now THAT was a party!

Where to begin? Where to begin?  I suppose since I have to start somewhere, the beginning would be nice, right?  Alrighty then.  When last we met, I was in a tizzy about my upcoming birthday.  Unlike in the past, I was not looking forward to celebrating or even acknowledging it.  Which that in itself is a big shocker, since I am ALL about celebrating my birthday! So much so, that I start celebrating the last week of September all the way through the last week of October.  Seriously. Ask my friends.  It's fun! I love the month of October, it's my favorite time of the year.  But alas, this year I just wanted to crawl into a rock and sleep until the day was over.  Maybe it was because I'm still trying to figure out what Yvonne's life is supposed to be, or maybe because I have yet to face certain issues/situations, that need to be faced, in order to move forward.  Or maybe it's because I get down in the dumps because I am not dating or seeing someone that gives me warm and fuzzy feelings.  Sigh... I was all ready to just go into the Witness Protection Plan until my birthday was over, when my sidekicks, Michelle and Maricela, went into Operation Birthday Palooza 2012 mode.  These girls talked a good game and somehow threatened me with bodily harm convinced me to see the error of my ways.  Which I finally did.  So in no time, a party was planned, and my calendar soon filled up with activities for the entire month!  I have been a social butterfly these past few weeks, let me tell you!

My Birthday Party -The Aftermath

The festivities began last Saturday evening.  My sister was my designated driver.  She and I met M&M at their apartment for pre-festivities drinks.  From there, we all piled into my sister's car and drove away.  Destination:  Downtown Houston, to a swanky bar/club.  We were quickly moved to the front of the line (much to the guffaws of those left in line) and escorted into the premises.(it pays to know people that KNOW people)  The atmosphere was electric.  The music intoxicating.  We quickly found our spot, up close and at the front of the stage (is there any other place, really?) The band took the stage, my guests began trickling in, a lot of hugs and best wishes, a lot of offers to buy me drinks, from strangers even!   We're VERY friendly here in H-town you know.  Lots of dancing, lap dances on stage and other shenanigans. What's that?  Oh yeah, you read correctly.  I wrote, LAP DANCES ON STAGE -given to yours truly and from yours truly.  Scandalous I say!  Ok so here's how it went down.  I was minding my own business, talking to some friends, who had driven from Austin that afternoon, just to be with me.  When all of a sudden, the singer of the band, and owner of the club, starts calling out for birthday people to get on stage. I ignored the numerous attempts from my family and friends alike, to go up there.  I had NO intention of doings so thank you very much!  But my friends being my friends, practically carried me to the steps, so I could walk up and join the other birthday peeps.  When I walked up, the percussionist, who happens to be a friend of mine and Beyonce's former percussionist (true story), leads me to the side of the stage, away from the others.  They go through the whole shspeel of telling the singer your name and then dancing for him as he sang to you.  Well, then it was MY turn.  I just wanted it to be over and get off that stage, but no, no, that would have been too easy.  And as you know, nothing is easy when it comes to moi.  After they escorted the last person before me, down from the stage, Scott, the singer, pull up a chair from out of nowhere and plops in it. Keep in mind, this is on stage, while they are performing, in front of friends and family and complete strangers.  The crowd is going crazy, chanting and clapping and having a great ol time at me expense.  He's smiling at me and waiting for me to dance for him. That's right, dance for him.  "The quicker you dance Yvonne, the quicker you can get off the stage!" At least, that's what I kept telling myself.  So, armed with a lot of liquid courage and just plain terror, I began sauntering over to and made my moves.  I danced in front of him, I danced around the chair, I touched his face and his chest, and then I sat on his lap and gave him a hug.  I learned that night, that should things go south for me at work , I may have found alternative options.  Fer real.  He smiles and wishes me a happy birthday and stands up.  Thinking foolishly that I was done, I start walking towards the steps to get down. But no, no, again, that would just be too easy.  I like things the hard way, apparently.  Scott grabs my hand and sits me down in the chair where he had just been sitting, and then steps to the side.  All of a sudden one of the musicians stands in front of me and begins shoving his butt in my face -uh yeah.  Then, another musician comes and starts dancing very, very provocatively behind me, and this one wanted physical contact, because he grabbed my hands and started swaying them back and forth.  Finally it stops and I again, breathe a sigh of relief, only to be surprised AGAIN, this time by some random guy from the crowd.  A big, football player looking kind of guy who was wearing reflector sunglasses.  -because he's cool like that, I guess.  This guy pries my legs ajar, with his legs and is quickly gyrating and giving me more action than I've seen in a while.  Ha.  By far, he was the best dancer, technique wise,  I mean.  Wink, wink.  Finally, it was over and I was led down the steps.. My friends acted as if I had just homered at a baseball game, they kept high-fiving me so much!  I was sent over many drinks and shots from fellow friendly H-towners.  I told you we were nice.  The rest of the night we danced it away and then like Cinderella, made a mad dash to leave.  We went back to Michelle and Maricela's place and proceeded to laugh and laugh at the night's craziness.  It was an unforgettable night and so worth the hangover I had the following morning. 

My actual day of birth was last Wednesday.  It was a great day! I worked but was taken to lunch, received flowers, and then that evening, had dinner with my family.  I was so excited because all of my nieces and nephews were with me.  It;'s very rare that we are all together at one time.  (usually around holidays)  So this was a special treat for me.  My facebook page looked like someone spilled confetti all over it.  I had over 150 wishes from friends and family.  I am loved.  It made me feel very special. And I am grateful for that.

So I've conquered the fear of turning forty-six.  I stared it in the face and growled at it.  Age is just a number.  And right now I feel twenty-nine.