I am behind on my events posts, that happen in this season. I want to post about by company party. I didn’t get to yesterday so I am being a putz and doing it today instead of the work I should be doing.

I normally don’t like company Christmas parties. My attitude is to go to see what they have done/put together, enjoy what I can and then leave. It is almost a research project instead of an enjoyable event. I have stories of past company parties that were enjoyable to have gone to but not enjoyable to be at.

The day started and I did not feel well, both physically and emotionally. It was bad enough that I stayed home from work for half a day. I would have called it quits for the whole day except I was well enough to get something done, the Xmas party was after work 3 blocks away and I invited Karen to go with me. At work, I was quiet and moved slowly. A few people commented it on it and then mostly left me alone. My energy started coming back by the end of the work day.

I got dressed at work. Usually these things are semi-formal and I wear gowns. I had been to three previous ones (wow, I can’t believe I still work at the same place this long) and remember what I wore each year and who came with me. This year, the dress code was “festive holiday” or “elegant nightclub.” Since I have dropped so much weight lately, I have a number of outfits that I can wear again that I can’t wear to work, but I could wear to a holiday party. So this year, it was a short short skirt, with a lace skirt over it (seen at the nice boots party), a velvet top that cuts really low, a red jacket with black velvet lapels, black stockings and 4″ black pumps. Yeah, I have legs and I know how to use them.

Karen found me at MOMA after much trying. We matched nicely, her in a red sweater and black skirt. (Yes, we are clotheshorses/costumers, it is an important detail to our stories ). BGI gave out cool necklace things that are clear plastic with BGI on them that glow blue. It fit right in my cleavage so I figured its purpose was to accent it. Yep, I was in that kind of mood that night. Weeee. After much trouble trying to get some water (we have tickets for free booze but the water was listed at $3), we headed over to W (the nice hotel next door and the rest of the party) to find some food. Once again, I am not doing so well. I was about ready to start body blocking people because they are in my way and are sending me to some distant land to find food when there is some right past them. Karen and I slipped around the silly fool and get some food. Once I had some in me, I was doing a little better. I didn’t realize how much better until later.

After chatting for a little bit, we headed upstairs for more food and to check out the 80s cover band, Tainted Love. They were good. They started playing and I could feel the pull to get on the dance floor even though the songs are hokey. Of course the floor is empty. If I was in a crowd of my type of people, I would have broken the floor in. As it is, I have enough trouble knowing what is appropriate behavior in a corporate setting and didn’t want to deal with the “look at those two crazy woman dancing together by themselves on the dance floor” type of comments. Then they start Footloose. I want to dance. I went up to a couple that looked like they were dying to get on the floor as well and suggested we form a mutual protection pack and go out together. Look, a few more people are going out. Let’s Dance! The next song cleared the floor except for me and Karen. I didn’t care anymore, I was enjoying myself to the point of putting a stitch in my side. I think that the event photographer got a couple of shots of me on the floor. I am waiting for them to post the pictures. I can tell you, I can dance in 4″ pumps and it is a pretty sight but there is a price to pay, ouch. I did get comments afterwards about people noticing me on the dance floor. My main boss’ husband complemented me on my hips saying his can’t move like that anymore. After wearing ourselves out on the dance floor for a few songs, I proclaimed I want henna-ed. There were henna artists and palm readers a level down. We headed down and I put our names on the list to be “inked.” I am not sure but I think I may have inserted ourselves into a full list. We hung around and talked with people. One of the henna women called me over to do my henna. I asked for ivy winding on the back of my left hand. When she asked if I had anything specific, I said “just make it pretty.” She said I was her favorite customer all night. I loved my henna, it is pretty and graceful. Karen had a flower put on her left hand. We sat around and chatted some more between getting our henna “lemoned.” We found out we missed a good mentalist show. One of my co-workers was chosen and had a blast. The night was nearing an end and I wanted to go dancing again but was worried about the free present and the coat check so we headed back over to MOMA and got our things. BGI has never given us Xmas presents and this year it was a nice double sided fleece (that feels a little like wool) lap blanket with the logo embroidered on it. Between them telling us we are doing so well and the presents and the layoffs and cost cutting, I am getting really frustrated with the mixed messages. That is the thing that frustrates me the most about my company, the mixed messages.

After we get our things, we headed back to the W to see if the band is still going. I am so grateful that Karen doesn’t mind following. I was a bit bullheaded that night. I felt drunk even before we left MOMA and I only had water to drink. The band was playing Tainted Love and the floor was packed. We found an edge and danced away. It was the last song and I am so glad we caught it. It was a nice end to the event. It seemed to have ended too early for me. I didn’t expect to enjoy myself so much and I had a wonderful time. I drove Karen to my place as she did drink during the evening and that would be another half an hour more of body processing. We talked a little at my place and then I sent her home.

I am really glad I went. I am really glad Karen could join me and share the fun. I am liking my company again. Pictures are here.