An Academy Awards party was held at the Venetian Theatre in Hillsboro last week, and I was inspired to wrestle into my pantyhose and cute shoes for a second time in less than a month. For once in my life, I decided it might be nice to sit at the grownups’ table.
Now for someone who hadn’t worn a dress in over a decade, this was a very big deal. And the funny thing is, I already had a new dress, sales tags intact, that I desperately wanted a reason to wear.
Yep, I’m one of those people who “buys on speculation.” I’d purchased this particular dress way back when I was much, much, heavier, and hung it on the back of my bedroom door “to inspire me.” And way back then, the rather rude but rational part of me thought I’d probably be able to wear it (and still breathe) just about the time hell froze over.
Well, sports fans, welcome to the land of the midnight sun!
Granted, it was necessary to wear a modest bolero to cover my tattoo (which I didn’t know I would have by the time I wore this dress), but it didn’t take away from the overall effect: I looked awesome, if I do say so myself!
And Rick—bless his heart in more ways than one—Rick wore his suit and a colored shirt that complemented my dress, and took me to a very elegant dinner before the show.
The “show” itself was something to behold! “Hillsboro does Hollywood” is a fundraising event for Bag&Baggage, the resident production company of The Venetian, and boy howdy, they really know how to throw a party! When we entered the theatre lobby, our picture was taken on the Red Carpet, and I knew right then we had arrived!
Contests for “best dressed” and “best costume,” along with random raffle drawings at every commercial made for a light-hearted and enjoyable evening. “Winners” were asked to make acceptance speeches, and prize bags were handed out like candy.
The ballots for choosing the Oscar winners had been collected prior to the show, and I had a hard time remembering what movies I’d chosen for which category, but in the end, it didn’t matter. Two well-informed (or very lucky) people got all but two winners correct, and they both received a very nice grand prize.
It was fabulously fun, despite the fact that I had to “sit like a lady” for almost five hours, and I can’t wait for the next occasion to get all dressed up with somewhere to go!
Who knew?!