The One Where Mike and I Went Out

Mike and I are not exactly part of the "get dressed up and go out" crowd.  We are part of the rather stay at home and be comfortable and hang out crowd.  In fact, until the other night, I had tucked in the back of my mind, the loathed feeling of getting gussied up.  I guess when I was younger, and thinner, and prettier, it wasn't so bad.  But as I age - and not as gracefully as I would like - the thrill of make up and stockings and jewelry and heels, has lost it's luster.  Back in the day, I loved it, but now, it's just a lot of work.

But there are some pros and advantages at this point in our mundane little lives.  For one, we don't need to scour high and low to procure a babysitter nor do we need to break the bank to hire one.  On occasion, in years gone by, James and later Matthew would sometimes sit their sibs, but often times it was not a smooth event.  It was way more trouble than it was worth - the mess, the tears (mine and theirs), the worry, and often times the phone calls of distress. I'm just saying there are those that allowed a little power to go to their heads.  It was way easier to hire someone.  But I digress.

This is the actress Jane Seymour - Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. She spoke for a few minutes at the dinner we went to.  Forgive the poor quality of my cell phone pics.

What a great way to be included in the hot ticket event in Utah.  We were given VIP tickets to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas program.  It included a fancy schmancy interfaith dinner that was YUM, (strawberry salad, prime rib, veggies and chocolates), a few remarks by LDS bigwigs welcoming us, escorted VIP reserved seating (and Mike loved this, reserved "special guest" parking) - after everyone passed through the metal detectors successfully - and then the Christmas extravaganza.

Being new to Utah, and very much confused by the simplicity of their street assignments, we arrived ALMOST late since we got a little lost.  I miss the confusing traffic patterns and kamikaze rotaries of New England.  At least you had good reason for tardiness there.  Since I mentioned Mike and I are polar opposites, this is another area we are Felix and Oscar.  It's one I would very much like to change because punctuality is not my greatest strength and I really don't like it. Sadly, that apple did not fall far.  My dad had the same annoying trait.  Good thing we have those that love us and overlook this character flaw.  I do think my mom overlooked my dad's flaw much better than Mike overlooks mine.  We left a bit late, got a bit lost, had some words concerning bad drivers, confusing traffic, which street was which, whether we were heading north or south, and where the parking lot was located. Right before we finally found our lot, Mike had exclaimed we should "just forget the whole thing and go home!!", plus a few other choice words not fit for a preacher to be expressing.  His fuse can be a little short at times.  Short fuse and constant lateness does not make for a pleasant exchange.

The point is, we DID find it, parked the car, walked across the street to the conference center, and were rewarded for our stick-to-it-iveness by this beautiful sight:

After the dinner, making small talk with the other invited guests, meeting some really nice folks, we were escorted to a tiny little conference center.  As in a 21,000 seat auditorium filled to capacity and an elaborate stage with lights and trees and an orchestra and a 200 rank organ.  Wow, just wow - overwhelming.  The show was really good, the musical talent outstanding - Nathan Gunn, who I hadn't heard of since I am not much into world renown baritones and opera singers - and of course the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  Jane Seymour did the narrating. It was interesting to watch the flow of the show.  It was being filmed for a PBS special, complete with a gigantic teleprompter behind us and many cameras and lights.  The dancers and costumes were spectacular. It really is THE event since tickets are free and dispersed by a lottery system MANY months prior to the event.  Evidently there are people that try to get tickets for years!

Since we are not in the know as far as the LDS regime, we had an interesting oops moment.  Prior to the start, the room became quiet and everyone stood up.  I looked around for a flag thinking we were going to sing the Star Spangled banner or something.  Duh.  The leader (president) of the LDS church had entered the auditorium and was taking his seat.  It was really a cool sign of respect, I get that, but I'm not sure how I feel about a church elevating ANY person to that level. Any church.

After the show, we left the building talking about our favorite parts, and this was our view of the Temple near the conference center.

So all in all, despite the chaos, and the traffic, and the getting lost, and the crowds, it was definitely worth getting all fancified and going out - a free dinner, a free show, wonderful sights, and holding the hand of the man I have loved for the past 32 years.