Xmas ... 2012

December.

Christmas. 

I spent the better part of December counting down to Christmas like I was waiting for something big to happen to me on that day. Technically, it is something big, because it's Christ's birthday, but I was just counting down like, 20 days to Xmas, 15 days to Xmas, seriously all caught up in it. One would think I had some type of big announcement. It really wasn't necessary because so many things were off about this Xmas.

For one, my weekend trip to the North Georgia mountains (Dahlonega) could not happen. Winter wine highway was cancelled this year so my wine group could not go and then, I just didn't feel like going on my own just to taste wine. Where's the fun in that?

Then, my local radio station B98.5 refused to play all Xmas music from Thanksgiving to Xmas - the norm. They gave no reason whatsoever and there was no substitute. So where does a gal go to get her Christmas music on to give her some holiday cheer?

These 2 things (though insignificant) made a whole lot of change to my Christmas scenario, my Christmas landscape was just ruffled.

But I still managed to summon up some fun. 

1. Yelp Holiday Party.

Not a great party. Not a good one at all. It was just all over the place. The invites were open to everyone so indeed everyone was there. Unfortunately, it just happened to fall on the coldest day in Atlanta - a 45 degree evening. And the line to get in took 20 minutes. 20 minutes of nothingness as we shuffled to the door. 20 minutes in 45 degrees can take the partying spirit out of you. It did for me so upon getting there and seeing more crummy lines for the food, this party gal was not happy. It was not a good look at all.  

The only saving grace - an oh-so-cheesy photo on Santa's lap.

2. Winter White Party.

Punk rock band. See the chick with the afro-puffs!

After the Yelp event I needed a good party. And this was a GREAT one. To me it topped last years, in price and oddities. I had a great time. Mingling with folks dressed in all-white getups was simply breathtakingly awesome.

Slight recap - The Winter White party is held every year, on the Monday just before Christmas at the Historic Georgian Terrace hotel. It requires attendance in all white outfits with a little craziness/adventure in your attire, the crazier, more flamboyant the better. It's all white, how else can you stand out? I went for the first time last year and promised that it would be my annual winter escape. There's a small fee to attend but it is reasonably minuscule compared to the amount of fun you're sure to have.

This is how my night began - see the glee in my eyes!

If you look real close, you can spot me and some of the artists from Totem.

I asked this newly-formed group to play me a Xmas song. They obliged and had to (Google) research the lyrics. Fun. 

One of my personal faves from the evening. Marie Antoinette and me. 

Cirque du Soleil trapeze acts stopped by to entertain.

Lovely ladies of the night. 

Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

3. The Gidewon Foundation holiday gift drive at Le Fais Do Do.

Very well-organized compared to the Yelp party. Open bar all night. Live music. DJ. Loads of holiday desserts. Most importantly, there were no lines anywhere. Slight line while we waited for drinks was quickly counteracted by an usher that took us to another bar with an even shorter line. I just thought that was A-Plus service, don't you?

Live band doing their thing. 

Me, the giggle of excitement.

No matter how subdued I may look, I am the Life of the party! 

Quick shot of my drive home - Peachtree Street at Xmas = Awesome.

                         
The solo life at Xmas - has its ups and downs. Moments when you think, "Oh gosh, not another Christmas hoping Santa would bring me a man." But you get to downplay that, you take in the parties, the champagne, the laughs, the scenic atmosphere, the shopping, you just get to embrace all the joy and love. And sometimes when you allow yourself to be consumed by it just stop and say, "Hmmm...I did have a Merry Christmas."