Opening Night

I went to the opening of the little photo show tonight, and I wore a dress to it. It's a historic event, lemme tell ya, as the last time I wore a dress was about three years ago when I was a bridesmaid in a wedding and I wore the dress only as long as the ceremony lasted - by the time I was at the reception, I was back in pants.

Pre-show, I met up with my friend Deb to take photos for the website for a group we belong to. We hit the riverwalk and I have proof of my dress-wearing. Here's the "oil painting" version, which makes my eyes look like I'm possessed by a demon, a la Supernatural. But there you have it people, me in a dress.


The show reception was about what I expected, not a huge crowd and most of the people attending were members of the photo club. I liked being able to look at all the photos and say, "Oh, that's Don's photo. I know Don." That bit was cool.

I Am Such a Nerd

During my senior year of high school, I was a member of chess club. I went with my friend Jeremy (one of the tallest, loomiest guys I've ever known) and it was me, him, the student teacher who sponsored the club, and a handful of underclassmen boys. I was the worst chess player out of everyone, and probably only won maybe three games the whole time, but I didn't mind. Also, I was the only girl. I mentioned this to Army Guy once and he said, "You must have gotten hit on all the time." No, not really. I think it likely that the boys were scared by Jeremy (remember, big and looming).

Anyhow, this summer I'm making it my goal to find ways of getting out of the house and into the world more. Hard to make friends/meet guys when I'm home alone. So, I looked in the newspaper for what's going on this week. Last night, the town chess club had a meeting at a local coffee shop. Why not? I figured. Not that chess club is really a happening thing for young single guys, but it's something that interests me.

I went to the coffee shop, met the three people who showed up, played a game or two with each of them, got beat each time, and got kind of adopted by two hard-core players who told me some strategy and showed me a couple of maneuvers. It was fun.

Like my high school experience, I think I'll be the odd-man out. I was the youngest of the bunch by far, though Liz said last night was a small turn out, so it's hard to judge for sure. She also perked up at the idea of recruiting me as it'd mean having two females in the club vs. just her.

This so doesn't help me find single gal pals my own age, but it's a start at being less of a hermit.

Racking Up Points

I did pretty well on girl points this week. On Wednesday I earned a few by wearing a new top. It's a darkish gray, jersey knit shirt that's a good style on me - kind of drapey so it highlights the boobage and hangs loose otherwise.

Amanda: You look so skinny today.

Then, on the day that I was running late and had no chance of drying my hair over the heater vent, I pulled it up in a clip.
Me: Look, I used bobby pins.
Amanda: Yay! No fly-aways.

To top it all off, yesterday I brought in the girlish magazine I'd picked up at the store, In Style. Amanda promptly borrowed it and flipped through, scoping out the photos & ads. On one page, there was a spread of different stylish makeup looks. She pointed to the Kiera Knightley photo (a smokey eyed look) and said, "That. That's what we need to do to you."

I looked. "That? For me?"

She nodded. "Oh yeah. We're going to have to wax the hell out of your eyebrows first, though."

Now, I do a little bit of plucking to avoid the uni-brow look, but wax? I'm hoping the gold stars I earned this week will let me hold off on waxing, because that is one road I really, really don't want to go down.

Breaking In the Curling Iron

This week Amanda told me I had to curl my hair.
Me: But, I don't have time for that in the morning.
Amanda: Come on. Don't make excuses.
I tried arguing more, but she fixed me with a stern look and I knew there was nothing I could do.

The part that surprised me was my resistance to the idea. Here we are, only a week into the experiment, and I'm already trying to dig my heels in?
Me: Fine, I'll do it.
Amanda: Good. Do it Wednesday.

I debated. I could always "forget" and skip it. But, like I reminded myself, this whole thing was my idea. It's hardly much of an adventure if I wuss out and start making excuses, is it? Which isn't to say that I liked the idea, just that I'd made the promise to myself that I'd see it through.

Wednesday morning I pulled myself out of bed early and got out the curling iron I've had for at least three years now without using it once. It still had the plastic covering on the prongs. I think the last time I curled my hair was when I went to prom in high school. I did the best I could, managing a little curl at the ends, but nothing more than that.

When I saw Amanda, she hardly noticed I'd done it at all. She quickly promised to show me how to do it right and to show me which products I needed to get the hold, etc. "It'll be great," she promised.

So, I'll admit, even though the curl was subtle, it did make me feel more feminine. I'm fairly vain about my hair, despite not investing a lot of effort in styling it, and Wednesday it looked nice. There was even a little voice in my head saying, "Look! It's pretty." Not quite pretty enough for me to attempt it again on Thursday or Friday, mind you, but it wasn't too bad.

F*ing Nail Polish

I painted my toes yesterday. Went with a minty green.

This morning, in my just-woke-up fog, I realized I didn't have matching socks. Thought, "No problem, sandals it is." I slid my feet into my sandals in the dark.

Then I got to work and happened to glance down. Minty green toenails on display for all to see. Damnit.

We Just Got Started, and Already I Have Homework

The last time I wore a dress was almost two years ago when two of my friends married each other and I was in the wedding party. By the time we hit the reception, I was back in pants and everyone was very entertained at my expense.
Other wedding attendees: Hey! Why aren't you in your dress?
Me: Oh, was I supposed to still be wearing it?

Now Amanda is telling me about these cute little black dresses she has in the back of her closet. They aren't her size any more. However, very apropo, they are mine. Amanda already has one picked out for me. When she told me, my face must've got a whole shade paler, because she was quick to add, "Okay, maybe the first time we go out I'll let you wear pants."

She also told me that if I was going to take this experiment seriously, I'd have to be less sarcastic when I talked about it. Then, to get me started, she said I ought to paint my nails. I showed her my fingernails, which I keep trimmed very short.
Amanda: Well, you could get acrylics.
Me: I can't do nails that long, they just bug me.
Amanda: Fine, we'll start you off slow. You need to paint your toenails.
Me: Now that I can manage.

Tomorrow will be toenail painting day. Come Monday when I got back to work, even though nobody will see it, I'll know. Amanda will be pleased.