social engagements

I've had a busy week since my last post, each night sitting in front of my computer debating on whether to write or sleep. Sorry, but sleep keeps on winning! I'll try to get better. Here's my week in summary by social engagements:

tuesday - wine tasting
On Tuesday night I headed out to a wine-tasting/fundraiser for a friend who has been doing mission work in South Africa for the past year. It was a house party where we tasted wines from SA, followed by her talking about the work she's been doing there and a slideshow. It was a really nice event. I didn't meet anyone new and almost all of the guys were either married, other acquaintances, or much older men. I mean, not that the event was about me meeting potential suitors...I'm just saying!

wednesday - open house
A friend of mine recently got her photography business up and running and moved into a really cute studio with 4 other girls who sell things from: event planning to portraits to invitations. The studio is an old 2-story house that has been converted into boutiques and is absolutely adorable! About a month ago, she took photos for my business website. Her assistant called a week earlier to invite me to exhibit my pieces at an open house they were having for all of the businesses and their friends & clients. I thought that it was going to be a super casual wine-and-cheese sort of event, but I went early to set up my pieces so that it wouldn't be awkward for me to set up during the event.

I drove up and saw the following: (1) suited waiters approaching the party; (2) a live orchestra warming up on the porch; (3) a florist dropping off bouquet after bouquet of fresh flowers; (4) guys setting up the bar; (5) a complimentary valet parking stand; etc. etc. It was fancy, fancy!

So after I finished setting up and the party was just about to begin, I made a B-line for the door and headed home to get pretty for the party. I was afraid that my knit skirt and flip flops just weren't going to cut it! I ended up in a flattering strapless black dress; strappy heals, and a purple cardigan. I invited a close guy friend (whom I used to have a crush on, but later decided that I was probably a little confused about my feelings toward him) and a close girl friend and we headed to the party.

We made it out back to where a D.J. was playing and a few of the girls were dancing on a dance floor. It looked like a classic outdoor wedding reception, complete with an open bar and photo booth; minus the happy couple. One of the funniest things that happened that night was this girl who came up to us (one of the boutique owners) and welcomed us and asked how we found out about the party. We mentioned that we knew one of the girls from church. Then she asks me, "Oh, is she your photographer?" as I nodded yes, she starts jumping up and down yelling, "Congratulations!! Congratulations!!" over the loud music, and then goes away dancing. I realized a minute later that she thought I meant "wedding photographer" and that my friend and I were engaged! Too funny! The night was wonderful! I met a boy that I definitely felt an initial interest in, but then it turned out that he had a girlfriend...who he was flirting right in front of! I need to work on deciphering social clues like this one!

friday - happy hour, wine bar, taco bar
On Friday night, I went out with a big group of friends to a pub. I know most of the people through church and we had a great time chatting and catching up as a group. Afterward, a friend invited me to a summer kick-off wine celebration that one of her friends was hosting at a local wine bar. My friend Ellen and I went to check out the place and to try the wine. As we were sipping away, I suddenly realized that between us we didn't have enough cash to pay for wine and dinner, and remembered that the host had explicitly asked for each person to bring cash so that the check could be split easily. When our glasses were empty, we paid for our drinks, and headed out to a cheap, but yummy ended taco place instead. We enjoyed a nice chat over tacos before I headed home to get some much needed rest before my long holiday-weekend drive up to Ft. Worth.

monday - memorial day bbq
I drove back from Ft. Worth this afternoon, realizing that when I was over halfway back that I'd left my cell phone with my sister. Luckily, I had my lucky back-up trusty work phone, that I'd actually intended to leave behind for the weekend, but forgot in my laptop bag. When I got into town, I thought it would be a good idea to call the friend throwing the party to ask what to bring, so I wouldn't be doubling up on what was already there.

When she answerd, she frantically asks if I got her phone message, and then asks if I'd invited Curtis to the BBQ, which I hadn't. He'd been rude to me during our few interactions (Gmail chat & the phone) since the break-up and I figured that it was probably too soon to see him even though we'd somewhat reconciled by the end of the last phone call.

She goes on to explain that she intentionally didn't invite him to the party because she thought it would be awkward and was shocked when he just showed up! (Close to on-time, at that!) What kind of person does that?!?! My guess is that he found out about it from Facebook (seeing that I, and a few other mutual friends) were attending the event. But, he totally came uninvited, and totally tried to act like he was invited...even having the nerve to thank my friend for the invite! Needless to say it was an extremely uncomfortable and awkward evening, but I was thankful for the heads up! I'm at least glad that he lives out of town and that we don't have to run into each other often.

Well, anyway, this week is not looking as "socially-exciting" as last week...but we'll see if anything shakes up!

- L