To Be or Not -- Is One Night Enough?

Cutest and I are at that time in life where staying up until midnight, whether it’s New Year’s Eve or not, is not usually our cup of tea. (Now you know we’re old: who says cup of tea  anymore?)  But we love people watching (and critiquing too, I fear),  and New Year’s Eve and Halloween are great times to do that. However we recently discovered we don’t have to stay awake all night to enjoy the spectacle of convivial humanity.

When people dress up for a wedding, graduation, retirement party or any celebration, most of us get into our joyful, let’s-have-some-fun-mode. Cutest and I normally shift our usual selves to the right (or left), flipping the switch that brings out our brighter, lighter, fun loving Jack and Jill.  A small transformation if you will.

So, on New Year’s Eve. Cutest and I chose Corvino’s at 18th and Walnut as our celebratory spot. Always great food accompanied by local jazz musicians make Corvino’s a special place. Unfortunately due to timed seating (and late decision making), we could only be seated at 4:45 PM. OK, it’s a late lunch or early happy hour (at regular prices).  We were pleased to see much younger celebrants there at that early hour as well.  No doubt they were going on to elegant parties later – stiletto heels, shimmery tops and gowns and the guys were also dressed up – in sport coats and even suits.  

But what really set the night apart from others was the wait and bar staff. Corvino’s had chosen this night to be Barbie Night. We didn't know that of course so the recognition made the evening different from the start. Elegant Barbie, crazy Barbie, soccer Barbie, Ken and many others wandered about, doing their usual restaurant duties but with an extra flare and brighter non-forced smiles. The staff was having fun. Even the jazz trio (Amber Underwood Trio #flutienastiness) got in the act with Amber donning an iridescent fairy-like costume.

Our reasoning for the additional joy that evening is that they were somebody else that night.  Still doing their jobs, they had added personal creativity as they each chose which Barbie they wanted to represent. It gave them a reason to connect with their patrons. They also didn’t have to be who they normally are or pretend to be. 

The same can be said for Halloween. Cutest once worked for a company that gave a prize to the best costume on Halloween.  She was amazed when the office grump became Minnie Mouse and giggled all day.  The shy woman in accounting was spectacular as a sexy Cinderella.  Shielded by that costume or special dress or suit, for that  day or night they are not themselves but perhaps a figment of who they might want to be. Or maybe, for once, they just wanted to be silly and have fun. Even as grown-ups.

Some scary research says that young children laugh 300 times a day and adults about 17.  Why? It occurred to us that we lack a real magic wand, but humorously exploring our imagination and creativity more often wouldn’t be a bad thing.  Probably true for most of us I bet. Especially in these times.  We’re hoping the new year is more fun than last. 

Grins.