And so i went to the ball
Wednesday, June 06, 2007So, I finally went to the Gala Saturday. I put on my pretty dress, my new shoes, painted all my nails, even borrowed my mother's heavily beaded shawl, which is silver, and she made it herself but never got to really use. I think I looked really good, though the photographs, as ever, disappoint.
There was bus service into Pittsburgh for those who wanted it, so I went to campus, got on the bus, sat in the back seat. I knew people on the bus, but they didn't really know me -- they were their own crowd, most of them had at least thirty years on me -- so all of them, except a very nice man (Who I'd wanted to talk to, because my father, when he went to college here, really liked him) left me alone. Most of my journey was just me, in my own world, music in my ears from my player. (That little mp3 player ranks high as one of the best things I've ever spent money on.) The first song was "The Gambler", which I took as an omen to be careful at the tables, since I knew there would be gambling later. The next song was "I Write Sins Not Tragedies", but I couldn't think what it meant, unless it was that I should be careful what I say.
The trip was nice, the bus was a traveling type, so we were high off the road, I could look right into the eyes of the truck drivers we passed. It makes for a nice view, I have to admit, I think I saw further than usual. I saw a rose bush, wild and filled with pink roses, just stuck on a hill overlooking a busy four-lane, no houses or rhyme or reason to be there. I saw cross made out of white painted pipe that someone had duct taped flowers to. I saw a runaway truck ramp, not in itself all that exciting, except that I noted one of the lids was off the barrel, and realized that that would be a really good place to hide a body...realized that with the traffic it might be rather hard to do so, then realized how to get around that.
We went into the William Penn hotel, they have a grand ballroom on the top floor, and several different multi-purpose rooms. The place is beautiful, in some ways, grand in others. Sometimes I thought the carpet was a bit...tacky, but all and all the place was impressive. There was a reception, waiters coming around constantly to offer the hordeourves that sat on large silver trays covered with what looked like narrow palm tree fronds. By dint of milling around to several groups so I could find my department members (especially Mel, who invited me) I managed to try one of everything. They called us for dinner by turning off the lights. (Smart of them, since I couldn't see where I was going...) and by walking around, dinging sets of tubular bells. They were annoying, and I got to the point where I hurried up to leave the room before I gave into the temptation to stick the bell up one of the ringer's noses.
We all sat at out assigned tables, and watched a video of all the winners. Mel was wonderful, her speech exemplifying why she won for service. Then all the winners were called in to get their medal and etched crystal award, and when the President (of the University) gave Mel hers, she got a bit teary. It was a wonderful moment, really, and I felt so proud of her, because she does work really hard.
Then we had dinner, which was, for me, pecan encrusted halibut. It was marvelous. I did notice, however, that I just can't get used to, or rather, get to the point where I much like wine or champagne. I had both, (we had a champagne toast just before the salad was served. Oh, i should tell you about the salad in a mo.) but there is a sourness, a kick, I don't like. I love the cream wine I told you all about awhile back, but it's sweet and velvety. So I stuck to water, mostly, feeling guilty for taking the red wine, since it went to waste. Well. The trouble is, being an adult means drinking wine gracefully, in some circles, but I think I'll just pass.
The salad was weird. It came in a huge martini glass on a small plate, a huge chunk of lettuce sticking up over the glass on one side, a few spoonfuls of a Spanish looking salad of corn and onions and black olives and even some crumbled feta (I know, Greek) cheese. It was pretty, but I secretly think that salads like this are more of a conversational piece/experiment in sociology than anything. How will a group of people, dressed in fancy clothes and on their very best behaviour, eat this extremely messy and challenging salad? Will they pick at it until removal? Will they carefully cut the lettuce? Or will they, like I did, give up and dump it on the plate?
During dinner Laura encouraged me to get my picture taken. They had complimentary pictures...I have two, one of just me (Laura said it was my big chance to have a jacket cover picture done by a professional. This is one of the many reasons I love that woman.) and one of me and most of the department members that went. When I see Mel again, there should be another group picture of all of us.
The picture of me is ok, except the dress strap came out, and you can see it, clear as day. Photoshop time. I should have cut it off, but it does help keep the dress on the hanger.
After dinner, there were more videos, but these were more...I don't know. I didn't enjoy them, they made me feel restive, like a little kid wanting to go to play. I mostly managed to control it. Bad me. Especially since everyone in the video...their hearts are in the right place, and I admire them for doing it, because I certainly could not.
After that bit, we were now free. Some of us went to get the picture done (the last one I don't have yet) and I went with Laura to the place where they had a huge dessert buffet with a chocolate fountain set up. There was also all sorts of gambling games, and I had five dollars worth of complimentary chips in a gold gauze draw string pouch. There was all sorts of good things...chocolate mousse in cups made of chocolate, tarts of creme with tangerine and blueberries and blackberries, and of course, the chocolate fountain.
After, I decided to see if I was any good at gambling. I was, well, crap at craps. Seriously. The gentleman at the table, he seemed like an old timer, just an awesome character, walked me through it, and when I told him that I my career as a craps player was over, he said, "Good girl," approvingly, then suggested I try roulette.
I won...one chip. But then, you can't brag winning because you put one chip on black, can you?
And that was the end of it. I know people went and bought more chips and stuff, but I was done.
Then I went down to the bar and met with the department, and we sat around and yelled at each other over the noise. It was odd...I could, without worry, drink whatever I felt like. I had an hour bus ride to sober me up, and I don't get much affected by drink, anyway. There was a twenty in my pocket to allow me anything I'd like.
What did I order?
A coke. Maybe I'm more of a teetotaler than I thought? Though I do drink at home...
I was sitting next to two of the departmental wives, but mostly I spoke to Judy, who I know better. I had a great time, talking to her about The Tudors. She's read The Other Boleyn Girl, too. Fabulous.
And then I got on the bus. It's funny, how silent buses get at night...it's like being inside a church, no one wants to talk. On the way up, in the bright afternoon sun, people were laughing and carrying on. But once we got out of the city, we were all silent. My mp3 was singing in my ears, and I watched the city at night from my perch. Pittsburgh is a beautiful city. The direction I come from, I enter and leave through a long tunnel. When you're coming into the city, you can't see the city for the build up of the tunnel, not really. And you go through the tunnel, and just as you've gotten bored, hypnotized by the racing lights and tile you come out onto a bridge, and it just catches your breath. There is still the breadth of river to cross, so you can admire the beautiful buildings, the curve of the city, the boats on the river. It's a surprise, really, and magnificent, like going through the wall into faery, because, to me at least, Pittsburgh is a place filled with unknown dangers and delights.
The gentleman my father knew made sure I got off the bus, which was sweet, and I got into my car. It took an embarrassingly long time to start (I'm taking it to be repaired and inspected tonight...I think there's a leak in a gas line.) which was a nice introduction back to my usual plane of being.Labels: gala, Pittsburgh, work
Permalink Cindy scribed this at 9:15 AM
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