My dad and I went shopping this afternoon: he needed a new belt, and I figured I should probably have a back-up plan for when my feet decided they hated me for choosing to strap them into 5 inch heels. He was successful, I was not.
After driving around for 20+ minutes, trying to find an Olive Garden that wasn't really there, we ate at Hoggs & Chicks, which is a pretty tasty little food shack not far from his house. From there, Stella came to pick me up so she could try to sell me to her people. Okay, not really, but she took me to a place to get my hair put up, and I was the only one who spoke English as my first language.
It was a little frightening, but also totally hilarious. Did you know that the best place for a hair salon is next to a bail bondsman's office (Speedy Gonzalez Bail Bonds), and in front of a snow cone trailer (Gabby's Snow Cones)? Because it totally is...and not speaking Spanish isn't a problem. Just show pictures and shrug helplessly, and they probably might get remotely close to what you want.
Unless you're Stella. Then, you can speak Spanish and they STILL don't do what you want. It was probably funnier to me than it was to her...and I thought it was pretty funny. After we finished, and I got yelled at for messing with my hair, which was covering my right eye like on Lady & the Tramp, when the sexpot girl dog was trying to make her move on Tramp before he totally shot her down (not that I'm even remotely sexpot-ish because I'm totally not. At all. Ever.) we stopped at Party City so I could get some foldable flats. You know, in case I needed to take off my shoes...
Getting out of the car and into the wind? Worst idea ever. My hair really started bothering me then. See, my hair is used to the less humid climate of the Dallas area. I'd be happy to adapt my hair to a more humid climate, but I'd have to live here permanently... Oooh, I like that idea!
I introduced Stella to the joys of the Caramel Brulee latte at Starbucks, and then went back to my dad's to relax before getting ready for our night at The Houstonian. Getting ready wasn't so horrible except for the part where I had to redo my hair (a little) and put on make-up. I don't wear a lot of make-up in general...most of the time, mascara and a Clinique chubby stick on my lips is about as far as I go, so it was a little foreign to me.
Those folks at Women's Hospital of Texas know how to throw a party.
I'm just sayin...
The food was delicious; I had beef tenderloin, Southwest Caesar salad, asparagus, and loaded mashed potatoes, the open bar was plentiful, and they had a mobile Starbucks that would make you pretty much any drink you wanted. I. Was. In. Heaven.
Until one of the singers tried to be Whitney Houston. "I Will Always Love You" should only be attempted by a handful of people, and this woman was NOT one of them. Her male counterpart butchered every country song he attempted, which made me sad because I would've happily two-stepped.
I think some people were surprised that I knew the words to literally every single song they played. Most people don't peg me as a person who knows Earth, Wind, & Fire. Thanks, Mom & Dad, for making me listen to that as a child...
I met a lot of people, most of whom already knew who I was, and all of whom thought I was my sister, who attended this event with my dad last year.
When my hair's brown, we look a lot alike. We even talk simultaneously (like we did a Pappadeaux last night) and it sounds like surround sound. I have a lot of experience with surround sound, especially lately. My dad woke me up with "Crazy Girl" by Eli Young Band blaring through the surround sound speakers in my room at his house. Nothing says, "Good morning!" like "Crazy Girl, don't you know that I love you?"
It was so loud. It was also fun to get ready to when I was coherent later on.
It was such a fun night...my dad and I danced to "Unforgettable" because it was the only non-creepy song that could be a father-daughter dance. "Dad, don't take this the wrong way, but I'd feel really creepy if I danced with you to 'Unchained Melody.'" He was appreciative.
I dragged Stella out there once or twice, but she wouldn't go for the Cupid Shuffle, and I actually know that one.
I've also decided that, next year, we're going to figure out a way for my sister, David, and myself to go. That would be SUCH a fun time. The near wardrobe malfunctions, crazy dancers, and flamboyant gestures would be so fun with them...plus, the Paulsens are always a self-contained party!
And, for the record, I stayed in those 5 inch heels for the entire evening, and didn't take them off until we got back to my dad's, and I was in my room.
I'm pretty proud of that...
Aubs
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