Although the jarheads of Marine Security Guard (MSG) detachment (det) Rio de Janeiro, Brasil and I didn’t always get along during my assignment (1999-2000), we were able to set aside our differences and enjoy memorable events when clubbing—the social activity of attending nightclubs.
One such instance occurred in a club called Bunker 94 (referred to merely as “Bunker”). Before I share details of one night in focus, it may be useful to know about the influence of electronic dance music (EDM) on MSG det Rio.
When I was assigned to the det, many of the Rio clubs played EDM. As part of our training and in regard to our security posture, MSGs were issued boxes of chem lights. According to one source:
A glow stick, also known as a light stick, chem light, light wand, light rod, and rave light, is a self-contained, short-term light-source. It consists of a translucent plastic tube containing isolated substances that, when combined, make light through chemiluminescence.
Glow sticks came in a variety of colors, though the bulk of our supply in Rio was green. Noteworthy, one source states, “Glowsticking, known colloquially as Raving at CTY [website], is an umbrella term used to describe dancing with glowsticks and/or other luminescent devices.”
Despite our many differences, members of MSG det Rio were able to agree upon at least one pressing matter of our time – glowsticking with our government-issued chem lights was an appropriate tactical training opportunity. It made us better prepared for diplomatic security duty.
Of course, this form of rationalization was nonsensical. Nevertheless, many glow sticks were expended by jarheads within the clubs of Rio at the time. (It was of the utmost importance to our diplomatic mission, after all.)
On one night which was like any other, five or six of the MSG det Rio members went club-hopping—transitioning from one nightclub to another, or perhaps many others, in sequential order. Eventually, we wound up in Bunker.
Typically, along with our glow sticks, MSGs carried other tools with us in case there were emergent conditions which required that we defend ourselves. Slipping past club security staff members as we had on many occasions, I heard whispers from the staff about a special guest.
I thought nothing of it in the moment. Per usual, the atmosphere of the club was fueled by EDM. As a few of the other Marines and I were dancing, the beat suddenly stopped and almost all of the club lights went dim.
“Oh, shit, it’s about to go down,” I thought as I prepared myself to use the alternative tools which I’d snuck into the club. However, much to my relief and surprise, a loud voice radiated from the speakers while introducing DJ Zé Pedro—a popular Brasilian DJ.
If memory serves, I’d previously seen him on MTV Brasil. Reassured by the notion that there’d be no violence and that club-goers were being treated to a night of the latest EDM tunes spun by an eccentric DJ, I watched as women who were all dressed alike circled the dance floor.
Apparently, DJ Zé Pedro brought an entourage of scantily clad women who wore mostly red attire. Think red lingerie, red paint in a stripe encasing their eyes, and red headpieces.
As the lights were still dim, I heard a faint beat slowly starting to build. Then, a voice loudly stated, “It began…in Africa!” Unbeknownst to me at the time, it was a track from Plasmic Honey entitled “Afrika,” and which was featured on DJ Zé Pedro’s album O Fenômeno Techno (1999).
Interestingly, a similar track from Denny Tsettos was also released, and which was called “Afrika,” as I have no idea who originated the song. Nonetheless, I do recall what happed that surprised me in Bunker.
As the beat of “Afrika” rose to a crescendo, out came red glow sticks from the many women of DJ Zé Pedro’s entourage! This was an uncommon occurrence, as not very many club-goers were glowsticking in Rio clubs at the time.
That form of dance was usually reserved for raves, concerts, or festivals, though MSGs were mainly the source of club-affiliated glowsticking in Rio during 1999-2000. Far be it for the jarheads of MSG det Rio to let a diplomatic training opportunity go to waste!
Out came our green chem lights! I observed the look of surprise on many of the faces which DJ Zé Pedro brought with him that night. There, on the dancefloor of Bunker, was an all-out glowsticking contest. Forgive my use of hyperbole, though a dance battle ensued!
Although the above photo wasn’t taken from the night pertaining to this post, it is a picture of me glowsticking when in Rio. Without a doubt, the DJ Zé Pedro event served as my most enjoyable night in Bunker. It’s one I hope never to forget.
This is where the topic of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is relevant to the content of the blogpost. Increasingly, I’ve become aware that portions of my memory are either altered or have disappeared altogether.
Perhaps this has something to do with the natural process of aging, occurrence of multiple traumatic brain injury episodes, or an accumulation of toxic chemicals to which I was exposed when serving in the military. I’m as uncertain of the origin as I am regarding Tsettos’ song.
In any case, I’m currently aware that my memory is gradually slipping. It would be easy to self-disturb about this concerning issue if I were to use irrational beliefs.
Yet, I don’t want the hope of memory retention to transition into despair driven from unfavorable beliefs regarding my circumstance. Why taint the remnants of a pleasurable time with fear, sorrow, or anguish that stems from inflexible beliefs about life?
While I hope not to forget about glowsticking in a Bunker filled with people experiencing a euphoric moment in time, I won’t upset myself by believing that my memory shouldn’t fade, convincing myself of how awful that would be, or maintaining that I couldn’t stand such an experience.
By all means, I could choose to self-disturb in such a manner. However, I choose not to do that. Rather, I’ll use unconditional life-acceptance—an REBT technique whereby I acknowledge the imperfection, impermanence, and uncertainty of life – and to do so without unhelpful conditions.
Ultimately, there are many aspects of MSG det Rio that I don’t miss and which I’d be pleased to forget. All the same, I unconditionally accept even those displeasing memories.
As I’m capable of refraining from self-disturbance in regard to dissatisfying recollections, I can use the same resolve concerning the many pleasing memories associated with my time in Rio. Thus, I accept all positive, neutral, and negative remembrances of my experience in Brasil.
In fact, I’m grateful to have been able to engage in glowsticking in a Bunker while living in South America. If I eventually forget that transient moment in time, so be it.
That’s okay, because I actually lived the moment in time and my memory of that period isn’t nearly as sweet as an experience in the moment itself. Thus, I’ve no condition regarding whether or not my memories will remain or fade. Either way, I had a wonderful time glowsticking in a Bunker!
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References:
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CTY. (n.d.). Glowsticking. RealCTY. Retrieved from https://www.realcty.org/wiki/Glowsticking
Discogs. (n.d.). DJ Zé Pedro. Retrieved from https://www.discogs.com/artist/585385-DJ-Z%C3%A9-Pedro?superFilter=Releases
Discogs. (n.d.). DJ Zé Pedro – DJ Zé Pedro - O Fenômeno Techno. Retrieved from https://www.discogs.com/release/2948656-DJ-Z%C3%A9-Pedro-DJ-Z%C3%A9-Pedro-O-Fen%C3%B4meno-Techno
Discogs. (n.d.). Plasmic Honey. Retrieved from https://www.discogs.com/artist/52719-Plasmic-Honey
DJ Denny Tsettos – Topic. (2015, January 7). Afrika (Main Mix) [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/clEMeaZaa4U?si=tjt82YDhFEbpx0wR
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