A New Year’s Eve Recollection (1) in Open Diary 2001-2018 (Pre-Prosebox)

In my OD-Free entry about my New Year’s Resolutions, I alluded to the fact that I had an out-of-control New Year’s Eve. That it was. Let’s see. Where to even begin…

Okee. Let me start out by mentioning that I had managed to complicate matters by having two dates for the evening. If you’ve read my OD-Free, you know that I’ve been dabbling in the internet dating realm. An alien world to me. I don’t understand all the ins and outs and tricks quite yet. I just know that from what I hear (and read) that it’s possible to juggle multiple suitors and have several dates in a day. Wow! The thrill of it all! I’d managed to set myself up for dinner with Mark (Luscious Lips) early in the evening and later, I was gonna get the midnight kiss from Theo (Delicious EVERYTHING)!

I was so excited and a tad bit nervous about the whole thing. Mark called and told me that he’d made reservations at this new, hip Italian place. Cool. That meant that I could wear the hot little number I’d bought on my birthday! I found this fabulous get-up at a consignment store several months ago: black lace pants, black lace tank with beaded netted overlay tank, and a sheer fit-n-flare knee-length jacket with great fuzzy crinkly fringing around the collar and cuffs! I accessorized with these awesome garnet tassel-like earrings and a chunky garnet and crystal ring that Best Bud had sent me for Christmas. My hair was up in a kind of messy do with long, straight tendrils framing my face. I felt like a diva when I put the whole thing together!

My apartment was aglow with candles and Christmas lights and sultry music. I even had some wine decanting for when Mark came to pick me up. I was feeling mucho festive! I couldn’t wait for Mark to come over and see my little love nest!

The phone rang. It was Mark. He couldn’t find a parking spot. He was sitting in front of my apartment and asking if I could come down and meet him. I let out an ever-so-slight sigh of annoyance and told him to give me a few minutes to blow out all the candles I had burning all over the apartment. Didn’t get the hint. Fine. I took my time. Wrapped my fringy burnout velvet scarf around me and walked downstairs and met him at his car.

Mark greeted me with a kind of side hug and a peck on the cheek. Hm. I got in his car and told him he looked nice. I got a shy “thanks”. And a pause. Okay. I waited.

Finally I asked, “So, do you like my special New Year’s ensemble?”

Here’s what I got back: “Well, you’re very textured.”

Thanks?

I could already see where the evening was going.

He backpedaled. Telling me that I looked fantastic and how cool and unique the outfit was. Lost points with every word.

We went inside and he made up by ordering a bottle of wine at the bar before we were seated. Soon after, our table was ready. While we walked through the place, I took note of all the gorgeous people there and mentioned something about it to Mark who simply shrugged his shoulders and told me that he didn’t even notice.

Wine was great. Food was marginal. Conversation sucked. I chose to give most of my attention to the wine. We downed two bottles in a very short time because there wasn’t a lot of convo and neither one of us was really enjoying our meal. Mark wanted to tell me about his last sorry relationship that he’s obviously not over. He’s such a pushover. He was moaning about how she used him and abused him. I got a little peeved by the miserable story and told him exactly what I thought of it. Nevermind the fact that my last long-term relationship was severely disfunctional. Probably even worse than his situation. I’d say the wine had started talking at that point.

Once again, my mouth shot.

I clearly upset him, so he promptly took me home and dropped me off in front of my place. No kissing those kissable lips that night. No matter, I didn’t want to.

Plus, time was a-wastin’! I’d told Theo I would call him around 10:00 so that we could make plans to meet at the bar where Becca’s boyfriend and the owner of the bar were hosting a bash. It was already ten after 10:00.

Theo was his dear, sweet, darling, happy self. He told me he’d meet me there, but he’d probably call me before he got there so I’d know to look for him at the door. It was a private party, and I had a ticket for him.

Little did he know. Little did I know.

It took quite a while for me to drive down there because the bar was located on the main drag of a looooonnngg strip of bars, and traffic was at a stand-still. I finally found a parking spot about four blocks away. The night air was freezing. I guess it took that long for the alcohol to really take effect. I stumbled the four blocks to the bar with my teeth chattering the whole time.

By the time I got to the door, I realized that I didn’t have the tickets to get in! I guess it didn’t matter because the doorguy let me right in. I saw Becca and the crew on the dance floor, and immediately forgot everything.

Everything.

Like, how many drinks I was gulping down. Like, what the hell I was saying to people. Like, paying attention to my phone for Theo’s call. Like, everything.

I vaguely remember ringing in the New Year. In fact, the rest of the party seemed like scene after scene of strange movie effects. Snapshots. Slow motion. Fast motion. A blur. Lights and colors whirling, twirling, spiraling.

Here are some things that I vaguely remember: