Excuse Me

One more post about our experiences at the inaugural events. We attended the Illinois State Society Ball on Monday, which apparently was quite a disappointment to many who paid upwards of $300 for a ticket. The venue was the Renaissance Hotel. There was no apparent program or schedule of events, and the conference rooms were "sponsored" by various IL-based companies and organizations. We spent quite a bit of time in the room sponsored by Cruzan and sampled their mojitos, but ultimately the event was a big house party. No politics involved, which was a bit strange for a politics-driven event.

At this event I was also reminded that although people put on nice clothes, it doesn't change personas. Ugly is still ugly. I walked past a woman who was on her way to the dance floor with her partner. She had a glass of wine in her hand, and when she bumped into me she spilled her drink down the back of my dress, dropped her glass on me....and never broke stride. No apologies. She didn't even look back. Everyone around me stood in disbelief. My wonderful friend dabbed at my behind in an attempt to minimize the damage. My first impulse was to walk out onto the dance floor and throw my glass of ice on her (I made sure that I drank the rest of my mojito - no need to waste it) - but I restrained myself and held my head high as I prayed that my dress would dry quickly.

I imagined what the outcome would have been if I had acted on my initial impulse - and none of those scenarios would have made me look good. Some would have cheered my actions, but most (who did not witness what this self-absorbed woman had done) would have perceived me as crazy, rude and every other negative word that would have dampened the atmosphere of the event. But you can't help feeling tired of being "spilled on" and turning the other cheek. Just once it would be nice to just be bad.

It takes such strength to NOT act on impulse - to take a moment, evaluate the consequences and make decisions.

Thankfully my dress dried without a spot and I wore it again to the Peace Ball the next evening - which was a very well put together event. It was hosted by Dick Gregory and Harry Belafonte, and the other speakers and performers were inspiring. Considering that attending the event was an unscheduled surprise, the "peace" theme was quite fitting after what had happened.

I do have one vindictive thought - I hope that woman woke up with one hell of a hangover.