Gala Evening

I feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman minus the whole sex for money thing; the long, wavy red hair; and the fabulous red dress...OK, the truth is we have nothing in common except for the fact that both characters (myself and her character in the movie) don’t normally get out and hob-nob with the elite in society. Don’t normally get out and hob-nob--HA! Who am I kidding? I never do.

My friend Sara asked me and our friend Jessica to join her at her company’s table at a Gala this weekend. I’m not quite sure what to expect here, but my imagination has definitely gotten out of hand. I’m picturing all these snooty models with their gorgeous escorts who will all be looking down their noses at me through their champagne flutes. They’ll be wearing black cocktail dresses and 6-inch heels as they dangle on the arm of someone rich and famous, while I’ll be sporting something clean from my closet and trying to stand upright in my Target special shoes. They’ll be munching on their one allowed whole grain cracker of the evening while I’ll be holding a plate full of food and wondering where dessert is.

Can’t you just picture it now? This just isn’t me. See, I’m a simple girl. I may love elegance in homes and décor, and be a bit more than enraptured with art, architecture, and photography. I do have a love for beauty and classic design, but I’m not exactly what you would call a refined or distinguished person. I’m just Mel.

1. I still like country music. Over the past 6 years, I have developed a taste for pop, rock and alternative, too. Music from Nickelback and Evanescence has a definite grip on me! But I still think there is a bit of me tied permanently to country. I’ve tried to stop. I really have. I entered a program after my sister expressed her concerns, but there is still something about blue grass and country music that touches me. Alison Kraus, Sara Evans and Reba McEntire can still make me cry, and George Strait can make my spirit soar. It’s all good stuff! (sigh!)

2. I don’t enjoy dressing up. Maybe it was those 22 years of wearing skirts and dresses that took away the charm of it all for me. I wore a skirt to work once in the past 3 years, and everyone wanted to know what the scoop was. Are you trying to impress someone? Do you have a job interview or what? I won’t do THAT again! I’m a business casual girl. I like to be feminine, but delicate I am not. I just don’t do well in dressy clothing. Nothing fits right. I’m short and extra fluffy, and dresses were made for the tall and slim or the dainty and petite.

3. I’m not a lover of small talk or the art of conversation. Oh, I like to talk all right with my friends and family—just ask my sister! I talk plenty. But I’m not all that great at feigning an interest in something just to appease. For example, I’m not all that great with conversations on politics, fashion, sports, the news or cars. I mean, I’d be better off discussing the latest CSI episode, the weather, or funny movie lines. Hmmmm...

Now, I’m not worried abut having a good time this weekend. I always have a good time. I’m just hoping to keep my sarcasm under wraps, to contain my food on my plate rather than on my lap, and to muster up my real smile for the bulk of the evening. I want to be myself. ‘Cause if you aren’t your self, than who are ya?