13 December, 2005

trying not to panic...

i discovered this weekend that i am going to the Glide Foundation Holiday Fundraiser tomorrow night, as a favor to my friend Thomas of Les Amis. R encouraged Thomas to donate food for the event, and since Thomas can't go, i and my friend Gerri was asked to go in his place. i agreed of course, happy to help him out. i thought i'd be serving food from his restaurant. i thought it was going to be like other fundraisers where various restaurants donate food and they have tables or booths. i thought i'd be standing around passing out cards, "yes, come to Les Amis!" kind of thing. but i discovered yesterday morning that was not the case.

i will not be handling food, and i will not be standing around passing out anything. i am coming as a guest, a VIP guest, of the chef. the only thing i have to do is talk about the restaurant if anyone asks. i looked at the Glide fundraiser website to get a sense of the attire. the tickets start at $200. my ticket cost $500. it's a fundraiser after all. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith are guests. Gavin would of course be there. my heart begins to race. good god! i haven't got a thing to wear!! and i have no time to look for anything! i need a fairy godmother... licketysplit!

i mean, i've got all kinds of black cocktail dresses. but this is a reception and then a sit down dinner. sit down!! and it's holiday... that means... something long! i don't even have time to "ask randy". the event is tomorrow night right after work. i am at the edge of panic... i can see it's steely eyes looking right at me, taunting me, girl, what are you going to wear? i'm ready to scream.

but then, the voice of reason... call anthony! he'd help! so i call my friend anthony legarda. i've never asked him for sartorial help before. i've been too intimidated to ask a fashion designer. but this is desperate times! and like my own personal fashion fairy god mother, he agreed to come over my house tonight and look through my closet and accessories and, in his own words, "i will make you look fabulous!!"

whew! just talking to him brought relief. times like this, i wonder about what women go through. i have to get groomed, manicured, pedicured, dressed, accessorized, scented, poufed, rouged, and lord knows what else i missed, all by 530pm tomorrow night. it's almost overwhelming.

what i need to do is remember what the event is about and who it is for. i am extremely lucky to have been invited. and i am fortunate to be on the side that does not have to use the services of Glide. this event is for people in need. this event is about sharing, about giving, about bringing people together in the spirit of compassion and kindness and generosity and giving warmth to those who are out in the cold. this event reminds me of what the holiday truly means.

of course, it doesn't hurt to be coiffed and dressed though, and feel "fabulous", knowing Gavin is in the same room. but first, the panic...