’t have wanted to live there then.

Moonlight and Roses,

I'm afraid I cannot be politically correct and agree with you on your point, MR. We're all products of our pasts. NO has a proud heritage and it should be preserved regardless of what the approved history books record as censored facts.

 

[MoonlightandRoses]

Holliday, I’m not sure what you object to. Perhaps I wasn’t clear enough that I was talking about the past and not current New Orleans. I was very pleased with the city when I visited it and I saw nothing that didn’t deserve to be preserved. Also I agree very much that we are all products of our past, which is why I believe that society changes slowly. However, to me there is no doubt that the history of the American South and of Russia, as well as many other places has been tragic. Further I feel there are much in the history of many places, maybe most places outside of the American South and Russia where people tried to preserve a past that didn’t deserve to be preserved. In fact I believe that most of the tragic events of the past few centuries were due to people trying to preserve a past that didn’t deserve to be preserved. I did not single out New Orleans.

Moonlight and Roses,