"So, how was it"?
That seems to be the question of the day/week/month.
First, let me say we looked just A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!! See.....
Told ya!!
So..back to "The Ball".
Ehhhh.
It was great to get dressed up. My opinions of the event are mine alone so I won't tolerate any snarkiness....
We had a great hotel (and location downtown) so walking 5 blocks to the convention center in 4 1/2 inch heels wasn't THAT bad. We breezed through Secret Security without a hitch and into the venue. Lines...lines! We opted not to check my coat and head upstairs; after all..I will just hang it over my chair. Uh...NO. There were no chairs! As a matter of fact..there were no tables. Had I known it was a stand-up meeting I would have worn something more comfortable. (There was a section for Wounded Warriors and their guest to one side with table and chair - perfectly necessary - had there been a need to give up my chair to a wounded warrior I no doubt would have in a split-second).
FOOD: There were two food table (I use the word "food" very loosely). Since the ball was held during dinner hours one would assume that there would be food. Again...NO. Very amateurish finger food/snacks: Pretzels, Chex-mix, tiny cheese chunks with crackers, spinach dip with empty bowls that did house pita chips for a second, meager vegetable tray and ranch dip...You get the idea! Very cheaply done! From the expression and remarks of those around us in line..Rich and I were not the only ones taken aback by the display.
Back to the 'no table, no chairs' - it was pitiful to see women dressed in beautiful ball gowns, soldiers of all ranks...propped up on walls or sitting on the floor to eat. I opted to not sit on the floor and removed my shoes to stand more comfortably. This was totally not acceptable and was a dishonor to our servicemembers and guests! A convention center of that size and magnitude surely had ample seating somewhere.
At 7:30 Brad Paisley started singing. There was not an emcee or program to let anyone know what or who to expect. He sang two songs, then it was walk around and around...waiting for anything to happen. After a considerable time the SGT Majors from all branches welcomed everyone and spoke a few words of gratitude and support. Then..more silence...at some point Alicia Keys sang a song, then about 10pm Jennifer Hudson sang and the President came out. Then the First Lady joined him in a dance...then they each danced with a soldier. Once they left...more silence.
After about 20 minutes of standing there wondering if that was "it", Rich and and ~ along with MANY soldiers/guest, left. Again...no emcee or program. One would assume that it was over after the President said "Good Night and God Bless America". I hear sometime through the evening there were other speakers, dances and musicians. Rich and I hurried back to the hotel, changed and hit the sidewalks in search of any restaurant still open to feed us! I found a Ruby Tuesdays with 30 minutes to spare.
We couldn't help but wonder what the Other ball was like. The one with the glitz and glamour of celebrities...the one where tickets cost $120 - $1675 each to attend. We speculate (no proof mind you) that the Other ball had tables, chairs, food, decorations and an agenda. We felt that since the CIC Ball was Free...we got what we paid for. It was a letdown.
Oh the picture?? I have attended several Parties/Balls/Galas in my life. Usually there is a photographer poised to take your picture (for a nominal fee) in front of a photo-op. Rich and I stood in the picture line to find there was not a photographer. It was just a photo-op where you took the picture of the next couple in line using their digital camera..and they took yours.
While we were grateful for the nomination and selection...the opportunity to attend, grateful for our first trip to DC..we would definitely not go back to a CIC Ball if ever given the chance again.
Peace!
