Going Out

The other day I was driving to Dubai for a seminar on e-Assessment. It was an interesting seminar, though not all of it was applicable to me or my setting. I will talk about that later. During the drive I was listening to the radio and the station that I was listening to, 104.8 Dubai, was having several competitions. They had a quiz of which I knew the answer but I didn't call it in. I was driving. Then they had another quiz and I knew the answer but I didn't call it in. I was still driving. Finally they offered the chance for dinner for two at the grand opening of a new restaurant. I had just pulled in to Dubai so I thought, hey I am not driving anymore, I can send in for this. In order to win the prize the person had to text in their name and they would be called by the radio station. Then they would have to listen to a phrase in Chinese and try to say it. They played an example on the radio. Something about wanting to get on a different bus and how much was it. Well having lived in China for 2 years I at the very least remember how to say how much was it, so I thought it would be something I could at least make an attempt on.

So they call me back. I have a feeling I was the only person to text in. They call me back and I get all nervous and flustered because I know I am on tape and my voice will be on the air. They play me a Chinese phrase. It isn't the phrase I had heard earlier. This one is so long and fast it almost seems impossible to me. I panic and ask them to play it again. Then I did my best to imitate what I had heard. I know that there wasn't a single thing that came out of my mouth that sounded remotely like Chinese except perhaps the wo-shur sound I threw in at the last moment. But the radio group thought it was very funny (and I am sure anyone who heard me may have as well... it had to be as ridiculous as I felt). And low, I won entry into this premier restaurant opening. That is when I realized that it was in the middle of a work week and it was on the same day that I do volunteer work at the local animal shelter, plus it was also on the day that I had to go to a meeting at the kids school. Talk about the worst timing ever.

But I still liked the idea.

So yesterday I left work early to go to the kids school for the meeting and had my husband go to the shelter with a friend for dog walking. He went at 3:30 so he would be back in time for shower and dressing. The meeting was about the kids school play. All three of my kids are performing in the "Secondary" or high school performance.

My daughter isn't in Secondary, but she is "reliable and projects her voice really well" according to the director producer, who also knows my children from their performances in the Pantomimes. In fact, my children were the only young participants in the RAKADS performance this year. So I needed to attend this meeting to find out about the kids costume requirements. The kids are performing the Disney version of Alice in Wonderland. Rae is playing 3 of hearts as well as Tweedle Dum (or Tweedle Dee... I really don't know). She is 11 years old and is playing opposite a 16 year old boy who is the only other performer who can hold voice with Rae. He is Tweedle Dee to her Tweedle Dum. She also plays "Mrs Bird". So I have 2 costumes to make (as 3 of hearts is already made) for Rae.

I have a plan for what to do about Mrs. Bird. I intend to use a colorful version of the Martha Stewart No-Sew Raven Bird Costume.
I need to work with t he other parent for the Tweedle Dee/Tweedle Dum costumes because they need to be opposites. Orange and Lime Green is what the director visualizes. She also has the type of hat she wants, which I have borrowed so I can find the clothe to make a set of the hats. They are the only thing that should match. We will have to see if my sewing skills are up to these projects.

My little William isn't so little now. He stands to my eyebrows, about the same height as Grandma Diane I believe. He is playing the white rabbit. His role runs throughout the performance so I only have one costume to make for him. Thank goodness. I even found a place that sells oversize pocket watch fobs for just this kind of role. At $4.00 it is a bit irresistible. But the shipping is a bit prohibitive.

Zeb is performing as the Dodo and I have no idea how I am going to work that costume. I found an excellent costume example but I don't know if I am up to it. In fact, most of the costumes I have seen for the dodo in school productions are knock off crows. So I have my work cut out for me. At least I have a week off next week to work on these costumes. But his director is incredibly happy with his particular performance so far.

That was the meeting that I attended. I then rushed home to get a quick rinse off so I could get changed for going out. It was particularly difficult because I wanted to put make up on, which has always taken me an inordinate amount of time. I even tried something new with my eye makeup, quite difficult because most of my makeup was used up during the pantomime performances because no one wants to wear caked on performance makeup when they can use real makeup. I had to use it for Will in particular because of his allergies. I always buy makeup that is hypoallergenic because it smells better than other makeups and I like hugging my husband.

Surprisingly I was actually ready 10 minutes early and ready to go. I had started dinner in the slow cooker in the morning, so dinner was ready for the kids (a strange concoction of chicken, carrots, celery, and apple slices. The kids say it gave it a really tart flavor that they enjoyed.) and I only needed to worry about myself. Off we went to Dubai and the opening of this new eatery.

We arrived a little late for the party (disappointing but not too surprising. I shouldn't have taken so long with my hair). It was kind of funny because we had left early but still arrived late. Anyway, we get to the door of the club and the woman asks me, oh so sweetly, if I am on the list.

You know, it is actually the first time in over 30 years that I have ever head someone ask me if I am on the list. I was stumped. Am I on the list? I don't know, what list? The list of the hot new stars, well of course not. The list of best dressed/worst dressed? I hope never to make that list in either category. What flipping list? I gave her the fish impression for about two seconds with Will standing at my side with a laugh dancing around his mouth. Then I blurted out "I won a prize from channel 4". Talk about smooth. (can you taste the sarcasm in that sentence, cuz it is definitely meant to be there). Regardless, she laughed and said in a very Texan style voice, "Well come on in!" and in we went.

The restaurant, which claims to be Shezuan cuisine, was packed with what Will terms "the beautiful people". Oddly enough we seemed to fit right in. There were women dressed like they had just come off the runway with shoes that scream... they don't scream anything in particular, they just scream. And if I ever tried to put on a pair of shoes like that I think my foot would up and throttle me all on its own. I mean really, do you really need those 5 inch heals? Are you that insecure in your height that you need to stand on the head of a nail to feel pretty?

Will and I took the opportunity to people watch. And boy was that fun. I saw what I think was a woman from somewhere near the Ukraine who was the eye candy for a gentleman perhaps 3x her age. When I happened to lean over to look in her direction (he wasn't there) she gave me the most interesting look that seemed to suggest that she thought I was there to poach on her man, or perhaps to judge her. But having already started on the over large glass of white whine I had pressed into my hands on arrival, I simply gave her one of my lovely endearing smiles and dismissed the attitude. I spent time watching the gay men try to hook up with each other and the beautiful women try to catch the attention of some of the more powerful men. All in all it was a lot of fun.

Then the restaurant had a dragon dance to bring in the good luck. Two dragons, one silver one gold, danced into the restaurant and around the entire place before leaving again. They even had live drummers for the dance.

I had a lovely time, but I do think that it was easier to go out like this when we didn't have all the wonderful commitments that life (and kids) has given us.

I was going to tell you about the seminar, but it wasn't all that interesting, except for the video conferenced-in presentation by the guy in Britain talking about a new program for making writing grading a far more objective process. Loved that part.

I am heading into a week long vacation break, so I may not post for a bit. But I am doing just fine, thanks for asking.

:)