School days

The Florida Moonshine Academy was this morning, and it was the first time I'd attended. I might have mentioned that the authentic school uniform Emily had loaned me looked very much like the real uniform jumper I wore in grade school, even in the same Kelly green.

Imagine 20 girls in three rows, behaving somewhat properly at first but then degenerating into gum-chewing, paper-plane throwing, wise-ass hooligans before class was dismissed. Somehow, there was something about the two headmasters that created chaos, the exact opposite of the order they were hoping to maintain. The punishments were painful but brief -- mostly the cane, Tony's paddle, or Ian's slipper, which is nasty.

I was up front waiting for my report card to be reviewed while Jules was having hers reviewed first. One of the girls near the front (now, I am NOT going to drag my sister under the bus) signaled to me. She whispered, "The slipper! Ian's slipper! Grab it on your way back." I looked for an opening and when I didn't think the headmasters were looking I made a low toss over to the instigator. Wasn't sure what happened to the slipper after that, but it later worked its way to the back row (where a lot of us troublemakers had planted ourselves) and somehow ended up on Kay's left foot. Strange how those things happen.

This was the scariest moment of the academy. Ian discovered his slipper missing, called for order and addressed the class. He said at the count of 10, if no one would reveal where his slipper was, he was going to start at the back, work his way down the row, down the next row, and cane us to tears until the slipper was found or someone owned up. The usual class calls of "Why does the whole class have to get punished?" and, "Come on, this isn't fair!" began. But Ian began to count.

Maria was sitting at the end of the last row and would be the first. I would be the second, Jules the third. Kay was next to Jules. She whispered to the three of us, "Do you want me to confess, or can you take the caning?" Maria and I both said we would take the caning. Jules declined, and Kay said to Jules, "Okay, you give me up when it gets to you." But as Ian neared number "1", Jules changed her mind for all of us, jumped up and said, "It's on Kay's foot!"

Kay protested, called Jules a rat, etc. -- the usual -- and was called to the front for her punishment. I KNOW Ian could probably make me cry, and I'm not always sure I WANT to reveal that vulnerability in front of audience, so I was glad for the reprieve -- in spite of my earlier bravery.

It was such fun. Everyone was smiling at the end. I'm glad I attended.

Tonight is the banquet and the trivia contest. Rad says he's tired of the pressure and will be glad when it's over. Me, my competitive side always kicks in. I DO hate to lose. But we'll make it fun, for sure. Richard Windsor, Gary, and a few others are out for blood.

Out of the gate...

When I get to a big party like Shadow Lane or Florida Moonshine, I often feel immediately overwhelmed by the meeting and greeting of people you run into when you're checking in, walking to your room, etc. Unfortunately there are always one or two that you look at say, "I KNOW I should know his/her name but ... " I had the unfortunate happen. Someone I really SHOULD know -- and I'm not going to say who, but she already knows -- had gotten her hair cut much shorter and was wearing glasses at check-in. Iwas very embarrassed that I had to ask her name. Oh, shit. I hate that. Another guy looked familiar at dinner. I said, "We've met, right?" He said, "Yes, actually, we PLAYED last year." Oh, shit, again. I didn't feel comfortable asking, "Was I on the top or the bottom?" and walked away feeling rather sheepish.

I always feel overwhelmed, right off the bat, at large groups. When the dinner at Crabby Bill's was initially proposed I was NOT chomping at the bit to join in. Later when someone suggested we all go and get separate tables, in more manageable group sizes, I felt much better. I sat at a table of eight and that worked out quite nicely. I got to meet Jada for the first time (I believe this is her second party; her first being Shadow Lane) and the rest at the table were old friends. Nice to catch up.

A photographer employed by Crabby Bill's came around table to table to take pictures. We all posed on one side of the table, which prompted trouble-maker Diane from the next table to stand behind the photographer and make faces and gestures at all of us. She went so far as to flash her panties at Michael -- they were pink, and Michael does NOT like pink panties.

When the pictures were shown to us later, we are all looking good -- but there's this guy in the background at the next table who's looking right at the camera, adjusting his glasses, apparently as if to see what the heck is going on over there...

The laughter got me right into the spirit of things. Now, as you know I am not a brat (okay, SOME might argue that point) but I was displaying brat-like behavior at the suite parties after dinner. Rad was finally compelled to put me over his knee (just over the jeans to start, but much more is promised for later today. Dream from D.C. and Mike from Pennsylvania both hosted parties in their suites and we moved from one to the other.

For those who were in Mike's room at about quarter to 1 in the morning, I think that was about the best (worst?) fifteen minutes of NON-politically correct talk I've heard in a LONG time. So glad no one recorded us. Sorry I can't reveal it here -- I wouldn't do it justice, anyway. Let the fun continue.

It's cloudy this morning and it seems like perfect weather to go walking on the beach.

So nice to be away

Just a quickie post, as we're getting ready to go hang out with people at a suite party. We arrived safely in Florida this afternoon (see Rad's blog for details on the duct-taped plane wing). I had a cougher/sigher/space hogger next to me, but other than that it was a very good flight AND I worked on my writing for over an hour. I'm putting the finishing touches on a short story...

Love that we are able to get away for a long weekend. Much needed. I plan to exude happiness and good will (and of course pain and pleasure) all weekend. No pouting or sudden attacks of shyness (it DOES happen). I am among friends; it feels good.

We just had dinner at Crabby Bill's and the food was great. So, more to come later. Now -- we play!