...and then, as the party guests looked on, I walked across the swimming pool.

OK, maybe not, so much.

Sometimes I ponder whether people only see what they WANT to see, or are too afraid of divine persecution , should they willingly accept the obvious!

So, last night Angi and I were VIP guests at the "Safety Harbor Resort and Spa" for their first annual "Halloween Bash".  It's really not as much a big deal as it sounds.  Angi is doing a part time gig with our friend Daniel who owns his own interior design and decorating service.  They had been contracted to dress up the main ballroom in spooky holiday trimmings.  A job they did FANTASTICLY I don't mind saying.  And as a side note, The spa is an absolutely GORGEOUS establishment!  So much detail and character!  You IMMEDIATELY can't feel anything but welcomed and comfortable when you enter! I didn't want to leave once I had sunk down into an overstuffed leather arm chair just out side the Athena room in an open, atrium style sitting room!

Mind you, I'm NOT a big party person, prone to outgoing mingling and frivolity.  No, I am a sad, set in my ways, couch potato perfectly content to slump into the welcoming nook of my favorite couch zooming out to the big screen.  But I married a VERY lively Irish girl who gets FAR LITTLE opportunity to get out and stretch her legs, being married to an old fuddy-duddy.  SO when she informed me earlier this week of the job AND the opportunity to get out and mingle (she is also a fearless social animal who immediately impresses and makes people both comfortable and fall in love with her) (like the song goes, where her and I are concerned "Opposites Attract"!)) I agreed, for nothing else but her opportunity to strut.  And she did!  Dressed up to the nines in a vampiresque ensemble she looked STUNNING! 

And what did I go as? 

Well.  I am prone to being a tad bit controversial and predisposed to eliciting discomforting shock, attempting to "shake up" the status quo.  In 2004, after the unfathomable occurred, Bush's reelection, I opted to go out as a "Republican Lobbyist".  I dressed in a very sharp looking black suit, accessorized with a 'Bush/Cheny" lapel pin and briefcase.  Of course, my face was painted bright red complete with a very prominent set of horns.  After the birth of young Izabella, my maternal instinct kicked in, so I donned a puffy wig, and knee high red sequined dress, complete with a large set of wings and high heels and went as a "Fairy Godmother" complete with make up while still retaining my beard!  This year, as my inner monologue was fighting with itself over my choice to even GO to such a party, I needed to find a way to make the decision palatable (pleasing Angela, notwithstanding).  Originally, Angela had laid out a costume, designed to make me a "Wise Guy" mafia heavy, complete with leather and dark glasses.  Her rationale, at least I would be comfortable.  As She had gone into work yesterday she contacted me throughout the day, on breaks, raving about what a wonderful, upscale place the spa was.  She was quiet adamant as to how upper class it was, the guests and staff alike being very "proper".  This planted a seed in the back of my mischievous little brain.  I began to contemplate what countenance would TRULY inspire folks from that end of the lifestyle perspective to collectively squirm in their seats.  In so pondering, and working on a shoestring budget, I did a mental inventory of my closet.  In no time I recalled that I owned a natural fiber ensemble of loose fitting clothing that could provide the base.  Once home (and prior to Angela's return from work) I tore through the closet and discovered I had in fact retained a large swath of brown fabric that would provide an excellent cloak.  Trimming the look with a hand sanded walking stick fabricated from a downed tree limb by Kaleb, and a cross comprised of two old wrought iron nails, from Elijah and I was transformed into...

Jesus.

Minus the crown of thorns of course. 

And this is where it became interesting.  I don't believe the look was subtle, but either folks were uncomfortable with the obvious implication or didn't quite "get it".  Some assumed I was a Shepard others thought I was a Jedi.  One gent was under the assumption I was a Mexican?  It wasn't until the evening was winding down, and all those in costume were asked to do a "costume parade" and vote for the best costume, that they asked who I was.  Their was a brief pause of a second or two where, aside from the music, the room fell silent when I announced who I was  then broke into a thunderous boom of approving applause and hoots, sparked of course by my lovely wife initiating the response.    I don't know whether I should be proud or disappointed that I couldn't make more folks squirm.  Oh well!  It was a very fun evening after all, and I was given the opportunity to watch my wonderful wife stretch her legs on the dance floor, and even got up myself a few times to perpetuate the white male stereotype of a "full body dry heave set to music"  Can't wait until next year!

On the work front!

It is an absolutely gorgeous day, once again!  Cool air, bright sunshine, nary a cloud in the sky!  Yesterday, being all befuddled, the chaos spread to the day and inevitably we were a tad bit slow.  Did manage to put out two new goodies, a 26" "DAILY BANGER SPECIAL" ladies MTB as well as a really sharp looking 20" Mongoose BMX!!  Picked up an older Raleigh Road Bike, lugged frame I intend on decking out as a ingle speed, just gotta get the right wheels for it!  But, I still have more that I can work with in the meantime!

So COMEON!  GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!  This IS the weather you have been waiting for!  You have NO more excuses! 

With guilt, properly in place, we'll see ya soon!