Winter Waltz 2009

Centre piece (photo by Sharon)

I typed "Squirrel" into eBay and found... yes, I can get a stuffed one (via taxidermy) for about 25 USD.  I reported my findings to Boss Michael, and he's delighted.  Unfortunately, the supplier is in the States - the stuffed squirrel will not make it in time for his friend's 40th birthday party that night.  (Apparently, the 40th birthday just screams "stuffed squirrel".)

Lana and Paul in hats! (photo by Melissa)

Even by Friday afternoon standards this was pretty quirky.  I had originally planned to leave early for Winter Waltz, but would you know it?  Mother Nature decided to make it a true winter: Snow!  And lots of it.  Instead of glamourously stepping forth from the LRT in all my finery, I changed the plan: Paul and I would get to Shaw and then I'll start the metamorphosis.  As luck would have it, Judy let me use the green room to change - a definite step up from getting ready in the washroom.   

Paul and Lana near the ATM
(photo by David)

The rest of the night was just pure fun.  The Sorefeet weren't there, but I still managed lots of dancing after a very tasty dinner.  And of course, there were photos. 

I didn't have it in mind, but the storm had continued while we had our fun.  I climbed out of John's car into a snow drift that was just shy of hip deep.  Good thing I had put on jeans as well leg warmers. 

2009-2010 TA Corps (photo by JNhieu)

Congratulations, Charlotte and Michael!  Welcome, Baby Sarah!

Winter Waltz

Winter Waltz was quite sweet. John picked up Patrick and I, (maybe just a tad early) and we met with Beth and Madelyn at the Shaw Conference Centre. There was some confusion over tables. Maria wasn't there to set us all straight - a last minute injury meant she couldn't come at all. So in the end, Darren and Clarence ended up at a table beside us rather than with us.

(Above: John and Beth Rumba / Right: Clarence and Beth West Coast)

Dinner then was interesting as we made small talk with some people who we've never met. One of them asked "What is your passion?" Puzzled I said, "Dance of course. We're here after all." I now wonder if he meant what I did for a living. O.k. I guess I should be less awkward and more open, but it was still kind of scary. I had that anxiety again of thinking "So... what's my story?".

(Left: Ali and David / Right: Patrick strikes a pose.)

Madelyn knew what to do with all the silverware, and gave us a little lesson. The main course got us talking about fruit and vegetables: purple carrots, green cauliflower, yellow tomatoes, red oranges... a rainbow of fruit and vegetables that we don't find in an average grocery store. Patrick and John were in a state of disbelief "These can't be real." "Yes they are!" Beth, Madelyn and I countered. And then we paused to laugh - with all the years of education between us, we were arguing about this!

My extra food went to Patrick and John, and when the desserts came, us girls got first pick. It was a very good set up indeed.

We danced. We danced some more. We took a break for performances. Amanda and Darren were one of the couples!

Guys flocked to the table for Beth, but I don't think she noticed. I didn't feel like I knew that many people, but I didn't sit out much either. Clarence took me around the floor several times (again making me laugh when switching between American and Standard) and impressed us all with his West Coast moves. Darren's learned some cool salsa moves from Amanda, and we give that a try too.

More dancing, and more dancing... and then surprise! The usual crowd left for Boston Pizza early! Beth, John, Patrick, Madelyn, and I stayed to the very end. I danced the last waltz with David - a very good sport indeed since his ankle was still healing.

WW wouldn't have been complete without some photos. Again, had lots of fun doing "glamour shots" in the lobby. There were some of Madelyn too, but none are internet-postable on threat of breaking arms.

Three days (from receiving the ticket and knowing I'm was really going) of anticipation was still enough.

... Warmth in Winter ...

Chris: He just wants to manipulate on a grand scale.
Malcolm: How do you know I don't?
Sam: Hey, do you have a thermostat in your office?

Dance class turned out o.k. and I managed to buy Sarah Slean tickets for her show in Edmonton! *swoon* And over the weekend so much stuff happened so that I was too busy to return my library books... ah the weight of library fines on the mind...

But I digress.

Anne's birthday celebrations included pastries, cornbread, and polenta at Friday Feast, followed by drinks at her new "local" the Hotel MacDonald. We were lightly serenaded by bagpipes at 10:13 p.m. I took pictures, listened to the sound of ice cubes in the glass, warmed my feet between the couch cushions. Malcolm insisted that the water tasted like celery. Which prompted an Iron Chef challenge. What they were drinking smelled like wet wood to me (billed as "Double Wood"). And though we waited, there was no bagpipe encore to mark the hour at 11:13 p.m.

Winter Waltz the next day and I couldn't seem to get anything right. There driving involved, and at some point I had to figure out where to park. Ugh. Parking. Atleast Darren tipped me off that Canada Place was close by. But weren't the doors supposed to automatically open? Some sensor, some where was supposed to detect me and the vehicle and open the door. Right?! But it didn't. I drove until the bumper kissed the door, and still no granted entry. And I thought this only happened for regular doors because I was too short. Dang! Opted for parking at the Library parking lot. I should have never strayed.

Inside things started to improve. Dinner, which answered the question: What does one eat soup with? The answer: a knife! We toasted to the Queen... while Beth toasted to the Governor General. Followed by lots and lots of dancing, after lots and lots of photos :) How could I resist - they were simply gorgeous dahlings! Was painful to sit through the Gotan tangos, but Pib did rescue me for one of them. And Steph let me "lead" her through a rumba. Thank you both! Didn't think I had the energy to stay to the very end. But I did. And with another handful of confetti tucked away in my purse, Anne and I drove off into the night.

It was weather to confuse the vegetation. Plus weather, and the snow was turning into ice. At some point, I will have to learn that sometimes doing too many things at once just means nothing will be done well. And you might slip and fall along the way, and it'll all be more painful too. Made cross the town trips to visit with Charlotte for her wedding shower (Congrats!) in Sherwood Park, and then to Rutherford House to meet for Anne's Birthday High Tea. It was quite the fashion event: Anne wore her new hat and Malcolm showed off his new reflective sash, Sophie simply looked great, and both Rem and Steph were not clashing :P I'm pretty sure I combed my hair. And it was there where I cut and created corners, we discussed whether a Star Trek or a Star Wars wedding would be best, along with some real estate developments.

I get home and fall asleep while listening to Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. Not sure if I dream of the answers to: What is evil? Or what is consciousness? I wake up to another Monday.