May 3, 2004 - Stepping Out

So instead, we met him in time for the dinner. But at the dinner, they didn't start serving food right away. They had served a salad, but everyone was acting as if it was a place setting. Nobody was touching it.

We listened to a number of speeches, including the recently elected president of the medical organization holding the event. He seemed to think the whole event was about him and that we should hang on his every word as he introduced every member of his family and talked about his history in medicine, going back to when he was born.

Also before dinner was entertainment by the Polish American String Band, dressed in their Mummers regalia. It was fun, and I even forgot about my hunger for a short while by agreeing to come up and learn one of their struts.

Finally, I couldn't take it any longer, and when I saw a couple people at neighboring tables munching quietly on their salads, I began mine. I set a trend, because apparently the other people at my table had just been waiting for someone to start.

At long last, the speeches ended and we were served the rest of the dinner, getting to relax and enjoy ourselves. The band played classics from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

As always, I boogied to the fast songs with Jackie, the daughter of Jay, one of my dad's med school buddies. We had a great time.

The Gryphon joined me to dance with me during the slow dances.

Near the end of the evening was a rather odd moment. We women were on the dance floor, having a great time. I didn't notice it, but apparently, a nearby young man was making fun of our dancing.

Now this doesn't entirely surprise me, to be honest with you. I tend to view dancing as entertainment, not only for myself but for those around you. So I might make funny faces or going overboard like Ellen DeGeneres dancing on her talk show every day. I know I'm no Star Search candidate, but I just loosen up and have fun.

Earlier in the evening, one lady patted me on the shoulder and said it was a lot of fun to watch me and to keep it up.

But one of the women in our group took offense at this guy and marched up to him, telling him he didn't have to be rude. Then she left the dance floor and told Jay, who naturally got into defensive mode about someone picking on his daughter.

Jay actually took the guy aside and talked to him. Turns out the guy was a second year med school student, so Jay told him that as a future doctor, he needs to have more empathy for other people.

I got the word on all this from Jackie, who joined me to do our hair in the bathroom. She said her dad was still talking to the med student, and she begged me to walk with her past them, so we could be pretending to talk. We chatted cheerfully as we walked by, Jackie avoiding her father's eye as he tried to gesture her over, apparently in an effort to patch everything up once and for all.

"This is soooooo junior high," she said. I suddenly pictured Jay doing the same thing to the bullies during junior high school, as well, and wondered if it had helped Jackie or only made the bullies resent her more.

There was also an unexpected bright spot in the evening. My dad, who's been divorced from my mom for over a decade, actually seemed to be having a good time talking to a woman he'd gone to med school with years ago. Jay had orchestrated getting them to sit next to each other at the table. I think that it also helped that The Gryphon was there with me, and Dad didn't feel forced to make sure I was included in dinner conversation.

She's divorced now, and she and Dad even hit the dance floor later, much to my surprise and delight. So it made sense, as the evening wore on, that The Gryphon and I said our good-byes and slipped out quietly, allowing him some more socializing time.

The last I saw of them, he was cracking jokes while she was gazing at him with a soft smile and a light in her eyes.

Way to go, Dad!

More on my dad and sister's visit:

April 30, 2004 - Cruising with Murphy

May 4, 2004 - A Night at the Improv

May 7, 2004 - Showered with Gifts

Musings an Online Journal of Sorts By Alyce Wilson
May 3, 2004 - Stepping Out
	Friday night, The Gryphon and I went to the annual formal dinner at my dad's medical convention. It's an evening of speeches, gourmet food and dancing with a live band. I always look forward to the night as an opportunity to get dressy. This year, I'd even bought a nice floor-length purple dress at a local vintage store. The Gryphon wore his new suit, with the banded collar. I thought we made a very presentable couple. This was the first chance The Gryphon and I had to go to a formal event together, all dressed up. It was like going to the prom, but without the wrist corsage. Usually, I meet my dad early and we go to the cocktail hour before the dinner, where they serve hors d'oevres. But this year, because The Gryphon couldn't make it at that time, my dad assumed I couldn't.
So instead, we met him in time for the dinner. But at the dinner, they didn't start serving food right away. They had served a salad, but everyone was acting as if it was a place setting. Nobody was touching it. We listened to a number of speeches, including the recently elected president of the medical organization holding the event. He seemed to think the whole event was about him and that we should hang on his every word as he introduced every member of his family and talked about his history in medicine, going back to when he was born. Also before dinner was entertainment by the Polish American String Band, dressed in their Mummers regalia. It was fun, and I even forgot about my hunger for a short while by agreeing to come up and learn one of their struts. Finally, I couldn't take it any longer, and when I saw a couple people at neighboring tables munching quietly on their salads, I began mine. I set a trend, because apparently the other people at my table had just been waiting for someone to start. At long last, the speeches ended and we were served the rest of the dinner, getting to relax and enjoy ourselves. The band played classics from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. As always, I boogied to the fast songs with Jackie, the daughter of Jay, one of my dad's med school buddies. We had a great time. The Gryphon joined me to dance with me during the slow dances. Near the end of the evening was a rather odd moment. We women were on the dance floor, having a great time. I didn't notice it, but apparently, a nearby young man was making fun of our dancing. Now this doesn't entirely surprise me, to be honest with you. I tend to view dancing as entertainment, not only for myself but for those around you. So I might make funny faces or going overboard like Ellen DeGeneres dancing on her talk show every day. I know I'm no Star Search candidate, but I just loosen up and have fun. Earlier in the evening, one lady patted me on the shoulder and said it was a lot of fun to watch me and to keep it up. But one of the women in our group took offense at this guy and marched up to him, telling him he didn't have to be rude. Then she left the dance floor and told Jay, who naturally got into defensive mode about someone picking on his daughter. Jay actually took the guy aside and talked to him. Turns out the guy was a second year med school student, so Jay told him that as a future doctor, he needs to have more empathy for other people. I got the word on all this from Jackie, who joined me to do our hair in the bathroom. She said her dad was still talking to the med student, and she begged me to walk with her past them, so we could be pretending to talk. We chatted cheerfully as we walked by, Jackie avoiding her father's eye as he tried to gesture her over, apparently in an effort to patch everything up once and for all. "This is soooooo junior high," she said. I suddenly pictured Jay doing the same thing to the bullies during junior high school, as well, and wondered if it had helped Jackie or only made the bullies resent her more. There was also an unexpected bright spot in the evening. My dad, who's been divorced from my mom for over a decade, actually seemed to be having a good time talking to a woman he'd gone to med school with years ago. Jay had orchestrated getting them to sit next to each other at the table. I think that it also helped that The Gryphon was there with me, and Dad didn't feel forced to make sure I was included in dinner conversation. She's divorced now, and she and Dad even hit the dance floor later, much to my surprise and delight. So it made sense, as the evening wore on, that The Gryphon and I said our good-byes and slipped out quietly, allowing him some more socializing time. The last I saw of them, he was cracking jokes while she was gazing at him with a soft smile and a light in her eyes. Way to go, Dad! More on my dad and sister's visit: April 30, 2004 - Cruising with Murphy May 4, 2004 - A Night at the Improv May 7, 2004 - Showered with Gifts
Moral: The unexpected can go either way, but if you're lucky, the evening ends with good surprises. Copyright 2004 by Alyce Wilson Musings Index
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