Championville

So far, I have managed to survive another holiday season. I suppose I shouldn’t talk too early…there is still New Year’s coming up. Of course, it is normally just the mad holiday shopping (shoppers) that get to me.

Our Christmas celebration was very nice this year. Mike and I, along with a few of other mutual friends, went over to our friend Rick’s place on Christmas Eve and celebrated with an East Coast Italian tradition…namely a seafood feast. Rick prepared 7 different fish dishes, along with some veggie dishes for those that don’t do fish. We ate for hours. Literally. The feast began at 6PM and we finished with the cookies at midnight. A most welcome way to celebrate with friends.

Christmas Day itself we went over for dinner at another friend’s place. This was a smaller affair, just four of us total. Just had a relaxing time with some (more) good food. As usual when we visit Martin we had to keep things a bit shorter than what we might do otherwise becuase the cats finally ended up getting to Mike. Once his allergies start to kick in it’s time to call it a day.

Luckily, when that point was getting close we all decided to wander over to the Metreon for a movie. Unfortunately, it turns out, we picked The Producers. Not that it was a bad movie. In truth, it was a funny movie…in a Mel Brooks kind of way. Totally over the top. Totally tasteless at times. Not to mention Nathan Lane was in it.

The problem, you see, was with our friend Martin. He’s German. As in originally from Germany. Not really the best idea to go see a movie ‘about’ Hitler and the war with him. Understandably, the whole thing is still a bit of a touchy subject.

Wishing everybody Peace and Joy this holiday season, however you may (or may not) celebrate it.

Last night was my company Holiday Party. Mike and I were only able to attend part of the festivities since a friend of ours was having his own get together. Probably for the best anyway…after all, there is only so much socializing that can be done with one’s coworkers before madness sets in. Not that I don’t enjoy working with most everybody…but that’s just it, I work with all these people. I see them day after day and very often it is because there is some issue taking place. Gets hard to see them outside work without having the mind lapse back into it’s normal damage control mode.

The second party of the night was highly enjoyable. Ended up socializing with the other folks that were in our performance group, which is a great thing since they are all fantastic people.

This week will probably be a bit slower at work. I just hope it’s not too slow…I’d at least like to have enough going on to stay busy. Nothing worse than having a day where you really don’t have much going on and finding boredom setting in.

Last night was the second and final performance for the winter showcase my salsa group was in. Last night went even better than Friday night. It seemed like we were all out there just having fun instead of being worried about doing something wrong. The energy felt fantastic…and the audience was great. Lots of noise!!

Today is the cast party for the showcase. Sit back and watch a recording of the performances, and just enjoy the feeling of accomplishment.

Then what? We are all prepared for the post-production let down. The feeling of missing something…but not knowing exactly what.

Luckily, the next few weeks will be busy with holiday things, so there will be less time to feel the ‘loss’.

So, last night was the first of two performances for my salsa dance group. Overall, I think it went very well.

Mike and I had had a slight mishap during one of the rehearsals on Thursday night, so going into dress rehearsal yesterday afternoon was a bit nerve racking. Luckily the added pressure of having messed up a step before did not cause any issue. During the actual performance there was one hiccup, but I doubt the audience even noticed.

The hardest part of the day was actually getting into costume…specifically the whole makeup thing. Eyeliner? Mascara? Foundation? Color me clueless. Luckily there were plenty of folks around to help keep me from looking like a Whore Clown.

One more ‘official’ performance to go…plus a ‘guest performance’ at a dance night next month. As far as more lessons…maybe modern dance?

Next Friday and Saturday is the ‘Winter Wonderdance’, the dance showcase my salsa group is perfoming in. I am so ready to get this done with. It’s not that I’m having a bad time or anything. On the contrary, it’s very enjoyable. The urgency is basically two fold.

One, we run through the routine over and over and over and over and… well, you get the idea. I am so ready to just dance the routine ‘for real’.

Secondly, I am getting a bit nervous. I haven’t really performed in front of an audience in a long time. Since elementary school, i think. All other forays into the performing arts were behind the scenes…lighting, sound, etc. Hmm…actually, I did play in a couple of concerts when i was taking guitar lessons. And there were a few piano recitals.

Anyway…I’ll be glad once the showcase is over. Like I said…it’s enjoyable, but I really am ready to dance to something besides the Ran Can Can

On a side note…I think my nipple piercing may be infected. Then again, maybe not. No change in coloration…just more sensitive right now.

Now that they are officially over, I wonder if Nick needs a place to stay.

If so, I don’t think there would be any problem putting him up for a few days/weeks/years…
This is either a really smart idea or else a really bad one…I can’t decide yet.