The Gala

May 3, 2012
I've got to give my fellow Violence and Injury Prevention professionals credit.

They know how to P-A-R-T-Y!!!

Tonight was the famous Safe States Alliance Gala. I had no clue this was such a big deal and missed the memo that this was in fact, a cocktail attire event. Oops.

The Gala was at Maggiano's. A delicious family-style Italian restaurant. Oh my! The food was heavenly and there was a lot of it! We got there late and ended up sitting with just two other folks from Ohio. So we had our pick of everything on the menu, including a platter of dessert! I haven't stuffed myself that much since Thanksgiving.

And then the dancing began. Whitney had warned me that this was a serious event.... the dancing that is. It did dawn on me after the 16th reminder during the conference that we'd ALL be on the dance floor. I knew I wouldn't be able to hold out all night, especially after watching almost 70 people cram onto the dance floor and shake their booties. Oh, and did I mention I have video evidence of all former Directors of the CDC National Injury Prevention and Control Center wiggling and jumping and shimming the night away? Seriously, I couldn't believe it! These are the staunch professionals who remain politically correct at all times, except at The Gala! I bet those nagging Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity folks don't have this much fun or activity at their conferences.

Side note: when you're from Utah, people make a few assumptions. Like when Whitney and I told someone we were "sister wives" and saw their jaw drop to the floor before we burst out laughing. You know they're all thinking it! Or when they ask you, "So... you're from Utah. Are you Mormon?" Yep. "So you don't drink?" Nope. "And you still dance?" Uh, I didn't realize drinking was a prerequisite to having fun.