Thursday, February 10, 2011

Black Tie Event

Dear Mom,

I can’t recall that you went to any kind of black tie event, but maybe you did before I was born. If you did I wonder if you liked it and if you were as awkward as me.

Norm and I are planning to attend another fundraising event on Saturday. One of the first black tie shin-digs I attended made me really uncomfortable—not just emotionally, but physically. I wrote an essay about it (encouraged by fellow friend writer and blogger Linda O’Connell, who ended up winning—surprise surprise). The subject of the essay pertained to getting “all dolled up”, but for me it was also about being socially awkward.

As we stood around during cocktail hour at the event in question, someone had asked me, “So Lynn, what do you do?”

Total blank. I blurted out, “Nothing.”

The conversation went downhill from there when politics came up. Somebody mentioned our Mayor. I opened my big mouth. “I wouldn’t know the Mayor if I ran into him.”

Norm laughed, “You did meet the Mayor when you got of the car earlier!”

I cocked my head like a puppy does. Really?

"See, told you.”

Did he think I was kidding? We had valet parking and I thought the car attendant was just overly friendly shaking my hand and telling me to have a good evening. What Mayor does stuff like that? I guess one that mixes with the common folk. Although what do I know about Mayors?

All of this emotional stuff wouldn’t have been so bad if my body wouldn’t have been aching. Fun being all dolled up? Every part was shouting, “I want my jammies and slippers!”

I want to be prepared for this upcoming event. No high heels. No control tops. No keep-the-girls-up bra. If someone asks, “So Lynn what do you do?” I’m going to answer, “I’m a writer.” And if politics comes up, well… I’m likely to keep my mouth shut.

8 comments:

  1. Yay, Lynn! You go, girl!! That's right...You tell them loud and clear and proudly that you are a writer!! (PS I don't care for those kind of shindigs, either...unless there's at least one other person I know! And I used to feel weird saying I was a writer, like I had to almost apologize for it, ya know?!)

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  2. Hey Lynn - I feel your pain. I'm not great at those types of mixers either. But you are smart, funny and engaging, so I bet once you open up (and suck down a martini or two...or three LOL) you'll have a great time. And you ARE a writer. An extremely talented writer. Say it proudly!

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  3. Lynn,
    You crack me up! Your description of the pain inducing undergarments is every woman's wince. Have fun; wear flats, free your girls and shock the heck out of all of them.

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  4. Loved it! Hope you have a great time at the event. Who knows? You may discover some terrific new story ideas!

    Pat
    www.critteralley.blogspot.com

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  5. I am glad you are planning to say "I'm a writer," because before I was finished reading this and you had gotten to that part, I was screaming it in my head.

    You're a writer!!!!!!

    I love black-tie kinds of things, but Tom refuses to dress up for anything! I am sure you'll look stunning. Have fun!

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  6. Lynn, you're not just a writer--you're a WONDERFUL writer. You had me laughing out loud.

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  7. Your description of the overly friendly car attendant was a hoot! I'm with you about those events, but hope you had fun in spite of it all!

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Thanks for commenting. I don't always comment back, but I do appreciate it.