Last night I went to the neighborhood Halloween/Thanksgiving potluck where people optionally dressed in costumes. Three of us dressed in costumes, and one wore a mask — everyone else dressed in regular street clothes. I had a much better time at the party this year than I did last year and really got to know many of them on a personal level and it turns out that a lot of us have common interests. We talked about everything from motorcycles to hypnosis to American Idol to deer in our yard, you name it - we talked about it.

The night took an even better turn when two of the people (the guy dressed like Rick James and his wife who was dressed like Daphne from Scooby Doo) invited me to ANOTHER party on the same night — which just happened to be a few doors down in the same neighborhood. He said I would fit in wonderfully there and said it might be “more your crowd” and boy was he right! I swear, for the first time since living in Bloomington, I partied with people who were sooooo my type. There were over 50 costume-clad people at the second party and half the girls wore miniskirts or boots and some were dressed as dominatrixes — the guys wore austin powers uniforms or dressed as secret agents, one guy even wore a giant penis about 3 feet long sticking out of his pants. I ended up meeting some AMAZING people there (and they live practically next door to me, who knew???) — my impression of doctors was SO wrong… because the host of the party was none other than a doctor. Many of his doctor friends had shown up - and friends of his wife had arrived, so it was a very diverse crowd. Some played a guitar game (kind of like karaoke, but with a guitar) and I chatted with some new friends. It was a blast.

There was free beer, free wine, free liquor at both parties - all you can drink… but I was a good girl and drank water. People kept handing me drinks left and right, but I politely declined. They all kept saying things like, “It’s ok, you don’t have to drive home, you can spend the night or you can walk home, and you’re among friends!” But I really was doing the sober thing for MYSELF because I made a pact I intend to keep. Surprisingly, I wasn’t tempted *even a little bit* to drink. Not even a taste. Is it selfish that I felt really felt proud of myself afterwards? Normally, I would have stumbled out drunk, guilty for doing or saying something embarrassing. But this time, I had a blast — and did it totally sober. I didn’t grab anyone’s butts or anyone’s breasts and didn’t even flirt with anyone. *shock* But I got to know some new people on a personal level and to me that is more important. I had no idea that being sober would be so much freaking fun. I know it sounds stupid, but to me, this was a completely new experience. Party = sober. New experience.

The host of the first party sent me some photos that were taken via email and I thought I’d post them in my journal.

Can you spot me?
(This is from the 1st party, not the second party)

And here is a photo from the 2nd party - all I had was my camera phone and I took the pics after most everyone already left. I had forgotten I even HAD my phone with me until most of the partygoers left.

blurry camera-phone pic - the girls behind me wore 60s mini-dresses. Hot!

Can you spot Austin Powers?

blurry camera-phone pic from 2nd party

watching one of the guys doing karaoke guitar

Love
Isabella
xoxoxoox

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