It's been a long time since I stayed out till 2:00 AM... but apparently us fortysomethings can still close down a place when given proper incentive, like say, a 25th reunion of your high school classmates. (Naturally, I was scheduled to meet some friends the next morning for a 10:00 AM bargain matinee of RED; although fun, it alas did not pass the Bechdel Test, the criteria for which Sam told us about afterward.)
So yes, I do think I looked pretty damn good (thank you Laura Nadeau -- those of you on Facebook can gawk at the various photos I've posted but sorry, they're not going up on here) and apparently I was instantly recognizable (heh) as were several old friends, including Steve, our resident class joker who is pictured here with everyone's name tag.
The evening really did fly by, since we were all surprised when the restaurant staff started setting up for the next day: it felt like 9:30 or 10:00 PM, but it was actually 11:20! Whoops. This did not prevent us all from hanging around, catching up, and taking pictures for another hour... well, actually, maybe it was two. I mean when my friend Jane dropped me off on her way home to Westchester, it was 2:00 AM!
The women generally looked as good as, or much better than, they did in high school. The men, not so much. LOTS of doctors. There were a few guys who looked exactly like maturely attractive versions of their high school selves, but they were the exception rather than the rule. Granted women have the benefit of makeup (even I, one of the most UN-girly of chicks resorted to the magic of facepaint) but there's just overall maintenance which also makes a big impact, if you see what I mean.
As you might be able to tell, even though I had a lot of fun, the evening did leave a weird emotional residue, because I was one of the few people there who had never been married, AND who was also child-free. Granted, I don't WANT children (though I love my niece's kids dearly and can't wait to see them again) but it did make me feel kinda freakish to be so different from the other 160+ people in the room who were either married, divorced, parents, or a combination of the above.
Normally, I'm fine with my life the way it is, and and pleased with my own progress, but perhaps being around people who knew you at your most awkward (14-17 are not years I'd ever want to revisit) -- even when you currently feel pretty confident -- has an insidious effect. Hmmm.... guess I'm going to have to go chew on this some more.
Of course, my view could be jaundiced by the fact that by the end of the night, my feet were in agony: I will NEVER again let people talk me into wearing superchic shoes if they're not something I previously bought. Jane and Laura N. decreed my black pumps were too dull and I didn't have anything else remotely appropriate (see: un-girliness, above) so Laura gave me a pair of black patent peep-toe shoes, which seemed fine when I tried them on at her place, but: my feet still hurt today. Ouch.
So now, I am going to go seek solace in my fluffy bed, while listening to New Chain, the new Small Black CD which I downloaded tonight from Amazon (I already sought solace in 5 WW points worth of chocolate earlier) and get up early for work tomorrow (hey, hope springs eternal!)
So yes, I do think I looked pretty damn good (thank you Laura Nadeau -- those of you on Facebook can gawk at the various photos I've posted but sorry, they're not going up on here) and apparently I was instantly recognizable (heh) as were several old friends, including Steve, our resident class joker who is pictured here with everyone's name tag.
The evening really did fly by, since we were all surprised when the restaurant staff started setting up for the next day: it felt like 9:30 or 10:00 PM, but it was actually 11:20! Whoops. This did not prevent us all from hanging around, catching up, and taking pictures for another hour... well, actually, maybe it was two. I mean when my friend Jane dropped me off on her way home to Westchester, it was 2:00 AM!
The women generally looked as good as, or much better than, they did in high school. The men, not so much. LOTS of doctors. There were a few guys who looked exactly like maturely attractive versions of their high school selves, but they were the exception rather than the rule. Granted women have the benefit of makeup (even I, one of the most UN-girly of chicks resorted to the magic of facepaint) but there's just overall maintenance which also makes a big impact, if you see what I mean.
As you might be able to tell, even though I had a lot of fun, the evening did leave a weird emotional residue, because I was one of the few people there who had never been married, AND who was also child-free. Granted, I don't WANT children (though I love my niece's kids dearly and can't wait to see them again) but it did make me feel kinda freakish to be so different from the other 160+ people in the room who were either married, divorced, parents, or a combination of the above.
Normally, I'm fine with my life the way it is, and and pleased with my own progress, but perhaps being around people who knew you at your most awkward (14-17 are not years I'd ever want to revisit) -- even when you currently feel pretty confident -- has an insidious effect. Hmmm.... guess I'm going to have to go chew on this some more.
Of course, my view could be jaundiced by the fact that by the end of the night, my feet were in agony: I will NEVER again let people talk me into wearing superchic shoes if they're not something I previously bought. Jane and Laura N. decreed my black pumps were too dull and I didn't have anything else remotely appropriate (see: un-girliness, above) so Laura gave me a pair of black patent peep-toe shoes, which seemed fine when I tried them on at her place, but: my feet still hurt today. Ouch.
So now, I am going to go seek solace in my fluffy bed, while listening to New Chain, the new Small Black CD which I downloaded tonight from Amazon (I already sought solace in 5 WW points worth of chocolate earlier) and get up early for work tomorrow (hey, hope springs eternal!)
