Night of 1,000 Stevies

I attended the 20th Annual Night of 1,000 Stevies on Friday May 14th at The Highline Ballroom in New York City. This is considered THE Stevie Nicks fan event. I had never heard of it and that was pretty odd to me since I am a Stevie fan from way back. But then again I have also lost myself in the drama of life and really being a Stevie fan had dropped down below things like staying healthy, seeing relatives often enough to stop them from saying that I don't love them anymore and also keeping my job in this economy. So how did I find out? One day I was channel surfing and came across this movie called Gypsy 83. In the movie the main characters goes to the Night of 1,000 Stevies in search of her mother and herself. So after the movie for giggles I looked it up on the Internet and sure enough this was a real thing. And I missed it for that year already. Yay for me (sarcasm). So I made a point of planning to go to the next year. So I did some research. It seems that you are supposed to dress like Stevie and also make some effort at following the years theme. This year the theme was Sisters of the Moon - a song off the Tusk album. I spent a good deal of time trying to create my costume - a feat in and of itself since I can't really sew. Fortunately my good friend can sew and helped me out quite a bit. I chose a picture of Stevie from her website - The Nicks Fix - and modeled my outfit after that. Of course it is not perfect see aforementioned sewing issues and then there is the small fact that my clothing budget is not anywhere near Stevie's budget! The other thing I learned that I didn't know is that 'The Gays' ,as Kathy Griffin refers to our boys who like other boys, Love, Love, Love Stevie! It seems that this event is hugely popular in the gay community and specifically with drag queens. I thought 'This is great, this is going to be the most fun I have had since college. *sigh* College was 20 some years ago - I lead a dull life! Anyway - back to the costume - now knowing that I am going to be surrounded by men who make a living looking like women on top of my sewing and budget issues I really started to sweat. I really didn't want to look bad you know I wanted to fit in as a true Stevie fan. If my costume was crap I figured it would be a sure bet that Stevie herself would appear for the first time at this event and take a look at me and just laugh. OK, I am being dramatic - but you get the picture - I was nervous and wanted to look at least passable. I didn't want to be laughed at by all the drag queens you know? I mean how embarrassing, right? So off I went in search of a top hat, some lace and a tambourine..... Well, as it turns out I don't think I did half bad. Taking into account all my fears and issues I still got a lot of compliments while at the show. So that made me smile. I caught a tambourine - YAY I never catch anything! This great couple, Dick and Paul let my friend and I sit with them when our feet were about to fall off. The acts were great - one coming from England to perform. The acts consisted of a mix of burlesque, drag show and concert. There was lip syncing and actual singing as well as interpretive dance. If you like Stevie and like a good time I would recommend you go next year. But I will recommend the following Wear cotton - get flowing COTTON skits and Gauzy COTTON tops - it gets hot and I know Stevie is all about the silk chiffon and lace - but it gets HOT and you will melt - I did. Also - wear flats - I did, I felt like a fraud and then I noticed that most of the regulars were split into two groups - those whose feet hurt like hell and those who wore flats. Here are the photos that I took - hope you laugh and smile and think about going next year Peace!

Salt Air

Well – it’s been awhile. But no one noticed so who cares! HAH!
So – salt air. What is that about? It’s very hard to describe to someone who has not experienced it. Salt air is just different from other air. First of all its moist so there is no dried out sinus headache when you are at the beach. The smell is alternately cool and warm. Cool, reminiscent of snow or ice but warm like the sand under your feet after just a couple hours of the sun on it.
I never knew what it was all about when I lived at the beach. But now I appreciate it so much more.
Now that I do not live at the beach anymore – when I go back there the air provides a sense of calm that I don’t get anywhere else. I can tell you right when I smell it – it’s when I am about one hour from my final destination. At that point in my journey to the beach I am on a highway that is built right over the back bays and marshes. The ocean itself is ten miles or less to my left and the water around me is actually brackish – not salt. But it is enough to make a subtle change in the air. This is when the calm starts. This is when I start breathing a little easier than I do during the everyday rat race that is my life. And when I finally arrive at my destination the transition of the air is complete. I get out of the car and always take a deep breath. I’ve heard this kind of breath referred to as a cleansing breath. I do this unconsciously now. This is the time that I feel it – a completely warm, cashmere blanket soft, calm wash over my entire being.
I feel safe.
I wish I could tell you that it lasts, but in a few short seconds I will walk into my parents home and well – like everyone there is drama in the family.
But for a second, it's safe.